Choosing a trustworthy concierge service for your Kelowna luxury real estate will help protect your investment when you’re away.

If you own a second home in the Okanagan, you want to make sure it’s cared for in your absence, particularly if you’re going to be away for weeks or months at a time. One option our Kelowna luxury real estate experts recommend is to use a home concierge service.

By choosing an experienced, reputable firm to routinely look in on your property, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your investment is protected. Some of the main benefits of a concierge service for high-end homes include:

  • Ensuring house insurance requirements are met (i.e. regular inspections)
  • Noticing damage or necessary repairs before they become a problem
  • Preparing the house just the way you like it before you arrive
  • Reducing the chances of home invasion

For more tips on the latter point, read our post: Safeguarding Your Luxury Real Estate While You’re on Vacation.

Finding a Reputable Company

When looking for a concierge company, it’s a good idea to do your homework. Buying Kelowna luxury real estate is a major investment, and the last thing you want to do is entrust it to a company that’s inexperienced, or worse yet, untrustworthy.

You could start the process by searching online to see what’s available in your area. If you happen to know someone else who uses a concierge specialist in the Okanagan, you could get their feedback. Otherwise, most Kelowna realtors can recommend companies you can rely on.

The company you decide on should be able to provide:

  • Verifiable references
  • Proof of liability coverage
  • List of services
  • Fee structure
  • In-depth record keeping (for insurance purposes)
  • List of subcontractors

A Proactive Approach

Aside from the mandatory inspections to satisfy insurance requirements, a professional concierge service should act as a second set of eyes. Rather than walking through rooms so they can check the box on the service schedule, they should actively be looking for any potential issues. 

If they discover a problem, they should have a decisive course of action that involves: 

  • Notifying
    • homeowner (you)
    • insurance company (if necessary)
    • restoration company (again, if necessary)
  • Arranging for repair or maintenance (plumber, landscaper etc.)

Range of Services

Concierge specialists offer more than just insurance inspections these days. They’ve come to understand that people who own luxury real estate have a range of needs to keep their homes properly maintained. To avoid having to deal with multiple outfits, why not find one that offers everything? Some other maintenance options you might want to look for include:

  • Snow removal
  • Landscaping/yard work
  • House cleaning
  • Organization

Other services they offer are stocking fridges for arrival, Pick up and delivery of car at airport, Arranging chef services and shutting home down for the winter. 

Those who own Kelowna luxury real estate also find the option of arrival/departure services very handy. This personalized provision can include everything from stocking the fridge with your favourite wine and cheese pairing and arranging chef services to making sure your car is cleaned, waxed and topped up with fuel or picking you up from the airport. They’ll even get your home ready for the winter.

Are you looking to invest in a high-end property on the Kelowna luxury real estate market? Quincy Vrecko & Associates helps you discover a stunning property that suits your lifestyle. Call us to begin your search.

Image Courtesy: Brian Sprout/Tourism Kelowna

Located on a gorgeous piece of luxury real estate along Lakeshore Road, Cedar Creek is one of the local wineries that are getting involved in pre-holiday celebrations.

 

Fill Your Wine Cellar This Winter

Try before you buy. Those are sage words to live by. And when it comes to wine tasting, it can mean a lot of fun, too. For people who own luxury real estate, and whose homes often feature wine cellars, tasting events also represent a great opportunity for stocking up before the holidays.

Kelowna is right in the heart of Okanagan wine country, and there are plenty of upcoming local events where you can sample the goods firsthand and decide which varietals you’d like to take home with you. Whether you prefer reds, whites, roses or port-style wines, there’s sure to be something to suit every taste. 

Plus, it’s way more entertaining than simply driving down to the liquor store and picking something off the shelf. 

1. Winter Wine Land

Each of the Kelowna Fab Five wineries will be serving up a festive cheer and offering discounts on select wines for their Winter Wine Land celebration. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28.

The Fab Five is a series of boutique wineries located on luxury real estate in the southeastern part of Kelowna. The members include: 

  • House of Rose Winery
  • Camelot Estate Winery
  • The Vibrant Vine
  • SpierHead Winery
  • The View Winery

Admission is free, but the wineries will graciously accept non-perishable food items for donation to the Kelowna Food Bank.

2. Fifth Annual Light up the Vines

Just down the road in Summerland, the 18 members of the popular Bottleneck Drive wine route will be celebrating a weekend of fun for the 5th annual Light up the Vines on Nov. 28-29 (3-7 p.m.). In addition to stopping by the wineries for tastings, you’ll be able to enter a weekend wine passport contest to win a grand prize valued at more than $500. And, of course, there’s the spectacular light-up of the vineyards. 

3. Sommelier-led Food & Wine Paired Tastings

For a more intimate experience, Cedar Creek Winery is hosting a seated educational tasting of some of their exclusive portfolio wines. Paired perfectly with cheese and charcuterie, this sommelier-guided wine tasting will be fun and informative. 

Located on prime luxury real estate along Lakeshore Road in Kelowna, Cedar Creek is hosting this food and wine tasting event on weekends at 2 p.m. until March 27. The cost is $15.

4. Sip Into the Season

Join the wineries of the Westside Wine Trail as they celebrate the holidays with their Sip into the Season event on Sunday, Dec. 6 (noon to 5 p.m.). Each winery will host local artisans and crafters in their festively decorated tasting rooms and cellars for a one-of-a-kind wine and craft tour.

To learn more about other seasonal activities in the area, check out our post: Kelowna: A City for All Seasons.

Wine CellarAre you in search of luxury real estate that offers a great lifestyle and plenty of activities in the Kelowna area? The realtors at Quincy Vrecko and Associates can show you high-end listings in the most desirable neighborhoods. Call us to book an appointment.

