Moving can be both exciting and challenging, especially as we grow older and our needs evolve. Whether you're moving to a more manageable space or relocating closer to loved ones, choosing the right moving company is paramount to ensuring a smooth transition. One crucial aspect to consider is whether the moving company is licensed and insured, providing peace of mind that your belongings are protected throughout the process.

At HELM, we understand the importance of personal service and tailored solutions for older adults. We recommend starting with an in-person moving estimate. This personalized assessment allows us to meet with you and your selected movers face-to-face, ensuring all your questions are answered and your specific needs are addressed. We act as another set of ears and eyes during this meeting, ensuring clarity in every detail of your move.

Understanding the scope of services offered by your chosen moving company is crucial. Here are some key services to inquire about:

Packing: If needed, HELM can refer you to professional packers who ensure your belongings are packed securely using appropriate materials. Custom Crating: For delicate or unusually shaped items, custom crating ensures they are protected during transit. We recently moved an older adult whose art collection needed to be crated. Every piece of art arrived safe and sound! 

Loading and Unloading:  Some movers will pack one day, then load and unload the next day. Creating a schedule will be important. If moving to a condo, the strata will need to schedule your move, hang elevator protection blankets and block elevator time. There could even be a specific entrance you need to use. At HELM we ensure the strata manager knows of your move date and time well in advance and your movers know exactly when and where to go, so there are no surprises. 

Furniture Assembly/Disassembly: Some moving companies will dismantle furniture at your current location and reassemble it at your new home. We can also connect you with stagers and move managers who can assist with furniture placement and unpacking and art placement.

Storage: If there's a gap between moving out and moving in dates, some moving companies will provide free of charge temporary storage solution to accommodate your needs.

Cleaning Services and Junk Removal: Depending on your requirements, some moving companies, offer cleaning services to leave your old home spotless and junk removal to dispose of unwanted items responsibly.

Knowing exactly what services are included in your moving package allows you to plan effectively and ensure a seamless transition to your new home. Beyond merely transporting your belongings, you want peace of mind during this significant move. 

The relationship between you and your moving company is crucial. By choosing a licensed and insured mover and taking advantage of an in-person estimate, you can navigate your move with confidence. Establishing effective communication from the outset ensures smoother coordination and problem-solving should any unexpected issues arise. I always suggest booking your move day well in advance, as if you have to change the date, you are already in their system and most likely esier to change the date instead of simply calling, requesting a move date which they can’t accomodate. 

At HELM, we're committed to supporting older adults through every step of their move, ensuring a positive experience and a fresh start in your new home. Whether you're moving across town or across the country, let us help you make this transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. 

What does this much needed rate drop mean?This is great news for variable rate mortgage holders and home equity line of credit borrowers. And lower bond yields have led many mortgage providers to reduce fixed mortgage rates by up to 0.25% for 3- and 5-year terms.Choosing between a fixed or variable-rate mortgage depends on your financial goals and risk tolerance. How to choose a mortgage broker? Ask HELM. We are happy to share interview questions as well as information to ensure your choose a mortgage broker who is right for you and your needs. 

Recent Bank of Canada announcement! 

Check out the video!

Recently one of my clients exclaimed how he couldn’t believe how many forms and details are involved in a real estate transaction. For many of my clients it’s often been decades since their last real estate transaction.
At HELM, part of our “55 AND BETTER ” move management system ensures
that you know what to expect, what might happen, and what will happen long before we are reviewing offers at your kitchen table or putting an offer in on purchasing a new home. We provide a glossary of terms, review blank contracts and offers, go over the disclosure forms, and documents and answer your questions well in advance so that when we are reviewing offers at your kitchen table, or you are ready to purchase, and write an offer you know exactly what you are reading and what your legal obligations are. We are with you every step of the way, protecting you, one of your largest assets and ensuring your next home you purchase is right for you!
If you or someone you know is considering rightsizing, has questions, please reach out to me. I’m happy to sit down and have a conversation and share resources so you can plan your next steps with confidence. 

July 5 is Injury Prevention Day in Canada and a reminder that falls are the one of the most common preventable injuries for older adults. In fact, they are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among people aged 65 or older. Older adults can reduce their risk of falls by increasing their strength and balance, having an annual medication review and vision assessment, and removing home hazards. Assess your fall risk and learn about proactive ways to prevent them on the BC Finding Balance website.

Proceeding cautiously, potential homebuyers in British Columbia are mindful of the region's steep cost of living and moderate average salaries. Many anticipate a potential cooling down of the housing market ahead, which could translate into more advantageous purchasing conditions. This cautious stance means that despite reduced interest rates, buyers are not rushing into transactions. Instead, they are holding out for a possible market adjustment that could lower home prices and offer improved buying opportunities. Although historically real estate prices tend not to decrease, there remains hope for a shift.

