Popular Central Nanaimo condo built in 2006 with distant ocean and mountain views. Bright and open 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit with spacious rooms. Comes with 2 parking stalls in a secured parking garage and a storage locker. Features include: gas fireplace, air conditioning, balcony, in-suite laundry, visitor parking and recreation center. Gas, hot water, maintenance, management, landscaping are all included in the strata fees for approximately $130 per month. The condo complex is called “The Fountains” and it is located close to golfing, recreation, shopping and is just minutes from the downtown. Warranty is still in place and there is no HST.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

This edition of Rate-Mail has our latest, best national rates for Canadian mortgages. You may qualify for even better discounts or regional specials, so be sure to contact your Invis mortgage professional to learn about all your rate options. At Invis, we work on your behalf to find the mortgage that fits your needs, and your life.

Our Latest Rates

Terms Posted Our Rates
6 MON | 4.60% | 3.85%
1 YEAR | 3.65% | 2.49%
2 YEARS | 3.95% | 2.95%
3 YEARS | 4.70% | 3.45%
4 YEARS | 5.34% | 3.99%
5 YEARS | 5.85% | 4.39%
7 YEARS | 6.30% | 4.65%
10 YEARS| 6.50% | 4.99%

Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE
Variable rate mortgages from as low as Prime minus 0.40%.

Prime Rate is 2.25%.*

*Prime rate may vary according to lender. Be sure to check with your Invis mortgage professional for full variable-rate mortgage pricing details.

Rates are subject to change without notice. Fixed mortgage rates shown in table above and quoted variable mortgage rates are available nationally to qualified individuals. Lower rates may be available in certain regions, or to those with higher credit scores or higher net worth – check with your Invis mortgage professional for full details.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Condos not included in hotel deal

Ruttan says waterfront property won’t be used to entice new developers for downtown

Plans for two condominium towers at Maffeo-Sutton Park may not be part of a new deal to build a downtown hotel, according to Mayor John Ruttan, who said he does not want to include such incentives to developers.

The city ended its long-standing and failed agreement with Millennium Development on Wednesday, despite a last-ditch effort from the Vancouver-based developers who wanted yet another extension. City council members turned the company away after three years of missed deadlines and hope to find new interests so they can complete the final component of the struggling Port of Nanaimo Centre.

Ruttan said he would rather not offer waterfront property as a way to entice developers. He also wants council to consider hiring a consultant to help find the right developer, which is an idea that the majority of his fellow politicians shot down late last year.

Council can now turn their attention to any developer they want and Millennium can always come back with another plan, according to Ruttan.

“It’s a new game now,” he said. “If someone wants to build a 180-room site without any other land connection, I would be pleased. I’m very uncomfortable with the condo component.”

About five serious developers have approached the city in the past year. Various design proposals have come forward, including one for a smaller boutique-style hotel, while another off-shore developer is still interested as well.

Ruttan would like his council to reconsider hiring a consultant to find the right developer. DTZ Barnicke put forward a proposal that would cost the city $300,000, if a hotel gets built. The majority of council shot down their own idea in order to wait until the agreement with Millennium ended.

DSpalding@nanaimodailynews.com

250-729-4231
© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2010

Click here for the story from the Daily News

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

The Texada, located in Nanaimo’s North End, an 89 unit luxury condo developed by Carrington.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

NO GST! Court Order Sale! This 1283 square foot, ocean view, penthouse unit is easily the best suite in “The Texada”. This 2 bedroom + den, 2 bathroom condo has 12 foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, wood cabinets and is located in Nanaimo’s North End. “The Texada” has secure underground parking, fitness center, multi-purpose room and is close to all levels of schools and shopping. Other features include, hardi-plank siding with brick and stone exterior finishing, double-glazed thermal “LOW E” vinyl windows, electric fireplace, crown moldings and plenty of storage. This unit is “sold as is where is”

12►

View Larger Map

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

This edition of Rate-Mail has our latest, best national rates for Canadian mortgages. You may qualify for even better discounts or regional specials, so be sure to contact your Invis mortgage professional to learn about all your rate options. At Invis, we work on your behalf to find the mortgage that fits your needs, and your life.

