About South East, SK

According to a report released in December by RE/MAX, real estate prices in Regina have rebounded from setbacks earlier this year and are expected to climb even higher in 2010. Now is the time to buy, if you’ve been waiting!

While year-end prices were projected to rise 7% to an average of $245,000, a further 6% increase is also predicted in 2010. In 2009 the Regina market showed domination by buyers for the first half of the year, then sellers claiming the second half. Heading into 2010, we’re expected to see continued positive developments in our economy as well as continued immigration, which will boost the real estate market further.

"As consumer confidence returns to post-recession levels, home sales (in Regina) are forecast to edge higher, climbing five per cent to 4,000 units by year-end 2010,'' the report said. The report also stated that concerns about the global recession dragged down housing prices in Saskatoon in the first part of the year but the situation improved in the second half of 2009. It went on to say that the real estate market across Canada is generally recovering from the difficulties experienced in 2009, with prices projected to increase in 21 out of 23 major cities.

With all of the economic predictors in place, the areas in Canada that are strong are poised to gain momentum - particularly in the real estate market. The recession barely slowed our market down, and we can expect great things in the new year!

If you’re in the market for a Regina home, and you want to take advantage of low interest rates, let me, Clair Whittington, be your real estate expert! I’m backed by the full weight of Exit Realty Fusion, and I look forward to working with you to make your dreams come true!

Imagine as you head out the door of your Regina home, the doors locking automatically, the security system enabled, your thermostat entering into its “away” mode, and all your lights and unnecessary appliances or electronics shutting off on their own. At work, just before lunch, you receive an email from your utility company to remind you that it is now mid-peak period, so, to save money, you remotely start the washing machine and dishwasher so clothes and dishes will be clean when you return home. Later that day, when you arrive home, your lights automatically go on upon your entry, as does your thermostat to make sure the house temperature is just where you like it. At any point, you can check your in-home display to see where you are with your energy consumption budget. Sound like the future? With the technology of smart grid, it really isn’t that far off.

A smart grid is a utility-based network of intelligence, combining advanced information, communications, and electronics to optimize the electric infrastructure, and enhance the customer’s experience and their savings. All the while reducing the carbon footprint of homeowners.

And while this sounds like a huge paradigm shift from the way we now consume utilities, companies like Toronto Hydro have already been working to provide the infrastructure, technology, and tools to make this a reality today. As more companies recognize that the way people are using electricity is changing, and consumers are taking more interest in energy savings and sustainability, the faster this dream will become a way of life for Canadians.

Whether you’re already a homeowner, or looking to become one soon, making eco-conscious decisions about your energy usage is smart. One day soon, you will have the tools through the smart grid to maximize what has, up until now, been largely managed independently by consumers themselves. Then, we will all benefit right along with Mother Earth.

If you’re thinking of upgrading to a more eco-friendly home, or are in the market to buy your first home in Regina, let me, Clair Whittington, be your Regina real estate expert! Backed by Exit Realty Fusion, Saskatchewan’s first ecobroker, I’m well equipped to assist you in finding the most eco-friendly home that will benefit you and the environment! Give me a call today!

With tight budgets that many of us are experiencing in today’s economy, we’re all looking for ways to stretch our money further. If your Regina home is in need of some renovations, or if you’re looking into buying a home that will need some work, you’re likely concerned about spending wisely and not going over your budget. Read on for some tips about careful planning and making selective choices to avoid costly design mistakes.

• Have a vision. If you don’t fully know what your goal is for how your house will look when it’s completed, you will be more likely to veer from your design course, which may cost you extra money. If you are unsure about the direction you’d like to go with your renovations, consider hiring a designer. The money you spend in the planning stages will be worth it in savings throughout the project.

• Upgrade wisely. When making decisions as quickly as they’re required during a renovation, be sure you’re putting your money where you’ll appreciate it later. Spending for upgrades in kitchens and bathrooms will pay off later more than other parts of the home. Pay attention to details, which speaks volumes in resale value - buyers are seeing through quick and cheap renovations, and are choosing something else.

