Blog by Kevin Ramsay
VREB Sales Report - April 2013
May 3rd, 2013Stop giving REALTORS® a bad rap!
April 10th, 2013
I think REALTORS® get a bad rap. I don't think the public understands how hard we work to make it in this industry. It's a job that requires your attention every day, every waking hour and minute. I don't get regular days or weekends off. I haven't had a summer vacation in 7 years.
I also don't get sick days. In 2008, I had a severe case of Bell's palsy and had to work through it. I ...
VREB Sales Report - March 2013.
April 3rd, 2013MARKET ACTIVITY FOLLOWS TRADITIONAL REAL ESTATE CYCLE IN GREATER VICTORIA
VICTORIA, BC–Greater Victoria’s real estate market is following tradition with a spring upswing in activities with month-over-month increases in showings, new listings and total sales.
The Victoria Real Estate Board reports a total of 483 sales processed through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) system in March 201 ...
VREB Sales Report - February 2013
March 4th, 2013Random fun on the beach in February
February 20th, 2013Last week we met Mitzy, a sweet little dog from Victoria Adoptables. My wife and I were sit ...
Slow Down! This Isn't Vancouver!
February 6th, 2013
I am driving every day, it comes with the job. However, I am far from an aggressive driver. I actually chauffeured a BC Transit driver around to look at several properties and he commented on how good a driver I was. That seemed like a qualified endorsement for my good driving. I haven't had a speeding ticket enforced since coming to Victoria. More on the "enforced" part of that statem ...
VREB Sales Report - January 2013
February 1st, 2013SALES DOWN BUT PRICES HOLD IN GREATER VICTORIA REAL ESTATE MARKET
VICTORIA, BC–A slow start to the year in Victoria’s real estate market is evidence that buyers are continuing to wait for prices to drop. Although January 2013 sales are 27% lower than January 2012, the six-month average price for a Greater Victoria home is only down 1% for the same period.
“We are realistic and sales are n ...
Butt Out - The Smoking Debate
January 29th, 2013

Usually I try to stay out of political topics and hotbeds. As my good Thai friend would always say during conversation - No Politics, No Religion - Only Good Times... But the latest debate about smoking in public parks makes me want to break my rule about staying silent on difficult topics. In short, my view is this - stop wasting energy trying to get smoking out of our parks and put t ...
Aw, poop!
January 18th, 2013Last night at 6pm, just after dark, I was showing my Clarence House condo to someone I hadn't met before. The carpets had just been cleaned a couple of days ago. In walks the handsome couple and the lady's shoe is caked in dog poop. Somehow she managed to step in this on the brief journey from her car to the condo. She didn't notice it in the entry, in the ...
It's just rude! (But I can't tell you how rude it is)
January 14th, 2013A couple of days ago, I had a random call on one my listings. The young lady on the phone wanted to see the house as soon as possible. She was calling at 2pm but was unable to view it until 6pm. I suggested 615pm. I was fully booked already and was squeezing the viewing in between appointments at 5pm and 7pm.
My 5p ...
I Love Victoria
January 4th, 2013Reflecting on 2012
January 2nd, 2013VREB Sales Report - December 2012
January 2nd, 2013VREB Sales Report - November 2012
December 4th, 2012VREB Sales Report - October 2012
November 6th, 2012VREB Sales Report - September 2012
October 1st, 2012VREB Sales Report - July 2012
August 2nd, 2012VREB Sales Report - June 2012
July 4th, 2012Downsize to a condo, part 2.
June 25th, 2012But, I have to admit, I already miss my house. The photo below captures several things that I must give up to move into a condo. 1.) My hammocks! I redid ...
Downsize to a condo, part 1.
June 20th, 2012VREB Sales Report May 2012
June 4th, 2012VREB Sales Report March 2012
April 5th, 2012VREB stats March 2012
VREB Sales Report February 2012
March 2nd, 2012VREB Sales Report December 2011
January 4th, 2012VREB Sales Report November 2011
December 5th, 2011December 1, 2011
Real Estate Activity Stable in November
Real estate sales activity remained steady throughout Greater Victoria last month with a total of 482 homes and other properties selling through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), virtually unchanged from 483 sales in October. There were 479 sales in November of last year. Overall prices, meantime, remain ...
VREB Sales Report - October 2011
November 8th, 2011November 1, 2011
Real Estate Activity Increases in October
Real estate sales activity showed a modest increase throughout Greater Victoria last month with a total of 483 homes and other properties selling through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up from 458 sales in September. There were 467 sales in October of last year. Overall prices, meantime, remained m ...
