April is just around the corner, or just on the other side of the weekend I guess you could say. With a new month coming up, that only means it’s time to get another agenda on the way! What are the top activities happening in and around Kelowna this upcoming April? Check out our new April Agenda of what to do in Kelowna! Don’t forget to check back every month to see new agendas from the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates!

Hike and Yoga in Kelowna

lady sitting on lawn doing yoga

Hike & Yoga

If your goal this year was to get outside more and enjoy our trails in Kelowna, well this is perfect for you then. Every Sunday from 9-11AM, The Amplified Collective provides outdoor yoga classes and guided hikes throughout Kelowna and surrounding areas. This great weekly event is only $5 and you get to explore so many different hiking trails in Kelowna. Each week, the hike route changes so follow them on Facebook to find out where they are going this Sunday!

2nd Annual BC Bacon & Cider Fest

Back by popular demand is the 2nd annual BC Bacon and Cider Fest. On April 27th at 6:00PM head down to the Laurel Packing House on Ellis Street in Downtown Kelowna for a fabulous evening featuring BC’s own ciders paired with bacon-inspired dishes from the Okanagan College Culinary Arts students. Bacon and BC ciders? What more could you ask for!!

food truck serving three ladies sandwiches

Spring Party & Food Truck Fest

Spring Party & Food Truck Fest 2018

It’s time for a Spring Party! On Friday April 6th from 3:00-8:30PM head to the Lions Community Hall for a great Spring Party & Food Truck Fest. Enjoy an evening full of entertainment, Spring shopping and food trucks! There is also a WestJet Trip Raffle, so if you have your eyes set on a vacation, now’s your chance! Admission is free but check out their website for a list of donations to bring for the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. Give back and enjoy this fun event.

Well, there you have it, your April agenda! If you are looking to relocate to Kelowna to enjoy these great events, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our dedicated real estate agents have years of real estate experience helping people buy Kelowna real estate. Our team of real estate agents can help you find your next home. All you have to do is call, leave the rest to us. Call 1-778-760-2860 today!

With Easter coming up this weekend, there are quite a few events happening in Kelowna. If you are searching for the best Easter weekend activities happening this weekend, look no further. The team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates have put together a handy list of the top three Easter weekend activities happening in Kelowna from March 30th-April 2nd.

2018 Easter Pancake Breakfast

pancakes designed like Easter bunnies

Pancake Breakfast for Easter Weekend

Back for the 15th year is the Victory Life Annual Easter Pancake Breakfast held at the Parkinson Rec Centre. Enjoy this free event with the whole family on March 30th to kick off the weekend. Everything is FREE! Enjoy pancakes, easter egg hunts, games and even prizes! Check out the Victory Life’s website for more information. Volunteer if you can!

http://victorylife.ca/easter-pancake-breakfast/

Easter at Big White

If you are looking for a full weekend packed full of activities, head up to Big White for Easter weekend. Big White always throws a big celebration for Easter and this year is no different! They will be serving an Easter breakfast in Happy Valley with guest appearance from the Easter Bunny, and who could forget their annual Easter Egg hunt through the Village. Activities are in place for the whole weekend, check out their website for a full list of fun activities happening at Big White!

http://www.bigwhite.com/events-activities/events-calendar/easter-celebrations

girl holding basket full of Easter eggs

Kelowna Hyundai Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Kelowna Hyundai Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Lastly, on March 31st, head down to Kelowna Hyundai on Harvey for their annual Easter egg hunt. This family friendly event is packed with fun activities from 10:00AM-1:00PM. Don’t forget to bring your own basket and a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Kelowna Food Bank. Bring the whole family and enjoy your Saturday in Kelowna.

https://www.tourismkelowna.com/event/kelowna-hyundai-annual-easter-egg-hunt/15028/

Well, there you have it! A full list of great Easter weekend activities happening in and around our beautiful city of Kelowna. If you are looking for a full list of all activities happening in Kelowna this weekend, head over to Tourism Kelowna’s website. They feature local events happening all year round. From the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates, we hope you all have a great Easter weekend!

When you list your Luxury home for sale, you want it to attract the most amount of home buyers. With that being said, the question is, what are the luxury home buyers looking for in luxury real estate in Kelowna? Trends in home design and technology change frequently. The trick is knowing what is coming and going. What are the top three trends in luxury real estate in 2018? What are the luxury home buyers looking for?

Home Automation & Smart Home Systems

smart home automation system

Home Automation & Smart Home Systems

Convenience is key when purchasing luxury real estate. Home automation and smart home systems are a must when purchasing Kelowna luxury real estate. There are plenty of home automation and smart home systems on the market, which one is right for your luxury real estate? Our team can help you decide which home system is perfect for your Kelowna luxury real estate. We featured our three favorite on a recent blog. Check out our blog here.

