Victoria Day, this year on May 18th,  is celebrated throughout Canada as Queen Victoria's Birthday, and being the first long weekend of the season the holiday timing couldn't be better.   The tourist businesses and attractions are opening up and our city is putting on its early show with new flowers. Victoria is steeped in history as well as the arts. The Canadian Pacific Ballet is putting on a special performance of Victoria and Albert at the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Theatre, for this weekend only, 16 - 17 May, 2009. You can also see what life was like for soldiers in 1859 or World War II at a Military Encampment, showing British Columbia’s military history and re-enacted by over 30 volunteers at the Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site. You will see demonstrations, uniforms a... 05/12/2009

One of the Many Murals In The Little Town That Did, Chemainus BC, just North of Victoria BC on Vancouver Island. A very popular tourist designation.     Original Source Victoria Real Estate Blog Cheers Fred CarverRe/Max Camosun-Oak BayVictoria, BC250-598-2963 Find Hundreds of Victoria Homes For Sale Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale Copyright © 2009 By Fred Carver "All Rights Reserved""the little town that did wordless wednesday on vancouver island near victoria" 05/06/2009

I thought I would share with you the Current Heart Beat of the Victoria real estate market place Today around Greater Victoria. This Morning I looked up on our MLS system different districts throughout Victoria for Current residential single family Listings and Pending Sales...Surpising to see the Amount of Activity in Pending Sales...Wow.Here are 12 areas of Victoria that I searched Oak Bay there are Currently 87 Homes For Sale and 45 Pending Sales.That's better than 50% of the Listings in Oak Bay are Selling James Bay there are currently only 6 Homes For Sale in James Bay & 6 pending Sales..if this keeps up there will be nothing for Sale Fairfield there are currently 25 Homes For Sale in Fairfield with 21 Pending Sales...Wow What Slow Market:. Gordon Head  there are currently 45 homes... 04/30/2009

Now it Just Got Easier for Placing Furiture in your New Home...Imagine going home after seeing your Dream Home and Placing your Favorite Furntitre in your New Home...Re/Max of Western Canada Developed an interactive Space Planning Tool for Consumers to place their futiture in rooms. It's fun and easy to use this software. So take the Guess workout of placing your futiture in the rooms of your New Home before Moving Day or to See if your furiture will fit in the Rooms of a home before you make an offer to buy it....Enjoy :O)Here's what it looks like at the Re/Max of Western Canada Web site.... Enjoy :O) Original Source Victoria Real Estate Blog Cheers Fred CarverRe/Max Camosun-Oak BayVictoria, BC250-598-2963 Find Hundreds of Victoria Homes For Sale Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale ... 04/29/2009

  While prices have been falling off from historic highs in Victoria, buyers are now getting back into the market, especially in the lower end price range. In the greater Victoria area the average price for a single-family home in March 2009 was $534,689, down 10.46% from March of 2008, and the average price of a condo in March was $295,624, down 10% from March 2008. The main activity in the current market is in the $350K to $500K range. So, in spite of the current economic uncertainty, I am feeling very optimistic for the remainder of this year. 04/29/2009

Save Trees, Not Paper! Let's get together for Peace, Earth and Justice ... Earth Walk Victoria will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 12 noon. The walk starts at the Legislature lawns to Centennial Square. You can take a look at the Earth Walk Calendar on my website:http://www.david-stevens.ca/Victoria__BC_Canada/page_2022230.html   04/22/2009

The Current Sale of Real Estate Has picked up over the last few weeks,so this report may not indicate a market trend in the coming months in Oak Bay.View Larger Map Current Number of Townhouses For Sale in Oak Bay = 7Average Asking Price= $570,843Average Days on the Market = 143Current Pending No Sales =  1        Pending Selling Price=  $555,500Days on the Market = 125Townhouses Sold in 2009(completed sales Jan 1 to April 8) = 4Average selling price = $353,000Average Days on the Market = 44Current Number of Condo's For Sale in Oak Bay = 22Average Asking Price = $494,975Average Days on the Market = 72Current Pending No Sales =  4Average Pending Selling Price =  $733,225 ( one sale at 1,8 million raising the average, other wise the average from the other 3 would be $377,633)  Days on the... 04/07/2009

