"Janet, great presentation. I shared what you had presented to a group of friends, and several commented that they wished they had had an opportunity to attend such an event before they moved in and admitted that their decisions hadn't all been satisfactory. “
“Hi Janet. Thank you so much for your wonderful and informative seminar today. We both came away feeling good about our decision to age in place. At least for now. Your resources to do this are very helpful. Thanks again and may God Bless you for helping us seniors.”
“Janet, excellent presentation this morning. Our social committee would like you to share your presentation, tips on downsizing, choosing a retirement community. As they face having to make the decision to leave independent living here it is a super tough decision for many to make.”
"MUSIC TO MY EARS," as my mom used to say! I'm so happy to hear the feedback from our latest info session! My intention to share what's possible so people can take action with confidence continues! Our next FREE Lunch and Learn info session is April 16 at Chartwell Churchill House in North Van. Call or email me to register!
For free resources, tips and all things senior real estate related, sign up to receive our monthly e- newsletter info@janethelm.com
604 730 2600 

My 98 year- old dad is moving to Italy!
An email this morning to the family let us know that the news may come as a shock, however after much thought he felt it was the best. We are invited to visit anytime. I have to say, my heart skipped a beat before I remembered what day it was! He got me! I remember it was his mom’s birthday today and also a prankster. I do believe his positive attitude and sense of humour is one of the reasons he continues to age so healthy. Studies and research have proven the health benefits of laughing and maintaining a sense of humour in older adults is important.
Humour is good for the brain.
Humour reduces stress. Humour makes you feel good. There are many more proven health benefits! Also, when asked to describe the secret to aging well, many older adults mention, keeping their sense of humour as one of the most important virtues!
Laughter may truly be the best medicine after all! Wishing you all a Happy April Fool's Day! Enjoy a laugh or two today.

What should you say when your mom asks if you want the Christmas decorations you made in kindergarten? What about when your dad asks for help with his cell phone? Here's what you shouldn't say!

Hello and welcome to AT THE ISLAND WITH HELM. I'm Janet HELM, your Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), and rightsizing guide! What not to say? "No, mom, I don't want my kindergarten Christmas decorations." What not to say to Dad: "That's easy." Or worse, "I've shown you before, Dad."

Kudos to your mom for starting to declutter! She doesn't want to throw out items; she wants to ensure they find a good home. Kudos to your dad, who wants to stay updated and current.

Always respond with, "Yes, Mom, that's thoughtful of you to have kept them all these years.'

And to your dad? "That sounds difficult to figure out over the phone. Let's look at it together when I'm there on the weekend."

Oh, and by the way, if you're storing any items at your parents' place—yearbooks, couches, weights, camping equipment—it's time to move them from their house to yours! Lean into where they are. For more tips on how to communicate with your parents about rightsizing, Ask HELM!

 

 

 

 

Selling your home can be one of life's most stressful events. You want it to sell quickly—and preferably, above the asking price! Keep in mind that over 90% of buyers will see your home for sale online first, then drive by before they even call their Realtor to view it or attend the open house! That is why professional staging, photography, and curb appeal are paramount to ensure you attract the best buyers, not just any buyer. Curb appeal sets the buyers' expectations for what they'll see inside the house. Pay particular attention to the front entrance where the buyers will be waiting while their agent allows access. The first impression of the home is critical. Sometimes homeowners may overlook minor details that accumulate over time when they have lived in a property for an extended period. Ensure light fixtures are wiped clean and working, and the doormat is new. This is a good time to replace the old mailbox and exterior light with modern black ones, which are an inexpensive fix. We recently did this for a home, and the inexpensive detail added an immediate modern feel to the front entrance. Keeping your exterior lights and patio lights on during the evening, as buyers often drive by in the evening as well, knowing there is additional outdoor space will be appreciated.

If the landscaping, for example, is unkempt, the buyer may assume that the house has not been maintained. You want buyers to know your home is as well maintained on the inside as outside. Add fresh mulch around plants, reseed the bare patches on the lawn, and add some colorful flowers to the garden beds. Remember, your entrance sets the tone for the entire presentation. That is where the buyer’s attitude begins. Selling a home for top dollar takes more than putting a for sale sign on a yard! Details matter and are noticed. Photo of a home we helped sell- in multiple offers and above asking. 

