Power Supply on Recreational and Remote Properties

If you want to turn on lights, run an electric appliance, etc on a remote or recreational property then you need to know how you're going to bring in the power.

lights powered by a solar system

Some properties are close enough to small communities that they can hook into existing BC Hydro power supplies. There are even boat access communities, such as Quatsino on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, that actually have power from BC Hydro. This is then just like obtaining power for any new property - lines need to be accessed and power brought into the property through coordination with BC Hydro, neighbouring properties and local communities.

power poles along Quatsino Rd

For properties beyond the scope of BC Hydro, off-grid options have to be investigated. Many of the older, more established remote properties will have gas generators of some sort, generally using propane. A battery bank is usually used to store power so that the generators aren't running all the time. A system like this requires gas to be brought on to the property, this is frequently done by barge in the island communities and delivery truck if required on some of the ferry-serviced islands or remote road-access areas.

Solar power has become an attractive option for some, and it is not unusual to see a house or cottage with an array of solar panels on the roof, or even standing up on the ground in a particularly sunny location. These solar panel arrays generally supply a battery bank which stores the energy. Some properties will use solar power but keep a gas generator on hand as an emergency back-up system.

battery bank and solar panel array

Even if solar is the main power source, there may still be gas used for kitchen appliances. This will be stored in a tank on the property and piped in to the required areas. Stoves and fridges are the most common, as well as some heaters.

For properties with access to running water such as a creek there is the option of personal use hydro-power. This requires a license for the water use, and on a good, strong water source can be a great power supply. There are a variety of set-ups depending on the amount of power required.

All of the options have pros and cons when it comes to upkeep, initial cost of installation and materials, efficiency, etc. It requires some good research both on the options and the property itself. At BCO we have a good deal of information on alternative energy and are always looking out for new and innovative ideas in power for remote/recreational properties.

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

A BCO Field Trip

With several new listings out over the past couple of weeks, there have definitely been some office field trips. These are always adventures that require a lot of logistics and pre-planning. But when the weather cooperates and the sun comes out, winter field trips can be awesome.

Greg and Ed spent two days traveling to both the eastern and western side of the north island at the beginning of February. This trip involved some potential listing visits as well as getting signs up on new listings, so lots to coordinate and long days. Looking for property pins, flagging boundaries, taking photos, confirming access, putting up signs - all part of the work to be done when visiting a property.

The team always comes back from these field trips with great photos of not just the properties but also sights seen along the way!

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

BCO Coastal Gems: Alert Bay

The Village of Alert Bay is located on Cormorant Island in the only bay on the island that provides sheltered moorage on a year-round basis. The community averages about 450 year-round residents and the village provides a range of services, including a health centre, pharmacy, restaurants, gift shops and liquor store all located within walking distance of the ferry. Alert Bay Boat Harbour provides moorage, showers and laundry facilities. Just outside of the village is a non-commercial air strip, convenient for personal aircraft as well as for emergency services. Alert Bay is rich in cultural heritage and easily accessible by a scenic ferry ride from Port McNeill.

Activities such as whale watching, eco-tours, kayaking, hiking and biking are popular, and the area provides lots of great fishing opportunities.

Alert Bay is the gateway to Knight and Kingcome Inlets and is close to the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, a wilderness area consisting of a maze of several small islands, inlets and adjacent foreshore at the southern end of Queen Charlotte Strait. The numerous remote, solitary islands in the marine park provide access to some of the world’s most phenomenal waterways and coastlines, with an array of indigenous marine and coastal wildlife, tremendous scenery, unlimited and unique fishing, yachting and wildlife viewing opportunities and almost endless exploring.

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

5 Steps to Prepare for Travelling in Remote Areas

 The BCO team spends a fair bit of time travelling in remote areas, both on northern Vancouver Island and on the surrounding small islands as well as the mainland. Some of this travelling is done by boat, some by car, and sometimes the team flies in - but planning for these trips regardless of transportation method has some things in common.

1. Have a paper map with you. GPS is well and good, but batteries fail, satellite reception and definitely cell reception can be dodgy in heavily forested areas. Backroad mapbooks are a great resource to have for remote travel. When you are going by boat charts are good. If we are headed to an oceanfront property any photos we can print of the shoreline to help us identify where we are are good, as are Google Earth photos and any online mapping we can print out.

2. Have gravel road equipment in your vehicle. Make sure your spare tire is inflated, and that you have a working jack. Have a shovel for if you get stuck (and if you hit snow, from October to April it is common to hit snow at higher elevations). A small hatchet or chainsaw can come in handy for any downed branches/tree limbs on roads and long driveways. Sturdy gloves can be useful.

3. Let someone know your travel plan, and let them know when you're back. When one of the team heads out on a field trip, the rest of us know where they are going. And, they let us know when they are back in town.

