Friday 15 November 2013

BC Home Sales Post Strongest October in Four Years



The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 6,673 residential sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC during October, up 26.5 per cent from October 2012. Total sales dollar volume was 34.5 per cent higher than a year ago at $3.6 billion. The average MLS® residential price in the province was $540,432, up 6.3 per cent from October 2012. 

“The fall housing market is shaping up to be the most active in four years,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Persistently low mortgage interest rates and an element of pent-up demand have driven home sales higher in the province’s large Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island markets.”
“While the rebound in consumer demand has been significant, home sales are trending near the long-term average and any continued acceleration will depend on stronger economic and employment growth,” added Muir.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was up 8.2 per cent to $33.6 billion, compared to the same period last year. Residential unit sales were up 5.1 per cent to 63,020 units, while the average MLS® residential price was up 2.9 per cent at $533,321. 

Courtesy of BCREA

Monday 11 November 2013

BC Home Sales on Upward Trajectory



The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 6,498 residential sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC during September, up 43.2 per cent from September 2012. Total sales dollar volume was 55.7 per cent higher than a year ago at $3.49 billion. The average MLS® residential price in the province was $537,458, up 8.8 per cent from September 2012.  
"Consumer demand for housing in September was the strongest in four years,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “After declining for most of 2012, BC home sales have increased now for seven consecutive months."
"While a return to a more normal level of demand is good news for buyers and sellers, relatively weak economic conditions and muted provincial job growth will likely limit continued acceleration of home sales over the next few quarters,” added Muir. 
Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was up 5.7 per cent to $30 billion, compared to the same period last year. Residential unit sales were up 3.1 per cent to 56,347 units, while the average MLS® residential price was up 2.6 per cent at $532,745.

Friday 11 October 2013

Sales Continue to Soar

September continued the trend we have seen throughout a good part of the year with sales 48% ahead of September last year. That puts the real estate board activity at 11%
overall ahead of last year. At the same time, the listing inventory continues to decline each month, however, there certainly continues to be a substantial supply of good properties for sale which helps keep prices stable.

As we move into the fall season, activity is expected to slow down some but we predict activity will still continue to be stronger than last year. There appears to be greater consumer confidence which always generates more spending activity. With entry level properties being the most active and interest rates still low, it is expected more first time buyers will venture into purchasing their first home. Even though sale prices have remained stable so far, one has to wonder when we may see real estate prices starting to edge upward. With more sales happening and listing inventory declining, sooner or later we will start to see upward movement. Some are predicting next spring, others say we are more than a year away. Regardless, the good news is prices have remained constant now for quite awhile which has allowed more buyers the opportunity to enter the market.

Courtesy of Cliff Shillington

Friday 16 August 2013

BC Housing Market.

Check out this link to see how the BC housing market is doing!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVE66g3NDmg&feature=c4-overview&list=UUiK9hex2u-kM7UHOXGVboZw

Friday 9 August 2013

Kelowna's Market Remain Strong!

Traditionally, July tends to be somewhat of a quieter month than May or June but this year was certainly not the case. July continued the strong activity we saw in June with 472 properties sold, an increase of 13% over July, 2012 according to the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board statistics. Our RE/MAX Kelowna office saw an outstanding increase of 46% over the same month last year giving us close to a 35% market share in July.

The board stats also show an increase again this month for average sales price at 3.45%. Single family homes were up 2.72% and condos up 14.43% indicating that if buyers are still sitting on the fence waiting for prices to drop likely have missed their window of opportunity. This does not mean we are now going to start seeing significant price increases but it does indicate we are in a solid balanced market. Meaning sellers are still going to have to list their properties competitively but buyer’s can no longer think they can pick up a steal of a deal with a low ball offer.

It will be interesting to see if this momentum continues into August and September before we see the seasonal market slow down.

New Listing #201 250 Dougall Road, N

Bright Corner Unit close to bus loop and shopping. Immaculate Condition. Furnished if desired. Just move in! Walking distance to bus loop and Shopping. Very nice building. Some furniture and dishes included. Verify measurements if important. Call Steve Higgins RE/MAX Kelowna 250.864.7893 for showings.

Thursday 8 August 2013

Vacation Time


Summer vacation time is here, if you are planning on going away. Here are some helpful do's and don'ts.
Most burglars check for four things: something worth stealing, easy access to the house, low visibility, and a home that is unoccupied. If all of these conditions are met, your home is an easy target. Here are some quick Do’s and Don’ts will help towards protecting your home.