ReMember to Visit The Easter Bunny It's Not to Late  to Drop Down to Any Of The Victoria London Drug Stores to Have your have Your Children's Picture taken with the Easter BunnyStore Hours Listed Below... Have Fun :O)) Enjoy :O) Original Source Victoria Real Estate Blog Cheers Fred CarverRe/Max Camosun-Oak BayVictoria, BC250-598-2963 Find Hundreds of Victoria Homes For Sale Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale Copyright © 2009 By Fred Carver "All Rights Reserved""the easter bunny is in victoria this week so bring your kids" 04/06/2009

Mark your Calenders for the Tenth Annual tour of Oak Bay Artist in their studio's Date: April 18 to 19th Time: Noon to 4:30 PM both days.Presented Free by Recreation Oak BayDown Load The  Artist Location Map and Information Brochure Have a Fun Day..Buy some Original art from the Artist of your Choice Original Source Victoria Real Estate Blog Cheers Fred CarverRe/Max Camosun-Oak BayVictoria, BC250-598-2963 Find Hundreds of Victoria Homes For Sale Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale Copyright © 2009 By Fred Carver "All Rights Reserved""Oak Bay artist studio tour April 19 & 19 victoria bc" 04/03/2009

I bought a collection of Cartoons Several Years ago to use..320 to be exact. I thought I might Share them with you all, Have a good laugh:O) Please feel Free to pass this along to your clients, friends and of course everyone in Active Rain you Think needs a laugh :O))   Original Source Victoria Real Estate Blog Cheers Fred CarverRe/Max Camosun-Oak BayVictoria, BC250-598-2963 Find Hundreds of Victoria Homes For Sale Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale Copyright © 2009 By Fred Carver "All Rights Reserved""todays humor" 04/02/2009

Come to Victoria just Follow the Birds and visit the Garden City of Canada, Victoria homeowners love their gardens and so they should, it sure beats the heck out of shoving Snow all Winter. So when in Victoria go Golfing or gardening Victoria's favorite year round pastime. Cheers   Fred CarverRe/Max CamosunVictoria, BC250-598-2963www.fredcarver.comwww.victoriahomesandproperties.com   04/01/2009

Victoria BC is the Jewel on the South Eastern End of Vancouver Island. View Larger Map In 2006 Victoria ranked as the third best city to live in the Americas..It Probably should be number one with it now Positioned to lead in Economic Growth for Canada in 2009. Victoria certainly  is no longer a secret to most of the World. Watch this detailed Video on the Economic well being and benefits of living in Victoria BC The City offers the mildest Climate in all of Canada where residents do their annual flower count Starting in February  and into March...Bragging to the rest of the World that is still deep in Snow. Victoria and Vancouver Island is surround by the Pacific Ocean and it's West Coast Natural Beauty. The 50 Degree waters help keep the Climate Mild throughout the year. Victoria is t... 03/31/2009

Effective March 31, 2009 Home Inspectors in BC will have to be licensed. British Columbia is the first Province in Canada to Licence home inspectors. Licensing will fall under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA)by March 31, 2009. Assessing the qualifications of and requiring mandatory Licensing for home inspectors. Receiving and responding to complaints from Consumers. Monitoring compliance through inspections and enforcement, with Penalties that can range as high as $5,000 To become licensed, and inspector will need to meet the qualifications of either the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors BC Branch; the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia; or the National Certification Program for Home and Property Inspectors.... 03/25/2009

We here at Fred Carver Real Estate Marketing Re/Max Camosun continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below you will find Saanich Pensinsula ( includes N. Saanich, Sidney and Central Saanich) area of  Victoria real estate review March 23_09. View Larger Map Current  Listings: homes,condo's and townhouses on the market= 306 Number of Total pending sales= 57 New Listings this month:  67  New Pending Sales this month:  29  New Pending Sales over the Last 30 days = 28 Number of Sold's this month (completed sale)=  16  Average Single Family Home Selling (pending sales) price this month: $636,520  Average Days on Market= 60 Average Condo/Townhouse Selling Price this month: $419,611 Average Days on the Market = 72 Numbe... 03/23/2009

