Step Outdoors and Discover Newcastle Island, Nanaimo B.C. Now that spring is bursting on the scene, Nanaimo is bursting forth in a flood of colours. That is the first indication that it is time to break out of the house and head to the many outdoor attractions. One trip everyone should make on any sunny day is Newcastle Island. Located in Nanaimo Harbour, this lovely British Columbian paradise is just minutes from downtown. But, you will feel like you have made a serious journey the minute you step off the Nanaimo Harbour Ferry. Imagine, leaving from Maffeo Sutton Park near downtown.  Joining you are others who enjoy the amazing outdoor experience that British Columbia has to offer. You walk off the ferry and before you is an island just waiting to be discovered. You won’t be disappoint... 03/25/2013

I will being doing an open house Friday and Saturday at 1570 Townsite Road. A new 5 bedroom home with a legal 2 bedroom suite. This home is close to schools and shopping and features a nice back yard. Perfect for first time home buyers or as an investment. Interest rates are very low right now making this even more attractive.   03/21/2013

Nanaimo: Your Gateway to Natural Wonders Nanaimo, British Columbia is home to 83,810 happy Canadians!  Located on Vancouver Island, it is just 55 Kilometers west of Vancouver via BC Ferries. Although this lovely community has all the amenities you might expect from an urban area, it also has something special, something connected to the untamed beauty of British Columbia.  Perhaps it is the easy access the island offers to outdoor attractions like Tofino, Port Alberni, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park or Mount Washington ski resort.  Maybe it is the easy access that Nanaimo offers to other islands like Protection Island, Gabriola Island, Newcastle Island or Valdes Island, but residents and visitors alike consider this trendy community to be much more than a modern city, it is a gateway ... 03/20/2013

I will be doing an open house at 1570 Townsite Road Today Sunday March 17, 2013. 2-4 pm. This home has 5 bedrooms, legal 2 bedroom suite, 2 car garage, walk-in pantry, nice size back yard for kids and dogs, en-suite in the master bedroom and a walk-in closet. Doug Belcher REMAX Nanaimo 03/17/2013

Open House Sat Sun March 9-10                         (edit/delete) I will be doing 3 open hoses this weekend at three of my new listings. I you are looking for a new home or just want to interview a REALTOR to list your home stop by and see me. 12-2 pm Sun.- 2830 Glenayr Drive 12-2 pm Sat - 331 Poplar Street 2-4pm Saturday and Sunday 1570 Townsite Road   Doug Belcher REMAX NANAIMO 5140 Metral Drive, Nanaimo BC 250-619-6012 03/08/2013

I will be doing 3 open hoses this weekend at two of my new listings. I you are looking for a new home or just want to interview a REALTOR to list your home stop by and see me. 12-2pm Sat - 1570 Townsite Road 2-4pm Sat - 331 Poplar Street 2-4pm Sunday 1570 Townsite Road   Doug Belcher REMAX NANAIMO 5140 Metral Drive, Nanaimo BC 250-619-6012 03/02/2013

How to avoid these 6 mistakes when pricing your Nanaimo home to sell Let’s face it, attaching a price tag to your home for sale in Nanaimo is an emotional decision.  For many people their home is their biggest asset so getting the most money is a top priority. But wanting a certain sales price and getting it are two entirely different things. Pricing real estate in Nanaimo is often more art than science.  Make a pricing mistake and your Nanaimo house for sale could very well sit on the market for months instead of being snapped up quickly by a motivated, qualified buyer. Here are the top six home-for-sale pricing mistakes and how to avoid them: 1.  Using the “If Only” pricing approach.  This is when a seller knows there’s updating to be done, but prices her home as if the improvements h... 02/19/2013

Best Spring Cleaning TipsEven if you’re not planning on selling your home in Nanaimo, this time of year is when those unpopular spring cleaning chores begin to rear their ugly heads.If you’re overwhelmed by all of your spring cleaning chores and don’t know where to start, here’s a list of the top spring cleaning tips to get you through your spring cleaning:WindowsClean or vacuum the drapes, being sure to get the inside ledges as well. If you’ve got mini blinds vacuum or clean them with a static duster. Use an even mixture of vinegar and water and old newspapers on your window glass.ClosetsClean out your closets and donate items that you haven’t used recently to charity. You can also wash or dry clean and store the seasonal clothing that you won’t use until next year.BedroomsThis is a go... 02/19/2013

Ocean view building lot with .48 acres of land. Build your dream home and have plenty of room for garden or shop. This lot may have dual frontage from Bradbury Road if it is extended. Look around at other available large ocean view lots and you will find this is something special. Close to North Town Centre and the water in a nice quiet area.   REMAX Nanaimo Nanaimo real estate Listing 02/18/2013

Renovated Rancher in great location. New Roof, new vinyl windows in all rooms, new H/W tank, updated kitchen with (Gas Range, fridge, dishwasher, microwave, washer & dryer are all included) new cabinets and counters and bathroom with new tub. All flooring has been updated. Features a garage and big level back yard, perfect for children or pets with apple, pear, cherry trees, raspberry and blueberry bushes. A new wood stove keeps heating costs down. Laundry and en-suite off the master bedroom. This home has lots of storage closets and a concrete crawl space as well as shelving in the garage. Covered 20 x 10 back deck with new outdoor carpet. Great starter home or rental property. Short walk to ferry, parks or Marina. This home needs nothing but a new family to love it. REMAX Nanaimo rea... 02/18/2013

