OKANAGAN REAL ESTATE
Building or Buying
If you’re looking for a stunning setting for building or buying your next custom home, the Okanagan Valley offers a vast number of unique and picturesque locations to discover your dream property. Multi-coloured lakes, dense forests, hot summers, stunning winter scenes, bustling urban centers, and a multitude of parks, beaches, and ski hills are carefully enclosed by the valley’s beautiful mountain ranges and hills.
Looking to Build
Homeowners looking to build have limitless potential in the Okanagan. Experienced architects, builders, contractors, tradespeople and home designers are readily available to assist any custom project. Modern and Contemporary architecture is quickly popping throughout the Okanagan Valley, with Green architecture quickly picking up speed as well. For more traditional tastes, timber frame homes are craftsman homes are also popular. For a truly unique style with a real “Canadian” flair, check out local log homes designs for inspiration. For a truly distinct build, check out the West Coast building style, which rose in ranks in B.C. thanks in part to legendary Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson and inspired by the works and designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. West Coast builds express British Columbia’s close connection with nature and is shown by the style’s use of simple forms and natural materials. Many West Coast designs from the 1950’s onward can be found in many B.C. cities, usually in locations with stunning views and an intimate relationship with nature.
Looking to Buy
If your goal is to purchase a distinct home in the Okanagan, it may require some extra dedication and patience in order to find the home that’s right for you. Homebuyers that are looking to avoid having the same home design as their neighbours and are looking for a more architecturally interesting build often find that their buying options are narrower. With the surplus of new multi-home big developments and the rows and rows of similar builds popping up today, finding a unique or custom home can take a little more time. Also, finding the home of your dreams can sometimes result in a higher price tag.
On the other hand, a more practical approach to buying a unique home may be to choose a house in a multi-home development that has a few more extras, or a unique layout that sets it apart. Considering such a property will open up your home selection, be easier to resell, and can sometime even save you money. An example of this kind of property is this Middleton Mountain house located in a highly desirable neighbourhood in Vernon BC. The house differs from the majority of other homes in the development in part due to its unique split level design, which is both extremely functional and compact. It also boasts deluxe low maintenance xeriscaping, a beautiful pond system and a tranquil waterfall, all enclosed by a private fenced backyard. It is currently for sale on OKHomeseller and is also featured on Distinct Build Okanagan. Click on Middleton House for more information about this specific property or to see an example of a more unique property in a newer development.
Looking for a Fixer-Upper
One option that many homeowners are choosing to pursue is renovation. The Okanagan is loaded with skilled and dedicated specialists that can help with any size of renovation. If you’ve got the time and are willing to take on a project, looking for an affordable home in your desired area could be the starting point you need to transform an average property into your custom build. Also, there are major benefits to buying an older home and renovating; typically, older homes have bigger lots, which means a gorgeous backyard with room to play. Also, older neighbourhoods weren’t built to match – the houses on your block will vary in style and design, which has more character and charm than some of the newer neighbourhoods. Mature trees, developed landscaping, and closer proximity to town are also big benefits of buying an older home to remodel.
Selling
Looking to Sell
If you’re the owner of a distinct home in the Okanagan and you’re looking to sell, you’ll find that your property will have little direct competition. Most properties for sale in the Okanagan Valley are either older character homes, newer properties in major developments, or ordinary homes that put practicality over design.
Because unique homes are in short supply, you’ll find that your property could fall under one of two extremes. It might sell quickly, if there are enough potential homebuyers looking for more unique properties. Also, like most properties, the ability to sell quickly is also dependant on price and location. On the other hand, it could take longer to sell; some buyers prefer practicality and a more typical or expected home design. To find the right buyer – one that appreciates custom architecture – could take months or even longer than a year.
Pricing your Home
Unique or custom-built properties can be more difficult to price for many reasons. One reason can be that it’s difficult to compare a one-of-a-kind house; without similar houses of the same style, location, and size, pricing a custom home can be confusing. Also, if the home is being sold by the original owner, it’s understandable if they have a strong emotional attachment to the property; distinctive properties can sometimes be priced over what they’re worth as the owners often feel the home is exceptional – which it often is.
Using a Realtor
When trying to sell a unique home, finding a realtor with experience selling one-of-a-kind properties is a worthwhile option to consider. Do some investigating – good realtors will have connections and good relationships within the community that can widen your search for potential buyers. Some realtors also boast a connection with neighbouring areas or provinces, which increases your search even further.