MARKET UPDATE:
Long time since a post as things have been fairly quite in the Southern Okanagan. We always try to put our best face forward here but the "Great Recession" has clearly taken the wind out of our sails. Locally, a debate rages about trying to attract a new Prison that the government wants to locate somewhere in the Okanagan Valley. While some feel it conflicts with the image of Wine Tourism carefully crafted over many years, others point to the economy and the need for jobs.

The Real Estate market continues to take a hit with buyers out of Alberta focused on the Southern US of A because of the significant post recession price slump. However, more and more articles appear warning buyers of US property of the regulations associated with such purchases.

As our weather tips towards Spring more out of towners are recognizing a clear "Buyers Market" with all the advantages of "being Okanagan" becoming obvious again. The Vancouver market is definately hot with Mainland Chinese money coming into play and so we want to entice some of those 'new purchase' dollars up here.

As many will acknowledge it is still the question of; "what are the Boomers doing?" As an excited Boomer myself I have recognized for 10 years that whatever I am thinking in terms of investment is being thought of by 75% of the population! So I have flirted with buying property in Arizona, seriously contemplating Mexico and looking at reorganizing my personal wealth plan by selling a shared condo investment in Vancouver. Typical? Well, just maybe.

All said and done though, the Okanagan still holds a mystic as a safe, appealing lifestyle investment and with the price point now much more realistic on properties throughout the market, people will return to look seriously at an investment opportunity.