What The Sooke? » tim ayres

Properties Up Close: 6463 Willowpark Way, Sunriver Estates, Sooke

Tim Ayres — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:55:11 +0000

6463 Willowpark Way, Sunriver Estates, Sooke

Welcome to a new series on What The Sooke!? Each week, I’m going to profile one of my current listings. If you’ve ever checked out my listings before, you know that I’m pretty descriptive and I do my utmost to tell a story about the property I am representing. However, there’s only so much I can do to tell you about my listings, since I don’t live in them! So, I’ve sent out a short questionnaire to the sellers, who’ll tell me in their own words why their property is special.

6463 Willowpark Way is a Driftwood plan in Sunriver Estates, but it’s like no other in the neighbourhood. Here’s what I had to say about this amazing property, and below, let’s ask C. & C., the owners, why their home is great.

What are your top three favourite features of your home and why?

For me one of my favourite features is the fireplace, it’s unique being polished cement, but in an understated way.

The yard is a great size for either dogs or kids. The dogs can actually get some speed going when running for the ball.

I just love all the [extra] windows, it’s nice and bright, I couldn’t live in a dark house.

Custom, unique polished concrete fireplace

Huge, fully fenced yard

The den has one of several extra custom windows

What’s special about your home’s location? Tell me about the neighbourhood and why you like it.

It’s a nice neighbourhood with a lot of really nice people around you. It is the perfect kids and dog neighbourhood. I often land up going down to the river on the trail with the dogs, and have scoped out the best 5k and 10k running loop incorporating both hill training and trail running. Generally all the neighbours care about and for their property and seem to take care of things that need to be done.

There are lots of homes for sale right now, why should a buyer choose yours?

Generally what I love most about the house is how all the various items came together, this includes the lighting, the dark cabinets, the fireplace and the colours. Everything just seem to come together nicely and provide for a comfortable, nicely presented home.

The kitchen is a favourite room

For more information or to book a private tour of this amazing property, contact your REALTOR®, or see TimAyres.ca/93 today!

New Look – Back and Better Than Ever!

Tim Ayres — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:56 +0000

You may have noticed some things have changed ’round here!

That’s right, 642Blog.ca is now known as What The Sooke?! I made the decision to move the blog to this new address a few weeks ago and have been working hard to get it all put together. I found out that moving a blog is nearly as complicated (and as much of a pain) as moving to a new house. Hopefully everything still works! So, what’s new?

Theme. A fresh, clean look is what I was after. With no exaggeration, I must have perused hundreds of themes before deciding on this one.
Logo. Jason from Inktvis Creative/DiscoverSooke did an outstanding job on both my blog logo and my new real estate logo, pictured below in the footer of the blog.
Listings. I’ll now feature my listings on the blog – You can find them under the category ‘listings,’ oddly enough!
More content! This whole exercise has been a lot of work and has really inspired me to put it to good use. I have some great ideas for articles and videos and I intend to post much, much more often than I have been.
Easier sharing and subscribing. You’ll note that at the bottom of each post, you’ll find sharing buttons to share via Twitter, Facebook and several other methods (you can even print off the articles and frame them!)
Featured Posts. Articles or listings of particular interest will now be ‘sticky’ and featured in a big featured posts slider on the front page.

I hope you’ll enjoy the new What The Sooke!? as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. As always, your comments are welcomed and encouraged – use the comment form, or send me a message here.

How Many Homes Are There At Sooke’s Sunriver Estates?

Tim Ayres — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:35:58 +0000

A beautiful home at Sunriver Estates in Sooke, BC

…And answers to other frequently asked questions about Sunriver Estates in Sooke – one of the most popular new neighbourhoods in the greater Victoria, BC area.

Because I write a lot about Sooke, I get plenty of questions about living here, working here, and of course, about the neighbourhoods. Sunriver Estates is a huge master-planned community on the banks of the Sooke River, sloping up the Sooke Hills with various creeks and other natural features. It’s a very nice looking development, so it’s no surprise that it’s very popular. Also, the lots are larger than most other new developments in our area, so you can have a real back yard instead of a postage stamp. People move out here for the natural beauty, recreational options, quiet lifestyle, and of course the value. It amazes people when they visit Sooke what you get for your money, and how much more a similar house would cost (usually on a tiny lot) in Victoria, or even Langford, just 20-25 minutes’ drive away. Below are some answers to some frequently-asked questions about Sunriver Estates in Sooke.

