If you’re looking for a place that combines incredible food, exceptional service, and a breathtaking view, look no further than Glo Restaurant & Lounge. Nestled in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood at 2940 Jutland Rd, Glo offers the perfect blend of atmosphere and culinary delights that will make you want to return again and again.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Glo with both my team and my parents, and I can confidently say that every visit has been a memorable one. The meals consistently surpass expectations, leaving everyone at the table completely satisfied.

On the menu, the salmon was perfectly cooked, flaky, and flavourful. The blackened chicken was a hit, with just the right amount of spice. The ahi tuna was fresh and expertly prepared—definitely a must-try. And let’s not forget the desserts! From rich chocolate treats to light, fruity options, they were the perfect ending to an already exceptional meal.

What sets Glo apart is the atmosphere. Located on the beautiful Selkirk Waterway, dining here offers a peaceful view of the water and surrounding nature, creating the perfect backdrop for any meal. Whether you're enjoying a casual dinner with friends or a special meal with family, the ambiance truly enhances the experience.

The service was friendly and attentive, and the overall vibe is just right—inviting, yet elegant.

I highly recommend you check out Glo Restaurant & Lounge for your next dining experience in Victoria. You can learn more about their menu, hours, and specials by visiting their website. Trust me, you’ll want to book a table soon!

Need more recommendations? Contact me today and I’ll introduce you to more great places to eat, shop, and play in Victoria and around southern Vancouver Island.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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Why Fall Can Be a Smart Time to Buy a Home in Victoria, BC

When people think about buying a home, spring and summer usually come to mind. But here on Vancouver Island, fall offers unique advantages that can make it an ideal season to house-hunt. If you’re considering a move, autumn could be the right time to find your next home—on your terms.

Less Competition, More Opportunity

By fall, the rush of summer buyers has slowed down. With fewer people competing for the same properties, you’ll often have more room to negotiate and a better chance of securing the home you want.

Motivated Sellers

Homes that remain on the market into fall often belong to sellers eager to close before the holidays or year-end. That motivation can work in your favour—whether through price adjustments, flexible timelines, or covering some closing costs.

See the Home in Real Conditions

Victoria’s mild but rainy fall weather can highlight things you wouldn’t notice in summer. From drafty windows to soggy lawns, autumn showings give you a clearer picture of how a home really performs.

Faster, Smoother Closings

With fewer transactions in the pipeline, lenders, inspectors, and lawyers typically have more availability. That can mean a less stressful, faster closing compared to the busy spring market.

What to Look for When Buying in Fall

When viewing homes this season, pay attention to:

• Roof & Gutters – Look for missing shingles or clogged gutters after fall rains.

• Heating System – Ask for furnace or heat pump maintenance records.

• Windows & Insulation – Drafts are easier to notice when temperatures drop.

• Drainage – Check for pooling water near the foundation.

• Lighting – Shorter days make natural light and good indoor lighting even more important.

• Neighbourhood Atmosphere – Fall brings quieter routines, so you’ll get a true sense of traffic, noise, and community feel.

The Bottom Line

Buying a home in fall isn’t just about timing—it’s about opportunity. With motivated sellers, less competition, and the chance to see how a property performs in real West Coast weather, autumn can be one of the smartest seasons to make your move.

✨ Thinking about buying this fall in Victoria or the surrounding communities? Let’s connect—I’ll guide you through the process and help you find a home that fits your next chapter.

🏡 Click here to book a buyer consult or browse active listings now → search

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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As summer winds down, the Victoria real estate market followed a familiar seasonal trend—slowing slightly in August but maintaining overall stability. A total of 525 properties sold across the region, down 3.7% compared to August 2024 and 22.8% fewer than July 2025.

Condominium sales dipped by 16% year-over-year, with 152 units sold, while single-family homes saw a modest increase of 6.3%, with 268 sales.

The number of active listings at the end of August sat at 3,600, down slightly from July but up 12.8% compared to the same time last year. This boost in available inventory gives buyers more choice than they’ve had in years.

Price trends were relatively steady:

• Single-family home benchmark (Victoria Core): $1,308,100, up 1.6% year-over-year but down a bit from July.

