Tag Archives: Real Estate salt spring

June 2021, Salt Spring Island Market Analysis

So…here we are at the very beginning of June. That signals the half-way point in the year’s outcomes.

Real Estate Rhythms

I always think that real estate rhythms break into thirds on Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands.

The first third has two parts: early Spring (February/March/to mid-April) and “real Spring” (mid April to mid-June). The second third is late June to mid-October. The third pattern encompasses late October to late January.

Buyer’s Market Yet?

Even with the many pauses and hesitations enacted by the provincial government, during this Spring, to stop the progression of covid outbreaks in B.C., this underlying pattern remained subtly in effect.

Where do we find ourselves at this very beginning of June, with the real estate market?

It’s the same tune we have been humming since late June 2020: very low inventory and continuing strong buyer demand.

Is Salt Spring Island a Rural Lifestyle?

Most owners still do not want to be sellers and buyers are still seeking a rural “apart” lifestyle change…though with conveniences such as hospital, good schools, ease of access, and opportunities in January as well as in July (thus, the allure of Salt Spring).

How Are the Sales on Salt Spring Island?

At this very beginning of June, 2021, there are 45 residential listings on Salt Spring (not separating out waterfront, townhomes, farms, view…just simply available houses).

  • 21 residential properties between 420,000 and 989,900
  • 14 listings between 1,050,000 and 1,950,000.
  • five listings between 2,190,000 and 2,780,000
  • One listing at 4,995,000, one at 6,888,800
  • One at 12,000,000, and two at 14,000,000.

At this very beginning of June, there are approximately 33 land listings (again, not separating out waterfront, farms, lots/acreages, view options). Prices range between 232,500 and 2,495,000.

At this beginning of June, there have been 144 sales to date. Since mid-February, we have seen several bidding wars and many properties (mainly residential options) have sold substantially over list price.

Any infrequent new residential listings are coming onstream at higher prices…and they often sell with still higher prices (driven up by more buyers than listings).

Over time, low inventory and high buyer demand do result in price escalation. Add market lack of inventory, a result of the overall Islands Trust cap on growth, and locally we might be facing a strong uptick trend moment. Recent reports of lower sales statistics simply reflect the lower inventory available to sell.

An Invitation to Summer


June is really the invitation to summer…the calendar calls it that by the 20th, but the ambience of the season is really there from late May. Meteorological summer starts on June 1st. So important to jump right into the brief weeks of summer and to enjoy their many pleasures.

Dining al fresco on decks and patios, swimming in lakes and at favourite ocean beaches, kayaking and paddle boarding along the shoreline, reading a fat summer book while lounging on a hammock, hiking a trail, switching up the menu to include those delicious farmers market salad materials, savouring sunsets until late evening, star watching and recognizing constellations…yes, it’s summer…and it still smiles its welcome.

Thinking of buying a property on special Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me. Benefit from my knowledge (of inventory and trends), expertise, and solid experience in connecting buyers with sellers. Your best interests truly are my motivation. No matter the market trend at any particular time, there are always work-arounds for successful outcomes.

March 2019, Salt Spring Island Market Analysis

Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island

March 2019, Salt Spring Island Market

The entire Pacific Northwest Coast region experienced a once-every-twenty-years winter season weather pattern, which erased the 2019 projected early market.

A hurricane force wind on December 20th, with resulting power outages and severe forest damage, was replaced by an Arctic Front and snowstorm sequences (no melt between storms, due to cold)…the result of all of this was to cause a cancellation of potential viewers/buyers. Christmas/New Year week and February’s Family Day Holiday Weekend were both affected by weather-induced pauses. The good news: everyone did rebook and March appears to have “busyness” at its heart.

Listings remain very low, in both residential and in undeveloped land options. With renewed buyer interest, coupled with this lack of owner desire to sell, we may see price escalation begin. It may take until late April/early May to see the true tone of this year, since weather issues have created a slow start to the market.

Vancouver Real Estate Market 2019

The Vancouver market is also beginning to reactivate, including in the higher end property segment. Vancouver sellers have been the main buyers on Vancouver Island and on the Gulf Islands, since mid-March, 2016. Hesitations from then to now can be attributed to various provincial government tax measures, specifically created to suppress the Vancouver market, plus El Nino/La Nina weather vagaries.

March to Spring

March sees the beginning of Spring, showcases the allure factors of Salt Spring, and invites market activity…to enjoy a property between late Spring and early Fall (the best weather months in our area), one pretty well has to buy in March/April.

Low Canadian Dollar against the U.S. dollar, low interest rates, lack of inventory that may drive future price increases (would see this, if turns out to be the case, by summer), and a renewed global seeking of a safe haven destination, are all reasons for increased action. The hesitations of 2018 (mostly a reaction to the many provincial government tax burdens in Vancouver) seem to be over.

