Make your Waterfront Kelowna home Stand Out

Recently we wrote a blog on how to make your Kelowna home stand out. Now, as a follow up, we are going to focus on how to make your waterfront Kelowna home stand out. There are different ways you can attract a home buyers to your waterfront Kelowna home. The process of selling your Kelowna home versus a luxury waterfront home is totally different. So check out these three ways on how to make your waterfront Kelowna home stand out!

Staging is key

waterfront kelowna home whiskey cove

Staging is key!

When you are trying to make your waterfront Kelowna home stand out, it’s important to ensure your home is staged properly. These Kelowna home buyers are serious about your Kelowna waterfront property, they want to envision themselves sitting on the deck watching the sunset or enjoying a glass of Okanagan wine. It’s important to stage your Kelowna waterfront home, it truly does make a difference!

Access to the lake

When a Kelowna home buyers comes to check out your waterfront home, they want to check out the view! You are selling your home as a waterfront property. Sell the view! Ensure that the Kelowna home buyers have access to the shore or at least are able to see the shore from your deck. The view is one of the most important features of your Kelowna waterfront property, focus on it the most!

Luxury listing with Quincy Vrecko and Associates

Clean your windows

Clean your windows

As stated in the previous point, the view is one of the most important features for your Kelowna home, sell it! If your windows that feature the Okanagan lake are filthy, how are the Kelowna home buyers going to get the full experience? Hire a team of professional window cleaners in Kelowna and have your windows sparkly clean for your showings!

If you are looking for a luxury Kelowna real estate agent to sell your Kelowna waterfront home, contact Quincy! Quincy is the luxury real estate agent for Quincy Vrecko and Associates, RE/MAX Kelowna. He has over 28 years of experience in luxury sales and will be the perfect fit as your luxury real estate agent. All you have to do is call him directly to get started, he will take care of the rest! Call Quincy today 1-250-863-8810!

Property Transfer Tax – What? How? When?

Purchasing a home is a huge financial decision, be it your first Kelowna home or your fifth. There are many extra costs associated with buying a home that need to be considered, particularly the BC Property Transfer Tax. Many homebuyers ask what is it? How can I plan for it? Are there any exemptions?

What is the Property Transfer Tax?

The BC Property Transfer Tax is a one-time payment based on the fair market value of the home you are buying, ie. the purchase price. This Property Transfer Tax is charged every time you make changes to a property’s title, which is the case when you are buying a home, or even if you are just purchasing an interest in a property. The revenue collected is used by the provincial government to pay for essential services like education and health care.

property transfer tax faq quincy vrecko real estate

Know how to calculate your property transfer tax.

How is it calculated?

The BC Property Transfer Tax is calculated in an increasing scale depending on the value of the Kelowna property you are purchasing:

  • 1% on the first $200,000 of the purchase price
  • 2% on the value of the property above $200,000 up to and including $2,000,000
  • 3% on any value above $2,000,000
  • as of February 21, 2018 a further 2% is charged on the value greater than $3,000,000

Example:  The current median home price in the Central Okanagan is $672,500

1% on the first $200,000 = $2000

2% on the value above $200,000 = $9450 ($472,500 x 0.02)

Total Property Transfer Tax = $11,450

Is there any way I can avoid it?

The Property Transfer Tax can add up quickly on your Kelowna home purchase. The good news is that there are some exceptions and exemptions to this tax.

First time home buyers are exempt from the Property Transfer Tax if the value of the home is less than $500,000, and they are Canadian citizens or permanent residents that plan to use the property as their primary residence. If two individuals are purchasing a property together and only one qualifies as a first time home buyer, you may apply a partial exemption to the percentage of the value of the home that the first time home buyer will own.

Newly build homes may also be exempt from the Property Transfer Tax. If the value of the new home is less than $750,000, and the buyers are Canadian citizens or permanent residents that plan to use the home as their primary residence, they may apply for a Property Transfer Tax exemption.

You can find more information on exemptions on the BC Property Transfer Tax info page.

 

The experienced team of Kelowna real estate agents at Quincy Vrecko & Associates are well versed in the Property Transfer Tax and prepared to guide you through all facets of the Kelowna home buyer process. Contact us today to get started.

