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

WesternOne​, your one-stop shop on Vancouver Island for tool and equipment rentals and sales, is North Vancouver Island's only authorized Polaris ATV and Ranger/RZR Utility Vehicles dealer. WesternOne is also Vancouver Island's exclusive dealer for Polaris snowmobiles. Factory-trained and factory-certified Silver/Gold technicians are on hand for any servicing or repair need, and financing is available. For more information, call 250.339.4518 (local) or 1.877.339.4518 (toll-free). You can also use their Request a Quote online form.

In addition to equipment rentals and sales, WesternOne now offers IVES Operator Certification Training. WesternOne will teach you everything you need to know about safely operating counterbalance forklifts, rough-terrain forklifts, scissor lifts, and aerial lifts. IVES certification courses meet or exceed all applicable safety requirements, industry standards, and government regulations. Training is available in a classroom setting or on-site. To find out more, call Greg Phelps, IVES Certified Trainer, at 250.667.0665 or WesternOne in Courtenay at 250.331.0748. Safety is their goal — make it your goal, too!

The Ridge at RiversEdge is a new riverfront home development in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Perfectly situated on the southwest side of Vancouver Island's Puntledge River, The Ridge at RiversEdge in Courtenay is surrounded by nature at its finest.

"Southwind Developments Corporation is the only company in the Comox Valley that controls its entire development and building process from start to finish," says Courtenay Realtor Art Meyer, project realtor. "For projects that Southwind undertakes, they buy the raw land, service it, build the homes, and warranty each home for 10 years. You know precisely what your neighbourhood will look like. That’s the secret to Southwind’s success."

The Ridge at RiversEdge is a preplanned single-family neighbourhood on private property on a no-through street where all homes are single-level ranchers, so there will be no two-storey homes looking down on your property. In addition, you'll never have a neighbour in your back yard. Your investment is protected by a sensible registered Homeowner Schedule of Restrictions designed to enhance the quality of life and increase the future value of your home.

The owners of Southwind Homes actually live at RiversEdge. When developers live in a neighbourhood, you can feel secure knowing they'll be there for all and any issues that arise during the 10-year warranty period. The Ridge at RiversEdge is a private property consisting of 24 homes, with the street and streetlights being the only common areas.

The new ranchers at The Ridge at RiversEdge are also the lowest-priced new homes anywhere in the Comox Valley. Considering the quality of workmanship and materials, Southwind provides the very best products for your money, says Meyers.

Your RiversEdge Specialist is Realtor Art Meyers of Royal of LePage in the Comox Valley. Call him today at 250.207.1879.

The Gales is a new Vancouver Island real estate development set atop a hillside in the small town of Ladysmith. The luxury townhomes and condos at The Gales offer panoramic ocean and mountain views and tremendous opportunities to enjoy an idyllic Vancouver Island lifestyle. The community of Ladysmith provides year-round outdoor activities and adventures, along with one of Canada's most temperate climates.

These new Vancouver Island homes feature vaulted ceilings, spacious rooms, and impressive views. You'll also find meticulous high-end finishing and amazing attention to detail. The bungalow-style homes and condominiums at The Gales are designed and built in West Coast contemporary architectural style. Floor plans are open and ideal for entertaining. Warm earth tones throughout complement the coastal landscape. Wide sunny decks give you plenty of room for lounging outdoors.

At The Gales, you can leave landscaping and yard maintenance behind, but still enjoy the outdoors with year-round walks on the beach and leisurely strolls through the pristine forest right at your back door.

New homes at The Gales range in price from $499,000 to $599,000. You'll be blown away by the views at The Gales, so contact Realtor Keith Mazurenko at Coast Realty for more information.

The Comox Valley’s newest patio home development, Railside Lane, is located at 1620 Piercy Avenue in the heart of Courtenay on Vancouver Island. New homes for sale at Railside Lane range in price from $249,900 to $269,900.

These new Comox Valley townhomes and duplexes in Courtenay feature three different floor plans, are available with two or three bedrooms, and range in size from approximately 1,300 to 1,700 square feet. Beautifully finished hardwood floors and tile grace the open-plan, main-floor living area and spacious kitchen.

