Power of Attorney is it only for old people?

Irina Bartnik Notary Public • January 15, 2021

Power of attorney is document that allows you to appoint someone that you trust, to make any Legal and Financial decisions for you, for when you are alive, but for some reason cannot make these decisions yourself.


First though that comes to mind when you think of Power of Attorney- This is for old people only! I strongly disagree. I think it is very important for everyone that owns property to have Power of Attorney in place. When you sell property or refinance, every owner that is registered on title has to sign required documents and sometimes it is not convenient. Maybe one of you works long hours or is out of town on the business trip. This is when Power of Attorney comes handy.


Power of Attorney is also important to have for your adult children if they study or work outside of Canada. Even if they do not own the Real estate yet, with a Power of Attorney document, you can insure their car and apply for funding from the government and sign their tax returns if needed.


Power of Attorney can be used while person is capable of making decisions, but for some reason it is not convenient for them. There are many uses of Power of Attorney. Think about it, the document of Power of Attorney is valid while you are alive, so you make the Power of Attorney document once and it is valid for a lifetime.

Please contact my office if you have any questions about the process of preparing of Power of Attorney.

Sincerely,

Irina Bartnik

Notary Public

604.575.7494

🏡 2025 Fraser Valley housing market slowest in over two decades despite falling prices and decade-high inventory 📉

By Andy Schildhorn • January 6, 2026
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.

B.C. Foreclosures Rising as Higher Mortgage Payments Kick In

By Jami Makan | BVI • December 30, 2025
The number of court-ordered sales in Metro Vancouver is jumping, and may continue to grow as a mortgage renewal wave hits Canada five years after the pandemic-era real estate frenzy. Court-ordered inventory, while less than one per cent of the market, totalled 119 properties in the Vancouver region in October 2025, compared with 66 in October 2024 and 28 in October 2023, according to real estate website Zealty.ca (Zealty Online Search Inc.). Foreclosures are becoming more frequent because home prices are correcting, unemployment is rising and people who bought during the pandemic are having to renew their mortgages at higher interest rates, said Adam Major, managing broker with Sechelt-based Holywell Properties. There was a massive increase in home sales from late 2020 through 2022, he said. “This was the height of COVID craziness when [Bank of Canada governor] Tiff Macklem promised rates would stay low forever, the government was sending everyone free money and we all wanted a bigger house to work from home in,” he said. Those homes were financed at rock-bottom interest rates, with the central bank’s policy rate sitting at 0.25 per cent from March 2020 to March 2022. Because Canadian banks generally offer maximum terms of five years, it’s now time for many to pay the piper—at interest rates higher than what some can afford. “It is definitely a bad sign for the market as we are only at the beginning of the big mortgage renewal wave,” Major said. The most sales ever in a month in the region were the 5,715 sales in March 2021, he said. “Those buyers will have to renew this coming March. The number of renewals will stay elevated for a year after that. The average discount mortgage rate in March 2021 was 1.69 per cent versus about 3.79 per cent now, so almost everyone who bought in 2021 and 2022 will be paying significantly more on renewal,” he said. 👉 Read the Article Here

Not a Normal Market: Buyers in Control, Sellers Need a Plan.

By Andy Schildhorn • December 29, 2025
In this episode of Andy Talks Real Estate, I break down the November Fraser Valley real estate market and explain what the numbers actually mean if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home. This market has slowed as we head into the holiday season. Inventory is contracting. Sales are down. Prices have softened after several months of gradual decline. And that shift is creating very different opportunities depending on which side of the market you’re on. For Buyers: Buyers are firmly in control right now. You have more choice, more time, and the ability to negotiate properly. Conditions are back Home inspections matter Financing protection matters Time to make informed decisions Based on what I’m seeing, this buyer-friendly environment is likely to carry into early 2026. For Sellers This is not a market where you can rely on last year’s pricing or momentum. Accurate pricing is critical Professional preparation matters Strong marketing makes the difference Strategy beats waiting Homes that are positioned correctly are selling. Homes that miss the mark are sitting. Market Context The data comes directly from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, including: Sales activity New listings Months of inventory Housing Price Index trends Langley-specific market shifts The market feels more like a buyer’s market than a balanced one when you’re out touring homes. Looking Ahead There are early signs of pent-up demand, particularly among buyers with insured mortgage pre-approvals. January and February may stay quieter Activity is likely to build into late winter and spring Preparation is the advantage Have a plan. Know your options. Move when the timing is right for you.
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