Clarice Coty's Blog » Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Landing Beachfront Homes Now 80% Sold

Clarice — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:39:53 +0000

The beachfront Vancouver Island real estate development Qualicum Landing has only 16 homes still available. With the community’s amenities now complete and more than 40 owners enjoying their new Vancouver Island beachfront homes, the developers are building the community out.
There is still time to select floor plans for some lots, but only two ocean view lots remain, and only two of the popular Hollyburn View floor plans are available.
The Qualicum Landing development features an array of amenities for homeowners to enjoy, including 500 feet of walk on waterfront, a sea wall, fire pit on the beach, a multi-use sport court, a community garden and a clubhouse with fitness centre, two heated outdoor pools, two spas, a games room and owner’s lounge.
Qualicum Landing is located just north of the Vancouver Island community of Qualicum Beach, renowned for its warm, sunny beaches and surrounded by stunning nature.

Parksville Real Estate Assessments Hold Steady

Clarice — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:35:56 +0000

Property values were typically stable or down slightly in Parksville, according to this year’s BC Assessment roll.
The estimated average assessed value of a single family home in Parksville was $317,900, up $900 or 0.3 per cent over the same time last year, according to BC Assessment. The average strata condominium assessment is down $5,000 or 2.2 percent to $222,800.
Vancouver Island Regional Assessor Bill MacGougan said most residential property changes in Parksville are in the minus 10 to plus five per cent range, with commercial property changing slightly less.
The combined value of all taxable residential property in Parksville and Qualicum Beach is $3.8 billion, up $43 million from last year. Commercial property has increased by $3 million to $322 million.

Enjoy a Full Selection of Window Coverings at Wild About Blinds

Clarice — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:23:36 +0000

What’s so wild about blinds?
Window coverings specialist Wild About Blinds is a local company that prides itself on quality service, products and installation with accuracy. They provide on-site consultations for residential and commercial needs.
Wild About Blinds supplies wood and wood composite blinds; aluminum blinds; vertical blinds; cellular shades and roller shades. They service Courtenay, Comox, Qualicum, Parksville, Cumberland and Campbell River on Vancouver Island.
Owner/operator Chris Wild is all about providing clients with total satisfaction on all products, warranty, installation and service. Go wild with blinds from WILD ABOUT BLINDS – The Ultimate in Window Fashions.
For more information, call 250.338.3877 or email WildAboutBlinds@telus.net.

Final Vancouver Island Ocean Front Homes Now Selling at Qualicum Landing

Clarice — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:39:33 +0000

Qualicum Landing, an award-winning new community of beachfront homes near Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island has only 16 homes left for sale, and only a few oceanview lots still available. With the communities amenities, including a clubhouse and swimming pool, now complete and more than 40 new owners enjoying their new homes, the developers are building out the community.
Now is the time to pick your preferred location and floor plan before they are sold out. As an added incentive for new buyers, Qualicum Landing has already said good-bye to the HST.
There are only two waterview lots left, and only two Hollyburn view floor plans available. Register on the Qualiucm Landing website and learn about their “Make Your Offer” event on these last few homes.

Qualicum Landing Building Green at the Beach

Clarice — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:10:21 +0000

Qualicum Landing beachfront homes real estate development has been designed as an active green lifestyle community to minimize the impact on the environment and to create a green waterfront community for generations to come. By using sustainable materials, energy-efficient heating systems, and reducing water consumption through innovative landscaping, Qualicum Landing has built a community of new homes on Vancouver Island that is in harmony with the land.
To minimize the impact on the environment Qualicum Landing has implemented a number of initiatives including: homes built by BC’s first “Built Green” Approved builder, Palladian Homes; use of local timber from our land on the front of the homes; consistent use of environmentally friendly products and finishes; environmentally friendly storm water management program; water-wise plants; and a waterfront community garden for owners to grow their own veggies and flowers.
Qualicum Landing has been nominated by BC Hydro Power Smart program as Best New Development and is the winner of a gold care award for Best Environmental Achievement.

Beach Front Homes With a Bonus at Qualicum Landing

Clarice — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:17:27 +0000

Qualicum Landing on Vancouver Island is offering buyers of their remaining new beachfront homes specials incentives until January 2012.
New home owners at Qualicum Landing will have their choice of one of three amazing lifestyle packages. Choose from: Golf and Ski – Two seasons passes to Mount Washington and two annual memberships to a local golf courses; Shop till you Drop – A designer consultation plus a $5,000 gift card to the store of your choice; or Flying High – a $5,000 West Jet gift card, good anywhere West Jet flys.
This real estate development offers residential resort living on more than 15 acres of pristine beachfront, overlooking the Georgia Straight. The best of the West Coast lifestyle is at the doorstep: fishing, skiing, golfing, sailing all moments away from the beach homes at Qualicum Landing. Sixty-two homes offer a choice of eight beautifully designed home plans.
Qualicum Landing is now more than 70% sold.