Master bedrooms feature his-and-her closets with custom wooden organizers, while ensuites boast heated tile floors, stylish sinks, and dual showerheads, one of which is a rain head. Affordably priced, the new townhomes and duplexes at Courtenay’s Railside Lane offer custom lighting throughout, complete appliance packages, and now include window blinds.

Railside Lane offers the convenience of strata combined with the living space of a single-family home. These Courtenay patio homes have attached garages, additional driveway parking, and guest parking spots.

To tour the townhomes and duplexes at Railside Lane in Courtenay, drop by an open house at 3 - 1620 Piercy Avenue, held Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact Scott Fraser, PREC, of Royal LePage at 250.334.3124.

Have you considered a beach vacation on the west coast of Vancouver Island in the winter? Storm watching is a major activity in Ucluelet and Tofino. West Coast storms are wild, with howling winds, crashing waves, and tremendous rains as Mother Nature unleashes her power. On a calm day, the angled growth of the trees and vegetation is testament to the fury of the wind on stormy days. With your own vacation cottage at Reef Point Cottages, you can enjoy the storm from the comfort of your own hot tub. The resort currently has a private waterfront cottage for sale: a low-maintenance 956 square-foot home with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Luxury touches in this waterfront home include teak, marble, and slate flooring; granite countertops; and pine wainscotting and ceilings. Curl up by the fireplace on stormy nights or bask in your private hot tub on the oversized covered deck overlooking Spring Cove. Unit 273 is competitively priced at $279,000.

This Ucluelet vacation cottage for sale is part of the Reef Point Cottages rental program, and the owner is entitled to six months of personal use per year. Cottage owners can also leave their vacation home in the rental program full-time and earn revenue with this hassle-free investment.

Reef Point Cottages are located on the breathtaking west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino, only minutes from Ucluelet’s isolated pocket beaches and beautiful Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park. Stunning vistas of the Wild Pacific Trail are virtually steps away from Reef Point Cottages. For more information, visit their website or call 1.877.726.4425.

Did you know you can own a new three-bedroom Comox Valley home for well under $200,000 at Woodcote Mews in Courtenay? Prices of the final three remaining units at the Woodcote Mews townhome development have been lowered to only $189,900. These new homes offer the opportunity to choose your own paint colours and finishes, yet still move into your new three-bedroom Comox Valley home within a month.

Seventeen of these 1,320 square-foot duplex homes on Cumberland Road in Courtenay have already been sold. The remaining three townhomes have all been completed to lock-up, ready for finishing to the buyer's specifications. The developer will complete the interiors of the units based on the new owners' selected colour schemes.

Woodcote Mews has been popular with young families, empty nesters, and those looking for a Vancouver Island vacation home. These new Vancouver Island duplex homes feature a spacious layout, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Each townhome is finished with a quality appliance package including a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, and dryer. A small private yard is at the back of every unit, and there is a common outside area for all residents to enjoy.

For more information, contact Scott Fraser PREC of Royal LePage at 250.334.3124.

Set your real estate development apart by making it Power Smart!

Elemental Energy Advisors on Vancouver Island is reporting that BC's Power Smart New Home Program has new eligibility requirements. Effective October 1, 2013, you must provide EnerGuide labelling within six months of your occupancy permit to be eligible for Power Smart incentives. Developers must achieve an Energy Guide rating of 80 and above to qualify for incentives of up to $200 per home for row houses, townhouses, and duplexes, and up to $2,000 per home for single-family dwellings.

There is also an ENERGY STAR Package incentive in the amount of $150 per dwelling for installing the following four products:

• refrigerator;
• clothes washer;
• six CFL or LED bulbs (considered to be one product); and
• bathroom ventilation fan.

All four of these products need to be installed to qualify for the rebate. Dishwashers are no longer included in the offer.

The certified energy advisors at Elemental Energy Advisors can guide owner-builders and Vancouver Island new-home builders through building a more energy-efficient home. Their goal is to help reduce your utility expenses while conserving energy that benefits our environment. Contact Christi Sacht from Elemental Energy Advisors at 250.830.8000. For more information on the Power Smart New Home Program, visit BC Hydro's website.

Double A Safety Services supports the Vancouver Island construction industry by helping businesses maintain and energize the integrity of their safety programs.

