Vancouver BC real estate

Brain Exercise

2012-02-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about differences between two things that almost aren't comparable? I use to think about stuff like this all the time. It seems to me that it's like a warm-up for my brain and it keeps it sharp.

Today I have been thinking about Toronto and Calgary. Specifically about the difference between Toronto condos and Calgary suburbs. I live in Vancouver, so finding out facts and comparing them was a little tricky, but I've done it. Now I have let my brain exercise and I can move to other stuff - this time important.

Try to exercise your brain as much as possible!

Christmas Markets - A Sentimental Looking Back

2012-01-26T09:41:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love Christmas markets.

The whole feeling of it, you know, the atmosphere, people mostly happy and the little chit-chats here and there...

Today I was thinking about how Christmas comes and goes and it occured to me, that maybe even when Christmas 2011 is a thing of the past maybe I can look back at some of the best Chritmas Markets of this year.

So here they are:

Talinn Christmas Market

Skellefteas Christmas Market

Essen Christmas Market

And something about Christmas Shopping!

Visit to Toronto

2012-01-20T05:29:00.000-08:00

I haven't been to Toronto a long while, so I decided to visit this business Mecca of Canada and I must say that I'm pretty happy I'm living in Vancouver.

As a Vancouver real estate agent working in the Vancouver housing market my whole life, I find there is a lot to love about Vancouver and hate about Toronto. As a Toronto visitor, I think there is a lot to like about Toronto, but a even more to love about Vancouver (when you get home). If you're visiting Toronto, it's easy to be astounded by the sheer volume of concrete, steel and especially glass. The downtown is just overwhelming. Vancouver has a quite a lot glass and steel buildings, but Toronto is a far larger and higher city and has a condo boom going, so there's no point in comparing the two.

Sure, there are more opportunities for a real estate agent in Toronto as there are in Vancouver, but I think working in Vancouver real estate is the happier option. You work with a city by the ocean and close to great mountains. The value of real estate is greatly influenced by the natural surroundings, so Vancouver is clearly winning here over Toronto. This can also be seen on the high prices of homes in Downtown Vancouver. This area is very popular among wealthy Asian immigrants, so the price keeps going up. Let's hope it won't influence other sellers to make price hikes, as I would like to see a lot of happy home buyers this coming year.

Study finds More Roads to Increase Overall Traffic and Do Nothing With Density

2012-01-16T02:14:00.000-08:00

Today I came across a very interesting blog post about a study about the solutions to traffic density. This very intriguing study reveals that more roads leads to more traffic. That's not something completely illogical, yet somehow all of us would say, that traffic jams could be put to an end by building more roads. What these researchers discovered is that, with all other variables accounted for, when you build more roads, you get exactly as much additional traffic as you get roads.

So now you're thinking that the study must suggest that we should rely upon mass transit instead. Not this time. What these honest researchers found out is that more transit has no effect whatsoever on traffic density. Additionaly, the study suggests that the cost of building highways is higher that the profit that society receives from this act. These are very serious findings, but to make further conclusions, I would say more studies will be needed.

Interaction Design - Young Danish Couple Making a Difference

2012-01-13T06:47:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you stumble on something completely unexpected in the vast world of internet, something which really makes your day. When randomly browsing and looking for something, the sheer volume of trashy sites and dishonest people writing blog posts and comments makes you sick. And then you encounter something pure, a site that is so clearly designed and run by the most honest and giving people you could imagine, that you just have get in touch with them.

Maybe this was an exaggerated introduction. Nevertheless, I want to share a story about a wonderful project which I much appreciate.

If you want to become a real designer, you have to study a lot, inspire yourself and constantly be on the lookout for new trends and other designers who come up with interesting concepts. Of course, enrolling into a design course at a college is one of the best ideas when you dream about a design career. If you have enough talent, there is a plethora of choices in Canada, public or private.

Not all people are lucky enough to live in Canada. Imagine the talent that is hidden in the rest of the world, in the third world countries. Imagine there are NO courses for you to attend, because you simply don't have the money to pay the tuition.

And then, you find this wonderful website, Interaction-Design, with a whole library of design resources from the world's biggest authorities, most respected designers and college professors. How come something like this became reality? Take a passionate couple, take their dream, sack them, let them live for a few bucks a couple on an island in Thailand for a couple of months, and you have it! Mads Soegaard and Rikke Dam, a danish couple have build the this site from scratch and are now helping hundreds of poor hopefully-future-designers in the pursue of their dream. If you find their cause worthy, donate to the Interaction-Design project!

Monetary Problems Facing The Canadian Monetary Relations

2011-09-23T04:53:00.000-07:00

Is there any need for us to worry about the economic instability of our country, isn't the most difficult part over and done with now? This is not the position we are in and now the Canadian economy is facing more worries than the average person realizes.

The Bank of Canada assumes that the drop in economic growth is going to be a short-term problem and that the second half will be marked by more rapid growth. This is based entirely on a plausible but uncertain supposition that levels of energy prices will not rise, and that they’re more likely to decline. The current excuse for the depression, however, is thought to have arisen from events in Japan. A perfectly logical reason, but underneath this problem the consumers are the individuals who influence our economy. Of course, the Japanese issue has an genuine impact on the economy, but the thing is that it is not even close to being the primary reason for the slowdown. The majority of consumers are perplexed by the effects of gasoline prices and erratic job growth.

The Canadian debt to personal means ratio is at present approximately 1.5, a bit higher than the US pre-depression ratio. Another thing in our favour is that the banking institutions are on a lot firmer ground, meaning that if there was a problem with debt, then the banks would still stay strong. It is always a concern to home owners that home prices are going to fall especially during any recession; but at the end of the day the effect on bank profits are not going to be as bad as they were a few years ago. In the US there have been bailouts that influence the US economy, while with the banking situation as it is in Canada we are unlikely to see the same thing occurring here.

The US and Canadian monetary status are closely linked, so trouble facing the US could impact negatively on Canada, including banks and BC property market. So, we can say the Canadian economy is quite healthy but that could fluctuate dramatically if the US economy declines any further. The contagion could hit from Europe, which is currently having some serious problems with Portugal, Ireland, and Greece. Conditions have a way of escalating and drawing other countries in with tightening of credit which could affect the property market, shifts in the equity market and the fall of commodity prices; all with the chance of destroying Canada's economic potential.

Strike A Good Rate For Your Future Vancouver Home Or Condo

2011-08-25T05:17:00.000-07:00

Real estate news abounds with reports regarding the Vancouver housing bubble. Many are confused as to whether it is the right time to start seeking a new home. Luckily, if you are looking for a kind of a typical asset and , it seems that it really does not matter terribly.

The Vancouver housing market has been quite lively starting 2010. It started its recovery from a trough and has been mostly on a rise since. In the entire market, each price divison has been showing diverse figures. While units in the most prosperous areas have inflated at a velocity that has been beyond belief, other categories have witnessed moderated trends or mere unrests.

If you are persistent enough, you’ll find that there are still deals to be made on the Vancouver (BC) realty market that treat buyers to great value for a reasonable price. These are not very evident amidst all the fluctuations that is going on in the market. Experienced Realtors® will have chosen these one neighbourhood at a time so that they can share them to the buyers they serve as agents to.

If you are clever to look for your future home with open eyes, and if you’re willing to search for a variety of houses in a variety of locations with an unbiased perspective, very likely you will circumvent the intermittent instances of price excitement that happens in Greater Vancouver for the most outlandish reasons.

Don’t worry, however. The value of your unit will still improve in the future in hand with the moderate-to-positive outlooks. It is merely in the upcoming months, that rapid appreciation is unlikely.

Part 2 Of Selling Your Home - Some Do's And Don'ts And General Advice

2011-02-18T09:26:00.000-08:00

1. Colour schemes that are at the extreme side of individual taste need to be removed. Psychedelic walls in the bedroom may bring back memories of when you were a teenager and the children may love the little mermaid themed bathroom, but it's not going to be to everyone's taste and can be quite off-putting to a potential buyer. Be sure to pick a neutral theme, and stick with uncomplicated modifications that individuals can easily renovate and modify themselves when they purchase your home. What you need to bear in mind at all times is that first impressions is potentially the difference between selling your home or not.

2. A dirty yard: Having a front or back yard that is unkempt can definitely decrease the value of your home. You may have dogs who have turned the garden into dying grass with big holes all over, or children that have run around so much it is just a pile of mud; this means that any potential buyer is going to know that they need to spend time and money making it look good again.

