Not everyone is a pro when it comes to real estate. For example, one might not understand mortgage rates, loans, or the reason why market values drop and rise every year, but there are a few “common knowledge facts” that everyone seems to feel pretty confident about; after all, everybody knows them, right?  

What happens when what we think we know about real estate is actually common myth and not fact at all. Who gets hurt? Both the buyer and the seller!

That's why the pros at The Dion-Ivan Real Estate have come together today to share common misconceptions about the real estate world.  

Real Estate Myths You Probably Believed

Spring Is The Best Time To Sell

Well the warmth of spring create a favourable time to move it might not necessarily be the best time to sell a house. We see it all the time! Everyone thinks spring is the best time to sell, So what do they do? They sell of course! However, that means that the market is soon flooded. The truth is not many home buyers start looking right after the new year. So, why not beat the rush and put your house on the market as early as January or February? You'd be surprised how many bids you get for your house, and you'll feel twice as smart.

“I Can Sell My Home Myself”

Many homeowners first knee jerk reaction when they hear a realtor’s commission is to back out and sell their home themselves. While you certainly can sell your home yourself, and some people have great success, the majority of homeowners create much more trouble then it's worth to save on the commission. There's so much behind the scenes work a real estate agent does for their clients. From marketing, research, networking, contract drafting, market pricing, and so much more, real estate agents can put hundreds of hours in to sell your home. You must ask yourself if you realistically have the time and knowledge to sell your own home successfully and still get the same value that a qualified real estate agent would be able to get you. As with everything in life, you don't know what you don't know. This is especially true when it comes to real estate. People can easily get sucked into contracts that are unfair causing them to lose out on more money then they ever would have saved by not hiring a professional. For example, a buyer may receive a contract that is conditioned on the buyer selling their house. This may seem fine, but does the seller know to look for an escape clause or what it means for them if there is none? A real estate agent is truly your best friend when buying or selling your home.

A Home Doesn’t Need To Be Staged

This one is huge! Many people think if they have a nice house it doesn't matter if they stage it or not; However, the truth is whether your spending an hour tidying up or weeks decluttering your home, staging your house might be the most important step you do. The first thing a potential buyer is going to request is photos of your home, and this is your best chance to make a positive first impression. If the if the buyer does not feel that your house is clean, cozy, and bright, they may scroll right past your home, never giving it another thought. It doesn't take much clean up the papers, remove the sweaty gym bag, and throw your dishes in the dishwasher before the photos are taken. Likewise, your home exterior needs to be staged as well. The outside of your home sets the tone for the rest of the tour. Mow the lawn, remove the trash, and make sure any toys or unsightly furniture is hidden out of sight. For more tips on successfully staging your home click here.

Whether you’re buying or selling your home, knowledge is power. When looking for good information on real estate, give your local professionals a call! Do not get sucked down the rabbit hole that is Google, which is filled with myths and facts that are hard to untangle.

For more information on buying or selling your home in the Kelowna and Okanagan area, give the trusted professionals of Dion-Ivans Real Estate team a call today!

Here is your guide to make sure your not paying more property tax than you should be!

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!

Selling your house at any time of the year can be an overwhelming and often dreaded experience.

WAIT!

Let's rephrase that! Selling your house feels GREAT! Showing your house? Not so great.

With all the hustle and bustle of people coming and going mixed with the chaotic flow of the holidays, it's no wonder you are feeling so stressed out. Not to mention, homeowners often talk about the horrors of selling a house during the winter months.

Don't listen to them! Because The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team has a secret for you!

People love the holidays!

How is that a secret? Well, it's not exactly. The secret is that you can utilize buyer's holiday nostalgia to increase your chance of an offer!

Let us set the scene, or rather, help you set the scene! Imagine you walk into a bright clean home. It smells like fresh baking, there is a wreath on the door, pine-tree garland up the banister, and a poinsettia on the table. The bows on the kitchen cabinets are an amazing touch, and the candle and pine-cone display on the fireplace mantle is darling! Sounds like a cozy home doesn't it? They will think so too!

However, it isn't as simple as placing a few decorations here and there, and that is why The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team have come up with the following tips to help you get started!

Staging Your Home For The Holiday Buyer

Baby It's Clean Inside!
Don't just tidy for your potential buyers-CLEAN! We want those walls washed and floors sparkling! Don't forget to sweep or vacuum under the furniture; Santa is watching! The more clean and fresh a home looks, the better the buyer feels about it.

Less Is More, Less Is More, Less Is More!
We know you want to feel like your space is your own, but your space it through that door and inside your new home! This space is now your buyers. Be sure to declutter as much as possible, so the buyer can really imagine themselves living in the house. A few well placed decorations will go a long way, but they will be entirely missed if all they do is add to the chaos. Keep your decor simple, tasteful, and clean!

Do You Hear (Taste, and Feel ) What I Hear?
You really want these buyer to feel at home because, hopefully, they are! Crank up the heat and let them feel the warmth, have some gentle holiday music playing softly in the background, and don't be afraid to bake a few holiday treats for them to sample. Not only will it smell delicious, but the longer they stay, the more time they have to admire the idea of living there. Just remember to clean up after!

Expert Tip!

If you can, try and keep your decor 'holiday neutral', and bake a gluten free goody option! A bottle of wine or sparking fruit juice never hurt either!

If you follow all these holiday tips -hopefully- one of your buyers will be home for the holidays!

Looking for more expert staging tips, and selling/buying advice? Visit our Blog

OR

If you're ready to buy or sell your home, contact Kelowna's leading real estate experts The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team!

Until next time, We Wish You A Merry Sale!

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!