That is the big question: Why should you buy property on Keats Island?
The simplest answer is that it has so much to offer for any family's lifestyle. There are numerous things to do to keep you and your family busy and entertained year-round so you can enjoy all seasons on the island.
There are different things to do as the seasons change, all being equally amusing and enjoyable. In the summertime, you can take a visit to a popular location located on the farms of "Barnabas Family Ministries" which looks out towards the BC Ferries Langdale Terminal and Gambier Island. Here, you will find a fantastic spot to get an assortment of menu items including ice cream, coffee, candy, kombucha, milkshakes, popsicles, and a selection of farm-made merchandise such as soaps, coffee beans, preserves, lip balm, jewellery, clothing, candles, mugs, and many other items, you name it! After your stop at the store, there are volunteer representatives willing to give you a tour of this beautiful property available to rental groups and more kids camps in the summer. There are also many different animals on the property that you can visit including chickens, pigs, bunnies and ducks. The General Store is open to islanders normally at the end of June to the end of August. Although the General Store isn't an official store, this spot is the only store-related area on the island which promotes Keats's small island lifestyle. Another summer activity that is fully maintained and organized by fellow Keats Island community members is the water trampoline and small dock located at West Beach. This beach is the most popular beach all year round, although, especially in the summertime. It's the perfect spot to swim and tan with your family and to meet other families. West Beach is also the location of the New Year's Day polar plunge where the community gathers to wash off the old year and bring in the New Year! Another winter activity is to have a campfire and roast marshmallows and hot dogs and also tidy up your property from the fallen branches and debris.
One of the community's favourites about the island is the unique views. There are a variety of different trails that take you to extraordinary picture-perfect locations like the above image shown. These hikes are frequently used so they are accessible all year round so you can see the island in all conditions. Each trail varies in length but they're all relatively short and can be completed within 20 minutes.
One of the lengthier trails leads to the Provincial Park that is located on the island: "Plumper Cove Marine Park". The park is open to the public year-round and is accessible by trail or boat; however most visit by boat. There are designated camping spots if you want to stay the night and a beautiful long beach that is great for swimming. Many cottage owners have invested in kayaks and/or paddle boards for their families which are very popular to take a paddle to the near islands or to go and see the many beaches, sea creatures, and marine life.
Aside from the various activities to partake in, the Keats Island community is close-knit and will never fail to assist your family to get settled and feel welcome. Everyone is always willing to lend a hand with tasks or even to just chat as neighbours do. There are a couple of community associations that plan island events such as the Eastbourne Kids Fishing Derby and the polar plunge mentioned before! These events bring the community even closer and give more opportunities for fun. Also, there are individuals and families of all ages and lifestyles for you and/or your kids to connect with so you will always feel welcome and a part of the community.
Transportation on the island is very different from the mainland as most get around on golf carts or other atv like vehicles; however, the island is so small that everything is within walking distance and is suitable for most people as the community organizes fresh gravel to be spread after the rainy seasons. In addition to the people-friendly roads, everywhere on the island is very pet friendly as most islanders with friendly dogs let their animals roam off leash and most residents remember to clean up after them.
Although there is no official fire safety on the island, there are a few firefighters who have volunteered their time to train other islanders in the rare event of an emergency. The community holds fundraisers every now and then to improve the equipment we have accessible and to increase water access to all parts of the island. There are also a couple of nurses on the island for minor medical questions or opinions. These community features can help you and your family feel safer. In addition, there is absolutely no crime on the island as the cottagers are incredibly trusting and generous toward each other.
Whether it's the plentiful amount of things to do, the idea of being part of an inclusive and safe community, or the small island lifestyle, Keats Island just might be for you! Contact Trish Cowley at 778-229-9142 or homes@trishcowley.com for more details about the island life or about available listings.
Happy New Year !
I am a little late with this post as I was fortunate enough to begin 2020 travelling to Disneyland with my family to ring in the new year and enjoy some sunshine. 2019 was a great year for me and I enjoyed helping so many people meet their real estate goals. I am so grateful! Whether it is buying, selling or investing, real estate is a major milestone in one's life and I appreciate my clients for putting their trust in me.
The end of 2019 I spent a bit of time goal setting and crafting a vision board. This week I set my goals in place and I look forward to working towards attaining those goals. What are your goals ?.... I can't wait to see what everyone achieve's this year ! If your goal is to buy, sell or invest in real estate please contact me and we can work together to make it happen.
Even if you are still in the dreaming or planning phase I can help you with that. I work with many mortgage brokers and financial planners who can help you acheive your goals. " Making realty dreams a reality " is my slogan and I stand by making that happen. Contact me for a market evaluation and consultation whether it be as a first time buyer, downsizer, investment or recreational property. I love to work with all people in all situations. Make 2020 your year to have your real estate dreams a reality !
