Are you working on a home improvement project? Homeowners in Comox, Courtenay and the area do things to their homes to enjoy themselves. Others do them in preparation to put the property on the market. If this is you, you may be interested to know which renovations will give you the most bang for your…
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Moving from a Property in Comox!

Moving can be one of the most stressful parts of selling your home. Packing, planning, and budgeting make moving a serious hassle. However, there are ways to make moving less daunting. From creating a checklist to hiring a professional there are lots of ways that you can ease the stress of moving to a property…
Mortgage Renewals in Comox for 2023

Given the rise in interest rates, it should be no surprise housing market activity in the Comox Valley has declined. Along with that, asking prices have come down. The Bank of Canada continues to combat inflation with rate hikes that are affecting the cost of borrowing. CIBC’s deputy chief economist, Benjamin Tal, describes it as…
Value of a Home Inspection in Comox

This article will address the key points of getting a home inspection in Comox and why it’s essential. The housing market has changed since earlier this year. It is cooling. Home sales are slowing down and prices are leveling rather than increasing or “crashing”. The Comox Valley includes Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, and the area. These…
Comox Real Estate Recap - 2022!

2022 was a bumpy year for real estate. However, everything seemed to balance out by the end! Over the course of the past year, I wrote several blog posts to keep everyone up-to-date with Comox real estate. Now that 2022 is coming to an end, I thought it would be best to write a year-end…
Preparing Houses in Comox for Winter

Preparing houses in Comox for winter is a crucial task. Although Vancouver Island doesn’t receive much snow, there is a lot of rain. Cold winds and lots of water can cause destruction to your home if you aren’t careful. By taking the time to prepare your home, you can avoid any damage or unforeseen costs.…
Planning a winter vacation? Some tips before you go.

Many people plan to spend winter months in sunnier southern locations. To make sure your home is safe during that time away, there are some things you should plan to do before heading out on that short or longer vacation. To minimize the risk of damage or break-ins, there are some simple things you can…
Real Estate in Comox to be Affected by New Mortgage Broker Rules.

The Mortgage Brokers Act in British Columbia has recently changed. These new laws are likely to affect those purchasing real estate in Comox and other cities across the province. Finance Minister Selina Robinson presented changes to the bill on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 by. The claim of the bill is to provide consumers with more…
Apartments in Courtenay For Empty Nesters

Owning an apartment as an empty nester can be a great way to save money and better spend your time. Once your kids head off to college or move out, you have the chance to downsize. This opportunity can provide you with all sorts of freedoms that a single-family home may be hindering. Moreover, the…
Apartments in Comox For Retirees!

Downsizing can be beneficial for retirees. Especially for those looking to move to apartments in Comox. Moving into a smaller place can help you make time for the things you love. For instance, traveling, getting outside, relaxing, or picking up a new hobby. Furthermore, using the money from selling your single-family home can help you…
Townhomes in Comox Valley For a First-Time Buyer.

