Kelowna Real Estate

The provincial government announced today a potential tax savings up to $500 for new home buyers when they purchase a newly built home, effective for agreements written today until the HST is removed on April 1, 2013.  Details are as follows:

The new BC First-Time New Home Buyers' Bonus will be a temporary one-time refundable income tax credit for first-time home buyers who purchase a newly constructed home. The credit will be calculated as five per cent of the purchase price of the home up to a maximum credit of $10,000.

The credit will be phased out at a rate of 20 per cent of net income in excess of $150,000 for single individuals and at a rate of 10 per cent of family net income in excess of $150,000 for couples. Only one credit can be claimed per home.

The credit will be available on purchases of newly constructed housing where both the HST applies and where a written agreement of purchase and sale is entered into on or after Feb. 21, 2012.

And, of course, it is also important for them to have other kids in the neighborhood that could potentially become their friends.Several academic studies have shown that “kid-friendly” neighborhood features can have a significant impact on a child’s well being, psychological growth and academic performance.

Need help selecting the ideal neighborhood? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!

VICTORIA – New housing transition measures give certainty to an important economic sector and help to keep taxes equitable throughout the transition as the province returns to the PST, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.

B.C. will return to the PST on April 1, 2013, meeting the Province’s commitment to return to the PST as quickly and responsibly as possible, while ensuring businesses can plan their training and systems switch-over effectively to apply the sales tax correctly.

Government is announcing new relief measures that will benefit purchasers and builders of new homes. The B.C. new housing rebate threshold will be increased to $850,000, effective April 1, 2012, meaning more than 90 per cent of newly built homes will now be eligible for a provincial HST rebate of up to $42,500. It is important to note that the HST does not apply to resale housing.

In addition, to help support workers and communities in B.C. that depend on residential recreational development, purchasers of new secondary vacation or recreational homes outside the Greater Vancouver and Capital regional districts priced up to $850,000 will now be eligible to claim a provincial grant of up to$42,500 effective April 1, 2012.

The housing transition rules help ensure when people buy a newly constructed home under the PST, whether built entirely under the HST, entirely under the PST, or partly under HST and partly under the PST, they will all pay a consistent and equitable amount of tax.

Specifically:

• B.C.’s portion of the HST will continue to apply before April 1, 2013. Purchasers will be eligible for the new higher B.C. HST new housing rebate, of up to $42,500, and builders will continue to claim input tax credits.
• B.C.’s portion of the HST will no longer apply to newly built homes where construction begins on or after April 1, 2013. Builders will once again pay seven per cent PST on their building materials. On average, about two per cent of the home’s final price will again be embedded PST.
• For newly built homes where construction begins before April 1, 2013, but ownership and possession occur after, purchasers will not pay the seven per cent provincial portion of the HST. Instead, purchasers will pay a temporary, transitional provincial tax of two per cent on the full house price. This ensures equitable treatment among purchasers and will help mitigate distortive market behaviour. Builders will receive temporary housing transition rebates to offset PST on materials to help prevent double-taxation on homebuyers.

The transition rules outlined today provide certainty for new-home construction and sales, particularly during the transition period.

For goods and services that will be subject to PST, PST will generally apply where tax becomes payable on or after April 1, 2013. Detailed general transitional rules for goods and services will be available with the full PST legislation introduced in the legislature this spring.

The provincial changes are subject to the approval of the legislature.

Information provided by the Ministry of Finance. For more information please visit www.gov.bc.ca 

The more you know about the best way to reach a goal, the more likely you are to get the result you want. So, whether you’re hunting for a new job, assembling a backyard BBQ, or training for a 3 mile run, you’ll want to use a proven process to help you get there.  That certainly holds true when shopping for a new home.  There is a proven process to getting the home you want, in the neighborhood you want, at a price you can afford. Here are the highlights:

1. Get Ready

There’s a lot you must do before you pack your energy snacks in the car and go looking at homes. If you own your current home, you must prepare that property for sale. You should also get financing for a new home pre-approved, so you know exactly how much you can afford.

2. Go Shopping

Your next step is to view the right homes currently available on the market. It’s a good idea to make a wish list of property and neighborhood features you’re looking for in a new home. You may not be able to get everything you want, but you can probably come pretty close.

3. Make an Offer

When you see a home you like, the first thing you’ll need to do is to make an offer. This can be tricky especially if there are other interested buyers.

4. Get an Inspection

Always get the home checked out by a qualified home inspector. A property may have issues, such as a foundation leak, that are not obvious during a viewing.

