SPEECHLESS SUNDAYS |TULIPS IN OUR GARDENSharing a photo or a description of tulips in our garden in Victoria, BC.Tulips are a beautiful and colorful flower that bloom in the springtime. Victoria is known for its stunning gardens and outdoor spaces, a sight to behold.It's always nice to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature, especially during the spring when everything is in bloom.SPEECHLESS SUNDAYS|TULIPS IN OUR GARDEN 04/23/2023

He Said He Wanted a Shake Roof...He Said He Wanted a Shake Roof 04/21/2023

Staging a home is one of the best things you can do when preparing to sell your home. A home staged with purpose allows people to envision themselves in your space and see each room's potential. If you need to help reimagine your space for buyers, I'm just a message away. #thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #homeowners #forsale #staging #homestyle #hometips #realestate #realtor #realestateagent 04/17/2023

Turn your Empty Nest into a Nest Egg.  Downsizing to a smaller home is a great option for homeowners looking to simplify their lives and cut down on expenses. Whether you're approaching retirement or simply want to reduce your monthly bills, selling your current home and moving to a smaller, more affordable property can provide significant benefits. One of the primary advantages of downsizing is that it can free up a lot of cash. If you've built up equity in your current home, selling it and buying a smaller property can result in a substantial windfall. This can be used to supplement your retirement income, pay off debts, or invest in other assets. Additionally, downsizing can reduce your monthly expenses in a number of ways. Smaller homes generally can have no  or a lower mortgage pay... 04/14/2023

VICTORIA HOUSE BUYING | CREATE A CHECKLIST WHEN HOUSE HUNTING  When looking for a home in Victoria,BC; It can be difficult to keep track of all the different features and details that are important to you. That's why creating a house hunting checklist can be a great way to stay organized and ensure that you don't miss any important details. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the key things you should include on your checklist when searching for a home in Victoria, BC. Location in VictoriaOne of the most important things to consider when looking for a new home is the location. Think about the proximity to schools, shopping, parks, and other amenities that are important to you. Consider the traffic in the area and how easy it will be to get around. You should also consider the ... 04/13/2023

Victoria 's Old Town Buildings along Johnson StreetVictoria's Old Town is the historic heart of the city and is located just east of the Inner Harbour. It is home to some of the oldest and most significant buildings in Victoria, many of which date back to the mid-1800s.Old Town was originally established as a trading post by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1843. The area quickly grew and became a bustling commercial center, with many shops, hotels, and saloons catering to the needs of the gold rush miners who were passing through the area.One of the most iconic buildings in Old Town is the Empress Hotel, which was built in 1908 and has been a landmark of Victoria ever since.Other notable buildings in the area include the Old Victoria Custom House, the McPherson Playhouse, and the Maritime M... 04/09/2023

Victoria Real Estate Market Update for March 2023: Consumer Confidence and Growing Demand Drive Early Spring MarketThe Victoria Real Estate Board has released its market update for March 2023, indicating a 28.3% increase in property sales compared to the previous month of February. The total number of properties sold was 590, representing a 29.2% decrease compared to March 2022.Sales of single-family homes decreased by 31.8% with 281 units sold, while condominium sales were down by 29.4%, with 197 units sold compared to March 2022. Despite this, the return of consumer confidence and growing demand are driving a recovery in the market, which is expected to continue through the spring season.Victoria Real Estate Board Chair, Graden Sol, "stated that some pockets of the market are busier t... 04/09/2023

History of EasterSpring is in the air.  I can feel it.  And so can the retailers.  I noticed that Easter candy is on prominent display at the supermarket.  It got me wondering about the origin of the Easter Bunny.  There certainly is no mention of a big rabbit delivering candy and decorated eggs in the Bible.  So how did the idea of the Easter Bunny get started?Many of the traditions associated with religious holidays, like Christmas and Easter, have their roots in pagan customs.  Rabbits are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life.  The word "Easter" comes from Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe.  The Saxons held an Eastre festival during the spring equinox to honor the goddess, whose earthly symbol was the rabbit.In anci... 04/07/2023