3. Many individuals ignore something like a leaky pipe until it becomes a problem; keep in mind any plumbing problems need to be dealt with immediately. Anything from a leaky tap to a broken pipe could have catastrophic consequences if left unattended. One of the damaging things that can happen to a home is to ignore a plumbing job. This can result in mold in the home which can make a home virtually unsaleable.

4. House Location: Unluckily, there’s not really much you can do about this situation. As a BC real estate professional, my houses are usually in amazing surrounding. The first most important factor of a home purchase for most individuals is where the home is built. Things such as reputable schools, a quiet environment, and close proximity to shopping and public transit are what individuals usually look for. A good example of this is a well-known incident of one neighbourhood with a considerable difference in value between the even and odd-numbered houses. The reason? Well, the odd numbered homes had a major highway and utility lines at the back of them, whereas the even numbered homes didn't, resulting in a price difference of about 10%.

5. Bathroom/kitchen carpets: Carpets soak up moisture which in turn leads to damp and mold, so even though carpets may feel pleasant under foot, they are a breeding ground for germs and are nearly impossible to keep in good condition. Also, carpets in kitchens are likely spattered with various food stains, so you’re usually better off with a hardwood floor or tile in either of these two areas.

My January Article Selections

2011-02-08T06:29:00.000-08:00

January passed week ago, and here I come with trio of the most interesting article by Vancouver Homes. Wikinut hosted our article called simply Add this, or that! dealing with the market power of simple home renovations. Another one, this time on Multiply, discussed the Bad Renovation Faux Pas. Finally, second part of our article about Property Improvements was published on Amazines.

Selling Your Home - A List Of Do's and Don'ts And Useful Advice

2011-01-25T02:44:00.000-08:00

Few of us are fortunate enough not to need every penny we make out of our home sale; with most of us having to have the money to finance a move. There are many ways in which home sellers unwittingly decrease the value of their property. Your home could well command a higher price by avoiding these renovation traps. The following are a few of the mistakes made and some tips on how to dodge them:

1. One of the main drawbacks as a seller is floor space, a potential buyer is not going to look twice at your house if the rooms look and feel cramped with no space to move. Reorganize your furniture and remove excess items from rooms, so you can create at least the feeling of space, you won't be disappointed. Think about the layout of your house, avoid access trouble to rooms; for example going to the family bathroom through a bedroom.
2. Sloppy DIY:home improvements: Don't forget the sins of the 1970s. For those that remember stone cladding, brick fireplaces and ornamental plaster on the walls; this is a definite turn off for potential buyers. If there is DIY in your house make sure it is not falling apart, but generally make sure it blends well the the house itself. Laminate floors may look good and be simple to clean but they definitely don't suit a Victorian house, just as plump, heavily upholstered furniture and lots of ornamentation wouldn't suit a modern apartment. If you want to add an extension to your home, do not use up all your outdoor space, people like to have an outdoor area they can relax or even have friends over for a B-B-Q.
3. A bad roof: Roofs are expensive to change, and a good roof is thought to be standard equipment in a property. As a buyer, if you walk into a house and see leaks on the ceiling or hear an inspector remark that the roof is bad, you'd probably take that home off your short list right away. Make sure the roof is at least in adequate condition before putting your house on the market.
4. Apart from the kitchen, the bathroom has a large role when it comes to selling any house. Ordinary problems such as broken tiles, an old toilet, or lime scale build-up around the bath will have buyers looking for money off your sale price, or even put them off altogether. A quick fix here and there could pay off greatly
5. Potted plants and flower arrangements: These can make a room look and smell beautiful and fresh, but make sure they are not dying and shedding leaves and petals over the floor and surfaces. As a Vancouver condos realtor I know plants can create a bonus even in a loft. The appearance of dead or struggling potted plants will affect the buyer's perception of your house and the way you've looked after it - they're better off in the garbage bin.

picture by Velo Steve

The Best Articles of December 2010

2011-01-03T02:44:00.000-08:00

As in the previous month, I bring you again a brief list of the most interesting articles I have contributed to various web communities.

Selling Home and Renovating Your Property - Real estate market is tough and you want to squeeze 100% of your property's potential. Considering some minor renovations is an option!

Your Property - Minor Improvements - this article continues with the outlined topic of minor renovations.

The 'trilogy' is concluded with Minor Redecoration Can Help Sell Your House.

My Xanga blog brings you Reviving Your House - Part 2.

Do not avoid Renting out a Fully Furnished Property and Buying Property in Vancouver - Informative Guide for US Buyers on HubPages!

Best golf courses in Vancouver part II.

2010-12-21T09:27:00.000-08:00

No big discussion - here is the second set of exciting Vancouver golf courses for beginners, but also experienced players.

Part 2 of Our Article on Doing Improvements to Your Property

2010-12-21T05:52:00.000-08:00

Off-Street Parking - A Problem?

Are all your cars parked in front of your property? - This is very off-putting to people thinking about buying your home. Many people think just because they don't have a garage there is nothing they can do about parking their motor vehicles on the street outside their property. Some councils will allow you to flatten the curb of the pavement next to your house if you don't have room to extend your driveway; of course planning permission may be necessary. An off-street parking area can add up to 10 percent to the home market price.

Swimming Pool/Tennis Court

If you are looking at adding a swimming pool to your home you could find that this throws up some difficulties, such as where your house is and whether it is going indoors or outside. Think about the weather when making your choice, to attract buyers if your climate is cooler then look to install an indoor pool. Even if the pool is heated and has a cover on, if the weather is cold potential buyers know it is scarcely going to get any use, therefore you could find a pool is a negative point. On the other hand if the pool is to be utilized all year, situate it indoors; maybe make a feature by putting in patio doors that lead to a nice decking area. A potential buyer wants to have fun, so an attractive, warm pool is going to look inviting. Building a pool, when done correctly, is going to be something that will add a nice sum of money to the value of your house, about 10 percent.

If you are going one step further for the luxury market, look at a tennis court; but remember these type of luxuries only fit in a few neighbourhoods. As with the swimming pool, a tennis court can add up to another 10 percent to the value of your home.
Both of these additions serve as an indulgence that you can offer the potential purchaser. Of course adding these are going to increase the value of your home, so may price many people out of the market. On the plus side, if they are completed well the price your home goes for could daze you.

Building a Waterside Attraction

My years of dealing Vancouver MLS listings confirmed me one theory. A waterside feature is likely to retain its value. You may find, according to a survey, that it may increase the value by a third, which is brilliant news. Be practical though, you are not going to be able to add a lake to your yard, or a stream running through it, if it is not already there; but a pond could be the answer. More academic definitions of a pond are: areas of water where light penetrates to the bottom of the water body' and 'bodies of water shallow enough for rooted water plants to grow throughout,' You can make a pond extremely basic or you could build one to hold fish and make it feature of the yard with fixtures surrounding it.

Depth, area, water source are all things that need thinking about when planning your pond, as is avoiding attracting mosquitoes and other bugs if the water doesn't flow freely. Professional advice at least, should be asked for before starting this type of job, after all if it is done right it will definitely pay off.

picture by Noel C Hankamer

Best golf courses in Vancouver part I.

2010-12-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

British Columbia is a true golfing paradise. There are dozens of great courses for both experienced players and newbies In the first run, we have prepared a list of top 9 Vancouver golf courses - in and around Greater Vancouver.

October and November on the Web

2010-12-13T04:18:00.000-08:00

There has been plenty of good real estate articles (but also some others) published on the web. Here are some of the best. Enjoy!

Remodelling Basement Efficiently

Basement is often the key space to be remodelled. More info can be found also in basement changes article and basement improvement post.

Minor Improvements

You don't have time or capital to cope with big renovations? Nevermind, minor improvements can substantially increase the value of your property.

Adding a Bedroom

Not an easy task, however, only brave one can win!

Moving insurance

You want to move? Well, maybe you should consider moving insurance.

Vancouver golf courses

The biggest and most complete guide of BC golf courses was launched!

