| Recent Blog Posts by Grant Wiebe | ||
Explaining the BC First Time New Home Buyers Bonus
If you are a first time home buyer in BC and you think you may be buying a brand new home (includes new condos and townhouses as well as single family homes) in the next year or so, then the BC government has something special for you in their latest budget.
Buyers who meet the qualifications can receive a 5% income tax credit, to a maximum of $10,000 when they purchase a brand new home in ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on February 22, 2012
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Choosing a Condo in Kelowna
There's way more to choosing a condo than just comparing units based on square footage, location, upgrades, finishings, etc. If you want to enjoy all that condo life has to offer, you need to understand that when you buy into a strata building, you have the opportunity to purchase much more than just the unit itself. A building's amenities, features and the ways it's thoughtfully planned ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on March 25, 2011
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From a House to an Acreage in Kelowna
With recent market changes, the price gap between typical single family homes in Kelowna and homes on acreages in Kelowna has gotten much smaller and many people are finding it more attainable to make the jump to the large rural property that they've always dreamed of. If you would like more info on acreages in the Kelowna area, contact Grant Wiebe.
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on November 24, 2010
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Taking Real Estate to the Street - The New Century 21 iPhone App
Century 21 has become the leading brand in internet marketing for real estate in Canada; first with the new http://Century21.ca platform, then with the mobile version - http://m.Century21.ca, and now with the new Century21.ca iPhone App. One of the most exciting features of this new tool is the "Search Nearby" function, which uses GPS technology built into smart phones to locate property ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on November 19, 2010
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Low-Ball Offers - Keep Your Emotions in Check
These days, the gap between what sellers are asking for their properties and what buyers want to pay for them seems larger than ever. Here are a few tips to help you do your best to turn that offer in a successful sale. Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor 250.869.2279 http://GrantWiebe.com (Personal Real Estate Corporation - Century 21 Assurance Realty)
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 25, 2010
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Winterizing Your Underground Sprinklers - A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Although the weather is beautiful right now here in Kelowna, it's time to make arrangements to have you underground sprinkler system winterized - don't leave it until the last minute. If you plan to sell you home over the winter, keep some written verification of your sprinkler winterization because there's a good chance the buyer of your home may ask for proof that the system ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 1, 2010
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August 2010 Kelowna Real Estate Market Update
Unit sales in the Central Okanagan market area are up 25% over the dramatically low numbers of July 2010 which is definitely a step in the right direction. Sales numbers are still down 21% over August 2009 but buyers seem to come out of their summer slump and responded to some very attractive prices in the Kelowna market right now. Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor 250.869.2279
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on September 3, 2010
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Kelowna Real Estate Market Update - July 2010
An honest look at some key stats that are relevant to both buyers and sellers in the Kelowna real estate market. The market is in a point of transition and it's important for you to be informed. Call me any time with your questions and for an accurate estimate of the value of your property. Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor http://GrantWiebe.com 250.869.2279 - Personal Real Estate Corporation ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on August 9, 2010
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A Popular UBCO Student Housing Option
Many parents with kids attending UBCO (University of British Columbia Okanagan) from outside of Kelowna are choosing to invest in a condo for their kids to live in while they attend university. This gives students the ability to better enjoy life/work away from campus and it gives parents the peace of mind of knowing that their kids are in a decent place as well as giving parents ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on July 16, 2010
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June 2010 Kelowna Market ReportThe Kelowna area real estate market has seen some interesting changes recently. Check out this video report and see below for some more stats. If you have questions or need real estate assistance, give me a call anytime at 250.869.2279.
Active Listing Inventory (June):
2010 - 5793
2009 - 5475
2008 - 5168
2007 - 2946
2006 - 2457
2005 - 2273
2004 - 2584
2003 ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on July 7, 2010
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The First Two Weeks
I always tell my clients that their best chance of selling their home for the best price is during the first two weeks of their listing. This is because at any given time, there are serious buyers in the market who have seen all the available properties that fit their needs but have not yet found the right home for them. If yours is the home that's right for them and it's priced ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on June 17, 2010
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Focus on the Unchangeables
When you're looking for a home on a limited budget, a great way to maximize your investment is to focus on the "unchangeables" (location, view, neighborhood, yard, home size) and work on the "changeables" (flooring, paint, cabinets, trim) over time. Trends in home decor change quickly but a home with a great lake view or a family friendly yard is always in style. http://3369PaynterRoad.com ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on April 22, 2010
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Service Your Furnace to Sell Your Home
Are you selling or thinking of selling your home? Here's a little tip to help make your sale go smoother. Servicing your furnace and replacing the furnace filter will give a potential buyer and their home inspector the impression that your home is well maintained and in proper working order. A dirty, gummed up filter will bring into question the seller's maintenance habits ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on March 31, 2010
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Olympic Torch Passes Through RutlandExcerpt from Rutlanders.ca :
A huge crowd gathered along Rutland Road to watch the 2010 Olympic torch relay pass through Kelowna. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of kids came from nearby schools to join hundreds of Rutland residents to celebrate the event.
