Looking Forward to 2016 at BC Oceanfront

As this will be the last blog post of the year, we thought we would share our BCO outlook for 2016 (this went out with our calendars on our newsletter). We wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday and all the best in the new year.

Looking Forward to 2016

A new year is a great time for assessing practices and implementing any new procedures. At the BCO office we are always looking to make our systems, procedures and marketing program the best they can be to create success for all our clients, and we look forward to an exciting and productive 2016.

As we are currently in a buyer’s market, we will see that continue into 2016. Certainly in the recreational market we see great buying opportunities as prices are still at cyclical lows. We can expect that US interest will continue, and to that end we do see our number of US visitors to the website increasing. Acreages and oceanfront undeveloped properties continue to be of interest to many potential buyers, as the appeal of a piece of land out on the coast attracts many more urban residents looking to get away from a more hectic life. Recreational development projects, such as the acreages at Discovery Passage, have been attracting much attention as well. Ed, and the BCO Team, use the 20 years plus of experience and the wealth of information gathered over that time to work on behalf of clients in helping them achieve their goals.

Campbell River has seen a busy year, with work moving forward on both the new hospital and the John Hart Dam project. We have also seen the completion and opening of a new Berwick Residence downtown and right next door a new Comfort Inn. Mt. Washington was recently reported as sold. All of this development is good news for the city.

Ed and Shelley, as well as the BCO unlicensed office assistants Jennifer and Kate, look forward to working with our clients in 2016.

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

Creating the BCO Calendar

When we say the new BCO calendar has been in the works for years, we aren't kidding! The idea has been in the office for at least 6 or 7 years. Every year we moved a little closer, until this year it finally happened.

The hardest thing about putting the calendar together was choosing the photos. With the number of properties we market Ed and Shelley have thousands of reference photos. Add in the amount of time we all spend outdoors and you have another thousand photos between the team, easily. Getting that down to first 30, and then 13, photos was not an easy task.

This one didn't make it

We are pleased with the final product and are already looking forward to choosing the photos for next year.

In the meantime, we are giving away calendars! Head over to our Facebook page to participate in the contest.

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

Embracing the Wet West Coast Weather

It's true, on Vancouver Island we experience some of the mildest weather in Canada. This makes for lovely, comfortably warm summers and allows us the benefit of four distinct seasons. It also means that come fall and winter we experience a fair amount of rain.

Rushing river from fall rains are worth the hike.

As true west coasters and islanders, we know that you can't hide from the rain. Weeks like this one, where the wind and rain has been quite relentless, remind us that our forests are lush for a reason. So, we don't let it stop us from living an active life.

Wet leaves and bright green ferns - sure signs of an island winter.

Storm watching is a popular past time when the weather gets like this. For some the wild west coast of the island is where they want to be, and places like Tofino now offer great storm watching packages for those who want to spend time on the rugged coast. But even on the east coast of the island the storms are spectacular.

After the storm - logs washed up on Campbell River's shore.

Good, waterproof gear helps in this weather, as does good footwear. Don't bother with umbrellas - the wind generally defeats them.

This year is supposed to be an El Nino year, which means generally wetter and milder weather for the coast, although there is little consensus among forecasters as to what it will look like this year. Last year was unseasonably dry in the winter, so a wet winter will not be a bad thing for our forests, rivers, lakes and mountains.
 
Just be sure to gear up - and remember, a little water never hurt anyone.

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