VREB Sales Report September 2011
October 3rd, 2011VREB Sales Report - August 2011
September 7th, 2011September 1, 2011
Real Estate Sales Strengthen in August
Enhancing Market Stability
Real estate sales activity picked up throughout Greater Victoria last month with a total of 542 homes and other properties selling through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up from 523 sales in July. There were 425 sales in August of last year.
Victoria Real Estate Board Pr ...
VREB Sales Report - July 2011
August 4th, 2011August 2, 2011
Real Estate Sales and Prices Soften in July
A total of 523 homes and other properties sold in July through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), down from 618 sales in June but very close to the 527 sales in July of last year. Overall prices, meantime, declined somewhat across all major property types.
Victoria Real Estate Board President, Den ...
VREB Sales Report - June 2011
July 5th, 2011Real Estate Sales Steady in June
A total of 618 homes and other properties sold in June through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up from 572 sales in May and very close to the 625 sales in June of last year.Victoria Real Estate Board President, Dennis Fimrite, noted that market activity has returned to comparable levels of a year ago. “Overall ...
VREB Sales Report - May 2011
June 8th, 2011June 1, 2011
Real Estate Sales Steady in May
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria in May showed little change compared to April while overall prices showed some softening. A total of 572 homes and other properties sold in May through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple listing Service® (MLS®), virtually unchanged from the 574 sales in April. There were 695 sales i ...
VREB Sales Report - April 2011
May 3rd, 2011May 2, 2011
Real Estate Sales Soften, Prices Steady in April
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria softened in April while prices remained steady, showing increases for condominiums and townhomes and minor movement for single family homes. A total of 574 homes and other properties sold in April through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple listing Service® (MLS®), ...
VREB Sales Report - March 2011
April 1st, 2011April 1, 2011
Real Estate Activity Picks Up in March
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria rose in March for the second consecutive month while prices for all major property types registered modest increases. A total of 622 homes and other properties sold in March through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple listing Service® (MLS®), up from the 488 sales in February. T ...
VREB Sales Report - February 2011
March 3rd, 2011March 1, 2011
Real Estate Sales Increase in February
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria rose in February. Prices remained mixed while the number of properties available for sale also rose. A total of 488 homes and other properties sold in February through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple listing Service® (MLS®), up from the 339 sales in January. There were 621 s ...
VREB Sales Report - January 2011
February 1st, 2011February 1, 2011
January Real Estate Sales and Prices Steady
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria showed little movement in January while overall prices remained stable. A total of 339 homes and other properties sold in January through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple listing Service® (MLS®), down slightly from the 349 sales in December. There were 418 sales in Ja ...
VREB Sales Report - Dec 2010
January 4th, 2011January 4, 2011
2010 – A Return to a Balanced Real Estate Market
Last year was marked by a return to a balanced real estate market in the Greater Victoria area. Sales were strong in the early months of the year, then softened mid-year before regaining strength in the fall. A total of 6,546 homes and other properties sold in 2010 – a decline of 19 per cent compared to 2009 but almost the same ...
VREB Sale Report - November 2010
December 1st, 2010November Real Estate Sales Rise
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria rose in November. Prices, meantime, remained mixed with gains for condominiums but some declines for single family homes and townhomes. A total of 479 homes and other properties sold in November through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple listing Service® (MLS®), up slightly from the 467 sales in Oc ...
VREB Sales Report - October 2010
November 1st, 2010
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria rose in October while prices remained mixed. A total of 467 homes and other properties sold in October through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple listing Service® (MLS®), up 18 per cent from the 395 sales in September. There were 742 sales in October of last year.
Victoria Real Estate Board ...
VREB Sales Report - September 2010
October 1st, 2010October 1, 2010
Real Estate Market Sales Slow in September
Prices Remain Mixed
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria slowed further in September while prices showed some variability, depending on the property type.
A total of 395 homes and other properties sold in September through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), down from the 425 sales ...
VREB Sales Report - August 2010
September 2nd, 2010September 1, 2010
Real Estate Market Softens in August
The property market throughout Greater Victoria softened in August with fewer sales and a decline in overall prices for single family homes and condominiums; overall prices for townhomes, however, rose in August.
A total of 425 homes and other properties sold in August through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (ML ...