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DOWNSIZING! Check out the video on LinkedIn Click here! 

1st myth-you are moving to a smaller home. Many of our clients move to a one-level rancher, condo or townhome, that is the same size, or larger simply without the stairs, more centrally located, walking distance to amenities, friends and family.
Other myths include downsizing is only for retirees or empty nesters. Some of my clients are moving as want to live a simpler life, pay their home off faster and gain the confidence and comfort of being debt-free.
Another myth is that moving to a retirement living residence will limit personal freedom. Today’s retirement communities offer more independence, not less. If you want to know more about retirement lifestyle communities, and the different options available, and you don’t know where to start, feel free to email or call me. I’ll always provide honest & unbiased information and guidance for you and your loved ones.
Another myth is, that moving means sacrificing comfort or space. Living with just what you love and need frees up physical space and provides peace of mind.
And another myth, “Any Realtor® can help me.” Work with an expert who has market expertise to sell your home for top dollar and a program that’s specially designed to guide you through the entire process.
Whether you need a little guidance or entire move management ask HELM! I’m always just a phone call away!
Contact me to register for one of our free info sessions- in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge senior centres and our Lunch and Learn at Chartwell Churchill House in North Vancouver. You’ll walk away with lots of resources, and information including the difference between right sizing and downsizing!
Call 604 730 2600 

Our latest e-newsletter HOME with HELM is here! Read about upcoming free senior real estate strategies seminars coming to a senior center and retirement community near you! Included of course market information and our customer of the month! Enjoy reading! 

When you love what you do results happen! As you’ll often hear me say, nothing gives me more energy than a clear purpose. In my vision, I see a community where every older adult and their family are supported with unparalleled care and expertise as they navigate the next chapter of their lives. My mission is to redefine and raise the bar on the real estate experience for older adults and their families, combining traditional values with modern expertise to create a personalized experience.I offer not just options, but tailored solutions that empower people to make confident decisions about their future. If you or know of someone who has questions, considering rightsizing to a home that fits their current lifestyle and is looking for resources, a guide who provides, more than just a move experience, please feel free to share this post and my information. I'm always just a phone call away. 

Just announced this week, what you need to know!

The home flipping tax was announced in Thursday’s 2024 budget and is set to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. If you purchase a home and sell it within 2 years you will be subject to a tax up to 20% of the increase in value over that time. The seller will be taxed up to 20% on profits made on a property sold within 12 months. This tax declines to 10% after 18 months.

It will not apply to land or portions of land used for non-residential purposes, and the province says certain exemptions will be allowed for life events such as “divorce, death, disability or illness, relocation for work, involuntary job loss, change in household membership, personal safety or insolvency.”

People selling their primary home within two years of purchase will also be allowed to exclude up to $20,000 when calculating their taxable income.

The tax is expected to bring in about $11 million in revenue in the first half of 2025, and then $43 for the next two full years of its implementation. The province says that money will go directly into building more affordable homes.

Starting April 1, 2024, the threshold to be eligible for the first-time homebuyers’ exemption will be increased from $500,000 to $835,000, with the first $500,000 exempt from the tax. The phase-out range for the complete elimination of the exemption will be $860,000, while properties with a fair market value under $500,000 will be completely exempt. 

Paring down belongings from your or your parent's home, a home that has been lived in for years, often decades can be an exhausting process as there are so many decisions to make. My recent Facebook post shares a few dos and don'ts to help streamline the process. Our latest e-newsletter is out. To receive monthly in your inbox subscribe at info@janethelm.com Ready to start a conversation about rightsizing your lifestyle? Whether you need a little guidance or full move management call anytime. I'm always just a phone call away, Janet