      In Victoria, British Columbia real estate sales bounced back in February of this year, with a substantial 63% increase over January, and prices for single family homes and condos rose by 16% compared to February of 2008. With great mortgage rates offered at the moment in Victoria, e.g. 3.25% for 1 year, and a 5 year closed at 3.85%,  there seems to be more "first-time buyers" on the search for a home. Also noticeable is the rise in sales so far this month (March), with SOLD signs showing up in all areas of Victoria. Let's hope the "rebound" continues!Photo: Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria, BC David Stevens Real EstateSuperior Service. Plain and Simple. I fully participate in referrals. 250.893.1016 www.david-stevens.ca www.victoriahomes.bc.ca   03/20/2009

  Did you know that the person who became St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales! Having lived on the border of Wales as a child I never knew about St. Patrick until I recently read his background online, and was surprised to read he was Welsh! I don't remember any St. Patrick's Day events in Wales, but it seems that the biggest celebration, outside of Ireland, is the St. Patrick's Day Parade in the US, which was first celebrated in 1737. St. Patrick's followers apparently adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock, representing the Trinity. Tomorrow (March 17th) in Victoria, the local pubs and clubs will have green drink specials, green girls, green prizes, etc etc. Further up Vancouver Island, in Courtney, the Irish group Will Millar and Friends are touring with the... 03/16/2009

We here at Fred Carver Real Estate Marketing Re/Max Camosun continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below you will find James Bay BC real estate statistic's for February 15, 2009 to March 15, 2009. View Larger Map New listings homes, condo’s and townhouses   = 19 Number of new pending Single family home sales  = 5 Number of homes Sold’s (completed sale) = 1 Number of home listing expiring in end of July= 2 Current Pending Sales -Average days on the market DOM= 44  Year to-date Single Family home Sales (03/15/08 to 03/15/09) Activity:  Solds = 32 Current Active listings in James Bay single family homes 9, condo's and townhouses  57 Average Current Pending Selling Price in James Bay: Single family homes = $538,08... 03/15/2009

Photo courtesy of Gary Woodburn Most people think of Canada as a cold and snowy country.  Well, not on Vancouver Island! The Victoria flower count is usually held during the last week of February, but this year it has been postponed to March 18th and lasts until March 23, not because of weather or the budget, but Rob Gialloreto, CEO of Tourism Victoria said the issue was due to the number of hours required by staff, as they were the sole programmer for the count.   Freshly cut daffodils have been sent across North America, for the past 33 years, to announce our Annual Flower Count.    While the rest of Canada and much of the US is still in the depths of cold winter weather, Victoria often enjoys spring temperatures of 10-15° Celsius (up to 60° Fahrenheit).     Oh, and by the way, we can... 03/14/2009

We here at Fred Carver Real Estate Marketing Re/Max Camosun continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below you will find Oak Bay real estate market update from February 7/09 to March 7/09. New listings of Homes, Condo’s and Townhouses in Oak Bay = 38 Number of New Pending Sales= 4 Number of Sold’s (completed sale)= 14 Number of homes, Condo's and Townhouses Listings Expiring= 1 Current Pending Sales -Average days on the market= 93 Year to-date (02/03/08 to 02/03/09)  Activity:  Solds = 262  Total Pending Sales = 20 Current Active MLS Listings of homes, condo’s and townhouses = 143 Average Current Pending Selling Price in Oak Bay : Single Family Homes = $683,806 from 18 new sales. Condo & Townhouse = $1,126,000 f... 03/09/2009

We here at Fred Carver Real Estate Marketing Re/Max Camosun continuously monitor local  real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.    Below you will find Fairfield & Rockland real estate market update from February 7/09 to March 7/09.   New listings of Homes, Condo’s and Townhouses in Fairfield & Rockland = 38   Number of New Pending Sales= 7   Number of Sold’s (completed sale)= 18   Number of homes, Condo's and Townhouses Listings Expiring= 3   Current Pending Sales -Average days on the market= 55   Year to-date (02/03/08 to 02/03/09)  Activity:  Solds = 281 Total Pending Sales = 12   Current Active listings of homes, condo’s and townhouses = 111   Average Current Pending Selling Price in Fairfield & Rockland: Single Family Homes = $712,714... 03/09/2009