Once again, we are sharing a post by one of our favourite Home Inspectors (sorry to say that Jay is not here in Greater Victoria).

the tips and suggestions Jay makes in his excellent post about following the clues, is all about being aware as to what may be the cause of issues and potential problems in you current home and or the one that you are considering buying.

If you are planning to buy and or sell a property in Greater Victoria Area, please contact Peter and Linda Pfann, and we will provide you with all the best possible clues to avoid any problems with your real estate plans.

Oak Bay 2008 - 2012 Historical Real Estate Market Trends.

Peter and Linda Pfann, are Realtors assisting Oak Bay and Greater Victoria bound clients from down the block or from across the globe with buying, selling, investing and retiring in and around Greater Victoria, BC Canada since 1986.

We are pleased to provide you with the Historical Oak Bay Market Trend Statistics for 2 specific property types.

• Oak BaySingle Family Homes
• Oak Bay Condominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes

The Neighbourhoods and Areas forming Oak Bay included in this report are:

Estevan, Gonzales, Henderson, North Oak Bay, South Oak Bay and Uplands.

The data below is very area specific information, however we would not suggest to use this information to establish the value of any one property, as there just too many details that can and often will affect the value of a property. If you are considering your real estate options, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For many the use of Historical Market Trends offers the proper perspective to analyze long term trends in any market place and determine how secure and safe guarded a long term real estate investment will be in any location.

The Oak Bay Historical Real Estate Market Trend Graphs below indicate the following:

• Oak BaySingle Family Home Average Prices (Values) Came close to $ 1,000,000 by the end of 2010, and have since seen a modest decline to approx. $ 920,000 by the end of 2011.
• The Number of Oak BaySingle Family Homes Sold, saw a significant drop during 2010, and has a continued to soften modestly during 2011, while prices remained more or less unchanged.
• Oak BayCondominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes Prices (values) have seen a relatively steep increase since 2010. With only 250 listings sold over the 4 years of the sample, the Oak Bay market is easily influenced by the sales of suites in one or two new developments
• The Number of Oak Bay Condominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes Sold between 2010 and the end of 2011 is a bit of a jo-jo, and seems to be influenced by the introduction and pre-sales of one highly  anticipated development (Oak Bay Marina/Hotel) although there are still more strata properties sold than in 2008.

As to drawing possible conclusions for the Oak BayReal Estate Market from these historical real estate market results :

• It would appear that the Single Family Home Market in Oak Bay with modestly declining sales price levels and continued decline in the Number of Sales, Oab Bays Single Faimily Home market will likely balance the market over the coming year to 18 months. This should caution Sellers to prepare, present and price their property accordingly unless dramatic external issues changes the typical progression)
• As To Oak BayCondominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes, the story is entirely different..... With the relatively sharp increase in the number of sales in Oak Bay since 2010, while prices have continued to increase, one could conclude (for Buyers) that prices are likely to continue to increase over the next 12 - 24 months. For Oak Bay Buyers, it seems to be very important to use timing (buy sooner rather than later) to your advantage as todays values for Condominiums represent the best value in the Oak Bay market today.

Oak Bay Single Family Homes Historical Real
Estate Market Trends 2008 to 2012

Oak Bay Condominiums, Town-Homes, & 1/2
Duplexes Historical Real Estate Market Trends 2008 to
2012

• Free Property Information if Are You considering Buying, or Investing in Saanich Real Estate?
• What is My Oak Bay Home Worth?
• Current Greater Victoria Real Estate Board Statistical Reports (courtesy VREB)
• Oak Bay BC, Resources (jobs, schools, health care, relocation, properties).
• Getting to know Oak Bay BC.
• Greater Victoria Community and Real Estate Resources
  

On our Live interactive map you will see some of the current Victoria properties for sale (this is just a snapshot and not intended to be a complete inventory). For a more complete available homes for sale index, we offer our Free Properties Search Services

Saanich West 2008 - 2012 Historical Real Estate Market Trends.

Peter and Linda Pfann, are Realtors assisting Saanich West and Greater Victoria bound clients from down the block or from across the globe with buying, selling, investing and retiring in and around Greater Victoria, BC Canada since 1986.

We are pleased to provide you with the Historical Saanich West Market Trend Statistics for 2 specific property types.

• Saanich West Single Family Homes
• Saanich West Condominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes

The Neighbourhoods and Areas forming Saanich West included in this report are:

Beaver Lake, Elk Lake, Gateway, Glanford, Gorge, Granville, Interurban, Layritz, Marigold, Northridge, Portage Inlet, Prospect Lake, Royal Oak, Rudd Park, Strawberry Vale, Tillicum, Willis Point and West Saanich.

