Transformations on the Shore 2018

Once again Frank James Park is home to a collection of amazing chainsaw carvings, from the 2018 Transformations on the Shore competition.

This competition has been running since 1997, and brings carvers and admirers to Campbell River. The last two years the competition has been run the week-end before Canada Day (it used to run with the Canada Day long week-end), which means the carvings are ready for viewing for Canada Day visitors.

The competition has several categories and encourages everyone from amateurs to professionals to take part. It is amazing to see the new ideas and creations every year!

Transformations on the Shore is so quintessentially Campbell River - a combination of arts and resources that is typical of northern Vancouver Island communities.

Definitely worth a visit!

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

BCO Coastal Gems: Quatsino

If you have spent any time talking with Ed, or looking at our website/facebook page, you know that we have an affinity here in the BCO office for Quatsino. This water access community on the north-west coast of Vancouver Island embodies much of what makes great island living.

Quatsino is inside Quatsino Sound, about a 40 minute boat ride to the open west coast waters off Vancouver Island. It is most commonly accessed by boat from Coal Harbour, although you can also launch at Port Alice and even Winter Harbour.

Quatsino was at one time part of a large coastal network in the region, when canneries, mines and logging were extremely active. With its protected waters and easy access, it is still a chosen spot for many outdoor enthusiasts.

There is an active community there, with approx, 20 year-round homes and a higher number of seasonal residents. A road connects the community from one end to the other, and there is power to the community - an unusual bonus in water access communities.

Add to the convenience and amenities the beauty of the region and you have a magical coastal place.

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

Federal Identification Requirements

You may hear realtors or their staff use the term FINTRAC when talking about identification requirements as FINTRAC forms have become a standard part of the Real Estate paperwork.

FINTRAC stands for Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada. The completion of these documents by realtors and the brokerages they work for is a federal requirement.

According to the government's FINTRAC website: FINTRAC is part of Canada's national initiative to combat money laundering and terrorist activity financing. It is a specialized agency created to collect, analyze and disclose financial information and intelligence on suspected money laundering and terrorist activities financing.

Not only is filling out the documents required for every transaction, the documents need to be witnessed by a professional, such as a licensed real estate agent or a notary/lawyer. A real estate agent in a cooperating office generally will not charge for this service (so if you are a Royal LePage client and can't come in to the office where your listing is you should be able go to any RLP office to fill out the paperwork after your real estate agent arranges it) but a notary/lawyer generally will.

The information collected is kept locked away and confidential.

For more information on this, please visit the website: http://www.fintrac.gc.ca/intro-eng.asp

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

Insuring Room for your Lifestyle

Lots of people move to Campbell River, and the central/north Vancouver Island region, because of the wonderful outdoor lifestyle opportunities. Camping, boating, kayaking, hiking, atv-ing, mountain biking, skiing, hunting, fishing - the list goes on; as a home base, this region offers some of the most accessible outdoor activity area anywhere. Within 45 minutes of town one can be on a ski hill, at a beach, enjoying a lake, fishing a river, camping in a forest, or exploring the ocean and islands off shore.

With all that recreation, however, comes equipment. And if you are moving here to take advantage of the great outdoors, thinking about where you are going to keep your equipment is important.

Are you thinking of downsizing so you can spend time RVing? Then you need to have somewhere to store your RV. Coming here to fish on the ocean or lakes? Will you have a boat and if so, where will you keep it? Skis, ATVs, mountain bikes, kayaks - all need a place to sit when not in use.

Listings in this region should tell you if RV parking, extra outdoor space and good storage space is available. Most properties allow these types of outdoor items, although there are still some neighbourhoods that do not, so check if there are any covenants on the title restricting property use.

When you come to the area, come prepared to take advantage of all it offers and make sure your home allows you to easily access what you need. Whether that means a sturdy pair of walking shoes or a state-of-the-art RV beside the house is completely up to you!

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