Completing Renovations to Your Home

2010-11-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

When looking at improving the value of your house, the most cost-effective action to do this is to improve the external. When you enter and leave a house, exterior is the first and last image you will see, so it stands to reason that it needs to look good to a visiting buyer. We all know first impressions are important, this also covers your house. Be analytical when looking at your house, see it as buyers see it. How is the grounds? Is the grassed area short and tidy? Does the house look clean and tidy? Of course, not everything you do to the external area will increase the value, some will just be a nice touch therefore more appealing. Furthermore, a decent first appearance of a house can add as much as 5 to 10 percent to the value.

Door Quality
Your front door is the doorway into your house, so it is going to be one of the first things a prospective buyer will see. If the door needs a face-lift think about replacing it with a glass door that has lead or coloured glass panels, but if it doesn't need replacing but could do with cheering up, decorate around the door. Sidelights will add sparkle and shine both from the inside as well as the outside of the house. Light produces the feeling of space, making a narrow or tiny porch area appear more spacious. Money-wise, you're not looking at a large value-booster, but this little modification greatly affects the first impression of a viewer.

Windows
When viewers look at windows, they not only assess the appeal but their usefulness, too. Have your windows got good insulation is the glass double-glazed? Different glass has different energy ratings, so are your windows energy efficient? All the locking mechanisms need to be in good working order and secure and the glass needs to free from damage. Look at all these issues if you decide to replace your windows. If your windows are little and you are replacing them, think about installing larger windows to let in more light and make inside rooms look bigger. Purchasers buy space and light; who walks into a really dark property and says, 'I love this'.

Landscaping
Landscaping is a big part in the appeal of any house, so if your landscaping looks like it could do with an overhaul look at hiring a professional, or even try improving it yourself with items such as plants in colourful plant pots. Conservatories, gazebos, patios and wooden decks, and their integration with the surrounding garden, are best handled by landscape architects and designers. Paying for a professional is never the cheap way forward, but if you do then you could see your home value go up by as much as 20 percent. Did you also know that a house that has mature trees on the land actually increases the saleability? Numerous organizations have conducted surveys on this; not only did they find it was fact but also if your property is well landscaped and you have mature trees then the value of homes have increased by 7 to 19 percent.. I have number fruitful years in working as a realtor in Richmond BC Canada and saw how small renovations kick started a house in the market!

picture by Robnik

Vancouver Golf Course Guide Ready

2010-11-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

picture by R'eyes

Golf, the sport of the businesspeople, constitutes an important part of the lives of many of our clients. It is no longer exclusive only to the select few. Therefore, more and more of us are discovering the beauty in this game. It offers its players active relaxation, but may also be competitive. At Jay Banks, we are glad to predict the hobbies and interests of our visitors and clients even though, to be honest, we take pleasure in playing golf very much ourselves! After a bit of a thought, we set off to create a golf guide about golf courses in the proximity of downtown Vancouver, BC.

Finally, we are positively thrilled to herald the long-expected launch of our fresh and new Vancouver Golf Guide.

Our guide is designed as a portal where people of Greater Vancouver can find and exchange information about this game. We are taking a unique approach, aiming to deliver news pertinent to both leisure and “family” golf players and more seasoned players seeking variety. We also tailor the guide so that anyone thinking about moving to Vancouver or elsewhere within Greater Vancouver can find information about the quality of golf around the new address. We invite everybody to enhance the informativeness of the Vancouver Golf Guide by sharing your personal experiences from the fairways and ranges. Also, do leave us a comment if you would like us to review a particular facility.

We are actively communicating with the managers of the courses and ranges, so that we are able to collect for you the clearest and latest information. Moreover, we are are looking for recreational golfers who like to play the game regularly to help us review (test-play) the courses of Vancouver. Our final objective is to compose the best golf guide of Greater Vancouver on the web!

Our guide currently encompasses 53 facilities including driving ranges and there are more coming up soon. In addition, we determinedly enhance the content for all the entries! Visit us often and we are sure our guide will make your golf experience in and around Vancouver and in Greater Vancouver still more pleasing!

Considering Completing Real Esate Renovations? - Basement

2010-10-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

With proper renovation, your basement can be turned into a real gem and gain important competitive advantage for your house on any market.

When buying a home, most buyers are worried about the issue of water in the basement. Insulating the area against the weather and making sure it is dry if definitely a positive point for your house. Water in the space or even just damp, could be a disadvantage if you wanted to sell your house.

One great way to invest in your house is to hire a basement remodelling tradesperson to help you take advantage of the unused room in your basement. Most basements cover a large area that can be adapted for other things and are often unfinished. With such promise, isn't it a shame to waste this opportunity

The basement is going to take a lot of work to remodel, but at the end of the day it will be worth it, both in cash and in satisfaction of a task well done. To begin with the ceiling is going to give you the most concern Most basement ceilings are not as high as the other ceilings in your house This can be dealt with by building the ceiling around your ventilation and air conditioning.

Flooring for a basement is something you also need to think about, most specialists will advise you go for carpet. When getting your carpet, go for the thicker carpets, and be sure to buy quality under-padding. The thickness of these materials will go some way into protecting your feet from the hardness and cold of a concrete floor. In the main part of the property, the flooring is normally supported by wood rather than concrete so less damage on your feet.

Putting in a Home Cinema or Gymnasium
These features are normally considered as being nonessential, although they will help to sell your house more quickly if the potential buyers are willing to pay extra for them. Although, if done correctly, both of these features can add from $30,000 to $60,000 in a large country property, according to various agents. If you want to set up a home gym or home cinema room, then renovating your basement would be an ideal time to plan this project.

Installing a room cinema system is not as easy as most of us think. If you are starting from a vacant room, think about different designs and ways to set the system up, seek professional advice if at all feasible Now for the basics to complete this room, the 27" plus HDTV will be your first purchase, followed by the stereo unit, DVD or video player; make sure these are all surround sound capable, surround sound speakers and comfy chairs and that's just to start with.

Adding a gymnasium in your basement is a great idea and doesn't require much organization. There are some obstacles though, so you would need to think about the following:

Comfort - rubber mats on the floor and maybe a couple mirrors on the wall
Noise proofing (solves itself if you put your exercise equipment in your finished basement)
A hi-fi system for music while you exercise is always a decent idea
Air circulation of the area would need to be dealt with

The rest is up to you to pick what gym supplies you'll include. Research is the key to a decent home gym, so visit convenient stores, visit a gym and browse the Internet. Seek help from people who sell and use this equipment on what sort of brands to purchase, the different machines on offer and prices.

Writer is Vancouver Lofts broker, creator of BC Home Renovation Series

picture by JAGwired

Refurbishing Bathroom

2010-09-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

Along with the kitchen remodelling, the bathroom is just as essential a room to improve the value. Therefore, if you are thinking about revamping your bathroom, there are a few things you will want to think about. Here are some ideas to support you upgrade your bathroom and add extra value:.

A second bathroom is one of the trusted ways of adding to the value of your property. Look around at homes for sale and observe how much more they sell for and how much quicker they find a buyer. Even if you don't want to leave the property at the moment, a second bathroom will still make economic sense. A bathroom off the main bedroom is the most desirable for any second bathroom and that is shown in the house value. The parents will be ecstatic having their own personal bathroom space, while the kids will love not having to share the single bathroom. One thing to remember though, is never take away a bedroom to make it into a bathroom, as this would make little economic sense and not boost the price of your property.
The flooring that you put down in your bathroom can do a lot as far as boosting the value to your property. Making the wrong choice can make your bathroom look inferior and unappealing. What kind of look are you wanting for your bathroom? - Gaudy or bold flooring can put off a possible purchaser.

There are many different flooring types and not all of them appropriate for a bathroom. The best choices for flooring, if you want to boost the value, is ceramic tiles or something similar which is clean and doesn't harbour germs. Vinyl, laminate, or carpet do not add or enhance to the value of your house, as they are thought of as floor covering. Hardwood floors are not the better option either, since water will damage them.
The most essential piece of furniture in the bathroom for function and purpose is the toilet. Change the toilet so it matches the rest of the bathroom furniture, if you don't it will stand out and not for the right reasons.

Put in a jet bath, or better still put a jet bath in the bathroom for the main bedroom, a little bit of luxury goes a long way. While functional they can add a touch of style to bathroom and they are definitely relaxing after a long day working. They do not have to be expensive either, shop around and you may find a good bargain.

Keep the bathroom simple and match each item, to give it that unified feel. The bathroom decor should match the rest of the house, a contemporary looking bathroom in a farmhouse style building is going to look out of place. Select a single style for the bathroom and persist with it.

