It is the 11th Annual Summer Okanagan
Wine Festival and they want you to get home safely and they plan to do
so. For the guests attending the events on July 7 & 8 and July 12
& 13th they will be happy to proved you with a complimentary taxi
service.
All you have to do is present your ticket stub on
the way out from the event for a free taxi ride to your residence or
hotel/motel. Great way to keep everyone safe.
For more information check out thewinefestivals.com
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Great News
The Canadian Real Estate Association said that the national home
price and sales activity this year will be higher than it had been
previously forecast, following a strong spring.
They are now forecasting that 475,800 homes will be sold in 2012, up 3.8 per cent from 2011, compared with earlier expectations of a gain of only 0.3 per cent. The average home price to rise by 2.2 per cent compared to earlier thoughts that it would fall 1.1 per cent.
"National activity over the spring months was stronger than anticipated. This clearly shows how the continuation of low interest rates is keeping home ownership affordable and within reach". CREA president Wayne Moen said.
They are now forecasting that 475,800 homes will be sold in 2012, up 3.8 per cent from 2011, compared with earlier expectations of a gain of only 0.3 per cent. The average home price to rise by 2.2 per cent compared to earlier thoughts that it would fall 1.1 per cent.
"National activity over the spring months was stronger than anticipated. This clearly shows how the continuation of low interest rates is keeping home ownership affordable and within reach". CREA president Wayne Moen said.
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
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
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Oatmeal Butterscotch Caramel Cookie
Good Morning,
I made these cookies last week and the cookies were so good, I thought I would share it with you. I made one small change, I used chocolate chips instead of the butterscotch chips it calls for. Only because I love chocolate!
2 sticks (1 cup/16 tablespoons) softened unsalted butter3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup prepared caramel sauce
2 cups all purpose Gold Medal Flour
1 cup quick oats
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 bag butterscotch chips
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with a silpat liner or parchment paper.
2. In stand or electric mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, a good 2-3 minutes. Slowly add in eggs, vanilla and caramel sauce.
3. Place flour, oatmeal, salt and baking soda into a large bowl, mixing to combine. Slowly add to wet ingredients along with butterscotch chips. Mix until just combined then scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet with a medium cookie scoop. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until edges just start to turn golden brown. Let cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Makes 3 dozen cookies
I hope you enjoy these as much as we did. Have a great day!
Tracy
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
HIGGINS REPORT ON THE MARKET MAY 2012
The Okanagan Mainline Real
Estate Board reported 9,651 Active MLS®
Listings with 5,283 of them being located in
the Central Okanagan Zone boundaries available
for sale. The listing inventory is down
only slightly, 1.55%, from 2011 YTD inventory
of 5,302 units. 1,215 Properties were
listed on the MLS® in the month of May
which is on par with 2011’s May listing numbers
of 1,214. Buyers have ample selection
and competitively priced homes are selling
quicker than the average 90 days to sell.
The local real estate market was much
improved during the month of May with a
19.13% sale unit increase over last year.
436 Properties traded hands in May 2012 in
comparison to 366 properties in May of 2011.
Year to date unit sales are up 7.95% with
1,629 units of sales in 2012 in comparison to
1,509 units of sale in 2011. The Average
Residential Sale Price YTD is $461,777 which
is down 1.45% compared to last YTD Average
Sale Price in 2011 of $468,560. Noteworthy
YTD unit sales increases include Duplex sales
up 43.48%, Apartment sales up 17.71%,
Acreage sales up 37.5% and Total Lot sales
up 27.87%.
Real estate market experts remain cautiously
optimistic about the recovery and predict
moderate growth in 2012 and 2013.
Estate Board reported 9,651 Active MLS®
Listings with 5,283 of them being located in
the Central Okanagan Zone boundaries available
for sale. The listing inventory is down
only slightly, 1.55%, from 2011 YTD inventory
of 5,302 units. 1,215 Properties were
listed on the MLS® in the month of May
which is on par with 2011’s May listing numbers
of 1,214. Buyers have ample selection
and competitively priced homes are selling
quicker than the average 90 days to sell.
The local real estate market was much
improved during the month of May with a
19.13% sale unit increase over last year.
436 Properties traded hands in May 2012 in
comparison to 366 properties in May of 2011.
Year to date unit sales are up 7.95% with
1,629 units of sales in 2012 in comparison to
1,509 units of sale in 2011. The Average
Residential Sale Price YTD is $461,777 which
is down 1.45% compared to last YTD Average
Sale Price in 2011 of $468,560. Noteworthy
YTD unit sales increases include Duplex sales
up 43.48%, Apartment sales up 17.71%,
Acreage sales up 37.5% and Total Lot sales
up 27.87%.
Real estate market experts remain cautiously
optimistic about the recovery and predict
moderate growth in 2012 and 2013.
How to stage the outside of your Home
Hi, it's Tracy
I have been so busy helping Steve that I haven't had time to post. But today post is about staging the outside of your home.
