Craig Shantz Real Estate
1111 Lakeshore Drive SW Salmon Arm, BC, Canada

Know the Market Before You Buy A professional REALTOR is trained to provide clients with information about the current market, helping you make the most informed decision possible. The best REALTOR will guide you through the pros and cons of the market and keep you up-to-date with the types of changes you might expect. ... Having a great REALTOR on your side gives you access to insight and resources that can prove to be invaluable as you navigate the real estate market. Here are five of the main factors that your REALTOR will walk you through, which affect market value: 1. Location: The proximity of the home to amenities, such as schools, parks, public transportation, and stores will affect its status on the market. Also, the quality of neighbourhood planning, and future plans for development and zoning will influence a home’s current market value, as well as the ways in which it might change. 2. Property: The age, size, layout, style, and quality of construction of the building will all affect a property’s market value, as well as the size, shape, seclusion and landscaping of the yard itself. 3. Condition of the Home: This includes the general condition of the home’s main systems, such as the furnace, central air, electrical system, etc., as well as the appearance and condition of the fixtures, the floor plan of the house, and its first appearances. 4. Comparable Properties: We'll examine the selling and asking prices of similar homes in the neighbourhood and I'll prepare you a general market analysis of the neighbourhood you’re interested in, so you can determine a range of value for a particular property. A market analysis will provide you with a market overview and give you a glimpse at what other similar properties have been selling for in that area. 5. Market Conditions & Economy: The market value of a home is additionally affected by the number of homes currently on the market, the number of people looking to buy property, current mortgage rates, and the condition of the national and local economy. Thinking of buying a home in the Shuswap? Give me a call at 250.832.7051 and we'll walk through the process together.

VACANT LOT ALERT! That's right, if you've been looking for the perfect place to plan your development, I have not one, but TWO incredible vacant lots available on Canoe Beach Drive in beautiful Salmon Arm! 4400 CANOE BEACH DRIVE, NE MLS#: 10220977 $463,000... 3.75-acre development site Zoned R-4 Medium Density Residential Allowance for 16.2 units per acre (3.75 acres X 16.2 = 60.75 units) Provisions allowing for up to 20.2 units per acre (3.75 acres X 20.2 = 75.75 units) 4600 CANOE BEACH DRIVE, NE MLS#: 10220976 $544,000 5 acre development site Zoned R-4 Medium Density Residential Allowance for 16.2 units per acre (5 acres X 16.2 = 81 unit Provisions allowing for up to 20.2 units per acre (5 acres X 20.2 = 101 units) These lots offer an excellent location to develop as they're within a short walk to public beaches, liquor and grocery stores, the Park Hill Trail system, sports fields, and a boat launch! To learn more about these opportunities for vacant land in Salmon Arm, give me a call on my direct line at 250.833.6121. See more

With Family Day just around the corner, I have the perfect way for your family to spend time together - go check out The Arc Gaming Cente at 2090 10 Ave SW in Salmon Arm (they're located upstairs in The Westgate Public Market). With exciting escape rooms where you can work as a team and over 88 virtual reality titles to choose from, there's something your whole family will enjoy! The main focus at The Arc Gaming Center - Salmon Arm, BC is for people to have fun; the team stri...ves to give everyone the best experience possible. So grab your family and go on an adventure together - whether it's breaking yourselves out of Alice, their newest VR escape room, or exploring the action packed world of Jumanji, you're sure to have a Family Day to remember. Book your Arc experience at https://www.arcgaming.ca or call 778.824.0879 for more details.

RE/MAX Sales Associates from across Canada have provided their insights on what interior design trends are expected to emerge in 2021. Here are their top five predictions: 1. Home Offices It's no surprise that home offices were a big trend in 2020 as many people shifted to working from home, and they're expected to continue to be popular in 2021. Home offices can also be seen as somewhat multipurpose, as many people also have children doing online schooling as well. ... 2. Outdoor Space With many people spending a considerable amount of time inside their homes due to the current state of the world, outdoor space is expected to be a huge trend this year. Having some sort of outdoor space is important; whether it be for kids to run around in a large backyard, or to be able to take some time to sit and read on a balcony, outdoor space will be essential to many people in 2021. 3. Flex Space Flex space is expected to continue to see popularity in the new year, with many people looking to get creative with the space they currently have in their home. Being able to repurpose a space to give it different functionalities can greatly add to a home’s value. Some examples of different flex spaces could be a den that's repurposed into both a home gym as well as a kid’s playroom, or a home office that also doubles as a craft room. 4. Open & Bright A big trend that's expected in 2021 is bright and open spaces. Painting walls with a light, neutral colour and keeping window coverings open will help give the illusion of a larger space, while keeping your home bright. Utilizing built-ins for storage will also help maximize the space in your home. 5. Move-In Ready While 2020 seemed to be the year many people tackled renovations in their home, the trend that's expected in 2021 is move-in ready homes. Potential buyers will expect renos to be done, giving them a brand new, fresh space to move into. Are you thinking about putting your house on the Shuswap real estate market? Connect with me today at http://craigshantz.com/contact and we can review the best plan of action for listing your home. Article courtesy of @remaxcanada See more

