Based on the official community plans for Metro Vancouver municipalities, there is room for an additional 215,000 suites in the region.
Source: Metro Vancouver
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Have your received your Vancouver Food Scraps Bin?
Have your received your Vancouver Food Scraps Bin?
We were away for a few days and we came home to a nice new green food scraps bin from the City of Vancouver with instructions on how to use it.
Starting now your green bin and recycling will be emptied every week and your garbage will be emptied every other week..... a big shift!
Friday, April 26, 2013
What are the Benefits of ENERGY STAR light fixtures and CFLs?
· Indoor fixtures come with pin-based CFLs, which use 75% less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
· Qualified light fixtures and CFLs carry a two-year warranty – double the industry standard – making them perfect for hard-to-reach places because the bulbs do not need to be replaced as often.
Get lots more tips and information on the energy efficient lighting at: http://www.bchydro.com/powersmart
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Why is Vancouver such a solid rental investment?
Right now is a great time to be looking for investment properties in Vancouver. I am beginning to see some slightly cash-positive investments that offer a great long-term hold with a 20% to 25% down payment. I recently just helped two clients purchase their first investment properties this year, and I am often asked why Vancouver is such a strong rental and investment opportunity? The quick answer is
Ongoing low vacancy in Vancouver + and little rental-purposed construction in the last many years, have continued to foster a = very strong rental market.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Get an Inspection done when your buying a house... everytime!
I tell all my clients when buying; we are looking for one of two outcomes from an inspection.
Outcome 1.) We do not discover any major issues that we were not already aware of, however the inspection will have clearly outline all the small deficiencies in the building that would take you a year to discover. For example the scratches, chips, “broken this,” “loose that” and so forth; you will then be in a position to accept it or not more forward.
Outcome 2.) We discover major issues that were not disclosed to us, or we discover things that are not conforming to what we have been told. You will then be in a position to walk away from the accepted contract or re-negotiate a different purchase price if all parties agree.
Following are five common mistakes that can be avoided, if you follow these rules when you get a home inspected.
1.) ALWAYS get a newly constructed home inspected. Don’t assume your builder or contractors haven’t made mistakes just because you are buying new, and the home has passed all local codes and ordinances. A good inspector will catch any problems or issues. The other very valuable factor when you get an inspection of a brand new home is that the items your inspector finds can be brought up in your deficiency tour and corrected under the builders warranty.
2.) Choose the best inspector you can; he/she should be knowledgeable, trustworthy and thorough. Don’t hire based exclusively on fees, or someone simply because that is the one name you got from a friend. Often those with the least experience and technical knowledge will cost less; so, be wary. Ask for several names, so you can interview them and make the right choice. Accreditation, licensing, credentials, professional experience, whether the inspector carries Errors and Omissions (E & O) insurance, and your comfort level should be determining factors.
3.) Attend the inspection—at least the last part of it. A written report doesn’t reveal everything. Sometimes minor problems can be overemphasized or major problems, disastrously underemphasized. Also, ask questions and listen when the inspector gives his/her opinion of the house. A great report has clear details of how everything is performing and has clear pictures to support the key issues.
4.) Follow up on issues discovered by the inspector before the closing. You might not realize the cost to repair certain items, or the extent of necessary work. Although the inspector should not recommend a repair person, he/she might be able to shed light on the contractors’ suggestions.
5.) Don’t expect inspectors to predict specifics about when a particular aging component might fail. Their response would only be an educated guess. Because their income doesn’t hinge upon the property’s closing, unlike others, they are hired and paid by you to give you honest answers; so you can always count on them to be neutral.
