I have sold a property at 940 Horseshoe Rd in Gabriola Island on Jul 11, 2024. See details here
Nestled on 5.0 acres on Gabriola Island, this West Coast-style 2160 sq.ft home offers 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, ideal for entertaining and families. The spacious living room, featuring vaulted wood ceilings and a propane fireplace, centers the home, complemented by skylights and large windows for ample natural light. The kitchen offers a lot of storage and counter space and has a door leading onto the covered deck which overlooks the private acreage. The primary bedroom has a covered balcony and a bright ensuite with a large soaker tub. There are plenty of rooms that can be used for accommodations, home office space, or studios. Additionally, a 900 sqft double garage/workshop with windows and concrete floors is attached to the home. Exploring the level property you'll find that there is an orchard and outbuildings. This picturesque farming property features a mix of clearings, gardens, and trees. Conveniently located within a few minute's drive to the village, beach, and shops.
I have sold a property at 5904 Parkway Dr in Nanaimo on Jun 30, 2024. See details here
Welcome to your family’s new home! This spacious 2224 sqft North Nanaimo home with finished basement and large double-car garage features a separate privacy-fenced yard, complete with productive fruit trees on a corner lot (check with city for future development opportunities). Upstairs you will find 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms nicely tucked away from the bright, west-facing main living and kitchen areas. Downstairs, gather in the large family room with an additional bedroom and bathroom. The partially covered deck is ideal for relaxing and as another plus, enjoy being just a short walk to beach access and other North Nanaimo amenities. This home is located near Rutherford School which will re-open in Sept 2025. In the meantime, this home is right across the street from school bus service to Frank Ney School. This is exactly where you will want to raise your children and stay after they’re grown!
I have sold a property at 407 1620 Townsite Rd in Nanaimo on Jun 27, 2024. See details here
Beautiful and stylish TOP FLOOR condo in the THE MONTEBELLO. The pride of homeownership shows in this well maintained, clean and super cozy 1 Bed + Den/ 1 Bath condo. This contemporary unit comes with a secure underground parking spot, storage locker and a private and covered balcony (accessible from the living room and from the den) facing tranquile Koram Park, just perfect for relaxing. The living room features an electric fireplace for those very few chilly Island winter days. A beautiful laminate floor can be found throughout the living, dining room and den. Washer and Dryer are located in the condo.
Centrally located, this condo is close to all amenities Nanaimo has to offer such as shopping, restaurants, the Hospital, ferry and float plane, the Seawall, parks and Vancouver Island University. Book your showing today and experience what modern urban living on Vancouver Island looks like.
All information and measurements must be independendly verified by Buyer if deemed material.
Please visit our Open House at 2497 Nuttal Dr in Nanoose Bay. See details here
Open House on Saturday, June 22, 2024 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Welcome to Dorcas Point Estates! This custom-built home, cherished by its original owners, spans over 2000 sq ft on a .29-acre flat lot. As you enter, you'll find a bright bonus room, ideal for an office or den. The spacious living room seamlessly opens to the dining area and kitchen, which features a gas range and stainless-steel appliances. The home boasts a split bedroom layout, offering a private primary bedroom with a large ensuite, and two additional bedrooms with a 4-piece bathroom. Enjoy the elegance of Hunter Douglas blinds, Vera-De Euro-style hinged doors and windows, and built-in speaker system throughout. Step outside to an impressive custom-built deck with a wooden gazebo, surrounded by garden beds and fruit trees. The double-car garage and extended driveway provide ample recreational vehicle parking. Nanoose Bay is known for its exceptional lifestyle, with stunning beaches, lush parks, and top-notch golfing at Fairwinds Golf Club and amenities nearby!
Please visit our Open House at 2497 Nuttal Dr in Nanoose Bay. See details here
Open House on Sunday, June 23, 2024 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Welcome to Dorcas Point Estates! This custom-built home, cherished by its original owners, spans over 2000 sq ft on a .29-acre flat lot. As you enter, you'll find a bright bonus room, ideal for an office or den. The spacious living room seamlessly opens to the dining area and kitchen, which features a gas range and stainless-steel appliances. The home boasts a split bedroom layout, offering a private primary bedroom with a large ensuite, and two additional bedrooms with a 4-piece bathroom. Enjoy the elegance of Hunter Douglas blinds, Vera-De Euro-style hinged doors and windows, and built-in speaker system throughout. Step outside to an impressive custom-built deck with a wooden gazebo, surrounded by garden beds and fruit trees. The double-car garage and extended driveway provide ample recreational vehicle parking. Nanoose Bay is known for its exceptional lifestyle, with stunning beaches, lush parks, and top-notch golfing at Fairwinds Golf Club and amenities nearby!
