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Posts Tagged ‘improvements’

Housing market ‘modestly’ overvalued, CMHC says

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

House prices in parts of Canada may appear to be increasingly out of reach for many Canadians, but lofty prices aren’t about to sink any time soon.

In fact, Canada’s homes are only “modestly” overvalued on average, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says in an analysis, and there is no evidence that any dramatic reversal is in the cards.

Over all, “there is little risk of a housing price correction,” CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan says. “There is only a modest amount of overvaluation, and other risk factors don’t seem to be present now in Canada.”

Nationally, house prices are only slightly higher than where they should be relative to disposable income and population growth, the study shows. Overheating and price acceleration are also not a concern on a national basis.

Weekly mortgage rates for November 17th 2014

Tuesday, November 18th, 2014

Prime Rate is 3.00% Variable rate mortgages from as low as Prime minus 0.65%

Courtesy of Starr Webb  Dominion Lending

Terms Bank Rates Our Rates
6 Month 4.00% 3.95%
1 YEAR 3.09% 2.69%
2 YEARS 3.04% 2.59%
3 YEARS 3.44% 2.69%
4 YEARS 3.94% 2.74%
5 YEARS 4.79% 2.89%
7 YEARS 6.04% 3.79%
10 YEARS 6.50% 4.39%
Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE

Christmas and Winter Holiday Activities in Kamloops

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

2014 Holiday Activities in Kamloops, British Columbia

The cookies have been made, the wrapping is done,

It’s time to relax and have a little fun!

Join Tourism Kamloops, and the City too,

For a Holiday Celebration that includes you! 

There are tons of Christmas and Holiday activties happening all throughout the city this winter so get in the spirit and check some out! Courtesy of Tourism Kamloops

 Westsyde Annual Craft & Home Based Business Fair @ The Westyde Fellowship Church – November 15, 2014

Mark your calendar for the Annual HUGE Westsyde Craft & Home Based Business Fair. Sat Nov 15th, 10am – 3pm, 2833 Westsyde Rd (in The Westsyde Fellowship Church)*All tables already booked with fabulous vendors* Over 50 fantastic vendors, concession and more! Click here for more information.

 Christmas Shopping Extravaganza @ The Cottonwood Community Centre – November 18, 2014

November 18th 5PM-9:30PM Cottonwood Community Centre 452 – 730 Cottonwood Avenue Photos with Santa by donation to The  MS Society of Canada from 5:00PM-8:00PM. Complimentary Coffee and Tea. Support local and home-based businesses and get your Christmas Shopping Done! Click here for more information.

 Christmas in the Square @ St. Andrews on the Square – November 21 & 22, 2014

Friday 11-7 pm & Saturday 10 – 3 pm. The annual KHS Christmas at the Square boasts a wide range of quality artisan wares. Held over two days in November this Fine Arts and Craft Show is a must see in the beautifully decorated historic St. Andrews on the Square. Admission by donation to The Kamloops Heritage Society. Click here for more information.

 Homes for the Holidays – November 22 & 23, 2014

2014 is the 13th Aniversary for the Homes for Holidays in Kamloops. The tour features homes volunteered by local Kamloops residents and decorated by Kamloops’ signature designers. Designers work together with florists and retailers to inspire Christmas decor, contemporary flair and I-never-thought-of-that pieces. This year’s tour will once again feature many wonderful delights. Click here for more information.

 Lights in the Night – November 27, 2014

Lights in the Night is the one day of the year when merchants, businesses and service providers come together to throw a holiday party like you have never seen before. Everyone (you, your kids, co-workers, mother, dog, father, cousins, friends) is invited to head down to the core to take part in the fun and festive frolicking. Click here for more information.

 Santa Clause Parade – November 29, 2014

The city’s biggest outdoor winter celebration with lots of decorated floats, live music, caroling, and entertainment. Fun for the whole family!

Click here for more information.

 Christmas at the Courthouse – November 29 & 30, 2014

If you have never been inside this heritage building, this is the best time of the year to visit. The Old Courthouse will be filled with high quality crafts and decorated beautifully for Christmas. This event will take place 10am to 4pm both days. Click here for more information.

 Winter Tasting Room Hours @ Privato Vineyard & Winery – November 29 to December 21, 2014

Open daily from 10am to 4pm.

 Pick your Tree at Woodward Christmas Trees – November 29 to December 21, 2014

Open daily from 10am to 4pm, you can pick out your own Christmas Tree and sample and buy some local wine. On weekends Woodward Christmas Trees offers hay rides that take you to the trees. Enjoy the concession and a bon fire to follow.  This year they have opened their winery – Privato Vineyard and Winery.  While it is closed for the season, they are reopening it just for the Christmas season for their valued Christmas tree customers. They also have two locations within the city at the Safeway Stores where they bring freshly cut trees from the farm daily. Click here for more information.