Interestingly, even with a substantial inventory in the Lower Mainland, buyer confidence remains subdued, as evidenced by below-average reported sales in the Vancouver area.

Buyers on the sidelines are advocating for more direct government support, such as tax credits, grants for first-time buyers, and particularly initiatives to increase housing supply. Without complementary policies, the impact of interest rate cuts alone is limited.

The recent rate cut by the Bank of Canada in June 2024 aims to stimulate the housing market, yet it faces challenges from economic uncertainty, high property costs, and diminished consumer confidence. Prospective homeowners require not only lower interest rates but also assurances of stable employment, affordable housing choices, and a strong economic outlook to confidently navigate one of their most significant financial decisions.

As temperatures rise, it's essential to look out for the more vulnerable members of our community, including older adults. Extreme heat poses significant risks to older adults, who may have more difficulty coping with high temperatures. Let's ensure our seniors are well-informed about how to stay safe and cool during the hot summer months. If possible, offer to share information on nearby cooling stations or even take them to one. They are typically set up at senior centres, rec centres, libraries and town centres. City or District halls will have specific cooling station locations posted on their website. Seniors are particularly susceptible to heat stress due to factors such as living without air conditioning, medical conditions, and the body's reduced ability to cool itself with age. Medications and reduced mobility can further increase the risk. To help seniors stay cool, check on on them,  perhaps pop in with a bottle of water, ensure they have fans if they don’t have air conditioning, and encourage them to keep shades closed during the hottest parts of the day. Another tip is to dress in light fabrics and avoid strenuous outdoor activities. By being proactive and compassionate, we can help protect our older adults from the dangers of extreme heat. Stay cool, Janet 

How to save and document your and or your parents’ life story. Today ask an older adult in your life to share a memory! You most like will feel inspired and grateful.Our clients rely on our expertise to prepare and market their home to ensure it sells for top dollar and they know all the details will be taken care! They also value our system, HELM’s 55 and BETTER which shares resources including like minded professionals.Of course we can refer lawyers, financial advisors, handymen and women, gardeners, cleaners, movers and organizers, whatever our clients need, we get it for them. The topic of preserving “mom and dad’s” memories comes up often. In the next issue of our monthly, HOME with HELM in the hope of you getting to know the older adults in your life better I’ll be will be sharing tips on how to document those memories, including how to interview your parents, questions you might ask and where to go to easily have them documented.
Of course, we will include feature listings, market stats and more! Sign up here on our website, contact page. 

What a rewarding experience to be collaborating with a lovely older adult couple who are making the proactive decision to move to a new home that fits their current lifestyle. The transition is that much smoother when one moves because they want to instead of have to. When one moves because they have to (I call, a crisis move) the already overwhelming transition becomes that more stressful! Kudos to my clients for making decisions on their own terms and timeline! This lovingly maintained traditional home, has 3 beds and 3 baths, and awaits new owners to make their own cherished memories, just as the current owners did when they raised their family and enjoyed the private cul-de-sac neighborhood. Conveniently located steps away from South Meridian Park and South Meridian Elementary, this home offers both comfort and accessibility. Welcome to 16168 11B Avenue in South Surrey. 

Staging can help showcase your home’s best features and increase buyer appeal. According to the National Association of Realtors, 86% of potential buyers find it easier for themselves to visualize a property when it is staged. Home staging is the process of decorating the home in a way that showcases its best features, helping prospective buyers envision what the place would look like if they were to live there.

Even small changes, such as rearranging furniture can be enough to grab a buyer’s attention in a competitive market. 

Every year, the first week of June marks a special occasion in British Columbia – Seniors’ Week!  It's a time dedicated to honouring the contributions of seniors and recognizing the vital roles they play in our communities. From providing wisdom and guidance to actively participating in various endeavours, seniors enrich our lives in countless ways. In the Greater Vancouver area, spanning from White Rock to West Vancouver and extending throughout the province, activities are planned to commemorate this significant week. It's an opportunity for people of all ages to come together and celebrate the remarkable seniors in our communities. Whether it's a gallery exhibit in North Vancouver, an informative health expo in West Vancouver or a variety of programs and events in Pitt Meadows and or Coquitlam there's something for everyone during Seniors’ Week. These events not only celebrate the achievements of seniors but also foster intergenerational connections and promote understanding across age groups. For those eager to participate and engage in Seniors’ Week activities, finding events in your local area is made easy with the help of technology. Simply ask HELM for the link to community events near you, and you'll be presented with a wealth of options to choose from. Let's join together in celebrating wisdom, life experience, expertise, resilience, and enduring spirit. After all, honouring our seniors is not just a once-a-year event but a continual expression of gratitude for all they have given and continue to give to our communities.