Latest Sims Real Estate Group Listing Videos & Blog Posts on Vancouver Island, BC.

May 6, 2016

Why So Many Are Choosing Diver Lake

Diver Lake is a community on Vancouver Island. It is very close to many local amenities including the larger city of Nanaimo. If you are considering a move to the island and wondering which neighbourhood here is the right fit for your needs, you may want to take a closer look at what Diver Lake has to offer. This is one of the most alluring communities in the region both for the amenities as well as for the beautiful scenery that many of the homes here enjoy. Could this be where you call home?

Diver Lake Home for Sale

Diver Bay Home for Sale | Image Provided by VIREB.

A few key things help to ensure this location stands out from the rest. First, it does have a large lake and it is a bit more remote than other areas of the city. However, for those who are seeking out lakefront property, including those looking for a weekend getaway, this community can be the ideal choice because of those wooded lots and beautiful views. It is a bit quieter and laid back, but it still provides great access to numerous amenities.

Much of the surrounding area is developing quickly. In fact, if you want to buy a custom built home on Diver Lake, there are vacant lots available to do just that. It is only a matter of a short drive into the larger city for shopping and dining, but it feels like it could be much further away. Even though much of the region is developing, you are not likely to feel that impact at your property here. That is one of the reasons so many people choose to live here.

Diver Lake does offer the amenities you need including numerous single family homes, affordable properties, and excellent access to outdoor recreation. There are parks and trails throughout the area. Check out Beban Park or go skating during the colder months. Ready to explore all that Diver Lake can offer to you? Give us a call at (778) 269-1288 today!

May 4, 2016

Choosing Pleasant Valley, Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island has become the place to live. Whether you are looking for a single family home to raise your family in or you want a second home tucked into the countryside, this area has something to offer just about everyone. When it comes to choosing an area to live, you have plenty of vibrant communities to select from each offering something unique and interested. For some, Pleasant Valley is the ideal choice. Could this be the ideal choice for you and for your family?

Pleasant Valley Home for Sale

Home in Lakeside Estates, Pleasant Valley. Image Provided by VIREB.

Pleasant Valley is a very beautiful community. It is a neighbourhood in the Nanaimo area, which means it is close to all of the modern day amenities you need such as quality schools, outstanding shopping, theater, and cultural events. However, it is a bit more scenic and offers a more remote feel to it. It is located in the northern portion of Nanaimo and is mostly single family homes and some townhome developments. There are two beautiful lakes that make for the focal point of this community. You’ll see plenty of fishing, boating, and other activities taking place on Green Lake and Brannen Lake.

There are several subdivisions located in this region. Some of the largest include Brennen Lake Estates and Lakeside Estates, both of which offer waterfront property that tends to be high in demand. Some of these estates offer beachfront access or boating access right near your home. This is a quaint, though easily accessible, lakefront community. New development and existing home sales are present throughout it. Building your dream home here is an option as well.

When choosing the best place to buy a home on Vancouver Island, do not overlook the beauty and amenities that Pleasant Valley can offer to you. You may find this to be the ideal place for you to call home no matter what your needs are or what you plan to do when you move into this scenic area.

May 2, 2016

Buy a Home in Departure Bay

There are many areas of Vancouver Island worth exploring and plenty of opportunities to find beautiful real estate here. However, today’s homebuyer needs to make decisions based on what style of life he or she wants to enjoy. Luckily, Vancouver Bay offers something for everyone. If you are planning to move to the area but are not sure about where to live, consider Departure Bay. It may be the ideal choice for those who are looking for outstanding affordability and easy access.

Departure Bay Condo for Sale

Modern Style Home in Departure Bay | Image Provided by VIREB.

What You Should Know About Departure Bay

This community is located near the larger city of Nanaimo. It is perhaps one of the best getaways into the city. It is this location that makes it one of the most popular places to purchase real estate by those who have come to Vancouver Bay and fallen in love with it and now want to buy a home here.

What you will find throughout this community is a wide range of home styles. You may find the ideal home on the water with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. You can also find homes that offer waterfront access, giving you the ability to enjoy all of the recreational activities you want to enjoy here. Nevertheless, you are still only a matter of minutes from everything that Nanaimo offers including restaurants, shopping, and outstanding recreational amenities. Departure Bay is home to the Nanaimo Golf Club and various shopping centers. It is also close to BC Ferries, which provides easy access to the mainland, making this an ideal choice for those who will commute into the city on a regular basis.