 A Very Merry Slumber Party @ Rivercity Gymnastics – December 6, 2014

3 hours of Frosty Fun with Our Snow sisters and our Fairy sisters! We’ll make and decorate snow cookies, make a craft, play tons of games, and have fun! 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Click here for more information.

 Christmas Dinner and Dance @ The Desert Gardens – December 6, 2014

Have fun at the Kamloops Old Time Fiddler Christmas Dinner and Dance on December 6, 2014 cost is $40.00 Person, at the Desert Gardens, for more info contact Jackie 250-319-3680.

 17th Annual Choral Rhapsody of Christmas @ The Sagebrush Theatre – December 9, 2014

Free community concert Tuesday, December 9 at 7 pm at Sagebrush Theatre Local Choirs will be presenting a delightful selection of Christmas carols with sing-a-longs in between sets for audience participation. Will be accepting donations for the Kamloops Food Bank To reserve your seat contact Kamloops Box Office Live 250-374-5483

 Wildlights at the BC Wildlife Park – December 12, 2014 to January 4, 2015

Picture hundreds of thousands of twinkling little lights while bonfires crackle and people sip steaming cups of hot cocoa or apple cider. Wildlights is an annual celebration at the BC Wildlife Park where families and friends gather to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and the many animal sculpture lights. Check out the miniature train too … this is a MUST event for the Christmas season. Visitors can dare enter the new and larger Giant Maze, take a trip around the park on the Wildlife Express miniature train, enjoy a wagon ride to the North Pole, get entertained by Uncle Chris the Clown who performs nightly, and much more!

Click here for more information.

 Christmas with the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra – December 13 & 14, 2014

Songs and carols with the KSO Chorus, a young violin soloist, and “Snowstorm” music from Russia.  A lovely programme for the holiday season. Click here for more information.

 CP Holiday Train – December 16, 2014

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train hits the rails again on November 26 and will be visiting over 150 communities across their network. Each event features a boxcar stage, a lineup of great musical talent and a contribution to the local food bank. Everyone who attends is encouraged to donate food and money which stays in their community. The CP Holiday Train will arrive in Kamloops on December 16th at 4:45pm at the north side of Interior Savings on Lorne Street.  Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the event start time to see the train pull in.

Click here for more information.

 Cirque du Soleil Presents: Dralion @ Interior Savings Centre – December 24 to 28, 2014

After 15 years performing around the world, Dralion will make its finale curtain call in January 2015. From December 24th, 2014 to December 28th, 2014, Kamloops will experience the magic of Cirque du Soleil’s signature production that has performed in more than 150 cities. Dralion will be presented at the Interior Savings Centre for seven performances only. Starting June 20th, Dralion tickets will be available to the general public for all performances and can be purchased online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/dralion, www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 1-855-985-5000, or in person at the Interior Savings Centre Box Office at 300 Lorne Street.

 Snow White – The Panto – December 24 to 31, 2014

The Laughing Stock Theatre Society presents the 4th annual Panto production. Fun for the whole family! The Panto will take place at the Sagebrush Theatre.

Click here for more information.

The challenge of renovating a heritage castle in Moncton, N.B.,for less than an East Vancouver bungalow.

Thursday, October 23rd, 2014

Castle Manor

A Vancouver owner who wishes to remain nameless has taken up the challenge of renovating a heritage castle in Moncton, N.B., that went on the market earlier this year for less than an East Vancouver bungalow.

Jay Tse is a Moncton-based, semi-retired contractor with family ties in Vancouver. Much of his family is involved with real estate and construction.

“That’s what we talk about — construction and how much real estate is in Vancouver and in Moncton — and the topic of the castle came up because at that time, it was for sale,” said Tse, noting media reports about the peculiar property had caught the eye of a Vancouver relative.

In January, The Province wrote a story comparing the price of East Van bungalows to the 107-year-old Castle Manor in Moncton, N.B.

While many B.C. bungalows were priced north of $700,000, the Moncton castle — with 54 rooms and 12-foot ceilings spread over 19,000 square feet — came in at under $700,000.

“By Vancouver standards, it was very economical and that’s how we all started,” Tse said.

A Vancouver relative then became interested in buying the castle and asked Tse to look into the property on their behalf, and to consider taking on the renovations.

“I think they found it very interesting because of the history and the tradition of the castle in Moncton, and they asked me to think seriously about it,” Tse told The Province.