The Refurbishment handbook is delivered by Jay Banks from Vancouver homes, RE/MAX Vancouver.

picture by Limonada

Canada vs USA: Reasons Why Canadian Market is Better Shape

2010-06-28T05:02:00.000-07:00

Unknowingly, the market rebounded quicker than anyone expected. In the spring of 2009, Canada saw the about face of the housing market, we observed sales figures continuing to shoot up in the following months. In the winter of 2009/2010, realtors were disclosing sales increases in excess of 100%. At the same time the housing prices even overtook the pre-crash prices.

So why does the Canadian housing market do better than the rest of the world? Let's have a look at the rationale why. Speaking to the specialists, the majority say that this recovery is mainly due to the low interest rates put in place by the Bank of Canada. This low rate supported the Canadian housing market and even though the US attempted to do the same thing, they didn't see the same results:

The Canadian mortgage market was not as riddled with sub prime mortgages as observed in the US market. Approximately 5% (potentially upwards of 10%) of loans in Canada can be assigned to the sub prime class, while sub prime loans in the US took a 22% share of all loans during the critical years, 2006-2008.

Canadian banks are over and over again ranked as the most secure in the world by the World Economic Forum. The way the banks and other financial institutions dealt with the recession is another reason why Canada averted the credit crunch for the most part.

Since last summer our economy has seen jobs arising so although we had a rise in unemployment like the US, it has improved quicker. Also, Canada's social system helped to reduce personal bankruptcies.

To sum up, the Canadian housing market is on a solid footing. Where there is good news, some people look to the negatives and say that a housing bubble completely separate from what has gone on, is getting ready to hit us. From my own scrutiny of the housing market I don't accept this for a minute.

The Bank of Canada promised to keep rates stable until summer 2010. Rates will grow as summer arrives and we have already seen some mortgage rates increasing slightly. Similarly despite not having an official finish date, the window for taking advantage of the First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit is slowly dwindling. We also have seen, the shortage of new properties listed, which we have been encountering since the autumn of 2009, is slowly letting up. As Jay Banks from Vancouver Lofts, adds: "There has been an expanding influx of new listings over the last 2-3 months, which has helped to balance the inventory level."

More levelled sales and prices of houses settling at tolerable figures, is probably going to be the outcome of all these points starting to come together.

picture by -AX-

Moving - How to Choose and Oversee the Work of Professionals

2010-05-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

picture by cjc4454

Moving is quoted as being one of the most stressful experiences we'll ever go through in our lives. Our first recommendation to you will always be to do the removals yourself or only to hire a business to transport your goods, but that isn't always attainable. With moving house being an infrequent event in our lives, it's not something that we can practise on a regular basis. Baring this in mind, most of us are very inexperienced and lack of experience shows. To try and make the move as stress free as you can, you need to act smart and do your homework.

There are so many removals businesses out there - which one is the right?

Selecting a business to move your worldly possessions is not an easy task. With hundreds of firms out there and dozens of potential hazards waiting, the removals industry is pretty complicated, therefore you need to examine what is on offer. As with any industry, there are good and dreadful firms out there and that's the first thing you will need to sort out. It doesn't matter if you reside in the city or the countryside, there is always a multitude of firms willing to help you move your items. Looking at your own wants will help you select the right business for you.

How to Choose a Moving Business

Word of mouth or reputation is the best way you can choose a business to move your goods. Company Advertising is not always reliable or honest as they don't advertise their issues. Any business suggested to you is worth a phone call. Your estate agent is the best person to talk to if you haven't got any colleagues or relatives who have used a removals business in the not too distant past. Once you select a couple of potential moving businesses, check which of these are accredited members of a moving association or trade body. When accredited to a trade body, a business will be of a certain level and you can ascertain that their work will be taken seriously. You can even ask the business for prior customers' contact information to get their feedback. If a company is unenthusiastic to supply this information then be very distrustful.

Communicating with the business and what you need to ask about

Now you have narrowed the field down you need to get in touch with the businesses and find out the good and bad points. Write out a small list of questions that worry you, here are samples of a few:

What insurance does the business have? Make sure they give you their insurance particulars, like insurance business name and the policy number.
Does the business use their own equipment, or will a subcontractor or another business be providing the service?
Does this business offer the whole package, such as storage, claims handling or uncrating. Does this company use a third party at the other end or do this company do it?
If your belongings are going a long distance and have to stay overnight somewhere, is it in a secure place and who owns the facility? Be sure to use a business that uses trucks designed for household belongings moving and storage.
If the staff member employed by the business is injured, does the firm have their own insurance to cope with this. If not, you may end up paying for any employee injuries during the move.

Ask For an Estimated Price

To make sure the move is suited to your situation, there are lots of questions you will need to ask. The most critical question you will need to have answered is the estimation of charges. Before finally deciding which business to go with, you should get an estimate from each of them, and consider their prices to what service they will provide to you. Don't assume that the cheaper the charges the better value the business is. For the estimate the business will need to know the exact location of your new property and the address the belongings are being transported from. If there are any access issues, such narrow staircases, doorways or even access difficulties to the property, you need to let the company know in advance. To avoid excess charges on your bill, furnish the moving business with as much information when you ask for an estimated price. Ask for validation of all facts given, in writing, before committing yourself.

Once you have settled on a business and are happy they have all the information they need, you will possibly be asked to sign an agreement with them. Read the paperwork carefully, check for any hidden charges and make sure they have not made any mistakes. Then, all that's left is to get sorted for your big day. Don't forget to give your movers a quick call a few days before the move to confirm your arrangements!

Removals Day - Overseeing the Movers

Watching the packers during the moving process ensures that it is done professionally and your needs are met. Some things that may help the day go more evenly:

The packers may wish to ask questions, so being at hand could make the packing go more smoothly and quickly.
If there are any belongings you are taking in your own vehicle such as plants, pet equipment, toiletries, then you need to make the packers aware of this.
Big household appliances and/or electrical goods need to be disconnected and made secure, making sure nothing is left inside.
Check to see if all boxes and cartons are written on correctly by load and room destination in your new house.
Go through the inventory list with the movers to resolve any feasible disagreements concerning the condition your possessions are in.
Once the truck is packed, before they set off to the new property have a last walk through the house to make sure everything as been taken.
Write down your new address and contact information of you and if you can a family member and give them to the driver.

Article is created by Jay Banks from Vancouver Condominiums

Moving - Would You Buy Insurance?

2010-04-29T04:12:00.000-07:00

Whether you're setting out to move domestically or internationally and you're speculating about insurance before moving, remember that no matter how choosy you are in choosing movers, accidents can happen. During shipment there is always the chance of a carton being dropped or something breaking, no matter how well the items are packed there is no guarantee they will not be broken. What can be sorted is how competent your moving company is at resolving claims and making sure you're adequately covered should an accident occur. Replacing the item, or giving you the money to replace it, Insurance compensation gives you the piece of mind should an accident happen.

What Choices of Insurance are on Offer?

Each removals company, by law, has to include a basic insurance cover to the client without cost, the insurance against accidents. Still, in most cases this basic coverage has no relationship to the actual value of your goods. Under normal circumstances only 60% of the value of the article is covered with this kind of insurance. There are some firms which will pay you for the whole carton weight in which the item damaged was in. Items that are packed yourself are usually not covered as the insurance only covers items packed by the removals company themselves. So taking all the points together, this kind of insurance usually falls down when you need to make a claim.
Added Value Protection Coverage. This is extra coverage supplied by the movers company and just raises the amount of money you get per pound per article. This can be a alterable amount but is often set at $2. When you want insurance cover you can clarify the amounts direct with your removals company. Although this plan is better, the payments are still made on the weight of your things, which doesn't help if you have light but expensive articles.
For a policy that pays out the cost the object when you bought it, or pays the depreciated value of the item lost or broken you can get Market Value or Depreciated Value policies. There is still a disadvantage to this type of scheme as you would need to go through every item you own, find the price of each item, then declare it to the removal company and/or insurer before you move. Not many people use this type of scheme nowadays and instead have opted for the more popular Replacement Value Plan.
'Like for Like' insurance or 'New for Old' insurance is named a Replacement Value Plan. This type of coverage will compensate you for the unrestricted value of your lost or damaged objects according to the new market prices but you will be paying a higher premium for this type of protection.

