SOLD  Buy now for the same cost as rent!!!  SOLD

315-663 Goldstream Ave, Victoria, BC

Fantastic 1 Bed and Full Sized DEN Situated on the Quiet Back Corner of the Building. It is well Laid Out to make Efficient use of All the Space. Large Master Bedroom with a Full Cheater Ensuite with Slate Floors and a Den Large enough to be used as a Second Bedroom. The Living Area features a Fire Place and French Doors leading to the Sunny Deck, It is also Open to the Modern kitchen with Top of the Line Appliances, Plenty of Cupboard Space and an Eating Bar. Central Location close to all kinds of Shopping, Coffee Shops, Movie Theater and only 20 minutes to Town. Why rent! Low interest rates makes this as potentially as AFFORDABLE as renting. Call Now! Note: Appliances included retail for approximately $7500 + Tax. Call Lorne Tuplin at RE/MAX Camosun 250-217-4600 to view

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SOLD 38-1498 Admirals Rd - View Royal SOLD

Imagine having a place to call home for as little as $79,900! This is a two bedroom manufactured home with a driveway & carport featuring laminate floors, updated paint & all appliances. Call today to view. Lorne Tuplin at RE/MAX Camosun 250-217-4600

Where not to go in Mexico!

My wife and I went to Mexico in December 2009 for a 10 day holiday at an all inclusive resort. We decided on the Riu Palace in Cabo San Lucas which is rated at 4 stars. Within a few minutes of check in in we noticed a strong smell of mould in our room and, since I am allergic to mould, decided to get a different room. Staff were non cooperative and finally after 7 hours of "negotiating" we ended up in the Riu Santa Fe which is owned by the same company and is on the same compound. It was a smaller room in a lower rated resort but no credit was given!

The pools at the Santa Fe were not heated and the swim up bar was closed! The upside was that the resort was running at about 15% occupancy so it was quiet!

Planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas? Don't include the Riu Palace or the Riu Santa Fe in your plans! Great scenery but all in all don't go there!

2009 - A Year of Recovery for Victoria Area Real Estate Market

Last year was marked by a surprising and strong recovery for the Victoria area real estate market following the slowdown in 2008 and the early part of 2009. Total sales of homes and other properties rose by 24 per cent compared to 2008 while the value of all property transactions through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) system rose over 20 per cent to nearly $3.8 billion.

Victoria Real Estate Board President Randi Masters says the strength of the recovery came as a welcome surprise, "Given the significant world-wide economic downturn we were very pleased to see the real estate market recovering so quickly. With interest rates expected to remain low in the coming months, we are anticipating a strong and balanced market in the coming year." Masters noted that while sales rebounded strongly last year, overall average prices showed little change compared to 2008. The overall average price for single family homes declined by less than one per cent, condominium prices declined by less than three per cent and townhome prices remained essentially unchanged.

Masters added that December saw a normal decrease in sales compared to November with some minor fluctuations in prices. The average price of single family homes in Greater Victoria last month was $651,316. Sixteen sales of over $1 million, including one sale in Central Saanich of over $5 million affected the overall average. The six-month average was $601,237 while the median price was significantly lower at $555,000. The average price of all condominiums sold in December was $345,907; the average for the last six months was $324,919 while the median was $289,000. The average price of all townhomes sold last month was $477,998; the six-month average was $450,305 and the median was $422,500.MLS® sales last month included 246 single family homes, 115 condominiums, 44 townhomes and 12 manufactured homes.

Masters noted there has been a substantial decline in the number of properties available for sale, "As of the end of December, there were 2,557 properties available for sale -- down 33 per cent from a year earlier."