On the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake sits one of the most desirable districts in Kelowna: the Lower Mission. It’s an established neighbourhood that offers luxury real estate situated on expansive lots. Even more, every Lower Mission home is just steps away from great shopping and dozens of little beaches. If your family loves the water as much as they like shopping, exploring, and trying out great new restaurants, this is the perfect neighbourhood for you to call home.   

The Original Mission

In October of 1859, a group of missionaries arrived in the Okanagan. After touring around the area, the trio established the Immaculate Conception Mission on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake. The rolling hills surrounding the newly constructed lakeside building soon became known as Okanagan Mission. As more settlers took up residence in the Okanagan Valley, the mission quickly became one of the focal points for social and religious gatherings. It also doubled as the first school to open its doors in the Okanagan.

As more and more settlers arrived and Kelowna began to take shape, the Okanagan Mission community continued to thrive. In 1974, the once separate community officially became a part of Kelowna. Now, locals refer to the area as Mission, home to some of the most beautiful luxury real estate in Kelowna. With such a rich history, it’s no wonder why so many luxury real estate Kelowna homeowners prefer to live in this beautiful, convenient and well-established neighbourhood. 

The Neighbourhood Boundaries

From K.L.O Road to Barnaby Road and Lake Okanagan to Gordon Drive, nestled in between you’ll find Lower Mission.

The Neighbourhood Highlights

Highlights of Lower Mission

Summerhill Pyramid Winery features organic and biodynamic wine grown in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Besides sought-after properties, Lower Mission is also home to some amazing activities and attractions. Take a stroll through the string of trendy boutiques and shops that line the streets in Lower Mission. Then, once you’ve worked up an appetite, sit down to an impressive meal at some of Kelowna’s best restaurants. You can also check out some of these places:  

Gyro Beach – Known as the most popular beach in Kelowna, Gyro Beach offers rental shops, food trucks and snack shacks, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Summerhill Winery – If you’re looking to fill your wine cellar with some of the best wines in Kelowna, the Summerhill Winery is just steps away.

H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre – During the cool winter months, you and your family can still enjoy fun times in the water without leaving your neighbourhood.

Michaelbrook Ranch Golf Club –  Surrounded by beautiful vineyards that the Okanagan and Lower Mission are famous for is this 18 hole BCGA-rated executive golf course.

A Family-Friendly Neighbourhood

Even with access to many lakefront parks, beaches, and playgrounds, there are still many more reasons why Lower Mission is a favourite for families. One of the biggest attractions that luxury real estate homeowners enjoy most about Lower Mission is the ease of access to many popular schools. With a reputation for having the best of the best, Lower Mission is home to these great schools:    

  • Anne McClymont Elementary
  • Dorothea Walker Elementary
  • Casorso Elementary
  • Okanagan Mission Secondary
  • K.L.O Middle School
  • Kelowna Secondary School
  • Okanagan College

Typical Neighbourhood Listings 

luxury real estate listing in Lower Mission

1001 Westpoint Drive – listed with Quincy Vrecko and Associates

Luxury real estate listing in the mission: 

Less than a five-minute drive to downtown and the Kelowna General Hospital, Lower Mission is ideally located. In addition to lakefront living, eclectic boutiques, and rave-worthy restaurants, Lower Mission is full of absolutely stunning lakefront homes. Tucked amongst the deep-rooted trees of Lower Mission, luxury real estate exists in many forms:

 

  • Single family homes
  • Character homes
  • Condos
  • Townhomes
  • Lakefront homes

If you’re looking for Kelowna luxury real estate that checks off every item on your must-have list, take a look at the homes in Lower Mission. This vibrant, perfectly located neighbourhood will definitely exceed your expectations.

Are you looking for your dream home that’s located in a lakeside neighbourhood and perfect for the entire family? The luxury real estate experts at Quincy Vrecko & Associations can help you find the home you’ve always wanted in the location you’ve always dreamed about. Call 1-778-760-2860

Gone are the days of retreating to your home for alone time and private reflection. Instead, luxury real estate homeowners are now opting for welcoming spaces that encourage their friends and family to visit often. By focusing their attention on creating entertainment areas that cater to everyone, homeowners are beginning to choose welcoming, useful spaces over private ones.

Whether you enjoy entertaining or just prefer to follow what’s hot and what’s not, transforming these six spaces in your Kelowna luxury home will keep you on point with the hottest real estate trends.

1. Calm and Comforting Courtyards 

Bordeaux Residence

Photo by Stocker Hoesterey Montenegro – Look for contemporary exterior design inspiration

Courtyards are taking the luxury real estate market by storm. In high demand, front-entry courtyard designs make for a serene, relaxing space that will instantly brighten your mood before you even step foot in the front door. Outdoor fireplaces, eye-catching landscaping, cozy seating and soothing water features make an instant and lasting impression. 

