You see a home on the market that you like. Should you buy it?  Before you make an offer, it’s a good idea to get a sense of the property’s long-term potential. After all, a property is not just a potential home, it’s also an important investment. 

Here are some things to look for when viewing homes on the market:

• Is the area’s average income increasing? The more affluent a neighborhood becomes, the higher the property values.
• Are employment opportunities growing nearby? If jobs are leaving the area, housing prices will likely decline.
• Are there any nearby housing or community developments that will enhance the quality of life in the area? If a park with a quiet walking trail, or a prestigious golf course, is being built nearby, the value of the neighbourhood will increase.
• Is the crime rate on the rise or decline? This can have a significant impact on future property values.
• Are there public transit lines located nearby? Studies show that housing prices increase in areas where public transit is close and convenient.
• Is the property located in a neighbourhood dominated by higher priced homes?
• Does the property have features that will always be valued by home buyers, such as a large kitchen, spacious backyard, and professionally finished basement?
• Are there short-term negatives about the area that will eventually disappear, such as loud construction projects?  Once those negatives are gone, house prices will often jump.

Need help finding the right home for you? Call the Dion-Ivans Group today!!

There’s nothing wrong with that.

In fact, you may have pictures on the fireplace mantle showcasing happy family memories over the years… or trophies and other awards in the kids’ bedrooms that represent achievements that make you proud… or a fridge door covered with notes, a calendar and other items that make it a de facto family bulletin board! 

These are all things that help make a house truly a place to call “home”.

But when it comes time to sell, all that personality can work against you. When buyers view your property, they want to visualize themselves living there, not you and your family. 

Have you ever noticed how model homes are often furnished and decorated? All the rooms look beautiful and enticing. They draw you in. Why? Because, although all the rooms in the model home look great, they’re also impersonal. There’s no uncomfortable sense that you’re in a stranger’s home. So you can easily see yourself living there.

And that’s exactly what you should strive for when preparing your house for sale.

You can’t get rid of every personal item. That would be impractical.  But there’s a lot you can do to depersonalize your home. For example, you can:

• Take down family pictures
• Clear items from the fridge door
• Store trophies in a box
• Remove personal knick knacks and similar items
• Keep only general titles on a bookshelf and store the rest.

The more easily buyers can see themselves living in your home, the more likely they are to become interested in it and make an offer. 

Want more ideas for making your property look even more appealing to potential buyers? Call the Dion-Ivans Group today!!

How do you select the best moving company for your needs?

• Ask for recommendations from friends other professionals in the local real estate industry.
• Beware of fly-by-night operations. They may seem like a bargain, but you get what you pay for.
• Does the company provide you with a written estimate and contract? (Beware of movers that just give you a price over the phone.)
• Ask if they are covered by insurance, and what their policy is regarding lost or broken items. Make sure you receive a copy of their insurance certificate.

Finally, always ask what circumstances would result in extra charges being applied. The number one complaint received about movers by the Better Business Bureau is unexpected extra charges.

Questions about moving? Call the Dion-Ivans Group today!!

Something has just spilled on your favourite rug or carpet. There's a stain forming. You're worried. Will you be able to remove it? Will the stain set and stay forever?

Luckily, there's a good chance you can completely lift just about any kind of stain – if you follow a few guidelines.

The first rule of stain removal is: act fast. The fresher the stain, the easier it is to lift. So when you notice a stain of any kind, start to work on it right away. Don't wait.

Begin by trying to dry blot the stain. Avoid the temptation of using a wet cloth or detergent, at least at this stage of the game. Blot the stain gently with a clean, dry cloth or absorbent paper towel. Be patient. It may take several minutes before you see any results.

If dry blotting doesn't completely lift the stain, mix up a combination of one glass of water with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Again, take a clean cloth or paper towel, wet it with the water/lemon mixture, and gently blot the area (test on an inconspicuous area first). Wait five minutes, then try dry blotting again.

You may have to repeat the above process a few times.

Using a vacuum cleaner directly over the affected area can also help lift more of the stain.

If, after all your efforts, some of the stain is still there, place a couple of sheets of paper towel over the stain, with a few books on top to maintain pressure. Leave those there for 24 hours. Check every hour or so. If you see stain on the paper towels, you know it's working.

If all else fails, consider calling in a professional cleaner. They know all the tricks and can often perform a miracle for you!

The Canadian economy expanded 0.1 per cent in May, after increasing 0.3 per cent in April.  At the industry level, economic growth was driven by a 0.7 per cent increase in retail trade and a 0.5 per cent bounce in finance and insurance output. Real GDP growth was also given a boost by increased mining and oil and gas extraction.  Lagging industries included manufacturing (down 0.5 per cent) and construction (down 0.2 per cent).  The output of real estate agents and brokers fell 4.8 per cent at the national level following three consecutive months of increasing activity.

