Kelowna’s approach to short-term rentals has evolved, particularly as housing availability has become a key concern. As of 2025, short-term rentals such as Airbnb are generally limited to owner-occupied properties.

Homeowners may rent their primary residence or an authorized suite, provided they live on-site. Properties are typically restricted to two dwelling units, with a combined maximum of five bedrooms. A valid business licence is required, and all listings must comply with city regulations.

Secondary suites are permitted in many residential zones, but they must meet building code requirements and receive proper approvals. Carriage houses, in most cases, cannot be used as short-term rentals unless the owner occupies the property.

These bylaws aim to balance tourism with long-term housing needs. Because enforcement and interpretations can change, buyers and investors should verify rules before purchasing.

For guidance on what’s allowed — and what isn’t — Anthony Shephard of 2% Realty provides up-to-date bylaw insight and practical advice. With decades of local experience and a 2% commission structure, he helps clients avoid costly missteps. Visit www.RealEstateShephard.com to learn more.

Zoning regulations determine how a property can be used and what can be built on it. In Kelowna, zoning rules are set by the city and can vary significantly from one street to the next.

Single-family zones such as RU1 generally permit one primary residence and may allow a secondary suite. Other designations, like RU6, support two dwelling units on one lot. Some zones also allow carriage houses or additional structures, subject to size, height, and setback requirements.

Before planning any addition or redevelopment, homeowners should consult Kelowna’s online zoning map and review applicable bylaws. Building permits and development permits are often required, and approval depends on compliance with city standards.

Zoning plays a major role in property value, especially for buyers interested in rental income or multi-generational living. Misunderstanding zoning restrictions can lead to costly delays or denied permits.

For clear answers, Anthony Shephard from 2% Realty helps clients interpret zoning rules and understand what’s realistically possible for their property. His local expertise and flat 2% commission model make it easier to plan ahead. More information is available at www.RealEstateShephard.com

Comparable sales — often called “comps” — are the backbone of real estate pricing. Rather than relying on opinion or asking prices, comps show what buyers have actually paid for similar homes in the same area.

In Kelowna, the most useful comps come from sales completed within the past three to six months. Homes with similar lot sizes, square footage, bedroom counts, and overall condition provide the clearest picture of value. A newly renovated home, for example, should not be compared directly to one that still needs major updates.

Neighbourhood context matters as well. Detached homes in Rutland often sell in the mid-$700,000 range, while comparable properties in Glenmore commonly exceed $1 million. Even small location differences — such as traffic exposure or proximity to schools — can influence final sale prices.

In 2025, higher inventory levels mean buyers are carefully comparing multiple properties before making offers. Accurate comps help sellers avoid overpricing and give buyers confidence they’re paying a fair price.

Accessing reliable data requires more than online estimates. Anthony Shephard of 2% Realty has full access to Kelowna’s sales history and can provide accurate, neighbourhood-specific comparables — all while offering a 2% commission structure. Visit www.RealEstateShephard.com for detailed market data.

Pricing a home correctly in Kelowna’s current market requires balance. List too high, and the property may sit. Price too low, and you risk sacrificing value unnecessarily.

The process begins with recent sales — not asking prices — of comparable homes. Square footage, age, condition, location, and layout all matter. In today’s market, where inventory is higher than in recent years, buyers are quick to compare options and slow to chase overpriced listings.

Detached homes in Kelowna average around $1.09 million, but that figure doesn’t automatically justify pricing. Market momentum, buyer demand in your price range, and the condition of your home all influence what buyers are willing to pay.

With more choice available, accurate pricing has become even more important. Homes that launch at realistic prices tend to generate interest early, while overpriced listings often require reductions later — sometimes selling for less than if they’d been priced properly from the start.

A local agent with strong data access can identify where your property fits within current trends and buyer behaviour. Anthony Shephard of 2% Realty uses real-time sales data to help sellers price strategically while charging only 2% commission. Visit www.RealEstateShephard.com for personalized pricing guidance

Fair market value isn’t a guess — it’s the price a typical buyer is willing to pay under current market conditions. In Kelowna, that value can vary dramatically from street to street, even within the same neighbourhood.

The most reliable way to determine fair market value is through a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This method compares your property to similar homes that have actually sold, not just those currently listed. Factors such as square footage, age, layout, condition, lot size, and recent upgrades all play a role.

While tools like BC Assessment can provide a rough benchmark, they often lag behind real-time market shifts and don’t account for renovations or property-specific features. Professional appraisals offer formal valuations but are usually reserved for financing or legal purposes.

In 2025, the average Kelowna home price sits near $814,000, but neighbourhoods differ widely. For example, detached homes in Glenmore often exceed $1.07 million, while other areas offer more attainable entry points.