Source: Roland Kym & August 24th, 2011 of the Real Estate News
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement - April 17, 2013
BCREA ECONOMICS NOW
BCREA Economics Now
Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement - April 17, 2013
The Bank of Canada kept its target overnight rate at 1 per cent this morning. In the statement accompanying the decision, the Bank forecast that the Canadian economy will gain momentum through the year following a weak second half in 2012, but slow growth through the first half of this year will limit real GDP growth to just 1.5 per cent in 2013 before rising to 2.8 in 2014. The Bank's revised forecast means that the economy is now projected to return to full capacity in mid-2015, rather than in 2014 as previously predicted. A more persistent output gap will keep downward pressure on inflation, which is now expected to gradually rise to the 2 per cent target rate by mid-2015. The Bank continued to sound a much more dovish note on future rate increases, noting that the considerable policy stimulus currently in place will likely remain appropriate for "a period of time, after which some modest withdrawal will likely be required."
With an expanding output gap and inflation trending well below its 2 per cent target, it is natural to ask if the next move by the Bank of Canada is a rate cut rather than the rate hike that almost all economists have penciled into their forecasts. However, unless the economy deteriorates much more or inflation trends much lower, the Bank is unlikely to lower interest rates since doing so would run counter to a year of loudly exhorting households to cut back on debt. Instead, the Bank will likely continue to use forward guidance about the need, or lack thereof, for future rate hikes in order to influence long-term rates and the Canadian dollar lower. The combined of effect of which should provide continued stimulus to the Canadian economy.
For more information, please contact:
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Which school catchment you are standing in? Has anyone found a link or an app that can tell you instantly on your cell phone? If yes, please tell me!
What is the closets elementary school for this apartment? What is the closest Highschool for this house?
I hear these questions at least once a week from my buyers when we are on tour. In case I do not know the answer at that given point in time I always check the following Vancouver School Board Catchment link.
Each Vancouver school belongs to a family of schools including a secondary school and the elementary schools
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Your fired! Last night, I fired a buyer client it was a hard decision at the time, but now it feels like a brand-new-day!
My only regret is that I did not trust my gut early enough and I invested so many hours and so many emotions.. lesson learned!
These buyers talked about morals, ethics and so much.. through spending hours and hours of time working together I saw that they did not treat others this way.... and I did not want their business anymore. They did not deserve my dedication and I feel a lot better this morning already!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle!,
GREAT Quote for a Monday morning.... have a great week everyone~!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
BAD Realtor Mistake! ...As when I visited the upstairs the toilet seat was up & there was stale water in the bowl that was clearly days old.
Yesterday afternoon I visited a brand-new Duplex in east Vancouver. It was already half way-through the open house and clearly the agent had not done a round of the property yet but was busy taking to prospective buyers downstairs. As when I visited the upstairs the toilet seat was up & there was stale water in the bowl that was clearly days old.
For this very reason... I always check all my rooms, place the lids down and turn on all the lights for each one of my open houses... common sense is not that common!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
I think Tiger Dropped his golf ball beside my house.... how many stroke penalty is that ;o)
I think Tiger Dropped his golf ball beside my house.... how many stroke penalty is that ;o)
Friday, April 12, 2013
I recently sold this Condo at 222 638 7TH Ave W, Vancouver West, British Columbia Fairview VW
I recently sold this Condo at 222 638 7TH Ave W, Vancouver West, British Columbia Fairview VW
The Buyer is happy, happy, happy, she got herself and new puppy and is really making the most of the backyard patio. This was an unique apartment that did not have a door to the bedroom but was not a loft. With the clients design, furniture selection and taste is has been beautifully appointed and looks great.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Great Presentation today by Darryl Bailey, a registered home inspector. The most powerful thing I learned was that as a seller, get your house pre-inspected.
Great Presentation today by Darryl Bailey, a registered home inspector. The presentation was about your house drainage system and the value of a Pre-inspection if you are going to sell your home. Do not think of it as an added cost of sale, rather as an investment to maximize your disclosure and maximize your sale price.
The most powerful thing I learned was that as a seller, get your house pre-inspected. This will outline all the areas that need addressing that the future buyer will bring up and puts you into a position with two options:
1.) Find the solutions, invest in the home and get the problems fixed; but the most powerful learning was:
2.) If you’re not able or willing to get the problems fixed… go out and get three quotes for the outstanding work. This will provide you with an unbiased opinion of the TRUE cost associated and put both you as a Seller and the future Buyer in a realistic position. Otherwise, you as a Seller think it may be a $10,000 fix and the Buyer thinks it is a $30,000 fix…. Whereby the deal will likely fall apart or never come together.
