The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) has released the Sales Statistics for August 2007. Their press release indicates a large increase over August 2006 for the entire Board. Each of the 6 zones has shown a marked increase over the previous year ranging from 8%-21%.NANAIMO, BC - Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) sales summary data released by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) for August 2007 shows increases continuing in sales volume and average sale prices.The average sale price across the VIREB region for August 2007 was $340,380. This is a 17 per cent increase from the $290,173 posted at the end of August 2006. Unit volume increased almost 20 per cent from the end of August 2006.Source: VIREB Press Release ExcerptAs you can see from the following table, the Quali... 09/05/2007

The Real Estate Market continues to be strong here in Qualicum Beach, BC and one of the reasons is the quality of life on Vancouver Island. One of those reasons are the local Farmer's Markets.Over the past weekend, my partner Susan and I managed to visit three of them, meeting some great people, purchasing fresh organic vegetables and free-range eggs and a few other sundry items. On Saturday we took in both the Qualicum Beach and Errington Farmer's Markets. On Sunday we headed up to Campbell River (the Salmon Capital of the World) for theirs. Each of the markets have a distinctly different flavor to them. With summer winding down, the local fresh produce is abundant.Qualicum Beach's Market is held in the downtown area on a blocked off street. Fresh vegetables, jams and jellies, breads, ... 08/21/2007

Susan Schaefer, Canadian Artist, was invited to show her work at the offices of RE/MAX Anchor Realty in Qualicum Beach. Originally from Saskatchewan, Susan recently relocated to Vancouver Island to pursue her passion for art on a full-time basis. Her work has often been described as "very colorful and bright" as she likes to use pure bold color. Most of her paintings ideas come from real life adventures and activities."The best advice that I can give anyone about painting ... is to paint for yourself, not for sales. Paint from your heart and always have fun!" Susan will be displaying her work until November 11, 2007. Feel free to drop by for a look at her colorful watercolor and acrylic floral paintings. The RE/MAX Anchor office is located at 113 w 2nd Ave, Qualicum Beach, B.C., and ope... 08/06/2007

Over the weekend, my partner Susan and I took in "Art & Photography in the Garden" at Milner Garden. Local artists had booths set up to show their work, provide demonstrations and just share their joy and knowledge with the public. Potters, photographers, painters and sculptors were on hand even though the weather didn't completely co-operate.We spent a great deal of time speaking with local photographer Alan Cornall, MPA, F/PPABC of Parksville who retired after 50 years in the profession. He shared his secrets on the type of camera, lens and printer he uses for his digital photography. Many of his shots were wildlife including tigers, eagles, wolves, various birds or just beautiful outdoor scenes.Larry Aguilar and Sandy Richardson both displayed their pottery and provided demonstration... 07/23/2007

Qualicum Beach (pop. 8500) is the oldest small town in Canada. Recent figures from Stats Canada based on the 2006 census indicates that British Columbia has 5 of 10 of the top ten oldest cities over 5000 people. However BC is the fifth oldest province in the country with just 14.6% of the population 65 or older. This is just slightly higher than the national average of 13.7%. A recent article in the Vancouver Sun says:"Qualicum Beach has more elderly people than any other small town in Canada, - 41 per cent of the population is 65 and over - and Sophia Thornley couldn't be happier about it. "You know that television show Cheers, where they say it's a place where everyone knows your name?" Thornley said Tuesday."Well, we all joke that this is a place where everyone forgets your name," sa... 07/18/2007

For the Parksville/Qualicum Beach Area UNIT SALES AVERAGE SALE PRICE% Change*MEDIAN PRICE ZONE June 2007 May 2007 June 2006 June 2007 May 2007 June 2006 June 2007  Parksville/Qualicum 87 94 71 367,099373,567344,3036% 325,000 Exert from VIREB News ReleaseMultiple Listing Service® (MLS®) sales summary data released by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) for June 2007 shows an increase in sales volume and most average sale prices. The average sale price across the VIREB region for June 2007 was $330,537. This is an 8 per cent increase from the $304,675 posted at the end of June 2006. Unit volume increased over 20 per cent from the end of June 2006 but decreased from the end of May 2007. VIREB President Jennifer Lynch says housing activity remains strong. "While it is not uncommo... 07/07/2007

