Wednesday, January 25, 2012

How is this for attention to detail!

This is a picture from a home I am just listing for sale. You know it going to be very well maintained:-)

Photo

Sent on the go from my iPhone
TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty (Kelowna)
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG
Download my free BC REAL ESTATE LOCATOR iPhone/iPad application.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Is staging your home worth it?

Is staging your home worth it?

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In our experience staging your home is a very powerful and valuable marketing tool. In some markets it may not matter too much. For example, in a fast paced market where homes are selling quickly, you may not need to bother with staging. The home will likely sell fundamentally due to low inventory and active buyers. You may however, see more money if you do stage. In a slow market, like the one we find ourselves now, staging becomes much more beneficial. Not only will staging get you more money for your home sale, but it will help to sell your home much quicker.

A few months ago we listed a beautiful, almost new vacant home for sale. My partner and I marketed the home like crazy and to our credit we did get an offer after a month and a half. Unfortunately, that deal fell apart...which is a reality in this market. Then due to exceptionally high inventory levels and slow-to-act buyers, the home sat on the market for nearly three months. After brain storming with the seller, we came up with two main actions we could take to sell the home:

  1. Lower the price.
  2. Stage the home.

The seller was of the opinion that lowering the price was the way to go. Our thought was that staging the home would be more advantageous. The seller is the boss so we lowered the price and sat on the market a little longer. After a while we broached the subject of staging again. The seller stated “Well, now that the price is lower I cannot afford to stage the home.” We felt so strongly that the home would benefit from staging, we suggested the seller raise the price by $5,000 to cover the staging. The staging cost was under $2,500 and that included some painting, set up and tear down, and furniture rental. We raised the price by $5,000 and staged the home.

Less than eleven days later, the home had two competing offers and sold for only $1,000 under asking price. This means that the staging not only paid for itself, it also put more money in our seller’s pocket! Needless to say the seller was extremely happy. When we asked the buyer’s agent what attracted her buyers to the home she stated, “If the home was not staged, we would not have put an offer on it. There are so many homes for sale in the area and some of them were even better deals but my buyers fell in love with the warm comfortable feeling in the home. That is why they ultimately offered on it.”

So does staging work? Yes...Yes it does!

We are very impressed and very pleased with the results of staging. To that end, we have adopted staging as part of our marketing program. If you list your home with us, we will cover a home staging/decorating consultation by Center Stage Decorating. After the consultation, we will sit down and address the designers suggestions and decide if staging is something that your home would benefit from...we may even cover the cost!

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling a home or property please call me today:

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER

GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER:
Here are a few quick and simple things you can do to help us make your home look really sharp on-line and on all other marketing materials:

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INSIDE THE HOUSE:
  1. Replace all burned out light bulbs (even in lamps).
  2. Replace all compact fluorescent light bulbs with standard bulbs. It simply make the photos look better and gives the home a warmer appearance during showings.
  3. De-clutter everywhere. Hide even those items you use everyday (all items on counters in kitchen, bathrooms and on surfaces throughout the house. You can put the items back out after the photographer leaves. To make sure the home looks its very best in pictures we must really make an effort to keep the pictures from being cluttered with distracting items.
  4. De-personalize the home. Take down and put away any family pictures or religious items. The only reason for this is that we want the potential buyers to be able to visualize their family in the home and when we work with buyers they are often distracted by these items. This also helps to protect your negotiating position...the less the buyer knows about you the better.
  5. Make sure the beds are made and the home is Clean Clean Clean....but that is an obvious one.

Outside The House:
  1. Move all cars out of the driveway, carport or from the front of the home.
  2. Depending on the season: rake leaves, cut grass, shovel snow, etc.
  3. Make sure garbage and recycling bins are out of sight.
  4. Clean up those areas which are often neglected: under decks, beside house, etc.

If you or someone you know is looking to do something real estate related please call me today:

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

Some simple and important tips to help make your home show its best

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SHOWINGS:
Here are some simple and very important tips to help make your home show its best.

