Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Karen Guy, REALTOR® ~ Latest E-Connection Newsletter

Hi Everyone,


As the biggest financial transaction that most of us ever make, buying or selling real estate has more complexities than most people expect. Understanding thinking ahead for needed Community resources, legal aspects of the transaction and effective negotiating skills are just a few of the things that I can help with.

The SOLD signs are popping up ~ the only time the bottom of the market is realized is when it’s too late, and it’s already on the upswing.

It takes time, experience and market knowledge, not just a few weeks of looking at prices, to understand the overall implications of the marketplace and to execute a completed transaction.

Because it's my profession, and what I focus on daily, I can help you and your family or friends.

CLICK HERE to view my latest newsletter ~ Thanks for your continued support.

I am the GUY that will make a difference!

Karen Guy, REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001

http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Karen Guy, REALTOR® ~ What friendship style do you use to build strong relationships?

The way we relate to people affects how we view and negotiate the world.

What friendship style do you use to build strong relationships?


Expressive Style


• You lose your temper, but never for long.

• Everyone wishes they had your energy.

• You talk with your hands.

Your knack for seeing life’s silly side turns tense situations right around.

Nurturing Style

• You are the friend others confide in most.

• You prefer heartfelt private thanks.

• You would rather chat by phone than email.

Confide in others too; be a rock with your friends,

but with a little less stress.

Analytical Style

• You choose your words carefully.

• Your best work is done alone.

• You are a perfectionist.

Your smarts serve you well but go with your gut.

Driver Style

• You skip the small stuff to get to the meaty stuff.

• You tend to be super punctual

• You excel at making important decisions - fast.

Take a break from the fast lane once in a while and relax.

I am the GUY that will make a difference!

Karen Guy, REALTOR® Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Karen Guy, REALTOR® ~ LET THERE BE LIGHT

Need more light and space in your home? You don’t need to install windows or tear down walls - just put up a mirror and double your brightness.

Light and cheery. Double the light in a room by hanging a mirror on a wall, across from a window. The rays of sunshine will reflect off the mirrors and brighten everyone’s mood.

Create a focal point. A large mirror can turn a lifeless wall into a stunning focal point. Make sure the style of the mirror blends well with other pieces in the room.

Widen a hallway. A mirror placed horizontally in a narrow hallway will add depth instantly. When hanging the mirror, make sure it is at a comfortable eye level.

Inventive fire. If you have an unused fireplace, cover it with a stunning mirror and you will turn a dark hole into a feature point of the room.

Think big. The bigger a mirror, the more light it will reflect. If you don’t have a large mirror, placing two smaller mirrors side by side will have the same effect.

Karen Guy, REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001


I am the GUY that will make a difference!

http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Karen Guy, REALTOR® ~ Are You Sitting on the Fence?

Some potential buyers might be sitting on the fence waiting for home prices to hit bottom as they want to ensure that they are purchasing at the best possible price. There may actually be some room for prices to drop a little further in our area. But I would suggest that waiting is not the best financial decision for a buyer today.

Below I pose and respond to the following question -

Should a buyer be more concerned about the “PRICE” of the home or
should they really be more concerned about the overall “COST” of the home?

The cost of a house is made up of the price AND THE INTEREST RATE they will be paying on their mortgage financing.

PRICES

The average median residential price was $417,917 in the fourth quarter of 2010, down 3.5% from $432,833 in the fourth quarter of 2009 here in the Central Okanagan.

A buyer who delayed a purchase might be happy with the fact that prices have come down and think they have made a great decision but with interest rates on the rise, that decision could be questioned.

INTEREST RATES

Five year fixed interest rates have increased 35 basis points since the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2010.*

No one has a crystal ball but here are the latest interest rate predictions from the Big 6 Banks which could translate to a further one percent increase in mortgage interest rates by the end of this year.

The Big 6 Banks currently expect prime rate to climb 200+ basis points (bps)
in the next 24 months. They project 5-year bond yields rising over 125 bps.

So prices have declined slightly but interest rates have risen significantly in the last few months. So what does this mean to a buyer who is looking to purchase a home this year?

Let’s take a look at what this could mean to the buyer who decided not to buy during the last quarter of 2010 because they thought that the prices would drop further but are now considering purchasing a home sometime this year.

They are financing the same amount, but now it is costing them more.

