At of the beginning of January, there were a few changes in real estate that came into effect.  Buyers now have a 3-day right of rescission period and the 2-year ban on foreign buyers has commenced. 

Also, my Brokerage previously known as Duttons has undergone a re-branding, we are now "Clover Residential". If you click the link below, it will outline the reasons for the change. It's a fascinating new chapter for the company.  Not only do we have a new name, but we also have a new and improved exterior of our landmark office in Fairfield which looks truly incredible; be sure to drive by and take a look!  Our rebrand is an opportunity to reflect on who we are at our core and commit ourselves anew to what we do best. We are real estate experts with a passion for our local communities and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients. You will also notice that my email has changed to reflect the new name.  The new brand will continue to unveil itself in the weeks to come, so stay tuned!

See the links below:

If you have any real estate related goals for the year I'd be happy to hop on a call with you to discuss them.

-Ainsley

Hey, just a quick video that I shot about the amount of snow we had last night.

We had an unusually large amount of snow last night here in Victoria!

So I'm going to take you on a winter wonderland tour of my neighbourhood - Rockland as well as provide you with a brief real estate market update including my predictions for our spring market.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

Another year is almost over, the snow has started, Christmas is just around the corner, and its time for some cozy family time and not to mention way too much food and egg nog!

Below you will find some information (links) about some new real estate regulations that are coming in the New Year. 

The one about foriegn buyers is quite important.

I wish you all a great Christmas and an even better new year!   

Happy Holidays,

-Ainsley

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The Canada wide foreign buyer ban is about to happen in January, currently it is only planned for a 2 year period, read all the detail in the link.

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The BC government has made some changes to strata rental regulations, the aim is to free up more strata properties to everybody.  Read all the details below.

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A new regulation to help buyers, the “Home Buyer Rescission Period” gives buyers the right to withdraw from a purchase agreement within a specified period, which is currently set to 3 days. 

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 Latest market stats from the Vicoria Real Estate Board

This past year, the real estate market has jumped from one extreme to the next. Leaving home buyers to wonder if buying a house will get any easier in 2023 or the years ahead?

In the near future it may be easier to buy a home, as there are more homes on the market than the previouse few years, and fewer buyers to compete against. 

But it may be more difficult to purchase in the near future for other reasons like higher interest rates, inflation, lack of housing supply and an increase in construction cost.

So in the below video are some things to consider when contemplating the real estate market and your home search.

There are a number of factors that will keep housing supply options limited both now and in the future, including inflation and rising interest rates, supply-chain issues, and an increase construction costs.

So, let’s chat about 5 important things buyers should keep in mind when contemplating the real estate market and their home search next year and the years to come.

Please check out my YouTube video below.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

If you’re wondering if now is a good time to buy a house, you’re certainly not alone.

After a record increase in house prices throughout the pandemic, people are now more uncertain about buying a house, more than ever. Data shows 47 per cent of Canadians are expecting to delay a real estate transaction or major purchase in the next 12 months. However, we are finally in a market where home prices have declined, price reductions are more common, and there’s practically no competition. So is now a good time for you to buy a house?

I am a real estate agent, but in my YouTube video I am not to just try to convince you to buy a house right now because prices are down at the moment.

Let’s chat about what is actually happening in the market today and figure out if it’s the right time to buy a house, I just want to explain things through my experience as both a real estate agent and as a buyer and seller, and then you can decide whether or not it makes sense for you to buy in the market were in.

I’m going to talk about the pros and cons of buying in yesterdays, todays and tomorrows markets. Because there are things we’ve all seen before, there are things we are experiencing now and  things we’re going to experience again.

The housing market is ever changing, it’s is in a constant state of flux, depending on overall economic conditions, interest rates, the cost of building materials, and more. 

Please check out my video for all the info.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower 

In this video we are going to be checking out East Saanich, as I think this is one of the most exciting, diverse and family friendly areas that Victoria has to offer.

We’re going to break down some of the distinct neighbourhoods that offer a range of real estate options, so that by the end of thr video you’ll have a better understanding of what neighbourhood in East Saanich you might just want to move to.

