Salt Spring Island BC Real Estate ONE PERCENT REALTY

Spring up date it has been busy busy on the island.

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:33:08 -0500

Salt Spring has been busy at least for me but when you are the One Percent person it is busy. So busy in fact I have a new agent working with me. She is a real keener and will make your move here easier. She is very knowledgeable about Salt Spring. She was born on Salt Spring and therefore can really call herself a local.

If you are not born here and have lived here for less than 60 years you can not call yourself a local. I have been here 7 years and some people still say "O you are the guy who bought the Browns house, you just moved here from Calgary". Well in 53 years I will be a local. I can hardly wait.

Check out Alicia's Bio here

It is nice having someone to work with. This is the team approach to real estate we are working together. I think it only makes since other words I could never get a day off.

Cheers

Scott

Salt Spring island real estate home for sale artist or potter only please.

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:42:13 -0600

Actually anyone with at cool 649k can buy this south end home but it would really suite an artist or potter. The thing is if you are moving to salt spring you need and image and I'm not talking Hugo Boss I'm talking Fulford image. What is a Fulford image? It is like the 60 hippy retro look done with wool and natural fibers. That is the look and this place has the gusto and image to pull it off. You don't move to Salt Spring to live in suburbia you move here to be none conforming none suburbanite.

This is truly a one of a kind place. If the New York times calls you up and said they wanted to come and interview you at your new Salt Spring home this should be your home (think ready made eclectic image). They will think you have this most fantastic, off the wall, eclectic place on the planet.

Cheers
Scott

PS The owner is away in Baku, Azerbaijan and I would like to sell this house before he gets home.
Hi Shai, it will sell, how it the weather in Baku?

Check it out at Salt Spring Island real estate.

What is the Salt Spring Island real estate market doing?

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:02:09 -0600

The Salt Spring island real estate market is in a state of "price compression".

Price compression is when the bottom end houses do not go down in price (they are in the 400k range and they are selling fast) but the top end houses over 2 million are dropping asking prices and are still not selling.

This real estate price compression goes all the way through the market and makes all the houses, over that bottom price, drop in price.

The market is like a slinky that is fixed at the bottom and stretched. At the top end the slinky is very stretched out but at the bottom end the links are very close. This is what happens when the market takes off; the high end soars and the bottom end is fixed in place or rises a little. When the market turns into a buyers market and there are lots of listings, the slinky retracts and the high end starts to snap back.

I have seen BC real estate listed at 4 + million and not sell, drop to 3 million and not sell, drop to 2 million and not sell, dropped to 1.5 + million and sell............ What is the house that was listed for at 1.5 million worth when a supposed 4 + million dollar house is listed at 1.5 million? Way less.

Sellers need to be the value leader in their price range to sell. The buyers are looking for deals. If sellers are really not into dropping their prices to reflect the current market conditions they should take it off the market. It would make it easier for the buyers to sort through the listings if the houses with unrealistic prices were off the market.

It is just basic supply and demand. Right now (December 2007) there is very little demand for high end homes.

Pender Island real estate news "check out my new daily stats blog"

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:49:46 -0600

There is nothing like keeping up with the market. Every day I write my stats blog that goes into the details about Pender island real estate. The stats blog actually helps me out by making me read over every new listing, expired listing (which I usually call and try to find out why it did not sell), new sales ( I like to see how close to asking price they sold for and check them to see if they where re listed) and closed sales.

I cover all the gulf island I try and leverage the Internet to the maximum and have two system for customers who want to stay up on the gulf island real estate market:

you can RSS my statistical blog http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/blogs/scott_simmons/default.aspx
log into my PCS system which will give you access to live market watch feed. I have an immediate sign up on my site. If you put in your email address the log in instructions come to you in seconds. check it out at http://www.escapetosaltspring.com

If you are thinking of Pender Island start to watch the market and study it. If you have any question about any listings you can email me and I will find out.

cheers
Scott

Artist, Potters, painters, musicians your castle awaits you.

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:27:18 -0600

Salt Spring at it's best. Just bring your gum boots and brushes. Close to the famous Salt Spring cheese shop, on the tourist route. Studio and B&B home for sale. This it the ideal Salt Spring get away, you can set up a funky studio and run a very trendy B&B. I actually have two B&B for sale in the same area at the same price. $649k

It is a real plausible dream to move here and run a B&B and just work 6 month on and then travel for 6 months. Perfect for the high energy boomer who does not want to just sit around in retirement.

Both places have an ideal studio that can be used as a pottery shop, metal shop, glass shop just bring your creative ideal and have fun.

