Even at this time of year, there are always Buyers on the hunt for a home of their own. Take advantage of the drop in temperature to improve your homes marketability by enhancing its warmth and coziness.

These Three Points Can Go A Long Way To Improving Your Chances With A Buyer

1. First Impressions + Safety
Maintain your walkways; Shovel and clear your walkway and driveway to prevent potential Buyers from slipping on their way to view your home. It also speaks to your attitude about maintaining the property. Build a snowman in your front yard for humor and bring a smile to a Buyers face.

2. Clean the clutter; As always this is hugely important for your home to show well by feeling neat and spacious.

3. Make it comfortable and cozy; If you can, turn on the fireplace. Have warm lighting to bring life to your home and lighten the interior on a dark winters day. Turn up the heat to a comfortable level, making your space welcoming. We want Buyers to take their time and feel relaxed.
4. Personalize; Show your appreciation with a bowl of cookies or candies and a hand written note welcoming people to your home. Buyers often want to feel that the home has enjoyed warmth and joy before they own the home.

What Are The Benefits Of Selling In Winter?
Less Competition; Buyers have less to choose from and the spotlight on your home just got a little stronger.

Buyers Are More Motivated; There are more serious Buyers as a percentage than in the summer. Less tire kickers, less neighbors, less lookie loos, less hassle, more productive for you.

You can wait to list your home in the spring when your garden is in bloom, but then so will your competition.
Take the path less travelled and see where it leads.

For those buying in the Okanagan, where are they coming from?

Even though, we continue to see interest from Alberta and Vancouver and welcome the market injection, it is locals who appreciate the significant opportunity that increased sales and low mortgage rates are providing.  First time home buyers continue to be an important driver as the market and general economy recovers.  A great indicator of the recovery gaining steam has been the strong activity in the recreational market, particularly at Silver Star.
57.7% from Within OMREB Board Area  (up from 51.1% in April) ***
16.3% from Alberta (down from 20.2%)
9.7% from Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island  (same as April)
7.3% from Other Areas in BC  (down from 10.1%)
4.3% from Saskatchewan/Manitoba (down from 4.1%)
3.7% from Eastern Canada/Maritimes (up from 3.1%) ***
1.0% from Outside Canada  (down from 1.6%)
0% from NWT/Yukon (same as April)

*** Compared to April, more buyers moved from within the Board area, and Eastern Canada/Maritimes in May.  Movement from other areas stayed the same or decline