West Kelowna Real Estate News!

Welcome to the Shield Real Estate Blog. This is the place to visit when you want the latest West Kelowna real estate news. I share monthly tips on a variety of local real estate topics. Everything from what the market statistics mean to how to amp up your curb appeal! Anything I can share to help you prepare your home and yourself for a potential sale is here. Along with what buyers can expect when they want to purchase a West Kelowna home for sale.

Additionally, I love to keep my customers up to date with information about recent listings and solds on my Facebook page. Staying social is a great way to keep my finger on the pulse of the market. It’s also a great way to keep my customers informed! You never know when it will be time to buy or sell a home, but at least you know who your real estate agent in West Kelowna should be!

Follow along, read and share with me!

university heights kelowna

Kelowna and West Kelowna are home to several up-and-coming neighbourhoods. One of which, happens to be the university district. As the name suggests, the university district is situated around the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus. The area encompasses Quail Ridge, Academy, and Airport Village. In this article, I will be going over all of the reasons why you should consider investing in a property in the university district Kelowna! Follow along below to learn more. 

Reasons to Purchase Real Estate in the University District Kelowna

  1. Excellent Location

Starting off strong, one of the biggest advantages of buying property in the University District is the location. Being close to UBC Okanagan makes properties in this area highly attractive to students, faculty and staff. Moreover, since the University District is right by the airport, it makes it all the more convenient for frequent travellers. Homes in this area are within walking distance of a variety of amenities and well-connected by transit. 

  1. Rental Opportunities

If you’re looking for a summer home in the Okanagan but want to rent it out at all other times during the year, this is a great place to invest. The University District is always experiencing a high rental demand due to the turnover of students and staff at UBCO. Investing in a property here could very easily provide you with a reliable source of rental income year-round. It’s important to note that properties near the university experience a very low vacancy rate. 

  1. Growing Infrastructure & Value

The university district is rapidly developing, with new infrastructure projects constantly being planned and executed. This includes additions to the university, restaurants, recreational facilities, and public transportation improvements. Such developments enhance the area’s livability, making it even more attractive to potential residents. The ongoing development and growing popularity of the area suggest that property values are likely to continue rising. Investing now could mean significant returns in the future as the district continues to evolve and attract more residents.

Contact me Today!

If you are looking to purchase real estate in the University District Kelowna, consider hiring an agent to help! For more information about this area of Kelowna, contact a REALTOR® in West Kelowna today! I’d be happy to help you sell or buy homes in this desirable area of the Okanagan. Be sure to check out my blog next month for more real estate tips and information. I look forward to working with you in the near future!

neogtiation tips for west kelowna real estate home buyers and sellers

When selling West Kelowna properties for sale, the way that you negotiate plays a key role in your home sale. To get the best return on your investment, it’s important to know how to negotiate. A good negotiator knows how to play to their strengths and weaknesses to yield the most optimal results. In this article, I will go over some of my top tips to help sellers get what they want during the sale of their home. Follow along below to become a master negotiator!

Negotiate Like a Pro When Selling West Kelowna Properties for Sale

The first tip in negotiating is to never accept the first offer. Many housing experts advise against doing so as it can prevent you from getting the best deal. This is even more true if the first offer is below the asking value. It is common for the seller and buyer to have some rebuttal before landing on a final offer. This usually happens as a result of the seller either A) making a counteroffer or B) asking for a different offer. If you decide to make a counteroffer, be sure to add an expiration date to it. Most sellers will give the buyer between 24 and 72 hours to make a decision. However, this largely depends on market conditions and other seller-specific factors. 

Another important tip to keep in mind is what kind of leverage the buyer has on you and vice versa. Understanding your weak points and strengths is critical in a successful negotiation. If you ignore the areas that the buyer can leverage you’ll set yourself up to be taken advantage of. This is why it is paramount that you examine what kind of concessions could be made. 

Contact me Today!

If you are looking to purchase real estate in West Kelowna, hiring an agent to help with negotiation is never a bad idea! For more information about negotiation tactics, contact a REALTOR® in West Kelowna today! I’d be happy to help you sell or buy West Kelowna properties for sale in this desirable area of the Okanagan. Be sure to check out my blog next month for more real estate tips and information. I look forward to working with you in the near future!

realtor west kelowna

Over the past few years, Canada’s real estate market has been marked by high prices and minimal inventory. As such, many buyers have adapted their homebuying strategies to allow them to enter the market. Modern homeownership isn’t what it used to be, and Canadians all across the nation are proving this to be true. From rent-to-own agreements to income helpers, present-day buyers aren’t letting their dreams of homeownership die. Instead, they’ve come up with creative solutions to help make the most of the pricey and unstable conditions. Follow along below as your REALTOR® in West Kelowna goes over some of the most popular non-conventional buying strategies for 2024!

New Buying Tactics for Non-Traditional Homeownership

What it means to be a homeowner in Canada has shifted over the years. While people commonly think of homeownership as an achievement by an individual or couple, the market landscape continues to evolve this definition. In the modern market, Canadians are redefining what it means to be a homeowner. By employing non-traditional tactics, they are proving that buying property is possible even in the steepest market climates. 

One of the ways that modern buyers are working towards homeownership is through rent-to-own programs. These programs involve renters committing to renting a property for a specified period and being given the option to purchase the property before the lease expires. Rent-to-own agreements typically include a standard lease agreement with an option to buy at a later date. In some agreements, tenants will be required to take care of maintenance and repairs. Buyers must be careful that before they sign the agreement, they check to make sure that they are not obligated to purchase the property at the end of the lease. 

Another way that buyers are attaining homeownership is by co-owning with a family member. However, unlike traditional co-ownership situations, the family member is not a spouse or partner. Instead, Canadians are buying property with their parents, siblings, cousins or other relatives. Similar to this, several Canadian families have bought a home with the intention of renting out a portion to a tenant. Income helpers have been a primary strategy that has allowed families to move up the property ladder or make their first purchase. 

Contact Your REALTOR® in West Kelowna Today!

If you are looking to purchase real estate in West Kelowna, spring is a good time to begin your search! For more information about non-traditional buying strategies, contact a REALTOR® in West Kelowna today! I’d be happy to help you sell or buy property in this desirable area of the Okanagan. Be sure to check out my blog next month for more real estate tips and information. I look forward to working with you in the near future!