Based in Campbell River on Vancouver Island, Double A Safety Services brings experience in workplace safety from large and small construction projects to help companies of all sizes with safety training, evaluation, development, safety documentation and due diligence procedures.

Double A Safety Services will work with you to ensure that your company’s complete documentation requirements are met for BC Construction Safety Alliance (COR) and Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) compliance.

In addition, Double A Safety Services offers safe work practice development to industry best practices, incident investigation, workplace safety inspection services, HSE safety manual development, and claims management to support your company in getting work done efficiently and safely.

Providing a safe workplace saves time, money, and, most importantly, workers’ lives. Double A Safety Services will work with your business to develop a health and safety program that meets best industry standards. Call them today for a free consultation at 250.914.4699.

The Ridge is a new real estate development located in Courtenay on Vancouver Island. The first new home in this master-planned residential community is now under construction in Phase I. The Ridge will be developed in several phases, with the first phase containing 69 lots.

This modern, sustainable real estate development will feature 230 single-family residential building lots – some with lane access – zoned to allow carriage homes, workshops, and secondary suites. There are also lots for duplexes and patio homes.

Embracing the principles of sustainability, The Ridge’s developer has created strong architectural guidelines and building schemes to protect property values. Many of the residential lots in this 77-acre Comox Valley real estate development feature panoramic ocean and mountain views. Community highlights will include an extensive network of walking trails and parkland with open waterways. The Ridge is also directly connected to Millard Creek Nature Park.

Nutmeg Homes is an award-winning custom-home builder in the Comox Valley that specializes in buildling custom homes with insulated concrete form (ICF) construction methods.

From their Comox location, Nutmeg Homes deploys innovative concrete construction techniques to build energy-efficient green homes that will flourish for generations. Several of the new custom homes they’ve built in and around the Comox Valley since 2000 are highlighted on their website. You can also follow along as owners Paul and Shareen Witt blog about building their own ICF home in the Comox Valley!

Nutmeg Homes is currently exploring options for building LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified homes. They’ve also begun developing living roofs, also known as green roofs. Living roofs are covered in vegetation, which lowers cooling costs and reduces storm water run-off. The Vancouver Island Visitor Centre in Cumberland is a fabulous example of a Nutmeg Homes living roof.

To find out more about Nutmeg Homes and their innovative ICF construction methods, please visit their website.

Inspired Spaces by Harbour Kitchens & More Inc. in the Comox Valley combines two great businesses in one: Inspired Spaces specializes in Murphy beds and Harbour Kitchens in kitchens, vanities, and millwork.

An established Comox Valley millwright company, Inspired Spaces & More has extensive experience in the manufacturing of entertainment units, fireplace mantels, commercial offices, and customized furniture pieces. Their meticulous attention to detail and quality craftsmanship will ensure your kitchen is a showcase of both fashion and function. Just imagine the family meals, cozy dinners with friends, or large gatherings you’ll be inspired to create in your new kitchen.

And, happy customers can attest to their fabulous workmanship:

"We just finished having our new kitchen cabinets designed, supplied, and installed by Inspired Spaces in Courtenay," says one couple. "We’re completely happy with their work and attention to detail. At no time did the designers rush us to make a decision. They were always ready with helpful suggestions and available when we had questions. The cabinets are made of hickory and are flawless; all doors and drawers operate smoothly. The installer did a perfect job. He never rushed and everything had to be perfect before he was satisfied with his own work."

Contact Inspired Spaces today at 1.888.686.3535 and start creating your inspiring space.

Are you wondering whether your business qualifies for Canada’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program benefits? Canada’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program is a federal tax incentive program designed to encourage technological development by offering a substantial rebate on every research dollar spent. If you’re a Vancouver Island company pursuing business innovations, technical modernization, or other improvements, Island SRED in Qualicum Beach can help cut through the clutter to ensure you get the most for every research dollar you spend.

How does the process work? Island SRED provides a free consultation to determine whether your company qualifies for SR&ED program benefits. If you do, they then work with you to complete the paperwork and submit it to the government on your behalf. There is no charge for their services until the claim is approved and you receive your government rebate.

Vancouver Island companies can apply for SR&ED investment tax credits for expenditures such as wages, materials, machinery, equipment, some overhead, and SR&ED contracts. Island SRED works with all sorts of clients in many different industries and is highly thought of in the SRED industry. Their well-rounded team of full-time professionals in taxation, accounting, science, and engineering offers personalized service tailored to your company’s needs and goals.