Q. Is Sunriver Estates a strata development?

A. No, all homes in Sunriver are freehold, fee simple titles (except for the townhouses). Read details in this post.

Q. How many homes have been built at Sunriver?

A. There have been 371 houses built at Sunriver since it broke ground in 2004.

Q. How many homes are planned?

A. There will be 715 houses at Sunriver when construction is completed.

Q. How many more years will construction be taking place at Sunriver until it’s built-out?

A. At the current pace of construction, all homes will be sold and construction complete in approximately 5 years.

Q. What about the building scheme? I’ve heard that boats and RVs, etc are not allowed? Who enforces it?

A. The building scheme at Sunriver allows boats and RVs, etc, but stipulates that they must be behind a fence, lattice, or other sort of screening so that they don’t clutter up the character of the neighbourhood. The developer has sent out letters to offending properties asking them to comply. To date no one has been fined or needed action beyond the letter.

Q. Are any condominiums planned for Sunriver?

A. No, condos are not being built at Sunriver Estates. There are some very nice townhouses at The Pointe, and there may be a few more built.

Q. Will there be any commercial space built at Sunriver? Neighbourhood shops, cafes, etc?

A. When construction is completed, the sales centre will be sold off as commercial space. It will be up to the buyer (and Sooke zoning and business bylaws) what goes in there. Anything is possible – cafe, restaurant, pub? Who knows!

If you have any more questions about Sunriver Estates or other areas in Sooke or would like information about homes for sale in Sunriver Estates and Sooke, give me a call at 250-885-0512, email Tim@TimAyres.ca or fill in my contact form!

Do you live in Sunriver? What’s your favourite thing about living there?

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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Sooke Spirit Festival was a Success – Sailpast Video

Tim Ayres — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:11:14 +0000

This past Saturday saw the 2nd annual Sooke Spirit Festival which was a resounding success. What started as a small event in a snowstorm last year, grew into a well organized and well attended family affair this year.

I was driving the lead boat (the Coast Guard Auxiliary boat) in the sailpast, and managed to shoot a little bit of video to give you an idea what it looked like out there if you missed it. What a perfect night to be on the water. A little chilly, but the wind held off until after the sailpast, which was a big plus. There were lots of people on the boardwalk watching the dozen-plus decorated boats sparkle on the crystal-clear and calm evening on Sooke Harbour.

Check out the video I shot below. It’s mostly of the boats getting ready and of the beautiful harbour before sundown, as I was driving the boat during the actual sailpast. If anyone has any better video, shoot me an email and let me know and I’ll post it!

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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Social Media, Web Marketing, and SEO Training In Victoria BC [Video]

Tim Ayres — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:39:40 +0000

I’m pleased to announce that I will be teaching web marketing and social media training in Victoria, BC starting next month. Reachd.com has approached me to be their Victoria instructor. The 3-hour classes are taught in the afternoon, and are ideal for anyone in any small business who wants to learn how to capitalize on this growing trend. How can you effectively use social media and web marketing to grow your business? I can’t wait to show you how. The three courses that are happening next month are: Social Media Guided Tour ($149), Explode Your Growth With A Blog ($149), and Broadcast Your Message With Online Video ($249 – includes a video camera!). You can take all three courses for $399 – a savings of $149. Come out and learn something in December and be ahead of your competition in the new year!

The courses will also be offered in January, along with courses on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Google AdWords.

More information and registration at http://TimAyres.ca/reachd

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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Tim Ayres at NAR 2009 Conference San Diego Day 3 [Video]

Tim Ayres — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:46:13 +0000

I had a busy day at the convention today. I caught the last part of a session on social media, but I’m glad I missed most of it. It wasn’t a really good session – the presenters were unprepared, and didn’t really seem to understand social media. For example, when talking about blogging, they didn’t even mention platforms like WordPress or Blogger. There were much better social media sessions at the conference than this one. I also spent some more time on the trade show floor and attended Tara Hunt’s presentation on Whuffie for Real Estate. Tara has some interesting ideas about social capital and how you can use it to grow your business. David Knox’s session on overcoming pricing objections was very entertaining and informative. I also met with the people from Obeo, a virtual tour and listing marketing company. They have an innovative and interesting product and you should check it out.

