Canadian real estate offers some of the best values globally and with one of the most sound banking systems in the world, many investors are choosing to look at Canada as a secure haven.  When it comes to real estate specifically, we have a good deal to be thankful for and most of the attributes that make the Okanagan region so desirable to families and individuals moving to the valley are still here in abundance. Ample doses of some of the finest champagne powder in the mountains create a mecca for skiers, boarders and sledders while consistent warm and sunny days throughout the rest of the year allow our fruit and wine industries to grow and harvest some of the sweetest, tastiest crops around and of course mature some of the worlds finest wines.
 
These two well balanced climates provide a lifestyle second to none in Canada.    Okanagan offers some of the finest luxury homes at some of the most affordable prices globally. I know that. Real Estate values are not simply determined by the hourly wages of the local industry. just the same as affordable housing is not a reality on West Marine Drive in Vancouver.  A final thought for potential buyers of Okanagan real estate is how much of your life are you prepared to sacrifice because you overheard someone say at a party that we have not reached the bottom of the cycle yet?   We work most of our lives to attain a point where we are supposedly able to enjoy the fruits of our labours.
 
Some refer to that period of life as the Golden Years. I am sure that your life insurance sales people reading this could advise how many of those years the average person has to look forward to. For this illustration, I will assume that you planned to move to the Okanagan at age 60 and expect to live the rest of your life here, perhaps another 20 years if everything goes according to plan.   The problem with the plan is that people at parties keep changing it for you! From my perspective, this part of your life is not about wealth accumulation, there may be other aspects of your plan that cover that, but your principal residence is likely not the key to amassing wealth between now and the last days of your life.  
 
Today, the world is confused? Does that affect your plan? I don't believe it should for most people. Why would you gamble away 5% of your Golden Years each year because you are not sure if next year, your dream home may be $30,000 less? For some of you, you may have delayed a decision to move here last year... we still had a gloriously warm summer and swam in a fresh clean lake, enjoyed wine festivals and sampled delicious food on Mediterranean patios, and we missed you.  
 
You may be at that point where you are considering deferring that decision again. First of all, Board statistics and regional and national statistics are not supporting that, neither are global forecasts.  That may now mean that if you defer the decision again, you have decided to cancel 10% of you Golden Years. Do they not have a value? For most of us, each of those years was worth 2 years at work for 60 hours per week. I think it is high time that we got back in the saddle and lived our lives. Are there times ahead that will prove challenging? Undoubtedly? Will we feel a little unsure about the decision after we commit?
 
That is what makes life exciting for some of us. My Grandmother who turned 90 last month told me that she has lived through an era that contained two world wars, and nothing that she has seen since that era in the UK where her City was flattened by heavy bombing makes today’s challenges seem rather insignificant.