Men are from Mars and Woman are from Venus, but somehow they both buy homes.

When it comes to the home buying process, there are some definite differences between how men and women approach it. Some recent findings of a consumer survey that tracked the gender preferences of more than a thousand home buyers turned up some interesting facts.

Here are some of the highlights:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men
· When asked how long it took before they knew their home was "right" for them, almost 70 percent of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house. (62 percent of men)
· Men needed two or more visits: (32 percent vs. 23 percent of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job
· 55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family to their job ( compared to only 37 percent of men). A home's security is a deal-breaker for both men and women
· 64 percent of women said if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they'd no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51 percent). Couples say that "no one wears the pants in the relationship" in terms of major financial decisions
· When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70 percent of respondents living with their significant other said it's actually mutual. Men and women tend to agree on how they would use a spare room (Sellers are you listening?)

When asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

· Additional Bedroom: 25 percent
· Office/Study: 15 percent
· Family Room / Den: 11 percent

Call your Vantage West Agent and we can help you find that Safe/secure home closer to extended families, all you will need to agree on is what to do with that extra room.

Joel

BC Home Sales Brightest Light in Economy

BCREA Forecast Update - Third Quarter 2009

August 27, 2009. -The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its Forecast Update for the third quarter of 2009 today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to climb 15 per cent from 68,923 units in 2008 to 79,400 units this year. This brings us just below the ten-year average of 82,800 units. Residential sales in 2010 are forecast to rise an additional 6 per cent to 84,200 units. For comparison, a record 106,310 units were sold in 2005.

“After 12 months of significant volatility in BC’s housing markets, greater stability is expected through 2010,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Robust housing demand is a strong signal that the economy is coming out of the recession, with a recovery in the broader economy expected to develop over the next three quarters.”

“Home sales have doubled since January, with prices edging higher in Metro Vancouver and Victoria in recent months,” said Muir. The average annual MLS® residential price in the province is forecast to reach $451,200 in this year, down 1 per cent from a record $454,599 in 2008.

“Market conditions vary depending on the region of the province,” added Muir. “While the Metro Vancouver and Victoria markets have rebounded sharply, interior markets are demonstrating a more gradual trend toward balance between supply and demand.”

The Penthouse with “Big City Swagger”

“Big City Swagger” available in the Okanagan

An ultra chic “Hard rock style” Penthouse is being sold high above Okanagan Lakes deep waters.

Picture an ultra chic, Las Vegas penthouse – cut right out of the Hard Rock Hotel – and hung high above Lake Okanagan’s deep waters.

Vantage West Realty recently listed a home fit for a rock star in Sunset Waterfront Resort just down from Prospera Place. Kelowna has seen an emergence in style – exemplified in this custom-designed 3,750 square foot double suite, originally built in 2006 and listed for the first time since construction.

“This is a special property that combines the best of both worlds,” said AJ Hazzi, Director of Vantage West Realty. “This is a unique opportunity to show people that Kelowna has more than one speed – and properties that capture all the style and glamour of the world’s most exciting cities.”

The view from this Sunset Drive residence encompasses all of Kelowna’s traditional beauty – anunobstructed view of Lake Okanagan, picturesque mountains and glorious sunsets. But the visioninside this newly listed property is something rarely seen in the interior of British Columbia – a glimpse of Las Vegas flash, with an ostrich-leather pool table, fused glass and metallic flooring and eight flat-screen televisions.

A rising percentage of high-end homeowners are turning to Vantage West to find and move the type of places that cater to a very specific home-buyer. They’ve been a beacon of change – focusing on being responsive to the demands of a style migration that’s been sweeping the city.

Kelowna is attracting interesting and successful people from around the world – entrepreneurs,professional athletes and high-profile celebrities who appreciate the region’s natural beauty. Withinternational style and flair gaining hold in the Valley, the value of a property like 1902-1128 Sunset Drive is on the rise.

Style has come to Kelowna – and its here to stay.

http://www.vantagewestrealty.com/details.php?id=111