Since spring is in full force here in the valley it is time to turn on your irrigation, get it up and running properly. We found just the man to do that. Tracy is out planting seeds, flowers and trees and not wanting to water it all by hand any longer. I knew it was time to find someone that would come out, open and check our system for us. I came across an ad for Waterbouy and gave him a call. Dave came out, turned our system on for us checked it all out. Along with a new house comes new surprises which Dave fixed in no time. So if any of you are looking for a really good irrigation technician I/we would highly recommend Dave.
Here is his information give him a call!
Waterbouy Keeping it Simple
Dave Polz
Certified Irrigation Technician
250.317.9468
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Friday, 20 April 2012
Creating a Stylish Book Shelf
Hi it's Tracy, Steve's wife I have hijacked his blog today and plan to do so once a month. So please let me know if there is anything you would like to see on here.
Today it will about creating a stylish book shelf.
Did you know that bookcases are not just for books. They are great places to display your favorite pieces whether it is art, vases or whatever it is you like.
Mixing books with other pieces adds interest to a shelf. Try stacking books horizontally for even more visual interest. Display books lined up traditionally with a couple of books horizontal at the end or an ornament.
Try to avoid making things too symmetrical, mix in objects of different heights. Or style by theme: group items by color or function.
Styling a bookcase is easy, make a plan and make it work! You may have to play with it for a bit until you find what works for you. I like to play with it for awhile and when I think I have it just the way I want it. I will take a photo, as I know I will go back and tinker with it a few more times and then not be able to put it back exactly the way I liked it!!
Instead of allowing clutter to accumulate on your shelves, make your bookcases an expression of your home’s style.
Have a Wonderful Day!!
Today it will about creating a stylish book shelf.
Did you know that bookcases are not just for books. They are great places to display your favorite pieces whether it is art, vases or whatever it is you like.
Mixing books with other pieces adds interest to a shelf. Try stacking books horizontally for even more visual interest. Display books lined up traditionally with a couple of books horizontal at the end or an ornament.
Try to avoid making things too symmetrical, mix in objects of different heights. Or style by theme: group items by color or function.
Styling a bookcase is easy, make a plan and make it work! You may have to play with it for a bit until you find what works for you. I like to play with it for awhile and when I think I have it just the way I want it. I will take a photo, as I know I will go back and tinker with it a few more times and then not be able to put it back exactly the way I liked it!!
Instead of allowing clutter to accumulate on your shelves, make your bookcases an expression of your home’s style.
Have a Wonderful Day!!
Monday, 16 April 2012
Gorgeous 3 level Citybrook Town home overlooking amazing Bird Sanctuary.
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Wednesday, 11 April 2012
HIGGINS REPORT ON THE MARKET: CENTRAL OKANAGAN MONTHLY STATISTICS FOR MARCH
Stats Comparison 2011 vs. 2012 - March
Number of Sales by Month
March 2011 March 2012
356 351
Number of Sales Year to Date
March 2011 March 2012
818 850
Residential House Prices by Month
March 2011 March 2012
Average $492,398 $456,568
Median $439,000 $415,000
Residential House Prices Year to Date
March 2011 March 2012
Average $463,915 $439,745
Median $425,000 $410,000
Number of Units Listed
March 2011 March 2012
1,118 1,106
Days to Sell by Month - Residential
March 2011 March 2012
80 92
Days to Sell Year to Date - Residential
March 2011 March 2012
89 92
Single Family Sales by Price
Year to Date - January to March 2012
Price range 2011 2012
$0 - $239,999 11 12
$240,000 - $319,999 42 53
$320,000 - $399,999 112 123
$400,000 - $479,999 101 87
$480,000 - $559,999 74 64
$560,000 - $999,999 62 58
$1 million and over 8 3
Active Inventory
Central Okanagan - March 2012
Res. 1,524
Condo. 945
Mobiles 229
Lots 572
Based on MLS® Active Listings & Sold Units as Reported by OMREB in 2011 for Central Okanagan.
