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Nanaimo, BC Real Estate News

By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Lovely ocean view character home in Brechin Hill, Nanaimo   Our office tour today included a lovely ocean view character home in Brechin Hill.  The address is 65 Dawes Street.  I fell in love with this home.  I was wishing that I was house hunting for myself.   For an older home it was full of windows and was very well lit.  As you walk in the front door you enter into a lovely living room with many windows and a gas fireplace.  There is a great view of the harbour from there.  Opposite the living room is a wonderful, classic, formal dining room.  The kitchen is open and has high ceilings and an eating area.   On the main floor you will find a bedroom with a four piece bathroom.  The master bedroom and a guest bedroom are located upstairs.  One of the greatest features of this home is t...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Top 5 reasons to save some money before buying a home Are you considering purchasing your first home in Nanaimo?  If so, it is an exciting time for you.  One of the key ingredients to a smooth home purchase is money.  First time home buyers are often surprised by the total costs associated with buying a home.  It is important to have saved up some funds before applying for a mortgage.  In fact, a lack of up-front money is one of the most common reasons a mortgage application will be denied. Saving money to purchase your first home in Nanaimo is important.  The following are the top five extra costs that arise when purchasing a home: 1.        Down Payment - When you buy a home, you’ll have to make a down payment of some kind.  The size of down payment required varies depending upon the ...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Nanaimo and area web cams I was reading a blog post by another Realtor who works in California.  He had done a post on the web cams in his area.  I thought that was a great idea and thought I would do one on the web cams in the Nanaimo and surrounding area . Here is a most important web cam that allows you to view the state of local highways http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/9.html Departure Bay Ferry & Duke Point Nanaimo Ferry Terminal webcam  http://www.bcferries.com/current_conditions/webcams.html Pipers Lagoon webcam http://www.bigwavedave.ca/webcams.php?cam=9 Additional Vancouver Island webcams-  Here is a great site that offers a whole page of different web cams of Nanaimo and other Vancouver Island destinations. http://www.goandroam.com/webcams/canada/nanaimo/ I ...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Reasons to sell your Nanaimo home this Fall I have been asked numerous times if the Fall is a good time to sell a house in Nanaimo.  My answer is a resounding YES! Here are a couple of reasons why this Fall is a good time to sell your Nanaimo home: 1.  We have been experiencing a Buyer's Market for most of 2011.  Buyer's have not been quick to make offers as there has been no sense of urgency.  With many properties for them to choose from they are content to wait for the right home at the right price.  However, in the Fall, the buyer's still out there are serious and more ready to make a buying decision.  You may get fewer showings than in the spring but the buyer's are more motivated. 2.  Traditionally there is less inventory on the market this time of the year than in the spring. Most...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Nanaimo Real Estate - What’s selling and for how much?     How do you analyze the Nanaimo real estate market?  This is a very important question for both buyers and sellers.  For buyers looking at real estate in Nanaimo the main concerns are price, selection and timing.  For people selling their Nanaimo home the important factors are timing, level of inventory (competition) on the market and how much they can ask for their home. I hope the following figures, stats and graphs may assist both buyers and sellers.   Here’s the type of real estate sold in Nanaimo in August (source VIREB):   Property Type    Number of unit’s        Average price Single Family            110 units                  $365,537 Single Family (Water)   3                           $493,167 Condo (Apt)               1...