In a world where first impressions can make or break a deal, the art of strategic marketing is a powerful tool to elevate a home’s appeal. At HELM we believe every home has a story just waiting to be told. Who Is the Buyer? Are the Buyers upsizing or downsizing? Is being close to the school of value to the Buyers and needs to be promoted? Will the additional room be professionally staged as a child’s bedroom, guest room, office, or exercise room? Many buyers will drive by the home for sale before calling their Realtor to arrange a viewing. I suggest to my clients to leave the exterior lights on into the evening hours to ensure the home looks inviting during the evening and day. If necessary, I’ll add fresh plants or hanging baskets and a new doormat as those details are always noted by discerning Buyers. We want the Buyers to know the home is as well maintained on the inside as the outside. Ensuring the Buyers’ Realtors have all the information and documents they need so they can quickly and confidently advise their clients to present an offer is also paramount. No detail goes unnoticed or addressed. By designing a customized marketing strategy, including a coming soon campaign, creative copywriting, advertising, open house strategy, professional staging, and professional real estate photography, statistics say that Buyers feel an immediate lifestyle upgrade, and the property’s worth is captured by the hearts of those Buyers!  Considering selling and wondering what your custom marketing plan would be? Ask HELM! Call anytime at 604 730 2600 I look forward to hearing from you, Janet- your Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) and RIGHTSIZING guide! 

Metro Vancouver's housing market shows resilience in 2023, ending the year in balanced territory. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV)  reports that residential sales in the region totaled 26,249 in 2023, a 10.3 percent decrease from the 29,261 sales recorded in 2022, and a 41.5 percent decrease from the 44,884 sales in 2021. Last year’s sales total was 23.4 percent below the 10-year annual sales average (34,272). “You could miss it by just looking at the year-end totals, but 2023 was a strong year for the Metro Vancouver housing market considering that mortgage rates were the highest they’ve been in over a decade,” Andrew Lis, REBGV’s director of economics and data analytics said. Planning a move and would like to have facts, and an up-to-date market evaluation of your home so you can plan your next steps with confidence? Ask HELM! Janet is always just a phone call away. Call her directly at 604 730 2600

SOLD! “Janet, I am so appreciative of everything you did and continue to do for me. I’m not sure how I would have managed without you. I didn’t worry about anything.” "Thank you, Janet. Your expert advice, constant support, and communication with my sister were greatly appreciated by myself and my family."
Music to my ears! What a rewarding experience collaborating with H. Managing and navigating the rightsizing process with H took over a year, which included her paring down her belongings, connecting her with a mover, a professional art packaging company, an art appraiser, as well as the preparation and sale of her home. H loves her new home, a decision she made on her terms and timeline. She visited and toured several retirement-living residences and chose one close to her family with the amenities and offerings she was looking for. Most people leave the decision to move or to get help to age safely in place too late, and others end up making decisions for them, and or rushed decisions are made, which makes for unnecessary added stress on everyone. Deciding to stay or move is a huge decision to make. Are you or know of someone considering a move? Have questions about living options? Please call me as I’m happy to share information and resources so people can plan their next steps with confidence. A few resources from our 55 AND BETTER program include: The is It Time To Move checklist, Age in Place Safely Checklist, Moving Day Checklist, Countdown To The Move Checklist, and Guide to Paring Down Belongings. Have you been considering making a move perhaps freeing up equity in your home, tired of the upkeep and maintenance, and or don’t need the additional space? If this is you, or you know of someone you’ll value HELM’S 55 AND BETTER approach.
Deciding when to move, where, how, and what to take, not to take, should you pay for updates in preparation to sell? Well, the entire process can be overwhelming, costly, time-consuming, and stressful! Everyone’s situation is unique and at HELM We custom design your rightsizing plan, tailored to your needs from full project management ideal for power of attorneys to those who expect exceptional customer service and only require a little guidance. HELM is here to support and guide you every step of the way. HELM’s 55 AND BETTER approach streamlines the process, and simplifies decision-making for you, with a no-pressure approach. You are always in the driver’s seat!
RIGHTSIZING is a big change that goes beyond just selling your house. Let HELM be your GUIDE Let’s meet and discuss your unique needs and create your plan so you can simplify your lifestyle and focus on what matters most to you. Call anytime 604 730 2600