In This Issue

• Our Best Rates
• Refinancing Your Mortgage

Our Best Rates

Terms       Posted   Our Rates
6 MON       4.60%   3.85%
1 YEAR       3.65%    2.49%
2 YEARS    3.95%    2.95%
3 YEARS    4.30%    3.40%
4 YEARS    4.94%    3.69%
5 YEARS    5.25%    3.79%
7 YEARS    6.30%    4.65%
10 YEARS  6.50%    4.99%
Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE
Variable rate mortgages from as low as Prime minus 0.40%.

Prime Rate is 2.25%.*

*Prime rate may vary according to lender.  Be sure to check with your Invis mortgage professional for full variable-rate mortgage pricing details.

Rates are subject to change without notice.  Fixed mortgage rates shown in table above and quoted variable mortgage rates are available nationally to qualified individuals.  Lower rates may be available in certain regions, or to those with higher credit scores or higher net worth – check with your Invis mortgage professional for full details.

Refinancing

Refinancing Your Mortgage

With many mortgage rates still at historically low levels, when reviewing their financing options some borrowers have chosen to refinance their mortgage.  Refinancing a mortgage refers to paying off an existing mortgage and replacing it with a new one.  Homeowners choose this strategy for a range of reasons, the most common being:

• lowering one’s monthly payment to improve cash flow or free up money for a rainy day savings fund,

• consolidating high-cost consumer debt, such as credit cards, car loans or other personal loans,

• renovating one’s residence,

• setting up a home equity line of credit.

A key element in evaluating any refinancing option is calculating the prepayment penalty that may be imposed by your current lender.  Most mortgages contain a clause that obliges the borrower to pay a penalty if they pay off their mortgage in full before the maturity date.  This penalty is usually based on the remaining term on the mortgage, as well as a calculation of the differential between the rate being paid and that lender’s current mortgage rate offerings.

Refinancing is a strategic financial decision that requires the assistance of a mortgage expert to get you the best deal from the many options available.

Joe Tomkins | Invis

250.754.7775 | joetomkins@invis.ca

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

3 Must-Do Tips for Selling that Investment Condo

Not long ago I did a TV segment for Homes and Gardens Television that featured one of my own condos. It’s one of those small spaces, easily filled with the tenants’ large-scale furniture. Take a look at the video clip, and you’ll see what I mean. The film crew got a big laugh out of the tenants’ two pug dogs who became the stars of the show.

The experience made me think about condos, condo furniture, and how to make the one work for the other when you’re ready to sell. So let’s talk about condo selling today - how to make your most impressive presentation, sell fast, and get out with the best price.

Determining the right time to sell is easy if you have a pre-planned exit strategy set to trigger the sale. This strategy might be: “Sell when prices rise to where only speculators and homeowners are buying” or “Sell when smart long-term investors are ‘leaving the building.’”

A pre-planned exit strategy prevents selling on whim, or holding onto a property too long while you waffle over whether the time is right. Fortunes have been lost by mistakes in either direction! Knowing in advance what will trigger your sale, and acting promptly when that time comes, keeps emotion out of the decision. This is smart strategizing for any investment, whether we’re talking stock market or real estate.

Keep these three tips in mind to maximize your profits:

1.) Sell slightly below the peak of the market

Judging when the peak has arrived can be challenging, and most condo investors wait just a bit too long and find themselves selling into a falling market. You never want to be the last one to leave the party - the last one usually winds up feeling the sickest the next day!

Look at what the cash flow is, based on current prices relative to rents. I get the itch to take my money and run when prices go up beyond where I can pocket much from a monthly rental on a property mortgaged at 80 percent. After all, why should I pay someone else for living in my condo? I work hard for my money, and I know you do, too. When it’s time to sell, your pre-arranged trigger will keep you from getting fooled into missing the market’s peak.

2.) Get the tenant to co-operate
Chances are your tenant won’t be overjoyed to hear you’ve decided to sell and that the condo must now be made available for showing. Giving a bit of incentive to cooperate makes good sense and will pay off in the end. There are a number of ways to motivate your tenant. My favorite is to offer a rebate of a portion of the monthly rent if they keep the place clean, tidy, and make it easy to show.

