Wednesday 29 February 2012

Some Leap Year Facts!

Celebrate leap year by learning some fun Feb. 29 facts. Why do we add 24 hours to our calendar every four years? And why the heck is it in February? Plus, what famous faces are "younger" than they look, your chances of having a leap year baby and more. Sit back and read some info about this extra day. Leap year babies set to celebrate their special day as Feb. 29 rolls around.
Leap Year Facts
 Julius Caesar is said to be the "father of leap year." Ancient Egyptians created the basis for the modern-day calendar. But by Julius Caesar's time, it had slipped out of sync with Earth's seasons. The 355-day Roman calendar called for an extra 22- or 23-day month every two years to keep the seasons on track. So he decided to create a 365-day calendar, but the actual calculations were made by Caesar's astronomer, Sosigenes. Sosigenes added one extra day to every fourth February. Why February? It was the last month of the year in Roman times.
Anthony, Texas, is the self-proclaimed Leap Year Capital of the World. In 1988, the chamber of commerce in the little town on the border between New Mexico and Texas voted to sponsor the Worldwide Leap Year Festival and Worldwide Leap Year Birthday Club. Partiers celebrate with a parade, hot-air-balloon rides, a carnival and a gathering of people born on Feb. 29. To learn more about the festival go to http://www.leapyearcapital.com/.
Greek superstition claims that bad luck will come to couples that marry during a leap year. Allegedly one in five engaged couples in Greece will avoid planning their wedding during a leap year.
Leap day is also when women were once officially allowed to step outside of tradition and propose to their beaus. According to legend, St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick in fifth-century Ireland about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. St. Patrick's solution was to allow women one chance that only came around every four years to take the initiative. In 1288 Scotland supposedly made the tradition a law and any man who declined a proposal in a leap year had to pay a fine ranging from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves. Today North Americans call this tradition Sadie Hawkins Day, invented by Al Capp in his cartoon strip Li'l Abner, but there is debate over whether it's Feb. 29th or Nov. 15th the date the cartoon was first published.
CALENDAR EXPLAINER
 A leap year is a year in the Gregorian calendar with one extra day added to the end of February, making the month 29 days long. The day was established to keep the seasons and the calendar in sync. A year is measured by the amount of time it takes the sun to return to the spot directly above the Earth's equator. Although it actually takes 365.2422 days, we round it to 365. But this results in an error of 0.2422 days, or almost six hours, per year. After 100 years this calendar would be more than 24 days ahead of the seasons, but leap day makes up for the inaccuracy. Years that end in 00 would only be a leap year if they are divisible by 400. So 1900 was not a leap year, but 2000 was.
BY THE NUMBERS
The chances of a leap birthday are one in 1,461 -- long odds for getting the short end of the stick. Imagine waiting four years for your real birthday and hearing endless jokes about being three when you're really 12. The longest time between two leap years is eight years. The last time this happened was between 1896 and 1904 and it won't happen again until 2096 to 2104. There were five Fridays in February 2008 -- the month begins and ends on a Friday. Between 1904 and 2096, leap day occurs on the same day of the week every 28 years, so the last time February had five Fridays was in 1980 and next time will be in 2036.
According to global statistics, there are about 4.1 million people worldwide born on Feb. 29. Norway's Henriksen siblings are recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. The three siblings were born on three consecutive leap days. Heidi Henriksen, 1960; Olav Henriksen, 1964; and Leif-Martin Henriksen, 1968. And the Keogh family has three consecutive generations born on Feb. 29. Peter Anthony was born in Ireland in 1940; his son Peter Eric was born in the United Kingdom in 1964; and his granddaughter Bethany Wealth was born in the United Kingdom in 1996.
LEAPLINGS
Someone born on leap day may be called a leapling. They usually celebrate their birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1 in common years.
BLESSING OR CURSE
Being born on leap day isn't always fun and games. In non-leap years certain countries legally recognize Feb. 29 birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1, resulting in hassles with birth certificates, driver's licences and entry fields on websites. But many leap day babies report benefits to playing the "leap day card," receiving free meals, free admission and discounts.

