By Ray Francis, REALTOR®, Royal LePage In The Comox Valley
Every spring the posting messages go out and a new group of families starts planning a move to the Comox Valley. Ray has worked with military and RCMP relocations for years and is registered with BGRS, so the process below is the one he actually runs.
Before you fly
- Get your pre-approval in writing from your lender or a local mortgage broker. Sellers here expect it with an offer.
- Send Ray your must-haves and your commute tolerance. Comox is a five-minute drive to the base; East Courtenay and Crown Isle are ten to fifteen; Cumberland and Royston are twenty to twenty-five.
- Decide whether you need a suite. Many Valley homes have legal or unauthorized suites; the difference matters for financing and insurance.
During the trip
Ray books a full schedule of showings for your first day, then narrows to second viewings and inspections on day two and three. He lines up an inspector, a lawyer and, if needed, a well or septic contractor before you arrive so a subject removal can happen inside the trip. Evenings are for driving neighbourhoods at the times you would actually be commuting.
The neighbourhoods most postings choose
- Comox: walk or bike to the base, near the schools, seaside.
- East Courtenay: newer homes, big-box shopping, the aquatic centre.
- Crown Isle: newer executive homes and patio homes near the airport.
- Cumberland: the village, trails and a slightly longer drive.
Selling on the way out
When the next posting comes, Ray handles the sale the same way: pricing from current comparables, professional photography, a marketing plan and the paperwork BGRS needs. Many of his clients have moved in and out of the Valley with him more than once.