Quality Appraisals Inc.

08/11/2026

The heart of Quality Appraisals is in the Okanagan, home to our head office and many of the communities we serve.

It has been a difficult couple of weeks, with the Bradley Creek wildfire west of Vernon and, most recently, the devastating Bald Range wildfire affecting Summerland and the surrounding area.

Our hearts are with everyone affected. We are thinking of those who have been displaced, those awaiting news about their homes and businesses, and everyone working tirelessly to protect these communities. Our deepest gratitude goes to the firefighters, first responders, emergency support volunteers, local officials and neighbours helping neighbours.

Amid this difficult time, we wanted to pause and share something that has always brought us joy: a glimpse into our region’s history. Many of you know how much we love historical images, and we felt it was time to look back at the rich history of one of British Columbia’s true gems—Summerland.

The community first grew around Lowertown on the shore of Okanagan Lake. After a devastating fire destroyed many businesses in 1922, the heart of Summerland gradually shifted to the flats, where today’s downtown took shape. The community adapted, rebuilt and continued to grow, all while retaining the character that makes it so special.

Fire has changed Summerland before, but it has never defined it. Its warm and welcoming spirit has endured through generations and remains strong today. Whatever recovery and rebuilding may lie ahead, Summerland’s future will be shaped by the people who call it home, together with all those who know and love this remarkable place.

Summerland has a rich history—and a strong future.

08/08/2026

This old Forest Service sign from Manning Park was captured from the 1950s.

Our thoughts are with everyone currently affected by the fires across British Columbia, particularly those who have been evacuated, lost property, or are waiting anxiously for news.

God speed!

07/10/2026

Sometimes, we get hired to appraise properties far down remote logging roads—and getting there can be part of the job. No cell service, unreliable maps, creek crossings, fallen trees, and the occasional need for a chainsaw.

Commercial appraisal work is often about much more than writing reports at a desk. Sometimes, the assignment starts with simply figuring out how to reach the property!

This photos is of a Land Rover, taken from BC Archives. Circa 1951.

07/07/2026

There is something remarkable about seeing history brought back to life.

This incredible early 1900s photograph is listed by the BC Archives as showing two Tahltan First Nation men heading out hunting in northern British Columbia. The image was taken by Andrew J. Stone, who documented many scenes of Tahltan people in what was then an exceptionally remote part of the province.

Travelling by a simple log raft through this vast northern landscape, these men would have relied on an extraordinary depth of knowledge, hunting ability, and survival skill. It is a powerful reminder of the people, places, and histories that have shaped Canada long before the communities and infrastructure we know today.

Follow Lost BC, and credit to BC Archives.

06/29/2026

Every measurement tells a story.

This remarkable cedar in Stanley Park measured 73 feet in circumference when photographed in 1895. It's a reminder that while our profession revolves around measurements and value, context and history also provide a meaningful perspective.

📸 Vancouver, BC | August 3, 1895
Credit: UBC Open Collections

06/03/2026

Every now and then, a photograph stops us in our tracks. This image from 1921 shows the road between Kelowna and Lake Country near Wood Lake, a bustling area of development today.

05/29/2026

Quality Appraisals, circa Friday at 4:59 PM.

The reports are submitted and the entire appraisal team is making a rapid departure for home.

Have a great weekend everyone!

05/27/2026

Long before modern Dawson City, places like Grand Forks, Yukon were booming with life during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Pictured here is “The Magnet,” one of the earliest and most famous roadhouses in the Klondike, built by legendary entrepreneur Belinda Mulrooney near Bonanza Creek.

Rather than mining gold herself, Mulrooney built her fortune supplying miners with what they needed most — food, lodging, liquor & ale, ci**rs, and a place to rest after long days in the creeks. Signs advertising “Wines, Liquors and Cigars” and “Spring Beds $1.00” offered a glimpse into frontier life.

At its peak, Grand Forks briefly became one of the largest settlements in the Klondike before fading away as the gold rush declined and dredging operations reshaped the valley. Today, very little remains — but photographs like this capture the grit, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit that built the Yukon frontier.

05/19/2026

Artificial intelligence has the potential to become a significant driver of commercial real estate demand, while also reshaping demand patterns, values, and utilization across broader real estate sectors.

05/15/2026