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Kelowna, BC Real Estate News

By Dave Vrabic, Mortgage Broker
(MortgageOpolis)
Here are 10 quick tips on how you can make changes to your daily lives to contribute less to global warming. This article is courtesy of www.cmhc. Each Canadian generates, on average, five tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers 10 simple steps you can take to help keep our planet healthy and make your home more comfortable and healthier, while saving you money, and increasing your home's resale value. Step 1 - Switch to Public Transit By simply switching from a mid-size car to public transit for your local travel, you can save up to 230 kg of CO2 per year for every 1,000 km you don't drive. Step 2 - Think Smaller Downsizing to a smaller car can eliminate 1,100 - 2,600 kg of CO2 each year-and save you dollars at the gas pump! Step 3 - Stay G...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
Foreclosures are few and far between in the Central Okanagan today.  The Kelowna Real Estate Market has returned to more of a balanced one with homes taking longer to sell and buyers have more selection.  There are also a number of "Subject to Sale" deals where one home owner is waiting for another home owner to sell their property before completing on their agreement.  This certainly has a bit of a domino effect and requires the patience of all parties involved.  I have put together the current listing inventory for the Central Okanagan Region. Current listing inventory is as follows: Single Family Dwellings - 1801 properties including 12 pending offers Strata - 1489 properties including 9 pending offers Manufactured Home - 139 including 2 pending offers Lots/Acreages 597 properties i...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
  Black Mountain is a rural neighbourhood located south east of Kelowna.  The first homes were built predominately on larger ¼ acre lots in the 1970's.  The newer built homes feature incredible panoramic views that stretch from Okanagan Lake to Kelowna International Airport.  Kirschner Mountain is located adjacent to Black Mountain with newly developed subdivisions that are mainly "Craftsman" style exterior finishes and have reasonable sized front and back yards.  There are breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Okanagan from almost lot as well.  The Gate offers affordable townhome living for those looking to relocate here without the yard work!  Highway 33 takes you directly into the heart of Black Mountain which allows its residents quicker access to Big White Ski Resort.  A brand new g...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
Joe Rich Valley is a hidden gem amongst the many communities surrounding the Kelowna area.  There are vast acreages and farms abundantly found along the Highway 33 corridor leading almost to the Big White Ski Resort turnoff road.  Joe Rich's landscape varies from the valley creek beds up to mountainous regions with astounding views of Kelowna and abroad.  Mission Creek weaves and snakes it way throughout the region and eventually joins itself to the Mission Creek Greenway.  The average home here can be found on a "not so average" lot size of one acre or more.  Locals typically enjoy the ability to dirt bike and quad from their front door in the summer and ski mobile in the winter months.  Life is just a little more laid back and "away from it all" as Kelowna is 10-15 minute drive away....
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
Although many real estate markets across Canada have been very sluggish in terms of sales, the month of December for sales in the Central Okanagan were quite encouraging.  Kelowna and its many neighbourhoods are still considered to be among the most desirable to live in anywhere in this great country of ours.  For complete December 2008 Stats for the Central Okanagan please visit: OMREB Stats Here's the break down on the December 2008 sales stats: Lots and Acreages - 1 sale Manufactured Homes - 8 sales Single Family Residential - 74 sales Strata (Condos & Townhomes) - 37 sales Total December Sales: 120 Looking at just the Single Family Residential sales numbers alone they were quite good, considering that works out to an average of over two sales a day for the entire month!  Couple tha...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
Do you have a favorite hobby?  How do you relax and unwind after a long day?  What is "Life Giving" to you?   Even in a slower market like most of us are experiencing today, it is so very important to take time for oneself and recharge your personal battery!  Trying to balance the life of a real estate agent, husband, father, friends and church to name a few leaves little time for myself.  Can you relate?  Being stressed out or overtired can lead to health issues and can even make it hard to focus on your tasks for the day! Personally, I have a couple of hobbies that I thoroughly enjoy doing in what little spare time I have.  The first is bowling!  Initially, this started off as a kinda "goof off" thing to do with some of my buddies.  I found myself starting to really get into it and wa...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
Child - Daddy, which is it better to be a grownup or a child? Father - Uhhhh...That is a great question son!  I would say that being a grownup at times is better and then there are times that being a child is better! Child - Why??? Father - Well, being a grownup means a lot of responsibility and having to make tough decisions.  A child doesn't have to be concerned as much as they need to play and have fun everyday Child - Okay Daddy! To commemorate the inaugural blog post of this new group I thought I would share a conversation that I had tonight with my eldest son.  He has a very keen sense as to how things work even as such a young boy.  It is questions like these that keep me on my toes and remind me just what a huge responsibility I have with my wife in raising him.  One day, one q...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
