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NEW LISTING at 7065 Willis Point RD in VICTORIA

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Mark Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

Property Photo: 7065 Willis Point RD in VICTORIA

We have a new listing at 7065 Willis Point RD in VICTORIA.

A winding driveway takes you through the trees to this custom executive home, perfectly positioned to take advantage of the fantastic ocean views over Brentwood Bay. All principal rooms face the view with expansive, new cedar decks that invite you to settle down and watch the boats go by. Inside, you will find careful maintenance and continuous upgrades by the long time owners, including a recent deluxe chef's kitchen, upgraded bathrooms, and more. The large, level lot of nearly an acre gives you and your family the space you want, and the privacy to enjoy your rural life. Although only 25 minutes to Victoria, you will feel like you are a world away in your country retreat.

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Underground Oil Tanks and Environmental Remediation

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Leong & Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

Since as early as the 1930’s, many Victoria homes have used home heating oil as their primary heating source. The oil has been, and continues to be stored in large storage tanks, which are either located above ground (typically in a basement) or below ground (typically buried in a backyard). This discussion will focus on the potential problems posed by oil tanks buried below ground.

As home owners switch from using heating oil to alternative sources like electric and natural gas, many of the underground oil tanks have been emptied out and forgotten. These tanks are however a potential source of contamination of both soil and groundwater, and for that reason they are regulated by British Columbia’s Environmental Protection Act and the regulations thereto (the “Act”).

Who faces liability under the Act? Potentially, each of the current owner of the property, any prior owners of the property, and anyone who may have transported contaminants either onto the property or from the property onto another property may be liable to remediate the contaminated soil. The costs of remediating the soil can be significant; remediation of contaminated soil on a standard size City of Victoria lot could range up to $200,000 or more, depending on the level of contamination.

In addition, the owners of lots with buried underground oil tanks may face other problems, principally that the property may become uninsurable, because of the potential fire hazard posed by these buried tanks, and that banks and credit unions may not want to grant a mortgage over the property, because of the risk of contamination and the associated costs to clean it up.

With these concerns in mind, what can home owner and potential buyers do to protect themselves? The best thing to do would be to have an approved inspector check for a buried underground oil tank and, if one is found, contact individuals approved to determine the extent, if any, of any contamination, and to subsequently decommission and/or remove the tank from the property. Ascertaining whether or not there is a buried oil tank should also be part of the due diligence involved in the house-buying process; either the potential buyer and/or Realtor should find out if there is such a tank or, if the sellers do not know, then the potential buyer’s Realtor should ensure that the purchase is conditional upon the results of an inspection for such a tank.

This discussion of underground oil tanks is intended only as a brief introduction to the subject. Should you have any questions or concerns with respect to this or any other aspect of real estate law, please contact Brendan Piovesan at Mullin DeMeo, at

brendan@mdlawcorp.com, or (250) 477-3327.

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NEW LISTING at UIDu Duncan, UI Duncan

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Mark Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

We have a new listing at UIDu Duncan, UI Duncan.

See details here

Hennessey Acres is situated in the historic Cowichan Station, 10 minutes south of Duncan and 40 minutes north of Victoria. Running through this 12.2 Acre area is the beautiful Koksilah River. This property is one of the few locations that has easy access to the river coupled with a deep swimming hole and low currents. From the moment you enter this home the feeling is warm and spacious. There are 5 bedrooms available and two four piece bathrooms. The large kitchen overlooks the open living room sporting a gas fireplace surrounded by antique brick and a copper hood. The kitchen and dining room open to a partially covered enormous deck overlooking the large lawn and rolling pastures. Too much to list!

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NEW LISTING at 72 3987 Gordon Head RD in VICTORIA

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Mark Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

Property Photo: 72 3987 Gordon Head RD in VICTORIA

We have a new listing at 72 3987 Gordon Head RD in VICTORIA.

See details here

This Gordon head end-unit townhouse with 3 bedrooms on the upper level, and a 4th bedroom / den on the lower is a great opportunity to get into an excellent neighborhood with some of Victorias best schools ? all at a very affordable price. Inside, you will find easy care laminate throughout, a large kitchen with eating area, spacious rooms, and abundant storage everywhere. Outside, your fully fenced South facing patio is a great place to relax! Or, let the kids roam on the large & safe green space inside the complex. Affordable, well located, very spacious, with 2 parking spots, and central to transportation, are just the beginning of a list of reasons you?ll want to live here.

