Real Estate is moving along. This week I've seen SOLD signs everywhere, and mortgage rates are low. For example, the current 1 year rate is available at 3.5%. We've seen every aspect of weather here in Victoria today. This morning was beautifully sunny, this afternoon we had hailstones, and this evening we have snow. It's unbelievable to have this cold weather when the Cherry Blossom trees are already out in bloom all over the city. Please contact me for all your Vancouver Island real estate needs. I would be happy to hear from you, and offer superior service - plain and simple. David StevensEmail: davidstevensroyallepage.caWeb: www.david-stevens.ca or www.victoriahomesbc.ca     03/07/2009

The Canadian Federal Government introduced a NEW 1st Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit in the budget. This is great news for First Time Home Buyers......along with Record Low Mortgage Interest rates now is a great time for New Home Buyers.In 2009 and subsequent years, the budget proposes to introduce a New non-refundable tax credit, based on an amount of $5,000, for certain home buyers that acquire a qualifying home after this past January 27, 2009 Called the  Home Buyer Tax Credit  or HBTC An new home individual will qualify for the HBTC if: they acquire a qualifying home; and Neither the individual nor the individual’s spouse or common-law partner owned and lived in another home in the year of purchase or any of the four preceding years. What is a qualifying home for a Tax Credit? is a hou... 03/05/2009

Increased Buyer Activity in 2009  has turned into a warmer Real Estate Market in Victoria,BC. In fact, as the year progresses sales are stronger in the Month of February.... up 63 % over January of this year. Source : March 2, 2009 VREBWe may all look back and Say December 2008 was the Bottom of the Victoria Market and we should have bought. In Victoria we are seeing some Multiple offers going on as February Winds Down. March is showing signs of continuing with February's increased Sales and Buyer Activity.Home Buyers Sitting on the Fence to Wait for Prices to drop maybe disappointed and wished that they acted on their home purchase in Victoria this Winter... The following Saying may apply " If You Snooze You Loose" What's really important is to find that Special Home that meets and eve... 03/03/2009

Victoria has all the fun, starting at our spectacular Inner Harbour from March 4 to March 8, 2009. For a $10 ticket, which can be bought at 59 venues, including the Tourist Information Centre, Thrifty Foods and BC Lottery Outlets, you can obtain free admission to the following places: Abkhazi Garden Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Beacon Hill Children's Farm British Columbia Aviation Museum CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum Glendale Gardens and Woodland Hatley Park National Historic Site (Gardens) Pacific Undersea Gardens Marine Ecology Centre Mineral World & Scratch Patch Miniature World Royal London Wax Museum Sidney Historical Museum Sooke Region Museum In addition to the above tourist places there are many more free offers, discounted and special offers from various companies. T... 02/27/2009

Need an easy to use Back up and file sharing Program?.... I just started using a really easy program for File Sharing that is a safe way to back up your Files and Sync with your files, photos and songs with other computers. It's Called GetDropBox.com . You just create a folder  under my documents to to Save Files, Photos, Songs etc that you want to Sync online to so you can share them on another  computer at at home or in the Office and even go online at a clients house with your lap top and receive a file you have saved you wish to show a client or need to use as an addendum for a contract you are witting. I just started using this software, and it's really user friendly..every time you make a change DropBox records and saves it.Check out Their Easy Page of information about their prod... 02/24/2009

Finally something that's really simple and I can do from My Cell Phone...Post Messages to My Twitter or Facebook. or even Better memo to Google Calenders...Sounds to easy and exciting. Lets see how many of us... Jumps on Board this New voice conversation tool..from Jott When you Go to Jott Here what you'll find...... Easy to Follow instruction on How to record a voice message that is delivered to Your Twitter,Facebook and other Social Media Accounts..in text form.  Keep reminders in your Google Calender and much more  As you go into their site here is a short list of Social Media applications and Web applications  to forward your voice messages to. Looks Easy...   Let me know if you would try this New Tool ? If so what application would you like it for? Cheers Copyright © 2009 By Fred ... 02/14/2009