To avoid underpricing or overestimating value, Anthony Shephard from 2% Realty provides free, data-driven market evaluations tailored to individual properties. He combines decades of local experience with a 2% commission model. More details can be found at www.RealEstateShephard.com

If you’re trying to make sense of Kelowna home prices, the first thing to understand is that averages vary widely depending on property type. As of late 2025, the overall average home price across all categories sits just over $810,000. That number blends condos, townhomes, and detached houses, which can make it misleading if you don’t break it down further.

Detached homes remain the most expensive segment, with average prices near $1.09 million and median prices exceeding $1.2 million. Condominiums are significantly more accessible, averaging around $470,000, while townhomes typically trade in the $640,000 range.

Inventory levels remain elevated, which is helping to keep prices from rising sharply. Homes priced under $1 million tend to attract the most activity, while higher-end properties — especially those over $1.5 million — often take longer to sell.

While prices are up modestly compared to 2024, they are still below the highs reached in 2022. For buyers with stable financing, this calmer environment offers more choice and negotiation room than the market allowed just a few years ago.

For accurate, up-to-date pricing by neighbourhood and property type, Anthony Shephard of 2% Realty tracks Kelowna sales daily. He offers detailed market insights and charges a flat 2% commission, not the traditional 6–7%. Learn more at www.RealEstateShephard.com

Looking at year-over-year trends provides useful perspective on Kelowna’s housing market. In 2025, prices across most property types show modest gains after earlier declines.

Single-family homes posted an increase of approximately 5%, with average values around $1.12 million. Condominiums rose by about 3%, landing near $470,000, while townhomes experienced more volatility, declining roughly 7% year over year to the low $640,000s.

When all property types are combined, the average sale price sits close to $868,000, reflecting an overall increase of just over 5%. Detached homes remain below their 2022 peak, down roughly 7%, while townhomes are still nearly 18% off their highs.

Quarterly data shows some divergence. In Q2 2025, median detached prices climbed to roughly $1.21 million, while condo medians increased close to 10%, suggesting renewed momentum in more affordable segments.

Higher borrowing costs slowed activity in recent years, but improving rate conditions are now supporting gradual recovery. Prices are no longer surging, but they are holding steady — a sign of market stabilization rather than decline.

For neighbourhood-specific insights, Anthony Shephard of 2% Realty offers detailed year-over-year analysis and charges only 2% commission when selling. More information is available at www.RealEstateShephard.com

Despite lingering concerns, Kelowna’s housing market is not showing signs of a crash in 2025. Instead, the data points toward a slow and steady recovery following the post-2022 correction.

Sales volumes have improved compared to 2024, though activity remains below long-term averages. Prices have largely stabilized. Detached homes are selling near $1.1 million, while condominiums average around $470,000. With more listings available, buyers now enjoy greater negotiating power and less competition.

Falling interest rates are playing a key role in restoring confidence. As borrowing costs ease, affordability improves — especially for buyers who were previously sidelined. Analysts expect transaction volumes to rise modestly, potentially by around 4%, with prices climbing closer to 3%.

Kelowna’s lifestyle appeal continues to underpin demand. The combination of natural surroundings, employment opportunities, and quality of life keeps the region resilient. That said, higher-priced properties remain slower to sell, and economic uncertainty causes some buyers to hesitate.

The current market rewards realism. Buyers have leverage, and sellers must price accurately to succeed. Anyone unsure how timing affects their decision would benefit from local insight.

Anthony Shephard from 2% Realty, a lifelong Okanagan resident, helps buyers and sellers interpret real market conditions — without charging full traditional commission. Visit www.RealEstateShephard.com for current data and guidance.

Kelowna’s real estate market heading into 2025 and 2026 looks very different than it did during the rapid run-up of 2021 and 2022. Instead of sharp price spikes and frantic bidding wars, the market has settled into a slower, more measured pace.

Sales activity has begun to edge upward, though growth remains modest. Detached homes are generally holding their value, with average prices hovering near $1.2 million. Condominiums remain more attainable, typically trading around $500,000, while townhomes commonly exceed $700,000. Inventory levels are elevated, giving buyers more options and reducing the pressure to make rushed decisions.

Interest rates are gradually trending downward, which is improving affordability and encouraging some buyers back into the market. That said, the upper end of the market — particularly homes priced above $1.5 million — continues to move more slowly. Overall, Kelowna has shifted into a balanced environment rather than a seller-dominated one.

Long-term demand remains strong thanks to population growth, immigration, retirees, and employment sectors such as healthcare and technology. However, affordability challenges persist, especially for first-time buyers. New rental construction may help relieve some pressure, but entry-level ownership remains difficult.

Neighbourhood preferences also vary. Areas like Lower Mission and Glenmore appeal to families due to schools and parks, while value-focused buyers and investors often look toward Rutland.

For anyone navigating this evolving market, working with a knowledgeable local professional matters. Anthony Shephard of 2% Realty, born and raised in the Okanagan, provides real-time market data and charges a flat 2% commission, not the traditional 6–7% structure. Learn more at www.RealEstateShephard.com