From my family to yours, happy holidays! As I reflect on this wonderful year, I'm reminded of how grateful I am for the people in my life that make every day so special, like all of you. May your days be merry and bright and your new year full of good cheer.
Selling your home is one of the most tricky parts of owning a home, really. There are always little projects that you meant to get to and didn’t, and things that probably weren’t perfect, but didn’t bother you enough to fix. You can’t possibly do everything to make your house like new before putting it on the market, but there’s a minimum level that most buyers will expect.
How many of those things left on your “to do” list absolutely need to become “to dones?”
Before you get too serious about selling, it’s a good idea to have your Realtor over for a quick walkthrough. They can give you a punch list of items they think should be updated, fixed or addressed in some other way before you sell your home. You never know when the right buyer will walk through the door, your house needs to be ready to go from the moment you put it on the market. Putting your best foot forward is key to sales success.
That doesn’t mean you need to completely gut and remodel your home, but you should make sure everything is in proper working order and ready for a new occupant. That can be a lot to wrap your head around, though. If you get overwhelmed, start with the list below.
Entry / Living Room
For most homes, the living room and foyer are a combo unit, but if yours are separate understand that this same advice applies to both. The moment that door opens, and even before it does, your potential buyers are forming an opinion of your home. What the open door reveals had better pack a punch (or at least not terrify them).
Make sure that the windows are very clean to let in as much light as possible, that all your light bulbs are in good working order, the flooring is clean and in good shape, any tile grout is intact and the walls are flawless. A neutral color is always a good idea, but white is kind of a turn-off for a lot of buyers. Blues, light grays, beige and creams are all good choices for paint colors.
Dining Room
Your dining room should follow the same advice as your living room, with one exception. Since there’s probably some amount of eating that happens in this part of the house, you’ll want to check the flooring to ensure there’s no staining or spots under the table.
This is a particular problem if there’s carpet. Do not attempt to cover spots with a rug, this could be considered a “hidden, latent defect.” Basically, it means that you’re hiding damage from a potential buyer. That’s a big fat no go.
Instead, call a professional carpet cleaner (you can meet one in the HomeKeepr community!) or just own it and try not to panic if the buyer asks for the carpet to be replaced or cleaned before closing.
Kitchen
The list of things in your kitchen can be long, but we’ll try to make it reasonable. Check all the items on this list, one at a time:
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are by far the hardest, especially if you have kids. If you’re going to have to live in the house until you find a buyer, invest in some storage systems — they’ll pay off in the long run. Organize everything as best you can to give the rooms the appearance of more space, clean the windows, install the lightbulbs, clean the carpets and instruct everyone to keep it tidy. If anything can be moved out to a storage unit, do it.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are much like kitchens, they have a lot of wet, moving parts. That being said, they also have basically the same punch list. The only addition would be the shower or tub units. Check the faucets and showerheads for leakage and make sure there’s no mold on your tub or shower surrounds. Clean that stuff within an inch of its life and if you can’t get rid of the stains, recaulk. It’s an easy way to make that tub or shower look like you’ve never even used it.
Garage
There’s not a lot to do in the garage, but do make sure your door opener is functioning properly, that the wheels on the door are lubricated if it’s making a terrible sound when you open it or close it and that you’ve tidied the things inside as best as you can. If you don’t really use your garage, you can dress it up a lot by applying an epoxy coating to the floor. The DIY kits run around $100 and, although they don’t add any value to your home, they’re far more impressive than an old, stained concrete floor.
General Indoors
Overall, it’ll help a lot if you run around your house and make sure that all your lightbulbs are fresh, all the windows are cleaned, you remember to leave the blinds open during the day and that the paint makes each room feel bigger. The key is to bring in more light and then use lighter colors to keep it bouncing around the room. A new coat of white ceiling paint won’t hurt your efforts, either.
Paint is great for a lot of reasons. It can seal in smells you might have never noticed, as well as giving the house the scent of fresh construction. That smell paints a picture for a buyer that says this house has been taken care of and they can trust that it’s in great shape!
General Outdoors
When it comes to the great outdoors, keep your lawn mowed, trim your hedges, clean up any projects that you started and never finished. Landscapers, trash haulers and metal scrappers can help a lot with these tasks. You’ll also want to check out your roof and gutters to make sure they’re in good shape because your potential buyers will be doing the same thing.
The first thing a buyer sees is the view from the street, make sure you run out there during the outdoor prep work to check your look. When you start to wonder if you should actually sell this amazing house at all, you’ve probably got the curb appeal knocked out.
You don’t have an unlimited timeline, that’s completely understandable, but your home should be ready to sell if you want to get top dollar. If you can’t do the work, just call on someone who can. Your HomeKeepr community is full of professionals who can do specific tasks like cleaning your carpets or help with more general things on your list, like ensuring the whole kitchen is in ready-to-show condition.
Log on, search for the home pro you need right now and let them take it from there. You know they’re going to do great work because your Realtor recommended them!
(This article also appears on HomeKeepr.com)
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