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I just finished uploading this 1 1/2 storey condominium for sale, 2 9885 Second Street, Victoria, BC

Sidney waterfront! Stunning two level condo offers first class finishing throughout. A deluxe kitchen with cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances, Hunter Douglas blinds and sweeping ocean views...laundry, master bedroom with ensuite on the entry level and second bedroom, large bathroom and 'media room' with fireplace on the lower level. Lots of full height storage, security system, secure parking and an easy stroll to the Sidney Marina, book stores, cafes, and all levels of amenities.

Sidney is about 30 minutes from Victoria.  Head North on Blanshard Street which becomes Highway 17 and this takes you right to Sidney and if you keep driving you will end up at the BC Ferries.

 

 

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I just finished uploading this House for sale in the Oak Bay area, 850 Victoria Avenue, Oak Bay Victoria, BC

Updated Oak Bay home within walking distance to the beach (McNeil Bay). This classic 1940's home almost has too many desirable features. Well designed updates that creates a truly pleasing lifestyle and atmosphere. The elegant entry hall has gorgeous hard wood floors, generous sized living room and the separate dining room are ideal for entertaining. The fabulous new kitchen showing off the shaker style cabinets opens up to a wonderful family room and leads through double french doors out to a sun drenched private deck and yard. Perfect for barbiques, hot tubs and star gazing. Gorgeous mature landscaping completes this sanctuary.

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Today in Victoria's daily newspaper The Times Colonist was an article explaining the Victoria Real Estate market.  Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty's managing broker Carol Guerts was quoted throughout the article, below is an insert from the article and if you would like to read more about this article of Victoria's Real Estate just click.  Also today on the radio there were new announcements about the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and Private Residences to be built.

Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty Carol Guerts Quote

 

The number of sales that was announced for the month of June 2009 was the fifth largest month in the last 7-8 years!  The average days it takes to sell a home last year was approximalty 38 and this year is showing at 51. 

Introducing the "50/50" Mortage Product Option

 

Hybrid mortgages – also known as 50/50 mortgage products – include an equal mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate components within your single mortgage. This means you get the best of both worlds – the security of fixed repayments with the flexibility of a variable rate.

Although there was a time in recent years when mortgage experts considered a variable rate mortgage as the obvious choice to save mortgage consumers money over the long term, with fixed rates remaining near historic lows, a 50/50 mortgage may be a great alternative for you.

In essence, since it’s extremely difficult to accurately predict rates over the long term, a 50/50 mortgage offers interest rate diversification, which can help reduce your level of risk.

If you opt for the Dominion Lending Centres 50/50 Balanced Mortgage, half of your mortgage is locked into a five-year fixed rate and half is at a five-year variable rate. You can lock in your variable-rate portion at any time without paying a penalty. As well, each portion of the 50/50 mortgage operates independently – like two separate mortgages – yet the product is registered as only one collateral charge.

 

  

The 50/50 mortgage product is well-suited to a variety of borrowers, including those who:

  • Would normally go fully variable but are afraid prime rate is at its bottom
  • Aren’t comfortable being locked into a fully fixed rate
  • Can’t decide between a fixed or variable mortgage

Some features of the 50/50 mortgage include:

  • 20% annual lump-sum pre-payment privileges
  • 20% annual payment increase ability
  • Portability (the option to transfer your existing loan amount to a new property without penalty)

As the 50/50 option is a fairly new offering, according to a recent study by the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP), 5% of Canadian mortgage holders have 50/50 mortgages compared to 28% with variable-rate mortgages and 68% with fixed-rate mortgages. But many experts believe the 50/50 mortgage is quickly gaining momentum.

If you have any questions or would like help with real estate in Victoria please call me direct at 250.744.4556 and stay tuned for more real estate updates...

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I just sold this 1 1/2 storey townhome at 107 - 6591 Arranwood Drive, Sooke, BC .  "The Alders at Woodland Creek" is a new development in the Sooke Village Core area.  Developers William Moore and Geoffrey Steele did an excellent job!  Check it out...

View this recently sold 1 1/2 storey home or see all my home sales

This new townhome development in Sooke is centrally located and within walking distance to elementary and middle schools.  Also on a trail system for parks and the arena/pool complex.

Check out Mom's Cafe, The Stick in the Mud Coffee House (6715 Eustace Road 250.642.5635), Little Vienna Bakery (6726 West Coast Road 250.642.6833)

Sooke has an abundance of natural beauty to match its wealth of opportunity.  It is a vibrant urban center with its own ambiance allowing all to enjoy a secure and healthy lifestyle in a full service community.  Check it all out in Sooke! 

Please stay tuned for more real estate updates...

