The Process of Selling a Kelowna Home

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This past week we wrote a blog on the process of buying a Kelowna home, so to do a follow-up, the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates have outlined the process of selling a Kelowna home. If you are in the market to sell a Kelowna home, we’ve got great tips for you!

Couple standing beside a sold sign of a home with keys in hand

Hire a Kelowna Realtor

When you start to have thoughts of putting your Kelowna home on the market, it’s time to think of what Kelowna realtor you will hire. If you are going back and forth about whether you should hire a Kelowna realtor or do it yourself, check out, why should I hire a Kelowna realtor.

Prepare your Kelowna Home for Sale

One of the most important steps in selling a Kelowna home is preparing it. Preparing your Kelowna home for sale will not only attract buyers but could result in a great sale. Some ways you can prepare your Kelowna home for sale are,

  • Boost your curb appeal

  • Get rid of unnecessary clutter

  • Hire a professional staging company

Sign your Paperwork

Similar to a home-buying process, you are just signing the paperwork to list your Kelowna home. Your Kelowna realtor will go through all the necessary paperwork needed to list your Kelowna home. If you have any questions, ask away. This is your time to familiarize yourself with all of the contracts and paperwork!

Schedule an Open House

The first two weeks your home is on the market tend to be the busiest. That is why it is important to have your Kelowna realtor do an open house within the first few weeks of your Kelowna home hitting the market. You will attract the most potential buyers at once and can in turn drive a sale!

Accept an Offer

Congratulations! You have received an offer on your home. First things first, review the offer with your Kelowna real estate agent. You want to make sure you look over every page to ensure that you know exactly what the offer entails. Once you have accepted the offer, the buyer will go about removing subjects and you can just sit and wait for the good news!

SOLD!

The best thing to hear from your Kelowna real estate agent is, “They have removed subjects, congratulations, your home is now sold!”. We are so happy for you and for the next adventure, you are about to partake in. Now, start packing, cleaning, and decluttering so you are ready to go for your next home!

The process of buying and selling a Kelowna home can be quite different but one thing is common, you’ll need a great Kelowna real estate agent to help with your sale. Tracey Vrecko from Quincy Vrecko and Associates is ready to get your home SOLD! Call Tracey to begin the home selling process today, at 1-778-760-2860!

 

Why Should I Hire a Kelowna Realtor

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You’re getting ready to sell your Kelowna home and the thought hits, Kelowna realtor or private sale? Trust me, we get it! The thought of how much money you can save starts going through your head. The vision of selling your home privately is starting to sound more and more appealing. Well, we’re here to tell you the truth about private sales and why we think you should hire a Kelowna realtor!

Professional Marketing

home with for sale in front of it

Professional marketing for your Kelowna home

You may get some action from posting a sign out front and putting ads in the local newspaper. On the flip side, when you list with a Kelowna realtor, you will obtain way more action from their professional marketing. Each listing at Quincy Vrecko and Associates will have an HD video/photos taken of their home and the newest in technology… a 3D Virtual Reality Tour. We don’t just pop a sign in front of your home, we are here to help market your Kelowna home to potential clients and the public.

It’s More Work

Most of you have a full-time job, raising kids, and trying to still have a social life. Selling a home takes time and that is why realtors have a full-time job doing it! Realtors have so much knowledge of the market as they study it daily and are here to guide you through the process of selling your home. Let’s face it, I can’t come into your position and become an expert, leave it up to us to help you get top dollar for your home!

small home with coins in front of it

You don’t save that much money

You don’t save that much money!

I bet you fell off your seat reading that point, but it is true! You may think, but I am not paying for commission if I am listing with a Kelowna realtor. I must be saving a ton of money by just doing it myself. Well, for one, it takes a lot of time to sell a home. It takes time in your day or organize showings and market your home. In most cases, a realtor can get you enough to cover their commission. Sometimes they also put more money in your pocket.

A Kelowna realtor who is willing to work hard to market your home is Tracey Vrecko from the team at Vrecko Real Estate Group Tracey can provide you with expert advice on the Kelowna market. She is here to make sure the process of selling your Kelowna home is as smooth and successful as possible, give her a call today at 1-778-760-2860!

