http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/working-with-a-realtor-/buying-and-selling-canadian-property
We work with clients from all over the world and are happy to do so. Who wouldn't want to live here?
It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!
BC Oceanfront Real Estate Team (Ed Handja personal real estate corporation and Shelley McKay personal real estate corporation)
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Non-Residents
We get asked a lot in this office about non-residents buying property. This article, on the BCREA website, provides a quick and concise overview.
http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/working-with-a-realtor-/buying-and-selling-canadian-property
We work with clients from all over the world and are happy to do so. Who wouldn't want to live here?
http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/working-with-a-realtor-/buying-and-selling-canadian-property
We work with clients from all over the world and are happy to do so. Who wouldn't want to live here?
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Choosing Your Recreational Property
Ocean, lake or forest? Water or road access? Rugged or pastoral? Small island or big island?
These are just some of the considerations that go into deciding where to buy a recreational property, and the reason that the first thing Ed does is have a conversation about a client's likes/dislikes, dreams and future plans. Each person who dreams of a recreational property has a different idea of what recreational property is, and part of the job at BCO is to determine the right property for each client.
Some of the things one needs to consider:
1. What type of recreation do you want to do? Are you a fisherman who wants an ocean cabin where you can readily access your favourite fishing holes? Are you a hiking family who wants to be closer to great hiking trails and park regions? Do you want to be out in a canoe or water skiing on beautiful lakes? Or do you just want to get away from the bustle of daily life and unwind in a beautiful, natural setting?
2. How can you access the property? Do you have a boat for water access only properties on lakes or islands? Do you have a truck or four-wheel-drive vehicle to access remote properties down rough dirt roads? Or would you prefer easy drive-to locations?
3. What sorts of amenities do you want in your recreational property? Running water? Electricity? Heat? Plumbing? Or are you wanting more rustic, such as an outhouse and water from a creek? Are you willing to do propane appliances and generators or do you want to be in the power grid? These types of properties are all possible, so knowing what you want to deal with and what you are comfortable with is important to insure long term happiness and satisfaction.
4. How long do you want to travel to get there? Are you ok taking a ferry or two? How long a drive do you want to make, and on what kinds of roads? If it is too far away will you use it less, or is it the distance that makes you want to go there even more?
A good recreational property can bring joy and contentment, especially if it is purchased after careful consideration of one's lifestyle, desires and needs. At the BCO office those are some of our favourite conversations to have, as we then get to introduce clients to a property we feel confident they will really love.
These are just some of the considerations that go into deciding where to buy a recreational property, and the reason that the first thing Ed does is have a conversation about a client's likes/dislikes, dreams and future plans. Each person who dreams of a recreational property has a different idea of what recreational property is, and part of the job at BCO is to determine the right property for each client.
Some of the things one needs to consider:
1. What type of recreation do you want to do? Are you a fisherman who wants an ocean cabin where you can readily access your favourite fishing holes? Are you a hiking family who wants to be closer to great hiking trails and park regions? Do you want to be out in a canoe or water skiing on beautiful lakes? Or do you just want to get away from the bustle of daily life and unwind in a beautiful, natural setting?
2. How can you access the property? Do you have a boat for water access only properties on lakes or islands? Do you have a truck or four-wheel-drive vehicle to access remote properties down rough dirt roads? Or would you prefer easy drive-to locations?
3. What sorts of amenities do you want in your recreational property? Running water? Electricity? Heat? Plumbing? Or are you wanting more rustic, such as an outhouse and water from a creek? Are you willing to do propane appliances and generators or do you want to be in the power grid? These types of properties are all possible, so knowing what you want to deal with and what you are comfortable with is important to insure long term happiness and satisfaction.
4. How long do you want to travel to get there? Are you ok taking a ferry or two? How long a drive do you want to make, and on what kinds of roads? If it is too far away will you use it less, or is it the distance that makes you want to go there even more?
A good recreational property can bring joy and contentment, especially if it is purchased after careful consideration of one's lifestyle, desires and needs. At the BCO office those are some of our favourite conversations to have, as we then get to introduce clients to a property we feel confident they will really love.
It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!
Thursday, 21 August 2014
BCO Coastal Hidden Gem: Quatsino Village
Quatsino Village is in Quatsino Sound on the north-west coast of Vancouver Island. It is a boat access only community with 40 permanent residents, and many more seasonal residents. It is an older community, having been around for over 100 years and at one time was the customs entrance for the area.
