The real estate market is diverse and changes with clients’ needs.
In Greater Victoria, “expert” real estate agents are specialized in everything from waterfront properties, condominiums and senior clients. Like any buyer in the real estate market looking for a specialized property, you want someone with the knowledge to help you find your dream location.
Seniors’ real estate specialist Vicky Turner says seniors are generally moving from properties they’ve lived at for numerous years.
“Many of them have owned real estate for a long time and haven’t been in the market for many years,” she says.
A homeowner re-entering the market after 20 years will find the pace much faster since the introduction of online listings and social media. “They want somebody who is able to navigate the waters that are a little more complicated then what they are used to.”
For senior clients, they also want a relatable agent, an advantage Turner has. “I am in my 60s myself, I have salt and pepper hair.”
Luxury condominium expert Scott Piercy with Engel & Völkers says like other professions you need experts.
“It’s like law, you have someone who deals with divorce or taxes. People feel more comfortable.”
Although the condominium market is not huge in Victoria, the market is still there. “With the boomer generation retiring and some making the move to Victoria, we saw the market was under-serviced,” Piercy says.
Something most people don’t think about is the way the weather plays a hand in the market. Victoria’s early spring is helping to boost the spring influx of buyers early.
“It has been fairly steady with the sunshine, we’re having what feels like an early spring so that’s in the market.”
Weather also works to the advantage of Dockside Realty, an agency based on Pender Island as well as Saturna Island. Dockside’s main focus is helping buyers in the market for waterfront properties.
Sam Boyte, co-owner of Dockside Realty, grew up on the Gulf Islands which helps him to help potential buyers.
“It’s nice because if someone calls about a piece of land, we probably know and can tell them about it,” he says. The other advantage is what most buyers overlook. “We can tell them about the different ocean fronts and what kind of sun exposer they would be getting.”
Boyte also takes a more recreational approach to showing clients perspective waterfront properties. “We have a small boat we run from Pender to Saturna. It’s a nice way to show properties on the water.”
What all the experts agree on, is that buyers like to have someone who they are comfortable with and can give them more detailed, “expert” advice.
– Rosie Townshend-Carter
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
Q: What do others say about living in Langford?
According to the Victoria Property Group, as of Feb. 16, there are 298 listings in Langford, the average price of those listings is $456,808, and the highest priced property is $4.2-million.
“Located in the foothills of Mount Finlayson on Vancouver Island’s southern tip, Langford is close enough to Victoria to allow an easy commute and convenient access to the mainland as well as the world. Its residents also appreciate the local concentration of wholesale and retail enterprises, as well as light industrial and myriad small business endeavors. Its location, with portions of three lakes within its area, is perfect for leisure-time activities as well. Goldstream Provincial Park is located here, as is a part of Thetis Lake Regional Park,” is the description of the community on their website, vicrealestate.ca.
They also add that Langford is known for its “innovative and consistent approach to growth and development, and has become a model for other communities because of its commercial zoning policies, as well as the envy of residential developers due to an emphasis on energy efficiency and affordability.”
GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE » Month to Feb.16, 2015 COURTESY VICTORIA REAL ESTATE BOARD
» 226 / 412 -- NET UNCONDITIONAL SALES/ TOTAL, FEB. 2014
» 587 / 1,064 --NEW LISTINGS / TOTAL, FEB. 2014
» 3,401 / 3,770 -- ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS / TOTAL, FEB. 2014