The data below is very area specific information, however we would not suggest to use this information to establish the value of any one property, as there just too many details that can and often will affect the value of a property. If you are considering your real estate options, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For many the use of Historical Market Trends offers the proper perspective to analyze long term trends in any market place and determine how secure and safe guarded a long term real estate investment will be in any location.

The Saanich West Historical Real Estate Market Trend Graphs below indicate the following:

• Saanich West Single Family Home Average Prices (Values) have remained just Below $ 590,000 by 2010 and have since remained mostly unchanged.
• The Number of Saanich West Single Family Homes Sold, saw a significant drop during 2010, and have stabalized during 2011, while prices remained more or less unchanged.
• Saanich West Condominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes Prices (values) were highest at the end of 2009 and since have seen a very modest decline in prices, and it would appear that this decline in prices will continue for as long as the supply far exceeds the demand.
• The Number of Saanich West Condominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes Sold is still in a significant decline in the overall sales numbers from a high in 2009 of about 250, to approx. 150 during 2011.

As to drawing possible conclusions for the Saanich West Real Estate Market from these historical real estate market results :

• It would appear that the Single Family Home Market in Saanich West is now at a Price Level and Number of Sales that we would consider it a balanced market which is likely to remain for the coming year to 18 months. This is offering both Sellers and Buyers the confidence that buying or selling, it is unlikely that values and number of sales will dramatically changes for the next 12 to 24 months (unless dramatic external issues changes the typical progression)
• As To Saanich West Condominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes, the story is entirely different..... With the relatively sharp drop in the number of sales in Saanich West since 2009, while prices initially remained the same, one could conclude (for Buyers) that prices are likely to continue to soften over the next 12 - 24 months. For Sellers, it would be very important to ensure that serious considerations is given to Pricing, presentation and marketing to ensure that your property is truly showing (to the fewer buyers) that it represents the best value in the market today.

Saanich West Single Family Homes Historical Real
Estate Market Trends 2008 to 2012

Saanich West  Condominiums, Town-Homes, & 1/2
Duplexes Historical Real Estate Market Trends 2008 to
2012

• Free Property Information if Are You considering Buying, or Investing in Saanich Real Estate?
• What is My Saanich West Home Worth?
• Current Greater Victoria Real Estate Board Statistical Reports (courtesy VREB)
• Saanich West BC, Resources (jobs, schools, health care, relocation, properties).
• Getting to know Saanich BC.
• Greater Victoria Community and Real Estate Resources
  

On our Live interactive map you will see some of the current Victoria properties for sale (this is just a snapshot and not intended to be a complete inventory). For a more complete available homes for sale index, we offer our Free Properties Search Services

Linda's Lovely Lyrics
Linda's shares, Poems, Lyrics, Rhymes or Thoughts weekly,  we hope you enjoy them.

 The other day I was out in the yard and was so surprised and happy to see my flowers popping out of the soil.

I know we don't have snow here but this little poem from Peggy Morris tells us what  to expect;

Pretty little crocus in the snow.

Through winter's chill,how do you grow?

My favorite time of the year is Spring. It's as though everything from the year before
is washed away and a new beginning starts.

I  like to think of Spring as Mother Earth doing the laundry, hanging it out to dry and starting with fresh sheets.

Greater Victoria Real Estate Listing & Sales Activity,

February 19 - 26, 2012

"Living Near One of the Beaches in 10 Mile Point Saanich, BC
Is A Pfanntastic Place to call Home."

Every Week Peter and Linda Pfann take a quick reading of the Greater Victoria Real Estate Market (based on MLS information) for you. Below is our overview of the Victoria Real Estate Market over the past week.

The Vancouver Island BC Communities and Areas included in this Greater Victoria Real Estate Snapshot are:
Victoria, Saanich (East and West), Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, Highlands, Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke, Malahat.

If you would like to receive regular updates about real estate activity in your area, or the area you would like to move to, please use our Free Victoria Homes Now Tool that offers you to receive highly personalized and detailed property and statistical information at your fingertips.

	New Listings	283
	Back On Market	8
	Added to Inventory (New Listings & Back on the Market) Total for the Week	+291
	Price Changed	171
	Sales Pending	120
	Sold	69
	Canceled Listings	50
	Expired Listings	47
	Inventory Removed (Canceled, Expired, Pending & Sold) Total for the Week.	-286
	Inventory Change for the week	+ 5

After a very Wet Week, we hope that spring will show its brighter side for the coming week in Greater Victoria, a few blossoms are starting to show in the trees and we are starting to see slightly more For Sale Signs and sales Activity all over Greater Victoria.

For this 3nd week of February, and better than average weather (al be it with lots or rain), it would appear that our typical spring rally may have started a little early...with 283 new listings for the week the signs are starting "Pop Up" just like the flowers, and 189 reported pending and completed sales for the week..

There are Pfanntastic opportunies available for home buyers, NOW is the right time for buyers to secure a mortgage rate hold as there are some indications that lenders (not the bank of Canada) may be raising some fo their rates.