4. Have outdoor gear with you. Sometimes it is easy to leave home in town with your runners on and light gear, only to find muddy, wet ground and wet undergrowth that you end up tromping through. Or in summer you head out in shorts only to end up walking through overgrown trails and getting scratched up. This summer some of our team ended up at a property that was unexpectedly heavy with mosquitoes - bug spray and long sleeves were definitely needed!

5. Prepare for the unexpected. Roads will be blocked, weather will change, properties (or parks, or trails) will be hard to find. The more you can prepare for these to happen, the better your trip will go. Don't book an appointment for later that day, because that will ensure something will stop you getting back in time!

It can be easy to head out from the south end of the island and not realize just how vast and remote the north island and surrounding islands can be. A little time spent preparing means your adventure can be enjoyable, rather than frustrating.

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

Looking Forward to 2023

We are always excited about a new year. At the time of writing this newsletter, we are hard at work with our goal setting for 2023. Creating new plans with new ideas as well as refining our existing plans definitely gets us looking forward to the start of the year.

The real estate market in general is uncertain right now. What we know is that for sellers pricing a property correctly is crucial to having success. As a team that has experienced the highs and lows of real estate through the years, we know how to evaluate and market a property to make it attractive to the right buyer as well as help a seller understand what the current economics of the day mean for selling a property at that time.

Inventory for remote and recreational properties remains extremely limited. There are buyers looking for these properties, as evidenced by the fact that when a good one comes on the property it is attracting a lot of attention and in some cases still selling quickly. Pricing is important but in this niche market inventory is what makes the difference. Buyers need properties to look at!

As predictions indicate the interest rates for now will remain higher than last year, we expect the market to continue a little slower and for average prices to come down a bit more. However, people still need to sell properties and buy properties and as people adjust to the new market both buyers and sellers will gain confidence and settle into the reality of the moment.

We look forward to more work trips in the field, as with three agents scheduling these trips out of office is getting easier. Our goal is always to provide excellent service to all our clients, both buyers and sellers.

Finally, we wish you all a stellar 2023, however that might look for you. If buying or selling real estate is part of your plans for the year we are here to talk anytime.

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

6 Quick Touch-up Ideas Before Listing

 If you’re thinking of selling, you’re probably planning to do a few minor improvements to make your property more appealing to buyers. That’s a smart idea. 

The ideas below work as well for a recreational property as they do for residential properties, as giving any living space a more clean, spacious and updated look enhances that first impression. In addition, a good clean-up and clear-out of the property prior to listing is also recommended!

So, what are the best small improvements to make? Here are a few ideas:

·         Cabinet hardware. Upgrading the hardware on kitchen and bathroom cupboard doors and drawers can have a surprising impact on the look of those rooms. The best part is, this improvement is about as DIY-friendly as it gets!

·         Cover plates. If you have older light and electrical switches, replacing the cover plates with something more stylish can make a difference. It’s probably the simplest way to give a room a more modern look.

·         Countertops. Replacing kitchen or bathroom countertops isn’t cheap. However, it’s substantially less expensive than a full-on kitchen or bathroom renovation. And, new countertops make those rooms look refreshed.

·         Kitchen sink and faucet. If your current sink is old and stained, replacing it is a fairly simple improvement that will have a big impact. Also consider updating the faucet to further enhance the look of the space. There are hundreds of styles available.

·         Carpeting. Of all the types of flooring, carpets are the easiest and most affordable to replace. New carpets also create a clean and upgraded look. If you have old carpeting on the main floor or stairs, consider replacing it when selling.

·         Lights and fixtures. If you have old light fixtures in your home, especially in key areas such as the foyer and kitchen, your lighting may be dim. New fixtures will not only make those spaces more modern-looking and appealing, but the lighting will probably also be better too.

A little freshening up of your rooms can make all the difference to a prospective buyer walking into the space for the first time.

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

Wells as Domestic Water Source

Wells bring up the real pioneer vibe for so many people. That's because wells have always been a good, practical way to get fresh water to a home or property. Many recreational developments will put in wells of some sort, often shared between two or more properties. Older properties, especially on the islands or further outside of residential centres, will often have a well as their main water source. (Newer properties are as likely to have rain water collection or spring water collection into a cistern system.) 

Wells generally come in two forms - dug wells and drilled wells. A dug well does not mean necessarily dug by hand, a bucket auger may be used for deeper wells. You will often hear these types of wells referred to as shallow or deep dug wells, meaning the general depth of the well. Drilled wells are just as they sound, drilled by a machine to reach water.

The level of the underground water aquifer, the type of ground material, and the cost of the project all help determine what type of well will be installed. In BC a well should be installed by a qualified well pump installer, and there are specific rules that should be followed during installation. These rules are set out in the Ground Water Protection Regulations of BC.

Well documentation is something that is very useful to have when it comes to selling a property - well logs, installation, etc - so keeping good records if your property has a well will definitely be of benefit. If it is a property we are listing we will research any suspected well for location, well id tags, well logs, etc.

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