Victoria BC Community Blog

Walkability: How Does It Work?

Posted by Niels Madsen on January 17, 2019

If you're searching for a new home, odds are you've come across the term "walkability" when it comes to desireable property features. An important concept in sustainable urban design, walkability is measure of how walking-friendly an area is to a resident.

More and more studies are revealing the ways walkability results in important benefits to our health, the environment, the economy, and our communities. It makes sense — before cars and bicycles came around, walking was the only way to get from place to place over land without help from animals like horses or sled dogs. Humans have evolved to walk over thousands of years, and it's a natural activity.

But how do developers create walkability, and how is it scored? Let's take a look.

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2018 Christmas Events in Victoria

Posted by Niels Madsen on December 1, 2018

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.

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Indoor Victoria Attractions for Rainy Days

Posted by Niels Madsen on November 9, 2018

Late autumn in Victoria can look dreary and boring when you first glance out your window, even when it's not raining. Our mild climate means above-freezing temperatures and next to no snow, but that isn't always comforting when a day at the park is ruined by cold, grey drizzle.

Being a dad myself, I know what it's like to have antsy, grumpy kids cooped up inside with too much energy and nowhere to put it. Thankfully, Victoria has its own cure for rainy-day blues: As a city based on tourism, there are always plenty of activities available year round that can keep a family occupied no matter what the weather.

These are just some of our favourite rainy day activities in Victoria. Let us know what yours are down in the comments!

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2018 Halloween Events in Victoria

Posted by Niels Madsen on October 1, 2018

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

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Tips For First Time Home Buyers in BC

Posted by Niels Madsen on September 12, 2018

Buying a home can be stressful even for seasoned property owners. Purchasing your first home can be downright anxiety-inducing when you don't know where to start. I've met plenty of first-time buyers who were full of questions: Who do I contact first? What do I need to have ready? Can I even do this?

Trust a couple of real estate agents when we say: You can do it. Buying a home is a big deal, but like any other large project, it can be broken down into manageable chunks. Even if it turns out you can't purchase just yet — maybe you need to save up a bit more than you thought, or pay off some debt — you can put yourself in a position to be ready to go as soon as you have what you need.

I've taken the most common advice and answers we've given to first time home buyers in Victoria, and put them together into this series of tips. Whether you just need an idea of how the home buying process works, or want to get started right away, this should be a good springboard to get you going. If you have more detailed questions, feel free to contact us, and David and I will be happy to answer them.

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Introducing Pets To Your (New) Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on August 29, 2018

Pets are an important part of many people's lives, offering unconditional love and acceptance. When moving, homeowners often wouldn't consider leaving their furry family members behind any more than they would their own kids.

But there's no escaping the fact that pets don't understand moving the way that humans do. Packing and travelling can be frightening and stressful to them, and telling them that it's “only for a few days” doesn't work very well.

Just like moving with kids, if you're moving house with pets you'll want to take special steps to make the process as comfortable as possible — for them and for yourself. So try out some of these tips, and share any pet travelling stories of your own in the comments!

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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?

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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!

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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.

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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?

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