Don’t “fall” into the season without preparing your home for the cooler weather.

Proper maintenance of your home and garden will help preserve your investment. And best of all, keeping your house in tip-top shape this fall will prevent any unnecessary chores in the spring.

Outdoor Projects

- Complete exterior painting before cooler weather arrives

- Check and repair exterior lighting before daylight fades

- Store lawn ornaments and patio furniture in a shed or basement. If space is limited, weather-resistant covers can protect outdoor furnishings

- Cover air conditioner and barbecue to prevent winter damage

- Close your pool before leaves start to fall, and nighttime temperatures begin to drop. Sooner than that and you risk an algae bloom

- Store kids toys indoors or in an outdoor shed to prevent rusting and fading

Lawn & Garden

- Till and prepare planting beds when the soil is relatively dry. By adding soil and mulch to your beds, you’ll be a step ahead for spring planting

- Plant spring blooming bulbs and perennials

- Protect roses, saplings and small trees by sheltering them with a burlap screen

- Pull weeds to reduce the number of seedlings next spring

- Mow grass short for the final cut of the year by reducing the cutting height gradually to 3.5 cm (from 7.4 cm) until the grass stops growing

Indoor Preparation

- Bring container plants indoors, making sure they are free of pests. Doing so may enable plants to survive the season and bloom again in spring

- Check and clean your humidifier. Empty the tank, dry the inside surfaces and refill with clean water. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

*courtesy of Royal LePage*

Check out what’s happening in and around Oliver in the next few months!

February 13: South Okanagan Concert Society presents ‘Opera with a Twist’
8 Pm at the Frank Venables Auditorium
Single Tickets: $20 (purchased at the door)
Flex Pass(4 tickets): $55 (Purchased ahead of time at Periwinkles in Oliver, or Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos)
Free for children and students 17 and under

February 14th: 1st Annual Kings and Queens Ball, hosted by SOFPHAT (South Okanagan Foundation Promoting Healthy Attitude in youTh)
5 Pm at the Cadets Hangar for Dinner, Dance and Auction!!
Early Bird Tickets: $70 each or $125 per couple (purchased before Jan 24th)
Regular Prices: $80 each or $150 per couple (purchased after Jan 24th)
Table of 10: $600

February 20-22nd: Celebrate Passion! A Wine Country Retreat for Loving Couples
Hosted by Life Coach Beth Garrish and Sommelier Jay Drysdale
2 Day retreat at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa, Osoyoos BC
Cost: $1195 per person / $2390 per couple
Registration Deadline: January 30th 2009
For more details visit life-uncorked.com or contact Beth Garrish at coach@BethGarrish.com

February 21: Working Women’s 17th Annual Trade Show
10 Am – 4 Pm at the Oliver Community Centre

March 7: 11th Annual Rotary Auction
March 7th at the Oliver Community Centre
Doors open at 5 Pm
Cost: TBA
Tickets will be available from your friendly neighbourhood Rotarian, or from the Royal LePage Office in the Mall.

March 13: South Okanagan Concert Society presents ‘Opera Trio Verlaine’
8 Pm at the Frank Venables Auditorium
Single Tickets: $20 (purchased at the door)
Flex Pass(4 tickets): $55 (Purchased ahead of time at Periwinkles in Oliver, or Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos)
Free for children and students 17 and under

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You’ve heard the rumours, and they’re true.  The real estate market has indeed slowed down during the latter half of this year.  But don’t believe all the doom and gloom you read in the newspapers…it’s not as bad as you might think!

The buyers are still out there, mortgages are still relatively easy to get and interest rates are good.  So what’s the problem?  Simply this: buyers now have the option to be more choosy in what they purchase.  They’re taking their time, they’re looking for good deals.  They’re not jumping on over-priced homes like they have in the past few years.

A home that’s priced right still sells.  Case in point, in the last few weeks I’ve taken 3 new listings.  Of the three, two received and accepted offers within a week… and one of them even had multiple offers!  Homes need to be priced right to sell, and in this market, you simply cannot overprice a home and wait for the market to catch up to it.  Not unless you want to end up chasing the market with price reduction after price reduction!  Still, even with a good price, you may have to practice more patience as a home seller in the next few months.

Be sensible when you’re selling your house, listen to your Real Estate Professional’s advice, and remember, if you’re selling in a down market, you’re also likely buyng in a down market…price is relative.