Salt Spring real estate news "new market watch system"

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:44:08 -0600

Yes it is very exciting I have a new Gulf Island real estate market watch system on my web site. Which will give you real time market updates. Instant sign up no obligation and free.

Check it out here http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/PCS_Sign_Up/page_1846491.html

It is very cool this is the system that Realtors use to keep up with the market. This is the first time I have had a immediate sign up on my site. Before you would have to send me an email and then I would log you in later. Now it is instant. Very slick.

I hope someone tries it tonight before I go to bed. It is like a stock market ticker.

Cheers
Scott

PS I should mention my new listing very cool Funky Fulford home is how I'm calling it. Very trendy and eclectic. You can see a virtual tour at http://www.escapetosaltspring.com

This place is ideal for salt spring island potter or salt spring island artist. Offered at 649k.

History made this week on Salt Spring

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:56:26 -0600

I don't know for sure but in resent memory of all I asked it was a historic moment for Salt Spring Island home building this week. A new salt spring island home was built and put up in a day. Really just one day and it was 95% done. It was built in a factory and trucked in two parts and craned into place. This is so cool modular construction have finally made it to Salt Spring Island BC.

The cool thing about this type of construction is that you can get a firm price up front and it is cheep. Well it comes in at about $150 per sq ft. Which is low for here where you can pay up to $250 per sq ft for standard salt spring island construction. Watch all the video clips here http://youtube.com/user/escapetosaltspring.

Salt Spring Island home for sale sweet rancher

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:43:24 -0600

Salt Spring Island home for sale sweet rancher. Very well price house that is new to the market. This house is priced to sell fast. I'm hoping for an offer this week. If you are looking at Salt Spring Island real estate market for a less than 500k this house is the value leader. I have seen them all and this is the nicest of the lot.

for a virtual tour visit http://www.escapetosaltspring.com

Priced at $449,000 is a deal. I have seen junk priced higher. Real hardwood floors. Very sweet home, I could live here and enjoy the one acre lot. Don't miss out call me or email if you are in the market for a sweet gem.

Salt Spring Island real estate news - new listing coming on Monday

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:01:37 -0600

Very hot new listing commercial / rental property. I think this is a great deal and should sell fast. If you are on my A list for rental I will tell you about this in the next few days.

It could be rented out or turned into a condo. It is nice to have hot new properties coming on the market. It should be signed sealed and up on the market by 4 pm Monday the 10 Dec 07.

If you would like to know more send me a email and I will fill you in on this rental property which will be in the 500k range. It makes a good income and almost cash flows at the 1% range. Which is rare for Salt Spring.

I would like to tell you more but this is just a little pre listing info to wet your appetite.

Cheers
Scott

Gulf Island statistical blog is coming along well

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:52:18 -0600

Gulf Island real estate statistical blog is coming along well. I have started my daily Statistical blog and it is off to a great start. It has made me very conscious of the day to day listings on all the Gulf islands.

When you have to look at each listing and write about them you really have to actually think about them and where they are and who owns them and who would buy it.

If you have not checked out my new daily stats blog drop by and add a comment on it.

Hopefully you are getting ready for xmas which is fast approaching this year.

Cheers
Scott

here is the link to the new blog http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/blogs/scott_simmons/default.aspx

Salt Spring Island real estate reality check if your house is listed at over a million

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 02:42:14 -0600

Salt Spring Island reality check if your house is listed at over a million it will sell soon. A million is just not a million any more. With the USD in free fall the Canadian government is in close pursuit and will have to devalue the currency fast. Start up the press and print that paper money as fast as we can.

The problem is that we have a minority federal government that will need to muster a lot of votes in Ontario. Ontario is very dependent on Auto parts jobs and the high dollar will kill so many jobs. So we are in a devaluation period of paper currency. As one pundit put it currencies are in a race to the bottom.

So if you are trying to sell your million dollar house it will get easier in the spring when the interest rates will come down and the CND will drop below the USD.

cheers
Scott

This is not intended to solicit current listings.

http://www.escapetosaltspring.com

Salt Spring Island real estate news "craigslist"

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:34:24 -0600

Salt Spring Island real estate news "craigslist"... as some of you know I like Craigslist. I try and post on there as many times as I can. I have had 100s of ads on Craigslist and find it great.

I was cruising Hawaii craigslist and saw a Cal 20 sail boat for $2400 with slip. Well I almost phoned, I luv the Cal 20 great little boat. Just think of the fun of owning a sailboat in Hawaii. Cheep holidays, could rent it out, think of the possibilities...

