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The Lisa MacIntosh Team - Your Vancouver Real Estate Experts

Specializing in Vancouver Heritage Homes, First Time Buyers and Real Estate Investors looking for great investment opportunities in Vancouver.

Let us be your Vancouver real estate experts. We will give you honest, efficient and professional service that helps you in reaching your goals.

Phone: (604) 263-1144
Fax: (604) 263-6699
E-mail: Lisa MacIntosh
Web site: www.lisamacintosh.com

 

Awarded - MLS Medallion Club Member 2006 - 2011 - Ranked Top 10% of Realtors in Greater Vancouver   -     Recent Sales       -       Current Market Trends
Open Houses This Weekend...
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FIRST SHOWING :
Thurs. May 17th, 6:00- 7:00pm

OPEN HOUSE:
Sat. May 19th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Sun. May 20th, 1:00 - 3:00pm

2249 Charles Street
East Vancouver - Grandview / Commercial Drive
List Price $1,079,000
Lot size = 33 x 122
6 bdrm, 3 bthrm - 3491sq. ft

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OPEN HOUSE:
Sat. May 19th, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Sun. May 20th, 3:30 - 5:00pm

103 -1688 Robson Street
Vancouver West - West End
List Price $498,000
1 bdrm, 1 bthrm - 644sq. ft


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OPEN HOUSE:

Sat. May 19th, 3:30 - 4:30pm

#207 - 1950 West 8th Ave
Vancouver West - Kitsilano
List Price $359,900
1 bdrm, 1 bthrm - 704sq. ft

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OPEN HOUSE:

Sun. May 20th, 3:30 - 4:30pm

#214 - 1420 East 7th Avnue
East Vancouver - Grandview / Commercial Drive
List Price $275,000
1 bdrm, 1 bthrm - 781sq. ft

First Time Home Buyer's Bonus - up to $10,0000

Subject to approval by the legislature, the B.C. government intends to implement a temporary BC First-Time New Home Buyers’ Bonus. Effective February 21, 2012, to March 31, 2013, the bonus is a one-time refundable personal income tax credit worth up to $10,000 when a new home is purchased in BC by a first time home buyer. The amount of the tax credit is dependent on the buyer's income level and the purchase price of the house. Full BC Government info sheet

 

MARKET UPDATE

Vancouver Real Estate Market Update - February 2012 (Historical Statistics for Real Estate Board)

There is often a lot of confusion, and misinformation about the real estate market in Vancouver. The media likes to create "news", so often, real estate market information is given a sensational "breaking news headline" - that perhaps sometimes misconstrues the facts somewhat.

My attempt with this market update is to give you the facts about what has been happening in the Vancouver market focusing on the Vancouver West Side and Vancouver East Side. Remember, if you need a Vancouver Realtor don't hesitate to call, as we specialize in both Vancouver West Side and East Vancouver Real Estate.

Here is a little more in-depth look at the Vancouver market numbers. Insider's Market Review. What does it all mean? Give us a call & we can explain.

Type of PropertyAREA
Benchmark Price*
1 Month Change %3 Month Change %6 Month Change %
1 Year Change %
3 Year Change %
5 Year Change %
  
DETACHED East Vancouver Houses $827,5000.7%0.7% 1.1% 12.9% 41.3%41.8%
Vancouver West Houses $2,204,5001.1% -0.2%1.1%21.4% 69.0% 74.1%
ATTACHEDEast Vancouver $516,600 -0.9%-0.5%1.6% 8.7%22.1%22.6%
Vancouver West $682,900 0.1%6.5%4.2%-8.9%24.0% 21.1%
APARTMENTEast Vancouver$298,900 -0.5% -1.6%-2.4%2.6% 12.2% 17.1%
Vancouver West$472,600 1.3%2.0%-0.1%4.8% 19.0% 16.8%

*BENCHMARK PRICE: Estimated sale price of a benchmark property. Benchmarks represent a typical property within each market.


Click on Graph for Full 30 Year Historic Trend.

Greater Vancouver housing market trends near long-term averages as spring market approaches

VANCOUVER, B.C. – March 2, 2012 – Closer alignment between home buyer and seller activity helped bring greater balance to the Greater Vancouver housing market in February.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,545 on the MLS® system in February 2012. This represents a 61.4 per cent increase compared to the 1,577 sales recorded in January 2012, a decline of 17.8 per cent compared to the 3,097 sales in February 2011 and a 2.9 per cent increase from the 2,473 home sales in February 2010.

February sales in Greater Vancouver were the third lowest February total in the region since 2002, though only 151 sales below the 10-year average.

