Today we are off to St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery. The
vineyard was originally planted in 1928 however in 2003 a horrible
wildfire tore through Kelowna and St. Hubertus burning sections of the
vineyard and the winery to the ground. Owners Andy and Leo replanted
and rebuilt. The winery sits on lakeview property with some great wines,
waiting for you to come try out.
Our last winery on this trail is CedarCreek Estate Winery. CedarCreek
Estate Winery is just down the road from St. Hubertus & Oak Bay
Estate Winery. The location is spectacular alone! CedarCreek has placed
among Canada's top five wineries, five times in six years. Another must
stop in your tour.
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Friday, 25 May 2012
Lakeshore Wine Trails
The Lakeshore Wine Trail is one of sophistication and elegance in serene surroundings.
Our first winery is Tantalus Vineyards. This winery has spectacular lake views, a historic vineyard and new state of the art LEED winery makes visiting Tantalus a one of the kind experience. The tasting of the wines are done in a stunning gallery style tasting room, surrounded by works of art from some of Canada's most highly acclaimed artists.
Off to Summerhill Pyramid Winery next.
One of BC's most visited winery. Summerhill is a family owned and operated winery. The Cipes family has been busy crafting Summerhill into what is now Canada's largest certified organic winery. Be prepared to be blown away with Summerhill's award winning wines, gorgeous lake views and the unique precision crafted Pyramid.
Our first winery is Tantalus Vineyards. This winery has spectacular lake views, a historic vineyard and new state of the art LEED winery makes visiting Tantalus a one of the kind experience. The tasting of the wines are done in a stunning gallery style tasting room, surrounded by works of art from some of Canada's most highly acclaimed artists.
Off to Summerhill Pyramid Winery next.
One of BC's most visited winery. Summerhill is a family owned and operated winery. The Cipes family has been busy crafting Summerhill into what is now Canada's largest certified organic winery. Be prepared to be blown away with Summerhill's award winning wines, gorgeous lake views and the unique precision crafted Pyramid.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Tips to Help Pay off the Mortgage Faster
Here are a few tips to help you pay off your mortgage faster and save you thousands of dollars.
If you are making monthly mortgage payments switch to bi-weekly mortgage payments you are then making 26 bi-weekly payments instead of 12 monthly payments. You are accelerating your payments and paying down your mortgage faster. By doing it this way it adds up to one extra payment a year every year.
Make annual lump sum mortgage payments on the principle. Many mortgages allow you to make a lump sum payment once very 12 months or at renewal time., which is applied directly to the principal. This will shave years off your mortgage and save you thousands of dollars in interest payments.
If you come into a large sum of money through an inheritance or bonus consider making a prepayment, which can shave years off your mortgage.
If you double up on your payments once per year for 25 years, on a $250,000.00 25 year mortgage at 5% you can save over $30,000.00 and shave 3 or more years from your amortization term. So just imagine what you could save if you could double up 2 or 3 times a year!! That mortgage would be paid off in no time.
Speak to your mortgage specialist to see what will work to help you save thousands in interest and shave years of the mortgage.
If you are making monthly mortgage payments switch to bi-weekly mortgage payments you are then making 26 bi-weekly payments instead of 12 monthly payments. You are accelerating your payments and paying down your mortgage faster. By doing it this way it adds up to one extra payment a year every year.
Make annual lump sum mortgage payments on the principle. Many mortgages allow you to make a lump sum payment once very 12 months or at renewal time., which is applied directly to the principal. This will shave years off your mortgage and save you thousands of dollars in interest payments.
If you come into a large sum of money through an inheritance or bonus consider making a prepayment, which can shave years off your mortgage.
If you double up on your payments once per year for 25 years, on a $250,000.00 25 year mortgage at 5% you can save over $30,000.00 and shave 3 or more years from your amortization term. So just imagine what you could save if you could double up 2 or 3 times a year!! That mortgage would be paid off in no time.
Speak to your mortgage specialist to see what will work to help you save thousands in interest and shave years of the mortgage.