JAMES BAY REAL ESTATE VICTORIA BC JAMES BAY REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: WHAT TO EXPECT BY FRED CARVERJames Bay is a highly dense neighborhood in Victoria BC and is the oldest residential neighborhood on the west coast of North America besides San Francisco. It occupies the south side of the inner Harbor close to downtown Victoria, BC.James Bay HistoryJames Bay dates back to the early 1840s with development beginning in 1859. Gov. Douglas decided to construct a colonial administration office for the Colony of Vancouver Island across the harbour from Fort Victoria. These fanciful designs known as the “Birdcages” were replaced in 1898 by Francis Mawson Rattenbury’s Parliament buildings, which still serve as the meeting place of the legislative assembly of British Columbia today.During the c... 04/02/2023

UNDERSTANDING HOW A REVERSE MORTGAGE WORKS“Don't let retirement be a  time of financial worry – explore the benefits of a reverse mortgage today.”  As you approach retirement age, one of the biggest concerns is how to manage your finances  while maintaining your quality of life. A reverse mortgage may be one option worth considering.   In Canada, reverse mortgages are becoming increasingly popular as a way to unlock the equity  in your home and supplement your income during retirement. So, what is a reverse mortgage? It is a loan that allows homeowners aged 55 and older to  access the equity in their homes without having to sell their property. With a reverse mortgage,  you can convert a portion of your home's equity into cash that you can use to pay off debts,  cover living expenses, o... 03/30/2023

James Bay Victoria's Seaside Neighbourhood A vibrant and diverse neighbourhood with both apartment towers and many historic homes, James Bay is the bedroom community to the downtown core. James Bay is surrounded by water on three sides; Victoria Harbour to the north and west, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the south. Link to Map of James Bay Homes For SaleBeacon Hill Park provides a green border to the east. James Bay's extensive waterfront is alive with activity including an array of industry, government and transportation facilities. Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of James Bay, both because it hosts many tourist destinations and because it is home to the Ogden Point cruise ship terminal. Many of Victoria's key attractions are located in the neighbourhood including ... 03/28/2023

OUR HONEY BEES ARE OUT WORKING IN VICTORIA AGAIN.Photo by  Janine Linning #portalberni  03/28/2023

Oak Bay Real Estate | Market Review March 1, 2021 Oak Bay Real Estate.. Activity-Indicates we're still in a strong real estate market in the municipality of Oak Bay. Find Photos and more listing Details: Here's a Current list of Oak Bay Homes For Sale.Oak Bay Real Estate... March, 2021 Single Family Home Stats: Total Oak Bay Single Family Home Pending Sales = 52 Average Oak Bay Home Pending Selling Price in February was $1,937,783.Total Oak Bay Single Family Home SALES & Pending Sales January 1/23 to March 1/23 = 19This report may not indicate a market trend in the coming months in Oak Bay BC, however it should give you an idea of the current Oak Bay Real Estate activity with Oak Bay single family homes,  (since January). Number of Single Family Homes Currently For Sale on March  1, 202... 03/01/2023

VICTORIA JANUARY MLS MARKET UPDATE A slow start to the year may not foretell the future for the Victoria housing market  A total of 278 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this January, 41.4 percent fewer than the 474 properties sold in January 2022 and a 13.1 percent decrease from December 2022. Sales of condominiums were down 46.3 percent from January 2022 with 101 units sold. Sales of single family homes decreased 33 percent from January 2022 with 120 sold. “If you’re looking at the statistics, this January was one of the slowest we’ve seen on record,” says 2023 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Graden Sol. “However, we did see a mid-month surge in activity as buyers seemed to regain confidence after the rapid interest rate increases of last year. It may be that c... 02/02/2023