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on January 26, 2010
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Living Nativity - a Kelowna Christmas Tradition
Every year for the last 19 years, thousands of Kelowna residents have made Living Nativity at Willow Park Church a Christmas tradition. This free, family-friendly, interactive event is more than just a performance and takes place Dec 11-13 at Willow Park Church at 489 Highway 33 W. For more info, go to http://willowparkchurch.com
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on December 9, 2009
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Big News - Pay Less HST
The BC Government has announced that they are proposing to increase the HST rebate threshold from $400,000 - $525,000. On average, this is supposed to eliminate any increase in taxes to new home buyers with the introduction or the HST next year. Good news! http://gov.bc.ca/hst
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on November 20, 2009
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Rutland Remembrance Day Ceremony
from http://rutlanders.ca The newly renovated cenotaph will be completed at Rutland Lions Park on Gray Road in time for Remembrance Day 2009. The ceremony begins at 11 am - get there early and bring your kids to remember the sacrifices of those who have given us the freedom we enjoy today.
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on November 9, 2009
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Kelowna By-Election Coming Up
With our beloved Kelowna City Councilor Brian Given passing away this year, Kelowna is now heading into a by-election. 16 people are running for one spot so everyone's vote will make a difference more than ever. Get online, ask around and make an educated decision... and make sure to get out and vote on November 28. Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor 250.869.2279 http://GrantWiebe.com ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on November 2, 2009
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My Friend Scott Peckford is Video Blogging - Grant Wiebe's Kelowna Real Estate Video Blog
My friend Scott Peckford, a great Kelowna mortgage broker has started video blogging. Check him out at http://smartfirsttimebuyer.ca and let him know what you think. If you're interested in attending a no pressure informational seminar for first time home buyers with Scott and me, let me know. Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor 250.869.2279 http://GrantWiebe.com Century 21 Assurance Realty
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 30, 2009
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Kelowna's Mountain Bike Skills Park now Under Construction
http://GrantWiebe.com Kelowna's newest recreation facility, the mountain bike skills park is now under construction. Check it out at the end of Hollywood Road South.
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 29, 2009
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McCurdy Road - Dangerous for School Kids to Cross
Ever since the opening up of McCurdy Road to the Tower Ranch development and a dramatic increase in speed and traffic on this road, McCurdy Road has desperately needed crosswalks. McCurdy Road has no crosswalks east of Rutland Road and kids are trying to cross McCurdy every day to get to Rutland Elementary School. Rutland families need a solution to this problem before someone gets hurt. ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 29, 2009
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Realtor.ca Sucks - Grant Wiebe's Kelowna Real Estate Video Blog
It's true, there's no denying it; Realtor.ca SUCKS! Apparently, they are working on a new version that is supposed to be much easier to navigate. With many buyers bypassing realtor.ca altogether, your Realtor's ability to market properties online has never been more important. Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor 250.869.2279 http://GrantWiebe.com Century ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 28, 2009
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Absorbtion Rates - Grant Wiebe's Kelowna Real Estate Video Blog
Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor http://GrantWiebe.com 250.869.2279 Century 21 Assurance Realty Real estate absorbtion rates tell us the amount of time it will take to absorb the current inventory (not taking into account future new inventory). In a buyers' market, this statistic should not be ignored. Why is this so important?Eg. If you want to sell within 3 months, and only 10 homes ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 22, 2009
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Online at 84 - Real Estate 2.0
Across the board, our communication expectations have changed drastically. We expect quick responses to our questions and we expect that Realtors will be reachable using the communication methods we prefer. Realtors have always prided themselves on being ultra-accessible and this is no different. Kelowna Real Estate Video Blog - Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor http://GrantWiebe.com 250.869.2279 ...
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 20, 2009
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New BC Body Armour Laws - Weird?
BC has introduced new legislation to restrict the sale of body armour to fight gang activity. Does this seem weird or is it just me? Grant Wiebe - Kelowna Realtor http://GrantWiebe.com 250.869.2279 Century 21 Assurance Realty
Posted by Grant Wiebe
on October 20, 2009
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