Lake Country: What to do + Where to go

Lake Country is a city just north of Kelowna and south of Vernon. It is home to approximately 13,000 and is no shortage of great things to do. Lake Country has amazing views of Lake Okanagan, home to beautiful wineries and great restaurants. If you are looking to try a few new things to do, head up to Lake Country to give these places a try.

Drink Here → Gray Monk Winery

wine glass and red wine bottle sitting on a barrel

Drink here!

If you are craving some of the delicious Okanagan wine look no further. Check out Gray Monk Winery located in Lake Country.  The Heiss family moved to the Okanagan in 1972 and that’s where their story begins. This award-winning winery is known for having amazing local wines that have won awards year after year. We can’t even pick a favorite, there are so many great choices at this local winery.

Eat Here → The Jammery

If you have lived in the Okanagan for over a minute, odds are you have heard of the ever popular restaurant, The Jammery. They offer breakfast and lunch options and a wide variety of amazing jams to purchase. Some of their food items were featured on Canada’s You Gotta Eat Here tv show. Stop by, enjoy some amazing food and grab some jams to bring home.  

kangaroo in a field at Kangaroo creek farm

Go here!

Go Here → The Kangaroo Creek Farm

Now, although this isn’t open for the season yet, we couldn’t write a blog about Lake Country without throwing this one in. Keep this one in mind for next month on opening day. If you love animals, this is the spot for you. There are things to do for all ages including feeding kangaroos and holding baby joeys! This spot tends to get very busy over the summer months and are packed full of visitors from all over. March 17th is opening day, head to the Kangaroo Creek Farm and bring the family, this is something you do not want to miss out on!

Well, there you have it! Lake Country is home to great restaurants, amazing award-winning wineries and fun excursions. If you are looking to make Lake Country your home, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our knowledgeable team of real estate agents are ready to assist you with your next Lake Country home purchase. Our team of dedicated agents are knowledgeable on what the real estate market is doing in Lake Country. We can’t wait to help you find your next home! Call 1-778-760-2860 today!  

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts under $100

Uh oh, you forgot! It’s Valentine’s Day and you have nothing planned or a gift ready to go? Fear not, the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates know how hard it can be to find things for your loved ones last minute that’s why we have created this list of the top three last minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas under $100. They won’t even know you forgot it was today…

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea under $25.00

couple exchanging gifts

Valentine’s Day gift idea under $25.00

If you are looking to spend under $25.00 on a Valentine’s Day Gift, we’ve got the perfect one for you! Show your significant other you love them by gifting them with some coffee and a new mug! Head to your local coffee shop or a coffee shop your significant other tends to spend their mornings at. Purchase a nice mug, and inside the mug place a gift card for the coffee shop, add some chocolate and some nice wrapping paper and voila! You have a gift under $25 for Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea under $50.00

We’re moving on up! A great gift idea for that special someone under $50.00 is a gift basket full of their favorite things. Our favorite things to put in a gift basket are, gift cards to restaurants and clothing stores, favorite snacks, a bottle of their favorite Okanagan wine or a new book! Whatever your significant other loves, put it in the gift basket! There are endless possibilities as to what you could add. Have fun with it and they won’t even know you forgot…

Google home mini

Valentine’s Day gift under $100.00

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea under $100.00

Last but not least is the final gift idea! If you are looking to spend under $100.00 on a Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other, try a new gadget! It is always fun to get a new toy and this one is fun for the whole household. One of our favourite gadgets are the new Google Home Minis. It can play music, tell you jokes and the list goes on!! Most electronic stores carry the Google Home Mini and they come in a few different colours.

There you have it! A few gift ideas for you. They won’t know you forgot and we won’t tell. From the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates, we want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. We hope you all have an amazing day with your significant others, friends and family.

3 Home Staging Mistakes to avoid when selling your Kelowna Home

If your Kelowna home is up for sale, or you are looking to list, you know the importance of ensuring your home is in tip top shape. That being said, are you making one of these home staging mistakes? When you have your home up for sale, avoid making these mistakes to ensure your home sells for top dollar! 

