My "Friends of Rosie" Client Appreciation Party - September 7th, 2014 Victoria's Regent Hotel

Our Annual Client Appreciation Party, Sunday ( September 7th), in the Penthouse Suite of Victoria's Regent Waterfront Hotel was another resounding success!

We were blessed with beautiful sunshine and blue skies and enjoyed taking in the fabulous inner harbour views along with watching the ferries, kayakers and float planes come and go about their business.

There was a celebratory atmosphere throughout the evening with great live music performed by our three guest artists: Alex Klassen our Cello Soloist, Sue Decker's folk guitar and the dynamic duo of Sean Holland's & Suzanne van Assum, jazzy blues set.  Click here to listen to Sue Decker and Sean Holland live:  http://youtu.be/fkTPxVwaggQ

Alex Klassen

Sue Decker

We were proud to announce that Tom Oak, part of the Rosie Team for many years has now become a Licensed Realtor, making our team even stronger and working even harder for you...

Great fun was had by all, with many guests happily going home with wonderful Door Prizes. Good food, tasty beverages, free neck massages, (compliments of Callum Greig of Prime Mortgage Works), picture identification contests and vibrant conversation made for a wonderful evening of joy and laughter.  "Fun photos with Rosie" was new to this year's party and comprised of a Tickle Trunk full or eccentric hats and accessories for guests to wear and have their photos taken with Rosemarie - this proved extremely popular ( scroll down below for some of the crazy photos! ).

Pat A., one of our many Door Prize winners

We would like to acknowledge our wonderful Sponsors, along with Rosie, who contributed to the success of our event with numerous valuable door prizes; $100 Home Depot Gift Card, $50 Winners Gift Card, Murchies Tea Gift Sets, a Landscape Design Consultation, Free Business signage and much, much more.

The event could not have run smoothly without the help of our three daughters; Alexis, Nicolia and Rhea who seamlessly took care of all aspects of the food, event preparation and delivery from start to finish.  Also a Big “Thank you” to Nick Packard, our fabulous Bartender!

A special prize of one night's accommodation for up to four people in a 2 bed Executive Suite with complimentary breakfast was raffled for clients who either referred business to Rosie this past year or who brought guests to the party and signed them up.  The grand prize winner this year was: ".Debbie Chew, yeah Debbie!....".

Our Grand Prize winner - Debbie Chew

We are so very grateful to all our clients, it is you that have made this business such a pleasure and success. Many thanks to all of you who attended this year’s event. You made is so special!

Rosie and Tom especially want to thank:
Callum Greig - DLC Prime Mortgage Works
Bill Ethier - President of Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty
Earl Wilde - General Manager of Victoria Regent Waterfront Hotel
James Parr - Safe & Sound Home Inspection
Melanie Henson - Home Style Solutions
Matt Heath - Proper Measure
Neils Nohr - Realfoto
Charlotte Alcock - Norwex Enviro Products
Rose Glen - Creative Sign Design
Jillian & Byran Tuson & Tonia Hepburn - Pillar Landscapes
Vanessa Backlund – Lyoness

Doshu and Soshin for lending us their van.

"Fun Photos with Rosie!":

 All the Event Photos: http://rosiesays.ca/rosies-client-appreciation-event.html

Victoria Real Estate Board

September 2, 2014, Victoria BC 

The Victoria Real Estate Board today released its report on real estate activity in the Victoria area for August 2014.

609 properties sold in the region in the month of August 2014 - an increase of over 12% compared to the 540 properties sold last year in August.

2014 shows a 10.5% increase in year-to-date sales compared to last year.

"When July numbers came in higher than we expected based on the past five years of sales activity, I think a lot of people were surprised." Victoria Real Estate Board President Tim Ayres says. "But sure enough, the market outperformed last year's sales again in August and we've had the busiest August we've seen in five years."

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core this time last year was $486,900 - this month tracks an increase of just under 1%, which brings the benchmark value up to $491,500. Condominiums and townhouses in Greater Victoria each show a 2.5% increase in value over last year.

"We've seen balanced market conditions for 6 months now," adds President Ayres, "This means we're not in a buyer's or a seller's market, but in an extended term of stable prices due to the ratio of available property for sale to the amount of sales. It's a great place for sellers and buyers."

More info: http://www.vreb.org/mls_statistics/current_statistics.html

#114-1485 Garnet Place, Victoria

Listed at $145,000

Come see this Spacious Private Corner Suite in the popular Rosebank Gardens! This garden level beauty juts out from the main building, so no one lives above it. Very private w/ lockable door via the patio! Kitchen offers newer wood cabinetry & double sink on an open-concept counter overlooking living area. Bathroom offers a upgraded walk in tub w/ shower head & heated floor. Ceramic tile! Large in-suite storage/utility room w/ outlet! Walk out patio w/ wrought iron window planters & lattice fencing overlooking common garden green space! This well run 55+ complex offers a dinner meal, housekeeping, & 24 hour security. Tucked into a quiet, deer-visited, garden paradise you can walk to public library, groceries, and University Mall.

More info: http://rosiesays.ca/mylistings.html/details-42152754

1718 Monteith Street, Oak Bay, Victoria

Listed at $749,000

Come see this inviting family size home on a quiet Cul de Sac, in the heart of Oak Bay! Bordering a park on two sides it's a short walk thru the park to the Village & Rec Centre. Rooms are bright & spacious w/ some views overlooking the park. Other features include: living rm w/ impressive stone fireplace; separate dining room overlooking the park w/ glass sliding door to deck; Kitchen w/ eating space & access to deck; family room/possible bedroom w/ fireplace & closet on upper level; 4 bedrooms on garden level; the Master has an ensuite & lovely sunroom; the large lower level bedroom can be a great family or media room; main bthrm w/ jetted tub & walk in shower; new roof; central vac; double garage w/ workshop space; fenced W facing yard!