 

Why Should I Get Pre-approved for a Mortgage?

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Congratulations! You are in the process of buying a home. Whether you are looking for your first home, downsizing, or in search of a family home, it is important to get pre-approved for a mortgage before beginning your home search!

The pre-approval process is as simple as follows,

  • Find a mortgage broker who you can trust to get you the best rate, we work with some of the top mortgage brokers in Kelowna who we highly recommend. We believe that working with a mortgage broker is far better than with one bank as the mortgage broker will shop around for the best rate for you rather than being stuck with one rate at a bank.

  • Once you sit down with a mortgage broker, they will go through the different mortgage options with you. (fixed versus variable rates, payment options, etc.)

  • Fill out an application with important personal information which will help the banks determine the amount you are approved for

  • Your mortgage broker will then do a credit check

  • Your mortgage broker will let you know approximately how much you can afford

  • Then they will advise you of any documents that you may need once you have found a home that you love!

With the hot housing market, you do not want to miss out on any opportunities when you find the home you love. That is why getting pre-approved for a mortgage is important as you do not have to go through searching for a home to find out that you are not looking in the correct price range.

Still not convinced why you should get pre-approved for a mortgage? Here are three points to try to convince you…

  • You will save a lot of time house-hunting as you know exactly what you can afford and what you will be approved for at the bank.

  • You know ahead of time what your payments will be for your mortgage as your mortgage broker has already gone over this with you.

  • You save money! Isn’t that what we all want? If you get pre-approved for a home and you know exactly what you can afford you can go about the subject removal process with ease. Schedule your home inspection, sign the documents needed, and find yourself a great Kelowna Lawyer to do your conveyancing. You do not want to find yourself spending money on due diligence to find out that you can not get the proper financing for the home you are interested in.

Now you shouldn’t have to ask yourself, why should I get pre-approved for a mortgage? To begin the process, contact the team at Vrecko Real Estate Group. Aside from giving you expert advice on the Kelowna real estate market, we are here to guide you through the process of buying your home. Call us today – 1-778-760-2860!

 

Home Automation & Smart Homes

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When buying or building luxury Kelowna real estate, a home automation and smart home system is a must. Technology has come a long way over the years. Quincy Vrecko and Associates is here to guide you through the best of what the market has to offer.

Crestron

Creston has been in the home automation business since 1974 and is geared toward the luxury Kelowna real estate market.  With an amazing reputation in home automation and smart home systems, there is a price tag that comes with that.  Crestron is known for its high quality, and like all smart home systems, it can be controlled from both mobile devices and built-in panels.  The capabilities are endless controlling virtually every component of your home.

Their equipment is elegant, high quality, and reliable with touch screen and voice recognition software.  Their customer service is impeccable which is why this brand is one of the market leaders in home automation and smart home systems.

Control 4

This highly complex home automation system is one of the best in the luxury Kelowna real estate market for smart home technology features.  Control 4 stays ahead of the trends with cutting-edge technology with voice recognition and a fully customizable interface.  This complicated system takes weeks to set up which is expensive for the homeowner, but once working, is an easy system to control.  Like other systems, you can control the smart home system from your smartphone, remote, or keypad.  Once programmed this will allow you to perform most tasks just with the touch of a button.

Savant

This smart home system is user-friendly and works like an Apple product.  This system is not only found in luxury Kelowna real estate but many family homes in Kelowna.  Although still requires professional installation, this system enhances energy efficiency and suggests ways to help cut back on home costs.  A unique feature it offers is voice communication directly from your phone to your home’s intercom.

Selecting a home automation and smart home system when buying luxury Kelowna real estate can be an important decision considering resale value.  The team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates can help you choose a system that meets your needs. All while maintaining the value of the luxury home. Call Quincy Vrecko, an experienced luxury real estate agent. Quincy has over 28 years of experience in luxury sales. For expert luxury real estate advice, call Quincy at 1-250-863-8810! 

