Canadians intent on adding "Achieve a successful real estate transaction" to their list of New Year's resolutions would do well to adopt scientist Louis Pasteur's view of the future.

His belief that "Chance favours the prepared mind" holds true for real estate:

• Be prepared when luck strikes, learn as much as possible about how real estate transactions work and find highly-competent, locally-knowledgeable individuals to act for you.

• Be ready to respond quickly when opportunity knocks, examine your goals, know your financial strength and set specific criteria for decision making.

• Be decisive when fortune calls, learn how to quickly and thoroughly research essential elements of a property so that you understand what you are getting into before you act.

The spectacular Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa is proof that "Chance favours the prepared mind" when it comes to real estate.

Hotelier Dan Behune expected to buy a second property on the isolated west coast of Vancouver Island, but then he heard about a bankruptcy in the small seaside community of Brentwood on the east side of the Island. Chance presented an opportunity and he acted.

The original Brentwood Inn and pub had fallen into disrepair and bankruptcy, but it was sitting on waterfront property that included a marina. Behune's knowledge of environmental restrictions to building a marina from scratch made this property attractive to him from the outset. Located about 30 minutes from Victoria, the property was on the doorstep of one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations -- Butchart Gardens. With the area under-served by local hotels and an international airport minutes away, he felt confident he had found his second high-end site.

Behune already owned the 23-room Tudor-style Abigail's Hotel, a unique bed and breakfast Inn in Victoria. This hospitality venture had him hooked on boutique hotels, a tourism niche largely driven by Boomer spending.

He and his partners acted decisively on this real estate find and in May 2004 opened the stunning new 33-room Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa on the site of the old inn. This sophisticated recreational property attracted over 84 per cent occupancy in its first five months and promises to be one of the Saanich Peninsula's hottest properties. And this is only the beginning.

"This will be the gateway to all the other wilderness properties," said Behune, explaining that their float plane will eventually carry guests to the four or five remote luxury lodges they intend to open across BC. "Ultimately, we'll build a great recreational boutique hotel company and have all the properties under one umbrella for sales and marketing. The common theme will be quality of service."

Behune envisions guests spreading a 10-day holiday over two or three of their diverse boutique hotels. Expansion plans call for environmentally-dramatic properties that are half boutique hotel and half fractional-ownership vacation property.

"Everything is templated, everything is on Excel spreadsheets and we're ready to go forward on the next phase," said Brentwood's Leanne Cadden, Director of Public Relations and Art Director of the Lodge's Fine Art Gallery.

The Brentwood Lodge which is described as "an aesthetically interesting and environmentally responsible resort" where "understated elegance and discerning service are essential" has received the highest Five Star rating Canada Select offers. Brentwood is also one of only three exclusive hotels in Canada to be awarded membership in the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a distinction earned before construction was completed because the setting and plans were so impressive.

Happy New Year! Where will your resolutions for 2005 take you?

Published: December 28, 2004

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Strategist and Futurist is The Catalyst -- intent on "Helping The Best Get Better." An internationally-recognized "new retirement" authority, PJ's research, writing and speaking programs focus on decisions Baby Boomers face to achieve a successful future. Author of 6 books, PJ knows that, since home is headquarters for the "new retirement," professionals and consumers need relevant knowledge and insights, along with solid decision-making skills, to protect and enhance this private oasis. As The Catalyst, PJ provides strategic communication, client appreciation and advanced education services to the financial, tourism, lifestyle and service sectors -- and the clients they serve. A frequently quoted financial and business commentator, PJ is a thought-provoking strategic speaker who offers practical, real-life suggestions on leaving "the box" behind and embracing Forward Thinking -- a talent she regularly demonstrates in this column. For more, visit TheCatalyst.com.