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August 2026

The Things Homeowners Often Don’t Know Until Something Goes Wrong

Posted on Aug 26, 2026




By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE

Most homeowners know they need home insurance.We arrange it before possession, provide confirmation to the lender, pay the premium every year and then, in many cases, rarely look at the policy again.

There is an understandable assumption that if something se...

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Where Is Greater Victoria Real Estate Moving Fastest? A Deep Dive Into July 2026 MLS® Data

Posted on Aug 26, 2026




By Janine Thomson | REALTOR | Pemberton Holmes
GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE

Which Greater Victoria communities are seeing the most sales? Where are home prices highest? Which types of homes are taking longer to sell? And where might buyers find better value in 2026?

Those are much more useful questions than simply asking whether the...

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10 Things Pet Owners Should Look for When Buying a Home 

Posted on Aug 25, 2026 in Pets & Home




By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE

When you're searching for a new home, the wish list usually starts with the familiar things: location, price, number of bedrooms, kitchen, parking, storage and outdoor space.

But if you share your life with a dog, there may be another member of the household...

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What Is Your Dog Trying to Tell You? 

Posted on Aug 25, 2026 in Pets & Home



By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE

Understanding Canine Communication at Home

If you share your home with a dog, you already know they have an extraordinary ability to communicate without saying a single word.

A look toward the front door. A paw placed on your knee. A dramatic sigh from the ot...

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Radon in Greater Victoria Homes: What Homeowners and Buyers Should Know 

Posted on Aug 25, 2026




By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes 
Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island  Real Estate

If you own or are buying a home in Victoria, BC or Greater Victoria, you probably think about home inspections, insurance, plumbing, electrical systems, moisture and the condition of the foundation.But have you ever tested the home for radon gas?

Most hom...

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First-Time Home Buyer GST Rebate in BC: Who Qualifies, How It Works & What You Pay at Closing

Posted on Aug 11, 2026





By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE

Buying a newly built home, condo, townhouse or pre-sale in British Columbia comes with an additional cost that buyers of most resale properties do not face: 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

For eligible first-time home buyers, however, the federal First-Time...

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Victoria Waterfront Homes: What Buyers Need to Know Before Purchasing Oceanfront Property

Posted on Aug 04, 2026 in Waterfront Properties




By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE

Buying a waterfront home in Victoria, British Columbia, is about much more than acquiring a beautiful house with an ocean view. It is a lifestyle purchase, a long-term investment and, in many cases, a more complex real estate transaction than buying a conve...

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Moving to Victoria, BC: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy 

Posted on Aug 03, 2026 in Relocating to Victoria




By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE


Moving to Victoria, British Columbia, means choosing much more than a new home. You are also choosing a community, a lifestyle, a commute, a climate and, in many cases, an entirely different pace of life.

Greater Victoria attracts buyers from across Canada a...

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What Sellers Need to Fix Before Listing Their Home 

Posted on Aug 03, 2026 in Sellers Info & Facts




A Practical Guide to Home Repairs, Presentation and Pre-Listing Preparation


By Janine Thomson, REALTOR® | Pemberton Holmes 
Greater Victoria & Vancouver Island Real Estate

Selling a home often begins with one important question: What should I fix before putting my home on the market?

For homeowners in Victoria, BC, the answer depends on the age and con...

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