Gabriola Island Real Estate Blog

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Every year Our Family’s tradition is to sit around the kitchen table and talk about our hopes, dreams and goals for the upcoming year.

This year Our Family wants to help END Breast Cancer.

Our promise for the Year 2009 is:

We, Jody & Emily West, will donate a portion of every commission we receive to The Breast Cancer Foundation.

We will be hosting exciting events all year long. Visit our Blog on www.gabriola-real-estate.com or watch the local newspapers for dates and times. We hope to see you there!!

If you would like to get involved with our team, please let us know.

Let’s work together. Let’s make a difference.

BEST WISHES IN THE NEW YEAR

and our “Sincerest Thanks” for your past and present support.

Did you know?  Gabriola is known as “The Isle of Arts”.

Art is an investment.  It can realize substantial gains, both monetary and pleasure.  Some require substantial disposable income, certainly interest and curiosity, but mostly desire is the prerequisite.  The word investment, like in buying real estate, has clear expectations.  It is an activity of time, energy and purpose leading to an outcome of return.

The range of options is varied and broad.  If enjoyment or décor are your goal, your choice of medium, design, colour and gallery will be a factor in making your purchase.  If retaining value is important, then the best investment is taking the time to search out an artist and/or gallerist with a known reputation in the art world.

Gabriola has one of the highest concentrations of artists in Canada.  There is a unique opportunity to interact personally with our artists, many with national and international reputations.   Although many are open for business year round, there were more than 90 galleries open for you to explore on the Studio Tour - Thanksgiving weekend this year.   2008 was the 12^th event hosted by our Gabriola Arts Council, which attracted record numbers of art fans to this magical art celebration.  This year, the mix of locals and visitors from afar enjoyed creative energy with hot foods and drink offered by many of the exhibits.   Believe us when we say “There is something for everyone in this Art Extravaganza”.

When time comes to sell your home or property, you may be temped to sell it yourself.   This mammoth proposition can be a “wild ride” in this topsy-turvy market.  The entire market place will be scrutinizing both you and your home.  The primary reason for taking on this task would be saving on the Real Estate Commission.  The saving could be an expensive illusion.  Remember, a buyer can stop the ride and get off anytime they want to – you can’t.

The buyers in this market are price sensitive, negotiate toughly for the best buy and they have the time to be selective after comparing what is available.   The primary reason buyers are attracted to a “For Sale By Owner” is the prospect of getting a better buy than the properties listed by Real Estate Agencies.

It is not uncommon or difficult for a buyer to determine what fair market value is and then ask to have an additional discount equal to the real estate commission – yes that’s right, the same commission a seller thinks he/she is saving.   Hence the problem - two sides trying to save the same commission amount.

Not knowing the pre-sale procedures, pre-qualifications and strategies to completing a sale could and probably would result in mistakes that could be costly to either seller or buyer.   An unprofessionally written “Contract Of Purchase And Sale” may have clauses and other terms that could be legally risky, unenforceable or even unfair.  The legal pitfalls are numerous.

Selling or Buying your home or property alone can be a time consuming, frustrating exercise in futility that could end up costing dollars you hoped to save.   Your situation needs a professional to thoroughly examine your situation, needs and lifestyle on an individual basis.

As you see, there are distinct advantages to utilizing, most importantly, the protection and the skilled services of a professionally trained and experienced Realtor.

These remarks are not intended to dissuade you from attempting to sell or buy on your own, but, to provide an education and place the process in a realistic perspective.

Gabriola Island Waterfront

Have we got news for you.  The Silva Bay Yacht Club is in its 31st year with nearly 100 charter members, a year round cruising calendar and more than 50 reciprocals with other yacht clubs.  The meetings are well attended on the first Monday of every month which provides us with films and quest speakers to enlighten our knowledge and peak our interest.

A variety of cruises offer something for everyone, regardless of the size of your vessel.   From day trips to 2 week excursions in the remote areas of the BC Coastline, the members enjoy companionship, fabulous on board and on dock, pot luck dinners, BBQ’s, dinghy races and  tons of great fun.

Winter Blues Cruise

Specialty cruises include the “Lighted Boat Parade”, “The Halloween Cruise to Pirates Cover”, “The Mystery Cruise”, “The Valentine Cruise” and of course we can’t forget the “Salute the Compass” and the “Bay Day Fishing Derby”  – times to remember forever.

The land based events also provide the members with get-togethers including delightful lunches, marine  yard sales, kite flying contests, the Commodore’s Dinner/Awards Night and Dance, our monthly Anchorline news letter and our Photo Contest.

If you move to Gabriola, this is one club you will want to join – what a great way to meet fun loving people.   Let us know, we will take you as our guest to  - You’ll be glad you did.

Gabriola is such a wonderful gulf island community, filled with talented people who are truly supportive of each other and the paradise in which we live. We are known to live by “Island Time” but on the other hand we are busy with the enjoyment of our home.

Some of our activities that keep us involved with each other and healthy in mind and body are:

The Gabriola Island Walking Club which meets Wednesdays at 10 am - dogs are welcome but must be on leash.

The Gym @ Twin Beaches – we say it is the “best darned little gym on the West Coast” with affordable rates, personal and group training with top notch experienced teachers.

Variety of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates classes in various locations.

Gabriola Karate Club on Mondays @ 5:30 pm – School Gym.

Tennis anyone ? All year round at Huxley Park behind Folk Life Village has organized matches.

Badminton also on Thursdays @ 8:30 PM – Gabriola Elementary School Gym.

Volleyball Fun – Mondays @ 6:30 – Gabriola Elementary School Gym (16 years and over).

Gabriola’s Rod & Gun Club offers Canadian Firearms Safety Courses for Long guns and pistols as well as shotgun shoots, Sport Clay shoots and Archery for both adults and youth.

The Gabriola 4-H Club Horse and Hound Club - Showmanship, care and projects for horses and dogs – for youth up to 19 years only.

Gabriola Astronomy Group – meet in various locations on Fridays nights when skies are clear.

Coffee House – Music abounds with well known musicians from far and wide and the many talented Gabriola musicians @ Agi Hall on one Friday a month for an awesome evening of sound.

Gabriola Island Photography Club – 2 Wednesdays a month @ 10 am – Rollo Centre.

Then there is a multitude of programs offered by the Rollo Centre for those over 50 years, including Pilates, Quilting, Scrabble, Bridge, Painting, Cribbage and various art forms.

Teens have a place too. The Gathering Place facility, which is part of the Hope House, runs programs on Friday and Saturday afternoons and nights, that include rec. programs, art and special events. Our Island teens are proficient at raising money with car washes etc for programs they wish to have in place.

Before School Care provides a drop off @ 7:30 am, with breakfast included and a supervised walk to school which is just down the road – Hope House.

Little ones have lots of fun at Rug Huggers, on Wednesdays @ 10 to noon “Free” play/social group for families with children up to 5 years of age. Grow With Me is another program for parents with preschoolers on Thursdays @ 10 to 11:15.