Chamber of Commerce in Penticton & Wine Country, BC Welcome to Penticton - a four season destination for vacationers and business travellers alike. Cradled within tree trimmed mountain slopes, dramatic cliffs, and bordered by two pristine lakes, Penticton offers her natural beauty all year round. The semi arid desert climate provides more than 2000 hours of sunshine each year to complement the myriad of cultural activities, international events, regional festivals, business conventions and good old fashioned relaxation   Penticton is a great place to live and work.  For more information on Penticton BC Real Estate, contact Raymond MAASKE View Larger Map   Chamber of Commerce in Penticton & Wine Country, BC       02/12/2010

Variable Rate Mortgages in Penticton BC  Is a variable rate mortgage right for you?  Richard Batke, mortgage broker with Invis explains the variable rate mortgage to help you find out!    What is a Variable Rate Mortgage? It is a mortgage where the interest rate is periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect changes in the mortgage lender's Prime Rate. The interest rate on a variable rate mortgage is tied to the lender's prime rate either by a premium or discount. Most lenders are now offering VRMs at a discount from prime. Prime – 0.3% (1.95%) is available at this time. For higher risk applications, rates are at a surcharge over prime. VRMs are available in 3 and 5 year terms. How Does It Work? Variable rate mortgages have a fluctuating interest rate, following Prime Rate. Payments ... 02/03/2010

Mobile Mortgage Specialist in Penticton BC Richard Batke is a Mobile Mortgage Specialist in Penticton, BC serving the South Okanagan. Book your appointment now: 250-809-0285 or visit www.thehomefinancecentre.com. As a Mobile Mortgage Specialist, I bring a wide selection of lenders to your door, at a time and location convenient for you! I represent you!  I do not work for, or represent any lender, my only goal is to connect you with the mortgage product and lender that fits you best, at the lowest rate available. I work for you and negotiate in your best interests only! I have access to over 80 lenders including: Chartered Banks Credit Unions Regional Lenders "Mortgage Broker Only" Lenders Private Lenders Here are some of the unique mortgage products that I have access to as your  mobi... 02/03/2010

Condos for Sale in Penticton BC Here is a comprenensive listing of available condos for sale in Penticton BC that are listed by Realtor on the MLS website.  This information is provided by Richard Batke, mortgage broker with Invis - Wilkins & Associates Mortgage Brokers, 2004 Main St. Penticton BC. Please allow me to serve you in financing your condominium in Penticton! Quick MLS searches by Price Range: Condos in Penticton: Under $175 000 Condos in Penticton: $175 000 - $250 000 Condos in Penticton: $250 001 - $350 000 Condos in Penticton: $350 000 & higher Penticton has an exceptionally wide variety of condominiums for sale.   With over 130 condominiums for sale in Penticton, you are sure to find the Condominium that suits you best.  Priced from $86 000 to $1.7 million, the condo mar... 01/21/2010

Mortgage Rate Specials in the South Okanagan Before reading this blog, Please read  “Sometimes the lowest mortgage interest rate is just not worth it" Mortgage Product Spotlight:  The 50/50 Mortgage! 50% of your mortgage is at the 5 year fixed rate 50% of your mortgage is a variable rate variable rate can be locked in at the current fixed rate for the appropriate term remaining monthly payments are split between the fixed and variable portions you can choose which portion to apply any lump sum payments   For example, you could use your prepayment privileges to pay down your highest rate (fixed rate) sooner to reduce your overall interest costs, OR, you could take the approach of paying down your ARM portion sooner to reduce the impact when Prime Rate increases.   Quick Close Rates and ... 01/20/2010

Here is a short collection of information about Penticton, BC. Location Penticton is south centrally located in British Columbia, and is known for being one of the premier places in Canada to live.It is comfortably nestled between Lake Okanagan and Skaha Lake, which lend to its relaxed and earthy lifestyle. The Okanagan Valley is lined with orchards, vineyards and wineries, and is filled with friendly locals. >View Larger Map   Climate Penticton boasts a mild, semiarid climate with average highs around 30 C in the summer, and brief winters with temperatures below freezing for about 8 weeks in the year. Penticton logs about 1950 hours of sunshine annually, which is 60% of the total possible annual daylight hours. Recreation? Penticton has it all right at your doorstep – It is part of wha... 01/07/2010

Joy was approached last week to put her name in to be on the Board of Directors for our local Chamber of Commerce. She is a little nervous, but I know she will do a good job. She has to give a 1 minute speech tomorrow to tell everyone why she wants to do it. She will be running against 12 canidates for 7 positions. Currently we are Ambassadors for our Chamber of Commerce and find that very gratifying. We pretty well always come back with at least one lead and it is always nice just to network with other business people in our community. Keep for fingers crossed for Joy. Like I said, I know she will be an excellent Director. 11/19/2008

