Units listed is the number of homes listed for sale in that month.
Units sold is the number of homes sold in that month.
Active listings is the number of homes listed for sale in that month plus the number of homes previously listed that haven't sold yet.
I just finished uploading this Townhouse for sale, 9 20449 66TH Ave, Langley, British Columbia
This is a bright & spacious, 3 bedroom + den, 3 level townhouse, overlooking tranquil green space and close to shopping, in the popular Natures Landing Complex. Featuring storage, in suite laundry, parking, generous closets, 2 bathrooms with bright ensuite and an open floor plan. The main area floor features a gas fireplace, large dining room, modern kitchen with granite counter tops, maple cabinets and modern appliances. Enjoy the community and amenities, including children's play area and just steps to golf courses, schools, shopping, parks and much more!
Sincerely, your friend in the real estate business,
Roland Kym
Remax Select Properties
Cell : 604 970-0393
Office: 604-737-8865
Fax : 604-737-8512 www.rightpricedrealty.com http://twitter.com/#!/RPRVancouver http://rightpricedrealty.posterous.com/
Units listed is the number of homes listed for sale in that month.
Units sold is the number of homes sold in that month.
Active listings is the number of homes listed for sale in that month plus the number of homes previously listed that haven't sold yet.
It is almost that time again, when eyes will turn towards Mark Carney and the Bank of Canada to see if interest rates will stay put again this time around.
The next announcement, slated for Tuesday May 31, comes at an interesting time. Throughout the first part of this year, it was widely believed that interest rates had stayed as low as they could, and for as long as they could, and the prediction was that rates would begin to creep up as early as this spring.
What has happened most notably in advance of this latest announcement- was unpredicted behaviour on a number of fronts. Consumer prices across many categories have been rising rapidly (although fell slightly below expectations last month), but are clearly displaying an upward trend. Inflation, while still manageable, is running a little too high to be ignored as a factor as well.
So, rates will rise at some point, but given the existence of some volatile conditions in the market, and fears that a rate hike will erode an already tenuous hold on affordability due to rising prices, the question is, is that time now?According to a survey done by Reuters last week, forecasters predict that a rate hike will not happen until Q3 2011. It is widely believed that rates will go up to 1.25% in the third quarter from the current 1%. Almost unanimously, the forecasters polled agreed that the announcement on May 31 will be a rate hold- again.
Supporting these findings, three of the major banks have also indicated that they don’t expect to see rate hikes until the fall either.
If all of this comes to pass, it is good news for the Canadian housing market. The time-limited offer of ultra-low interest rates will get extended. Coupled with the fact that this will end at some time contributes to a sense of urgency as well.
How does this translate into daily business for Real Estate and for the Mortgage professions? Propertywire.ca asked some members of the community.
Tara Gibson, Mortgage Broker, TAG Financial - Mortgage Alliance TAG Mortgages, agrees that rates will remain steady for the time being, but thinks that an increase could come as early as the summer. “In my opinion, our strong dollar is enough to predict that we won’t see an increase in interest rates this time; more likely in July. The question is, will discounts on Prime change with the lenders? I think we may start seeing this compress a bit soon enough; in fact, some lenders have already started to close the gap. Many clients are currently choosing to go with a variable rate; simple case of supply and demand, prices go up with increased demand.”
“Despite all the pressure to see interest rates increase, industry experts believe that the Bank of Canada and lenders will increase rates at a slow rate. Advice to borrowers, if you want a variable, get in on the rate holds before we see more lenders change the discount! Further to that and much more important, global uncertainty is only postponing the inevitable, rates WILL go up so make sure you are fully prepared to handle the change when you go to renew your mortgage in 5 or 10 years!"
Trish Pigott,Broker/Owner, Primex Mortgages agrees too that status quo will be the order of the day on Tuesday. “I'm sure they are going to remain steady and unchanged. The majority of economists were predicting July as our next increase but they are now changing that until September and even some as early as next year. With our global economy in the state it’s in, I can't see it changing much until the rest of the world stabilizes.”
