StoneBridge Lodge, StoneGate Resort and Big White Ski Resort

Time to take notice of Vantage West for the other major real estate company, is it not?

They just continue to further solidify themselves as the young, energetic, vibrant real estate group in town, and they continue to be a thorn in the side of the big names. With the corporate giants, clients find themselves getting lost in the shuffle, and not getting attention they deserve.

Enough people have found Vantage to be the complete opposite that just this past month, Vantage has secured deals with three large development projects.

Two brand new, stylish Big White communities - Stone Bridge and Stone Gate - will be introducing Vantage West's services to both the resort world, and for the first time, to the Big White market.

For these two mountain projects, the appealing part of Vantage West was the unique manner in which the company operates. Simply put, they've got a better grasp on what works today. Better than the larger, lumbering agencies of yesterday that are unable and unwilling to adapt to the specific needs of the current market.

The high-end, beautiful properties at both StoneBridge and StoneGate are a nice fit with the style of the high-end company in Kelowna. It's chalet living with optimum amenities, class, style and fun - exactly what the type of people who hit up Big White are looking for.

These major developments have shown a serious trust in Vantage West: never before have the properties been available to be sold by anyone but the developer prior to now, which speaks volumes to what they know Vantage West can do for them.

As Joel Sherlock and AJ Hazzi have pointed out, it's a great fit for them as well. They'll have two offices at the hill to meet the needs of clients, as well as a home at StoneGate. "With it being the best location on the mountain. Aggressive new prices coupled with the apres ski lifestyle that Stonegate delivers made for a perfect fit to launch Vantage West's Development marketing division."

Negotiating in Today's More Active Market

After a brief slowdown for a few months, the real estate market is roaring back in most of Canada's urban markets. The big question now for many home buyers is

- In today's market, will sellers be more or less open to negotiating their price?

As with most aspects of real estate, there's no one right answer to that question. Every transaction is different. Sellers will tend to determine their negotiating position due to a number of factors, such as their financial goals, personal time lines, their own motivation to move and many other factors, including market conditions.

However, it goes without saying that in an active market with limited inventory, such as we're seeing now in most of Canada's major urban centers, sellers tend to have more options. It's easier to hold firm on your price if you think there are other buyers out there who will be prepared to meet it. Of course, the seller is in an even stronger position when it comes to an all-out bidding war. Negotiating a price between one buyer and a seller tends to be a more measured process. When bidding wars come into the mix, emotions run high, time lines are tight and a greater sense of urgency exists.

This is when the expertise of your real estate professional really shows its worth. Buyers need to prepare their negotiating strategy with their sales representative in advance. They should know their limits going in, so they won't get caught up in the frenzied pace of a bidding war and make an impulsive decision.

Your Vantage West REALTOR can arm you with a wealth of information to help you plan your negotiating strategy. Information such as past sales, competition from other comparable listings currently on the market, and trends in the local marketplace can all be used in negotiations and help you to make an informed decision.

Want to know more about negotiating strategies? Contact your Vantage West REALTOR to find out more. You'll be glad you called us first!

http://www.vantagewestrealty.com/contact-us.html

First Annual Commercial Building Awards

The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board Commercial Zone is looking for
nominations for its first annual Commercial Building Awards which will be held November 5, 2009 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre.

The gala event will highlight the best in commercial building in OMREB’s jurisdiction - from Peachland north through the Okanagan to Revelstoke - and will celebrate the best in commercial building projects that were completed between January 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009.
“we are pleased to be recognizing the unique variety of quality commercial, industrial and investment real estate developments throughout the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board,” says Gary Bowker, Vice Chair, Commercial Zone.

There will be at least nine categories represented at this event, although more could emerge once the nominations close in September. The categories are: Mixed Use, Community - Seniors Housing, Community Institutional, Retail, Industrial, Multi-Family Apartment, Multi-Family Townhouse, Hospitality, Commercial Renovation-Restoration. There will also be a “Judge’s Choice” award for best of show.

Nominations need to be received by OMREB by September 30, 2009. Eligible projects can be selfnominated. Nomination forms are available through the OMREB website: www.omreb.com

Sponsorships of the event are the Canadian Western Bank, Interior Savings, FortisBC Inc. and
Terasen Gas.