New Listing on the Beach in Kelowna!!

	On the Lake with Sandy Beach & Amazing Lake Views. Complex is having approx. $2.5 Million in renovations. 2 Large Decks off of Loft & Living Room. 2 Beds & 2 Baths with Loft which could be a 3rd Bedroom, Office or Family Room. Huge windows with gorgeous views.  On Okanagan Lake, San Ocello is undergoing a major facelift with over $2.5 million being spent on the complex! There is great opportunity to get into this 2 bed, 2 bath lofted LAKEVIEW townhouse unit only steps to 200 feet of sandy beach. All offers much include Schedule A & C. No offers until July 21st. Unit is winterized and requires 48 hours notice to allow water to be turned on. Only after an accepted offer is received. Please call Steve Higgins RE/MAX Kelowna for showing requests. 250.864.7893

~Spring Wine Festival~

It is that time of year again! Starting May 1-11th The 20th Annual Spring Okanagan Wine Festival begins. There is something for everyone in Penticton on May 1st at the Penticton Ramada Inn from 6:30-8:30 pm. They are having the Best of Varietal wines in BC for 2014. Come be the first to taste the Best of Varietal winning wines.

The Westjet Wine Tastings will be held May 2-3rd in Kelowna at the Rotary Centre for the Arts from 7-9pm. This the largest wine tasting of the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, with 60 wineries and great deli food.

The Dairy Farmers of Canada are hosting Comforts of Grilled Cheese on May 8th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Hotel Eldorado in Kelowna. I guess by the name you know you will be eating grilled cheese paired with BC wines.

The Blind Wine and Cheese Soiree by Valley First will be held in Penticton on May 10th from 7-9 pm. This sounds like a fun event, you get to test your pallet and guess what wine is in the bag along with what cheeses your are tasting.

Sounds like fun hope to see you there!

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.

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/

Post from Scott Jenning Mortgage Specialist

Good morning,

A strategic idea for your clients to use when it comes to beefing up their down payment.

Clients are encouraged to speak with their accountant before proceeding.

This is designed for First Time Home Buyers who are eligible to draw 100% of their RRSP contributions up to $25,000

NOTE: Tax refund amount is based upon client’s annual income.

Idea:

Client is short on their Down Payment (DP) so they take their money in Savings and purchase an RRSP. Client files their taxes and receives a tax return.

Client places the tax return into their savings and on day 91 they are eligible to withdraw their RRSP for home purchase.

RRSP + Tax Return = DP for a home purchase.

You now have a home buyer ready in just 91 days with a solid down payment.

This scenario works nicely when the client along with their accountant can determine the size of the tax return.

Scott

Scott Jennings | Mobile Mortgage Specialist 

TD Canada Trust  | Okanagan

532 Yates Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 2V8

PH - 250-864-4414 FAX – 866-810-9948 

scott.jennings@td.com 

My Listing of the Week

360 Cob Lane, Upper Mission Kelowna, BC. $799,000.00

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

Wendy's DreamLift Day

Today January 30th 2013 is Wendy's 19th annual DreamLift Day. I bet you are wondering what is DreamLift day, it is a day to raise money for a special needs flight for children to attend Disneyland for a day in December. From 6 am to closing, the nine Wendy's restaurants in the Southern Interior will donate all of the net proceeds from today's sales, plus staffs, managements and owners wages to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada. Last year's Wendy's DreamLift day raised $114,276. 

If you know a child that would qualify, go to their website www.sunshine.ca click on Dream and you can refer a child that is challenged by severe physical disabilities or a life threatening illness.
I'll be heading to Wendy's for dinner tonight hope to see you there!

Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis

Do you want to help a cause, have fun and do some putting then the 26th annual Kinsmen Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis is the place for you! The Kinsmen Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis is looking for teams and sponsors for the Pub and Putt for Cystic Fibrosis. There will be team of four that will be shuttled by designated drivers to six pubs, there you will play a mini golf course at each pub. The two team that raise the most money will be chauffeured to the pubs in limousines.

Prizes and plaques will be awarded and the pubs will be supplying food throughout the day. The Pub Putt for Cystic Fibrosis will be held on Sunday February 17th 2013. It will start at Dakoda's Pub.