Living in townhomes in Comox Valley is a great option for first-time buyers. Townhomes are a great choice for buyers who can’t or don’t want to commit to owning a traditional single-family home. Furthermore, a townhome will provide you with a great in-between option that is in the middle of buying a home and condo.…
Amenities of Courtenay Townhomes for Sale.
Courtenay townhomes for sale are close to an abundance of amenities. From beaches and parks to ski hills and camping. Courtenay is home to every outdoor activity imaginable. Purchasing a townhome in Courtenay allows you to gain access to one of the world’s greatest outdoor playgrounds. Learn more about the outdoor amenities of townhomes in…
Why Live in Courtenay Apartments for Sale?
Purchasing Courtenay apartments for sale can be a great way to save money! However, it is important to get all of the information before you make the move. In this article, I will be going through some of the perks of moving into a Courtenay apartment. This way, you are better able to make the…
Advantages of Living in Comox Townhouses For Sale
Comox townhouses for sale can be an amazing investment. There are various factors that make townhomes desirable. If you’re looking to downsize or upsize, a townhome is the perfect middle ground. Follow along below to learn more about the advantages and perks of townhouse living in Comox, BC! Comox Townhouses For Sale Require Less Maintenance.…
Why Hire a REALTOR® in Comox Valley?
There are many reasons why people choose to hire a REALTOR ® in Comox Valley. The expertise and know-how of an agent, are certainly comforting when it comes to purchasing a home. Especially, if you are just getting into real estate. A great REALTOR® can come in handy in various situations. Learn more about why…
Episode 13: Tiffany Pratt – Wellness by Design: Creating a Home that Brings Joy
What is the relationship between our homes and our mental and physical well-being? Are there changes we can make to infuse a greater sense of joy into our living spaces? How can we reimagine the things we already have to elevate our homes aesthetically and functionally? In Episode 13 of REAL TIME, designer and TV…
Episode 12: Dr. Hadiya Roderique – Working While Black: A Conversation About Race in the Workplace
“You have to be part of changing the culture. If you want racist speech or actions to be unacceptable, you have to be one of the people saying it’s unacceptable.” In Episode 12 of REAL TIME, we discuss racial biases and opportunity gaps facing BIPOC professionals in Canada. Joined by Dr. Hadiya Roderique – speaker,…
Episode 11: Steven Sabados – What Do We Want From Our Homes in 2021?
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic quickly underscored the importance of “home” as refuge. As a result, Canadians started making their homes a larger priority, as demonstrated via record home sales, shifts in the types of homes purchased and a boom in home renovations. Listen in as we discuss this change with Canadian designer, artist and…
Episode 10: Hindsight is 2020
2020 has been an unprecedented year in almost every regard. In this episode of REAL TIME, we discuss the impact COVID-19 had on Canadians, how housing markets responded, how REALTORS® have adapted and what it all means moving forward. Join us as we dive deeper into these topics with insights from industry experts David Coletto…
Episode 9: Jesse Thistle – A Conversation About Homelessness in Canada
More than 35,000 Canadians experience homelessness every day. In recognition of this, and to complement REALTORS Care® Week 2020, we’re joined by Jesse Thistle, Métis-Cree author of From the Ashes and assistant professor at York University. Learn about Jesse’s personal experience with homelessness, how he’s become a leading voice for the issue, and what REALTORS®…
Episode 8: Kelley Keehn – Making Sense of Money and Real Estate in Today’s Economic Climate
In Episode 8 of REAL TIME, popular personal finance expert and award-winning author Kelley Keehn discusses the financial concerns and realities facing many Canadians today, including homeowners and prospective home buyers. Discover tips and tools for REALTORS® to help your clients assess and strengthen their financial health, even in unstable times.
Episode 7: Sarah Richardson – Buying and Designing: Lessons Learned in Real Estate
