March 17, 2010

Kelowna Truly is a Year Round Playground 

 

 

  February 18, 2010

Taste Testing in Kelowna

 

Kelowna is a beautiful place to live
as seen in the above video.  

 

Kelowna has been ranked as the 38th most expensive place to live in an international survey released by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, a Winnipeg-based think-tank .  The International Housing affordability Survey compared 272 markets in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom.  The formula used is called the median multiple which takes a city’s median house price divided by the gross median household income.  Kelowna was in the top 5 in Canada.  This ranking comes as no surprise to local Kelowna Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty REALTORS®.   See the full article HERE.  Who wouldn't want to live here though? The climate and landscape make a year round destination that is very desirable proven by our population boom over the last few years.

January 29, 2010 

  Top 10 Home Repair Tips!

 

 

John Mulkey (The Housing Guru) shares his

Top 10 Home Repair Tips with Coldwell Banker®

 

January 21, 2010

 Fun Tips for Making Your Move Easier!

 

 

Here are some great videos from Coldwell Banker® with tips to make your move easier and more fun! 

FOR MORE MOVING IDEAS!

 

 

 

 

January 11, 2010

Coldwell Banker iPhone App: Dreamer

 

 

Why is coldwellbanker.com on the iPhone?

 
More and more consumers are using their mobile phones for Internet browsing than ever before, and the iPhone is one of the more popular and easy to use phones for doing just that. The brand is making an effort to make sure your listings are everywhere the consumer is and available to them at any time they want to browse them. Having a mobile version of coldwellbanker.com specifically tailored to the iPhone will help us accomplish just that, and the Coldwell Banker® brand is the first national real estate brand to offer an unique version of its website for the iPhone. Also available for the Google Android.

• Utilize the GPS technology to find properties or search for recent sales near you
• Conduct a property search; in the U.S, Canada or Internationally!
• Gives you access to listings anytime and anywhere
• Even search for open houses or for the most recent listings!
• Offers not just the ability to search for listings, but our very popular home value estimator tool
• Save your search results to the “My Coldwell Banker” section
• Quick access to your REALTOR®, as you can click to call or email directly from the listings’ detail page
• Don’t forget to go to your iPhone or G1 app store to download the app today!

 

 

January 4th 2010  

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty Gives to the Salvation Army Toys for Tots Campaign!

Sadly, 800,000 Canadian children will spend Christmas 2009 in poverty. With this in mind, The Salvation Army is motivated to make Christmas as bright as possible for as many children as possible.

As a result of Canada’s slumping economy, there is a growing demand for toys already this year. In some Salvation Army centres requests are up 70% from Christmas last year. While toys for all children are needed and welcome, items for older teens, such as books and winter clothes, are in especially short supply.

 

Those interested in making donations of money or new, unwrapped toys can do so at your local Salvation Army office. When you make Christmas special for a needy child in your community you give hope to the whole family. Together we can bring light into someone’s darkest moments.

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty has been an official collection center for Toys for Tots for 8 years.  This year Coldwell Banker partnered up with Zeller’s and did our BIG TOY SHOPPING TRIP on December 10th.
 

This year’s Donation to The Salvation Army was $4049.53. 

Every penny counts!

 

 

 

December 22, 2009

You Don't Have to be a BIG Man to Make an Impact

Shaquille O'Neal may be best known for his basketball ability, but Tuesday the Cleveland Cavaliers center gave back by filling a truck full of toys. It was all to benefit the Toys for Tots campaign

Sadly, 800,000 Canadian children will spend Christmas 2009 in poverty. With this in mind, The Salvation Army is motivated to make Christmas as bright as possible for as many children as possible.

As a result of Canada’s slumping economy, there is a growing demand for toys already this year. In some Salvation Army centres requests are up 70% from Christmas last year. While toys for all children are needed and welcome, items for older teens, such as books and winter clothes, are in especially short supply.

 

Those interested in making donations of money or new, unwrapped toys can do so at your local Salvation Army office. When you make Christmas special for a needy child in your community you give hope to the whole family. Together we can bring light into someone’s darkest moments.

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty has been an official collection center for Toys for Tots for 8 years.  This year Coldwell Banker is partnering up with Zeller’s and will be doing our BIG TOY SHOPPING TRIP this week.

Please Drop off new unwrapped toys at our Harvey Avenue address until December 10th, 2009.

This year’s Donation to The Salvation Army is $2655.78 and growing.  Every penny counts!

 

 

 

December 7th, 2009   

Winter Check List "Get your home ready for winter"  

 

1.		Attic: If there is no ridge vent, keep gable vents open year-round to ensure proper ventilation.
2.		Gutters: Clean gutters and drain pipes so leaves won't clog them and be sure they drain away     from the house. (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Drain outside faucets.
3.		Fireplace: Clean fireplace of ashes.(Fall) Check chimney for loose or missing mortar. Have chimney professionally cleaned. Make sure damper closes tightly.
4.		Filters: Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.
5.		Safety Equipment: Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year.
6.		Air Conditioner: (Fall: In cold-climate areas) Remove window air-conditioners, or put weatherproof covers on them.
7.		Faucets: Check for leaky faucets in kitchen and bathroom(s). Replace washers as necessary.
8.		Windows and Doors: Seal drafty doors and windows. If you added up all of the small cracks where heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be the same as having a window open. Replace seals as needed. Information from Bobvilla.com

 

 

 November 20th, 2009

 Open House Tips

  "Find out what you need to do to

prepare your home for an Open House"

 

Follow this helpful checklist

 

Prepare In Advance

 

 

	Sweep the street in front of your house and all steps and walkways.
	Make sure the siding on your house is clean and all windows are washed.
	A fresh coat of paint can be the best investment. Even if you just paint trim and the front door and shutters.
	Check all lights to make sure they work; install new light bulbs if needed.

