Technology: Responsive websites with stunning professional photos and video walkthroughs have become an integral part of promoting Kelowna luxury real estate.

Technology is constantly changing the way we do things, and Kelowna luxury real estate is no exception. When it comes to buying and selling homes in the Okanagan, there are so many more options for people to find and research properties they’re interested in.

And for Kelowna realtors, advancing technology has opened up new channels for marketing the listings they represent to reach a wider market of potential buyers. Here are just a few examples of how changing technology is reshaping the way the luxury real estate industry operates. 

Premium Websites

The days of glitchy websites with pixelated photos are thankfully long gone. In their place is a new standard of website that is:

  • Custom built
  • Fast loading
  • Visually appealing
  • Loaded with useful and engaging content
  • Simple to navigate 

With an easy-to-search website interface at their disposal, potential homebuyers have the ability to do a considerable amount of research even before they meet with their realtor. By educating themselves beforehand, buyers feel more in control and have a better idea of what they’re looking for.

Today’s websites arealso responsive, meaning they are optimized to function well on your smartphone, tablet and on a laptop or personal computer. This is important because we have reached a point where people are conducting more online searches using their phones than they do using traditional computers. 

Professional Photography and Videography

The majority of Kelowna luxury real estate listings are showcased using a combination of: 

  • High definition video walkthroughs, with voiceovers
  • High resolution photography to highlights the main selling features

When you put this together with sleek graphic design options and search filters, the result is a listing that: 

  • Looks professional
  • Stands out
  • Is easy to understand
  • Conveys the luxury lifestyle

This is particularly important for out-of-town buyers who want to learn all they can about Kelowna luxury real estate before coming to view it in person. In some cases, buyers are confident enough to make an offer without actually seeing the property firsthand because the online listing gives them everything they need.

It’s also worth noting that most buyers and sellers want to work with an agent who uses video to market or showcase a home.

Social Media Networking

With more and more research and communication being conducted online, Kelowna realtors are recognizing an opportunity to engage potential clients and promote listings using: 

  • Social media
  • Blogging
  • Other online networking

This is an opportunity for realtors and clients to interact even before you meet face-to-face. And many realtors are active across a range of social media channels such as:

  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

If you’re looking to invest in Kelowna waterfront properties, contact Quincy.

Buying and selling Kelowna luxury real estate is easier when you have a professional sales agent on your side. If you’re in the market for high-end properties, call the experts at Quincy Vrecko & Associates.

The Kelowna homes for sale at Cypress Point offer a refined living opportunity for those who want to enjoy the best the Okanagan has to offer.

Usually, when you look at Kelowna houses for sale by the numbers, you look at details like square footage, number of bedrooms and lot sizes. When it comes to the Cypress Point development just east of Kelowna, you look at the figures in a different light:

For those who prefer a quieter, natural setting, Cypress Point is certainly worth a visit. Here are some of the other features you’ll appreciate about this Okanagan golf course community:

Never Do Yard Work Again

Cypress Point is a strata development that includes services such as: 

  • Landscaping
  • Yard maintenance
  • Snow removal
  • Property upkeep

Built with active people in mind, these homes allow you the freedom to spend your time and energy doing the things you love. You’ve worked hard for a lifestyle you deserve, so why not make the most of it with the hassle-free Kelowna houses for sale at Cypress Point?

To learn more about strata developments, read our post: Kelowna Properties: 4 Things You Should Know About Strata Properties.

Abundant Activities

These properties are ideally situated for an array of easily accessible activities, including: 

  • Golfing
  • Hiking
  • Skiing (Big White)

Or, you can always just sit back and soak up the views of the golf course, Black Knight Mountain, cityscape and other Okanagan Valley vistas. 

Plenty of Options to Choose from

Ranging from 1,800 to 2,600 square feet, and from $535,000 up to $650,000, these well-built townhomes offer a superb combination of value, practicality, style, and comfort. The development is currently on Phase 4, with 14 units already occupied, and another lot has recently sold, which leaves 19 units up for grabs. The next block of four homes will be ready this spring.

Image suggestion: Cypress Point site plan https://quincyvrecko.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/QV-CypressPointPlan-2016-01-19.pdf

Reputable local contractors are building the Kelowna houses for sale at Cypress Point. With attention to detail and dedication to quality craftsmanship, these homes are: 

  • Spacious
  • Functional
  • Well-appointed
  • Energy efficient
  • Beautiful (inside and out)  

Customize Your Dream Home

Aside from picking the lot you want, there are a number of floor plans and trim packages to choose from, which will allow you to incorporate your personal taste into the look and feel of your home.

Some of the common features you’ll find in these contemporary homes include: 

  • Vaulted ceilings
  • Engineered hardwood flooring
  • Stainless steel appliances
  • Quartz countertops

Enjoy the Finer Things

Built with empty-nesters in mind, the Kelowna homes at Cypress Point feature ground-floor master bedrooms for ease of access, as well as high-end kitchens so you can savor gourmet meals and entertain guests in style.

And when you want to unwind after a hard day on the links, your master ensuite bathroom is like your own day spa.

