Vancouver Real Estate Blog

Top 5/10 Reasons why I love to live in Kitsilano. - Night time swims as the sun sets

This summer was quite amazing. It was very hot andthe water got up to 25 degrees Celsius. I know this because one of my colleagues has a beautiful Hunter sail boat and they had it out in the bay for a few days. I told him that I would swim out to him and enjoy yacht life for a few hours and get a different perspective of kitsilano.While on his boat he checked the temperature gauge and it read 25 degrees. During the summer I swam everyday in the water. Posted outside the lifeguard station everyday, they give you the temperature, high and low tides.

This is a picture taken on one of those beautiful hot nights looking west. In the foreground is the Kitsilano Yacht Club where they ferry the boats across the ramp and use the crane to pick up and drop off the sail boats

Top 4/10 Reasons why I love to live in Kitsilano - Watching Storms

Kitsilano has a rather interesting geographical position when it come to watching storms. At times one can stand on the beach or by the pool as these shots show and enjoy Mother Nature at her best.
These pictures were taken during the Fire Works show this summer in August 2009. These pictures are rare, as Vancouver does not see many thunder storms especially lightning.
Most of the lighting occurs up in the mountains. But when we do see it, it is fast and usually furious. These picture were taken standing along side of the Kitsilano Pool 1  hour before the Vancouver Fireworks show 2009.

Top 3/10 Reasons why I love to live in Kitsilano - Sunsets

Sunsets at, beside or on Kitsilano Beach are spectacular. You have so many things that occur at once. First you have the mountains that dazzle your senses. Second you have the splendor of the Pacific Ocean. Third, you have the reflection of the Kitsilano Pool. Fourth, you have a natural environment. Fifth you have the small yet quaint Kitsilano Yacht Club that can give some pictures a focus point. Six, you have the sail boats, yachts and freighter that are always changing, like that of the sunset.

Vancouver Olympics - disruptions in moving around

All forms of vehicle traffic will grind to a hault during the Olympics. Moving vans will be heavily restricted from parking as the city has developed many area as non stop parking even commercial parking zone areas. So if you are moving in February call your moving company to see what plans they have to get you in or out of your home. Make the necessary and appropriate arrangements.

For information about traffic restrictions, please visit here.

For a traffic map of downtown Vancouver, please visit here.

Residential Home Sales in British Columbia Climb - September 2009

According to the British Columbia MLS, residential sales in the province climbed 68% in September compared to the same month last year. MLS sales price in British Columbia climbed 15% to $474,169 from $412,149 from September 2008. The hot spots for residential sales is the Lower mainland and Victoria.

To read more following this link:www.bcrea.bc.ca/news_room/2009-09.pdf.

Vancouver Real Estate August 2009 Stats

Between what we were experiencing last August 2008 compared to today, we are certainly in a different market. Who would of predicted that sales for August 2009 would rise 119.5% compared to last August.

A) Total Active Listings in Greater Vancouver currently sits at 11,937 down 33% from last year. From looking at this Stat alone, one could predict 1) house prices will rise, 2) Stability in the market, 3) Multiple offers in the market place.

B) MLSlink Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 11.4% since the beginning of the year. To put this in perspective, we are down only 1.1% compared to August stats from last year. In other words we have regained almost all our previous losses.

C) Detached Property Sales up 155.5% from August 2008

D) Attached Property Sales up 108.2% from August 2008

E) Apartment Property Sales up 97.8% from August 2008

Download the complete stats package by clicking here.

British Columbia's 3rd Quarter 2009 update for Residential Sales

A client of mine asked me "Where are we with regards to sales for this year" I replied by saying that we are doing very well, so much better than anyone could have predicted 6 months ago. Here is some of that conversation with stats and links for more information.

I went on to say that the BCREA (British Columbia Real Estate Association) says " BC home sales are the brightest lights in the economy.

1) MLS sales are forecasted to climb 15% from 68,923 units in 2008 to 79,400 in 2009. And a further prediction for sales to increase 6% to 84,200 units in 2010.

2) Chief Economist Cameron Muir said "Home sales have doubled since January, with prices edging higher in Metro Vancouver and Victoria.

The full BCREA Housing Forecast Update is available at: www.bcrea.bc.ca/economics/HousingForecast.pdf.

According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association(BCREA), Real Estate Confidence is improving

Acording to The BCREA magazine called "The Bulletin" Home ownership perception has changed. This adjustment in optimism that this May report suggests, may possible be the reflection in home sales that we have been seeing over the last couple of months. This report conducted by Mustel Group Market Research discovered the following.

1) 4 out of 10 British Columbians plan or hope to purchase a home in the next 5 years.

2) 44% of Purchasers who are aware of the PTT (Property Transfer Tax) said that it played a role in their purchasing decisions.

3) 50% of home owners were more likely to "Green" their homes than last year at the same time.

These and other factors have caused home ownership perceptions to change. These changes in optimism that this report has uncovered may possible be the reflection in home sales that we have been experiencing over the last couple of months.

To Read more: www.qualityoflife.bcrea.bc.ca/research.htm.

Balanced Playing field for Buyers & Sellers in Vancouver & Victoria

We have been waiting for some great new that can be substantiated. From this graph the Listing to Sales Ratio has pushed it's way into the area of balance. I believe this is the best for all Buyers and Sellers alike. It is what I like to call a balanced playing field where the number of Sellers and Buyers are equally matched. This can also be looked at as a healthy representative in the Market Place. In the recent past (late 2008- early 2009) we experience a market where their were no buyers and prices fell. If you look at the years of 2005 - 2008 we saw a market where homes were selling faster, in multiply offers and prices were rising. Note: From what I see in the market place and projecting out into the future I see a further upswing in the market place with prices moving up and eroding our losses from the previous year.

The following are a few points of interest for everyone.

1) British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that MLS Residential Sales rose 53% to 10,051 in July 2009, compared to the same month last year.

2) Chief economist for BCREA Cameron Muir state "Record home sales in Metro Vancouver and Victoria propelled the province into balanced conditions".

3) Year to date MLS sales declined 10% to 21 billion over last year.

4) 46,380 homes were sold in the first 7 months 2009. That's down 6% from 2008 figures. The Average MLS price is still down 4% to $451,758

For the complete news release, including detailed statistics, follow this link: www.bcrea.bc.ca/news_room/2009-07.pdf.

Vancouver Real Estate shows record Sales in july 09

Record sales in july 2009 totalled 4,114. The best volume of sales ever recorded within REBGV.(Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver). Out paced record sales held back in july of 2003 of 4,023. Since the beginning of 2009 the Housing Price Index's bench mark price for homes has risen by 9.2%, to $528,821 from $484,211. However home prices compared to July 2008 levels are down 5%.

To read more follow this link.

Download the complete stats package by clicking here.