Friday, August 21, 2015

Just Listed - 4638 Raymer Rd - MLS 10105106.

Looking for a great rancher in the Lower
Mission? Look no further. 
 
 With almost 1700 sq.ft. of living space this two bedroom two bathroom no step rancher should not be overlooked. Bright (two skylights) and open concept kitchen and family room area
lead out to a private patio surrounded by fruit trees (4 peach, 1 apricot and 2 plum). Bay windows in the kitchen, living and master bedroom make this home feel very spacious. Ample parking here. 60 feet of RV parking on the side and an oversize double car garage (20 W x 23 L).New roof. Great mud room or utility area as you enter into the home from the garage. Very functional floor plan. This home really does have it all. Won’t last, call me today!

For more details and photos go to www.connectwithkaren.com

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, August 19, 2015

New Listing - #1204- 2210 Upper Sundance Drive

Located in sought after Shannon Lake this 2 bedroom plus den 2 bathroom 1039 square foot condo will be sure to please.  
This condo is bright and clean as a whistle.
 The Shannon Lake area is conveniently located (walking distance to corner store and Shannon Lake Pub) minutes from downtown West Kelowna, close to Shannon Lake Elementary and the Shannon Lake Regional Park. It's just an amazing area to live! 









 Strata fees are $334.00 per month and two parking stalls (one underground and one surface) are included. This is a family and pet friendly complex. The complex has outdoor pool, hot tub and guest suite - that's a real bonus for those out of town guests!








 The 180 degree view from of Shannon Lake and the surrounding mountains and golf course is breathtaking.







 


 
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/

Beautiful Home with In-law suite and Inground swimming pool!


Just Listed  2034 Horizon Drive

Fantastic home with 2 bedroom in-law suite and in ground salt water pool located in prestigious West Kelowna Estates. 6 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms and an absolutely gorgeous kitchen and great room. Enjoy peaceful surroundings from your deck while you over look the pool area. This is a fabulous entertaining home. The kitchen (brand new Samsung appliances) has one of the largest granite islands I have seen! Newly landscaped front yard, freshly painted from top to bottom with earth tone colors, new pool cover and new hot water tank. Oversized double car garage with double doors and RV parking too! West Kelowna Estates (Rose Valley) is conveniently located minutes from the bridge and to the Rose Valley Regional Walking Trail network as well as numerous amenities. It's just an amazing area to live! It's a four season playground here in the sunny Okanagan. This home is a must see!

For more details & photos & virtual tour go to www.connectwithkaren.com & call Karen Guy, Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty, 102-3480 Carrington Road, West Kelowna BC V4T 3C1 at 250.878.3605 or 250.768.8001.

MLS 10104977







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/

Friday, August 14, 2015

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home



Selling your home is a complicated process.  It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of details involved, but the experience can be very manageable—and educational!—when broken down into its component parts and plotted out into steps.  The following is a list of common pitfalls encountered during the home-selling process.  Use these as a guide to help your journey remain a smooth one.   
  1. Faulty Pricing:
It is essential you determine the asking price of your home based on its market value.  Too many times home-sellers let emotions or needs influence their asking price, drawing from numbers based on the price paid for the house originally, or the amount of money they’ve invested in the home.  This mistake may prove to be a costly one.  If your home is priced significantly higher than what the market is bearing at the time, prospective buyers interested in your style of home will reject it for larger homes listed at the same price.  And, those buyers who do see your house may have significantly higher expectations than what you have to offer.  Ironically, over-pricing your home actually increases the chances that your home will sell for less than it is worth.  Driving prospective buyers away will increase the amount of time your home stays on the market, which raises an additional red flag for buyers.  They become wary of the reasons your home has not sold, thinking, and “If no one else has bought it, there must be something wrong with it.”  The bottom line:  price it correctly, and they will come. 
Be vigilant, too, of pricing your home too low:  a lack of market value awareness could result in selling your home for much less than it’s worth. 
  1. Neglecting to showcase your home: 
Take the time to ensure you’re offering the best possible first impression of your home to buyers.  A few improvements done to your home before placing it on the market can increase the chances of selling quickly, and for more money.  When buyers spot an area of your home in need of repair, they consider this perceived cost when deciding upon an offer price—if they haven’t already been scared away.  And since buyers often aren’t sure about the cost involved for repairs, they will create a larger margin for error in their asking price.  Sellers are always better off dealing with these repairs themselves. 
In addition to taking care of fix-ups, make sure the house is clean and welcoming, and the yard is well-groomed.    
  1. Choosing the wrong realtor: 
Many sellers choose the realtor who tells them the highest asking price.  This       should never be the sole basis on which you choose a realtor—you must have confidence in the full spectrum of your realtor’s experience and abilities.  Keep   the following questions in mind:  can this agent explain to you all aspects of the selling process?  Does she/he have a good grasp of the market?  Does she/he have     access to a large pool of buyers and a marketing plan to attract them?  An experienced realtor will usually cost the same as an inexperienced realtor, and holding out for experience could mean more security that your ultimate home-selling goals will be attained. 
  1. Trying to “Hard Sell” During Showing: 
Buying a home can be an emotional and stressful decision, and potential home-buyers don’t want to feel pressured when viewing a home.  So, let your home speak for itself.  Allow potential home-buyers to comfortably view the house and property.  Don’t try haggling or pointing out every improvement you’ve made.  Good realtors let buyers discover the house for themselves, only pointing out features they’re sure will be of interest, and being receptive to any questions the buyers might have. 
  1. Mistaking “Lookers” for “Buyers”: 
Some people who look at your home may not be serious about buying.  Many who view homes may just be getting a feel for the market, gathering ideas for “showcasing” their own home, or even just looking for decorating tips.  Of the people who are looking to buy, those who do not come through a realtor can be 6 to 12 months away from buying.  They may still be in the process of selling their own home, or saving money for a new one.
An experienced realtor is trained to separate the “Lookers” from the “Buyers.”  Realtors should usually establish a potential buyer’s savings, credit rating, and purchasing power.  If your realtor hasn’t looked into a buyer’s financial background, you should take the time to investigate.  This will save you valuable time in marketing toward the wrong people. 
  1. Limiting the marketing and advertising of the property: 
A good realtor will ensure that your property is showcased and marketed in the best, most effective manner possible, employing a wide spectrum of marketing techniques.  He or she should be committed to selling your property, making the effort to distinguish your home from the hundreds of other homes on the market.  Most calls are received—and viewings scheduled—during business hours, so your realtor should be available to field these calls from prospective buyers.  Lack of realtor availability, limited viewing times, not allowing a “For Sale” sign on your front lawn, can all affect the exposure your home gets to the pool of potential buyers, and will ultimately affect your bottom line. 
  1. Being unaware of your rights and responsibilities: 
It is essential that you are thoroughly aware of the details involved in your real estate contract.  These contracts are often complex—but no matter how confusing and convoluted the language, the contract is legally binding.  As soon as you sign your name, you are responsible for all of its contents.  Not knowing your responsibilities could cost you thousands in repairs and inspections.  Have an experienced realtor explain the contract to you, or get your lawyer to review it, before you accept.


