OPEN HOUSES June 26-28

Friday June 25 from 10-12am I am pleased to host my first agents open at 188 Keefer St, Suite #2707 at The Brand New Espana by Henderson!
Saturday, June 27th I will be hosting the first Public Open from 1-4pm. Offered proudly for %578,000! Please call Stu Bell at 604.562.0532 to arrange an appointment.

Sunday, June 28 I am please to present a true masterpiece by Linda Burger at 4769 The Highway in Olde Caulfield from 2-4pm. A must see if you love real estate! Offered proudly for $4,495,000!

JUST SOLD! The Taylor

This finely appointed residence is a GEM, one of the best layouts in The Taylor by Pinnacle! Bright, 2 separate bed, 2 full bath south-west corner residence with solarium and den perched high on the 23rd floor. Stunning 270 degree unobstructed views that stretch from False Creek, Science World, and the Olympic Village to the South, all the way around the West past the city to Canada Place, Lonsdale, and the Northshore Mountains over historic Gastown! In the summer BBQ on your top level Patio and watch the cruise ships departing from Coal Harbour or the Yachts sailing in False Creek. In the winter wake up to snow capped mountains and a time lapse outlook of historic brick buildings to the North West, brand new glass high-rises to the South-West, and Fairview Slopes to the South over Andy Livingston Park. Real Cherry Hardwood floors in the living area, carpeted bedrooms, tiled kitchen and baths, designer paint, granite counter-tops, and in-suite laundry complete this home. 3 Year New building with building security, high end work out facility, and undergound parking. All this with Yaletown, Gastown, Coal Harbour, Tinseltown, T&T Market, the Skytrain, GM Place, and Vancouver's Financial District at your doorstep.

JUST SOLD! Electric Avenue

Convenient luxurious living at Hornby & Smithe in the heart of thriving Downtown Vancouver! Award winning Electric Avenue by Bosa Construction! Just one block to Robson Street. Steps to Starbucks, Paramount theatre, Earls, Vancouver's Financial District, trendy Yaletown shopping, the new Canada Line & much more. Recently renovated with brand new Laminate hardwood floors, new paint. It is a 2 bed 2 bath 2 walk in closets. Enjoy the HUGE patio of over 150sqft facing Hornby Street. Great amenities includes gym, party room with pool table, and Media room located on same floor & access to two stunning roof top Gardens.

JUST SOLD! The Mandalay

This exquisitely appointed low-rise concrete residence at The Mandalay by Cressey sits peacefully in the heart of Richmond, minutes from shopping, dining, the new Canada Line, amenities, and the Vancouver International Airport. This bright, South facing top floor 1 bedroom boasts rich hardwood floors, an oversized, private balcony, thick granite countertops, your personal fireplace, walk-in closet, state of the art stainless steel appliances, in-suite laundry, miele fixtures, and secured underground parking.

JUST SOLD! Edgewater Estates

Completely renovated, top floor, 940 sq ft, south facing 2 bedroom at Edgewater Estates. This gorgeous apartment features spacious rooms, bright south-facing windows, large top floor patio with views, meticulously updated kitchen and bathroom, fresh paint, in-suite laundry, and a peaceful, park-like setting. Steps away from Capilano University, new parks, shopping and dining, schools, Park & Tilford entertainment, and all the outdoor recreational activity the Northshore has to offer. Ideal for first time home buyers, small families, and investors. Rents easily for $1400. An incredible offer for the finest 2 bedroom suite at Edgewater Estates, and the best Value today on the Northshore!

National Post: "Metro Vancouver Home Sales Jump!"

"Sales acitivity is now closer to the pre-recession peak than it is to the recent low point reached last January."

"Strengthening consumer confidence, low interest rates, and improved affordability are drawung buyers to the housing markets across Canada."

Sales are up 43% from January while new construction and listings are down 50%. This means the market is stabilizing nicely and new listings, when priced well, are selling fast with multiple offers.

Last night I was involved in a 26 offer bidding war for a $415,000 apartment at 670 W6th. It sold for $495,000!

Also, the National Post reports that according to RBC the worst of the recession has likely past and 2.9% growth is predicted in BC for next year!

June 14th Open House

1355 Sinclair St Open from 2-4pm!

What an incredible location for this completely, tastefully renovated contemporary Ambleside home. Architecturally designed by Kafka and meticulously renovated by Cragg Built Construction, this home has a wonderful floor plan and offers total privacy. Four bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms, a great family/recreation room and an outstanding, sun drenched patio and swimming pool. Short walk to schools, Hay Park and the new recreation centre! Proudly offered for $1,425,000!

View Pictures and Virtual Tour at http://www.StuBell.com

May GVRD Real Estate Statistics Signaling Rebound

REBGV May Statistics
Increased demand steadies housing market in Greater Vancouver

A continued increase in buyer activity over the last four months has resulted in increased home sales and lessened the downward pressure on housing prices in Greater Vancouver.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,524 in May 2009, an increase of 17.4 per cent from the 3,002 sales recorded in May 2008, and an increase of 18.9 per cent compared to last month.

Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 4.5 per cent to $506,201 from $484,211. However, home prices compared to May 2008 levels are down 10.9 per cent.

“The increased level of buyer activity over the last few months has had a stabilizing effect on home prices across our region,” Scott Russell, REBGV president said. “MLS® data continues to show a trend toward a balanced market in the region.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties declined in Greater Vancouver, down 36 per cent to 4,733 in May 2009 compared to May 2008, when 7,390 new units were listed. At 13,641, the total number of property listings on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) declined 4.7 per cent compared to last month and 16 per cent compared to May 2008.

Sales of detached properties increased 16.5 per cent to 1,402 from the 1,203 detached sales recorded during the same period in 2008. The HPI benchmark price for detached properties declined 11.8 per cent from May 2008 to $680,320.

Sales of apartment properties in May 2009 increased 17.2 per cent to 1,458, compared to 1,244 sales in May 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property declined 10.2 per cent from May 2008 to $349,987.

Attached property sales in May 2009 are up 19.6 per cent to 664, compared with the 555 sales in May 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit decreased 9 per cent between May 2008 and 2009 to $435,848.
Bright spots in Greater Vancouver in May 2009 compared to May 2008:

Detached:
Burnaby up 48.9 % (140 units sold from 94)

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 13.4 % (144 units sold from 127)

North Vancouver up 31.4 % (134 units sold from 102)

Port Moody/Belcarra up 52.6 % (29 units sold from 19)

Richmond up 14.0 $ (170 units sold from 142)

Vancouver East up 11.1 per cent (180 units sold from 162)

Vancouver West up 59.5 per cent (193 units sold from 121)

Attached:

Burnaby up 31.5 % (96 units sold from 73)

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 43.8 % (46 units sold from 32)

North Vancouver up 31.8 % (58 units sold from 44)

Vancouver West up 54.5 % (102 units sold from 66)

Apartments:

Burnaby up 32.6 % (187 units sold from 141)

North Vancouver up 22.6 % (103 units sold from 84)

Richmond up 27.4 % (200 units sold from 157)

Vancouver East up 28.7 % (139 units sold from 108)

Vancouver West up 25.4 % (529 units sold from 422)