Navigating Your Howe Sound Real Estate Purchase
Knowledge of Howe Sound
All my life, I have been an avid Howe Sound boater and sailor. 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 within the Sunshine Coast Regional District and the Islands Trust, creating many area-specific zoning regulations and bylaws. It is often difficult even to tell where property lines begin and end, so having an agent that can correctly determine this information is essential.
Private Boat Tours
For boat access only properties in Howe Sound, I take you out on my boat based on your schedule. There is no additional charge for this service, all I ask is that you respect my time and only look at properties you’re serious about purchasing.
Property Values
Knowing if an island property is overpriced or not can often be tricky. Aside from the ups and downs of the market, there are many island-specific factors that affect the price. There are also fewer sales to compare against.
I present you with the hard facts as to what the market is doing and the pros and cons of the property you’re considering.
Viewing By Drone
When any listing Realtor® takes a video or drone video, they usually highlight the best parts of the property. As a buyer, you surely want to see not just the best elements though. When you hire me as your buying agent on a recreational property, I’ll bring along my drone so we can view the property by both land and air (service not available if it’s too windy).
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
You may already have a primary agent for your Vancouver based needs, though many Vancouver agents have never stepped foot on Gambier, Keats, or Bowen Island (let alone the less populated ones). Very few agents truly understand what is involved in terms of an island purchase, so don’t make the mistake of hiring someone that is in over their head. 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.
Even though I represent your best interests when working as your buyer’s agent, my commission is paid by the seller (except in a few very select instances).
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.
Management Services (additional fees)
Upon request, I offer/arrange a variety of cabin management services in the summer months through some trusted partners.
Island Knowledge Outside of Howe Sound
While I am most familiar with Gambier, Keats and Bowen Island. I also am reasonably knowledgeable about all the southern islands in BC (from Pender up to the Discovery Islands), Indian Arm, and the Sunshine Coast. So if you haven’t quite focused your search, know that I’m here to help, wherever your search may take you.
For pleasure, I take a couple trips every year everywhere my boat goes. This past summer was spent going to the Broughton Archipelago, Discovery Islands, Desolation Sound, and Jervis Inlet.