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Personal Real Estate Corporation

Marina and coastal mountains on Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Vancouver Island Real Estate Insights

Vancouver Island Real Estate News & Advice

Local market insights, practical buying and selling guidance, and informed perspectives on real estate and life across Central Vancouver Island.

Practical, Local Guidance

Clear information for your next real estate decision

Explore articles and conversations covering Vancouver Island property, buying and selling strategies, downsizing, retirement and the local considerations that can affect your plans.

Market Insights

Local conditions, property trends and context behind the numbers.

Buying a Home

Practical guidance for evaluating properties and planning a purchase.

Selling & Downsizing

Preparation, strategy and support for a well-managed transition.

Vancouver Island Living

Communities, relocation and the realities of living on the Island.

From the Blog

Latest Insights

Moving to Vancouver Island: How to Choose the Right Community for Your Lifestyle

Posted on Sep 10, 2026




Quick answer: The best place to live on Vancouver Island is the community that fits how you want to spend an ordinary Tuesday, not simply the place that looks most appealing during a weekend visit. Begin with your desired pace, access to services, housing style, budget and travel needs. Then compare communities through that lens.
When people first...

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Thinking About Returning to Canada? Why Vancouver Island Deserves a Closer Look

Posted on Aug 21, 2026 in Vancouver Island Real Estate



Returning to Canada begins with a significant question: where do you want to build the next stage of your life?

For some Canadians living in the United States, the answer is the community they left years ago. For others, returning home creates an opportunity to choose somewhere new. Vancouver Island deserves serious consideration, particularly if yo...

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Could a Home with Suite Potential Be the Opportunity You’re Missing?

Posted on Aug 08, 2026 in Buying

For many Vancouver Island buyers, a secondary suite can make homeownership more manageable. The rental income may help with monthly expenses, or the space could provide a private place for an adult child, parent or extended family member.

Most buyers begin by searching for homes that already have a suite. That is the obvious approach, but it can als...

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Port Alberni Chosen for HGTV’s Home Town Takeover Canada

Posted on Aug 01, 2026 in Vancouver Island Communities


Port Alberni has been selected as the featured community for the first season of Home Town Takeover Canada. Hosted by Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, the HGTV series will renovate selected homes, businesses and community spaces before premiering in fall 2026.

Production began on June 10, 2026, and is scheduled to continue through August 28. The completed...

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Helping a Parent Downsize on Vancouver Island: A Realtor's Guide for Adult Children

Posted on May 02, 2026 in Selling & Downsizing


Most families on Vancouver Island don't have one downsizing conversation. They have ten. And the first nine are the same conversation, repeated over months, going nowhere — usually because the adult children think they're talking about a house, and the parent knows they're talking about something else. I'm Denise Hodgins, a REALTOR® here in the Oc...

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From Saving to Spending | Island Living Today Talk...

Posted on Feb 13, 2026


From Saving to Spending | Island Living Today Talk with Melissa McGuire, CFP®, BM, BA, RIS


Excited for retirement but feeling unsure about your finances? Certified Financial Planner Melissa McGuire from Raymond James is here to help you navigate the transition with confidence!
 
Retirement is a time to enjoy the life you've worked so hard for, but shif...

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