Bruce McCallum - Homes In Victoria BC

Just a short 5 minute drive south from Cordova Bay, very close to the university, is the small seaside village of Cadboro Bay. Historically, the Cadboro Bay shoreline was home to the Songhees First Nations, and a number of archaeological sites have been identified along the shoreline.

The bay was named after the Hudson’s Bay Company brig Cadboro, which sailed into the bay in 1837. By 1850, seventeen employees lived in the area, employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company Uplands Farm that was located on the plateau area now occupied by the University of Victoria.

In 1861, Vancouver Island’s first telegraph connection was made between Telegraph Cove and Olympia, Washington. Telegraph Cove was also the site of the Husdon’s Bay Company dock and in 1895 became the location of the explosives plant of the Giant Powder Company of San Francisco.

The flat, inland portions of Cadboro Bay continued to develop as farms, and the area around Cadboro Bay beach became a seaside resort as early as 1900. The Cadboro Bay Beach Hotel was opened in 1920, and was a popular attraction until it was destroyed by fire in 1930. For more history, click here.

Cadboro Bay Today for a look at the current Cadboro Bay page.

Businesses in Cadboro Bay Village.

Here's a quick snapshot of current listings for Cadboro Bay:

Cordova Bay is an area along the Eastern shore of Vancouver Island, just 15 minutes from downtown. As you can see, it offers magnificent views and a wonderful stretch of sandy beach. Homes along the beach, are nothing short of extraordinary...

Creating a quick search, there are currently 45 single family homes listed in Cordova Bay ranging from $624,900 CN to $3,495,000 CN.

For more information on Cordova Bay or Victoria and surrounds, I am happy to take your call.

As of today, there are 176 town homes listed in the greater Victoria area.

Below is a chart showing days on market from January 2009 to present indicating a much greater demand in this type of housing since January 2011.

Perhaps one trend causing this demand: older families wanting to downsize from the large 'family' home. Town homes can be a great alternative offering less 'do it yourself' maintenance as well as the ability to lock up and go travelling when the opportunity arises.

Many of my clients have sought townhomes with the greatest percentage looking for one level, no stairs.

For a detailed listing of town homes in and around Victoria, I'm just a quick call or email away.

Fifty years in business is quite an accomplishment. However, when the 50th was celebrated back in 1908, that's really something!

Victoria's first newspaper, The Colonist began in 1858. Today, the paper is still in print however featuring a slightly different name: The Times Colonist.

In 1908, the population of Victoria was about 25,000 and by 1911 was 31,000.

For $2,100 a nice 5-room cottage could be purchased. Want to build? A lot could be had for $350!

For more information on the history of Victoria and archives of the early newspaper, click on this link.

Wishing all a great weekend!

When? For me, it's early morning and then early evening; and best after a workout at the gym or a brisk walk with the pooch.

How? The more personal the communication is, the better.

One of my daily habits is to check the new listings and any price alterations of some 'hot' listings I keep note of. Luckily, our real estate board has a very easy to use sytem that manages automated searches for clients. And, if I send a copy of the search to myself, then I am updated when my client is; ready to go.

For example, this chart of Sale Price to Original Price ratio for Saanich East single family homes, 2-3 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms took about 30 seconds to generate:

It's so important for me to be there with answers for my clients when they call or email - the combination of our Board's computer system along with the power of the smartphone makes it possible. And, if I don't have the answer then and there, I can find it quite quickly. It's all about keeping in touch, being top of mind, etc.

Keeping in touch with a more personal approach - I began sending out note pads with hand-written notations on the top page. My client receives a greeting or a tad of info, plus a free note pad. Works great.