5. Prepare for the Move

Once you’ve made the purchase, you need to arrange for moving and deal with other details, such as utilities, telephone, mail forwarding and so forth.

Want a smooth home buying process? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

Whether it's the need for a change, an upgrade, or an emergency home repair, most homeowners will at some point need to hire a contractor. Renovations and repairs vary widely in both the scope and the resources needed to get the job done right.

“Even a homeowner experienced in repairs will need to hire a contractor eventually due to the size or level of difficulty with a project,” says Yvonne Ratigan, an executive with Royal LePage Canada.

Ratigan offers these guidelines to finding and choosing a contractor:

1. Ask for referrals and consult local resources. Start by asking friends and family for referrals. Other sources include your local homebuilder and renovator associations and local building supply stores.

2. Ask questions. What kind of work do you specialize in? Do you offer a warranty? How do you handle clean up? How do you schedule the work? Do you provide a contract? The answers to questions like these will help you to narrow down your choices.

3. Consider more than just price. In addition to price, consider the level of trust and the quality of work you see from the contractors you have short-listed. Make your decision on a variety of pre-determined factors, asking the same question to all bidders. Be sure to get references and ask to see the work the contractor has done for past customers.

4. Proper insurance. Both the homeowner and the contractor need to have the right insurance. If the contractor's crew is injured on the job or damages your property or a neighbour's property, your homeowner's insurance policy might not cover you and you could be liable.

5. Get it in writing. The final agreement between you and your contractor should always be in writing. Don't be tempted to accept cash only jobs. A cash deal may leave you with no legal recourse if something goes wrong.

More information about renovations and increasing the value of your home is available online at www.royallepage.ca.

www.newscanada.com

General upkeep

• Home is clean and uncluttered
• Lawns are cut
• Walls are clean and free of chipping
• Paintjob on walls is in good shape

Signs of water damage

• Ceilings and walls are free of stains
• Ceilings and walls are free of bulges
• No loose grout or caulking around bathroom and kitchen tiles
• No crumbling grout or caulking around bathroom and kitchen tiles

Appliances and fixtures

• Lights work well
• Faucets work well
• Toilets work well
• Furnace works well
• Air conditioning works well
• Major appliances included with sale work well

Floors

• Floors are smooth, even and solid
• No soft, springy sections
• No excessive squeaking

Doors and windows

• Doors fit snugly and operate smoothly
• Windows fit snugly and operate smoothly
• No flaked paint
• No loose caulking
• No drafts

Drainage in yard

• No soggy areas near the foundation

Signs of structural damage

• No deep cracks in foundation
• No loose mortar or bricks

Room for my furnishings

• I measured the rooms
• My furniture will fit

Storage space

• There is storage space on each floor
• Enough clothing and linen storage
• Enough storage for tools
• Enough storage for gardening equipment
• Enough storage for sports equipment
• Enough storage for miscellaneous items

Hidden surprises

• I looked behind all closed doors
• I looked behind suspiciously placed wall coverings and area rugs

Professional inspection

Canadian housing starts began the year with a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 197,900 starts in January. While starts were down slightly from December's mark of 199,900, the pace of new home construction remains strong.  New home construction in BC urban centres rose 29 per cent from December 2011, registering 27,000 starts (SAAR) in January. 

Looking at major metropolitan areas, housing starts rose 8.3 per cent year-over- year in Vancouver. In a bit of a role reversal, it was single family starts that drove growth, rising 50 per cent year over year while multi-family starts rose a modest 2 per cent. Abbotsford new home construction fell 54 per cent year-over-year in January due to weakness in both single-family and multi-family starts. New home construction in Victoria rose 5 per cent year-over-year in January due to strong growth in multi-family starts. Finally, new home construction in Kelowna continued to build on momentum from late 2011 as total starts rose 48 per cent year-over-year on balanced growth between single and multi-family starts. 

Source: www.BCREA.ba.ca 

The draw of the Okanagan Valley saw me relocate to Kelowna over a decade ago to pursue my post-secondary education. Since then, I have proudly called the city home and have no desire to move elsewhere! The golf, fishing, and outdoor activities that the area has to offer keep me active while my wife Meghan, daughters Dalyce & Rylee, and two dogs (Duke and Turbo) keep me busy! I have travelled and lived abroad but have yet to come across a community as diverse, vibrant, and welcoming as Kelowna. We love it here. My experience moving and settling into the community is a strong asset for those interested in doing the same. I understand the concerns and anxieties that come with relocation and can certainly ease the transition with my knowledge of the city and what is has to offer.