Departure Bay can be a vibrant place to call home for many people. If you are thinking about living here, make your first step an appointment with us. Get a feel for what types of homes for sale this area has to offer, and what you can expect by choosing to live here.

April 28, 2016

Should You Get a Home Inspection?

Should you get a home inspection on you next big home purchase?

In this video I talk about why you should ALWAYS get an inspection on a home you’re going to buy and how that one simple step can save you THOUSANDS of dollars.

Watch this video to learn more about how a home inspection can give you peace of mind and security over your investment:

 

Too often a house looks perfect on the outside, but don’t be mislead by first appearances! A lot of the times there could be something else going on inside–a deeper issue that may not be easily seen (like a shaky foundation) that would make it a poor investment.

If you want to learn more about how the inspection process works or you have any real estate questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact my team for free advice.

Best,

Jason

April 28, 2016

Brechin Hill: A Fabulous Vancouver Island Community

If you come to Vancouver Island for the weekend, and you just want to get a feel for the area, stay in Brechin Hill. It is a welcoming community with lot of amenities to offer, as well as a fantastic amount of access to the water. It is located near Nanaimo, in the northern portion of the city. Brechin Hill is between Central Nanaimo itself and Departure Bay. It is also close to Old City. When you visit, you will fall in love with what seems like a small, older community.

Brechin Hill Home for Sale

Brechin Hill Home | Image Provided by VIREB.

What You Will Love About Brechin Hill

There is plenty to enjoy in this community. Brechin Hill’s main housing option is the single family home, of which there are both numerous newer developments and some older homes. However, one of the hottest real estate options here is the waterfront condo. The views are stunning. Most of these properties are newer, giving you all of the modern amenities you are looking for in a home.

Still, Brechin Hill has more to offer today’s homeowner than just these amenities. It is also easy to get to the sea wall from here, giving boat owners outstanding access and providing fast access to the British Columbia Ferries you will likely need. You are also near to modern shopping and numerous restaurants in this area. And, for those looking for discerning fellow sailors, this is also the area where the Nanaimo Yacht Club calls home.

Many people will benefit from buying a home in Brechin Hill. Home values range from $350,000 up to $1.5 million or more. Custom built homes are available, though open land is hard and expensive to find. On the other hand, there are some treasured character homes here sure to be pleasing to any of today’s buyers. Which area is right for you? Let our agents help you to fall in love with Vancouver Island and all that the region has to offer to you.

April 21, 2016

Exploring the Options in Home Buying in Hammond Bay

Buying your first home or your tenth home can be an overwhelming experience even in today’s improving market conditions. When it comes to buying a home in Hammond Bay, one of the popular areas on Vancouver Island, it helps to work closely with an experienced, local real estate agent. For those looking for their dream home in this beautiful waterfront area, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

Hammond Bay Home for Sale

Home in Hammond Bay | Image Provided by VIREB.

What Can You Expect in Hammond Bay?

Hammond Bay is not necessarily the largest community on Vancouver Island, but it does have a great deal of opportunity for today’s homebuyer. The area is located at the very base of Departure Bay. It is in the northern portion of the town itself. You’ll be in Hammond Bay when you are along the waterfront itself in Nanaimo. For those who want to be close to area attractions such as Glen Oaks and Pipers Lagoon, this is the ideal choice.

Hammond Bay has a large number of options in terms of real estate style. You will find the area offers a number of luxury properties (many of which offer incredible views of the open water.) You will also see the area has a number of more affordable homes compared to other waterfront areas in and around Nanaimo. Home prices begin around $340,000 and can be priced at $1.3 million or higher depending on the property size, location, and age.

Hammond Bay is an up and coming community. It has plenty to offer including good local schools, numerous parks, and of course waterfront access. For some residents, the area’s more reserved climate makes it a great place to raise a family right on the water and near the big city.

It helps to take a tour of the area to really get a feel for what this neighbourhood has to offer. You are sure to find a community that feels like home to you here.

April 16, 2016

6 Reasons Why You Should Choose Us to Sell Your Home

Hey guys,

I want to talk to you today about why our marketing is so effective, why we sell our homes faster and for more money, and what we do to stand out from the crowd.

In this video I talk about the importance of excellent photography, lifestyle videos, leveraging google, social media marketing, having a professional marketing team and amazing people working with you.

 

If you’re thinking about selling your home and have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re happy to answer any and all questions you may have! 

Thanks,

Jason

Posted in Vancouver Island
April 14, 2016

Buying a Home in North Nanaimo

Vancouver Island offers a wide range of homes for today’s buyer. Many of those who buy a home here are looking for a specific type of neighbourhood or a community that feels right for their family’s needs. North Nanaimo may be one of the options you are thinking about because of its many amenities, beautiful homes, and affordability. Take a closer look at what this community has to offer real estate buyers.

