Your 2023 BC Assessment is now available online at https://www.bcassessment.ca. It's important to note that this assessed value may not necessarily reflect your home's current market value accurately. Relying solely on the assessed value may not provide an accurate picture of your home's worth. Assessments represent an estimate of a property's market value as of July 1, 2023, and do not consider renovations or market trends. The market value of your home is the amount a buyer is willing to pay for the property. When determining a market value I conduct a thorough tour of your home, taking into account factors such as location, condition, improvements, renovations, size, lot size, zoning, and other features that may impact its value in the real estate market. If you or someone you know is seeking an accurate home market evaluation, ask HELM. "I am always just a cup of coffee or tea away." Janet

Tis the season, fa la la la la! Is it the most wonderful time of the year? For older adults, it may not be. Unfortunately, for many seniors, the holiday season can be a difficult time of year. Perhaps they are grieving or their children now live out of town. Sometimes there are financial reasons. Buying gifts, food and everything else on a fixed income can create stress, leaving some seniors feeling overextended. Let’s celebrate older adults, give them recognition when you see them, eye contact, and a friendly, “seasons greetings” or “Merry Christmas” is appreciated. A phone call on Christmas and your time is the best gift of all. From my home to yours wishing you a peaceful Christmas and holiday season filled with peace, love, and gratitude.

Are you a snowbird, thinking of becoming one, looking to escape our winters for your dream getaway- permanently or part-time?
If not planned properly your dream getaway could be a nightmare! What you need to know before you jump the pond!
Hello everyone welcome to AT THE ISLAND WITH HELM, I’m Janet HELM, your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) and rightsizing guide! Lately, I’m getting more requests for living options ideal for older adults outside of Canada! There are so many destinations to consider and paramount information and rules you need to understand and be aware of.
HELM’s 55 and BETTER specialized rightsizing services include guiding older adults to discover the ideal retirement homes outside of Canada that are safe, and easy to navigate. There are so many destinations to consider! How to start? Start with a personalized one-on-one consultation, so we can truly understand your unique needs. Once HELM understands your specific needs, we do the research for you, and custom design a complete guide, which includes connecting you with like-minded Realtors hand-selected by me, as well as legal and trusted professionals and resources to ensure you receive the same exceptional service you’ve come to expect from HELM!
Are you ready to escape Canadian winters, find a cottage by the sea, pied-à-terre in New York or Paris,

or fill in the blank……….! ask HELM to be your rightsizing guide! As you know I’m always a cup of coffee or tea away! #snowbird #canada #piedaterre #NY #Paris #likeminded #MEXICO #PALMDESERT #PORTUGAL #PANAMA #askHELM #guide #seniorsrealestatespecialist #janethelm #janethelmrealestate #janethealmrealtor #50plus #55ANDBETTER
#vancouver #westvancouver #northvancouver
#squamish #burnaby #portcoquitlam #coquitlam #portmoody
#anmore #pittmeadows #mapleridge

 

 

'Tis the season for holiday scams! Fraudsters are looking to take advantage of the increased activity, shopping, and stress of the festive season. Seniors are targeted more frequently because they tend to be home, answer the phone and door, and are perceived to have more readily available money. Fraudsters play off these vulnerabilities. Fraud with Seniors tends not to get reported as they may feel ashamed, or fear others will think they cannot care for themselves. As my mom always said, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” Yet scams these days are so slick and very sophisticated that it is easy to get fooled. Also, many victims are not aware of support resources or do not know how to access them. Below are a few common scams targeting older adults in our communities as noted by the Office of The Seniors Advocate  and links to resources about common scams and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

“You may receive messages claiming to be from a recognizable source (e.g. financial institution, telecommunications company, service provider, shipping company) asking you to submit or confirm your information.

If you are looking to purchase a new cellphone this holiday season, don't fall for an incoming call claiming to be from your service provider. Always find the official phone number for your service provider and make the outgoing call.

During the season of giving, make sure your donations are going to the right places. Charity/donation scams involve any false, deceptive, misleading, or fraudulent solicitation for a donation to a charity, association, federation, or religious cause. Refuse high-pressure requests for donations, ask for written information about the charity, and do your own research.

Remember to always ask the solicitor for the charitable tax number and confirm their registration with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or by phone at 1-800-267-2384.

The Government of Canada has a prevention list. 

the BC Law Insitute is a valuable resource for fraud prevention legal information concerning older adults.

The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) is another valuable resource for fraud prevention.

Our local senior centres also provide information sessions, check out their monthly calendars.

Ensure the older adults in our lives are aware of frauds that target them. Encourage them to speak up and report fraud to you and the authorities. Together let’s protect our older adults.

The photo is from the Office of the Seniors Advocate Facebook page

Managing and navigating the process of rightsizing can often be challenging, whether you are relocating or assisting an older adult in moving. Are you contemplating your housing options? Keep in mind that new beginnings can be wonderful, yet they can also be frightening and overwhelming.

Feeling uncertain about what comes next? HELM’s 55 AND BETTER system can assist you in identifying your position in the transition and guide you with clarity and ease. How does it work? Simply say YES, and the rest is up to us! Give us a call at 604-730-2600.

We will arrange a casual conversation, share resources, and provide you with peace of mind. You'll be eager and ready to plan your next steps with confidence.