Register you team of four for $300 a $100 deposit is also required with registration. Once you have pre-registered your team you then can start collecting pledges to raise the most funds for that limo ride.
For more information and to pre-register your team, go to kelownakinsmen.com/pubputt

You get to Eat and help out the BC Cancer Foundation

Eat It to Beat It Seventh Annual Campaign will be held on February 6th 2013. Prospera Credit Union and Subway restaurants have teamed up for this BC Cancer Foundation's fundraiser. For a $20.00 donation you can have lunch delivered to your office. There is a minimum of five lunches per delivery, your lunch will include a six inch Subway sandwich, Subway apple, a chocolate chip cookie, Sun-Rype juice and a fruit snack, this all comes in a thermal bag which you can keep. 

The deadline for lunch orders is January 31st at 5 pm. To order go online to bccancerfoundation.com/eatittobeatit or call 250.712.3921 to pre-order. All proceeds go to the foundation's Southern Interior division.

Stuff the Bus for Kelowna Gospel Mission

On Saturday November 3rd Kelowna Gospel Mission is having a STUFF THE BUS event, please come down to the Kelowna Walmart and help stuff the bus! Kelowna Gospel Mission is asking that you come down and stuff the bus with your gently used clothing. Any winter coats, hats, mitten, gloves and scarves would be great too. They are trying to make sure that everyone is safe and warm during the cold winter months.

So come down on Saturday and help stuff that bus! If you can't make it, you can always drop the  items off at 251 Leon Ave. They are always grateful for donations anytime!

770 Cactus Rd. Kelowna $319,000.00

Excellent 4 bedroom, 2 bath home. 2 bedroom suite down. This home would be great for first time home buyers or as an investment property. Close to schools, shopping & parks. Dining room french doors lead to lg deck. Corner lot with fully fenced yard with beautiful landscaping. Cherry, Plum, Peach and Walnut tress along with flower beds that stop cars! Jetted tub, new blinds and curtains throughout.Recent reno's include roof, gutters, windows & shutters, garage door with remotes. New insulation and shelves in garage. Tile shower and new kitchen in basement. Water tank new 3 years.Much of the furniture can be included in the sale making for a great starter home. Quick possession possible. This won't last. Call Steve Higgins to view 250-864-7893. Click on link below to see more of this home. http://marketing.remaxdesigncenter.com/95/128095/1697480/index.ipv

SOLD!! Beautiful 300 Rialto Drive

Immaculate Condition in a park like setting makes this large 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2135 sq. ft property on .25 acres, a great place to call home. Many upgrades and updates. Everything you need. Just move in! Your search is over. Next to Blair pond park with walking trails nearby. Tennis courts right beside this house at the end of a cul-de-sac. New kitchen counter top & granite composite sink. Luxury fixtures throughout the Kitchen & Bath. Jetted Tub and Glass Shower with Porcelain tile. Hot tub, shed and slate tile in private and peaceful back yard. 2 gas fireplaces in Living and family rooms. Hardwood floors, glass brick and much more. Well maintained furnace, central air and irrigation system. New roof in 2006. This house has been well cared for. This is a beautiful home and a must see. You won't be disappointed. Call Steve at RE/MAX Kelowna 250-864-7893 for Private showing. Click on link below for virtual tour
http://marketing.remaxdesigncenter.com/95/128095/1702680/index.ipv

New Guest Blogger

Hi, I would just like to mention that we will have a guest blogger on about once a month. His name is Scott Jennings he is a Residential Mortgage Specialist with TD Canada Trust. Scott will share his knowledge on  the world of lending.

I hope your summer has gone well and you all enjoyed it. It still feels like summer here in Kelowna, it has cooled off a lot but we are still reaching temperatures in the 20's, here and  it is almost the middle of October. We sure are happy about that! Enjoy your fall.

Please help out a Worthy Cause

This Thursday October 4th Buck LaRoche a local man who appreciates the life saving treatment he required is holding a car wash. Mr. LaRoche will provide car washes from the basic to full polish this Thursday from 9 am - 5 pm at Auto Trim Line 264 Leon Ave.  Mr. LaRoche wants to give back to the hospital for keeping him alive. Proceeds from the car wash will go to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. LaRoche's first car wash last month raised $230.00 for the rehabilitation centre. 

