Recent Blog Posts by Jason Neumann

What I Will Do To Sell Your Home!

You have heard enough of the promises, you simply want results!  Selling your home in today's ever changing market calls for a Realtor with new and innovative ideas.  It has been proven time and time again that to get maximum exposure for a listing, marketing through the Internet is critical.  I truly believe in the power of Internet advertising and how it brings Buyers "out of the woodwork."   ...

Kelowna,BC and Central Okanagan Real Estate Stats - March 2011

Ratio of Sales vs. Total Inventory = 8.40% Condo -- Sales = 54 Condo -- New Listings  = 197 Condo -- Current Inventory = 945 Condo -- Sell/Inv. Ratio = 5.71% Condo -- Days to Sell = 100 Average Price: $232,630 Average Median Price: $210,000   Townhouse -- Sales = 51 Townhouse -- New Listings = 114 Townhouse -- Current Inventory = 493 Townhouse ...

District of West Kelowna opts for waste cart upgrades

Recently, the District of West Kelowna approved free yard and waste cart upgrades to any residents who want them.  West Kelowna residents may upgrade from a 240 litre yard waste cart to 360 litre comes at no charge, still must pay the $10 yearly fee. For more information please visit the District of West Kelowna. Sincerely, Jason Neumann

Spring cleaning: Getting the job done the right way

Our clocks have jumped ahead. The birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. This can mean only one thing: spring cleaning is here! Is it a coincidence that cleaning and taxes share the same season? People may look at both with equal amounts of eager anticipation, but neither should make you break out into a cold sweat. Like your taxes, spring cleaning becomes much more manageable when you ...

Safe, Healthy and Easy Ways to Green Your Home

Spring is a great time to get a jump on projects around the home that will reduce your environmental impact. Here are some reminders to help make this year’s spring cleaning safe, healthy, and easy:                • Choose non- or low-toxic cleaning products whenever possible. • Alternatively, household ...

Understanding the Changes to the Rules for Canadian Government Insured Mortgages

There are now new rules for home buyers looking to qualify for high-ratio mortgages and/or investment properties.  There seems to be a some misconceptions out there as to how these new rules affect buyers today.  I recently spoke with Julie Weimer an RBC Mortage Specialist and she kindly provided me the following information: Changes to the Rules for Government Insured Mortgages: ...

Does renting really make sense in today's real estate market?

The idea of paying someone else's mortgage and helping them build equity in their property really doesn't make a lot of good financial sense!  As a long term renter, you are literally throwing away tens of thousands of dollars of your hard earned money instead of creating a forced savings plan by way of having a mortgage.  I have chatted with many renters over the years ...

The Dangers and Pitfalls of Overpricing Your Home

There are potential dangers and pitfalls when it comes to pricing your home in any kind of real estate market.  Sellers can be reluctant to price their home in line with the marketplace as they feel they may be giving away too much of their home equity.  The reality is pricing your home right from the start will get the net result you are looking for as a seller.  Here ...

Okanagan Seller's Corner

There are a number of different areas that are important to consider when choosing your real estate representative: Personality & Service Once you decide to sell your home, it is important to choose a realtor that both you and your family can trust and feel comfortable working with. As a sales associate for Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd., I am that real estate professional you are looking for.  ...

Now that you have removed your subject conditions what comes next?

Post Subject Removal Checklist: Choose a Lawyer or Notary to handle the conveyancing of your home purchase.  If unsure as to who you should hire then ask your Realtor® for a list of recommended names. Ask your lawyer or notary what you should expect to pay for Closing Costs. Also, be sure to ask them any general questions that you may have at that time. Ask ...

New Canadian mortgage rules take effect April 19,2010

I was recently sent this article by Karen Shale a local mortgage broker with LendingMax here in Kelowna.  Karen offers a straight to the point and excellent explanation of each of the new federal lending rules that were recently announced by Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance.  These new lending regulations take effect April 19,2010.  Here's the article: Here is the official announcement ...

Mortgage Document Checklist for Home Buyers

  Whether you are considering buying a new home or refinancing your existing mortgage, important personal information and documents will be required by lenders.  This checklist gives an overview of the necessary documentation that most Canadian lenders require prior to approving and funding a mortgage.  By providing these documents in a timely fashion, you will ...

Household tips for the last weeks of winter

It’s now February in the Okanagan and the sun has begun to shine on those winter blues.  However, February weather can still pack a chilly punch! Here are some tips for protecting yourself from ballooning heating bills, freezing pipes and other household emergencies in these last weeks of winter.  Inside: Keep doors and heating vents closed to rooms that are not ...

Fighting Mold - A Homeowner’s Guide

Mold can be a serious health risk to any homeowner and the sooner it is detected the better.  Having personally lived in a home that had mold in the laundry room I can tell you first hand that it is not something to take lightly.  To remediate and repair the affected areas I had to rip out out all the drywall and insulation in the entire room.  This work had to be done as ...

12 Tips to Slash Your Energy Bill

  Utility bills seem to get higher and higher every year. But you can save energy-and money-with these tips to make your home more energy-efficient. Get a home energy survey from your local utility. Many will do a free analysis of your home and provide specific ways to save money on your utility bill. Replace old furnaces and air conditioners with newer ones that are more energy efficient. Install ...

Top 10 Things Not to Do Before Closing

Buying a home can be stressful at times especially when it comes to obtaining suitable financing.  Mortgage Brokers warn of making radical changes to your finances during the due diligence period and prior to completing.  Here is some practical advice for Buyers to avoid causing themselves unneccessary headaches prior to completing their home purchase.  The Top 10 Things not ...

Tips on "Winter-proofing" your home

Here are some tips to "winter-proofing" your home - or, at least, ways to keep the season from doing serious damage. Furnace Inspection Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace. Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly. Consider turning on your furnace to make sure it works before you really need it. You may briefly notice a burning smell, don't panic right away; ...

Should You Buy a New or Existing Home?

Buyers have so many choices these days. But after narrowing down the location and selecting the type of home you want to purchase (single-family or condo) , there’s one more decision to make: Should you buy a new home or an existing one? The answer depends upon both your budget and lifestyle. Open up your local newspaper on any given day, and you’re likely to see ads from builders touting ...

BC Assessment - Property Owner's Checklist

Here's a checklist for BC homeowners: Have you received your new 2010 property assessment notice yet? If not, call toll free 1-800-668-0086 or contact them online. If so, be sure to review it carefully. If you have any questions go online or call your local assessment office. Go online to compare other property assessments using the free e-valueBC (TM) service website. If you disagree ...