The other way to provide a win/win is to offer a cleaning service to keep the suite in top shape when viewings happen. Tenants get a nice perk for giving their home up for a couple of hours on the weekend, and you get a great-looking space for potential buyers to see.

Most people underestimate the importance of how their investment condo “shows.” Anyone is more likely to buy when they can imagine what living in a certain space would look like, and a condo filled with furniture helps the imagination. By contrast, clothing strewn on the floor and dust on the coffee table give the imagination a negative impetus.

The same thing goes if you’re trying to attract tenants. Many times I’ve opted for renting my condos furnished and providing a cleaning service included in the rent. I’ve found I can get a higher rent when the property looks staged with properly scaled furnishings and tasteful accessories. And higher rents, of course, mean a higher sale price in the future.

3.) Have all your documentation ready
Selling an investment condo should be like selling a business. Supply a list of assets. These might include some furnishings, but also could include a good long-term lease that has value. When I’m in buyer mode, I want to see what the cash flow is for a property. I look for a financial statement from the past couple of years showing what the net profit has been.

Copies of insurance policies, utility bills, condo association charges, and so forth (when organized properly) can present a strong argument that you have run the condo like a business and that the investment makes sense. Investment buyers want to know everything about the property, particularly if they live in a distant city. Make them feel comfortable making an offer by presenting well-organized association minutes and financial statements.

I always have a local attorney go over documentation so that I don’t get surprised by local rules and regulations that could turn out to make my investment unprofitable. Assume any buyer will do the same.

If you follow these guidelines and price your property realistically, you should have no problem getting a buyer to pay a fair price. Soon you’ll be joining me out on the road looking for the next great opportunity in another distant city where you can invest your profit

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

This edition of Rate-Mail has our latest, best rates for Canadian mortgages. At Invis, we work on your behalf to find the mortgage that fits your needs, and your life.

In This Issue

• Our Best Rates
• A Mortgage Pre-Approval – A Smart First Step When Looking for a Home

Our Best Rates

Terms Posted Rates Our Rates
6 MON 4.60% 3.85%
1 YEAR 3.65% 2.49%
2 YEARS 3.95% 2.95%
3 YEARS 4.30% 3.40%
4 YEARS 4.94% 3.69%
5 YEARS 5.25% 3.79%
7 YEARS 6.30% 4.95%
10 YEARS 6.50% 5.20%
Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE
Prime Rate is 2.25%.*

*Prime rate may vary according to lender. Be sure to check with your Invis mortgage professional for full variable-rate mortgage pricing details.

Rates are subject to change without notice. Fixed mortgage rates shown in table above and quoted variable mortgage rates are available nationally to qualified individuals. Lower rates may be available in certain regions, or to those with higher credit scores or higher net worth – check with your Invis mortgage professional for full details.

Mortgage Pre-Approval

A Mortgage Pre-Approval – A Smart First Step When Looking for a Home

Getting a pre-approval for mortgage financing before you start to look for a home is a smart move.

A pre-approval assures you of a locked-in mortgage rate for a set period – so there is no risk of any interest rate increases while you are house hunting. The great news for those who turn to a mortgage broker is that a broker may be able to obtain a longer pre-approval rate hold. Also, with a pre-approval, you’ll get a clear-cut sense of how much you are eligible to borrow.

Keep in mind that the property you intend to purchase – along with your supporting information (such as income, down payment and employment history) – has to meet the financial institution’s criteria to be approved for lending. Also, a pre-approval is not a guarantee of financing, and does not eliminate the need to make a conditional offer.

Joe Tomkins | Invis

250.754.7775 | joetomkins@invis.ca

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

This edition of Rate-Mail has our latest, best rates for Canadian mortgages. At Invis, we work on your behalf to find the mortgage that fits your needs, and your life.

In This Issue

• Our Best Rates
• Mortgage Market Changes

Our Best Rates

Terms    Posted Rates    Our Rates
6 MONTHS    4.60%    3.85%
1 YEAR    3.65%    2.49%
2 YEARS    3.95%    2.75%
3 YEARS    4.30%    3.35%
4 YEARS    5.04%    3.69%
5 YEARS    5.39%    3.69%
7 YEARS    6.30%    4.95%
10 YEARS    6.50%    5.20%
Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE
Prime Rate is 2.25%.*

*Prime rate may vary according to lender.  Be sure to check with your Invis mortgage professional for full variable-rate mortgage pricing details.

