And while we are all preparing for a fun evening, I wanted to post some safety tips for kids, not only for big night but for general road safety.

1. Children under 9 should be with an adult or a responsible older child.
2. Teach your child to never rely on traffic signals alone – use your eyes and ears to make sure it’s safe to cross.
3. Always cross at crosswalks, street corners or intersections.
4. Stay on the sidewalk or path when walking from house to house.
5. Have a bright colored costume and avoid masks (making it hard for kids to see).

On Monday night, there will be kids everywhere, so for the drivers, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Take EXTRA care.
2. Drive slowly in residential areas.
3. Watch out for kids, many of whom may be wearing dark costumes with masks that make it difficult for them to see.
4. Keep in mind there are a lot of excited kids out there and they may forget simple pedestrian safety rules.
5. Reduce your distractions and stay alert, that means cell phone usage and loud music should be minimized.
6. Remember to enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.

View the full article on Halloween Safety

View Dori’s Website & Penticton Real Estate Listings

I started my lurking along lake shore drive, nothing…. The public bathrooms were more contemporary than the million dollar properties passing by. Confused, I kept thinking I’m a Realtor and I see hundreds of homes a month; why can’t I pinpoint some extraordinary homes… and it dawned on me that most of the homes have updated renovated interiors with older exteriors. Ok, that’s my problem. I go through so many beautiful homes but the exterior are all very heritage. These waterfront homes have been here for decades the exteriors even with a fresh coat of paint and stamped concrete, they are still very traditional.

To continue my mission, I ‘facebooked’ some interior designers and still no one could recall a modern contemporary exterior. I am looking for gorgeous beams, unique angles, all glass walls to take advantage of the gorgeous lakeviews Penticton has to offer.

I made my way out the Naramata where I had sold a listing earlier this year. Sure enough on Noyes Road there was this unique modern architecture calling my name.  I circled the home several times before getting the courage to pop out and check it out. I met a really nice gentleman named Harrison, he had me contact Florian Maurer who is the architectural genius who’s work I was admiring. I went by the Noyes Road Property and found Florian working on this masterpiece red exterior wall. I introduced myself and discovered a few more projects that Florian was working on. I had the opportunity to visit and take some photos of his extraordinary property. I liked it so much that I had a photo taken for my new business picture! I will upload the pictures taken  in my next blog….stay tuned!!

“The majority of the decline in home prices has already occurred,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Balanced markets are emerging in Victoria, Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. There’s now little downward pressure on home prices in these areas.”

Home sales in the province have climbed out of a trough, posting double-digit percentage gains for three consecutive months (seasonally adjusted).  

BC MLS® residential sales are forecast to decline 12 per cent to 60,755 units this year, as a result of a weak first quarter. However, stronger consumer demand is expected to continue for the balance of the year and through 2010. Residential sales in 2010 are forecast to climb 10 percent to 66,740 units.

Affordability reached a three-year high in April with lower home prices and record low interest rates reducing the carrying cost of the average priced home 24 per cent over the last year.

“A significant increase in affordability has brought many first-time buyers into the market,” added Muir. “First-time buyers were largely absent in the late fall and winter, making it more difficult for move-up buyers to sell their current homes. The chain of ownership is now being oiled.”  

Source: BCREA