 

I am industrious and dedicated to meeting your needs- whether it be buying or selling. My education and background lends strength to marketing your home or your purchasing goals. I completed a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Marketing (OUC) as well as a year studying International Business at Hodgeschool Zeeland International University in Holland. My work experience in sales and management with both Bacardi and Maxxium Canada helped maximize my communication and teamwork skills; both of which are valuable traits that contribute to the relashionship I develope with my clients. I sincerely enjoy the real estate industry and look forward to seeing the smile on a client's face when a contract is signed.  

 

If you are interested in the local market, would like to purchase a home, or would simply be interested in approaches to marketing your home for a sale, please contact me. I am certain I will be able to turn your hopes into a reality!

There is no doubt that being born and raised in Kelowna has built a strong framework for my expertise on the local real estate market. My family, for generations back, has called the region home and for good reason- it is a beautiful, plentiful playground with a neighborhood that suits every lifestyle and need.

Being aware of this, I strive to take full advantage of what the community has to offer. I have snowboarded for years at Big White, while watching the hill expand and grow to the world -class ski resort it is today. During the summer I play in beautiful Okanagan Lake in between fishing excursions throughout the surrounding area. Volleyball and other team sports round out of my active pursuits, all of which are enjoyed with my wife, Erin.  

For many clients, finding the right home in the perfect neighborhood can be a challenging combination. My in-depth knowledge of the established community along with a strong handle on new development creates a vital combination in helping you find exactly what you envision.  Whether a first time buyer, condo seeker, or luxury vacation home hunter I am motivated and keen to secure your satisfaction. This city has a lot to offer and I know where to find it!   

Energy and creativity are two of my personality traits that contribute to the guarantee that I will work hard for you. Whether selling or buying, my proactive, honest, and communicative approach will certainly finalize each deal. To support my outgoing and innovative ways, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing (O.U.C.) along with sales and managerial work experience for both Molson and Maxxium Canada. My real estate education was through U.B.C.’s Sauder School of Business. 

Most importantly I want you to feel secure that I am an expert on the local market, that I will listen to and understand your needs and that I will undoubtedly work hard for you. If you are interested in selling or purchasing a home, or simply interested in learning more about the local market and what I have to offer, please get in touch!

Ideally, the first property you see when shopping for a new home will be the one you fall in love with and buy. But let’s face it. You’ll probably end up seeing several homes before reaching the decision to make an offer on one.

When you’re viewing homes, you want to make sure that the experience is enjoyable (rather than stressful) and that you get all the information you need to make the right decision. 

To help you do that, here are a list of items you should consider taking with you:

• A notepad. Have something with you so you can take notes – a pad of paper, laptop computer, iPad, even a voice recorder.
• Flashlight. Just in case there is an area in a home that is not well lit, such as the furnace room.
• Maps. Map out your route in advance. This will reduce a lot of potential stress.
• Water and snacks. If you’re viewing more than two properties, take some healthy refreshments with you, rather than relying on fast food restaurants. These will help keep your energy level up. (This is especially important if you’re taking kids with you.)
• A plan. Don’t just view properties randomly. Work out an itinerary in advance. This will help you make the most of your time.

Want more tips on making your home hunting experience less stressful and more productive? Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

Has a new job or a new direction necessitated your moving to Kelowna, British Columbia? Or perhaps you visited, fell in love with one of BC’s fastest growing yet laid-back communities and have decided to retire there. Whatever it is drawing you to Kelowna, you’ll best start the process of finding a Kelowna home by approaching a qualified Kelowna Real Estate agency. When it comes to Kelowna properties for sale, no one’s going to have their thumb on the pulse of the market quite like the friendly folks at Royal LePage Kelowna.

First and foremost, their realtors won’t aim to find you a house, condo, townhouse etc. – they’re goal is to find you a home, and the definition of what is an ideal home differs with every individual and every family. Being receptive to the particular needs and wishes of the client is of the utmost importance and a value every Royal LePage Kelowna realtor places front and center in their service. Anyone can evaluate any number of Kelowna homes for sale on their own. Where a quality realtor provides real value is in fine tuning your search by combining his or her market expertise with an understanding of what distinguishes you as a buyer. It starts with a lot of listening, is followed by a lot of hustle and ends with a satisfied homebuyer.

