peter townsend's vancouver real estate blog

2012...end of the world? 7 trends impacting housing

Housing prices climb to global heights for latest Olympics host

  Interesting article here from the Inman News on

Real Estate Market Report: Vancouver, Canada  By Gilbert Mohtes-Chan. 

 

Home prices in Greater Vancouver, Canada, continue to rise as the region's spring homebuying season got off to a strong start. 

Buyers flocked to the market during the first quarter, fueled by heavy sales volume in the Richmond and Vancouver West areas. Although housing sales slowed in April, the benchmark housing price increased, topping $620,000. read full article

 

Greater Vancouver housing market sees typical spring activity in April...

"Typical Activity"? I guess by "typical activity" the REBGV simply mean  "hundreds of foreign buyers seeking to invest billions of dollars into local Real Estate" ! Anyway you will find the full REBGV report below:

However, what you do need to know is that houses are selling over three times faster than the same period last year! and that the average number of days on the market is around 23. (last year it was 90)

In April 2011 West Vancouver saw 141 detached homes sold, slightly less than March (152), the "hot" Vancouver Westside saw 214 sold, again slightly less than March (279 and North Vancouver saw 133 sold, just one less than in March.

Largest Residential Sale in Canada for two years.

 
What can The Brand do for you?

Sotheby's International Realty Canada are proud to announce that just this past week Jim Burtnick and Andy Taylor of our Toronto office, were a part of the largest residential sale Canada has seen over the past two years. A luxury residence in Teddington Park has just sold for a huge $17.5M! The client who purchased the property was a direct referral from our Sotheby’s International Realty office in Massachusetts and is a true testament to the strength of the Sotheby's Brand, our International Reach and our exclusive, growing network of professionals.

Whatever the value of your home, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand coupled with an unparalleled quality of service goes far beyond just establishing the list price and the signing of documents to load onto MLS. After nearly a year of negotiations and confirming the deal, the work for Andy and Jim continues as they help their clients with timely advice, interior design and decoration, as well as staffing and other follow up relocation services for the purchaser.

If you would ike to know what Sotheby's International Realty Canada can do for you please give me a call on 604 218 2903

 

There goes the neighbourhood....Stunning White Rock contemporary

Wallpaper Magazine just featured this amazing futuristic home designed by Vancouver based architects OAO. Check out the interactive plans

Architecture News: Letter from Canada

 
Interesting article about contemporary Canadian Architecture in Wallpaper magazine by Will Jones

THE ADDRESS : The Business of Extraordinary Living : Presented by Sotheby's International Realty

With each passing day, week, month and year the power of social media for connecting buyers and sellers of luxury real estate grows. Roger Ewing, President, Ewing & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty, speaks to those dynamic possibilities.

via online.wsj.com

Who are the Active Buyers in the Vancouver Real Estate Market?

 
Interesting blog from Marketing company Braun Allison:

Who are the Active Buyers in the Vancouver Real Estate Market?

3 hour photo shoot at sunset.......

It's 10.15 p.m. and I just got back from spending 3 hours at my client's property with a photographic team getting this stunning image and many more. It's just one of the things I insist on when taking a new listing. Always showing the property myself is another fundamental service I undertake. When 98% of all buyers start their search for a new property online, you had better be sure the pictures capture their attention. I also shot  the image below of my new baby on my phone whilst we waited for the right light!

 

March 2010 Sales Stats: Home listings rise to start the spring season.....

OK! After reading the PR blurb below you might be forgiven for wanting to pop open the champagne and celebrate the vibrant activity in our somewhat unique Real Estate market. But it's important to gain a little perspective before you do so.... unless you live or own property in Vancouver West side...in which case, go ahead, drink and be merry...very merry. Otherwise my focus on our local market is a little more sobering:

Yes, we are currently showing a 29% gain over one year in West Vancouver and 24.5% in North Vancouver on the "Benchmark price". However most of that gain is a simple recuperation of the market position following the recent market troubles. A more measured and realistic view would be  to look at the 3yr. gains which are considerably more modest. 7.4 for West Van. and 13.8 for North Van.

If you really want to know why they should all get drunk over on the West side it's because it's a red hot market over there subsequently the 1 yr. gain is 47%, the 3 yr. 33%! and if you have held your property for 5 years it's a whopping 92%! Good time to sell and move to West Van....