When you think about selling your property, do you dwell on the possible work and stress involved? You're not alone. Many homeowners share the same concerns. But it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, there are plenty of ways to add some fun, anticipation, and even a sense of adventure to the selling process.

Here are just a few ideas:

1. Plan fun things to do when your home is being shown. That can include walks, sports activities, or trying something you and your family have never done before.

2. Declutter for your own benefit. Instead of thinking about decluttering as a chore required for the sale, focus instead on how much more comfortable your home will be after decluttering. Studies consistently show that less clutter reduces stress and increases a sense of wellbeing.

3. Get everyone in your home anticipating the move in a positive way. Put pictures of your next home, including neighbourhood shots, on the fridge door. Sit together on the computer and explore your new neighbourhood's features and amenities.

4. Celebrate milestones in the selling process. For example, when you're finished preparing your property for sale, go out to celebrate. Make a checklist of milestones and how you'll celebrate each one.

5. Get the help you need. A big part of the stress of selling is the anticipated work involved. Remember, you don't have to do it all yourself. Much of what needs to be done can be handled by contractors and other professionals. There are many other ways to make selling your home a positive and turbulentfree experience.

Give me a call if you'd like more ideas and suggestions.

As you probably know, it's easy to lower the costs of a renovation. Just hire
an inexpensive, fly-by-night contractor — and hope for the best!
Chances are, you won't want to take that risk. So how do you ensure you get
quality work while keeping your budget in check?
Here are some tips:
• Get estimates from at least three contractors. Often prices can vary
widely, even amongst contractors with similar reputations and
experience.
• Narrow the project focus. If you're getting a bathroom renovated, for
example, decide whether you need the contractor to paint the new
walls. Can you do that yourself?
• Shop around for the building materials. Yes, contractors often have
access to wholesale prices. Still, you might be able to find a bathtub
and vanity at a lower cost or at least avoid any markup the contractor
may charge.
• Negotiate. Sometimes a contractor is willing to lower the price for
concessions, such as quick payments or more time to complete the job.
• Schedule the renovation during a low-demand season. For example,
deck contractors charge more in the spring than the fall. It's supply and
demand. More people want their decks done in the spring.
Keep in mind that spending a little more for a skilled and reputable contractor
can save you money in the long run. The renovation will have fewer, if any,
"issues" (that may require an expensive fix) and will last longer.

For more information including some recommendations of contractors,

contact The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team!

Imagine you’ve dreamed of living in a particular neighbourhoodin Kelowna, perhaps for
years, and then, when you're finally ready to make a move, finding out that
the area is competitive and buying there is definitely a challenge.
A disappointment? Not necessarily.
There is a lot you can do to buy into a popular neighbourhood, even in
competitive offer situations.
Your first step is to start targeting that area now. Find out about property
types, prices and trends. In particular, you’ll need to know what price range
you should be thinking about, and making sure that it’s going to fit your
budget. To do that, you might need to get a determination of the Fair Market
Value of your current home.
Next, begin making preparations so you can get a jump on opportunities in
that neighbourhood quickly. You don't want to see a great property come on
the market and not be ready to make a move. So, get your current home in
order so it’s ready for a quick listing.
If possible, make arrangements to get alerted to new listings as soon as they
come on the market. Keep in mind that a new listing may not appear online for
several days. By getting advance notice, you can be among the first buyers to
see the home and have an early advantage over other buyers.
If it's likely there's going to be competing offers for the home you want, there
are many strategies that can increase your chances of winning. These involve
going in at the right price, minimizing conditions to the offer, presenting the
offer appropriately, and negotiating effectively.
Is there a neighbourhood you want to get into? Upper Mission, Lower Mission,

Glenmore, Dilworth, Wilden, Rutland just to name a few...

We can help make it happen.

Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!!

Imagine going to a restaurant in Kelowna with your family for dinner. You're
planning on ordering a nice pasta and salad. Your heart is set on it.
But, after you go to the trouble of driving there and getting a table,
you discover that pasta is not on the menu.
That’s disappointing!
Of course, it’s only a meal. You can go somewhere else next time.
But, what if the same scenario played out once you had moved into a
new neighbourhood in the Okanagan? Imagine you were counting on public transit
being in easy walking distance, but discovered the nearest stop is
four blocks away. Argh!
That's why it's important to ensure a neighbourhood has the
characteristics you want — before you make an offer on a home you like.
Think about what you want most in a neighbourhood. Consider work,
commuting, schools, playgrounds, noise level, walking and cycling,
hobbies, shopping, entertainment, etc.
If there is a neighbourhood feature that is very important to you,
check it out for yourself. For example, if easy access to a main
highway is desirable for commuting, take the route for a test drive.
You can get a lot of information on a neighbourhood through the
listed property's description and MLS listing.
Want more in-depth insights into an area you're considering? We have
that information. Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!!

