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Cowichan Valley is "Best Value"
on Vancouver Island
Sandy Stinson of Team Stinson, Re/max Lake Cowichan recently
conducted
an in depth study of the afford ability of homes throughout the
Province
of BC and determined that the Cowichan Valley offers the best
bang for
your buck...and here is why!
The combination of a stable economy, low unemployment rates and
fairly
low mortgage rates serve to make the Cowichan Valley an
excellent choice
when considering your next real estate purchase. From newly
constructed
homes, existing homes and condos, to building lots, there's an
abundance
of affordable real estate available in the Cowichan Valley. As
the
demand for housing in some areas is declining, the market in the
Cowichan Valley is holding its own. As with anything, real
estate
prices have increased in the last few years, but, when compared
to
market prices efor homes in Victoria and surrounding areas, homes
in the Cowichan Valley are generally offered at over $100,000 in
savings for
comparable properties! The savings would be double that from
Vancouver
prices.
Whether you're a lifetime resident or considering making the Cowichan
Valley your new home, there are numerous choices for real
estate.
Although, the enormous wealth of opportunities for affordable
real
estate in the Cowichan Valley might just make your choice of
ownership a
hard decision!
With the many gorgeous locations available, it will be hard to
choose
where to live. The Cowichan Valley communities offer one of the
most
diverse selections of locations and settings that you can find
anywhere. But, no matter what your preferences and tastes are,
you'll
be able to find the perfect living environment to call home, and
you'll
be able to find some of the most affordable real estate prices
in the area.
If you love the ocean and water activities such as scuba diving,
sailing, wind surfing or fishing and have always dreamed of an
ocean
view from your front porch, the Cowichan Valley has it. There
are many
existing homes and lots available that are in close proximity to
some of
the most beautiful shorelines in the world.
There's also the choice of living along the Cowichan River area.
The
river is known worldwide as the fly fishing capital of the world
and
hosts tourists that travel from all around the world just to
take
advantage of the fishing opportunities. The river is home to
rainbow,
brown and cutthroat trout, steel head and three different
species of
Pacific salmon.
The Cowichan River offers an abundance of water activities as
well.
From a serene day of canoeing to an exciting day of riding the
rapids,
swimming, skiing and boating there's something for everyone! The
area
is also the natural habitat for numerous species of wildlife and
has
some of the most beautiful waling and hiking trails on the
island.
Scenic ocean views, lake fronts and the river life aren't bay
any means
the only options available in the valley. The forest areas offer
some
of the most amazing locations for housing. The forests are dense
with
Western Hemlocks and Douglas fir and make a wonderful secluded
living
areas. If you like the town life, there are quaint harbor
villages and
friendly people.
The Cowichan Valley is not only full of history and beauty, it's
one of
the best places to find affordable real estate. Situation within
a 50
minute drive from both Nanaimo and Victoria, it's an ideal
location even
if you work in one of those cities. The enormous savings on real
estate
properties gives living in the Cowichan Valley a huge advantage
over
living in either Victoria or Nanaimo.
Although the Cowichan Valley has all the conveniences of the
modern day
world, it's managed to retain it's old world feel and provides a
peaceful, serene lifestyle. The valley has a uniquely
intertwined
peacefulness of small town living with all the modern amenities
provided
by living in a big city.
The beautiful rural settings, numerous family activities and
great
schools make it the perfect place to raise a family and it's
quickly
becoming a island paradise for many who just want to spend their
retirement doing the sports and activities that they love or
just
relaxing doing nothing but walking or golfing.
The name Cowichan means land warmed by the Sun, a fitting name
that was
derived from the valley's temperatures. The region boasts the
only
Maritime Mediterranean climate zone in Canada which results in
the
warmest year round temperatures in the country. Annual averages
range
from 65 degrees in June to 37 degrees in January, although
various
location for its advantages to farming.
For most people a home is the biggest investment they make
during their
lifetime. There are numerous things to consider when shopping
for the
right house and the right place to live. The Cowichan Valley is
truly a
region that has it all. The unlimited offerings of affordable
real
estate in the Cowichan Valley make it the obvious choice for
your next
move.
When considering purchasing real estate in the Cowichan Valley,
Sandy
Stinson of Team Stinson, Re/max Lake Cowichan has the experience
and
expertise required to find that special dream property for you
and your
family.
