Real Estate Blog

Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Home IdeasWith the environment becoming a greater source of concern for homeowners across the country, many are turning to environmentally friendly materials to build their homes and looking for ideas to improve the energy efficiency of their existing homes. As the demand for green building materials and energy-efficient products has grown, so has the number of choices. Here's what homeowners need to know.

Environmentally Friendly Building Ideas

These days, homeowners can reduce their energy usage and their carbon footprint by building with sustainable materials like smart products, locally sourced stone and low flow bathroom fixtures.

Locally Sourced Stone

Stone is an environmentally friendly material for a variety of reasons. It's durable and

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Theatre Organizations in KelownaLife in Kelowna isn't all orchards, wine tastings and sailing on the lake. There's a vibrant arts scene in Kelowna for audiences and performers alike. From performances to classes, the city's theatre scene is always busy. Here are some of Kelowna's theatre organizations.

Musical Actors and Singers of Kelowna

One key player in the musical theatre scene includes Musical Actors and Singers of Kelowna (MASK), a group of unpaid amateur performers who rehearse weekly and put on one or two shows a year. This group of talented men and women perform around Kelowna and the area and are often called upon to sing the National Anthems at Kelowna Rockets hockey games.

Kelowna Actors Studio

Another more active group in the city is the Kelowna Actors

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Best Distilleries in the Kelowna AreaKelowna, a picturesque city in British Columbia, is home to many excellent tourist attractions.  Though Kelowna is known for its wineries, it also has a great selection of distilleries that offer visitors unique experiences and delicious alcoholic beverages that can't be found anywhere else. Here are two of the best that anyone visiting Kelowna—or any residents of the city—should check out, but they're certainly not the only options.

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery

An internationally acclaimed distillery and winner of the 2014 Certificate of Excellence, Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is located near Okanagan Lake's shores.

Learn the Art of Craft Distilling

Visitors at Okanagan Spirits can observe the fine art of craft distilling. Using

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Home Selling: From Meeting the Agent to ClosingThe web is filled with information designed to help first-time homebuyers successfully navigate the home buying process, but first-time home sellers are not as fortunate. Just like buyers, however, homeowners who are selling their homes for the first time are sure to have questions and need information to help them. If you are a first-time homeowner preparing to sell your home, the following guide will answer your questions and help you work toward a more successful sale.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Find a Real Estate Professional to Assist You

One of the first decisions prospective home sellers must make concerns the hiring of a

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Places to Hike in Kelowna, BCKelowna and the surrounding areas, provide some great hiking spots. There is a lot of diversity in the land, which provides a variety of landscapes. You will also get to view historical areas, and get open views that are stunning. Within Kelowna, you can take a walk on a paved path which borders the Okanagan Lake, cottonwoods beside Mission Creek, adventure Knox Mountain, or visit the nature preserves. On the south side you will be able to hike the trails of Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park.

Kelowna Trails

When travelling along the trails in Kelowna, you will come upon lookouts, waterfalls, historic irrigation flumes, abandoned cabins, volcanic structures and forest. Most of the trails are met to hike during daylight, but there are a few that

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What to Know Before Buying a Historic HomeKelowna North homebuyers don’t have to be history buffs in order to buy a historic home. Historic homes are available to anyone who has the proper budget and is willing to work to maintain it. But what exactly is a historic home? These homes are buildings historic figures have lived in or where historic events have taken place. If living in this sort of home sounds like a dream come true, the next step is to understand what goes into owning a historic home. Here are some of the things buyers need to consider before purchasing a historic home.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Historic Homes Often Require Renovating

While it’s possible to

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What Sets Ranch Homes Apart From Other Architecture Styles

Ranch-style architecture, also known as the American ranch, is a form of architecture popularized in the 1930s. It has its roots in California, where it replaced the smaller, segmented rooms typical of craftsman-style homes with large open layouts that promote rooms with equal sunlight and seamless indoor to outdoor living. However, it fell out of popularity in the 1980s as more people embraced modern architecture.

The good news? Ranch-style homes are rapidly making a comeback with newer, fresher countryside designs with a modern appeal. Want to learn more? Check out the common characteristics of ranch-style architecture below.

Single-Storey U- or L-Shaped Layouts

Ranch-style architecture is characterized by long, low-slung roof profiles that

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Where are the Best Gardens in KelownaKelowna is an area known for its beauty, and there are plenty of outdoor offerings such as hiking, fishing and gardens. The gardens in and around Kelowna are stunning and well worth a visit. The tranquillity that a stroll through a beautiful garden provides is like no other. You will find gardens within parks, and many allow you to partake in boating and fishing. Here are some of the area gardens that you will want to visit.

Elysium Garden

This elaborate garden offers four acres of lush perennials. You will find Elysium Garden in Kelowna's Belgo neighbourhood. Once an apple orchard, there are mature trees that are surrounded by perennials. Flowers are arranged in a variety of ways that are pleasing to the eye.

In the springtime, you can enjoy

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Where to Find Winter Activities in KelownaThere are plenty of things to do throughout the Kelowna area of British Columbia. From skiing to dogsledding, you can find plenty of winter activities to enjoy. Here's a look at some of the top choices for your winter fun.

Cross-Country Skiing

The champagne powder found throughout the area is famous and great for cross-country skiing. There are plenty of groomed trails throughout Kelowna providing skiing fun for all skill levels. Whether you want to enjoy skate skiing, Nordic Skiing or track skiing, you can find it here.

The Big White Ski Resort is one of the top spots for cross-country skiing in the area. It's the second-largest ski resort in all of British Columbia and allows for all kinds of fun. With 16 lifts and 118 trails, there's plenty

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Sightseeing Tours in Kelowna Kelowna offers a number of sightseeing opportunities for you to take part in over the summer and warmer months. Whether you want an intimate getaway with your partner or something for the whole family, there is an extensive selection to consider. Here is just a brief rundown of some things you may be interested in, and the best part is there is something for everyone.

Wine Country Tours

Okanagan Wine Country is a great consideration for the wine lover in you. Imagine taking a wine tour with no maps, no traffic and no worries. Imagine being able to unwind with just you and a few friends escaping to a beautiful wine tour that will allow you to uncork your day and discover wine at its finest. You can enjoy hours of relaxation on this tour and know

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