You will never get a second chance to make a good first impression, when you are selling your home, it’s critical to make a great first impression. It is as important to stage the outside of your home, as it is to stage the inside. The first thing a buyer sees as they pull up to your home is what is on the outside and that sometimes sets the stage for what they may think they will find on the inside. You don't want to turn a buyer off before they have even come through the front door.
First, make sure your home looks well maintained, perhaps consider doing some little paint touch ups or giving it a fresh coat of paint. Make any repairs that are necessary, especially the obvious ones.
Go through your yard and clean up any weeds, dead patches on your lawn or dying plants. Consider planting a few new flowers to give it that pop of color. If your doormat is worn out remove it or replace it as you don't want to give the impression that the house is worn out too!
PS. Next week I'm going to share a great cookie recipe I found!
I have been so busy helping Steve that I haven't had time to post. But today post is about staging the outside of your home.
You will never get a second chance to make a good first impression, when you are selling your home, it’s critical to make a great first impression. It is as important to stage the outside of your home, as it is to stage the inside. The first thing a buyer sees as they pull up to your home is what is on the outside and that sometimes sets the stage for what they may think they will find on the inside. You don't want to turn a buyer off before they have even come through the front door.
First, make sure your home looks well maintained, perhaps consider doing some little paint touch ups or giving it a fresh coat of paint. Make any repairs that are necessary, especially the obvious ones.
Go through your yard and clean up any weeds, dead patches on your lawn or dying plants. Consider planting a few new flowers to give it that pop of color. If your doormat is worn out remove it or replace it as you don't want to give the impression that the house is worn out too!
PS. Next week I'm going to share a great cookie recipe I found!
Location, location this home has it in Lower Mission
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Beautiful 460 Cob Lane in Trumpeter Estates
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Beautiful Lake Country Mobile Home
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Saturday, 2 June 2012
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!
Westside Wine Trail part 3
Today we finish our tour of the wineries that are in and around
Kelowna. Our last 2 wineries are Mission Hill Family Estate and Kalala
Organic Estate Winery.
Mission Hill Family Estate is a must see, it is one of North America's landmark wineries. Wine country's masterpiece! The winery is renowned for it's elegant architecture and dazzling hilltop views. They won winery of the year and Canadian wine producer of the year in 2011. Come and experience an evening performance under the open sky at the Mission Hill amphitheater, it is unforgettable. The 2012 concert season begins Sunday, June 24 with Chris Botti.
Kalala Organic Estate Winery is a small family owned winery with big awards. Kalala is the Okanagan's newest organic winery. The hand-picked grapes and handcrafted wines have taken Kalala very quickly into the international winner's circle. Their first ever vintage of Chardonnay icewine was awarded gold at the prestigious 2010 Chardonnay du Monde competition in France. How sweet is that! Kalala was named after the owner's hometown which means "miracle place."
Mission Hill Family Estate is a must see, it is one of North America's landmark wineries. Wine country's masterpiece! The winery is renowned for it's elegant architecture and dazzling hilltop views. They won winery of the year and Canadian wine producer of the year in 2011. Come and experience an evening performance under the open sky at the Mission Hill amphitheater, it is unforgettable. The 2012 concert season begins Sunday, June 24 with Chris Botti.
Kalala Organic Estate Winery is a small family owned winery with big awards. Kalala is the Okanagan's newest organic winery. The hand-picked grapes and handcrafted wines have taken Kalala very quickly into the international winner's circle. Their first ever vintage of Chardonnay icewine was awarded gold at the prestigious 2010 Chardonnay du Monde competition in France. How sweet is that! Kalala was named after the owner's hometown which means "miracle place."
Friday, 1 June 2012
Westside Wine Trail part 2
Today we are off to the Little Straw Vineyards and Quail's Gate Winery.
Little Straw Vineyards is renowned for it's Pinot Noir and is Canada's only producer of Auxerrois Icewine. This winery has three generation of grape expertise as the Slamka family have been growing grapes since 1969. After a tasting, savor a tapas and a glass of wine in the lounge.
Quail's Gate Winery is my favorite winery. The views from the patio are spectacular they overlook the vineyards and Lake Okanagan. The Old Vines Restaurant is a culinary gem that uses fresh local ingredients paired with the fruit forward wines of Quail's Gate. Don't miss this winery!
Little Straw Vineyards is renowned for it's Pinot Noir and is Canada's only producer of Auxerrois Icewine. This winery has three generation of grape expertise as the Slamka family have been growing grapes since 1969. After a tasting, savor a tapas and a glass of wine in the lounge.
Quail's Gate Winery is my favorite winery. The views from the patio are spectacular they overlook the vineyards and Lake Okanagan. The Old Vines Restaurant is a culinary gem that uses fresh local ingredients paired with the fruit forward wines of Quail's Gate. Don't miss this winery!
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