Your Howe Sound
Buyer’s Agent
Knowledge of Howe Sound and Other Islands
I'm an avid power boater and sailor and have been since I was a little kid on my grandparents’ boat. These days, boating is still a major passion of mine, and I now also own a property on Gambier Island.
It's one thing to boat around Howe Sound, name the islands, and love nature; it's another to know the developments, area politics, and policies. Most of Howe Sound is under the Islands Trust, creating many area-specific zoning regulations and bylaws.
While I’m particularly well-versed on Howe Sound and sell most on Keats and Gambier Island, I also have extensive knowledge about the Southern Gulf Islands, Indian Arm, the Discovery Islands, Desolation Sound, and Jervis Inlet and do not shy away from business further away. So if you haven’t quite focused your search, know that I’m here to help, wherever your search may take you.
Property Values
I present you with the facts as to what the market is doing and the pros and cons of the property you’re considering.
Knowing if an island property is overpriced or not can often be tricky. Aside from the ups and downs of the market, many island-specific factors affect the price. There are also fewer sales to compare against.
In addition, basing any island market value remotely on BC Assessment value is a surefire way to gather incorrect data. Market values for some listings are frequently several hundred thousand dollars above or below BC Assessment values.
Off Market Listings
There are a great deal of off market listings in Howe Sound. I’m quite familiar with much of this non-MLS inventory. Contact me to learn about more of the various options.
Cooperation With Your Trusted Agent
Island purchases come with unique challenges that many agents may not be fully familiar with. You may already have a primary agent for your Vancouver-based needs, though many Vancouver agents have never stepped foot on Gambier or Keats Island (let alone less populated islands). I am always happy to work alongside an agent you trust and together find your dream property.*
*This is not meant to induce a breach in an existing buyer’s contract.
Represented vs. Unrepresented
As a buyer, you have two options. Either to go into a purchase as ‘unrepresented’ or ‘represented’. There are several risks of going unrepresented, so I highly encourage you to hire me as your designated agent.
Quick Communication
A core part of every real estate agent's job is to communicate with customers, clients, and other agents. In theory what every agent should do and does do is often worlds apart. To ensure a smooth transaction, it is vital that you have an agent that is on top your needs, cooperates fully with other agents, and responds quickly.
Knowledge of Off-Grid Living
Most buyers know little about off-grid living, and it's imperative to learn what to expect. Compound this lack of knowledge by the fact that many other Vancouver based agents also know little or nothing about off-grid living. My accumulated knowledge of solar panels, drilled-wells, septic-fields, docks, riparian rights, and island building all come in very handy. Before you hire another agent, make sure they know about off-grid living and have a general idea of costs associated with being on an island and building.
Anvil Island
Negotiation
Negotiating on behalf of my clients is one of the most valuable services I offer and one of my best skills.
Before real estate, I sold Mazdas for 3-years, and also negotiated contracts while writing business plans for 5-years. These years of experience in addition to my real estate experience since 2016, have given me a thorough understanding of negotiating.