Rates are subject to change without notice.  Fixed mortgage rates shown in table above and quoted variable mortgage rates are available nationally to qualified individuals.  Lower rates may be available in certain regions, or to those with higher credit scores or higher net worth – check with your Invis mortgage professional for full details.

Mortgage Market

Mortgage Market Changes

Effective in April – make sure you’re in the know

Home buyers and real estate investors need to keep up with some upcoming changes to mortgage rules that could affect their purchase, if they are applying for a mortgage with a down payment of less than 20% of the value of the property.

Qualifying for a Mortgage
Borrowers applying for a variable-rate mortgage or a fixed-rate mortgage with a term of less than 5 years must qualify based on the Bank of Canada’s five-year fixed posted mortgage rate.

Rental Properties
A minimum down payment of 20% will be needed for government-backed mortgage insurance on non-owner-occupied properties such as rental properties.   There are also changes in how much of rental income can be used when qualifying for financing.

Self Employed?
Make sure you contact an Invis mortgage professional about how to show proof of income to lenders, and access mortgage products tailored for your needs.

For full details on the changes, and personalized advice on the mortgage that fits your needs, contact an Invis mortgage professional for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Joe Tomkins | Invis

joetomkins@invis.ca | 250.754.7775

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

PRINCESS ROYAL OFFICE SEMINAR SERIES

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS

Join us on March 31st @ 11:30 am at the Ramada Inn for an informal
knowledge session aimed at realtors and first time home buyers alike.

The mortgage industry is in a constant state of change, and this year is no different. Let us
help you understand some of the fundamentals as well as new modifications and products
available:

• First time home buyer tax credit
• Explain how to use your RRSP’s as part of the down payment
• Cash back mortgages
• CMHC changes to qualifying
• Explanation of closing costs

Invis mortgage consultants guarantee that there are no surprises at closing time.  Our
knowledge spans the entire mortgage process.

Fran Beatty from CMHC, Cathy Tompkins from FirstLine and Sandy Bartlett from
Bartlett & Co. will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

CALL OR EMAIL TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT OUR INFORMATION SESSION

Princess Royal Office | 250.754.7775 | Invis Canada’s Mortgage Experts
adamhawryluk@invis.ca

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Good day,

We have received news today of some major changes from CMHC. As CMHC is the insurer of choice for most of the lenders that we use we feel that this is very important information to pass along quickly.

News point Number 1 - Clarification on Qualifying Interest rate

Effective April 19, 2010, the qualifying interest rate used to assess borrower eligibility will change only for loans with a loan to value ratio (LTV) greater than 80% as follows:

Fixed Rate Mortgages and Variable Rate Mortgages

For loans with a fixed rate term of less than 5 years and for all variable rate mortgages, regardless of the term, the qualifying interest rate is the great of:

a. the benchmark rate, and (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/cgi-bin/famecgi_fdps)
b. the contract interest rate
The benchmark interest rate is the Bank of Canada 5 year posted interest rate.
For loans with a fixed rate term of 5 years or more, the qualifying interest rate is:
a. the contract interest rate.

What does this mean?

This means that for an average Canadian (income of $66,000 per year), you will qualify for $304,000 instead of $314,000. A difference of $10,000!!! This small loss will not be a stumbling block to people buying homes if they have less than 20% down payment. The qualifying rate for a 5 year fixed term today is 3.75%. The qualifying rate for a variable rate term today is 3.45%, after April 19 it will be 5.39% or see the link above for the Bank of Canada Bench mark 5 year fixed.

The good news out of this is that it does not affect people who have more than 20% equity or down payment available.

News point Number 2 - CMHC Self-Employed Policy Changes and Clarification

Effective April 9, 2010 the following changes apply to mortgage loan insurance applications for the self-employed product. The CMHC self employed product without traditional third party validation of income is intended for self employed borrowers who have difficulty providing documentation for their current income level. Typically these are borrowers who have recently become self employed. The changes are as follows:

a. For purchase and portability transactions, the maximum LTV is being reduced from 95% to 90%; and
b. for refinance transactions, the maximum LTV is being reduced from 90% to 85% LTV.
c. Those who have been self employed for longer than 3 three years will no longer be eligible.
d. Any self employed individuals whose income is derived from Commission income are no longer eligible.
e. Any self employed individual who has secondary non related income, that can be substantiated will now be included.

