It is a good idea to keep in mind which renovations give you the best return if you are considering selling your home.  The Appraisal Institute of Canada has a link on their site called Renova.  You can fill in the amount you are budgeting for almost any renovation and it will calculate the percent of costs you can expect as return on your investment.  For example a kitchen renovation will typically give you a 75-100% return, while installing a hot tub is a 0 - 50% return.  Here is the link to Renova.

Happy Renovating!

If you have any questions about a renovation project or the Regina Real Estate Market don't hesitate to give me a call. 

Warm January temperatures have translated into a hot start to the 2012 residential real estate market. The market appears to be favouring sellers with just 380 active listings in the city.  Demand is supported by strong economic activity, job and population growth, and a tight rental market.  We are hoping for more supply to satisfy demand levels as we approach the busy spring period. Here are the stats from January:

As many of you know our daughter, Kayla, was accepted as a volunteer with Canada World Youth the day before her Grade 12 graduation.  She left September 4th, spent 3 months in New Brunswick and then headed to Ghana, Africa.  She kept a blog in New Brunswick and since she has always loved to write we enjoyed it immensely.  When she arrived in Ghana with no running water, limited access to internet, and a bit of a culture shock she wasn't able to keep up her blog.  Today she started blogging again!  It was so nice to read about her experience.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do (although I am more than a little biased).  

Kayla's blog

Modular storage is a great option to get your home ready to sell and to help with your move.  When you are getting ready to put your home on the market they will deliver totes to your door for you to pack up.  This helps declutter your home and get it "staged" for showing.  Once you pack them they will pick them up and store them for you until you are ready to have them delivered to your new home. Once your home sells you can contact them for more totes to complete your move.  Their totes come in a variety of sizes, are light, durable, and eco-friendly. This is a great option to help with the sale of your home and the move.

In Regina Modular Storage Systems is located at 100 Dewdney Avenue.  

Phone: 306-525-9921. 

I wanted to share this article with you by Carla Hill "Kitchens Sell a House."  The Regina Real Estate market, with so few listings, is definitely favouring the sellers right now but I am still asked all the time "what can I do to make my home show better?"   Carla talks about just getting rid of the clutter to a high end kitchen renovation.  As she mentions it is important not to price yourself out of your market with a high end kitchen renovation.  It is important to know what your market is and what your kitchen needs to make it competitive with other listings in your area.  I can help you with all of this.  For a free market evaluation of your neighbourhood give me a call anytime.  

Here is a link to Carla Hill's article "Kitchens Sell a House"

Did you know the Regina Commissionaires provide a home watch program? While you are away you can have them check your home for a very reasonable fee.  Depending on your insurance policy your home may be require checking every few days or daily.  What they will do or check is up to you - they can do an exterior or interior inspection, grab the mail, they are even taking pictures for one guy who is having renovations done while he is away.  Their phone number is 757-0998, ask for someone in the Home Watch program.

You are on a horse, galloping at a constant speed.  On your right side is a sharp drop off, and on your left side is an elephant traveling at the same speed as you. Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it.  Behind you is a lion running at the same speed as both you and the kangaroo.  What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?

If you don't know see answer below........

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Get your drunk @ss off the merry-go-round!!

I have always been a huge fan of cork flooring.  I had always seen it in a tile shape.  They now have a plank cork flooring and it is BEAUTIFUL!!  I have seen it in kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, entrances....VERY NICE!!  For those of you that don't know cork is a completely renewable resource harvested as bark from living cork trees that are not harmed by the harvest.  It is not unusual to have a 200 year old tree still producing cork bark. 

For more information on cork flooring check out this website:  prosandconsofcorkflooring.com

Interest rates are at all time lows.  Carrie Cardinal at The Mortgage Market says the 5 year closed rate is the lowest she has ever seen.  Plus she is holding these rates until May 10th (120 days).  Get your financing in place through Carrie and then call me to help you find your dream home.

They showed this on The National last night.  You can't help but like this guy!

2011 was a record year for Regina real estate; the annual total dollar volume of sales surpassed the $1 billion mark for the first time in November.  The average sales price set a new annual high of $278,131; up almost 8% from last year.  We are starting out the new year with very little inventory - just 349 active listings today.  This short supply will definitely benefit sellers.  Here are the stats from December and 2011.

If you are interested in having monthly stats emailed to you please let me know.  

It is +5 in Regina today and looks like the rest of the week will cool off. Enjoy the sun and warmth today! 

Unbelievable!  I don't have a large home by todays standards but I am not sure I could get rid of enough stuff to go much smaller.  I would have to get rid of my husband for sure!  I was surprised how much it cost to have it built - ready made $45,997 (and that was a couple years ago).

Did anyone else eat too much over the holidays?

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!