All Blog Entries by Dave Kotler

To be safe for human habitation, homes need to be properly maintained. Homes that are not properly maintained may be plagued by plumbing leaks, electrical problems, structural damage, and more.

Homes with a lot of deferred maintenance can decrease in value because many homebuyers are reluctant to purchase a home with serious deferred maintenance. If your home has a lot of deferred maintenance, you may have difficulty selling your property. Here's what you need to know.

Why Deferred Maintenance Is a Problem

Small problems become large ones when they're not addressed promptly. Plumbing leaks are one of the best examples of how a minor problem can become significant in a short period.

Plumbing leaks can cause the wood in the walls and floors

One of the more significant expenses you must pay when buying a home is the down payment. You might think you have to pay at least 20 percent, but there are options to pay less. With this information, you can determine what you will be required to pay and how to decide whether to pay the minimum or more.

Paying a Standard Down Payment

For decades, lenders have held a standard down payment to be 20 percent or more. Lenders believe that if you share a significant stake in the ownership of the home, you will be more committed to paying the mortgage. If you apply for a mortgage with this down payment, you will pay one-fifth of the home's sale price. As a result, you will hold that much equity in the house.

A standard down payment is ideal for most

Security and convenience.

Both are crucial for today's homebuyers. According to polls by Rakuten.ca, almost a third of Canadians already own smart home technology, and the market is only growing. For today's home sellers, this means security, high-tech gadgets and convenience in your Joe Rich home become even more valuable than ever. That's why smart home features help sell homes.

Planning on some home upgrades? Check out these 11 smart home options that offer either security, convenience, or an attractive mix of both.

Smart Thermostat

Constantly having to adjust the thermostat is inconvenient, and hefty electric bills from wasted energy are downright painful. Smart thermostats alleviate both with the ability to easily program the time of

When selling a home, every homeowner wants to do whatever they can to help ensure that it finds the right buyer. However, some things can make selling a home a bit trickier, especially selling a home in a buyers market. Selling a home with pets in residence is a common home seller conundrum.

But how can a seller make their home the best it can be to sell without resorting to something drastic like giving up their beloved pets? Keep reading for a few strategies homeowners can use to make their home appealing to all buyers while keeping pets where they belong.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Repair Damage Left By Pets

It’s a fact

Townhome communities are an excellent option for homebuyers in Kelowna who want to own their own home while having more space than condos provide. Additionally, townhomes are great for downsizing from a larger property. Owners also have fewer maintenance responsibilities because their properties are generally smaller than single-family homes.

Townhome communities offer access to incredible amenities that might not be present in residential neighbourhoods. Keep reading to discover some of the best townhome communities in Kelowna offering fantastic amenities for their residents.

Brighton

Brighton Townhomes have small fenced yards and double side-by-side garages. These lovely tri-level homes are in the Lower Mission neighbourhood, just a short

Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular because they help homeowners save money and also help homeowners reduce their home's carbon footprint. Despite this rising popularity, many homeowners are unaware of the benefits of solar panels and are uncertain about how solar panels work. This FAQ can help answer homeowner questions about solar panels.

Can Solar Panels Increase a Home's Value?

Studies show that property values increase by as much as $6,000 for every 1 kW installed. Modern solar panels tend to be more valuable than older solar panels because they do degrade somewhat with time. This can add up as much as an additional 3 or 4 percent to the value of a property.

The increase in value will depend on a variety of factors

Staging a home enables buyers to envision themselves living in your space. For some sellers, staging means hiring a company to come in, redecorate the entire home, and place fresh, new furniture in every room. For others, staging rearranging furniture, repainting, and doing other economically prudent tricks. Home staging, regardless of how the seller goes about it, will give the seller an edge in competitive markets like Dilworth Mountain. When selling your home, keep these staging tips in mind.

Boost Curb Appeal

As the saying goes, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." From the moment a potential buyer walks up the driveway, they are forming an opinion of your home based on the curb appeal that has been prepared. Does

On the day of a home showing, there's usually a lot that can be done to prepare your property. Tidying up and making your house more comfortable for visitors can make the showing a more pleasant experience for potential buyers and encourage a quicker sale. Keep reading for eight last-minute things to do before a home showing (plus a few bonus ones) to get your home show-worthy.

Put Away Lawn Tools

Curb appeal is one of the most important first impressions a homeowner can make on buyers. While there might not be time to put on a fresh coat of exterior paint, that doesn't mean there aren't a few things homeowners can do to neaten up the outside of the home.

It's common for homeowners to leave yard tools in the grass, by the garage, or on the

Homeowners considering taking on a few projects around the house may be wondering if they can handle it themselves with a few tools and perhaps a set of helping hands. Of course, many are also wondering how to know when to hire a professional contractor for certain complex or high-risk home upgrades. Before heading to the hardware store or searching for contractors, take these aspects into consideration when deciding whether or not to DIY a home improvement project.

Evaluating DIY Capabilities

By making an honest assessment of their skills before undertaking any project, Rutland North homeowners can determine if they have "the right stuff" to successfully complete the work. Essential questions one should ask themselves include:

• What skill

As one of the most enchanting cities in Canada, there are plenty of historic sites found in Kelowna. Whether you prefer a tour of an old mission or of a park, there are plenty of choices. Here are some of the top historic sites found throughout Kelowna.

The Laurel Building

The Laurel Packinghouse was the first heritage building in Kelowna and was established in 1913. It started as a packing and shipping house. Today, the building houses the Wine Museum and the British Columbia Orchard Industry Museum. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits, and the Laurel building is also a popular event venue. Past events have included everything from historical and cultural tours and demonstrations, escape rooms, holiday events, and more.

Guisachan