Victoria BC Community Blog

Suite-ing A Home In Victoria

Posted by Niels Madsen on July 23, 2018

Often known as "in-law suites" or "granny suites", secondary suites have long been used to house family members in an independent space that's still close at hand. A simple one-bedroom suite can be comfortable and private accommodation for teenagers, university students, or seniors. Aside from benefiting family, secondary suites can provide additional income in the form of rentals, or be converted into a home office or business.

So how do you know if adding a suite to your property is the right move, and how do you get started?

Read More →

2018 Canada Day Events in Victoria

Posted by Niels Madsen on June 20, 2018

Canada Day is more than just activities in downtown Victoria. Events are taking place up and down the peninsula, and all the way into Sooke. Make sure to keep this guide on hand while event hopping and you won't have to endure a single dull moment this year — and don't forget to tag your snapshots with #CanadaDayVictoria!

Read More →

Open House Checklist

Posted by Niels Madsen on May 16, 2018

It's the right season, you've gotten a real estate agent, you've added some value to your home and you're ready to go and host some open houses! But hold on — while open houses are a great tool for showcasing properties, there are some standard steps to follow to make sure that your property is looking its best... and that your belongings remain secure.

In this post I'll be going over a checklist of items that most homeowners will want to follow before hosting an open house. Work together with your real estate agent to complete them and you should have a fantastic event.

Read More →

The Home Selling Process

Posted by Niels Madsen on April 18, 2018

You've been thinking it over carefully for a while. You've looked at your financial situation, considered your options, and have an idea of when you want to move forward. Are you ready to sell your home? Absolutely!

But what does selling your property involve?

Read More →

Choosing A Victoria Neighbourhood

Posted by Niels Madsen on March 21, 2018

The capital of BC and home of Vancouver Island's largest municipality, the Greater Victoria Area is home to historical properties and a vast array of homes and neighbourhoods ready to charm new residents. With vibrant gardens, detailed history, and rich culture, Victoria is a city worth living in.

Today we'll be taking a look at the various districts, municipalities, and neighbourhoods to be found in Victoria BC, and the different reasons why you might want to call each one home.

Read More →

2018 Family Day Events in Victoria

Posted by Niels Madsen on January 29, 2018

Family Day is coming up quick! Start planning those family activities! Whether your children are teens or little ones, there's a wide variety of free and paid events around Greater Victoria for your family to take part in.

Read More →

2017 Christmas Events in Victoria

Posted by Niels Madsen on December 1, 2017

Victoria is a magical and beautiful place to spend Christmas, with plenty of lights and events throughout the city. Here are just some of the winter events taking place for Christmas and New Years on the island, including parades, carols, markets, concerts, movies, lights, tours, and brunches with Santa!

Don't forget to check out local coffee shops and restaurants as well for their Christmas specials.

Read More →

Septic Tanks 101: Maintenance & Repair

Posted by Niels Madsen on November 20, 2017

Safe disposal of human waste is a concern of any town or city. Wastewater can contain dangerous pathogens like bacteria and viruses (such as hepatitis, salmonella, E. coli, and cholera), and elements like nitrogen and phosphates which can harm wildlife and local water quality.

Municipal sewer systems and water treatment facilities have a number of ways to counteract these dangers, but what about houses that are off the sewage grid? In the Greater Victoria area, houses without sewer service typically have a septic tank system on their property — which the homeowners are responsible for.

In this post I'll be going over the general workings of a septic tank system, and what you as a homeowner might need to know to keep your tank safe and maintained.

Read More →

2017 Halloween Events in Victoria

Posted by Niels Madsen on October 1, 2017

Ready for another year of tricks and treats in Victoria? Check out local kids activities, ghost tours, haunted houses, bonfires, festivals and other events taking place during the season of the pumpkin. Make sure to share your experiences using the hashtag #VictoriaBOO!

Read More →

When Is A Good Time To Sell Your House?

Posted by Niels Madsen on September 26, 2017

You've made the decision: your current home no longer meets your needs, and you're ready to let it go. You've spruced up your property, decided on a real estate agent, and have the perfect new home picked out.

So is it best to sell your home now, or later?

Read More →