Minimalist Lifestyle

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For Homeowners, the time to be a Minimalist is often associated with downsizing.

Having lived several years in Japan I was introduced to the simple beauty of minimalism in art and in the ceremony. If you allow yourself to slow down and experience the moment there is a definite beauty in the simplest act. The tea ceremony is a perfect example, calligraphy is another favorite of mine.

CONSUMERISM

Back in the Western world much of the bliss you can find in the small things has been lost to our overindulgence and consumerism. Our disposable economy and lifestyle have discounted the true value of many items. And with the constant barrage of ads promoting the best new gadget, we tend to become dissatisfied with last year’s models.  Everyone wants the latest and greatest even when the recently acquired ones are still working perfectly well. I suppose it fits into our hunter psychology to always be on the lookout for something good. It also does not help that things have become cheaper.

With this greed mentality driving our economy it’s not surprising that there is a genuine backlash on consumerism and our “wants over needs” culture. Trends in housing have seen a large following for smaller homes and an alternative to the huge houses with the huge mortgages we see in many neighborhoods.

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

There is also a real groundswell in the “pursuit of happiness”. With so much going on in our lives there seems to be little time to focus on the things that make us happy. This almost always involves experience or connection with those we love and the community that provides us with a sense of worth and value. These relationships and connections are what truly make us happy. Not the new boots I just bought myself.

To make room for this new pursuit it is recommended by the Minimalist to de-clutter, throw out, and recycle all the stuff you don’t use or need in your homes. For many, the project begins in the closet with the purging of clothes. For others, it starts in the kid’s room with old toys. This can be a real challenge for some as they value memories attached to possessions. This rear-view tendency has to be coaxed aside to create new space for adventures that will be equally as memorable.

Minimalist in the Home

For Homeowners, the time to be a Minimalist is often associated with downsizing. Getting rid of all of the stuff that has accumulated over the years can be very cathartic. For designers, it is the paring down of design elements to create an environment that has a terrific style with the bare minimum of fixtures. It is a common thread to have one great thing versus a trunk full. For a living space, this might be one great chair, or for the fashion lover only having two excellent sweaters rather than 50 on shelves in the closet.

The key point to all of this is in keeping things very simple and doing more with less. The sense of freedom when you manage to pull it off is well-documented. You free yourself of psychological burdens you did not know you even had simply by removing things from your life that you no longer use. There is a beneficial drop in your anxiety from having to deal with less.

100 POSSESSIONS

The new Minimalist tries to have only 100 items in their possession. For a family like ours, this would result in 400 things. Given our active lifestyle, this would be extremely difficult to accomplish, but I think we can all agree it would be easy to get rid of hundreds of things we no longer use.

To free up our homes from clutter is to free our minds from worry. This allows for more room emotionally to indulge ourselves with friends and family. It also creates more time as we have less to clean.

So for all of us who would like a little more time to pursue happiness and connect with those important to us in our communities try freeing up your “space” to allow for new experiences. Go through your house and toss all the stuff you no longer use and all the things you no longer need.  You might find that a simpler life is more fulfilling and you become happier. A Minimalist lifestyle might be the right choice.

Declutter your Home with These 7 Steps

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How to Get Started on Decluttering Your Kelowna Home

The idea of living in a clutter-free home is so intriguing but many start with the question “Where in the world do I start”. You think of the countless things you have gathered over the years, and the thought of less clutter, less to clean, less to maintain is starting to sound better and better! While we were showing homes over the weekend in the Lower Mission, we were so impressed by some of the home’s organization and cleanliness we just had to share some tips on how to declutter your home.

1.    Set your timer

This one seems so obvious but some will find that the easiest way to declutter your home is to set the timer for an hour or two and clean until the timer goes off. Devoting a full day to decluttering will set you up for failure. You know you will not completely declutter your home in a full day, set a realistic goal, go in increments that you are comfortable with, and make it fun!

2.    Divide and Conquer

Pick a room and declutter until you have finished that one room. If you start in the kitchen make your way into your bedroom and then into the dining room your house will get overwhelming and you’ll end up with a bigger mess than when you started!!

