We are pleased to present three open houses this coming weekend, all located on the beautiful Saanich Peninsula near Victoria, BC.

First, we have an updated townhouse located in prestigious Port Royale Estates, a gated oceanfront community in Brentwood Bay.  This unit features 3 bedrooms and 3 baths on two levels totaling 2200sqft, including a main level master suite.  A large balcony and giant living room windows provide a stunning ocean view.  View more information about this listing here.

Open house at 920-6880 Wallace Drive on Saturday, March 5th, from 1pm to 3pm.

Later that day, head to Dean Park to tour a luxurious executive home with Mt. Baker ocean views. This 1800sqft, 6 bedroom, 6 bath home has space for extra accommodation and features fine finishes throughout, including 3/4″ oak floors, granite counters, white wood kitchen cabinets, glowing rock fireplace, and solid wood moulding. View more information about this listing here.

Open house at 1690 Texada Terrace on Saturday, March 5th, from 2pm to 4pm.

On Sunday, head to coveted Ardmore to see the sweetest Arts & Crafts family home. This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2000sqft home has been recently extensively renovated to be environmentally-friendly and energy efficient. It features hardwood flooring throughout, distant water views, and a fenced organic back garden. View more information about this listing here.

Open house at 9507 Glenelg Avenue on Sunday, March 6th, from 1pm to 3pm.

We hope to see you at one of our open houses this weekend.  Please call if you have any questions about these or our other listings at 250-655-7653 or e-mail contact@ianheath.net.

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We have two tickets to give away to this event for the first person who sends an e-mail to info@ianheath.net and who can pick them up at our office in Sidney on Thursday or Friday.

Ian Heath and Marilyn Ball are proud supporters of the local arts community.  Opposites Attract is a fundraiser for the Mustard Seed Food Bank, with proceeds from the art sales going to the food bank and the artist.  The event will be held at Open Space Gallery at 510 Fort Street this Friday, February 19th.  Doors and Music will be starting at 6pm and the Live Auction will begin at 7:30pm.  The Art Auction will have pieces from local artists, University of Victoria Visual Arts Faculty and Fine Art Students.  See the image below for more information or visit http://oppositesattract.uvic.ca/ .

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The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) came into effect on July 1, 2010.  The provincial and federal governments combined the 7% provincial sales tax (PST) and the 5% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) into the 12% HST. Some of the transition rules can be quite confusing, so talk to your REALTOR® about the specifics of your situation.  In the meantime, we hope the following will help you understand the basics of what is, and what is not, subject to the new tax and how it affects your home purchase.

First and foremost, it is important to note that the HST applies to new homes. It does not apply to resale homes.

New Housing Rebate

You may be eligible for a provincial New Housing Rebate if you buy, as your primary residence:

• a new home together with land;
• a new home together with leased land;
• a new mobile home or float home;
• a new home purchased through shares in a housing cooperative; or
• a home constructed or substantially renovated (more than 90%) by the owner-builder.

Buyers of new homes are eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7% of the HST’s 12%) of the HST paid on the new home up to a maximum rebate of $26,250. Homes priced at more than $525,000 are eligible for a flat rebate of $26,250. This rebate is limited to primary residences. Recreational property not used as a primary residence does not qualify.

If you buy a presale property and the agreement is dated on or before November 18, 2009 and you take owner­ship or possession after July 1, 2010, you will not pay the HST and will not be eligible for a New Housing Rebate. You will pay the GST.  If the agreement is dated after November 18, 2009 and you take ownership or possession after July 1, 2010, you will pay the HST and may be eligible for the New Housing Rebate.

Buying either a new or a resale home

The 12% HST is now charged on a range of goods and services including:

• home renovations;
• energy efficient appliances, insulation, windows and doors;
• heating and electricity bills, telephone, cable;
• closing costs such as appraisals and inspections;
• moving costs; and
• REALTOR® fees or commissions – note that the HST will apply to REALTOR® services performed on or after July 1, 2010. If 90% or more of the services were per­formed before July 1, 2010, the HST will not apply.