Ideally you should have a week or two available before you list your
property in order to stage your home and make it look its best for buyers.
But, what if you listed quickly and within hours of the For Sale sign going up
a buyer wants to view your property?
In that scenario, you need to do some quick "staging" to get your home
ready. Let's assume your property is already clean and tidy. Here are some
other things you can do.
· Open the curtains, even at night. This will make each room seem
brighter, more appealing and more spacious.
· Pull out some boxes or storage bins. Put away personal knick-knacks
(like that bowling trophy) and other personal items to reduce clutter on
shelves and countertops.
· Clear countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. Put the old toaster oven
out-of-sight.
· Make sure lighting throughout the house is bright and comfortable. In
darker areas, plug in a lamp.
· Clear away as much as you can in the foyer. Make that space look open,
uncluttered and welcoming.
· Move cars out of the driveway. Give the buyer a convenient place to park!
· Make the beds. Fluff pillows on sofas.
· Clear away as many items as possible from the closet floors (such as
shoes.)
· Open a window and air out the kitchen, especially if you just finished
cooking.
· Make sure your pet is in a crate or, if possible, out for a walk. Not
everyone loves pets.
These staging tips take only a few minutes each, but can make a big
difference in the impression your home makes on a buyer.

Want more home selling advice? Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!!

If you're thinking ahead to your next dream home in Kelowna, the road you need to take
to get there may seem confusing. Do you search for listings online? Drop by
Open Houses on the weekends? Call the number on For Sale signs?
Let's break it all down! Here are the specific steps you need to take to
ensure you find a home that fits your wants, needs and budget.
1. Find out how much your current property will likely sell for on today’s
market. (Ask The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team!)
2. Arrange for financing, so you know what you can afford.
3. Select neighbourhoods you'd love to live in. (That may involve some
fun exploring!)
4. Decide on the type of home you want to buy. (For example:
detached, three-bedroom, etc.)
5. Prioritize the property features you want most, so you can be flexible
if a feature is missing from a home listed on the market that is
otherwise ideal.
6. View properties on the market that closely fit your criteria, particularly
new listings that may not yet be posted online. (Tip: Have The Dion-Ivans Team immediately notify you of new listings that are a good fit.)
7. When you find a home you want, make an offer designed to get the
property — without overpaying.
8. Negotiate until you secure the deal. This may involve counter-offers.
9. If the negotiation is skillfully done and all goes well, the home is
yours.
As you can see, there isn't a lot of mystery in finding your next dream home.
You just need to take the steps and get the professional help you need
along the way.
Looking for a real estate agent that can get you to the finish line?
Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!

For some people, the thought of listing their home for sale is stressful. They
worry about all the things they have to do — and all the things that might go
wrong.Luckily, it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some tips for making your
home sale go smoothly:

· Give yourself time to prepare. If you're thinking of selling six months
from now, start preparing your property now. Do any necessary staging,
and get it looking its best. Avoid doing these tasks at the last minute.

· Set the right price. Pricing your property too high will likely result in few,
if any, buyers coming to see it. You might end up having to lower your
price later, causing your home to linger even longer on the market.
That's stress you don't need!

· Have a flexible viewing schedule. If you make it too difficult for buyers to
see your property, they might lose interest or simply choose to buy
another home. Be as flexible as possible when a buyer wants to view
your property.

· Plan get-away activities. When a buyer comes for a scheduled viewing,
don't be home. Instead, plan some fun activities for your family. Think:
playground, shopping, cycling, the zoo, etc.

· Accept the ups and downs. Prospective buyers might say they love your
home and plan to make an offer. Then you don't hear from them again! It
happens! Accept the inevitable ups and downs of selling your home.

· Get help with repairs. You'll probably have things that need to be fixed
around the home, like a dripping faucet that needs repair or a room that
needs painting. If possible, hire a professional to do some of that work.

· Finally, work with a great real estate team like The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team!

That will make the biggest difference in ensuring your move goes smoothly and stress-free.

Looking for a real estate agent like that? Call us!

Wouldn't it be nice if you had all the time in the world to find your next
dream home in Kelowna? You could leisurely browse the current listings, select homes
you'd like to see, schedule visits on dates that are most convenient for you,
and make an offer on a property only after you've had plenty of time to
consider all the alternatives.
Sure, that sometimes happens, but it's not typical. Often, people shopping
for a home are on a timeline. Sometimes a very tight timeline.
So how do you find your next dream home in Kelowna when you don't have all the time
in the world?
First, you need to develop a clear picture of the home you're looking to buy.
How many bedrooms? What size of property? What type of structure (two
story, back split, etc.)? Then, you need to list your preferences. These might
include "large kitchen" or "main floor office".
Once you've completed that exercise, you'll have a more detailed profile of
the type of property you want. That will make it easier to decide which of the
listings on the market you want to see.
You should also narrow down the area (Glenmore, Wilden, Dilworth, Upper/Lower Mission, Black Mountain, Rutland) in which you'd like to live. If you have
three or four targeted areas, and only consider listings in those areas, your
home search will be much faster.
What if you don't know the neighbourhoods well? Visit a few. Drive around.
Explore. Get as much neighbourhood data as possible, such as
demographics, recreational activities, parks, shopping, schools, etc. Then
choose the neighbourhoods that fit your lifestyle.
Finally, the best way to find a new home on a tight schedule is to work with
the right Kelowna real estate agent — someone who, like The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team, is experienced in the
local market.
Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team anytime!