Non-insurable Items

It doesn't matter how hard you look, there is always going to be some of your possessions that are not covered. Keep these objects with you, rather than place them in the removals truck. Possessions not covered under the policy agreement include such items as currency, photographs, personal papers and jewelry. Other possessions not regularly covered unless you can prove visible damage or the removals firm didn't handle the goods properly are TVs, Stereos and computers. Professional wrapping and boxing for special items, such as antiques, expensive paintings and musical instruments, may be the best way to deal with these items.

Write an Inventory File

Before the removals company come in, make sure you write a complete inventory of all your possessions. This list should have all of your possessions that are being transported, their value, replacement price and type of condition they are in. Photos of your possessions, at least the valuable ones, are a good idea and should be kept with the inventory list. If the objects are damaged or lost then you will grateful for the work it took to do them. When moving abroad, this list will be very advantageous because many customs and inspections will need it.

To Finish, Here are Some Additional Helpful Suggestions

Always read the fine print in your contract, it may include loopholes and exclusions which can give you a great deal of trouble should your possessions be damaged or lost.
Make sure you accept the agreement before signing, if required ask as many questions as you need to.
Check the policy details when you are moving abroad to make sure your possessions are covered until they reach your new home.
Although you may have given the inventory records to your removals company, keep a copy for yourself and carry it with you.
Your removals company may damage your property when taking out or putting in your items, so check to see if this damage is covered.

Presented by Jay Banks, Condos Vancouver professional.

Move Under your own Steam

2010-03-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Moving under your own steam is the option you pick. Today we are going to look at the steps of moving yourself.

Mental Pressure is one of the main factors when moving house

When moving house, anxiety can be a big determinant in everything you do. Some people seem to handle it with grace and a happy expression. Although it's not a case of personality and constitution

Simple steps to help make the move less exasperating:

1. Take Advantage of Moving Equipment when having to move innumerable of items, it is not such a bad idea to invest in few inexpensive moving supplies that can help manage your move more easily. As soon as you know you will be moving, start picking up clean boxes, unprinted newsprints (printed newsprints stain!), hoard up on bubble wrap or buy heavy duty cartons.

2. Pack Ahead of Time: a do-it-yourself move needs a lot of your time and energy. Packing the evening before the move is definitely not a good idea. It's a great idea to make sure all the packing is done at least 24 hours before you move, this allows you time to pack all those last minute belongings. The sooner you start the better, pack things like CDs or DVDs ahead of time since you won't need them till you get to your new house. The faster you start and the more you pack, means less anxiety as moving day gets here.

3. Moving house is a brilliant way to have a clear out of all those items that never get used. Out-dated magazines, clothing, bits and bobs and ornaments which are stuck in the cupboard can be disposed of so you have a mess free home. Charities appreciate donations so you could consider giving them away, or even do a garage sale.

4. A list - make sure you write a list and stick it somewhere conspicuous, lists are very valuable. Have lots of lists that include new items to be bought, things you are giving away, things you are taking with you; even list the items that need delicate handling. Lists are a strong stress reliever on moving day.

Preparation for Moving Day

Friends, family, colleagues can be asked to help you fill your vehicle at your old house and unload it when you get to your new house. You will be very shocked how much more speedily the moving goes with few extra hands. When the moving day turns up, arrange a party and offer sandwiches or pizza and drinks to anyone who decides to come and work. This way, your friends will be enjoying the day in a restful way and the job will get done quickly and pain-free. A separate concern of yours should be your children. Daycare, whether its a family member or a day care resource should be arranged so the kids are looked after. To stop your kids getting tense, let them watch their personal space being packed, that way they know you are not throwing away their favourite toys. Make arrangements for your family animal to go to kennels or stay with a neighbour while you move your belongings. When moving pets, take preventative measures to avoid the pet from getting sick in the car. Anything you may need for your pet, such as water and feeding bowls, need to be packed in a bag marked 'Pet' and easy accessible when you arrive. When you are moving make sure your pet is never left alone. Allow frequent breaks so your pet can relieve themselves and make sure they are always on a tether.

Make sure you find a fair Truck Rental for Moving

To transfer all your possessions, you will probably need to hire a truck, as most of us will find our cars are just not spacious enough. The venture you have with your moving vehicle rental is mainly dependent on you. When hiring a vehicle make sure you take note of the next couple of pointers:

1. First make sure you choose the correct size vehicle needed to move your possessions. Take your all your belongings into account then allow about 15% more room. This is called 'playing it safe and sound' and allows for space for those last minute possession you forgot about. If you don't have enough room then your stress levels are going to be great while you scrabble around trying to find extra vehicles.

2. Don't be mislead into thinking all costs are the same, with so many businesses out there you would think they would be, wouldn't you? But, you will find, that isn't the situation. Look on the net for the best rates, make a few phone calls and compare prices from different companies

3. Hiring a moving vehicle is very similar to hiring a car. Rather than ending up with a vehicle that doesn't suit your needs, makes sure you book the truck in plenty of time. By organizing ahead your vehicle will be ready and accessible for you on moving day.

4. Look at getting insurance on your hired vehicle. You may be skilled in driving a small car, but driving a larger van is very different. If you haven't bought insurance, one error can cost you a pretty penny. A few extra minutes finding the insurance and few more dollars will guarantee you a stress-free move.

5 Try to organize ahead on how long you think you'll be needing your rental vehicle and always make sure you have some time to spare. The reason for doing this is that you don't want to return it after the cut off time. The premiums for doing so are very large.

Taking a Car

If you possess more than one vehicle, decide on how to move it to your new destination. Shipping, towing or putting it on a trailer are just a few ways of moving a second vehicle. Another alternative worth thinking about is selling it, storing it or giving it to a relative. Make sure you know how to tow the second car safely if that is your option, and make sure the vehicle that is doing the towing is capable. Boats, trailers, motorbikes, four wheelers, etc. may need specialized provisions to be towed. Contact the dealer who sold you the item if you are unsure on the correct procedures or search the net.

Written by Jay Banks, Vancouver real estate agent and BC Moving Handbook creator

Will a Tax Credit Extension Help the US Housing Market?

2009-11-19T03:27:00.000-08:00

In the United States, the GDP recorded 3.5% growth in the third quarter – for the first time in twelve months. Since the end of last year the property market is also showing massive improvements.

Are our counterparts starting to come out of the recession? There is a surplus of 7 months worth of stock on the US property market at this moment in time. There has been great inroads into the excess stock on realtors book's considering this figure was just about double at the start of the year. Eyes of many real estate agents (but also possible buyers) are now on one thing – the first time home-buyers’ tax credit.

With $8,000 in tax credits, or even cash back in some instances, these available tax credits have gone a long way in helping boost the housing market. But as the expiry deadline for this special offer comes nearer, market watchers are becoming nervous. When the tax credits are no longer available what is going to happen to the housing market?

All is not lost as an extension bill for the tax credits is being written which will prolong the deadline for a further year until 2010. Senate has now cleared the path for the law, which may make it to Obama this week or next. With a new cut off date of April 30, and an rise to $225,000 on the couples income threshold, this is a very enticing bill. And that’s not all – a new $6,500 tax credit for move-up homeowners was attached to the bill.

Passing this bill may stoke our southern neighbour’s property market enough to get through the winter, but, the question remains: how will the US federal budget sustain this hit?

Image by Crazyemt.

Thinking about Renting out a Fully Furnished Apartment? Think Twice, It Is Not That Easy

2009-11-05T05:35:00.001-08:00

Are you an owner of a small flat or a condo? It may be a perfect idea to rent it out as a fully furnished place. People who usually rent such places mostly need a home ready to be moved into, without the need to purchase anything - depending on their lifestyle. But before you will get any extra cash from renting your fully furnished property, first you will have to make a lot of decisions and think about many details.

How much will it cost you?

Preparing your place and setting everything up will certainly cost you something, and finding out how much is the first step. Examine the listings of other fully furnished properties available in your area. Try to find some properties that are close to yours - in size, location and furnishing. Once you have a pretty good idea of the rent that is commonly charged for a fully furnished place such as yours, list everything that you would have to purchase in order to fall into the category of 'fully furnished'. Not only all furniture, but also utilities such as gas, electricity, water, phone, cable, wireless Internet or security services, and all kitchen ware, plus towels, bed linen and cleaning supplies - all of this is expected from you to take care of nowadays, if you are renting out your flat as fully furnished.