What does this mean?

For those that are newly self employed, 3 years or less, are now required to come up with a minimum 10% down payment on purchases, or ports. Those looking to refinance their existing self employed simplified mortgages will have to have a minimum 15% equity in their homes.  There will be more information coming out from various lenders and media sources regarding these changes because of their importance and the ramifications on our related industries. Please ensure you and your clients have the right information.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding these changes and how they may affect you or your clients.

Regards,

Joe Tomkins | Invis
Your Nanaimo Mortgage Experts

joetomkins@invis.ca (250) 754-7775

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

In This Issue

• Our Best Rates
• Bank of Canada Maintains Key Rate
• Housing Activity Stronger in 2010: CMHC

Our Best Rates

Terms    Posted Rates    Our Rates
6 MONTHS    4.60%    3.85%
1 YEAR         3.65%    2.49%
2 YEARS      3.95%    2.95%
3 YEARS      4.30%    3.40%
4 YEARS      5.04%    3.69%
5 YEARS      5.39%    3.89%
7 YEARS      6.30%    4.95%
10 YEARS    6.50%    5.20%
Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE
Prime Rate is 2.25%.*

*Prime rate may vary according to lender.  Be sure to check with your Invis mortgage professional for full variable-rate mortgage pricing details.

Rates are subject to change without notice.  Fixed mortgage rates shown in table above and quoted variable mortgage rates are available nationally to qualified individuals.  Lower rates may be available in certain regions, or to those with higher credit scores or higher net worth – check with your Invis mortgage professional for full details.

Bank of Canada

Bank of Canada Maintains Key Rate

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is leaving its key interest rate unchanged, and repeated its commitment to hold the rate steady until the second quarter of 2010, conditional upon inflation.

In its statement the Bank judges that the factors affecting its inflation outlook are “roughly balanced” at this time.  “On the upside, the main risks are stronger-than-projected global and domestic demand.  On the downside, the main risks are a more protracted global recovery and persistent strength of the Canadian dollar.”

The Bank also noted that “the economy grew at an annual rate of 5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2009, spurred by vigorous domestic spending and further recovery in exports.”

Pricing for loans that are typically linked to a lender’s prime rate (such as variable-rate mortgages, variable-rate credit cards) is expected to remain unchanged in the wake of today’s announcement.  Pricing for fixed-rate mortgages is not directly affected by the Bank’s key rate.

Contact an Invis mortgage consultant to learn about current rate trends, and which financing option meets your needs.

Housing Activity in 2010

Housing Activity Stronger in 2010: CMHC

Housing starts rebounded in the second half of 2009 and will strengthen in 2010, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Following a total of 149,081 units in 2009, housing starts are expected to be in the range of 152,000 to 189,300 units in 2010, with a point forecast of 171,250 units. In 2011, housing starts will be in the range of 156,400 to 205,600 units, with a point forecast of 175,150 units.

With an improved balance between demand and supply, the average MLS® price is expected to remain close to the average in the last quarter of 2009, for most of 2010, and then rise modestly in 2011.

“Canadian housing markets will benefit from improving economic conditions and low mortgage rates,” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist for CMHC.

Source: CMHC first quarter Housing Market Outlook.

Joe Tomkins | Invis

250.754.7775 or joetomkins@invis.ca

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

In This Issue

• Our Best Rates
• New mortgage rules to take effect April 19

Our Best Rates

Terms    Posted Rates    Our Rates
6MONTHS 4.60%          3.85%
1 YEAR      3.65%            2.49%
2 YEARS    3.95%           2.95%
3 YEARS    4.30%           3.40%
4 YEARS    5.04%           3.69%
5 YEARS    5.39%            3.89%
7 YEARS    6.30%            4.95%
10 YEARS  6.50%            5.20%
Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE
Prime Rate is 2.25%.*

*Prime rate may vary according to lender.  Be sure to check with your Invis mortgage professional for full variable-rate mortgage pricing details.

