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We just listed a new property located at 1088 Sunset Drive # 438 in Kelowna.
Excellent Waterfront Investment Opportunity in the heart of the Cultural District and $28,000 below assessed value!! Gorgeous 2 bedroom + den with an open concept layout. Ready for rental or your enjoyment. Beautifully appointed thru-out, shows AAA+. This property is a turnkey investment which comes fully furnished with a peek-a-boo lakeview and is only steps from Okanagan Lake. The resort features world class amenities - swimming pools, hot tubs, sauna room, fitness center, club house and boat moorage. Call LEE IVANS (250) 575-5455 from ROYAL LEPAGE KELOWNA or BRIAN PEDERSEN (250) 717-6004 from PREMIER CANADIAN PROPERTIES
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There are so many horror stories about disreputable or incompetent home improvement contactors that television shows have been made about them. Unless you want to be a guest on one of those programs, take steps to ensure you find a good contractor.

 

Here are some tips that will help:

  • Ask for references. Speak to the references.
  • Get a detailed written estimate of the work to be done, and make sure you understand all the terms and conditions.
  • Be wary of contractors who insist on large payments upfront. The payment plan should be reasonable and tied to work as completed.
  • Ask if the contractor is a member of any professional associations.
  • Don't deal with a contractor who offers you a no-tax, cash-only deal.
  • Ask the contractor to get the appropriate permits before starting your project.

These tips won't guarantee you'll hire a reputable contractor, but they will increase the chances that you do.

 

For more information call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!

 

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 If you've played the game Monopoly then you've probably picked up the Chance card that reads, "Take a walk on the Boardwalk. If you pass Go..."

 

That's good advice when shopping for a new home. When you see a property you like and you’re thinking of making an offer, spend some time walking around the neighbourhood. This will give you a better sense of what it's going to be like to live there.

 

After all, the last thing you want is to buy a dream home only to find out later that there are issues with the neighbourhood that make living there miserable.

 

If you have kids, see how far of a walk it is to local parks, playgrounds, schools and community centres.

 

If you commute, you might also check out the route from the neighbourhood to your place of work. Is there a left turn that is likely to get backed up in the mornings?

 

Also check out how well the neighbours take care of their properties. Homeowners tend to keep their homes looking good if they enjoy the neighbourhood.

 

As you walk, listen. Are there noises from nearby high schools, industrial areas, or highways that are going to be unpleasant for you? Find out if the neighbourhood is near an airport flight path, or if there is a railway in the area. 

 

If you get a chance, talk to some of the neighbours. Ask what they like most about living in the area. You're likely to get some candid – and useful – answers.

 

Finally, spend some time visualizing living in the area. Can you see yourself enjoying what the neighbourhood has to offer?

 

If so, then buying a home in that area will likely be a good choice for you.

 

Call The Dion-Ivans Real Group today for up to date information on the different neighbourhoods in the Central Okanagan!!

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1. Build a deck or patio. This project not only adds visual interest to the exterior of your home, it also gives you a chance to enjoy your outdoor living space to the fullest. During the spring and summer, patios are spaces for entertaining guests, barbecuing, and leisure time. Whatever your motivation, building a deck or patio will encourage you and your family to get outside and enjoy summer.

 

2. Install a sprinkler system. On average, homeowners use 50 per cent more water than necessary on their lawns. This increases hydro bills and causes flooding. Automatic lawn sprinkler systems are designed with busy homeowner lifestyles in mind. Installing a sprinkler system allows proper irrigation through timing and even water distribution. Although initial installation can be pricey, you may end up saving money in the long-term.

 

3. Landscape your yard. Landscaping is the simplest way to add visual interest to your outdoor living space. Whether through gardening, building a pond, or installing a fence, landscaping is a sure way to create a return on your investment. However, you should always elicit the guidance of a trained professional before tackling a landscaping project.

 

If you are looking to sell your home or simply enjoy it more, use the summer to make exterior improvements. More summer home improvement ideas can be found online at www.royallepage.ca or call the Dion-Ivans Group today!!