Scenic Sip part 2
As we head along the scenic route in Lake Country we arrive at our
next destination another winery....what a good day we are having!! It is
Ex Nihilo Vineyards. The landscape it beautiful sitting on a
southwestern facing slope overlooking the the beautiful Okanagan Lake.
Word has it in 2008 Ex Nihilo landed a partnership with the Rolling
Stones. I just wish they would come to Kelowna and play!!
This is our 4th and final winery on our Scenic Sip through Lake Country. It is Gray Monk Estate Winery. Owned by the Heiss family they introduced the Pinot Gris grape to Canada and helped create the province's VQA designation. Grey Monk is a stately winery surround by over 50 acres of vines. Don't miss the outstanding wine, food and views at the award winning Grapevine Restaurant.
This concludes our scenic sip tour, all these wineries are located within 10-45 minutes of Kelowna. Our next stop will be the Lakeshore Wine Route.
This is our 4th and final winery on our Scenic Sip through Lake Country. It is Gray Monk Estate Winery. Owned by the Heiss family they introduced the Pinot Gris grape to Canada and helped create the province's VQA designation. Grey Monk is a stately winery surround by over 50 acres of vines. Don't miss the outstanding wine, food and views at the award winning Grapevine Restaurant.
This concludes our scenic sip tour, all these wineries are located within 10-45 minutes of Kelowna. Our next stop will be the Lakeshore Wine Route.
The Scenic Sip
Today's wineries are located in Lake Country a beautiful drive just
outside of Kelowna. You will travel along the scenic back roads of
fertile farmland and horse ranches to arrive at this new and enchanting
European style winery. Ancient Hill Winery is full of old world charm.
Once here you are welcomed into a nouveau-rustic tasting room where wood
is king and the wine noble. The wine is made entirely from grapes grown
on the estate's vineyards.
Arrowleaf Cellars is a picnic paradise nestled on a hillside with the vineyards sloping down to the lake. Arrowleaf Cellars is family owned and crafts award winning wines from this grape laden landscape. After your tasting, you can enjoy the great view while having a picnic with your family or friends and a glass of your favorite Arrowleaf wine!! Can it get any better than that?
Arrowleaf Cellars is a picnic paradise nestled on a hillside with the vineyards sloping down to the lake. Arrowleaf Cellars is family owned and crafts award winning wines from this grape laden landscape. After your tasting, you can enjoy the great view while having a picnic with your family or friends and a glass of your favorite Arrowleaf wine!! Can it get any better than that?
Kelowna's Wine Trails
The trail is a good one! Over the next week or so I will take you on
the trails of Kelowna's wineries. The Okanagan is the heart of BC's wine
country, but if you dig deeper you will discover that Kelowna is the
birthplace for BC wine.
In 1932, BC's first commercial winery was established by the Capozzi, Bennett and Casorso families. Today it is one of Canada's finest wineries, the Calona Vineyards Winery. Located right in the heart of Kelowna at 1125 Richter Street.
In 1932, BC's first commercial winery was established by the Capozzi, Bennett and Casorso families. Today it is one of Canada's finest wineries, the Calona Vineyards Winery. Located right in the heart of Kelowna at 1125 Richter Street.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Aspiring Pilots can Fly Free Next Month
Kids can fly up front with professional pilots in June. The Kelowna Airport is inviting children to sign up for the annual aviation event on June 9th. The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association are giving children the chance to fly in the front seat of an aircraft from take off to landing.
This free event is suited to aspiring pilots and young people longing to fly in the cockpit. The kids will get a close up look at an aircraft, a short on the ground school session and a flight in the front seat.
Come out and make a day of it bring your sun screen and lawn chairs, buy a pancake breakfast or a burger from the Mission Lions Club.
Check in is 8:45 am with flights beginning at 9:30 am. To register visit www.kelownaflyingclub.com
This free event is suited to aspiring pilots and young people longing to fly in the cockpit. The kids will get a close up look at an aircraft, a short on the ground school session and a flight in the front seat.
Come out and make a day of it bring your sun screen and lawn chairs, buy a pancake breakfast or a burger from the Mission Lions Club.