Pigott feels too, that the current environment in prime for creating business opportunities: “I think it's great for the consumers’ buying decision, as it's a general mentality to purchase when rates are low. My personal opinion is that we, as brokers, have to continue to create business and marketing strategies despite a rising or changing rate market. There is so much opportunity if we focus on servicing our existing database and capture their referrals along with staying consistent in our efforts to drive business. If we work hard despite the market, the business will be there.”
Units listed is the number of homes listed for sale in that month.
Units sold is the number of homes sold in that month.
Active listings is the number of homes listed for sale in that month plus the number of homes previously listed that haven't sold yet.
Units listed is the number of homes listed for sale in that month.
Units sold is the number of homes sold in that month.
Active listings is the number of homes listed for sale in that month plus the number of homes previously listed that haven't sold yet.
Recently a client of mine asked me what I knew about Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and my opinion on them. I know that if installed incorrectly, this system (as with many exterior cladding systems) has had a problem with water moisture issues. If installed incorrectly, water gets behind the polystyrene foam and can cause problems. I think it comes down to a comfort level by the buyer, the positives versus negatives, recent activity and work completed to the specific building and again the comfort level of the buyer. They key component with EIFS exterior system is maintenance, following is a clear description of what is and what the problems with Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) can be. Roland Kym, Vancouver REALTOR What are EIFS? Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) are multi-layered exterior wall systems that are used on both commercial buildings and homes. EIFS were introduced in the U.S. almost 30 years ago and were first used on commercial buildings and then later on homes. EIFS typically consist of an insulation board made of polystyrene foam (which is secured to the exterior wall surface with adhesive and/or mechanical attachments), a water-resistant base coat applied on top of the insulation and reinforced with fiberglass mesh, and a finish coat typically using acrylic co-polymer technology. This type of system is often referred to as artificial stucco.
The Potential Problem with EIFS? The potential problem with EIFS is that moisture can get trapped behind the highly water resistant material with no way out. This can cause the framing to rot and foster the growth of mold between the exterior and interior walls. Damp and rotting wood is also a prime target for subterranean termites. It should be stated that the potential for these conditions exist with any type of exterior siding product be it brick veneer, wood, or vinyl siding. The potential for this condition with EIFS however can be exacerbated by its superior water resistance. Once moisture gets in, regardless of its origin, it usually has no escape. The main locations where water tends to infiltrate into the framing structure of a building using an EIFS is around doors and windows, where the roof connects to the EIFS (roof flashing), and below extended exterior deck connections. Also, any moisture from within the home trying to find a path out will likely be thwarted by the EIFS. The EIFS industry has been plagued by class action, and individual lawsuits (particularly in humid climates). The public's confidence in the products has been shaken to say the least. The lawsuits contend that the problem is with the nature of the product and the manufacturers contend that sloppy installation and poor maintenance are the culprits. Regardless of who is "right", its clear that homes with EIFS require special scrutiny during inspection
We are proud to announce that this May 21st, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 2190 8TH Ave W in the Kitsilano neighborhood, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful Kitsilano.
Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Kitsilano Condo for sale.
As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-737-8865 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.
Sincerely, your friend in the real estate business,
Roland Kym
Remax Select Properties
Cell : 604 970-0393
WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS AND HOW CAN YOU PREVENT IT?
Osteoporosis is a condition that results from bone loss and makes the bones become weaker and thinner. If you have osteoporosis, the bones of the hip, spine, and wrist are most commonly affected and are likely to break or fracture.
Risks of developing osteoporosis:
- Low calcium intake
- Smoking
- Low physical activity
- Poor nutrition
- Low body weight, less than 125lbs
- Consuming too much caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages
Reduce risk of developing osteoporosis:
- Consume adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium
- Increase level of physical activity to include weight-bearing activities; walking, hiking, dancing, and weight training
- Live a healthy lifestyle and reduce intake of alcohol and caffeine
- Hire a professional to help you increase your bone density with resistance training
Recommended intake of calcium:
| Age | 4-8 | 800mg | ||||
|
| 9-18 | 1300mg | ||||
|
| 19-50 | 1000mg | ||||
|
| Over 50 | 1200mg | ||||
|
| Pregnant or lactating women 18+ | 1000mg | ||||
www.osteoporosiscanada.ca 2011
Physical activity is extremely important for improving bone health and managing osteoporosis. Our professionally trained Therapeutic Recreation team has a combination of motivational, coaching and personal training skills as well as in depth knowledge of physiology and medial training to meet your needs wherever you are at. Your needs and personal challenges are most important as we design and implement programs that are custom suited to you and your lifestyle.