It appears that the general public feels that with the lower prices, low interest rates and good supply, that the time has come to take advantage of some of the Pfanntastic Real Estate Opportunities available in the market place in Greater Victoria.

Attendance at Open Houses is very good and Further confirms a slowly improving and strengthening of our marketplace in Greater Victoria, for most areas and property types in and around the lower Vancouver Island region.

We also offer the Greater Victoria area, single family home market place reports for each community in and around Victoria. (you can read these reports here).

In short, dependent what your plans are with your real estate decisions, it is very important to consult with your trusted real estate expert to develop a strategy that will optimize your options and opprtunities. (we would like to apply to become your trusted expert).

Once again we need to point out in our weekly review the number of Price Changes for the Week.......171 Price Changes in one week,(read mostly price reductions).

"Deciding on The Right Asking Price is by far the most important decision sellers make to ensure the sale of their property and why properties are Selling" "(or why they are not selling)."

• It is our experience, that if sellers want to sell their property in this still softer and more fragile market, our best advise to potential home sellers is to trust your agent and the price recommendations they offer you based on their comprehensive market value evaluation.

• If you need a 2nd opinion, please do not hesitate to contact Peter and Linda Pfann, and it will be our pleasure to complete either a summary evaluation for you (see below) or provide our 60+ page, complete evaluation report which also includes our suggestions for optimizing the marketing results for your property.
  

Notes on our Weekly Review statistical information:

• If The Number of Properties Removed from the Market Exceeds the New Inventory for a longer period of time (3-4+ months) the market is active, and prices will level and eventually increase.
• When The Number of Properties Added to the Inventory Exceeds the Number of Properties Removed from the inventory for a longer period of time (3-4+ months), the market is slowing down and prices will remain level or likely reduce.
• Monitor our Victoria Real Estate Daily Market Watch over a period of time and you can easily see how the Victoria Real Estate Market is progressing.
• As always it is nearly impossible to apply the generalities of the entire market place to your particular personal situation, we encourage you to always best to consult with your local real estate specialist (in Greater Victoria that would be Peter and Linda Pfann off course). It would be our pleasure and privilege to review and discuss all your plans, dreams and options, in total confidence and without obligations.

Here is a link to the Victoria Real Estate Board Statistical Reports, and published every month

Greater Victoria Real Estate Listing & Sales Activity Febuary 19 - 26, 2012

Every Step Matters,  Join the Oak Bay & Victoria Walk to End MS

We know are a bit early with reminding you about this year's Victoria & Oak Bay MS Walk, but we want to make sure you have enough time to form your teams, and come up with creative (and effective) ways to do a little fundraising, while walking in some of Victoria and Oak Bay's Beautiful  Neighourhoods and Beaches on April 15, 2012....

Here are the Victoria Oak Bay MS Walk Event Details:

Date: Sunday April 15th 2012
Start/Finish Location: Willows Beach Park - Beach Dr at Dalhousie (Oak Bay)
Check-in Time : 8:00am
Start Time: 10:00am
Route Length(s): 3 km, 6 km, 9 km

Early Check-in Date: Saturday April 14th 2012
Early Check-in Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Early Check-in Location: MS Society Office - 1004 North Park St. Victoria, BC V8T 1C6
Victoria Oak Bay MS Walk Web Site and Registration

So let it be know that you have received enough notice and will have ample time to lace up and take a stand in the Fight against MS!
With likely well over 750 participants, this years event will be a Pfanntastic way to show your support to eradicate MS..
 
There is no charge to join in and you are encouraged to establish your own fundraising goals and objectives.
Prizes for funds raised, Entertainment, Food, Event T Shirts..... are added incentives, but really
This is all about Raising Funds and continuing the winning fight against MS, and we really do not need any more incentives do we....?

The Victoria Coordinator for the MS Walk on April 15, 2012 is Sukhi Tomana (250) 388-6496 ext. 245 and here is her email

MS Society of Canada Website for additional resources

City of Victoria 2008 - 2012 Historical Real Estate Market Trends.

Peter and Linda Pfann, are Realtors assisting Greater Victoria bound clients from down the block or from across the globe with buying, selling, investing and retiring in and around Greater Victoria, BC Canada since 1986.

We are pleased to provide you with the Historical City of Victoria Market Trend Statistics for 2 specific property types.

• City Of Victoria Single Family Homes
• City of Victoria Condominiums (suites), Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes

The Neighbourhoods and Areas forming the City of Victoria included in this report are:

James Bay, Fairfield, Rockland, Downtown, Central Park, Fernwood, Jubilee, Oaklands, Hillside, Rock Bay, Mayfair, Burnside and Vic West.

The data below is very area specific information, however we would not suggest to use this information to establish the value of any one property, as there just too many details that can and often will affect the value of a property.