VREB Sales Report - July 2009
August 3rd, 2010July Property Sales Return to
Historically Average Level
Property sales throughout the Greater Victoria area in July returned to the kind of normal level seen in the late 1990s while overall prices declined slightly compared to June. A total of 527 homes and other properties sold in July through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), down from the 625 sales in June ...
VREB Sales Report - June 2010
July 3rd, 2010July 2, 2010
Good Choices Available for Buyers as
Sales Soften and Inventory Rises in June
Greater Victoria home buyers have a growing number of properties from which to choose as inventory levels rose to 4,730 properties available for sale at the end of June – up 25 per cent from the 3,794 available properties a year earlier. Sales, meantime, softened last month while overall prices showed ...
VREB sales report - May 2010
June 1st, 2010June 1, 2010
Spring Sales Soften in May
Choices Increase for Buyers
The number of homes and other properties sold throughout the Victoria area softened in May while the choices for buyers increased with a further rise in the number of properties available for sale.
A total of 695 homes and other properties sold in May through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), ...
VREB Report April 2010
May 3rd, 2010May 3, 2010
Real Estate Sales Remain Steady
Inventory Rises in April
The number of homes and other properties sold throughout the Victoria area moderated slightly in April while the number of properties available for sale continued to increase.
A total of 756 homes and other properties sold in April through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), down from the 7 ...
VREB Report March 2010
April 1st, 2010April 1, 2010
Real Estate Sales Rise in March
With the Arrival of Spring
The number of homes and other properties sold throughout the Victoria area rose substantially in March compared to both the previous month and to March of last year. A total of 789 homes and other properties sold in March through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up 27 per cent from the ...
VREB February 2010 Report
March 1st, 2010March 1, 2010
Real Estate Sales Surge in February
Prices Remain Mixed
The number of homes and other properties sold throughout the Victoria surged in February compared to January and remained well above the number of sales in February of last year. A total of 621 homes and other properties sold in February through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up from ...
VREB November 2009 Report
December 1st, 2009
Property Sales Ease in November
But Remain Well Above a Year Ago
The number of properties sold throughout the Victoria area last month eased compared to October but remained well over double the number of sales in November of last year. A total of 604 homes and other properties sold in November through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), down from the 742 sa ...
VREB September 2009 Report
October 1st, 2009
Property Sales Highest in 17 Years
for Month of September
The Victoria area real estate market showed signs of growing strength last month as property sales rose to their highest level for the month of September since 1992 accompanied by modest price increases for single family homes and condominiums. A total of 776 homes and other properties sold in September through the Victoria Real Es ...
VREB August 2009 Report
September 1st, 2009Property Sales in August
Follow Usual Summer Trend
The number of property sales in the Greater Victoria area slowed during August but sales were again significantly higher than a year ago. Prices, meantime, remained stable with some increase for single family homes. A total of 764 homes and other properties sold in August through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® ...
VREB July 2009 Report
August 4th, 2009Property Sales Soar in July
It was not only the weather that was hot in July as the Victoria area property market continued to soar. The number of sales of homes and other properties reached their highest peak for the month of July in at least 19-years. A total of 933 homes and other properties sold in July through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), down slig ...
The West Coast is the Best Coast!
July 14th, 2009
Believe it or not, as much as I love Victoria, I have to leave and go on vacation once in a while. I've been fortunate to take time off in Ucluelet on two occasions this year. I stayed at a friend's waterfront townhouse and enjoyed the view through floor to ceiling windows. Is there anything more beautiful than the West Coast? I don't think so. Is there anything better than being on a ...
VREB June 2009 Report
July 2nd, 2009Housing Sales Surge
The arrival of summer saw a significant surge in property sales throughout the Greater Victoria area along with modest price increases for single family homes and townhomes. A total of 946 homes and other properties sold in June through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up over seven per cent from the 879 sales in May and up 31 per cent c ...
I Love Victoria - Thetis Lake Park/McKenzie Creek Trail
June 15th, 2009
For many, summer in Victoria is best spent at Thetis Lake. Swimming, sunbathing, hiking, cliff-jumping, dogwalking – you name it – this is a great location for some of nature’s finest moments.
There are actually two lakes – Upper and Lower Thetis – that are the main attractions of the 831 hectare park comprised of delicate Garry Oak ecosystems. Located at the end of Six Mile Road in V ...
VREB May 2009 Report
June 2nd, 2009June 1, 2009
Victoria Housing Market Gains Strength
The Greater Victoria area housing market gained additional strength last month with a significant increase in sales along with firm prices. A total of 879 homes and other properties sold in May through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up 17 per cent from the 747 sales in April and up 14 per cent compared ...
