DIY last Will and testament, is it a good idea?
Irina Bartnik, Notary • January 14, 2020
It’s empowering to do something yourself. There is a satisfying sense of accomplishment that comes with the successful completion of a project. I also love cutting costs by doing things on my own, and often learn new skills in the process.
But even an avid DIY fan like me knows that there are some things that I simply can’t do by myself. I also know the value of working with a professional.
Some of them are obvious. Like open-heart surgery or building an aircraft.
But others aren’t so straightforward, like legal documents. Even as an experienced BC Notary, I know there are certain legal documents that I can’t prepare on my own. I accept that and defer to other experts when I need these documents.
This is why I’m concerned about a growing trend: people wanting to DIY their Wills (often using the internet as their only source of information).
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the appeal: cutting costs, avoiding the hassle of having to see a professional, the satisfaction of learning a new skill. These reasons are valid, but trust me when I say, it’s just not worth it.
In the best of cases, DIY Wills are often ineffective, and seriously hinder the chances that your wishes are followed.
In the worst of cases, they are deemed invalid by the courts and leave your loved ones scrambling to figure out what to do with your estate.
Please contact my office if you need to have a Will prepared. You will be happy you did!
Irina Bartnik Notary Public
#105 6758 188th Street
Surrey, BC (Clayton Area)
V4N-6K2
TEL (604) 575-7494
FAX (604)-579-0259
www.ibnotary.com
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Fraser Valley Real Estate Market Update | 2025 Year-End Review I love looking at the numbers. Not just the headlines, but what the numbers actually tell us when you slow down and connect the dots. And the headline for 2025 is simple. π Sales in the Fraser Valley fell to their lowest level in more than 20 years. That sounds dramatic. But this wasn’t a collapse. It was a pause. π₯ In this video, I walk through the full year-end 2025 statistics from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, break down what really defined the market, and explain what actually matters going forward. π Here’s what I cover in this update: π 2025 Fraser Valley sales volume and historical context ποΈ Why rising inventory changed buyer behaviour π What the sales-to-active listings ratio tells us π² Benchmark pricing by property type π§ Why confidence matters as much as the numbers π How buyers and sellers should position heading into 2026 π Market data referenced in this video: • Year-end statistics from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board • Benchmark pricing and HPI trends • Sales-to-active listings ratios • Detached, townhome, and apartment breakdowns β οΈ Important note: Market statistics provide context, not guarantees. Real estate is local. Strategy matters. π Full market stats link: https://rly.forsale/DecStats
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SURREY, BC – Decade-high inventory and softer prices failed to spark buyer demand in the Fraser Valley in 2025. Despite favourable conditions and increased negotiating power, many buyers stayed on the sidelines, making it one of the slowest years for sales in decades. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 12,224 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in 2025, a decline of 16 per cent over 2024 and 33 per cent below the 10-year average. The City of Surrey accounted for the majority of 2025 sales at 48 per cent, with Langley and Abbotsford accounting for 24 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. On the supply side, buyers had more choice than at any point in the past four decades, as new listings climbed to 37,963. The composite Benchmark home price in the Fraser Valley closed the year at $905,900, down six per cent year-over-year, and down 24 per cent from the peak in March 2022.
