Realtor® life

Realtor® life

 Part of a being a good Realtor® is being knowledgeable in your community. Knowing the answers when people ask them: Where do I take my dog to the vet; Where do I find a good Americano? Is there a good French Immersion school nearby? Do you know a babysitter? The list goes.  From septic field cleaning to coffee and wine drinking.. 

 I am constantly out and about. If you know me, you will know I can’t sit still for long. Even while writing this I will likely get up three times.  Moving around allows me to get out and learn about my community. It provides me the opportunity to enjoy what Parksville, Qualicum, Nanaimo, and surrounding area has to offer. 

 For example, this week I purchased client housewarming gifts. I like to buy local. Most of my client gifts I buy from Robert Held Art Glass. He is a glass blower and creates one-of-a-kind glass pieces for every taste and season. I can find a piece for everyone. I have clients who are millennials and have made a giant bar in their home. For them I was able to find a galaxy ball for this space in their new home. For my lovely friend who referred them to me, I was able to find a classy piece to hang in a window. Robert Held Art Glass even has a glass blowing experience where you can participate. I often take my kids in their to watch the process. Don’t miss it!

 On another day this week I hiked up Notch Hill in Nanoose Bay, BC. It is a 35-60 minute hike that loops around giving unobstructed views of the mountains and Nanoose Bay. This is a dog and child friendly hike but is a pretty good climb. Taking the lower ridge (left at the fork) will allow for a more gradual climb rather than straight up. The parking lot is easily accessible from Powder Point Rd (right hand side). Climb and enjoy!

My handsome hiking partner Crosby!

 What is it that you want to know about? I love it when people call, DM, or email me with questions about the area. If I don’t know, I will research it or I will go try it. Any excuse for me to go eat, drink, run, or experience something new. I am in! 

Real estate market information is not enough for people. Those that trust me with their real estate needs, trust me to find the right fit for their lifestyle. I call myself a lifestylist! Shannon Cutler Realtor®, community expert, and lifestylist. I like the sound of that! 

Real Estate Market Statistics - Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) released the following this week:

6100 Garside Road New single family home 4 sale

Our March 2019 statistics show that sales of single-family homes board-wide dipped by 23 per cent year over year. The good news is that March delivered a 36 per cent increase in home sales over February.

Last month, 309 single-family homes sold on the MLS® System compared to 399 in March 2018 and 227 in February. In the apartment and townhouse categories, sales dropped by 10 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively.

Housing sales have weakened throughout most of the province, which BCREA largely attributes to the mortgage stress test (Guideline B-20). In the VIREB area, the stress test is helping reduce demand for higher-priced properties and pushing buyers towards less expensive homes. In turn, this is compressing the lower end of the market.

THE NUMBERS: MARCH 2019

Active Listings Year Over Year

• Single-Family - up by 20 per cent (976 to 1,172)

• Apartments - up by 20 per cent (237 to 284)

• Townhouses - up by 24 per cent (148 to 183)

Benchmark Prices: Board-Wide

• Single-Family - $510,800 (6 per cent increase)

• Apartment - $319,800 (8 per cent increase)

• Townhouse - $414,700 (8 per cent increase)

Benchmark Prices: By Zone

• Campbell River - $417,200 (8 per cent increase)

• Comox Valley - $507,100 (8 per cent increase)

• Duncan - $471,500 (5 per cent increase)

• Nanaimo - $554,300 (4 per cent increase)

• Parksville-Qualicum - $577,300 (4 per cent increase)

• Port Alberni/West Coast - $299,400 (8 per cent increase)

Month over month, Campbell River, Parksville-Qualicum, and Port Alberni saw modest reductions in their benchmark prices while Comox Valley, Duncan, and Nanaimo recorded small increases.

Trend-wise, VIREB’s housing market has transitioned from one favouring sellers to one that is balanced or near balanced.

Source of Info: Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, April 2019 (http://www.vireb.com)

LOFT SPACES - HOUSE FLIP PROJECT STILL ON THE MARKET

Loft space - bright, open, warm and room for your ideas.

Well the house flip project, 355 Jensen Ave W, Parksville, has been listed for over a month. I wish I had news that the house had sold; or that we have even had any offers. We have not. Many Realtor® s have shown the home, some have even come twice. Still no offers. Thankfully, most of the Realtor® that have come through are professional enough to provide valuable showing feedback. Showing feedback has been as follows: “great renovations, but not sure about the loft space upstairs;” “concerned about what is going to be built in the lot behind.”

No offense taken to any of the feedback! I actually appreciate the time and effort a Realtor® and their client goes to, to send the house showing feedback.  

 I would like to encourage those shopping in the real estate market, especially those in the Parskville / Qualicum Beach area, to think of the loft space as a blank slate. Over the years the loft space has had many different functions: been a spare bed room with a futon or murphy bed, a children play room, a man cave, a yoga space, a computer / TV room, a women’s cave, and a teenager’s cave. Your imagination for this room is the limit for the use. 

 During the renovation we actually considered a major renovation, by taking the rear wall out and turning it into a closed in bedroom. This too, is possible.  Don’t let this room deter you from finding a home in this gorgeous house.

As for the property behind the home, on Hirst Ave, it has been vacant and for sale for 10 years intermittently.  Zoning on that street is for multi-family. The last known plan for the lot was for a 3-level condo building, not a 10 story apartment building. The backyard of 355 Jensen Ave is large and private.  There are well established trees in the yard and room to plant more.

 Do not let these two issues stop you! This home is under $550 000, is newly renovated, and has tons of extras to suit many lifestyles. Have you seen what is out there for $550 000? This is a fantastic option.

 The real estate market in the Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum (N Qualicum) areas are moving! T’is the season to find the home you deserve. Good luck in your search!