5 Advantages of Listing Kelowna Houses for Sale in Winter

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There are several surprising benefits to listing Kelowna houses for Sale in the Winter months.

Are you waiting until the weather improves to place your home on the Kelowna real estate market? You’re not alone in this way of thinking. However, when it comes to Kelowna houses for sale, there are several distinct advantages to listing in winter.

No matter what time of year it is, people are constantly looking for homes to buy. You might just be pleasantly surprised with the results if you list now instead of waiting until spring. Our Kelowna realtors are here to help explain why:

1. Winter Buyers Are Motivated Buyers

People generally don’t drive around in winter unless they have to. So if they’re out in the cold looking at Kelowna houses for sale, there’s a high probability that they’re serious about buying.

To avoid driving around unnecessarily, house shoppers around this time of year typically take more time to prepare. That means:

  • Researching the types of homes they’re looking for
  • Only viewing homes they’re serious about
  • Putting in solid offers when they find the right place

So, while you can expect fewer showings in winter, the ones you do get will be by more qualified buyers.

2. Lower Inventory

As mentioned, many homeowners who are looking to place a Kelowna real estate listing prefer to wait until spring. If you’re listing in winter, that automatically works in your favor. And the more people who wait, the lower the inventory remains.

As a result, you’ll be competing with fewer listings in your:

  • Neighborhood
  • Price range
  • Housing type

This gives your property more of an opportunity to stand out among a smaller pool of Kelowna houses for sale.

3. Holiday Wish List

Some families want more than a present under the tree for Christmas. Sometimes they want (or need) a new home and the holidays are an ideal time to do some reconnaissance. The kids are already out of school and work-life tends to slow down in many industries, making it an opportune time to see what’s available.

4. New Year’s Resolution

The New Year causes people to make big changes in their lives, and moving into a new home would certainly qualify as a fresh start. 

5. Get a Head Start on Spring

If you plan on buying a new home after you sell your old one, this is an ideal time to do it. By closing a Kelowna real estate deal in winter, you’ll be ready for action when the market picks up again in spring. This benefits you in several ways:

  • You’ll have a clear understanding of your financial situation
  • You can make offers without restrictions (i.e. pending the sale of your house)
  • There will be more Kelowna houses for sale to choose from

For home staging tips around this time of year, read our post: How to Stage Kelowna Real Estate During Winter Months. 

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 Vrecko Real Estate Group.

How to Stage Kelowna Real Estate During Winter Months

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When staging Kelowna real estate in winter, a good strategy is to make your home feel warm and cozy.

When the subject of staging Kelowna real estate comes up, most people agree that the less-is-more approach works best. By keeping rooms clean and free of clutter, it helps buyers see homes for their true potential. However, when it comes to winter, there a number of other ways homeowners can create a warm, cozy feeling to add sales appeal.

Many home sellers assume winter is a slow time for real estate. Compared to spring and fall, it isn’t as busy, but there are always people searching for Kelowna houses for sale. Here are a few tips from our Okanagan realtors that might just convince someone to buy your home.

Regular Staging Rules Still Apply

Before you do anything, your home should still be staged like it would any other time of year. That includes: 

  • Decluttering rooms of unnecessary knickknacks
  • Cleaning floors and dusting furniture
  • Storing personal effects (dishes, laundry, etc.)
  • Repairing any issues (replacing light bulbs etc.) 

For more detailed information on staging, read our post: How to Do Home Staging Well: Tips from our Kelowna Realtors.

Maintain a Festive Atmosphere

Even though the holidays have come and gone, you can still present your Kelowna real estate with a little seasonal cheer. Keeping your Christmas lights up a little longer than normal, or leaving a bowl of pinecones as your kitchen table centerpiece, are just two examples of how you can charm potential buyers.

Don’t Go Overboard

An important distinction to make here is that while a few tasteful decorations can entice the senses, too many can quickly overwhelm them. So, before you consider leaving your laser light display (complete with synchronized Christmas carols), think of how distracting that might be to buyers.

