Local areas
Open House this Saturday, March 3rd from 1pm-2pm.
Feb 20th
Come see this great house!
Ok, so just listed this, nothing to do but (ViewTheHome.ca and) move in, 3 bedrooms, brand new roof, super Cedar Hill location, gorgeous lot and the price is 439 900! Coved ceilings, absolutely a cream puff in terms of condition as well. Must be seen, Realtors open Wednesday 1:30-3:00 but call me if you want to see it at that time, you will love this house. More pics and floor plans tomorrow evening as well as an MLS#. Call me, call your Realtor, you’ll want to see this one. Perfect for downsizing or small families. 3205 Doncaster Drive, 2 minutes from the Rec Center and the golf course.
I’m your Realtor in Victoria, BC
Fergus Kyne
RE/MAX Alliance
Come see this great house!
250 216 1217
“I didn’t understand the Homebuyer’s Plan. What now?”
Feb 17th
If you or someone you know is considering using RRSP’s (i.e withdrawing them from your plan) to purchase a home that you will live in, here is an excellent article outlining how this works. You want to be able to have the funds count as a tax deduction and as well, withdraw them with out paying a withholding tax, but there are certain rules to follow in order to achieve this.
Especially as this is RRSP season, a reminder for those of you who are considering this avenue for your down payment. Click here for the details http://bit.ly/y05V1H and don’t hesitate to call me to discuss further.
I’m your Realtor in Victoria, Fergus Kyne. 250 216 1217
Listing Reviews Now Available at www.ferguskyne.com
Oct 24th
Here’s Robin Gomez, Mortgage Expert with Dominion Lending speaking about my latest video listing review and a couple of ideas for financing that you may not have considered previously. When you go to my website you can login and see what I think properties will sell for and at what price you’ll find exceptional value. Got a property in mind you want me to review or are you wondering what yours would sell for? Call anytime, I’m your Realtor in Victoria, Fergus Kyne. 250 216 1217
Here’s a cute little video, QR code and condo to go with it!
Aug 18th
Top Floor Condo go here to see the vid and a great little song from a few years ago.
I’ve got this top floor 800 s.f. condo for sale at the super reasonable asking price of $194 900. I’m including a QR code for those that would like to see more details.
295571 is the MLS # if you want to search it the old fashioned way, you know, on the Internet, haha…
I’ll be doing an open house at this unit this Saturday from 3pm-4pm. Buzz “Pomerant” when you get to the intercom of this very quiet building, located at 2631 Prior.
This would be a great place for a student, or a couple that is wanting to live in town, on a quiet street. Think of how many condos are located in noisy locations, then come see this one. Downsizing? This might represent a fantastic chance to purchase a spacious unit with great views.
Your realtor in Victoria,
Fergus Kyne
RE/MAX Alliance
250 216 1217
Townhouse Living vs. a Condo
Jun 16th
Well for starters, you almost never have to share a door or ride an elevator with one of your strata neighbours! And honestly, can you put a price tag on that?
In all seriousness, hopefully you will get to know some of your neighbours and learn to appreciate them just like we would hope all people do with the folks who live around you, no matter if you’re in a house, mobile, condo, TH or mansion on acreage.
But when you’ve chosen to live in a strata, and you make the decision to have a townhome (TH) rather than a condo, you can 
often enjoy a lot of benefits in a townhome that you wouldn’t get in a condo.
For example, I wasn’t kidding about the front door! It’s nice to be able to open the door to your place, whether it be a front or back door and leave it that way. You won’t be doing that in most condos as for the most part you’ll be looking at a wall or a door in a condo as opposed to the world outside from your TH.
For the gardener out there, most TH’s will come with a ground level yard that can accomodate your inner green thumb or your desire to grow food and or flowers. Sure this can be done in a condo as well, but not to the same extent and also some condos don’t even have a balcony or patio.
BBQ! Even vegans can’t stop entirely the lure of the ol’ flame grill, (email me for a fantastic eggplant burger recipe that will knock the Birkenstocks right off that hottie from Fernwood you’re dating) and I can’t tell you how many condos won’t let you have a BBQ. There are of course condos that allow BBQ’s but surprisingly a lot of them do not.
Which brings me to my next point: rentals. Generally speaking, there seems to be more flexibility in how you can live your life in a townhome. More of them allow rentals than condos, which is good if you find yourself wanting to rent your place out or if you are an investor. Pets are another tricky issue with condos. In my opinion, WAY too many condos won’t let owners even have a cat, and dogs are often out of the question. Now, I can understand why perhaps, as you don’t want dogs set loose in the shared hallways of your strata. But for so many people, especially elderly single occupants, it can often be so important for them to be able to have a companion.