Tuesday 28 February 2012

British Columbians continue to have the Highest Life Expectancy in Canada

British Columbians continue to live long and healthy lives, according to the 2010 Vital Statistics Annual Report from the Ministry of Health. Life expectancy in BC remains the highest in Canada at 81.7 years for 2006-10, up from 81.4. BC's population also grew naturally by 13,647 in 2010, or at rate of 2.8 per thousand. Cancer, is the leading cause of death in BC but the statistics show death rates from the disease are falling, along with those from heart disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis, while mortality rates for chronic diseases like diabetes have increased slightly from 2009. The government says the death rate from HIV is the lowest since 1995 and BC. is the only province showing a consistent decline in the disease, which is credited in part to the research and treatment efforts of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

BC. mothers delivered 43,667 babies in 2010. The vital statistics document also found that just more than half the 2010 births in British Columbia were from mothers aged 30-39 which continues to rise from historical levels. In recent decades there has also been a gradual increase in multiple birth rates in BC., rising from 1.9 per cent of all live births in 1986 to 3.2 per cent in 2010. The number of deaths during the year was 31,143, down slightly from the previous year, and the oldest person to die was 108. 

On a typical day in BC. in 2010, there were 119 births, 86 deaths and 61 marriages. This information comes from the 139th edition of the annual report containing information collected from registrations of births, deaths, and marriages that happened in BC in 2010.

Friday 24 February 2012

HST transition rules applauded by B.C. home builders

The government will raise its new-housing HST rebate threshold to $850,000 from the current $525,000 to help offset the consumer cost of the unpopular tax, until it is finally scrapped on April 1 2013. It will also introduce a similar rebate for new recreational and secondary homes built outside of greater Vancouver and Victoria, to stimulate that market until the tax is gone.
The long-awaited HST “transitional rules” for the new-home market are designed to provide certainty and fairness until the tax is cancelled, said Finance Minister Kevin Falcon. Falcon, who also confirmed for the first time that the HST will be officially scrapped on April 1 2013.
The HST was voted down in last summer’s referendum, and Falcon defended the lengthy timeline for returning to the old provincial sales tax. Falcon said winding down the HST on April 1 2013 is “the fastest date we can get there responsibly” and the transitional rules for new housing will assist a market hit particularly hard by the tax.
Starting on April 1 2012, the government will provide a partial HST rebate on new homes priced at up to $850,000. The amount of the rebate will max out at $42,500, will apply to more than 90-per-cent of new homes, and will mean new home prices will be roughly the same under HST and PST. The HST does not apply on re-sale homes. For secondary and vacation homes outside of greater Victoria and Vancouver, which had been subject to the full HST on the entire purchase price, the government will bring in same $850,000 rebate threshold.
“This will be a very positive impact for the industry,” Falcon said. The government also announced that for newly built homes where construction begins before April 1, 2013, but ownership and possession occur after, purchasers will not pay the seven-per-cent provincial portion of the HST. Instead, purchasers will pay a temporary, transitional provincial tax of two-per-cent on the full home price.
New home builders, who earlier complained buyers were waiting on the sidelines until the HST was scrapped, were pleased with the transition rules. “The industry is going to be quite happy,” said M.J. Whitemarsh, CEO of the B.C. division of the Canadian Homebuilders Association. “I think people will get out and start buying again.”

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Sip and Enjoy Okanagan Wines

The Okanagan Valley is known for its spectacular vineyards producing premium quality wines that regularly win national and international wine competitions and recognition. Few wine-producing regions in the world can match our combination of mountains, lakes, fresh air and intense sunlight with so many grape varieties.
Kelowna is the birthplace of the Okanagan's wine tradition. Kelowna (and its surrounding area) features three separate winemaking regions. In Kelowna's winemaking regions, expect to find solid table wines and internationally-recognized distinctive reds, whites, rosés, sparkling wines, and icewines. Over 25 wineries are located in the Kelowna area with well over 120 wineries in the whole Okanagan Valley region. The sun-drenched valley surrounding Kelowna is dotted with farm-gate wineries too. Wine tours and tastings can last from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the winery.  Many of the wineries have unique and delicious food services available. Gourmet regional cuisine, tapas-style fare or cheese and fruit platters are served either indoors or on patios, with spectacular lake and/or valley views. Reservations are not required. Tours are open to people of all ages, however those under the age of 19 are not permitted to taste the wine.
There are a number of Guided Tour Operators that can customize your wine tour for you. Leave the driving to them, sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery the vineyards have to offer and get local knowledge while on your wine tour.