 

 

Maximize Curb Appeal

 

	Water and mow the lawn.
	Trim the trees / rake the leaves / plant colorful flowers.
	Put away bicycles and toys, gardening equipment and anything else lying outside in the yard.
	Put the car in the garage, or park it on the street, to provide ample parking for prospective buyers.
	Clean up any pet droppings in the yard.

 

 

Offer Fact Sheets / Brochures

 

	Gather previous inspection reports to have on hand.
	Make a list of all home improvements, new appliances, and / or fixtures.

 

Neaten Up The House

 

	Remove all clutter including items such as small appliances, gadgets, toys and memorabilia.
	Organize the cabinets to demonstrate how much room you have.
	Hide or temporarily disconnect obtrusive extension cords.
	Put away the newspapers and magazines.
	Put away the cat litter box and store the pets’ toys.
	Bake cookies or burn scented candles to make the house smell pleasant.
	Be sure to place valuable items in a secure place, i.e. cash, jewelery, medications, etc.

 

 

---

November 12, 2009

                                     Winterizing Your Home

  "Lou Manfredini is a contractor specializing in home improvement and remodeling"

Watch the video above to learn how to winterize your home:

• Furnace Tune Up
• Energy Efficient Windows
• Sealing Doors and Windows
• Insulating the Attic
• Install a Programmable Thermostat

Canada Home Renovation Tax Credit

Canadian homeowners can get up to $1,350 in tax credits for home renovations made between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010.

Examples of eligible renovations

• Renovating a kitchen, bathroom or basement
• Windows and doors
• New carpet or hardwood floors
• A new furnace, woodstove, boiler, fireplace, water softener, water heater or oil tank
• Home ventilation systems (of a permanent nature)
• Central air conditioner
• Electrical wiring in the home (example: changing from
  100 amp to 200 amp service)
• Solar panels and solar panel trackers
• Painting of interior or exterior of a house
• Building an addition, garage, deck, garden/storage shed, fence
• Re-shingling a roof
• Solar heaters and heat pumps for pools (does not include solar blankets)
• Landscaping: new sod, perennial shrubs and flowers, trees, large rocks, permanent garden lighting, permanent water fountain, permanent ponds, large permanent garden ornaments.
• Associated costs such as installation, permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses

For more information about the tax credit please click on the link below

homeperformance.com

 

---

 

November 1, 2009

Canada Home Renovation Tax Credit

Canadian homeowners can get up to $1,350 in tax credits for home renovations made between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010.

In February, 2009, the Canadian government included the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) as part of its Economic Action Plan.

The HRTC allows families to claim 15 per cent of home improvement expenses, between $1,000 and $10,000, on their 2009 income tax return. This gives families up to $1,350 in nonrefundable tax credits, which reduce the total amount of income tax they must pay

Home Renovation Tax Credit Link

October 21, 2009  

Survey Finds that While Couples Make Real Estate Buying

 Decisions Together, Women Make Up Their Minds

Significantly Faster than Men 

COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE SURVEYS 1,000 MEN AND WOMEN

TO DISCOVER GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE

 HOME-BUYING PROCESS

  Below are some key highlights from

 The Coldwell Banker study:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men …

• When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70 percent of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62 percent of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32 percent of men vs. 23 percent of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job …

• 55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37 percent of men. 

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for both men and women …

• 64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51 percent).

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions …

• When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70 percent of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.
• However, 23 percent think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26 percent vs. 20 percent, respectively).

Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part …
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

• Bedroom: 25 percent
• Office/Study: 15 percent
• Family Room / Den: 11 percent

However, men really do want a “Man Cave”…

• Interestingly, out of the 8 percent who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment centre, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge.  In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation / entertainment.

Methodology: Coldwell Banker Real Estate engaged ICR to conduct an omnibus survey via telephone in May 2009, among more than 1,000 U.S. respondents.  Canadians were invited to participate through a Zoomerang online survey 

 

---

September 21st, 2009 

Research shows that well staged homes sell approximately 32% faster than non-staged homes. They also sell for 3 to 10% more. 

 The more you can remove your personal feelings from your home and begin to see it through the eyes of potential buyers, the better your chance of selling your home quickly--and at a better price. 

                            

9 Reasons Why Staging Pays  

1.   Faster sales time

 Staged homes sell much more rapidly than non-staged homes do. Marketing experts indicate that staged homes sell 30 to 50% faster in most areas.

 2.     Positive impression

 First impressions are positive on staged homes, rather then negative.

3.   Less than a minute

 Research has shown that buyers initially make up their mind in less than a minute on whether they want a home or not.  Therefore, curb appeal is key.

4.     Ready to move in

 Staged homes appear to be in “Ready to move-in” condition.  Buyers overwhelmingly prefer homes where they can just move-in and start enjoying life in their new home.

5.     No imagination needed

 When only 5% of the population can truly visualize how beautiful a home can be or see past the clutter, grime and so-so appearance; then staging becomes paramount for a fast sale at a great price.

6.     Competitive advantage

 Staged homes have a competitive advantage over other homes that are not staged.

7.   Well maintained

 Staged homes give off the appearance of being well-maintained and cared for. 

8.   Appraisers 

 Appraisers see the home in a more positive light and are more likely to appraise the home higher than a similar non-staged home.

 9.    Higher sales price

 The better home shows, the more that it will sell for.  This is more dollars in your pocket. Non-staged homes are more likely to require price reductions in order to sell versus staged homes, which are more likely to have a number of offers and possibly a bidding war or to sell over the asking price.