When purchasing a home, you are faced with a multitude of decisions – what neighbourhood will meet your needs? What is a reasonable budget? What size of home do I need? There’s no shortage of questions that may need answers!
The South Island Home Team has nearly 40 years of combined experience and have completed thousands of real estate transactions, so you’ll always be in good hands when deciding to purchase your perfect home.
Our Buying Process
Who We Help
The South Island Home Team proudly works with a wide range of buyers, including:
First-time home buyers
Downsizers
Investors
Recreational and vacation property buyers
International buyers
Military and government transfers
Your First Steps
Getting started is easy. Once you contact us, we’ll guide you through the early stages of your home search and provide the tools and information you need to move forward with confidence.
Initial consultation – We’ll discuss your goals, timeline, budget, and ideal location.
Virtual Office Website (VOW) access – We’ll set you up with a free, secure VOW account on our website, allowing you to:
Create personalized searches
Save favourite listings
Access additional, non-public listing details
Receive instant alerts when new homes matching your criteria hit the market
Navigating Your Options
Our experienced team provides guidance at every stage to help you make informed decisions.
We will assist you with:
Understanding neighbourhood values and identifying fairly priced, well-maintained properties
Access to a private listing portal that provides early insight into new properties as they come to market
Explaining one-time purchase costs and typical monthly ownership expenses
Expert preparation and negotiation of purchase contracts, regardless of property type or market conditions
We also connect you with trusted professionals, including:
Mortgage lenders
Legal professionals
Property inspectors
Trades and other specialists as needed
Guidance on property taxes and related costs
Buying a Newly Built Home
Purchasing a newly built or pre-construction home involves a unique set of considerations. The South Island Home Team has extensive experience with new developments and builder contracts, and we will guide you through the process from start to finish—helping you understand timelines, options, and key details to ensure a smooth and successful purchase.
First-Time Home Buyers
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Whether you’re 19 or 65, we take the time to explain each step, answer your questions, and advocate for your best interests—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. You never have to navigate the process alone.
Military Transfers
The South Island Home Team has over 10 years of experience working with Brookfield Global Relocation Services (BGRS), Canada’s industry leader in employee relocations. We are proud to support military members, civilian employees, veterans, and their families.
If you are being posted to Esquimalt, BC, our BGRS-certified, multi-award-winning team understands the relocation process and the local market inside and out. With extensive knowledge of both new development and resale properties, we are committed to making your move to Vancouver Island efficient, seamless, and stress-free.
Buying real estate can be intimidating. It doesn’t matter if you are 19 or 65, buying your first home is an exciting process that takes lots of time, energy and emotion. But you don't have to do it alone.
South Island Home Team has helped hundreds of individuals purchase a home for their first time, and are uniquely equipped to help those new to buying real estate.
The First Time Home Buyers' Program may reduce or eliminate the amount of property transfer tax when purchasing your first home. If you qualify for the program, you may be eligible for either a full or partial exemption from the tax. For more information, you can click here.
Contracts of purchase and sale can be confusing! The South Island Home Team is ready, willing, and able to help answer your questions about the contract and overall process when buying a home.
We can connect you with local financing experts who specialize in working with first-time home buyers. Governments and Lenders may have special programs designed to assist individuals with their first home purchase, so working with the best financing providers can give you access to every available option.
When military and their families relocate to an unknown city, the services of a New Home Specialist who understands their needs makes the transfer easier, faster, and less stressful!
Sarah Williamson is South Island Home Team's Military Relocation Specialist helping Military families buy or sell for over 10 years. You’ll always be in good hands with Sarah when searching for your perfect home.
South Island Home Team has over 10 years of experience with Brookfield (BGRS), the Canadian industry leader for employee relocations. We are committed to helping military members and their families, civilian employees and veterans. If you are being posted to Esquimalt BC, we know the ins and outs of how to make your move easy and efficient. Our team has extensive knowledge of the development & resale market and will find you your perfect Home on Southern Vancouver Island. Call our BGRS certified, multi award winning team to start your home finding journey today. When military and their families relocate to an unknown city, the services of a New Home Specialist who understands their needs makes the transfer easier, faster, and less stressful!
We go above and beyond finding you a new home! Here are just some of the ways we can help:
What Military Personnel say about Sarah, our Military Relocation Specialist!
HER SERVICE AND ABILITY LEAD US TO THE PERFECT NEIGHBORHOOD WITHIN OUR BUDGET
“As a military member who recently went through a posting and had to action the move through Brookfield, I conducted a deep search in the Greater Victoria for a solid and experienced realtor. After trying six, I found Sarah. The Greater Victoria housing market is very hot and at this time most realtors are not willing / don't have to try hard to make a sale. Sarah impressed me from the start. She is very knowledgeable about the area and is extremely honest. She's one to trust and will not disappoint. My wife and I are both very thankful for her excellent service and ability to lead us to the perfect neighborhood within our budget and needs.” - Capt Paul B.