More info:http://rosiesays.ca/mylistings.html/details-41487964

August 1, 2014, Victoria BC - The Victoria Real Estate Board today released its monthly report on real estate activity in the Victoria area for July 2014.

681 properties sold in the region in the month of July 2014, compared to 583 last year in July - an increase of nearly 17%. June 2014 saw 680 sales.

When compared with year-to-date sales in 2013, 2014 shows a 10% increase.

"I think the activity in July has surprised a few people," Victoria Real Estate Board President Tim Ayres says. "Traditionally the summer market is slower than the spring, but numbers are tracking closely to March and April sales this year. Last year sales in July were 12% lower than in June - and June was the peak of the market in 2013. This year we see slightly more sales in July than in June. This is the first year since 2003 that July numbers have beaten June."

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core area in July was $562,000 - 2% higher than last year’s average value for the same home - $550,900.

"I’m looking forward to August numbers. With the diverse inventory on the market, stable pricing and the reasonable interest rates," adds President Ayres, "I think the busy sales season could last into fall."

Victoria Real Estate Board President Tim Ayres is available for comment. More information on the July 2014 report and the MLS® HPI is available from the Victoria Real Estate Board.

About VREB - Founded in 1921, the Victoria Real Estate Board is a key player in the development of standards and innovative programs intended to enhance the professionalism and community standing of REALTORS®. More than 1,200 local REALTORS® are currently members of the Victoria Real Estate Board.

More info: http://www.vreb.org/mls_statistics/current_statistics.html

#304-928 Southgate Street, Fairfield West, Victoria

Listed at $329,900

Life on the park! Overlooking Beacon Hill Park & just minutes’ walk to downtown, Cook St. Village & the ocean, is this beautiful, spacious, and unique home-like 2 bed/bath condo, featuring south facing living room, dining area, kitchen & large sunroom! This premier suite, in a building that only has 14 units, has a desirable floor plan that allows large windows to be on 3 sides; See the grand, stone fireplace, home style kitchen w/ breakfast nook, large in-suite closets & extra storage spaces. The 2nd bedroom is the size of a master! Also featuring stacked w/d, newer stove & stainless double sink & faucet, laminate floors & porcelain tiled entrance. The entire suite is in impeccable condition! Dog or two cats allowed!

More info: http://rosiesays.ca/mylistings.html/details-41180969

Victoria Real Estate Board

July 2, 2014, Victoria BC - The Victoria Real Estate Board today released its monthly report on real estate activity in the Victoria area for June 2014.

680 properties sold in the region in the month of June 2014 compared to 664 in June 2013 - an increase of 2.4% year over year. Compared to last month in May, there were 5% less sales, which follows a common seasonal trend as summer approaches. Compared to 2013, 2014 shows an 8.9% increase in year-to-date sales.

"We continue to see slow and steady growth in our overall sales numbers," Victoria Real Estate Board President Tim Ayres says. "May and June represent the top two sales months we have seen since spring 2010."

"Once again we see balanced market conditions in June - as we did in March, April, and May this year," adds President Ayres. "Market conditions track the ratio of sales to available inventory and indicate supply and demand. A balanced market is advantageous to sellers and buyers - pricing is more stable and predictable and there is less pressure on price either way."

The MLS® Home Price Index benchmark value for single family homes in the Victoria Core area for June is $556,200, which represents an increase in value of 1.8% over last year. The most common price range for single family homes in the entire region is $400,000 - $600,000. 48% of sales in June were in this range.

Victoria Real Estate Board President Tim Ayres is available for comment. More information on the June 2014 report and the MLS® HPI is available from the Victoria Real Estate Board.

About VREB - The Victoria Real Estate Board was founded in 1921 and since that time has been a key player in the development of standards and innovative programs aimed at enhancing the professionalism and community standing of REALTORS®. Formation of the Board grew out of the realization in the early part of the last century that there was a need to establish basic standards for those working in the real estate industry.

More info:  http://www.vreb.org/mls_statistics/current_statistics.html

Open House Sunday June 29th 1-3pm - #8-3951 Bethel Place

3 bed, 2 bath single family home in a well run townhome complex

Listed at $369,000

More info: http://rosiesays.ca/mylistings.html/details-38914908

Hi everyone,

The big day is fast approaching! We hope you can come and join us in Victoria for the Canada Day celebrations featuring Hayley Wickenheiser, Canadian Gold Medalist in women’s hockey, Royal LePage is a major sponsor!

Hayley is going to be on a ‘street hockey tour’ of the south island’s Country Grocers, starting in Nanaimo and then arriving at our featured Victoria event in Esquimalt at 4pm (runs until 6pm)!

For those of you unfamiliar with Hayley’s accomplishments just run a little Google search of ‘Hayley Wickenheiser’ and you’ll see why she’s considered as important to women’s ice hockey as Wayne Gretzky is to men’s.

There will be some ball hockey, opportunities for photos and autographs with Hayley, music, and a BBQ….. all in a family friendly and casual environment. Please come to join in the fun and bring along your family and friends. We will be on-site with signage and balloons, and we’ll have a Royal LePage tent and table set up.

Hope to see you there!

Warm regards,

Rosemarie