I have been reading posts lately about how the market in the States is a buyer's market. Here it is still very much a seller's and no sign it is slowing.I was particularly impressed by Price is King (Elvis Has Left the Building) by John Lockwood as that still holds true regardless of the trends. With this in mind I ran some numbers from the MLS for our area and was suprised by what I saw.For Active Listing the average list price for a single family home was $598,000 with an average of 75 Days on Market. The Solds since May 1st had an average selling price of $389,000 and 62 days on market. Several properties sold over asking and the highest selling price was just under $700,000. Other REALTORS in the area were commenting that priced right, we are seeing multiple offers, overprice by 10%... 06/21/2007

The sun defied the weather man and attended the 14th Annual Father's Day Show and Shine in Qualicum Beach BC on June 17th. Thousands packed the streets to view the antique cars on display. Some 500 to 600 hundred cars from the 1920's to the 1970's lined 1st Ave, 2nd Ave, Primrose and Beach RD. Motorcycles and trucks were on display at the Civic Centre beside the beer garden. Entertainment, food, shopping, 50-50 draws and door prizes added to the fun. A street dance on Saturday night with 1950's rock and roll tunes kicked off the festivities.Awards for the Best of Show, Best Antique, Best Motorcycle, Best Truck and each decade were presented Sunday afternoon. Many of the antiques had been modified into Hot-Rods, while many had been lovingly restored to the original specs. The 1931 Model ... 06/19/2007

On from June 15-17 Qualicum Beach hosts "Father's Day, Seaside Cruizers Show & Shine" with over 700 classic custom cars and trucks on display. This has previously been mentioned on Oprah's Top 10 things to do on Father's Day. This is just one of the many events scheduled for this summer. Other upcoming events for June and July include:"Bard to Broadway" June 29 - September 1 : Live theatre under the big tent in Qualicum Beach."Summer by the Sea Street Market" July 3 - August 28 : Tuesdays 6-9PM featuring live entertainment in Parksville."Art and Photography in the Garden" July 21 & 22 : Meet and be inspired with local artists at work painting, sketching, photographing and carving in Milner Gardens."Parksville Lion's Internation Kite Festival" July 21 & 22 : Kite flying, building and dem... 06/04/2007

Qualicum Beach is located in the Regional District of Nanaimo, British Columbia with total population of 8,502 as of the 2006 census. It has the oldest average population in Canada at 58.3 years. An attractive seaside town on the east coast of Vancouver Island, it began as a lumbering, summer resort and retirement area. The name "Qualicum" comes from a Coast Salish term that means "where the dog salmon run." Located on the Strait of Georgia on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island in the shadow of Mount Arrowsmith, the community has been a popular tourist destination for residents of Victoria and Vancouver as well as a retirement community. It is served by the Island Highway (the main North-South highway on the Island) and by a daily train. The community is dotted with rental cottages a... 06/03/2007

The May 2007 statistics for the Parksville/ Qualicum Beach area were released on June 1st by VIREB. It shows a 34% increase in unit sales of single family dwellings over April with an average price decrease of 2%. The average price of $373,567 for May 2007 was up 18% over May 2006. Unit sales were also up 16% over last year to 94 from 79. The median price for May 2007 was 333,000.Other areas of VIREB did not fair as well with price increase ranging from -.5% to 17% over May 2006. Campbell River, the average price was down very slightly at less than .5%, while Nanaimo was up 17%. The Comox Valley was up 9%, Duncan at 12% and Port Alberni at 8%.While the average price in Parksville/Qualicum Beach was higher than Duncan ($347,678) the median price was lower by $4000.00. Port Alberni has th... 06/03/2007