Monday 20 February 2012

This is my Season

Golf and it should be arriving soon!
The Kelowna golf season in the Okanagan Valley is the envy of Canada. Averaging over 2,000 hours of sun every year make it one of the longest, driest golf season you'll find in Canada. Several of the tee boxes of the more than 19 golf courses offer incredible views of the lake, vineyards and orchards, rolling hills, semi-desert terrain and the city scapes making the golf courses in the area some of the most picturesque in the country. Many clubhouses also offer après golf dining experiences that range from casual to gourmet.

With courses that range from easy-going to ego-shattering, there is something in Kelowna for every skill level. Makes Kelowna a must-play destination on every golf enthusiast's list!

Including: Predator Ridge - twice host of the prestigious Skins Game and Tower Ranch - Golf Digest Top 3 Best New Canadian Courses just to name a few. In fact, every single course here boasts a signature hole that can only be described as Epic.

Thursday 16 February 2012

Home Inspections Yes, You Should Have One

The purpose of a home inspection is to look at safety, quality and the overall condition of things both visible and not so visible.  Most home inspectors look at the structure, foundation, electrical systems, plumbing systems, roofs, attics, basements, crawl spaces, gutters, drainage, walls, floors, ceilings, porches, decks, the property and home site.  If you are not a trained expert in all of these areas you may not be able to see a hidden issue.  Some examples of some very visible things that you may not be able to see: Can you find faulty wiring? Do you know how a dryer should be properly vented? Can you identify a toilet that needs to be replaced? Do you know how to tell if the fireplace is unsafe or needs replacing?  Do you know what to look for to see if the tiles in the bathroom have been properly installed?
With so many real estate buffs and Do-It-Yourselfers out there, it’s even more important to have a professional take a look at your new home and make sure that things have been done properly.  The cost of a home or real estate inspection can easily pay for itself and helps you determine if you are paying a fair price for the property.  If the home has several repairs that need to be done, you might be able to negotiate with the seller and have them contribute to the cost of these repairs or have them do the repairs.  No piece of real estate is perfect, but the goal is to make sure the home you are interested in buying doesn’t have any existing costly defects. Buying real estate is a very important decision and you want to make sure that you know exactly what you are buying.


The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors of British Columbia
#5 - 3304 Appaloosa Road
Kelowna, BC V1V 2W5
Phone: 1-800-610-5665

Pillar to Post - Kelowna
103-3677 Hwy 97N
Kelowna, BC V1X 5C3
Phone: (250) 765-4134
Fax: (250) 861-4934

Dream Home Appraisal Corp.
9-3151 Lakeshore Drive #199
Kelowna, BC V1W 3S9
Phone: (250) 860-4400
Toll free: 1-866-342-4455

C4U Inspection
Lloyd Kenzle
3518 Webber Rd.
West Kelowna, BC, V4T 1H9
Kelowna: 250-768-8512
Vernon: 250-307-8434
Toll-free: 1-866-765-4434
Email: info@c4uinspections.ca

Checkmark Home Inspections
Phone: (250) 861-7009
Toll Free: 1-866-861-7009

Global Property Inspectors
Phone: (250) 492-2440
Toll Free: 866-492-2440
Fax: (250) 492-0395

Akela Home Inspections
Dwight Carroll
Phone: (250) 470-8467
Email: akelahomeinspection@shaw.ca

Griffin Inspections
4600B Trepanier Rd.
Peachland, B.C. V0H-1X3
Phone: (250) 767-3377
Mobile: (250) 878-3303

Home Pro
15718 Greenhow Rd.
Lake Country, BC V4V 2E6
Phone: (250) 861-1802
Fax: (250) 548-3837

Monday 13 February 2012

Kelowna's School Systems

From Kindergarten to University level, the quality and standard of education in the Central Okanagan is very high. In addition to provincially mandated programs, School District #23 offers many other programs and services. For example, many elementary schools offer band programs and most are serviced by elementary counselors. Also, many educational programs are planned with local businesses, community groups and cultural institutions. Special-needs students are integrated into classrooms. Teachers of the visually impaired and hearing impaired, educational psychologists, special education support teachers, aides and attendants, as well as other specialists are available to support pupils and staff.
Secondary schools offer a wide range of programs; including the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs. Athletic activity is also an important aspect of the junior and high school pupil’s daily activities.
School District # 23 has the same boundaries as the Regional District. There are 36 Elementary/Middle and 5 Secondary schools in the School District. School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) office is located at: 1940 Haynes Rd., Kelowna, B.C., V1X 5X7. Phone: (250) 860-8888 or fax: (250) 860-9799.