Are you looking for Kelowna houses for sale that will allow you to enjoy the Okanagan lifestyle at its finest? Call the Kelowna realtors at Quincy Vrecko & Associates to discuss the properties at Cypress Point.

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.

The ‘For Sale’ sign is up in the front yard, you’ve set a competitive asking price that’s in line with current Kelowna real estate conditions and you’re already eyeing up other Kelowna houses for sale. In short, you’re committed to the move.

One of the best things you can do next is to think about what you’ll do with your belongings. Moving is a fairly major undertaking, and with a little preplanning you can remove a lot of the stress from the process.

Many Kelowna realtors recommend packing ahead of time for this very reason, but there are also a number of other benefits to being proactive about your move. Read on to learn more…

1. Staging is Essential

Staging your home properly for showings can mean the difference between selling your home fast and keeping it on the Kelowna real estate market for months. In a nutshell, this includes:

  • Removing excess clutter from your living space
  • Providing your home with a sense of spaciousness
  • Highlighting your home’s best selling features

By removing your personal effects from the equation, you’ll increase prospective homebuyers’ ability to envision the house as their own. By pre-packing your non-essential items and de-cluttering your home, you’ll help achieve that.

2. Be Prepared for Moving Day

For homeowners who are selling Kelowna real estate, many are turning to mobile storage containers as a way of pre-packing their belongings. They hold a major advantage over traditional moving services in that they can be delivered to your home ahead of your moving day. This allows you to:

  • Avoid a mad scramble on moving day
  • Pack on your schedule
  • Avoid injuries from over-exertion
  • Take your time to pack carefully and create an inventory

Plus, once you’ve packed, you can request to have the storage company come and pick up the container and take it their facility for safe keeping until you’re ready to move into your new place.

3. Sort Through Your Belongings

People have a habit of becoming attached to their belongings. We often accumulate things that we felt were useful at the time, but they inevitably sit unused in closets or elsewhere collecting dust. This can include:

  • Clothing
  • Furniture
  • Electronics
  • Books and magazines
  • Toys
  • Kitchenware

While you’re packing for your move, it wouldn’t hurt to sort through your belongings and purge the things you no longer need or want. If you’re planning on downsizing your home, you’ll need to do it at some point anyway. 

Rather than go to the effort of packing it up and lugging it to your new home, why not do it now? There are plenty of thrift stores and charity shops that would appreciate the donation.

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 Quincy Vrecko & Associates.

Strata buildings are becoming a popular choice among homebuyers in search of Kelowna properties that are convenient and affordable.

Strata properties are becoming an increasingly attractive option for people looking to buy Kelowna properties. In terms of financial accessibility and convenience, they offer good value for first-time homebuyers and young families, as well as empty-nesters who no longer want the hassle of maintaining a larger home. 

Before you commit to buying a strata property, it’s important to understand the responsibilities and the restrictions specific to the strata property you’re considering. 

No two stratas are alike, and your real estate agent will help you comprehend the particulars of the Kelowna properties you’re looking at. Here are some of the key considerations:

1. Higher Density Living

One of the first things you should be aware of with strata properties is that you’re buying into higher density living. Some of the Kelowna properties that fall into this scenario include:

  • Townhouses
  • Condominiums
  • Apartments

Two of the main benefits of this are that you can share amenities and you’re not solely responsible for the upkeep of your property. The tradeoff is you’ll be living in close proximity to your neighbors.

2. Understand the Restrictions

As mentioned, each strata property has its own unique rules and regulations, and understanding them ahead of time will help you determine whether they’re suitable for your lifestyle. Strata bylaws can include restrictions on a wide range of factors that are intended to benefit all owners. They cover things like:

  • Age
  • Pets
  • Rentals

By reading up on the bylaws, you’ll understand what you are and aren’t allowed to do.

3. Additional Fees

The strata bylaws will indicate what provisions are in place for:

  • Insurance
  • Property maintenance
  • Parking
  • Snow removal
  • Landscaping
  • Contingency contributions
  • Water and sewer

This is important so that you understand what’s included in your strata fees. For example, in some places you might be required to pay for hydro, gas and water on top of your fees. In other places, they might be included.

4. What Are You Buying Into?

From a financial standpoint, it’s a good idea to ensure the Kelowna properties you’re considering aren’t problematic in any way. A good way to go about this is to read the monthly strata meeting minutes over the past half a year (or longer). You can also glean a lot of information from:

  • AGM minutes
  • Depreciation reports
  • Property condition disclosure statement

Using these information sources, you’ll be able to learn whether there are any:

  • Disputes among neighbors and council
  • Past problems and repairs
  • Major upcoming expenditures (i.e. re-roofing)
  • New bylaws being proposed at an upcoming AGM

It’s also worth inquiring how much money is in the strata’s contingency fund. In the case of an emergency, you want to make sure there are sufficient funds to cover it.

If you’re considering a strata property as a first home, read our post: Real Estate Advice: Am I Ready to Buy a Home?

Are you a first-time homebuyer looking for Kelowna properties? Come and talk to the Kelowna realtors at Quincy Vrecko & Associates. We help clients find suitable homes in a range of price points.