3.    12x12x12 Challenge!

This challenge is a great way to get your kids involved in decluttering their bedrooms or toy rooms. You assign each of them a room and give them the 12x12x12 challenge. They must throw 12 items away, donate 12 items, and put 12 items back to their proper homes! You’ll find that if you get your kids involved in a fun and entertaining way such as introducing challenges and games into the process, they will be more inclined to help!

4.    Try the Oprah Winfrey Closet Hanger Experiment

Great way to get rid of clothes that you may be holding onto. Put your clothes on the hanger so the hanger faces back to front. For the next 6 months, every time you use a piece of clothing return it to your closet with the hanger facing the correct direction. After the six months is up, you will see which items you no longer wear and can donate them to a local charity.

5.    Have a Game Plan

If you have an A-type personality and you know you would be lost without your to-do list then this step is perfect for you! Distinguish ahead of time which rooms you would like to conquer today and make a list of them. Once you are done with a room, cross it off the list and then head to the next one. Not only are you decluttering your home but you have a great sense of accomplishment by looking at that to-do list at the end of the day as well.

6.    DONATE!

This is the best time of year to start donating to your local charities. A great way to declutter your home is to give one item away each day. This is also a great way to involve your children, have each person take one thing they do not need anymore and put it in a bag. At the end of the week, go as a family to your local charity to donate it! Not only are you giving back to the community but you are spending your weekend as a family which is a plus!

7.    Organize Now, Buy Later

The biggest mistake people will make when trying to declutter their home is they buy things before donating/throwing out the stuff they no longer need. Declutter your room/home first and then go out and buy things to organize the rest. You will not know how many containers, baskets, or new shelving you may need until you find out how much you have left after you have gotten rid of the unnecessary items.

You will find the process of decluttering your home to be an uplifting experience. It is a proven fact that having less stuff around you to worry about gives you a sense of freedom. It also feels good to donate things and pass them forward for someone else to enjoy. If you like this article you might also like our piece on the Minimalist movement in the US. This takes decluttering your home to a whole new level.

Are you getting your home ready to sell? Take advantage of the time and advice given by our expert Kelowna real estate team, which ensures your home is in its best shape to set your sale up for success. Get in touch! 1-778-760-2860.

Is it a Good Time to Sell?

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As we approach the winter months, some sellers elect to hold onto their properties for the perceived advantages of showing in the spring and summer months.  However, with a realty team as knowledgeable and practiced as Vrecko Real Estate Group, you can be confident selling your home even in the winter months.

There are a few key advantages of selling your home in the slower seasons:

The Benefits of Slow-Season Selling

Good Time

Across Canada, it’s conventional to see lulls in inventory during the late fall and winter months. Most homeowners choose to wait till spring to list their properties. Those who strategically take advantage of the resulting reduction in inventory can access incredible benefits.

When inventory is low, buyers have a smaller selection of choices and a greater sense of urgency to choose. With fewer properties available, prospective buyers have a reduced ability to ‘shop around’ for alternatives.  Buyers know that if they take too long to decide on a property, another buyer will snatch the property.

For this reason, we consistently see houses sell closer to their list price, with significantly fewer showings, during the slow season. It’s a simple reality that with reduced supply comes an increase in demand from buyers.  This is most prominent with listings that include pools, which are difficult properties for buyers to find in the winter.

Good Time1502 Pinot Noir Drive

Don’t believe us?  Take a look at this recent listing for all the evidence you might need.

1502 Pinot Noir is a perfect example of a property that sellers may be discouraged from listing during the slow season. It is a 5300 sqft 5 bed/6 bath home with rich wood accents, a media room, and a heated in-ground pool.

Successfully selling in winter requires a special touch; a unique understanding of market conditions and knowledge of how to take advantage of them. It is precisely this touch that distinguishes Quincy Vrecko as the leader in Kelowna luxury real estate.

Vrecko & Associates were able to sell this listing nearly at the list price, in a very short period using their Kelowna real estate expertise.

