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

These days, there are many different options for homeowners who want to make their home more environmentally friendly. Between smart thermostats and solar panels and dual-pane windows, there's an option fit for just about every lifestyle. However, green updates don't have to be smart or even involve technology to help the environment. Even choosing certain types of flooring can help make a home green. Keep reading to learn about eco-friendly flooring options that make your home more energy efficient.

The Benefits of Bamboo Flooring

Hardwood floors are beautiful and can add value to any home. Unfortunately, many of the most popular types of wood contribute to deforestation and other environment-harming practices. For homeowners who want the look

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

Over the past few years, technology has advanced very far, and that change shows itself clearly when it comes to selling a home. Listings used to only have a few photos, but as time went on, photos became more and more important. Then video walkthroughs of homes became popular to show buyers the home’s layout.

Today, drone photography and videos are the hot new way to show off homes for sale. While using drones may seem like overkill to some, they come with many advantages that are impossible to have otherwise. Here are four of the best reasons to use drones while selling a home.

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

Drones Give Listings a

Maintaining a safe household is essential to a high quality of life. But what's involved in maintaining a safe household? Performing proper maintenance, conducting regular inspections, and purchasing household products and fixtures enhance safety are all ways to create a more secure household. Keep reading to find the seven best tips for improving household safety.

Be Fire Safe

Fire safety is critical in any house. Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related household deaths, and cooking is the leading cause of household fires in Canada. There are many ways that homeowners in Canada can protect themselves from household fires.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are best installed in each room and in hallways. Homeowners must test batteries in

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

Home Builders in Kelowna, BC: Kelowna's Most Popular Home Builders Guide

Building a custom home presents the opportunity for the owner to see their true "dream home" come to life. In the city of Kelowna, BC, these homes place owners right in the heart of the beautiful Okanagan Valley. With a new construction home, the new owner is the only person to have ever lived in the structure, which allows them to put their stamp on the property for years to come without worrying about leftover maintenance jobs from a previous owner. For anyone considering a new home build, read on to learn about some of the best builders in the Kelowna area.

Harmony Homes

Harmony Homes has offices in Kelowna and Grand Forks and has been building custom homes across

Small cracks over windows or doors may be a problem. Foundation cracks and damage are a cause for concern, but foundation cracks are an affordable fix in many cases. There are times when foundation damage makes for a more expensive repair. Either way, Canadian homeowners who see cracks in a home or other types of foundation damage may want to address early signs to protect the value of the home, especially if they've made home improvements to increase the home's value.

Keep repair costs relatively low by addressing initial signs of foundation damage. Read on to learn more about foundation damage and how much of an issue some types of damage may be today.

Cracks Are Common

Over time, many solid construction materials can expand and contract.

Many homeowners store items in their garage that don't have a home in the house, leading to clutter and stress as things pile up. When your garage is stuffed full of junk, it's time to go through it and get everything organized. Try these tips to get your garage cleaned out today.

Remove Items from Garage to Declutter

When clutter has been packed away, it's difficult to see how much has accumulated. Boxes hide behind boxes, inside larger boxes, and on shelves that mask the amount of stuff that has built up. That's why it's essential to remove all of your belongings from the garage itself to sort through them effectively. Following these steps can make this process less overwhelming:

• Remove all belongings from the garage and boxes
• Group

Life sometimes gets in the way; homeowners find that they must downsize for many reasons. It's not always easy. Whether the need results from having a smaller household, a job transfer, financial concerns, pending retirement, change in family status, or just the desire for simplicity, planning a move to a smaller home can be approached logically and without undue stress.

The first concern for people who plan to sell their home to downsize should be to decide what belongings will make the cut and what must be sold or disposed of in another way. If there is a need to move quickly, similar steps apply even within a compressed timeline. Take advantage of friends, family, and professionals to ease the planning and try to put aside sentimentality. Look