 

Building new? Lower Mission Lots For Sale

With the city constantly growing it is no surprise that the Kelowna real estate market is not slowing down. A brand new home in Kelowna is a hot commodity. If you’re looking to build in an established neighbourhood like the Lower Mission your options are limited. Here are your options for Lower Mission lots for sale.

A New Development

lower mission lots for sale in new development

The Orchard in the Mission site

There is a rare new development of Lower Mission lots for sale creating a lot of in Kelowna Real Estate. The Orchard in the Mission offers 103 single family home lots for sale. Lake, meadow, and mountain view building sites are available.

This collection of Lower Mission lots for sale run north from DeHart Road just east of Gordon Drive. Covering 23 acres of a former apple orchard the Orchard in the Mission will include dedicated walking trails, parks, and bespoke landscaping.

Purchase a “Tear Down” and build new

A “tear down” home is a property where the style or age of the home makes it more desirable to destroy it and build new. As parts of the Kelowna real estate market age we are seeing these listings more and more. This is a popular option in established neighbourhoods like the Lower Mission. While they are marketed as homes for sale, we would still consider them as Lower Mission lots for sale.

Subdivided Lots

Lower mission lots for sale quincy vrecko

Lot currently listed with RE/MAX Kelowna

Within established neighbourhoods it is becoming common for larger lots to be subdivided into smaller parcels and listed as Lower Mission lots for sale. These smaller lots allow you the opportunity to build a brand new Kelowna home within an established neighbourhood.

Current list prices for this type of Lower Mission lots for sale range from $485,000 and up to over $1 million dollars. More than $5 million will get you one of the subdivided lakefront Lower Mission lots for sale.

 

 

The team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates is ready to assist you in your search through Lower Mission lots for sale. Contact the team at 778-760-2860 for all of your Kelowna real estate needs.

Kelowna Schools – What you need to know!

The end of summer means a transition to cooler days but more importantly for Kelowna families it also means back to school. For both new and prospective Kelowna residents having a knowledge of Kelowna schools is important for your family. For elementary aged children three of the highest ranked public Kelowna schools sit in three of the most popular Kelowna neighbourhoods for families.

Casorso Elementary

kelowna schools

Welcome to Casorso School

Located in the Lower Mission neighbourhood, Casorso Elementary is one of the best of public Kelowna schools. Offering both an English and French curriculum to it K-6 students Casorso Elementary also offers a unique photography program to its grade 5 & 6 students.

Established in 1973 and named after a family of early settlers, the school has had a number of substantial renovations and upgrades, most recently in 2000.

The Kelowna schools catchment for Casorso Elementary begins at Lanfranco and runs south to Radant, straddling Gordon Drive. The school feeds into KLO Middle School for grades 7-9 and Kelowna Secondary for grades 10-12.

Chute Lake Elementary

kelowna schools chute lake quincy vrecko real estate

Kettle Valley’s Chute Lake Elementary

Built in 2009 this newest of Kelowna schools for elementary ages is located in Kettle Valley. The catchment area encompasses all of the Kettle Valley neighbourhood as well as parts of Upper Mission.

Chute Lake Elementary educates children in grades K-6 and their grounds are connected to Chute Lake Park. This creates lots of green space for outdoor play and special field events.

After grade 6 students move on to attend Okanagan Mission Secondary School for grades 7-12. For secondary level Kelowna schools Okanagan Mission is consistently ranked in top spot.

North Glenmore Elementary

North Glenmore Elementary

As its name suggests this school is located in the North Glenmore neighbourhood. The Kelowna schools catchement area for North Glenmore elementary includes large parts of the Wilden neighbourhood, all of McKinley Beach, as well as parts of the Glenmore neighbourhood.

North Glenmore was established in 1964 as a 2 room school house and has seen considerable growth since then. With a rapidly expanding population the demand for Kelowna schools increase so much that the school as seen numerous expansions, including a 2 storey addition completed in 2001.

Almost unique among Kelowna schools North Glenmore Elementary educates students in grades K-6 as well as offering a pre-school program for younger students. As they age students are fed into Dr. Knox Middle School, and then on to Kelowna Secondary school.