If your car is dirty and needs a wash why not head down to Auto Trim Line and see Mr. LaRoche and help out a worthy cause.

Scammers at it Again in Central Okanagan

If you have people coming to your door looking for donations, be careful as scammers are out there claiming to be canvassers for a children's charity. I guess they feel if they use children, everyone is more likely to give. But what they are really doing is trolling for your personal information, say police. 

These people are showing up on your doorstep and claiming to be canvassing on behalf of UNICEF. They will tell you that you can only donate via debit card or credit card as they are carrying a portable card machine. Police suspect the machine is then capturing your financial information, including your personal identity number (P.I.N.). They are then using that information to make fraudulent cards and withdrawing money or buy things with the fake cards.

In some cases, the scammers will give you a realistic receipt and a Starbucks coffee after the exchange. The scammers may use other charities as well. If you are suspicious, politely decline their request for a donation close your door and report it to the police.

The Hard Luck Hoax

The hard luck hoax is back in Kelowna. The Kelowna RCMP are warning the public about people who want your hard earned money. The RCMP have received at least half a dozen calls of the hard luck hoax. What it is basically is a man approaches the potential victim and asks for money as he is having car troubles and needs to have his car towed. All of which is not true, they are just trying to get money from you. In some cases the suspect has offered to exchange a $100 US bill for $40 Canadian. The exchange is never made, as the suspect snags the cash and runs.

Several descriptions have been provided to police and it seems that there are at least three people involved in the scam. The suspects have even dressed up in hard hats or high visibility vests and carried jumper cables. This is not the first time these scam has been in Kelowna this summer so please be aware.

Bicycle Sale

On Saturday Aug 4th there will be a bicycle sale that will help those in Ghana to ride. Bicycles for Humanity will sell a variety of children's bikes for a minimum of a $5.00 donation. The group is collecting adult bikes to send to Ghana, some children's bikes were also donated however, they are not needed. As Bicycles for Humanity can only afford to send over bikes for the people that need them most the adult caregivers or those in need of transportation for employment.

The money raised in selling these kids bikes will go to help cover some of the costs of shipping the much needed adult bikes. In addition to selling the kids bikes the group would be happy to take any adult bikes that are in reasonable operating condition.

The sale will be held in front of St. Charles Garnier Parish on 3645 Benvoulin Rd. starting at 8 am. Come out, buy your child a bike and help a worthy cause. The kids bikes include a few scooters, some tricycles and assorted 2-wheelers for both boys and girls.

This year's second container of Kelowna bikes will be sent in October.

Great Idea!!

Since we all know it is a shame to waste food, the new Central Okanagan Fruit Tree Project wants to change that. The project would like residents with fruit trees to donate the fruit that they can not use to the charity, rather than having it go to waste by falling to the ground or throwing it out.

There will be a picnic and information session to kick off this initiative tomorrow Sunday June 17th from 12 noon to 2 pm at Sutton Glen Park, the green space at 464 Sutton Cres. in Glenmore. 

To RSVP for the picnic, register your fruit tree or trees, sign up as a volunteer or for more information, call Laura at 778.214.5664 or email cofruittreeproject@gmail.com

You can also like them on Facebook at Central Okanagan Fruit Tree Project

Beautiful 460 Cob Lane in Trumpeter Estates

Brand new quality home with incredible unobstructed Lake and City views in Trumpeter Estates for $799,000.00. 2 bedrooms and den on the main with 2 large and bright bedrooms down. Very open design upstairs and down with 11' and 10' ceilings, large covered decks, hardwood throughout the main and 780 sq ft over-sized triple garage with full bonus room under. Views from every level and great pool sized yard to complete this package. Call Steve Higgins at RE/MAX 250-864-7893. Click on link for virtual tour. http://marketing.remaxdesigncenter.com/95/128095/1717733/index.ipv

The Wine Tour has ended but.....

there is so much more, beyond the grapes to see and do here. Kelowna is just minutes to lakeside resorts. Boating, water sports, sandy beaches to play volley ball or just relax, artisan restaurants, art and cultural attractions and great shopping. There are 18 quality golf courses in and around Kelowna. Also heritage driving tours and self guided walking tours the list is endless. So come to Kelowna for a visit and enjoy all it has to offer, you may never want to leave!