Plank's Ponderings

Happy New Year, we made it to 2011! I'll be celebrating my 40th birthday this month.  Amazing how time flies.  I remember feeling as a child a sense of infinite time and endless possibility.  As life goes on, time seems to have sped up.  Time goes by and sometimes I look around and wonder "How'd ...

Welcome to December. My children have already made their Christmas wish lists; Pokémon seems to be the theme this year. It’s now December and officially NOT too early to get out holiday decorations and put up lights. Yes, ok, my wife calls me a “humbug”. She will be pulling out the tinsel and gar...

Hi everyone, It's that time of year when we begin shifting gears preparing for the coming winter.  I find the time change is when I really notice it.  We keep the woodstove going, and try to keep warm and cozy at home in the evenings. Dare I say...Christmas is coming around the corner!  I'm not g...

And I'm not just saying that because my boss wrote the article, it's actually very good advice! Please click below for the article as published in this month's "What's Up" magazine. "The Value of Real Estate", by Richard and Mike Holmes.  Key Points - Victoria, due to geography and other elements...

 What's your strategy for buying property?  I find most people end up using a "Buyer's Agent" to assist them but I do get calls on my listings from people who believe they will get a better deal working with the agent listing the home.  It happens all the time.    The reasons I've been given is t...

Thank you to Jo-ann Roberts and CBC for their coverage yesterday of the agreement between the Canadian Real Estate Association and the Federal Competition Bureau.  Thank you as well for reading my response on the air today.  There is currently a lot of coverage of this agreement, and I'd like to ...

Hi everyone, The fields in Saanichton are orange with pumpkins and soft with mist.  I love this time of year, if only it were warmer!  Walking the kids to school in the mornings is chilly!  Soon it will be time to don gloves and warmer clothes.    Market Update: Sales this fall are sluggish, but ...

If, as they say, there is nothing new under the sun, how is it we find so much to twitter about? While I embrace and try to make the most of Web 2.0 and all it has to offer, I'm also aware that the best way to form a relationship is to do so in person.  In many ways, I'd rather have coffee or a o...

Just listed this great 1987 built home in Saanich East. ~2400square foot home with 5 bedrooms (3 up, 2 + den accomodations down). Very clean home, and FOUR bathrooms (2 ensuites!). See the link below for virtual tours, floorplans, and panoramic views. Better yet, come to the Open House on Saturd...

Victoria has many real estate companies to choose from.    I chose to work at Pemberton Holmes because their philosophy, "Clients first and foremost" aligns best with my own. Pemberton Holmes is one of the original local, family-owned businesses operating in Victoria today.  The company was found...