I have listed a new property at 2497 Nuttal Dr in Nanoose Bay. See details here
Welcome to Dorcas Point Estates! This custom-built home, cherished by its original owners, spans over 2000 sq ft on a .29-acre flat lot. As you enter, you'll find a bright bonus room, ideal for an office or den. The spacious living room seamlessly opens to the dining area and kitchen, which features a gas range and stainless-steel appliances. The home boasts a split bedroom layout, offering a private primary bedroom with a large ensuite, and two additional bedrooms with a 4-piece bathroom. Enjoy the elegance of Hunter Douglas blinds, Vera-De Euro-style hinged doors and windows, and built-in speaker system throughout. Step outside to an impressive custom-built deck with a wooden gazebo, surrounded by garden beds and fruit trees. The double-car garage and extended driveway provide ample recreational vehicle parking. Nanoose Bay is known for its exceptional lifestyle, with stunning beaches, lush parks, and top-notch golfing at Fairwinds Golf Club and amenities nearby!
I have sold a property at 4996 Grouhel Rd in Ladysmith on Jun 4, 2024. See details here
Situated on 1 acre, your countryside paradise awaits. This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, plus den home has ample space for the whole family as well as revenue potential. The open concept living space lends to entertaining with ease. Enjoy the large kitchen with ample cabinet space while taking in the incredible mountain views. Off the kitchen is a large deck which is the perfect gathering space for outdoor meals. On the main you will find the generous primary bedroom with walk in closet and 3-piece ensuite, the second bedroom as well as a large 3 piece bathroom. Downstairs you will enjoy the 3rd bedroom, den, 3-piece bathroom and additional living room with kitchenette. Outside is your private, full fenced oasis with fruit trees and endless potential. Updates include new electrical, plumbing, heat pump and septic making this home truly a gem. Ready to make your dreams come true in Ladysmith’s Diamond? Reach out and get ready to love where you live!
I have sold a property at 1387 Cape Cod Dr in Parksville on May 30, 2024. See details here
ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL, 'RESORT-LIKE LIFESTYLE' IN THE SOUGHT AFTER AREA OF CRAIG BAY!
IT IS A COMMUNITY OF ITS OWN, LOCATED ON THE WATERFRONT IN PARKSVILLE. NUMEROUS
AMENITIES INCLUDE OUTDOOR POOL, HOT TUB, TENNIS/PICKLEBALL COURTS, CLUBHOUSE,
(W/GYM, LIBRARY, BOARDROOM, HOBBY RM, WOODWORKING, SAUNA) & GUEST SUITES!
THIS LEVEL ENTRY HOME HAS MANY UPGRADES W/MSTR BDM ON THE MAIN, LRG WALK-IN
CLOSET & UPGRADED 5PC ENSUITE. LRG LIVING/DINING AREA W/11 FT CEILINGS, GAS FP
W/BI-CABINETRY & NEW DECK TO ENJOY THE DISTANT OCEAN/MTN VIEWS! THE KITCHEN HAS
NEW GRANITE COUNTERTOPS, TILE BACKSPLASH & A SPACIOUS BREAKFAST AREA. ALL
EMBRACED BY MAPLE HARDWOOD FLOORS/TILE ENTRANCE/HALLWAY & A GREAT SOUND SYSTEM
THR-OUT MAIN. LOWER LEVEL OFFERS A COVERED PATIO AREA, FAMILY RM W/3-SIDED FP, OFFICE AREA,
BILLIARD/MEDIA RM, STORAGE RM & A GUEST BDRM W/NEW UPGRADED 4PC ENSUITE. THIS
POPULAR "QUADRA" MODEL OFFERS OVER 2,800 SQFT., DBL GARAGE W/DIRECT ENTRY &
NEW FURNACE & HEAT PUMP.
We always think about what’s in our potential new home, but what about the land it sits on? What lies underground and could there be anything beneath your next Nanaimo home that you should be aware of? Here are a few things you should know about before you buy!
But first, it’s important to understand land ownership in Canada. When you buy a home, it’s called “fee simple” ownership which is the highest form of home ownership. Meaning, that you own it forever, you can do with as you wish within city laws, and it will forever be passed to your heirs until it’s sold to someone else. There is a catch, and that is that if your home sits on crown land, which 94% of BC properties do, then it’s truly owned by the monarch and governed by the Canadian Government. When you look at your title, you may have certain non-financial charges such as undersurface rights, which give the crown the rights to anything under the surface of the land your home sits on.
