Posted by
paige on
September 30, 2011 |
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HAS IT HAPPENED TO YOU?
Every now and then I do something so silly and every now and then someone, in this case, hears me doing that silly something!
My daughter loves to sing and I decided I would support her and start singing too (FYI… I’m a very bad singer). We sing in the car with the windows down and when we’re on the highway we sing quite a bit louder! Yesterday someone called me while I was singing AND driving on the highway. I didn’t realize I pressed the answer button on the steering wheel and that person listened to me sing. Incredibly, for about 2 minutes! Completely embarrassed I called them back when I realized what happened. Kinda’ wierd they didn’t answer the phone!
If you’re looking for a real estate investment or a place to call home in Kelowna, and like to laugh, call Paige Guernsey at 250-862-6464
Talk to you soon…
Paige
Posted by
paige on
September 26, 2011 |
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Why could I get Prime minus .90 last week and today it is Prime minus .25?
A great question says Mortgage Brokers Association of BC. Check out this informative article on the how’s and why’s of banks and interest rates. Thanks to Brenda Dilley of Mortgage Alliance for this. If you’re looking for a fantastic mortgage broker (remember, using a mortgage broker ensures you’re getting the best possible mortgage for you and your needs and it doesn’t cost YOU a cent!). Brenda can be reached at 250-808-1000 or dilley@telus.net.
If you’re looking for an experienced, full time realtor in Kelowna or through the Okanagan Valley, Call Paige Guernsey at 250-862-6464.
Talk to you soon…
Paige
Posted by
paige on
June 1, 2011 |
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CMHC has some great predictions for our housing market through 2011 and 2012. 
Could CMHC be right?
The report released yesterday, suggests that mls sales are expected to increase later this year due to low interest rates and strong price competition. Also predicted is the demand for new housing to increase due to our strengthening economy. Now if we could just get our actual monthly stats to match up with these predictions! Sales will sadly be down again for May when the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board stats come next week. Bring on the sunshine!
Talk to you soon…
Paige
Posted by
paige on
May 21, 2011 |
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If the April statistics showing buyer profiles are any indication, the Kelowna real estate market should be in recovery mode over the summer.
A full 33% of home buyers were “move up” buyers. This will hopefully give a boost to the $600-$800,000 price range that I was talking about yesterday. Also 33% was the type of buyer who bought in April - 2 parent families with children. That makes sense! Another stat that’s going to breath some life into the Kelowna real estate market is the growing number of those coming from other areas. 49% came from across Canada somewhere and of those 21% were from Alberta. Suggesting responsible and healthy financial situations for our home buyers is the fact that 34% were cash buyers and 54% paid with conventional financing with more than 20% down. Those are sure healthy stats - Bring it on! If your thinking of buying, call me on my direct line at 250-862-6464. Want to check out some great listings? Click here.
Talk to you soon…
Paige
Posted by
paige on
May 20, 2011 |
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Could Kelowna real estate be heading towards a period of instability? According to a report out by Royal Bank of Canada, Canadians are needing a huge portion of their income to fund their mortgages and related expenses. In Vancouver, the Asian market is driving prices up at an alarming rate. Usually our market mimics Vancouver, but not this time. Sales are still down – stats yesterday for one month previous show sales are off 21%. Interest rates will start to creep up and nibble away at buyers bottom line of purchasing power. With sales being down, inventory is rising in Kelowna and West Kelowna. Time will tell what that does to prices. All in all, buyers and sellers are still optimistic about our market. There’s also a healthy number of out of town buyers making their way here to buy. This segment of the market vanished when the economy fell. The price range between $600,000 and $800,000 is taking a beating. More homes in the $500-600K range need to sell before those move up buyers can make their purchase in that $6-8K range. There has been a spike in the luxury home market over $800,000 with many that have been sitting on the fence making the move before rates move up. And last but not least, lot sales and new housing starts are still sluggish with the ongoing issues around the HST. Enjoy the long weekend!
Talk to you soon….
Paige
Posted by
paige on
May 10, 2011 |
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Last week I had a meeting with Christine Meekma, HSBC Premier Manager (she’s one of the most amazing bankers I’ve had the pleasure of working with by the way). As I walked into the bank for my appointment my nylon gave way and began falling rapidly towards my ankle. How does that happen with brand new nylons?? The dilemma was how to pull it up with nobody noticing. Naturally I could just feel everyone staring, not to mention all the cameras in the bank that I was sure were zooming in on my location! There was only 1 fellow waiting where I was so I took my chances, turned around and gave a quick yank up. Relief. Right then Christine was making her way towards me and as I started to walk across the bank trying to look cool and composed, down went the nylon again. That was of course, when someone commented on my cool shoes! There was nothing I could do at this point, so I squirmed and maneuvered trying to pull it up the whole time. If Christine noticed anything she was very gracious and said nothing. Who knew being a Kelowna realtor could be so stressful!
