All Blog Entries by Dave Kotler

Buying a home in a high-demand neighbourhood requires a calculated approach. Buyers who are organized and ready to meet sellers' needs are more likely to win a bidding war. It is also vital to keep calm and realize that home buying is short, but homeownership is long-term. People should not get swept up in the game just because they want to win. Competition is sometimes unavoidable, but extra preparation and a quick decision could make all the difference.

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

Do Your Research

If a homebuyer has their heart set on living in a particular neighbourhood, the first step is to find find out how long a typical home

Homeowners who are serious about selling their home quickly are wise to focus a great deal of their attention on landscaping and curb appeal. That's right, sellers can have the latest trending features inside the home, but if it lacks curb appeal, buyers might not give it a second look. The outside of a home is the first chance to define the potential that awaits potential buyers inside while enabling sellers to ensure that their home stands out, especially in competitive markets like Dilworth Mountain.

General Curb Appeal Tips

Devoting some time to the exterior of your home can make the difference in it selling quickly and taking its time on the market. Keeping everything neat, colourful and inviting is vital for anyone trying to sell their home

Many homeowners naturally assume that any home improvement they make will improve their home's value. This is not always the case. Some home improvements can actually make a home harder to sell and can lead to lower offers from buyers. If you're a homeowner who wants to improve your home's value, the following home improvements are best avoided.

Altering a Bedroom to Become Something Else

Bedrooms add value to a home, but what happens if the homeowner takes a bedroom away? For example, imagine a homeowner wants to convert their spare bedroom into an office. To do this, they build a desk into the walls. The room no longer qualifies as a bedroom when the time comes to sell the home. This can reduce the value of the house. Homeowners who want to

Home warranties can be used to protect both brand-new and resale homes from a number of different threats. From faulty construction to shoddy appliance installation, warranties give homeowners a recourse besides dipping into their own home savings. But home warranties are different depending on where the home is purchased, and they're always going to be a worst-case scenario. Learn more about the basics before pulling the trigger on a home sale.

The Home Warranty Process

There's a bit of a process to warranties that buyers should be aware of. Even in the case of clear negligence on the part of a construction crew, it will involve several steps to get something fixed. So if a buyer moves into the home only to find that their drainage isn't working

Windows let the light and air into a Joe Rich home. The shape can change a home’s look and give it personality that it didn’t have before. There are many different types of windows homeowners can choose for their homes. Each of them has a distinct appearance and features, such as how wide it can open or how it opens. Homeowners who are looking for new windows need to know the different types they can choose from. Here's how to tell when it's time for new windows and some of the most popular window types.

When is it Time To Replace Windows?

If they're doing their job correctly, homeowners shouldn't notice the windows in their house. Telltale signs that windows need replacing are drafts, condensation and fogging, rot or mould, and cracked caulking.

It is not only the down payment that should be a concern for prospective Canadian homebuyers. Closing costs can come up to a not inconsiderable sum and may be as much as 4 percent of the selling price of a Canadian home. Those looking to buy a home need to account for the fees and expenses associated with closing on a home. In many instances, payment is required prior to closing.

Understand more about closing costs and the need to budget for specific fees before taking the steps to purchase a home.

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

Closing Costs: Deposit and Down Payment

Closing costs may vary depending on whether or not prospective

When investing in a home upgrade or adding on to the existing property, it might be tempting to defray costs by skipping the steps required to get a building permit. On the other hand, perhaps a home was purchased that has been revamped without a permit. It may not be obvious to a home inspector that unpermitted work exists prior to the purchase of a home, as some projects lie behind walls or other areas not easy to access or hard to observe. Read on to learn more about unpermitted work.

How to Spot Unpermitted Work

Regardless of when the project occurred or who performed it, the owner is held legally responsible, so how do they spot unpermitted work? Step one is to look at the home’s blueprints to see if changes have been made. Step two is to

Known for its many wineries and beaches, the Kelowna community is a charming small city beloved by full-time residents and tourists alike. Kelowna's warm summers make it popular with people looking for outdoor recreation activities. Kelowna also has a wide selection of restaurants, shops, and other hotspots for residents to enjoy. And with the area's abundant winter activities, spending time outdoors is a year-round affair. As such an outdoorsy city, it's only natural that many of the best neighbourhoods in Kelowna are ideal for walkers. Continue reading to learn about the most walkable neighbourhoods in and around Kelowna.

Stroll Through Downtown Kelowna

Downtown Kelowna Amenities

• Sapphire Nightclub
• Kelowna Community Theatre

Kelowna is a city of about 143,000 people on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. The name derives from an Okanagan word for "grizzly bear." The entire metropolitan area has about 220,000 people.

The area is popular for skiing in winter and boating, golfing, hiking, and biking in summer. In addition to allowing for all-season fun, the mild climate is ideal for growing grapes, making the city of Kelowna famous internationally for its wines. Kelowna International Airport is one of Canada's busiest and connects travellers to many major North American cities. With all of the fun things to do in Kelowna, it's no wonder that people are steadily moving to the city. Fortunately, the broad range of neighbourhoods here ensures an

It takes patience to buy the perfect home, and many factors should be considered before making any final decisions. Once a location or an approximate one has been determined along with a budget, the real work starts for homebuyers.

It's important to think long-term to make certain the home purchased suits the family's current situation and will meet potential future needs. Here are some factors to consider to ensure a solid choice is made.

Ask yourself these 10 questions to help narrow your search:

• Do you want a single-family detached house, a duplex, a townhouse, a row house or a condo?
• Do you enjoy yard work?
• Do you travel a lot?
• Do you often entertain or have house guests?
• Do you need a lot of natural light?
• Are you