 

Looking for more information about Kelowna schools and neighbourhoods? Have a look at our neighbourhood guide or give as a call at 778-760-2860. At Quincy Vrecko and Associates our experienced team of Kelowna realtors is always happy to help.

Top Kelowna Private School: Aberdeen Hall

You have found your fabulous Kelowna luxury home and have settled in. Now it’s time to get the kids sorted and ready for back to school. If you’re interested in giving your children an education beyond the basic BC Curriculum you’ll be looking for a Kelowna private school. We’ve done the research for you and found Aberdeen Hall, the top Kelowna private school.

Important Factors in Choosing a Kelowna Private School

Kelowna is a great place to get a private school education. When you are looking at a Kelowna private school there are important factors to consider;

  • Location
  • Curricular approach
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Class sizes
  • Community life

Top Ranked: Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School

Founded in 2004, Aberdeen Hall is in the Kelowna neighbourhood of North Glenmore on Academy Way next to the UBCO campus. The campus spreads across 44 acres of beautiful Kelowna landscape. It is ideally located for easy access and just a short drive from your Kelowna home.

This Kelowna private school strives to achieve student excellence in academics, athletics and the arts and provides a wide variety of extracurricular activities, producing exceptionally well-rounded students. Aberdeen Hall students are consistently accepted into the best universities.

Yearly highlights for parents and students alike are the Horizon Week excursions, theatre performances, and the athletic prowess demonstrated by the 33 different athletic teams.

Class sizes are small which maintains a low teacher to student ratio allowing for more personal attention and the ability to foster creativity and provide enhanced opportunities in academics. Critical thinking skills and independence are also an important focus of this Kelowna private school.

Aberdeen Hall recently released their strategic plan for the next 7 years with a strong master plan dedicated to maintaining student excellence and consequently their rank as the top Kelowna private school.

Aberdeen hall quincy vrecko kelowna luxury homes

State of the art facilities at this Kelowna private school

Fraser Institute Ranking

Aberdeen Hall is continually ranked as the top Kelowna private school by the Fraser Institute of Canada. These rankings provide a detailed report on how a school is performing in academics in comparison to other schools. The Fraser Institute uses objective, publicly available data such as average scores on province wide tests. Aberdeen Hall’s ranking as the top Kelowna private school can be viewed HERE.

The team of experienced agents at Quincy Vrecko & Associates knows all about making the right choice for your Kelowna luxury lifestyle. From school recommendations to Kelowna neighbourhoods and recreation opportunities. Contact them today to get started building your Kelowna lifestyle.

First-time Kelowna home buyers

If you are a first-time Kelowna home buyer, it’s safe to say, you will learn a few things after your first time purchasing a Kelowna home. So what may these things be? What should you remember for your next Kelowna home purchase? Check out these three things that first-time Kelowna home buyers learn when they purchase a home.

Save for unexpected costs

piggy bank for money

Save for unexpected costs

When trying to budget for what a home is going to cost, it’s easy to forget all of the little costs that come with it! There are so many little fees that come with purchasing a Kelowna home that you need to prepare for. For example, lawyer fees, moving expenses and home inspections! Ensure that you are prepared next time and have some extra money tucked away for these unexpected costs.

Understand your needs from your wants

First-time Kelowna home buyers have an idea of what they want for their first home. With social media, it’s easy to get carried away on your “wants”. It’s important to understand the difference between needs and wants. Trends come and go! Was the “want” really a “want”? Or did you just want it because it was a popular trend at the time? Understand what you need and decide what you want and go from there!

meeting with real estate and client

Hire a Kelowna real estate agent

Hire a Kelowna real estate agent

If you purchased your first Kelowna home without a Kelowna real estate agent, your second purchase will be completely different. Forget the stress that came with trying to find a home, forget the paperwork and forget all the worry of trying to understand the process. Trusting a Kelowna real estate agent to make this process as smooth and stress free as possible is your best option for your next purchase!

