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

Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley is an area not to overlook if you are looking to buy real estate here. There are many outstanding amenities located in this area and there are various communities located throughout it. Take a closer look at some of the features, amenities, and communities that may be ideal for your home purchase.

Image Provided by VIREB

Courtenay

The city of Courtenay is one of the largest in the Comox Valley. It is a very vibrant city that maintains its small town feel. The centre portion is a downtown shopping area and offers a number of local restaurants, shops, and a few artisan shops. You will find real estate here ranges but is mostly single family homes. This is the most modern city in the region with a number of smaller neighbourhoods within it. New construction and existing home sales are promising here.

Other Communities to Consider

A number of smaller and mostly rural communities are also scattered throughout the Comox Valley area. This includes the rural areas of Merville, Black Creek, and Cumberland. The homes here are smaller though purchasing open land to develop is also an ideal option here. You may also find the islands of Denman Island and Hornby Island to be excellent options for more remote living, especially if you want to live on the water. Many people spend their time enjoying the natural beauty that this area has to offer during the summer months.

Overall, the Comox Valley area offers something for everyone. You may wish to call it home during the winter ski season so you can take advantage of Mount Washington Alpine Resort. You can also find homes with incredible views of the forested area around this region as well as lakefront property.

Finding a home in Comox Valley on Vancouver Island can be all about an adventure. Whether you plan to build or buy an existing home, there is something here for everyone.

Taking a look at the real estate conditions on Vancouver Island can give you insight into whether or not you should buy here. Once regarded simply as a place to retire or explore the wilderness, today's Vancouver Island is home to a dynamic real estate market. Many of the area's cities are growing and the demand for high quality, but affordable housing has never been higher. If you plan to buy here, there are several key things to know about the area's market.

People Want to Live Here

With home values on the rise and the number of homes available to purchase dropping throughout Vancouver Island, it is incredibly important for you to buy now. The fact is, you may not have an opportunity like this again. Home prices are low but there is more interest from home buyers, which is helping to boost home values. You will likely see these values rise over the next few years, making it possible for you to build equity quickly, if you buy now.

The Area Has a Strong Tourism Focus

Many areas of Vancouver Island remain very tourism driven. This is also leading the way for investment buying on the island. If you long to have a weekend home or a property you can rent out, buy along the waterfront as well as in the heart of the older communities here. This is where most of the demand is. However, even cabins or smaller condos located in the heart of the wilderness can have a highly desirable value to those looking to rent for tourism.

Key to remember is that interest rates and overall market conditions on Vancouver Island remain very good right now. As you take into consideration all of the options for you to buy right now, think about what you hope to find here. Then, work closely with a local real estate agent to find the perfect place for your needs.

There are dozens of property owners on Vancouver Island looking to upgrade. The market is in prime condition for this. For many people, buying now makes sense. You may wish to move to a different section of the island. You may be looking for a better view, perhaps one of the bay. But, should you sell now?

Vancouver Island Home for Sale. Image Provided by VIREB.

Market conditions in Vancouver Island's many cities are ideal for selling right now. Here are a few reasons why you may wish to list your home for sale now rather than waiting any longer.

• Homes for sale are selling quickly. This means that you could find a home for sale to buy and then sell your own rather quickly often within a few months.

• Home buyers are interested. This is the ideal time of the year to list your home for sale because it provides an opportunity for buyers to get into a new home before the summer gets underway.

• Home inventory levels on Vancouver Island are lower now, significantly, compared to those levels just a few years ago. In fact, home inventory levels are much lower than they were because of the number of buyers in the market. That means there is less competition out there should you list.

• Home values are on the rise. This means that buying a home now could see your home's value rise substantially in the coming years, helping you to build equity.

• You'll still find plenty of homes on the market to buy especially in the upscale or higher value communities on Vancouver Island.

Take a few minutes to consider what it would mean to sell your home now. Within a few months you could be enjoying more of the benefits that Vancouver Island has to offer. You can learn more about the market and your home's worth by working with an area real estate agent to get the details. Why wait any longer to learn more?

~Timothy and Jason

Finding the ideal home to call your home on Vancouver Island isn't easy to do. The problem? There are numerous neighbourhoods and countless ideal locations to choose from. In most situations though, you will find the market offers plenty of reason to buy. Most of Vancouver Island offers both older homes as well as new construction. You can choose from homes that are single family, smaller properties and those that are estates, spanning thousands of square feet. It helps to get to know market conditions here, though, before making an investment.

Vancouver Island Home for Sale. Photo Provided by VIREB.

The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, which is a part of the Canadian Real Estate Association provided some insight into market conditions on Vancouver Island. Their overall take on the market is good - it shows no signs of slowing down, providing home buyers and home sellers with the perfect conditions for investing.

According to their recent report from February of 2016, the market saw 407 homes sell within the month. This compares to just 282 in February of 2015. That equates to more than a 44% increase in sales for the month. In terms of home sales from January of 2016, February saw growth of 58%. There were about 1,527 homes as active listings on Vancouver Island during the month. This is down about 23% from the previous year, which shows that the market demand for the region is high. Home sales in the area are also good for townhouses and apartment rentals are up.