2. Paradise-Worthy Backyard Pools

Viewbank Project

Photo by Apex Landscapes & Pools – Search contemporary pool design ideas

Although swimming pools in the Okanagan are incredibly common, many luxury homeowners are now more interested in resort-style pools. In-pool seating, swim-up bars, and cozy lounge areas are the most popular features requested and sought after by homeowners. 

3. Fully Stocked Outdoor Kitchens

2012 New American Home

Photo by Phil Kean Designs – Browse contemporary patio ideas

Another must-have trend popping up all over the Kelowna luxury real estate market is the addition of outdoor kitchen areas. Outdoor kitchens are the perfect space for entertaining. In addition to custom grills, homeowners are adding in things like: 

  • Wine coolers
  • Refrigerators
  • Sinks

This allows them the freedom to stay outside while entertaining company. Why spend time inside when you can enjoy the company of friends and family while enjoying the great outdoors? 

4. Attention-Grabbing Game Rooms

New Build South Yorkshire 2

Photo by Carolyn Parker Interior Design Ltd. – Look for contemporary family room design inspiration

Surging in popularity, game rooms are making their appearance on must-have real estate shopping lists. Some of the features highly desired are billiards tables and wet bars complete with wine coolers and refrigerators. Don’t forget about the little ones either. Children-sized seating complete with built-in shelving for board games is just as popular.  

5. High-End Home Theatres

luxury home theatre with dark seating and large screen tv

Photo by Gramophone – Look for contemporary home theater design inspiration

Home theatres are the next big thing in the Kelowna real estate market. With stadium-style seating, high-tech sound systems and monster movie screens, home theatres are the perfect place for inviting guests to an evening of entertainment. Accessories like theatre-style popcorn makers, shelves stocked with treats, and soda dispensers and beer taps bring the complete movie-going experience home.  

6. Spiritually Refreshing Meditation Rooms

Meditation Space

Photo by Siol – More modern family room photos

 

Although meditation rooms are not necessarily entertaining guests, they boost the comfort appeal in any luxury home. This new trend is taking off, and homeowners are either requesting these spaces when searching for luxury real estate or else transforming their current spaces. Bamboo flooring, piped in nature sounds, soothing tabletop water fountains, indoor hot tubs, built-in yoga mats, and shelves stocked with candles, incense, and books on natural healing are popular items used to transform a regular room into a meditation room.

For other property trends to keep an eye out for this year, have a look at our previous post: 5 Luxury Real Estate Trends to Look for in 2016.

Are you looking for luxury real estate that encompasses these trendy features while still catering to your must-have list? Call our luxury real estate agent, Quincy Vrecko! He’ll show you the trendiest and most desirable homes in the luxury real estate Kelowna market. Call 1-250-863-8810

When adding your home to the list of Kelowna houses for sale, follow these tips to discover the magic of Tidying-Up.

 

After spending the day tidying up and organizing your home, there’s something absolutely therapeutic about putting your feet up and admiring the results. It’s almost magic. And it’s also the perfect way to set apart the best homes from the rest when digging through the many Kelowna houses for sale on the market. A clean and clutter-free home stands out and intrigues potential buyers.

If you’re looking for ways to bring the tidy trend into your home, we can help.


1. Set a Goal

Write it down. You can even draw a picture—just make sure you set your organizational goals in stone and make them happen. Close your eyes and picture your home the way you want it to look. If you can visualize a tidy and organized home, you’re a lot more likely to follow through with it.


2. Categorize and Conquer

Because clutter can occur anywhere and contain items from all over the house, it’s best to sort by type rather than by room. For example, maybe you have more than one linen closet. It would be best to tackle all the linen at once instead of organizing each closet one at a time.


3. No More Storage
 

A lot of people think that organizing involves complex storage solutions and units. It doesn’t. Once you’ve gone through your possessions category by category, you might find that you decide to purge more items than you originally thought you would. 

Alternatively, you may find that by sorting and tidying each type of item, you’re able to combine them into one location—a single bench, cupboard, bin or drawer. This will free up other locations for more storage. Some modern Kelowna properties don’t have heaps of additional storage space, but they still feel light, airy and orderly because everything is so well organized. 


4. Get it Done

One of the tricks to finishing the tasks you originally set out to do is to complete it all within a reasonable period of time. Allot a reasonable amount of time to get through the entire house, and then finish it within that timeframe. If you don’t accomplish this goal, you might risk retreating back into the old clutter-accumulating habits you once had. If you need a little extra push, take a look at some of the other Kelowna houses for sale on the market that you appreciate.  