East Saanich is home to Mount Doug Park, Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, Gyro Park, Arbutus Cove, Matticks Farm as well as the University of Victoria, which is one of the dominant feature of the eastern part of this community.

It has very distinct neighbourhoods and offers a large range of real estate, from multi million dollar waterfront homes & luxury condos in some of the more prestigious areas to more modest homes, and simple condo buildings and townhomes.

The district of Saanich East, corresponds to the eastern half of the municipal District of Saanich and is sub-divided into 19 neighbourhoods, some of which are amongst the most desirable to live in like Cordova Bay, Broadmead, Mt Doug, Gordon Head, Arbutus, Cadboro Bay, and Ten Mile Point.

The western boundry of east Saanich runs along Patrichia Bay, and the East side boasts an expansive stretch of coastline, with views of the Haro Strait and San Juan Islands.

In East Saanich you will find family friendly neighbourhoods throughout, with a mix of architectural styles.

Check out the video below for all the details about East Saanich.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

In the below video I am diving in, to take a look at what it's like to live Downtown in Victoria BC, as well as some of the surrounding areas like Vic West, Songhees and the Harris Green District.

If you're considering purchasing real estate here in Victoria BC, we'll be checking out some of my favorite condo buildings including one of the penthouse residences at the new luxury Customs House.

I'll give you a glimpse into Escher, Yates on Yates, Ironworks, Legato, Era, The Union, Janion etc, some of which allow for air bnb.

We'll also be checking out the West side of Downtown where you’ll find Old Town, this includes 3 areas of distinct character: The old commercial district with it’s collection of commercial heritage buildings, Canada’s oldest surviving Chinatown and the warehouse buildings and hotels along the waterfront area.

We will also head over to check out real estate in Vic West/Songhees where you'll find new condo towers like Encore, Promontory, Bayview and the Dockside Green development with it's newer towers by renowned Bosa Development.

Hopefully all this information helps you decide on whether downtown living here would be a suitable option for you. If you're considering moving to Victoria BC, I'd love to hear from you and I'd love to help you.

Please check out the video below on my YouTube chanel.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

If you’re trying to figure whether Victoria is the right fit for you, then you’ve come to the right place.

In the below YouTube video I am going to be discussing why people move here, what it’s like, a few top neighbourhoods, and some of the pros and cons.

Moving to a new city is one of the hardest things to do, but by the end of the video you may just feel inspired to take the leap, buy that plane ticket, pack your bags and head out West to commence your new life on the island, just like you’ve been manifesting!

People I have helped move here tend to be drawn to the island for similar reasons, some of which include, they’re seeking warmer weather, a slower pace of life, shorter commutes, less smoke from forest fires than some other areas of BC, and they’re also excited to live in a more nature-infused setting.

Moving here can feel like a breath of fresh air, especially for those for those coming from larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and some would argue that they feel like they get more “life” out of their day, as there is less of a “rat race” vibe on the Island.

Any way if you want all the info please check out the video.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

Hey, just thought I would mention a few things to consider if you are thinking about moving to Victoria BC.

Check out the video below to see what they are?

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

Set on a quiet residential street in Oak Bay, in the highly sought after area of Estevan, this 3 level home provides an opportunity for families in all stages of life.

Meticulously maintained with 5-6 beds, 3 baths and just under 3300 sq ft.

Plus a long list of updates which include; large detached garage with 2 pc bath (2017), windows, blown-in insulation, exterior paint, drains, fencing, mudroom, deck, and extensive landscaping/hardscaping.

The top floor features the primary bedroom with a walk-in closet & skylight, a cozy meditation nook, a 2nd bedroom, and a renovated 4-piece bath.

On the main floor, there is a generously sized modern kitchen that flows seamlessly into the bright and airy dining room, living room, and inviting sunroom which overlooks the private backyard, 2 additional bedrooms and a 4 piece bath complete the main floor.

The basement offers a flexible 1-2 bedroom separate in-law/nanny suite, plus a family/media room with gas f/p & laundry.