The Sandwich Generation is caught (sandwiched) between meeting the needs of their jobs, and families and helping aging parents. Does this sound like you? Earlier this week, I spoke with yet another person trying to juggle it all. I’m dedicating my next AT THE ISLAND WITH HELM to this topic! I’ll be sharing HELM's dos and don’ts and resources to help you from, "burning the candle at both ends," as my mom used to say!
Part of HELM’s 55 AND BETTER service is here to help with a variety of essential RIGHTSIZING resources which starts with an in-person conversation providing you with peace of mind so you can plan your next steps with confidence. Our upcoming e-newsletter will have links to our helpful checklists including:
✅HELM’s Tips for Talking to Parents About Housing Options
✅HELM’s Am I Ready to Move? If so Where, When, and How!
✅HELM’s Age in Place Home Safety Checklist.
✅HELM’s How to Select a Retirement Living Community
✅HELM’s PREPARE and SELL YOUR HOME FOR TOP DOLLAR
To receive our monthly e-newsletter email info@janethelm.com or if you prefer a paper copy mailed just ask! 604 730 2600 Looking for immediate support?
Family Caregivers of BC is a Nonprofit organization that provides support and education to improve life for family and friend caregivers. https://lnkd.in/gDRmGmh3

Exciting News! HELM is gearing up for an amazing start to the new year! HELM’s 55 AND BETTER free seminars on housing options for older adults are coming to a senior community center near you! Ideally suited for those who have just started to think about rightsizing have questions, and want to avoid unnecessary stress and costly mistakes!
For those who don’t want to wait, you can schedule a one-on-one, no-obligation conversation with Janet. Call 604 730 2600. Ready to have a conversation? Janet will bring the coffee or tea; you bring your questions! Your questions will be answered, and Janet will share her resources, and you will receive the confidence to take your next steps with confidence!
To be notified of when the free seminars are email info@janethelm.com or call Janet directly at
604 730 2600

Ready to rightsize to a home that feels like a house, without the maintenance of one? This is it! Welcome to 302 1695 Augusta Avenue in Burnaby. Only the second time on the market, this 2 bedroom 2 bathroom corner unit penthouse is now available in the rarely available, hidden gem Augusta Springs. Upon entering you’ll immediately notice details that were custom designed for the original owner, including the large entrance, natural stone floor, and access to a rooftop deck where you can enjoy your morning coffee and then in the evening enjoy sunset skies and city lights!  Bring your house-sized furniture! The vaulted ceilings and well-designed layout ensure that natural light fills the home. Numerous windows and sundecks provide a view of the beautifully maintained private gardens, pond, and outdoor pool. The lovely gas fireplace in the living room provides an elegant ambiance to this home! French doors lead to the bright open concept kitchen ideal for entertaining. The primary bedroom has its own deck, large walk-in closet & spacious ensuite. The additional bedroom has a built-in Murphy bed, allowing the room to be used as an office, second bedroom, and or guest suite. The laundry is huge, lots of room for extra storage. This home has underground secured parking, 2 stalls & large storage locker. Visitor parking is covered and handy! BONUS: Large laundry room provides additional storage. Strata fees include HEAT, HOT WATER & GAS! Steps away from transit, BBY Golf course, schools, shopping, pharmacy & pub. Pets allowed! Open House Sat Sun 12-4 pm Ask your Realtor to book an appointment or

call Janet directly at 604 730 2600 MLS#: R2832059  

In your inbox monthly, 55 AND BETTER is chock-full of information specifically for older adults 55 and better. Reach out today to receive our upcoming winter issue info@janethelm.com 

Senior centres play a fundamental role in the well-being of older adults, as they provide programming and services to meet the health and social needs of older adults in British Columbia.
In a new report, SFU researchers Laura Kadowaki, Andrea Wadman, Andrew Wister, and community partner Anthony Kupferschmidt examine how independent senior centres directly impact the health of older adults in British Columbia. With a growing population, the increasing need for funding to support sustainable health promotion programs for older adults is becoming more apparent. Senior centres are a source of support and connection for older adults in the community. You can download the report here  https://www.sfu.ca/grc/stories/blog/senior-centre-report.html

Fall is in the air and October is in full swing! Did you know October 1st marks a nationwide celebration of seniors in Canada? The purpose of National Seniors Day is to highlight the significant role seniors play in Canadian society and our economy. The federal government recognizes that "seniors contribute in many ways, including by sharing their experiences, expertise, and knowledge with other generations...The contribution of seniors is invaluable and ongoing.” Let's show our appreciation and gratitude for the wisdom and experience they generously share with us. HELM is here to remind you that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing your dreams in the world of real estate. 
When you think of the word, senior, what do you think? Often times the media and even the companies that provide senior-related items or services portray seniors as frail, often shown with a cane or walker. Sure, that can be, yet a senior, simply put “in a nutshell,” as my mom used to say, are people aged 55 and older. The seniors’ population is growing and it is important to understand the demographic trends and issues that affect older people and the increase in the demands on family caregivers. These are conversations we all need to have as there is an increasing number of generations living at the same time. At HELM we know whether you as a senior moving your mom, your dad, or yourself it isn’t just about moving things from one place to another. It is so much more complicated than that! As your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) along with HELM’s move management system and resources, we are here to guide you, and provide facts, options, and solutions so you can take your next steps with confidence! Have questions? Ask HELM! I am always just a cup of coffee or tea away. 604 730 2600