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I just sold this 1 1/2 storey home at 165 Cook Street, Fairfield, Victoria, BC .

View this recently sold 1 1/2 storey home or see all my home sales.

During the month of April in the Victoria area there were a total of 4 homes sold between $600,000. - $650,000. range and 9 year-to-date.

If you are considering selling your home or purchasing real estate in Victoria please call me with any of your questions.  If you are interested in viewing all the MLS® current listings in the Victoria and surrounding areas (Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Saanich, Colwood, Langford, Sooke etc.) I have created a page on my web site that is very easy to search for properties in Victoria.  The video explains why everyone must create a login account because of the reciprocity agreement that is in place.  I hope this is helpful for you.  Please stay tuned for more updates.  Enjoy the sun!  Cheers.

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City of Victoria Mayor Fortin attended our office meeting recently and presented updated information regarding Secondary Suites in Victoria single family dwellings.  It was very informative, Mayor Dean Fortin considers himself as 'a little less talk and more action'.  I created this short video of information provided from Victoria's City Mayor Fortin.  Guidelines and grant information re: homeowners installing secondary suites.

Short Video of Victoria's City Mayor Fortin Explaining The New Guidelines For Secondary Suites In Homes

 

What is a Secondary Suite?

A secondary suite is a legal rental suite, located within a single family detached house.  A seondary suite cannot be strata-titled.

Housing is the top priorty for Victoria and secondary suites play a role in creating housing options.  42 units in Dockside Green were created for afordable housing.  These new guidelines will offer the opportunity for seniors to stay in their home and children to play in their backyard.

Two zoning changes were made in 2007 that started to make it easier for a legal suite to be built.  Removing on-site parking was the first and allowing secondary suites in houses of ANY age was the second.

Mayor Fortin was happy to announce so far that there are eight new suites in Fairfield, seven in Fernwood, ten in Gonzales, six in James Bay, three in the Jubilee area, one in Rockland, and five in the Vic West area of Victoria to learn more check out the video blog for the complete chart outling all the totals.

March 26, 2009 these changes were approved and introduced a grant program.   Each individual grant will equal 25% of construction costs to a maximum grant of $5,000.  Who is elegible to apply fo the grant?  Applicants must be the owner and occupant of the single family detached house within the City of Victoria for which the grant is requested.

Secondary suites offer homeowners a variety of benefits and increase the amount of safe, affordable housing in Victoria.  They can serve as a mortgage helper, provide a sense of security and increase the value of a home.

Once I install a secondary suite, do I have any legal responsiblities as a landlord?

Yes.  Contact the Rental Owners and Managers Society of BC (ROMS BC) at 250.382.6324.

When is a suite considered legal?

A suite is considered legal when all the required building, plumbing and electrical permits have been applied for and approved, and where all work has been completed, inspected and final Occupancy Permit issued by the City of Victoria.

A building Permit requires that a homeowner comply with the secondary suites standards in the BC Building Code.

The first step to legalizing an existing suite is to contact the City of Victoria's Zoning Division at City Hall at 250.361.0316.

The City of Victoria is committed to being a sustainable community.  There are a number of resources you can access in order to construct an energy-efficient suite:  City Green Solutions    BC Hydo Powersmart  and  LiveSmart BC.

I hope you found this helpful and if you have any questions regarding real estate in Victoria please call me direct at 250.744.4556 or email me at brenda@brendarussell.ca.  Please stay tuned for more updates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Home Inspectors Must Be Licensed In BC

As of March 31, 2009, home inspectors in British Columbia are required to be licensed by the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority.  On January 30, 2009 the governemnt announced that BC would become the first province to require home inspectors to obtain a licence to better protect buyers and to ensure that home inspectors are qualified to make professional assessments.  The new regulation request home inspectors to be a member of a recognized association.  To further strengthen professional crediblity and enhance consumer protection, the BPCPA also requires all home inspectors to carry errors and omission insurance, as well as general liablity insurance in order to obtain a licence.

Please check the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority website to find a licensed home inspector.  Ask to see the BPCPA wallet-sized licence issued to home inspectors before signing the contract for a home inspection and contact the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority with any inquiries or complaints at 1.888.564.9963

To find out more information about the new regulation or to ensure a home inspector is licensed by the BPCPA, click here.  Please stay tuned for more updates.

Map of British Columbia showing Victoria

 

 

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Fairfield Artists Studio Tour - 8th Annual

Saturday and Sunday April 25th and 26th from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

The tour and group show are FREE to the public.