The next step is to make up your mind if you can afford to fully furnish your apartment to the extent described above. Make a list of all the things you will have to purchase so that your place is fully furnished. Also think about the fact that there may be multiple tenants over a number of years, with times of unoccupation between them. If you decide that making your flat fully furnished would be too difficult for you now, there is a possibility to list it as "part-furnished". That would mean a bit less attractive possibility than fully furnished, but at the same time less hassle and an easier life for you.

List all the equipment, set up a deposit

In case you have lived in the flat for some time, start with removing all your personal private things, such as photographs. The next thing to do is to prepare an inventory of all items in the flat. You should go through the inventory together with the tenant, walking through the flat and seeing everything provided by you together. That should include counting individual items such as the amount of spoons, forks, knives towels or linen. As part of good practice, there should also be your rental agent present when doing the inventory, and then when all sides agree on the list, they sign it. When the contract expires, it is time to go through the flat with the list again, noting down all facilities. Anything that has been damaged or lost will have to be replaced and paid for from the deposit which was agreed at the start of the contract.

Now with the winter Olympic games coming soon, the opportunity of renting out a fully furnished place seems like a gold mine for more and more people in Vancouver. But if you don't already own a suitable unit and would have to start from scratch, the whole idea might turn into a nightmare. The return on investment for rental properties should be planned over the long term and not just seen as a 'get-rich-quick' plan.

Are You Considering a Solid Investment? Why Don't You Think about Bricks and Mortar?

2009-10-15T04:23:00.000-07:00

As an answer to the most recent recession in the housing market in Canada, REMAX Canada released a report analyzing the local Canadian housing markets over the last 30 years. Over this period of time the report concludes that investment in bricks and mortar has always been one of the principal and securest option.

The market for residential housing throughout Canada still shocked economists and housing analysts according to the report. There have been three great slumps in the Canadian housing market over the last 30 years, two of them were in the 1980's and the most recent in 2008. In comparison to the 1981 and 1989 market downturns the downturn in 2008 was the quickest with sales and prices quickly flourishing again. Buyers have lost their market, which has now pivoted into leveraged or even a sellers' market.

Long term soundness of real estate investments is based on various factors in Canadians established belief in houses and condos. Real estate exhibits fiscal and material "fortresses" for most Canadian investors. Over the last three decades there has been a significant rise in the purchase of houses of over 6%. With a 12% rise, Calgary has seen an even larger increase in property purchase.

Regardless of the above communicated downturns and smaller variations, real estate remained a very well appreciating investment, with Vancouver, Victoria and Toronto as rulers in terms of price appreciation. This years greatest increase in the real estate market comes from the Greater Vancouver area with a massive 14% increase. The major buyers are depicted by first-entry purchasers, however the over $1 million segment is also being galvanized by trade-up buyers.

Vancouver is classified the greatest performing market in the whole of Canada for housing price increases.

In Vancouver real estate prices have grown nearly 500% in comparison to just over 350% for the rest of Canada since 1980. There has been a 10% increase in house ownership since 1981. Just compare this with inflation for the corresponding period. Over the same period there was a 156.6% increase in inflation looking at the Bank of Canada calculator. In other words: investing $100,000 into real estate 30 years ago would bring you almost $320,000 net return.

This information is not news to nearly all Canadians. Real estate rather than stock investment is the favorite choice of 77% of Canadians according to the September survey administered by The Angus Reid Omnibus.

Moving: Filling up All the Boxes

2009-09-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Whereas last time we analyzed the hidden cost of moving, in today's article we are going to concentrate on the best way to pack before the actual move. Packing all the stuff before moving is something many people are afraid of. To be successful with this activity, you will need plenty of time, boxes, various wrapping material and a system in place. Without a sufficient plan, the move is bound to become an even worse nightmare than it necessarily is. Time Beginning the night before the actual move, even if you're only moving from a one bedroom apartment, isn't the best approach. In an ideal situation you'd want to be done one day before the day of moving so that you have enough time to pack all the forgotten things people always find in the last minute, food from the fridge and all the things you are using on a daily basis.

Boxes and packing material

Even though it's a useful idea to use all the suitcases and bags you already have at hand, that will hardly be enough. The most necessary packing material you will need are boxes, bubble wrap and newspaper (for securing kitchen ware). Additional supplies usually include permanent markers, packing tapes, polyfoam wraps, polystyrene beads, plastic bags and other various accessories.

With boxes, you may either buy them (they are usually between $1.50 to $5 per box) or you could ask at nearby stores for empty boxes, which could significantly decrease the cost of moving, if you manage to get enough of them. Also, most moving companies offer you the chance to buy or rent the boxes directly from them. As for the amount - of course that depends on the size of your home, number of rooms, number of family members and their routine of hoarding redundant things accumulated over a number of years. But the consensus is that for a standard 5-bedroom home you will need as much as 100 boxes. If that looks like too many for you, just imagine how many boxes will be necessary to pack all your stuff only from the kitchen and living room! No matter which way you acquire them, make sure you have a rich selection of sizes. Professional moving companies who offer the hiring option, will be happy to come and inspect your home and give you an estimate of the number of boxes necessary.

To find more secret tips, please follow the complete article Packing before moving.

Image: Can in a box by Tabbymom.

Generation X: just about to outbuy baby boomers?

2009-08-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

The recent RE/MAX report shows that the present Canadian market with recreational property has been taken over by Generation X, which replaced the previous main buying force formed by the baby boomer generation growing older.

Who are the people in Generation X?

Over the years, social scientists have developed the practice of giving fancy names to the generations of the 20th century. Dating of a particular generation depends on all the different political and cultural features of the time that influenced the upbringing of members of that generation. The baby boom generation, that are people born from mid 40's till late 50's, was the strongest buying force, or at least until only a couple of years ago. But now the majority of these people have retired or are preparing for it.

Now the children of baby boomers (known as Generation X) have grown up and in their 30 - 40's they are in a sufficient financial condition to purchase recreational property at almost any price.
You will see this change especially when we compare the results of the first half of this year with the ones from last year. The trend moving toward recreational property buyers in their 30's was observed by 74 percent of markets in this year's surveys. The recreational properties sold varied from waterfront cottages to resort condos. This compares with only 40 percent in 2008. From January till April 2009, the number of sold recreational properties declined - at least two thirds of all surveyed markets reported such trend. But now, the buyer activity has grown with the beginning of the new cottage season, as we can see from the results of many major centres.

The most important points of the report:

Supply is suitable in most markets, but heated activity in the lower-end has resulted in tight inventory levels for entry-level product in 18 per cent of markets. Older cottage owners, a lot of whom own their properties outright, are selling to younger buyers with families. Some American cottage owners in Canada are taking advantage of the stronger dollar to cash out of the market. There are some exceptions of course, but we can say that American purchasers have mostly disappeared. One of the known factors in the marketplace is pent-up demand. For instance some buyers who had intended to purchase recreational properties in the second half of 2008 decided to defer the transaction till the next year. Florida, Arizona, California, Nevada and other warmer parts of USA are the states where older Canadians still continue to demand secondary homes. Generation X buyers are ready to spend their hard-earned money on vacation homes, but at the end of the day, they want to know that they’ve negotiated the best deal possible.

Photo source: thinkpanama

Relocating: The Hidden Cost

2009-08-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

Relocating. This operation may get much more expensive than you would originally think, especially in case any problems come up (and sometimes even if they don't). No matter what way of moving you are considering, whether moving on your own or hiring professionals, there are always some expenses included. In this text we will break them down to give you a general idea what to be prepared for. Now you are maybe asking, so what's the problem then? Basically, there are two issues: in case of moving done by people themselves, it is too common to forget about all the additional tools, packaging material, transportation or the value of the time. But all these are related expenses you should count with. Also in case of moving with the help of a professional company, you might come across problems related to wrong company choice, wrong price calculation, or undervaluation of all kinds of additional expenses that are necessary, but weren't included in the company's bill. If you recall the first article of our "moving" series, we have already described the three options how to sort out your moving. They all differ by the level of your own involvement: either the professionals do everything for you, or you can manage all the work yourself - packing, loading, transporting and unloading. Or you may hire a company offering a hybrid service in case you’d like a bit more control over the whole process. Some companies might offer only the transportation; while other companies might offer loading, unloading and transportation of ready-packed things.