5. Admire the Effect

Once you’ve got your home tidied up and organized, take a few days to tour and inspect each room. Do you love the way the remaining items look? Do they make you smile? Is there a secret joke or a special meaning behind some of the visible items? If you answer no to these questions, pitch them. Once you can eye up everything in your home and absolutely love it, you can sit back and enjoy the magic that you’ve created.

Now that you’ve got everything just the way you like it, why not incorporate a little Feng Shui into your tidy and newly organized home? Have a look at our previous post for inspiration: Feng Shui 101 – Kelowna Realtor Explains the Ancient Philosophy.

 

For more tips on how to get your Kelowna real estate organized and ready for the market, call the friendly professional real estate team at Quincy Vrecko & Associates. We can provide expert advice and make sure your Kelowna houses for sale get the attention they deserve. Call 1-778-760-2860.

Many Kelowna houses for sale embody some of these 13 features to help speed up the number of days on market.

 

Flipping through home design magazines, it always seems to be the same décor themes that stand out: sophisticated home furnishings, fancy feature walls, and unique eye-catching details. Kelowna houses for sale that feature these characteristics don’t seem to spend a lot of time on the market before they sell.

If you’re looking for affordable ways to add drama to your home before listing it, we’ve got a list of tips to help you out.

1. Reupholster dated and worn-out furniture.

If your furniture has seen better days, a quick reupholster job could bring it back into the twenty first century.

2. Apply marble contact paper to flat surfaces.

For a quick pop of elegance, apply marble contact paper to desktops and tabletops.

3. Add faux wainscoting.

Wainscoting adds a touch of elegance to any room. Using recycled chair rails, wooden frames, and white paint, you can easily increase the appeal of any room in your home.

4. Create the appearance of built-in bookcases.

Without doing any major renovations, you can use old bookcases and crown moulding to create an eye-catching faux built-in.  

5. Re-vamp lifeless light fixtures.

A can of metallic spray paint (we recommend copper) can change the appearance of outdated light fixtures in less than 15 minutes.  

6. Replace or repaint kitchen and bathroom hardware.

It’s amazing how something as simple as changing these little details can increase the value of Kelowna houses for sale.   

7. Distress your furnishings.

By distressing some of the furnishings in your home, you can add unique character to your home.

8. Update your window trim.

Bold trim that’s freshly painted is the perfect frame to showcase the beautiful views outside.    

9. Use recycled wood to make accent walls and headboards.

One of the most popular emerging trends in Kelowna houses for sale is the use of barn wood and other recycled wood to make feature walls, backdrops and décor items. 

10. Strategically place wallpaper in unexpected places.

Add a little dash of elegance by incorporating sophisticated wallpaper in your favourite rooms.   

11. Give your cabinetry a facelift.

A little sanding and a coat of paint on already existing cabinets can go a long way. Add a little luxury by choosing a trendy colour that compliments your current appliances.

12. Update boring bathroom mirrors.

By adding trim around your bathroom mirrors, you can add the illusion of fancy finishing without removing the mirror from the wall.

13. Boost that curb appeal.

Another really popular way to improve the value of your Kelowna properties is to boost the curb appeal. By boosting the curb appeal, you’ll find yourself with more interested buyers excited to tour the interior of your home.

For tips on how to do this, take a peak at our previous post: Kelowna Real Estate: Boosting Your Home’s Curb Appeal.

 

If you’re ready to list your home on the Kelowna real estate market, have a chat with the professional expert team at Quincy Vrecko & Associates first. With our experience and attention to detail, we can help you get your home ready to enter the marketplace. Call 1-250-863-8810.    

Take it from us: When seeking out luxury real estate trends, old is new again.

 

When it comes to the top luxury real estate trends in 2016, modern tech is out and old world is in. As smart phones, smart apps, and smart technology devour the world we live in, homeowners are starting to look for a place to unwind and unplug.


Elegant and Chic Dining Rooms

Beachwood

One of the emerging trends to keep an eye out for in 2016 is a separate formal dining room. Families are starting to feel the void caused by TV and cellphone use during dinnertime. With the impending availability of smart appliances invading kitchens, a separate dining area is a sought after addition. Sometimes you need to disconnect in order to reconnect.


Cozy, Tech-less Family Rooms

Bridge Street Residence Family Room

If you’re looking for family-friendly luxury real estate, search for a home that offers both a living room and a multimedia room. Many buyers are opting for both so that they can keep the family room tech-free but still have a room available for movie and sitcom watching. Pull out some cards or a board game and get to know the ones you love the most by spending time together in your tech-less family room. 


