If you’ve ever walked through a display suite in an upscale condominium, or done a lookie-loo tour at the open house for a new, modern home, chances are you will experience what’s known as the “wow” factor.    At the recent open house of a $3million-plus new home in the Dunbar area, I was struck by the outstanding décor theme the seller had implemented. Rather than showing the home as a stark, empty and echo-filled shell, the warmth and beauty of furnishings and accents made it appear off a movie set, with rich woods, leathers and warm, West Coast colour schemes.    “Who are these demi-Gods of decorating?” I asked myself, as the rest of my family perused the three storeys decked out in glamorous accoutrements. Fortunately, the company had left its business cards for pick-up, so I gave t... 11/16/2008

Vancouver real estate market analysis for Kitsilano condos saw sales for the month of October down to 15 from 24 in September. Listings flat at 187, versus 184 for September.  Average price for sold condos increased from $408,,159.to $427,850.  Average Days on the market increased from 32 to 36.  October saw a bottom end market with the majority of sales under $500,000 in this hood. Kits condo supply up from seven and a half months to 12 months.  The price range between $500,000 and $600,000 and over $700,000 is has the most inventory. Kitsilano prices are off 6% since January. Listings 187 - 8 listed under $300,000. 58 listed between $300,000 and $400,000.  58 listed between $400,000 and $500,000. 28 listed between $500,000 and $600,000.  21 listed between $600,000 and $700,000. 14 lis... 11/14/2008

Jamieson House halts construction Building permits pick up pace in September Canadian Home Builders Association says Metro Vancouver real estate market will bounce back BC job losses now the highest since December 2006, now at 5.1% CMHC predicts 11% drop in BC home sales for 2009 Read the rest of this post 11/14/2008

Vancouver real estate in the West End saw October listings  up a tad from 257 in September to 268.  Sales were down from  29 in September to 16.  The days on the market for condos that sold dropped 65 to 45.   The average selling price dropped from $447,834. to $370,468, the lowest for the year and a 35% drop since January.  Half the sales were under $300,000 and 90% of the sales were under $400,000. The West End has over 16 months of supply. read the rest of this post and view the graph 11/13/2008

On November 23, 2008 several CRDA members (Canadian Redesigners' Association) will be showcasing decorated homes for the holidays in support of Ovarian Cancer research.  The tour will showcase 12 homes in the Deer Lake area of Burnaby followed by refreshments at the Burnaby Art Gallery Fireside room at Deer Lake.  Tickets  Can be purchased from Sacha Lehto at 604-675-8242 or slehto@bccancer.bc.ca or online at http://www.bccancerfoundation.com/aholidayhometour.  Register early as there are limited tickets available.  This promises to be a great way to get into the holiday spirit and support ovarian cancer research.  The event is supported by the Rotary Club of Burnaby Deer Lake, hosted by the Ovarian Cancer Support Group and benefits the BC Cancer foundation.  There are many event sponso... 11/12/2008

In this video I discuss how the quality of everything associated with the sale of your home will effect it's value. Lousy pictures equal less money, good pictures equal more money; crummy looking sign equals less money, good looking sign equals more money; poor staging, clutter, messy and dirty home equals less money, clean, tidy and staged equals more money. You get the idea. The video is below, I encourage your comments. The video player here is a bit weird. You can also watch this on tv.604homes.com or on my viddler page.   11/12/2008

The above graphs show Vancouver (west side) real estate graphs for houses, townhouses and condos and shows monthly activity over the last twelve months. The house and condo graphs indicates a reduction in listings, which are now back to the June level. Townhome listings are the highest for the past 12 months. The number of new listings per month, for all types of property, decreased in October. Dollar volume for all types of property is the lowest for the past 12 months, though the chart for house sand condos seems to indicate a levelling. The average price for all types of property was up in October and is higher than it was in October 2007. The median pricefor houses is down and even with a year ago. The median price for townhomes is up and higher than a year ago. The median price for... 11/11/2008

