2012 has started out to be a busy year! It seems the positive news keeps coming.

Last week saw the Province of BC announce new HST Transition Rules. These rules are very positive for new home buyers.

The Government has announced new relief measures that will benefit purchasers of new homes. The B.C. new housing rebate threshold will be increased to $850,000, meaning more than 90 per cent of newly built homes will now be eligible for a provincial HST rebate of up to $42,500. In addition, purchasers of new secondary vacation or recreational homes outside the Greater Vancouver and Capital regional districts priced up to $850,000 will now be eligible to claim a provincial grant of up to $42,500 effective April 1, 2012.

Both of these are welcome improvements to the taxation of new housing. If you are in the market for a new home in Kelowna, 2012 is an even better time to buy!

Email us at sales@southwindatsarsons.com or call us at 250.764.4444 to schedule your private tour, we look forward to meeting you.

We are trying to emphasize this in our messaging this year, but stating that we are offering 2008 quality at 2011 pricing may not be perfectly clear to everyone.

In 2008 as the market was heating and growing significantly, customer’s began to demand higher standards in much of Kelowna’s real estate. While this was initially driven by the out-of-town purchaser, Kelownians too became accustomed to a higher level of finishing and amenities with their new homes. Developers responded to these demands by building ever-increasing quality into their homes and condos. Enter Southwind.

Our construction of the second phase began in 2008, right at the height of the market. We designed and built Southwind to the market demanded, high-end specifications. These specifications include standards throughout such as hardwood flooring, solid granite kitchens, full tiled bathrooms, oversized custom commercial windows, and Kohler bathroom and kitchen fixtures throughout.

Now as the market has changed, prices have adjusted, and developers are bringing more affordable offerings to the market. This is great, but what is even better is what Southwind has. Southwind has all of the old-market luxury, with this new market pricing. The best of both worlds, in all of the 18 remaining homes.

Take a peek at some of this luxury in our photo gallery – or even better, visit our friendly Sotheby’s sales team at Southwind. Give them a shout at 250-764-4444 or stop by at 4388 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna BC.

Many developers (we’re guilty of this, too!) discuss their homes in terms of the finishes and quality of product. They typically take a focus on visual features – the materials that comprise the portions of the home that you can see. While finishes, durability, and often simply the appearance can make a big difference in one home to another – there are specifics that are unique to each community that should be highlighted.

Classic one: location. With real estate its location, location, location, right? While location is key, consider what you personally need out of your location. What is a priority for you – beaches? Shopping? Conveniences? Maybe close proximity office space.

Consider what you do with your past time. Is the home you are moving to a good fit? If you are a bicyclist, is there ample opportunity for you to use your road bike? If you have a dog, are there good locations such as a dog park, or walking areas? Is the home located in an appropriate area to recreate, or is it alongside a highway.

How about the neighborhood. If you have children, are there schools nearby? What about if you dont have children, and want a quieter more mature atmosphere? Again, ensure the fit is right.

At Southwind, and for that matter when we site any of our projects, these items are a key consideration. The interior finishes can be replicated anywhere at any community; locational and other community cultural aspects cannot.

Come visit our community and learn about Sarsons Beach, the Heritage behind the community site, and the great neighbourhood the Southwind community is part of. We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to these irreplacable features that you can call home.

Give us a call at 250.764.4444 or stop by the studio. We’re open 7 days a week, from 11 am through 5pm at 4388 Lakeshore Road.

There has been some talk in town about the price guarantee we are offering at Southwind this year.

It all started when we we’re looking at our customer’s questions about the current market. While it was widely agreed that the market is stable, if not improving, we found that there remained concern that prices may still fluctuate. Enter the price guarantee idea.

Your price guarantee creates a stable market at Southwind by guaranteeing that if prices drop further in 2011, you will recieve a refund of the difference. The fine print: your guarantee only covers developer owned suites, not resales from past years. We can’t control the situation of a one off sale, but we can guarantee that you won’t get a better price on our last 20 suites at Southwind. There remains a good cross section of selection, ranging from an 848 square foot one bedroom + den, various two bedroom configurations, and right up to a 2263 square foot penthouse with sweeping lake and mountain views. Great way to get into the Okanagan market while its on the recovery – and protect the downside.

Our sales team has found that this is helping to eliminate last few home-looker’s market concerns. We have sold an additional 20% of the suites this year so far, and expect the balance to be occupied by excited homeowners over the next few months. Oh, and to add some icing to the cake, you get a pretty guarantee certificate, too!

Call or stop by the sales studio for a home tour and for more information on the price guarantee. Call 250.764.4444 or email Michel or Todd at sales@southwindatsarsons.com. We hope to hear from you, and in the mean time, check out some of these new photos from the site!

Applying for and receiving building awards has always been questionable to me – while they may fulfill the egotistical needs of the developer or builder applying for them, I have always wondered if homeowners really care about owing in a ‘award winning development’.

Aside from corporate pride in winning awards, there actually are benefits that can be illustrated through different award categories. Our team at Southwind at Sarsons in Kelowna has been fortunate enough to take home seven gold Tommie Awards and over ten Silver Tommie Awards. Tommie awards are presented annually to recognize excellent in the development and construction industry by Canadian Home Builders Association. Just a few of the gold awards we won are below, but more importantly are the advantages to you, our customers.

Excellence in Multifamily: This category compares the overall project layout, amenities, and quality. The advantage to owning a home with this award is that you can be sure you are not missing out on the quality of leading edge planning, architecture and design. All elements which help differentiate your home in Southwind from the many other plain-Jane communities out there.

Excellence in Interior Design: This category critiques what it says – interior design. Not only are the suite interiors luxurious in comparison to other more standard homes in Kelowna, but so are the common areas and amenities. You’re in good company when comparing the level of interior finishes at Southwind.

Multifamily home builder of the year: This award was awarded to G Group Developments and Sawchuk. This is the team that developed and construction Southwind at Sarsons. Both companies have been active in the development and construction industries for decades in Kelowna – we know the ‘ins and outs’ if you will. This can bring you confidence that we stand behind our Traveler’s 2, 5 and 10 year warranties, that we build quality into all of our projects, and that we are here to stay.

Come visit our new sales team at Southwind. Our studio is at 4388 Lakeshore Road, we’re open 7 days a week, and can be reached at 250.764.4444 for questions or private appointments. We’re excited to meet you!