I admit I tried to hold out and not buy Apple’s newest toy, until I found myself watching a late night infomercial on the many iPad features so I broke down and purchased Penticton’s last remaining iPad.  I was recognized by the sales person Corey; he purchased one of my listings a while back (I had to apologize for making him pay full price…he used another agent and what can I say, I make sure your listing is priced right and worth every penny).

But back to the iPad, I can’t believe how handy this thing is! Here I am blogging, as I enjoy my salmon, sitting in a quiet restaurant. How cool!

Without running to the office (it fits perfectly in my purse), I can draft up contracts, have the client sign electronically and email it out! As the only agent at Royal LePage with this great gadget, I can access every file from my office anywhere, anytime. Talk about being way ahead of the game. I just can’t wait to continue learning the neat features this thing can do!

Ask any Realtor in Penticton about the iPad for business use, and they will tell you that our real estate software is not supported on Apple products. But I have found a way! I am committed to using every inch of technology that comes out to assist my clients through a convenient and efficient process.

Come visit me at my upcoming open houses, I will be sure to have my new gadget.

View My latest Real Estate Listings Here!

The Echo Boom generation, also known as Generation Y or the Millennial Generation, are the children of the Baby Boomers. These Echo Boomers are Canada’s largest demographic group and they are active participants in the housing industry, having families and securing great jobs.

As another driver in the real estate market, these technologically savvy people would rather own than pay rent and are not jaded by sky high interest rates and lower than imaginable housing prices. Researchers predict that population trends will restore vitality to the housing market as the Canadian population continues to rise, creating new households and a greater need for housing.

View Penticton Real Estate Listings Here

There were 38% less sales this August compared to last. But the average price of a home last August was $336,336 and the average sales price this year is up to $355,782.

Buyers – Listing inventory was 10% lower this August than last. Inventory is what drives our market and gives buyers’ choice. It is nice to see that the numbers are a little lower but we are still in a buyers market.

Sellers – How long to sell? Last year I would have said about 98 days, this year it is taking a little longer with the average days on market coming in at 135.

View full stats here – August 2010 Real Estate Stats

View Penticton Real Estate Listings

Florian talks about how form follows function and his philosophy is as follows:

Humanity is at a crossroads; we must redesign the way we live or we will completely degrade the world around us. Everything we do, we make, must ultimately fit into a way of life that is in harmony with the world around us.

To read more on his philosophy please visit his website www.allenandmaurer.com you can also browse his gorgeous projects online.

Architects create the highest form of art, these people are true artists, bringing art to life for the homeowner. I really think this form of modern architecture is the way of the future, to preserve the nature we have left. This is especially important for the Okanagan as we only have so much precious land and developers continue to rip our mountains apart for pure profit, building tightly squeezed cookie cutter homes with little to no privacy. If you are lucky enough to build your own home please consider hiring Allen and Maurer and reap the rewards of good karma, indulge in the benefits offered and enjoy something truly unique and functional. One of my favorite things about Allen and Maurer’s work is the dedication to landscape and working with the natural surroundings to truly take full advantage of the outdoor living so many of us move here for.

What I love about this modern architecture:

• No trees were cut down
• No rocks were blasted
• No contours remodeled
• 4 small buildings surrounded by existing trees
• A beautiful, tranquil garden

More great photos Here.

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!!

Does the HST apply to all housing?
The HST only applies to “new” residential housing; used (i.e., resale) residential housing is not subject to HST.

Is BC providing a rebate for new housing?
BC will provide a rebate for new housing purchased as a primary residence to ensure that, on average, purchasers of new homes up to $525,000 do not pay any additional tax due to harmonization. That is, they will pay no more in provincial HST than is currently embedded as PST in the price of a new home.
The rebate is available whether the new housing is to be owner occupied or rented.

How much is the new housing rebate?
The rebate will be 71.43% of the provincial portion of the HST, up to a maximum rebate of $26,250.
Purchasers of eligible new homes above $525,000 will be eligible for a rebate of $26,250 (i.e. a rebate on the first $525,000 of value).

Which types of housing are eligible for the rebate?
The BC new housing rebate will be available for all types of housing currently eligible for the federal GST/HST new housing rebate and will be subject to the same eligibility conditions.
Qualifying housing generally includes newly constructed and substantially renovated homes used as a primary place of residence by an individual (or qualifying relation of the individual).

Is there any rebate for new rental housing?
To support affordable rental housing in the province, BC will also provide a new rental housing rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion of the HST, up to a maximum rebate of $26,250 per unit.

Who is eligible for the new rental housing rebate?
The new rental housing rebate will be provided to landlords who construct or substantially renovate their own rental housing and, as a result, are required to self–assess and pay HST under the self–supply rules.
The rebate will also be provided to landlords who purchase newly constructed or substantially renovated rental housing in BC and pay HST on the purchase.

Which types of rental housing are eligible for the rebate?
The new rental housing rebate will be available for all types of new or substantially renovated rental housing currently eligible for the federal GST/HST rebate for new residential rental properties, and will be subject to the same eligibility conditions.

Why isn’t the rebate rate 100%?
New housing is not directly subject to PST (i.e. the purchaser of a new home does not pay PST on the purchase price). However, builders have to pay PST on most construction materials (e.g. wood, cement, plaster, nails, etc.) used to build a home. The PST is part of the cost of building the home and included (embedded) in the total selling price of the home. It is estimated that the embedded PST in new homes in British Columbia is – on average – equal to about 2% of the price.
Unlike with the PST, under the HST there will be no sales tax embedded in the price of new homes because builders, like most other businesses, will recover the HST they pay on their materials through input tax credits. Without a rebate, the provincial tax on new homes would have effectively increased from about 2% on average (embedded PST) to 7% (provincial portion of the HST).
The rebate rate was set to ensure purchasers of eligible new homes up to the $525,000 threshold pay no more provincial HST on average than under the PST.
Rebate rate: (7% BC HST minus 2% embedded BC PST) / 7% BC HST
Rebate rate = 5/7 = 71.43% of provincial portion of HST paid, to a maximum of $26,250.
Total Sales Tax Payable on New Homes

For more information contact Dori Munday today!!!

If you are interested in Aylen Place please contact Dori Munday for your personal viewing or view what is included in the Strata Fee?

These Naramata homes will be 3 bedrooms or 2 large rooms and a den up, 2 baths up and 1/2 bath down. Equipped with en suites and walk in closets, an over-sized single car garage and visitor parking. The units should be about 712 sq ft per floor for a total square footage of 1424 with a full unfinished basement. Boasting 9ft ceilings and flooring includes laminate, and carpet. The complex will be family and pet friendly, rentals allowed. The units should be comparable to Skaha Bluffs at the South end of Penticton. This project will be built by Wildstone a well known, reputable local builder.  Disclosure should be filed soon, ground has been broken (leveled off) and the name as of today should be “Naramata Court.”  Estimated price point should be mid $300,000′s after the 10% reduction. Schoene appraisals will be doing the appraisals.

Royal LePage Agents and a Lawyer

Even if you are not an avid golfer you can’t get away with not golfing when you are living in Penticton BC. Last Friday I was asked to gather some Royal LePage Agents to fill the last spot in the Pathways tournament. Texas Scramble! Golfing for charity….I’m in! I put together my dream team which included Jodie Taylor my favorite Real Estate lawyer, Steve Thompson, Steve Janzen, and Andrea Agur all REALTOR® at Royal LePage. It was nothing short of a blast!

Yoga at the Golf Tourney

Most of the Charity Golf Tournaments I have attended have been hosted at Skaha Meadows, this one was at Sage Mesa Golf Course, and I am sure glad it was. The views were amazing.  Sage Mesa is set up on the Westbench overlooking Okanagan Lake, the few short hours on the course felt like a staycation. We lucked out and booked the last of the golf carts, had some tunes and a cooler full of beverages. Dinner was hosted at another Golf course on the Westbench called Pine Hills Golf Course. Pine Hills is always a favorite course as it is open late and has cheap green fees. The view is lake to lake and a must see! Check out a full list of Penticton Golf Courses!