Vancouver real estate market analysis for Kitsilano condos saw sales for the month of October down to 14, versus 24 in September. Listings levelling off from 184 in September to 186.  Average price for sold condos increased from  $408,,159.to $414, 375.  Average Days on the market increased from 32 to 36.  Again October saw a bottom end market with only 2 sales above $500,000 in this hood.  Thirteen months supply of condos. Kitsilano average condo prices are off 8% since January and equal to where it was in August. Listings 186 -  8 listed under $300,000. 57 listed between $300,000 and $400,000.  57  listed between $400,000 and $500,000. 29  listed between $500,000 and $600,000.  34 listed over $600,000, including one over $1M. Most expensive is First Penthouse, over 1500 sqft with 800 ... 11/11/2008

Are you looking forward to getting your home ready for the holidays?  I know I am.  There are so many colour choices this year to focus on.  Should I go Robin's egg blue, white and silver - with some fluffy feathers?  Or, do I go more traditional with the reds and greens?  Hmm, whatever you choose it should be something you love, whether you are pulling out favourites from years past or want to 'take it up a notch' this year and try some of the season's fun colours like the above mentioned blue and lime green, or, maybe the rosy pinks with some light pink and gold mixed in. Oh, and how about those new artificial trees - they are coming in colours like white or pink or have all the lights built in - too bad I prefer a real tree ~ especially the fragrance!  Which do you prefer?  Whatever ... 11/08/2008

Mortgage payment problem increases when home owners are faced with financial difficulties. A slowdown in the real estate market is seeing home prices dropping in many regions. The recent drop in real-estate values is sending homeowners to the poor house. A recent Vancouver Sun article "Bankruptcies climb in B.C." high-lighted the blight of many home owners who are in financial difficulties.Mortgage DelinquencyThere is a close link between house prices and mortgage delinquency rates. Most delinquencies and foreclosures are often precipitated by life events such as the loss of employment, illness and divorce. However, the amount of equity in a home affects the ability or willingness of a homeowner to keep current on his or her mortgage payment. This is especially true for home buyers who ... 11/08/2008

the 11th day of the 11th month marks the signing of the Armistice to end WW1 in 1918. This year is the 90th anniversary of the end of WW1 and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The City of Vancouver's Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held on: Tuesday, November 11th  at 10:30 a.m.Cenotaph at Victory Square(West Hastings Street, between Cambie and Hamilton) These ceremonies, which include a wreath-laying to honour those who gave their lives.  Weather permitting there will be a commemorative fly-past at 11 a.m. by the Recreational Aircraft Association, Western Warbirds, and 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron. There are also simultaneous Remembrance Day ceremonies taking place at several Vancouver parks, including Stanley Park's Japanese Memorial (west of Aquariu... 11/08/2008

The REBGV reports that Greater Vancouver housing price reductions across Greater Vancouver over the last six months have eliminated price gains witnessed in the first quarter of 2008. October was the slowest month of the year for sales. Active listings were down and the median price is down from September 2008 . Active listings 1% higher in October, over a year ago. Average price for October versus September 2008 went UP (+04%).  Residential benchmark prices, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index, declined 8.8% between May and October 2008, resulting in a 3.9% year to date price reduction for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver between October 2007 and 2008. In May 2008 the overall residential benchmark price was $568,411, compared to $518,668 in ... 11/08/2008

Buying a home can be an intimidating process.  Before you make the biggest financial commitment of your lifetime, attend our FREE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER SEMINAR The seminar will be held at the TD branch, 2801 Granville St X 12th Ave Thursday, November 6, 2008 TIME: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Refreshments and prizes! Register Now! 778-847-5175 Learn to take advantage of the current buyer's market. Buying a home for the first time is difficult when there are so many factors to consider. Make this process easier by attending the Free Home Buying Seminar that will cover topics such as knowing the right time to buy, how to find the best mortgage rate to suit your budget needs, 35-year amortization plans, 95 per cent financing options, mortgage eligibility for self-employed workers and CHMC information... 11/05/2008