• Condominium benchmark (Victoria Core): $551,300, down 1.4% year-over-year and from July’s value.

What This Means for Buyers

For buyers, this is a more balanced and less pressurized market than what we saw several years ago. With more inventory and stable interest rates, you have time to carefully evaluate homes, negotiate, and make decisions without the intense bidding wars of the past. Fall could bring fresh listings as sellers who prepared over summer enter the market, giving you new opportunities to explore.

What This Means for Sellers

If you’re selling, pricing strategically is key. While demand remains steady, buyers have more options and more time to compare. Homes that are well-prepared and marketed properly are still moving, but expectations around timelines should be realistic. With fall historically being a busier season than late summer, now is an excellent time to list if you’ve been waiting.

The Bottom Line

Victoria’s market is steady, balanced, and entering a season that traditionally sees more activity. Whether you’re considering buying or selling this fall, the conditions are favourable for making thoughtful, well-planned moves.

✨ Thinking about making a move this fall? Let’s connect—I’ll walk you through the numbers, help you understand where opportunities lie, and guide you toward your next home or sale.

👉 Start your fall home search or request a market evaluation here.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right time to buy a home in Victoria, this summer might be your chance.

While spring often steals the spotlight, summer brings quieter conditions, solid selection, and the chance to move at your own pace—especially in a year where market activity is steady but not frantic.

Here’s why buyers have more breathing room right now—and how to make the most of it.

1. More Inventory, Less Pressure

The Victoria Real Estate Board reported over 3,700 active listings at the end of July—a 10% increase from this time last year. This means you have more homes to choose from and, in many cases, more time to explore your options.

While spring was fast-paced with multiple offers on hot properties, summer brings a bit more balance. You may still encounter competition on well-priced listings, but you’re also less likely to be rushed into a decision.

2. Pricing Is Predictable—And That’s a Good Thing

In July, the benchmark price for a single-family home in the Victoria Core was $1,338,800, up 3.3% from last year. Condo prices, meanwhile, dipped slightly to $563,300, which could mean great entry points for first-time buyers or investors.

Flat or slowly rising prices mean you can shop with more confidence—knowing that you’re entering a stable market, rather than one that’s swinging up or down dramatically.

3. Life Is Just Easier in the Summer

If you're relocating, upsizing, or timing a move around school schedules, summer offers practical benefits:

• More daylight = better viewing times

• Easier to coordinate movers or renovations

• Kids can start school in September already settled

• You can actually enjoy the move without rain, mud, or winter blues

And hey—what better time to fall in love with a neighbourhood than when the Island is showing off its summer best?

4. You Can Still Shop Smart

Yes, the Bank of Canada held rates steady, and that’s good news—but be aware of credit card balances or debts that might affect your approval. We broke that down in this month’s Mortgage Minute blog.

Want to get pre-approved or check if your credit score is buyer-ready? I can connect you with trusted local mortgage pros who’ll give you a realistic picture before you fall in love with a listing. Just ask me.

Let’s Make It Happen Before Fall Frenzy Hits

Late August is a perfect window for serious buyers—inventory is strong, the market is balanced, and fall competition hasn’t ramped up yet. If you're thinking of buying this year, let’s start with a quick, no-pressure chat about what you’re looking for.

🏡 Click here to book a buyer consult or browse active listings now → search

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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Victoria Real Estate Market Update – July 2025

The Victoria real estate market continued to show stability and opportunity this July, with moderate activity and steady pricing that offered both buyers and sellers a chance to make smart moves.

According to the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB), 680 properties sold in July, which is up 4.6% from July 2024 but down from the busier spring pace in June 2025. Condo sales rose by 5.6% year-over-year, while single-family home sales dipped slightly by 0.3%.

So what does this mean if you’re planning a move?

For Buyers: A Stable Summer with Solid Choice

July’s numbers signal a great environment for buyers who are looking for selection and time to decide. With 3,703 active listings on the market, inventory has increased by over 10% compared to this time last year, giving buyers more breathing room and less urgency than in a competitive spring market.