For many the use of Historical Market Trends offers the proper perspective to analyze long term trends in any market place and determine how secure and safe guarded a long term real estate investment  will be in any location.

The City of Victoria Historical Real Estate Market Trend Graphs below indicate the following:

• City of Victoria Single Family Home Average Prices (Values) have nudged just over the $ 600,000 by 2010 and have since remained mostly unchanged.
• The Number of City of Victoria Single Family Homes Sold, saw a significant drop during 2010, and has a continued softening during 2011, while prices remained more or less unchanged.
• City of Victoria Condominiums (suites),  Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes Prices (values) Spiked in 2010 and since have seen about ab 8% decline in prices, and it would apear that this decline in prices will continue for as long as the supply far exceeds the demand.
• The Number of City of Victoria Condominiums (suites),  Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes Sold is still in a significant decline in the overall sales numbers from a high in 2009, although there are still strata properties sold than in 2008.

As to drawing possible conclusions for the City of Victoria Real Estate Market from these historical real estate market results :

• It would appear that the Single Family Home Market in City of Victoria is now at a price level that the Number of Sales is likely will balance the market over the coming year to 18 months. This is offering both Sellers and Buyers the confidence that buying or selling, it is unlikely that values and number of sales will dramatically changes for the next 12 to 24 months (unless dramatic external issues changes the typical progression)
• As To City of Victoria Condominiums (suites),  Town-Homes and 1/2 Duplexes, the story is entirely different..... With the relatively sharp drop in the number of sales in City Of Victoria since 2009, while prices initially continued to increase, one could conclude (for Buyers) that prices are likely to continue to soften over the next 12 - 24 months. For Sellers, it would be very important to ensure that serious considerations is given to Pricing, presentation and marketing to ensure that your property is truly showing (to the fewer buyers) that it represents the best value in the market today.

City of Victoria Single Family Homes Historical Real Estate Market Trends 2008 to 2012

 City of Victoria Condominiums, Town-Homes, & 1/2 Duplexes Historical Real Estate Market Trends 2008 to 2012

• Are You considering Buying, Investing in, Selling, Real Estate in Victoria BC? Please use our FREE Victoria BC,  MLS Market Update Service.
• What is My City Of Victoria Home Worth?
  
• Current Greater Victoria Real Estate Board Statistical Reports (courtesy VREB)
• Victoria  BC, Resources (jobs, schools, health care, relocation, properties).
• Getting to know Victoria BC.
• Greater Victoria Community and Real Estate Resources
  

On our Live interactive map you will see some of the current Victoria properties for sale (this is just a snapshot and not intended to be a complete inventory). For a more complete available homes for sale index, we offer our Free Properties Search Services

Wood Stoves and Pellet Stoves are Very Popular in and around Greater Victoria, so when I came across this Pfunny yet very scary post by one of our favourite Home inspectors I had to share it with our Greater Victoria Readers......

The issues with this particular property were pretty obvious, but often times, it is not so easy to find out how "creative" some well intended Handy Men (or women) go about making "improvements"

Our Motto with Buying a Home..... "If in Doubt Check It Out"

Have a good chuckle reading this great article, and be sure to Talk To Peter or Linda, if you are thinking about buying or selling a Home in or around Greater Victoria BC...

Once Again Karen Bernetti (one of our Favourite Stagers) offers some Pfanntastic suggestions and reminders for those that are getting ready to (or are in the middle of) sell their home....

Karen points out very eloquently how important the scent (any scent) can very much trow off potential buyers from what would otherwise be a Pfanntastic Home....

If you have any questions about any of Karen's suggestions, please Talk To Peter or Linda, (250) 213 9490.

Thank you Karen for sharing this excellent information with our Greater Victoria Readers.

Greater Victoria Senior Expo Tuesday March 06, 2012

Viva Las-Vegas Style,

We encourage all boomers and seniors in Greater Victoria to attend this great opportunity to gain access to a wide variety of information, services and products.

Entry is by donation and there is plenty of free parking around....

With over 120 Interactive Displays, All day entertainment, offering the largest Senior and Aging Focused Expo in BC, be sure to Circle March 06 on your Calendar.

Hosted by Senior Living Magazine, at Pearkes Arena (across from Tillicum Centre @ 3100 Tillicum Rd. Victoria, this is really a "do not miss event" for Greater Victoria Seniors, and those that love them and or care for them

Filled with Fun, Facts, Food and Entertainment by:

• Flashback Freddy
• The Fabulous Las Vegas Style Honey crooners
• and a Special Tribute to Red Skelton by Al Greenwood

Be sure to enter the Free Draw for a Fabulous Leisure Package. (for additional information contact Senior Living Magazine at 250 - 382-9676 ext. 231)
Or contact Peter and Linda Pfann @ 250 - 213 - 9490