Premier Gordon Campbell just announced two measures to assist BC homeowners. Firstly, The Province will lock in the property assessment roll for one year to create certainty for homeowners, businesses and local governments.  "We know that property values have fluctuated widely since assessments were conducted last July," said Premier Campbell. "To avoid confusion, anxiety and unnecessary assessment appeals prompted by higher-assessed property values that do not reflect current market conditions, we will lock-in B.C.'s assessment rolls at 2007 assessed levels." read the rest of this post 11/05/2008

Consumer Alert!  On October 28th the Financial Institutions Commission posted this article on their website. Recent difficulties in global financial markets have led to delays in obtaining financing commitments and building permits for some development properties marketed in British Columbia under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act. Developers who have not obtained a building permit or satisfactory financing to build a development are permitted to market a development under the Superintendent of Real Estate's Policy Statements 5 and 6 for a period of nine months on certain conditions. Those conditions allow marketing if the estimated date for the issuance of a building permit and for obtaining a satisfactory financing commitment, as disclosed in the disclosure statement, is nine ... 11/05/2008

Not all Vancouver real estate is expensive....move east first time buyer and you can find a condo for $199,000. The Hastings area has good value for the first time buyer. We just listed a smart one bedroom at 2255 Eton. It's a corner ground floor suite with a large patio. It has insuite laundry, underground secured parking and a locker. The building was rainscreened and had a new roof in 2004.  Rentals are restricted. read the rest of this post 11/05/2008

www.AlphonseQ.com - The "Q" Report Sales in Metro Vancouver including West Vancouver Homes and North Vancouver Homes have slowed considerably and prices have reversed.  People are still planning on buying as indicated by Ipsos Reid. A new Ipsos Reid survey shows that the number of people who intend to buy is holding steady. Sean Simpson of Ipsos Reid says "Home purchasing intentions in Canada are relatively stable. Nationally, they are down just one percentage point from when we asked the question in January and in British Columbia they are actually up one percentage point" Ipsos Reid says 22% of Canadians are considering a move in the next two years, and that jumps to 27% in B.C. 11/03/2008

VANCOUVER, B.C. www.AlphonseQ.com  The "Q" Report November 3, 2008 - Housing price reductions across Greater Vancouver over the last six months have eliminated price gains witnessed in the first quarter of 2008.  The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential benchmark prices, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, declined 8.8 per cent between May and October 2008, resulting in a 3.9 per cent year-to-date price reduction for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver between Octobers 2007 and 2008. In May 2008, the overall residential benchmark price was $568,411, compared to $518,668 in October 2008.  "Home sales are not keeping pace with the positive economic conditions in BC," said REBGV president, Dave Watt. "That's a d... 11/03/2008

False Creek Real Estate Statistics Wow! There are are some pretty remarkable numbers here this month. False Creek real estate got hit over the head with a 3 day old baguette this past month. Of the 14 units listed for sale in False Creek in October, NOT ONE, sold! There were only 4 units sold in the whole month and three of those were pre-paid leasehold units! All that being said the average, and median, list price to sale price ratio was a very healthy 98! Take a look at the stats below. I am hoping to add some sexy graphs soon, but I still have some learning to do on the spreadsheet programs. LISTED IN FALSE CREEK IN OCTOBER Freehold Strata Units Listed:  11 (20,6,28)Pre-paid Leasehold Strata Units Listed: 2 (12,2,2)Non Pre-paid Leasehold Strata Units Listed:  1  ( 2,0,1)Total Units L... 11/03/2008

Oyama Sausage Company Canadian Cheese Festival - November 7,8,9 I haven't got a lot of info on this one, but next Friday, Saturday & Sunday is the Canadian Cheese Festival at the Oyama Sausage Company (annoying flash site) in the Granville Island Market. The Oyama Sausage Co. is one of our family's favourite stops in the market with their free samples and delicious nitratrate free deli meats and sausages. I am sure the cheese is excellent too, but the kids don't appreciate that kind of thing yet. I am hoping to have more info on this one soon. This post originally appearred on my False Creek blog, the False Creek Comet. 11/01/2008