Century21octoberopenhouse

  1. Go out. Even if it is for a walk. Take the dog with you if you can. When someone is home during a showing, the buyers spend more time trying to get out of your home than they do looking at the house. Trust us, it makes buyers very uncomfortable and greatly impairs your chances of getting an offer. Being home also prohibits honest feedback from the buyers. Even if they really like your home, they will feel pressured to rush their tour and may miss some of the great features your home has to offer.
  2. Make sure the home is clean and presentable. Remember you are trying to SELL the house.
  3. Turn on all lights. Even lamps. The brighter your home looks, the better.
  4. Depending on the season turn on the heat or A/C. If the home is too hot or too cold the buyers will be uncomfortable and they will want to get out of the house. If they are not comfortable in your house, they will assume they would be uncomfortable if it was their home.
  5. Make sure the home smells nice. Especially by the front door. First impressions are very valuable. However, don’t make the home smell overpowering. Too much scent is a bad thing no matter how good you may believe it smells. Some people are very sensitive to scent.
  6. Make sure the toilet seats are down.
  7. PUT AWAY ANYTHING OF VALUE or anything you don’t want the buyers to ask for in an offer. We have seen offers fall apart due to the “I want that beautiful chandelier” issue.
  8. Leave some photos out of the yard in bloom if you have some.
  9. (This one may sound silly but it is really effective) Leave out a hand written “Thank You for viewing our house” note with some cookies, bottles of water or snacks. Many times buyers have been looking at homes for hours and may have missed a meal. They will remember you and your home with fondness as that “Great house with the treats!”
  10. Pick up any pet mess in the yard.
If you are looking to do anything real estate related call me today:

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Buy or sell with Century 21 and receive the use of our moving truck at no cost.

We will provide a complimentary moving truck to assist you in moving out of your old house and into your new home. Whether a Buyer or a Seller this is just one more service we are proud to offer our clients.

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Call me today to set up a meeting and we can discuss how we are going to work together towards buying or selling a property.

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

(This truck is for local use only and must be returned with a full tank of gas. Other then those stipulations enjoy!)

Friday, January 20, 2012

Brochures Professionally Created By A Graphic Designer Showcase your home

We will have high quality brochures professionally created and on display at your property allowing viewing buyers a take away reminder of the features they liked about your home. When I am working with buyers and we are viewing (sometimes as many as 20) homes in a day the homes tend to start blurring together. I have found that buyers are super happy when they have something to take home with them which they can review and show their family and friends. Many times buyers need to hear things like "wow…that place looks great!" or "I could see you living in a home like that!" from the important people in their lives. This helps the buyers feel more comfortable with the thought of making the plunge and buying a home. It gives them the "we are making the right decision" feeling. The opposite is true if the family/friends say "That place is not very nice" or "I think you could find something nicer for the same amount of money." 

Bad pictures or no pictures get bad feedback every time. We take the time and spend the money to have all our materials looking sharp. When a buyer sits down at the end of the day and reviews the property brochures they take from our listings we want them to be happy to show it to everyone. We are confident that the feedback they receive after showing your property brochure to people will be very positive. When we are out showing properties to buyers there are very few properties which even have a brochure for the buyers to take home. As always we want to make your home stand out from the crowd with top notch marketing materials and this is just one more way we get the job done!

If you are thinking of selling your home call us first…you won't regret it!

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

New Listing - COURT ORDERED SALE! Stunning lake and vineyard views!

To view 21 high definition professional photos please visit: www.1415menuroad.com

1415 Menu Road
West Kelowna, BC V1Z 3K4

$685,500

Immaculate home with stunning lake views

COURT ORDERED SALE! Stunning lake and vineyard views! In ground salt water pool with new motor, filter and liner. New granite counters. Beautiful slate and hardwood floors. Huge media room with wiring already installed. 2 gas f/p. 3 bed up, finished walkout basement easily suited. Built in vac. Main floor Laundry. Flat Driveway. All measurements believed to be accurate but should be verified if deemed important.

To view 21 high definition professional photos please visit: www.1415menuroad.com

To set up on appointment to view this listing or any other please contact me at:

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Inside our new office. Still being finished

Photo

Sent on the go from my iPhone
TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty (Kelowna)
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG
Download my free BC REAL ESTATE LOCATOR iPhone/iPad application.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Putting up the sign on a new listing:-)

Upper mission home! 5 beds. Great location!

Photo

Sent on the go from my iPhone
TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty (Kelowna)
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG
Download my free BC REAL ESTATE LOCATOR iPhone/iPad application.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

New Listing! Not even on MLS yet! 2bed 2bath home! Only $279,900

To view 21 high definition professional photos please visit:

#21 1481 Inkar Road, Kelowna, V1J 8J1
Only $279,900!

Totally Renovated town home in quiet neighbourhood. This 2 bed, 2 bath home has engineered maple hardwood floors, tiled entryway, kitchen with new cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Open concept layout with gas fireplace in living room.