Check out the video below:

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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Tim Ayres at NAR Conference 2009 San Diego Day 2 – Trade Show [VIDEO]

Tim Ayres — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:26:35 +0000

Today I went to several sessions in the morning and spent part of the afternoon wandering around the massive trade show at the National Association of REALTORS® Convention in San Diego. There was quite literally just about everything you can think of that might possibly be related to real estate on the floor. Virtual tour companies, brokerages, MLS systems, lockbox suppliers, even plumbers, house inspectors and other contractors. I am going to have to go back and visit again to take it all in, it was that large. There were lots of contests and games and giveaways – I didn’t bring near enough business cards to enter! William Shatner was at the NAR booth signing autographs – cool! Below is a short video I shot about the trade show, including a pretty famous blast-from-the-past automobile that was at the DotLoop booth:

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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Tim Ayres at NAR Conference 2009 San Diego – Day 1 – Social Media and Gender Differences [Video]

Tim Ayres — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:54:55 +0000

Day 1 of the NAR Convention in San Diego was very productive – I saw two sessions today and unfortunately was shut out of a third due to it being full. The Introduction to Social Media session was great. As a REALTOR® who puts himself out there online using social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc, I was very pleased with the session. It was facilitated by three practicing agents, just like me, and they nailed it. Ginger Wilcox, Kelley Koehler, and Mariana Wagner were excellent – it was refreshing seeing a social media presentation by three working real estate professionals who actually, as they put it, do this to feed their kids.

Check out my video update from Day 1:

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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Tim Ayres at NAR 2009 Conference in San Diego with VREB [Video]

Tim Ayres — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:59:43 +0000

We arrived today in San Diego for the NAR (National Association of REALTORS®) Conference 2009. There will be approximately 20,000 delegates from all over the world at the convention, which is bound to be exciting, fun, and informative.

I am here as part of the delegation from the Victoria Real Estate Board. I am a director on the board, and we are here to represent our board and to attend conference sessions and the trade show on behalf of the membership. When we return, we will be reporting on the sessions we attended and posting them to REALTORlink, and using what we’ve learned to plan the future direction of our board. Here is a quick video I shot this afternoon. I hope to shoot several videos each day and post the content nightly to the blog.

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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Sooke Biz Net Inaugural Event – Thursday

Tim Ayres — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:32:02 +0000

Are you in business in the Sooke region? The newly formed Sooke Biz Net business networking group is hosting its inaugural event tomorrow night, Thursday, June 25th.

The idea behind Sooke Biz Net is that it will be different from other business networking groups. Gone is the exclusivity and structured format. We’ve thrown the traditional out the window and have created a made-in-Sooke solution that’s based on monthly networking events, with featured speakers and presenters. You’ll learn something at the event that you can use immediately to help run your business or expand your reach. The focus is on fun, and you’ll need to expect the unexpected!

Tomorrow night’s event will be held at Sooke Ocean Resort, 6669 Horne Road, from 5:30 until 7:30. Tickets to the event are only $20 and that covers wine and fabulous food by Kari Osselton of Sushi on the Sea/Souki Sushi.

The theme for the evening is Communication This Moment! I will be the featured speaker for the evening, presenting Twitter in Ten Minutes, a short overview of one of the most powerful networking and communications tools since the advent of the Internet. The featured technology for the evening will be Skype, and Wendy Ashbee will speak about Send Out Cards.

There will also be prizes courtesy of Bombora Gifts and Sooke Fine Art Gallery, and the grand prize of a full-page colour ad for your business in the RV Times (a $2000 value).

Don’t miss this fun event. Come mix, mingle, network, learn and most of all, have fun!

Contact me at 250-885-012, fill in my contact form, or email tim@timayres.ca for tickets.

Follow Sooke Biz Net on Twitter!

I hope to see you there!

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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