The little BIG news for me personally in 2009. Just before 2009 arrived my wife had some "news" for me on Christmas Eve morning, we would welcoming a new addition to our family.  We had recently been discussing the idea of another child and then there was nothing left to discuss,LOL!  Every child is a blessing and I can't wait to meet the newest addition to our already crazy family.  She is due right around my birthday so I just may get the best birthday gift a father could ask for!  Lots of rest and peanut butter blizzards from our local DQ are in order. My other BIG news in 2009 is... MARKET SHARE!!! Historically, when real estate markets shift from "hot" to "cold and slow" is when the top agents gain the most market share.  As a market tightens up and selling a home takes much longer...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
 COMMUNICATION!!! (Sorry I yelled that out loud, I just wanted to illustrate my point!) This word alone will revolutionize the way that your clients perceive and value you at the end of the day!  A Seller's Perspective- The #1 reason that any expired listing gives me for not renewing with their previous Realtor® is...lack of communication!  I have heard this so many times that I decided I would call my Seller's once a week (typically after our office meeting) and do something really out there, talk to them!  Crazy notion?  Glutton for punishment?  Not at all, usually the first words I hear from my Seller's is "Nice to hear from you!" or "Thank you so much for calling!"  Instead of agonizing at the thought of having to answer questions as to why their house hasn't sold, I welcome it!  Be...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
"How am I relevant?"...is the question that I cannot stop asking myself!  I ask myself this question relentlessly on a daily basis.  Every time I go to pick up the phone, jump online or whatever it is that I am doing I want to be productive!  I need to remind myself that everything I do during the workday should be of some relevance to my real estate business.  Otherwise, how do I expect to grow my business if I don't keep myself in check?  I am a dedicated online real estate agent and that is where I spend essentially 100% of my time marketing myself and my clients homes.  It is because of this large amount of time and effort that the temptation to play on the net is always there.  Having sites like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace to name a few can be so very easy to get sidetracked and not...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
I typically don't make New Year's Resolutions as I find for myself it is no more of a motivator to achieve whatever promise I made to myself!  You know historically at this time of year more people purchase gym memberships with the best of intentions to get into shape.  However, a few weeks into the routine boredom, lackluster results and life in general tend to derail things!  Sound vaguely familiar?  Does this remind you of trying to achieve certain goals in your chosen profession only to see them fall to the wayside after months of frustration?  I won't lie to you all, I will be the first to raise my hand and say that I certainly have experienced this and much more in the real estate industry.  Sometimes, I felt like I was more of a thoroughbred race horse coming strong out of the ga...
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By Jason Neumann, Realtor - www.KelownaRealEstateNews.com
(Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.)
For Christmas I treated myself to "Guitar Hero Aerosmith" for the Wii system. The thought was to try something different and have some fun in the process. I have watched kids and teenagers play this game at our local Wal-Mart and thought it looked easy enough to do.  The primary mistake I made in my evaluation of the game was that I could pick it up and excel at it right away. Ah yes, ignorance can be blissful! So off I go and pop my Wii remote into my cool looking guitar and start jamming, er should I say "butcher" my first song and score a 22% completion rate. No biggie, I decide to take a shot at another song and well...an abysmal 27% completion rate and Steven Tyler angrily kicking over his microphone stand in disgust at my performance!!! Yikes! I don't know what went wrong I hones...
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By Living Spaces, Interiors, Local Support, Global Concerns
Sometimes a change in my environment doesn't quite sink in for awhile. A previous post, 'Goose Poop Park' - The Geese - or the Park?   dealt with the issue of Canada Geese 'messing' up Waterfront Park in upscale downtown Kelowna. The following spring on my usual walks through the Brandt's Creek reserve area and the waterfront, I noticed FAR FEWER babies. Catching my attention, it puzzled me. It was later that someone told me about the 'authorities' - the city, I suppose would make the decision, to disrupt the nests.                                                             The resultant disappointment was the fact of not only fewer babies this year, but also almost NO Canada Geese at all. Nest disturbance effective indeed. The tragic irony is the fact of the reserve, supposedly in pla...
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By Living Spaces, Interiors, Local Support, Global Concerns
Together with Leo Bartel of Leo's Videos, the Kelowna Art Gallery features a free showing the last Thursday of every month. Screening starts at 7 pm. Drinks and popcorn are available by donation. The films presented are not widely distributed, but are of exceptional merit, culturally and educationally. The varied range include artistic documentaries and classics that promise valuable perspective, enriching the human experience. I was fortunate to attend 'The Cats Of Mirikitani', which was totally moving! The documentary is about Jimmy Tsotomu Mirikitani,  a brilliant artist who lived on the streets of New York until 911, when he was taken in by a most remarkable young woman.  The next showing, 'Garbage Warrior' is November 27/08. Nominated for the KYOTO Planet for Change Award, this fil...
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By Living Spaces, Interiors, Local Support, Global Concerns
What is the first thing to consider with the design of an empty space? Room architecture.   What is the first thing to consider when re-decorating a room? Room architecture.    Room Architecture Acknowledge the actual skeleton of a room - the form, lines, millwork, windows, size, scale, ceiling and floor planes Focus FIRST on the actual bones of a room, BEFORE what to fill it up with Recognize the common and extraordinary planes - vaulting, gables, angles, etc.   Space is expensive. Make the most of it, instead of diminishing it with excess ‘decorating'. Pay attention to structure and do everything to enhance it.   How do we enhance space and architecture?     Lighting Reducing clutter Creating illusion with design, line and color Use the elements of design to determine a starting point...
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By Living Spaces, Interiors, Local Support, Global Concerns
Elements of Design All design begins with a single point Which Flows into Line Creating Direction Giving birth to Form And Scale 5 Basic Elements Point http://www.living-spaces-design.com/elements-of-design.html Line (Flow, Direction) http://www.living-spaces-design.com/elements_of_design.html Form Scale http://www.living-spaces-design.com/elements-of-design.html Color, including Texture, Light ... and more Design is universal, regardless of the application. The principles of design never change, whether planning a painting, landscape design, or a room interior or whatever it is With an understanding of the elements, creating successful arrangement becomes second nature   Principles - Balance, Harmony, Unity ·        Are created when the elements of design are applied effectively ·     ...
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By Living Spaces, Interiors, Local Support, Global Concerns
 Lighting Least understood, yet most effective and essential interior application Usually inadequately applied, misunderstood, under-used, under-rated Developers and builders cheap out on lighting design Not enough credibility given to effective design - lighting and interior design Lamps used more as accessories rather than for actual effective task or ambience   Effective Lighting Design - consider using a lighting designer Enhances room architecture Enhances Dimension, Color, Form Enhances the elements of design Enhances everything in a room Because lighting enhances everything in an interior, it minimizes the need for a lot of decorating accessories and furnishings. Plan separate switching to use only what light effects required for any given application.  http://www.living-spaces-d...
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By Living Spaces, Interiors, Local Support, Global Concerns
Refer to Tango Kelowna for Sharon Sebo's dance Classes and updates, as they shift times and locations. Sharon dances in the neighborhood of 30+ dances! Salsa  Argentine Tango  Bachata West Coast Swing Ballroom - Waltz, Foxtrot, Latin   Sharon gives Private Lessons also in Latin and Ballroom - or for your group! Dance Lessons make great gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries. Ask Sharon about Gift Certificates Contact Sharon at Tango Kelowna      
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By Living Spaces, Interiors, Local Support, Global Concerns
I have a party wishing to sell a piece of city property in a residential neighborhood in downtown Kelowna. Being that there is a bit of a language barrier, it is most advantageous to engage a Chinese speaking realtor - or at least one with a great deal of understanding and compassion. The property may be suitable for residential to high rise development, dependent on city zoning issues of course.    You may use the contact link at right, or comment below leaving your contact information.    "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein YOUR OWN WEBSITE  Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman & webmaster established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, a...
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By Living Spaces, Interiors, Local Support, Global Concerns
Yitung Buddhist Temple 1370 Lawrence Ave Kelowna Facilities include: Upper Level Santuary Lower Level with large and small gathering rooms Washrooms and limited kitchen. Tables and chairs provided. Parking Lot with Plenty of Street Parking also. Short Term - Intermitent Seasonal or Temporary Evenings, Days, Weekends Convenient downtown location providing a perfect setting for Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong types of groups, This is also a great atmosphere for teaching.  Long Term - annual ongoing use Great residential area with outdoor space for Day Care and Playschool. Teaching centers and other long term facilitation.    Contact * Xhing Ru - 250-469-7117 OR * email via Living Spaces Design * or leave a comment with your contact information below
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