UBC's Okanagan campus has eight Faculties and Schools. Each is responsible for a range of academic programs.

Elementary Schools

Anne McClymont Elementary (K-7)
4489 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1W 1W9
Phone: (250) 870-5133, Fax: (250) 870-5070
Principal: Leanne Zorn
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

A.S. Matheson Elementary (K-6)
2090 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1Y 3H9
Phone: (250) 860-2525, Fax: (250) 870-5012
Principal: Scott Sieben
School Planning Council Report: April 2011 

Bankhead Elementary (K-6)
1280 Wilson Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1Y 6Y6
Phone: (250) 763-2603, Fax: (250) 870-5014
Principal: Janet Williams
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

Belgo Elementary (K-6 English, K-6 French Immersion)
125 Adventure Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 1N3
Phone: (250) 765-8900, Fax: (250) 870-5015
Principal: Veronica Dumontet
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

Black Mountain Elementary (K-6)
1650 Gallagher Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1P 1G7
Phone: (250) 765-1955, Fax: (250) 870-5035
Principal: Linda Watson
School Planning Council Report: April 2011

Casorso Elementary (K-6 English, K-6 French Immersion)
3675 Casorso Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1W 3E1
Phone: (250) 870-5135, Fax: (250) 870-5019
Principal: Charles Schneider
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

Chief Tomat Elementary (K-6)
3365 E. Boundary Road, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V4T 2R8
Phone: (250) 768-6628, Fax: (250) 870-5071
Principal: Gurprit Hayher
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

Chute Lake Elementary (K-7)
5240 Lark Street, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1W 4K8
Phone: (250) 870-5139, Fax: 250-870-5039
Principal: Bruce McKay
School Planning Council Report: June 2011 

Davidson Road Elementary (K-7)
2115 Davidson Road, Winfield, British Columbia, Canada,
V4V 1R3
Phone: (250) 766-2381, Fax: (250) 870-5017
Principal: Janet Slaney
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

Dorothea Walker Elementary (K-7 English, K-3 French Immersion)
4346 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1W 1S5
Phone: (250) 764-8181, Fax: (250) 870-5024
Principal: Russ Bischoff
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

Ellison Elementary (K-6)
3735 Parkdale Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 6K9
Phone: (250) 765-8104, Fax: (250) 870-5081
Principal: Brady Ibbetson
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

George Pringle Elementary (K-6 English, K-6 French Immersion)
3770 Elliot Road, Westbank, British Columbia, Canada,
V4T 1W9
Phone: (250) 768-5146, Fax: (250) 870-5003
Principal: John McMahon
School Planning Council Report: March 2011 

Glenmore Elementary (K-6 English, K-6 French Immersion)
960 Glenmore Drive, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1Y 4P1
Phone: (250) 762-3209 , Fax: (250) 870-5030
Principal: Des Sjoquist
School Planning Council Report: April 2011 

Glenrosa Elementary (K-6)
3430 Webber Road, Westbank, British Columbia, Canada,
V4T 1G8
Phone: (250) 768-5181, Fax: (250) 870-5033
Principal: Donna Stathers
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

Helen Gorman Elementary (K-6)
3230 Salmon Rd., Westbank, British Columbia, Canada,
V4T 1A7
Phone: (250) 768-7250, Fax: (250) 870-5031
Principal: Scott Parker
School Planning Council Report: April 2011 

Hudson Road Elementary (K-6)
1221 Hudson Road, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
 V1Z 1J5
Phone: (250) 769-4666, Fax: (250) 870-5037
Principal: Barrie MacLeod
School Planning Council Report: June 2011 

North Glenmore Elementary (K-6)
125 Snowsell Street North, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1V 2E3
Phone: (250) 762-3535, Fax: (250) 870-5044
Principal: Maeve Buckley
School Planning Council Report: June 2011

Oyama Traditional School (K-7)
15525 Greenhow Road, Oyama, British Columbia, Canada,
V4V 2E1
Phone: (250) 548-3783, Fax: (250) 870-5050
Principal: Ross Hett
School Planning Council Report: April 2011

Peachland Elementary (K-6)
5486 Clements Crescent, Peachland, British Columbia, Canada,
VOH 1X5
Phone: (250) 767-2686, Fax: (250) 870-5051
Principal: Sylvain Guignard
School Planning Council Report: March 2011 