The Village has worked hard to maintain some of the heritage of the area and has a small museum as well as an old church still in use.
An unusual feature of the Village is that it is strung out over approximately 16km along the shore line which encompasses a couple of small bays. There is a road that runs along the length of most of the Village, and many residents barge over trucks or ATVs to get around.
Like most west coast villages, Quatsino is best known as a fishing hub. However there is much more to offer, including spectacular Colony Lake and lots of great beach combing. The Village has the advantage of having power and decent cell reception, making longer stays easy. It also makes preserving the fish catch easier as well!
Quatsino just happens to be Ed's favourite area to spend time. It provides great access to the open West Coast for outside fishing, as well as beautiful areas to explore and harvest (both fish and crabs, prawns, etc) in Quatsino Sound and its various waterways.
The Village has worked hard to maintain some of the heritage of the area and has a small museum as well as an old church still in use.
Quatsino just happens to be Ed's favourite area to spend time. It provides great access to the open West Coast for outside fishing, as well as beautiful areas to explore and harvest (both fish and crabs, prawns, etc) in Quatsino Sound and its various waterways.
It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Changes in the BCO Office
We are a very close group here in the BCO office, as any of you who have visited us in person can attest to. We work in close quarters, and tend to know a lot about each other. We like to consider ourselves a family of sorts.
Well, one of our family members is leaving home this week. Louise, who has been a part of the BCO team for 10 years, is moving in a new direction with her career and going back to school. We are all sad to see her go, although we are excited for her as she embarks on this new journey. Our office will be quieter and calmer without her mischievous sense of humour, her love of flirting and her crazy surprises.
With Louise leaving we are welcoming a new member to our team. Jennifer has been in the office for the past six weeks, shadowing Louise and trying to absorb her tasks and knowledge as quickly as possible. A tall order!
Today we are heading out on Ed's boat to fish and laugh together, and wish Louise well. Tomorrow is Louise's official last day.
We will miss her.
Well, one of our family members is leaving home this week. Louise, who has been a part of the BCO team for 10 years, is moving in a new direction with her career and going back to school. We are all sad to see her go, although we are excited for her as she embarks on this new journey. Our office will be quieter and calmer without her mischievous sense of humour, her love of flirting and her crazy surprises.
With Louise leaving we are welcoming a new member to our team. Jennifer has been in the office for the past six weeks, shadowing Louise and trying to absorb her tasks and knowledge as quickly as possible. A tall order!
Today we are heading out on Ed's boat to fish and laugh together, and wish Louise well. Tomorrow is Louise's official last day.
We will miss her.
It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!
Thursday, 7 August 2014
Eco Gifts
While most people know that you can donate property to a charitable organization, not everyone may now that if one chooses and the land qualifies, the gift can be classified as an "eco gift". This comes up in our area occasionally, as much of the land on the coast could be termed ecologically sensitive or near to ecologically sensitive land.
The federal government oversees the process of having a donation declared an ecological gift, and there are regulations and criteria regarding how a property qualifies. http://www.ec.gc.ca/pde-egp/default.asp?lang=En&n=81AFA91D-1
Not only properties can be donated. One can also donate easements and covenanted areas. The donated parcel only needs to meet one of the criterion on the list, although most of them will meet more than one.
An ecological gift can provide significant tax advantages to the donor and can ensure that a land's biodiversity and environmental value is protected into the future.
For more information, go to the Environment Canada Eco Gifts page: http://www.ec.gc.ca/pde-egp/default.asp?lang=En&n=FCD2A728-1.
The federal government oversees the process of having a donation declared an ecological gift, and there are regulations and criteria regarding how a property qualifies. http://www.ec.gc.ca/pde-egp/default.asp?lang=En&n=81AFA91D-1
Not only properties can be donated. One can also donate easements and covenanted areas. The donated parcel only needs to meet one of the criterion on the list, although most of them will meet more than one.
An ecological gift can provide significant tax advantages to the donor and can ensure that a land's biodiversity and environmental value is protected into the future.
For more information, go to the Environment Canada Eco Gifts page: http://www.ec.gc.ca/pde-egp/default.asp?lang=En&n=FCD2A728-1.
It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Coastal Beaches
A beach for every taste, that's what Vancouver Island and coastal BC offer.
The west coast of the island, along with certain pockets of the east coast and the smaller islands, provides amazing sand beaches. Whether it is Cadboro Bay in Victoria, Long Beach in Tofino, Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville, Tribune Bay on Hornby Island, Saratoga Beach in the Comox Valley or Raft Cove on the north end of the island, the sandy beaches of the region provide miles of soft sand to walk and play on.