Outdoor Oasis

In Kelowna, we are in no shortage of beautiful hot weather in the summer months. With warm weather, comes the urge to be outside for every waking hour. Kelowna luxury buyers are looking for their outdoor oasis when looking to purchase a new home. Saltwater pools, outdoor kitchens and living space all paired with an amazing view of Kelowna. What more could you ask for?

luxury home gym with top of the line equipment

Luxury home gyms

Luxury Home Gyms

Lastly, home gyms! Luxury home gyms are growing in popularity. What a convenience having a gym in your Kelowna home! With luxury home gyms growing in popularity, it’s important you invest in the latest and greatest workout equipment for your new space, along with other things to reward a hard workout. Check out our recent blog on the three things you should add to your luxury home gym. These will make your luxury home stand out!! Check out our blog here.

If you are looking to purchase Kelowna luxury real estate, contact Quincy Vrecko of Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Quincy has over 28 years of luxury sales and can help you with your next home purchase. Years of real estate experience paired with his strong negotiating skills, Quincy is the luxury real estate agent you want on your side. Call Quincy today! 1-250-863-8810!

It’s time! All the dreams and goals have come down to this moment and it is time to purchase your first Kelowna home. All of your Pinterest boards of home decor, room ideas and kitchen goals are all about to come out on the table. It’s time to get down to business. It’s easy to get off track when you are purchasing your first home. So the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates have put together a list of 3 things to consider when you are looking to purchase your first Kelowna home.

Is it the right time?

home with buyers market keychain

Is it the right time to buy?

The first thing to consider is, is this the right time to buy? The market can shift back and forth from a sellers market to a buyers market. The question is, what is the real estate market doing when you are ready to purchase real estate? That’s a great question for your Kelowna realtor. As soon as you are ready to start the home buying process, chat with a Kelowna realtor to figure out when the best time to purchase!

What do you need and what do you want?

Next up, figuring out your needs from your wants. This is important to do before starting your home buying process to avoid disappointment and over-paying. Sit down, and write down the top 5 things that are most important to you and that you need in order to purchase the Kelowna home. Things such as bedroom count, bathroom count, size and location. These are just a few main things to consider when making your list. Then make a list of your wants. Things such as colour of kitchen cabinets or type of flooring. Think of these things as something you could change in the future. Separating your needs from your wants will make it a lot easier when it comes down to searching for Kelowna homes.

young man with money floating in air around

Are you financially ready to purchase a Kelowna home?

Are you financially ready?

Lastly, but probably the most important is… are you financially ready for this big step? A home purchase will likely be one of the biggest purchases you make in your lifetime. Don’t make the mistake of going through the whole home searching process to find out later that you are not qualified to purchase a home. The best thing to do before even looking into a Kelowna realtor, is getting pre-approved. Go in, talk to a mortgage broker and see what you are qualified to buy. Then, find the perfect home in that price range.

If you are looking to purchase your first Kelowna home, you need a great Kelowna real estate team who will work for you to find you exactly what you need! Get in contact with one of our knowledgeable real estate agents who are dedicated to helping you find the perfect first home. We have dedicated buyer’s agents who have years of experience helping first time home buyers. All you have to do is pick up the phone, leave the rest to us. Call 1-778-760-2860 to begin your first home search today!

Hello Spring! Oh how we have missed you. You know what we haven’t missed? Spring cleaning… We all know it’s coming! So, the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates have put together a handy Spring cleaning checklist for your Kelowna home to hopefully help you get through this time. Regardless, crank the tunes, open the windows and enjoy this new season ahead!

Bathrooms

  1. Vacuum the floors and wipe down the walls in the bathrooms
  2. Go through your bath towels and discard any old or ripped ones
  3. Scrub the tub and shower
  4. Wash interior and exterior windows
  5. Go through the cupboards, empty out and wipe down then discard old makeup, shampoo or other empty bottles.

Bedrooms

  1. Go through dresser and closet and get rid of clothes you did not wear
  2. Wash all linens and clean your mattress
  3. Wash all mirrors and clean interior and exterior windows
  4. Thoroughly dust each surface, including lamp shades and furniture
  5. Declutter!! Check out our blog on how to declutter your home.

Kitchen

  1. Clean out the refrigerator and freezer (yes, this includes the deep freezer)
  2. Clean all appliance surfaces
  3. Mop floors
  4. Wipe down the cupboards, inside and out
  5. Get rid of tupperware that are missing lids or are cracked

Family Room

  1. Dust all furniture and lamp shades
  2. Clean sofa and loveseat
  3. Wipe down all electronics
  4. Clean carpets/mop floors
  5. Clean walls and baseboards

There you have it, a checklist for four main parts of your Kelowna home. If you are interested in seeing a checklist for your garage, kids playrooms, office, and basement check back in a few weeks for a blog featuring those four rooms!

