Saturday, October 24, 2009

September GVRD Real Estate Statistics

REBGV September Stats
Buyer demand remains strong while home listings increase

More supply and continued demand means stabilized prices as inventory increases creating more competition for sellers and more selection for buyers.

Sales of apartment properties in September 2009 increased 94.9 per cent to 1,489, compared to 764 sales in September 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 1.5 per cent from September 2008 to $374,686.

Greater Vancouver home sales remained strong last month, with the second highest number of residential sales ever recorded for the month of September.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,559 in September 2009, an increase of 3.4 per cent from the 3,441 sales recorded in August 2009, and an increase of 124.5 per cent compared to September 2008 when 1,585 sales were recorded.

“As homes sales in Greater Vancouver continued at an elevated pace in September it’s encouraging to see that more homes were listed on the MLS® in the month than any other so far this year,” Scott Russell, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 5,764 in September 2009. This represents a 6.2 per cent decline compared to September 2008 when 6,142 new units were listed, but a 26.8 per cent increase compared to August 2009 when 4,544 properties were listed on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver.

At 12,596, the total number of property listings on the MLS® increased 5.5 per cent in September compared to last month and declined 36 per cent from the 19,852 homes listed for sale during the buyer’s market that was experienced at this time last year.

“During this period of renewed demand in our marketplace, home values have gradually recovered from the declines that occurred in 2008,” said Russell.

Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 13 per cent to $547,092 from $484,211, while home prices compared to Septembers 2008 levels are up 1.6 per cent.

Sales of detached properties increased 160.6 per cent to 1,423 from the 546 detached sales recorded during the same period in 2008. The benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for detached properties increased 2.1 per cent from September 2008 to $741,632.

Sales of apartment properties in September 2009 increased 94.9 per cent to 1,489, compared to 764 sales in September 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 1.5 per cent from September 2008 to $374,686.

Attached property sales in September 2009 are up 135.3 per cent to 647, compared with the 275 sales in September 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 0.4 per cent between Septembers 2008 and 2009 to $466,276.

Get the Complete Stats PAckage with Graphs Here: http://www.rebgv.org/sites/default/files/REBGV%20Stats%20Package_September%202009.pdf

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Stu Bell at anytime at 604.562.0532 or stu@stubell.com.

RIP Jack Poole

Rest In Peace Jack Poole (4/4/1933 - 10/23/2009). You are an inspiration, congratulations on an epic Life, and Thank You for making Vancouver what it is today. A Visionary, A Businessman, A Sportsman, A Great Canadian.

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/great+Canadian+great+westerner+great/2140502/story.html#

Thursday, October 22, 2009

SAT & SUN OPEN HOUSE Mira on The Park 2-4pm


Join me this Weekend from 2-4pm on Saturday and Sunday for a first look at The Mira on The Park in Booming Lower Lonsdale. This 1266 sq ft Sub Penthouse sits high above Victoria Park and features stunning Mountain, Park, and Ocean views, fitness facilities, hardwood, granite, marble, 100 sq ft patio and more! Mira on the Park is a Boutique concrete highrise with equisite finishings and exclusive living.

901-683 Victoria Park West North Vancouver

Visit http://www.NorthVanApartments.com for more information.

New Ferry connecting Coal Harbour and Ambelside!


WV approves downtown ferry link

Pilot project for foot passengers will run from 14th Street pier

Sarah Ripplinger, North Shore News

Published: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

It's anchors away for a privately operated ferry service after District of West Vancouver council agreed Monday to a proposal to transport passengers between the 14th Street pier and the Bute Street dock in downtown Vancouver.

The 70-passenger ferry service is set to launch in November as a six-month trial project. The service will be an extension of the Bowen Island to Bute Street Dock service that was set up by Coastal Link Ferries in October, 2008.

Six sailings are expected to run Monday to Friday, split between two rush-hour shifts, with a total one-way trip time of approximately 15 minutes. The morning sailings are tentatively scheduled for 7:30, 8 and 8:30 a.m. and the afternoon sailings for 4:30, 5 and 5:30 p.m. The cost for the ferry ride would be $5 one-way and $9 round trip. A special introductory fee of $4 one-way and $7 round trip would be in effect for the first month of operation according to Coastal Link's Ihab Shaker.
COASTAL Link's Bowen Island to downtown Vancouver ferry will be adding West Vancouver as a port of call come November for a six-month trial period.View Larger Image View Larger Image
COASTAL Link's Bowen Island to downtown Vancouver ferry will be adding West Vancouver as a port of call come November for a six-month trial period.
photo submitted
Email to a friend Email to a friend Printer friendly Printer friendly
Font:

"I think this is a really exciting opportunity, especially for the merchants of Ambleside and commuters going downtown," said Coun. Shannon Walker.

Walker said the ferry service could provide commuters coming to and leaving West Vancouver with a useful transportation alternative. "It's another exciting option for people to have to get home," she said.

At present, the ferry is a wholly privately operated service, but a majority of council members voted to approach TransLink for additional funding.