Do

  • Fool thieves by making your home look occupied at all times. Use light timers, or timers for the TV or a radio.
  • Change the pattern of the lights you leave on when you’re away. Leaving the same light on always could tip-off thieves and signal you aren’t home.
  • Maintain an everyday appearance by leaving some curtains and blinds open.
  • Turn down the volume on your phone ringer and answering machine so they can't be heard outside.
  • Keep outside gates locked.
  • Keep the door between the garage and the house locked.
  • Install motion detector lights outside to ensure the perimeter of your house is well lit.
  • Organize or participate in a community watch program.
  • Lock valuables and important documents in a safe or other secure location.
  • Ask one of your neighbours to park their car in your driveway.
  • Cancel newspapers and have a neighbour pick up fliers and other papers from your porch.
  • Trim back bushes and shrubs that might obstruct entries to your home.

Don't

  • Leave a message on your answering machine saying that you aren’t at home.
  • Let newspapers and mail pile up. Ask someone you trust to collect your newspapers and mail daily while you are away.
  • Leave garbage cans out on the curb.
  • Leave a key hidden outside under a flower pot or window sill. Thieves know where to look!
  • Leave tools or ladders outside which can be used to gain access to your home.
  • Leave valuable items in clear view of the windows.
Also, ask someone you trust to "house sit", especially if you plan to be away for an extended period of time. If possible, leave an itinerary and contact details with a reliable neighbor, friend, or family member. Ask them to keep an eye on your home and report anything suspicious to police.

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Come Check out my Newest Listing 229 Ranchland Court!

Amazing Family Home on Huge Private Lot. Could be 5 Bedrooms or Keep as 2nd family room and office on Main. Suite Potential. Garage can be converted back. All new floors, roof and much more. Open concept. Cul-de-sac location. Room for RV. Bright spacious updated kitchen. 3 beds up. This is a wonderful family home ready with a great layout offering many options for the family. Great for home office or could be suited for the in-laws or mortgage helper. This home shows very well. Call Steve Higgins RE/MAX Kelowna for easy viewing. 250-864-7893

Monday 29 July 2013

New Listing Priced to Sell in Dilworth Estates


4 total of bedrooms includes a new 1 bedroom suite with separate entrance. New hardwood & slate flooring. Bright island kitchen withstainless steel appliances, gas f/p, dining area with rear yard access, den on main plus new. Fenced & private rear yard backing onto park space with hot tub, c/air, rv parking, recent landscaping enhancements. Beautiful Dilworth location only 6 houses to Dilworth Mountain Park. Best location in Kelowna. 5 minutes to downtown, Orchard Park Mall & Costco. 12 minutes to Airport. Call Steve Higgins RE/MAX Kelowna for private showing 250-864-7893. For more details check out my website: www.stevehigginsrealestate.com

Monday 8 July 2013

Summer is a good time to add Curb Appeal

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders, whether it’s applied to the entire house or just on the front door. If your house is painted a neutral color like white or cream, be adventurous and try an energizing red or soothing aqua on your front door; a pop of color will add appealing interest.

Window boxes or planters are an easy and cost-effective way to add natural beauty to your home’s facade. Learn how to build a container garden that will provide extra dimension and color to a front porch or patio.

Take a look at your house from the street. Do your windows look bare? Try adding shutters, but make sure they are appropriately sized. Buying shutters that are smaller than the windows they flank is an all-too-common mistake homeowners make, which leads to the windows looking disproportionately small.

A garage door can account for up to 30 percent of a home’s exterior that is seen from the street, so having an attractive one is important to good curb appeal. A garage door should be appropriately matched to its house’s architectural style. A new garage door will give you the best return on your investment and provide the most value for your home. And most people, to some degree, factor in resale when making their home improvement decisions. Both structural and decorative curb appeal is important when it comes time to sell a home, bringing in a larger number of prospective buyers and making it more likely that they will make the purchase.

So don’t let budget constraints keep you from improving the appearance of your home’s exterior. There are many low-cost changes that can be made that have a big impact on how your home looks. Whether you’re making these changes to enjoy for yourself, or to make your home more marketable, the summer is a great time to get outside and focus

Kelowna Housing Market

The demand for new and existing homes is expected to strengthen later this year and in 2014. Stronger employment growth coupled with low mortgage interest rates will support increased demand for housing in Kelowna.

