peter townsend's vancouver real estate blog

Barcelona chair by Mies Van der Rohe

You have probably seen it a thousand times and chances are, sat in several. You might even be lucky enough to own one. It seems that these days, no home staging would be complete without one. Mies van der Rohe's most famous landmark work is probably the Chrysler building in New York, but could the 50's chair be his most defining legacy? "Less is more..."  quote: mies van der rohe

March 2012 Vancouver Sales Stats: Has the market reached Turning point?

"Increased selection helps maintain balance in Greater Vancouver housing market"
"VANCOUVER, B.C. – April 3, 2012 – Home sales in March trended below the 10-year average in Greater Vancouver while home listing activity outpaced what’s typical for the month. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,874 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March 2012. This represents a 12.9 per cent increase compared to the 2,545 sales recorded in February 2012, a decline of 29.6 per cent compared to the 4,080 sales in March 2011 and an 8.4 per cent decline compared to the 3,137 home sales in March 2010."  Source REBGV press release

Translation: Sounds like the market maybe slowing and there are more high priced listings coming onto the market than there appear to be buyers with appetites...

The recent press release from the REBGV gives a nicely worded "balance" to the whole current market status. "Fluffy & "friendly, without upsetting anyone" must be their mantra. But is the Vancouver bubble about to burst?

2 Legal Lots: 1975 Trimble St. West Point Grey, Vancouver

Panoramic water, city and North Shore mountain views, just five blocks from Locarno Beach. A rare opportunity to purchase a full double width corner lot approx. 11,100 sq. ft. (2 legal lots) in this highly desirable location. $4,999,000. Read more

Knock off Designer chairs anyone?

Being a huge fan of contemporary architecture and furniture, I'm always intrigued (and tortured) by the rational behind buying "knock-off" or copies of design classics. Please don't get me wrong, I totally understand the economics of it and have myself gone down that route before. However I realised, ultimately, the only person I was really cheating was myself. After seeing this video from Designer furniture gurus Fritz Hansen I'm convinced that saving up for the real item is the only way!

Find Your Architectural Style...

 

(exterior design by raleigh architect, Coffee with an Architect)

Being in my business one can't help but take an interest in Architecture. Well, my interest goes slightly further than that, as growing up, becoming an architect was one of my "dream jobs". Hence my obsession with all things architectural.

Continuing on with the theme of house building, those of you in the process of building or considering building a home in Vancouver, might find this amusing blog article from "coffee with an architect" on Houzz.com 

 

Tom Kundig on Design, Sustainability and the Importance of Sharing!

Naturally, I get to drive around quite a bit and so I am always excited to see new, contemporary homes being built. We are lucky to live in an amazing location with challenging but stunning topography that I feel, deserves outstanding world class architecture.

One of my favorite architects, Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig architects, is virtually a local, but to my knowledge has not yet been commissioned to design a residence here on the North Shore. If you are thinking of building, maybe you should give him a call...if you are still looking for the right lot to build on then of course you should call me.

Just Listed: Michael Jackson's home on sale for $23.9 million

Not exactly M.J.'s home, but the plush Los Angeles mansion where the world's most famous pop star died is on sale for $23.9 million.

The 17,000 sq. ft. 7-bedroom, 13-bathroom property, described as the centrepiece of an “elegant and sophisticated French chateau estate,” includes its own movie theater, a gym and a pool. Sounds like better value than some homes for sale in West Vancouver!

Just Listed: Great investment opportunity in low Shaughnessy

Superb location. Exclusive Low Shaughnessy / South Granville neighbourhood. Quiet, bright and substantially renovated. Rarely available 2-bedroom suite situated on sought-after, quiet-side of the building. Dark wood floors, elegant bath, upgraded kitchen, in-suite laundry, high ceilings and a large balcony. Parking and storage included. Well maintained and established building. Close to desirable South Granville shopping district, Granville Island, transit and minutes to Downtown. Pets and rentals allowed. More info or more images:

Food Carts in Vancouver parks by Summer 2012?

 I just returned from Portland  following a short Spring Break getaway with my family, and as a dedicated "foodie" I was absolutely blown away by the mind boggling array of food trucks to choose from in and around the city. Unfortunately there were not enough days in our break to get around to trying all the ones that caught my eye and appetite! So the next time they ask me "the reason for my visit" at the border crossing I'm going to reply "food carts"!

If you too, are a fan of food carts or trucks then good news is brought to us via Tourism Vancouver's informative, multi-author blog: Inside Vancouver in an interesting article: Food Carts in Vancouver parks by Summer 2012? By Taraneh

The Image of the Architect

I saw this the other day and thought of all my friends and clients who are currently building a new home...no further comment necessary...