Why buy real estate in the Shuswap?

If you’re interested in making a move to the BC interior, check out Salmon Arm and the Shuswap to see what this community has to offer.

Salmon Arm is frequently mentioned as one of the best places to live n BC, and in Canada as a whole; the city and its surrounding communities have grown and developed over the past few years into a thriving lakeside community, and for those who no longer need to go into the office to work, the Shuswap offers plenty of opportunity for home office locations set in a beautiful rural environment.

Here a just a few good reasons why a move to the Shuswap might work for you:

Outdoor adventure on your doorstep

No matter the time of year, there is always something to do in and...

If you are thinking about upgrading parts of your home, but aren’t sure where to start, maybe your kitchen should be the first place you think about.

Royal LePage recently surveyed hundreds of experts across the country to determine the home improvement projects with the highest return on investment, and according to the report, a kitchen renovation is the most worthwhile home improvement project, with the potential to increase a property’s value by an average of 20%.

Here are a few other facts that came out of the study:

• Royal LePage professionals say, on average, bathroom renovations can increase the value of a home by 16%
• Finished basements and basement apartments have the potential to increase a home’s value by 15%, according...

Keeping your lawn, flowerbeds and shrubs looking great enhances the ‘curb appeal’ of your property, presenting a clean, tidy, and attractive appearance to your property for potential buyers. However, it can also be a lot of work, so here are a few do-it-yourself tips that may help to make these tasks easier and less time-consuming:

• Add bark mulch around trees and shrubs. That way, you won’t have to cut the grass in those areas and you’ll avoid having to use shears or a trimmer to do the job properly. Plus, bark mulch around you trees can alleviate stress to the roots, making your trees and shrubs healthier!
• Consider applying mulch in flower beds too. It will reduce weeds, and also help to retain moisture so you won’t...

Finding out how much you can afford on your mortgage is ideally something you should do before you start looking for a home. That way, you don’t spend time looking at homes that are out of your price range, and you avoid disappointment when you realize that you need to be looking at lower priced properties.

When figuring out your budget, keep these things in mind:

• The amount of your down payment
• Your household income
• Your current debts and the monthly payments
• Your monthly bills, such as your property taxes, insurances, utilities, home care costs, and your current mortgage, if you have one.
• Your closing costs
• The spending habits of your household

Examine all of your expenses.

Remember that outside of your mortgage, you need to feed and...

Thinking of having a yard or garage sale?

Yard and garage sales are a great way to dispose of unwanted items and other clutter, especially if you’re thinking of moving. In addition, yard sales have a charm that selling items on the internet can’t match.

That’s why they’re still so popular!

If you are planning a yard or garage sale, here are some helpful tips:

• Two-thirds of garage sale shoppers will find you via signage. So, be sure to place plenty of signs around the neighbourhood that clearly point buyers to your location.
• Place in-demand items closer to the street so shoppers can see them from a distance. For example, display computers, electronic games, bicycles, exercise equipment, furniture etc. right up front.
• Buyers...