MLS home sales are forecast to remain stable in 2013. Expect sales to move higher, increasing 11 per cent in 2014. Buyers will continue to benefit from an ample supply of listings and price competition among sellers.

Prices are forecast to stabilize in 2013 and edge higher in 2014 as demand improves and the supply of listings is drawn down.

Kelowna area housing starts are forecast at 1,000 homes this year and 1,100 homes in 2014. Both single-detached and multiple-family starts are forecast to move higher.

Kelowna’s apartment vacancy rate is expected to edge lower in 2013 and 2014.

Mortgage rates are not expected to increase until mid 2014. The anticipated small and steady increases in mortgage rates will lead to somewhat higher mortgage rates by the end of 2014. However, these rates will remain low, by historical standards, over the forecast horizon.

Wednesday 12 June 2013

This is BC's Family Fishing Weekend

The 14th Annual BC's Family Fishing Weekend (Friday 14th, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of June 2013), Father's Day Weekend, there are many free to attend special Community Fishing Events taking place around British Columbia. These events offer an opportunity to learn how to fish and provide lots of useful educational information in a fun and supervised environment. There are knowledgeable volunteers present to show you the tricks of the trade and help you on your way to catching your first fish! Here in the Kelowna area you can fish at Okanagan Lake from sunrise until 3pm and Lamby - Bear Lake from 10am - 2pm

Wednesday 29 May 2013

New Listing 2140 Chilcotin Cres. Kelowna BC $629,000

 
Huge Family Home in Desirable Dilworth. Two Story with Walk Out Basement. Vaulted Ceilings in Great Room. Beautiful Views. Extra Deep 2 Car Garage. Maple Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances, Underground Irrigation, Central Vac, Large enough for your pool table & home theatre. Room for the whole family. 5 minutes to Costco, Walmart & Downtown. 12 min. to Airport. Best location in Kelowna. You will love living in the neighbourhood. One of the nicest view parks in the city only 6 houses down the street. If you have thought about living in Desirable Dilworth, now is the time. Call Steve Higgins RE/MAX Kelowna to schedule your private showing. 250-864-7893
Click on link for virtual tour http://www.preptours.ca/gallery/11065

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Beautiful Log Home SOLD!


This listing was revised as we added to more lots to the listing.
 
Gorgeous Log Home & Guest House on Very Private 3.88 Acres Plus 2 Completely Subdivided 2.47 Acre Lots below on Ottley Rd Cul-De-Sac. This sale must include all 3 properties. Awesome Lake Views. Salt Water Pool, Hot Tub & Sauna. Heated 30x40 Shop. Hockey Rink Boards for the Kids. Minutes to beach and boat launch. This is a dream property. Priced well below Assessed Value of main property is 1,204,000. Lots assessed at $269,000 each. Total assessed value $1,878,000! Schedule A & C must come with offers.

Thursday 23 May 2013

460 Cob Lane....Sold!

If you are thinking of buying or selling why not give me a call 250-864-7893, I would be happy to help you!
460 Cob Lane, Upper Mission Kelowna, BC. $769,000.00
Gorgeous Home with Incredible 270 degree Lake Views. 4 beds + Den, 4 bath & huge room under 3 car garage. Quartz counter tops throughout, Hardwood, S/S Appliances. 9' Ceilings on main, 10' in huge fully finished walkout basement & unobstructed views. Room for a pool. $3,000 Landscape package for back yard upon possession. Central Air upon possession. HST not included. Vacant, but please Call Steve to view 250-864-7893 MLS#10055884

Sunday is a Family Fun Day

This coming Sunday, May 26th is a Family Fun Day at he Parkinson Recreation Centre here in Kelowna. With child friendly entertainment being the focus from noon to 4 pm.

There will be games, crafts, wall climbing and inflatable fun centres, as well as performances by magician Gordon deRoos and Kiki the Eco Elf. There will also be free swimming from 1-4 pm.

Those attending this Family Fun Day are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Kelowna food bank.

Wednesday 15 May 2013

SOLD!!

905 Mitchell Road sold in 2 days! I listed it on Friday and I sold it on Sunday!
If you are thinking of listing your home give me a call 250.864.7893

Thursday 9 May 2013

New Trends in Kitchens

Have you noticed that the kitchen has now become the centre of the home? So much so that outdoor kitchens have also become popular as it allows everyone to congregate outside. Canadians spend more money on kitchen renovations than any other space in their home. If you are planning a kitchen renovation, you might want to check out these growing kitchen trends;

1. NO UPPERS - There is a growing trend in kitchens to do away with the upper cabinets which keeps the kitchen looking light, airy and reduces the bulkiness of older style kitchens.

2. EAT-IN KITCHENS - More and more homes are doing away with islands and work surfaces in favour of making room for tables to allow for the family to eat together and to do homework in a more casual atmosphere.

3. DRAMATIC LIGHTING - Consider installing bold dramatic lighting over your island or eat-in table to make a dramatic statement.

4. TILED WALLS - The trend to tile an entire wall is gaining in popularity. Try basic subway style tile; budget-friendly and will come across as timeless.

5. MATERIAL INSPIRATION - We are seeing everything from rough stone walls, sheet of marble and hammered metal cabinets. Pair these with stunning hardware, beautiful chandeliers and amazing faucets to ensure that your kitchen is the showpiece of your home.

Wednesday 8 May 2013

It is heating up in Kelowna and so is the Market!

Kelowna's sales activity took a big jump in April compared to earlier months with unit sales seeing a 19% increase in activity compared to the same month last year. Single family home sales jumped almost 21%. This recent activity now has the market on par to last year given the slower start to the year with a total of 1,190 units sold in the greater Kelowna area year to date. Listing inventory is now down about 10% compared to last year.

The average price of a single family home is just slightly lower than last year at $441,182 compared to $452,859. The median price remains the same for all residential properties however at $349,500. With the expected increased sales activity to continue in our area over the next few months, it will be interesting to see what  will happen to prices. Even though the number of listings are down 10% so far this year, April saw the same number of new listings as April last year.

Our area is definitely doing better than the Lower Mainland where their activity continues to be sluggish in most Greater Vancouver markets. Our lower prices, continuing record low interest rates and the strength of the prairie markets has a positive impact for real estate sales in our area.
Also, as the sunbelt areas of the US continue to strengthen with monthly price increases, many buyers for second homes are looking to the Okanagan once again.

Tuesday 7 May 2013

Lawn Care Tips

Do it now or pay for it during the season.

1. RAKE YOUR GRASS TO AVOID THATCH - Raking your grass isn’t just to get rid of leaves but rather to control thatch. A deep raking removes dead blades of grass that are just waiting to turn into thatch.

2. CHECK FOR COMPACTION - Heavy traffic leads to compaction and lawn aeration in the fall is the remedy.

3. LIMING - The presence of moss plants also signals acidity and grass likes neutral Ph. Solve this problem by liming your soil. You can have your soil analyzed for acidity. Apply lime using a fertilizer spreader. If you lawn is fine and there are no signs of acidity do not lime.

4. OVERSEEDING - Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer when you overseed and to fill in bare patches. Five weeks after the grass germinates, apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer Fall is the preferred time to overseed so postpone unless you have bare patches.

5. FERTILIZING - Lawns can be fertilized organically by using compost and mulching mowers. But for those who prefer chemical fertilizers, Scotts is a good one as we find it doesn't burn the lawn. Go for a lighter feeding in the spring and a heavier one in the fall.

6. TUNING UP THE LAWN MOWER - Mowing the lawn is hard enough without having to deal with equipment that is not working properly or won’t start.

Monday 6 May 2013

Hot on the Market this home will not Last Long!! 905 Mitchell Road Kelowna BC



Great Family Home, great price $399,000 with Huge Workshop with 10' Ceiling & 14x9 Door. Beautifully landscaped .20 acre lot. Lots of updates including roof, central air, floors, foyer, bathroom, fireplace with stone wall. Room for your RV, toys and your future projects. Great Street and Neighbours. Previously had a suite. Electrical open & Plumbing behind drywall. Just put in the kitchen. The shop is 22x28 with a foundation for future second level carriage house potential. 10' Door on Double Garage. New Air tight stove 2011. Call Steve Higgins Kelowna RE/MAX for  private viewing 250-864-7893.

Springside Court back on the Market for $519,000

  
Fantastic Family Home on a Quiet Cul-De-Sac in Lower Mission 1/2 block to Casorso School and 2 blocks to the Beach! Big House with 4 large bedrooms and room for a Pool. Big House with 4 large bedrooms and room for a Pool. Two fireplaces and jetted tubs in main and ensuite baths. Main floor office or 4th bedroom has new carpeting. Skylight in elegant entrance-way with spiral staircase to second floor bedrooms. Home has approx 600 sq ft unfinished basement and full crawl space for extra space or storage. New front load washer and dryer and new roof done in 2011. Yard has grape vines and Italian plum, peach and apricot trees. Call Steve Higgins Kelowna RE/MAX 250-864-7893 for private showing.

