Location, Location, Location?

Location, Location, Location?

Sep 17, 2018 | Local, Real Estate

A controversy was recently brought to light in the Okanagan Real Estate market – a Global News investigation found some discrepancies on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) between listing locations and actual locations of properties. In a market like Kelowna where location makes all the difference, this is an issue that can skew prices and make being a home buyer exponentially more difficult – but how did it happen?

The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (or OMBREB) has been quick to look into the situation, and has found that the majority of the problem comes from automatic fill features on the MLS service. Since the majority of realtors in the Okanagan use this listing platform, several listings have ended up incorrectly marketed in the wrong areas, in many cases without anyone realising it happened.

Though changes are reportedly being made, this serves as a stark reminder that even in the age of technology, it’s still important to conduct your own research when looking at buying homes. The CEO of Exceeds Inc., one of Kelowna’s latest developers, has the same message. Jeffrey Anderson recommends people look at more than the price, and look at the suitability of the whole property for your family. Though his advice might be tailored to new developments, it’s a sentiment that rings true for real estate through the whole of the Okanagan.

While Realtor.ca is always a valuable source, speaking to local realtors and other homebuyers or owners in the area can help you get a better perspective on what you’re looking for – and where you should be looking, too!

Additional Reading

To Flip or Not to Flip

To Flip or Not to Flip

The BC real estate market is about to see another major change coming in January 2025. A newly proposed tax presented by the provincial government in their yearly budget - commonly referred to as ‘The Flipping Tax’ - aims to decentivize short term purchase investments...

Incoming Inventory

Incoming Inventory

As we slowly make our way into the New Year, the usual speculation about future market conditions continues. Like we talked about last month, there are plenty of market influencers to consider in early 2024 that will set the tone for the rest of the year, like the...

New Year, New Market

New Year, New Market

Happy New Year everyone! Am I the only one who feels like 2024 snuck up on us way too fast?! With the New Year underway, a lot of folks are starting to wonder what lies ahead in 2024 for the Okanagan housing market. Market speculation is always a popular topic around...

250-470-0377