If you need a great inspector, consider Darryl
Darryl Bailey RHI (Registered Home Inspector)
License# 47936
Level 1 Thermographer
Ph: 604-671-5528
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Mortgage Broker leverages on the RBC public relations fiasco
Mortgage Broker leverages on the RBC public relations fiasco
This situation with RBC, foreign works and the quick social media response is a great example of how we live in such a busy, hyper-reactive world!
AMAZING how quickly this happens once something goes viral, and has a strong-enough social audience through being sensitive or socially current as it was in this case (RBC being exposed two days after bad Canadian Job Loss numbers are publish). It will be interesting to see how corrosive this story is to RBC and other companies that use the outsourcing. I personally believe that outsourcing will grow into a far bigger political and trade issue over the coming years. Following is an article about a Vancouver mortgage broker who is leveraging off this RBC disaster, and has created a page on his website to try and switch disgruntle RBC mortgage clients to another lender. I will follow-up on this in this months newsletter and see how much traction Scott Dawson’s website got. Roland
One broker is leaving nothing to chance amid the RBC public relations fiasco, creating a web page showing people how to switch their mortgage from the embattled bank to another lender.
“The response to the RBC story has been phenomenal,” says Scott Dawson, a Vancouver mortgage broker who yesterday told MortgageBrokerNews.ca that RBC’s public relations stumble in outsourcing its IT work to a company based in India was “gold” for mortgage brokers.
“I created a page on my website outlining what's required for an RBC client to switch their mortgage.” He says. “After sharing the link to clients and industry associates on various social media sites, it has already become the most visited page on my site.”
Dawson, who promoted his new webpage “RBC Mortgage Switch” on his twitter feed Tuesday morning, is well-known in the channel for his blogging, magazine writing and participation in the online Canadian Mortgage Hangout forum.
“A quick search on Twitter and Facebook clearly shows that people are upset about what RBC has allegedly done and are talking about it openly,” he told MortgageBrokerNews.ca. “Personally, I know of one person who has already moved all of their day-to-day banking to another financial institution because of it.”
RBC confirmed Sunday that it was laying off 45 employees who do its IT-related work, outsourcing jobs to a smaller group of employees who work for iGATE and would be granted Canadian temporary work permits . The move to outsource had been approved by Ottawa prior to the announcement.
That controversial move by RBC followed another, with the banking titan confirming it would increase its mortgage discharge and switch-out fee structure, from $250 to $300 – the second such $50 increase in consecutive years.
For Dawson, his webpage is designed to help educate RBC customers, and offer them not just a financial solution, but possibly an ethical one as well.
“Possible penalties aside, moving your mortgage is a bit more complicated than just walking into a branch to close your account,” says Dawson. “I set up the page to assist RBC customers so they can become more informed about the process and help them navigate the many Canadian mortgage lenders and help you choose one that makes not only financial sense, but ethical sense as well.”
Monday, April 8, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Clients recently bought this great apartment for their kids to live at while going to UBC
Clients recently bought this great apartment for their kids to live at while going to UBC
Bought for $325,000, # 203 2335 YORK AV, Kits, V971406
North of 4th, dream location 1 block from Kits Beach! This extremely well cared for corner home, has a large and very functional floor plan offering generous room sizes with abundant natural South light. A 100 sq ft balcony wraps the home and overlooks a quiet tree lined York Ave. Clean and move in ready, or bring your own decorating tastes for easy customizing. Includes underground parking. 2 storage lockers and bike storage. The size and location you've been looking for in Kits, with low strata fees that include heat & hot water
Friday, April 5, 2013
Some people have learned to earn well, but they haven't learned to live well. ~ Jim Rohn
Although I was up late last night in negotiations putting a deal together, right now spending some extra family time with Justin... working on the work/life balance! Roland
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