Get Cozy by the Fireplace

If homebuyers are out viewing Kelowna real estate on a cold winter night, they’ll appreciate the warm glow of your fireplace the moment they set foot inside the door. This creates an inviting feeling, which encourages them to stay longer, giving them more time to discover what your home has to offer.

To make your home as welcoming as possible, you can also:

  • Set your thermostat slightly higher than normal
  • Turn on the interior lights
  • Place area rugs on hard surfaces

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Daylight is limited in the winter months, but when possible, it’s a good strategy to schedule visits while the sun is up. By opening your curtains and blinds, you’ll allow natural daylight to infiltrate your home to show it in its best possible condition. 

Summer Potential

Visitors won’t be able to see your prized rose garden when it’s covered in a foot of snow. A great way to highlight it and other outdoor selling features is to leave a photo album showing things like: 

  • Gardens
  • Ponds
  • Landscaping
  • Curb appeal

Are you considering listing your property on the Kelowna real estate market? Come and talk to the local experts at Quincy Vrecko & Associates. With our experience and strong marketing skills, we will promote your home effectively.

6 Tips for Buying Kelowna Luxury Real Estate on the Water

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When searching the Kelowna luxury real estate market for waterfront properties, it’s important to choose one that reflects your lifestyle preferences.

Photo credit: TourismKelowna.com

You can already imagine laying on your private beach, sipping an ice-cold beverage while enjoying a great book, the waves lazily lapping at the Okanagan Lake shoreline. Kelowna luxury real estate can have that effect on people who are searching the market for the perfect slice of waterfront heaven.

But before you dive in headfirst, several considerations play a part in selecting the lakefront property that’s right for you. Some might be obvious, but others could easily be overlooked during your property search. Keeping these pointers in mind will simplify the process and help you find an Okanagan waterfront property you’ll enjoy for years.

1. Beach Access

Just because you’re buying waterfront property doesn’t mean you can expect to find a nice sandy beach. The shoreline along Okanagan Lake can vary greatly, and sometimes there’s no accessible shoreline at all (for example, cliffs).

2. Lake Access

Similar to your beach, you should also investigate the access to the water in front of your property. Questions you should ask yourself include:

  • Does the water depth gradually increase, or is there a quick dropoff?
  • Is it rocky or silty underfoot?
  • Deep enough to park a boat?
  • Is there room for a dock?

3. Views and Exposure for Luxury Real Estate

The vast majority of waterfront properties on the Kelowna luxury real estate market have stunning vistas. Okanagan Lake is huge, so chances are you’re not going to notice what’s on the opposite shore.

A more important consideration is the exposure of your property. Are you going to be in full sun for the entire day? If so, are there trees or pergolas to provide shade?

4. Lifestyle

It’s important to ask yourself how you intend to spend your time on the property. The type of property you choose should reflect the types of activities you enjoy:

  • Swimming
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Towed water sports
  • Beach parties and entertaining
  • Relaxing

5. Lot Access

Waterfront terrain typically slopes down towards the shoreline, with the level of steepness varying from property to property. Finding one on a level lot with reasonable access—one that doesn’t require elaborate maneuvering while driving—will save you a lot of hassle every time you come down the driveway.

6. Privacy

If you’re buying Kelowna luxury real estate, solitude is probably on your list of priorities. You certainly don’t want to be surrounded by noise, either from a constant stream of traffic along the roadway or by your boisterous neighbors.

If you’re buying a summer home in the Okanagan, you want to be able to detach from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. The last thing you want is to buy property next to the local marina or a campsite.

Once you’ve chosen your waterfront property, be sure to read our post Ask a Kelowna Realtor: Tips for a Hassle-free Move into Your New Luxury Home.

There are plenty of waterfront properties available on the Kelowna luxury real estate market. To find the one that’s right for you, come and talk to the experts, we can help you refine your search to find a home that suits your lifestyle and budget.

