Mel McCutcheon Real Estate

08/21/2026

Mortgage Renewal Anxiety Is Real 🏠💰

If your mortgage is coming up for renewal, this is worth paying attention to.

A new Royal LePage survey found that 38% of Canadians with a mortgage expect their monthly payment to increase at renewal, and about 1 in 3 homeowners say they feel more anxious about their upcoming renewal than they did last time.

But here’s the important part: higher payments don’t automatically mean you need to sell your home.

Before making any big decisions, it can be worth looking at the bigger picture:

🔹 Could adjusting your budget make the new payment manageable?
🔹 Would refinancing or changing your mortgage terms help?
🔹 Could renting out part of your home offset some of the cost?
🔹 Would downsizing or relocating actually improve your financial position?
🔹 And if selling becomes the right choice, what could your home realistically sell for in today’s market?

The survey found that 71% of mortgage holders facing renewal aren't planning to change their living arrangements, despite expecting higher payments.

My advice? Don't make a decision based on anxiety or headlines. Get the numbers first. Understanding your options can make a stressful situation feel a whole lot more manageable.

And if you're wondering what your home could be worth in today's market, I'm always happy to have a conversation and help you understand your options—no pressure, no obligation.

https://melmccutcheon.royallepage.ca/

The final wave of pandemic-era mortgage renewals is approaching, marking the end of an era of record-low borrowing costs. While mortgage rates have come…

08/21/2026

Tyee Spit (ʔuxstalis) is one of Campbell River's most iconic waterfront destinations, it’s where the ocean meets the city. It's the perfect place to take in the stunning views of Quadra Island and Discovery Passage.

During the summer, the historic Tyee Club welcomes anglers in traditional wooden rowboats, all hoping to land the legendary 30-pound Chinook salmon. It’s a good place for an evening walk, or a peaceful Sunday afternoon spent by the water, taking in the beauty of Campbell River.

Is Tyee Spit one of your favourite places to visit?

Photo Courtesy of City of Campbell River

08/20/2026

❤️

08/20/2026

WHY NOT?! 😏🏡
Sometimes you just have to go for it!

I’m proud to see my new billboard out there and even more proud to be working hard, supporting local, and helping people make their real estate goals a reality.

A huge thank you to Grant Signs in Campbell River and the Wei Wai K*m First Nation for supporting local businesses!

Whether you’re thinking about buying your next home, looking for an investment, or you simply want to chat about the real estate market, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to talk!

https://melmccutcheon.royallepage.ca

08/19/2026

Before starting to look at properties, take a few minutes to make two lists: your must-haves and your nice-to-haves.

Your must-haves are the features you can't live without, such as the number of bedrooms, location, budget, or a fenced yard for your pets.
Your nice-to-haves are the extras you'd like to have but are willing to compromise on, a kitchen island, a large deck, or a finished basement.

Having a clear list of priorities helps you stay focused, simplifies your home search, and makes it easier to find a home that suits your lifestyle.

I'd be happy to help you find a home that checks the right boxes. And be sure to visit my webpage for additional resources.

Mel McCutcheon | REALTOR®
ROYAL LePAGE Advance Realty Ltd.
📞236-508-2897

08/19/2026

THE FIRST PROPERTY I EVER BOUGHT…
…and the Realtor who taught me what showing up really means.

The first property I ever purchased was raw land in Northern BC.

Old-growth trees.
A steep gully.
A couple of creeks.

I loved it.

When I was finally in a position to buy it, the price had dropped — and I was scared I was going to lose it.

A friend referred me to a Realtor, and I called him.

I was determined.

“This is the one. I want to buy it today.”

There was a major fall rainstorm happening, and he lived 65 km away.

I kept telling him:

“I don't need to walk it. I know this is the one.”

But he insisted on coming. That day.

He wanted to make sure the property was everything I thought it was and that it would actually work for what I wanted to do with it.

So we walked it.

Through the rain.
Through the storm.
Until we found all four corner posts.

And I remember thinking…

“This guy is nuts.” 😂

He could have simply written the offer and made the sale.

But he didn't.

He made the effort to be there, did his due diligence, and made sure I understood what I was buying.

I never forgot that.

Years later, when I became a Realtor myself, his work ethic and integrity were still something I remembered.

That experience continues to shape how I work with my clients today. I take a lot of pride in being thorough, following through, and putting my clients' interests first.

Whenever possible, I want to see the property myself.

I believe there's no better way to understand a property inside and out and help my clients make an informed decision about what they're offering.

But sometimes, circumstances make that difficult.

When I can't personally be there, I gather as much information as possible — from the listing agent, the municipality or regional district, other Realtors who know the area, the surrounding community, and neighbouring properties.

And this is one of the reasons being part of such a great brokerage as Royal LePage Advance Realty is so important to me.

If I can't make it to a property, I have colleagues I can call on who can step in and be there for my clients.

There are also situations where seeing a property during the subject period may be necessary — an island property, special access requirements, or a client who is out of province, for example.

When that happens, we make a plan and do everything we can to make sure my clients have the information they need before making a final decision.

Because I'm here to work for my clients.

To ask the questions.
To do the research.
To be thorough.
To follow through.

That's what I believe good representation looks like.

Thinking about buying or selling?
Let's talk. I'd be honoured to work for you.

🌐 melmccutcheon.royallepage.ca

08/19/2026

🏡 LISTED TO FIRM IN ONE DAY! 🎉

A successful sale like this is never a one-person job—it’s a team effort, a strong plan, and a whole lot of trust.

My sellers worked incredibly hard to prepare their home for photos and open houses, and that effort truly paid off. With thoughtful marketing, creative “outside-the-box” promotion, and a short but impactful exposure period, we went from listed to firm in just ONE day! 🙌

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible people who helped make it happen:

✨ My amazing sellers — for trusting me with the sale and for putting so much care into preparing their home.

📸 Nikolett Deli, our photographer — for capturing the home beautifully and helping us make a strong first impression.

🏡 My wonderful colleagues Natalie McColman and Karen Lutz — for jumping in to host open houses with me on short notice, and to all of the agents who shared my listing with their own clients. That support helped create an amazing turnout!

🤝 My Royal LePage team — for the behind-the-scenes support, expertise, and assistance throughout the process.

Most importantly, thank you to my sellers for trusting me with such an important part of their journey. It is an absolute pleasure to work hard for my clients, approach each sale thoughtfully, and help them take the next step into their new chapter. ❤️

Thinking about selling? Let’s create a plan that gets your property noticed and gets results. Send me a message—I’d love to help you plan your next move!

https://melmccutcheon.royallepage.ca/

08/19/2026

Today marks a new week and a new chance to win! 🎉

To enter our draw at the end of August:
✨ Like this post
✨ Share it
✨ Follow our page
✨ Comment with your answer below

Good luck—I can't wait to see your responses!

08/17/2026

Purchasing a business is very different from buying a home or commercial property. While the asking price is a starting point, the true value of a business depends on much more than that.

Factors such as:
• Financial performance
• Future earning potential
• Existing leases
• Staffing and market competition
• Business stability

All factors play an important role in determining its value. Two businesses with similar revenue can have very different values depending on these details.

If you're considering purchasing a business in Campbell River, it's important to understand what to look for before making an offer. Check out my video, where I explain how businesses are valued and what every buyer should know before investing.

Have questions about buying or selling a business? I'd be happy to help guide you through the process.

08/17/2026

I’m in the office today 9-11:30am.
Stop by and say hello!