Tuesday 30 April 2013

Workshop for Protecting the Elderly

The Kelowna Community Response Network is hosting, this week's workshop is on elder abuse. The workshop explores ways to protect vulnerable adults. The session will be on Friday May 3rd from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at First United Church on the corner of Richter and Bernard Avenue.  You can register by calling 250.860.2040 or emailing sheridaine@shaw.ca Suggested donation is $10

There will be two experts that will lead the interactive workshop. There are adults in our communities that continue to find themselves in vulnerable situations and still experience various forms of abuse and neglect. This may be a good workshop to attend to make sure your elder family members are not being abused or neglected, or if you are elderly this could help you.

Friday 26 April 2013

Wildfire Season

Learn to prepare for wildfire season as it will soon be upon us. West Kelowna residents can get information on preparing for the wildfire season at a pair of open houses this weekend.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue will hold the wildfire prevention open house on Saturday April 27th from 1-3 pm at the Rose Valley fire hall 1805 Westlake Rd. and again on Sunday April 28 at the Glenrosa hall 3399 Gates Rd. from 1-3pm.

Fire prevention personnel will provide information and answer any questions you may have. It is good information to have.

Thursday 25 April 2013

Home Reno's

Canadians are investing in home improvements like never before. According to an Ipsos-Reid survey two thirds (2/3) of homeowners intend to do home renovations this year. If you are renovating for your own sake, you should try to assess the post project to increase the value of your home in case you ever want to sell.
Every year the Appraisal Institute of Canada surveys its members to compile a list of renos that yield the best return on investment. And each year it is refurbished kitchens and bathrooms that are on top of the payback list 75-100% of the money spent on these projects can be recovered upon re-sale, that being said it doesn't hold true if the renovations are in really bad taste.

If you are renovating in order to sell, you should plan for changes that will meet the needs of a majority of potential buyers. It should be fashionable and in line with current trends, at the same time though beware of passing fads. A house that is nice on the inside will sell for a slightly higher price and generally will sell faster.

Also bear in mind that if your house exceeds the average market value in your neighborhood, your renos will not give you great return. Also keep in mind that the amount spent on a reno should be relative to the value of your home. ie you would not spend $30,000 on a bathroom in a $1000,000 home.

Percentage Recovered Upon Resale

Kitchen upgrade.....75-100%
Bathroom upgrade.....75-100%
Interior painting.....50-100%
Roof replacement.....50-80%
Furnace replacement.....50-80%
Doors and windows.....50-75%
Deck.....50-75%
Install hardwood floors.....50-75%
Garage (new) ....50-75%
Fireplace (gas or wood)....50-75%
Central Air conditioning....50-75%
Finished basement....50-75%
Landscaping.....25-50%
Asphalt driveway 20-50%
Pool....10-40%
Skylights....0-25%

7 Hot Home Improvement Trends

Home theatre
Hardwood floors in kitchen
Laundry room on main floor
Whirlpool bath
Built-in kitchen appliances
Office on the main floor
Kitchen Island

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Small Projects

I am going to do a little series of posts on small projects for your home, as overhauling your entire home can be costly and time consuming.

If your kitchen and bathroom cabinets look old and worn out you don't necessarily have to replace them you can refresh them by painting the cabinets. Replace sink fixtures and installing new lighting are an easy way to update a kitchen or bathroom.

Replace kitchen counter tops or add an island. A new counter top will add color and personality to a kitchen. Make sure to read about the pros and cons on counter top material to help you decide, which counter top would best suit you. If you have the room an island is a practical addition to a kitchen as it adds more storage, extra seating.

Sunday 14 April 2013

Don't Paint Until....

You have tested it out at home. Paint is the best and cheapest way to bring new life and style into your home. We all see that perfect paint color but once you get it home and on your walls it looks different in your space. The trick is bring home a few tester cans in various shades of the same color to see how it looks in your place. Remember paint will also look different when it's wet and will often dry to a lighter shade. Natural and electric light can impact color so be sure you see your paint test in both lights.