"We're getting shaken down by TransLink at every turn," said Coun. Michael Smith. "It's a rape of our taxpayer." Smith later apologized for the comment.

Smith proposed asking TransLink to cover a portion of the fare of each passenger travelling on the ferry. "It's ridiculous what we pay in property taxes, gas taxes and everything else to TransLink and we never get anything back, so we have to be constantly in their face saying, look we want something back for our tax dollars."

Walker opposed the motion, stating that she felt it should remain solely in the hands of a private operator.

Council discussed the possibility of expanding the dock so that people could park their boats and visit the restaurants and other commercial establishments in Ambleside. That proposal, as well as the ferry service, fits into the official community plan and Ambleside community plan, which call for the revitalization of the area.

Parking could become an issue, however, if the number of visitors to Ambleside increases substantially, Coun. Trish Panz noted.

Some all-day parking is available at Ambleside Park, said Mark Chan, manager of corporate initiatives with the district, but John Lawson Park offers only three hour parking and the others only one- to two-hour parking spaces.

As such, Chan said, the ferry service is currently being targeted towards pedestrians and cyclists.

Stephen Jenkins, manager of sustainability, said that there could also be an option for more parking near the pier.

Up to five bicycle parking spaces will be available on the ferry, according to Shaker.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Open House 3475 Mathers, West Vancouver Oct 18th 2009


Lovely family home in a prime West Bay location. Gorgeous city and harbour views, extensively updated with great taste and style. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms, large principal rooms including a great kitchen with eating area. Meticulously maintained from top to bottom. In the sought after West Bay Elementary catchment, home of The Provinces finest IB program. Low maintenance, meticulous landscaping on a very private lot backed up against a stunning rockface. Priced at assesed value, an amazing package for the discerning buyer!

Open 2-4pm Sunday October 18th, 2009.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Weekend Opens for October 3-4

Saturday October 3rd 2009 2111 Ottawa Ave, West Vancouver, British Columbia from 2-4pm!

Well updated revenue property in Upper Dundarave. Main level living provides a bright, spacious living area with an attached solarium and large deck from which to enjoy the view to the water and Downtown. The completely renovated kitchen is new in the last 2 years and with 3 bedrooms up you have lots of space. Below is a renovated self-contained 2 bedroom in-law suite with brand new carpets, paint and appliances. This house maximizes windows & is bright year-round and offers parking for up to 5 cars!

Sunday October 4th I will be at 3475 Mathers Ave, West Vancouver from 2-4pm!

Lovely family home in a prime West Bay location. Gorgeous city and harbour views, extensively updated with great taste and style. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms, large principal rooms including a great kitchen with eating area. Meticulously maintained from top to bottom. A pleasure to show!

REBGV September Stats

October 2, 2009

September statistics suggest Buyers confidence and demand is still very high, while increased inventory means more selection for Buyers and more competition for sellers.

Get complete Stats Package for Greater Vancouver at http://www.rebgv.org/sites/default/files/REBGV%20Stats%20Package_September%202009.pdf

Greater Vancouver home sales remained strong last month, with the second highest number of residential sales ever recorded for the month of September.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,559 in September 2009, an increase of 3.4 per cent from the 3,441 sales recorded in August 2009, and an increase of 124.5 per cent compared to September 2008 when 1,585 sales were recorded.

“As homes sales in Greater Vancouver continued at an elevated pace in September it’s encouraging to see that more homes were listed on the MLS® in the month than any other so far this year,” Scott Russell, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 5,764 in September 2009. This represents a 6.2 per cent decline compared to September 2008 when 6,142 new units were listed, but a 26.8 per cent increase compared to August 2009 when 4,544 properties were listed on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver.

At 12,596, the total number of property listings on the MLS® increased 5.5 per cent in September compared to last month and declined 36 per cent from the 19,852 homes listed for sale during the buyer’s market that was experienced at this time last year.

“During this period of renewed demand in our marketplace, home values have gradually recovered from the declines that occurred in 2008,” said Russell.

Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 13 per cent to $547,092 from $484,211, while home prices compared to Septembers 2008 levels are up 1.6 per cent.

Sales of detached properties increased 160.6 per cent to 1,423 from the 546 detached sales recorded during the same period in 2008. The benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for detached properties increased 2.1 per cent from September 2008 to $741,632.

Sales of apartment properties in September 2009 increased 94.9 per cent to 1,489, compared to 764 sales in September 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 1.5 per cent from September 2008 to $374,686.

Attached property sales in September 2009 are up 135.3 per cent to 647, compared with the 275 sales in September 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 0.4 per cent between Septembers 2008 and 2009 to $466,276.
Download complete stats package by clicking here.

The Real Estate industry is a key economic driver in British Columbia. In 2008, 24,626 homes changed hands in the Board's area generating $1.03 billion in spin-offs. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing more than 9,400 REALTORS®. The Real Estate Board provides a variety of membership services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local REALTOR® or visit www.rebgv.org.