That is what is so cool about Craigslist it is all on there. Jobs, houses and boats and other thing of course.

If anyone would like to be my partner in the Cal 20 let me know. It would be easier to ask June (my wife) for half the money for this. Somehow I know her answer.

That is what this blog is about your dream of Salt Spring and getting here. So I try and write about Salt Spring and all the things it is and isn't.

It is really the unknown about owning a boat in Hawaii than doing it. Like Salt Spring, what is it like, is it as nice as everyone says. What is it like to live there, what about this, what about that.

Life is an adventure you will just have to keep dreaming or just do it.

Gotta go... June what would you think about a....ug I will keep dreaming.

Gulf Island real estate stats on my daily blog

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:13:41 -0600

Gulf Island Real estate stats on my daily blog are really starting to take shape.

Check it out here http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/blogs/scott_simmons/default.aspx

I'm going to keep working on this blog. It is a great way for me to really keep up on the market. I'm checking out every new and or sold listing every day. Things change so fast and it is hard to keep up on the 500 or so Gulf island listings.

If you would like to get more specific facts you can sign up for my PCS enhanced market watch search system.

Cheers
Scott

Salt Spring Island real estate news new listing existing B&B

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:00:59 -0600

Salt Spring Island real estate news new listing existing B&B. Run it as a B&B or make it into a family home or island get away. Great sunny south end location with valley views. Owner made 20k last year running the B&B part time and not going at it full on. It has two B&B bedrooms and a self contained 601 sq ft guest cottage that rent out for $175 a night.

If you have retired and are looking for something to do that is fun and makes money and you can have the winter off to go south this is the perfect life style. There are over 70 B&B on Salt Spring and in the summer months they are all full. This one has existing customers that will give you business in the shoulder season.

Check out the web site www.theowltree.ca

Will negotiate for the furniture. Listed for a modest price of $649,000.

cheers
Scott

Salt Spring Island condo page gets new photos...

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:02:13 -0600

Salt Spring Island condo page gets new photos... I have added a few new photo galleries to my Salt Spring Island condo page. The galleries are pictures of condos on the island. Check it out here http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/Salt_Spring_Condo/page_1823057.html . I'm really happy how it has turned out.

I really think we have a nice selection of high quality condos on the island. They vary in price from 1 million range and down to the $350k range.

If you have any Salt Spring Island condominium questions do not hesitate to email me.

Cheers
Scott

Galiano real estate news... I have added a Galiano page on my site

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:49:36 -0600

Galiano real estate news... I have added a Galiano page on my site with all the mls listings for Galiano Island real estate. I plan on going over to Galiano next week and signing up my first Galiano listing.

It is a vary nice island. I sit in my office and look out at it. As I write this the sun has just broken out over Galiano and washed it in rays. I should get a picture but I'm charging up my camera batteries for my trip to Duncan this morning.

I'm off to get some pictures of Crofton BC. I have been following the mill and the stocks are way down to $1.36 yesterday. The high dollar must be killing them. Like I have said when the mill closes the prices in Crofton will double. Buy now and win later this is a real no brain er. Crofton will be the nicest town on the west side of Vancouver island once it is re-gentrified and it will happen soon.

Check out my new Galiano Island real estate page here http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/Galiano_Island/page_1966951.html

Cheers
Scott

Gulf Island real estate news my statistical blog is stuck between...

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:36:02 -0600

Gulf Island real estate news my statistical blog is stuck between... two real estate boards. I did not know that half the Mayne Island real estate listings and half the Galiano Island real estate listing where on the Vancouver real estate board and half where on the Victoria real estate board.

So if you see the Gulf island listing in any Vancouver publication it only shows their listing and if you see them from Victory you see the other half. Some places show up twice on the mls.

Statistically it makes it hard to compile data on the two places. I have access to the two boards figures but if the same place is on both then it gets counted twice.

I will try and work on a system so I can compile accurate stats for those two island and the rest of the southern gulf islands.

check out my statistical blog http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/blogs/scott_simmons/default.aspx

Cheers
Scott

Salt Spring Island real estate news off to Mayne Island this morning

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:28:09 -0600

Salt Spring Island real estate news off to Mayne Island this morning. Mayne Island real estate seems to be active. I have had lots of interest in the Edith road listing in the last month. It would be nice to sell the house. I'm going to sigh up a new listing this morning. It sounds like a nice place, I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Mayne Island is a very warm and friendly place. There are about 900 residents and there does not seem to be one who does not like the island. If the island had schools up to grade 12, I could live there, there is a special Carma the island exudes.