Good morning all, We have just joined Twitter & am still unsure if I signed up the correct way, so I guess we will see in time. This is Monday morning & it takes a while for my brain to get back into action. (maybe another cup of coffee, will do the trick) Not quite sure of all the advantages of being on Twitter, so I guess we will see in time about that to. Please let me know what you think of using Twitter for communicating. 11/17/2008

The day is finally here! It seems to have been going on forever with all the pre election formalities the Americans go through in order to elect the President of their choice. Although I have to admit, I don't have cable, so was not totally emerged in it as  others. I'm sorry I missed a lot of the speeches & debates. This is a historical day, The American people will either pick the first black U.S. president or the oldest first-term president and the first woman vice president. Please ensure, you, an American citizen, do your best to be involved in this historical event, by voting for who you believe will make the difference that the Americans & even the world are looking for. Thank you. I believe I am only 1 of billions & billions praying only for the Best President for All Concerned.... 11/04/2008

Joy & I have been sending out our own personal recipe cards to our preferred clients approximately 10x's per year. We tend to use recipes that go along with the season, either holiday, or seasonal produce & fruit. In Canada, we have our Thanksgiving on the 2nd Monday in October & seeing as how United States of America, celebrates theirs in November, I thought you might enjoy The Sisters last recipe, "Dixie's favorite Brandied Pumpkin Cheesecake & share with you the front of the recipe. This one is in honor of the fall pumpkin & squash harvest. 10/31/2008

I think it worked Bob. I'll try to insert a photo of vineyards on Skaha Lake in BC. This photo is not a true reflection of what this valley really looks like, it is the only one I have in my folders tho. Let's see what happens. I realized it requires a lot of shrinking to get the full photo in this space & this program doesn't seem to allow one to go back & undo what has been done. Thanks for your help again. 10/30/2008

Recently Dixie completed 2 courses with the National Association of Green Agents & Brokers & she also became a member. The goal is to assist their clients in doing as much as they can in order for their homes to be more energy efficient, & to practice environmentally responsible waste disposal. On their web site they have a "Green Your Home" page & in it, is information on how to obtain Federal & Provincial grants & rebates. Also a link to BC Hydro where it gives information on how to save energy on a day to day basis. It also has a link to Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen solid waste & recycling programs. They also have the names of the companies who are certified energy advisors who will go into or clients home & perform an energy assessment on it in order for them to get the... 10/30/2008

With construction buzzing year round in BC, Ski Resort Decor is seasonable in the 'off season'! Obviously spring is the time for getting a great head start on chalet, condo & cabin interiors outfitting & arrangement ready to go for the snow season in November. Elk Antler Floor Lampavailable in mainland US only The rush is really on in the autumn. I've met the 'snowfall' deadlines, but with a lot of scurrying!   Svelt Italian Modern decor is making appearances at the resorts. However, if you own a rental property, you likely well know that skiers are rough on rental and lodge properties. Certainly you would not use glass, or otherwise sleek smooth surfaces in these interiors for ski boots & gear to be landing on and scraped across!It is always best to consider rustic durable style from t... 04/30/2008

A fact of home selling is the belief that if the price gets low enough, the property will sell. Unfortunately this strategy is used by successful established realtors because it's true and does create action.Pricing is definitely an important part of the strategy. However pricing should be correctly assessed and implemented accurately along with all other selling factors. Why should you expect the lowering of price as a main strategy? In fact it relates to backwards thinking and faulty selling strategy.   Sure price lowering will get the property sold but what if there is a more profitable way? Property Presentation - (Home Staging)looks better online, on printed materials, and in real viewing puts the listing at the head of the pack, makes it stand out gets homes short-listed by prospe... 03/22/2008

Staging for Real Estate Sale or Resale is becoming a widespread practice and is defintitely here to stay. The term 'Staging' is fairly new to some regions & may be a little confusing. It the professional process of property presentation to help your home put its best foot forward! I have seen properties sell in 1 to 3 days after staging.  The goal is to de-personalize & de-clutter, and set the stage  for the potential buyer in seeing themselves in the Living Spaces. Growing recognition acknowledges that Home Real Estate Staging puts your sale at the front of the pack in any market. Whether it is a hot market or slow, staging has statistically shown higher profitability in buyer decision, quicker sale, higher selling price.   Buyers are ready to make a decision after viewing 10 homesAcco... 03/09/2008