Most of you will find in your mailbox your 2015 BC Assessments.  If you have not yet received it and are curious about what your assessment will look like you can look it up at the following link:   http://evaluebc.bcassessment.ca   Just enter your address and it will populate your tax assessment for 2015.  …

Well it is now 2017 and looking back it is safe to say that 2016 was arguably the wildest year in the history of real estate in Vancouver.  Record price jumps, daily price increments and government regulation have been a few factors that contributed to the wild year that we just saw.  Here is a month…

Summer is a time of weddings, bbq’s, trips, time outdoors, patio pops and overall fun times.  Summer is definitely my favourite time of the year and I love being outside in Vancouver and enjoying everything that this city has to offer.  With that being said it seems our media coverage has been more about new real…

Government of Canada Takes Action to Maintain a Healthy, Competitive and Stable Housing Market December 11, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced changes to the rules for government-backed mortgage insurance to contain risks in the housing market, reduce taxpayer exposure and support long-term stability. Effective February 15, 2016, the minimum…

Investor clients are now looking for ways to maximize their rental return and one of the more popular ways to do that is through sites like VRBO and Airbnb.  The issue with these short term rental options are that stratas are starting to shut them down, or fine home owners who they find to be using them.  Buildings…

Metro Vancouver home buyers push October sales above long-term averages Home buyers remain active across Metro Vancouver despite a reduced supply of homes for sale. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in *Metro Vancouver reached 3,646 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October 2015. This represents a…

The Spot on 12th and Cambie has been one of the most popular developments in Vancouver of 2015.  With only 5 homes remaining, this East facing 2 bedroom has some great features.  Listed at $779,900.  Give me a call at 604-363-7858 for further information.

The Jervis, is the newest project to come to the coveted West End, blocks from English Bay.  The developer, Intracorp has developed this 19-storey tower to maximize views, space and elegance.  With only 4 homes on each floor, every home is a corner unit with maximized views.  58 homes in total this development will be…

Between January 1 and July 31 of this year, 572 properties sold for over $3 million, compared to 319 during the same period in 2014 – an increase of 79 per cent.  The increase of sales at the top-end of the luxury market can be attributed to two factors. The first factor is overall price…

Just recently CMHC came out and said that they are changing their rules.  They announced that they will allow 100% of rental income from a LEGAL secondary suite (Basement suite, coach home, duplex) to be used towards qualifying for a new mortgage.  Up until this point CMHC only accepted 50% of the rental income.  The…

KITSILANO DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER MOUNT PLEASANT

I have always had a soft spot for a nicely renovated Vancouver Specials, partly because they are very effective layouts but also because they have the charm and grit of Vancouver 30 years ago.  Growing up in the city I spent a lot of time playing in them, running through them and seeing them on…

Metro Vancouver home sales set record pace in June Last month was the highest selling June, and the second highest overall monthly total, on record for the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). The REBGV reports that residential property sales in Metro Vancouver* reached 4,375 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in June 2015.…

Vancouver breaks up property tax into two payments a year.  The first payment being due on the second business day in February and the second payment being due on the second business day in July.  This year landing on Friday July 3rd!   Property taxes are one of the cities most lucrative income streams for…

3431 Panorama Ridge, Whistler BC:   8000 square feet 6 Bedrooms 7 bathrooms Roof top deck Infinity Pool and hot tub Elevator and private road 10 minute walk to the Village 1.16 Acre Estate Lot Floor to ceiling windows Hiking trails out your back door Finishings could be customized to your own taste Contact me…

Metro Vancouver home sales surpass 4,000 for third consecutive month It continues to be a competitive spring market for Metro Vancouver home buyers. This competition continues to put upward pressure on home prices, particularly in the detached home market.   The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Metro…

The much anticipated development on the edge of Olympic Village, Proximity, has finally been released.  With prices starting in the mid 300’s and homes with parking in the high 300’s, this is a great chance to get in before completion when prices tend to go up.  Built with a combination of 1 bedroom and 2…

It’s not often that I look at a floor plan from a developer these days and am thoroughly impressed by the design and layout; however, every once in a while I come across one that really stands out.  SOLO District in Burnaby which is completing this fall has a few that will make condo living…

What is a Non Conforming Strata and why do they exists?  First we must understand what a “strata” is.  Most condominiums Downtown Vancouver are stratified.  There are some leaseholds and some co-ops but the majority of the condos that you see are stratified.  This means that each unit is separately owned and each owner is…

Most people understand the value of working with a professional Realtor when it comes time to sell their home, but what about working with a professional when you are looking to buy?  I come across this quite often where buyers think that they should negotiate directly with the selling agent.  Is this true?  Generally NO.…