Buying on Salt Spring Island
Ban on Dual Agency BC
On June 15th, 2018 the ban on dual agency just came into effect in BC. Here is a post I wrote about how the new rules will change the way I do business on Salt Spring New Rules for BC Real Estate As a continuation of the New Rules post, what happens if we are […]
New Rules for BC Real Estate
On the 15th of June 2018, the new rules governing BC real estate have come into effect. These changes are causing some problems for Realtors® in smaller markets with a limited number of homes for sale that might not occur for agents in the big cities. This is a simple three step version of how […]
Salt Spring Island Trust Land Use Zoning bylaw 355
On Salt Spring Island the Island Trust is responsible for our local zoning. You can find our zoning info here at the Salt Spring Island Trust LUB 355. The bylaw has maps that cover every part of the island. Believe it or not every few months or so I get an email from someone saying […]
Is an offer an sale?
This last month I had an accepted offer on a home and had a backup offer come in. The backup offer was a very weak offer because the condition precedent (subject to clause) was so subjective. It was subject to the buyer viewing and liking the lot. Normally no one would take an offer like […]
Buyer Beware Landmark court Ruling
The headlines were in the media about a month ago and this is something that keeps me up at night. Especially this CRA to recover from the buyers the capital gains tax. The other thing to note is this is just part of the trend of the federal government to bring in more taxes. They […]
SALT SPRING NEWS
Salt Spring Housing Crisis explained
Is Salt Spring in the middle of a housing crisis? It all depends on who you talk to and what one defines as a crisis. If you move to Salt Spring and have limited funds and are looking to rent a home at about $1000 per month your probably out of luck. There are basically […]
Candidate for Regional Director CREA
I’m running for the position of board member Regional Director for BC for the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Below is my official platform after edits suggested by CREA lawyers. My name is Scott Simmons. I’m a REALTOR® on Salt Spring Island BC. If you go to the REALTOR.ca site and put in Salt Spring […]
CRD sewer and solid waste
The nuts and bolts of local goverment are really the non glamours basics of water, sewer and garbage (solid waste). The CRD is the local service provider for Salt Spring. On the night of 24 Nov 2016 Russ Smith Senior Manager, Environmental Resource Management for the CRD put on a waste presentation. Here is a […]
Incorporation – A Third Option: Self-governance with contracted services
This was just posted on the Salt Spring exchange in 4 parts. I have permission from John Gauld the author to publish this document on my Salt Spring web site; SSI is known as a community that questions conventional practices and is creative and innovative in its response to community challenges. Perhaps the up-coming […]
Salt Spring’s new SSIWPA PAC
If you live on Salt Spring you have to get used to all the acronyms. If you have not heard of SSIWPA it’s because it’s new. SSIWPA stands for Salt Spring Island WaterShed Protection Authority. Today was the first meeting of the SSIWPA PAC (Public Advisory Committee). The ideal behind SSIWPA is that it […]
Critical Salt Spring Buying Info
Ban on Dual Agency BC
On June 15th, 2018 the ban on dual agency just came into effect in BC. Here is a post I wrote about how the new rules will change the way I do business on Salt Spring New Rules for BC Real Estate As a continuation of the New Rules post, what happens if we are […]
New Rules for BC Real Estate
On the 15th of June 2018, the new rules governing BC real estate have come into effect. These changes are causing some problems for Realtors® in smaller markets with a limited number of homes for sale that might not occur for agents in the big cities. This is a simple three step version of how […]
Does the home get sunlight?
If you’re planning to live on Salt Spring year-round, one of the most important things to consider when buying a property is SUNLIGHT. Do the neighbor’s trees or a mountain block the sun during the winter months? According to Salt Spring real estate mythology, “If they buy in August, they will list in November and […]
Aggregate Days on the Market
What are “aggregate days on the market”? On the Victoria Real Estate board an agent can “Re-List” a property for a mere $25 fee. An example would be if a home has been listed on the board for 180 days the listing can be taken off the market and then “Re-Listed” and appear to be […]
Scott Simmons’s Social Sites