Real Estate for Real People

In this podcast episode, the Sisters chat with Amanda Van Der Lee, owner of How to Host. She discusses the process of renting out properties on Airbnb as well as the Airbnb regulations in Kelowna, British Columbia. Amanda talks about her company, How to Host, which offers property management services, interior design, and cleaning services for Airbnb and rental properties. She also discusses the p...

In this podcast episode, Kim Appelt, a fashion designer and TV personality, joins the hosts of the podcast "Real Estate for Real People" to discuss dressing for success and creating personal style. They delve into the importance of decluttering one's closet and letting go of items that no longer serve a purpose. Kim shares tips on organizing and refreshing a wardrobe, including usin...

In this podcast episode, real estate professionals Shannon and Tamara Stone are joined by interior stylist Hannah Thomas to discuss the importance of staging a home for sale. They debunk the misconception that staging means removing all personal items and explain that it's about creating a welcoming atmosphere. They discuss the importance of curb appeal, using neutral colours, and creating in...

In this episode of the Real Estate for Real People, Doug Gilchrist, the City Manager of Kelowna, shares his insights on the city's policies for sustainable growth through urban densification and the importance of alternative modes of transportation. He stresses the importance of creative housing development to adapt to demographic changes and supports streamlined processes for new developers...

In this episode of "Real Estate for Real People," hosts Shannon and Tamara Stone discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in real estate and everyday life. They share their experiences using chat GPT for writing, creating content, and finding recipes, while also acknowledging the potential risks associated with AI technology, such as the ability to duplicate voices and create fake...

This episode of "Real Estate for Real People", hosted by the Stone Sisters, features an interview with Christopher Alexander, President of RE/MAX Canada. He talks about the challenges of staying on top in the industry and the importance of membership and community. Alexander also discusses the current state of the Canadian real estate market, emphasizing the need for a national housing s...

In this episode of the "Real Estate for Real People" podcast, Tamara interviews Juliana Wong, owner and operator of JWC Mortgages, a mortgage brokerage firm. Juliana shares her expertise on getting a mortgage and qualifying for one, emphasizing the importance of finding the right fit for each client and working creatively to make it work for them. They discuss the current state of the re...

In this episode of "Real Estate for Real People," Tamara Stone and her husband Derek Moran discuss financial planning and real estate investing. Derek shares three $10,000 ideas for real estate investing and ownership, including bundling insurance policies, purchasing a last home within a trust, and allocating more of the mortgage debt to the rental portion of a duplex or multi-unit prop...

Do you want your dock to be a piece of art you will have for a lifetime? This week The Stone Sisters interview Mike Doiran and Nick Yaskiw from Burton Marine Pile Driving, one of the largest pile driving companies in the Okanagan that has been in operation for over 20 years. They have three barges, 20 employees, build around 50 residential docks a year and also build commercial marina complexes ac...

Now might be the time to get into financing commercial projects, but maybe not the way you thought. This week The Stone Sisters sit down with Nick Renton from William Wright Commercial Real Estate Services. He joined William Wright because they have the most dedicated offices of any commercial brokerage in BC. They have offices located in many different regions so that they can be actively involve...

Have you ever wondered what really goes into the appraisal process of your home? This week The Stone Sisters sit down with Chris Roworth, a local appraiser with Okanagan Appraisals, a longstanding and reputable company in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. He has 23 years of experience and has appraised 20-25 thousand homes in his career.  Chris is a designated member of the Appraisa...

Are you considering buying lakefront property? In this episode, The Stone Sisters sit down with Patrick Tobin, senior authorization officer with the ministry of forest. He has worked for the ministry for 25 years, protecting the Okanagan waterfront and managing provincial/crown land business lines. He and The Stone Sisters dive into the process of obtaining licenses and permits when buying waterfr...

Another episode all about the current state of the market! Shannon and Tamara give you an update on the state of the market after the first month of 2023. They outline what they’re seeing right now in the market, how 2022 finished out, and they’ll do a comparison of today’s market to recent years. Tamara starts by comparing last year’s real estate stats to those of 2019—their similarities will sur...

