Marty Douglas's Archives
Question: Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Vanocouver based, we are considering buying a house with suite in Nanaimo as an investment. What is the Nanaimo market today, what area would you recommend and does Nanaimo allow secondary suites?
Question: Monday, May 10, 2010
My husband and I live in Victoria, and own a home in Port Alberni, which we are currently renting out. We will retire to this home in just over a year. Port Alberni just released a new 5-year plan and a plan for redevelopment. Is this a good time to look for a second/investment property in the Port?
Question: Monday, January 18, 2010
I am looking at investing in some acreage north of Victoria in Sooke. I live in Colwood at present. My plan is for 10 years out. My current property has more than doubled in the past 9 years. Do you see the same thing happening in the Sooke area looking 10 years out? I would like to put a house on one quarter of the area 2.5 ac now for myself and the other 3 sections can be subdivided with the current zoning in place now. This will happen when I retire in about 8 to 10 years. I am 49.
Question: Thursday, December 24, 2009
My wife and I own a 3 year old house in Nanaimo worth about $420,000. We have less than 8 years left on the mortgage. We are both 29 years old and no kids. Although we are happy here, we are considering a move to Calgary for a career opportunity for my wife. Question: does it seem a little odd to move to a city where the real estate is more expensive? Especially since we could be mortgage free by 37 in a house we enjoy? Is this going backwards in the real estate game?
Question: Friday, December 18, 2009
I have 2 rental houses in Nanaimo, BC. Do you think the Nanaimo airport improvements slated for next year will eventually have an effect on real estate values?
Question: Monday, November 23, 2009
On today's news re resort property you said buying a hotel unit is not buying real estate. I understood your following comments about extra costs, but does CRA see it as real estate or not. The reason for my question is my locked in RRSP, there are restrictions on purchasing real estate, and I am trying to find a way to invest in property with it.
Question: Monday, November 23, 2009
I don't know who else to ask but you, my daughter will be moving to Victoria as a student at UVic in about 8-9 months, do you know what the going rate is for renting a 1 one bedroom apt. in a safe area close to UVic or downtown ?
Question: Friday, November 13, 2009
I am thinking to buy an investment property on Vancouver island. When I look at the cash flow, it seems that I can only find properties with positive cash flow in Duncan, Campbell River and Comox Valley. Are they good places to invest? Is this a good time to buy? Any other place you recommend to do investment?
Question: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I am looking to purchase an ocean front lot in Victoria- the last current appraised value is much much higher than the list price. Other lots in area are ocean view only and are approx $40-80K less than ocean front. Only other ocean front lots are in Sooke- not a real comparison How can I determine whether the price is fair when there are no comparable lots for sale?
Question: Thursday, September 17, 2009
There is a large development in Victoria on the old town and country mall site called Uptown. I have a 2500 sq foot home about 5 blocks from it on Carey road. The lot is over 13000 sq feet and my question is how will this new development affect my property value?