While the location is undeniably critical, features such as high ceilings and an abundance of natural light are important to consider when purchasing luxury real estate in the Okanagan.
Location, location, location! You’ve heard the saying before, and it’s true: When you’re purchasing luxury real estate in the Okanagan, where you buy is almost as important as what you buy. But beyond that, what are some of the key features and selling points you should be looking for in your home-to-be?
Some prospective buyers prefer to take a freestyle approach, viewing home after home until ‘The One’ jumps out at them. That’s fine, but it can sometimes take a while before your ideal dwelling materializes. Having a rough idea of what your perfect home might look like can help you streamline the process.
The luxury real estate experts at Quincy Vrecko and Associates have compiled a list of features and amenities you should consider for your next purchase.
1. Clear, spectacular views
If you’re the type of person who likes to lounge on your custom-built red cedar deck and look out on Okanagan Lake, you want to make certain you have unobstructed views of it. If the backside of your neighbour’s house is partially blocking the vista, it might not bother you at first, but years down the road it might start to grate on your nerves.
2. Let there be light
A building design that allows plenty of natural light will ensure a bright and charming living space. It’ll also make those rare overcast days in the Okanagan feel cosy rather than gloomy.
Houses with any of the following features will provide additional natural light:
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Skylights
- Tubular daylighting devices (TDDs)
- Exterior and interior doors with glass panes
3. Look up, way up
For Kelowna homebuyers that crave a spacious living area, one design feature you should seriously consider is high ceilings. Many buyers are fixated on the square footage of a house, which is an important figure when comparing the size of houses. However, you should also consider the cubic footage of your living space as well.
Having 10- or 12-foot ceilings, combined with an open floor plan, makes a huge difference in the way your living space feels.
4. Timeless appeal
If you plan on being living on this property for a while, you want to make sure the building’s design will be just as desirable in 20 years as it is now. It’s difficult to determine trends in real estate, but you can always count on quality construction to hold its value:
- Solid foundation
- First-rate building materials, appliances and fixtures
- Sensible floor plan
- Unique design features
- Usable property
5. Storage
Unless you plan on hiring a self-storage container or unit, you should look for a luxury home with plenty of available storage for all of your extra and seasonal belongings. This could include:
- Garages
- Basements
- Closets
- Outbuildings
If you’re getting ready to start house hunting, read: Real Estate Advice: Am I Ready to Buy a Home?
Searching for the best in luxury real estate in Kelowna? Quincy Vrecko & Associates represents some of the finest homes in the Okanagan Valley, with listings in all of the most sought after Kelowna neighbourhoods. Call us to begin the search for your new home.