DATE                     MTG AMT            RATE          MONTHLY PMT

OCTOBER 2010      $360,000           3.69%*          $1649.28
TODAY                    $360,000           4.04*             $1720.03
OCTOBER 2011      $360,000           5.04%            $1929.89

By sitting on the fence until now the buyer has lost:

• $70.75 a month, $849.00 a year, $4,245 in payments over the five year term
• Will pay an additional $6,089 in interest over the 5 year term

By sitting on the fence since October and waiting until later this year a buyer could potentially lose:

• $280.61 a month, $3,367.32 a year, $16,836.60 in payments over the five year term
• Will pay an additional $23,563.04 in interest over the 5 year term

Here’s the bottom line:

Even if home prices fall another 10% this year, the cost of a home will increase if interest rates go up by more than 1.00%. Perhaps buyers should not be so concerned about where prices are going but be more concerned about where their interest rate costs will be later on this year.

The important number to consider is the OVERALL COSTof the home and not just the purchase price.

Why not share this information with anyone that may still be sitting on the fence and can't decide whether they should purchase now. With our historically low interest rates this is a great time to buy for both investors and those looking to move up or buy their first home.

Compliments of:         April Dunn, Mortgage Broker
                                  Mortgage Alliance Homeline Mortgage
                                  250-826-3543
                                  http://www.aprildunn.com/

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.


Karen Guy, REALTOR®

I am the GUY that will make a difference!

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001

http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Monday, March 21, 2011

Karen Guy is a proud sponsor for the Ride2Survive June 18th 2011

Ride day is June 18th 2011

Our 7th Ride2Survive400km

13,000 feet of climbing, One day....Cycling to Beat Cancer

----------------------------------------------------

What is the Ride2Survive?
Simply, it is a one day 400km bicycle ride from Kelowna to Delta raises funds for Cancer Research! But,

•it is more than a bicycle ride
•it is more than a cancer fundraiser
•it is more than the most amazing ride you will ever do
•it is more than the best supported event you will ever do
Do you want to feel like you have been inspired, given back, made a difference?

...Then you need to join the Ride2Survive!

Watch this video:



I have sponsored the first pitstop for the last three years which is located at the Johnson Bentley Pool parking lot. It is an amazing experience and one that I will continue to support and particiate in.

For more information contact:

Karen Guy,
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001

http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Karen Guy, REALTOR® ~ You`ve Sold Your House, Now for the Home Inspection

You have sold your home, and now all that remains is the Home Inspection to be completed.


There are a few things you as a homeowner can do in advance to facilitate this process and ensure that your home gets a proper and complete assessment of its condition:

• De-clutter storage under sinks to allow inspection of the plumbing in these areas

• Provide clear access to any and all hatches to the roof or attic spaces. (These are usually located in an upstairs hallway, or sometimes in the top of a closet or walk in closet or the garage)

• Provide clear access to hatches or doors to the crawlspace or cellar

• Clear the area immediately in front of any Electrical Distribution (Breaker) Panels or Sub Panels

• Clear the area directly in front of and around your furnace and hot water tank

• Clear the area around the Main Water Shut Off (Sometimes concealed from view under stairs or in finished basements)

• Make sure any burned out light bulbs have been replaced

While many home inspectors will deal with or work around a few small items, they should not be expected to move furniture and your personal effects to be able to complete their work, and doing so is not part of the scope of a home inspection.

It is important to remember, if an Inspector cannot access an important area of your home, the potential buyer will receive an incomplete report that will make note of this and may slow down, or otherwise impair the completion of your sale, particularly if they have to ask you to provide access later and re-schedule a further inspection visit before “signing off” on their conditions. This just delays the process for everyone, adds costs, and also adds yet another level of stress to an already stressful time.

The simple steps outlined above can eliminate this entirely and will certainly assist in making your sale progress smoothly.

I trust you will find this information of value, and encourage you to circulate it amongst your colleagues, and feel free to distribute the attachment to your clients as well.


Karen Guy, REALTOR®

I am the GUY that will make a difference!

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001

http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Karen Guy, REALTOR® ~ Getting Better Gas Mileage & Saving Money

Sneaky Ways To Get Better Gas Mileage


Forbes - Jacqueline Mitchell

Motorists looking to save on a litre of gas needn't drive across province lines in search of cheaper prices at the pump.

The answer is right under the hood. That's because more frequent air filter changes can improve your vehicle's gas mileage by as much as 10%, the Car Care Council says. The filter keeps dirty particles from damaging the inside of your engine and helps it run more efficiently. The council, a consumer advocacy group that promotes vehicle maintenance, recommends checking the filter each time you change the oil every 3,000 miles (nearly 5,000 kilometres).

Other fuel-saving measures include keeping tires properly inflated, reducing your load and avoiding long idles.

