Relocating to Vancouver Island? 3 tips from a real estate pro

“It was a collaborative effort. Tom worked alongside us… and we were able to find an amazing place that fit all our needs. We are so happy with Tom’s services; we’re definitely repeat customers!”

– Mike, moved to Victoria from Edmonton, AB

In 2021, 28% of Victoria’s local home sales were out-of-town buyers relocating to Vancouver Island. Certainly, the vast majority of those purchasing homes were moving to Victoria from other parts of British Columbia. However, in second place were the hundreds of home buyers relocating to Vancouver Island from Alberta. [1]

It’s no secret that if you live far away and are searching for a home on Vancouver Island, you face many challenges. That’s why a savvy, compassionate, and knowledgeable professional advocate is so important to your success. Here are three pro tips from Tom Hopper, a Vancouver Island REALTOR® and relocation specialist.

As a seasoned expert, Tom has a wealth of recent experience helping Albertans and other out-of-town buyers succeed in purchasing their dream home on Vancouver Island. His tips apply to anyone seeking to relocate to Victoria, Nanaimo, or other regions of what locals affectionately call “The Rock.”

First tip: Victoria is just one option when relocating to Vancouver Island

“Most Islanders aren’t in awe all the time— like those of us who moved here,” says Mike, a recent transplant from Alberta. Tom Hopper helped Mike find the perfect home for his family’s needs. They decided to relocate to Victoria from Edmonton. “We [Albertans] have a sense of perspective. We know how amazing this place is.”

Mike and his family chose to live right in the capital city of Victoria. “It was always our goal, our dream. We have family here. For a long time we didn’t think it could happen, but with Tom’s help— which was instrumental— our dream has come true.” But depending on your personal needs, there are many, many more places to explore and consider. Tom always reminds his clients from other provinces that Victoria, while beautiful, isn’t necessarily the best fit for everyone relocating to Vancouver Island.

“We weren’t interested in living in the city of Victoria,” says Paul. “Tom showed us a variety of homes there— beautiful places— and we said no, that’s not it. Too much of a city life. I like to be outside of the city, where I can be walking on a hiking trail in five minutes.”

Which part of Vancouver Island should you live in?

When he works with his remote clients, Tom uses his astute listening skills and extensive knowledge of Vancouver Island to deliver a home that can provide the daily life they envision. “There are so many cities, towns, and neighbourhoods on Vancouver Island,” he says. “No matter which one you choose, you’ll get ‘mild winters’ and ‘nearby beach.’ But beyond that surface, we need to take an efficient approach to targeting your search. I can provide a savvy insider’s view of what ‘real life’ will look like in one area or another.”

Honest, direct communication and listening to understand people’s authentic needs are the foundation of how Tom does business. By covering the entire territory, relaying images and video, he assists clients in choosing the perfect home that will ideally suit their interests, price range, and lifestyle. [2]

“Tom appealed to me personally because I could chat with him,” says Mike. “I could joke around and be myself. We just clicked, as people. He’s outgoing, so I felt like I could talk to him.” When searching for a new home, Mike adds, “communication about your needs is huge. People want to do business with someone they like— and Tom is very likable.”

Pro tip two: relocating to Vancouver Island takes time

Trying to purchase property in Victoria— and Vancouver Island in general— can be stressful when you’re not a local. Tom’s calm, friendly demeanor and excellent professional advice means a lot less stress for out-of-town buyers. Most importantly, while the market changes Tom tells his clients to slow down and take it easy, and be careful not to get caught up in the drama and emotion. Finding the right home, he says, is much more important than “winning” a house at all costs. To that end, he invests however much time is required to find “the one,” and make sure each client is happy with their investment. [3]

“You can’t work with 30 people at once,” Tom says. “You have to pick two or three, and focus on giving them the proper effort. If you’re not going to really take care of them, don’t bother.” His straightforward approach means better results for those relocating to Vancouver Island. “Albertans are very pragmatic. You just tell them how it is, and what needs to be done. If it takes me a few extra hours, or kilometers, to help people rule something in— or rule something out— I’m happy to do it.”

Tom Hopper goes “above and beyond” for out-of-town buyers

Paul says Tom was instrumental in helping him and his wife find the perfect home— in a town they didn’t even know about! Coming from a rural part of Alberta, “We didn’t know what we wanted— we just wanted to move to the Island,” he recalls. “Tom went above and beyond.” Paul was impressed with the care, attention, and sheer effort Tom put into their home search. “He showed us houses in Victoria, Sidney, Maple Bay, Nanoose, Parksville, Qualicum, Ladysmith. He drove all over, doing video walk-throughs on his phone with us, live.”

“I can’t tell you how many homes we looked at before we found the perfect one,” Paul says.

Eventually, after Tom got to know them on a personal level and what kind of life they wanted to live, he showed them their dream home in Ladysmith, BC. “We’d never even heard of Ladysmith!” Paul laughs. “This home truly is the perfect one for us. We are so grateful to be here.”

Mike, whose parents are now moving to Victoria, says, “We are so happy with Tom’s services, we’re definitely repeat customers! We’ve enlisted Tom’s help to find a home for them, too.” As a thriving business owner, he says Tom’s straightforward, personable, and thorough approach was relatable, and a key to their success in finding the perfect property. “It was a collaborative team effort. Tom worked alongside us in the trenches, and we were able to find an amazing place that fit all our needs.”

Pro tip three: pick a price and stick to it— but be flexible, too

As with many Albertans, Paul and his wife experienced sticker shock when relocating to Vancouver Island. Mike and his wife did too. [4] Tom helped them all reorient, adjust their outlook, and achieve a successful purchase they feel happy and confident about. “Tom was there to assist… not dictate,” Mike says. “The decision of what to pay was completely with us. Tom respected our boundaries. He was there to support and equip us with all the tools we needed to make an informed decision.”

Tom’s advice to buyers? “I tell them to pick their number ahead of time— but we don’t come out of the gate with that. Everyone agrees that we’re going to stick to that number, and we don’t get caught up in that ‘auction’ scenario.” However, Tom says, there are certain moments when you can’t be too rigid, or you might regret it afterward. “On the other hand, if you lose this place for $10,000, are you going to be upset? I answer that for them: yes, you will be.”

In the end, win or lose, Tom says, “You took your very best shot. If you lose, it’s OK. Because truly, there’s going to be another one. It’s ok to be emotional, just don’t stay emotional.” Ultimately, Tom says, he wants to feel like he’s helping people— no matter where they are from. “They have a need, and I’m here to help,” he explains. It’s easier to help, he says, “when I know where they are coming from. My job is to figure out what their need is, and help them find that perfect home to fulfill it.”