The HST is not the PTT

The Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is a separate provincial tax on all property transfers. The rate is 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the fair market value of the property (usually the selling price) and is charged on the fair market value (usually the selling price) of the property before the GST/HST is applied. Eligible first-time home buyers may qualify for a PTT exemption. Information about the PTT can be found here.

- Source:  Victoria Real Estate Board

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Set amidst the natural beauty and unspoiled charm of the Saanich Peninsula, the vibrant community of Sidney-by-the-Sea  is blessed with majestic views of the ocean and the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges.  This bustling commercial hub of the Saanich Peninsula is also the gateway to the BC Gulf Islands and the US San Juan Islands.  Sidney offers a grand selection of friendly restaurants, outdoor cafes, and pubs where you can enjoy the sunshine and fresh seafood or discover the shopping destination of the Peninsula. The town of Sidney has over 100 shops, boutiques, and art galleries.

Sidney is ideally situated close to all major amenities and major arrival points to South Vancouver Island.  By air, visitors arrive at Victoria International  Airport, which is only 5 minutes away.  BC Ferries provides year-round service to and from Swartz Bay, immediately north of town.  Sidney is also the departure point and home port for pleasure craft sailings, offering four marinas with superb services, a commercial harbour, and several yacht clubs. There are many inlets and nearby islands, 3 km of publicly accessible ocean front – including many beaches and great beachcombing – and several interesting attractions in and around this pretty little town.  Sidney enjoys a moderate Mediterranean type climate with year-round mild temperatures, low rainfall, and very little snow.

The Sidney oceanfront offers kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, crab fishing – this is a paradise for children and for adults with childlike wonder. Take your rowboat out a short distance, lay your crab traps, and savour a mouth-watering gourmet lunch consisting of the freshest crab imaginable. Then, wander along the beach for miles and miles, enjoying the eagles alighting on the spindly crests of conifers towering above Roberts Point, or watch the sea lions and seals playing in the shallow waters.

This truly is a paradise, with breathtaking, sweeping skies and panoramic views across the water. Kayak around Coal Island among the many islets and depend on last the ebb to bring you home. For the adventurer, visit a little islet called “Rose Rock” a craggy bit of island filled with trees and unusual geology. The islets are full of dilapidated buildings and boats – a painters dream, where intertidal zones create amazing palettes of colour and movement.

But this wonderful location is not just about being on vacation year round, it is also about convenience and practicality, with all the necessary amenities of the quaint town of Sidney by the Sea, as well as the superb library, community centre, and academically renowned, internationally-oriented Parkland Secondary School nearby. Sidney offers a complete integrated community with excellent medical services,  museums, a marine centre, film and stage theatres, art galleries, whale watching adventures, country markets, community summer concerts, retirement homes, and much more.  It also offers a very vibrant art community and a terrific community service organization with many volunteers. Downtown Sidney contains a multitude of coffee shops and many restaurants ranging from Greek to Thai and Chinese to European food.

Sidney is a gathering point for residents from all over the world, with amazing experiences and life stories to share.  Most residents have come from cities throughout Canada, the US, and many other countries. Many are professional families, health care workers, engineers, lawyers and judges, intellectuals, company executives, authors, or artists.  One of our clients living in Sidney, and staying in Sidney, says, “when we came here from Ontario we were “at home ” right away. Made new friends right away and still socialize with the same people we met 23 years ago.”  Sidney offers plenty of opportunities to make friends and get involved in a vibrant community.

For more information on Sidney, visit the Town of Sidney’s website.

We currently have two listings in Sidney: a spectacular oceanfront residence and a versatile downtown commercial space.

Spellbinding Oceanfront (View Listing) – Architecturally designed, masterfully built home featuring a private floating dock, superior location, far reaching Gulf Island panoramic views, crowned by majestic Mount Baker -  a truly unique spectacle.

Downtown Sidney Commercial Space (View Listing) – Prime 1073sqft freehold ground floor unit in the coveted 2004 built “Beaufort” building in downtown Sidney. Zoned for commercial, retail, and office (residential above). High traffic area – 1/2 block to Beacon Avenue.

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We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and we’re grateful that you’re visiting our website.

Marilyn wanted to share the following video:  The Gratitude Dance.

What are you grateful for?

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