Number of Sales by Month
March 2011 March 2012
356 351
Number of Sales Year to Date
March 2011 March 2012
818 850
Residential House Prices by Month
March 2011 March 2012
Average $492,398 $456,568
Median $439,000 $415,000
Residential House Prices Year to Date
March 2011 March 2012
Average $463,915 $439,745
Median $425,000 $410,000
Number of Units Listed
March 2011 March 2012
1,118 1,106
Days to Sell by Month - Residential
March 2011 March 2012
80 92
Days to Sell Year to Date - Residential
March 2011 March 2012
89 92
Single Family Sales by Price
Year to Date - January to March 2012
Price range 2011 2012
$0 - $239,999 11 12
$240,000 - $319,999 42 53
$320,000 - $399,999 112 123
$400,000 - $479,999 101 87
$480,000 - $559,999 74 64
$560,000 - $999,999 62 58
$1 million and over 8 3
Active Inventory
Central Okanagan - March 2012
Res. 1,524
Condo. 945
Mobiles 229
Lots 572
Based on MLS® Active Listings & Sold Units as Reported by OMREB in 2011 for Central Okanagan.
HIGGINS REPORT ON THE MARKET FOR MARCH
HOW’S THE MARKET?
Overall sales in the Central Zone for the month of March were down slightly (1.68%) with 351 unit sales versus 357 sold in 2011. When we look at the year to date unit sales the Central Okanagan is up 4.03% with 851 units sold in comparison to 818 in 2011.
Sales volumes of $133 million were down 4.5% from $139 million sold for the month of March last year. Year to date sales volume for 2012 of $318.3 million is only slightly off last year’s pace (2.37%) at $315.8 million.
Noteworthy statistics include Duplex year to date sales up 53.85% and apartment sales up 16.22%. This could indicate that cautious consumers are looking for extra income to help pay the mortgage and similarly choosing smaller more economical housing alternatives such as condominiums. The BC governments introduction of transitional tax rules designed to get new home buyers off the fence may already be working.
OMREB reported the sale of lots up 42.31% (42 sale in 2012 vs. 34 sales in 2011) in comparison to last year to date.
Similarly, the sale of commercial land and commercial real estate is up 200% and 59.09% respectively as investors begin to return to the market.
While it is anticipated that our steady market will reach OMREB’S forecast of 5,000 sales units in 2012 consumers continue to remain cautious and frugal.
This is evidenced by the Average Residential sale price of $439,745 which is down 5.21% over last years $463,915 and the Average Sale Price of all types of real estate sold year to date is also down 3.43% at $338,000 for 2012 in comparison to $350,000 in 2011.
RE/MAX Kelowna Sales Associates continue to work closely with our Seller and Buyer clients to maximize their opportunities and assist them in interpreting the realities of this “new” normal market.
Deborah Moore
Managing Broker
RE/MAX Kelowna
Trading Up: Small Details Create Spring Havens
It's that time of year again when you might feel the urge to purge - otherwise known as spring cleaning. But think twice before trading in some of your home décor items instead, trade them up. By adding small details to what you already have, you can achieve a chic and rejuvenated look for spring.
Before relinquishing boxes of trinkets, "clutter-creators" and damaged accessories, consider repurposing items such as plain lamps and window treatments, tattered pillows and throws, or unused vases and china. Small details help create a spring haven with a fresh perspective and affordable materials such as decorative trim, mirrors and faux-flowers.
Spring Into Home Maintenance: From The Out Side In
Now that the snow has melted take the time to walk around the outside of your home and conduct a thorough exterior inspection. What to look for - damaged sidewalks, clogged storm drains, cracks in the foundation, screen or window damage, damaged or clogged downspouts, deteriorated weather-stripping, loose or missing roof shingles, siding or shutters, and tree limbs that may be hanging vicariously over the home.
Some items, such as foundation cracks or roof and siding problems, may require the hire of a professional contractor to make repairs. The money invested now could save thousands in additional repair work in later years. However, if you are up to the challenge many spring maintenance issues can be easily taken care of by the homeowner.
*Based on MLS® Active Listings & Sold Units as Reported by OMREB in 2011 for Central Okanagan.
Monday, 9 April 2012
A big Thank You to Gospel Mission
For feeding 700 hungry people for Easter Dinner. These people sat down to an Easter dinner of turkey, ham and all the trimmings. Not all 700 are homeless but with the tough economic times once rent is paid for many of these people they don't have any or have very little money left to buy the extra's they need. On a regular day the Gospel Mission feeds almost 500 meals over breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Gospel Mission also provides clothing for those in need along with overnight hostel beds.
Congratulations!
To Summerhill Pyramid Winery for winning Family Enterprise of the Year award!!