Rates are subject to change without notice.  Fixed mortgage rates shown in table above and quoted variable mortgage rates are available nationally to qualified individuals.  Lower rates may be available in certain regions, or to those with higher credit scores or higher net worth – check with your Invis mortgage professional for full details.

New Mortgage Rules

New mortgage rules to take effect April 19

On February 16, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced new mortgage rules intended to help ensure homebuyers can handle their debt load when interest rates rise, as well as to slow down real estate speculation.

“There’s no clear evidence of a housing bubble, but we’re taking proactive, prudent and cautious steps today to help prevent one.  Our government is acting to help prevent Canadian households from getting overextended, and acting to help prevent some lenders from facilitating it,” commented Minister Flaherty.

The new rules take effect April 19, 2010.  Here is a quick look at the changes, which apply to government-backed insured mortgages:

1. Borrowers must now qualify based on a five-year fixed rate even if they choose a mortgage with a lower interest rate and shorter term.  The government’s rationale for this change is that it will help borrowers prepare for higher rates, although it may squeeze the purchasing power of home buyers.  It remains unclear whether borrowers must qualify at the five-year posted rate or the five-year discounted rate.

2. The maximum amount Canadians can withdraw in refinancing their mortgages will be reduced to 90 per cent of the value of their homes, instead of 95 per cent.  The government’s rationale for this change is that it will help ensure home ownership is a more effective way to save.  The impact of this change is expected to be minimal as relatively few homeowners withdraw equity from their homes to this extent.

3. A minimum down payment of 20 per cent will be needed for government-backed mortgage insurance on non-owner-occupied properties “purchased for speculation,” which realistically means rental properties.   While this measure is intended to hamper the speculative buying of properties by reducing the leverage of buyers, it will also impact those buying real estate for general investment purposes.

Joe Tomkins | Invis

250.754.7775

joetomkins@invis.ca

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Tired of looking at town homes when what you really want is a single family dwelling? Glacier View Estates has the best of both worlds. Own a fully detached home and have all the benefits of a strata unit. At Glacier View Estates you won’t need to worry about maintaining your yard or home because it is all taken care of for you. These architecturally designed homes have lofted ceilings and plenty of windows which makes for an open and bright floor plan. Each unit is finished with hardwood flooring, granite slab counters, stylish tiling and wooden cabinetry. The kitchens come fully appointed with 4 stainless steel Maytag appliances and a wine cooler. Extra comforts such as heated flooring in the kitchen and 5 piece ensuite give these homes added luxury. Additional features include an additional family room, office, double garage, 4′ crawl, natural gas furnace and fireplace. Glacier View Estates is located close to all levels of shopping and is located in North Nanaimo.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Tired of looking at town homes when what you really want is a single family dwelling? Glacier View Estates has the best of both worlds. Own a fully detached home and have all the benefits of a strata unit. At Glacier View Estates you won’t need to worry about maintaining your yard or home because it is all taken care of for you. These architecturally designed homes have lofted ceilings and plenty of windows which makes for an open and bright floor plan. Each unit is finished with hardwood flooring, granite slab counters, stylish tiling and wooden cabinetry. The kitchens come fully appointed with 4 stainless steel Maytag appliances and a wine cooler. Extra comforts such as heated flooring in the kitchen and 5 piece ensuite give these homes added luxury. Additional features include an additional family room, office, double garage, 4′ crawl, natural gas furnace and fireplace. Glacier View Estates is located close to all levels of shopping and is located in North Nanaimo.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Tired of looking at town homes when what you really want is a single family dwelling? Glacier View Estates has the best of both worlds. Own a fully detached home and have all the benefits of a strata unit. At Glacier View Estates you won’t need to worry about maintaining your yard or home because it is all taken care of for you. These architecturally designed homes have lofted ceilings and plenty of windows which makes for an open and bright floor plan. Each unit is finished with hardwood flooring, granite slab counters, stylish tiling and wooden cabinetry. The kitchens come fully appointed with 4 stainless steel Maytag appliances and a wine cooler. Extra comforts such as heated flooring in the kitchen and 5 piece ensuite give these homes added luxury. Additional features include an additional family room, office, double garage, 4′ crawl, natural gas furnace and fireplace. Glacier View Estates is located close to all levels of shopping and is located in North Nanaimo.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Tired of looking at town homes when what you really want is a single family dwelling? Glacier View Estates has the best of both worlds. Own a fully detached home and have all the benefits of a strata unit. At Glacier View Estates you won’t need to worry about maintaining your yard or home because it is all taken care of for you. These architecturally designed homes have lofted ceilings and plenty of windows which makes for an open and bright floor plan. Each unit is finished with hardwood flooring, granite slab counters, stylish tiling and wooden cabinetry. The kitchens come fully appointed with 4 stainless steel Maytag appliances and a wine cooler. Extra comforts such as heated flooring in the kitchen and 5 piece ensuite give these homes added luxury. Additional features include an additional family room, office, double garage, 4′ crawl, natural gas furnace and fireplace. Glacier View Estates is located close to all levels of shopping and is located in North Nanaimo.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