If you’d like to hear more about the opportunities available for selling luxury Kelowna properties during the slower season, get in touch with Quincy, or give the team a call at 250-863-8810.

Luxury Real Estate: 4 Hottest Waterfront Areas in Kelowna

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When it comes to waterfront property, there are many luxury real estate opportunities in the Kelowna area.

Kelowna is ripe with luxury real estate investment opportunities. Of all the high-end properties available on the local market, waterfront continues to be one of the most desirable options.

However, there are several distinct neighborhoods with waterfront on Okanagan Lake, each with its unique characteristics and amenities. Our Kelowna realtors are here to break down the most popular areas to help you choose which one suits your lifestyle.

1. Lower Mission

The Lower Mission offers the type of luxury real estate Kelowna residents and summer homeowners have enjoyed for decades. Located just six kilometers south of Highway 97 (along Pandosy Street or Gordon Drive), the area offers tremendous upscale living opportunities.

The area is ideal for families as there are many schools in the neighborhood, plus there are many sports fields, arenas, and recreation complexes such as:

There are many public beaches in the Lower Mission, as well as a full-scale marina. People investing in Kelowna high-end real estate also love the Lower Mission area because it’s flat. This makes it easy to get around on a bike, or foot. 

There is also an increasing number of beachfront restaurants that make the Lower Mission a fun place to be, day or night.

2. Downtown Kelowna

For those who want to be in the middle of everything, it doesn’t get much better than Downtown Kelowna. While it has everything an active city has to offer year-round, Kelowna truly comes to life when the sun is shining and the temperature rises.

Luxury real estate in Downtown Kelowna has everything you could want in an active urban lifestyle as you are within walking distance of:

  • Restaurants
  • Shopping
  • Pubs
  • Cultural events
  • Nightlife

Plus, you’ll have City Park and its beautiful beaches, boardwalk, and wildlife sanctuary right on your doorstep.

3. Westside Road

If privacy is your thing, then the waterfront properties along Westside Road are sure to please. Located on the west side of Okanagan Lake, across the William R. Bennett Bridge, this region features several Kelowna luxury houses built in natural settings that offer stunning views of the lake. 

Several private gated communities along Westside Road offer exclusive living at its finest. 

4. Lakeview Heights

Stretching from Casa Loma Resort all the way south to Peachland, Lakeview Heights features properties with some of the most spectacular views in the entire Okanagan. The area also boasts many custom-built, award-winning homes that exemplify luxury living.

There are many well-established wineries in the area, including:

Before you hunt for Kelowna luxury homes, read our post: 6 Tips for Buying Kelowna Luxury Real Estate on the Water.

Are you searching for luxury real estate on the waterfront in Kelowna? Call the Kelowna realtors at Vrecko & Associates. We’ll show you the top properties in the most desirable areas to suit your lifestyle.

5 Advantages of Listing Kelowna Houses for Sale in Winter

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There are several surprising benefits to listing Kelowna houses for Sale in the Winter months.

Are you waiting until the weather improves to place your home on the Kelowna real estate market? You’re not alone in this way of thinking. However, when it comes to Kelowna houses for sale, there are several distinct advantages to listing in winter.

No matter what time of year it is, people are constantly looking for homes to buy. You might just be pleasantly surprised with the results if you list now instead of waiting until spring. Our Kelowna realtors are here to help explain why:

1. Winter Buyers Are Motivated Buyers

People generally don’t drive around in winter unless they have to. So if they’re out in the cold looking at Kelowna houses for sale, there’s a high probability that they’re serious about buying.

To avoid driving around unnecessarily, house shoppers around this time of year typically take more time to prepare. That means:

  • Researching the types of homes they’re looking for
  • Only viewing homes they’re serious about
  • Putting in solid offers when they find the right place

So, while you can expect fewer showings in winter, the ones you do get will be by more qualified buyers.

2. Lower Inventory

As mentioned, many homeowners who are looking to place a Kelowna real estate listing prefer to wait until spring. If you’re listing in winter, that automatically works in your favor. And the more people who wait, the lower the inventory remains.

