Victoria Real Estate Bloghttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/blogVictoria British Columbia real estate market news provided by Philip IllingworthMon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTBest Basement Suite Ever! My son lives in an old character house that has four legal suites.  He lives in one and rents out the two upstairs.  For the last several months, he has been toiling on re-building the fourth suite, which had been unused for a number of years.

The end result is beautiful!

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Best-Basement-Suite-Everhttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Best-Basement-Suite-EverMon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTA Most Spectacular Day in Victoria, BC Today was beyond unbelievable!  Blue sky, no wind, warm sunshine and the ocean glistening like a jewel.

Here is a photo of the rhodo in our front year.  This is the most beautiful it has been for several years.

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/A-Most-Spectacular-Day-in-Victoria-BChttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/A-Most-Spectacular-Day-in-Victoria-BCSat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTGreat Condo for Sale in Victoria, BC This condo, at 204-1537 Morrison is in an ideal location near Oak Bay Border and has insuite laundry - a major bonus!  It's a small building that permits a small dog or cat and the unit is very well kept.  Priced at $269,900.

Call or email today to set up a showing.

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Great-Condo-for-Sale-in-Victoria-BChttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Great-Condo-for-Sale-in-Victoria-BCWed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTHousing For Older Canadians Older Canadians are a growing demographic group and have unique needs and preferences. This Guide targets housing developers and non-profit groups interested in developing or sponsoring housing that is specifically geared to older Canadians. It is being published on-line in five volumes, each of which will cover a broad topic area:  1. understanding the market, 2. conducting market analysis, 3. planning a project, 4. designing a project, & 5. deciding which services and amenities to offer and how to offer them. Volume 1 — Understanding the Market provides a broad overview of the seniors market in Canada and of trends in seniors' housing arrangements, incomes, and retirement. The other four volumes are expected to be completed in 2012.

  Read Full Article Here

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Housing-For-Older-Canadianshttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Housing-For-Older-CanadiansTue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTInner Harbour, Victoria BC This beautiful yacht was anchored at the Inner Harbour on Friday, 04 May.

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Inner-Harbour-Victoria-BChttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Inner-Harbour-Victoria-BCMon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTThe History of Our Front Step Our house, in the middle of our street, is 98 years old.  We are having the front step re-painted.  It was interesting to see the myriad of former front step colours before getting down to the bare wood.

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/The-History-of-Our-Front-Stephttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/The-History-of-Our-Front-StepSun, 06 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTMy Helpful Dog We have two Golden Retrievers who retrieve absolutely nothing!  They are now 10 years old and have slowed down a bit.

Here is a photo of Kia, helping with the recycle.  On her way to the recycle bin, she got lost and went to her dog bed where she shredded the box into many tiny pieces.

And here, helping with the laundry.  Clever doggie!

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/My-Helpful-Doghttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/My-Helpful-DogFri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTHappy May Day in Victoria, BC It's May....already!  The sun is kind of out and the wind is not too cold.  Sadly for our four legged canine pals, this is the first day dogs are not allowed on Willows Beach until the end of September.

This house and garden is located about three blocks from us, just across the street to the main entrance to Willows Beach Park.  Every year, they have an unbelievably colourful display of tulips and daffodils.  In particular, I like their window boxes.

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Happy-May-Day-in-Victoria-BChttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Happy-May-Day-in-Victoria-BCTue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTWe Had a Small Party We invited our friend Lori and Steve and Frank and Shirley over for an evening of appetizers.  My wife made Hot Horseradish Dip, Beef Satay with Jerk Sauce, Pork Dumplings in a Cilantro Cream Sauce and Spicy Chicken Wings from Sam Choy.  Here are the Chicken wings:

I get hungry just looking at the photo....they were delicious!

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/We-Had-a-Small-Partyhttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/We-Had-a-Small-PartyMon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTSouth Oak Bay Open House This Weekend Great 1 1/2 storey home, suitable for families or retirees.  The location is so convenient to everything- the beach, Oak Bay Marina, Oak Bay Village, Oak Bay Rec Centre and more.

Open House this Saturday, 28 April 2PM-4PM.  Please stop by and see for yourself.

2625 Orchard Avenue.     $734,900.00

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/South-Oak-Bay-Open-House-This-Weekendhttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/South-Oak-Bay-Open-House-This-WeekendThu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT1909 Samuel Maclure Beauty in Victoria, BC This very grand home is currently a legal duplex, but can be switched back to a single family residence.  This home boasts beautiful woodwork, floors and stained glass.  Samuel Maclure was one of British Columbia's most prominent architects.