Steps from Estevan Village & Willows Beach! Ainsley Gower Co Listed with Ole Schmidt

Check out the listing below.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

The video below is on more of a personal level, we just bought a 110 year old character home back in June, so I will talk about some of the work we have done and what was involved.  Luckily my partner is a handyman, so we saved a bunch on labor costs.

If you have any question please contact me for more info.

Thanks - Ainsly Gower

Fairfield is one of Victoria's most popular core neighborhoods, it boasts natural beauty and a range of outdoor activities that are simply unmatched.

The residents of Fairfield are friendly, healthy, and have a strong community oriented mindset. For many, this is the bucket list neighborhood!

If you’re West Coast dreamin’ about an exceptionally liveable, family friendly community with close proximity to the waterfront, isolation from major traffic corridors, and plenty of fresh air, this is the place for you.

Fairfield is a picture-perfect paradise, avenues lined with cherry blossom trees, green space galore, cozy coffee shops, and local eateries around every corner. The art of strolling is a favorite pastime here, as you meander through endless blocks of stunning 100-year old homes, newer character conversions, and an array of townhomes.

Walk a few blocks and find yourself at the water’s edge, gazing across the ocean from Dallas Road towards the Olympic Mountains.

Location is truly one of the main draws of this highly sought after neighborhood, as Downtown is only a short walk or minutes by bike, making cars optional!

Living here does come with a price tag. The benchmark price of a single family home in West Fairfield in April 2021 was $1,238,900 which is up 15.4% since 12 months ago. But just like anything else, you get what you pay for and any Fairfield resident will tell you the price is well worth the money!

Check out the video below for all the details.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

Hey the video below is about how my friends Natalie and Chris Built a garden suite in Saanich.

Here's what you need to know.

We chat about costs and construction timelines.

Thanks - Ainley Gower

In the video below I will try to explain what is happeing in the market right now.

We are seeing a huge increase in pre-emptive offers on single family homes in Victoria recently.

A pre-emptive offer is sometimes referred to as a bully offer but myself along with a number of my colleagues do not like to use the term bully offer as it has a negative connotation.

It is entirely up to the seller if pre-emptive offers will be excepted or even entertained.

As a buyer right now, it is important to be aware that this is happening quite often right now.

I you need any more information, please contact me.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

A lot of people deliberate over choosing to live either in the city of Victoria and it's immediate surrounding areas or out in the Westshore.

The primary reason being is that your money will go so much further out in the Westshore, but ultimately at the end of the day you will have to consider not only your lifestyle but what compromises you are willing to make.

In the below video I will give you the low down on both locations, so that by the end you will be able to make an informed decision about which location suits you best.

We will show you around the City of Victoria as well as venture out to Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, Bear Mountain, Royal Bay, etc.

We will explore what it costs to buy a home in each location and what the pros and cons are to each location.

Check out the video and let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

Are you considering moving to Victoria B.C? Oak Bay is one of the most sought after residential areas in all of southern Vancouver Island.

Come along for a ride with me as we check out some of the best areas of Oak Bay like Estevan, Gonzales, Uplands, Oak Bay Village, Oak Bay Beach hotel, etc!

We will discuss what is happening in the current Victoria real estate market also.

 I'm Ainsley Gower and I'm a Realtor here in Victoria B.C, if you are considering a move to Victoria or within Victoria I would love to help you.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower

It's original, it's authentic and it's one of the hippest neighborhoods in Victoria B.C.

Today we are in Fernwood!

If you are planning a move to beautiful Victoria B.C.  Fernwood is one of the top neighborhoods to consider.

Full of color and home to many of Victoria’s artists, Fernwood is well-loved by its residents.

Fernwood is a residential neighborhood with Fernwood Square at the heart of its village center. It's a vibrant neighborhood near downtown Victoria, BC with a strong sense of community and beautiful historical infrastructure.

The tree lined streets of Fernwood are graced with many beautiful heritage homes, cared for by a community of engaged citizens who also participate in the upkeep and improvement of their public spaces and community living.

Check out the video below and let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks - Ainsley Gower