Buy or sell your Kelowna home first?

If you own a Kelowna home, the first question that seems to pop into your head is “do we buy first or sell first?” This is a tricky question to answer as there are pros and cons to both of the situations. If you are struggling to figure out which route to go, consider these pros to both situations. It may help make up your mind.

Pros to Buying Kelowna Real Estate First

couple looking at Kelowna home with Kelowna real estate agent

Pros of buying Kelowna real estate first

If you are thinking of buying a Kelowna home first, here are some pros as to why that’s may be a smart move to make!

  1. It is less stressful. If you purchase a Kelowna home first, you are less likely to feel stressed trying to find a Kelowna home.
  2. You can take time to find the right home. If you are purchasing a Kelowna home first, you can take time to find the perfect house. There is no rushing to find something.
  3. If the deal collapses, you have time to find another home. It’s a known fact that deals can collapse. This means you did not remove all subjects and decided not to purchase the Kelowna home. If this happens, do not stress. You have the opportunity to keep looking as your Kelowna home isn’t sold yet.
couple standing in front of home with sold sign

Pros of selling Kelowna real estate first

Pros to Selling Kelowna Real Estate First

If you are thinking of selling your Kelowna real estate, here are some pros as to why that may be the smart move to may!

  1. You have time to negotiate and not settle for a low price. If you are rushed to sell your Kelowna home      because you have purchased a home, you may need to negotiate more or settle for a lower price.
  2. Allows for easy budgeting. After you have sold your home, you know exactly what you can now afford. You won’t purchase a Kelowna home you can’t afford now, knowing what your home sold for.
  3. Narrows down your search for a Kelowna home. Now that your Kelowna home is sold and you are ready to purchase another Kelowna home, you know exactly what you want, what you need and what you can spend. This allows you to narrow down your search and speed up the process of finding a Kelowna home.

If you are looking to start the process of either buying or selling a Kelowna home, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our team of dedicated real estate agents know the ins and outs of the real estate market in Kelowna. We have worked with plenty of Kelowna home buyers and sellers to find them exactly what they were looking for. If you don’t know whether to buy or sell first, our team of agents can point you in the right direction. All you have to do is call us, 1-778-760-2860!

March Agenda: What to do in Kelowna

Another month has come and is almost gone, we’re almost ready to welcome Spring! With a new month approaching comes a new agenda of things to do in Kelowna. If you are looking for something to do in Kelowna this March, check out our handy agenda for the month of March. Each month we feature 3 events happening locally in Kelowna, keep your eye out for the months to come!

Fondue Friday

cheese fondue with wine

Fondue Fridays

If you are looking for a fun weekly activity for March, and you love wine… then we have the perfect activity for you! Back by popular demand, every Friday in March from 5:00-7:00PM head over to the View Winery located in Kelowna, BC for a Fondue Friday evening! Enjoy rich cheese and chocolate fondues paired with estate grown wines. This weekly event is just $15 and is the perfect way to spend your cold weekends!

YLW Spring Travel Event

From 11:00AM to 3:00PM on March 3rd the annual Spring Travel Event is taking place. If a vacation is in the near future for you and your family, this is the event for you. Learn how easy it is to plan your vacation! This Spring Travel Events gives you information on flights out of Kelowna, hotels and travel packages. You can even enter for your chance to win a travel prize at the event by purchasing ballots. All funds are being donated to the Canucks Autism Network! You don’t want to miss out on this annual event in Kelowna.

homemade pasta in pasta roller

Homemade Pasta Workshop

Handmade Pasta Workshop 3.0 (Hands-On)

If you enjoy cooking or you are looking to learn a few new recipes, on March 29th we have the event for you. From 6:00PM to 9:00PM for only $75.00, you can learn how to make different homemade pastas at Start Fresh Kitchen. Grab your apron and you’ll learn how to make spinach gnocchi, basil tagliatelle and duck-stuffed agnolotti. Best part? After you are done cooking the pasta, you get to enjoy your masterpiece! Yum!