If you are looking 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, our dedicated agents have years of experience buying and selling Kelowna real estate. All you have to do is pick up the phone to start the process today! Call 1-778-760-2860 today!

Welcome to our new series, “3 things to ask…” where we are going to layout 3 different things to ask before hiring a company for your Kelowna home. First up, Kelowna home stagers. What should you look for? What should you ask? Hiring someone to do work on your Kelowna home can increase the value, if done properly. That’s why we are here to help! What are the top 3 things you should ask before hiring a Kelowna home stager? Let’s take a look!

  1. Take a look at their portfolio – ask for a few photos of their previous work. Be sure to ask for before and after photos. Do you like their work? Would you pay to have them stage your home? You’ll have a good idea after viewing their portfolio. Ensure that these photos are not just “inspiration” photos, but actual photos of their work.
  2. Preferred Vendors List – do they like to work with a certain group of vendors? A lot of home stagers will work closely with other Kelowna companies such as painters and window cleaners. They have worked with these companies in the past and know that together, they make a great team. Do you see anyone on the list you know you’ve had a bad experience with? Check it out before you make your decision. As for painters and window cleaners, we will be featuring them in our new series, check back for 3 things to ask them!
  3. Their pricing – what do they charge and what is included? Have a Kelowna home stager come by your home to do a consultation, most stagers do this for free. They will come by your Kelowna home and let you know of what they think needs to be either fixed or worked on. Then they can come up with a preliminary budget for your review. Some of the things on the list, you may be able to tackle on your own. Leave the large projects for the Kelowna home stager – they are the professional!

If you are looking for a home stager, then contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. We work with some of the top stagers in town that do an amazing job on our Kelowna home listings. Our team of dedicated real estate professionals want to ensure you hire the best team for your Kelowna home. Contact our agents today and we can get you in touch with some of the best Kelowna Home Stagers. Call 1-778-760-2860!

Protecting your child in your Kelowna real estate is important. It is essential to childproof your Kelowna real estate to ensure your little ones are safe in your home. First off, keep in mind that every child is different. Some babies like to climb, some like to pull themselves up on items in your Kelowna home and others like to open anything they can and pull all the items out! Regardless of what your baby likes to do, here are some helpful tips on how to childproof your Kelowna home!

Mounted TV’s

two men mounting a tv to the wall

Mount your TV’s

First off, TV’s in your Kelowna real estate. The amount of time we spend with our littles ones watching shows, or having a family movie night, it’s time to ensure that your TV is properly secured. The best thing you could do is mount your TV on the wall. This keeps your TV high and up out of the child’s way. The last thing you want is in the middle of a movie, your little one to pull the TV towards them!

Secure your cabinets

Next up is your cabinets. This could be bathroom cabinets, kitchen cabinets or even drawers in your bedrooms. It’s no surprise that children will try and get into anything and everything that they can. There are plenty of items you can purchase to secure your cabinets and keep them closed. Most important, keep your cabinet with harmful liquids such as cleaning supplies out of reach of your children! We’ve even seen parents put their cleaning supplies in a closed container inside a cabinet just in case your little one gets in! Don’t forget to also fasten any dressers or heavy furniture to your walls to ensure they don’t fall forward!

toddler sitting in front of electrical outlet in Kelowna real estate

Cover up your electrical outlets

Electrical Outlets in your Kelowna Real Estate

Last but certainly not least is electrical outlets. There are so many stores that carry electrical outlet covers for a great price! Outlets are normally within a baby’s reach, making it easy for them to get hurt. Be proactive, cover them up now before an accident happens!

If you are ready to make the step and purchase Kelowna real estate, contact our team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. Our team of dedicated agents want to ensure you make the best investment for your family! One of our knowledgeable real estate agents will help you find the perfect Kelowna home to suit your needs. All you have to do is pick up the phone to start your home search today. Call 1-778-760-2860!

Purchasing a Kelowna home can be stressful. It doesn’t matter if it is your first, second or tenth time purchasing a home. The trick is to know how to not add stress to an already stressful situation. Our team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates have a few tips for you! Here is how to buy a Kelowna home without the added stress.

Give yourself plenty of time to search for a Kelowna Home

hourglass sitting on a table

Give yourself plenty of time

One of the reasons people get stressed is timing. If you are rushing to find a Kelowna home perfect for you, chances are you will get stressed. Give yourself plenty of time (or as much time as you can) to find the perfect home for you and your family. Buying a Kelowna home is one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime. Choose wisely! Don’t rush and take time to find something that will fit your needs and wants.

Get Pre-Approved

Another reason people tend to get stressed when trying to search for a Kelowna home – MONEY! Do yourself a favour and talk with a Kelowna mortgage broker before even beginning the search for a Kelowna home. Figure out what you can afford and what you can’t. Don’t get stressed putting an offer in on a Kelowna home to find out you can’t get financing. 

a Kelowna realtor meeting with a couple outside a Kelowna home

Hire a Kelowna realtor

Hire a Kelowna Realtor

As stated above, purchasing a home is a large investment, one of the largest purchases you will make in your lifetime. The best decision you can make for the home buying process is to hire a professional. A Kelowna realtor knows the market, some in fact, study it daily. Why not hire someone who knows the market, can help spot red flags and ensure that you are making the right decision? The smartest thing you can do is to put your trust in a Kelowna realtor who will assist you with this large purchase. Stress, be gone!

If you are looking for a Kelowna realtor to help you with your home purchase, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates. On top of giving you expert advice on the real estate market, our team of dedicated agents are committed to finding you your next Kelowna home. To begin your home search, all you have to do is pick up the phone and call us! 1-778-760-2860!

Condos and townhomes are growing in popularity so it’s important to understand what strata fees include.

Condos and townhomes are not only the top home choices for first-time buyers but are a great option for empty nesters and professionals. Proximity to amenities makes them perfect choices for a wide range of buyers. They also require little-to-no maintenance – potentially a great combo for fresh homebuyers who may not want to take on the potential work inherent with a traditional Kelowna home. But with condos and townhomes come something extra – strata fees!  Scary words if you ask most. What are then even for? Strata fees are, at the very least, misunderstood.   Fortunately, it’s not nearly as scary as you may think.  Let’s take a look at exactly what strata fees are and what they include.

How are Strata Fees calculated?

electric bill included in strata fee

How are strata fees calculated?

Every condo owner pays a pre-set, monthly fee. The amount is based essentially on the size of your unit (square footage), and generally does not take into account deck space or parking spaces.  For instance, we recently sold a Kelowna penthouse which had a 1,100 sq ft rooftop patio – and the owner doesn’t pay any more in strata than someone with a 200 sq ft deck.

As far as what constitutes the actual monthly amount, factors are divided into three main categories:

  1. Utilities and Insurance
  2. Common Area Maintenance
  3. Reserve Fund.

Strata Fees: Utilities

The condo fee goes to utilities such as water, sewer, common area heat and A/C, and sometimes heat in the individual units. Many new Kelowna condominiums are built with individual heat pumps that are controlled and paid for by individual owners. As in detached Kelowna homes, there are many ways to heat and cool your condo, so make sure you’re clear on your strata fees before you buy.  Inclusions like heat & A/C can have substantial impacts on the strata fee, so when perusing Realtor.ca or looking over listings sent by one of our QVA agents, be cognizant of too-high or too-low strata fees – as the old saying goes, when something is too good (or bad) to be true…

Rule of thumb: generally you’ll be responsible for your own electricity and cable, and all other utilities will be covered by the strata fee.  Bonus: strata corporations are required to hold insurance policies, including fire, etc for the entire building, so by default your insurance is covered by the strata fee as well.

Strata Fees: Common Area Maintenance

We’ve already mentioned that condo ownership means fewer hours on the roof and mowing the lawn. But somebody’s got to do it, right? Fortunately, all maintenance and repair of common areas is covered by the strata fee.  They also cover snow and garbage removal, cleaning of common areas, exterior window washing, parkade cleaning, and so on.

Overall, the more amenities your Kelowna development has, the higher the fees will be. Think pool, gym, and sports courts. For this reason, some people, who know they will never use a glamorous pool deck, may choose to move to a development with fewer amenities, and a lower strata fee.

pennies stacked up in a line

Strata Fees: Reserve Fund

Strata Fees: Reserve Fund

Finally, a portion of your condo fee is set aside in the Reserve Fund.  Every condo board must maintain as large savings account for big-ticket items that inevitably arise as a building ages, with the aim of avoiding extra expenses for the unit owners if something expensive does arise – roof & window replacement or re-paving the main driveway for instance.  In the case of an inadequate reserve fund, the strata board may elect to collect a Special Assessment. These are generally reserved for a surprise or unknown issues which require immediate repair.  Each condo owner will be responsible for a portion of the repair, generally in line with the square footage of their unit.  This may sound like a good reason never to own a condo, but remember that owning any home will result in a surprise bill here and there.  Hot water tanks don’t last forever!

So there you have it.  Make sure you incorporate the condo fee into your budget. Also, make sure to leave a buffer in case your condo fees increase. Any increases are at the discretion of the condo board. Be sure to attend every meeting and vote on the important stuff.

If you are looking for strata homes in Kelowna, contact the team at Quincy Vrecko and Associates.  They will guide you through the process of purchasing a home in Kelowna.  They will make sure your investment in a condo or townhouse will benefit you for the years to come.  Read the top reasons why you should work with Quincy Vrecko and Associates on your next purchase.