WELCOME to 18983 119 AVENUE, in Central Pitt Meadows!

R4 ZONING + 11,000+ SQ. FT. FLAT LOT! Live comfortably today with exciting potential for tomorrow. This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home is just the 2nd owner and was custom built with a well designed floor plan. Enjoy the updated kitchen, flooring and windows.The open kitchen and flex space overlook the huge fenced backyard, while the large covered sundeck extends the living space outdoors, creating easy indoor outdoor living. Upstairs features 3 bedrooms, including a spacious primary with full ensuite. Plus double garage, detached studio and room for RV/boat parking! Enjoy the property now while exploring the potential to build up to 4 dwellings. Coveted Pitt Meadows location, walking distance to schools, parks, recreation and transit. Click here to go directly to the MLS Listing link

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MATTERPORT -TOUR THE HOME!

A little peek behind the scenes…

Three homes are getting their finishing touches before they make their debut, and while each one will soon appear on the market, what you will not see in the listing photos is the story behind each move.

One is a POA sale. A daughter is taking on the enormous task of preparing her family home for sale, navigating not only the practical details, but the emotions that come with letting go of a place filled with memories.

Another is an older adult couple who have decided to make a proactive move. There is no crisis driving the decision. They are simply looking ahead, thinking about what they want their next chapter to look like and putting a plan in place. 

And the third is an independent woman beginning an exciting new chapter of her own. A move that represents change, possibilities and a fresh start.

Three homes. Three very different journeys. And behind each one are countless conversations, decisions, and details!

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)  Canadian Certified Seniors Representative (CCSR)

Scams can happen to anyone, at any age.

Being scammed is not a reflection of someone’s intelligence or judgment. Scammers are professionals. They know how to create fear, urgency and trust, and they are constantly finding new ways to make their stories feel believable.

Older adults can be specifically targeted because scammers may assume they are more likely to answer an unknown phone call, have savings or other assets, or be living alone or feeling isolated. But older adults are certainly not the only people at risk. Fraud can happen to anyone, regardless of age or education.

Perhaps a better question than “I would never fall for that” is, “What will I do if someone tries?”

Most of us have heard about the grandparent scam. The call from “a grandchild” saying he or she is in trouble and needs money. We know to be suspicious. We know to call the family and check before doing anything.

But scammers are getting slicker and slicker, and new scams are constantly emerging.

They are using technology, convincing emails and text messages, fake websites, phone calls and even impersonation to make their stories feel real. The Canadian Anti Fraud Centre says fraudsters continue to use impersonation, urgency, convincing communications and established trust to obtain money or personal information.

With the holidays approaching, when we are often shopping online, sending money, travelling and connecting with family, it is a good time to have a conversation with the people we love about staying alert.

The most important rule is simple: slow down.

In fact, one of the easiest things I recommend is also one of the hardest habits to break: don’t answer the phone! Let it go to voicemail. If it is important, they will leave a message.

That simple pause can give you something scammers don’t want you to have: time. Time to think. Time to talk to someone. Time to decide what you want to do rather than reacting to what someone else is telling you to do.

I was reminded of this with my dad in a way that still makes me smile. One day, my dad came into the house, excited to catch a tennis match that was already in progress on TV. As he rushed in, the silent alarm went off. Immediately, the alarm company called. They needed to confirm everything was okay and asked my dad for his security code. My dad firmly said, “I’m not giving you my code", and hung up! Fortunately, we had a family member listed as the next person to call if my dad wasn’t available. They were contacted, everything was sorted out quickly! My dad chuckled about the whole thing. I loved his laugh.

It was a good reminder that having a family member as a backup can be incredibly helpful. Not just for a situation like an alarm, but for the unexpected questions and little moments that come up with technology, banking, security or anything that doesn’t feel quite right.

It is worth deciding in advance who that person will be. Someone you trust who can be your second set of eyes, or simply someone you can call and say, “I’m not sure about this. What do you think?”

Sometimes, having someone to call is all the time you need to slow down and make a good decision.

Scammers want you to feel rushed. Your bank account is supposedly compromised. Your package is stuck. Your computer has been hacked. Your grandchild needs help. You have supposedly won something. Whatever the story, there is often one thing in common: you are being pressured to act right now.

You don’t have to. Hang up. Don’t engage. Don’t click on the link. Don’t transfer the money. Take a breath and verify the story independently.

The goal isn’t to become suspicious of everyone. It is to become comfortable with stopping before acting.

If someone contacts you unexpectedly and asks for personal or banking information, don’t provide it. If someone claims to be from your bank, hang up and call the number on the back of your bank card. If someone says they are a family member in trouble, contact another family member using a phone number you already have. Don’t rely on the phone number or contact information provided by the person who contacted you.

The same applies to unexpected emails and text messages. If a message asks you to click a link, don’t. Go directly to the company’s official website or app instead.

