The draw of the Okanagan Valley saw me relocate to Kelowna over a decade ago to pursue my post-secondary education. Since then, I have proudly called the city home and have no desire to move elsewhere! The golf, fishing, and outdoor activities that the area has to offer keep me active while my wife Meghan, kids (Dalyce, Rylee & Ryker) and two dogs (Duke and Turbo) keep me busy! I have travelled and lived abroad but have yet to come across a community as diverse, vibrant, and welcoming as Kelowna. We love it here. My experience moving and settling into the community is a strong asset for those interested in doing the same. I understand the concerns and anxieties that come with relocation and can certainly ease the transition with my knowledge of the city and what is has to offer.

 

I am industrious and dedicated to meeting your needs- whether it be buying or selling. My education and background lends strength to marketing your home or your purchasing goals. I completed a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Marketing (OUC) as well as a year studying International Business at Hodgeschool Zeeland International University in Holland. My work experience in sales and management with both Bacardi and Maxxium Canada helped maximize my communication and teamwork skills; both of which are valuable traits that contribute to the relashionship I develope with my clients. I sincerely enjoy the real estate industry and look forward to seeing the smile on a client's face when a contract is signed.  

 

If you are interested in the local market, would like to purchase a home, or would simply be interested in approaches to marketing your home for a sale, please contact me. I am certain I will be able to turn your hopes into a reality!

There is no doubt that being born and raised in Kelowna has built a strong framework for my expertise on the local real estate market. My family, for generations back, has called the region home and for good reason- it is a beautiful, plentiful playground with a neighborhood that suits every lifestyle and need.

Being aware of this, I strive to take full advantage of what the community has to offer. I have snowboarded for years at Big White, while watching the hill expand and grow to the world -class ski resort it is today. During the summer I play in beautiful Okanagan Lake in between fishing excursions throughout the surrounding area. Volleyball and other team sports round out of my active pursuits, all of which are enjoyed with my wife, Erin.  

For many clients, finding the right home in the perfect neighborhood can be a challenging combination. My in-depth knowledge of the established community along with a strong handle on new development creates a vital combination in helping you find exactly what you envision.  Whether a first time buyer, condo seeker, or luxury vacation home hunter I am motivated and keen to secure your satisfaction. This city has a lot to offer and I know where to find it!   

Energy and creativity are two of my personality traits that contribute to the guarantee that I will work hard for you. Whether selling or buying, my proactive, honest, and communicative approach will certainly finalize each deal. To support my outgoing and innovative ways, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing (O.U.C.) along with sales and managerial work experience for both Molson and Maxxium Canada. My real estate education was through U.B.C.’s Sauder School of Business. 

Most importantly I want you to feel secure that I am an expert on the local market, that I will listen to and understand your needs and that I will undoubtedly work hard for you. If you are interested in selling or purchasing a home, or simply interested in learning more about the local market and what I have to offer, please get in touch!

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!!

 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!!

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!!

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...

Whether it's the need for a change, an upgrade, or an emergency home repair, most homeowners will at some point need to hire a contractor. Renovations and repairs vary widely in both the scope and the resources needed to get the job done right.

“Even a homeowner experienced in repairs will need to hire a contractor eventually due to the size or level of difficulty with a project,” says Yvonne Ratigan, an executive with Royal LePage Canada.

Ratigan offers these guidelines to finding and choosing a contractor:

1. Ask for referrals and consult local resources. Start by asking friends and family for referrals. Other sources include your local homebuilder and renovator associations and local building supply stores.

2. Ask questions. What kind of work do you specialize in? Do you offer a warranty? How do you handle clean up? How do you schedule the work? Do you provide a contract? The answers to questions like these will help you to narrow down your choices.

3. Consider more than just price. In addition to price, consider the level of trust and the quality of work you see from the contractors you have short-listed. Make your decision on a variety of pre-determined factors, asking the same question to all bidders. Be sure to get references and ask to see the work the contractor has done for past customers.

4. Proper insurance. Both the homeowner and the contractor need to have the right insurance. If the contractor's crew is injured on the job or damages your property or a neighbour's property, your homeowner's insurance policy might not cover you and you could be liable.

5. Get it in writing. The final agreement between you and your contractor should always be in writing. Don't be tempted to accept cash only jobs. A cash deal may leave you with no legal recourse if something goes wrong.

More information about renovations and increasing the value of your home is available online at www.royallepage.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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

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!!

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.

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!!