Selling in Howe Sound
Selling an island property is not the same as selling in town. Buyers care about the basics, but they also care about access, systems, shoreline details, and what ownership actually looks like day to day. My job is to present the property clearly, answer the real questions early, and run a process that keeps momentum without creating unnecessary pressure.
I focus on accurate pricing, strong presentation, and disciplined follow-through. That means fewer surprises, better-qualified buyers, and cleaner negotiations.
Pricing is where most sales are won or lost. Too high and you lose early interest; too low and you may leave money on the table. In Howe Sound, pricing can be harder because comparable sales are thinner and property differences matter more than they do in the city.
I determine a realistic pricing range using recent sales, current competition, and the specifics that move value here (access, services, docks, shoreline, and usability). You’ll get a clear rationale for the strategy, not a vague estimate.
Preparation For Viewings & Staging
Small improvements can make a meaningful difference. For recreational properties, that usually means basic maintenance, decluttering, a deep clean, and addressing obvious cosmetic issues before buyers arrive. Depending on the home, selective staging can also help—especially where furniture is dated or mismatched, which is common on islands.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s to help buyers see the property at its best and remove distractions that create doubt.
Photos and Drone Video
Good photos and drone footage are often the difference between a buyer booking a viewing and moving on. For island properties, that matters even more because many buyers are planning around travel, weather, and limited windows to see a place in person.
I keep this work in-house instead of outsourcing it. I started learning videography partly out of interest, and partly because it can be difficult to hire someone in remote areas who consistently delivers strong content—especially if you need to line it up with calm water and clear skies.
Over time I’ve invested in professional camera and video gear and improved my editing and colour grading. The benefit is simple: I can shoot when conditions are right, even if that means coming back over a few days to catch the best light at different times. Then I can put together photos and video that match what the property actually feels like on site, not just a highlight reel.
Below is an example of a recent listing video that I filmed and edited myself.
Online Marketing & Advertising
A strong online presence is essential. I build a clear digital footprint for the listing and make sure it’s easy for buyers and agents to find, share, and understand. That includes MLS exposure where applicable, targeted distribution, and a dedicated listing page with the information buyers actually ask for.
I also feature Howe Sound listings prominently on howe-sound.ca and my broader network sites, and I can share performance/traffic analytics during the listing period if you want to see what’s working.
Howe-Sound.ca & ElliotFunt.ca
When your Howe Sound property is listed, I feature the listing prominently on this website (Howe Sound Living). My Howe Sound webcam attracts approximately 1500 monthly viewers of my Howe Sound Living site in the summer. Nearly all these users are Howe Sound enthusiasts who fit the buyer demographic for Howe Sound properties.
I will also feature your property on ElliotFunt.ca. Directly from my two home pages, there will be links to a customized online property webpage for more information about your property.
MLS Reciprocity
For all listings that aren't "exclusive listings," I will post the listing on the MLS® (Multiple Listing Service). The MLS is one of the benefits of using all Realtors®; the MLS service allows other Realtors to market your property and search for it. So your listing will appear on many other Realtors' websites in their various MLS property searches.
Realtor.ca, REW.ca, Other Search Providers
In Vancouver and Howe sound, most buyers search for properties using either Realtor.ca (operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association) or REW.ca (a private company). My listings are visible on both, as well as all other international real estate search providers, such as Zillow and Juwai, amongst others.
Website & Blog Analytics
As part of excellent client communication, during the time your property if for sale I am happy to send you website and blog analytics (upon request). These analytics will show the amount of traffic generated to a specific site or webpage. In the analytics reports, I include any data on relevant pages to Howe-Sound.ca and ElliotFunt.ca.
Engel & Völkers
Worldwide
Engel & Völkers is an international brokerage brand founded in 1977, with a focus on premium residential and commercial real estate. For my sellers, the value is practical: broader exposure, strong referral pathways between advisors, and access to buyers who may be searching from outside the local market.
Vancouver, West Vancouver, Kerrisdale, and Ocean Park ‘Shops’
Engel & Völkers entered the Vancouver market in 2015, with shop locations including Yaletown, Kerrisdale, and West Vancouver. I joined in 2016. For select luxury recreational listings, we can also feature properties on Engel & Völkers Vancouver’s YouTube channel, EV Exclusive. I work closely with colleagues across the brokerage to maximize exposure across the platforms that make sense for your listing.
Link to a prior sold listing of mine shown on @EVExclusive
The Engel & Völkers’ Advantage For High-Value Properties
For high-value properties, the buyer pool is often narrower and less predictable. My approach is to market locally and more broadly at the same time, then focus effort where real buyer interest is showing up. That combination tends to produce better outcomes than relying on a single channel.
It’s also worth noting that the federal non-Canadian buyer ban does not apply to Gambier Island or Keats Island. This is one of the factors that can meaningfully expand the buyer pool for certain listings in Howe Sound. In other parts of British Columbia—including Vancouver—buyer eligibility rules may apply, and purchasers should confirm the rules and exemptions with their lawyer.
Knowledge of Off-Grid Living
A lot of buyers are new to off-grid living. Questions about water, septic, power, access, docks, and maintenance are normal—and they can become negotiation points if they aren’t addressed properly. I’m comfortable walking buyers through those realities and presenting systems and costs in a clear, practical way.
Knowledge of Howe Sound and Other Islands
Island listings sell best when the details are handled properly. Access, services, shoreline considerations, and local zoning constraints can all affect value and buyer confidence. Getting those points right—early—reduces friction later in the process.
I work most often in Howe Sound (particularly Gambier and Keats Island), and I’m also familiar with other coastal and island markets where buyers tend to cross-shop.
Negotiation & Stress-Free Sales
Negotiation is where value is protected. It’s not only price—it’s deposit structure, conditions and timelines, buyer requests after inspections, inclusions, completion dates, and how issues get resolved without derailing the deal.
Before real estate, I negotiated daily in automotive sales and later through contract-based consulting work. Combined with real estate since 2016, that background helps me stay disciplined on terms and calm under pressure, especially when the buyer side is pushing for concessions.
Over my sales career, I’ve learned how to achieve the highest possible price while also conducting smooth, stress-free sales for everyone involved.
If you’re considering selling
If you’re thinking about selling in Howe Sound—now or later—I’m happy to look at the property and talk through pricing, preparation, and what a realistic sale process would look like. No obligation. Feel free to contact me via the form below or directly via elliot@funt.ca or (778) 991-3868.