Well there you have it Kelowna, a few great events happening this month. If you are looking for full list of things to do this month, visit Tourism Kelowna’s website. They feature all weekly, monthly or annual events and you can search for whatever month you desire! If you are not a resident of the beautiful city of Kelowna and want to make this city your home, contact one of our real estate agents at Quincy Vrecko and Associates RE/MAX Kelowna. One of our knowledgeable real estate agents can assist you with your home purchase. All you have to do is pick up the phone to start your home search. Call 1-778-760-2860 today!

Listing Checklist for Kelowna Home Sellers

Are you looking to put your Kelowna home up for sale? Before the “for sale” sign goes up on your lawn, there are a few things to do to ensure your home is in tip top shape for showings and photography! It is important to ensure your home is in good condition before potential home buyers come through. Set your sale up for success by checking these things off the list!

Outside of your Kelowna Home:

  1. Clean up your flower beds
  2. Cut your lawn, if listing in the Spring, Summer or Fall
  3. Remove any damaged furniture
  4. Driveways and sidewalks free of snow, if listing in the Winter
  5. Children’s toys, such as bikes, stored neatly and out of the way

Kitchen of your Kelowna Home:

  1. Dirty dishes put away and out of the sink/off of the counter
  2. All surfaces are cleaned off and wiped down
  3. Remove spoiled food from the refrigerator
  4. Sinks cleaned and faucets are leak free
  5. Floors are vacuumed and  windows are wiped down and clean

Bedrooms of your Kelowna Home:

  1. Beds are made and linens are clean
  2. Floors are vacuumed and  windows are wiped down and clean
  3. Remove any excess furniture that may make the room look cluttered
  4. Children’s toys are stored neatly and out of the way
  5. Closets are organized, clothes are hung up and off the floor

Bathrooms of your Kelowna Home:

  1. Bathtub and shower are cleaned thoroughly
  2. Toilet cleaned and working properly
  3. Towels are clean and hung up
  4. Floors are vacuumed and  windows are wiped down and clean
  5. Countertops are free of clutter and personal items

This list just covers some main areas of your Kelowna home. For a full list of things you should do before listing your home, contact our team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates! Our team of real estate agents are experienced with selling Kelowna real estate and know how to properly set your Kelowna home up for photography and showings. One of our knowledgeable agents are ready to assist you with your Kelowna home. Call 1-778-760-2860 today!

Lake Country: What to do + Where to go

Lake Country is a city just north of Kelowna and south of Vernon. It is home to approximately 13,000 and is no shortage of great things to do. Lake Country has amazing views of Lake Okanagan, home to beautiful wineries and great restaurants. If you are looking to try a few new things to do, head up to Lake Country to give these places a try.

Drink Here → Gray Monk Winery

wine glass and red wine bottle sitting on a barrel

Drink here!

If you are craving some of the delicious Okanagan wine look no further. Check out Gray Monk Winery located in Lake Country.  The Heiss family moved to the Okanagan in 1972 and that’s where their story begins. This award-winning winery is known for having amazing local wines that have won awards year after year. We can’t even pick a favorite, there are so many great choices at this local winery.

Eat Here → The Jammery

If you have lived in the Okanagan for over a minute, odds are you have heard of the ever popular restaurant, The Jammery. They offer breakfast and lunch options and a wide variety of amazing jams to purchase. Some of their food items were featured on Canada’s You Gotta Eat Here tv show. Stop by, enjoy some amazing food and grab some jams to bring home.  

kangaroo in a field at Kangaroo creek farm

Go here!

Go Here → The Kangaroo Creek Farm

Now, although this isn’t open for the season yet, we couldn’t write a blog about Lake Country without throwing this one in. Keep this one in mind for next month on opening day. If you love animals, this is the spot for you. There are things to do for all ages including feeding kangaroos and holding baby joeys! This spot tends to get very busy over the summer months and are packed full of visitors from all over. March 17th is opening day, head to the Kangaroo Creek Farm and bring the family, this is something you do not want to miss out on!