Imagine this scenario...
You're shopping for a new home in Kelowna. You drive to visit a new listing. As you
walk through the front doors, you're impressed. Every room looks fantastic.
You see yourself relaxing on the spacious patio, cooking in the modern
kitchen, and enjoying evenings with the family in the cozy living room.
Your emotions are on overdrive. This is your dream home!
Should you make an offer? Probably. In fact, you should make that decision
quickly in case there are other interested buyers.
However, your decision shouldn't be guided purely by emotion. You want to
make sure you take practical matters into consideration too.
For example, you'll want to consider:
· Is the property within your price range?
· Does it have everything you need?
· Do you like the neighbourhood?
· How old is the property? Are there items, such as the furnace, that
may need to be replaced soon?
· Will it need any major repairs or upgrades?
· What are the average monthly costs of carrying the home? (Property
taxes, utilities, etc.)
Once you've considered the purchase of the home from a practical
standpoint, you'll have a lot more confidence in your decision when you
make an offer.
Need help? Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!

When you're having a garage sale in Kelowna, one of the toughest tasks is pricing your
items. If you put a price tag on your old golf clubs that’s too high, no one will
buy them. If you make the price too low, they might sell quickly, but you’ll
spend the rest of the day wondering if you could have gotten more!
It's similar to selling your home in Kelowna — except with your home, the stakes are
much higher. You want to price your property to sell, but you don’t want to
leave any money on the table.
How do you accomplish that?
Setting the right list price for your home requires a combination of skilled
calculation and industry savvy from realtors like Rob Dion & Lee Ivans.
Let's start with the "calculation" part...
When you work with me, I'll review recently sold properties that are similar
to yours in type, size, features and location. Then, using that data, we’ll
calculate a range that represents your property's "current market value."
For example, consider a spacious 20-year-old rancher in a nice
neighbourhood like Glenmore. If similar homes in the area have sold for $575,000-
$650,000 in the last six months, then it's obvious that your home should sell
in that range too. A list price above or below that range would be in the
danger zone.
But skilled calculation is only half the task.
Setting your list price also requires expertise in the local real estate market, combined
with good old-fashioned gut instinct. That instinct comes from being on the
front lines of many property transactions in the Kelowna area.
That's why working with a good real estate salesperson is so important,
when you’re deciding on the list price for your home.
Want to discuss selling your home? Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!!

If you're working with a landscaping contractor, you want to develop a good
working relationship with that professional, so you can avoid delays, stress
and other issues. After all, the last thing you want is a tree planted in the
wrong spot because of a misunderstanding!
The same holds true when working with a real estate agent. Whether you're
buying, selling, or both, you want the process to go smoothly and
successfully. Creating an ideal working relationship with your agent is an
important step toward making that happen.
How do you do that?
First, ask your agent to go over the process with you. If you're selling your
home, you want to understand the steps the agent is going to take. That
way, there will be fewer surprises. In particular, you’ll want to discuss how
viewings will be handled. You'll need to come to an agreement as to when
your home will be available for viewings, how short-notice viewings will be
handled, and whether or not "lockbox access" will be needed.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if you're worried about seeming to be
naive. (You won't!) You don't want to have unanswered questions or
concerns between you and your agent.
Also, know that misunderstandings and mistakes can happen in any
relationship with a professional. So if an issue comes up, discuss it right
away. Don't let it fester.
Finally, remember that your agent should be a professional like me, with
expertise in buying and selling in this market. When I make a
recommendation regarding pricing, prepping your home, viewings, etc.
remember that I am working in your best interest. I want to sell your
property, quickly and for a good price, just as much as you do!

Looking for an agent you can trust? Contact The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!

There are many good reasons to put your property on the market.
Some examples include a relocation, the kids leaving the nest, the
need for something bigger or smaller, and the list goes on and on.
However, there are also some less-than-obvious indicators that it
may be time to sell. Consider the following:
1. Your Property is no longer a Good "Fit"
Your home may have been perfect for you when you bought it. But
things change. Families grow. Needs evolve. For any number of
reasons, your property may no longer be a good fit for you. If that's
the case, it makes sense to at least take a look at what's available on
the market. Who knows? Your next "perfect" home may be for sale
right now — within your price range!
2. The Neighbourhood is Changing
You may have been in love with the neighbourhood when you first
moved in. But, over time, the characteristics of any area can change.
Those changes don’t necessarily mean the neighbourhood is getting
worse. In fact, it may be changing in a positive way; perhaps
becoming more urban. But, "more urban" may not be what you want.
So take a look at the direction your neighbourhood is heading. Ask
yourself, "Do I still want to be living here in two years?"
3. You're Ready for Your Dream Home
Remember when you purchased your current property? Did it have
every feature you wanted? Was it your dream home? Or, did you
have to compromise on a few things, such as the size of the kitchen?
If you had to make some tough choices back then, it might be time
for you to finally get the home of your dreams.
Those are just three indicators it may be time for you to make a
move. Of course, there are many others.

For more info contact The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!!