How can you make this current market work for you?

How can you make this current market work for you? Whether a seller or a buyer, and no matter the market trend, there are always elements that can work to your benefit.

At the very beginning of March:

  • 87 residential listings (not separating out waterfronts, townhomes, farms)
  • 60 undeveloped land listings (lots/acreages)
  • 14 commercial/business listings

10 sales to date, all residential, from 440,000 to 1,700,000.

It is more usual to see a total of 380 to 420 listings on Salt Spring…this lack of current inventory (147 residentially zoned options, including dwellings and undeveloped land), if continues, could lead to price escalation by the summer season.

March is an interesting month. It eases from winter into spring, daylight saving returns, and everywhere the resurgence of growth ignites our natural coastal beauty.

The Best Time to Visit Salt Spring Island

An annual Home and Garden show sponsored by the Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce takes place in mid-March and the beginning of the Saturday Market in the Park “season” is in place by month’s end. Live music continues at Moby’s, at Woodley’s, at the Legion. ArtSpring showcases special events. And the days are enticingly longer…time to rediscover Salt Spring’s hiking/walking trails, beachcombing pleasures, gallery spring openings…time to consider a garden.

April through October

Although Salt Spring is seasonless, in the sense that there is always something to discover and to enjoy, it is true that April to October are the famously most delightful months on the great Pacific Northwest Coast. March is the shaking off of winter and the preparation for “real Spring”. Time for all of us to mirror the month and to shake it up a little.

Thinking of real estate this March? Call me. Benefit from my knowledge of inventory and market trends. Your best interests are my motivation.

Salt Spring Island: Arts, Music & History

Salt Spring Island: Arts, Music & History

Well done, Birgit Freybe Bateman! 70 photographs are crated and on their way to Russia (to the Stroganoff Palace
of the Russian Museum, to be exact). This retrospective of Birgit Bateman’s amazingly evocative and thoughtful photography is called: “Mindful Vision”. On Island, we’ve been lucky to view Birgit’s work at such presentations as ArtSpring’s “Photosynthesis” show. The “Mindful Vision” show will be seen during the peak tourist season, between July 2 and August 30.

Salt Spring Woodworks has had a name change: same location and same beautiful offerings, just a re-name to Duthie Gallery. A physical change to the gallery itself mirrors the name change. The evocative Summer Lights exhibit will be back in July/August, Thursday to Monday, 9 to 11 p. m. Currently, the gallery is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or by appointment.

Alan Gerber plays Moby’s tonight, a dinner music show, $12 cover charge, show at 8 p.m. It’s a WOW…wave if you see me!

Saturday, May 14th, it’s an opening reception at Starfish Gallery in Grace Point Square…featuring Susan Haigh and introducing Beverly Chicoine. Show runs from May 14 to June 4th.

Mark your calendars: Viva Voce performs at ArtSpring, Saturday, May 28th, 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 29th, 2 p.m. Conductor: Debbie Toole, accompanist: Chris Kodaly.

House concert, May 14th, with John and Michelle Law: folk, bluegrass, acoustic country. RSVP to 250-537-1059, plus ticket info.

ArtSpring benefit on Saturday night: Joy Kogawa will read from her lifetime of award-winning creative work, at ArtSpring Gallery. MC will be Briony Penn. The evening is presented by the Land Conservancy of B.C. Doors open at 6:30.

Tonight is a very important evening at Mahon Hall. The Salt Spring Arts Council‘s steering committee for a new arts school will present a distillation of recent community conversations at a wrap up session. Starts at 6:30…see you there!

Don Conley presents Back to Bach…the last presentation of Simply Organic, for the Spring season. Don will explore the development of the concerto form during the Baroque period, which was a time of flowering of emerging musical forms. Mark your calendar: May 18th, 10:10 a.m., at All Saints by the Sea. Lucky Islanders, to have this in our midst!

This Saturday, the Salt Spring Island branch of SPCA invites the community to an animal-themed day of fun. From noon to 4 p.m., at location below Gulf Islands Veterinary Clinic. Check this fund-raiser out!

Live music venues: Harbour House Hotel, Friday, Saturday, Sunday! Moby’s Oyster Bar (Alan Gerber tonight). Treehouse Cafe…tonight, catch Peter Prince. Friday, it’s the so talented Billie Woods. The 111 nights of live music (Music Under The Stars) begins in May 16th!

The Salt Spring Forum presents Maher Arar, at ArtSpring, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. He speaks on Democracy, Human Rights, and the Middle East. Call ArtSpring for ticket info.

Lots to see and to do…enjoy the Spring Season!