Building Links 2013, Issue #22
Editor’s Note
Compost Challenge Wins Campbell River Environmental Award.
Last summer’s composting challenge that captured community initiative and creativity on video and drove down the amount of organic waste going to the landfill in Campbell River won the attention of judges during the annual Recycling Council of British Columbia awards. The City of Campbell River received the environmental award for the public sector category at the Recycling Council of British Columbia’s Annual Conference and Gala in Whistler on May 23. The award recognizes the City’s waste reduction initiatives, and in particular, the Compost Challenge video competition and rebate program that took place in 2012.
Building Links Celebrated 1001 Issues!
Thanks to all of our clients who came out to help us celebrate our 20 year anniversary party last Thursday at the Crown Isle Clubhouse. We really had a good time and enjoyed commemorating and sharing a walk down memory lane with you. My thanks goes out to our team who helped to make is such a successful and fun event!
MLS Reports that Vancouver Island Housing Sales Activity is Up
Multiple Listing Service®(MLS®) sales summary data for May released by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) shows housing sales activity across Vancouver Island was up 8% compared to last year, while average sale prices were comparable. The average price of a single family home sold within the VIREB region in May 2013 was $342,395 remaining close to average price for May 2012 at $343,662. In May 2012 there were 418 single family homes sold, in comparison to the 8% increase for May 2013 where 451 unit sales were recorded.
“Since the beginning of the year, we’ve experienced increased levels of month over month activity, and anticipate that we will continue to see modest market growth through to the end of the year,” said Cameron Muir, chief economist of the British Columbia Real Estate Association.
Comparing May 2013 to May 2012, the average sale prices across VIREB’s six geographic areas saw: Campbell River decrease 3% to$296,773; the Comox Valley was down 2% to $355,515; Nanaimo’s average sales price was up 2% to $357,443; Parksville/Qualicum prices were down 6% to $388,650; Port Alberni/West Coast was up 13% at $228,487, while the Cowichan Valley was down 5% to$340,712.
In terms of unit sales year to year there continued to be a wide disparity between the different geographical areas: Campbell River recorded a 30% increase, Comox Valley unit sales were close to last year decreasing by only 1%, Nanaimo recorded a 12% increase, Parksville/Qualicum sales were up 33%, Port Alberni/West Coast increased 11% and Cowichan Valley sales decreased 16%.