Here are some tips for paint perfection,
- flat of matte finish will absorb light and hide imperfections, best used in bedrooms, dining or living rooms
- Semi gloss or high gloss reflects light and is best used on perfectly smooth surfaces such as trim and doors

Junk Fundraiser

Do you have old electronics that you want to get rid of? Then trash your junk at this fundraiser. 1-800-GOT-JUNK is hosting its annual Earth Day electronics disposal event on April 20th. This event will take place at Okanagan College's KLO Road campus from 10am-2pm. Electronics accepted include TV's, computers, their components, printers video game systems, cables, small kitchen appliances and batteries. Almost anything with a cable, says the company.

You can also drop off non perishable items for the Kelowna Community Food Bank at the blue and green truck. What a great way to get rid of your old electronics and help the food bank out.

There will also be an on-site paper shredding for $5 per bankers box offered by the Okanagan Paper Shredding

Thursday 4 April 2013

Spring Home Improvements

Spring is the season for home improvements. As the weather improves this is the time to make sure that your home is well maintained. Here are a few DIY projects for you to tackle this spring.

Update the insulation in the attic. This will help to save on energy consumption and will keep your home cooler in the summer and warm in the winter.

Clean out your gutters as they may be full of leaves from the fall.

Clean your deck and patio furniture as it will have collected dust and dirt over the winter months.

Friday 22 March 2013

~~Best Buy in Lake Country~~


 The sale of this property has been revised to include 2 more lots. Priced at $1,299,000.00

Gorgeous Log Home & Guest House on Very Private 3.88 Acres Plus 2 Completely Subdivided 2.47 Acre Lots below on Ottley Rd Cul-De-Sac. This sale must include all 3 properties. Awesome Lake Views. Salt Water Pool, Hot Tub & Sauna. Heated 30x40 Shop. Hockey Rink Boards for the Kids. Minutes to beach and boat launch. This is a dream property. Priced well below Assessed Value of main property is 1,204,000. Lots assessed at $269,000 each. Total assessed value $1,878,000! Schedule A & C must come with offers. Call Steve Higgins RE/MAX Kelowna to view 250-864-7893




Amazing Race

Come out and embrace your inner child while competing in an Amazing Race style competition on June 1st here in Kelowna. Capital One's second annual Race for Kids is being put on by the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club.

Teams of 4 are invited to sign up and relive those good old days of scavenger hunts when you were a kid. You will race through the city to the different check points that will be sponsored by local businesses.

All proceeds from the event will help sponsor local kids to attend Camp Arrowflight. To sign up go to raceforkids.ca or if you would like to be a sponsor email rlawrence@boysandgirlsclubs.ca

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Charity Wine Tour

On April 14th Distinctly Kelowna Tours will hold it's second annual Wine Charity Tour for the BCSPCA. The cost of the tour is $95 plus GST with all proceeds going to the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The tour will start at 1pm were you will board a 24 passenger seat bus and then for the next 3 hours you are off to 5 wineries on the Westside Wine Trail, to sample award winning wines. The 5 wineries are, Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Quails Gate Winery, Volcanic Hills Estate Winery, Kalala Organic Estate Winery and Little Straw Vineyards.

Everyone will receive a gift bag full of goodies, you will also be entered to win a gift basket featuring a winery tour for two, a gift certificate for the Grand Bay Cafe and wines from all featured wineries.

Here's the best part I think, the bus will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodations so there is no driving involved!! There will also be snacks prepared by the Delta Grand Okanagan's chef Stuart Klassen.

If you are interested call Distinctly Kelowna Tours at 250.979.1211 or email: info@distinctlykelownatours

Monday 18 March 2013

Easter Egg Hunt

An Egg-stravagant event is planned, the third annual Easter Egg Scramble is planned for Sunday March 31/13 in support of the Westside Community Food Bank. It will be held at the Johnson Bentley Sports Field, hosted by RE/MAX. This has been a successful in the past with more than 4,000 people attending and more than 12,000 eggs the kids get to hunt for.

Not only do they get to hunt for treats the Easter Bunny will be making an appearance and the kids will get a chance to find a golden egg with the chance to win a special Easter basket.

All proceeds made from the raffle and hotdog sales will go to the Food Bank, there will be volunteers there that will be accepting food donations.

Saturday 9 March 2013

March is Fraud Protection Month


There are also simple steps you can take to protect yourself from acommon form of fraud: Identity Theft. These include; Never give out your personal information until you know who you are dealing with and how your information will be used. This includes requests for information in person, by mail, or over the phone or Internet.

