BC ASSESSMENTS were released earlier this month and they have the town buzzing! With many properties seeing a substantial increase in value over the past year, we are fielding a lot of questions about the increase in taxes and what this means for your equity. We have reached out to many of you via text and just in case we haven’t managed to connect with you we’ve put together this list of 5 options for utilizing the extra equity in your home :

1. Start a business. Do you have an idea or a dream for a business that you could use funds for?
2. Buy another property. Have you been thinking about an investment property or a slice of real estate in another area?
3.  Home renovation. How long have you been waiting to spruce up a bathroom or kitchen?
4. Stocks. Looking to begin or diversify your portfolio?
5. Toys! In the Sea to Sky there can be so many useful and fun toys to own. What have you been fantasizing about? 

If you have questions about the equity in your home – how to calculate it or who to speak to, if you think you’ve been over assessed or if you have any questions at all, let us know.

We’re happy to check the real market value vs assessed value for you. And if you have been over assessed, you can appeal it to reduce your taxes.

Click this link to see your assessment.

www.bcassessment.ca

We hope you’ve been tuning into our  Instagram  and  Facebook  stories this month – we’ve been featuring some of our favorite Sea to Sky businesses! Wonderful places to shop for Christmas gifts, order your takeout, buy gift cards or just support with your follows, likes & reviews!

This is just a small taste of what we’ve been sharing, check out our Local Love ’21 & Local Love ’20 highlight reels on Instagram for the full listing – we will be adding businesses right up until December 23rd!

While the snow line slowly makes it’s way down the mountains to the Valley excitement  is building for the upcoming winter season.  Whistler Blackcomb will be opening on 25th of November so dust off the gear and get ready for some FUN!  As a team we are excited for our annual team ski day and hope to catch up with clients on the lifts throughout the season. We are always happy to talk Real Estate while sitting in a lift on the way to play!

As the days get colder it is a good time to be checking in on the winterizing of your home:

Top 10 Tips to Winterize Your Home

1) Check your heating system and install a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one.
2) Seal up any drafts and insulate around windows and doors.
3) Protect your air conditioner from the cold temperatures.
4) Check your roof before it is loaded with snow.
5) Get your chimney, fireplace and flue serviced.
6) Protect water pipes from freezing both inside and outside your home, be mindful of pipes exposed in basements or crawl spaces.
7) Make your home energy efficient, BC Hydro offers Rebates for energy efficient practices, check them out  HERE.
8) If you have ceiling fans have them move in a clockwise direction to move hot air downwards.
9) Clean your gutters.
10) Most importantly don’t forget to stock up on cozy blankets and enjoy cuddles with your loved ones with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate while you watch the snow fall at the window!

 A favorite of ours when in Squamish, is Alice & Brohm Ice Cream Co. with two Squamish locations, you have to taste this delicious New Zealand style ice cream! Made with real fruit, and some of BC’s best dairy, we dream about our favorite flavours! 

This month we are running a contest over on our Connecting the Sea to Sky Facebook page, to win an Alice & Brohm gift card – head over there to enter!

We have another local hidden gem for you this month, inspiring young entrepreneurs Lydia and Stella Schwartz created The Peanut Butter Queens in Whistler. They are a small Peanut Butter business that believes food should be organic, fresh, whole, and made with love and care. They have a large variety of Peanut Butters including: Honey Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Maple and many more! They sell their jars at Farmer’s Markets throughout the Summer. These make amazing holiday or hostess gifts and you can order year round at: www.ThePeanutButterQueens.ca

We want to remind our clients about the Land Owner Transparency Act deadline of November 30th so you can be prepared to make any necessary arrangements. LOTA requires the disclosure of individuals who hold, directly or indirectly, beneficial interests in land in B.C. including through corporate and partnership structures.  LOTA will create a publicly searchable registry. Since November 2020 all new transfers of land of this nature have been registered but now existing ownerships must be declared by the deadline. You can file online or through legal representation. For More Information  https://landtransparency.ca/

As you know, we are massive supporters of local businesses and want to share with our valued clients and friends some hidden gems in the Sea To Sky that you should check out! The first comes to you from just off the Whistler Village stroll between Fat Tony’s Pizza and Stonesedge Kitchen, this hidden gem includes a nail salon and footwear store with the latest and greatest styles for all seasons.  Team members Meg & Liz took their business meeting for an outing to Soles Nail Lounge for pedicure magic and were welcomed by the lovely owner Lizzy.  Stop by Soles or book your nail appointment online  HERE     

The lazy, unstructured days of summer are wrapping up, the time to start getting ready for a new school year can be exciting – a fresh start.  Switching from summer-mode to having a full-on schedule, with even more stuff can be easier with some tools and techniques.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Whitney Reynolds, owner of Hook & Basket to bring you some simple organization tips that can be put into action right now, so when school begins, you’ll be ready – whatever the situation.

4 Back to School Organizational Ideas For Your Home

1-CLEAN OUT CLOSETS

Before you go out and buy a whole new back-to-school wardrobe, go through your child’s closet with them, and have them try on their clothes.Donate any outgrown clothes, or previously loved items.  This will make room for needed clothes and keep their closets organized.
*Hook&Basket tip: Any new article of clothing, means one article has to go.  One in, one out.  

2-CREATE A FUNCTIONAL ENTRY SPACE

School comes with lots of clutter – backpacks, papers, coats, shoes, hats/gloves – so make sure you have a functional entry space for containing the chaos.  Keeping things simple and organized when you enter the home prioritizes a feeling of calm.Having a designated “home” for each child’s backpack and belongings will make it easier to find items quickly, and to maintain the space throughout the year.  Create the habit even before school starts.  :)If extra-curricular activities are in the schedule, organize their equipment and make sure you you have anything you need to order in the next size up. 
*Hook&Basket tip:Limited with space- a few hooks on the wall for backpacks and coats with a simple basket or two underneath for shoes can have a huge impact!

3-SET UP A PARENT INBOX FOR PAPERS

One of my favorite back to school organization ideas is setting up a “parent inbox”.   A place for  kids to put any permission slips, notes from their teacher or homework to check over.  And we all know there is an abundance of all this stuff!
*Hook&Basket tip: Label one side “in box” – for the arriving papers.  Review the inbox in the evening.  Label the other side “outbox” – for any papers that need to be returned to school.  
4-CREATE A BIN OF AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

Almost as soon as kids get through the door after school you will be hearing “can I have a snack?” If you are like me and prefer your kids to eat healthy rather than searching through cupboards or eating too much junk food, create a bin of pre-planned snacks.This can be a drawer in the refrigerator with  pre-cut fruits and veggies. Or a bin in your cupboard with pretzels or dried fruit.
*Hook&Basket tip:Set it up with healthy snacks.  Friendly reminder -it is ok for your kids to eat the same snacks everyday.  Keep it simple :).
Enjoy the remainder of your summer, time sure does fly!  If you need assistance with organizing your life and home feel free to email Whitney – info@hookandbasket.com