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By RhondaHeaslip NanaimoRealEstate
(RE/MAX of Nanaimo)
I am wanting to blog on a personal note today. I am less than a month away from representing Canada at the 2011 World Masters Powerlifting Championships and my thoughts and energies turn to it now every night when I go to bed, and again in the morning when I awaken. The work ethic it demands permeates my efforts in both my career and personal life, causing me to strive harder for perfection, push the envelope to sharpen my skills and strengths, and accept nothing less than success. It has, indeed, awakened the warrior within. I am grateful for my sport...and I am grateful for my competitors, whom I am honoured to measure myself against. They are the best on the planet and I am honoured to lift against them and be counted among them. An added honour has been given to me recently: I have ...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Nanaimo real estate statistics- August 2011 It’s time to have a look at Nanaimo real estate statistics for the month of August ,2011. According to the stats it appears that there has been an improvement in the market over the past month.  It seemed really busy to me in August, and now the numbers prove that it was a good, solid month in real estate in Nanaimo. The Cumulative Residential Average Single Family Sale Price is up by 5% over August 2010.  The average sale price was $365,537 in August 2011 compared to $348,930 in August 2010. The following are the single family market changes for August 2011 compared with August 2010 -  There were 207 units listed this August compared to 191 units in August 2010. -  21% more units were sold this August over August 2010 -  The average sale pric...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
 Real Estate in Nanaimo - Absorption rates  It’s that time again to have a look at current trends in real estate in Nanaimo. I spent some time this morning looking at the latest real estate stats published by VIREB( Vancouver Island Real Estate Board).  Based on the information they have supplied I have calculated the absorption rates for real estate here in Nanaimo. This information helps me understand the real estate market in Nanaimo and where it is headed.  The definition of absorption rates is the number of weeks it takes to sell the current real estate inventory in Nanaimo at the present rate of sales.  The market was a little slow this past spring and early summer.  However, the market picked up in late summer.  I thought it would be interesting to calculate how many weeks it wou...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Hawthorne Estates Nanaimo – A Review   Our weekly real estate tour took us through Hawthorne Estates, in the University District of Nanaimo, today.  I am always happy to tour homes in Hawthorne Estates.  The neighbourhood is made up of new and newish homes.   Hawthorne Estates is made up of several hundred homes and has been built in three phases.  The developers are Insight Developments.  The development is situated near Nanaimo’s city centre and is just three blocks from Vancouver Island University.   In addition, Hawthorne Estates is situated close to schools, pools, ice rinks, playing fields and Buttertubs Marsh and is close to the Parkway.   Homes in Hawthorne Estates range in Price from around $380,000 up to the high $400,000’s.  We viewed the following two homes today:   497 Poet...
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By Douglas Belcher, RE/MAX, Nanaimo ABR ePRO SRES
(Chateau Realty)
Renovated two bedroom condo with in-suite laundry and hardwood floors and a dishwasher. This renovated unit in Pacific View Terrace is steps to downtown and the seawall. Rentals are allowed. Selling for $12,000 below 2007 sale price. Pets allowed (no dogs) (see bylaws). Set in nice area and surrounded by heritage homes. Nice 2 bedroom condos that are rentable with in-suite laundry under $160,000 are rare..act quickly, this one will sell fast. Nanaimo Real Estate    
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By RhondaHeaslip NanaimoRealEstate
(RE/MAX of Nanaimo)
BEAUTIFUL MARINA VIEWS at an affordable price is what you'll find in this centrally located unit at Harbour City One. Having undergone extensive remediation this building is now like new. All the special levy for this unit is paid and no more is expected. Upon entering you are welcomed by a bright, open main living area and loads of view windows. There are also two decks to take in the views. In the kitchen you will find all new appliances and there is also an in-unit laundry team. Freshly painted throughout in soft, easy colours, this canvas awaits your artistic decorating touches. As an added bonus, the common area offers a meeting room, hot tub and sauna areas. Centrally located with lovely views, easy access to buses and shopping, or simply strolling along the marina; This unit is a...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Considering buying a first home in Nanaimo? Are you considering buying a first home in Nanaimo? Are you still renting and wishing you could buy your own home?  If so, now is the time for buying a first home in Nanaimo. Why is now such a good time to buy?  There are several reasons why it makes sense to buy now: 1.  Lot's of inventory - The Nanaimo real estate market has been experiencing a slight downward trend.  Trends in real estate are similar to the trends in the stock market.  The markets are both cyclical.  In other words they go up and down.  The Nanaimo real estate market has been slow over the past 12 months.  A slow market is a good time for to buy.  There is lot's of inventory and homes are taking longer to sell therefore putting pressure on home sellers to price their homes ...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
