British Columbia Real Estate

Important Facts For Saltspring Island Property Buyers


Some of the most beautiful British Columbia real estate is found on Salt Spring Island.

There's bit of everything on offer, for the diverse range of lifestyles that make up the population of Saltspring; quaint farms, sprawling vineyards, luxury estates, vacation properties, heritage homes, retirement residences and yes, there are also some affordable modest family homes.

This page details some important factors to consider when buying Saltspring real estate:

WATER

Many island homes are on well systems. As with all man-made systems, some wells function better than others. Ask about a well record, which will provide the details on what you can expect in terms of water quantity. Something you definitely want to know if you're considering a property which relies on well water.

Read through the CMHC's Well Water info page for more information on buying real estate with a well or septic system.

If you are considering a home with water issues, look into a reverse osmosis water filtration system to remove arsenic and/or radon contaminants from your water.

Besides the issue of whether there's enough water, two other critical considerations come into play with Salt Spring Island well water...

ARSENIC

Colourless, odourless gas produced naturally in certain geographic areas where the right conditions to form it exist. Arsenic is a known cancer causing agent above a certain level of concentration.

Though it is possible to remove arsenic from your drinking water and it is not absorbed through the skin, so bathing in it is considered perfectly safe. It's wise to ask about arsenic if you're seriously considering buying Salt Spring Island, British Columbia real estate.

See Health Canada's info page for more detail

RADON

A colourless, odourless, radioactive gas that has proven hazardous to health. It is formed by the breakdown process of Uranium in rocks and soil. Then it quietly seeps up into your home, into your air and your water.

A simple test, available from the hardware store then sent to a lab after being left out for three days in the home, can tell you whether there is Radon in your home. It is a very fixable problem. A simple Radon reduction system will reduce the presence of the gas by up to 99%. If you're buying a property, you can ask the home seller for a Radon check.

Radon can also enter the water supply of homes on a well system, so a water test might be a good idea as well.

Health Canada's info page for more detail

ACCESSIBILITY

With so many stunning properties to choose from, it can be easy to lose sight of factors like accessibility. Living at the top of a mountain, or at the end of a narrow winding drive, or down a rutted road in the deep south end, can have its frustrating (and even scary) moments.

It doesn't snow and ice up often on Saltspring, but when it does, it can take a good while for some of the back roads to get cleared. Driveways are, of course, the owner's responsibility and icy mountain roads are treacherous in the interim before the sanders get to them. If your dream home is in such an area, you're going to want a 4x4 vehicle for certain!

Power outages can also be lengthy for homes in certain locations, depending on the cause and extent of damage. If you buy a house in a remote area, make sure you have a well stocked emergency preparedness kit!

We got very lucky buying close to town, in terms of more than just the day to day convenience. After losing power during the first winter storm after moving here, we learned that our home is on the same electrical grid as the hospital, so this area gets priority when the crews are working on restoring power! Nice bonus.

SUN EXPOSURE

Part of the beauty of living in such a mild Canadian climate is the ability to stretch the 'outdoor living' season to the max. Gardening and entertaining and simply enjoying the quietude are all activities that are better in the sun!

Because Salt Spring is so abundantly forested, many stunning homes are tucked into pockets in the trees that offer terrific privacy, but may not allow much sunlight in. Something to keep in mind when browsing properties.

SHELTER

A covered area, whether a carport or covered patio, is nice during the wet winters. Dry storage for firewood and yard equipment is also a major benefit.

Related Pages

Read more about moving to Saltspring Island

Details on purchasing Saltspring real estate

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