NEW LISTING offering outstanding city, mountain and lake views! This neat and tidy, level entry apartment offers you open concept living room and kitchen areas, large windows and a cozy gas fireplace. Enjoy the large bedroom with walk-in closet, full bathroom, in-suite laundry, and on demand hot water - all within a short walk to downtown. ... Quick possession is available and long term rentals are permitted as well. To schedule your home tour, call my direct line at 250.833.6121. #28 1070 1 STREET, SE SALMON ARM MLS#: 10221001 $219,000

NEW LISTING! This beautiful Beatty home is a level entry/rancher-style design with two bedrooms, a large den (or third bedroom), and two bathrooms. Get creative with the unfinished basement and design the space however you desire; additional bedrooms and bathrooms, a home office, a game room - anything you want! For more details about this fantastic Hillcrest Mews opportunity, send me a DM today. ... #13 2520 10 AVENUE, SE SALMON ARM, BC MLS# 10223314 $473,500 See more

Buying a Home: What Expenses to Expect Budgeting for a new home can be tricky. Not only are there mortgage installments and the down payment to consider, there are other - sometimes unexpected - expenses to add to the equation. These expenses vary; some are one-time costs, while others will be monthly or yearly installments. It’s best to educate yourself about all the possibilities, so you'll be prepared for any situation, armed with the knowledge to budget accordingly... for your move. Use the following list to determine which costs will apply to your situation prior to structuring your budget: 1. Purchase offer deposit 2. Inspection by certified building inspector 3. Appraisal fee, if requested by your lending institution request an appraisal of the property 4. Survey fee: If the home you’re purchasing is a resale, your lending institution may request an updated property survey 5. Mortgage application at your lending institution 6. A 5% GST fee is applied to newly built homes only, or existing homes that have recently undergone extensive renovations 7. Legal fees: A lawyer should be involved in every real estate transaction to review all paperwork 8. Homeowner’s insurance: Your home will serve as security against your loan for your financial institution. You'll be required to buy insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the mortgage loan 9. Land transfer (purchase) tax: This tax applies in any situation in which a property changes owners 10. Moving expenses 11. Service charges: Any utilities you arrange for at your new home (such as cable or internet) may come with an installation fee 12. Interest adjustments 13. Renovation of new home: In order to make it your own, many new homeowners like to paint or invest in other renovations prior to or upon moving in to their new home 14. Maintenance fees: If you're moving to a new condominium, you'll likely be charged a monthly condo fee which covers the costs of common area maintenance Ready to make a move? Connect with me today to get the process started: http://craigshantz.com/contact See more

Canadian Housing Market Outlook for 2021 RE/MAX Canada is anticipating healthy housing price growth in 2021, with move-up and move-over buyers continuing to drive activity in many regions across the Canadian housing market. An ongoing housing supply shortage is likely to continue, presenting challenges for homebuyers and putting upward pressure on prices. Due to these factors, the 2021 RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook Report estimates a 4-6% increase in the average residen...tial sales price nation-wide. Further stats are included below: 35% of RE/MAX brokers indicate that move-over buyers from other cities and provinces will continue to spark market activity in 2021 45% of RE/MAX brokers indicate that move-up buyers will likely be a primary driver of the housing market demand in 2021 53% of Canadians are confident that Canada’s housing markets will remain steady in 2021 52% of Canadians believe real estate will remain one of the best investment options in 2021 If you're ready to take advantage of this hot housing market, get in touch today at [email protected]. (Article courtesy of http://remax.ca) See more

Try this 20 Minute Declutter Test The rule of thumb is that if you can't tidy up a space in your home within 20 minutes or less, then it likely falls under the category of "cluttered". This is a great way to get a handle on decluttering your home, which can actually make you feel a lot less stressed out by clearing the physical space around you.... Set a timer on your phone, begin your 20 minute declutter test, and if there's still a mess in that area then you can get serious about donating, recycling, or properly disposing of the extra clutter. Two quick bonus tips are: 1. If you haven't used it in six months, it's time to let go. Chances are if you haven't used an item in the first half of the year, you likely won't use it for the second half. This goes for clothes in your closet, kitchen gadgets, and even items in your basement and garage. 2. Don't just drop things on every surface of your home - give them a spot, or recycle/toss them immediately to avoid build-up of access clutter. Consider opening your mail over the paper shredder, or create a central area by your front door to leave your wallet, keys, etc. If you'd like help with organizing your home, send me an email at [email protected] and I can put you in touch with some great home styling partners. See more

