About Us

The 1970’s

Gavin Parsons Homes started in the year 1970. Our first contracts were framing only, but progressed to full custom houses in 1977.

The 1970's was an era of rapid growth in Vernon. Buyers were primarily of the early war boom baby generation purchasing their first homes. The most popular home style was the cathedral entrance design. Exteriors were clad with stucco or aluminum siding with a cedar entrance door, alumninum windows and a small uncovered wooden deck.  The homes averaged 1150 square feet and had three bedrooms, single bath and unfinished basement. The interior was basic and may have had a cedar feature wall and of course the bright shag carpet flooring. The more expensive homes usually had a fireplace, shake roofs and cedar siding.

Exterior Photos

The 1980’s

The 1980's was a very turbulent time for Vernon. The decade started with a very strong market but suffered like the rest of the country in the 1981 crash. During the middle years property values declined drastically and there was a large readjustment in the building community. The industry did not begin to get onto its feet until after the 1986 World Expo in Vancouver and the opening of the Coquihalla highway.

Housing went through some changes as well. The war boom generation moved up to larger homes averaging around 1400 square feet with the most poplular being the split level. A family room became a necessity for the growing families.

Energy became a concern and building standards changed to accommodate. Wood stoves became popular. Two by six construcution became the standard with R20 in the walls and R30 in the ceilings. 

West Coast contemporary designs with wood windows, cedar siding and shake roofs became the vogue style. The advent of the microwave and built in dishwasher changed kitchen desigins.  The ensuite became a regular feature in master bedrooms. Cablevision was incorporated in every home.

Exterior Photos

The 1990’s

The average home size increased to 1600 sq ft. and Vernon subdivisions moved from the flat farmland  and orchards near the city centre to the hillsides.

The opening of the Coquihalla in the eighties and in influx of people to Vancouver from Hong Kong exposed the huge difference in prices between the coast and the Okanagan Valley bringing a lot of new buyers to the Okanagan.

The most popular style was the hillside rear-view with a covered deck and fully finished walk-out basement. The most popular exterior finish was  pastel stucco and vinyl siding became popular.

The interior would feature gas fireplaces, hardwood  floors and tiled bathrooms. Built in alarm systems and vacuums became standard features.

Low maintenance and energy efficiency became more sought-after. High efficiency furnaces and low-e argon windows became commonplace. The the building code now required 2x6 construction and tighter framing techniques. 

The 90's also saw the beginning of gated communities and golf course developments as early retirees and coastal residents continued to discover the Okanagan Valley via the new Coquihalla Highway.

Silver Star began real estate development with the Knoll subdivision.

Exterior Photos

Silver Star Mountain - Exterior Photos

The 2000’s

Home sizes increased to 1800 sq ft and  large developments like Predator Ridge, The Rise, The Foothills and Turtle Mountain began. 

It was an era of unprecedented growth with early retirees and second home buyers flocking to the Okanagan from Alberta and the coast. Lakeshore property values reach previously unthought-of price levels and million dollar plus homes became commonplace.

The Craftsman style was the most popular, with timber frame, Hardi plank and cultured stone exteriors.

Houses became more decorative on the interior with multiple levels of trim and more detailed finishing. Most homes made extensive use of hardwood and tiles for floors, kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens grew in size and often featured a walk-in pantry. Built-in offices, media rooms and three car garages became commonplace. 

October 2008 marked the end of the housing boom, new construction dropped off and put and end to the proliferation of high-end spec homes. Housing prices began a correction after years of annual double digit percentage increases.

Exterior Photos

Silver Star Mountain - Exterior Photos

The 2010’s

The market  divided into two main categories: the high-end lakeside and hillside million dollar homes and developers and builders trying to find a market niche in the beginner and move-down market.

The challenge of bringing affordable homes to the market has been the availability and cost of servicing land. To service this market segment, small condo and townhouse strata developments have become a necessary alternative to the single family fee simple property.

Craftsman continues to be the most popular house style in the average home with ultra-modern and timber frame making inroads in the high-end residences.

Green building concepts have become the byword in construction techniques and home buyers are now presented with a number of green building programs. Higher mandated energy standards such as EnerStar windows, higher insulation values in attics and basements, waste management programs and incentives for alternative energy sources such as solar, geothermal and high-energy gas furnaces are now commonplace.

It is still early in the decade to see where housing will go but the Okanagan will continue to be a draw for retirees and recreation-minded people. The Okanagan continues to be a bright light in an otherwise uncertain housing market.