Check in is 8:45 am with flights beginning at 9:30 am. To register visit www.kelownaflyingclub.com
Monday, 7 May 2012
Best Time to Buy is Now
Buying a home may never get any cheaper than this. Several housing experts are predicting that this year will be the last chance for bargain hunters to cash in on the best deals of the weak housing market. With home prices down and mortgage rates at historic lows this means homes have never been more affordable. But it won't stay this way for much longer. Experts predict the market is expect to flatten out in the third quarter and start increasing next year. Good news for sellers!!
Prospective home buyers who've been sitting on the fence don't have to worry if they aren't quite ready to make the leap. Analysts are predicting that the initial price gains will be modest at least, in most markets but, one has to worry with the economy turning around will that lead to higher interest rates.
Friday, 4 May 2012
Home Design and Maintenance
Revamping Your Home Décor without spending a King’s ransom:
Paint is the classic makeover potion. Instead of repainting a whole room, just paint one wall in a focal color or paint a contrasting rectangle over a sofa to use as a “gallery” space. You can also paint the insides of bookshelves in an unexpected color or paint your ceiling a lighter version of the wall color.
Update your window dressings. IKEA and other home stores have reams of ready made draperies you can hem to the right size (or leave to puddle on the floor), or you can make your own from sheets or lengths of designer outlet fabric. Hang from an attractive new curtain rod.
Spring Maintenance Tips for Inside the Home:
Try out your air conditioning system. If you wait until the first hot day to check your AC and it doesn't work, you will have a long, hot wait before the repairman can get to it.
Check and clean the clothes dryer vent and stove hood.
If you have a coil-back refrigerator, vacuum the coils at least twice each year. Your refrigerator will run much more efficiently with clean coils.
Remember to inspect/replace your HVAC filter monthly. Clean everything, top to bottom. Use non-toxic soaps for better indoor air quality.
In Canada, RE/MAX continues to be a strong corporate contributor to Children's Miracle Network with $3.7million in 2010. With funds contributed by national sponsors like RE/MAX, affiliated hospitals are able to provide needed medical care and equipment for more than 2.6 million Canadian children each year.
HIGGINS REPORT ON THE MARKET.
The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board
reported MLS® Total Residential Unit Sales were up
8.08% in the month of April with 321 sales in comparison
to the 297 which occurred in 2011. Year-To-
Date however total residential sales were up only
marginally at 3.43% with 1087 this year in comparison
to 1051 in 2011.
April was a strong month for apartment style
unit sales which were up 23.53% last month over
previous year with 63 sales reported in 2012 vs. 51
last year. Year-To-Date apartment sales are up
18.09% with 235 units sold this year in comparison
to the 199 sold last year. This is a great news for our
strata/condominium market as we currently have
913 apartment units on the market representing
15.5 months of inventory based on 2012 monthly
YTD unit sales levels.
Similarly OMREB’s average residential sale price
held its own for the month of April coming in at
$482,093 which is up only .21% from 2011’s April
average of $481,077. Year-To-Date however averages
are down 3.39% for Residential properties
coming in at $452,859 this year vs. $468,732. When
we factor in all types of Residential Real Estate the
Average Sale Price drops 2.36% from last year to
$384,484 vs. $393,764. The length of time listings
are on the market has been extended over last year
with 2012 YTD Days to Sell coming in at 102 vs. 96 in
2011.
At RE/MAX Offices within the Central Okanagan
things are looking up with our Average Unit Sales
Up 10% over last year, our Average Residential Total
Sale Price is up to $398,195 which is higher than the
OMREB Average and our YTD Days to Sell is down to
88 Days which is the lowest reported for all major
brokerage firms and 31% lower than the average of
our competitors!
Home market values depend on a variety of
factors such as location, inventory, condition and
completion.
reported MLS® Total Residential Unit Sales were up
8.08% in the month of April with 321 sales in comparison
to the 297 which occurred in 2011. Year-To-
Date however total residential sales were up only
marginally at 3.43% with 1087 this year in comparison
to 1051 in 2011.