What’s involved? When you are beginning to organize your moving, the first step should be that you think about the budget. It will save you lots of trouble later. Generally, the relocation expenses can be broken down into four main categories: the transportation of your stuff, the packing of your stuff, the transportation of you and your family and the cost of starting up in your new home. The actual relocation. The first step should be calculating the main cost of moving your stuff. So will you be moving on your own, or hiring a company? This is the crucial issue you have most likely already decided. If a professional help is the way to go for you (we will bring some more tips on choosing the right company in one of the following articles), first contact them and ask for a written estimate of the price. It should say clearly whether the estimated price is binding or not, that means whether it is the final price, or there might be other fees coming up. Also the tips should be included - generally about $25 per worker.

The work and its cost. Secondly, the cost of the manpower that will do the packing and loading should be estimated - it may be the hired professionals, but also friends or family ready to help (it would be nice from you to at least buy them a dinner!), and also the cost of your time, especially if you need to take some off work. You should also count with the cost of any packaging material (boxes, bubble wrap, tapes etc.) and/or tools (i.e. dollies) you will need.

How much is the transport?. Thirdly, you have to estimate the price of the transport for you and your family - either flights, train or bus ride, or the price of petrol, if you are planning to travel by car. Also accommodation, food and possible entertainment while travelling should be calculated into the total price.

After the relocation: starting fresh There is usually a lot of problems and extra expenses connected to the moving, that people don't think about when they are in the middle of all the boxes. For example, you might have to pay a start-up fee for connecting up utilities such as a cable or telephone. Or think about your most likely empty fridge and freezer and the price of all the groceries to fill them up again. Also think about the price of any items you have left behind and you need to replace them now, such as various household items. Or maybe your new house needs a fresh coat of paint. It is always helpful to think first and jot down the costs of all the necessary items to buy, so that the total sum doesn't shock you after the moving.

As a Vancouver real estate agent, I have always tried to help my clients even with this issue, therefore I would like to share with you some useful tips & tricks: 1) Always compare how much it would cost you to move a certain item against how much the item costs when bought new. The result of this comparison might shock you. 2) You might have a chance to get a moving package from your new employer, if you are moving because of a new job. 3) Keep all the receipts connected to moving since you might be eligible for a tax deduction.

Photo: by Linda Yvonne

Moving: With Professional vs. Friends and Family

2009-08-13T09:06:00.001-07:00

Moving your stuff from one place to another has never been simple, but as an experienced Vancouver realtor, I have gained valuable knowledge on how to deal with this complicate issue. However, just as in any similar case, experienced people can help you with some advice that will make this task easier. In order to help you, we will publish a series of texts about all the various aspects of a relocation: how much it costs, how the insurance works, how to choose the right company, and much more.

The first article will help you to decide whether to hire a professional company or do it yourself. Among the most important issues are the amount of money, time and labor you have available from your own resources.

Definitely the best thing to start with before deciding which approach you choose, is to write down and estimate the amount of things you will be moving and then asking yourself the following questions:

- How long will it take you to pack everything?
- Can you manage the furniture?
- Have you any special, expensive or heavy items that need special handling, such as pianos or the collection of art?
- Do you have any friends or family members living nearby, who could come and help you during the weekend?
- For the moving, you will need a large car - do you trust yourself driving something like that?
- Will you manage to accomplish your move over the weekend or will you have to take some days off work?

First you need to ask yourself all these questions, and depending on the results you have got, you will be able to pick the best way of moving.

In general, there are three options:

1. Full-service movers

There are a lot of companies specializing in helping clients to move, including packing the things, loading onto the vehicle, driving it to the new place, unloading and unpacking it. Well, however costly this may be, it's the best method for people who have nobody to help them, or who just don't have enough time to do the job themselves. All the packaging material, straps and all the necessary equipment is provided as a part of the service. All that is left to you is to let them do the job.

2. Self-service movers

If you decide to go for this method, you will be expected to be more involved too. The level of service provided may be not the same in each company. On one side of the scale, we have some companies that only provide a car with a driver, and the rest of the work (packing, loading & unloading etc.) is up to you to do or organize. On the other hand, the service may include help with loading & unloading, which you will appreciate especially in regard to the heavy furniture. This method of moving is the best one for the people who want to have more control over the whole process. And of course it is much cheaper than the full-service.

3. Do-It-Yourself

If you are able to do the whole moving by yourself, you will save a lot of money. Before choosing this method, there are many aspects to be considered, like the amount of your possessions, the distance, the number of friends and relatives available to help you and other things. The do-it-yourself way is usually great if you are moving from a small home or a flat. On the other hand, when moving from a large home across a long distance, it is usually better to use some professional help. However you want to organize your moving, a crucial part of the planning is the budget. Therefore the next article will deal with the cost that’s involved with moving.

Picture: Credits to carlaarena

Real Estate Market in Vancouver: Let's look back

2009-08-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC housing market grew for nearly seven consecutive years, one of the longest and fastest growths ever registered in Canada. Average home prices between years 2001-2007 nearly doubled, while inflation in the same period was less than 14%. Of course this situation meant that many people, especially the ones entering the housing market for the first time, couldn't afford just to buy a house.
After the US housing market got into problems, its Vancouver relative still worked fine for some time and managed to grow until the beginning of 2008. However, in that time the pressure of affordability demand started to influence our market and realtors noticed slowdown, which grew even stronger in next months. At first, the average price stabilized, but later declined, and under the influence of the global economic crisis in the autumn 2008, the housing market of Vancouver got into record-low values in January and February 2009. People were generally afraid of the deep and long taking real estate crisis as the one in the USA.
If you believe the same, look at the statistics around – February 2009 was the point of rebound, not the beginning of stagnation! Since then, all real estate crucial statistics in Vancouver BC show positive trend. If we look at the sales numbers, we can see that the figures in June 2009 reached almost 6 times higher than the level from February and almost twice higher than the results from summer 2008. The percent increase in June 2009 was 75.6% confronted to June 2008. Average price fall stopped in December 2008, remained flat till March, since then continues to increase steadily again. The prices in June 2009 reached again the same level as they were in October last year.

Does this amaze you? Just look at the statistics closely. Look at the new listings change graph. The rapid inflow of new properties on the market stopped many months ago in October 2008, after this month the overall inflow was falling.

This has an easy explanation, which lays in the obvious advantage of residential real estate, which is that people just need a home to stay. People do really need a dwelling, while they can pretty well survive without cars, hairdressers or holidays. Even though the demand may decrease, it is unlikely for it to reach zero level, even for a limited period of time. Certain rules should be kept at the supply side. Your home often is the most expensive item of your whole property. When prices are declining, it may be a good decision to hold your property and refuse selling it, but then this kind of approach helps new housing starts. Finally, buyers and sellers have to reach some point of consensus and the earlier they do, the better for both.

So what are the underlying factors behind Canadian market's fast recovery, regarding that the US market is still fighting with the crisis? The worst part of the US story - wave of foreclosures - was successfully avoided in Canada. The Canadian institutions and individual home owners are in better fiscal situation than the ones in the US. It doesn't mean we are richer; it means we are better prepared to cope with acute financial problems. One of the sectors most affected by the crisis in the US was the subprime mortgages, which is much less common in Canada. Of course our economic fundamentals could be in a better situation now, but they are still quite stabilized.

So what future development can we forecast for the Vancouver BC property market? Sales and average prices are likely to grow steadily during the few oncoming months. Nevertheless, the situation will calm down after getting to the pre-burst level, due to overall economic slowdown. Next year will be awesome especially for first time buyers – with record-low interest rates and prices still under the recent peak, homes won't be so affordable forever!

Vancouver district map by svacher

The stained image of Vancouver: Can it be improved again?

2009-07-03T03:22:00.000-07:00

(picture by barjack)

Vancouver scored the highest from all the American cities in the prestigious quality of living study by Mercer. And still it is getting negative international press attention by The Economics and The Independent. Why is that?

While Vancouver has 2.7 mil residents, there have been 45 gunfire incidents from January to March 2009. 17 people died in these. Converted per 1 mil inhabitants, that means 6.3 of them died violently. Compared to Toronto (5.1 mil inhabitants), there was 11 murders in the same period, which works out at 2.2 violent deaths per 1 mil inhabitants – almost three times less!

Double war: gangs fight gangs, gangs fight the police

The number of gangs working in Vancouver has multiplied 10 times over the last 10 years. Speaking in specific numbers, it is more than 100 groups active in Vancouver these days! And what is making these statistics even worse, is 1) bad organization of the gangs, 2) their easy access to weapons, and ) the average gang member age being very low.

