Sotheby’s International Realty Canada announced Oct. 12 the expansion of its office operations in Kelowna.
“Kelowna is a robust real estate market with strong, long-term market,” said Tom Stratton, managing broker for Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Kelowna. “Continued expansion in the Okanagan has been one of our brand’s objectives, and we are proud to be able to grow with the community.”
Justin O’Connor, top sales associate at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, is the new owner of the downtown Kelowna office located at 108-1289 Ellis St. The office will service Kelowna, West Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and the Okanagan Valley.
The firm’s expansion within the Okanagan takes place when regional residential real estate sales have experienced steady gains, reflecting the company’s continued confidence in the conventional and luxury market segments and its commitment to continually expanding service offerings.
The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported a 31 per cent year-over-year increase in sales volume in September 2016, as active listings dropped 23 per cent across the entire region compared to the same period compared to the previous year.
Healthy local demand and confidence is fueling market activity: June 2016 results from an OMREB survey showed that 56 per cent of residential real estate purchasers were from within the Okanagan, 18 per cent from the Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island, and 12 per cent from Alberta.
Sotheby’s International Realty Canada now has 11 offices in the province of British Columbia including three in the city of Vancouver, as well as offices in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, White Rock/South Surrey, Salt Spring Island, Sun Peaks, Whistler and Victoria.
“Working with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada allows our clients access to the finest marketing platform in the real estate space and an impressive network of agents across B.C., Alberta and around the world,” said O’Connor. “Our goal is to provide our clients with the best possible experience in buying and selling real estate. I am thrilled to be opening an office in this region with a team that will elevate our client experience to the next level.