Usually this is not an issue with a townhome, as more often than not, you will have your own little terrain for Rover to relieve himself and you’re generally not sharing areas of the common area that would prove to be contentious with other owners.
Usually, you’ll pay a bit more for a townhome than a condo, but this is not set in stone. If you consider the price per square foot of living space you get a TH is often a better value, and the same can be said for strata fees, often on a square foot basis, you will pay less for your monthly obligation to the maintenance and contingency fund in a TH than you will a condo.
Did I mention, rhetorically, parking? Well I will now, almost always with a TH, it’s right outside your unit, and often with a garage. Not so with a condo, there is no shortage of condos that have NO parking.
Compare the price of this one I have listed at 403-642 Agnes on a finished s.f. basis with perhaps a condo you may be looking at. Almost 1600 square feet on three levels with west facing back yard; here’s the description and the price is $364 900 with a monthly strata fee of $278.00 which includes access to the outdoor pool and rec centre, spring to fall.
“Great New Price-Fresh Paint, new front and closet doors, Light Fixtures, electric switches, lovely wood floors, new kitchen flooring, among the best in the entire strata! Nicely updated, Attractive & Bright. This 3 bdrm home features a newer kitchen with built in breakfast nook, newer quality carpets & an updated bathroom. 3 level floor plan features insuite laundry, a family room or recreation area on the lower floor, comfortable living room with wood burning fireplace, sunny, south facing private yard/patio with new cedar fence and more. The complex is situated in a park like setting with play area and outdoor swimming pool facilities. A fantastic offering for the price, location and solitude.”
Next week, condos investment for university students!
I’m your Realtor in Victoria, BC, Fergus Kyne with ViewTheHome.ca
RE/MAX Alliance, 770B Hillside Ave.
250-216-1217
Magical Maplewood
Jun 14th
| There are certain neighbourhoods of our great city that people really want to live in. Usually these desireable areas have a few things in common; a real sense of community, quiet, tree lined streets, mature vegetation, access to great ammentities like shops, recreation facilities and bus routes to name a few. One of the most sought after spots in Victoria, BC is Maplewood. That area of Saanich East that is more or less west of the Cedar Hill Rec Centre, it’s extremely accessible golf course (the most played in Canada) and also the heavily used but never too crowded chip trail that circumnavigates the the par 71 track. When people settle in here, they usually do not want to leave. So, when a home becomes available, there is always strong interest from the property hunting public.Take a look at this one located at 1237 Oakmount Street. You will be impressed by the size of the yard, with it south facing back yard and how private it all is. The home itself is a one level rancher on a crawl space, so it’s ideal for empty nesters, a single person or perhaps a small family. Not often will you find two bathrooms, a detached garage, as well as another out building that has provided guest accomodation or could easily be converted into a bright and spacious studio.
I’d be happy to show it to you, to answer any questions you have about it, or to email you floor plans and more photos. Check my personal website at www.ferguskyne.com to instantly see more listing info on this property and others. All the best! Fergus Kyne “Lovely, manicured, character home in park-like setting with South facing back yard on oversized lot in desirable Maplewood, minutes on foot to Cedar Hill chip trail. In mint condition, featuring corner windows in every room and gleaming wood floors with wood burning FP in LR. Updates include windows, flooring, lighting and HW tank, bathroom with heated floor and subway tiles and surprise 2 pc en-suite off master bedroom. There is a separate garage with door opener and character out building with great guest room potential. Yard features easy care gardens with in ground sprinklers, stamped concrete drive and path ways and natural rock outcroppings with untouched Garry Oak Meadow. Sunny, private, back deck perfect for entertaining al fresco.” |
Priced very well at $509 900 this home is a real treat to view.
Luxury, Waterfront and Water Views
Jun 10th
In Victoria we are blessed when we consider what is available in the higher end market. Of course this includes the top of the top, which is nothing short of spectacular, but also anything priced from around 1.5M to say just under 3M. Why? Because not only do we have a lot of inspired builders, the “tableau” if you will that they are allowed to create within and upon can often be overwhelming in the true sense of the word. Recently for example, I View-ed (The) a Home, notice the subtle product placement, a couple of homes in the Gonzales Hill area of our fine city. Neither of them waterfront, but both with absolutely stunning views over the water in several directions. One of them on Fairfield Pl. almost 3800 s.f has one of the most enticing panaramic views you will see in our town and this 1990 built home has been updated and feels fantastic. I said it won’t be long before this one is snapped up at the asking price of $1 590 000. In just over a month, it sold for 1. 530M. There was nothing that needs to be done to this one, many homes from this era look dated 21 years later; this one would have knocked your socks off.