Forgetting the Small Touches

glass jar with flowers in bathroom on counter

Don’t forget the small touches

When a potential buyer comes through your home, they are going to try to imagine themselves living in your home. From the first moment they walk in till the minute they close the door. Home sellers tend to forget the small things that could really make their home stand out to a potential buyer. Make your home feel welcoming. Put some flowers in the bathrooms, put a fruit basket on the kitchen counter, hey, even bake some chocolate chip cookies to make your home smell delicious! Whatever you do, don’t clutter your Kelowna home. You want to make sure the home still feels light and airy, but also adding in those special touches.

Over Staging your Kelowna Home

When you are ready to start staging your home, you may start thinking off all of the possible things you could do with each room. Keep in mind there is such a thing as over staging a room. Try to limit how much you place on bookshelves, end tables and bathroom countertops. You want your home to look inviting and neat. Over staging your home could give off the impression it is cluttered.

modern furniture in Kelowna home

Don’t overcrowd a room

Too much furniture

People tend to think that they need to fill a room up with a bunch of furniture in order to make the room feel full. Too much furniture, or clutter, could make the room actually feel smaller. Try to limit the amount of furniture in the room, opt for modern and smaller pieces rather than large bulky pieces. You’ll be surprised as to how open and large your rooms look by just taking away a few pieces and pulling the furniture away from the walls and towards the centre of the room.

If you are ready to list your Kelowna home, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. On top of giving you expert advice on the real estate market in Kelowna, we can help you to ensure you aren’t making one or all of these home staging mistakes. Our team has years of experience buying and selling Kelowna real estate. We would love to list your Kelowna home. Contact one of our knowledgeable real estate agents today. Call 1-778-760-2860!

February Agenda: What to do in Kelowna

Another month comes another agenda of things to do in Kelowna. February is a short month, so we have to cram more fun activities into less days. If you are looking for something to do to fill up your February calendar…Check out these three activities for fun things to do in the beautiful city this month.

Frozen in Time: the Musical

little girl dressing up as a princess

Enjoy Frozen in Time the Musical

On February 4th at either 1:00PM or 4:00PM head over to the Kelowna Community Theatre in Downtown. Join the Snow Queen as they tell a magical story of their journey through a winter adventure. This show is full of surprises! You can expect some interaction and of course sing-a-longs! If you are looking for an activity for your younger children, this is it! Have your little ones come dressed in their favorite princess and enjoy the show! For ticket information, click here.

Snowed in Comedy Tour

Another great event hosted at the Kelowna Community Theatre in Downtown Kelowna. On February 9th enjoy the 10th year of this Comedy Tour. This comedy tour has performed in Australia, the U.S., France and Switzerland. You do not want to miss this! One of Canada’s largest comedy tours, this show of international comedias brings you unique and hilarious content. For a full list of comedians in this tour and ticket information, click here.

hockey game of the Kelowna Rockets

Enjoy a Kelowna Rockets game

Kelowna Rockets

We have yet to mention heading to a local Kelowna Rockets game for one of our agendas… are we crazy? This February, head to the Prospera Center and cheer on our local hockey team. This month they are playing 8 home games that you and the family can enjoy! To purchase your tickets, see a full game schedule and for more information, click here.

If you don’t live in our beautiful city, you may not be able to enjoy these amazing monthly activities. Make this your next adventure. Kelowna features stunning beaches, amazing wineries and beautiful weather. If you are looking to make the move, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our team of dedicated real estate agents are ready to assist you with your Kelowna home purchase. Contact one of our knowledgeable real estate agents today. Call 1-778-760-2860! 

Top 3 Luxury Waterfront Home Sales in Kelowna for 2017

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2017 was an amazing year for luxury real estate in Kelowna. The top three luxury waterfront sales in Kelowna for 2017 all sold for over 5 million dollars. Let’s take a look into what the three registered luxury waterfront sales were for 2017. We have broken it down into Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country.

5570 Lakeshore Road – Kelowna, BC

luxury waterfront home located in Kelowna

5570 Lakeshore Road – Listed with Caldwell Banker Horizon

First up is 5570 Lakeshore Road in Upper Mission. This luxury home in Kelowna sold for $5,975,000 after 274 days on the market. This little piece of paradise features over 500 feet of private waterfront and is set on 3.18 acres of privacy. Sandy Beach, a licensed dock, and boat moorage are just a few key features of this waterfront luxury home. This luxury property features a main home and a secondary home perfect for visiting family, or guests both complete with 3-car garages. 

16414 Carrs Landing Road – Lake Country, BC

Next up is 16414 Carrs Landing Road located in Lake Country. This luxury home in Kelowna sold for $6,400,000 after 30 days on the market. An interesting fact about this home is that is it one of the only two in BC to be recognized by Global TV as one of the top waterfront properties in Canada. Proximity to the Okanagan Lake, and one of the finest lakeshore property in Kelowna. Featuring over 7500 square feet of living space, 6 bedrooms, and 7 bathrooms, you can not duplicate this internationally recognized private lakeshore home in Kelowna.

luxury waterfront home located in West Kelowna

1475 Pritchard Drive – listed with Caldwell Banker Horizon

1475 Pritchard Drive – West Kelowna, BC 

Last but certainly not least is 1475 Pritchard Drive which sold for $7,000,000 after 152 days on the market. This luxury waterfront home is located in West Kelowna and is less than 20 minutes from Downtown Kelowna. The outdoor living area is complete with a saltwater pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, and 284 feet of beachfront on Lake Okanagan. This luxury home features 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and over 4500 square feet of living space. Vaulted ceilings, open concept, breathtaking views, and a kitchen with high-end appliances are just a few features of this luxury waterfront home.

For more information on these top three luxury waterfront homes sold in Kelowna or any luxury real estate listings, contact Quincy Vrecko. Quincy Vrecko is a luxury real estate agent. He has over 28 years of experience in luxury sales. Whether you are looking for a luxury waterfront home, penthouse, or luxury real estate, Quincy is knowledgeable in all aspects of the luxury real estate market and can assist you with your next luxury home purchase today. When you are purchasing luxury real estate in Kelowna, work with a professional who knows the luxury real estate market. Call Quincy directly, at 1-250-863-8810!

Kelowna Real Estate: How to Budget for Kelowna Home Renovations

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Sometimes the hardest part of renovating your Kelowna home is figuring out how to budget properly. You have endless ideas of how to update the kitchen, add a bit of color to your family room, or rip out the carpet in the hallway but it all boils down to “how much is this going to cost?” If you are looking to do a Kelowna home renovation and are looking for ways how to budget properly, check out our top three tips and tricks.

Do your Research and Establish a Budget

couple planning their Kelowna home renovations

Do your research

One of the easiest ways to budget for your home renovations is by setting a budget in the first place. Here is the hard part… stick to it!! Every small thing you add can and will slowly add up in the end and you will end up way over what you initially budgeted for. Do your research on items you want to update and find out approximately what the renovations are going to cost. Stick to that plan and don’t go way over your budget because you see a set of handles for your doors that would look way nicer but are an extra $20 a handle.

Get Quotes for your Kelowna Home

Once you have an idea of what kind of things you want to update in your home, contact a company to get you a quote. If you have an idea of what you want, it will be way easier to quote you on the project. Don’t go to just one company, try to find three quotes for each project. For example, find three painters, three tile installers, etc. This will give you variety and will help when you are trying to stick to a budget.

painters in Kelowna home

Account for hidden costs

Account for Hidden Costs

When we budget for home renovations down to the penny, we often forget to add in some extra money just in case. Sometimes what can happen when renovating is you discover a hidden issue that has to be fixed. Most of the reason home renovations end up costing you more is due to those little hidden issues that arise during the middle of a renovation. To help with this, budget 10-20% of your budget towards unforeseen costs.

If you are in the process of beginning your home renovations, contact one of our Kelowna real estate agents first! Renovations can add value to your Kelowna home if done properly. We want to ensure that the money you are investing in your Kelowna home will only help you when it becomes time to sell. Speak to one of our knowledgeable real estate agents at Vrecko Real Estate Group today. Call 1-778-760-2860!