While individuals need to make their own decisions about whether or not now is the time to buy and move to Vancouver Island, the market offers a positive, long-term outlook. Agents in the area expect from the rest of the year to be strong, even with some months breaking sales records. This type of demand could indicate the ideal conditions for buying a home in the area and seeing its value grow in the short term.

Cowichan Bay is not the largest area of Vancouver Island but it is one of the most popular for those looking to enjoy a peaceful existence alongside the beauty of the region. However, this location is much more urban than some of the surrounding regions, which can give you the best of both worlds. If you are considering an investment in this area, there are a few things you need to know about it before getting started.

What You'll Find in Cowichan Bay

Cowichan Bay offers a wide range of amenities and activities. You will find this is the perfect place to buy a loft or apartment if you are a foodie. It is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy the arts or even live music on the weekends. There are many smaller towns throughout this area of Vancouver Island, but one theme is present throughout them. It is an area focused on enjoying a higher quality of life, surrounded by and in appreciation of nature, but with modern amenities. It's the place you'll find bistros and cafes.

What About the Community Itself?

With the land and sea around you, you can spend your time here enjoying the richness of the region. At the same time, you can appreciate the diversity of those that live here. You will find professionals who have retired here alongside young families just getting started. Because there is a strong tourism centre here, you will also find many artisans. Take the time to get to know all that this area has to offer to you.

When looking for a place to buy a home in Cowhichan Bay, focus on working with a local professional that knows the region well. This can help to give you the best possible access to the region's best cities and neighbourhood. Take a few minutes to get to know each of the independent areas available to you here. See all homes for sale in Cowichan Bay here.

Duncan is the quaint town you are hoping to buy a home in on Vancouver Island. It is the type of place where you could spend your Saturday mornings biking through the forested areas and your evenings hanging out with friends at a local club. It is an area that is just off the Trans Canada Highway, but it feels as though it is tucked out of sight and away from the city. Take a closer look at what Duncan has to offer to you if you plan to buy a home in this area of Vancouver Island.

Duncan Home in a Forested Area | Image Provided by VIREB.

Duncan's Outstanding Lifestyle

Duncan is a happy and friendly community. You can feel it as soon as you take a short walk down the busy Downtown Duncan streets. You can stop and grab a bouquet of flowers or you can listen to the live music that is playing. There are often street performers and it is likely you will get a chance to participate in the Duncan Days Festival. The farmer's market is rich in local produce, but you will still find all of the modern amenities and features you want here as well.

When it comes to real estate in Duncan, expect to find something that fits your unique needs. The area has a great deal of options for single family home buyers including smaller, single family homes as well as larger estates. You can buy a large swath of land here or a small condo or townehome as well. In terms of value, the area is affordable and yet it is growing in value, making it a highly desirable place to call home.

Duncan can offer you something special. Could it be the type of place you simply long to call home? To find out, take a tour of some of the homes here and find out all that it can offer to you and your family. Start by browsing all Duncan homes for sale here.

Lovely downtown Nanaimo, ocean view condo. This beautiful three bedroom, one bathroom condo boasts great ocean views and is closely located to downtown Nanaimo's amenities such as shopping, the Port Theatre & our beautiful waterfront walkway. With two balconies, this condo has no shortage of gorgeous Nanaimo waterfront views. Enjoy your own walk-in closet, update stainless steel appliances and two secured parking stalls. This home is ready for you to move in and enjoy downtown city life. Call or email Jason today to set up a viewing. 1-778-269-1288 or jason@simsrealestate.ca.

If you are like many people looking for the ideal property to invest in, you know you want to buy a home on Vancouver Island. But, you are unsure where to buy, what to buy, and what to expect from this vast area of opportunities. There is some good news, though. Vancouver Island has something for everyone. For many people, Mill Bay is the ideal choice. Could it be your next home?

Home in Mill Bay | Image Provided by VIREB.

What Does Mill Bay Have to Offer?

Mill Bay is a local treasure and highly valued by those who have lived in the area for a long time. It is tranquil and more beautiful than other areas in the region. It also has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the area. As you look around, you will see old growth rainforests dotting the landscape. Look to the side and you'll see beautiful oceans with clean, rolling beaches. And, of course, there are pristine meadows and forested areas as well. Mountains, rivers, and lakes exist all in one location. Mill Bay is an attractive option for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty Vancouver Island has to offer.

What About the Community?

That's not to say that Mill Bay is all forested because it very much isn't. In fact, there are about 700,000 people that call this area home. Mill Bay is large and home to numerous larger cities including Campbell River, Nanaimo, and Victoria. In addition, the area has a wide range of smaller neighbourhoods and communities scattered throughout it.

Finding your treasure of a home is easy to do when buying in Mill Bay. Take the time to visit the area. Tour a few of the communities here. Find your ideal treasure among the hills and valleys here as well as the natural beauty of the region. There is likely an ideal place to call home located in this region.