The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus will soon double its land area, as the UBC Board of Governors today approved the $8.78-million purchase of 103.6 ha. (256 acres) of North Glenmore farmland from the City of Kelowna.

“This is an unprecedented and extremely important event in the history of UBC,” says Brad Bennett, Chair of the Board of Governors. “We’re grateful to the City of Kelowna for being such outstanding partners and for the opportunity to acquire this land. This ensures that UBC’s Okanagan campus can respond to the future needs of our region, our province and the country. The possibilities are limited only by vision and imagination.

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Kelowna area housing starts increased to 77 homes in April from 29 homes in the same month a year ago, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Excerpt from News from the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission – May 17, 2010
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HARMONIZED SALES TAX… WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

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Vancouver, BC – April 13, 2010. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 43 per cent to 7,110 units in March compared to the same month last year.

To read the full story: BC Home Sales Moderate in First Quarter

Excerpt from: BCREC eNewsletter – April 2nd Issue
©Source by British Columbia Real Estate Association Public Release

In its January, 2010 report, Canada Mortgage and Housing notes that sales of existing home rebounded sharply in the fourth quarter of 2009, more than doubling from the previous year.   Sales of detached home, townhouse and apartment condominium sales all recorded big increases.  Vew entire report

Excerpt from – News from the Central Okanagan Economic Development – February 15, 2010
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The flurry of activity that we have seen in the Real Estate Market this summer and fall accounts of a few reasons:

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Cameron McNeill, president and founder of MAC Marketing Solutions, answers some questions on the current and future real estate market: Read the rest of this entry »

This year is one of the best times to be in the market to buy a home.  Price trends are as favourable as they have been in a long time, and interest rates are at record lows.  Your Realtor® will offer you a professional approach to finding and acquiring the right property.  Your mortgage specialist will offer you a professional approach to financing the property and making it fit within your overall financial picture. Here are just a few of the things you need to do to get started:

GET PRE-APPROVED

Pre-approval is one of the best steps a homebuyer can take. Not only will it help you make confident offers, but it also gives you a clearer picture of what financial life will be like after the purchase.  For example, you will know in advance what price range you can afford, and what your payments will be.  Pre-approval costs nothing and does not obligate you.  It also provides you with a guarantee of the current mortgage rate for 90 days while you look for a new home. Read the rest of this entry »

Selling a Home in Kelowna, British Columbia

Selling your home is an involved process that affects your family and your future. Before you begin this process, you’ll want to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information. When should you sell? How do you get the best price? What kinds of renovations should be made prior to the sale?

When you’re armed with the right information, and an experienced real estate professional, you’ll be closer to reaching your goal – selling your home fast, and for the best price.

Please contact me if you have any questions about selling a home in Kelowna or elsewhere in British Columbia.

Buying Real Estate in Kelowna, British Columbia

Congratulations! You have decided to purchase a home, or are thinking about buying one. You’ll be joining the ranks of hundreds of families who realize that home ownership offers a number of benefits including building equity, saving for the future, and creating an environment for your family. When you own your own home, your hard-earned dollars contribute to your mortgage. The equity you earn is yours. Over time, your home will increase in value.

Please contact me if you have any questions about buying a home in Kelowna or elsewhere in British Columbia.