Lower prices equal great value
for real estate in 2008/09
Home buyers have discovered that the Cowichan Valley still has some
great house prices. Home values jumped in the last few years but we
find ourselves again in a Buyers Market. We are down at least 10% since
this time last year but I am not surprised to see people coming down a
further 10% once a contract is put in front of them. Even the most dire
predictions are only a 30% drop in house prices in some inflated
markets,so why not try your luck, it could well be the best possible
time to buy real estate in Southern Vancouver Island.
As more people are holding greatly devalued stock I believe that they
will now turn to real estate as the best possible investment vehicle.
You can use if for your get-a-way, especially here in beautiful Lake
Cowichan, you can rent it and you can increase the value over time by
renovating and slowly building in equity. As long as you do not find
your self in the position that you have to sell you will not lose money
on real estate. You can write off portions of the mortgage if you rent
it and get help paying down the mortgage, especially if you are looking
at a long term investment, come retirement time, everything will be paid
off and you will have a fairly passive income. I highly recommend a
property manager, it is the best 10% you will ever spend and it is also
a write off on your taxes and gives you a hands off investment. Another
opportunity might be to sell the house after it is paid off to someone
who you are willing to hold a mortgage for, say your children or a
person who you are comfortable with. You will be amazed at the
soundness of holding a first mortgage, like the banks it can be the best
possible return on your investment.
Last year I was filled with fear about the market,
now that the worst has happened I am feeling much more optimistic. This
severe of a down turn is not sustainable. What really happened, oil jumped
from $50 per barrel to $140 a barrel and back down to $50 per barrel and
suddenly the sky is falling. The world did not change, supply and demand
did not change. There was just too much speculation in the market.
When people perceive the 'bottom' of the market has hit I think that buying and
selling will resume at a more sustainable level, as a Realtor I do not want to
see spiraling prices, I want to see prices stabilize so that homes are
attainable to the majority, that is what makes for a good economy and a healthy
community. We have just enjoyed 5 days of increase in the Dow so some
analysts are predicting that Thursday November 20 2008 was the bottom, lets hope
they are right.
Port Renfrew Travelogue
Chocolate, cheese & bees,
cider, wine and berries, Cowichan offers a bountiful buffet of
decadent delicacies. Cowichan’s ever increasing wineries have
been receiving praise as the Provence of Canada, or Napa of the
North. Enjoy our many varieties of fruit and grape wines and an
ever expanding choice of back yard Bistro’s. As we tend to
change everything around us, baby boomers have made an art form
out of good clean wholesome food, be gone saturated fats and
trans fats and plastic additives that our bodies don’t know what
to do with so it stores them in unsightly bulges. We have some
of the best and most plentiful water on the planet as well as
the warmest average temperatures in Canada, not a bad start to
growing great food. We are fortunate to have three farmers
markets in the Valley. It is fairly easy to live the hundred
mile, field to fork diet in Cowichan at least of six months of
the year, for the other six we need to get a little more
creative, I have been experimenting with the many options
available to extend the season, just a little glass gives a
month earlier planting and a month later growing season. It is
almost December and we have just eaten our last fresh tomato’s
and pea’s from the garden. The Warm Land (Cowichan) has
approximately a quarter of Vancouver Island’s cultivated land
and it is a local tradition to sell produce, eggs and meat right
off the farm.
Port Renfrew is a favorite place to
retreat to for a couple of days, I personally would not live
there as I will not step any further into the Rainforest however
it is a mystical magical place to visit there is something about
the Sea to give us a fresh perspective on life. Not to mention
all the great sea food. Some of my best days have been at
Renfrew on Sombrio Beach, last trip there I watched a whale
lounge around most of the afternoon, we saw Bear and Eagles and
a Big Owl on the way home. Usually you see Elk coming closer to
home out at Cottonwood Creek at the end of Lake Cowichan. On
another visit we were out on the boat near the Carmana and there
was a bait ball of herring and the Eagles where diving it and
the whales where munching there way through as well as porpoise
and sea lions, we where halibut fishing but could not keep the
Salmon off the line. It is days like that that make you think
all is well with the world. The road to Renfrew is a easy 45
minutes from Cowichan Lake see the circle Route Map attached.
Come have your adventure.
Vancouver Island Circle Route Map
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