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, August 5, 2015

“Drive-Up Appeal”: Get your Property Ready to Show


When preparing your property to show, work your way from the outside in. It is 

essential that your home possess a certain “drive-up appeal.” Remember, a potential

buyer’s first impression of your house is formed while s/he is still sitting in

the realtor’s car. So, first you need to view your house from this perspective. Go stand on the opposite curb and observe your property. Compare it to surrounding properties. 

Concentrate on the following three areas: 


Landscaping:

How does your landscaping measure up compared to the rest of the neighbourhood? If

you guess it would rate below-average, make a few adjustments. You might want to

consider buying some bushes and planting them around the property. Do not buy trees,

however—mature trees are expensive, so you will not see a return on your investment.

And immature trees don’t tend to significantly improve the immediate appearance of your home. If the problem with your yard isn’t a case of too little greenery, but rather too much, get out the pruning shears. The purpose of landscaping is to complement the home, not hide it. Overgrown shrubs should be sheared to a height near the bottom of the windows. Remove any ivy clinging to the side of the house. Tree limbs should be high enough that you’re able to walk beneath. Trim any branches that bar the way.

Your lawn should be freshly cut and watered, and an even colour. If there are brown

spots, make sure you begin to remedy this well in advance of putting the house on the

market. You may want to re-sod areas, and you need to make sure these spots are given enough time to grow, so they will match the existing lawn. Also, if you decide to use fertilizer, you’ll want to allow enough time for it to take effect. Rake up any leaves or

grass cuttings. Planting a few flowers is an easy way to add colour and vibrancy to your yard, enhancing the first impression of your home. Invest in a full flat of mature, colourful flowers, such as petunias or periwinkles, which last the length of the growing season. Do not buy bulbs or seeds—they won’t necessarily grow enough by the time yo

u begin showing to achieve the desired effect. If you don’t have an area in which

to plant flowers, consider purchasing a few flower pots for your porch and planting 
flowers or blooming plants.If you have a pool, keep it sparkling and leaf-free. 


House Exterior:

When you view your house from across the street, does it appear weathered or faded? If so, it’s probably time to treat it to a fresh coat of paint. This is usually a sound

investment; new paint can do wonders to increase a home’s perceived value.

Stay away from unusual or loud colours. The new colour should fit in with surrounding

houses, and complement the style and structure of your house.

Examine the roof closely. Old or leaking roofs should be replaced. If there are leaks,

you’ll have to disclose this detail to the home-buyer anyway, and they will want it

replaced. If there isn’t any apparent damage, however, wait for word from the home

inspector before making repairs.


The Front Door and Porch:
The front door and surrounding area should look particularly fresh and welcoming, as this will be the buyer’s first up-close impression as they enter the house. If you paint nothing else, at least give the door a new coat. Replace the doorbell if it is broken and polish the door fixture until it gleams. Wash the mail box. Keep the porch swept and buy a new plush door mat. All of these little things will contribute to the overall effect of a well cared-for and welcoming home.Ensure the lock works smoothly and the key fits properly. When a home-buyer visits your house, the Realtor will open the front door with a key. You don’t want the buyers’ first experience to be of waiting on the doorstep while the Realtor fumbles with the lock.


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