Although some homes are still seeing multiple offers, the overall pace allows you to shop smarter, particularly if you're a first-time buyer or downsizing into a condo. Plus, condo prices remain slightly lower than last year—great news for affordability seekers.

For Sellers: Balanced Conditions, Motivated Buyers

While the spring rush has passed, summer buyers are still active—especially those relocating, upsizing, or timing a move around the school year. With stable pricing and solid demand, this is still a strong time to list, particularly if your home shows well in warm weather.

Benchmark prices in the Victoria Core reflect steady growth:

• Single-family homes are up 3.3% year-over-year to $1,338,800

• Condos saw a slight dip, down 0.8% to $563,300

If you're planning to sell, this market offers you the advantage of active buyers combined with predictable pricing—a recipe for realistic expectations and solid outcomes.

What’s Next for Late Summer and Fall?

The VREB notes that while the spring market has officially wrapped, we often see a pickup in sales as we move into the fall. With inventory levels remaining higher than in past years, and economic conditions settling, both buyers and sellers can enter the next season with confidence.

If you’re considering a move before the end of 2025, now is the time to get a strategy in place—before fall momentum builds and competition heats up again.

🔎 Thinking of buying or selling soon?
Let’s connect for a quick consult to review your goals and explore what makes sense based on today’s numbers.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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The Bank of Canada may have held its key interest rate steady at 2.75% for the third consecutive time, but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of financial security—especially if you're carrying high-interest debt.

Many Canadians are feeling the pressure of high borrowing costs, and one trend that continues to grow? More people are carrying credit card balances longer, often maxing them out. This can silently sabotage your chances of getting approved for your next mortgage—even if you’re making all your payments on time.

Why Your Credit Card Balance Matters to Lenders

Mortgage lenders aren’t just checking whether you pay your bills—they’re looking at how much credit you're using. Known as “credit utilization,” this is a major factor in your credit score.

If your credit card balance is regularly over 50% of your limit, your score could take a serious hit—even if you’ve never missed a payment. Why? Because credit bureaus take a snapshot of your balance at a moment in time. If it’s high on that day, it might look like you’re stretched thin financially, which can trigger red flags for lenders.

According to credit expert Richard Moxley, one maxed-out credit card can drop your score by 30 points or more, enough to affect your mortgage rate or even result in a decline.

What You Can Do if You’re a Homeowner

If you’re already a homeowner in Victoria and you’ve built up some equity, there may be a smart path forward: refinancing your mortgage to consolidate high-interest debt.

This could:

• Lower your monthly payments

• Improve your cash flow

• Help boost your credit score within a few months

Debt consolidation through refinancing isn’t for everyone, but in the right situation, it can be a game-changer—especially in a market where borrowing conditions are tightening.

Want to explore your options or get a credit check-up? Connect with our trusted mortgage broker at The Mortgage Group:

📞 Contact: Paul Macara – Mortgage Professional
📧 paul@macaramortgages.com | 📱 (250) 857-4741

What the Bank of Canada Rate Hold Means for Buyers & Sellers in Victoria, BC

In its July 30 announcement, the Bank of Canada once again held rates at 2.75%, citing ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., weaker GDP, and inflation driven by high shelter costs (especially rent).

Here’s what this means for you:

For Buyers:

• Good news: The pause in rate hikes gives buyers a window of opportunity to lock in better rates than earlier this year.

• But caution: High credit card balances could still block approvals or result in higher mortgage rates—even if the Bank hasn’t raised theirs.

If you’re thinking about buying, now’s the time to get your finances in check, review your credit utilization, and consider getting pre-approved.

For Sellers:

• Buyer confidence may return, especially among those who’ve been waiting for rates to settle.

• If you’re planning to list soon, this could be the start of more activity—but buyers will remain cautious, especially in the face of inflation and uncertain economic forecasts.

Final Thoughts: Stability Doesn’t Mean Simplicity

While a steady interest rate can be reassuring, your personal finances—including how you manage credit—can have a much bigger impact on your mortgage options.

Whether you're looking to buy, sell, refinance, or consolidate, having a plan and understanding the broader economic context can help you make your next move with confidence.

Need help navigating your next steps? Reach out to discuss a plan tailored to you.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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