Another one I saw for 2.5M and built in 2009 is approx. 5000 s.f. of absolutely exquisite luxury. The finishing in this house lacks for nothing and the views (over 180 degrees) from on top of the hill that is traversed by King George Terrace are outstanding in any direction. With this one you can feel there is great value esp given the cost per s.f. to try and replicate this quality if you were to build yourself. It wasn’t all that long ago when the asking price was 2.8M for this home and evidently the market, (that entirely rationale beast), said, “too much”. Now, someone is going to have an amazing home where in the views will be magnificent forever. It just went pending as a sale for close to what they were asking.
Which brings me to waterfront and my listing at 369 King George Terrace, which is priced at 2.699M and has a spectacular setting on the ocean front. This property is exceptional in so many ways, the list of construction luxuriousness, if you will is extensive for sure. One thing you won’t find in too many waterfront homes currently on the market is a three car garage, hot water radiant heat on all three floors and is this new, 2007 built. A lot of waterfront locations in South Oak Bay are completely open and exposed to the elements; ie, it howls right into your open doors or windows so much of the time. This one is protected by being deep with in a bay; often you can see the waves and the wind chopping up the water 200 metres from your patio while you are enjoying the calm stillness of the day or evening. Call me at 250 216 1217 or email me, fergus@telus.net and I’ll send you floor plans and more details including all kinds of photos.
Prices in this market have come down, no question and this listing now at 2.699M as well as the others I refer to above is proof postitive of that. Buyers will benefit from conditions that favour them, most notably our high inventory but also the fact that the cost of borrowing remains very low.
I’ll look forward to showing this new listing and any others like it to you-it’s a real treat to be able to help people to fall in love with these special and exquisite homes.
I’m your Realtor in Victoria, Fergus Kyne with ViewTheHome.ca 
Fergus Kyne, RE/MAX Alliance, 770B Hillside Ave, Victoria,
250-386-8875
1237 Oakmount Rd
Jun 1st
Staging and prepping the house in anticipation of it hitting the MLS Friday A.M. Tomorrow at 9:30, Tim Boyle from True Measurement will be taking photos and providing me with floor plans and I’ll hopefully load those up here for you to view as well tomorrow evening. My network group of Realtors will be coming thru on Friday a.m. to assist me with some professional feedback and then we’ll be all ready to have you and your real estate guru come thru and of course if you don’t have a relationship with one, give me a call at 250 216 1217 and I’ll take you to ViewTheHome.ca myself.
May ended up with 572 sales, down about 120 from May of last year but there were more homes listed in May of last year than May of 2011. However the overall inventory is up about 340 listings from this time last year. What does this mean? Even more so than before, the listings that are priced right are selling quickly for asking or often more than asking, and the ones that are overpriced are languishing; I just wanted to use that word to give you the impression that I have more arsenal in my vocabulary than what I really wanted to say, which was something like “are being ignored” or are “dying on the vine”.
Spoke to a realtor today who told me he listed a very nice newer home in Highlands on five acres, over 4000 sf, with TWO separate additional suites at what seemed like a very reasonable price in the mid 800′s. Thirty days in and NO calls, emails, nothing. Not even from another realtor. Wow…welcome to a new paradigm that may be associated with our very high inventory. That cold, rational beast other wise known as the “market” is shutting out that which it doesn’t warm too.
Call me anytime, except today between 5pm and whatever it takes for game one to end…
haha
Your Realtor (can someone tell me where the “trademark” button is on my keyboard) in Victoria,
Fergus Kyne
RE/MAX Alliance
250 216 1217
This is me if I were singlehandedly the Sedins of Victoria, BC real estate.
New Listing in Maplewood
May 30th
Coming this week…organizing for photos and floor plans…gorgeous 2 bed, 2 bath (ensuite) home on a beautiful, oversized lot with south facing back yard. Separate garage plus another out building that has been ideal for summer guests. This unique home has a lovely open kitchen, fireplace in the LR and features 90° windows in every corner of the house. Plus, it’s in perfect shape! You will love it…more details later this week. Will be attractively priced in the low 500′s.
Call Fergus Kyne at 250-216-1217 to set up a showing for later in the week. You’re going to want this home for sure if 2 beds, 2 baths is what you‘re needing…plenty of room for more development as well.
Fernwood!
Apr 27th
Going to show a listing in Fernwood. I have seen a lot of homes there lately. This 1 looks exceptional and I believe the buyer will really like it.
The pictures look great.
Looking in Fernwood to sell or buy? Call me, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them all!
Voice to text mobile blogging, I’m your Realtor in Victoria, Fergus Kyne with ViewTheHome.ca