As a result, you’ll be competing with fewer listings in your:

  • Neighborhood
  • Price range
  • Housing type

This gives your property more of an opportunity to stand out among a smaller pool of Kelowna houses for sale.

3. Holiday Wish List

Some families want more than a present under the tree for Christmas. Sometimes they want (or need) a new home and the holidays are an ideal time to do some reconnaissance. The kids are already out of school and work-life tends to slow down in many industries, making it an opportune time to see what’s available.

4. New Year’s Resolution

The New Year causes people to make big changes in their lives, and moving into a new home would certainly qualify as a fresh start. 

5. Get a Head Start on Spring

If you plan on buying a new home after you sell your old one, this is an ideal time to do it. By closing a Kelowna real estate deal in winter, you’ll be ready for action when the market picks up again in spring. This benefits you in several ways:

  • You’ll have a clear understanding of your financial situation
  • You can make offers without restrictions (i.e. pending the sale of your house)
  • There will be more Kelowna houses for sale to choose from

For home staging tips around this time of year, read our post: How to Stage Kelowna Real Estate During Winter Months. 

Listing Kelowna houses for sale in winter can help you take advantage of a smaller real estate inventory. To discuss your options, come and talk to the experts at Vrecko Real Estate Group.

How to Stage Kelowna Real Estate During Winter Months

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When staging Kelowna real estate in winter, a good strategy is to make your home feel warm and cozy.

When the subject of staging Kelowna real estate comes up, most people agree that the less-is-more approach works best. By keeping rooms clean and free of clutter, it helps buyers see homes for their true potential. However, when it comes to winter, there a number of other ways homeowners can create a warm, cozy feeling to add sales appeal.

Many home sellers assume winter is a slow time for real estate. Compared to spring and fall, it isn’t as busy, but there are always people searching for Kelowna houses for sale. Here are a few tips from our Okanagan realtors that might just convince someone to buy your home.

Regular Staging Rules Still Apply

Before you do anything, your home should still be staged like it would any other time of year. That includes: 

  • Decluttering rooms of unnecessary knickknacks
  • Cleaning floors and dusting furniture
  • Storing personal effects (dishes, laundry, etc.)
  • Repairing any issues (replacing light bulbs etc.) 

For more detailed information on staging, read our post: How to Do Home Staging Well: Tips from our Kelowna Realtors.

Maintain a Festive Atmosphere

Even though the holidays have come and gone, you can still present your Kelowna real estate with a little seasonal cheer. Keeping your Christmas lights up a little longer than normal, or leaving a bowl of pinecones as your kitchen table centerpiece, are just two examples of how you can charm potential buyers.

Don’t Go Overboard

An important distinction to make here is that while a few tasteful decorations can entice the senses, too many can quickly overwhelm them. So, before you consider leaving your laser light display (complete with synchronized Christmas carols), think of how distracting that might be to buyers.

Get Cozy by the Fireplace

If homebuyers are out viewing Kelowna real estate on a cold winter night, they’ll appreciate the warm glow of your fireplace the moment they set foot inside the door. This creates an inviting feeling, which encourages them to stay longer, giving them more time to discover what your home has to offer.

To make your home as welcoming as possible, you can also:

  • Set your thermostat slightly higher than normal
  • Turn on the interior lights
  • Place area rugs on hard surfaces

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Daylight is limited in the winter months, but when possible, it’s a good strategy to schedule visits while the sun is up. By opening your curtains and blinds, you’ll allow natural daylight to infiltrate your home to show it in its best possible condition. 

Summer Potential

Visitors won’t be able to see your prized rose garden when it’s covered in a foot of snow. A great way to highlight it and other outdoor selling features is to leave a photo album showing things like: 

  • Gardens
  • Ponds
  • Landscaping
  • Curb appeal

Are you considering listing your property on the Kelowna real estate market? Come and talk to the local experts at Quincy Vrecko & Associates. With our experience and strong marketing skills, we will promote your home effectively.