Creating a wishlist is a great way to find the ideal home amongst the multitude of Kelowna houses for sale.

At any given time, there are plenty of Kelowna houses for sale in the Okanagan real estate market. As we head towards fall, the inventory typically increases as this is recognized as a popular time of year for listings. Yet, among all of the offerings, how do you choose which one is right for you? 

Rather than head into homebuyer-mode blindly, it’s a good idea to determine your needs and get an idea of what you’re looking for in a home. After all, there are many options available: 

  • Single-family home
  • Condominium
  • Duplex
  • Townhouse
  • Manufactured home
  • Apartment
  • Acreage
  • Waterfront
  • Land only 

Our Okanagan realtors have come up with some points to consider before you begin searching among the Kelowna houses for sale: 

Set Your Priorities

A great way to start your house hunting campaign is to list the features you would like to have on your new property. You can then add a little flexibility to your search by separating these amenities into the following categories: 

  • Essential: Things you can’t live without
  • Important: Things you really want but aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker
  • Desired: Things you’d consider as bonus features

Sort Through Potential Features

No two properties are alike, yet they all seem to share certain features and similarities. Here are some of the more common items you should consider when building your priority list:

Type of housing: Do you want the privacy of a single-family home or the ease of a condominium?

Price range: Probably the single most important factor in deciding how much you want to invest in a property.

Location: Living close to work, school and local amenities is a huge convenience.

Number of bedrooms: How big is your family now, and do you intend to make it bigger?

Number of bathrooms: Another reflection of family size.

Design and layout: Do you prefer an open plan with lots of window light or a cozy log home?

Energy efficiency: Newer homes are built with more energy-efficient technology.

Condition: Do you want a brand new home or a bit of a fixer-upper?

Quality of construction: It’s possible to find older homes with ‘good bones.’

Upkeep: Will your new home require a ton of yard work?

Privacy: Cul de sacs and quiet roads are ideal for those seeking solitude.

Heat source: Gas, electric, wood or a combination thereof? Furnace, fireplace, radiators or baseboards?

Lot size: Do you need space for animals or a large vegetable garden?

Appliances: Would you prefer a matching set of energy-efficient appliances?

Outdoor amenities: Mature trees, waterfront or a well-kept garden are always nice.

Parking: There’s a lot to be said for having a level lot with easy access.

Once you have an idea of the type of property you desire, you should relay this information to your Kelowna realtor. If you haven’t chosen one, check out our post: How to Choose a Realtor. 

Wish ListAre you about to begin home shopping among the Kelowna houses for sale? At Quincy Vrecko & Associates, we’ll help find the ideal home based on your needs and budget. Call us to discuss your property investment goals.

What’s Hot in the Kitchen?

What’s Hot in the Kitchen?

High-end kitchen appliances such as Fisher & Paykel’s Double DishDrawer have become increasingly popular on the Kelowna luxury real estate market.

 

Kitchens are one of the most important selling features for homes listed on the Kelowna luxury real estate market. Having high-end appliances allows homeowners to prepare gourmet meals that rival those in upscale restaurants. For people who like to pamper their own palates and entertain guests in fine style, this is a must. 

These days, the technology manufacturers pack into kitchen appliances is remarkable. Whether it’s a refrigerator that notifies you via text message that you’re low on milk, or a dishwasher that operates so quietly you don’t even know it’s running, they’re constantly coming up with new innovations.

Here are some of the ones our Kelowna realtors think you’ll find desirable in your kitchen.

Double Dishwashers 

For luxury homeowners with large families, or those who entertain on a regular basis, having double dishwashers is a blessing. Sometimes the capacity of a single unit isn’t enough (i.e. Thanksgiving dinner for 17 people). A second dishwasher can manage the overflow, including any larger pots and pans, freeing you up to spend more time with your guests.

For people who have smaller homes in Kelowna luxury real estate, something like Fisher & Paykel’s ingenious Double DishDrawer Tall is a brilliant idea. It features two separate dishwashing drawers that function independently so different wash cycles can operate simultaneously.

Beverage Centres

There are beer fridges, and then there are beverage centres. The latter is a much more sophisticated option for people who like to have their drinks close at hand, and enjoy them at precisely the right temperature.

Take the U-Line Modular 3000 Series, for example. Its handy U-Select Control allows you to set the perfect storage environment for a variety of food and beverages:

  • Beverage (beer or pop)
  • Deli
  • Market
  • Pantry
  • Root cellar
  • Sparkling wine
  • White wine
  • Red wine 

By having a dedicated beverage centre, it frees up considerable space in your refrigerator. There are many under-counter models available that are ideally suited for luxury homes with kitchen islands. 

Built-in Coffee Makers 

There’s nothing like savouring your morning cappuccino, prepared exactly the way you like it, while you scan the news headlines from the comfort of your home. It’s one of the reasons you’ll find built-in coffee makers in high-end homes on the Kelowna luxury real estate market.

Models like Miele’s CVA 6805 Coffee System retail at $5,399 and can be plumbed directly into your home’s water system so you don’t even have to fill it up. All you need to do is feed it some beans once in awhile.

Other handy features include:

  • Touch display operation
  • Prepare two beverages simultaneously
  • Built-in milk dispenser
  • Cup height sensor
  • Automatic rinse

If you have a luxury home that could use an update, read our post: How to Modernize an Older Luxury Home with Kelowna Appliances.

Are you searching for Kelowna luxury real estate with the best amenities? Quincy Vrecko & Associates can show the best homes in the most desirable Kelowna neighbourhoods. Call us to discuss what your ideal luxury home looks like.