New 5 bedroom - 3 bathroom home with a 2 bedroom Legal Suite with private entrance. 1958 s.f with separate laundry and a nice spacious floor plan. The main kitchen features a large island, maple cabinets and a pantry. There is a deck off the dining room. New home warranty in place and a nice back yard for children or pets. Close to both Quarterway School or Woodlands. Rexall and the new Country Grocery is walking distance away. There is an open concept great room with southern exposure and mountain views. First time home buyers purchasing before March 1st could qualify for a $10,000 cash back bonus (ask for details). This home has a very modern feel and a bright open layout. It is weeks away from completion and quick possession is possible.   REMAX Nanaimo real estate   02/18/2013

Real Estate in Nanaimo - Absorption rates for January 2013 “How’s the market in Nanaimo?”, as a Realtor in Nanaimo this is the number one question I am asked .   The best way to understand how the local real estate market is doing is to calculate the absorption rates. The definition of absorption rates is the number of weeks it takes to sell the current real estate inventory in Nanaimo at the present rate of sales. My numbers come from the latest real estate stats published by VIREB (Vancouver Island Real Estate Board).  Based on the information they have supplied I have calculated the absorption rates for real estate here in Nanaimo as of the end of January 2013. By tracking these numbers monthly it helps me understand better what type of real estate market Nanaimo is experiencing. In ... 02/03/2013

Best Events for Seniors in Nanaimo Nanaimo BC is a wonderful place to call home whether you’re just starting out in life or finding a quiet spot to retire. Our winters are mild and our summers are warm. There are hundreds of events and activities year-round for seniors and those looking for a quieter pace of life but still want an active lifestyle. The Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors is a nonprofit and volunteer organization which provides senior citizens in Nanaimo a healthy and active lifestyle with organized activities and events. Each month, the NHCS offers activities and events such as dance classes, exercise courses, craft and hobby workshops and more. Coming up this February is the Kinsman Heritage Dinner. The dinner will be held Saturday, February 23 from 5 to 8 PM in the Bowen Aud... 01/30/2013

How's the Nanaimo real estate market?   Nanaimo real estate market stats for the year 2012. For more Nanaimo real estate statistics please visit my blog 01/11/2013

Are you wondering if you should appeal your BC Assessment? At this time of year I often receive calls from clients regarding their property assessments.  Many people receive assessments that have either gone up or have gone down from the previous year’s assessment.  It seems that this year, many clients are reporting that their assessed values have gone down.  In Nanaimo there has been a drop of 3% in the average selling price of single family homes over the last 12 months.  With this in mind, it stands to reason that assessed values would depreciate as well. One option available to home owners is that they may appeal their assessment up to January 31st.  In order to file an appeal, it is important to do your research beforehand.  BC Assessments offers a free online service, called e-va... 01/08/2013

Nanaimo Real Estate sales by neighbourhood for 2012   I’ve been reviewing the 2012 real estate sales in Nanaimo by neighbourhood, of single family homes. VIREB has calculated the Nanaimo real estate sales numbers for the past 12 months. Most months I look at the sales from the previous month.  However, this month I am going to share the annual sales numbers.  I believe that the year-to-date numbers will give us a more accurate reading of the current market. The single family home, unit sales were down by 6% over 2011, and unit price was down by 3% this year over last.  The condo market was harder hit in that prices were down by 5% in 2012 and unit sales numbers were off by 11% as compared to 2011. Townhouse sale prices were down by 6% over last year and unit sales were down by 20% over ... 01/06/2013

Nanaimo Real Estate market for the year 2012 – What sold and for how much?   The numbers are out for real estate sales in Nanaimo for the year 2012. VIREB(Vancouver Island Real Estate Board) stats show that the numbers are down but are somewhat better than anticipated .  There has been so much negative media coverage on the declining real estate market in BC. There is no question that the market has declined.  However, the good news is that it hasn’t declined by that much in the single family housing market here in Nanaimo. Prices have dropped by as little as 3% for single family homes to a high of 6% for townhouses. Knowing what is going on in the Nanaimo real estate market is important for both buyers and sellers.  For buyers looking at real estate in Nanaimo the main concerns are pri... 01/06/2013

Thinking about downsizing your Nanaimo home? Is your house too big? Are you having trouble with stairs? Is there too much upkeep? Or, Are you just ready for a change? As a Nanaimo seniors Real Estate Specialist I am aware of the unique needs and issues that mature property buyers and sellers have. With this in mind I have put together a questionnaire to help seniors decide if now is the best time to downsize. Making the decision to move to a smaller space is extremely difficult for many older adults. If you've lived in your home for several decades, then leaving it may feel like an enormous loss. If your children have moved on, it may feel like your house is all you have left. You may think that your house is keeping you connected to those happy memories of years past, BUT none of that... 12/19/2012

Top Four Trends in Home Furnishings for 2013 The best in Canadian home furnishings starts with considering the architecture of your house and by looking at each part of your Nanaimo home individually. Here are the four top trends in Canadian home furnishings: Eco Furnishings Like the name suggests, Eco home furnishings focus on basic, natural materials such as cotton, wool and wood and earthy colors like beige, sand, brown and green leaf.  Products and materials are typically local or recycled and demonstrate the eco-friendliness of your home in Nanaimo. Cozy Furnishings Sophisticated yet basic, the Cozy style of home furnishing features décor with smooth curves and outlines.  Earth tone colors combined with basic black and white are a hallmark feature of the Cozy style.  When combined ... 12/19/2012

Downsizing your home?  Things to consider As an empty nester you may be at a point in your life where you are considering selling the family home and moving into something more manageable.  As one of the benefits to downsizing you may find yourself with a surplus of cash after you have purchased your new home. I have asked Paul Tidey, of Arbutus Financial Services in Nanaimo, what sort of options are available for investing some or all of this excess capital.  You can reach Paul directly at  ptidey@arbutusfinancial.com 12/18/2012