Have you ever watched those TV shows where some lucky homeowner gets a room redecorated by a professional? To have something similar done in your own home you would have to make a serious investment, or become a TV show guest!

However, there are ways to re-decorate a room and make it look great – even spectacular – on a budget.

Say, for example, you want a living room makeover. If your sofa is worn you can buy a fitted sofa cover that will make it look almost new. Table cloths on worn end-tables and other surfaces can have a similar affect.

Don't forget the most economical redecorating trick of them all: Paint! A fresh coat of paint can bring a room to life!

Hanging a few new pictures can also have a dramatic impact on the look of a room. You don't have to buy a Rembrandt. Attractive, simply framed pictures will also add interest and colour.

With a little imagination, it's amazing how much you can improve a room on a little or even no budget.

If you're planning on finding your next dream home, then you're probably going to view several homes on the market that meet your criteria.

You will want to make the right purchasing decision for you and your family. So, it's wise to be savvy when viewing properties for sale. Here are some ideas on how to do that.

• Bring a notepad. Take notes, not only of the home's characteristics, but also of how you feel. For example, can you imagine yourself happily cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Do you see yourself entertaining family on the back deck?

• Bring a measuring tape. Will the furniture you plan to bring fit? Your dining room suite? Your home fitness equipment?

• Ask about maintenance. Is the property in a good state of repair? Will anything need to be replaced soon, such as the windows?

• Bring a camera. Take lots of pictures of the home's exterior features. Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll remember how everything looked.

• Check out the area. Do other homeowners take good care of their properties? This shows pride of ownership. How is the noise level? Is there a playground, or another area feature nearby?

• Make a list of compromises. For example, are there only two bathrooms instead of three and, if so, can you live with that?

• Make a list of bonuses. What features does the home have that, are not a necessity, but would be nice to have? For example, an entertainment bar in the basement recreation room.

• Remember your budget. Is the price within your range? Can you afford to buy this home?

The savvier you are when viewing properties on the market, the more likely you will be to find your next dream home.

Want more ideas? Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

Canadian housing starts held steady in June, registering just under 200,000 unit at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).  The trend in Canadian new home construction remained relatively unchanged as well, albeit up slightly to 184,500 units SAAR over the past six months.  On a year-over-year basis, housing starts were down 10 per cent.

New home construction in BC urban centres jumped close to 40 per cent month-over-month in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 29,346 units. On a year-over-year basis, total starts were 13 per cent lower than June 2012. Single-detached starts were 2 per cent lower over last year, while multiples declined 17 per cent. For the first six months of 2013, total BC housing starts are down 17 per cent and are trending at a rate of 23,400 for the year.

Looking at census metropolitan areas (CMA) in BC, total starts in the Vancouver CMA were 14 per cent lower compared to last year with multiple starts off 17 per cent while single-detached starts were up 1 per cent.  New home construction in the Abbotsford CMA posted a 350 per cent increase in June compared to a fairly weak 2012 due to strong growth in multiples.  Housing starts in the Victoria CMA were down 43 per cent compared with June 2012 as a sharp decline in multiple starts offset a 13 per cent gain in new single family units. Housing starts in the Kelowna CMA were 29 per cent higher year-over-year as a result of strength in both the single family and muliple sector. 

Information provided by www.bcrea.bc.ca

There are few things more traumatic than a home burglary. That's why it makes sense to invest in good locks and, if necessary, a good alarm system.

There are also ways to work with your neighbours to prevent these crimes from occurring. In fact, police say that watchful eyes are one of the best ways to deter burglars on the prowl.

Police recommend that you know the names of all the neighbours adjacent to your property. Get in the habit of watching each other's homes. Stay alert to cars and people lingering around that don't seem to belong.

Another strategy is to set up a community Facebook page. That way, when someone sees something suspicious in the neighbourhood, they can immediately notify everyone by posting a Facebook message.

Finally, don't be a stranger. It has been proven that the better neighbours know one another, the lower the crime rate is in the area.

Canadian employment was virtually unchanged in June following a blockbuster month of job growth in May. Total employment grew 1.4% over the past 12 months and the unemployment rate remained at 7.1 per cent in June. For the first half of 2013, Canadian employment growth averaged 14,000 jobs per month.

Some long overdue good news for the BC labour market in June as employers added close to 9,000 total jobs including a remarkable 21,600 full-time positions.  A decline in part-time work partially offset the total employment gains. The unemployment rate in BC fell 0.4 points to 6.3 per cent.

In the US, firms added 195,000 jobs to payrolls, soundly beating market expectations of a 165,000 gain.  The US unemployment rate held steady at 7.6 per cent.

Information provided by www.bcrea.bc.ca 

There are several reasons why you may need to sell your home quickly. For example, a job change may require a speedy relocation to another city, or you may have purchased another property and don't want to be stuck too long with two mortgages.

Here are some tips that can help get the sold sign on your front lawn sooner.

• Be realistic with price. If you set the listing price higher than the current market value of your home, then you're not going to get many, if any, viewers. You want the list price to be attractive, which means listing at the current market value.

• Get things fixed. You probably don't have time for a major renovation. So just make sure everything in your home is in good working order. Deal with any obvious maintenance issues, such as a leaking faucet or a gate hanging precariously on one hinge.

• Ensure your home shows well, inside and outside. Eliminate clutter. Trim hedges. Make sure every room has adequate lighting, especially the basement. Imagine that a special guest is visiting your home, then clean up and prepare accordingly.

• Be flexible with viewing times. You want as many potential buyers as possible to see your home. So don't restrict viewing times to just Saturdays. Make sure your home is as "available" as possible for showings. This may cause you and your family some inconvenience, but the reward will be selling your property sooner.

• Work with a good REALTOR^®. Find an agent who understands the area and the local market well. He or she will be able to recommend a variety of strategies that will help sell your home faster, and for a good price.

Of course, there's no way to guarantee that you'll sell your home within the time frame you want. But these tips will certainly increase the chances that you will.

Looking for a good REALTOR^® who knows the area well? Call The Dion-Ivans Group today!! 

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