These adjustments have never been more important. Last week, the nationwide average price for regular gas pushed toward $1.30 a litre, and prices are expected to rise, some say, to as much as $2.50 by summer.

"You can't control the price of gas, but you can control how much gas you burn by proper maintenance and how you drive," says Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Performing simple and inexpensive maintenance can save as much as $1,200 a year."

Top 10 Tips

We compiled 10 key fuel-saving tips and estimated fuel savings from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Car Care Council and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

But before motorists start calculating potential savings, all of the agencies we contacted cautioned that gas mileages are only estimates. The number of kilometres that you see per litre of gas will vary depending on such factors as the rate of speed driven and the amount of city driving versus highway driving. The latter requires fewer stops and starts.

One immediate step a driver can take is observing the speed limit. Aggressive drivers can save per litre if they ease up on the gas and brakes, according to the Car Care Council. You can also save by observing the speed limit and using cruise control during highway driving.

Using the manufacturer's recommended levels of octane gas and grade of oil also makes a difference. Luxury and high-performance cars usually require premium gas, which has a higher level of octane to prevent engine knocking or rattling in some vehicles. But regular gas is recommended for most vehicles; using a higher-octane fuel on these cars will provide little benefit, if any. However, using a higher grade of motor oil will cut into your fuel economy, according to the EPA, which publishes fuel-saving tips at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/, a consumer information Web site jointly maintained by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the EPA.

Watching your weight also fattens your wallet. Piling a lot of heavy items on the roof rack can create additional cargo space, particularly in small cars, but it will also decrease fuel economy by 5%, according to the EPA.

What's more, car owners should beware of businesses advertising gas-saving products that promise to improve fuel economy, some by as much as 20%. These include fuel additives that claim to improve fuel economy and ignition devices that attach to an existing ignition system or replace part of the original system. The FTC and EPA warn that such claims are false.

Bottom line: If a new car isn't in your immediate future, don't sweat. By making a few lifestyle changes, you can get some relief at the gas pump.

1 Drive Sensibly

Estimated Savings: 7 to 49 cents per gallon

Speeding, rapid acceleration and constant braking are all symptoms of aggressive driving that waste gas. Pay attention to the traffic flow to maintain a more constant speed. You can lower gas mileage by as much as 22% on the highway and 5% on city streets by driving sensibly.

2 Replace Dirty Air Filter

Estimated Savings: 15 to 32 cents per gallon

Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your vehicle's gas mileage by as much as 10%. The air filter keeps dirty particles from damaging the inside of your engine. A clean air filter serves a dual purpose: It saves gas and protects your engine.

3 Bypass High-Octane Gas

Estimated Savings: 15 to 35 cents per gallon

Regular octane fuel is recommended for most cars. Buying a high-octane gasoline most likely won't improve your car's performance but will add to your fuel cost.

4 Maintain The Speed Limit

Estimated Savings: 10 cents per gallon

Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Observing the speed limit and using cruise control during highway driving will conserve gas

5 Avoid Long Idles

Estimated Savings: Additional miles per gallon

Allowing your vehicle to run idle for longer than a minute is equivalent to throwing money out of the window. You are burning gas but getting zero miles per gallon. Shut off the car; it takes less gas to restart it than what is being used while sitting still.

6 Check Gas Cap

Estimated Waste: Gallons of gas each year

Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing can cause gallons of gas to vaporize, thus sending you to the pump sooner than necessary.

7 Get a Plan

Estimated Waste: Gallons of gas each year

Trips to the grocery store, dry cleaners and shopping centers should be planned so you are not wasting time retracing your route. If you have multiple vehicles, drive the one that has the better mileage. Make a list of what you need so you don't forget something and have to make a return trip.

8 Use the Recommended Oil

Estimated Savings: 3 to 6 cents a gallon

You can improve your gas mileage by up to 2% when using the grade of oil recommended by the manufacturer.

9 Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Estimated Savings: Up to 10 cents per gallon

When tires aren't inflated properly, it's like driving with the parking brake on, and that can cost a mile or two per gallon. You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.

10 Drop the Weight

Estimated Savings: 3 to 6 cents per gallon

Avoid keeping unnecessary, heavy items in your vehicle. An extra 100 pounds could reduce your miles per gallon by up to 2%, based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's total weight, which affects smaller cars more than larger ones. http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/22/cars-mpg-gas-forbeslife-cx_jm_0422cars.html


Karen Guy, REALTOR®

I am the GUY that will make a difference!

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001
http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Kelowna Real Estate Agent West Kelowna Karen Guy Realtor