In the last 24 hours Kelowna real estate has seen 124 listings come onto the market, 48 price reductions and 33 sales. After a pretty bumpy April where we saw sales down an alarming 34% over April 2010, the warmer weather is sure to bring a more active real estate market for both buyers and sellers!
Questions about real estate? Call me on my direct line at 250-862-6464.
Talk to you soon…
Paige
Posted by
paige on
April 7, 2011 |
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The numbers are in for Kelowna real estate… total sales in the first quarter were down 21%. 979 sales in the first quarter 2010 compared to 771 in the first quarter 2011. As inventory grows steadily each month - 861 new listings in January, 1,016 in February, and 1,122 in March we could see a buyers market emerge again. The condo market lags behind single family residential with just over 5% of total listings selling in the first quarter vs. just over 10% of the single family listings securing a sale. With 99 days being the average time to sell, townhomes are almost on par with single family residential that took, on average, 94 days to sell between January and March this year. Buyers are upbeat and are still enjoying low interest rates and ample inventory. Sellers prepared to use facts to their advantage are selling while those “hanging on” for prices to rise are getting left behind. Check out March 2011 stats here.
For more information on buying and selling property in Kelowna, please call or text me on my direct line at 250-862-6464.
Talk to you soon…
Paige
Posted by
paige on
March 31, 2011 |
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The city of Kelowna will be mailing all property tax notices in the third week of May. Check out this link to find out how to estimate what your taxes will be this year. There’s also a lot of other information here. For instance did you know that if you’re 55+, or have a disability you may qualify to defer payment of your taxes? I heard an interesting story about tax sales the other day. Each year the city has a tax sale of homes where the owners haven’t paid tax on their real estate. These sales rarely go through because of the exceptionally long period of redemption (usually owners have about a year to pay up and can usually figure something out by then vs losing their home). One fellow looked at these sales as a good way to “invest” his money. He’d have a contract of purchase and sale accepted by the city, put his deposit down, wait the year, and when the owner redeemed the city gave him back his deposit with about 7% interest. Voila… money made!
Speaking of taxes, I just heard yesterday that the government has been charging 21% Translink Tax to parking charges and to add insult to injury there is 12% HST (since July 1, 2010) on the 21%. For instance, if you pay $100/month for parking your charged 21% bringing the total to $121. Also add on the HST bringing total to $135.52. Tax on a tax? What a scam
For all your Kelowna real estate needs please call me on my direct line at 250-862-6464.
Talk to you soon…
Paige
Posted by
paige on
March 23, 2011 |
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Just learned about a new and very progressive app called “google goggles”. The basics involve taking a picture of something like a book, piece of art, or business card to only name a few, and search using the visual. No words or dialogue needed. Technology is moving at such a fast pace and I can see how this tool will become useful when searching for the perfect home or marketing a home. Check this app out (on the blue link above)… it’s still in it’s infancy but I’m predicting that this will take off at a quick pace. Imagine being able to drive by a house, snap a picture, do a search and get all sorts of information about that piece of real estate!! The MLS information, pictures, videos, google street view… and the list goes on.
I’m a Kelowna real estate agent who aggressively uses internet marketing to create custom strategies for both buying and selling. Please call me on my direct line at 250-862-6464 to talk about your decision to buy or sell or check out my Kelowna real estate listings!
Talk to you soon.
Posted by
paige on
March 11, 2011 |
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It’s great to see people out in their front yards as the weather gets better and the urge to tidy the yard takes over! I was recently showing homes to a lady who is re-locating to Kelowna from Winnipeg… Brrrrr. The day was sunny but still cold, and we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves. We pulled up to one house where the seller was hosing off the driveway. As we pulled in, we waved and parked. He looked like he wasn’t expecting us so I went over to chat with him. The seller explained that his wife looked after all the showings and I should talk to her. I asked him if she was inside and as he nodded his head, the hose followed his actions and he hosed me down. We both were totally stunned! Not sure what to say, and feeling a little silly standing there dripping, I turned to head to the front door and the seller returned his hose to the ground. Never a dull moment selling real estate!
Talk to you soon…
Paige
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