Cobble and small rock beaches are common as well, especially on the central to northern parts of Eastern Vancouver Island. These may have areas of sand at low tide, known sometimes only to the locals, but for the most part they are made of small rock and stone. These are great beaches for finding crabs, skipping stones into the water and for having beach fires.
Of course, the wildest beaches are those that aren't really even beaches, just rugged rock leading into the forest. These are tough to visit with anything but a boat, and often don't provide space to walk about. But they are spectacular to look at!
The west coast of the island, along with certain pockets of the east coast and the smaller islands, provides amazing sand beaches. Whether it is Cadboro Bay in Victoria, Long Beach in Tofino, Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville, Tribune Bay on Hornby Island, Saratoga Beach in the Comox Valley or Raft Cove on the north end of the island, the sandy beaches of the region provide miles of soft sand to walk and play on.
Raft Cove
Cobble and small rock beaches are common as well, especially on the central to northern parts of Eastern Vancouver Island. These may have areas of sand at low tide, known sometimes only to the locals, but for the most part they are made of small rock and stone. These are great beaches for finding crabs, skipping stones into the water and for having beach fires.
Campbell River Shoreline
Sandstone beaches are spread out along the island, tending to occur in pockets. There are many in and around Nanaimo and the gulf islands, such as Gabriola Island. These beaches can create amazing caves and fun places to explore and hide. The sandstone creates amazing tidepools as well as flat spaces for warming up after a swim.
Gabriola Island sandstone
Of course, the wildest beaches are those that aren't really even beaches, just rugged rock leading into the forest. These are tough to visit with anything but a boat, and often don't provide space to walk about. But they are spectacular to look at!
Phillips Arm
It's a Coastal Lifestyle ...Pass It On!
Thursday, 24 July 2014
Exploring Moorage in BC
An oceanfront get-away, complete with dock for the boat, is a dream of many people. However, many people don't realize that putting in a dock isn't as simply as, say, putting up a fence. There are requirements, applications and permits that must be obtained.
In BC the installation of docks is overseen by the Land Tenures Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Any person wanting to build a dock on any body of water in BC (river, lake or ocean) must apply to this government body. There are specific requirements that must be met and a fee paid to apply. If one is thinking of putting in moorage it requires detailed plans, usually requiring the services of a surveyor, an engineer and/or a professional dock builder.
Other parties also need to be consulted. The Ministry requires that local government be consulted for any local zoning or regulations on moorage and docks. First Nation consultation is required, and the Ministry recommends that applicants start the conversation process with any local First Nations groups, as this can make the process more streamlined. Finally, if there are any upland properties that will be affected by the proposed moorage then those owners must provide permissions.
Applying for permission for moorage and installing the moorage do not have to happen at the same time. Often property owners will apply for moorage knowing that eventually they want to install moorage facilities, or knowing that it will enhance the selling of their property. Once Specific Permission for Moorage is obtained, it can be transferred to new property owners without them having to go through the approval process, although First Nations consultation is required and the transfer process can take up to 6 months. Specific Permission is the normal approval given for moorage now and has no expiry date once given. One can still get a lease for a set term as well, usually this is for larger, commercial moorage applications. It is important to read the Private Moorage policy to see which one you would be applying for.
Note that moorage buoys are not governed by this policy, they are instead under the jurisdiction of Transport Canada.
Like any other major project, the best advice is do your homework. Talk to the appropriate officials, get recommendations of experts from people who already have docks or know about docks. Make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
In BC the installation of docks is overseen by the Land Tenures Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Any person wanting to build a dock on any body of water in BC (river, lake or ocean) must apply to this government body. There are specific requirements that must be met and a fee paid to apply. If one is thinking of putting in moorage it requires detailed plans, usually requiring the services of a surveyor, an engineer and/or a professional dock builder.
Applying for permission for moorage and installing the moorage do not have to happen at the same time. Often property owners will apply for moorage knowing that eventually they want to install moorage facilities, or knowing that it will enhance the selling of their property. Once Specific Permission for Moorage is obtained, it can be transferred to new property owners without them having to go through the approval process, although First Nations consultation is required and the transfer process can take up to 6 months. Specific Permission is the normal approval given for moorage now and has no expiry date once given. One can still get a lease for a set term as well, usually this is for larger, commercial moorage applications. It is important to read the Private Moorage policy to see which one you would be applying for.
It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!
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