I Love Victoria - Mount Doug
May 10th, 2009
Mount Douglas Park is the largest and most magnificent park administered by Saanich. This parkland was originally set aside in 1858 by Sir James Douglas as a Government Reserve (the creek and hill ar both named after him), and has been protected as crown trust since 1889. In November 1992 it was transferred to Saanich Municipality. The park stretches from the shores of Cordova Bay to the ...
VREB April 2009 Report
May 3rd, 2009May 1, 2009
Spring Real Estate Sales Soar
Sales of homes and other properties throughout Greater Victoria soared in April while prices remained stable with some modest fluctuations up and down, depending on the property type. A total of 747 homes and other properties sold in April through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up 24 per cent from the 602 sales ...
I Love Victoria - Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
April 14th, 2009
I’ve decided to profile Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary as today's entry. Shortly after my wife and I moved here, after a glorious year of renting a waterfront home at Portage Inlet, we moved to an area of Saanich known as Lake Hill. At first, we were disappointed with the suburb – what a letdown after living on waterfront. Where was the nature? The local parks had baseball diamonds but ...
New Survey on Affordability and Green Housing Reveals BC Trends
April 8th, 2009
Vancouver, BC – April 7, 2009. A survey of homeowners and renters across British Columbia suggests that, when it comes to housing, affordability concerns and making smart green choices are top of mind for most BC residents.
Sponsored by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), the January 2009 Mustel Group survey examines the top affordability barriers in the province and how p ...
VREB March 2009 Report
April 8th, 2009April 1, 2009
Real Estate Sales Gain Momentum in March
Real estate sales throughout Greater Victoria gained momentum in March. A total of 602 homes and other properties sold in March through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) up a significant 49 per cent from the 403 sales in February. There were 707 sales in March of last year. Prices, meantime, remained ve ...
I Love Victoria - Elk Lake
March 5th, 2009I Love Victoria - Elk Lake

For my New Year's Resolution, I decided to walk more. I hate exercising in a gym but I love to walk and hike. I think of it as sightseeing. All of you other exercise haters - listen up - get out and walk in the great outdoors of Victoria. Spring has sprung at least three weeks early - so go for a walk outside, enjoy it, and get healthy at the same time.
For ...
VREB February 2009 Report
March 5th, 2009
Real Estate Sales Rebound in February
Real estate sales rebounded in February with a substantial increase over January. A total of 403 homes and other properties sold in February through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) up 63 per cent from the 247 sales in January. There were 619 sales in February of last year. Prices for single family homes and condominiu ...
VREB January 2009 Report
February 3rd, 20092009 Housing Market Off to a Slow Start
Property sales throughout Greater Victoria in the first month of the year got off to a modest start amid continuing concern by buyers and sellers over the economy.
A total of 247 homes and other properties sold in January through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) up slightly from the 239 sales in December. There were ...
Mckenzie Overpass project needs your support
January 15th, 2009As beautiful as Victoria is, it does have a few areas of bad traffic congestion. Arguably the most important, and most overdue, road improvement project would be the McKenzie overpass. Troy DeSouza, the Conservative candidate for the Esquimalt-Juan De Fuca region, has an article in today's Times Columnist that urges concerned citizens to sign a petition to support this project and get feder ...
I love Victoria. 20 minutes to heaven.
January 4th, 2009 
View from Hollydene Park.
No matter where you live in the Greater Victoria area, I can guarantee that it is 20 minutes to heaven from the doorstep of your sweet home. Whether your mode of transportation is foot, bicycle, or car, it is 20 minutes to something you will find wonderful. I am a nature lover, so I will profile the outdoor areas that I find heavenly.
When I first moved to Victo ...
VREB December 2008 Report
January 2nd, 2009January 2, 2009
2008 – A Year of Change in Victoria Area Real Estate Market
Following several years of significant price increases and exceptionally strong sales in 2007, the Victoria area housing market softened in 2008. Total sales of homes and other properties fell by 27% compared to 2007 while the value of all property transactions through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listi ...
I love Victoria. Christmas Eve
December 24th, 2008Another wonderful Christmas Eve in Victoria. Right now it is sunny and the roads are clear. Langford, the Malahat, Comox, and Vancouver are all stuck in another snowstorm but, so far, Victoria has come out smelling like a rose.
Last Christmas Eve, I was walking the seawall in James Bay after going to see the sellers of a sweet home. It was sunny, the skies were clear, and the view of the ...
I love Victoria. Snow Day!