In Episode 7 of REAL TIME, award-winning designer, best-selling author and TV icon Sarah Richardson shares lessons learned during an incredibly successful career buying and designing homes – everything from the value of using a REALTOR® to making the most of your space on any budget.
Episode 6: Subtej Nijjar – Strategic Advertising in Real Estate
In Episode 6 of REAL TIME, we talk with Subtej Nijjar, partner at Union Creative, the agency behind CREA’s national ad campaigns, about methodologies REALTORS® can employ to better understand their audience, position themselves strategically and stay relevant in periods of change and a hypercompetitive industry.
Episode 6:Strategic Advertising in Real Estate
In Episode 6 of REAL TIME, we talk with Subtej Nijjar, partner at Union Creative, the agency behind CREA’s national ad campaigns, about methodologies REALTORS® can employ to better understand their audience, position themselves strategically and stay relevant in periods of change and a hypercompetitive industry.
Episode 5: Riti Verma & Ben Sweet – Managing your online reputation as a REALTOR®
In Episode 5 of REAL TIME, we’ll join Riti Verma, real estate entrepreneur and CEO of RankMyAgent.com—with input from REALTOR® Ben Sweet—to discuss the importance of managing your online reputation as a REALTOR®. We’ll look at the impacts of online reviews, tips to get started, and how to ensure a positive experience to land and…
Episode 5:Managing your Online Reputation as a REALTOR®
In Episode 5 of REAL TIME, we’ll join Riti Verma, real estate entrepreneur and CEO of RankMyAgent.com—with input from REALTOR® Ben Sweet—to discuss the importance of managing your online reputation as a REALTOR®. We’ll look at the impacts of online reviews, tips to get started, and how to ensure a positive experience to land and…
Episode 4:A Conversation About Real Estate in the Age of COVID-19
In response to current conditions, businesses and REALTORS® need to react to a new world, though temporary, where human interaction is limited or discouraged. The real estate industry, built on relationships, will be significantly impacted. But within adverse conditions come opportunities and new human behaviours. For REALTORS®, maintaining a personal connection is crucial. The CREA…
Episode 3:Steve Murray – REALTORS® and the Timeless Currency of Trust
In Episode 3 of REAL TIME, we talk with Steve Murray, president and co-founder of REAL Trends, about the foundational elements of real estate – what’s changed, what hasn’t – and how trust and communication continue to play a vital role in safeguarding REALTOR® success.
Episode 3:REALTORS® and the Timeless Currency of Trust
In Episode 3 of REAL TIME, we talk with Steve Murray, president and co-founder of REAL Trends, about the foundational elements of real estate – what’s changed, what hasn’t – and how trust and communication continue to play a vital role in safeguarding REALTOR® success.
Episode 2:Chris Chopik – Real Estate and the Environment
In celebration of Earth Day we’ll speak with REALTOR® Chris Chopik, a passionate environmental advocate about how climate-risk directly impacts the industry, the role REALTORS® can play protecting the environment, and what REALTORS® need to know about selling greener homes.
Episode 1:Terry O’Reilly – REALTORS® and the Importance of Emotional Connections
This podcast is about brand storytelling. We’ll explore the crucial connection between REALTORS® and the emotional aspects of home buying and how to use those key elements to add value to your client relationships and the sales process.
Episode 1: Terry O’Reilly
Buying or selling a home isn’t just a financial decision. It’s an emotional one. In our inaugural episode of REAL TIME, we chat with award-winning marketer and radio icon Terry O’Reilly about the changing landscape of real estate—and how brand storytelling, innovation, and emotional connections can boost your business as a REALTOR®.
Bank of Canada announces emergency interest rate cut
In an emergency announcement on March 13th, 2020 the Bank of Canada announced a 0.5% reduction in its trend-setting overnight lending rate from 1.25% to 0.75%. This was a further reduction from the 0.5% cut announced just 9 days earlier at the regularly scheduled interest rate announcement. The announcement was part of coordinated action by…
Canadian home sales up in February