Last week Nearly Six Hundred Re/Max delegates from across Western Canada were “Lovin’ Every Minute” at this 80’s-themed three day event in Victoria BC  February 5-7, 2009. See the YouTube Video on 25th Annual ConferenceRe/ Max Agents from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon Territories, joined to re-connect with colleagues and build new referral networks. I personally meet New and old Friends during the Three Day Conference.Sessions included a Exhibitors Showcase, Opening Celebration, Lead Street training,Top Producer Panels and Personal Marketing Panels Keynote speakers included Ray Zahab on Friday morning, who explores the word “challenge” on how to overcome the most insurmountable obstacles, by exploring his experience in ultra-distance foot races. Friday afternoon Da... 02/12/2009

  Well I did it... I just found out yesterday I was the Top  Producing Realtor out of 175 Realtors with my Re/Max office in Victoria  last week.   I do not normally Tute my own horn..I just would like you to know I can Sell Your Victoria Home in this Market. My Marketing works and has done for 35 years now. If you are considering listing your home for sale,call me. Fred Carver Re/Max Camosun 250-598-2963. I'd love to meet with you so I can show what I can do for you.....  My Core Values.. Check my Blog on Listing Should I list Now or Wait Until the Spring?   Copyright © 2009 By Fred Carver All Rights Reserved "Re/Max Top Dog in Victoria" Fred CarverRe/Max CamosunVictoria, BC250-598-2963www.fredcarver.comwww.victoriahomesandproperties.com Original Article Written Here by Fred Carver   02/11/2009

This market report covers pre-owned residential condo properties within the core area of Victoria, including Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, and Saanich. Chart 1 collects 12 month cumulative listings and sales for the past two years: one year ago annual listings totaled 2,112, and to the end of January 2009 were up by a small margin to about 2,304. Annual sales on the other hand continued to travel in the opposite direction: the recent total was 1,157, while the figure for one year earlier was 1,623. Chart 2 compares the most recent three month totals with the corresponding figures for the previous two years. Only minor changes are noted from these totals compared with those reported in December.     Read on for the complete report on Victoria BC Residential Condominium Sales ... 02/08/2009

Victoria BC Real Estate Single Family Home Sales are Warming, as we start 2009 A total of 247 homes and other properties sold in January through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) up slightly from the 239 sales in December. There were 464 sales in January of last year. The Total MLS Sales for January in Victoria= $104,025,990, with a Single Home average selling price Down Slightly to $526,148. Source VREBCurrently we have a 9 month supply with only 1488 Single Family Homes For Sale throughout Greater Victoria and the Surrounding Area. YTD Sales for Single family Homes Total 3672Find Below a Type and District Break Down of  real estate Sales for January throughout the Victoria Real Estate Market Place. View Monthly MLS Sales Summary Report Here Copyright © ... 02/04/2009

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 for January 1, 2009 to February 28, 2009. New listings of Homes, Condo’s and Townhouses in Fairfield & Rockland = 66 Number of New Pending Sales= 9 Number of Sold’s (completed sale)= 20 Number of Homes, Condo's and Townhouses Listings Expiring= 19 Current Pending Sales -Average days on the market= 61 Year to-date (02/03/08 to 02/03/09)  Activity:  Solds = 283 Total Pending = 10 Current Active listings of homes, condo’s and townhouses = 104 Average Current Pending Selling Price in Fairfield & Rockland : Single Family Homes = $735,667 from 6 new sal... 02/04/2009

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 real estate market update for January 1, 2009 to February 3, 2009. New listings of Homes, Condo’s and Townhouses in James Bay = 24 Number of New Pending Sales= 2 Number of Sold’s (completed sale)= 5 Number of homes, Condo's and Townhouses Listings Expiring= 14 Current Pending Sales -Average days on the market= 96 Year to-date (02/03/08 to 02/03/09)  Activity:  Solds = 155 Total Pending = 6 Current Active listings of homes, condo’s and townhouses = 75 Average Current Pending Selling Price in James Bay : Single Family Homes = $468,500 from 2 new sales. Condo & Townhouse = $581,405 from... 02/04/2009

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 for January 1, 2009 to February 3, 2009. New listings of Homes, Condo’s and Townhouses in Oak Bay = 33 Number of New Pending Sales= 18 Number of Sold’s (completed sale)= 14 Number of homes, Condo's and Townhouses Listings Expiring= 7 Current Pending Sales -Average days on the market= 63 Year to-date (02/03/08 to 02/03/09)  Activity:  Solds = 259 Total Pending = 18 Current Active listings of homes, condo’s and townhouses = 135 Average Current Pending Selling Price in Oak Bay : Single Family Homes = $730,667 from 15 new sales. Condo & Townhouse = $263,500 from 3... 02/04/2009