How to Do Home Staging Well

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When you’re selling in the Kelowna real estate market, consider some of the evolved home staging tips to help your home sell faster.

In just a minute and a half, statistics say, a potential homebuyer decides whether they feel like could drop their bags and move in, or if they want to move on to the next listing. Over the years, our Kelowna realtors have found while online tools can bring buyers to your listing, what you need for great photos and the kind of successful viewings that seal deals, is some home staging.

But not the original variety of staging that left spaces feeling like sterile store aisles. We’re talking about new-school staging in 2015, for real people who want a home and a lifestyle.

If you’re thinking about putting your home up for sale, today’s staging techniques will help you compete in the ever-active Kelowna real estate market, and that often translates to fewer days on the market and sometimes higher prices.

Whether you’re outsourcing home staging to a professional, or you’re keen to do it yourself, here are some tips that will help your home become someone else’s.

 

Home Staging1. Staging is a state of mind

The first rule of home staging, particularly for the sellers, is to remember that you need to let go of the space as “my home” and think of it as a property you want to sell. Detach and begin to pack. Only when you let go of it and show off your home’s best features will strangers begin to imagine themselves in the space, and that’s when the offers come in.

Homeowners often turn to professional Home Staging companies or even just advice from Kelowna realtors for this very reason—the objectivity needed to get rid of nick-nacks and well-loved throws to build a neutral nest that will appeal to your buyer.

 

Home Staging2. Stage with your buyer in mind

Let’s say you have a beautiful condo in downtown Kelowna. Take a look at your neighbors in the elevator. Your buyer is apt to be people starting in their twenties and thirties, or people downgrading later in life. What does that group like and look for in a property? Stainless steel appliances? Contemporary furniture and art? Then infuse your Home Staging with that.

If you’re among the homeowners selling Kelowna real estate that boasts stunning lakefront views, your luxury property is more likely to attract people in mid-life looking for a second home or a pre-retirement home. You’re selling a lifestyle, and your space needs to reflect that with high-end everything and little touches  (from original artwork to statement plants) designed for entertaining and enjoying the good life (and those views!).

 

Home Staging3. Don’t forget your yard

Imagine you’re in the backseat of your realtor’s car, making your way along Lakeshore Road into the thick of Upper Mission. The car stops. The home on the left has two cherry trees on either side of the front door, flanked by streams of begonias, hydrangeas, and decorative grasses. The house on the right has a lovely blue stone path and a green lawn. Which home are you drawn to?

First impressions count for everything. Remember when you’re considering Home Staging you need to include the impression your landscaping will make. To create a home that evokes warmth and permanency, add an array of trees of flowers that complement the style of your home.

 

When you’re ready to sell, what you need most are professionals committed to selling your property with all the tools available. Contact the experienced and award-winning Kelowna realtors at Quincy Vrecko & Associates.

What is a Free Market Evaluation?

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FREE MARKET EVALUATION

free market evaluationA free market evaluation is a great way to learn more about the value of your property in the real estate marketplace. If you are considering selling your home, a market evaluation can help you set a realistic list price for your property. We offer a free online market evaluation tool that can help us assess your home and determine what your home may sell for in the current real estate climate.

VALUATION POINTS

free market evaluation

Multiple factors are analyzed when assessing the market value of your property, including location, age, size, amenities, and comparable homes that are currently on the market or that have recently been sold. Price is arguably the most important aspect of selling a property and a well-priced home can attract a buyer quickly, without undercutting the value of the property. Having a free market evaluation can help you make a more informed decision when it comes to listing a property, giving you an idea of what your property may sell for in the current real estate market and financial climate.

ONLINE FORM

free market evaluation

You can start your free market evaluation with our convenient online form. It will help us make an initial assessment of your property’s value, and we can then work with you to get a more accurate market evaluation. To determine the most accurate price range for your property, we can also arrange to view it in person, at no cost and no obligation to you.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email the VREG team at info@quincyvrecko.com. We look forward to working with you!