December 22nd, 2008
Like most of North America, Victoria has been at the mercy of a large Arctic storm. Hopefully you are lucky enough to have the day off. Take the time to trace a snow angel, have a snowball fight, toboggan, or build an igloo. Middle aged men are getting trimmer waistlines as they are pulled away from the buffet of sweet treats and shoved outside into the frigid winds with a snow shovel in ...
I love Victoria.
December 5th, 2008I L♥ve Victoria
Chapter 1: Entranced

View from Mt. Doug on December 4th, 2008, at 3:15pm.
I think Victoria is the sweetest home on Earth. In this time of economic loss, political posturing, and holiday bustling, let us not forget one thing! It is December 4, 2008, and it is sunny and gorgeous outside because this is Victoria and we have the best climate in Canada.
For the f ...
Victoria Real Estate Board Report for November 2008
December 3rd, 2008Cautious Buyers Lead to Decline in November Sales
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria declined in November as buyers remained
cautious due to concerns over the economy and direction of the market.
A total of 268 homes and other properties sold in November through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s
Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) down from the 316 sales in October. There we ...
VREB October 2008 Report
November 6th, 2008Here is the report for October as written by Tony Joe, president of the Victoria Real Estate Board.
Property Sales Soften in October; Prices Remain Stable
The number of property sales throughout Greater Victoria declined in October while prices remained
stable.
A total of 316 homes and other properties sold in October through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s
Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) ...
VREB September 2008 Report
October 6th, 2008Property Sales and Prices Steady in September
Both the number of property sales and overall prices throughout Greater Victoria remained steady in
September, showing little change from August.
A total of 512 homes and other properties sold in September through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s
Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) down minimally from the 517 sales in August. There were 632 sales
in ...
Playing Fair
September 24th, 2008Stay tuned, folks. I will be working with Fair Realty starting this Friday. Negotiable commissions. You can still save thousands while offering a competitive commission to facilitate a quick sale. I'm really excited about the potential my business offers with Fair Realty
K
VREB August 2008 Report
September 4th, 2008Here is the latest monthly review issued by the Victoria Real Estate Board. It has been a slow summer, especially August, but I've already noticed an improvement in viewings and deals since September started.
Property Sales and Prices Soften in August
Sales of homes and other properties in the Greater Victoria area followed the expected trend and softened last month as many people enjoyed va ...
Real Estate humour
August 14th, 2008How about some jokes today?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A client bought a new home and the REALTOR wanted to send flowers for the occasion.
They arrived at the home and the owner read the card; it said, "Rest in Peace".
The owner was angry and called the florist to complain. After he had told the florist of the obvious mistake and how angry he was, the florist said. "Sir, I'm really sorry for t ...
VREB 2008 July stats report
August 6th, 2008Sales of homes and other properties in the Greater Victoria area softened last month though prices for
single family homes and townhomes showed little change. The average price for condominiums
moderated somewhat. A total of 616 homes and other properties sold in July through the Victoria Real
Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) ...
Your house as viewed by...
August 6th, 2008Hi Everyone,
During the course of my day to day activities, I occasionally come across potential clients suffering from what I like to call "My House Is A Castle" syndrome. While the following joke doesn't mimic this, there are some similarities. (ps. You have to click on "Read More" if you can't see the images)
This is your property as viewed by Yourself:
As Viewed By Your Buyer:

As Vi ...
Pokerface - the end
July 9th, 2008I blame the 2007 WSOP. They aired the final tables on ESPN last night and I watched and studied. I was amazed at how loose the players were. Huge raises and calls with lousy cards. Is this how the pros actually play?
I blame Doyle Brunson's autographed book. It cautions players against playing too tight. I am typically a very tight, conservative player.
Of course, I blame myself. I go ...
Pokerface - chapter 3
July 3rd, 2008Hi everyone,
I arrived in sunny Las Vegas yesterday. It is crazy hot outside! I am staying with my wife at the Palms Hotel, courtesy of pokerstars.net. I am registered for the world championship no-limit hold'em tournament. The first four days, starting today, groups of 3000 people will be playing. My first day is July 6th so I have a few days left to decompress and adjust.
I'm still m ...
The REALTOR will see you now...
April 3rd, 2008
Hello!
For those of you who don't know me well, my professional background is health care. I worked as a respiratory therapist for 14 years, operating life support at B.C. Children's Hospital before moving here to work for VIHA. Many of you would be unable to imagine what I've seen on the front lines in the Emergency Room or Intensive Care Units. Our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapist ...