This is a learning curve blog entry ... Episode three. I wrote previously about the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Commercial Builders Awards, and included a list of Winners - although all entrants are really classified as Winners! Then I tried to insert a picture of my favorite building - the Madison - a multi family condo development, but posted the blog sans photos. Then I posted one photo, but whilst attempting to align the photo, I inadvertently posted it. So, now here are a few more photos of the impressive, new, award winning building known as The Madison, located in Beautiful British Columbia - in the sanctuary we call Kelowna. (Photo taken while Window Cleaners were hanging cables... these are not part of final building)   10/22/2010

  Congratulations to the Builders, Architects and design team of The Madison - winners of the Okanagan Mainline Commercial Builders Award for Multi-Family building constructed in 2010. The Award winning Madison hosts 57 residential and 5 commercial condominium units, with a total of 29 unique floor plans, expansive terraces, and breathtaking views. It is located in downtown Kelowna, B.C.   10/22/2010

Last night I was privileged to attend the OMREB Commercial Building Awards, held at the Coast Capri Hotel. The room was full of Realtors, Builders, Suppliers and our supporting teams- ready to celebrate the achievements of our Commercial Builders for their projects ranging from Peachland to Revelstoke. 12 Categories were represented, with multiple entrants in each. All nominated projects were acclaimed an award of Merit - to be nominated for this prestigious award was a win in itself! Congratulations to the selected entrants, taking the twelve plaques home were: The 2010 winners of Commercial Building Awards were:  · Commercial Office: Beeline Web  (Lake Country) · Commercial Retail: Rexall Building  (Kelowna) · Hospitality: Sparkling Hill  (Vernon) · Industrial: Tow and Stow Dry Marina... 10/22/2010

Years ago, while still donning my Communications and Public Speaking cap, I had the privilege of writing a chapter in a compilation book. As a marketing professional, I was asked to deliver some content on Media - how and when to purchase flights, radio vs. in-print costs, apples to apples oranges to oranges etc. As an Adult Education instructor at Red River College I had just completed writing the curriculum for a course on Media Buying, along with a 100+ page student workbook.  This should be a breeze' I figured, noting the Editors has asked for a mere 15 pages of copy. Ten weeks later, bogged down with Writers block, and deadlines looming, I had a new realization. It's one thing to write for a Workbook or manual - as a technical writer - quite the other to be a creative writer, with ... 10/18/2010

$10 million property sold   By Steve MacNaull Thursday, October 7, 2010   An aerial view of the 29 acre parcel at 5880 Lakeshore Road that has changed hands for $10 million. What real estate slowdown? A 29-acre waterfront super-estate has just sold in Kelowna for $10 million. “It‘s good news, really good news,” said Gary August of Coldwell Banker Realty, who co-listed the property with realtor Jane Hoffman. “It shows that Kelowna is still a desirable real estate market and wealthy people are more than willing to invest here.” At $10 million, 5880 Lakeshore Rd. is the most expensive single-family home to ever sell in the Central Okanagan. The record was previously held by the lakefront mansion at 1499 Pritchard Dr. in West Kelowna that sold in early 2008 for $7.4 million. “Not many prop... 10/07/2010

TANGO KELOWNA PRESENTS from Argentina Guillermo Salvat & Silvia Grynt October 22 & 23, 2010 1310 Bertram Street Kelowna Thanks to SYLVIA & GUILLERMO as well as everyone in attendance ...  This was a SPECTACULAR EVENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Friday October 22, 7-9 pm - Beginner Bootcamp Saturday October 23 - 1- 5:30 pm - Workshops For Details and Registration:  http://www.tangokelowna.com       Guillermo Salvat and Silvia Grynt are known for technical and precise unique performing style.  Partnered since 2001, they have performed and taught worldwide. Their own show, Tango-a-Tierra has played successfully in South Africa, Brasil, Russia, Hong Kong and Ukraine. Among many other performances, they've played prestigious venues, such as  the Sydney Opera House and the Kremlin Palace's Theatre in Mo... 09/26/2010

Found this great new tool that allows you to create professional Facebook pages .  Try it... it is easy to use and the pages look great!  You get to create one page for FREE, the other features you have to pay for, but if you are only looking for a welcome tab or something to get you started for your business fan page...this is a great professional looking tool to help you get there... Pagemodo’s Pagebuilder is a free service to design professional Facebook pages No design or graphic skills needed Easy photo and video embedding Instant publication Be your own Facebook page designer and give your business a great-looking social media presence. Go to www.pagemodo.com to create your own Page Today   09/16/2010

Tantalizing Tantalus Winery - A Modern LEED Winery This is a follow up post to a recent post I wrote about the Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna.  Design is all around us, and even while travelling to Kelowna, B.C. and doing a little wine tasting, I was very aware of my surroundings and how these wineries present and market themselves. Tantalus, on the Eastbend, was a breath of fresh air.  Their newly constructed winery is LEED certified, complete with floor to ceiling windows, slate floors and  a waste water system that biologically converts all sewage and winery waste into reusable grey water.  The winery feels very bright and airy and the focal point is the beautiful wall display of wine bottles.  Tantalus produces 2 types of wine:  Riesling and Pinot Noir, as these grow the best in thi... 09/04/2010

< This informations comes from  Fabienne Fredickson "The Client Attraction Coach"!  I personally think she is brilliant and has found a way to increase the client base for a small business following simple consistent steps.  I highly recommend her and her message. Recently, we've been talking about aiming for MUCH bigger in our business, in our life, and in our purpose. We've stretched, looked into the fears of dreaming TOO big (is there such a thing?!) and looked at all the other emotions that come up once we've actually MADE the decision to play a bigger game. These are related to issues of safety, not rocking the boat, and self-doubt as to whether we really CAN play a bigger game in life and business. But then, if this weren't enough, there's yet another thing that is likely to stop ... 08/13/2010

Style Photography shoots Tango Kelowna Look what's happening in Kelowna! Sometimes the most marvelous things happen so very coincidentally, one might think it were ...magic! Well Argentine Tango is darned close to magic ... so is the photography of Angelique Duffield!  At a recent Tango Kelowna Event with Canadian Grand Masters in Argentine Tango. Angelique Duffield of Style Photography graced the scene with her creative photographic eye. Capturing Andre and Francine expertly as they demonstrated their expertise in tango is wonderfully evident the many professional shots available at her website.     Andre and Francine Buelne of Ottawa Ontario Canada are traveling instructors especially known for their work aboard cruise lines. They may be contacted from their website.    http://www.fra... 08/08/2010

Meeting The Right People? OR ... Meeting People Right? It's tremendously encouraging professionally to be grouped with others going your way, who have similar needs and goals. When making a career shift it becomes especially critical to follow the leads of networking that will take you where you want to be. Meeting The Right People? I found I wasn't...... A good friend referred me to ... CBD Network Having left off running business to pursue employment in my field of business, sales and interior design, the trail has been challenging. While I'd developed some great ideas for representing my capacities on a  resume, cover and follow-up, I felt lost in the direction of my efforts.  I connected with the CBD Network in Kelowna at the beginning of June. CBD  Professional Career Development b... 07/29/2010

Inventory levels continue to rise in the Central Okanagan real estate market.  The inventory level increases for each month from 2009 to 2010 are as follows:  January 2010 = 15.50%  February 2010 = 23.65%  March 2010 = 27.29%  April 2010 = 16.68%  May 2010 = 9.61% If new listings coming onto the market continue to increase with slower overall sales, we could see another market correction and some downward pressure on pricing.  The simple law of supply and demand could mean that buyers will see their investment dollars stretch a little bit further than they did one year ago.  The month of June has seen several properties reduce their list prices to try and attract buyers sitting on the fence.  There has also been a recent trend in the last month of higher than normal demand on brand new ... 06/23/2010

Current Active Central Okanagan MLS Listing Inventory as of June 22,2010: Single Family Dwellings - 2354 properties including 8 pending offers ranging in value from $267,900 to $774,900   Strata - Condos - 1201 properties with 2 pending offers of $229,900 and $399,900 respectively Strata - Townhomes - 563 properties with no pending offers at this time Manufactured Homes - 233 properties with no pending offers at this time Timeshare/Recreation - 37 properties with no pending offers at this time Lots/Acreages - 835 properties with no pending offers at this time Total properties for sale - 5223 Current Listing Inventory There has also been a recent trend in the last month of higher than normal demand on brand new vacant product.  This sudden surge of new product sales can be directly tied ... 06/23/2010

TANGO KELOWNA PRESENTS Argentine Tango Workshops & Dance with CDN Grand Masters (Again, you all turned out a marvelous event - Thanks!)  (See tangokelowna.com for regular Argentine Tango Schedule) Tango Fever is heating up in Kelowna Sharon Sebo's Tango Kelowna presenting another exciting rare event!!! Andre and Francine Beaulne of Ottawa just in from teaching aboard cruise lines and Argentina, are the only ever CDN Argentine Tango Grand Masters.JUNE 26, 2010  WORKSHOPS & DANCE:11 am-12pm Tango Basics12 pm - 1 pm Bronze Level Figures/ Technique1 pm - 2 pm Practica 2 pm-3 pm Silver Level Figures/Techniques3 pm-4 pm Secadas and Boleos4 pm-5 pm Practica 8 pm-11 pm Evening MilongaOpen Dancing, Andre & Francine's DemonstrationSince the pre-registered All Day Pass was so popular, we repeat th... 06/18/2010

