This blog is about me, Paige Guernsey, and the things that happen around my job as a Kelowna Real Estate agent with Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty. I talk about listings, sales activity, market conditions, market trends, promotions, green real estate, and sometimes funny things that happen to me during the course of my day. There's links and videos to great information as well as access to my 2 websites, kelownahome.com and greenkelownarealestate.com
I went to a seminar this evening where a Montreal based architect built a Net Zero house… and then it burned to the ground. Hard to believe that after all that work that could happen, but he vows to rebuild and now has more experience to make it even better!
Try to imagine a home where you’re connected to the “grid”. Your home provides enough power through solar and geo-thermal for heating/cooling and can even send back some power to the “grid”. This home also has a greenhouse where you can grow your own food, a fish pond (you got it… more food!) and all the obvious things like low flow shower heads, high efficiency appliances.
A very interesting topic was raised at this seminar by a fellow in the audience. He asked what the “pay back” time was. The answer was for sure thought provoking. If you have ever driven an expensive gas guzzler, or cruised in a flashy boat, or even owned a home that was over 4,000 square feet… what was the “pay back” time on those items? It’s all relative. If you care about your environment and want your children and your children’s children to have a planet to call home, these things all need to be considered. About $60,000 of this architecht’s home building budget went to some pretty crazy but do-able technology. If you’ve ever built a house, you know that it’s all about give and take. In today’s world there needs to be more thought about giving rather than taking. A link for more information on the Alstonvale Net Zero house.
You may have been aware that there was litigation recently involving the Canadian Real Estate Association and the Commisioner of Competition. In a recent letter, Competition president Dale Ripplinger told members “the bureau is concerned that CREA’s rules have restricted consumer choice and limited the scope of alternative business models.” He added: “Please note that although we describe the Bureau’s position, CREA (Canadian Real Estate Board) does not agree with the Bureau’s views.” What was being debated was whether or not there could be discount brokerages and/or other business models who could have access to the MLS (R) system.
This is the part I don’t get… I’ve been in real estate for almost 25 years and over those years I’ve seen dozens and dozens of different different real estate brokerages offering all kinds of listing services… all with access to the MLS (R). Every aspect of todays consumption is offered at a variety of different prices. We all know this and we all have the opportunity to choose how we want to proceed with any service we need. It’s no different when selling Kelowna real estate. So why all the fuss? People have the choice to decide how they want to sell there house, and we as realtors have the choice to offer a variety of services at a variety of prices. There’s always been choices. Here’s the CREA Media Statement released today. My opinion? Onto the next big story.
A well known Montreal architect is speaking for Cascadia Green Building Council on Building a Net Zero house. This home strives to generate all the energy required for household use as well as integrate sustainable agriculture for the property. Pretty crazy technology available out there that can actually work. If you’ve ever wondered about “green” technology be sure to mark this date on your calendar. October 27, 2010 at Rotary Center for the Arts, Mary Irwin Theater from 5:30 to 7:00.
I’m working with an amazing family who is looking after their grandmother. They’re currently selling grandma’s home using Power of Attorney. Many fine details are involved when looking to sell property using this tool. I came across this informative article dealing with these details. Banks and lending instutions can also have their own rules surrounding Power of Attorney, particularly with mortgage fraud being in the news lately. The business of buying and selling real estate is complex and ever-changing. I’ve been in this business for almost 25 years and I learn something new weekly!
Media reporting about what’s going on in the Kelowna real estate market is all over the board these days. You get the infamous Garth Turner spouting the dire consequences of owning real estate, particularly in the Okanagan (guess he doesn’t own any, poor guy). You see articles from various real estate companies keeping a positive take on what’s really going on out there and amazing front page articles like this SOLD FOR $10,000,000 and of course you get bloggers (like me) who… well, don’t always have a clue about anything.
It’s tough to look at all the pieces and make sense of it. September stats are out 2010 to date Stats and they’re down and they’re scary. BUT… when you consider the big picture buying and selling real estate is more often than not the most successful investment you’ll make. Inventory is up… making selection great for buyers, interst rates are low and sellers need to be very careful when choosing a price with their realtor. Take the plunge!
I’ve been busy the last 3 weeks working with 5 different buyers all re-locating to Kelowna. Their stories are relatively the same… love Kelowna, want to be here, and think that now is the time. Interest rates are again historically low and prices have stabilized. There are some that are thinking it’s better to wait. When we look back historically, we see that the only time we know for sure that we’re at the “bottom” is when it’s too late and things are heating up again. Kelowna’s prices have risen on average just under 10% annually since 1989. This doesn’t mean that prices are on the way up right now, it just means that with low interest rates, good prices, and serious interest in our beautiful city, why WOULD you wait? Here’s BC Real Estate Association’s cheif economist Cameron Muir’s take on things.
