Make an offer: developer selling luxury abode by auction
This 20-acres estate in East Kelowna has not one, but two, saltwater pools. And one of them is an infinity number overlooking the city and Okanagan Lake.
There’s also 6,533-square-feet of luxury living space, including master retreat, chef’s kitchen, formal and casual dining areas, wine cellar and media room.
Outdoors there’s a hot tub, covered entertaining and dining terrace, expansive lawns and landscaping and cherry orchard.
Oh, and for your company there’s a private guest cottage.
This hilltop mansion and grounds was previously listed for sale for $4.65 million with Dave Domeij of Domeij and Associates, but didn’t sell.
Domeij is now working with Concierge Auctions from New York City to sell the estate Sept. 12 to the highest bidder without reserve.
That means no minimum is being set, so the property could sell for $1 or $10 million.
However, Concierge, being a global auction leader, does targeted marketing globally to make sure qualified bidders are in place and the estate sells for a competitive price.
Concierge also has a mobile app so prospective buyers can bid from anywhere in the world on Sept. 12.
The owner of 2830 East Kelowna Rd. is well known in the community.
Rene Wasylyk is the developer behind Troika Group, which is building the West Harbour waterfront neighbourhood on the Westside of Okanagan Lake north of the Bennett Bridge, and the Green Square eco-townhouses in the Lower Mission.
She’s won Thompson Okanagan Housing Awards (Tommies) for her work and served on the boards of Premier Christy Clark’s Women’s Economic Council, the Central Okanagan Economic Development Council and the Okanagan chapter of the Urban Development Institute.
“I fell in love with this property at first sight,” said Wasylyk.
“The house and views are simply awe-inspiring and our visitors have always been infinitely impressed by its warmth and prestige. In addition to having one of the best views of the city, the home is perfect for entertaining family, friends and groups, both large and small.”
Don’t tax
Don’t tax small business any more than it already is.
That’s the message from the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce as the federal government mulls over proposals to significantly change the way corporations are taxed.
“For the general public this may sell well as it will be framed as going after those rich people,” said chamber president Tom Dyas.
“But, to the small business owners who are the backbone of the Canadian economy, and have risked quite a bit to start up and run their businesses, this could punish them and become a disincentive for others to take risks in running their own businesses.”
The proposals, which are currently in a 75-day consultation process, include restricting income splitting and lifetime capital gains exemptions for small business owners and increasing taxes on passive investment income earned in private corporations and strategies to convert income into capital gains.
Professionals, such as doctors, would also be hard hit.
“We don’t want to discourage doctors. We already have a doctor shortage,” said Dyas.
Dyas is asking the government to extend its 75-day consultation and reconsider going after small business with these punitive measures.
Hundreds of chambers and business groups are also fighting the proposals, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Argi-tourism
Farms that sell product on-site, offer tours or attractions, from a hayride to a livestock petting zoo, are in the agri-tourism business.
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission offers advice and support for agriculture businesses to diversify into such activities as a value-added revenue stream.
It’s called the Agriculture to Agri-Tourism Program.
The commission’s efforts have been noticed by the province and the agri-tourism program recently won a B.C. Ministry of Jobs, Trade & Technology best practice award.
In Tofino
Nancy Cameron, who finished as CEO of Tourism Kelowna this month to follow her husband to Vancouver Island for his job, has landed the executive director position at Tourism Tofino.
Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, has a resident population of only 2,000, but is a big tourist destination.
The Pacific Ocean there has expansive beaches, waves for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing and calm for kayaking, fishing and whale watching.
On land there are hot springs, hiking, biking, accomodations and dining, and connection to the raincoast trail of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.