Spaces that Bring the Outdoors In

Home Design - The Bayfield

Another hot luxury home trend emerging in 2016 is the combination of outdoor and indoor living areas. Large corner windows can help bring the beauty of the outdoors into your home. Homes with accordion or pocket doors can also blend the divide between your backyard and your indoor living space. Glass rooms that offer wide open doors on either end create a seamless flow between the outdoors and your home. With so many options to pick from, it’s easy to see why this trend is making its rounds in 2016. 


Brag-Worthy Bathrooms

Back Country Estate

Keeping in line with the tech-less wave that’s taking over the luxury homes scene, spa-like bathrooms are becoming another trend you’ll want to look for. If you can imagine spending hours in your master bath, you’ve found yourself a trendsetting bathroom. Adding in cozy features like plush chairs and fresh flowers will also add to the appeal of retreating to your favourite room to unwind and unplug. 

For more ideas to make the master bath the best room in the house, check out our previous post: 5 Luxury Real Estate Bathroom Trends We Love.


Kitchens that Wow

Contemporary Shaker Kitchen

Stunning kitchens have always been something homebuyers are attracted to. From custom cabinetry to the latest appliances, kitchens are definitely the heart of the home for good reason. This classic trend has pushed the envelope this year. Look for kitchens with mismatched cabinetry, dramatic yet functional islands, and touches of copper. These are the trends that luxury real estate Kelowna homebuyers search for the most.   

 

If you’re looking for your dream home that’s on point with the hottest luxury real estate trends, contact the professional Realtors at Quincy Vrecko & Associates. We specialize in helping buyers find properties that suit your lifestyle. Call 250-863-8810.

Landscape Tips: When buyers are browsing through Kelowna houses for sale, they’re probably looking for these five elements.

 

If you’ve been thinking about adding your home to the list of Kelowna houses for sale, you know how important a well-cared for yard is. The curb appeal, the warm and welcoming front door, and the privacy of the outdoor living area can help turn interest into a sale. If you’re considering listing your house in the Kelowna market, consider some of these landscaping tips to help increase the value of your home.


1. Focus on the Exterior

Landscape Tips
Photo by Dean Thomas Architectural Design – Look for contemporary exterior pictures


Curb Appeal. It’s a term you’ve heard a bunch of times, but what does it even mean, and why is it important? A home that has curb appeal can increase the value of your home by up to eight percent. This is because a home that makes an outstanding first impression can attract more buyers. Think about it this way: Buyers will usually drive by the
Kelowna houses for sale that they’re interested in before making an appointment for a viewing. If your home looks attractive on the outside, potential buyers will be more eager to take a peek inside.


2. Spruce up the Front Yard

Landscape Tips
Photo by Mitchell Construction Group – More traditional exterior ideas


Another way to add instant curb appeal to your home is to make the front yard and front door welcoming. Add a cozy little seating area, paint your front door an inviting colour, and add a decorative welcome mat to the front stoop. You can also add flowers and shrubbery, but try to keep them in planters instead of planting them directly into the yard. Potential buyers love cheery looking homes, but may not be excited about the prospect of maintaining overflowing flowerbeds.


3. Invest in Outdoor Living Areas

Landscape Tips
Photo by Fredman Design Group – More contemporary patio ideas


Buyers looking through the lists of
Kelowna houses for sale typically prefer to view homes that offer outdoor living spaces. With the wonderful weather Okanagan residents are privy to, many buyers look forward to spending their free time outside. By fixing up the deck or patio, installing an outdoor kitchen, or adding a gazebo, you can boost the property value while attracting more buyers. 


4. Exercise your Green Thumb
 

Landscape Tips
Photo by – Search modern landscape pictures


A well-landscaped yard can increase the value of your home by five to 10 percent. Consider adding things like: trees, native plants, paving stones, and water features. Try to keep the landscaping stunning yet simple and use plants and trees that strike a seasonal balance.


5. Tidy Up your Garage

Landscape Tips
Photo by Garage Envy – Search traditional exterior design ideas


Although the garage doesn’t fall under the landscaping heading per se, it’s definitely worth talking about. Buyers are always looking for neat and tidy homes that allow them to envision themselves moving in. Remodeling your garage by adding shelving, fresh paint, and other details can increase the value of your home by up to six percent. When garage envy sets in, potential buyers may be more willing to make an offer.
 

Now that you’ve got the exterior taken care of, check out our post for tips on increasing the value of your property on the inside: Home Improvement: 4 Projects to Add Value to Kelowna Real Estate.

 

If you’re ready to list your home, contact the Kelowna real estate experts at Quincy Vrecko & Associates. Our professional Realtors can help you achieve maximum value for your property. Call 250-863-8810.