I hope to get some nice pictures for my web site today. I have started a Mayne Island real estate page check it out here http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/Mayne_Island/page_1965646.html

Cheers
Scott

gotta go the ferry leaves Salt Spring at 6:15 ug.

Salt Spring Island is great but today I would rather be in Toronto today

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:16:42 -0600

I would rather be in Toronto today watching the grey cup live. Of course I would be cheering for the green riders.

I will be a great day for Canadian foot ball. The grey cup is just such a great Canadian institution. I was just watching the pre game show on CBC it was just so Canadian. It's a divided league that pits east against west. The league suffers from an inferiority complex just like Canada does.

What else is really Canadian? Hockey maybe but after living in Calgary and going to the foot ball games for 10 years the CFL is so Canadian. Ok it's not as great as the NFL not as showy but it's exciting and the players are not making 10,000,000 a year. The average salary is somewhere around 50k.

The best news is that no mater who wins today they will take the grey cup home and Toronto wont win it. Go Riders.

Salt Spring Island real estate news I know what to do now with my other blog

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:05:34 -0600

I have two blogs going and have been struggling to find out what to do with the other blog. I now know I am going to do daily stats on the other blog. Here is the link http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/blogs/scott_simmons/archive/2007/11/24/salt-spring-island-real-estate-news-251-mls-listings.aspx

I will put the stats for all the Gulf Island including; Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Pender and Saturna.

The stats will include new listings, sold, expired listings. I think this is valuable info and the consumers will like it.

This blog will contain all the Salt Spring news and blurbs.

Stay tuned.

Cheers
Scott

http://www.escapetosaltspring.com

Salt Spring Island FSBO

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:49:49 -0600

Salt Spring Island FSBO. Calling all Salt Spring Island for sale by owner. I have watched some of these house sit on the market for months and not sell. It is not that your house in not nice, it is not as if it is over priced.

The reason it is not selling is no one can find your house. At any given time there are 2500 people looking for houses on Salt Spring. I get this figure by thinking there are 50 Realtors on the island and the average Realtor has 50 people using PCS to view the properties.

If you are not on the MLS no one will see your house. The PCS system draws it's listings off the MLS.

The MLS is like a huge mall full of houses that are for sale and your house in not in the mall not even in the mall parking lot.

To find out how to get your house on the MLS call me at 538-8316

cheers
Scott

I'm so glad the Salt Spring Island apple season is over

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:40:39 -0600

Salt Spring Island apples are finished the season is over, it's over....YA...

I have never seen so many apples in my life. My wife owns Bishops brew house that makes fruit wines, cyders and port. She asked me to man the apple press for a "little" while. I did not know it would be two month of none stop apple grinding. I had no ideal that there are so many people on Salt Spring that make apple cyder, wine or juice. I literally would have truck show up loaded with hundreds of pounds of apples.

The good news is that I did not need to go to the gym for two months. I had such a great work out. I really do like good physical labour.

Here is the link to the new bishops brew house blog http://bishopsbrew.blogspot.com/

Salt Spring Island news the Commodores Ball is tomorrow night

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 11:24:49 -0600

Salt Spring Island news the Commodores Ball is tomorrow night. The Salt Spring Island sailing club is having the gala event at the harbour house hotel on Saturday night. It is always a fun event. This year the racers are going to come on mass. We are going to present 3 racing trophies at the event. Last Sunday was the racing season wind up and awards ceremony but we thought we could combine a little with the Commodores Ball.

There are really never enough gala events on Salt Spring but this is the season for events. I guess I would go out to a big event once every week if I could but I just like to get dressed up and go out on the town.

Salt Spring Island sailing

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 18:36:17 -0600

Salt Spring Island sailing at it's best. The wind was blowing the sails where full and the boat was flying. It was a great work out being on the helm of Alacrity for this part of the four day race. This is winter on the west coast of Canada. The weekend of November 11 was very windy that night the winds hit over 70 knots. It is a good thing we where in the pub playing pool.

The next four day race / Boyz cruise will be in February 08 and I might just take my boat but on the other hand it is really night to go on a boat that has a heater.

Mayne Island real estate news

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 18:28:38 -0600

Mayne Island real estate news. I started a new page on my web site for Mayne Island today. Mayne is a gem in the Gulf Island chain. I think is a very cool place and if we did not have kids I would move there. There are some great deals on Mayne. Here is the link to this new page with my Mayne Island listing on it http://www.escapetosaltspring.com/Mayne_Island/page_1965646.html .

I have a special deal worked out for Mayne Island sellers and they will show their own house. Why not they live there and it is their home.

Over the next few week I hope to add more Mayne Island information.