Real Estate Blog
Indoor Home Renovations for the Winter Months
It is time to start this renovation
Because of the chilly winds and snowy conditions, the colder months can have you spend quite a bit of your day indoors. If you’ve got some time on your hands and you’re looking for something productive to keep you busy this season, we’ve got some suggestions for some upgrades that can easily be done during the wintertime without causing a chilly draft in your home.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are an incredibly popular room to renovate, mostly because of their versatility in terms of budget as well as look and feel. If y...
Winter Home Safety & Maintenance Tips
Keep your home warm.
A technician performing heater maintenance.
Make sure to check your HVAC appliances frequently, especially your heating system. These systems are crucial for winter living, but they can come under a lot of wear and tear in the process of keeping your home warm. If your system is having a hard time reaching certain rooms, consider installing space heaters there. Cranking up your heater to account for colder rooms can use a lot of power and provide disproportionate amounts of heat to your home.
Also make sure you seal up any holes or c...
The “Dos” and “Don’ts” of Home Staging
Think about the purchaser’s end goal
The first thing you’ll want to do is think about who your potential buyers may be, and what they may be looking for in a home. After all, your end goal is to leave — so staging decisions shouldn’t be based on your own personal preference. Is your audience looking to upsize, downsize or start a family? Are your home and property both pet-friendly? Is your home close to parks, schools, businesses, or other amenities? If you can, fine-tune your decor to meet their needs.
Hire a professional photographer
Online pho...
Top Tips for Choosing a Home for Your Family
Choosing the right home for your growing family can be complicated. There’s so much to consider, from what to look for in the house itself to the property and surrounding neighbourhood.
Planting your family roots is a necessary process and we want to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible. In this blog, we’ll cover some important features that you should look for while you browse.
Find or create a suitable play space for your kids.
One of the first and foremost priorities for a growing family is to find a home with a safe play area for the kids...
Moving with Children
Moving can be a stressful process. There are strict deadlines that have to be met and large-scale financial decisions that have to be made. For you, closing and making the move is likely a process you’re looking forward to, and that’s understandable.
Often though, moving is a confusing, emotional process for the little ones as their entire world is about to change. They may even be switching schools, which can be an emotional process of its own. This is why it’s crucial to make sure you take your childrens’ interests into consideration well befor...
Fall Maintenance Checklist
The leaves are changing colour and some of the most beautiful scenery of the year is yet to come. Although it may be cool and blustery, that’s exactly what makes the coming months all the cozier.
In order to capitalize on such an amazing backdrop, there are a few maintenance tasks that may be required to keep your home looking and functioning its best. In this article, we’ll take you through a checklist of fall maintenance tasks that should generally be done no matter the home.
Rake your leaves as much as possible.
As the seasons change, falling l...
Storm & Flood-Proofing Your Home
With the ongoing effects of climate change, the weather can be somewhat unpredictable. In an area like Kelowna, one with such a diverse climate, it’s important to take steps to storm-proof your home. By taking some precautions and applying some simple renovations, you can help protect your home from the potentially damaging effects of high winds, heavy rain, and any flooding you may experience.
Inspect your roof and gutters regularly
Make sure that there are no loose or missing shingles on your roof, as they can potentially become points of ...
What to Consider in a Summer Real Estate Market
Now that we’re past spring and well into summer, does that mean that you should wait until next year to explore the real estate market? Not necessarily. Although it’s generally acknowledged that the spring months are the prime time for the real estate market, that doesn’t mean it’s the only time you’re able to buy or sell a home. In this blog, we’ve highlighted some of the many perks and things to consider that come with a summer market.
There will be more competition if you’re buying.
Because summer is a bit later in the prime season,...
Advantages to homeownership (Home Equity)
There are many advantages to homeownership. In this blog, we’ve highlighted both the financial and functional benefits of owning a home, so that you can be more informed if you make the decision to buy.
Financial Benefits
The advantages of homeownership come primarily from its financial benefits. Right from the start you’re paying off a mortgage, not rent towards a landlord. This means that you’re getting an eventual return on investment, as you’re working towards more equity and living payment-free. You also have the option of selling down...
6 Buyer Terms You Should Know
Real Estate 101: 6 Terms Every Buyer Should Know
Buying a house is an incredible achievement for previous homeowners and new homeowners alike. If you’re new to the world of real estate, everything can seem overwhelming and intimidating. However, once the transaction is finalized, the stress is quickly replaced with feelings of relief and accomplishment.
The path to closing however is filled with procedures that can get complicated quickly. Throw in a bunch of confusing, unknown real estate terms into the mix and you’re apt to feel like a deer in headlig...
Questions to Ask at an Open House
Open houses are an extremely effective sales tool for sellers.
Potential buyers might be more inclined to make an offer if they get to see the home for themselves. If you’ve never been to an open house event, you might have a few qualms about the entire procedure. While the primary goal of an open house is to allow buyers to see the house for themselves, it can also be a great time to get additional information regarding the property.
As a novice, you might find yourself stumped on what questions to ask. Are there must-ask questions? Are there questions...
Spring Maintenance – What to Prioritize
For many Canadians, spring is one of the most anticipated times of the year. The snow and slush are finally behind us, and summer is quickly approaching. What would the spring season be without the return of lush wildlife, sunny days, warmer weather …
… and heaps of property maintenance?
Luckily, you aren’t the only one with these seemingly tedious tasks ahead of you. Everyone wants their indoor and outdoor spaces freshened and spotless for upcoming social gatherings, so we’ve compiled a list of “things to consider” when planning your spring checkup and...