BCO Coastal Gem: Tahsis

The Village of Tahsis is situated at the head of protected Tahsis Inlet, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island near Nootka Sound. The picturesque and versatile coastal village offers some of the most rugged and breathtaking scenery in British Columbia, with lush rainforest and steep mountainsides leading to the inlet waters.

 The area is best known for offering world-class sport fishing as massive runs of salmon migrate down the west of British Columbia to their spawning grounds in coastal streams and rivers. Anglers can also venture out to the Pacific Ocean where fishing is excellent for halibut, flounder, rockfish and lingcod. Crabs, prawns, shrimp, oysters and other seafood are also plentiful.

Tahsis has become an eco-tourism destination, offering access to wilderness hiking trails, caving, incredible ocean kayaking, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing and canoeing.

Wildlife abounds in the region; black bears, wolves, cougars, Roosevelt elk and coastal black-tailed deer are frequent visitors to this area. Guests from around the world marvel at the eagles, sea lions, whales and other marine wildlife that is common in the nearby waters.

Tahsis is 150km from the major urban centre of Campbell River, and 66km from the village of Gold River. The gravel road from Gold River to Tahsis is known as the Tree to Sea Drive. There are a number of interesting sites along this drive, including the highest point at Bull Lake Summit (586m) and the Three Sisters Waterfall.

The Village has a rich history, with First Nations having been in the area for 4,000 years. As a typical west-coast resource town the village at one time had a population of 2,500. While the coastal resource base has changed, the village has maintained itself as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and fishermen. The Tahsis Museum provides information and displays on much of the history of both the town and the area.

Lodging in the area ranges from guest houses and B&Bs to full-service marinas and a campground. The population is approx. 300 full-time residents, with many others maintaining seasonal residences.

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

Bald Eagles in Residence

Bald eagles are such a common sight around Campbell River that you are likely to see at least one on any given day. Many days, especially if you drive along the water, you will see more than one. Thanks to the same fish that bring people to our area the eagles live here year round, nesting in the trees and feeding in the local rivers and on the local beaches. Most of Vancouver Island, and certainly the central and northern parts including the smaller islands, have similar experiences when it comes to bald eagles - they are a regular part of the daily ecosystem.

People who are visitors to the area and not as familiar with the eagles often think there is another variety of eagle around, but it is usually the juvenile bald eagles they are seeing. These are a mottled brown colour and slightly larger than the adults. They are often seen in trees along the beaches and rivers where they are hoping to scavenge a free meal.

Eagles can and do fish for themselves of course, and it is quite something to watch. This one was on the west coast of the island.

So wherever you are on the island, or the smaller islands, make sure you keep an eye out for these magnificent birds. Once you start to spot them you'll be amazed at how common they really are out here.

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

BCO Coastal Gem: Zeballos

Gold mining created the town of Zeballos in the 1930s, when gold was discovered in the hills surrounding the small port at the mouth of the Zeballos River. The inlet was named after a Spanish lieutenant, Ciriaco Cevallos, in 1792.

At the height of the gold production, Zeballos was a thriving town of over 1500 people. However, the second world war and then a lower price of gold meant an end to the gold mines and the Village slowly reduced in size. Forestry is now the mainstay of the local economy, and approx. 100 people make Zeballos home year-round.

Zeballos calls itself the Golden Gate to the West Coast, as it offers access to Nootka Sound and the fishing on the west coast of the island, as well as the provincial parks of the northern Island (Woss, Brooks Peninsula, Cape Scott). 

With its road access and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean and the waterways of Nootka Sound beckoning, Zeballos has become a choice destination for fishing and wilderness recreation.

Zeballos is on the west coast of Vancouver Island, accessed by road from Hwy 19 just north of Woss. This is a Forest Service gravel road and can be in varying condition throughout the year.

                                     

The small coastal hamlet is located approximately 14 nautical miles from the open west coast Pacific Ocean and is 17 nautical miles from Tahsis, a small coastal community in the neighbouring inlet to the south.

There are limited services, including a medical clinic, general store, marina and boat fuel sales.

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

5 Tips to Help Sell Your Home in the Winter

There can be benefits to selling your home in the winter - fewer properties on the market means yours can stand out and be seen for instance. But there are challenges as well. These 5 tips can  help you get the most out of a winter listing!

1. Lighting

In the winter, especially on the coast where it is often grey outside in the winter months, lighting is crucial. Check that all your lights are bright, change out any weak or dim bulbs.  Look for dark areas in the house and see if lamps or strategically placed lighting will enhance those areas. Warm light in the winter is nice or try using the daylight-style bulbs.

Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash

2. Warmth

People love to feel cozy in the winter, but keep in mind that they will be coming in with coats on after being out in the cold air, so a house interior will already feel warmer to them. In other words you want the home warm but not hot. A nice throw on the couch and some soft accent pillows will enhance the cozy feeling.

Photo by Stephanie Harvey on Unsplash

3. Cleaning

In the winter when the outside spaces are dormant and cold the inside needs to shine even more.  Make sure the indoor living spaces are sparkling. Flooring in the winter can quickly become muddy and dirty, so keep watch on that. Also mud rooms and entryways in the winter quickly get cluttered with coats, boots and gear which need to be cleared away.

Photo by Crystal de Passillé-Chabot on Unsplash

4. Outdoor Lighting and Entryway

While people won’t spend as much time looking at the outside of the property in the winter, they will notice a dirty entryway or one that is not well lit. Keep it clean and bright, so the entrances are reassuring, welcoming and safe.