The most expensive home and the least expensive home in Nanaimo I noticed another real estate blogger on Active Rain had done a post on the broad range of prices of homes available in his area.  I thought that was a great idea so I have done up my own blog post on the most expensive home and the least expensive home in Nanaimo. As of today the most expensive home in Nanaimo is worth $4,500,000.  For this price you will get a lovely home on your very own island!  Jesse Island is a small island at the entrance to Departure Bay, and is fully serviced.  The island comes with a 2400 sq. foot home and 9 acres of island.  You also get a deepwater docking facility that allows for 3-4 boats as well as a a caretakers home.    As for the least expensive home in Nanaimo I have found two.  One is a ...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Single women and real estate sales in Nanaimo  I was interested to learn that according to NAR (National Association of Realtors) 20% of home buyers in 2010 were made up of unmarried women.   It stands to reason that this statistic stands true for real estate sales in Nanaimo, in 2010.   What was equally interesting was that only 12% of single men purchased real estate during the same time.  There were 8% more single women than single men buying real estate in 2010.  According to The Joint Center for Housing Studies in the US there are several reasons that single women are buying homes:    1.        Relocation for job or family;    2.        Desire for a larger space;    3.        The desire to have a home of their own (nesting)    4.        Low mortgage rates     5.        Desire to ha...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
The 5 best things about Living in Nanaimo On this beautiful, sunny August day I have been reflecting on how much I enjoy living in Nanaimo.  I was listing in my head what I really appreciate about living in this lovely city.  Hence, a great blog post idea! The top 5 things about Living in Nanaimo       1.       The people - Many of the people who live in Nanaimo, live here by choice.  There are many transplants like us, who made a conscious decision to move their families or themselves to this harbour city.  This group of transplants noted all the positive aspects of Nanaimo and chose to live here based on those aspects.       2.       The beaches - I love that I am able to walk, within minutes, to a lovely beach.  In fact if I ride my bike or drive I have a huge choice of different, of...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Moving to Nanaimo? Are you planning on moving to Nanaimo ?  Are you uncertain as to the best neighbourhood to settle in?   If so, you may find my detailed Nanaimo neighbourhood information very helpful as you start looking for your new home. The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) divides the City into 18 different Nanaimo neighbourhoods. With so many Nanaimo neighbourhoods to choose from how does one choose where to live? For information on the 18 different neighbourhoods, including a brief description of the characteristics of each click here. You can also follow this link to a map of Nanaimo neighbourhoods, to search for homes by neighbourhood. The following link will direct you to a graph of average housing costs by area in Nanaimo. If an area is of particular interest to you...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Property Disclosure Statement – What is it & why is it used? In Nanaimo, as well as the rest of B.C., it is law that when listing a home you must complete a Property Disclosure Statement.   The property disclosure statement is a document completed by the seller, about the property they are trying to sell.  The PDS is part of the paperwork necessary to list a house.  There are specific property disclosure statements for residential, strata and rural property. Why is a property disclosure statement important? The seller and the seller’s licensee (Realtor) must, by law, disclose any known material latent defects in the property to the buyer.  The property disclosure statement helps protect the parties against allegations of negligent misrepresentation. Some of the trouble areas include: bo...
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Nanaimo School District School supplies lists It’s back to school time in Nanaimo.  With back to school comes back to school shopping.  Not only do we want to purchase some new clothes for our kids but we also need to buy school supplies.  In order to make that shopping easier for you I thought I would do a post on the Nanaimo School District School supplies lists. I’ve scanned the net to compile a list of shopping options to make school supply shopping a bit easier for you.  If you did not receive a supply list from your child’s school in June you can use the following websites and stores listed below to get a copy.   Nanaimo School District School supplies lists. Teachers File - Visit this link and enter your child’s school name for a list specific to that school. http://www.teachersf...
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By Douglas Belcher, RE/MAX, Nanaimo ABR ePRO SRES
(Chateau Realty)
Ocean view building lot with .48 acres of land. Build your dream home and have plenty of room for garden or shop. This lot may have dual frontage from Bradbury Road if it is extended. Look around at other available large ocean view lots and you will find this is something special. Close to North Town Centre and the water in a nice quiet area.   Douglas BelcherREMAX of Nanaimo  
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By Lynn Donn, Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC
(Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty)
Nanaimo school district calendar 2011-2012 By the middle of August each year, I start looking around to see where I put all the information my son came home with, the last day of school.  Usually we receive a list of school supplies and a Nanaimo school district calendar. I find that I refer to the Nanaimo school district calendar many times throughout the school year.  It’s wonderful to be able to refer to it when planning holidays etc.  With that in mind, I thought it would be very helpful to other Nanaimo parents to post this calendar online.  Please feel free to print off a copy for your bulletin board. Nanaimo school district calendar 2011-2012 School Opens Tuesday September 6 Thanksgiving Day Monday October 10 Pro-D-Day Ministry designated Tuesday October 11 District Pro-D Day Fri...
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