Market Victoria by Mike Vanderkruyk

06/19/2026

Not every improvement you make before listing your home will come back to you in the sale price. Some will. Some won't.

Worth doing: fresh neutral paint, deep cleaning, fixing anything visibly broken, decluttering every room, replacing dated light fixtures.

Not worth doing: full kitchen renovations, bathroom overhauls, new flooring throughout. Buyers will repaint and renovate to their own taste anyway — and you rarely recoup the full cost.

The goal before listing isn't to make your home perfect. It's to make it feel clean, maintained, and easy for a buyer to picture themselves in.

The sweet spot is usually a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars in small fixes and presentation — not a full renovation.

If you're not sure what falls into which category for your specific home, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd talk through before you list.

06/17/2026

Exterior Trends That Instantly Boost Curb Appeal, Experts Say
Ready to wow your neighbors? 🏡 Discover expert-approved tips to boost your home's curb appeal—from bold front doors and textured roofs to natural landscaping and cozy porch updates. Which upgrade would you try first? ✨🌿
https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/mike-vanderkruyk/1721189-Exterior-Trends-That-Instantly-Boost-Curb-Appeal%2C-Experts-Sa

06/17/2026

I have one rule I keep with every single client, without exception:

I will never push you toward a decision you're not ready to make.

Not when the market is hot. Not when there are other offers on the table. Not when my commission depends on it.

I've watched clients get rushed into deals by the urgency of a multiple-offer situation — and regret it. I've seen sellers pushed to list before they were truly ready. The pressure of "you have to decide right now" leads to choices people live with for years.

My job is to give you the best information I have, lay out your options honestly, and then support whatever you decide. Not to manufacture urgency.

If you've ever felt pressured by a real estate experience before — I get it. And I want you to know that's not how I work.

📅 Come talk to someone who won't rush you: calendar.app.google/3BcaeHnJ54Ffudds5

06/16/2026

Exclusive Luxury Real Estate, Tailored to Your Lifestyle
Personalized service, market expertise, and premium listings for high-value homes and elite buyers.

Personalized service, market expertise, and premium listings for high-value homes and elite buyers.

06/16/2026

Essential Steps to Simplify Prepping Your Home for Sale
Let’s connect and talk about the latest insights in the industry!

06/15/2026

B.C. Interior Market Stays Balanced

06/15/2026

People come to me looking for a deal in Victoria's market. I never want to crush that hope — but I do want to be straight with you.

A property that looks underpriced usually has a reason. It might be obvious: deferred maintenance, a difficult strata, a flight path. Or it might take some digging — title issues, a problematic neighbour, an assessment coming.

This doesn't mean deals don't exist. They do. But they usually go to buyers who are prepared, pre-approved, and working with someone who can move fast and read the situation clearly.

"I'll know a deal when I see one" is how a lot of people end up overpaying for the wrong property.

If you want to find genuine value in this market, the process starts long before you see a listing you love.

📅 Let's build your buying strategy: calendar.app.google/3BcaeHnJ54Ffudds5

06/13/2026

Canada Real Estate Market Size Growth Demand & Outlook 2034
Did you know Canada’s real estate market is set to soar from $188.6B in 2025 to $237B by 2034? 🏙️ Driven by urban growth, tech, and smart investments, the future looks bright! Curious how it impacts you? Let’s dive in! 💡📈
https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/mike-vanderkruyk/1717648-Canada-Real-Estate-Market-Size-Growth-Demand-%26-Outlook-2034

06/13/2026

Mike was great to work with. It was my first time buying and Mike took the time to help me understan...
Let’s connect and talk about the latest insights in the industry!

06/12/2026

If you're buying a strata property in Victoria — condo, townhouse, or otherwise — there's one document that tells you more about the building than anything else.

The depreciation report.

It's a long-term forecast of every major repair the building will need and when. Roof, windows, plumbing, elevator, parkade — all of it. And critically, whether the strata fund has enough money set aside to cover it.

A building with a healthy depreciation report and a well-funded contingency reserve is a building you can buy with confidence. A building with deferred maintenance and an underfunded reserve is a building where a special levy — sometimes tens of thousands of dollars — could land in your lap after you've moved in.

Ask for it. Read it. If you don't know how to interpret it, I'm happy to walk you through it.