These days, homes are at a greater risk of water damage than ever before. Heavier precipitation and less predictable weather patterns increase the chance of unwanted water entering our homes.

Water damage is serious business. It is a drain – financially, emotionally, even physically. Just one inch is all it takes to destroy sentimental or irreplaceable items, or to create structural damage that can depreciate the value of your home. The bacteria and mold it can leave in its wake can affect air quality in your home and create potential health risks.

The best way to deal with water damage is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Here are some easy things you can do outside your home to help keep you safe and dry.

• Disconnect downspouts from the municipal sewer system. Extend downspouts at least 6 feet away from your basement walls and drain away from your house towards the street or backyard..

• Install a rain barrel to minimize the amount of surface water that could enter your home

• Grade the earth or hard surfaces around your home to slope away from your foundation.

• Before temperatures drop to freezing, turn off the water supply to outdoor taps and faucets, then open the taps to drain the water completely. Leave taps in the open position until spring.

• Keep gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and other debris – clean them out at least once a year – late fall is a good time.

With a little know-how and some routine maintenance, you can stay ahead of the wave and keep unwanted water out.

Information provided by: Craig Hostland of Pilar To Post - 250-765-4134   

1. Give your forwarding address to the post office, usually 2-4 weeks ahead of the move.
2. Notify our charge cards, magazine subscriptions, and bank of the change of address.
3. Develop a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified of the  move.
4. Arrange to have utilities disconnected at your old home and connected at your new one.
5. Cancel the newspaper.
6. Check insurance coverage for moved items. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
7. Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
8.  Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
9. Check with your condo or co-op about restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits.
10. Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most—toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors,hammer,screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

Plus, if you’re moving out of town:

1. Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets. 
2. Get copies of children’s school records for transfer.
3. Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.
4. Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.
5. Let a friend or relative know your route.
6. Carry traveler’s checks or an ATM card for ready cash until you can open a bank account.
7. Empty your safety deposit box.
8. Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you’re moving in cold weather.

 1. Price it right.  Set a price on the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.

2. Get your house “market ready” for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.

3. Be flexible about showings.  It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show on

    the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner

    you’ll find a buyer.

4. Be ready for the offers.  Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find

    acceptable.

5. Don’t refuse to drop the price.  If your home has been on the market for more than 30

    days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.

Okanagan Buyers Survey Summary - March 2012

Property Type:
28.7% of purchases were by Move-Up Buyers
21.3% by First Time Buyers
12.4% buying Revenue/Investment Property
9.6% moving from Single Family Home to Strata Unit
5.6% Recreation Property Buyers
3.9% moving into Retirement Home/Seniors Community
3.4% moving from Strata property to Single Family Home

Buyer Type (Family Dynamic):
30.9% Couple without children 
18.2% Two parent family/children
17.1% Empty Nesters/Retired
14.9% Single Male
13.8% Single Female
6.1% Single Parent with children

Moving From: 
63.0% from Within OMREB Board Area
12.7% from Alberta
10.5% from Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island
9.4% from Other Areas in BC
2.2% from Saskatchewan/Manitoba
1.7% from Eastern Canada/Maritimes
0.6% from NWT/Yukon (seventh month reported)
0% from Outside Canada

Information provided by OMREB.

Spring is upon us and the housing market is set to enter its busiest time of the year.  With winter a mere memory and lots of sunshine on the way, many potential homebuyers will be out and about looking for the perfect home to suit their needs and budget.  If you're preparing to put your home on the market this spring, there are a number of things you can do to erase signs of winter wear and improve your home's appeal.

"Whether you're in a buyer's market or seller's market, simple, cost-effective improvements like applying a fresh coat of paint to your home's interior or exterior can transform your home and help attract greater interest from potential buyers," said, Dianne Usher, Vice President and Division Manager, Royal LePage Real Estate Services, Johnston & Daniel Division. "Larger-scale improvements like renovations can also enhance a home's appeal while some houses might require repairs after a long and harsh Canadian winter."