In Nanaimo, one particular non-financial charge pops up often, M76300 called "Exceptions and Reservations" owned by the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company. Coal Mining was the main resource for Nanaimo from the mid 1800’s to the mid 1900’s and a railroad was built to support the industry in the 1800’s. As compensation, E&N was given a belt of land in Nanaimo along the railway line. This land has since been sold off with this encumbrance remaining on title. It doesn’t carry much significance but can be a little bit of a surprise! It means the E&N has the right to make changes like removing trees on your land, for the purpose of the railroad or stations. The reason it’s not an area of concern is that the land has mostly all be developed and very likely won’t be used for building out this dormant railroad. The charge also claims any minerals in the land, like oil. So, if you were to find some you could owe the railway line compensation. Since I’m not a lawyer though, I would strongly recommend you have these and any charges on title looked by one.
Mine shafts
As I mentioned, Nanaimo was a mining town for over 100 years with mine shafts throughout the city. Now, many neighbourhoods sit on top of Coal mines. If it’s known, this will usually be something you will see come up on a property disclosure statement, but the best way to find out is to check out the mining map of Nanaimo. If the home in question is in the area of a coal mine and if it is, you can check with the city to be certain. From there you could have a geotechnical engineer assess the risk of subsidence, or the sudden (or slow) lowering of elevation, like a sinkhole. You can also contact the Ministry of Energy and Mines (250-952-0732). In October of 2013 while working on a utility line it was discovered that a coal mine had collapsed under the surface of Pine Street in downtown Nanaimo. This left a huge void underground which could have easily led to a sinkhole, so the road was shut down for extensive repairs.
Buried Oil Tanks
If you’re buying a home in an older part of Nanaimo, then it may be super important to check for something else hidden underground and that’s buried oil tanks. When homes started using natural gas for heating, underground oil storage tanks (UST’s) were filled with sand and or/ capped off. The problem is if an old tank erodes, some of the leftover oil can seep into the surrounding soil and water, causing contamination that can spread a super long distance. If you do a scan of the property and discover a UST it should be removed, and the soil tested. Remediation can cost thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars so make sure you’ve done all you can to check for the presence of a buried oil tank before you buy! Have a scan done if you’re home was built before 1970, just to be safe.
Archeological Sites
Finally, in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas on Vancouver Island, it’s not unheard of to discover archeological or burial sites. Some examples are in Saanich in October of 2022 when construction workers discovered Thousands of years old Bison bones. Another example is in Craig Bay in Parksville where the excavation uncovered indigenous human remains. Overall, there are over 62,000 archeological sites across BC with more uncovered every year. If you ever encounter a home on an archeological site, proceed with caution as there will be a host of development and usage restrictions under the Heritage Conservation Act. And if you ever discover an artifact or remains, leave them where they are and contact the province right away. I will leave all the information in the video description as well.
If you’re interested in seeing what an archeological site looks like in Nanaimo, you can pay a visit to Petroglyph Provincial Park in the South end of the city, any time! Here you’ll see ancient stone carvings depicting mythological sea creatures, human figures, and animals that are symbolic of the spiritual and cultural history of the Coast Salish and Snuneymuxw First Nations.[3]
I hope this has helped you understand just some of the things that may be awaiting you under your next Nanaimo home. Your trusted realtor can help guide you through all of the above circumstances that you may come across during your home search here on Vancouver Island.
I have sold a property at 823 Glengarry Cres in Nanaimo on May 22, 2024. See details here
Modern updated 3 bed + 2 bath ranch style home located near Colliery Dam Park and Morrell Nature Sanctuary; the perfect location for outdoor enthusiasts! As you enter the residence, you are greeted by a traditional floorplan: living room with tons of natural light through the large bay windows, boasting a natural gas fireplace, and adjacent to a quaint dining area. The kitchen contains high end stainless steel appliances, and laminate/tile flooring, eating nook and leads to a covered exposed aggregate patio area with a covered hot tub and fully fenced back yard, offering tons of privacy and a space for pets to pay off leash. The primary bedroom has a luxurious 3-piece ensuite and walk-in closet. The 19'x20' double garage has been perfected by the current owner and is truly immaculate. The home boasts 12' wide and 40' long RV parking beside the home, irrigations system, mature landscaping.