If you are looking to purchase your second Kelowna home, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our knowledgeable real estate agents are ready to assist you with your upcoming purchase! We make things as smooth and stress free as possible. All you have to do is pick up the phone, we will take care of the rest for you! Call 1-778-760-2860 today!

Beat the Heat with Indoor Kelowna Home Activities

Well it’s no surprise, summer is here and it’s hot! The warm weather doesn’t look like it’s leaving us anytime soon either… With the heat in full swing, there are only so many times you want to jump into a pool or run through the sprinkler to cool off! If you are looking to beat this heat, check out our three indoor Kelowna home activities!

Feather Volleyball

feathers used to play volleyball

Play feather volleyball

If you need a great way to entertain a large group of kids or you want an activity all your kids can play together, try feather volleyball! This great version of volleyball can ensure nothing gets broken in the house, that’s for sure! In order to play feather volleyball, all you need is one large feather. You can purchase these feathers at a craft store. The trick is? No hands! You must only blow the feather around your Kelowna home using the air from your lungs! How fun!

DIY: Ice cream in a bag

What a great treat for your young ones! If you are looking to beat this heat, try to DIY ice cream in a bag. All you need to make ice cream in a bag is, a large ziploc bag, a small ziploc bag, ice, sugar, vanilla, cream and some salt! There are great recipes online to make it perfect! If you don’t want to use plastic, there are great alternatives. You can buy a ice cream ball. Place all the ingredients in the special ball and get your kids to kick it around in the basement for 20 minutes! Check online for some great ice cream balls to purchase!

bathtub toy floating in water

Sink or float?

Sink or Float?

Fill up the bathtub with cold water and play a game of sink or float! Have your kids go around the house and gather items that can get wet. Have them each say if they think the item will sink or float! If they are wrong? They have to go get the item in the cold bathtub! What a great way to cool off and play a fun game of sink or float?

Well, there you have it! A few great ways to beat the heat in your Kelowna home! If you are looking for a home in Kelowna for you and your family, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates! Our team of real estate agents have helped many Kelowna home buyers relocate to this beautiful city! Don’t wait, summer is almost gone! Purchase your Kelowna home and enjoy this beautiful weather! Call one of our team members today by calling 1-778-760-2860!

Sell your Kelowna Luxury Home Quicker than your Competition

When you put your Kelowna luxury home up for sale, it’s important you make your home stand out from the competition. There are plenty of Kelowna luxury homes for sale, it’s all about how you go about the sale process that will make yours sell quicker than it’s competition. So what are our three tips for selling your Kelowna luxury home quicker than your competition? Check out below for our three secrets…

Have an experienced luxury real estate agent

realtor shaking hands with client after purchase

Hire a professional luxury real estate agent

We recently wrote a blog on the difference between hiring a Kelowna luxury realtor vs. hiring a Kelowna real estate agent. Check out that blog here. To summarize, Kelowna luxury real estate agents are experienced in the luxury real estate market and they have the proper marketing techniques to reach the most amount of people in the least amount of time. It takes an experienced luxury real estate agent to really sell your Kelowna luxury home. It’s not just putting a for sale sign up and waiting for an offer.

Highlight the best features

What makes your Kelowna luxury home the best on the block? What separates you from other homes on the market? Do you have breathtaking views? Do you have an unique pool? Whatever the features are of your Kelowna luxury home, focus on that and highlight them! Spend extra time in those areas to ensure that your potential buyer knows that these areas are the most unique!

number sign on piece of paper on desk

Is the price right?

Is the price right?

This takes a experienced real estate agent who is knowledgeable in the market! In order to price your Kelowna luxury home, it’s important to have a knowledgeable luxury real estate come into your home and do a market evaluation. They will be able to view the other homes that sold in the area and that are currently listed and give you a fair market price for your home. Keep in mind, what your Kelowna luxury home was valued at 6 months ago may not be the same today. If you need an updated market evaluation, call us!

If you are looking to sell your Kelowna luxury home quicker than your competition, start by calling Quincy! Quincy is the luxury real estate agent with Quincy Vrecko and Associates! He has over 28 years experience in luxury sales. Look no further for a Kelowna luxury real estate agent who truly cares about his clients and always has their best interests in mind! Call Quincy today for a free market evaluation and let’s get your home sold! Call 1-250-863-8810 today!