47 artists featured on the tour.  Many of the participating artists will invite you into their private studios.  Click here to view the Fairfield map and locations.  Gala Opening is in the Garry Oak Room, 13335 Thurlow Road.  Other locations to check out are:

*  Fairfield/Gonzales Community Place, 1330 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC

*  Fairfield United Church, 1303 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC

*  New Horizons Activity Centre, 380 Cook Street, Victoria, BC

Here are some featured ARTISTS that are participating:

Erin Chard, 305 Windermere Place, Victoria, BC - Erin says her goal and her joy is to paint something that "Lifts the heart and delights the spirit"

Linda Darby, 1130 Richardson Street, Victoria, BC

Terri Reid, #205 - 934 Collinson Street, Victoria, BC

Nancy Dolan, 1133 Hilda Street, Victoria, BC

Robert Amos, 129 McKenzie Street, Victoria, BC

Sarah Amos, 129 McKinzie Street, Victoria, BC

Brian Moreau, 1131 McKinzie Street, Victoria, BC (brianmoreau@shaw.ca)

Roy Mercer, 1138 Oxford Street, Victoria, BC

Nancy Slaght, #301 - 1466 Dallas Road, Victoria, BC (nancyslaght@shawa.ca)

Inga Pungente, 194 Joseph Street, Victoria, BC (ingaink@hotmail.com)

Louise Monfette, 181 Joseph Street, Victoria, BC

Betsy Symons, 166 Eberts Street, Victoria, BC (corner of May and Eberts)

Jill Rockwell and Mary Lou Moffat, 4 - 1421 Richardson Street, Victoria, BC

Nancy Anderson, 1614 Richardson Street, Victoria, BC

Elizabeth Litton, 1444 Hamley Street, Victoria, BC

Vincent Fe, 349 Kipling Street, Victoria, BC (fefam2@telus.net)

Olwyn Morinski, 155 Passmore Street, Victoria, BC (hobnob@shaw.ca)

Waine Ryzak, 322 Robertson Street, Victoria, BC (waineryzak@shaw.ca)

David Ferguson, 1829 Lillian Road, Victoria, BC (ferlow@shaw.ca)

Victor Bosson, 347 Windermere Place, Victoria, BC

Barbara Weaver-Bosson, 347 Windermere Place, Victoria, BC

Val Hignett, 511 Foul Bay Road, Victoria, BC (vhignett@pacificcoast.net)

Marilyn Wallace, 1932 Brighton Avenue, Victoria, BC

Frances Baskerville, 1061 Redfern Street, Victoria, BC

Karen Hamilton, Fairfield/Gonzales Community Place, 1330 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC 

Dawn Richie, Fairfield United Church, 1303 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC
 

Take your time, enjoy your weekend!  Stay tuned for more updates.

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Victoria Real Estate - Interior Designer Forum Part 3/3 - April 2009

Ivan Meade  is the Principal Designer of MEADE DESIGN GROUP which is located in a downtown Victoria, BC studio.  Ivan contacted me earlier asking for some assistance from a REALTOR® point of view.  He invited me to participate in a forum responding to some questions that might be helpful to a home owner or possible buyer/seller. 

It was posted today on his Blog along with two other REALTORS'® points of view.  I hope that this may be helpful to you as well.

On a personal note I have recommended Ivan to help some of my clients prepare for their home to be sold or renovated.  He was extremely helpful because he is a professional with a practised eye and great taste and brings improvement whether it's in taste or style allure or comfort.  If you are looking for fresh ideas from paint colours, reorganizing a room, renovations, new construction...it dosen't matter how small or large the project or what location, Ivan will come through for you.  Some of his works include the multiple award winning 'Shoal Point' condominiums to homes in Hawaii.  He is known for his stunning interiors and unique furnishings as well as eye-catching graphics.  Ivan will travel...smile.  He is a genius.

I hope you enjoy his blog post and maybe you may find other helpful ideas while reading.

 

Friday, March 27, 2009

Is it wise to invest money in your home during these economic times? Part 1/3

As principal designer of Meade Design Group I am often asked how certain choices my clients make for their homes will affect their home’s value. I always try to stay up-to-date with changes in the real estate market and popular trends with homeowners.

I decided homeowners such as my blog followers may be interested in this information as well; and during a time of economic uncertainty it is always good to know that the money you are investing in your home will be a wise choice.