The consistency seen in the large numbers of quality Kelowna properties for sale is a testament to the way the city has grown and the attractiveness it has for people at different stages of their lives. Like any mid-sized city, folks come and go but those who are on their way in are sure to feel good about what Kelowna has to offer. It features a burgeoning economy with a growing high-tech sector and other similarly strong industries. In addition, there is a real quality of life in Kelowna that is buoyed by the ample opportunities available to one and all to enjoy its spectacular natural beauty.  Add to it all the fact that Kelowna homes for sale and their properties offer good value for your dollar and some might say it’s a slam dunk in favour of BC’s interior gem of a city.

Do yourself a favour and weigh the many Kelowna properties for sale with the help of one of the experts at Royal LePage Kelowna. They’ll narrow the field of Kelowna homes for sale that meet your criteria and streamline the process of getting you into the one that’s perfect for you. Visit http://kelownahomefinders.caand get the ball rolling.

Selling a home is no small venture. Whether you are selling to move up, move down, move away or for some other reason, you want the process to be relatively fast and painless. You also want to make as much money as possible.

Like fixing a car, some people will be tempted to do the job themselves, reasoning that they can "pocket" the real estate commission. But for most, this is a false economy that makes no more sense than trying to rebuild a car's transmission without the knowledge, training, experience or time needed to do the job properly.

Saving the real estate commission is not a  true bargain because most buyers will expect a "bargain" when they see a For Sale by Owner sign. They will offer less than fair market value and the owner will be forced to negotiate upward to realize a small part of the anticipated commission savings. The do-it-yourselfer will also have to factor in the considerable amount of time and expense required to market the property, respond to enquiry phone calls, show their own property and fill out all the legal paperwork.

Selling your home is a complex procedure that involves large sums of money, stringent legal requirements and has the potential for very costly mistakes. That's why there are plenty of experienced real estate professionals to help you make the best sale possible. A REALTOR® has the qualifications, experience and commitment needed to do the work for you.

By REALTOR®, we mean a licensed real estate professional who is a member of a local real estate board - where there is one - and is also a member of the British Columbia Real Estate Association and the Canadian Real Estate Association. When you work with a REALTOR®, you can expect that person to adhere not only to provincial law governing the real estate industry, but also to a national code of ethics.

In addition to following up on details promptly and accurately, a REALTOR® is an expert in effectively marketing your home. Moreover, when you work with a REALTOR® your home will receive far-reaching market exposure through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®). And the more exposure your home gets, the more likely you are to find a buyer willing to pay "your price".

Source: www.omreb.com 

The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group, your best source for Kelowna Real Estate Listings!

Property Type:

23.8% of purchases were by Move-Up Buyers
21.8% buying Revenue/Investment Property
19.8% by First Time Buyers
8.9% moving from Single Family Home to Strata Unit
7.9% Recreation Property Buyers
5.0% moving from Strata property to Single Family Home 
3.0% moving into Retirement Home/Seniors Community

Moving From: 

68.9% from Within OMREB Board Area
12.6% from Alberta
8.6% from Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island
2.9% from Other Areas in BC
2.9% from Saskatchewan/Manitoba
2.9% from Outside Canada
1.0% from NWT/Yukon (third month reported)
0% from Eastern Canada/Maritimes

For more information on Kelowna Real Estate, call the Dion-Ivans Group today. Your best source for Kelowna Real Estate Listings!

Let’s face it. Most of us have strong emotional connections to our homes. It’s where our kids grew up. It’s where we spent time with friends and family. It’s where we went to relax and unwind.  So it can be difficult to let go of those emotions when you put your house or condo up for sale.

But it’s important that you do.

Why? To sell your property quickly, and for the best possible price, you need to think of it as objectively as possible — as a product.

That mindset is especially important when potential buyers drop by to view your home. 

The majority will be polite, but a few will be candid about what they like — and don’t like —about your property.

Buyers may talk openly about their dislike of the living room color that you worked so hard to select and paint. Or they may make tentative plans about converting the backyard flower bed that you adore, into a new sitting area. 

Don’t be defensive. It’s a normal part of the home shopping process to speculate about what can be changed to make a house a home. This is actually a good sign because buyers who make these types of comments are usually the ones who end up making an offer.

If there is a pattern to the feedback you are hearing about your property, you can use this information to your advantage. For example, if enough people comment that a room seems dark and gloomy you can eliminate the problem by installing light bulbs with a higher wattage. Conversely, if you notice that buyers are loving your spacious kitchen, then you and your REALTOR® can make sure this selling feature is highlighted prominently in the promotional materials. 