Island SRED's sister company, Incentive Access Group, supplies SR&ED services to clients in British Columbia and Alberta. Together, Island SRED and Incentive Access Group have helped 270 satisfied clients file more than 600 SR&ED claims for projects during the last year. Why not join them? Contact Island SRED today to find out how to earn tax rebates on your research dollars!

TESTIMONIAL

1stView has used Island SRED''s services for the past three years, and we've been extremely happy with the results! We've received rebates from the federal government based on our proprietary research and database development. We highly recommend Island SRED to anyone who thinks they might qualify for a Scientific Research and Experimental Development claim. ~ Clarice Coty

Do you need a reliable electrician on Vancouver Island? Call the experts at Tilley Electrical Contracting for quality completion of your electrical contracting jobs. Serving the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island for more than 10 years, these electricians specialize in controls, communications, and residential and commercial wiring.

Tilley Electrical's specialties include residential and commercial wiring, light industrial, renovations, and new construction. Choosing Tilley Electrical Contracting for your electrical needs means punctual quality service; knowledgeable electrical technicians; and reasonable rates.

They also offer 24-hour emergency electrician services in the Comox Valley. http://www.tilleyelectrical.ca/en/

Their commitment is to provide quality service and dependability to their customers at competitive prices. Call Tilley Electrical at 250.331.1844 for 24-hour emergency service or to schedule an appointment. Free estimates are always available. For more information, visit their website.

Outlook Land Design Inc., a civil engineering and landscape architecture consulting firm in the Comox Valley, has been serving Vancouver Island since 1999.

Firm principal Tim O’Brien, P.Eng., MCBSLA, is a professional civil engineer and registered landscape architect with over 25 years of design and construction experience.

Outlook Land Design’s landscape architecture solutions embody designing outdoor and public spaces to integrate environmental, socio-behavioural, and aesthetic components. The scope of their work encompasses urban design, site planning, town or urban planning, environmental restoration, parks and recreation planning, visual resource management, and green infrastructure planning. Previous clients include provincial and municipal parks, schools, college campuses, resorts, multi-family housing projects, and public institutions.

Currently, Outlook Land Design Inc. is busy working on a diverse range of Vancouver Island projects, including:

• tender plans for Big Rock boat ramp in Campbell River;
• pedestrian-access upgrades at Goose Spit Park in the Comox Valley;
• site work for a new playground at Village Park in Cumberland;
• site work for a new playground in Area D at Stories Beach;
• a project plan for the 6th Street Bridge in Courtenay; and
• new mini-storage facilities in Royston and Cumberland.

Not only does Outlook Land Design Inc. provide civil engineering services, but the company also works for private-sector developers, LEED projects, and local government services. For a comprehensive description of what they have to offer, visit their website or call Tim O’Brien at 250.339.5222.

Comox Valley Realtor Tina Vincent, PREC, is dedicated to finding you a home, vacation property, or investment property on Vancouver Island. As your Comox Valley Connection, Tina uses her real-estate expertise and knowledge of home construction to assist Vancouver Island buyers and sellers in the Comox Valley, Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and Campbell River.

In the heart of the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, you'll find Stone Manor Estates, a new real estate development just minutes from the centre of Duncan.

Featuring residential lots and new homes built in craftsman or heritage style, Stone Manor Estates is being developed in two phases. Phase 1 is nearly sold out, and Phase 2 will feature several upgrades, including building lots backing onto green spaces, a no-through road, and a cul-de-sac. Prices for single-family residential lots in Phase 2 range from $137,900 to $169,900, while two duplex lots are priced at $184,900 and $189,900.

As Canada’s only Maritime Mediterranean climatic zone, the Cowichan Valley offers a unique, mild microclimate and the warmest mean year-round temperature anywhere in Canada. More than 20 wineries have planted roots here, along with an abundance of artisanal producers, organic-produce suppliers, and slow-food chefs. The residents of Stone Manor Estates relish the Cowichan Valley’s natural beauty and easy access to lakes, marinas, and recreational activities, without sacrificing the convenience of city living and close proximity to shopping, restaurants, schools, and community services in Duncan.

