Real Estate Blog

Anyone visiting or living in the city of Kelowna might have a shared passion for the great outdoors. Thanks to the temperate climate, millions of nature lovers flock here annually to visit, while residents have year-round access. One of the best ways to enjoy British Columbia's nature is to head out to Kelowna's best trails. Dozens of communities are situated along the banks of Okanagan Lake, a hotbed of trailheads leading to mountain views, valleys, and an abundance of wildlife viewing points.

Apex Trail in Knox Mountain Park

While Knox Mountain Park has a few trails, one of the locals' favourites is Apex Trail. This hike has a moderate difficulty with the occasional steep parts but offers excellent views of the lake and wilderness surrounding

Summertime is the perfect time to complete some home improvement projects around your house. Whether you're looking to update your décor or make some much-needed repairs, there are many great summer home improvements that improve your life and increase your property value. Use the warm weather and long days to get your home in tip-top shape for the summer months.

Create a Backyard Oasis

Of course, summer is a great time to go to the beach or lounge by the lake. But, if you're looking to beat the crowds, you can still enjoy the outdoors by creating a backyard oasis.

Outdoor living areas are a great addition to any home. Not only do they provide extra space for entertaining, but they can also add value to your home. Some estimates show that a

There are many great reasons to invest in a Kelowna vacation home. The city is located in the stunning Okanagan Valley, and it enjoys a warm climate that makes it a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.

Kelowna is also home to many great amenities, including world-class golf courses, ski resorts, and wineries. How fun would it be to own a home away from home in one of British Columbia's top vacation destinations?

Before you jump in, you should know that buying a vacation home is different than a primary residence. Owners with a second home can subsidize their property by renting it out when they're not using it. The passive income from the vacation rental can reduce the financial impact of mortgage payments, property taxes,

You've probably dreamed about owning a vineyard. Who hasn't? The romantic notions of tending to grapevines, making wine, and hosting visitors from all over the world are hard to resist. When you live in wine country, the temptation can pull even more strongly. But before you take the plunge into vineyard ownership, you must understand what you're getting yourself into.

Choosing a Location

Finding the perfect place to put a vineyard isn't only a matter of acreage and zoning—prospective buyers need to consider everything from the orientation toward the sun to the soil's acidity. Buyers should also consider the land's topography, as hillsides can affect everything from maintaining the temperature (cool air sinks and can "roll" down a slope) to the

Living in a micro condo provides a compact, efficient, and affordable option for many people browsing condos for sale. Tiny condos, or micro-condos, are perfect for minimalists and city dwellers who know how to squeeze their lives into small spaces. The thought of living in a small space and the accompanying price tag could be very attractive to some, but how can you know if buying a micro condo is right for you?

What Is a Micro Condo?

Micro units are a trendy form of housing and are often put on the market by builders and developers who advertise these homes as affordable alternatives. They're preferred mainly by first-time British Columbia buyers who want to get away from the exorbitant prices in Vancouver.

A micro condo is usually

Buying a vacation home or an investment property is different than the traditional homebuying process. Buyers who already have a primary residence may be surprised by some of the ways that mortgages, taxes, and interest rates vary between these two types of properties. Whether you're eyeing waterfront homes or a ski cabin, a vacation homes can be great investments. Keep reading to find out what you need to know before buying.

Down Payment Differences

There are several down payment assistance programs that support first-time buyers, but the same programs rarely apply to second homes. For a vacation home, the buyer must put down at least 5 per cent down payment in order to secure a mortgage. Some lenders may require buyers to put down more.

Home inspections can be a frustrating part of the home buying process, especially when the report comes back with issues. A bad inspection may seem like a deal-breaker for buyers, but you don't have to give up that dream property. The key is to understand what a home inspection is and to know what to do if the inspection report comes back with serious issues. Keep reading to learn home inspection basics and how to handle latent issues.

Home Inspection Basics

Without a Property Condition Statement (PCS), also called a Property Condition Disclosure Statement (PCDS) and/or a Property Disclosure Statement from the seller, the homebuyer will want to insist upon a home inspection by a certified property inspector.

A pre-purchase home inspection

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

Those who plan to move into one of the new construction homes in Kelowna may wonder if Kelowna is a dog-friendly city. Those already living in nearby Kelowna condos and other residential structures will say, "You can bet your sweet paws it is!"

Kelowna is ideally situated along the southern expanses of the British Columbia province along the shoreline of Okanagan Lake. With a good number of the 134,000 residents here being dog lovers, the community is filled to the brim with dog-friendly activities, eateries, lodging and much more. Here's a list of dog-friendly places and activities in Kelowna to get pet parents started.

Dog-Friendly Activities in Kelowna

Getting out and about around town isn't just for humans in this Canadian province. Check