As providers of the most accurate and timely housing data and statistics, CREA cannot credibly update its quarterly forecast at this time. Ottawa, ON, March 16, 2020 – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales were up between January and February 2020. Highlights: National home sales climbed 5.9%…
Bank of Canada cuts interest rates in response to rising global economic risks
In line with financial market expectations, the Bank of Canada announced, on March 4, it was lowering its trend-setting overnight lending rate by 50 basis points from 1.75% to 1.25%. This was the first change in the overnight lending rate since October 2018. This follows a day after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut the Federal…
Changes to the mortgage stress test
Ottawa, ON, February 18, 2020 – Earlier today, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau announced changes to the mortgage stress test. The new benchmark rate used to determine the minimum qualifying rate for insured mortgages, coming into effect on April 6, 2020, will be the weekly median 5-year fixed insured mortgage rate from mortgage insurance applications,…
Canadian home sales down in January

Ottawa, ON, February 14, 2020 – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales declined between December 2019 and January 2020. Highlights: National home sales fell by 2.9% on a month-over-month (m-o-m) basis in January. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity was up 11.5% year-over-year (y-o-y). The number of newly…
CREA’s Chief Economist, Gregory Klump, retires after 28 years

Ottawa, ON, February 11, 2020 – Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist, has retired from The Canadian Real Estate Association after 28 years. Klump joined CREA in 1992, serving as staff economist for the Association. Promoted to Chief Economist in 2005, he grew CREA’s economic and data team into an authoritative source of Canadian real estate data…
Canadian home sales inch lower in December

Ottawa, ON, January 15, 2020 – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales eased between November and December 2019. Highlights: National home sales declined by 0.9% on a month-over-month (m-o-m) basis in December. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity was up 22.7% year-over-year (y-o-y). The number of newly listed…
Canadian home sales edge higher in November

Ottawa, ON, December 16, 2019 – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales continued to edge higher in November 2019. Highlights: National home sales rose 0.6% month-over-month (m-o-m) basis in November. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity was up 11.3% year-over-year (y-o-y). The number of newly listed properties dropped…
Canadian home sales hold steady in October

Ottawa, ON, November 15, 2019 – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales were unchanged from September to October 2019. Highlights: National home sales held steady on a month-over-month (m-o-m) basis in October. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity was up 12.9% year-over-year (y-o-y). The number of newly listed…
Canadian home sales rise again in September

Ottawa, ON, October 15, 2019 – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales were up slightly in September 2019. Highlights: National home sales rose 0.6% month-over-month (m-o-m) in September. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity was up 15.5% year-over-year (y-o-y). The number of newly listed properties edged back by…
Altus Group Partners with The Canadian Real Estate Association and its Member Real Estate Boards and Associations to Expand the MLS® Home Price Index Nationally
Advanced AVM technology from Altus Group combined with extensive data from real estate boards and associations delivers first national Canadian index making it one of largest and most comprehensive in the world TORONTO (October 2, 2019) — Altus Group Limited (“Altus Group”) (TSX: AIF), a leading provider of software, data solutions and independent advisory services…
Statement from The Canadian Real Estate Association in response to the Conservative Party housing measures announcement
Ottawa, ON, September 23, 2019 — With Election 2019 underway, CREA welcomes today’s announcement that a Conservative government would introduce new measures to make it easier for first-time homebuyers to buy a home. “REALTORS® have long asked for common-sense solutions designed to help Canadians to purchase a home of their own,” said Jason Stephen, President…
Canadian home sales edge higher in August

Ottawa, ON, September 16, 2019 – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales were up in August 2019. Highlights: National home sales rose 1.4% month-over-month (m-o-m) in August. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity was up 5% year-over-year (y-o-y). The number of newly listed homes climbed 1.1% m-o-m. The…
Quarterly Forecast

CREA Updates Resale Housing Market Forecast Ottawa, ON, September 16, 2019 – The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has updated its forecast for home sales activity via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) Systems of Canadian real estate boards and associations – for the rest of 2019 and looking ahead to 2020. Economic fundamentals underpinning housing…
Statement from The Canadian Real Estate Association in response to the Liberal Party FTHBI announcement
Ottawa, ON, September 12, 2019 — With Election 2019 barely underway, CREA welcomes today’s announcement that a Liberal government would extend the eligibility requirements for the First Time Home Buyers’ Incentive (FTHBI) so that Canadians in higher priced markets can take advantage of the program. “REALTORS® welcomed the FTHBI when it was announced in the spring…
The Canadian Real Estate Association launches its Election 2019 REALTOR® Resource Hub
Ottawa, ON, September 12, 2019 — The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has launched an Election 2019 Resource Hub for REALTORS® called REALideas to share policy proposals to help Canadians achieve their homeownership aspirations. “Housing affordability is top of mind to Canadians who have been shut out of housing markets across the country. REALTORS® know that all…
Canadian home sales rise in July

Ottawa, ON, August 15, 2019 – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales were up in July 2019 compared to June. Highlights: National home sales rose 3.5% month-over-month (m-o-m) in July. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity was up 12.6% year-over-year (y-o-y). The number of newly listed homes edged…