To make sure your home is not only sale-ready but fetches the highest possible price, Royal LePage compiled a list of the top ten tips for selling your home this spring:

1. Create curb appeal - First impressions count! Get rid of any debris that winter left behind, edge your gardens and add creative arrangements to your front porch.
2. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way - Refresh the interior and exterior of your home by painting your walls, front door, garage, shed and fence.
3. Clean, clean, clean! - Nothing will turn a potential buyer away quicker than a dirty home. Be sure to scrub your floors and wash your windows.
4. Inspect your exterior - Have a professional check your property for any damage to your roof, shutters or siding caused by winter wear.
5. Are renovations required? - An updated kitchen or bathroom might boost your home's appeal as well as the value of your home.
6. Engage the senses - Create a welcoming scent for potential buyers by lighting a few scented candles or placing fresh flowers throughout your home.
7. Turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis - Update your patio furniture to create a relaxing outdoor environment.
8. Reseal your driveway - This will remove any wear and tear and keep your driveway looking new.
9. Depersonalize your home - Potential buyers want to picture themselves in your home. Remove family photos and diplomas.
10. Rid your home of unwanted clutter - Donate gently used items to your local Royal LePage office and take part in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation's National Garage Sale for Shelter.  Every dollar raised by the nation-wide event supports local women's shelters as well as programs to stop the cycle of family violence.  For more information, visit www.royallepage.ca/shelter.

About Royal LePage
Serving Canadians since 1913, Royal LePage is the country's leading provider of services to real estate brokerages, with a network of 14,000 real estate professionals in over 600 locations nationwide. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, dedicated to supporting women's & children's shelters and educational programs aimed at ending domestic violence. Royal LePage is a Brookfield Real Estate Services Inc. company, a TSX-listed corporation trading under the symbol TSX:BRE.

For more information visit www.royallepage.ca. 

The Bank of Canada left its overnight rate unchanged at 1 per cent for the 13th consecutive meeting. In the statement accompanying the decision the Bank noted that economic momentum in Canada is slightly firmer than the Bank had forecast in January and that economic headwinds from the US and Europe have abated somewhat. However, the Bank still judges the continued accumulation of debt by Canadian households to be the biggest domestic risk facing the economy. The Bank further noted that the degree of economic slack has been smaller than anticipated in January and that the economy is now expected to return to full capacity in the first half of 2013. Given a more rapid return to full capacity, we may see rate increases sooner than the mid-2013 date that most economists have penciled in. Indeed, the Bank sounded a more hawkish note in concluding their statement on the interest rate decision, citing that a modest withdrawal of monetary stimulus may become appropriate given firmer underlying inflation. However, the Bank was careful to condition that any withdrawal of stimulus would need to be balanced against domestic and global economic developments.

Our bias, and our modeling, still point to rates remaining at 1 per cent until the first quarter of 2013. However expectations of an increasingly hawkish Bank of Canada may start to get priced into long-term interest rates which could push mortgage rates higher in coming months.

Information provided by BCREA. 

One of the most prominent features of any home is the windows. When they are well maintained they have a positive impact on the impression people (such as potential buyers) will have of your property. The opposite occurs, of course, when your windows look old and worn.

So does that mean you should replace your windows?

That depends on a number of factors. Window replacement can be an expensive renovation. Here are a few things to consider before making your decision.

• Do your windows get frost or condensation build-up on the interior side? This could be a sign that the windows are not keeping out the cold as well as they should.
• Do you see water infiltration or mildew on the interior sides of any of the window sills? This means that moisture is creeping in from the outside, and you need to get those windows repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
• If your windows are double-paned – (two panes of glass) – check for any signs of moisture in between the glass panes. Moisture indicates that the thermal seal is broken and at a minimum, the glass will need to be replaced.
• Take a look at your windows from the outside. Is the trim rotted or cracked anywhere? Are there dark spots or any signs of rotting on the wood frames? Repairs or replacement may be required.
• Check the operation of your windows. Do they open and close easily? This is important because some windows, such as those in bedrooms, are often designed to be big enough to use as an exit in case of a fire.
• Finally, are you happy with how your windows look? Do you feel that your property will look significantly better with new windows? 

Although they are expensive, replacing windows has a lot of advantages. Depending on the efficiency of your current windows, replacing them could cut your energy costs by 10-20%. In addition, new windows block out more exterior noise, making your home quieter.

Want more tips on increasing the value, and enjoyment, of your property? Call the Dion-Ivans Group today!!

If you've been thinking about selling your home, you might be waiting until the "market is right". After all, if the local market suddenly booms, your property will likely sell for a higher price.

That may be true. However, there are other factors to consider in your decision to list.

For example, will you be buying a new home as well? If so, then the higher selling price will probably be offset by the higher cost of the new property.

In addition, there may be characteristics of your home that will help sell it quickly and for a good price – today – regardless of the market conditions.

A good REALTOR® will help you make the right decision. Call the Dion-Ivans Group today!!