“I discouraged them because it’s not an easy project, as you know. It’s a heritage building and there were a lot of issues associated with a project this size and the extent of renovations.”

Following the sale, Tse said it took a few months to clear up legal paperwork and secure the right permits for the renovations.

The local community has also grown attached to the castle, which Tse said has challenged him to find the right balance between honouring the history of the castle, while also moving forward with renovations that will “make it last at least another 100 years.”

“That was the first huge stumbling block, but after that, it’s just a beautiful old building that needs a lot of tender loving care,” Tse said, adding the municipality has also been very supportive of the project and has offered extensive help.

For the Vancouver owner, who has asked to remain anonymous, Tse said the castle represented more of a challenge than an investment property.

“If they wanted to make money, there were other things they could do that are much easier,” Tse said, noting the new owner was adamant about buying the castle.

Still, the new owner has no plans to live in Castle Manor.

“I doubt they will move to Moncton — they love Vancouver too much,” Tse said.

Instead, the castle — which used to be a care home but has sat empty for several years — will be converted into a planned 14 high-end market condo units. Tse said the finished product could be ideal for mature professionals at a nearby hospital, professors and mature students at the local university, or retirees in the surrounding area who are looking to downsize but wish to remain in the neighbourhood.

There are no plans to change the stone facade of the castle, other than possibly adding a few windows, and the rest of the designs are still subject to the heritage board’s approval.

Tse and his crew — many of whom have worked with him for 25 years — begin their work on Tuesday, by conducting support-beam and sound- proofing tests. A completion date of Oct. 1, 2015 has been set.

“It’s a challenging but interesting project,” Tse said.

sip@theprovince.com

 

Comparative Analysis by Property Type – Monthly – October 2014

Sunday, October 19th, 2014

October 2014

Kamloops and District
Median Residential Price:
(includes all areas, not just Kamloops, does not include
condominiums or mobiles)
$346,000

Kamloops only
Median Residential Price:
(does not include condominiums or mobiles)
$360,000

Most Residential Sales By Price Category

 

$280,000 -$319,999    27 sales

$320,000 -$359,999    26 sales

$360,000 – $399,999   21 sales

$400,000 – $439,999   20 sales

$240,000 – $279,999  16 sales

 

With a total of 214 residential sales in October, up from 183 residential sales in September

 

Is staging still important in a hot market?

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

by Olivia D’Orazio15 Oct 2014

Today’s super-heated market is making home staging a tough sell, say agents, nonetheless arguing that it’s  essential to winning maximum sale price.

“If you spent $5,000 staging your home, it could get you another $50,000 on offer night,” David Fleming, a Toronto real estate agent and author, wrote on his TorontoRealtyBlog.com.

His advice comes even as CREA reports home sales climbed 10.6 per cent in September, with the average sale soaring 5.9 per cent to $408,795. That’s not traditionally the market that recommends staging, say agents.
But the fundamental reasons for staging are the same, regardless of market conditions, say advocates.

“You stage a property in order to drive buyer traffic and show the maximum potential of the space,” Chandra Bradley, CEO of Home Staging Visuals, tells REP. “As a result, you tend to sell faster for higher.”

Staging also helps potential buyers to see the space in a better light. For example, if potential buyers walk into an empty bedroom, they might not believe that a queen-sized bed can fit in the space, Bradley explains, but if that bed is in the room, they can see that.

Staging is also a reflection of the lightning-fast decision making of clients, who are increasingly inclined to place bids on a property before even seeing it in person. It’s for the same reason that staging the outside space is important.

“With landscaping, you need to think about colour and the exterior being well groomed. You also need to think about function in the backyard,” she says. “You want to romance the buyer, so you’re really selling the lifestyle.”

Supermoon Sunday night September 7th

Saturday, September 6th, 2014

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Attention all sky-watchers, the last supermoon of 2014 will cruise across the night sky on Sunday.

The moon will be 358,398 kilometers from earth making it about 15 per cent brighter and roughly 7 per cent larger, according to National Geographic. Since the distance to earth is 50,000 kilometres closer than other full moons, it’s get the supermoon monicker.

A supermoon happens during the monthly full moon or perigee when it’s egg shaped orbit takes the moon to its closest point to the earth.

“While this is nothing special from a science perspective, it is no doubt very poetical and very romantic,” Adler Planetarium astronomer Geza Gyuk tells National Geographic.

Getting a good view of the supermoon depends on the weather where you are Sunday night since the orb will be visible all night. The Environment Canada forecast for the Thompson and Okanagan regions is calling for partly cloudy skies Sunday evening so weather shouldn’t be an issue.

