Home Buying Blogs – Kelowna

Some people might check their credit score and assume they're ready to buy a home. After all, there are plenty of mortgage loan options to make homeownership more accessible even with subprime credit. But credit scores aside, the amount of current debt one has can make it harder to qualify for a conventional or other type of mortgage loan.

Debt-to-income ratio is one of a many important factors a lender will review when approving an applicant for a home loan. Keep reading to learn how to optimize your debt-to-income ratio and avoid mortgage mistakes.

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

What Is Debt-to-income Ratio?

An applicant may think

During the home shopping process, many buyers struggle to choose between single-family homes and condos for sale. Both have their perks, but there are a few advantages that condos have over detached homes. If you're getting ready to buy your first home and are still trying to decide which type of real estate is right for you, here are some points to consider about what makes condos great homes.

Condos Are More Affordable

While condos vary widely in price, they're almost always more affordable than their single-family counterparts. For example, luxury condos, of course, cost more than starter homes, but they're consistently cheaper than detached luxury real estate in the same area. According to recent statistics from Living in Canada, the median

Contingencies are a way for people buying a home soon to learn more about the house and its seller between the time they make an offer to the time the property is officially transferred. These conditions range from financial considerations to home inspections to inclusions of popular home improvements. The demands buyers can make depend heavily on the market, the popularity of a neighbourhood, and the seller's expectations, but there are a few standards that everyone should know. Keep reading to learn about the most common homebuying contingencies.

Understanding How Contingencies Work

An official Offer to Purchase is a promise made by the buyer to pay a certain amount for a given property. It can be made with no stipulations, or it can be made

There's no denying that a new construction home in British Columbia comes with a bit larger price tag than others in the country — but most buyers find the additional expense well worthwhile. With pricing ranging between $400 and $500 per square foot, anyone investing in a luxury waterfront home will want to make the most of their views. Whether the property faces a winding river or spectacular shorelines along a lake, take a dive into these luxury home construction tips to optimize views and your enjoyment of the property.

Which Rooms Do You Spend the Most Time In?

When connecting the indoors with the outdoors, taking advantage of every vantage point from the home's interior is optimal. With a brand new construction home, buyers can work with

Spring has sprung and a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of... real estate? Perhaps not, but now that the weather is warming up in the Okanagan, real estate sales tend to pick up along with the temperature. Does that make it a good or bad time to consider buying a home? Here are a few thoughts on why you should buy a home this spring.

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

Early Bird Gets the Worm

Spring is typically the time that homeowners considering a move start trying to sell their property. The resulting boost to inventory means that this season is the best time to find that perfect-for-you home. The longer you wait, the more

Townhome communities are an excellent option for homebuyers in Kelowna who want to own their own home while having more space than condos provide. Additionally, townhomes are great for downsizing from a larger property. Owners also have fewer maintenance responsibilities because their properties are generally smaller than single-family homes.

Townhome communities offer access to incredible amenities that might not be present in residential neighbourhoods. Keep reading to discover some of the best townhome communities in Kelowna offering fantastic amenities for their residents.

Brighton

Brighton Townhomes have small fenced yards and double side-by-side garages. These lovely tri-level homes are in the Lower Mission neighbourhood, just a short

Packing to move is a big job for anyone, and it takes a lot of preparation and time to make sure everything gets safely put away in time for the movers to haul it all away. With such a big job, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and at a loss for how to pack an entire home’s worth of possessions in a timely manner, so here are seven effective tips for any homeowner to help make sure all their things get packed up in time for the big move after selling a home.

1. Start Sooner Rather Than Later

It’s easy to get behind with packing when focusing on selling a home, so as soon as the homeowner knows they’re going to sell, they should pack some of their extra things that aren’t used often. Getting started earlier will mean there’s less that needs to be done

New multi-family home builders in Kelowna can hardly keep up with demand. People are quick to put deposits down for a brand-new condominium with a modern floor plan. They want the latest design, luxurious appointments, the stainless appliance package, and space-age technology in their homes. Many are attracted by the additional amenities that builders are happy to provide (for a price), like party rooms with full kitchens, a barbecue area, a fitness centre, or even a pool. But an older building in an established neighbourhood in Kelowna could be an affordable and attractive alternative to the splashy new building. Keep reading to discover the benefits of buying an older condo.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real

Home insurance is often necessary for first-time homebuyers. However, all home insurance companies and their policies are not the same, and some customers have been less than satisfied with their home insurance companies in Canada. Home insurance is generally needed for those homebuyers taking out a home mortgage loan on a home. What should homebuyers know about home insurance before choosing a policy?

Why Homeowners Buy Home Insurance

A house is an investment, and it can be expensive to make repairs should serious damage occur. A home is vulnerable to vandalism, fire, storm damage and more. Homeowners can protect the equity in their homes when purchasing home insurance. Home insurance policies can differ significantly. Homeowners should learn

Nestled alongside Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, the gorgeous city of Kelowna features waterfront properties, lush vineyards, and numerous ranch-style homes. Although ranch-style houses originate from the United States, they became popular in Canada after World War II. These sprawling homes typically form a rectangular U- or L-shape, and the other architectural traits of ranches include an attached garage and plenty of large windows. Read on to learn about several communities in and around Kelowna offering beautiful ranch-style houses of various sizes at multiple price points.

Kelowna South

Kelowna South stretches from Highway 97 to K.L.O. Road. This lakefront neighbourhood has single-family homes, townhouses, and condos ranging from