Make your 2018 New Year’s Resolution Stick

Just like that, we are officially in a new year – 2018! With a new year comes new resolutions. Sometimes our list of New Year’s resolutions can be longer than our weekly grocery list. The trick is knowing how to make these New Year’s resolutions stick. Look back at 2018 and be proud of crossing off your list of resolutions with these tricks.

Set Realistic Goals for New Year’s

set goals for 2018

Set realistic goals for 2018

If you are setting unrealistic goals for yourself, chances are you are not going to successfully reach those goals. Start with small realistic goals first. If you have never worked out before, don’t set your goal to workout 7 days a week. Start by setting your goal at 3-4 days a week. Then gradually get to working out 7 days a week. By setting realistic goals, you are more likely to reach them and in turn the resolution will stick throughout the year.

Break up your goals for the New Year’s

Is one of our New Year’s resolution to purchase a Kelowna home? Are you just $10,000 short of your goal? Instead of saying, I want to save $10,000 this year break it up into weeks or even days. For example… put a small amount per day into a savings account. Breaking up your goals into smaller goals will help when you are trying to save a large sum of money. Rather than saying, I need to put away $835 a month it sounds way easier to say you need to put $28 a day into savings. In the end, you get similar results but it may help by breaking up the goal.

set your New Year's resolution and do it with a friend

Have someone tackle your goal with you

Have someone do it with you

This is a great way to help stick to your New Year’s resolutions. If you are looking to obtain a goal this year, have someone keep you accountable. Try it with your significant other, friend or family member. Hey! Even make it a family challenge. Depending on what the goal is, it may be more fun to include more people and make it a group effort. Are you looking to give back to the community by donating to charity this year? Have a challenge with your family to see who can raise more money for charity. A little friendly competition and it gives back to our community.

2018 is a new year and a new beginning. Set your realistic goals, break them up and have someone do it with you. From the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates, we wish you all the best in 2018.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2018 is to buy a Kelowna home, we can help! Our team of dedicated real estate professionals are here to assist you with your Kelowna home purchase. Whether this be your first, second or even fifth Kelowna home purchase, our knowledgeable team of real estate agents are here to help! Check off a New Year’s resolutions with our team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates today. Call 1-778-760-2860!

January Agenda: What to do in Kelowna

We’re only a week away from 2018! 2018 is going to be the best year yet. With a new year comes new adventures, goals and events in Kelowna! If one of your new year’s resolutions is to be attend more events in the community, our monthly agendas are perfect for you. Every month we feature 3 events that are happening in Kelowna. What is on our agenda for the month of January? Check it out!

Indian Cooking Class

indian spices for cooking class

Learn a new cuisine

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to learn to cook or learn to make new dishes, then this is perfect for you. On the 3rd Wednesday of every month, Poppadoms is hosting a Indian Cooking Class at Urban Fare. These classes are kept to 10 people and are approximately 3 hours in length (5:30-8:30PM). Learn how to cook with local Okanagan ingredients and add a few new recipes to your recipe book at the same time.

CRIS Kelowna Polar Bear Dip

What a great way to start 2018! Head over to Tugboat Beach on January 1st from 1:00PM-3:00PM and participate in the Polar Bear Dip. This year it is hosted by UBCO JDC West Team. This popular activity helps raise funds for CRIS Adaptive Adventures. Dip by donation! Come as a spectator or come to do the dip. Regardless, it is a great event. Warm up with some treats from Peter Ze German Street Food, Bare Taco and Canoe Coffee Roasters.

organic labelled green onions at a market

Earth to Table Vegan Market

Earth to Table Vegan Market

Are you looking to change up your diet in 2018? Looking to eat more plant based food? Head over to the Earth to Table Vegan Market at the Laurel Packing House in Downtown Kelowna. This market brings together local vendors making it easily accessible to give vegan products a try. There is everything from food to personal care and cosmetics at this market. From 10:00AM-4:00PM enjoy all this market has to offer. A portion of this market’s proceeds will be donated to Twin Hearts Sanctuary.

Well there you have it, your January 2018 agenda for Kelowna. From the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates of RE/MAX Kelowna, we hope that 2018 is the best year yet. Filled with joy, laughter and new adventures.