Photo by Nathan Walker on Unsplash

5. Bring the Outdoors In

With very little colour outside, having some fresh flowers or a plant or two inside the home improves people’s moods without them even realizing why. A kitchen or dining room table with flowers in a vase, a green plant in the living room, or even a colourful bowl of fruit can add a fresh and inviting ambiance to a home.

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

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

Looking Forward to 2020

(As this is our last blog post of the year, here is our look ahead to next year as sent out in our year-end newsletter.)

With buyers interested in a wide range of recreational and remote properties, we are looking to increase our inventory. If you are thinking of listing a recreational or remote property but aren’t sure of the timing, give us a call and let’s talk!

The speculation tax and increased property transfer tax implemented in the larger urban BC areas is having an impact on surrounding markets, but it is an unsettled one. On one hand, we expect to see buyers who are now avoiding those areas turning to other regions to invest. On the other hand, sellers in those areas who had wanted to sell and move away are perhaps re-thinking as they are not selling at the higher prices of a few years ago. Campbell River is poised to appeal to both groups, as we are an affordable and attractive community in a spectacular coastal location with great amenities. Our northern Gulf Islands and more remote recreational properties appeal to those buyers who may have been looking for investment land or properties on the southern Gulf Islands.

We will continue to work to promote our coastal lifestyle to out of town buyers. Although a large percentage of our buyers are regionally local, there are buyers further afield who are looking to invest or relocate in a coastal region. To this end we are looking at some target-specific publications as well as targeted marketing in social media venues.

With two boats between them, Ed and Shelley are looking to get boots on the ground more often at our remote and recreational properties as well as still spending the time in the office that helps build relationships and bring deals together.

Our BCO Team looks forward to serving you in the new year, and we wish all our clients the very best in 2020.

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

What Is That? Recreational, Rural and Remote Real Estate Terminology

Buying a remote, rural or recreational property is quite different from buying a municipal property. When talking about these properties, there are terms that we might think are common that in reality are not in most people's general vocabulary. Here are four things that get mentioned regularly in our office!

Perc Test: a percolation test is a test to determine how quickly fluid is absorbed by soil. This is done to determine if a septic system is possible, as good percolation is required for a leach field (to absorb liquids). Simply stated, these tests are done by digging a hole (usually by auger either hand or machine) to a specified depth and then filled with water to time how quickly they drain. Perc tests are required before a septic system can be installed and can tell you where, or even if, a septic system could go on the property.

a perc test pit 

Dug Well vs Drilled Well: A dug well is a well, generally 10-30ft deep, that is dug out by hand or by backhoe. It is generally lined to prevent collapse and has a large diameter. A drilled well is constructed by a drilling machine and can be as deep as required to reach water. Often it is only seen as a capped pipe on the surface.

drilled well cap

Survey pegs: It is generally easy to determine where the boundaries are on a city lot and city staff can come investigate when there is a dispute or discrepancy. But on rural or remote properties that are generally larger and less developed, it can be difficult to determine boundaries. If the property has been surveyed in the last 20 years or so, it should be possible to find what are called survey pegs. These are placed by the surveyor to mark corners, road crossings, etc on a property. With survey in hand, if you can find one pin you can then generally use measurements and compass directions (or the trusty GPS) to find the other boundary markers. On older properties that may have been surveyed 50-150 years ago, it is still possible to find markers but not as likely. Instead of the white pegs favoured by most surveyors today, these pegs are just as likely to be metal (making them harder to see in the west coast undergrowth).

typical modern, white survey peg

WETT inspection: Any home with a wood stove or fireplace will likely need this for an insurance provider. WETT stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer and an inspection will be done for all wood burning appliances and fireplaces. Sometimes an insurance provider will accept one done previously (say by the previous owner for their insurance) but sometimes they want a new one done. Inspectors need to be WETT certified to be able to provide the report.

If you hear Ed or Shelley say something, or see something in one of our listings, that you aren't sure about - ask! Questions are always welcome.

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

Late Fall Weather on the West Coast

The wet west coast is a common phrase out here, but as with any cliche it isn't always true. This year has been drier than average through most of the fall. While this is very nice for anyone who works or enjoys spending time outdoors, it does have repercussions. No one is concerned about watering their gardens, but the local ski hills are concerned that they won't be opening on time (no rain at lower levels means no snow at higher levels) and the local conservationists and river watchers know that less precipitation in the fall can mean lower water levels and drier forests come spring and summer next year.

 views over the coastal mountains are not so common in the fall, but this year they have been stunning!

Clear and cold weather near the ocean often leads to thick marine fog that can come and go all day, generally clearing off at night. As the sun is further south in the sky it also makes for some beautiful soft lighting. Sunsets and sunrises have been quite beautiful.

gorgeous sunsets and sunrises

More moisture is supposed to be heading our way in December and everyone knows that it can snow at any time on Vancouver Island. It may not last long but a lot can fall in a very short period of time, creating a magical winter wonderland.

beautiful dusk colours

Rain and grey may be the norm that lead to the moniker "the wet west coast" but that doesn't mean we don't see a great variety of weather in late fall and through the winter.

getting outside into the green woods

The one constant is that it is always beautiful on the coast, no matter the weather, and that true west coasters will get outside in anything!

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