Always keep in mind that your real home is your next home. The property you’re selling is a product.

Need more tips on selling your house or condo? Call  the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today! Your best source for Kelowna Real Estate Listings!

There are a lot of preparations that need to be made when you are buying and selling a home. You have to arrange for financing, prepare your property so that it’s as attractive as possible to potential buyers, start the process of looking for a new home, and on and on.

A great REALTOR® will help you do all that.

But there's one item on the list that's as important as the rest: Preparing yourself and your family. 

You want to make sure everyone is prepared for the excitement – and, yes, sometimes turbulence – of selling a home and buying another. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

Engage the Kids

Get them involved, as much as possible, in the decisions.  Ask them to make a list of the features they want most in a new home. Get them excited about the new friends they’ll be able to make in the new neighbourhood – and assure them that they can keep in touch with their current friends after the move.

Stay Healthy

With all the additional activities associated with buying and selling a home, it’s all too easy to skip exercises, home cooked meals and other healthy activities. Make a commitment to not let that happen.

Keep Up With Family Time

Like going to the beach with the family on weekends?  Enjoy a game of golf with your spouse? Kids involved in soccer, baseball or other sports? Do your best to keep up with these activities.

Ask for Help

Even the most well organized move doesn’t go smoothly 100% of the time. When you and your family are feeling some stress, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Give your REALTOR® a call! 

Want more ideas for making your move go smoothly? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!! Your best source for Kelowna Real Estate listings. 

Shopping for a new home can be intimidating. With so many things to do and think about, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some good tips for making the home hunting process a lot easier and less stressful.

1. Get your mortgage arranged in advance.

You don’t want to find the ideal home on the market, only to face problems arranging a suitable mortgage. You might end up losing the opportunity. So make mortgage arrangements in advance by getting “pre-approved”. Then you can shop for a new home with confidence.

2. Clearly define the home you want and the neighborhood you want to live in.

You can’t view every home that’s on the market. If you try, you’ll burn yourself out! So write down a clear description of the kind of home you want. How many bedrooms? Big kitchen? Pool? And don’t forget the neighborhood. Upscale? Close to downtown? Lots of trees and parks? Urban and close to shopping and theatres? With this information, a good REALTOR® can quickly create a shortlist of properties that meet your criteria.

3. Take good notes. 

After viewing a few homes, you may easily start to forget the details. Was it property #1 that had the large Elm tree in the backyard? Or was that property #4? If you take good notes, you’ll be able to make decisions later on about which homes to shortlist.

4. Get help.

A good REALTOR® can make the home shopping process go quickly and smoothly.

Want more ideas for finding the perfect home? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today! Your best source for Kelowna Real Estate Listings. 

There are dozens of ways to make your property more enticing to potential buyers. For example, you can invest in getting your home professionally “staged”, which involves making it look a little like a model home. Or, you can do a major renovation to improve your home‘s look and value.

But what if you don’t have a lot of time and are on a limited budget? What can you do today to make your home irresistible to buyers tomorrow? Here are some ideas:

1. Paint

It doesn’t cost much to paint key areas of your home, like the foyer, kitchen or master bedroom. Yet the impression it makes on buyers is significant. In fact, compared to most other types of home improvement projects, painting gives you the highest payback when you sell.

2. Create Space

Homes naturally get cluttered over the years. Even a double car garage can seem claustrophobic if there are a lot of boxes, equipment and other items stored in it. Go through each room of your home and do a major decluttering. It will make your property seem more attractive and, when you sell, make moving easier too!

3. Clean & Tidy

Obviously, you’re going to make sure your home is clean for viewings. But you’d be surprised what a homeowner can miss and a buyer notices. Closets, laundry rooms, side yard, basement furnace room and all other nooks and crannies should be as tidy and clean as possible.

4. Roll Out the Red Carpet

Not an actual red carpet! But you do want the entrance way to your front door and into the foyer to make the best impression possible.  After all, those are the areas that a buyer sees first. Make sure walkways are clear and clean. Ensure that when a buyer opens the front door and walks in, the impression he or she gets is that of a great looking place to live.

These four tips don’t take much time or money to implement. Yet, they can all help make your home even more irresistible to buyers than it is today.

Want more tips on preparing your home for sale? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

TORONTO, January, 2012 –The Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast released today showed the average price of a home in Canada increased between 3.6 and 6.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to the previous year. Royal LePage expects average price growth to continue through 2012 and predicts national average prices to increase by 2.8 per cent by the end of the year.