There are currently 83 active foreclosures (as of May 24,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  That is a 36% increase in the foreclosure inventory from last month. The foreclosure inventory breakdown is as follows: 11 Lots and Acreages (Ranging in value from $39,500 to $1.75 Million) 0 Manufactured Homes currently on the market 29 Strata Properties (Ranging in value from $159,990 to $3.90 Million) 43 Single Family Residential (Ranging in value from $249,900 to $3.05 Million) April 2010 foreclosure sales tallied eight total or a decrease of four properties sold versus March 2010.  There were no sales of building lots or manufactured homes in March 2010.  Surprisingly, stratified properties accounted for six of the eight sales ranging in value from $220,000... 05/24/2010

THANKS TO ALL!!! THIS WAS A SPECTACULAR EVENT!!  Tango Kelowna Presents From Argentina, Beatrix & Michael The Argentine Tango Experience Workshops & Dance May 30   Unitarian Hall 1310 Bertram Street Classes 1- 4 pm Practica & Milonga 6-10 pm Demos by Michael & Beatrix - not to miss! $20 per class; $30 for 2; $45 for 3 Evening Dance, Demos & Milonga Beginner Class $15 OR $50 All Day (Pre-registered) Pass!!   Register http://www.tangokelowna.com w/ sharonsebo@yahoo.ca, or call ( 250 )826-6440      http://www.living-spaces-design.com/dance_art.html http://www.living-spaces-design.com/the_last_dance_art_print.html   Tango Nuevo I Art PrintAlverez, Pedro Buy Tango Art Prints 05/04/2010

In the nearly five years I have been a real estate agent I have experienced pretty much the entire gamut of emotions there are. Being in this industry means having triumphant days where everything seems to work out while other days are best forgotten or at least wish we could forget.  The principle of "next" has helped me immensely in bouncing back from disappointment! So how do you recover from the CMA that you felt you nailed and were promised the listing only to see it come onto the market the next day with another agent?!  NEXT!  What about that close friend or relative that knows you are a Realtor® and decides to lists with the competition?  NEXT! How about that couple you worked with for weeks showing them every property on the market only to discover that they bought privately? ... 03/28/2010

Current Active Central Okanagan MLS Listing Inventory as of March 28,2010: Single Family Dwellings - 1916 properties (393 more properties or a 25.80% increase from February) including 11 pending offers ranging in value from $348,800 to $649,000   Strata - Condos - 1088 properties (157 more properties or a 16.86% increase from February) with 2 pending offers ranging from $129,800 to $264,800 Strata - Townhomes - 459 properties (90 more properties or a 24.39% increase from February) with 5 pending offer ranging in value from $234,800 to $398,900 Manufactured Homes - 222 properties (14 more properties or a 6.73% increase from February) with 3 pending offers ranging in value from $39,800 to $115,000 Timeshare/Recreation - 39 properties with no pending offers at this time Lots/Acreages - 750... 03/28/2010

The idea of paying someone else's mortgage and helping them build equity in their property really doesn't make a lot of good financial sense!  As a long term renter, you are literally throwing away tens of thousands of dollars of your hard earned money instead of creating a forced savings plan by way of having a mortgage.  I have chatted with many renters over the years and there are two primary reasons they typically give for not being a home owner.  The first reason is they feel they can't afford a home or don't have a suitable down payment.  Interest rates are at a historical low so the bottom line is borrowing money for a home purchase has never been more affordable.  Many first time home buyers can qualify for a mortgage for as little as 5% down of their pre-approval amount.  Usin... 03/23/2010

There are currently 64 foreclosures (as of March 22,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  That is a increase of 3 properties in the foreclosure inventory from last month. The foreclosure inventory breakdown is as follows: 2 Lots and Acreages (both at $115,000) with no pending sales 1 Manufactured Homes ($125,000) with no pending sale 35 Single Family Residential ($258,900 to $1.559 Million) with one pending sale 26 Strata Properties ($179,900 to $599,000) with no pending sales In terms of February 2010 foreclosure sales there were a total of 13 or an increase of 6 properties over January 2010.  The manufactured home segment of the market saw a single sale in Lakeview Heights for $75,000 after 32 days on the market.  There were a total of 4 sales of strati... 03/23/2010