Re: Should we go for it????
 

"We are both unhappy with this country, but are wondering if the grass is really greener!"

The grass isn't greener, it's just a different texture. We've found that it's not particularly 'better', but just 'different' in a way that we like and in a way that suits us and that we feel comfortable with. The hard part is you'll never really find out if you'll be happy here until you take the plunge. It's a brave thing for anyone to do, but remarkably easy in this day and age, and let's face it...we all need some adventure in our lives otherwise what's the point!

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Ah you misunderstand me slightly. We made good profit from a few previous UK renos over the years. e.g we made good money on flipping a house that is now unsaleable due to motorway widening. Tragic, as the buyer was a hardball lawyer. Mwah. Karma innit.

Our current project is at last stages, we'll finish most the work this spring, leave the kitchen to next year then flip in 2008 assuming all's well with the market here. That gives us best part of 12 months to enjoy living in-situ and all done to our taste/quality expectations. I think flipping every 2-3 years cycle is adequate for those that don't do it for a full time living. Problem at the moment here is a lack of suitably-priced properties to buy with an investment eye. We'd flip this year if we thought we could improve on location and potential. Location, well we'd be hard pressed to beat our mountaintop paradise other than by adding a lakeview and there'd be other unacceptable compromises to make like lot size, space between homes, rooftop view, price, which would deter us, even if it had future potential.

Anyhoo, there's also personal satisfaction gained from improving and updating a property. Profit, like in any business, is just a by-product, proof that you did a good job of the task/service/product in hand.

Rich.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Yep, misunderstanding, again... ok my question changes a tad but still relevant, In your opinion and using the knowledge you now have, would you, if you had the chance again, buy land and build something from scratch?? I'm talking specifically about the Kelowna and surrounding areas here.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

No, absolutely not. 2 years ago, yes definitely, we had plans to do that, now, no.

1. Cost of trades labour rising, quality is very dubious in some cases.
2. Cost of raw materials possibly rising = escalated project cost & delays
3. Profit/cost saving for self build versus straight buy of same spec home or reno project is marginal, used to be way different, now is likely not worth it. NB self buld means you do get to define spec, design, etc.
3. Prompt availability of project contractor not very likely, delay will add to build cost = impact on profit/cost saving.

Anywhere else in Canada, maybe the market/supply is different. Here I'd not do it, personally, my 2c. Now, if money was no object and I wanted to have exactly what I wanted, a dream home, built, where I wanted it located, then fine, $'s alone (cost savings/profit) are not everything.

Rich.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Thanks for that Rich, that WAS a plan we had seriously considered, particulary (for reasons we can't fathom objectively) around the area you are now in. Inside information, invaluable...:thumbup:
Still considering that side ob BC though, maybe with different plans...:thumbup:

Cheers again.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Well if you were planning to build a $2m lakeshore home and sell for $4m in 2-3 years time that's a different kettle of gold plated eagles eggs... :blink:

Rich.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

That's the point, build for later profit... would be my bag but the lady just like yours would hate the upheaval and temporary nature of the houses we would dwell in. Wants a permanent 'home' for the family, can't blame her...I guess.
We got around £200,000 to take for house purchase, a goodly amount for say, Belleville, or near the Alaskan border:D but Kelowna...
House isn't all though...the place fascinates me...

Re: Should we go for it????
 

That's a decent enough dump for a downpayment though.

In pure net terms you'd be well ahead of many folk here in K-Town.
Plenty of the 'fur coat/no knickers' brigade here, $3000pm interest only mortgages all brash and bling and show, innit. Peeps pay heavily through the nose for the 'Sunny Okanagan Lifestyle' - I don't know how some of 'em manage it, on paper there's no way they can put food on the table.

Quote from a contractor this morning "this town isn't for locals any more". With SF homes at >$450K that's a pretty realistic comment. The money flowing around here is just unreal and there's a flood more to come, the boom's certainly not over yet. In fact, the more people I speak to in real estate/construction, I get the vibes that it's only just started.

Rich.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Ah now here's a plan for you. Buy new home basement unfinished. Has all your required living space. Finish the basement, add bedroom bathroom lounge down and then flip having doubled the living space.

Doesn't affect daily living so much and there's a profit line in it.:thumbup:

Rich.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Good for a downpayment I agree, but it's meant for buying the house outright, we don't want a mortgage, at least not until the work and therefore the money comes in. Obviously a good area for investment though if what you say comes to fruition.:thumbup:

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Hmm...thinking...planning...:sneaky:

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Well you could always buy a SFU outright for that price in rural ON. Or a SFU outright in Hicksville, BC.

Choices, innit. But paradise costs....big.
:blink:

Rich.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Hi Charlie,

I'd love to keep in touch with you as it seems we are in a very similar situation...

Hubby & I have 3 kids, 13yrs/11yrs & 3yrs and he is a Carpenter/Joiner. We live in a lovely area in Mid-Wales in a nice house, but hubby is really unhappy (and I mean REALLY) in his job, and try as we might, we can't find anything else for him unless we up sticks - wherever that might be. I have a good job in customer services, but with the current trend to move call centres overseas, I don't know for how much longer my job will be secure.

We've looked at our kids ages (especially the older one) and come to the conclusion that if we are to do it, it must be now or never - what with the wait for visas etc...

We are certainly going to ensure hubby has permanent employment before we move, hopefully through PNP/PR. We are looking at Calgary as my kids are keen to learn to ski/snowboard, my eldest has always wanted to go into medicine (like the rest of my family) and Calgary has a good Uni for this. We love snow and don't mind the cold at all. We are realistic that it 'could' snow 9 months of the year to a greater or lesser degree.

We are flying out to Calgary in May (fingers crossed) to scout around, meet prospective employers etc. Come with us!!!! :D

It's such a big decision, but I know that our children will have a much better chance of a brighter future than they will if we stay here - as well as the endless winter sports opportunities.

Please, feel free to email me at [email protected] I'd love to hear how your decisions/plans are coming along.

Claire.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

The school system is really great as far as i am concerned. I had five children in a canadian school and they loved it. (we were rural; i cannot speak for cities) The main thing is how much respect the teachers/staff have for the children. They treat them as small adults instead of children. We had to come back here and the first day of school in the uk was shocking for my 2 younger children; they could not understand why the teachers were shouting and why they kept telling the kids to SHUT UP!!
The schools have a much bigger range of subjects; in our secondry school they had their own car mechanic shop. When the older children needed work done on their cars it was part of their lesson!! Also driving is part of the school curriculum! I think we paid the huge contribution of 50 dollars for them to learn to drive. Basically the canadian government want people to have a good life; they help you suceed, they help with your finances; In the uk they just tax you.
Hope this helps, I say go for it. It will take time to adjust but will be well worth it.

Re: Should we go for it????
 

Hi Claire,

I agree with everything you say except the length of the winter. We lived in Manitoba for 6 years and our winters were 6 months long and very cold!! IM sure Alberta had shorter winters 4-6 months and they get the chinook which is a warm wind that can bring up the temperature in minutes to very warm!!
Have a lovely visit.
Take a drive from calgary through the rockies to Jasper...Stunning!!
Also take the kids to Edmonton Mall. It has an indoor swimming pool with slides etc, massive! Also and underwater submarine to ride on.