In 1986 Stephen Cipes a developer from New York bought the vineyards on Chute Lake Road in Kelowna and decided to make them organic as the pesticides and herbicides used on the property ultimately ended up down the hill in the Okanagan Lake.
Their first vintage of wine was in 1990 and the winery has been going strong ever since. Summerhill's wines have won numerous local, national and international awards. Their organic principles have led to accolades and recognition.
Summerhill has also generated a lot of publicity for its pyramid quirks. On the property there is a replica of an Egyptian pyramid where the wine is stored and aged. Pyramid Power is touted as making the vintages taste better.
I can say we were there yesterday and all the wines we tasted were pretty fine!
In 1986 Stephen Cipes a developer from New York bought the vineyards on Chute Lake Road in Kelowna and decided to make them organic as the pesticides and herbicides used on the property ultimately ended up down the hill in the Okanagan Lake.
Their first vintage of wine was in 1990 and the winery has been going strong ever since. Summerhill's wines have won numerous local, national and international awards. Their organic principles have led to accolades and recognition.
Summerhill has also generated a lot of publicity for its pyramid quirks. On the property there is a replica of an Egyptian pyramid where the wine is stored and aged. Pyramid Power is touted as making the vintages taste better.
I can say we were there yesterday and all the wines we tasted were pretty fine!
Do you have any extra shoes?
Then donate them to Soles4Souls.
The goal for Soles4Souls is to collect 100,000 pairs of shoes during the month of April as part of Soles4Souls Canada's Million Shoe Mission. Throughout the country Belshaw expects there will be half a million pairs of shoes collected in the next 30 days for Soles4Souls.
Many of the shoes collected will remain in the Okanagan and will be distributed out into the community through local social agencies for example: The Food Bank Store, Kelowna Gospel Mission, Now Canada, and Kelowna’s Women’s Shelter and others will all be offered footwear for their clients and the remaining shoes will be shipped to the Soles4Souls distribution Centre in Nevada where they will be sorted and shipped to where needed around the world.
Belshaw says Soles4Souls Canada started as a little idea three years ago and has grown with help of the community. "It started when the devastating earthquake hit Haiti and I thought I would collect a few thousand pair of shoes. I had a lofty goal of 25,000 shoes and the first day we had 4000 or 5000 pairs of shoes dropped off. We collected 45,000 pairs of shoes the first year, and 65,000 last year and this year's goal 100,000 pairs." We all have 3, 4, 5, 6 pairs of shoes in our closet we don’t wear anymore,” says Belshaw.
“There are 300 million kids in the world without any shoes,” says Jim Belshaw, who makes a living selling and fixing shoes at his Okanagan shop, Roy’s Shoes. “It’s incredible to see the joy on someone’s face when they realize. It’s almost like they can look forward instead of down where they are stepping because they actually have a good pair of shoes.”
Drop of sites and other ways you can help:
On Side Restoration-8-1595 Innovation Dr.
Capri Insurance- Capri Centre
Capri Insurance- Orchard Park Mall
Capri Insurance- Powick Road
Capri Insurance- Winfield Shopping Centre
McDonalds- Harvey Avenue
McDonalds- Rutland
McDonalds- WalMart
McDonalds- Lake Country
McDonalds- Glen Park
Prospera Credit Union- Harvey St.
Starbucks- All Locations
Prospera Credit Union- Mission Branch
Ramada Hotel Kelowna
Mark’s Work Wearhouse
PostNet-105-3957 Lakeshore Rd
PostNet-138-1876 Cooper Rd,
Kelowna OK Tire- Sprinfield Rd
Ok Tire- Rutland
Capri Insurance-WB Towne Centre Plaza
McDonalds- West Kelowna
Starbucks- All Locations
Mark’s Work Wearhouse
OK Tires- West Kelowna
Bank of Montreal- 3604 Gosset Rd
A $1.00 donation buys 1 pair of new sandals/shoes. To donate go to http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/how-you-can-help/we-need-your-help/
Organize a shoe drive at a: school, church, your place of business or neighborhood.
About Soles4Souls® – Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.
The goal for Soles4Souls is to collect 100,000 pairs of shoes during the month of April as part of Soles4Souls Canada's Million Shoe Mission. Throughout the country Belshaw expects there will be half a million pairs of shoes collected in the next 30 days for Soles4Souls.
