Many of us dream of owning a beautiful acreage property. One of the best things about living in Prince George is that there are plenty of acreage homes available within city limits and beyond. So, is country living right for you?   Country living = more space...

Buying a house could be the biggest financial transaction you make in your lifetime. The true value of a home is even bigger than that. Your home should be a place where you find comfort and security, where you build memories with family and friends. Here's how a...

Getting on the property ladder can be tough, especially if you already have a family to provide for. Owning a family home can offer more independence for families, but how can you get there?   Set goals Between work, school and managing your daily routines, set...

Open houses are a great way to scope out your local real estate market. You may actually end up finding your next home through a private showing with your REALTOR®, but here’s why attending a few open houses still makes sense.   You might just walk into your...

You’ve fallen in love with the home, but you don’t know much about the area. Here are our top tips for researching a new neighbourhood!   #1 Talk to your REALTOR® Chances are, your REALTOR® has helped others buy and sell in this neighbourhood before. They can...

There’s a lot to think about when you put your home on the market. You may be getting rid of clutter, fixing up a few things around the house, giving your home a deep clean and thinking about your next move. With all that going on, it’s easy to forget about the yard....

We're delighted to welcome PG local, REALTOR® Stephanie Bepple to our team! Read on to learn more about Stephanie and why she chose a career in real estate.   About Stephanie I was born and raised in Prince George, third generation in fact! Since I was really...

Condos offer simplicity for homeowners. Say goodbye to all your yard maintenance and snow removal worries. Your monthly strata fee will cover many of the key building maintenance costs. Depending on the development, you may even have additional benefits, such as...

We're delighted that REALTOR® Garnet Weston decided to join Team Powerhouse Realty after his recent move from Kelowna to Prince George. Garnet is originally from Victoria, and prior to starting a career in real estate, he spent over ten years living in northern...

Winter selling tips!! There may be snow on the ground, but it isn’t a terrible time to sell. In fact, selling your home in the winter months has its own unique advantages. Fewer homes are on the market, which means less competition from other sellers. Plus, the people...

The beauty of a condo lifestyle is that you can enjoy all four seasons without the chores! The exceptional features at Park House Condos are designed to make your year-round lifestyle simplified and energized. Here’s what your home life could look like during each...

We’re very lucky in Prince George, BC. Our city still has plenty of affordable options for homebuyers, whether you’re in the market for a house, a condo, an acreage or a townhouse. But which option is the best fit for you? If you’re curious about condominiums, here...

  This weekend, our REALTORS® will be showcasing some great value properties under $350,000. If you're looking for a character home, a spacious family home, a starter or investor property, we hope to see you at one of our open houses! You can also meet our...

This Sunday is Mother's Day! We're celebrating by featuring three open houses that we think are dream family homes. If you're in the market for a new house in Prince George, consider taking a few moments out of your day this Mother's Day to find out if one of these...

What makes a neighbourhood popular? It often comes down to the amenities the area offers, like great schools, nearby entertainment, parks and trails. This week we're featuring six open houses located in popular PG neighbourhoods. If you're new to town, our REALTORS®...

What's your background? Hi, I'm Sarah White. I have always worked in the service industry. I forged great working relationships with my clients while working in construction and engineering services. Going the extra mile and exceeding clients' expectations has helped...

This week we're featuring two different properties in Prince George that you can view at open houses on Sunday March 25th. They're both move in ready, which means you can enjoy the beautiful updates without doing all the work! The Charella Drive property offers plenty...

Open houses are a great way to find the perfect home. If you're house hunting, going to an open house could help you narrow your search, or even find a property you want to put an offer on! We're featuring three open houses this week: two dream homes in different...

What’s your background? Hi, I am Ashley Woods. I was born and raised in Prince George B.C. and I am so proud to call this place home! After attending high school and college here, I became an Esthetician since I really enjoyed working with people and being the...

Smoking regularly can be expensive, but could it have other unexpected effects on your finances?   A recent survey of Realtors® in British Columbia revealed that 76% of Realtors® believed prospective buyers were less likely to buy a smoker’s home, and over 50% of...

When you put an offer on a home, your Realtor® will advise you to include a home inspection in the subjects. This is an important step that helps you get to know the property better.   The Process You can expect the inspector to investigate all the major aspects...