For the best photos and viewing, it’s recommended you get outside just after sunset when the sky is getting dark. Apparently that’s when the super moon will be at it’s most dramatic.

There were two other supermoons this summer, with the one on Aug. 10 being the brightest and the closest.

Controling allergens in the home/courtesy of Pillar to Post

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014

Pillar To Post Home Inspectors
Controlling Allergens in the Home
Household allergens can cause a variety of symptoms in many people, including sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath. Allergens may also be a contributing cause of asthma, especially in children. However, it is possible to minimize the effects of such allergens by taking steps to control their presence and dispersal in the home.

The most common household allergens include dust mites, mold, mildew, pollen, and pet dander (dried flakes of skin shed by pets, particularly cats and dogs). Effective control relies on a combination of measures that, when used properly, will reduce the levels of allergens.
  • Increase ventilation to the home. Opening windows whenever possible promotes good air exchange and will reduce the concentration of airborne allergens, especially pet dander.
  • Wash bedding and stuffed toys once a week in hot water to control dust mites and cat allergens in particular.
  • Keep pets clean and well groomed to control dander.
  • Use mite-resistant mattress covers and pillow covers and wash them frequently.
  • Dust and vacuum regularly, and use microfiltration or HEPA filter vacuum bags. The jury is still out on whether bagless vacuum cleaners are more effective in removing allergens than those that require bags; some studies indicate that many bagless vacuums are not sealed tightly enough and can actually exacerbate the problem. Wearing a dust mask while dusting and vacuuming is also a good idea.
  • Consider removing wall-to-wall carpeting and use easy-to-clean area rugs instead, particularly in bedrooms.
  • Make sure bathrooms, especially those with showers, are well ventilated. Open the window and use exhaust fans that vent to the outdoors to prevent a buildup of moisture, which can encourage growth of mold and mildew. It’s a good idea to keep the fan running and the door open for at least ten minutes after showering.
  • If possible, reduce indoor humidity to 50% or less by using room dehumidifiers or the dehumidifier feature available with many central air conditioning systems.
  • Clean or replace furnace and central air conditioner filters on a regular basis. Make sure that air conditioner drain pans are clean and allow the water to drain properly.

For more information on allergens in the home, please contact your local Pillar To Post office.

THE PILLAR TO POST DIFFERENCE
  • The Pillar To Post Inspection Report is generated on site at the completion of the inspection, so your client won’t have to wait for the results.
  • All Pillar To Post inspectors carry E&O insurance to protect you, the referring agent.
  • Three different Home Inspection Packages to choose from that allow your client to select the range of services they prefer – click here to learn more.
  • As North America’s leading home inspection company, Pillar To Post is committed to providing the highest quality service to real estate professionals and their clients.
For more information about home inspection or to schedule a home inspection, click here to find your local Pillar To Post office.

 

 

Cliff Brauner

Certified and Registered Home Inspector

Member of CAPHI, NAHI and ASHI

Proudly Serving the Kamloops, Merritt, Chase, Cache Creek, Sorrento, Shuswap and Barrier areas.

We know our stuff!

 

Clifford.Brauner@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost-kamloops.com

 

Phone:  250-579-8309

Fax:        250-579-8378

 Pillar To Post Home Inspectors

 

 

 

 

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Stanley Cup in Kamloops Aug 23rd

Thursday, August 21st, 2014

KAMLOOPS – If you want to get up close and personal with Lord Stanley’s Cup head to the Interior Savings Centre on Saturday.

Kamloops native and Los Angeles Kings Assistant Coach Davis Payne will be bringing the cup with him to the arena from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23.

The Kings beat the New York Rangers in five games to win the championship, the second for the team in three years. Since June players and staff have been toting the cup around to more than 30 different home towns as well as many beaches and parties.

While the Kamloops event is actually free Payne is asking for those who want to get a picture with hockey’s most coveted prize to make a donation to the Royal Inland Hospital.

2014 Adams River Salmon Run, Kamloops, British Columbia

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

Kamloops is full of events just around the corner!  Don’t miss the long anticipated Salute to the Sockeye which is in a dominant year – expect to see millions of sockeye!

2014 is a dominant run, with millions of fish to be seen.  The Adams Run Salmon Society coordinate the celebration known as the “Salute to the Sockeye” during the dominant years – held Friday October 3rd, 2014 to Sunday October 26th 2014.  Usually the salmon return during the first 3 weeks of October with Thanksgiving being the peak weekend.

The data included on this website is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate by the Kamloops Real Estate Board. The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.
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