Victoria Real Estate Blog - Stefan Krenz

Upcoming Event: Victoria Comic Book Expo

The Victoria Comic Book Expo will be held at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Victoria on November 23rd. This event will run from 11am to 4pm and will provide plenty of fun for comic book lovers. Admission is free and there will be free comics, while supplies last.

The Expo will provide the opportunity for appraisals, trading comic books, buying and selling comic books and more. This is one of the largest comic book events held in Victoria and will provide plenty of fun.

Local Artists

Many local artists will be found at the expo including:

• Ken Steacy - Ken Steacy Publishing
• Dan MacKinnon - Dan MacKinnon Art
• Klara Woldenga - Robot Comics
• Nelson Dewey - Nelson Dewey
• Nevin Arond - Nevs Art Blog
• Dale Adams - Vic Carper Graphic Novel
…

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What can you do to Run a Successful Open House?

If you're planning to sell your home, an open house will be necessary. There are several things you can do to ensure you have a great open house with plenty of success. Here are a few tips to help you run your next open house.

Preparation

When you start to prepare for your open house you want to make sure you discuss things with your realtor. They will be heavily involved, which they should be.

Tidy Up

Those selling a home need to tidy up the yard and the outdoor areas, along with the indoor areas. A freshly cut lawn can make a big difference and so can a few flowers around the entry way.

Remove Cars

If you have vehicles on the property that don't need to be there, remove them. You can park them own the street or at a friend's how…

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Where should you Go for a Beautiful Fall Walk in Victoria?

Fall is a beautiful time in the Victoria area and there are plenty of great places to take a fall walk. Whether you prefer a park or you want to see a little bit of art, too, there are places to go throughout Victoria. Here are some of the top choices for your fall walk.

Thetis Lake

Found about 15 minutes from the downtown Victoria area, this lake provides plenty of trails and a regional park. You can spend the entire afternoon enjoying the scenic lake, along with plenty more. If you want to make a weekend out of it, you can even enjoy the Thetis Lake Campground.

Sooke Potholes

Another good spot found a little further from the city is the Sooke Potholes. This area provides a very rare geological formation with rock pools full of clear, fresh…

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Upcoming Event: MEC Snowfest Victoria

Get ready, Victoria. The MEC Snowfest Victoria is returning this November 30th. It’s a free event hosted by MEC Victoria for the fourth year in a row. The event is to celebrate all things snow to include vendors, local community groups and clubs. Check out their video presentations, prize draws, snow crafts, giveaway, information clinics and more. Here is what the MEC Snowfest Victoria is all about.

What to Expect

The event is a one-day event to feature:

• Information clinics
• Video presentations
• Giveaways and prize draws
• Face painting and snow crafts for kids
• Vendors to speak to
• Community groups and clubs to discuss snow sports

Exhibitors expected this year include the Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society, Outdoor Nation, Mountain…

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Is the Fall Real Estate Market in Victoria Coming Back?

Victoria’s real estate market is making a comeback. Sales have risen 12% since 2013 and the listing inventory has decreased. Instead of having a high inventory, Victoria is seeing a balanced market. For a change, Victoria is no longer in a seller’s market.

The panic and rush has diminished for now. The real estate market is not going to remain like this forever, so buyers and sellers should take advantage of these limited time conditions. Here is a look at Victoria’s real estate market.

The Shift

Listing inventory has gone down about 7% although there are still 4,200 listings for buyers to choose from. The time to buy and sell has stabilized since the area experienced being a seller’s market in 2008. In a stabilized market as this, details of the…

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Finding the Best Entertainment and Leisure in Victoria

Victoria is full of great attractions, shops, restaurants and places to enjoy a little entertainment. No matter what you enjoy, you can find it throughout the city. Here are some of the top choices for your entertainment and leisure needs.

Best Tourists Attractions

Sometimes, when family or friends come in from out of town, you want to take them to the places most popular for tourists. If this is the case, three places come to mind:

• Butchart Gardens
• Dallas Road
• Inner Harbour

Between these three attractions, you should be able to fill an entire weekend. If you need a couple other choices, you can throw in The Fairmont Empress and Beacon Hill Park.

Stop for Afternoon Tea

Maybe you need a place to stop and enjoy your afternoon tea.…

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Upcoming Event: Gluten Free Gala

The Gluten Free Gala is coming to Victoria. This event is a way to bring Vancouver together to celebrate a Gluten Free lifestyle. There will be Gluten free businesses, associations, services and restaurants gathered together for the event. With the rise in gluten intolerance, gluten free diets have become a healthy way to live for many. Here is what to expect at this gluten free celebration.

Tickets

To attend, bring a gluten free non-perishable food item for the Mustard Seed and in return you’ll get a ballot for the raffles. Tickets cost $8 to attend.

Your ticket will include:

• Show admission for Saturday or Sunday depending which day you purchase
• Gluten free goodies to sample
• One ticket or ballot for the raffles and Grand prizing drawing
• …

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Upcoming Event: Victoria Writer's Festival

The third annual Victoria Writer’s Festival is coming to Victoria this fall. On November 6th, 7th, and 8th you can enjoy literary workshops, gala readings, panel discussions and video poem screenings.  Featured writers will include Nancy Lee, Don McKay, Darrell Dennis and Bill Gaston.

What to Expect

Writers to be featured at the festival include:

• Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
• Anne-Marie Turza
• Darrell Dennis
• Don McKay
• Jane Silcott
• Bill Gaston
• Tilar Mazzeo
• Shani Mootoo
• Ali Blythe
• Jordan Abel
• Polly Horvath
• Jarrett Martineau
• Julie Paul
• Nancy Lee
• Karen Enns
• David James Brock
• Kevin Kerr
• Kit Pearson
• Terry Ann Carter
• Betsy Warland

The festival is being hosted by Anne Giardini, John Gould, Joan MacLeod, Jack Knox and…

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Which Spots are Known to be Haunted in Victoria?

Did you know Victoria is full of haunted areas? This is the time of year to enjoy spooky and haunted places because it’s Halloween time. From parks to buildings, check out these areas in Victoria to celebrate the spooky season.

Hatley Castle

Hatley Castle is located at 2005 Sooke Road in Victoria. It’s a national historic site full of beautiful gardens and amazing scenery. It’s 565 acre Edwardian estate and is believed to be haunted by the ghost of the former owners, the Dunsmuir family.

Rogers Chocolates - 913 Government Street

Located in Old Town, you can find National Historic Site Rogers Chocolates. It’s a haunted chocolate shop haunted by ghosts Charles and Leah Rogers. They were the founders of this oldest and most famous shop. They often…

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Sampling the Local Cuisine of the Saanich Peninsula

The Saanich Peninsula is known for many local eateries serving dishes made from fresh, locally-grown ingredients. Foodies and wine lover will enjoy this area because of all the great places to grab a great meal with the perfect glass of wine. You can get to the Saanich Peninsula by bus, bike or car without much issue. Once you arrive, here are a few great places to grab a bite to eat.

Fireside Grill

Found just 15 minutes from downtown, this is one of the local favourites. The menu provides many unique choices with both local and international flavours. If you're looking for a great place for lunch, there are plenty of options on the menu including scallop pakoras, the gorgonzola burger, salmon pizza and more. Dinner is another great option here with…

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