Currently, there is a double war in process at Vancouver streets. One of them being of course between the gangs themselves. The gangs are at each other's throats since the price of cocaine from Mexico has gone up. In the recent past, the cocaine price has gone up from $23,300/kg up to almost $39,000/kg, this being caused by the activities against drug cartels led by the Mexican administration.

There is a natural question occurring - why is Vancouver such a drug capital? The answer to this question should mention the general carefree attitude of the place in conjunction with its position on the map and its enormous low populated areas surrounding it, all this resulting in great conditions for a very active drug scene. Also no other place in Canada combines these characteristics to such an extent. Despite all this, the number of policemen in Vancouver is lower (recalculated per number of inhabitants) than anywhere else in Canada - concerning mostly great cities. Moreover, the local politicians are proposing to lower the annual police and court budget by $20 million by 2012. The other battle going on between the gangs and the police would be much more favorable to the latter, if the police had enough resources, both financial and personal.

How to handle the situation

I have been dealing real estate in Vancouver BC for a long time abd I know local safety is always crucial in realtor's business. It would be naive from me to come up with an all-solving idea. However, it seems obvious to me that the police would need to increase its staff count and budget, not cut it back! Safety and security have to become the city's important characteristics again. We are planning to host the Olympics here in 2010, but also and mainly it is in the Vancouver people's best interests. Proposing new strict law by the PM Stephen Harper – labelling gang killings as first-degree murder with a sentence of at least 25 years, is definitely a move to the right direction, but much more has to be done for the city to become what it used to be.

How to Buy Property in Vancouver: Guide for US Buyers

2009-06-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

Every country has over the years developed its own process for buying or selling properties. These habits sometimes vary even from region to region within the same country. In case you are thinking of buying a property in Vancouver or Richmond BC, Canada, you might find the following guide useful. If you'd like to find out more, please don't hesitate to visit my Vancouver BC Real estate website.

Finding the suitable property

Before your agent starts their research for the right property for you, he or she will make you familiare with the way the agency operates and also will familiarize you with the 'Working with a Real Estate Agent' brochure, which you will have to sign.

Then your agent starts his or her search for suitable properties for you. If you are used to spontaneous showings, forget about them in Vancouver - here 3 people usually attend the showings (of course you as the buyer, the listing agent and your agent as well), which means organizing three schedules of usually very busy people. After your agent finally finds the property that suits your wishes, a document called The Contract of Purchase and Sale has to be provided by your agent, which is basically an offer to the seller. In order to be able to bring in the right price, your agent will also prepare some background information on the property you expressed your interests in. Since Vancouver has extremely competitive real estate market, be prepared for multiply offers: you will have to fight if you want to win.

Closing the contract

If your offer is accepted by the seller, you've got to wire funds for the deposit, which is usually 10% of the sale price. Don't forget that it can take up to 14 days before your payment reaches the Canadian bank. You might choose to use some trusty third party services (e.g. House Global Foreign Exchange) that would guarantee a timely delivery of the deposit, since that’s part of the contract. When you have approved financing in place, are satisfied with the Home Inspection Report on the property, have been familiarized with all the documentation on the property and have had all your questions answered then you remove subjects (Amendment to the Contract of Purchase and Sale prepared by the Agent). As per the closing date - it is mostly scheduled 2 days before the possession date. All adjustments has to happen before the possession date.

Legal arrangements

After that the contract is ready to be handed to lawyers so that the documents can get ready. The federal and provincial taxes must be addressed at this time. You either have to be personally presented to sign the documents in Vancouver, or you can choose to have them couriered to a law office near them where all the documents can be signed under seal. The funds then will have to be transferred to the Vancouver lawyer's trust account.

immigration news and more

(photo by ecstatist)

Vancouver BC: the best city in the Western Hemisphere.

2009-05-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Just like in 2008, Vancouver proves the be the best city in the Western Hemisphere, as confirmed by recent Mercer's study of quality of living in various cities.

Every year the analysis aims to help multinational companies and governments placing their employees on various international assignments by evaluating 215 cities worldwide.The 215 cities are compared to the base city - New York with the index score 100 in 37 various criteria such as social and political indicators, standard of transportation or security.

Vienna scored as the best city of 2009 with 108.6 points, leaving the former no. 1 Curych behind with 108 points.Only three non-European cities squeezed within the top ten: Vancouver (4th), Auckland (4th as well) and Sydney (10th).As New York occupies 49th place, 47 cities managed to score anywhere between 100 and 108.6 points.Even though Baghdad scored by 0.9 point more than last year, it still finished at the bottom of the list. The difference between Baghdad and the second worst Bangui is 15 outstanding points.

Canadian cities preoccupied the Americas tables: already mentioned Vancouver (4th), Toronto (15th), Ottawa (16th), Montreal (22th) and Calgary (26th) were followed by the US cities Honolulu (29th), San Francisco (30th), Boston (35th), Portland (42nd), Washington DC and Chicago (both 44th).

Of course I have always believed that Vancouver is on of the nicest cities on Earth.Ending within the top 5 best cities in the world only confirms what I already thought.Should you consider moving to this wonderful city, this guide for buying real estate in Vancouver may help you a lot

10 easy tips that keeps your wallet full

2009-05-07T05:27:00.001-07:00

Vancouver is not an inexpensive city. Αs we in Vancouver BC real estate care about your financial safety, we have prepared this article!

Has the hard times finally caught up with you?
Do you spend more than you would like?
Put your worries aside: without handy list of 10 common dollar-gluttons, you too can stop overspending on every day expenses.

1) Grocery shopping

Hunger is the best chef and also the worst shopper, therefore eat first before you go shopping for food. Comparing prices per ounce or pint will save you a bundle. You might notice that you always find the most expensive stock right in front of your eyes, while the cheaper alternative (private label or store brands) would be located right at the bottom of the shelf.
If you can tell the difference between a $9 bottle of wine and a $30 bottle of wine blindfolded, buy the more expensive one. If you can't, stick to the $9 one.
On the other hand, don't buy something only because it is cheap: stick to your shipping list!

2) Bottled water

Did you get used to drinking bottled water over the years?Filtering your tap water works just as well. It's always better not to create unnecessary waste, even if it can be recycled - no bottles are better than recycled bottles.

3) Coffee

Can't live without caffeine? Most people can't.But is your stop at that coffee shop really necessary? Making a cup of coffee is not all that difficult. Try it!

4) Snacks

Snacks are important for those long periods between main meals.
Fruits and vegetables works just as well as any chocolate bar, only it is healthier and much cheaper alternative. Getting slimmer is just another side effect.

5) Movies & Cable

You can pay anything between $20 and $30 for 2 cinema tickets these days. For a fraction of that cost ($9 per month for unlimited view) you can watch movies on Netflix.
But how many channels do you pay for? Hundreds? Does anyone watch them? If you have the option, pick only those channels you have use for. No need to pay for what you or your family don't enjoy.

6) Music

Do you still buy new CD releases? Why don't you get your favourite tunes at Amazon or iTunes, where you pay per song, so that you can download only those you really like for under $1 per song.

7) Phone

While some people may be able to live without a cell phone quite happily, most of us can't either for personal or professional reasons. But having a cell phone doesn't have to be a burden. Compare the billing options or switch to pay as you go, if that would make you call less often.

8) Smoking

Smoking has been out of fashion for a long time, but if you still find it difficult to quit, rolling tobacco might be your option. You might need a few days before you master rolling your cigarette, but the saving effect (as much as 50% in many countries) will be astonishing. Learning rolling cigarette properly might take you around a week of practise, but the reward is awesome. You will be able to save as much as 50% of what you are paying now!

9) Petrol

Of course driving less would be the the ultimate money-saver, but that is not always possible. Except for the occasional repairs, petrol is the one thing that raises the cost of car usage. Decreasing it by checking the prices of petrol online in your area is hustle free trick that could save you fortune over the years.

10) Credit cards

You probably heard that one already many times, but if you if you keep using your credit card for every day shopping and in the end find yourself unable to repay it on time, no money-saving tips will ever help you. Old habits die hard, but getting rid of the habit of using your credit card instead of cash is very important if you want to decrease your spendings. Nobody enjoys paying the interests or possible late charges, so why not pay by cash!

(picture: money by jenn_jenn)