Pearson Road Elementary (K-6)
700 Pearson Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 5H8
Phone: (250) 765-8855, Fax: (250) 870-5049
Principal: Susan MacNeil
School Planning Council Report: April 2011 

Peter Greer Elementary (K-7 English, K-6 French Immersion)
10300 Sherman Drive, Winfield, British Columbia, Canada,
V4V 1Y8
Phone: (250) 766-2104, Fax: (250) 870-5029
Principal: Marion Barnes
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

Quigley Elementary (K-6)
705 Kitch Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
V1X 5V8
Phone: (250) 870-5134, Fax: (250) 870-5013
Principal: Kathy Weninger
School Planning Council Report: May 2011  

Raymer Elementary (K-6)
657 Raymer Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1Y 4Z6
Phone: (250) 762-4823, Fax: (250) 870-5054
Principal: Nadia Piasentin
School Planning Council Report: April 2011 

Rose Valley Elementary (K-6)
1680 Westlake Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1Z 3G6
Phone: (250) 769-5535, Fax: (250) 870-5047
Principal: Robert McEwen
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

Rutland Elementary (K-6)
620 Webster Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 4V5
Phone: (250) 765-9771, Fax: (250) 870-5055
Principal: James Minkus
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

Shannon Lake Elementary (K-6)
3044 Sandstone Drive, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V4T 1T2
Phone: (250) 870-5132, Fax: (250) 870-5073
Principal:Alida Privett
School Planning Council Report: February 2011 

South Kelowna Elementary (K-6)
4176 Spiers Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1W 4B5
Phone: (250) 861-1122, Fax: (250) 870-5058
Principal: Jared Birkeland
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

South Rutland Elementary (K-6)
200 Mallach Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 2W5
Phone: (250) 765-7785, Fax: (250) 870-5060
Principal: Cathie Mutter
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

Springvalley Elementary (K-6)
470 Ziprick Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 4H4
Phone: (250) 860-4526, Fax: (250) 870-5065
Principal: Linda Fehr
School Planning Council Report: June 2011 

Watson Road Elementary (K-6)
475 Yates Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1V 1R3
Phone: (250) 762-6633, Fax: (250) 870-5072
Principal: Randy McGraw
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

Middle Schools

Constable Neil Bruce Middle (7-9)
2010 Daimler Road, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1Z 3X4
Phone: (250) 769-7343, Fax: (250) 870-5077
Principal: Robert Tucker
School Planning Council Report: June 2011 

Dr. Knox Middle  (7-9)
121 Drysdale Blvd., Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1V 2X9
Phone: (250) 870-5130, Fax: (250) 870-5007
Principal: Rod Baruta
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

Glenrosa Middle (7-9)
3565 McIver Road, Westbank, British Columbia, Canada
V4T 1H8
Phone: (250) 768-1889, Fax: (250) 870-5076
Principal: Jamie Robinson
School Planning Council Report: March 2011 

KLO Middle (7-9 English, 7-9 French Immersion)
3130 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1W 3M4
Phone: (250) 762-2841, Fax: (250) 870-5006
Principal: Raquel Steen
School Planning Council Report: April 2011

Rutland Middle (7-9)
715 Rutland Road N, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 3B6
Phone: (250) 765-2988, Fax: (250) 870-5009
Principal: Sandra Sellick
School Planning Council Report: April 2011

Springvalley Middle (7-9)
350 Ziprick Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 4H3 
Phone: (250) 862-3274 , Fax: (250) 870-5011
Principal: Troy White  
School Planning Council Report: March 2011

Secondary Schools

George Elliot Secondary (8-12)
10241 Bottom Lake Road, Winfield, British Columbia, Canada,
V4V 1Y7
Phone:(250) 766-2734, Toll Free Phone: 470-3248, Fax (250) 870-5002
Principal: Derek Lea
School Planning Council Report: March 2011

Kelowna Secondary (10-12 English, 10-12 French Immersion)
1079 Raymer Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1Y 4Z7
Phone: (250) 762-2805, Fax: (250) 870-5005
Principal: Vianne Kintzinger
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

Mount Boucherie Senior (10-12)
2751 Cameron Road, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1Z 2T6
Phone: (250) 712-7040, Fax (250) 870-5001
Principal: John Simonson
School Planning Council Report: May 2011

Okanagan Mission Secondary (8-12)
4544 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1W 1T4
Phone: (250) 764-4185, Fax: (250) 870-5008
Principal: Scott McLean
School Planning Council Report: April 2011 