Canadian real GDP is on track to grow 1.5 to 2.0 per cent in the second quarter of the year, close to the 1.8 per cent forecast by the Bank of Canada and in line with BCREA's own forecast.  The second half of the year holds a number of risks for the Canadian economy, including further Euro uncertainty and a slowdown in the US economy.  We forecast that the Canadian economy will generate modest growth in 2012 of around 2.1 per cent.

Information provided by www.bcrea.bc.ca  

When you’re preparing your house for sale, you want to make sure every room looks its best. But pay particularly close attention to the kitchen. Many buyers will spend a lot of time determining whether or not it meets their needs. In fact, some buyers will even form an impression about the entire property based primarily on how they feel about the kitchen! 

How do you make it look its best?

Start by making sure your kitchen appears as roomy as possible. Put away all countertop appliances, even the toaster and the coffee machine, so that the counter space is completely clear.

Check that your cabinets and pantry shelves aren’t stuffed with dishes, foodstuff and other items. While that’s normal in most family homes, it doesn’t promote the image of plentiful storage space. Clear out as much as you can. Make sure what you leave behind, especially food items, is stored neatly. 

Got a junk drawer? We all do. Empty the contents into a box and stow it away.

Of course, you want to ensure that the kitchen is clean and shiny. The area in and around the sink it critical. There are some excellent specialty cleaners available that will remove even the most stubborn stains in a stainless steel sink.  (Never use steel wool or other abrasive cleaners. They leave unsightly scratches.)

If you have a window over the sink — a great selling feature — make sure it’s especially clean. You can be sure that buyers will linger for a few moments to look through it. 

And, finally, don’t forget the space under the sink. Make sure that the space is as clean — and empty — as possible. 

Want more ideas on preparing your home for sale? Call the Dion-Ivans Group today!!

When you show your home to prospective buyers, there is probably a long list of things you’re hoping they’ll notice. For example, the beautiful chandelier in the foyer, or the spacious backyard and large deck, or the kitchen with the island big enough for a family to sit down for breakfast.

But what about those things you’re hoping buyers will not zero in on?

Every home has some features that are less than enticing to the typical buyer. You may not be able to do much about an unfinished basement or a home backing onto a noisy main street. 

However, there are several things buyers don’t want to see that you can change. Here are five of the most common:

• Clutter. Back rooms in basements filled with boxes and other items. Closets stuffed full of clothes. Rooms crammed with too much furniture. Clutter of any kind makes buyers feel uneasy –and gets in the way of showcasing the wonderful features of your home.
• Maintenance issues. Buyers definitely don’t want to see a lot of things needing repairs or replacement, such as dripping faucets, faded or chipped walls, or overgrown lawns and shrubbery.
• Smells. You can’t see smells, of course. But buyers will notice the lingering aroma of exotic cooking, cigarette smoke, and pets.
• Personal items. Buyers will, of course, understand that a family is living in the home they’re viewing. However, constant reminders – in the form of vacation pictures, bowling trophies, or scattered children’s toys – can make a buyer feel like an intruder.
• You. It’s nothing personal, but buyers prefer to view your home without you in it.

The good news is, all these things can easily be dealt with before you show your home.

Looking for more ideas on selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call the Dion-Ivans Group today!!

There’s a lot of competition in the housing market these days.  When you put your home up for sale, you’re bound to be up against several other similar listings. That’s why it is important to make sure your property is in a good state of repair so that it makes a good impression on potential buyers.  Here are some things that may need your attention or the help of a reputable contractor:

1.   Doorways. Inspect all your entry systems closely. Look for sagging screens, cracked glass, squeaks, and aging or broken aluminum parts. Consider giving your doors a fresh coat of paint.

2.   Roof. Check for missing shingles and have replacements installed where necessary. Also inspect the gutters.  Remove any leaves and other debris that may have accumulated.

3.   Walls. Look for nail pops, holes and dents. Patch and paint where necessary.

4.   Toilets. Make sure all toilets are still secured firmly to the floor and don’t rock when you sit on them. Anchoring nuts tend to corrode over the years. Replace where necessary.

5.   Faucets. Inspect all faucets, including those in the laundry room and other areas. Do you have one that drips? If so, repair or replace it.

6.   Cabinets. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets get scratched and worn in spots over the years. There are many great scratch repair products on the market that can make cabinetry look almost new.

7.   Decks and gates. Any loose boards? Rickety stairs? Sagging gates that you have to lift in order for the latch to close? Buyers will notice. Get them fixed. 

The good news about these types of repairs is that they are relatively inexpensive, yet make your home show significantly better.

Want more ideas for selling your home faster and for the best price? Call the Dion-Ivans Group today!