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SOLD! Another happy client at 6 4522 Gordon Point DR in VICTORIA

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Mark Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

Property Photo: 6 4522 Gordon Point DR in VICTORIA

We have just sold another property at 6 4522 Gordon Point DR in VICTORIA. We would love to sell your property, just give us a call.

See details here

It has been four years since a townhome has been offered for sale in the exclusive 26 acre seaside haven of Gordon Point Estates. A wrought iron entrance and winding lanes greet you as arrive home, surrounded by acres of parkland with walking trails through the forest, to the many beaches, and along the natural shoreline. This beautiful & spacious home offers no-step living with a master + ensuite on the main level. Upstairs you will find an additional master, also with ensuite, plus a third bedroom. Relax on your upstairs deck with partial ocean views, or spread out on the very private back patio backing onto a forest preserve. Call today to take advantage of this truly rare opportunity.

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Another week of solid sales – and inventory is finally declining

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Leong & Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

It was another stable week on the market with increasing sales volume and pricing for both single family homes and condos! It is quite interesting to see how our local market picked up after the end of the hockey playoffs. I knew that we were all hockey fans, but I had no idea how great an affect it would have on buying and selling homes. The other piece of good news for sellers is that inventory levels declined this week over last – the first decline that we have seen this spring.

If you have a home on the market, take advantage of this temporarily strong market since it is not likely to last as we head into summer and vacation season.

Over the last 30 days, 296 single family houses were sold, up by 3 houses from last week. The median price is up $10,000 to $585,000. The average house was on the market for 36 days.

In the same time period, 168 condos were sold, up by 7 condos from last week. The median price is up $550 to $305,550. The average condo was on the market for 38 days.

There are now 2,227 houses for sale, down by 40 from last week. Condo inventory has fallen by 52 to 1095 suites.

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NEW LISTING at 5174 Agate LANE in VICTORIA

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Mark Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

Property Photo: 5174 Agate LANE in VICTORIA

We have a new listing at 5174 Agate LANE in VICTORIA.

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Simply WOW! Located in the coveted Agate cul de sac at Cordova Bay beach, this ocean view home is directly across a quiet lane from the park & beach, offering direct access to the warm sandy shores of the bay. Inside, you will find a very well cared for home with an open layout, vaulted ceilings, and a wall of windows facing the water view. Three bedrooms upstairs, with an additional bedroom + ensuite down, provides a versatile layout for family and guests. Out back, the very private and sunny rear yard featuring a newer cedar deck surrounding your own hot tub is a relaxing retreat. This move-in-ready home in such a peaceful and exclusive location is a must-see!

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SOLD! Another happy client at 339 Farview RD in VICTORIA

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Mark Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

Property Photo: 339 Farview RD in VICTORIA

We have just sold another property at 339 Farview RD in VICTORIA. We would love to sell your property, just give us a call.

See details here

This quiet cul-de-sac home has everything that your family is looking for! Offered for the first time in 21 years, here you will find a lovingly maintained home with many recent upgrades including a newer roof, efficient vinyl windows, a gas furnace, and an upgraded kitchen featuring a gas range. Even the layout is perfect with lots of room on the main level, including 2 family rooms, plus 3 bedrooms up, including an ensuite in the master. Outside, the detached garage / workshop and true RV parking is a real bonus for the active family. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, convenient to shopping, schools, and transportation, this warm & cozy home is in move-in condition and ready for the next family.

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SOLD! Another happy client at 3505 Promenade Cres in Victoria

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Mark Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

We have just sold another property at 3505 Promenade Cres in Victoria. We would love to sell your property, just give us a call.

See details here

Main house has 4 bedrooms all on one level. Come and enjoy this home that offers a great patio to share with Friends & Family while playing Bot-chi ball in the well maintained fully fenced garden. Spacious kitchen with a built in Pantry, which will give you easy storage of pots pans and dry goods. Laundry is on the upper level so you will have no carrying of laundry up and down the stairs. On top of this you have a bright, level entry (no Stairs) 2 bedroom legal suite, (Elder family members?). This hard to find 4 bedroom on one level wont last long. Call to view this home.

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Are you ready for interest rate hikes? Your neighbours are!

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Leong & Roozendaal (Re/Max Camosun)

We all know that sooner or later mortgage rates will increase. It just doesn't make sense for rates to stay at these unprecedented levels forever.

Well, it seems that the vast majority of Canadians are taking advantage of these low rates to accelerate paying off their mortgage and are ready to handle increasing rates in the future. Good going Canada!

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