Well, there you have it! Lake Country is home to great restaurants, amazing award-winning wineries and fun excursions. If you are looking to make Lake Country your home, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our knowledgeable team of real estate agents are ready to assist you with your next Lake Country home purchase. Our team of dedicated agents are knowledgeable on what the real estate market is doing in Lake Country. We can’t wait to help you find your next home! Call 1-778-760-2860 today!  

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts under $100

Uh oh, you forgot! It’s Valentine’s Day and you have nothing planned or a gift ready to go? Fear not, the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates know how hard it can be to find things for your loved ones last minute that’s why we have created this list of the top three last minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas under $100. They won’t even know you forgot it was today…

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea under $25.00

couple exchanging gifts

Valentine’s Day gift idea under $25.00

If you are looking to spend under $25.00 on a Valentine’s Day Gift, we’ve got the perfect one for you! Show your significant other you love them by gifting them with some coffee and a new mug! Head to your local coffee shop or a coffee shop your significant other tends to spend their mornings at. Purchase a nice mug, and inside the mug place a gift card for the coffee shop, add some chocolate and some nice wrapping paper and voila! You have a gift under $25 for Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea under $50.00

We’re moving on up! A great gift idea for that special someone under $50.00 is a gift basket full of their favorite things. Our favorite things to put in a gift basket are, gift cards to restaurants and clothing stores, favorite snacks, a bottle of their favorite Okanagan wine or a new book! Whatever your significant other loves, put it in the gift basket! There are endless possibilities as to what you could add. Have fun with it and they won’t even know you forgot…

Google home mini

Valentine’s Day gift under $100.00

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea under $100.00

Last but not least is the final gift idea! If you are looking to spend under $100.00 on a Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other, try a new gadget! It is always fun to get a new toy and this one is fun for the whole household. One of our favourite gadgets are the new Google Home Minis. It can play music, tell you jokes and the list goes on!! Most electronic stores carry the Google Home Mini and they come in a few different colours.

There you have it! A few gift ideas for you. They won’t know you forgot and we won’t tell. From the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates, we want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. We hope you all have an amazing day with your significant others, friends and family.

3 Home Staging Mistakes to avoid when selling your Kelowna Home

If your Kelowna home is up for sale, or you are looking to list, you know the importance of ensuring your home is in tip top shape. That being said, are you making one of these home staging mistakes? When you have your home up for sale, avoid making these mistakes to ensure your home sells for top dollar! 

Forgetting the Small Touches

glass jar with flowers in bathroom on counter

Don’t forget the small touches

When a potential buyer comes through your home, they are going to try to imagine themselves living in your home. From the first moment they walk in till the minute they close the door. Home sellers tend to forget the small things that could really make their home stand out to a potential buyer. Make your home feel welcoming. Put some flowers in the bathrooms, put a fruit basket on the kitchen counter, hey, even bake some chocolate chip cookies to make your home smell delicious! Whatever you do, don’t clutter your Kelowna home. You want to make sure the home still feels light and airy, but also adding in those special touches.

Over Staging your Kelowna Home

When you are ready to start staging your home, you may start thinking off all of the possible things you could do with each room. Keep in mind there is such a thing as over staging a room. Try to limit how much you place on bookshelves, end tables and bathroom countertops. You want your home to look inviting and neat. Over staging your home could give off the impression it is cluttered.

modern furniture in Kelowna home

Don’t overcrowd a room

Too much furniture

People tend to think that they need to fill a room up with a bunch of furniture in order to make the room feel full. Too much furniture, or clutter, could make the room actually feel smaller. Try to limit the amount of furniture in the room, opt for modern and smaller pieces rather than large bulky pieces. You’ll be surprised as to how open and large your rooms look by just taking away a few pieces and pulling the furniture away from the walls and towards the centre of the room.

