/newsletter/j0282778.gif Spring is just around the corner. The weather in Penticton lately has been beautiful, warm, no snow, and bright sunny blue skies. Skaha Meadows Golf Course is OPEN, Doc's Driving Range is OPEN and the Penticton Golf and Country Club will officially OPEN on Saturday, February 23nd. If you are tired of the snow and cold winter season - come and pay us a visit.

/newsletter/rivendell-new[1].jpg Once again, we are proud to announce Rivendell Homes is the recipient of 5 Gold Tommie Awards, these are the prestigious Thompson Okanagan Housing Awards. We are the winner of the Tommies 2007 Small Volume Builder of the Year, as well as the Tommie 2007 Home of the Year with the Robinson Residence.

As with the weather, interest has certainly picked up - the spring rush is about to begin. As previously mentioned, Phase I is completly SOLD OUT and occupied. Phase II is 1/3rd SOLD OUT with an excellent selection of units still available. For a short period of time, we are offering a Free Stainless Steel or Black Appliance Upgrade as well as our travel reimbursement plan. We have also reduced the deposit amount required from the standard 10% down to 5%. We are in the process of reviewing our contracts and costs for Phase III and will be releasing a price list for Phase III this spring. Please call our sales office at 1-888-693-1555 or email michelle@veranaokanagan.com for further details.

Old Mother Nature was not kind to our outside workers in the last weeks of January, with very cold temperatures making work a challenge. Fortunately that all seems very far away now, with the sun beaming down on our beautiful building as it reaches to the sky. Framing continues on the fourth floor, with the electrical and plumbing not far behind them, kitchen cabinets will begin installing soon, making these into your homes.

/newsletter/logo_info_banner.jpg Yes, The Verana Okanagan Sales Team is once again going On The Road!
See the listings below to see when we will be in a city nearest you.
Calgary: The Calgary Resort Property Show located at the Big Four Building at the Calgary Stampede Grounds, March 7th, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturday, March 8th, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Edmonton: The Edmonton Journal Recreational Property Show, located at the Mayfield Conference Centre, Saturday, April 12th, 10 am to 6 pm.

/newsletter/gallery_03.gif Phase I is over 90% SOLD OUT with only 2 home sites left available. We have the building permits in place and are ready to begin construction on these sites immediately. We will be building 2 spec homes on these sites. These should be available this summer. You still have time to chose colours or make minor adjustments, however time is limited. If you are interested, please give us a call. The Phase II service hook ups are now well underway. All 19 lots should be available FOR SALE and building in April of 2008. We are continuing with the process of reserving the Phase II lots. If there is a particular site you are interested in, please contact us at info@brentview.ca or call at the Verana sales office at 1-888-693-1555 so you won't be disappointed.

Headline in the Penticton Western News on December 14th, 2007: "Rental Vacancies in Penticton reach a Record Low"
Quote " 'The local vacancy rate for all kinds of housing dropped to 0.8 percent from 1.9 percent a year ago. It's not zero but it's getting close,' said Paul Fabri, CMHC analyst."
The GST rate has been reduced to 5% as of January 1st, 2008. GST rebates are still available for New Home construction for owner/occupied suites as well as rental/investment properties. For further information, please visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gp/rc4028/README.html for information on the Owner occupied rebate or http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gp/rc4231/README.html for information on the Residential Rental Rebate.
All of the above factors, plus a vibrant housing market in Penticton mean excellent investment opportunities. Owning your piece of the Okanagan has never made more sense.