5 Steps to Prepare Your Recreational Property for the Off-Season

 Fall has begun and with it comes the promise of rain and wind and storms on the west coast. Just like you should clean your gutters, unhook your hoses and put away the patio furniture at your home, you should take some time to prepare your recreational and remote properties for the fall and winter seasons.

1. Water - if you are not going to be using your property over the winter your water supply should be properly shut down. Turn off at the source, drain the hot water tank, and leave both indoor and outdoor taps open. 

2. Exterior tidy up - make sure all the loose items from summer, such as chairs, tables, planters, tools, etc are put away in a secure place. Winter weather can wreck these items, and winter storms can send them flying. If you have to leave canoes/kayaks or boats outside, make sure they are turned upside down so they can’t fill with water and that they are secured to something so they can’t blow about.

3. Interior – Clean out the fridge, and make sure that food stuffs are either well packaged, stored somewhere else or thrown out. Mice love a winter meal! Putting linens, towels, dishcloths, etc somewhere extra dry will help keep mould from growing on damp fabrics. Consider a moisture absorber container (no damp, damp rid, dri-z-air), especially on the coast or near water.

4. Lock up - make sure the property is closed up properly. Windows and doors should be latched so wind doesn't blow them open and so that critters can't get in. As an added security measure, and especially in wooded areas where debris and branches may come down, consider boarding up the windows.

5. Trees, shrubs, etc - now is a good time to prune any dead branches or long/heavy branches that are getting too close to buildings or look like they will block a driveway. These can come down during winter storms and do a lot of damage with no one around to clean up. Better to deal with it now.

Plus a bonus for those properties with docks:

6. Docks - make sure the surface is "gripped" or cleaned so that if someone needs to use the docks they won't slip on the slick surface from all the winter moisture. This will also deter mould build-up over the winter.

A small amount of time spent shutting down, cleaning up and locking up will save time and possibly money come spring. Time to get it done before the rain and colder weather come!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

How Remote is Your Remote?

Here in the BCO office we are always cautious when someone tells us they want a remote property. That's because over the years, wehave learned that one person's remote just might be another person's crowded community. 

When you picture a remote property, what do you visualize? What do you really want? Here are some questions that can help start defining what that might look like for you.

1. Do you want/need road access?
For some people remote means no one can drive to the property (generally getting there by boat instead, although some may even be hike in) while for other people having road access may be important, even if it's hours away from civilization and a dirt or gravel road.

2. Do you want/need any services?
Does your version of remote mean absolutely no services and either creating off-grid systems or just doing rain water collection, fire and an outhouse? Or do you still want access to power or cell service or telephone/internet service?

3. How close do you want other people?
Remote for you might mean no one within sight or sound of your property or even within a day's walk. For someone else it might mean being part of a small community of properties.

4. How close do you want to be to a service centre or amenities?
While someone may want to live off-grid, they may not want to be more than a couple hours from a service centre or at least access to basic amenities such as food shopping or fuel. Someone else may not care about access to amenities, being willing to travel over a distance to get to any sort of services.

Whatever your remote may be, the BC Oceanfront Real Estate Team can likely find the right property for you!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

BCO Property Visits

 The end of summer has seen the team very busy out of the office, visiting a number of remote properties. Unlike going to a residential property that can be driven to, visiting these types of properties involves a great deal of planning and a very long day of travel (sometimes even two days).

Early morning boat trip out of Zeballos to Centre Island 

meant an overnight in Zeballos for Greg.

One of the first considerations is what is the best way to get there? Many times that is by boat, either by water taxi or with one of the team boats. The decision to take a team boat includes where the launch will be from and whether it makes sense to trailer a boat to that location or is it more expedient to arrange for a water taxi pickup? When boat is not practical or going to be very time-consuming, then we might look at a float plane. This can sometimes be an economical option and definitely can save on travel time.

Float plane drop off at Hot Springs Oceanside.

Recently Shelley and Greg visited our new listing at Hot Springs Oceanside to get photos and put a sign up. This was done with the services of a float plane company out of Tofino (Atleo Air). Even if a property is undeveloped it can still be quite a visit, as we try to get lots of good photos, to ascertain the lay of the land, follow any trails, etc and also find the right spot to get a sign or two up (depends on the size and dimensions of the property).

Walking the property at Hot Springs Oceanside.

Before heading to the property a lot of work needs to be done. While we can pinpoint a property on a map, being able to identify it either from the air or water is another matter! So lots of satellite images and google map closeups of the shoreline, etc are prepared to assist with finding the property. If it has improvements on it, or a dock, that makes it easier. Making sure there are signs, nails/screws and tools for putting up a sign, paperwork and data sheets so all the needed information is collected and the general gear required for a remote outing is all done the day before.

Satellite cadastre map for Hot Springs Oceanside listing.

These are full day excursions, starting with a drive to the launch point (or float plane dock). Then the ride to the property. Once on the property, there is a lot of work to be done. And while doing it, don't forget to be taking lots of photos! The team feels a lot of pressure on these trips to get as much done as possible, as a return trip isn't something that can be done quickly or off the cuff.

Nootka Sound fieldtrip.

We call these types of property visits BCO field trips, and while they are a lot of work they are also a major highlight of the work we do. Every trip is an adventure!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Coastal Marine Parks of BC

 The coastline of BC has over 40 designated marine parks (ocean parks that is, there are many more lake and river marine parks in addition to this). These are parks that include both water and land areas but are generally accessible by float plane or boat only (with some exceptions). Many of them allow wilderness camping but only a few offer even basic services (an outhouse, water, cleared campsites). 