It’s time for a spring clean! This is a good opportunity to assess the general health of your home to keep it, and you, in great condition. We’ve compiled a simple checklist to give you a place to start on your journey to a healthier home. Keep reading for a few...

You may have a specific buyer in mind when you are ready to sell their property. Whether that buyer is a family member, friend or co-worker, there are a few things to think about before you go ahead with the sale. Realtor® Caitlin Radzanowski has a few suggestions...

Cranbrook Hill, Prince George is a piece of the country in the city. Rising above the downtown core, a number of properties here have spectacular views. The picturesque trails and acreages are also popular with the local wildlife, and sightings are fairly common in...

What you do with your garden could not only affect the price you get for your home, but also how long it sits on the market. Landscape Ontario lists a number of reasons why gardens are a great investment, including the fact that landscaping builds equity for your...

Whether you are a landlord or tenant, you’ve probably wondered about rent-to-own agreements at some point. If you live in Prince George, BC, Realtor® Keven Braet says rent to own properties are difficult to find for one simple reason: most landlords would never want...

Spring is here! Unless your recreational property is located on a ski resort, this is a great time to put your property on the market and have prospective buyers experience it at its best. Here are a few tips for selling a recreational property in Canada:  ...

Spring is a busy time in real estate. As winter comes to a close, many more sellers put their homes on the market and the nicer weather encourages more prospective buyers to start browsing.   Spring also means more competition for sellers. The good news is, you...

The key to selling your home quickly and at the right price is getting the attention of the right buyers. We talked to Realtor® Rick Mayhew about how you can get your property the attention it deserves.     Price it right Pricing is very important if you...

The value of your house is not only shaped by the home itself. If you’ve ever looked into how your BC Property Assessment is calculated, you’ll know that the neighbourhood can also affect the market value of your home. When you hire a Realtor® to sell your home, they...

If you are buying a home with an in-law suite or renovating a space for family members to move into, here are a few features that are worth considering as you plan.     1) Space Your family members will spend a lot of time in their in-law suite, so although...

Realtor® Barbara Robin has been working in real estate for 33 years. She loves her job, and she loves helping people find their future homes. With all her experience, she’s also learned a thing or two about market trends. There has been a lot of talk recently about a...

It’s a nightmare scenario for most homeowners: buying a home and then being unable to sell your old one. Realtor® Chris Lodge says buying before selling “can cause a lot of financial stress and can be a risky business unless you have a serious income.” The good news...

With house prices everywhere rising, many young people in big urban centres are renting or living with their parents until they can afford a down payment. There is some good news for young people living in Prince George, BC. With jobs available and much lower housing...

Downtown Prince George is in many ways the heart of the city. Independent shops and restaurants are popping up and thriving next to established hotel chains, financial institutions and one of the province’s most pioneering new buildings; the Wood Innovation and Design...

  Are you selling a home with a few skeletons in the closet? Has the basement flooded? Was there an “incident” in the kitchen that resulted in fire damage? Was a new electrical system installed without the proper permits and inspections? It doesn’t matter if...

Most people who are looking at foreclosures are hoping for a bargain. Foreclosures can be a great way to find a deal on a home, but not the only way, as Realtor® Cam McLeod explains.   Fixer-Uppers Foreclosure properties aren’t for everyone. Cam says, “A lot of...

A scenic drive up the hill north of downtown Prince George leads to the Hart neighbourhood. The Hart is named after former BC premier John Hart, who championed the construction of Highway 97 into northern BC, connecting Prince George to Dawson Creek. This...

Unless you are the owner of Grumpy Cat or some other internet pet sensation, it’s better not to draw attention to your pets when you sell your home. Your pets may be your best friends, but for potential buyers they can mean: Damage to the home (think chewed carpets...

Should you be looking for something smaller when the kids leave home or when you retire? Are you anxious to cash in on your home’s value in case the market takes a downturn?   Many people make the decision to downsize simply because it feels like the “right”...

Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of what the real estate trends are. Many buyers will have specialized needs depending on their stage in life, but there are a few home features that are popular across the board:   1)...

Looking to invest in commercial real estate, but not sure where to start? The City of Prince George has a range of commercial investment opportunities, from apartment buildings to retail and industrial developments.   Due to the affordability of real estate in...