Never reply to e-mails or phone calls that ask for your banking information, credit card details, passwords or other personal or sensitive information, particularly if you did not initiate the exchange. Review your mail, bank statements and other financial statements on a regular basis to look for any inconsistencies. If you do not receive a bill on time, follow up with your creditors or service providers. You may also wish to contact your local Postal Outlet to ensure your mail has not been held or re-routed.

Shred or destroy all personal and financial documents before you throw them away. Obtain and verify your credit report at least annually by contacting Canada’s two credit-reporting agencies: Equifax Canada at www.equifax.ca and TransUnion Canada at www.transunion.ca.

Friday 8 March 2013

February's Market 2013

The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported February’s sales activity down in comparison to the same month last year. Exceptions to the rule were lot sales and Acreage properties which were both up. The impact of tightened mortgage lending rules introduced last year can still be felt. 236 Properties traded hands in February, in comparison to 287 in the previous year which is down 17.77%. Year to date sales are down 8.63% with a total of 455 properties changing hands in comparison to the 498 we experienced last year.

New listings taken last month were also down just over 17% with 784 properties being listed in February in
comparison to the 954 listed in the same month last year. This decrease however is a good thing, as we
have substantial inventory that needs to be absorbed in order to achieve a more balanced market. It is still a
buyer’s market and sellers would be well advised to seek professional advice when pricing their properties prior to putting them on the market as values are dependent on neighborhood, style and inventory level. Attractively priced properties are being sold to willing buyers.

Sellers must remain patient as Days to Sell have been extended to 130 days from last year’s 110. The Average Residential price is $439,786 which is up 2.84% over last year to date indicating that the we might have hit bottom as far as pricing levels are concerned.

Taking into account all other types of Residential property, such as Condominiums and Townhomes, the Average Residential Price drops to $375,122 offering affordable alternatives to home buyers. The recent reduction in mortgage lending rates will boost sales into the spring market.

Courtesy of  
Deborah Moore
Managing Broker

Thursday 7 March 2013

Are You Looking for Foreclosure Properties in Kelowna

 Here is a link to foreclosures here in Kelowna if you are interested in seeing any don't hesitate to call me at 250.864.7893

http://bcrealestatelaw.com/2013/03/05/buying-foreclosure-properties-in-kelowna-british-columbia/

Wednesday 6 March 2013

My Feature Listing of the Week Mar. 6-13

Immaculate Rancher Walkout with Spectacular Lake & Mountain Views! Huge 3080 SF 4 bed/3 bath home with nice updates. New Roof & Windows 2009. Water softener/Central-Vac 2011 & Furnace & Double Garage door 2009. Large Master bedroom with Ensuite and walk-in closet. 2 Decks and total Privacy. Cable TV and RV parking is included in the low strata fee of $165/mth. 19+ Adult community. Close to Airport & University. Easily suited. Where can you buy a 3000 square foot Rancher Walkout home in mint condition with Lake and Mountain Views? Country View estates. MLS# 10059184 Call Steve Higgins RE/MAX Kelowna 250-864-7893

Thursday 28 February 2013

BC Commercial Leading Indicator Edges Lower in Fourth Quarter



BC Commercial Leading Indicator Edges Lower in Fourth Quarter

Vancouver, BC – February 28, 2013. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) Commercial Leading Indicator (CLI) edged lower by 1.3 points in the fourth quarter of 2012, to an index level of 111.3. On a year-over-year basis, the CLI was up 0.8 per cent during the fourth quarter of 2012.
The decline in the CLI translates to a slight rolling over in the underlying index trend, signaling a potential slowing of activity for the first half of 2013.
"A modest slowing of commercial real estate activity is in general accord with 2013 being somewhat of a transition year for the economy," said Brendon Ogmundson, BCREA Economist. "We anticipate that slower growth through the first half of 2013 will give way to a more robust economy in 2014 and therefore an increase in commercial market activity."
To view the full BCREA Commercial Leading Indicator index, click here.
For more information, please contact: 
Brendon Ogmundson
Economist
Direct: 604.742.2796
Mobile: 604.505.6793
bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca

Damian Stathonikos
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Direct: 604.742.2793
Mobile: 778.990.1320
dstathonikos@bcrea.bc.ca

- See more at: http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/news-and-publications/news-room/news-releases/commercial-leading-indicator-news-release#sthash.AnvLkeLZ.dpuf