Please call for an appointment for your personal tour.

1606-1608 Belmont Street.  $759,900

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/1909-Samuel-Maclure-Beauty-in-Victoria-BChttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/1909-Samuel-Maclure-Beauty-in-Victoria-BCMon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTVictoria, BC - A Fabulous to Live! Sunday, 22 April - it's sunny and warm.  At Willows Beach today there are kayakers, sailboats, a whale watching Zodiac, lots of dogs and even more small children!

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Victoria-BC-A-Fabulous-to-Livehttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Victoria-BC-A-Fabulous-to-LiveSun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTMy Open House On Orchard Avenue I tried something new today, but please don't tell my wife!

I thought the smell of freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cookies would entice people to come in for the Open House.  Worked like a charm!  Kitchen smelled great and cozy with a home-like feel.

Full Disclosure:  my wife knows as she made the dough, pre-baked some cookies at home, set everything up for me, and gave me step-by-step instructions.

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/My-Open-House-On-Orchard-Avenuehttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/My-Open-House-On-Orchard-AvenueSat, 21 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTSouth Oak Bay Open House - New to Market! First time on the market in 51 years!  This 1930's storey and half bungalow is located steps to Oak Bay Marina and the beach and a short walk to Oak Bay Village.  Large Master bedroom and den located on main level with two good sized bedrooms upstairs.

Please stop by at our Open House on Saturday, 21 April from 2PM-4PM. 

MLS:  307684.      Price:  $734,900.00       Address:  2625 Orchard Avenue

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/South-Oak-Bay-Open-House-New-to-Markethttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/South-Oak-Bay-Open-House-New-to-MarketFri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTOpen House In Victoria, BC This Weekend Please come and see this incredible condo in the fabulous Shutters.  Two bedrooms, three bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows with Inner Harbour views and an unbelievable deck.

807-66 Songhees Road

Saturday, 14 April 2PM-4PM

$629,900.00

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Open-House-In-Victoria-BC-This-Weekend-2http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Open-House-In-Victoria-BC-This-Weekend-2Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTMy Wife's Easter Dinner My wife volunteers at Our Place three days a week, and has done so for more than three years.  She also helps out with special functions, such as the Easter Dinner shown in the video below.  Our Place is a facility in Victoria that houses 45 residents and serves about 1500 meals a day to the working poor and street people. 

My wife, Janet can be seen in the video, close to the start with a black and white shirt on and then later, peeling potatoes.  My daughter Meg was here Easter Weekend with her fiance, so Janet recruited her as well.  Meg can be seen toward the end of the video, behind the counter serving food.  She is the younger of those behind the counter.

If you have a moment, please watch the video.  It's pretty cool!

Click here to view

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/My-Wifes-Easter-Dinnerhttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/My-Wifes-Easter-DinnerThu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTHeat Recovery Ventilators for Your Home. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) are designed to exhaust stale air from your home while recovering and using its heat to warm incoming fresh air. While HRVs can help make your home a clean, healthy and comfortable environment, they need to be maintained to work properly. This checklist for homeowners reviews seven basic steps for maintaining an HRV, including the cleaning and replacing of filters and the servicing of fans. Included is a simple test to determine if your HRV has balanced fresh air flow and exhaust air flow. You'll receive guidance about when to call a service technician and an easy-to-follow maintenance calendar.

Read the full article here

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Heat-Recovery-Ventilators-for-Your-Homehttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Heat-Recovery-Ventilators-for-Your-HomeWed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTGreat Oak Bay Location Coming to Market Soon Soon to be on the market!  Located steps from the Marina and the beach, this classic 1930's bungalow boasts a charming and bright living room with oak floors and fireplace.  Full sized dining room, again with oak floors.  Large master bedroom, den with fireplace, full bath, laundry and kitchen with access to south facing deck complete the main.

Upstairs two more good sized bedrooms.  Great family house in great location.

 

 

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Great-Oak-Bay-Location-Coming-to-Market-Soonhttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Great-Oak-Bay-Location-Coming-to-Market-SoonTue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTEaster in Oak Bay Hey...who says I don't help around the house?  Here I am shortly before the ambulance was called....just kidding!  I'm even too tired to open my eyes!

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Easter-in-Oak-Bayhttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Easter-in-Oak-BaySun, 08 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMTHappy Easter, Everyone! I'm hoping everyone has good times with family and friends and safe travels wherever this holiday weekend may take you.

]]>http://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Happy-Easter-Everyonehttp://www.allvictoriabcrealestate.com/Blog/Happy-Easter-EveryoneSat, 07 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT