Daily Informative Updates on
New Residential Real Estate & Construction News
for Vancouver Island Communities

The Texada brings modern big city living to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. All of the luxury of downtown Vancouver condominiums at a fraction of the price. With these new homes featuring waterviews and balconies or patios from which to enjoy them, condos at the Texada are selling fast. More than 70% of the homes are now sold.
The building features secured underground parking, two multipurpose rooms for residents and an elegant glass entrance with secured entry.
All of the suites are professionally designed and feature high-end touches such as: stainless steel appliances; bathrooms with heated tile floors and a soaker tub; engineered hardwood flooring, electric fireplace and abundance of ceramic tile with natural stone accents.
One bedroom + den units are 922 sq ft and start at $249,900. The largest available units offer more than 1600 sq ft of luxury living space. An open house is held daily, except for Fridays, from 11am to 4pm at 6310 McRobb Avenue, just off of Uplands Drive in Nanaimo. For more information visit The Texada website.

Harwood Beach Estates – An exclusive selection of three luxury estate homes, five waterfront home sites and two pristine acreages.
Owners at Harwood Beach Estates, in the Vancouver Island community of Comox, become part of a legacy development inspired by the nature that surrounded this ecologically friendly community.
This small community is accessed thru a private gate, down a tree lined drive onto some of BC’s most spectacular waterfront.
Watch the salmon jump right outside your door, walk the many nature trails or simply live the Comox Valley lifestyle. Set apart from the city, yet only moments to all the Comox Valley has to offer, now is the time to invest in Vancouver Island waterfront.
Harwood Estates offers large waterfront estate homes ready to move into, or the opportunity to build your dream house on one of the five remaining waterfront home sites.
This waterfront community provides access to some of the finest recreational facilities in Comox and the opportunity to explore the brilliant natural setting that gives Harwood Beach Estates its distinctive spirit.
Show homes now open by appointment. Contact Anna at 604.720.8528 or Anna@HarwoodBeachEstates.com

VoiceWorks Studios is the Comox Valley's leading professional quality recording studio specializing in Real Estate and Small Business Marketing. Marnie Martin, owner, voice talent and media specialist, has been in the Real Estate trenches as an agent for over 6 years and she understands the dynamics of a successful marketing campaign. With her signature Narrated Video Walk Through Tours, created for the Real Estate, Development and Building communities, Marnie offers a professional quality mini-commercial of your project, which can be used as a social media tool, marketed on multiple websites and also viewed on YouTube. Where standard virtual tours lack, these narrated video tours use a show and tell approach-dynamic copy, partnered with warm, descriptive audio, music and beautiful imagery to create a comprehensive marketing tool. For a fraction of the cost of one time use print media, these mini-commercials will enhance your web presence, build your brand and help you sell your product 24/7. Also available for small business and perfectly suited for the tourism, hospitality, and corporate sectors. Visit our website at www.VoiceWorksStudios.com for more information, pricing and demos of our work.  

New homes at The Gales in Ladysmith offers some of the most stunning views to be had on Vancouver Island.
Windows replace walls in these new patio homes and condominiums to let the light in and take full advantage of the ocean views. No need for artwork with the dramatic, ever-changing outdoor scenery.
Large sunny patios and balconies are designed to take advantage of the views at The Gales as well.
All 68 homes in the development (42 patio homes and 26 condominiums) is inspiring. Enjoy vaulted ceilings, spacious rooms, top-quality finishing and amazing attention to detail. Homes are designed and built in West Coast contemporary architectural style and floor plans are open, ideal for entertaining. Warm earth tones and a variety of darker tones complement the coastal landscape.
Homes at The Gales range from $599,000 - $650,000. A number of homes are already occupied, and a new phase of patio homes was recently completed. Learn more about The Gales on 1stView.ca

The new Diamond Park town home development in Courtenay is designed for families. Featuring 21 new three-bedroom, two-bathroom town homes starting at $181,900, Diamond Park is located close to schools and features its own children's playground.
The interiors of these well-designed, spacious 1,052 sq ft homes come complete with hardwood and ceramic tile floors, stainless steel kitchen appliances, laundry rooms with stacking washer and dryer, and computer nooks. The National New Home Warranty is included with all new homes built by Diamond Park Enterprises Inc.
The new real estate development is now complete, and located at 170 Centennial Dr., Courtenay, close to all levels of schools including North Island College, shopping, CFB Comox and Mount Washington. Outside, each of these quality-built new Comox Valley town homes comes with a fully landscaped, fenced yard and a 10x14 patio.
This new real estate project offers excellent value, with new homes starting at $181,900. Tour the nomes during Open Houses held Thursdays and Fridays from 5-7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 12-4 p.m.  