It’s an age-old argument.   Which is better? Renting or buying?   With the cost of real estate becoming so high in Canada’s big cities, renting can sometimes be more attractive than buying when you consider mortgage costs and all of the other expenses...

The Millar Addition is a downtown neighbourhood with picturesque surroundings that include the Fraser River, Fort George Park and Connaught Hill.   History One of Prince George’s oldest neighbourhoods, it is named after Charles Vance Millar, a Toronto lawyer and...

Open houses can be a great way to get your home noticed. At Team Powerhouse Realty, our Realtors® can advise you as to whether holding an open house would be a good tactic for marketing your home. When prospective buyers walk in the door, there are a few things you...

Selling a home in the winter months might seem like a bad idea, but as Realtor® Caitlin Radzanowski explains, there are some definite advantages of selling a home during this season, even in snowy Prince George, BC!   “Any time of the year can be a good time to...

If you’re thinking about buying a rental investment property, you may find yourself considering a property that has existing tenants. As a buyer, particularly if this is your first time as a landlord, it can be hard to know whether existing tenants are going to be an...

  Prince George, BC is a city with four distinct seasons. We welcome the snow on the slopes and the ice on our outdoor rinks, but it’s not so helpful when you’re dragging your mattress out of the front door during a winter move. With fewer people moving house in...

The biggest single monthly payment most Canadians have is their mortgage. Interestingly though, not everyone bothers to shop around when their current term expires. They just automatically renew their mortgage with the same lender. Here are a few tips to remember when...

Condos are a popular choice for many home buyers, particularly retirees and young professionals. If you’re thinking of buying a condo in Prince George, BC, contact a Realtor® at Team Powerhouse Realty and consider our condo buying tips:   1. Check your financing...

  According to a 2014 Globe and Mail article, more Canadians are willing to go into a bidding war to buy a home than ever before. Respondents in BC and the Prairies ranked the highest, with 38% in both provinces claiming they would consider it. If you find...

One of the biggest decisions home buyers make is deciding whether to live downtown, usually closer to work and most major amenities, in the suburbs, with a little more space but a longer commute, or in the surrounding countryside.   The City of Prince George and...

Mark McVey and Cam McLeod are at the offices of the BC Northern Real Estate Board this week teaching new Realtors® how to become great Realtors®. We thought it would be a good opportunity to explain what’s involved in getting a real estate licence, so the next time...

In a previous blog post, we outlined the benefits of investing in rental properties. Once you decide to take the plunge, there are many great opportunities to explore within the residential real estate market. So many, in fact, that we’ve asked Realtor® Keven Braet to...

Most of us dream big. That’s great, but it can also be a huge mistake, Realtor® Rick Mayhew explains, when first time buyers begin looking for a home.   “Most want the big house with the yard and the fence,” Rick says. It can be very disappointing when people...

Prince George locals may be familiar with the newly built Boundary Road that bypasses the city core, but few people realize the significance of the development happening around it. Boundary road travels through 2,500 acres of land that is being transformed into one of...

Southwest of the downtown core, this suburban neighbourhood is often divided into two areas: Upper and Lower College Heights.   High demand College Heights was originally developed in the 1950s, but thanks to a combination of nearby amenities and a short drive to...

Not all renovations add economic value to your home. If you’re renovating with an eye to resell, here are a few pointers:   Follow the trends Updates should be in line with current trends. Buyers will have a hard time seeing the value in a new kitchen they don’t...

The relatively low cost of housing in Prince George compared to income levels means investment properties are within reach for many people in the real estate market.   But are rental properties always a good investment?   “We are one of the most affordable...

You are the proud owner of two beautiful acres overlooking the Nechako River. Your home is private, surrounded by trees and the sounds of nature. You have ATV trails on your property. You have a resident moose. You cannot imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to live here....

"City Beautiful" The Crescents is one of Prince George’s most distinctive downtown neighbourhoods, featuring heritage homes on semi-circular concentric streets. The unusual road layout was featured in Prince George’s very first townsite plan, influenced by the “City...

6 Steps To Buying A Home For first time buyers or those who haven’t been in the housing market for a while, hunting for the perfect home can quickly become confusing and stressful. We’ve broken the whole process down into six simple steps to give you an idea of what...