Have you heard about the new rental restrictions that have been lifted in BC?  In this episode, the Stone Sisters sit down with James Rayburn, a residential property manager at Associated Property Management in Kelowna. James works with strata and short-term rental properties and has over 440 tenants under his umbrella of properties. The sisters and James discuss the recent changes to the rental i...

Thinking of getting a pool in 2023? This episode is for you! In this episode, the Stone Sisters sit down with Cam Laker,  co-founder and co-owner of Purely Pools in the Okanagan. Cam started this business last summer with his two business partners and it’s already been a huge success. Cam gives an overview of the pool industry in Canada, and reveals that Kelowna has the highest pools per capita ou...

Wondering how the new real estate laws will affect the BC market? In this episode, The Stone Sisters sit down with Alison McLeod, a partner at Doak Shirreff—one of Kelowna’s full-service legal firms. Alison’s areas of practice include both real estate law and business law, with a focus on commercial and residential real estate. The Stone Sisters and Alison discuss all the latest updates in the rea...

This episode is all about the current state of the market! Shannon and Tamara share their ‘insider information' on the current real estate market in the Okanagan. They talk about how there appear to be 2 current sweet spots in the market right now and what price point homes are selling for in those two sectors. The Sisters chat about how it’s now realistic to buy a single-family home in the O...

Would you ever consider making a bold move to a new city? In this episode, The Stone Sisters sit down with Kingsley Ma, executive director of ReMax Western Canada. Kingsley is a close friend and colleague of the Sisters and an exceptionally knowledgeable expert in the real estate space. The Sisters and Kingsley discuss the current market and what they expect for ReMax Canada over the next several...

Are you looking for a way to make your home more energy efficient while also cutting costs? In this episode, The Stone Sisters interview Stuart Yanow, president of Geotility. Geotility specializes in solar and geothermal installations. Stuart and his team recently worked with Tamara to install solar panels in her home. Stuart talks about his background as a mechanical engineer and how he got into...

It’s been 15 months of The Stone Sisters Real Estate For Real People Podcast! With 39 episodes on our belt, we want to thank you all for listening to us and for coming along on this incredible ride. We’ve covered many topics so far and now we’d like to turn the mic over to you…Before we hit episode 40, we want to know: What would you like to hear from us next? Have questions about real estate, wor...

Are you planning on moving to a new city sometime soon? In this episode, The Stone Sisters share their top tips for those considering moving to a new city. From finding a good realtor to visiting the area prior to making the big decision, Shannon and Tamara’s tips will help ensure that the decision you make is the best one for you and your family. Tune in to hear all their expert tips! To learn mo...

“Just get in. That’s what it comes down to. Just get into the market.” - Kelsey FranciscoIn this episode, The Stone Sisters sit down with Kelsey Francisco, one of the realtors at RE/MAX Kelowna Stone Sisters. Kelsey has been working with Shannon and Tamara for 3 years and has been in real estate for 4 years. She grew up in a real estate family so it was always a huge part of her life, though she n...

Ready to learn all the tips and tricks for getting the best mortgage for YOU? In this episode, The Stone Sisters sit down with John Antle, a mortgage specialist located in Kelowna, BC. John is one of the most recognized and trusted mortgage brokers in Kelowna, and with over 13 years of experience in the business, he’s skilled at finding a mortgage solution perfect for your needs. John talks about...

How would you like the inside scoop on the bustling vehicle industry? In this episode, The Stone Sisters sit down with John Kot, founder of Kot Auto Group. Kot Auto Group has been a family owned and operated business since 2011, with dealerships in the Okanagan, Lower Mainland, and Vancouver Island. John shares the inspiring story of how he first got into the car sales business at the young age of...

Tune into this episode to learn about Kelowna's latest real estate opportunities! In this episode, The Stone Sisters sit down with Randy Shier, president of Mission Group— one of the most well respected real estate development companies in the Okanagan. Mission Group is committed to building it forward to create inclusive communities where all residents can thrive. Randy tells the story of ho...