To view 21 high definition professional photos please visit:

To set up on appointment to view this listing or any other please contact me at:

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

New Listing! Not even on MLS yet! Get a jump on it. Upper Mission.

To view 21 high definition professional photos please visit:
5367 Hedeman Court, Kelowna, Upper Mission
Only $789,900!


NO HST - This nearly new 4100sqf, 5 bedroom 4 bathroom home is just waiting for your family! Located in one of the most prestigious neighbourhoods in Kelowna. Beautiful Kettle Valley is a very family oriented neighbourhood and the Chute Lake Elementary school is second to none. This home is located on a whisper quite, cul-de-sac street and has a large, private back yard. With ample parking, parking for an RV or a boat and a lot size of nearly a third of an acre you will have plenty of room for all the out of town visitors who will be stopping by. Close to several beaches, numerous wineries, walking trails, parks, and shopping. This home has everything you and your family will need to feel happy and content...you may not even leave the house!


To view 21 high definition professional photos please visit:


To set up on appointment to view this listing or any other please contact me at:

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

NEW LISTING not even on MLS yet! 2bed 2bath fully rentable condo

ONLY 200k!!

Investor Alert!! Move in or purchase as an investment. Rentals are 100% allowed. Located directly across the street from Kelowna College! Great Location: short walk to the beach, lake, shopping, transit and close to downtown Kelowna. Everything you need is right here! This 2 bedroom 2 bathroom units has in suite laundry and a nice large deck. The unit is very bright and has forced air heat, central Air Conditioning and a fireplace! The cost of heat and hot water are even covered in the strata fees! To view more pictures please visit http://www.305themews.com 


To set up on appointment to view this unit or for more info please contact:

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Kelowna Real Estate News - How did 2011 end? OMREB Press Release

So how did the year end for the Okanagan Real Estate market? Here is the Media Release from OMREB (Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board) View the link for the full picture.

“Despite concerns about employment, personal debt load and net worth which dampened consumer confidence and slowed overall demand in most BC markets during 2011, OMREB ended the year on a positive note and is moving forward with optimism,” 

Images

12_-_omreb_december_2011_statistics_media_release_(3).pdf Download this file

Central Zone (Peachland to Lake Country): Overall unit sales in the Central Zone jumped by 4.6% to 183 units ($77.0 million) compared to 175 ($77.9 million) last December, and were down 29.1% compared to the 258 units sold in November. Total residential sales improved by 9.3% to 165 units compared to 151 sold last December, but were down 30.1% from 236 in November. Single family home sales of 96 units rose 12.9% compared to 85 last year, but dipped 22.6% compared to this November (124). December’s inventory of 3,853 units was up 3.4% compared to 3,725 in 2010, and the 461 new listings for the month rose 3.3% over the 446 last year. 


TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

Another price reduction on this court ordered town home sale!

Now only 179,900!!

To View 21 High Resolution Photos and get tons more informations visit: www.220asher.com

 
Great Valued Rutland North Town Home - 2 beds and one bath  -  1082 sqf.

Town home end unit in Asher Court within walking distance of all amenities. Open concept on main level featuring tile and laminate flooring and bright kitchen with island. Bedrooms and laundry room on lower level. Deck off kitchen area with large back and side yards. Priced below assessed value!

Nearby schools are: Rutland Elementary

Rutland Middle
 and Rutland Senior Secondary
.

Nearby amenities include: Ben Lee Park

YMCA/YWCA
Boys and Girls Club
Rutland Arena
BMX Track
Okanagan Gymnastics
McCurdy Bowling
Grand 10 Theatre
Energy Plex
Rutland Parks
Kelowna Public Transit 
and so much more!


To View 21 High Resolution Photos and get tons more informations visit: www.220asher.com 

To set up showing call:

TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Does Size Matter? Well in this case it may.

So I have the largest sign on the block….and out of nearly 20 listed homes I have the only sale in the last 8 months on the street! Now honestly I can not say that the home sold due to the large sign, which is also reflective by the way. However what I can say is that I could very well be due to my creativity. In this market where sales are few and far between you need to have a REALTOR® who is on their game and doing everything possible to sell there listings…."stand out or lay down" is the name of the game now. Congrats to me and my sellers!! Call me today if you are looking to sell your home!
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TREVER FLORKO - Realtor
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna
Cell: (250) 859-5990
Office: (250) 869-0101
Fax: (250) 869-0105
Visit my WEBSITE
Follow me on TWITTER
Follow/LIKE me on FACEBOOK
Follow my BLOG

PS. Your referrals to friends and family are always greatly appreciated and rewarded.