Rutland Senior (10-12)
705 Rutland Road N, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada,
V1X 3B6
Phone: (250) 765-1407, Fax: (250) 870-5010
Principal: Curtis Schreiber
School Planning Council Report: May 2011 

Alternate Education Services

Central School (Distance learning, Hospital/Homebound, Outreach Education, Continuing Education, Kelowna Storefront School)
1825 Richter Street, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1Y 2M8
Phone: (250) 868-1135, Fax: (250) 870-5020
Principal: Al Lalonde
School Planning Council Report: June 2011

Sunday 12 February 2012

Celebrating the Home

HOME Design
THE KITCHEN IS THE HUB
Ever wonder why “kitchen parties” naturally occur every time you have guests?
Well, it’s because the kitchen is the hub of every home. It’s where we get nourishment, refreshment, gather and regroup after a busy day. It is a room with real value for family. At RE/MAX we’ve learned that kitchen upgrades can really deliver, with a 44 % higher return on investment over the average return on other popular renos you might consider.
Whether you’re working with a contemporary kitchen or more of a country feel, stainless steel appliances continue to hold a lot of interest. In cabinetry, look at fine-grained maple, stained or natural, over the traditional heavy oak look of the past. Laminates and marble are great choices for counter tops, but
granite continues to be the most popular surface of all. Check out the latest fixtures in today’s new brushed nickel finishes.

HOME Maintenance
POTENTIAL BUYERS WILL BE LOOKING FOR VISUAL CLUES THAT YOUR HOME IS WELL CARED FOR.
How much work a house seems to require will impact the offering prices you receive, so it’s worthwhile to ensure that everything is in good working order.
BATHROOMS - Ensure all plumbing fixtures are clean and in good working order. Outfit leaky faucets with new washers and clean any visible stains on porcelain fixtures. Replace old, worn shower curtains and bath mats.
DOORS and WINDOWS - Spray WD40 on all hinges so everything operates smoothly. Have windows cleaned inside and out. Potential buyers will be estimating their energy costs, so fix drafts by re-caulking windows and replace exterior doors in necessary.

Did You Know...
RE/MAX is proud to support the Western Hockey League and excited to offer fans a chance to win a group of 24 tickets to see your local WHL team in an upcoming game! By offering this promotion we want you to know that we appreciate your business in the communities in which we live and work.
To enter your group, go to www.RemaxKelowna.com and click on the RE/MAX Home Team Contest link.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Okanagan is Booming!!

Kelowna is second only to Lower Mainland in forecast growth. The population of the Central Okanagan jumped by 17,563 or 10.8 per cent during the past five years, making this region the fourth-fastest growing in Canada.
The Kelowna metropolitan area - as it is described by Statistics Canada - had 179,839 people from Peachland to Lake Country in 2011 compared to 162,278 in 2006.
That percentage increase was greater than that of the national rate at 5.9 per cent and the B.C. rate at seven per cent.
Kelowna ranked No. 22 in population among the country's 33 census metropolitan areas. Canada's population on census day was 33,476,688. This shows the incredible role that the university (UBC Okanagan) is playing in our growth, migration from within British Columbia, and also the continued efforts to bring both skilled workers and entrepreneurs from overseas into our community.  Growth may have slowed during the past couple of years, but the Okanagan remains a desirable place to live, whether it's the lifestyle that everybody likes, the climate or the lakes. It's exciting to be in the fourth most-rapidly growing regions in the country.
Exceeding 30,000 was a milestone for West Kelowna. West Kelowna is fortunate to have a significant amount of undeveloped land already zoned for growth, for many years in the future. It needs to look at the housing mix, with possibly decreasing such a strong focus on single-family housing. That's the way of the future in terms of sustainability. As people age, there is generally a natural progression in their housing form. With growth in the emerging communities of West Kelowna and Lake Country also shows, that we weathered a fairly ugly recession and are certainly on the road to recovery.

Friday 3 February 2012

Spring time....time to get Started!!

Can you believe Spring is right around the corner? With Spring comes peak Real Estate Season and if you're thinking of putting your home on the market, the time to get started is now as houses are staying on the market for an average of 100 days. However, if you have your home priced right and the right Real Estate Agent who will market your home aggressively and give your home to the most exposure potential buyers, then your house will sell faster. Because it is a buyers market it is Critical that you hire the best Real Estate Agent to work for you to get the best price for your home.