Chemainus Garden Holiday Resort is hosting the 2011 Festival of Trees, a holiday fundraiser for Chemainus Harvest House Senior's Centre and Little Town Christmas.
The Festival of Trees transforms The Pavillion at Chemainus Garden Holiday Resort into a lush forest of beautifully decorated trees. Local businesses, organizations and individuals decorate the trees in a sometimes wacky, often irreverent, and always beautiful fashion. The trees are displayed throughout The Chemainus Garden Pavillion over the holiday season, beginning November 21st, with the kick-off decorating gala. For more information about the Festival of Tree, visit the Chemainus Garden Holiday Resort Website.
Vancouver Island's Chemainus Garden Holiday Resort offer Park Model Homes starting at $79,900. Park Model Homes combine the advantages of home with the carefree lifestyle of a high end RV Resort Community for an affordable price. Park Model Homes are meticulously designed with storage in mind, and provide up to 530 sq ft of living space. Options include one bedroom, 1 bedroom plus den or two bedrooms, and even a covered porch. Park Model Homes come standard with beautifully appointed kitchens, full size appliances, conventional bathrooms and loads of natural light. Options are endless - granite, hardwood, and lots of windows.  

The Woodcote Mews neighbourhood is waiting for you. This new real estate development of side by side duplexes in Courtenay on Vancouver Island offers the perfect family home option in the Comox Valley.
The floor plan is a spacious 1,320 sq. ft on two floors, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Each new home comes with a quality appliance package, including fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer. Each of the new homes has a private yard and the project features a common outside area for all residents to enjoy.
Centrally located on the west side of Courtenay, Woodcote Mews is within walking distance of the vibrant downtown area, which features shopping, restaurants and offices. Popular Woodcote Park is only a few steps away and quality schools are close by.
12 homes have already been sold at Woodcote Mews. All remaining homes are now priced at $211,900.

Care-free golf course living in a friendly community. Shades of Green Estates along the Sequoia Springs golf course in Campbell River offers all this and more.
A secure, gated community, where homes back on to verdant fairways or dedicated green space. A neighbourhood that features a putting green and a community barbeque area. And low maintenance strata living that leaves you time to do what you want.
Shades of Green Estates is ideal for active retirees, with spacious two-bedroom-plus-den ranchers measuring either 1,327 or 1,638 sq. ft, with double car garages and large patios. Homes are bright and spacious, with roomy kitchens and two full bathrooms.
The new Vancouver Island patio homes at Shades of Green Estates are priced from only $279,000, and can even include a free golf membership!

1stView is featuring new photos of the completed lakefront vacation homes at The Maples at Sproat Lake. Only 15 minutes from Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island, The Maples is easily accessible, yet provides a beautiful, private and scenic property for your new summer home.
Set on the warm waters on Sporat Lake, The Maples vacation homes offer 2 bedroom or one bedroom and den configurations.
Currently complete are two 1,226 sq ft, two story vacation homes with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 
As well there are two one bedroom plus den units now ready. The first floor is 649 sq ft and the second floor is 359 sq ft for a total of 1,008 sq ft. These homes also offer two bathrooms.
Both types of units offer a front deck off the main floor of 248 sq ft, as well as a deck off the master bedroom on the second floor.
For more information visit The Maples website.

Having already successfully sold out of all phase one and two revenue-generating vacation hotel suites, the owners and developers of Victoria’s Oak Bay Beach Hotel have just launched phase three – rewarding the first 10 buyers with a whale of an investment return.
The first 10 buyers of the new, 25-unit phase of Vancouver Island vacation suites are guaranteed a 3.9 per cent annual return of their investment – nearly doubling the hotel's typical 2 per cent triple-net return rate on vacation hotel suites.
The phase three units range from $379,000 to $1.1 million and include studios, junior suites and one-bedroom suites, measuring between 450 and 750 square feet.
The new Oak Bay Beach Hotel vacation suites  come fully furnished and are available in a variety of floor plans and layouts. Owners do not have to pay expenses typically associated with vacation properties (such as strata fees, maintenance expenses and property taxes) and have personal access to their suite for up to four months per calendar year.
“Purchasing one of these condos is an excellent investment move, considering the superior construction quality and oceanfront location,” said Brad Neufeld, director of sales for the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
Upon opening in May 2012, the luxury Oceanside hotel will contain a total of 20 private residences and 100 combination vacation suites and hotel rooms; a full-service spa and seaside mineral pools; a cozy pub, gourmet restaurant and dinner theatre program; and round-the-clock butler, concierge and valet services.
The $52M rebuild project first broke ground in 2009, three years after the hotel’s 80-year-old namesake was deemed beyond repair.
In addition to becoming Victoria’s first luxury hotel and spa with private residences, the hotel is also being built to LEED Gold Certified standards.
For more information about purchasing a vacation hotel suite at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, visit  www.oakbaycondos.com or call 1-800-668-7758.

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!

Nutmeg Homes, builders of custom Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) homes on Vancouver Island are now working to create green roofs for their already green homes. According to Nutmeg Homes, insulated concrete form systems provide the ultimate roof. The concrete wall and steel reinforcement transitions to the concrete roof deck and beam system. This style of building is the next step for Nutmeg Homes, creating a roof that is super insulated, indestructible, and can be used as a giant deck. Turning this roof system in to the ultimate eco roof a green roof is easy.
Green roofs are already being required by some provincial and municipal governments in commercial buildings. Nutmeg Homes is working with several specialists, ICF suppliers and green roof drain system companies to build the first ICF residential green roof in BC.
Benefits of green roof construction include: Conserving valuable commercial space that would otherwise be required to provide storm water runoff controls; shielding from ultraviolet radiation, and buffers temperature extremes, minimizing damage from the daily expansion & contraction of the roof materials; reducing energy costs; increasing roof life span dramatically; and increase real estate values.
Contact Nutmeg Homes for more information.