It can also be helpful to have someone you trust as your second set of eyes. If you are being pressured to make an unexpected payment or financial decision, talk to someone before you act.

The scams keep changing.

I don’t want to give you a long list of every scam out there because, by the time you read it, there may be a new one. A better approach is to know the warning signs and know where to check for the latest information.

The Canadian Anti Fraud Centre reported approximately $351 million in fraud losses in Canada during the first six months of 2026 alone. It also estimates that only 5% to 10% of fraud is reported, meaning the actual impact is likely much greater.

That is why it is worth checking the latest alerts from time to time. The scam may be new, but the strategy for protecting yourself is remarkably consistent.

Stop. Slow down. Verify.

Keep a couple of reliable resources handy.

The Canadian Anti Fraud Centre regularly shares information about current fraud trends, alerts and different types of scams. The RCMP also provides information about safety and security for older adults.

You can find the latest information here:

Canadian Anti Fraud Centre:
https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

RCMP Seniors’ Guidebook to Safety and Security:
https://rcmp.ca/en/bc/safety-tips/personal-safety/guides-senior-safety-and-security

And if you believe you have been the victim of fraud, don’t wait. Contact your financial institution immediately, report it to your local police and report it to the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre. Reporting quickly may help with recovery efforts.

Most importantly, don’t be embarrassed.

Scammers are professionals. Being targeted does not mean you were foolish. Tell someone, get help and report it.

As the holidays approach, this might be a good time to have the conversation with your parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren before the unexpected call or text arrives.

Maybe it is as simple as agreeing on one family rule:

“If something feels urgent or unusual, we call each other before we act.”

A few minutes of preparation could save a lot of heartache later.

And, to lighten the topic slightly, remember this: if you actually do have a grandson named Johnny and he really is in jail, he can hang out there for a few hours while you confirm it is true!

When in doubt, stop. Don’t click. Don’t send. Don’t share. Verify first.

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)  Canadian Certified Seniors Representative (CCSR)

I am writing about painting again because it is a question that comes up often when I am helping clients prepare their homes for sale.

Thinking about painting before you sell? You probably want your home to look fresh, clean and well cared for. At the same time, you probably do not want to spend thousands of dollars painting if it is not going to make a meaningful difference to the sale.

This is where having a plan can help.

As part of my 55 AND BETTER™ Move Management System, we look at your home as a whole and identify the improvements that make sense before going to market. That includes looking at paint. Sometimes a full paint job makes sense. Sometimes a few strategic touch ups are all that is needed. And sometimes the money would be better spent somewhere else.

The question is not simply, “Does the house need paint?” It is, “Will painting this particular home improve the way it shows and the return you are likely to get from the investment?”

If you are painting your interior, light, neutral and timeless colours are generally a good place to start. Three Benjamin Moore whites worth considering are White Dove OC 17, a soft classic white with warmth; Simply White OC 117, a clean white with subtle warmth; and Chantilly Lace OC 65, a crisp, clean white with very little visible undertone. These are simply starting points. You do not have to use Benjamin Moore paint to get a Benjamin Moore colour. Most quality paint stores can colour match a colour from another brand.

And here is a tip you may not have considered. If you see a house colour you love, knock on the door and ask! I did just that. I saw a home with a colour I really liked, knocked on the door and asked the homeowner what colour they had used. They were thrilled to share it with me. Seeing a colour on an actual home beats a small colour swatch every time!

You can also ask your paint supplier for a larger swatch, or purchase a small amount of paint and test it on your wall. Look at it at different times of the day and in different light before committing to the entire room. Lighting, flooring, cabinetry and existing finishes can all change how a colour looks.

Remember burgundy feature walls? They may have looked fantastic at the time, yet strong trend driven colours can quickly date a home. If you are preparing to sell, you probably do not want to spend money on a colour that looks great today but makes the home feel dated.

The goal is not to follow every new trend. It is to make thoughtful choices that help your home feel fresh, well cared for and appealing to buyers, without spending money unnecessarily.

Before committing to painting the entire interior, take a good look at the home. Are there scuff marks that could simply be touched up? Are there one or two rooms where the colour really works against the home? Are the walls generally in good condition? Would a little paint in the entry, main living area or another key space make a noticeable difference?

And sometimes, there may be another option. Through the magic of technology, we have actually digitally changed purple walls to white in listing photographs so buyers could better imagine the space in a neutral colour. It is not right for every property or every situation, but it is an example of why it is worth considering your options before spending money on a full paint job.

Some touch ups and painting will improve your return on investment. Others will simply add expense. That is why this is part of the preparation conversation I have with my clients.

What About the Exterior?

Exterior colour can have a big impact because it is part of the first impression buyers have of your home. You probably want the exterior to look current, but you may not want to choose a colour that is so trendy that it quickly feels dated.

For a classic exterior that can appeal to a broad range of buyers, three colours I would consider are White Dove OC 17, Revere Pewter HC 172 and Coventry Gray HC 169.