Starting in January 2023 Home buyers can rescind their accepted offer to purchase a single family home....Watch this video which explains this the New Home Buyer Rescission Period.This video will provide an overview of the HBRP and go over how buyers have the right to rescind or cancel their offer to purchase certain types of residential property within three business days after an offer has been acceptedhttps://youtu.be/T3Q6U3PtokIConsumer’s Guide to Understanding the BC Home Buyer Rescission PeriodSource 12/26/2022

OCTOBER VICTORIA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE A slight uptick in sales and inventory, but Victoria real estate market still requires commitment to homesA total of 480 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this October, 35.6 percent fewer than the 745 properties sold in October 2021 but a 17.1 percent increase from September 2022. Sales of condominiums were down 39 per cent from October 2021 with 152 units sold. Sales of single family homes decreased 32.2 percent from October 2021 with 230 sold.How much is your home worth today? “Inventory has remained stable this month and for the first time since May 2022, we see a slight increase in the month over month sales,” says Victoria Real Estate Board President Karen Dinnie-Smyth. “We noted last month that the number of sales f... 11/02/2022

FERNWOOD-Victoria BC-Real Estate-Homes October Market SnapshotOctober, 2022....... I thought I would review the Real Estate activities of Victoria BC an area known by the locals as FERNWOOD, an area bordered by Oak Bay Ave, & Fort St and FAIRFIELD & ROCKLAND to the South, Foul Bay Rd and OAK BAY to the East, Ryan St and Newton St  and CAMOSUN to the North, Chamber St & Cedar Hill Rd  CENTRAL PARK to the West.FERNWOOD MapFernwood Village is at the heart of this residential neighbourhood.  Fernwood Square’s charm has been captured in movies and is the community’s gathering place, with seasonal markets. The village is also home to outstanding theatrical productions at the Belfry Theatre and Theatre Inconnu in the Paul Phillips Hall.  Throughout the year, they draw Victorians to the village... 10/27/2022

OK ....VICTORIA HOME BUYERS IT'S YOUR TURN NOW…Real Estate Markets Change from time to time. In Victoria and many other cities it has been a Home Seller Market with many Bidding Wars with Buyers trying to Buy their next home. FIND OUT ONLINE WHAT YOUR VICTORIA HOME IS WORTH TODAY.Now with Rising Mortgage Interest rates Victoria home sales have slowed considerably with little or no Bidding wars like last year. Here’s a Quick Snapshot of Days on the Market Home sales have slowed from 7-8 Days on the Market to almost 30 days on the market I assume like many other cities in North America. When I search New home Listings in the Last 30 days and the number of Pending home Sales, in Victoria Core Neighbourhoods we soon see the slowdown.Just 228 Home Pending Sales in the Victoria Core Market wi... 09/03/2022

Victoria Real Estate Market continues to experience low inventory and high demand A total of 833 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this March, 29 per cent fewer than the 1,173 properties sold in March 2021 but a 16 per cent increase from February 2022. Sales of condominiums were down 26 per cent from March 2021 with 279 units sold. Sales of single family homes decreased 28.2 percent from March 2021 with 412 sold.“Once again, we have had a record breaker of a month,” said 2022 Victoria Real Estate Board President Karen Dinnie-Smyth. “This March had the lowest number of active listings we have seen in a month of March – beating last year’s record low. For context, in the past five years the average number of active listings at the end of March is 1,864 properties. T... 04/05/2022

It's not easy to  pare down.   Even though we may have helped a seller to declutter, before listing, it's not the same process when it's our turn to become lean.   Like you, I subscribe to the concept that in getting rid of "stuff" (and yes, it's worth listening to George Carlin's riff on "stuff"), we leave room for the new to enter our lives.   To go from a lot of things to very few is not an easy segue.    How did I finally do it?   A relative with a stack of garbage bags and an inexhaustible supply of stickies stepped in.   Yes, the magic of 3: this pile goes with you, this pile is gifted on, this pile is going to recycling/garbage.    Another truism...it's easy to pare if someone else is doing it.   Meantime, how does it feel to  have gifted on so many items?   Well, it takes that 2... 01/29/2022