North Nanaimo Home for Sale

Gated Home in Nanaimo | Image Provided by VIREB.

High Value and Beautiful

The key benefit of living in North Nanaimo is that you will be living right on or near the waterfront. You will find homes here that are priced around $300,000, many of which are starter homes or those slightly further from the waterfront. However, million dollar properties are present as well. There are plenty of options in the middle here.

What you will find in North Nanaimo is a large selection of newer homes. New development has really been the focus in this area, though you will find older homes including some historic properties on the market as well. Purchasing open land is expensive, but for those who want a waterfront dream home they custom build on the calm, coastal waters of Vancouver Island, it may be worthwhile to buy here.

The area is growing and with that has come a number of retailers and commercial regions. You are only a few minutes, no matter where you live here, from the North Town Centre area and the numerous shopping centers, restaurants, and coffee houses. Big box stores are here as well.

Nevertheless, you really are right on the water. North Nanaimo can give you what you need in a home for your family along with a large number of additional amenities such as the beaches and the waterfront. It is an area of Vancouver Island attracting a lot of attention because it has so much to offer today’s homebuyer. Take a closer look by giving our team a call.

 

April 8, 2016

Is Port Alberni Valley The Ideal Place To Call Home?

Vancouver Island offers a number of unique communities and smaller towns. Many of these areas are more rural since much of the island isn’t as developed as other areas of Vancouver and British Columbia. Nevertheless, if you plan to buy real estate here, it is essential for you to consider an area that offers the features and amenities right for your needs. One area to take into consideration is Port Alberni Valley. It could be right for you.

Port Alberni Valley Home for Sale

Port Alberni Valley Home | Image Provided by VIREB

Located nearly just between the western and eastern coasts of Vancouver Island, Port Alberni Valley has long been an important fixture in this area. It was once a mill town and you can find history still present in some of the buildings here. Today, it has become a tourism-centric area and ideal place to call home for the busy family. There are numerous reasons to buy a home here including the youth recreational programmes, including the junior hockey team that is well known here. A few more benefits include:

• The area’s large number of oceanfront homes that are very close to all of the amenities the community has to offer

• The area’s numerous lakefront properties, ideal for those who want a more rural experience

• Shopping, modern hospitals, and plenty of access to restaurants and day-to-day services

• Overall affordability is present throughout much of the area

• The recreational activities include both outdoor and indoor things to do

If you are thinking about buying a home at Port Alberni Valley, take the time to work closely with an experienced Vancouver Island real estate agent. Also, learn what to expect along the Pacific Rim of Vancouver Island. Get to know each of the various neighbourhoods here to find out which one can offer you the amenities you are looking for in a home. Take a look at both the western and downtown areas of Port Alberni to find some outstanding opportunities in both new construction and existing homes for sale. You’ll be impressed with your options.

April 6, 2016

Who Will Love Living in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island?

Nanaimo is one of the most popular locations on Vancouver Island for real estate purchases. That is because it is a growing city that’s surrounded by beautiful wilderness. Anyone can find the beauty that this area has to offer, but some people may enjoy owning property here more so than others.

Living in Nanaimo

Image Provided by VIREB

You Want To Spend Your Weekends Outdoors

With the numerous ferries and the expansive marina, those who want to enjoy the outdoors at their fullest will enjoy living in Nanaimo. The area’s mainland is ideal for any type of outdoor adventure, but those who want hunting, hiking, and canoeing will want to choose the areas of Cedar, Yellowpoint or Lantzville.

Shopping and Trendy Areas?

For some people, moving to Nanaimo means having better access to trendy shops and local restaurants. The area most definitely offers this. The main business hub is downtown, but there are also several shopping centres and traditional box stores throughout the area. If you want to live in the most trendy portion of the city, choose that downtown area with its revitalized core. It’s also a fantastic place to live when you want to be close to the theatres and Aquatic Center.

Flying Often?

If you plan to use your home purchase on Vancouver Island for your second home, you may be flying into and out of the area quite frequently. If this is what you plan to do, choose to live near the Nanaimo Airport. It is one of the largest and busiest in the area. And, it offers daily flights throughout the region, giving you ample access in and out of the area.

Nanaimo is a diverse place to call home. It is home to numerous smaller communities and neighbourhoods that can offer something for everyone. Take the time to work with an area real estate agent to get a better idea of what area is best for your specific needs.