White Dove gives a home a clean, timeless appearance. Revere Pewter is a warm, versatile neutral that can work beautifully with stone, brick and landscaping. Coventry Gray offers a slightly deeper, classic grey that can give an exterior a more defined look.

Of course, the right colour depends on the architecture of the home, landscaping and surrounding properties. If you aren't sure just ask! Soft whites can create a clean, classic appearance. Warm grays offer a sophisticated neutral that works well with stone, brick and landscaping. Muted greens can complement natural surroundings, while blue greys can add a subtle touch of colour while remaining relatively classic.

If you are preparing your home for sale, there can be a long list of things you could spend money on. Painting is just one of them. You probably do not want to spend money fixing something buyers will not care about. And you probably do not want to leave something untouched that could make a real difference to how your home shows.

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)  Canadian Certified Seniors Representative (CCSR)

Fall is a beautiful time of year, but it is also a good time to take a fresh look around your home and consider how you can make it safer.

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults. In British Columbia, 1 in 3 older adults experience a fall each year, and about 10 to 15 percent of those falls result in serious injuries such as broken bones.

The good news? Many falls can be prevented.

Fall prevention is not about giving up the things you enjoy or making your home feel clinical. It is about identifying potential risks and making small changes that can help you remain active, confident and independent.

Start with your home

Most falls among older adults happen at home. That makes your home a great place to start.

Walk through your home with fresh eyes. Look for anything that could cause you to trip, slip or lose your balance.

Consider:

Clear the pathways. Remove clutter, electrical cords, shoes, boxes and other items from walking areas.

Take a second look at area rugs. Loose rugs can be a tripping hazard. Remove them or make sure they have a secure, non slip backing.

Improve the lighting. Make sure hallways, stairways, entrances and bathrooms are well lit. Night lights can be especially helpful between the bedroom and bathroom.

Make stairs safer. Keep stairs clear and make sure handrails are sturdy. Ideally, handrails should be on both sides of the stairs.

Make the bathroom safer. Non slip mats, grab bars and a shower or bath seat can make a significant difference.

Keep everyday items within easy reach. Frequently used dishes, food, clothing and other necessities should not require climbing or stretching.

And one important reminder: never use a chair as a step stool. If something is out of reach, ask for help!

Don't forget the outside of your home

Fall prevention extends beyond the front door.

As we move into fall, wet leaves, rain, moss and slippery pathways can create additional hazards. Check walkways, stairs and outdoor surfaces regularly.

Look for:

• Cracked or uneven pathways
• Loose gravel
• Garden hoses across walkways
• Overgrown plants or branches
• Poor lighting
• Slippery leaves or other seasonal hazards
• Outdoor stairs without sturdy handrails or non slip surfaces

If a job requires a ladder, ask someone to do it. Your safety is more important than getting that last bit of fall maintenance finished yourself.

Keep your body strong and your balance challenged

Your home is only part of the equation.

Strength, balance and flexibility can all help reduce your risk of falling. Walking, strength training, water based exercise can help improve strength, balance and coordination.

If you are worried about falling or have already had a fall, talk with your healthcare provider or a qualified exercise professional before starting a new exercise program.

Review your medications and vision

Some medications can cause drowsiness, dizziness or unsteadiness, particularly as our bodies change with age.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications regularly, including prescriptions, over the counter medications, vitamins and supplements.

Vision is important too. Regular eye examinations can help identify changes that may affect your ability to see obstacles, steps and changes in surfaces.

Wear shoes that support you

Your footwear matters.

Choose well fitting shoes with good support and non slip soles. Avoid walking in socks on smooth floors and be cautious with slippers that are loose or have little support.

A fall is worth talking about

Sometimes people feel embarrassed after a fall and simply move on.

Don't.

A previous fall is one of the strongest indicators of future falls. If you have fallen, or even had a few close calls, tell your healthcare provider. Understanding what happened can help identify ways to reduce the risk of it happening again.

Fall prevention is part of planning ahead

For many older adults, the goal is to remain safely in their current home.

That does not necessarily mean making major renovations or making your home look different. Sometimes it is as simple as improving lighting, removing a rug, adding a handrail or moving frequently used items to a more accessible location.

And sometimes a home assessment can identify changes that you may not have noticed yourself.

A safer home today can help support independence tomorrow.

Take the next step

HealthLink BC has a Home Safety Checklist that can help you walk through your home and identify potential fall risks. There is also a Staying Independent Checklist to help you assess your personal risk.

Explore HealthLink BC's fall prevention resources

If you are concerned about a fall, your balance, medications or your ability to safely manage at home, speak with your healthcare provider. If you know someone who doesn’t go online, you can also call 8 1 1 in British Columbia for health information and guidance.

A little prevention can go a long way toward helping you stay safe, confident and independent at home.