Comox Valley Design-Build Team Capstone Dwellings Offers Custom Details on Budget

Clarice — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:23:54 +0000

IT’S IN THE DETAILS – Comox Valley Custom Builder injects creativity into modern home projects to get the most “bang for the buck” when working with responsible budgeting.
For Capstone Dwellings Design-Build, working with a responsible budget doesn’t mean leaving out custom detailing on new Vancouver Island Homes. For their latest custom home project, Capstone Dwellings used their creative abilities and broad scope of product knowledge to give modern touches to the project within the budget.
This hand-made custom exterior light fixture hangs in the front entry of the home. With the main colour scheme of the homes exterior being inspired by hues naturally found in our west-coast landscape, the copper details give just the right amount of whimsy and fun.
The custom kitchen millwork and countertops were completed within budget.
The new 180fx series by Formica, available though Colonial Countertops, was just the right solution for this home owner.
With the look for natural stone but a price point within budget, it was love at first sight. Paired with modern kitchen cabinets and contemporary scalloped tile, this practical work surface also becomes an attractive feature.

As with most of their projects, Capstone Dwellings incorporated the use of wallpaper into this custom home. As requested by the home owner, modern details were added to enhance the home without the need to decorate after moving in.
Capstone Dwellings’ designer, Bethany Pearce, was in agreement and worked to make sure the homes minimalist design wouldn’t be too cold or stark. An added feature of this wall is the hidden built-in speakers behind the wallpaper – a minimalists’ dream.

1stView Presents Outlook 2012 – Economic Forecasting Event

Clarice — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:44:19 +0000

1stView.ca presents Outlook 2012, the 6th annual economic forecasting forum on Nov. 24, 2011. Outlook 2012 will take a look at expected trends in the Vancouver Island construction and real estate markets, with a focus on the North Island.
The perennial sell out event will once again be held at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay, and will feature presentations by four industry experts.
“We are excited to bring together business leaders, developers, trades people and others to network and hear industry insights from our panel of speakers,” said Clarice Coty of 1stView.ca. “We’ve moved the event from January to November, to give attendees the opportunity to use the information presented to guide their business planning for 2012.”
Keynote speaker Larry Pollock, President and CEO of Canadian Western Bank will address the “Local Perspective to Global Banking.”
Pollock was a guest speaker at this event in 2009. Described by the Globe and Mail as “gregarious, and outspoken,” the national paper says “Larry Pollock adds a dash of colour to the grey tones of the Canadian banking industry.”
Additional featured speakers include: Travis Archibald, Senior Market Analyst for Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, who will present a Vancouver Island Housing Market Update; as well as Greg Baynton, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association and Shirley de Silva, CEO of the Comox Valley Airport.
Outlook 2012 is sponsored by Presley & Partners and Jackson & Associates. Tickets are $75, and include a networking session from 4-6 p.m., including a small trade show, dinner, and presentations.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.1stView.ca, email tickets@1stView.ca or call 250.338.5466.

Vancouver Island a Popular Destination For Canadian Retirees

Clarice — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:32:37 +0000

The majority of Canadians will plan to stay at home, rather than seeking out retirement destinations in the sun, according to a new study on retirement trends.
About 85% of Canadians aged 45 and over indicate they plan to stay in the country when they retire, with only 5% planning to relocate to the U.S. and 2% to Europe, according to a report from the BMO Retirement Institute.
Of those considering a move within the country, Victoria, on Vancouver Island remains the retirement capital, with 15% of boomers saying they would like to live there. That was followed by 14% citing smaller towns in Ontario, 11% in Montreal or the Eastern Townships and 11% saying the Greater Toronto Area.
The biggest factor prompting boomers to consider a move once they stop working is the weather, with almost 60% saying they would prefer milder climes, the study found. Many Vancouver Island communities including Fairwinds, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Courtenay are seeing an influx of retirees seeking a mild climate. Many new real estate developments catering to active retirees are appearing on Vancouver Island, including Shades of Green Estates in Campbell River, and Qualicum Landing in Qualicum Beach.
When it comes to mobility, Canadians living in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the most likely to consider relocating, with almost two-thirds of Albertans planning to move.
Residents of Atlantic Canada were least likely to move, with only 37% saying they would relocate. They cited being close to family as the reason for staying put.
Of those are planning to retire to the U.S., Florida was by far the preferred destination, with almost half of boomers choosing the state. Arizona came in second with 16%.

Vancouver Island Homes Prices and Sales Up in September

Clarice — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:45:43 +0000

The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, which shows sales of single family homes on Vancouver Island were up 19 per cent in September 2011 compared to September 2010. September ended with 318 sales, compared with 267 a year earlier, the Island board said.
The average price of a single family home sold in September was $344,454, an increase of six per cent from the $325,336 posted in September 2010, and on par with August’s average price of $345,464.
“We are seeing stability with the market just treading water,” said board president Jim Stewart.
The greatest price increases were in Campbell River, up 14% to $289,794, while in the Cowichan Valley, the average sale price of a home last month rose by 14 percent over September 2010. The average house price in the Cowichan Valley is now $357, 200.
The Nanaimo area saw a modest 3% gain in average house prices over the past year, while Parksville-Qualicum slipped by one percent.
Real estate sales volumes however increased 23% in Nanaimo last month and average prices paid were 3% higher than a year ago, even as the number of listings grows on Vancouver Island.
In Nanaimo the selling price rose 3% from 2010, to $359,821.
Prices fell 1% to $388,952 in Parksville-Qualicum and 18% in Port Alberni, to $203,486.
Sales prices average out across the Island at $344,454, versus $539,953 in B.C. Nationally prices averaged at $349,916 in August, the most recent data available.
VIREB had 2,960 listings in September, up 3% from a year ago.