 Should You List Your Home Now or Wait for the Spring? Timing...As The Saying Goes is Everything ! Many other Home Owners are also planning to put their house on the market in the Spring.  Recent  Studies show when selling any product, it is extremely helpful to have as little competition as possible.   Here are some reasons why the Winter months are probably the Best Time to sell your home in Victoria: Many corporations including the Armed Forces notify their employees of a pending transfer Fewer homes are on the market now.  Competition is at its lowest. Interest rates for home financing are traditionally lower. Very few people are "just looking" but are rather serious about relocating and are probably going to buy. If the current trend continues home Prices may continue to fall by th... 01/25/2009

  Canada's oldest Chinatown, established around 1858 is located right here in Victoria, BC on Fisgard Street. When you arrive at the historic gates of Chinatown, you will be met with the sights and sounds of this small but interesting bit of old Victoria.   Take a look at the interesting shops in Fan Tan Alley, at the heart of Chinatown. It is the narrowest street in North America, being only 5 ft wide. The downtown walking tours include the area in their itinerary. 01/19/2009

I was 4 years old when I first played ice hockey, in Bayfield, Ontario. My Dad used to take me skating on the local pond and we kids played road hockey every spare minute of every day. During my high school years I attended the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Regina.  Then I played University hockey at UMass-Lowell, Massachusetts, eventually becoming a pro hockey player in Europe for a total of 12 great years. In the meantime, I was always interested in buying and selling real estate both in Europe and in Victoria, British Columbia, where my family live, so once I quit hockey I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Real Estate is now my passiona and it seems there is always something different going on in the business, thus keeping me on my toes now instead of on my skat... 01/06/2009

A couple of days ago I did a year-end report on single family market activity. This is a corresponding report for condominiums in the core area of Victoria (defined as (Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, and Saanich).This report follows essentially the same format as my report on Victoria condo properties for end-November. Chart 1 shows cumulative listings and sales for the past two years: there are no big surprises here compared with last month: both the 12-month figure for listings and sales drifted slightly lower (sales, to 1,173 from 1,196; and listings to 1,636 to 1,653) from a month earlier). Chart 2 compares the most recent three month totals with the corresponding figures for the previous two years. Again, nothing significantly new here. Chart 3 demonstrates that the year... 01/06/2009

Happy New Year everyone. The very first thing to talk about in 2009 is 2008. It was quite a year, and this post is an end-of-the-year report of pre-owned single family home sales activity. The report covers two years, ending December 31, 2008, and covers used homes located in the core area of Victoria (Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, and Saanich). The year-to-year trend continues - yearly listings are up somewhat (up to 3,666 from 3,387), and yearly sales are markedly down (dropping to 1,851 from 2,413). These changes are summarized in the Year Over Year Comparison (Chart 1) and the Three Month Comparison Charts (Chart 2), below.   The chart to the right shows (Chart 3) shows the total (cumulative) 12-month listings and sales for each month during the past year. In effect, the... 01/03/2009

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 BC real estate statistic for Jan 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2008. Fairfield Single Family Year in Review (01/01/08 to 12/31/08) Activity:  Total  Solds = 114 Total Pending Sales = 6, (Pending Average Days on the Market= 67), Current Active listings of Single family homes  = 37 Current Active listings of Condo's and Townhouse's = 32 Average Current Pending Selling Price in Fairfield : Single family homes = $808,750 from 6 new sales. Condo & Townhouse = $295,000 from 3 new sales. Fairfield Condominium and Townhouse Year in Review (01/01/08 to 12/31/08) Activity:  Total Solds = 130 Total Pendin... 12/31/2008

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 for Jan 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2008. James Bay Single Family Year in Review (01/01/08 to 12/31/08) Activity:  Total  Solds = 30 Total Pending Sales = 2 (Pending Average Days on the Market= 59), Current Active listings of Single Family Homes  = 14 Current Active listing of Condo's and Townhouses = 62 Average Current Pending Selling Price in James Bay: Single family homes  = $ 660,000 from 2 sales. Condo & Townhouse = $703,539 from 3 sales. James Bay Condominium and Townhouse Year in Review (01/01/08 to 12/31/08) Activity:Total Solds = 135 Total Pending Sales = 3 (... 12/31/2008