Many of the shoes collected will remain in the Okanagan and will be distributed out into the community through local social agencies for example: The Food Bank Store, Kelowna Gospel Mission, Now Canada, and Kelowna’s Women’s Shelter and others will all be offered footwear for their clients and the remaining shoes will be shipped to the Soles4Souls distribution Centre in Nevada where they will be sorted and shipped to where needed around the world.
Belshaw says Soles4Souls Canada started as a little idea three years ago and has grown with help of the community. "It started when the devastating earthquake hit Haiti and I thought I would collect a few thousand pair of shoes. I had a lofty goal of 25,000 shoes and the first day we had 4000 or 5000 pairs of shoes dropped off. We collected 45,000 pairs of shoes the first year, and 65,000 last year and this year's goal 100,000 pairs." We all have 3, 4, 5, 6 pairs of shoes in our closet we don’t wear anymore,” says Belshaw.
“There are 300 million kids in the world without any shoes,” says Jim Belshaw, who makes a living selling and fixing shoes at his Okanagan shop, Roy’s Shoes. “It’s incredible to see the joy on someone’s face when they realize. It’s almost like they can look forward instead of down where they are stepping because they actually have a good pair of shoes.”
Drop of sites and other ways you can help:
Kelowna
Roy’s Shoes-1627 Ellis St.On Side Restoration-8-1595 Innovation Dr.
Capri Insurance- Capri Centre
Capri Insurance- Orchard Park Mall
Capri Insurance- Powick Road
Capri Insurance- Winfield Shopping Centre
McDonalds- Harvey Avenue
McDonalds- Rutland
McDonalds- WalMart
McDonalds- Lake Country
McDonalds- Glen Park
Prospera Credit Union- Harvey St.
Starbucks- All Locations
Prospera Credit Union- Mission Branch
Ramada Hotel Kelowna
Mark’s Work Wearhouse
PostNet-105-3957 Lakeshore Rd
PostNet-138-1876 Cooper Rd,
Kelowna OK Tire- Sprinfield Rd
Ok Tire- Rutland
West Kelowna
PostNet-2417 Main St.Capri Insurance-WB Towne Centre Plaza
McDonalds- West Kelowna
Starbucks- All Locations
Mark’s Work Wearhouse
OK Tires- West Kelowna
Bank of Montreal- 3604 Gosset Rd
Summerland/Peachland
McDonalds SummerlandA $1.00 donation buys 1 pair of new sandals/shoes. To donate go to http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/how-you-can-help/we-need-your-help/
Organize a shoe drive at a: school, church, your place of business or neighborhood.
About Soles4Souls® – Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
February Buyers Survey Results:
The results of OMREB's February 2012 Buyers Survey are in!
A total of 123 respondents participated in this survey – representing 43% of the 285 OMREB sales representatives who acted as Buyers Agents and 32% of the 385 deals closed on behalf of Buyers in February.
FEBRUARY SURVEY SUMMARY
20.7% by First Time Buyers
20.7% of purchases were by Move-Up Buyers
14.0% buying Revenue/Investment Property
13.2% moving from Single Family Home to Strata Unit
6.6% moving into Retirement Home/Seniors Community
4.1% Recreation Property Buyers
3.3% moving from Strata property to Single Family Home
28.0% Two parent family/children
23.2% Couple without children
16.8% Empty Nesters/Retired
12.8% Single Female
9.6% Single Male
4.8% Single Parent with children
64.8% from Within OMREB Board Area
19.2% from Alberta
9.6% from Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island
4.8% from Other Areas in BC
0.8% from Saskatchewan/Manitoba
0.8% from Eastern Canada/Maritimes
0% from Outside Canada
0% from NWT/Yukon (fifth month reported)
OMREB- Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board.
A total of 123 respondents participated in this survey – representing 43% of the 285 OMREB sales representatives who acted as Buyers Agents and 32% of the 385 deals closed on behalf of Buyers in February.
FEBRUARY SURVEY SUMMARY
Property Type:
20.7% by First Time Buyers
20.7% of purchases were by Move-Up Buyers
14.0% buying Revenue/Investment Property
13.2% moving from Single Family Home to Strata Unit
6.6% moving into Retirement Home/Seniors Community
4.1% Recreation Property Buyers
3.3% moving from Strata property to Single Family Home
Buyer Type (Family Dynamic):
28.0% Two parent family/children
23.2% Couple without children
16.8% Empty Nesters/Retired
12.8% Single Female
9.6% Single Male
4.8% Single Parent with children
Moving From:
64.8% from Within OMREB Board Area
19.2% from Alberta
9.6% from Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island
4.8% from Other Areas in BC
0.8% from Saskatchewan/Manitoba
0.8% from Eastern Canada/Maritimes
0% from Outside Canada
0% from NWT/Yukon (fifth month reported)
OMREB- Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board.
Saturday, 17 March 2012
HIGGINS REPORT ON THE MARKET....
Stats Comparison 2012 vs. 2011 for the Month of Feb.
Feb 2012 Feb 2011
289 249
Number of Sales Year to Date:
Feb 2012 Feb 2011
500 462
Residential House Prices by Month
Feb 2012 Feb 2011
Average $437,267 $444,134
Median $404,950 $422,000
Residential House Prices Year to Date:
Feb 2012 Feb 2011
Average $427,635 $441,179
Median $403,600 $413,500
Number of Units Listed:
Feb 2012 Feb 2011
954 1,022
Days to Sell by Month - Residential:
Feb 2012 Feb 2011
83 86
Days to Sell Year to Date - Residential:
Feb 2012 Feb 2011
91 96
Single Family Sales by PriceYear to Date:
2011 2012
Price range:
$0 - $239,999 7 7
$240,000 - $319,999 23 34
$320,000 - $399,999 72 75
$400,000 - $479,999 54 50
$480,000 - $559,999 39 33
$560,000 - $999,999 31 33
$1 million & over 2 1
Active Inventory Central Okanagan - February 2012
Res.- 1,391
Condo. - 922
Mobiles - 206
Lots - 550
*Based on MLS® Active Listings & Sold Units as Reported by OMREB in 2011 for Central Okanagan.
HIGGINS REPORT ON THE MARKET....
HOW’S THE MARKET?
Kelowna, BC – We anticipate that newly released HST Transitional Rules, continued low interest rates and abundant supply will spur the market in 2012 as first-time home buyers, new home buyers and investors take advantage of bonus’s and increased rebate thresholds for new homes.
HST HIGHLIGHTS:
· The First-Time Home New Home Buyer’s Bonus – 5% OF THE PURCHASE PRICE UP TO MAXIMUM OF $10,000
· The B.C. new housing rebate threshold will be increased to $850,000, effective April 1st with a maximum rebate of $42,000
· New homes where construction begins before April 1, 2013 and possession occurs after, buyers will not pay the 7% provincial portion of the HST but rather a Transitional Tax of 2% plus GST.
· Enhanced New Rental Housing Rebate to support the construction or substantial renovation of affordable rental housing.
RE/MAX Kelowna has had a brisk start to the year, writing 28% more transactions year to date than in 2011. We are monitoring the trend of investors making real estate their investment vehicle
of choice which is evidenced in OMREB’S January Buyer’s Survey which reported that investors made up 16.6% of all of our Buyers in the month of January, which is up considerably over previous year’s numbers.
The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported February 2012 sales activity of all MLS® property types improved over the same month last year as the housing market continues on a moderate but steady upward trend.
“February home sales remained strong in the Okanagan-Shuswap, and on par with the 10-15 year average for unit sales,”says Rob Shaw, OMREB Vice President. “The trend in modest rising sales over the past few months is in line with the gradual growth in the economy and indicates market improvement.
Province-wide, prices are staying relatively flat and holding steady in most segments in our Board area.”
Overall sales in the Central Zone for the month rose 16% to 289 units ($100.4million) compared to 249 ($95.5 million) in February 2011, and improved by 58.0% over the units sold last month (183). Total residential sales for February were up 11.4% to 263 units compared to 236 sold last year, and jumped 39.2% from 189 in January. Single family home sales (130 units) remained similar to last February (129), but climbed 27.5% compared to last month (102). Townhouse sales in February showed a 113% improvement over 2011 (to 49 from 23), and were up 96% from units sold in January (25). While inventory for the month (4,500) units was up 1.4% over 4,437 in 2011, the 954 new listings for February dropped 6.7% from the 1,022 last year at this time.
Values range from property to property depending on location, condition, inventory and other factors. Contact Me for your Housing Check-Up today!
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Easter Egg Hunt
Kelowna's largest Easter egg hunt will be held on Good Friday April 6th sponsored by Victory Life Fellowship. This ninth annual event, will be held at the Parkinson Recreation Centre. It will start at 10 a.m. As in past years this is a free Easter event.
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