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Buyer & Seller Resources

Welcome to the Buyer & Seller Resources Library, your comprehensive source for real estate knowledge, homeownership information, and local insights throughout Greater Victoria, Southern Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands.

Whether you're buying your first home, preparing to sell, investing in real estate, or simply exploring the local market, this page is designed to provide valuable information to help you make informed decisions. With over 100 informative articles and resources, you'll find expert guidance covering a wide range of topics, including buying and selling strategies, homeownership tips, property checklists, contract and legal considerations, home design ideas, market insights, neighbourhood guides, and much more.

Beyond real estate, you'll also discover articles that showcase the best of Vancouver Island living, including local attractions, parks, community highlights, seasonal activities, and things to do throughout Greater Victoria and the surrounding regions.

This growing library is regularly updated with new content, ensuring you have access to current information and practical resources whenever you need them.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to explore the various resource categories and topics available. Consider this your one-stop knowledge centre for real estate, homeownership, and life on Vancouver Island.

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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How to Buy a House in Victoria BC

Posted on Jul 30, 2026 in Buyers Info & Facts




By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE

Buying a house in Victoria is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel complicated. Buyers need to understand financing, neighbourhoods, property types, market conditions, contracts, inspections, title, insurance, closing costs and British Columbia’s rea...

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Is Victoria a Buyers Market in 2026? 

Posted on Jul 30, 2026 in Buyers Info & Facts





By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE 

If you have been waiting for a Victoria, BC buyer’s market in 2026, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.Greater Victoria has substantially more homes for sale than buyers saw during the intense, low-inventory years. Many purchasers now have...

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Affordable Places to Buy Near Victoria, BC

Posted on Jul 29, 2026 in Buyers Info & Facts



By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE



Are there still affordable homes near Victoria, BC?

For many first-time buyers, families, downsizers and people relocating to Vancouver Island, the price of Greater Victoria real estate can make home ownership feel out of reach. Detached houses in Oak Bay, F...

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Best Neighbourhoods in Victoria, BC for Home Buyers: A 2026 Local Guide 

Posted on Jul 29, 2026 in Exploring Victoria




By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE


Choosing where to live in Victoria, BC is about far more than finding a home that fits your budget. Each community has its own housing styles, commute patterns, schools, shopping areas, outdoor spaces and day-to-day atmosphere. A neighbourhood that feels pe...

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Victoria’s Best Places for an Outdoor Picnic 

Posted on Jul 28, 2026 in Exploring Victoria




By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE


Waterfront parks, beaches, gardens and scenic viewpoints to enjoy with friends and family


There is something wonderfully simple about an outdoor picnic. It does not require an elaborate reservation, a formal itinerary or an entire weekend away. Sometimes all...

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Make the Most of August: Markets, Music and Classic Cars Around Greater Victoria 

Posted on Jul 28, 2026 in Exploring Victoria





By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes

GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE


Late-summer markets, outdoor concerts, local food, artisan finds and one of the West Shore’s favourite car shows.

August has a special feeling in Greater Victoria. The days are still warm, the evenings remain light, gardens and farm stands are overflowing, a...

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Buyer, neighbourhood & market resources

Everything you need as a buyer in Greater Victoria — guides and tools, a live home search, the neighbourhoods to explore, and what the market is doing right now. Tap any card to dig deeper.

Get In Touch

Janine Thomson

Pemberton Holmes

103-814 Goldstream Ave  Victoria,  BC  V9B 2X7 

Mobile: 778-678-5466

Phone: (250) 384-8124

Toll Free: 1-800-665-5303

Fax: 250-380-6355

info@janinethomson.net

Get In Touch

Janine Thomson

Mobile: 778-678-5466

Phone: (250) 384-8124

Toll Free: 1-800-665-5303

Fax: 250-380-6355

EMAIL

Office Info

Pemberton Holmes

103-814 Goldstream Ave  Victoria,  BC  V9B 2X7 

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