Despite calls in some quarters for Canadian house prices to soften in 2011, the market proved resilient as demand created by low interest rates and a relatively stable national economy created upward pricing pressure for all housing types surveyed. Further, recent high profile reports forecasting significant house price declines in 2012 are not supportable.  Nationally, consumer confidence in the housing market was high in the fourth quarter as real estate brokers witnessed an unusually high quantity of multiple offer situations, including over the holiday season, compared to same period in previous years.

In the fourth quarter, standard two-storey homes rose 4.2 per cent year-over-year to $375,427, while detached bungalows increased 6.1 per cent to $344,392. Average prices for standard condominiums increased 3.6 per cent to $234,680.

“In the recovery period following the 2008-2009 recession, I found myself repeatedly speaking of ‘irrational exuberance’ in the Canadian housing market,” said Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. “Expectations were too high and the pace of expansion unsupportable. With this report, I find myself in exactly the opposite position. Widespread calls for a major real estate correction in 2012 simply can’t be justified. The industry has significant momentum entering the year, and buoyed by the stimulative effect of very low interest rates, we expect the market to continue to expand – albeit at a slower pace.”

While 2011 was a very strong year for price growth, over the past five years, including the recessionary period, Canada’s average home prices have grown by only 3.5 per cent compounded annually, well below the long term average rate of appreciation. Canada’s GDP has also grown modestly over the same period and the economy is expected to expand by approximately two per cent in 2012. While unemployment remains stubbornly higher then pre-recession levels, sustained employment at today’s levels in a low interest rate environment can be expected to support continued average house price appreciation across the country.

Canadians remain confident in their real estate investments. Throughout 2011, buyers took advantage of low rates to enter the housing market or move-up to homes that better suited their family’s needs or wants. All regions included in the Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast anticipate positive average price growth in 2012. This includes the relatively expensive Toronto and Vancouver regions, where rising home prices have consistently out-paced the other urban centres.

”We believe calls for falling prices and more affordable housing in 2012 are unlikely to materialize,” said Soper. “While this will comfort the seventy per cent of Canadians who are homeowners, there is cause for concern when house price growth outpaces increases in wages and salaries for an extended period of time. Coupled with more restrictive mortgage regulations that have made it more difficult to obtain financing, those who aspire to own a home may find it increasingly difficult to enter the housing market and, in some regions, it may leave people out entirely.”

Regionally, Royal LePage expects to see cities with commodity-based economies, such as Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg, outperform larger urban centres such as Toronto and Vancouver. Royal LePage has forecast Calgary’s average house prices to climb 3.6 per cent in 2012. In 2011, the largest average price increase was seen in Regina, where average prices for standard two-storey homes rose 19.5 per cent year-over-year.

For more information visit www.royallepage.ca 

Buying or selling a home may be one of the biggest financial transactions you will make in your lifetime. It can also be a very complicated and frustrating process.You will need a professional to help you every step of the way. A professional who is highly trained, knowledgeable and has ethics beyond reproach. Your best friend in a real estate transaction is a REALTOR®, a member of your local real estate board and the British Columbia Real Estate Association.You can expect a great deal from a REALTOR® whether you are buying or selling.

When you are selling your home . . .

• The REALTOR® you choose is working for you, the vendor, and not for the people who are the potential buyers of your home.
• The REALTOR® gets paid, usually in the form of a commission, from a percentage of the proceeds of the selling price of your home.
• In line with the strict code of ethics the REALTOR® must follow, he or she will disclose this arrangement to you clearly, fully and in writing.
• The REALTOR® is experienced in the marketplace and can offer you expert advice on what price to set for your house, how you can make your house more attractive to potential buyers and what marketing plan will sell your home quickly, efficiently and smoothly.
• The REALTOR® has contacts among potential buyers currently looking for a home. He or she can quickly separate the merely curious "lookers" from the "buyers".
• As a member of the local real estate board, the REALTOR® can list your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®), which gets the details about your home into the hands of thousands of potential buyers. Only REALTOR®S are able to list homes on MLS®.

When you are buying a home . . .

• The REALTOR® will make it crystal clear to you whether he or she is working for you, the buyer, or the seller.
• Special arrangements can be made so that the REALTOR® becomes your agent for buying a home. The REALTOR® is bound by ethics to disclose this relationship to potential vendors you may deal with.
• With his or her wide experience and contacts, the REALTOR® can direct you to your potential "dream home" much more quickly and efficiently, saving you many hours and lots of frustration checking the ads and driving around.
• A REALTOR® has access to thousands of listings on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®).
• The REALTOR® is usually paid by the vendor; this is the case whether the REALTOR® works for the seller or the buyer. When a REALTOR® working as your agent helps you buy a house, he or she usually is paid from the commission paid to the vendor's REALTOR®.