• Keep colours restrained. There is a balance to be struck between sterile white walls and colour everywhere. Try sticking with one neutral tone to create uniformity and warmth. Add colour with the furnishings to create your own signature style.

• Create paper cutouts and play with furniture arrangement. By drawing the room and furniture to scale, you can play around easily with where all of your furniture will go. Some of it may not fit well, or you may need to order new furniture to fit the space. Either way, knowing what will fit can save you money.

• Do it yourself. If you are up for the challenge, don’t be afraid to take on the job of heading up the renovations, or even doing the work yourself. You can save money by doing either (or both!), and you will be in total control of all of the decisions made.

Whether you’re in the market for a new home or one that will need some work, I’m here to help! Give me, Clair Whittington, a call. I can help with finding you the best deal for your budget, and have plenty of experience in the Regina real estate market. I look forward to working with you!

Everyone agrees that selling a home is done faster, easier, and for a higher sale price with the right staging. Whether a home is being lived in while it’s on the market, and especially if it’s vacant, staging can make the space come alive. If you’re thinking of selling your Regina home, follow these tips and tricks to stage it so that it will be irresistible to prospective buyers.

Accentuate the positive. What is the best feature of your home? Does it have incredible views? Is the fireplace a beautiful centerpiece in your living room, or is there some other architectural feature in your house? Once you know what the main selling point is, draw the buyer’s attention to it, and avoid distracting them from it. For example, if you’re home has breathtaking views, don’t obscure them with heavy window coverings, or high furniture that breaks the potential buyer’s sightline.

Respect the space. If the home is empty, it will look smaller and buyers will have a hard time visualizing its real size. If you choose the right furniture or accent pieces, you can actually make a room look larger. Start by keeping furniture proportionate to the size of the space - a queen size bed in a smaller master bedroom and the right size sofa for the living room. Consider a glass dining room table, if you have a smaller space to keep it open.

Keep things neutral, but add a punch for emphasis. Buyers need to be able to visualize their stuff in your home, so be sure anything in it is not too much of your personal style. Adding a shot of colour to a neutral palette, like a bright green throw on the sofa, gives a needed boost and is something the buyers will remember. Add some texture for interest. Just be sure to keep the colour scheme unified throughout the room to avoid clutter. And doing so throughout a home can bring a flow to the space.

Less is more, and lighting is key. Simplify what is left in the space and get rid of personal items, like pictures. And make sure each room is well lit, which will help people feel that the space is vibrant, rather than dreary.

For more information about mistakes to avoid when you’re staging your home, read this online article. And when you’re ready to sell your home or find the perfect one for you, give me, Clair Whittington a call! I look forward to working with you!

If you’re like most people, when it comes to getting decorating ideas for your Regina home, you probably turn to magazine pictures or furniture catalogues for inspiration. While these well decorated rooms are beautiful, they are also very safe. Try breaking out of your decorating rut to achieve the unexpected with a few rules, all of which were made to be broken!

Symmetry isn’t always best. While wall art and mirrors should stay balanced, when you balance accessories, it looks boring. Try using the same items mixed up, or find a unique way to group several items. Keeping in mind that less is more, you may even want to take a few things out of your room and bring the remaining pieces together in a new way.

On your dining table, place settings don’t have to match. As the holidays approach, you may be looking for a fun new way to present your entertaining table. Try choosing one unifying element in your table decor (like one color, a texture, or a theme) and mix it up. The informality a mixed table setting creates can make time with family and friends more comfortable.

All of your furniture doesn’t necessarily need to match the scale of your room. While it may be true that large furniture can crowd a small room, one oversized piece, like a sofa, can add substance to a room - just make sure you don’t go overboard (all the rest of the pieces should be in scale with the room). And, if you have smaller rooms, you can immediately make them appear bigger by eliminating clutter.
You don’t have to keep all your decor within one style. Contemporary and traditional furnishings can go nicely together and create a layered look, if they are mixed well. Make sure you choose one look that will dominate the space, and use eclectic pieces as accents.

For more decorating tips, read this online article. And if you’re ready to find a home to house all your decor, give me, Clair Whittington, a call! In the meantime, visit my website for more tips on home buying. I look forward to working with you to find your perfect home!