(This information is from sources deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should not be relied upon without independent verification. Please contact us by phone, email or by commenting below for more information regarding this strata.)

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Development Update

Debra Waluk

A month has passed since my last newsletter and I wanted to update you with our progress at Studio NA.  We’ve now poured half the lower garage floor and most of the concrete walls throughout the site. We are standing formwork above the garage floor for the floor of the commercial and live/work units along Chapel. We’ll start pouring concrete for that floor and the remaining garage floor as soon as we get a break in the rain, hopefully this weekend. Once the commercial floor is poured we can start framing, and with framing crews anxious to get going I think we will see the structure of the building come up quickly. We’ve had some unexpected weather delays and have hit some large rock formations that were not expected, but we believe our contractor has dealt with these challenges as quickly and as well as possible.

Studio NA continues to generate lots of excitement downtown. The site gets lots of onlookers and purchase inquiries right at the site office.  We expect to have two webcams overlooking the site 24/7 up and running very soon and anyone logging into our website will be able to see what’s going on.

Watch us grow over the coming months and stay tuned for further updates.

Discovering Nanaimo

Malcolm Johnson

I always get asked about how the real estate market is doing in Nanaimo. I answer that as a REALTOR I’m very fortunate to live here.  Real estate has been most affected in Canadian cities that are heavily dependant on industry.  Nanaimo has been gradually moving away from its dependence on the forest industry, which has made the current economic situation easier for us to weather.  Secondly over the past few years we at Coast Realty have seen a great number of people from other parts of Canada “discover” us and they are interested in moving here. The largest portion of our out of town purchasers are from Alberta, Ontario and other parts of BC, and they are coming here with money to spend on housing.  Most of these people are amazed at the value here and approach buying like “kids in a candy store”. So, yes sales volume is down and prices have dropped slightly, but it’s our opinion that the future of Nanaimo and Vancouver Island is bright, that interest rates are at historic lows that can’t be sustained and will rise, and that it’s a very good time to buy real estate here.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Creating art has always been a personal pleasure and favorite past time for me. When I discovered that obtaining a career in graphic design was a possibility I jumped at the opportunity and never looked back. This portfolio contains a variety of work that currently represents my skills as a designer and an artist. My work is strongly influenced by comic books, graphic novels, retro posters, caricatures, skateboarding /snowboarding culture, and modern cutting edge magazines that feature leading illustrators and graphic designers.

Logo design has always been one of my favorite avenues of graphic design. A strong recognizable identity gives companies and corporations an advantage over their competitors by having a face that is easily recognized and remembered. There is more to creating a logo than just something that looks good. The audience has to be taken into consideration throughout the entire design process. Branding a company or organization is one of the most rewarding parts of being a graphic designer.