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JULY SURVEY SUMMARY


Property Type:


22.8% of purchases were by Move-Up Buyers  (down from 23.7% in June) 
17.9% by First Time Buyers  (up from 17.5%)*
11.0% buying Revenue/Investment Property  (up from 8.6%)*
10.8% buying Recreation Property  (up from 5.1%)*
9.8% moving from Single Family Home to Strata Unit  (down from 17.1%)
5.7% moving from Strata property to Single Family Home  (up from 4.3%)*
4.5% moving into Retirement Home/Seniors Community  (down from 4.7%)


* During the month of July, there was a significant increase in purchases by revenue/investment and recreation property buyers, and by home owners downsizing to strata units, while other categories saw a drop or remained the same as the previous month.



Buyer Type (Family Dynamic):


24.0% Two Parent Family/Children (up from 20.3%)**
23.2% Empty Nester/Retired (down from 28.6% in June)
23.2% Couple without Children (down from 27.8%)
14.2% Single Male (up from 6.8%)**
12.2% Single Female (up from 11.3%)**
2.0% Single Parent with Children (down from 2.3%)


** In July, there were more purchases by two parent families with children, and by singles (males in particular), while all other categories saw decreases.



Moving From: 


54.7% from Within OMREB Board Area  (down from 58.8% in June)
14.8 % from Alberta (down from 18.8%)
12.1% from Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island  (up from 7.5%)***
10.5% from Other Areas in BC  (up from 8.3%)***
3.5% from Eastern Canada/Maritimes (up from 0.8%)***
2.0% from Saskatchewan/Manitoba (down from 3.4%)
1.6% from Outside Canada  (up from 1.1%)***
0.8% from NWT/Yukon (up from 0.4%)


*** Compared to June, there were more buyers moving from other areas of BC and the Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island, as well as more migration from Eastern Canada and Maritime provinces, but less movement from within the Board area and fewer purchasers from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba during July.

 

Information provided by www.omreb.com

 

Contact the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group if you have any questions. 

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We just listed a new property located at 4962 Lakeshore Road in Kelowna.
Absolutely stunning Craftsman Style Home situated on Okanagan Lake. This home has been built to the highest standards. The moment you pull up to the Estate you will be impressed as you drive down the stamped concrete driveway surrounded by professional landscaping and water features catching your eye. The property features a 4 car garage with the garage above being a tandem large enough to park 3 additional vehicles. This 5 bed 4 bath home features granite countertops, heated floors, climate control wine cellar, a gym, and huge windows that frame all the amazing unobstructed views of the lake. The property has 90 feet of lakeshore and sits on almost 1 acre. The beach front has the perfect combination of a sandy beach plus lawn space making life at the lake perfect! In addition, there is a licensed boat dock with a boat lift and a beach house ideal for storing all your water toys and beach possessions. Contact the Dion-Ivans Group for more information or visit WWW.KELOWNAHOMEFINDERS.CA
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You are probably already aware of the major things you need to do around your home to get it ready for sale. These include getting rid of clutter, doing minor repairs, and making everything clean and tidy so every room is as much of a showcase as possible.  But there are a myriad of little touch ups you can do that you may not have thought of before… touch ups that can make a big difference in how attractive your home looks to potential buyers.

Here are just a few:

·         Paint or replace the mailbox.

·         Add a couple of flowering plants to key areas, such as the dining room, living room, and just outside the front door.

·         Patch up any minor cracks in the driveway and walkways.

·         Put out the welcome mat. Literally! And if it’s not clean and completely free of stains, replace it.

·         If you have a stainless steel kitchen sink, clean it using a special stainless steel cleaner and brightener. The effect will be dramatic; the sink will look like new.

·         Use a special spot cleaner to lift any stains from carpeted areas.

·         Replace plain or out-of-style light fixtures in the main areas of your home, such as the hallway and living room. Without spending a fortune, you can make a big difference in how these areas look.

·         If your kitchen cabinetry is old, consider replacing the hardware on the doors and drawers. That, along with some touch-up paint or varnish on worn areas, can make your older kitchen look young again.

The great thing about these ideas is that they don’t cost much to implement, and you can probably do most of them in less than a day.

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

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