If you are ready to list your Kelowna home, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. On top of giving you expert advice on the real estate market in Kelowna, we can help you to ensure you aren’t making one or all of these home staging mistakes. Our team has years of experience buying and selling Kelowna real estate. We would love to list your Kelowna home. Contact one of our knowledgeable real estate agents today. Call 1-778-760-2860!

Kelowna Checklist for Home Buyers

If you are looking to purchase Kelowna real estate, our team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates have put together this handy checklist for you. Home buying is a process and takes a lot of little steps to make it happen. Don’t forget a step by keeping this handy buyers checklist at your side when you are in the process of purchasing Kelowna real estate.

The Kelowna real estate process starts with…

  1. Figure out how much you can afford.
  2. Find a Kelowna real estate agent to work with you.
  3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Check out our blog on why this is important!
  4. Determine your wants and needs in a home.
  5. Research what neighbourhood you may want to live in. Are you a family that needs to be close to schools? Do you enjoy walking to work? All things to consider!
  6. Begin your home search. Based on what your wants and needs are and what type of neighbourhood would best suit your family and/or lifestyle, your Kelowna real estate agent will do up a list of available homes to go and look at.
  7. Write an offer on Kelowna real estate! One step closer to closing this deal…
  8. Work on your subjects. Hire a home inspector, start your financing process with your mortgage broker, speak with your lawyer etc.
  9. Remove subjects, congratulations you purchased Kelowna real estate… you aren’t done yet…
  10. Research moving companies and start packing up! Check local ads for moving boxes to help save on moving costs.
  11. Sign your paperwork with your Kelowna lawyer.
  12. Meet with your Kelowna real estate agent to hand over keys!
  13. Unpack, unwind and relax. You did it! You purchased your very own Kelowna real estate. Congratulations!!

This 13-step guide will give you a good idea as to what the process looks like when you are looking to purchase your Kelowna home. To begin your process of purchasing a Kelowna home, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our team of dedicated real estate agents are ready to assist you with this next big purchase! We will be there every step of the way to ensure that nothing is missed. Rest assured, you are in good hands! Contact one of our team members today. Call 1-778-760-2860!

Own a Kelowna Home before you’re Thirty

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make in your life. You may be itching to get your hands on you first set of keys. You want to experience what it is like to sign your subject removals and hear “congratulations you have officially purchased your first home!” If you have a goal in mind to purchase your very first home, our three tips can help you attain that goal.

Meet with a Mortgage Advisor

couple being handed keys to their first Kelowna home

Meet with a mortgage advisor

The very first thing you should do when you are looking to purchase a Kelowna home is to meet with a mortgage advisor. It is key to find out exactly what you could afford and how much you need to save. You may be surprised as to how fast you could purchase your first home. Don’t waste your money on rent, purchase your first Kelowna home today.

Save, Save and Save!

The hardest part of purchasing your first Kelowna home is coming up with the down payment. It can be intimidating how much you need to put down in order to qualify for a home. Don’t worry! If you need some ideas on how to start saving up for your down payment, check out our blog Smart Saving Tips: Save your Down Payment.

sold sign in front of home

Start small and work your way up!

Start small

The best thing you could do is get into the real estate market. However you can get into it, do it. Come to realization that the first Kelowna home you buy isn’t going to be the last. If you need to, purchase something small and affordable for you to start. It’ll be such a great feeling once you sell your first Kelowna home and realize the next home you could purchase. Don’t get disappointed, getting into the market is the smartest thing you could do.

If you are looking to purchase a Kelowna home, get in touch with Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Tracey Vrecko has years of experience assisting first time home buyers in Kelowna. She is knowledgeable in the real estate market and can assist you with your big purchase! Tracey is dedicated to finding you Kelowna real estate you will enjoy living in. Contact Tracey Vrecko today to begin your home search. Call 1-778-760-2860 today!