January, on the Pacific Northwest Coast, holds both Winter and Spring in its grasp.
Some days show a Winter face and others foretell Spring.
Check out the gardens for those crocus, snowdrop, and daffodil bulbs...tiny shoots are already poking up.
Seedy Saturday events are underway. Every day is just a little lighter.
Usually, January can be a slow month in real estate sales...not the case this year. That almost 9 year downturn is long gone. Inventory has been steadily clearing out. Buyers are back and seeking secondary home opportunities.
Low inventory combined with strong buyer interest means seller's market conditions...and price increases in the offing. Perhaps this is why it remains busy in entry level priced properties at this usually quieter time of year.
January also brings tax assessment notices to owners. It appears that tax assessments are up between 9 & 20%. This is the government's concept of property valuations...actual annual property taxes (paid on July 1) may not go up that much. The rise in assessed values shows that the government recognizes the uptick in real estate sales.
So: January meanders its way through our coastal winter...fog, rain, cloud, bursts of sun, mild, cold...the usual mix.
Needing colour? Check out the local Ganges Village galleries...art feeds the soul. Be inspired by the artistic visions of this special island.
Compile gourmet soup recipes. Watch old movies with a comedy flair. Read a very long book (how about War and Peace? Tolstoy's thoughts are worth dropping into).
Keep your eye on February....
How may I help you to discover special Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me!