I wanted to take my questions to the experts so I asked my favourite local realtors in Victoria B.C. Canada to give me their insight on the relationship between designers and the housing market. Our panel includes:

Brenda Russell

Brenda_150_with_shadow_copy

Brenda has been a realtor since 1990, specializing in the Fairfield/Oak Bay area and is also a registered relocation specialist. The proof is in her sales: she has been the recipient of the Award of Excellence 5 out of 7 consecutive years, this award means that she is in the top percentile of sales within Vancouver Island, Royal LePage. She is not only accessible, but she is the most pleasant and warm individual one can imagine, we were so pleased to help her create her new image in 2007.

http://www.brendarussell.ca/

Roger Jones

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Roger's career as a Real Estate Salesperson began in 2000 and has been driven almost exclusively by repeat and referral based business. Being a consistent MLS sales award winner and having grown up in Victoria, he has the local market expertise to help facilitate his clients' real estate related goals. Roger understands that every buyer or seller is unique and recognizes the importance of providing highly responsive service in building ongoing relationships with his clientele.

http://www.jonescompany.net/

Tony Joe

TJ

A very active member of the Victoria Real Estate Board, Tony was born and raised in Victoria and knows his market well. A multiple award winner with RE/MAX, Tony has been practicing real estate since 1991 and has the sales and testimonials to prove his knowledge and success. Tony’s professionalism and easy-going personality makes each client’s real estate transaction a breeze. We were lucky enough to work with Tony on the interior design of his own home in 2006.

http://www.tonyjoe.ca/

 

Is it wise to invest money in your home during these economic times? Part 3/3

Thank you again for your continued support. Today I am posting the final part of these series.

Iván Meade - What are a home’s major selling points?

Brenda Russell - Location. Presentation. Price.

Roger Jones - Location is most critical - you can change finishes easily enough, add on or even go so far as to tear a home down and rebuild, but you can not create the overall setting and proximity to the amenities you enjoy that the right neighbourhood provides.

Tony Joe - Location, condition, tidiness and features which set it above the direct competition. Did I mention location?

 

 

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Pics Feb 07 107 Before & After Marifield – Meade Design Group


Iván Meade - Do you find homes sell better when furnished or vacant?

Brenda Russell - If the home shows well then furnished is best. If the home is very dated as well as the furnishing...then vacant.

Roger Jones - Definitely when well furnished.

Tony Joe - Seems most prospective buyers believe they can envision what a vacant house would look like furnished but in reality this is seldom the case. Oftentimes, lack of furniture or belongings can over accentuate weak points such as smaller living spaces or poorly placed structural elements.

 

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Before & After Spring Bay – Meade Design Group


Iván Meade - Is it wise to sell your home with window treatments throughout?

Brenda Russell - Absolutely yes. Buyer's are calculating if they have to also buy blinds or drapes for all their windows. If the window treatments are very old, worn or doesn't help the room look fabulous then I would suggest removing them entirely or replace them with a modern blind.

Roger Jones - Most prospective buyers appreciate the value of quality window treatments in a home - this is an area in which help from your designer would be particularly beneficial.

Tony Joe - Window treatments can very much be a matter of personal taste. I cannot recall ever losing a deal or having a seller sell for less based solely on the inclusion/exclusion of window treatments. If you plan to keep them, just be certain to clarify this in the purchase contract as they are generally deemed to be included as part of the sale.

 

imageimage Before & After Spring Bay – Meade Design Group

 


Iván Meade - What would you tell someone who is asking about the benefits of hiring an interior designer for their home?

Brenda Russell - A designer is always an asset. They bring a trained and talented eye (assuming you hire a trained and talented designer of course) and an unbiased opinion of what a room or area or home needs or could use. To what extent their suggestions or services are used is a personal choice of course but often just hearing an opinion can be of enlightening.

Roger Jones - Enlisting the help of a professional who's expertise you feel confident in is always the best way to get a job done in the shortest amount of time and with the least complication!

Tony Joe - Do not hire a designer based on low price. Select someone with a proven track record, practical knowledge, a portfolio of recent work and a list of glowing testimonials. In other words, hire Ivan Meade!

 

 

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Before & After Spring Bay – Meade Design Group


 

Brenda Russell

www.brendarussell.ca

Roger Jones

www.jonescompany.net

Tony Joe

www.tonyjoe.ca

Posted by Meade Design Group at 10:40 AM 8 comments

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Video of Oak Bay and the Gonzales Bay Area from the air

 

This is a 30 second aerial video from my flying lesson on a CESNA 152.

The video starts over McNeil Bay located in the South Oak Bay area, continues over King George Terrace and then showing views of Gonzales Bay.  Gonzales Bay is a crescent shaped beach that is rarely crowded and a great spot for skimboarders.  It is Victoria's Malibu! A great place to relax and enjoy the sun and sand.  Click here for an Oak Bay map detailing the public beach access.

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This is a 1 minute video from my first flying lesson on a CESNA 152.

I can still remember being five years old sitting beside my dad in his plane flying - loving it.  My dad passed away not long after that and I never had the chance to do it again with him but now after all these years I am back in the air and feeling him close to me.  Pretty joyous.  Stay tuned for further lesson and flight updates and ever new views of Victoria and surroundings.

 

 

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