Jennifer Gilchrist, RT
Lifetime Leisure Ltd.
This graph lets you compare homes listed to homes for sale in West Side of Vancouver.
The charts also show overall activity in the areas and trends. You can see from the following graph that there has been an increase in the number of active detached homes listed since January, a classic pattern of the Vancouver West Real Estate market trends.
You can also see however that there have been more units sold proportionally to units listed this spring versus spring 2010. For a detailed home or market analysis for your needs, call us directly at 604-970-0393
We are proud to announce that this May 21st, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 2190 8TH Ave W in the Kitsilano neighborhood, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful Kitsilano.
Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Kitsilano Condo for sale.
As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-737-8865 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.
Sincerely, your friend in the real estate business,
Roland Kym
Remax Select Properties
Cell : 604 970-0393
Units listed is the number of homes listed for sale in that month.
Units sold is the number of homes sold in that month.
Active listings is the number of homes listed for sale in that month plus the number of homes previously listed that haven't sold yet.
Units listed is the number of homes listed for sale in that month.
Units sold is the number of homes sold in that month.
Active listings is the number of homes listed for sale in that month plus the number of homes previously listed that haven't sold yet.
What are the advantages of Bigger Down Payments?
Short Term Rates vs. Long Term Rates?
The options for mortgages available can be very confusing for most mortgage shoppers. Terms for mortgages vary between variable and fixed rate, 6-month terms to 10 year terms. Taking a variable or floating rate mortgage can have savings. Typically the shorter the term or guarantee of the rate, the lower the rate will be. This does not always happen, depending on the market place and the economy, but history has shown that short-term rates tend to be lower than long-term rates. The up side of variable rate is the strong potential for interest rate savings. The down side is the fact that you are accepting the interest rate risk without a guarantee. If you are considering a variable rate mortgage you need to look at your own risk tolerance and your cash flow available to deal with potential increased payment. Considering projections of rates and where we see interest rates heading can also be important in this decision. Make sure you talk to an expert when you are making this decision.
Following is a great article about pressure washing and the reasons why to do it, written by a great inspector and business associate of mine, Kyle Deverill, License # 53543 from A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections – Burnaby. If anyone of you needs to the services of a great home inspector, I would be extremely pleased in allowing me to make the introduction for you. Thank you, Roland
“Cleaning your deck is a basic maintenance task. Usually it’s performed on an annual basis in the spring. It’s very important to remove any algae that may have formed. Algae holds moisture close to the wood, causes rot, and can be very slippery. There are many different opinions on the best way to perform algae removal. The usual options are: Pressure washing and hand scrubbing.
I recall the first time I discovered a pressure washer, I thought it was the coolest thing and set out to wash everything on and in my home! One thing I found out is that a pressure washer can seriously damage wood, get into openings and cause damage, such as I did on my friend’s wood fence!
There are just as many cleaning solutions for decks as there are types of sprayers, so chose the one best suited for your needs. Remember there are different kinds, cleaning solutions (detergents), bleaches, and chemicals. So check with your local hardware store or where you rent your pressure washer to determine which solution is best for your project. Always be sure to read the label for proper mixing and handling. Always remember that the basics of the pressure washing process is a mixture of water, heat, and detergents/cleaners. Make the process work for you. Do not try to power everything off with just water pressure, let the cleaner do its job!
A good rule of thumb for PSI levels when power washing a deck or wood is no more than 1500 PSI (pounds per square inch). Be cautious however, because even this pressure can damage soft wood.
Another popular option used is scrubbing the deck and rinsing with a garden hose. Most often the process of cleaning and pressure washing your deck will require scrubbing. Cleaning solutions can damage your deck if you allow them to dry, so always have a hose handy to wet the deck down while brushing and applying the cleaner. Always clean with grain of the wood, instead of against, to get the best results.” Kyle Deverill, License # 53543 from A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections – Burnaby.
