Our Island among top 10 best places in the world, according to magazine ranking 'Travel + Leisure' magazine award will help boost the region's tourism industry, according to experts Walter Cordery, Daily News (Nanaimo) Published: Monday, July 09, 2012 It comes as no surprise to Rene and Monique Vaanstra that readers of Travel Leisure magazine have once again voted Vancouver Island as the top island to visit in Canada and the continental United States. As far as island getaways go, the Dutch couple think readers of the magazine are absolutely correct. The Vaanstras are visiting from Holland and they came to British Columbia to see wildlife, specifically whales. Kaebe Spearing, 2, left, and brother Kason, 4, entertained themselves with log walking and…

Affordability factors into greater demand for recreational property in markets across the country this year, says RE/MAX

Sales of recreational product up in 70 per cent of Canadian markets examined Kelowna, BC (June 18, 2012) — Canadian recreational property markets have been reinvigorated, with softer values, increased selection, and a rebound in consumer confidence contributing to an upswing in sales in 2012, according to a report released today by RE/MAX. The RE/MAX Recreational Property Report, highlighting trends and developments in 33 markets nationally, found that sales were ahead of last year’s levels in 70 per cent of communities examined, while six per cent were on par with 2011 figures. Greater affordability has been a major impetus, in

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Yesterday the federal government announced new mortgage rules to take effect July 9th. The changes include: 1. Reducing the maximum amortization period to 25 years from 30 years    2. Reducing the maximum amount of equity homeowners can take out of their homes when refinancing to 80% from the current 85% 3. Limiting the availability of government-backed mortgages to homes with a purchase price of less than $1 million 4. Fixing the maximum gross debt service ratio at 39% and the maximum total debt service ratio at 44% The 1st and 4th change will have a fairly large impact on our purchasing market. Keep in mind that these changes are only for those needing high ratio mortgages, with less than 20% down payment. Purchasers with less than 20% down will find…

B.C. is home to the Top 4 cities in Canada with the highest-ranked quality of life, according to new U.S. research from the National Bureau of Economic Research. The report, soon to be published in the Canadian Journal of Economics, found that Victoria provides the highest quality of life in Canada, followed by Vancouver, Kelowna and Abbotsford. All of the four B.C. cities ranked ahead the usual contenders: Toronto, Calgary and Montreal. “Overall, it seems that Canadians really like the West, and they really like B.C.,” said lead author David Albouy, assistant professor of economics at the University of Michigan.

“It’s got great geography and a great climate, which is pretty unique to Canada. Toronto has got great culture, but it just can’t match

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Real (estate) income: A haven from volatility | Advisor.ca www.advisor.ca Clients want returns, yet fixed-income isn't delivering, and many are frightened of equities. Many advisors, as a result, are turning to real estate to round out portfolios.

                                                                                                      

 

Thank you for joining Ron Neal and The Neal Estate Team for our 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt in support of BC Children's Hospital Foundation. Under sunny skies, about 600 children showed up, some in great costumes, searched and found the more than thirty thousand hidden chocolate eggs and many other great prizes. With your help we raised over $3,600 to help sick kids get better, your contribution helped to ensure the success of our event.

As a supporter of this event, you have helped B.C.'s sickest kids including thousands of visitors from Victoria and Vancouver Island each year who have benefited through research, educational programs and the purchase of vital lifesaving equipment. Thank you to the many student volunteers who helped out with the many

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Hi, Our market picked up some in February and with both sales and prices being down and more listings available to choose from, there are some excellent buying opportunities. For the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters click here to view The Neal Report. I'm in Las Vegas this week for our RE/MAX International conference getting inspired and making excellent contacts with the best in the business from the 85 countries we come from around the globe. I have been presented with the highest sales recognition award given by RE/MAX, the Circle of Legends, which has made me feel like a bit of a celebrity. When RE/MAX have clients considering a move to our part of the world, we get the

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Hi , Real estate sales activity showed a modest increase throughout Greater Victoria last month with a total of 483 homes and other properties selling through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up from 458 sales in September. There were 467 sales in October of last year. The average price for single-family homes sold in Greater Victoria last month was $595,836, down from $622,393 in September. For more details click here for The Neal Report, a link to our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters. You may already have visited our Victoria Luxury Homes website, along with the thousands of others who have. It has been

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Hi , Real estate sales activity softened throughout Greater Victoria last month with a total of 458 homes and other properties selling through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), down from 542 sales in August. Sales last month were, however, 16 per cent higher than the 395 sales in September of last year. The number of properties available for sale held steady with a slight decline last month to 4,940 compared to 4,944 at the end of August. Click here for The Neal Report, a link to our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters.

In November I will be returning to Poland to play with our RE/MAX Hockey Team. Please

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Hi , The Summer flew by with some wonderful family time including a road trip to California with just my oldest son, some lake time and golf with RE/MAX Colleagues too. The kids are now back to school and we are starting to get back into our extracurricular activities. Real estate sales activity picked up throughout Greater Victoria last month compared to this time last year with possible signs of more stability in the market although inventory levels are currently 13% higher than a year ago and prices have come down, in some cases significantly. Here is a link to our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters. Click here for: The Neal Report At

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