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.

The lots at Bonnington Ridge in Fairwinds offer the chance to design your own ocean view home in the heart of the fabulous Fairwinds community.
A limited number of residential lots are still available, situated on a quiet cul-de-sac with prices starting at $209,000. Both ocean and golf course views can be had at Bonnington Ridge. These lots combine first-class luxury living with the natural beauty and tranquility of the area. 
Fairwinds is the destination of choice for those seeking a luxurious West Coast lifestyle with a spectacular Golf Club, Schooner Cove Marina and a recreational fitness facility within the community.
Located only fifteen minutes north of Nanaimo, in Nanoose Bay, Bonnington Ridge is within walking distance of the Fairwinds Centre.
Available lots range from .33-.54 acre, and are priced from $209,000-$318,000.

With few building lots remaining for sale in Courtenay, in the Comox Valley, two developments are selling their final pieces of property.
At Trumpeter Crescent, one of the nicest view lots in the city offers a stunning vista of the Beaufort mountains, Comox Glacier and the Valley below. The East Courtenay area is also convenient to school and shopping. Located in a well-established neighbourhood of high-end executive homes, the Trumpeter Crescent Lot is priced at $357,500.
Centrally located on the west side of Courtenay, Gatehouse Place has one building lot left in its residential subdivision. While only minutes from recreational facilities, shopping, restaurants, schools, North Island College and more, the subdivision feel miles apart in a rural setting with mountain views, fish bearing ponds, a nature park and large lots. The asking price for this premium building lot is $173,000.
More information on both properties is available on the realtor's website.

1stView.ca has been named a finalist in the 2011 Mid-Island Science Technology and Innovation Council Information Technology Award.
The "Oscar-style," sixth-annual MISTIC awards ceremony will be held Nov. 2 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo.
A total of 33 Vancouver Island businesses will be up for awards, which are divided into 12 categories. 1stView is one of five Comox Valley based-businesses nominated.
"There is a huge wealth of technology, ideas and creativity in this region and these finalists demonstrate a diverse mix of businesses pursuing innovation everyday," said Paris Gaudet, executive director of MISTIC.
Courtenay's Natural Pastures Cheese Company is nominated for top spot in the Agri Foods category.
Another Courtenay business, Island Labs, is up against Nanaimo's Inuktun Services Ltd. in the Island Coastal Economic Trust Excellence in Technology Award.
And three firms are in contention for the Innovative Start-up of the Year Award, including Swinkey Golf Inc., a Courtenay-based, golf training tool company.
Finally, Comox's Woodland Flooring is competing against two other firms for the Value Added Product Award.
Past MISTIC awards from the Comox Valley include My Tech Guys, Pentlatch Seafoods and Island TimberFrame Ltd.

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.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC (ICABC) has recognized Wendy Lewis, CA, partner at MNP LLP, with an Early Achievement Award for outstanding professional achievements.
“Wendy has worked hard to make a difference in both the profession and her community,” said Richard
Rees, FCA, CEO of the ICABC. “We are thrilled to recognize her outstanding accomplishments.”
The Early Achievement Award recognizes chartered accountants who earned their designation within the past ten years for remarkable accomplishments in their career, community service, and work within the CA profession.
Prior to her qualification as a CA, Lewis owned and operated a small business in the Comox Valley. In 1998, she began articling with Huxham & Co. in Courtenay, and earned her CA designation in 2000.
Today, in addition to being a partner and business advisor with MNP, Lewis is the regional leader and national instructor for the firm’s client service training program.
Her volunteerism in the community has included: coaching high school volleyball; a director of the 2005 BC Special Olympics Summer Games; a director of the Comox Valley United Way; and treasurer of the Comox Valley Community Foundation. As president of the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club in 2009-2010, Lewis, with the help of many others, spearheaded a project to develop a fully accessible playground that could accommodate children with physical disabilities.

Delaney Relocation Services makes packing, moving and settling into a new Vancouver Island home easy. They have been in the business of helping people pack, move and relocate for the past 10 years. Located in the Comox Valley - and serving Campbell River, Powell River, Nanaimo and Parksville/Qualicum - Delaney Relocation Services has a team of caring and experienced professionals to help with packing, moving and setting up your new home – from kitchen cupboards to home electronics.
The company is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers and of Professional Organizers in Canada. Working on Vancouver Island from Campbell River to Nanaimo, providing top quality care throughout a move is always their top priority.
Call 250.334.9922 or toll free at 1.866.210.2064 today for a free one-hour consultation and written estimate. Compare Delaney's rates to traditional movers and see how much you can save. Discover how easy packing and moving can be!