NEW LISTING for a brand new, quality home with a legal suite! This 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home is situated in desirable Blind Bay, on a large .30 acre lot backing on to green space. The main suite has 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms - including a master bedroom with full ensuite and walk-in closet. ... It offers an open floor plan with a cozy gas fireplace, 9' ceilings, large kitchen with peninsula, loads of storage and access to a covered back deck. There's also a legal 2 bedroom suite that has separate access and laundry, full bathroom and lots of windows. Enjoy custom cabinetry throughout, a gas furnace complete with AC, a concrete driveway, hardi-plank siding - plus it's fully serviced with water and sewer. Give me a call on my cell at 250.833.6121 to book your private showing of this fantastic family home! 2877 GOLF COURSE DRIVE, BLIND BAY MLS#: 10220937 $619,000

Keeping with the insight I've previously shared regarding a variety of professionals involved within a real estate transaction, this week let's explore more about how a Home Inspector helps you out. One thing that unites all potential home buyers is the desire to find a home that is fundamentally sound and will provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient foundation for their life behind a new door. This is where the services of a home inspector come in. During a home in...spection, at least 30 areas of the home are placed under the home inspector’s microscope. Utilizing a home inspector is so important because they know what to look for and will help you to identify areas for repair or improvement before they grow into costly problems. Here's a list of the ten most common weaknesses uncovered in a typical home inspection - and keep in mind that if these areas are not addressed, they could create problems costing you thousands of dollars in the long-run. 1. Damp Basement 2. Poorly Installed / Defective Plumbing 3. Older / Poorly-Functioning Heating and Cooling Systems 4. Older / Unsafe Electrical System 5. Older / Leaking Roof 6. Minor Structural Problems 7. Poor Ventilation 8. Air Leakage 9. Security Features 10. Drainage / Grading Problems If you would like to be connected to a great home inspector in your area, reach out to [email protected] and I'd be happy to introduce you to the partners that I've personally vetted and work with often. See more

Wave goodbye to the old and embrace the new with hope, dreams, and ambition. Wishing you a Happy New Year full of happiness!

You never get a second chance at a first impression. We’ve all heard this expression before - and while you're preparing your house to sell, it shouldn't be far from your mind. While logical factors, such as price and location, narrow the pool of houses a potential buyer will look at, the ultimate decision to buy a particular house is fueled by a mixture of logic and emotion. And emotion often wins out!... That's why depersonalizing your space may be the perfect way to prep for a showing; to allow the potential buyer to envision their own items in the home. Depersonalizing should be one of your first steps when you begin preparing your house to sell. Over the years, a home inevitably becomes tattooed with the owners’ lives, covered with touches that have made it that special place for you. At the point when you're looking to sell, however, you want buyers to recognize it as a property they could make into their own unique space. When a home buyer walks into a room and sees these personalized touches such as photos on the walls or trophy collections their ability to picture their own lives in this room is jarred, impairing a positive emotional response. So with this in mind, you'll want to remove all the family photos, trophies, collectible items, and souvenirs. Pack them all together, so you’ll have everything you need at your disposal when it comes time to personalize your new home. Don't simply transfer these items to another place in your house; don't hoard them away in a closet, basement, attic, or garage, as another step in preparing your home is to minimize clutter and these areas of your house will all be targeted. Instead, store the boxes with a family member or friend, or rent a storage space and keep your personalized items there, for the time being until your home sells. For more great tips, check out my monthly blog at https://craigshantz.com/blog.html See more

The current housing market will always influence the value of your Shuswap property, regardless of the state of your home, or its desirability. Here are the three different types of market conditions that can occur - and how they may affect you: 1. Seller’s Market:... A seller’s market is considered a hot market. This type of market is created when demand is greater than supply - that is, when the number of buyers exceeds the number of homes on the market. As a result, these homes usually sell very quickly, and there are often multiple offers. Many homes will sell above the asking price. 2. Buyer’s Market: A buyer’s market is a slower market. This type of market occurs when supply is greater than demand, meaning the number of homes exceed the number of buyers. Properties are more likely to stay on the market for a longer period of time. Fewer offers will come in, and with less frequency. Prices may even decline during this period. Buyers will have more selection and flexibility in terms of negotiating toward a lower price. Even if your initial offered price is too low, sellers will be more likely to come back with a counter-offer. 3. Balanced Market: In a balanced market, supply equals demand, so the number of homes on the market are roughly equal to the number of buyers. When a market is balanced there aren’t any concrete rules guiding whether a buyer should make an offer at the higher end of their price range, or the lower end. Prices will be stable, and homes will sell within a reasonable period of time. Buyers will have a decent number of homes to choose from, so sellers may encounter some competition for offers on their home, or none at all. Want to learn more about the current Shuswap market as we head into the new year? Get in touch with me today: http://craigshantz.com/contact See more

Do your new year resolutions include getting your family into a new build home? Hillcrest Mews can make that goal a reality for you! As a new build, you get to pick and choose design options to customize your @hillcrestmews home to best fit the needs of you and your family! Here's some flooring inspiration for you - what’s your preferred type of flooring for your home; hardwood, vinyl, carpet, or tile?