Whether buying or selling, a professional REALTOR®'s services can be invaluable. Their advice can save you from making bad choices and help make your home buying or selling experience a positive one.

Multiple Listing Service, MLS®, REALTOR® and REALTORS® are registered trademarks of the Canadian Real Estate Association. REALTOR® identifies a real estate practitioner who is a member of the Association.

• Buyers looking in winter months are serious.

• No need to worry about your yard work. Snow makes it look fresh and white.

• Less listing inventory on the market, means less competition. Higher selling price.

• Easier time of year for closing transactions. Lenders, inspectors, lawyers not as busy. Less errors and higher level of service.

• Buyers begin the search and purchase for spring moves in January, February. Busy move times are March spring break, April Easter, May long weekend.

• Less choice for buyers means less sellers to play pricing against each other. Buyers willing to make more concessions in their buying decision.

• Property shows well, almost staged with holiday décor adding to the ambience.

• Little chance of quick showings and not being prepared to show your home. Easier time of year to make appointments and give sellers advance notice.

• Everyone lists their home in the spring. Go ahead and beat the rush!

• Good time of year for school, work switches and transfer corporate moves.

• People are in the spending and buying mood in the winter, holiday seasons.

• You might miss that right buyer, right place, right time being off and timing the market.

Call the Dion-Ivans Group today and get your home on the market!!!

Say you’re a homeowner wanting to sell your two-storey, detached home. You sit down and make a list of things that need to get done to make your property as attractive as possible to buyers. 

You consider the backyard. “Hmm,” you think. “Doesn’t our deck need a new finish and our flowerbed need new edging stones?”

Then you think about the basement. “The carpeting. It’s old. We really should replace it. We should install a new drop ceiling, too.”

Then the main floor. “Our kitchen cabinets are old. We should get a contractor in to quote on replacing them. How about a brand new shiny sink and faucet? That should increase the resale value of our home, shouldn’t it?”

Before you know it, you have a long list of updates, repairs and renovations that you think you should be doing, and you haven’t even started on the second floor!

It’s easy to get carried away with preparing your home to be listed, and end up spending a lot more money than you’ll ever get back from the eventual sale.

So how do you determine what improvements you should be making in order to get your property ready for the market?

That’s easy. Talk to a good REALTOR®. 

A REALTOR® who knows the local market can inspect your property and advise you on the repairs and upgrades you need to make. He or she will know what buyers are looking for, and will also have a good idea of the return on investment you can expect from a particular improvement.

He or she may also be able to recommend reputable trades people and other professionals to assist you in making those improvements.

So go ahead and make that long list. Then, review it with your REALTOR® so you can make an informed decision on how to get your property ready for sale.

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

Before shopping for a new home, it’s common — and advisable — to create a “wish list” of the features you desire most. For example, you might want an extra bedroom for guests, ample space for a home office, a local playground for the kids, and so forth.

However, many buyers don’t make their list complete enough. You might find a home with the extra bedroom and nearby playground you want, only to realize, too late, that your commute to work becomes twice as long. You missed the importance of the commute because it wasn’t on your list.  Ouch!

When you make your wish list, don’t be afraid to dream big. You might not be able to find a home that includes everything you desire, but you may be surprised by just how close you can get.

Here are some wish list items to consider:

• Distances to places you visit regularly – work, schools, running trails, recreation centers, restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping centers.
• Specific home features – a backyard tree, large closets, a fireplace, a two-car garage, a beautiful view.
• Neighborhood characteristics –safety, sidewalks, nearby public transit, playgrounds, the neighbors. 

A complete list helps you make a better decision about which homes to consider. It helps you balance the positives — “I love the large kitchen with the marble countertops” — with the negatives — “The bathroom off the master bedroom is small” — to ultimately make the best buying decision. 

Also remember to take your list with you when shopping for a new home. Use it as a checklist or as a way to organize notes.  Ultimately it will make it easier to shortlist homes, compare them, and determine when you’re ready to submit an offer. 

Want to find out which homes on the market fit your wish list? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

If you’re selling your home, you’ll have a very personal perspective on what it‘s worth. You’ll remember all the hours you put into making the backyard flower garden beautiful, or the work you put into renovating the basement, or the money you spent on installing new hardwood floors in the living room and hallways.