“With a sales-to-active-listings ratio of over 18 per cent, we see fairly balanced conditions in our marketplace as we move into the traditionally busier spring season,” Rosario Setticasi, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 5,552 in February 2012. This represents a 2.5 per cent decline compared to February 2011 when 5,693 properties were listed, and a 3.5 per cent
decline compared to January 2012 when 5,756 homes were added to the MLS® in Greater Vancouver.

Last month’s new listing count was the second highest February total in Greater Vancouver since 1996.

At 14,055, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 12 per cent in February compared to last month and increased 17.9 per cent from this time last year. “Region-wide we’ve seen relative stability in home prices over the last six months, but it’s important to do your homework and consult your REALTOR® because pricing can vary considerably depending on the neighbourhood and property type,” Setticasi said.

The MLS® HPI benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver currently sits at $670,900, up 6 per cent compared to February 2011 and an increase of 0.9 per cent compared to January 2012. The benchmark price for all residential properties in the Lower Mainland is $601,300, an increase of 5.5 per cent compared to February 2011.

Sales of detached properties on the MLS® in February 2012 reached 1,101, a decline of 21.5 per cent from the 1,402 detached sales recorded in February 2011, and a 12 per cent increase from the 983 units sold in February 2010. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 10.5 per cent from February 2011 to $1,042,900.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,020 in February 2012, a decline of 15.4 per cent compared to the 1,206 sales in February 2011, and a decrease of 5 per cent compared to the 1,074 sales in February 2010. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 2.8 per cent from February 2011 to $373,300.

Townhome property sales in February 2012 totalled 424, a decline of 13.3 per cent compared to the 489 sales in February 2011, and a 1.9 per cent increase from the 416 townhome properties sold in February 2010. The benchmark price of a townhome unit increased 0.7 per cent between February 2011 and 2012 to $472,800.

The real estate industry is a key economic driver in British Columbia. In 2010, 30,595 homes changed ownership in the Board's area, generating $1.28 billion in spin-off activity and 8,567 jobs. The total dollar value of residential sales transacted through the MLS® system in Greater Vancouver totalled $21 billion in 2010. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing more than 10,000 REALTORS® and their companies. The Board provides a variety of member services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local REALTOR® or visit www.rebgv.org.

Information provided with permission by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV)

Vancouver Laneway Housing

November 2010 - City of Vancouver Update on Laneway housing: Full report from the City of Vancouver

Key Findings - Vancouver's First 100 Laneway Houses

  • On average, 11 laneway house permits were issued per month city-wide. 100 laneway houses were developed in the same period as about 500 new single family homes.
  • 39 of the first 100 laneway houses were added onto sites while retaining the existing main house; 61 were part of total site redevelopment (a new laneway house and a new main house). Overall, for approximately every 8 new single family homes developed, 1 has included a new laneway house.
  • There were no significant changes to demolition/replacement housing rates in the time frame under consideration. The opportunity to build a laneway house does not appear to have driven increased demolition of a single family house where demolition was not already contemplated.
  • While laneway houses display a variety of architectural styles, most have a partial upper storey and a traditional pitched roof.
  • Of the first 100 laneway houses:
    - 67% are 1 bedroom units; 28% are 2 bedroom units; 5% are studio units.
    - 59% provide the minimum 1 onsite parking space; 41% provide 2 or more spaces.
    - About 1/3 of laneway house projects have involved tree removal and replacement. More than twice as many trees are being planted in conjunction with laneway houses than are being removed.
    - Rental rates range between $1000 - $2100 for 1 – 2 bedroom laneway houses in varying locations, with varying quality of finishes. These rates are consistent with CMHC rent levels for recent, purpose-built rental housing projects.

July 28th, 2009 - City of Vancouver Council, approved unanimously, the plan to allow laneway housing. This will affect almost 70,000 single-family properties in Vancouver that are now potentially eligible to add a small house in their backyard. This has been a much debated about possible solution Vancouver's extremely low vacancy rate of .3%.

Concerns about livability, parking, density all come to a forefront with this hot topic. Is this the solution to Vancouver's problem of affordable housing? Read on.... Full story from Vancouver Sun & Vancouver Province.

Green Real Estate
For information about Green Real Estate and how you can make educated environmentally friendly decisions about your home, check out my new Green Living Section for some great Green links. Find out about grants for Green renovations.


Lisa MacIntosh Team - Personal Real Estate Corporation - Dexter Associates Realty
Phone: 604-263-1144 Fax: 604-263-6699
Medallion Club Member -
Top 10% of Realtors in Greater Vancouver
email: Lisa MacIntosh Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
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