Packaging has to be one of the most rewarding avenues of design for me. The whole process of creating art that someone gets to physically handle at the end is very exciting. It is an area that takes thorough research and thought. The audience plays an important role. Once deciding on the audience and the goals of the package, the designing comes into play. There is a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing the right shape size and template for my art and that is what makes it fun for me.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Prices range from $204,900. - $234,900

Welcome to Meredith Courts, Nanaimo’s Newest Affordable Development designed for first time buyers, investors, professionals, and young families. Meredith Courts are the best priced brand new condos on Vancouver Island, build by one of the most reputable builders. The units range from 875sqft to 1180sqft and 1 bedroom and den to 2 bedroom and den. This well planned development includes an Amenity building including a fitness room, games room with pool table, media room, kitchen, and is wheelchair accessible. Great Central Location, with close proximity to Shopping, Transportation, The Hospital, VIU, and public schools.

Listed by Adam Paauwe & Jamie Kerr | Coast Realty Group

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Price Range:  $379,000. to $389,000

Horizons at Hammond Bay! Brand new, spectacular 1890 sq ft 3 bdrm & 3 full bath Whistler style strata units with captivating ocean & mtn views across Georgia Strait. High energy efficient appliances, heat pump, low flow toilets & Low E windows. Great room concept with f/p, ocean facing sundecks & southern exposure patios. Luxury finishing: hardwood & tile floors, sculptured carpet, exquisite lighting & plumbing, plantation blinds & shutters. Dream kitchens: S/S appliances: incl. gas or electric stove, convection microwave, deep tub DW & plumbed fridge, sile stone counter, island & ample rich cabinets. The mastersuite takes advantage of ocean views & offers another corner f/p, sitting area, pampering ensuite with corner soaker tub, oversize separate shower plus huge W/I closet with closet organizers. Common property includes a private 3+ acre natural park with trails. Ideal for those looking for a top quality west coast lifestyle. 40 + 2 small pets, BBQ, rentals OK. Add GST

Listed by Kim Bahiri | Remax Of Nanaimo

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Click here for the February 2009 real estate stats for Nanaimo BC.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

201 - 890 Crace Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T3 admin@tectonica.ca
Tel. 250.714.0062 Fax. 250.714.0063

.
Tectonica Management Inc. is a Nanaimo based consulting firm that was incorporated in March of 2005 to provide Project Management, Construction Management, Owners Advocacy, Project Feasibility and Consultant Inspector services to a broad range of private, corporate and institutional clientele.

Tectonica Managment Inc. is comprised of four partners with over seventy years of combined local management, design, and construction experience. In bringing together these highly skilled and motivated individuals we believe that we have, as a result of this unique blend of personalities, pooled complementary professional experience and current skills to ensure that Tectonica Managment Inc. can achieve the following client driven objectives:

• Provide specialized design based commentary to our clients during the site selection and programming stages of their projects.
• Permit early exploration of a projects’ concept and feasibility both prior to, and during, the involvement of a professional consultant team.
• Provide a professional level of design based thinking and rational problem solving which encourages creative solutions while balancing the initial construction costs with operational costs and real life-cycle value.
• Facilitate all required approvals processes with the approving authorities through clear communications and open stakeholder processes.
• Develop and maintain efficient and constructive lines of communication between all team members throughout the life of the project.
• Deliver a project which retains the original design, concept and quality upon which it was developed while respecting financial and schedule constraints.
• Diligently manage the design process and the construction contract to increase the level of coordination and detailing and to minimize the potential for costly course of construction changes.
• Maintain accurate project financial records.

Every project is unique and every owner has varying requirements. We strive to tailor our project management services to ensure that you have as much involvement in the decisions as necessary to make the project a success, while relieving the burden of constant document, submittal, cost and schedule tracking and construction monitoring. Through regular meetings and concise documentation, we will keep you up to date on the project schedule and budget.

It is our strong belief that well defined, clear and open communication generates a strong trust based relationship between all parties as well as a general sense of ownership in the success of the project. It is this synergy that we foster throughout the design and construction process to ensure timely, thoughtful, and financially responsible resolutions to the inevitable surprises that typically challenge a project.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

This issue covers such topics as:

When must  the strata pay to repair damage to a strata lot?
Issues surrounding the rental of strata lots
What do I do when I disagree with Council decisions?

I also found the article called “Voting : When Does 26% = 75%?” eye opening.

Click to below link to view the bulletin:

VISOA February 09 Bulletin

Malcolm Johnson

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.

©2010 Nanaimo Condos / Apartment & Townhouse Sales / Strata Guide. All Rights Reserved.