Experience Cowichan Valley living at its finest by building your new home at Stone Manor Estates. For more information:

• visit their website;
• view the Stone Manor Estates interactive site plan;
• call 250.597.1952; or
• stop by the open house at Stone Manor's Presentation Centre, now open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

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Gower Design Group, a Vancouver Island based residential design firm located in the Comox Valley, believes that a well-designed home is more than just stylish rooms housed in a beautiful exterior. Rather, it should be a space in which your most important relationships take root, grow, and thrive. They've coined this approach to planning a new home “relationship-centred design.”

Design Integrity

Design integrity lies at the heart of relationship-centred design. After a client completes a detailed questionnaire, the Gower Design team considers both the structural and aesthetic integrity of the home: how its exterior and interior relate to one another; how it relates to its surroundings; and how it reflects the personality, preferences, and lifestyle of the people inside. None of this is possible without a designer-client relationship based on integrity.

“Our client’s needs are of paramount importance to us. We’re willing to take the time and care necessary to ensure that our clients are happy throughout the design process and with the finished product,” says John Gower, company principal. “We make sure that people end up with the home they want and need, nothing more or less.”

Affordability

Some clients are worried that their budget won’t be respected or that they’ll be up-sold and pushed into spending more money than their budget allows.

“Other clients are concerned that the designer will have a preconceived idea of what their home should look like or that they’ll be pushed beyond their comfort zone in a careless way,” says Gower. “That isn’t our approach. Design integrity begins with careful and respectful listening; we guarantee it.”

Client Satisfaction

Clients can attest to Gower Design Group's commitment to design integrity and client satisfaction.

“We’ve settled in very quickly, and we feel very relaxed and happy here. It feels like our home; everything is the way it should be,” says one satisfied client. “You designed an amazing, perfect house that nestles into the landscape and gives us endless opportunities to enjoy this special piece of the world. Thank you!”

Custom Homes and Stock House Plans

In addition to designing carefully tailored single-family custom homes and planning home renovations, Gower Design Group has an extensive portfolio of stock house plans available through BC Mountain Homes. These architecturally distinctive, pre-designed house plans can be modified to suit your needs and lifestyle. From modest to luxurious, each plan is crafted to provide you with a simple, comfortable, yet elegant home that fits your life beautifully. Whether you choose to build a custom home, modify a stock house plan, or renovate your current residence, Gower Design Group will create a living space that's a perfect fit for you, one that nourishes the spirit, the community, and the land.

For more information, call 250.871.8765 (local), 1.877.366.2502 (toll-free), visit their website, or follow them on Facebook. You can also browse and order stock house plans via Gower Design Group's online catalogue. 

Moving into your new Vancouver Island home is a breeze with Delaney Relocation Services. They've been helping Vancouver Island residents pack, move, and relocate for over 10 years.

Located in the Comox Valley, Delaney Relocation Services provides a range of packing, moving, and relocation services in the Comox Valley (Comox, Courtenay, and Cumberland), Campbell River, Powell River, Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach. From kitchen cupboards to home electronics, Delaney Relocation Services will help you move and settle into your new home.

Specialty Services

Although Delaney Relocation Services can help people of all ages, they specialize in helping seniors pack, move, and relocate. Moving is a complicated process at any age, but can be particularly difficult for older adults. Delaney Relocation Services will simplify your move in a variety of ways, including space planning for your new home, disposing of unwanted or unnecessary items, cancelling or transferring utilities, and coordinating your move. They also offer a complete range of home-support services once you’re settled in your new home.

Member Affiliations

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. Delaney Relocation Services can coordinate your move with other moving service providers, including Vancouver Island Auction House, All Secure Storage, Seniors Services Under One Roof, Clarkes Household Moving, and Integrated Technologies.

Contact Information

For more information or to book a free one-hour consultation and written estimate, call 250.339.1188 (local), 1.866.210.2064 (toll-free), or visit their website. Compare rates to traditional movers and see how much you can save. Discover how easy packing and moving can be with Delaney Relocation Services!

Special Offer for Casa Loma Residents

Book your suite at Casa Loma, pay your deposit, and the full cost of your move could be covered!

Sixteen of the 34 residential lots available in Phase IV at Coal Valley Estates in Cumberland on Vancouver Island have been sold.