April was a strong month for apartment style
unit sales which were up 23.53% last month over
previous year with 63 sales reported in 2012 vs. 51
last year. Year-To-Date apartment sales are up
18.09% with 235 units sold this year in comparison
to the 199 sold last year. This is a great news for our
strata/condominium market as we currently have
913 apartment units on the market representing
15.5 months of inventory based on 2012 monthly
YTD unit sales levels.
Similarly OMREB’s average residential sale price
held its own for the month of April coming in at
$482,093 which is up only .21% from 2011’s April
average of $481,077. Year-To-Date however averages
are down 3.39% for Residential properties
coming in at $452,859 this year vs. $468,732. When
we factor in all types of Residential Real Estate the
Average Sale Price drops 2.36% from last year to
$384,484 vs. $393,764. The length of time listings
are on the market has been extended over last year
with 2012 YTD Days to Sell coming in at 102 vs. 96 in
2011.
At RE/MAX Offices within the Central Okanagan
things are looking up with our Average Unit Sales
Up 10% over last year, our Average Residential Total
Sale Price is up to $398,195 which is higher than the
OMREB Average and our YTD Days to Sell is down to
88 Days which is the lowest reported for all major
brokerage firms and 31% lower than the average of
our competitors!
Home market values depend on a variety of
factors such as location, inventory, condition and
completion.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Go Fish!
May kicks off the sixth annual Go Fish program. Where youngsters under the age of 16 can fish at local parks every weekend for the month of May from 10 am. until 3pm. Kids can fish for rainbow trout without a fishing licence and are allowed to keep one fish from each day. The ponds will be stocked with the trout reared locally at the Summerland Trout Hatchery. Equipment will be provided by the Regional Parks but supplies are limited so please bring your own equipment if you can.
The grand opening activities will be held on Saturday May 5th at the Hall Road Pond in Mission Creek Regional Park and on Sunday May 6th at Shannon Lake Regional Park where festivities will include a barbecue and other refreshments.
Expert fishermen will be on hand for both Saturday and Sunday. Brings the kids and let them try their hand at fishing. I know my wife loves fishing....but she never catches anything!
The grand opening activities will be held on Saturday May 5th at the Hall Road Pond in Mission Creek Regional Park and on Sunday May 6th at Shannon Lake Regional Park where festivities will include a barbecue and other refreshments.
Expert fishermen will be on hand for both Saturday and Sunday. Brings the kids and let them try their hand at fishing. I know my wife loves fishing....but she never catches anything!
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Hopice Hike
Sunday May 6th is the 10th Annual Hospice Hike, to be held at Mission Creek Regional Park. The hike signals the start of National Hospice Palliative Care Week.
The Central Okanagan Hospice Association has raised close to 100,000 over the past 10 years and is hoping to raise another 30,000 from the 2012 hike. So come out and help support them.
The day kicks off with a warm up at 10:45 am with the walk getting under way at 11 am. the walk is a two, four or six km walk or hike. A lunch will be provided as well as entertainment and prizes.
"We are urging everyone to take a few minutes to walk to celebrate a life lived, enjoy the moments and help support the Central Okanagan Hospice Association" says Roy Sinden COHA 's VP and Chair of the Hike for Hospice.
Registration forms are provided by calling the COHA office at 250.763.5511
The COHA is committed to community outreach and to meeting the needs of the terminally ill and their families by providing compassionate care and supportive assistance through resources, trained volunteers and professional counseling.
The Central Okanagan Hospice Association has raised close to 100,000 over the past 10 years and is hoping to raise another 30,000 from the 2012 hike. So come out and help support them.
The day kicks off with a warm up at 10:45 am with the walk getting under way at 11 am. the walk is a two, four or six km walk or hike. A lunch will be provided as well as entertainment and prizes.
"We are urging everyone to take a few minutes to walk to celebrate a life lived, enjoy the moments and help support the Central Okanagan Hospice Association" says Roy Sinden COHA 's VP and Chair of the Hike for Hospice.
Registration forms are provided by calling the COHA office at 250.763.5511
The COHA is committed to community outreach and to meeting the needs of the terminally ill and their families by providing compassionate care and supportive assistance through resources, trained volunteers and professional counseling.
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