It’s natural to want these improvements factored into the asking price.

However, potential buyers don’t have that same perspective. Although they may appreciate the improvements made to the home, buyers will only be interested in paying current market value for your property. That’s the price for which comparable homes with comparable features are currently selling in your area.

Buyers don’t see all the hours you spent on improvements and renovations.

What they see, instead, are the final features: the hardwood floors, the freshly painted bedrooms, the sparkling new master ensuite. Features like these will certainly help sell your home faster and for the best price — but that price will likely be close to the current market value.

Now, it’s tempting to try to set a list price high above the current market value in the hopes that some buyer will appreciate all the time and money put into the property. But that strategy rarely, if ever, works. In most cases, pricing your home higher than comparable properties on the market only discourages potential buyers from viewing it.

Buyers expect to pay market price.

Want to know the market value of your home? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

Does your home have a lot of personality?

There’s nothing wrong with that.

In fact, you may have pictures on the fireplace mantle showcasing happy family memories over the years… or trophies and other awards in the kids’ bedrooms that represent achievements that make you proud… or a fridge door covered with notes, a calendar and other items that make it a de facto family bulletin board! 

These are all things that help make a house truly a place to call “home”.

But when it comes time to sell, all that personality can work against you.When buyers view your property, they want to visualize themselves living there, not you and your family. 

Have you ever noticed how model homes are often furnished and decorated? All the rooms look beautiful and enticing. They draw you in.Why? Because, although all the rooms in the model home look great, they’re also impersonal. There’s no uncomfortable sense that you’re in a stranger’s home. So you can easily see yourself living there.

And that’s exactly what you should strive for when preparing your house for sale.

You can’t get rid of every personal item. That would be impractical.  But there’s a lot you can do to depersonalize your home. For example, you can:

• Take down family pictures
• Clear items from the fridge door
• Store trophies in a box
• Remove personal knick knacks and similar items
• Keep only general titles on a bookshelf and store the rest.

The more easily buyers can see themselves living in your home, the more likely they are to become interested in it and make an offer. 

Want more ideas for making your property look even more appealing to potential buyers? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

It’s great when you have lots of time to prepare for something important. But life doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes you have to move quickly, and do the best you can with the time you have.

Say, for example, you had to get your home ready for sale, and you only had a week to do so. What could you do in those few days to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers?

Here are some ideas:

• Clean the home from top to bottom. Make it look “guest ready”.
• Get rid of as much clutter as possible. If necessary, put some things in storage. Try to make every room look organized and spacious.
• Get all minor repairs done.
• Replace worn mats in the foyer and at other entrances.
• Paint. It’s the fastest and cheapest way to dramatically improve the look of any room.
• Don’t forget the outdoors. Prune the hedges, sweep the walkways, and deal with any potential eye sores—such as a rusted old bike stowed in the side yard.
• Place some fresh flowers in the dining room and outside next to the front door.
• Depersonalize your home as much as possible. For example, stow away family pictures. You want buyers to imagine themselves living there, not you.
• Check lighting in all the rooms. You want all areas of your home to be bright (but not blinding), especially the basement.  This is just a partial list of ideas. A good REALTOR® can help you with more tips on preparing your home so that it sells quickly and for the right price.

Want help? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today.

Shopping for a home doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. In fact, with a little planning, you can make the entire process fun for everyone – even if there are kids involved.

Here are some tip's for doing just that:

• Get the whole family involved in deciding what kind of home you should consider. The more everyone, especially kids, feel a part of the process, the more likely they are to adjust well to the idea of moving.
• Bring healthy, light snacks and drinks with you when viewing more than a couple of homes in a row. It’s difficult to have fun when your energy level is low.
• Easy does it. Don’t see too many properties at one time.
• Feeling burnt out after viewing the tenth home on a Saturday afternoon will impact your judgement. Your fatigue might cause you to pass on a property that is actually a good fit.
• Kids often enjoy the first viewing of a new home, but are generally less interested in the second and third visits. So when you’re going back to take a closer look at a property before you submit an offer, consider leaving your children with a babysitter.
• Look for a good fit, not for perfection. You probably have an idea in your head of your perfect home. There’s nothing wrong with that! Just keep an open mind when you look at what’s available on the market.
• Work with a REALTOR® who can make the entire process of searching for and buying a home go smoothly for you.  

Do you have a question about how to find your next dream home in today’s market? Call the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!