Monday, June 18, 2012

Real Estate Matters - First Time Buyers

To Buy or Rent – that is the questions!

For a lot of people, the number one reason they choose to rent versus buy their
own home is their fear of signing their name to a long-term mortgage agreement.
But let’s face it – very few of us can go through life without paying for our place of
residence in one form or another. In that sense, you’ve already made a
commitment to a fixed schedule of payments for housing -- whether it’s in the
form of a mortgage or a rental lease. In actual fact, one of the major advantages
of a mortgage agreement is that it usually covers a longer time period than a
lease -- which can work in your favor. Since no one can guarantee what your
rental payments may be two or even five years down the road, your mortgage
agreement actually protects you from the increases – compounding annually --
you can often encounter when you rent.

Nevertheless, some people are still intimidated by the total debt that a mortgage
agreement represents. Yet if you added up all the rental payments you could
expect to pay over an extended period of time, you may find that going the
mortgage route is actually the more affordable of the two options. With today’s
relatively low mortgage rates, and creative financing options, the cost of carrying
a home may be lower than what you might expect. Your Coldwell Banker real
estate professional can show you how owning your own home may be more
affordable than you ever imagined.

While making mortgage payments may actually be more affordable than paying
rental costs, let’s not lose sight of the biggest financial benefit of buying a home.
The simple fact of the matter is, when you rent, you’re slowly but surely building
someone else’s ownership equity in the property. On the other hand, when you
buy a home, a portion of your mortgage payment is building personal equity for
you. And if sometime in the future, you decide to sell, that equity is something
you’ll take with you as you make your next move.

Lastly, let’s not forget the creative freedom and pride of ownership that comes
with owning your own property. When you buy, you decide the extent of home
improvements, and decor changes you want to make. You decide on color
schemes and where you want to build that bookcase. Maybe best of all, you gain
the equity that those improvements add to your home. Spending money to
improve a rental property just puts value in someone else’s pocket.

If you’re tired of paying off someone else’s home for them, talk to your Coldwell
Banker real estate professional for a no obligation consultation and find out how
to make your dream of home ownership a reality.


I am the GUY that will make a difference!

 I specialize in selling homes in the in the Okanagan Valley including Westbank, West Kelowna, Peachland with a focus on Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights, West Kelowna Estates and Shannon Lake

Karen Guy, REALTOR®
 Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty

 C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001
 http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Westbank Prime Location Condo with Spectacular Lakeview

1209 sq.ft. 2 bedroom + den / 2 bathroom condo at Aria. This is a 2nd floor unit prime location unit with spectacular lakeview. Watch the golfers tee off on the second hole just outside your window at Two Eagles Golf Course in West Kelowna. FULLY FURNISHED & LEASE PRE-PAID, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and earth tone decor. Master with 5 piece ensuite and door out to the deck to enjoy those beautiful Okanagan summer mornings! This is a great lock and leave investment for the business savvy individual. Great time to buy! In suite laundry with storage as well, and two parking stalls included along with storage locker. For more details, photos and virtual tour go to www.connectwithkaren.com and then call Karen Guy, Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty #101 - 3500 Carrington Road, Westbank BC V4T 3C1 at 250.768.8001 or 250.878.3605. MLS® 10049519.







I am the GUY that will make a difference! 

 I specialize in selling homes in the in the Okanagan Valley including Westbank, West Kelowna, Peachland with a focus on Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights, West Kelowna Estates and Shannon Lake.  

Karen Guy, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty 

 C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001 
http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Lakeshore Terrace in the Heart of Lower Mission

Lakeshore Terrace is located in the heart of the lower mission and is walking distance to a few key places to note, such as one of the many beautiful beaches of Kelowna, the H20 Water Park and the Capital News Centre. This 1500 sq.ft. condo with loft, upon entering, is so much more like a townhouse or a house rather than a condo. Nice thing here being no yard maintenance! This home has hardwood flooring, gas fireplace, 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, stainless steel appliances and soaring ceilings. Bright, cheery and spacious you will fall in love. Master & laundry on the main. Loft could be sitting area, den or office? This is a great lock and leave for all you snow birds out there. For more details & photo's & virtual tour go to www.connectwithkaren.com & then call Karen Guy, Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty #101 - 3500 Carrington Road, Westbank BC V4T 3C1 at 250.768.8001 or 250.878.3605. MLS®10043378.







I am the GUY that will make a difference! 

 I specialize in selling homes in the in the Okanagan Valley including Westbank, West Kelowna, Peachland with a focus on Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights, West Kelowna Estates and Shannon Lake.  

Karen Guy, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty 

 C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001
 http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

True Ski In/Ski Out Location 1 Bedroom Condo

Top floor, one bed condo unit overlooks indoor pool & hot tub. True ski in/ski out location. 1 parking stall, storage closet, and ski locker included. Great revenue property or use as your own get away to the champaign powder at Big White.




I am the GUY that will make a difference! 

 I specialize in selling homes in the in the Okanagan Valley including Westbank, West Kelowna, Peachland with a focus on Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights, West Kelowna Estates and Shannon Lake.  

Karen Guy, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty 

 C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001
 http://www.connectwithkaren.com/

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Interior Housing Markets to Shine in 2012

BCREA 2012 Second Quarter Housing Forecast

Vancouver, BC – June 6, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2012 Second Quarter Housing Forecast today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to edge down 2.2 per cent to 74,800 units this year, before increasing 4.9 per cent to 78,500 units in 2013. Since 2009, annual home sales in the province have hovered in the 74,000 to 78,000 unit range. A record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005.

"Despite a sizable increase in consumer demand in Kamloops, the Okanagan and the North, some moderation in the Metro Vancouver region will pull BC home sales lower this year,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Persistently low mortgage interest rates are expected to continue to underpin home sales and affordability in the province."

"An increase in the proportion of home sales in the Interior combined with fewer luxury sales in Vancouver will cause the annual average price in BC to decline nearly 4 per cent this year,” added Muir. The average MLS® residential price in the province is forecast to dip 3.9 per cent to $539,400 this year, and increase 1.4 per cent to $547,000 in 2013.

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To view the full BCREA Housing Forecast, click here.

For more information, please contact:
Cameron MuirDamian Stathonikos
Chief EconomistDirector of Communications and Public Affairs
Direct: 604.742.2780Direct: 604.742.2793
Mobile: 778.229.1884Mobile: 778.990.1320
Email: cmuir@bcrea.bc.caEmail: dstathonikos@bcrea.bc.ca

BCREA represents 11 member real estate boards and their approximately 18,000 REALTORS® on all provincial issues, providing an extensive communications network, standard forms, economic research and analysis, government relations, applied practice courses and continuing professional education (cpe).

To demonstrate the profession’s commitment to improving Quality of Life in BC communities, BCREA supports policies that help ensure economic vitality, provide housing opportunities, preserve the environment, protect property owners and build better communities with good schools and safe neighbourhoods.

For detailed statistical information, contact your local real estate board. MLS® is a cooperative marketing system used only by Canada’s real estate boards to ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale.

To change your email address or subscribe to more BCREA publications, click here.

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I am the GUY that will make a difference!

 I specialize in selling homes in the in the Okanagan Valley including Westbank, West Kelowna, Peachland with a focus on Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights, West Kelowna Estates and Shannon Lake.

Karen Guy, REALTOR®
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