Myths about Home Staging for your Kelowna property

When you list your Kelowna property, it’s not uncommon to want the most money in the shortest amount of time. Hey! We totally understand that. The less cleaning and inconvenient showings the better? It’s important you attract the most amount of people in the shortest time in order to bring an offer to the table. So, is staging an option for you? Are you hesitant to hire a Kelowna home stager? Here are a few common myths that we hear about home staging and facts to go with it!

Myth: I can just stage my own home

women sitting on couch with dog

Myth: You can stage your own home

Fact: It is very hard for a Kelowna home seller to stage their own home. In fact, we have Kelowna home sellers contact us for a market evaluation and their house is in tip top shape and we still can offer a few tips on what to change from a fresh set of eyes. If you live in your Kelowna property, it’s hard to take your tastes out of it and stage as to how your Kelowna home buyers would want to see it staged. A fresh set of eyes and ideas from a Kelowna home stager can do wonders!

Myth: home staging is too expensive

Fact: Home staging can be expensive but we have seen that homes that are staged sell in less time and for a higher price. These Kelowna homes attract more buyers, they can see themselves living in the home and instantly fall in love with how it looks. Staging can do a lot for even the smallest of spaces! While it can take money to stage, it can all come back to you in the end on your home sale.

decorated desk with modern furniture

Myth: You have decorated your home, that should be enough?

Myth: my home is decorated already, that’s should be enough?

Fact: There is a difference between decorating and staging a Kelowna property. Decorating your Kelowna property means decorating it to suit your style. When you “stage” a Kelowna home that is selling a lifestyle. You are selling the Kelowna home for the lifestyle it works with. Stage your outdoor living area with wine glasses and a bottle of wine, sell it as a relaxing place to come after a long day at work. It’s all about the lifestyle.

There are many myths about staging a Kelowna property! If you have more questions about why Kelowna home staging is important for your Kelowna property, contact our team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our team of knowledgeable Kelowna realtors can answer any questions you may have! Call one of our Kelowna real estate agents today 1-778-760-2860!

Prepare your home for Back to School

It’s that time of year… the summer is coming to an end an school is creeping up sooner than we’d like it to! Back to school means a lot of things. It means preparing your kids for a new schedule, waking up early and after school activities. If you are gearing up for a busy school year, check out our three tips to ensure your Okanagan home is ready for back to school!

Clean and Declutter

closet organization before back to school

Clean and Declutter!

Yes, we said declutter and yes we know it’s not spring time! Believe or not, decluttering your Okanagan home can really set the tone for your school year. Who wants to start the year off looking for a pair of shoes or finding out the children’s clothes don’t fit and you have to last minute shop? We sure don’t! If you don’t feel like decluttering the whole house, stick with the most important rooms… mud room, kids bedrooms and study areas.

Establish a “homework zone”

Yes, one of the smartest things you can do is having a “homework zone”. This will ensure that the kids have a quiet and organized place to do their homework. Bonus for the parents? You know you’re kids are actually doing their homework! This can be a small area in your Okanagan home you are not using such as a hallway or spare room. Stock this area with pens, pencils and extra paper. Voila! You’ve made use of your spare space and the kids are getting their homework done!

scheduling and planning on desk of Okanagan home

Work on your new schedule

Work on your new schedule ahead of time

Getting your kids back into the swing of things can be difficult. Start by introducing a earlier bedtime but having family movie nights starting at 7pm and by the time the movie is over, new bedtime starts and the kids are wound down for the evening? It’s a win win! If you introduce the new/old schedule back into things in a fun way, it can help make the transition go a lot smoother. Stick the new schedule up in an area of your Okanagan home that everyone can see. Kitchen? Hallway? Mudroom? Wherever it may be, ensure every one of your kids can see it and know what they are expected to do!

If you are looking for an Okanagan home for your family, contact our team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our team of dedicated and knowledgeable real estate agents have helped many families relocate to our beautiful city of Kelowna. We can help you too!! All you have to do is pick up the phone and we’ll take care of the rest for you! Call 1-778-760-2860!