Raft Cove Marine Park, northwest Vancouver Island

These marine parks run along the entire coast of BC and among the numerous islands that dot the coast. They are an attraction for boaters, kayakers, hikers and many others. The largest marine park on the coast is the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, off the NE coast of Vancouver Island, which consists of dozens of small islands and the waters around them. This park is very popular with kayakers and for whale watching.



Marine parks often provide a welcome refuge for people traveling along the coast, and are common meet-up spots for boaters.  Desolation Sound Marine Park, along the central mainland coast, is very popular with boaters due to its protected waters, easy access to the Discovery Islands and beautiful beaches.

private properties within Desolation Sound Marine Park



Some of the remote and recreational properties we have listed through the BC Oceanfront office either border or are very near to marine parks. A select few are even lucky enough to be private property within a marine park - very rare.

flying over Surge Narrows Marine Park

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Real Estate and Service Providers

Working in residential real estate you get to know the local building inspectors, city hall staff, mortgage brokers and insurance brokers through helping your clients with purchasing and selling properties. These are the service provides and relationships most experienced agents will nurture over the years, and BC Oceanfront is no exception.

Working in niche real estate such as remote, recreational and resort property sales however, there are other service providers that we also get to know.

1. Water taxis. When trailering a boat just doesn't fit in the schedule, or there are other properties to be viewed on the way, or the boat is on the other side of the island, sometimes taking a water taxi is a better way to get to a property. And certainly for other agents and for prospective buyers, water taxis are sometimes the best option. 

2. Float planes. When boating somewhere will take too long, or the property is simply more easily accessed from the air, chartering a flight with a float plane is the way to go. At one point Ed did own a float plane, but in recent years BCO has worked with local charter companies for flights when needed.

3. Well Diggers. Can a well be dug or drilled? Has one been dug or drilled that information is needed for? Well diggers are the people you need to talk to.

4. Waste Water Practitioners. Septic systems and grey water systems are a big deal on properties outside of service areas, and knowing who the experts are helps.

5. Surveyors. Sometimes property boundaries haven't been checked in over 50 years, or sometimes there are questions about easements or shared areas. If this is important to a buyer, then a surveyor is needed. 

There are more service providers we use on occasion, but these are some of the most important. Because we work in this type of real estate regularly, we know who to call and what information to ask for, allowing us to be of assistance to our clients and to market our listings fully.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Who Is Buying Remote Property?

When people ask about the types of real estate we sell, one of the things that fascinates a lot of them is the remote property sector. While people may daydream about getting away from it all, very few actually pursue owning a remote piece of property; one that has no road access, no visible neighbours and no services.

So who are the prospective buyers looking at this type of property? Surprisingly, there is no specific buyer profile. While they do all share a desire for remote land, their reasons for it and their demographics are as different as can be.

Off-grid living has become a popular topic on social media and there are a handful of reality shows that address it as well. This attracts a variety of people, whether they be young people feeling that they want to start their lives being self-sufficient and independent, or older people who have experienced a life change and feel the need to disconnect from society in some ways. Families, couples and single people all express interest in this desire to live off-grid.

For other prospective buyers it is about having a place to connect with nature completely. They may not want to live full-time on the property, but instead are looking to have a private place where they can go and camp for several weeks at a time and disconnect.

Some prospective buyers want a piece of remote land as security. These are people who are concerned about climate issues, or political issues, or societal issues, and feel it would be of benefit to have a piece of land somewhere remote ‘just in case’.

Finally, there are those looking to establish a family legacy. Whether they plan to develop the property or not, they like the idea of a remote piece of the west coast being in their family for generations to come.

Whatever their reasons, we are happy to work with all prospective buyers as one of the few real estate teams to market and source remote properties along the BC coast.

It’s a Coastal Lifestyle … Live It!

BCO Coastal Gems: Owen Bay

Located within the heart of the Discovery Island group and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and an abundance of wildlife, this Sonora Island area offers all types of outdoor recreation and sport activities - fishing, boating, diving, and wildlife viewing, while seafood such as crab, prawns, clams and oysters are all available within minutes of this region. 

Approaching Owen Bay from the end of Busby

(Springer Point at the south tip of the development

is in the centre of the photo)

Owen Bay is located on the south side of Sonora Island on Okisolo Channel, just above Hole in the Wall rapids. 

The Discovery Islands are rich in First Nations culture and history.

view out from Busby

Owen Bay was first settled by non-indigenous people approximately 100 years ago, at times it was home to a school, church and general store, however the location did not attract a more permanent settlement in the long run. It has evolved into a quiet, coastal vacation and recreation community with a small complement of full-time residents. The Owen Bay development encompasses both a portion of Sonora Island and Busby Island, which is separated from Sonora by only a small channel.

looking across from Sonora to Busby

There are government dock facilities located in Owen Bay. Owen Bay provides excellent protection for both mooring and anchoring your boat and the roadway leading from the Government Dock throughout the area is more than adequate for vehicles if one chooses.

Owen Bay government dock

Owen Bay Rd

There are a few marine parks to enjoy within close proximity, including the Octopus Island Group Marine Park which is only minutes away. Access to Owen Bay is by boat or float plane only. 

aerial approach to Owen Bay

Campbell River is approximately 45 minutes away by boat and provides an excellent centre for supplies and services. During the summer months there is regularly scheduled water taxi service from Campbell River to Owen Bay and Busby Island. There is also regularly scheduled barge service to Owen Bay to bring propane and fuel as well as any arranged deliveries (groceries, building supplies, etc). Other areas such as Browns Bay on Vancouver Island or Heriot Bay on Quadra Island provide even quicker access through primarily protected waters. 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!