Kelowna Mortgage Broker and The IKEA Monkey?

kelowna-mortgage-ikea-monkeyKelowna Mortgage Broker

I like the Ikea monkey. I like his coat. I like that he hangs at Ikea. He’s kind of a euro-hipster monkey out shopping for monkey size furniture and stuff at one of our favorite furniture stores.
So why is the Ikea monkey on my mind this morning? Well, while I was out walking Jack earlier it occurred to me that the Ikea monkey connects to our psyche in a fundamental way.
Much of this blog talks about the abstract and arcane world of economics with the context of mortgages and real estate. The topics, because they are abstract, don’t connect to our inner humanity. Abstract ideas are always a bit tough to follow but we feel we need to understand them so we can make good financial decisions.
What’s a good financial decision? One where we either make money or at least don’t lose money.
How do we make a good decision? We try to learn as much as we can about a subject by thoroughly researching it and then hopefully making an educated decision.
In the context of real estate the decision almost always revolves around the question, is this a good time to buy? When is a good time to get a Kelowna Mortgage. In my short 35-year career in this Kelowna Mortage industry I can tell you that no one can predict with100% accuracy when is a good time to buy a house. I can tell you that over the long term real estate prices follow the inflation rate. Sometimes they fall behind, like now in Kelowna, and some times they get ahead, like 2007 in Kelowna.

Kelowna Mortgage Broker

Contact us for more information about a Kelowna Mortgage. I can also tell you that home ownership is in demand. Which brings me back to the Ikea Monkey. Owning your own home, like the Ikea monkey, touches something deep within our psyche. It is not an abstract idea. Therein are the difficulty and the solution.
If you want to own a home then buy a home. A home is not an investment. If you don’t want to lose money be prepared to live there for the next 10 years and inflation will save your investment.
Your home is not an abstract idea, like the Ikea Monkey, it’s close to your heart.

Hopefully we get an Ikea here in Kelowna soon.

Kelowna Mortage Broker

Kelowna Property 2013 BC Assessments In The Mail

Property owners throughout the Central Okanagan region can expect to receive their 2013 assessment notices in the next few days.

“Most homes in the Central Okanagan region are remaining stable in value compared to last year’s assessment roll,” said Tracy Wall, Deputy Assessor. “Most home owners in the Central Okanagan can expect modest changes in the -5% to +5% range.”

Overall, the Central Okanagan‟ Assessment Roll decreased from $40,748,380,318 last year to $40,599,516,028 this year. The 2013 assessment roll includes $280,572,573 for subdivisions, rezoning and new construction.
The examples below demonstrate local market trends for residential properties by a geographic area; trends are affected by many variables.

In addition, most commercial and industrial properties in the Central Okanagan will see changes ranging from -5% to +5%.

“Property owners who feel that their property assessment does not reflect market value as of July 1, 2012 or see incorrect information on their notice should contact our office as indicated on their notice as soon as possible in January,” said Wall.

“If a property owner is still concerned about their assessment after speaking to one of our appraisers, they may submit a Notice of Complaint (Appeal) by January 31, for an independent review by a Property Assessment Review Panel,” added Wall.

The Okanagan assessment office is located at 202-1500 Hardy Street in Kelowna. During the month of January, office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Property owners can contact BC Assessment toll-free at 1-866-valueBC (1-866-825-8322) or via the website.

Source: Castanet.net