Welcome to 2025: Kristin and Shawn McDonald Realtors' Monthly Newsletter **Happy New Year, Nanaimo!** We are thrilled to welcome you to 2025 and share the latest updates on the real estate market in Nanaimo and British Columbia as a whole. As your trusted realtors, we are committed to keeping you informed about trends, forecasts, and opportunities in the housing market. Let’s dive into what’s ahead for this year! ---  **2025 Real Estate Market Forecast for British Columbia** The BC real estate market is poised for growth in 2025, with momentum building across the province. Here are the ke ..read more

Sitcoms remain a TV staple even as we move towards streaming services like Netflix, Crave, and Disney+. Throughout the last half-century, we've watched these familiar home settings almost as much as we saw our own four walls. Our favourite sitcoms shared intimate moments of family life and created some truly memorable rooms in the process.  Let's take a closer look at how these iconic interiors have changed over the decades. The 1970s Mary Tyler Moore Show Image via Apartment Therapy Pinstripe wallpaper, shag carpet, and a charming palette of primary colours—it all worked together se ..read more

December 2024 Real Estate Market Update   As we wrap up 2024 and head into the holiday season, we wanted to take a moment to thank you for trusting us as your real estate advisors. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply staying informed, we're here to support you every step of the way. Here's a friendly update on what’s happening in the market and what we can expect as we move into 2025. Market Overview: A Year of Adjustments This year has been all about recalibration in the real estate market. The national average home price in October was $707,700—down slightly from September and 2 ..read more

October 2024 Vancouver Island Real Estate Market Update Welcome, everyone! Kristin and Shawn McDonald here, excited to share the latest on Vancouver Island’s real estate scene, particularly in Nanaimo. October 2024 has been a busy month, full of promising developments for buyers and sellers alike. We’re here to help you make sense of the recent shifts and trends so you can make the most informed decisions in this dynamic market. From the growing interest in single-family homes and condos to the latest mortgage rate cuts, we’ll cover key stats, forecasts, and even a few helpful tips. Vancouver ..read more

OCTOBER FORECAST AND OUR MARKET UPDATE   As we enter the fall season, we are excited to share some encouraging developments in our local real estate market. The Vancouver Island real estate market is showing signs of renewed vigor, with what VIREB describes as a "spring market arriving in the fall." This unexpected boost in activity is characterized by several key factors:   Nanaimo and Area Market Stats   Increased Sales: September 2024 saw a significant 16% increase in unit sales compared to the same month last year, with 637 properties changing hands across all property types ..read more

These days there are countless materials available for kitchen countertops. But instead of giving you the pros and cons of each material, I’m going to break down six popular color styles so you can achieve the look you want with the material that suits your needs. 1. Flecked or Softly Veined White One of the most common and coveted countertop finishes is a stone or manufactured slab material, such as quartz, in a white or off-white shade with a light multitonal fleck or grain to give it subtle natural richness. This snowy, sparkling look works well in many situations since it is very neutra ..read more

Due to soaring interest rates and high house prices, many Canadians are struggling to realize their dream of owning property. The buyers who overcome these hurdles are often those who can turn to their families for assistance.  From 2015 to 2021, the number of first-time homebuyers who received financial gifts from the so-called “bank of mom and dad” increased from 20% to 28%, according to analysis by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The average amount of these down payment gifts also saw a meaningful uptick, climbing from approximately $50,000 to around $80,000 ..read more

Navigating Nanaimo's Real Estate Market: Insights from Kristin and Shawn McDonald* Welcome to our latest blog post! We are Kristin and Shawn McDonald, your trusted real estate duo, here to guide you through the dynamic and ever-evolving real estate market of Nanaimo and its surrounding areas. Today, we're delving into a peculiar trend in our local market: robust building activity coupled with a limited supply of homes for sale. **Understanding the Nanaimo Real Estate Landscape** Nanaimo, a jewel on Vancouver Island, has always been a desirable location for homeowners and investors alike. Its s ..read more

 The Ultimate Checklist for a Stress-Free Move in Nanaimo Moving is often filled with a mix of excitement and stress. However, with some planning and organization, you can turn the entire process into a hassle-free experience. Here's a comprehensive checklist to guide you through a stress-free move in Nanaimo.  Before The Move **1. Planning** - Start planning as soon as possible. Create a moving timeline and checklist. - If you have children, arrange for their transfer to new schools. **2. Declutter** - Take time to declutter and get rid of any unwanted items. This is an opportunity ..read more

Title: Nanaimo, BC: A Cultural Haven on Vancouver Island Nestled on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo, British Columbia, is a hidden gem of Canadian culture and heritage. A city steeped in a rich blend of indigenous history, diverse cultural influences, and natural beauty, Nanaimo provides a unique milieu for vibrant cultural events and festivals throughout the year. Let's delve into the immersive cultural events that make Nanaimo a destination worth adding to your travel bucket list. 1. **Nanaimo Aboriginal Day (June)** First on our list is Nanaimo Aboriginal Day, also known as Nati ..read more