If you are looking to relocate to our beautiful city to enjoy all of what our city has to offer, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our dedicated team of real estate agents have years of selling real estate in Kelowna and are ready to assist you with your next home purchase. Call 1-778-760-2860 today! 

 

Kelowna Real Estate: 2018 Home Trends

With a new year approaching comes new home trends for Kelowna real estate. Each year we see new paint colours, accent furniture and the list goes on. So with January right around the corner, what will 2018’s biggest home trends be for Kelowna real estate? Here is what is predicted for 2018…

Bold Kitchens for Kelowna Real Estate

modern kitchen with bold accents

Bold Kitchens for Kelowna Real Estate

One of the trends we are starting to see make a return is colourful and bold kitchens. Now we don’t mean go and paint your kitchen walls a bright green and call it a day. Kitchens are becoming more modern looking featuring white cabinets, light walls, grey accents and then adding a pop of colour. Most popular ways of adding a pop of colour is with colourful bar stools or with decorative objects.

Unique Accents

Forgo the traditional silver brushed faucets and it’s time to bring out the unique brass faucets and handles. Brass was popular in 2016 and it is about to make a return in 2018 again. If you are a bit hesitant to introduce brass accents in your home, try adding it slowly. Think small accents such as vases and decor pieces. You do not need to start with large accent pieces in order to introduce this trend into your Kelowna real estate.

modern bedroom with calm neutral tones

Calm and Modern Bedrooms

Calm and Modern Bedrooms

Contrary to the previous point, 2018 is the time for calm and modern bedrooms. Neutral tones such as grey, whites and greenery are making a statement this upcoming year. Not only are calm and modern bedrooms in this year but also the minimalist lifestyle is as well. Large arm-knit blankets, light grey and white bedding, soft neutral tones for furniture are sure to keep your home on trend for 2018.

Well, there you have it! These are just a few home trends predicted for 2018 Kelowna real estate. If you are looking for a home in Kelowna to add these 2018 home trends to, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our dedicated team of real estate agents have years of experience selling Kelowna real estate. One of our knowledgeable real estate professionals can assist you with your next Kelowna home purchase. Call 1-778-760-2860 today!

Relocating? Make Kelowna your Home

The Okanagan is an amazing spot in British Columbia. Surrounded by beautiful parks, sandy beaches, Okanagan Lake and award-winning wineries. Are you thinking of making the move to Kelowna?  What does this beautiful city have to offer you? What are some things we are known for? If you are considering making the move to our beautiful city, here are just a few reasons why you should…

Housing in Kelowna

stunning Kelowna home located in Wilden

183 Lost Creek Court – previously listed with Quincy Vrecko and Associates

Kelowna has a wide range of housing. We feature everything from affordable condominiums, family homes, waterfront homes and luxury real estate. The Kelowna real estate market is continuously growing. New developments are being built to keep up with the strong real estate market. There is something for everyone and in everyone’s price range. 

Lake Okanagan

Lake Okanagan is one of the main features for our beautiful city. If you love any sort of water activity, you will love it out here then. In the summer months, you will find people boating, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking and much much more! It was also just announced that there is going to be a new park named “Bluebird Beach Park” on Lakeshore Road in the near future. Check out more information about this park here.

lady sitting on top of Knox Mountain

Beautiful summer weather

Beautiful Weather

If you have ever visited Kelowna in the summertime, you are well aware of the beautiful weather we get! In the summer months, it is paradise! Forget going away on a tropical vacation, you’re living in Canada’s California. Long hot summer days and beautiful cool summer nights. You’ll often find a lot of activity in Downtown Kelowna over the summer nights. It is the perfect temperature over the summer time!

If you are considering making the move to Kelowna, check out our handy relocation guide. The team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates want to make sure this move is as smooth as possible. Our team of real estate professionals have years of experience selling real estate in Kelowna. From condominiums all the way to luxury waterfront homes, our knowledgeable team of real estate agents are ready to assist you with your Kelowna home purchase. Contact one of our agents today 1-778-760-2860!