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kerrisdale_home Vancouver is in the midst of a strong spring in real estate as home buyers continue to enter the housing market at near record levels. There have been 4,080 sales in March, 2011 which represents a 31.7% increase compared to February, 2011 and an increase of 30.1% compared to March, 2010. The all-time sales record for March was in 2004 when 4,371 real estate transactions occurred.

So, what's driving the high-end real estate market in Vancouver? Investment class immigrants from Mainland China looking to move here in the next 2-3 years. They are required to have a Canadian investment of at least 800K and need to show a net worth of 1.6 million dollars. With good schools and safe neighbourhoods these buyers are mainly focused on Westside homes.

Multiple…

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If you're getting ready to buy or sell your home this spring, you definately don't want to miss out on our latest contest. We have four prize packages to be won! Don't forget to check out the latest North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Vancouver listings.

remaxhometeamImagine renovating that dated bathroom you've been meaning to get to... or maybe you've had your eye on a new LCD TV or dining set for your new pad? The possibilities are endless!

To enter the RE/MAX Home Team Contest fill in the entry form for your chance to win one of four incredible prizes including CASH, The Brick Gift Cards and an All Weather Windows Package.

 

Grand Prize (x1): Consists of one $10,000 RE/MAX Home Improvement Package

  • One (1) $5,000 RE/MAX Home Improvement Prize which…
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According to the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) news release yesterday, the national average price for homes sold in February 2011, increased by 8.8% compared to the previous month. However, if you take Vancouver out of the mix, it drops to 3.4%. In addition to a strong pre-spring market, there have been a record number of multi-million dollar sales in Vancouver resulting in bidding wars.

shaughnessy_houseIn Vancouver, looking at detached properties over the 3 million dollar mark, the community with the highest level of activity is Shaughnessy. In February there were 18 homes sold between $3,045,000 and $7,850,000. The total amount of real estate sold was just under 77 million; the average price being $4,277,000. Three of these homes sold in multiple offer…

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If you would like to donate $5 dollars for Japan to the Red Cross, simply use your phone to text the word 'ASIA' to 30333. For more information please visit: http://www.mobilegiving.ca or http://www.mobileegiving.org

The search for lost loved ones in Japan continues and five days later, there is no idea of the true toll of this disaster. In areas like Izumi, nobody knows how many were swept away. The number is in the thousands, perhaps 15,000.

Teams of soldiers, firemen and international rescuers are combing through the wreckage left by the 9.0 quake and subsequent waves of terror in towns and villages along the east coast. But on Wednesday, snow started falling making the job of searching even harder and our donations even more timely.

Please…

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For the past two months, the number of properties listed and those sold on the Multiple Listing Service® in Greater Vancouver crushed the 10-year average. Residential sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in February, 2011 increased by 70% over January, 2011 and 25% compared to February 2010.

Simply broken out, Vancouver home sales look like this:

Greater Vancouver Area February, 2011 February, 2010 February, 2009
Detached Units Sold 1,402 489 1,206
Attached Units Sold 983 416
1,074
Apartment Condo Units Sold 587 243 650

The benchmark price for detached properties in Vancouver increased 6% from February 2010 to $848,645; attached increased 2.3% to $507,118 and condos increased 2.2% to…

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Congrats, we did it Vancouver! But really, did you ever doubt that we are living in the best city on Earth?

Vancouver topped the Economist Intelligence Unit's list for the fifth year running with a score of 98 (out of a possible 100). The EIU ranks 140 cities around the world using 30 indicators including healthcare, stability, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. No doubt that the successful hosting of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics provided an extra boost to our overall score.

Australia marginally outranked Canada, holding the majority of top ten positions with 4; Melbourne came in at number 2, Sydney at 7, Perth at 8, and Adelaide at 9. But Canadians can feel a bit of pride too having filled 3 of those positions; Toronto…

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You may have heard but the deadline is fast approaching. The government is reducing the maximum mortgage amortization period to 30 years, from 35, as well as the the maximum amount of a home's value that can be refinanced.

These changes come into effect on March 18, 2011; exceptions will only be made where there is a binding home purchase/sale contract in place and the financing condition must be satisfied. Exceptions will also be made when it comes to financing and refinancing your current home, but you must also have an exsiting agreement in place (with your institution or mortgage broker).

For more details and to understand how this may effect you, feel free to view GVREB Mortgage Rules or visit www.fin.gc.ca.

Attention Google Chrome users:…

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Just a quick heads-up to those who were looking forward to a break in the weather to enjoy the Oceanside Skate at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver; due to the former long-range forecast of rain and high winds, unfortunately the event has been shut down early. It looks like we'll have to find another way to take advantage of this fabulous sunshine on such a beautiful Friday afternoon!

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The study results are in! The Real Estate Staging Association has released some interesting data collected from real estate markets across Canada and the US in 2010. SO, is it worth it to stage your Vancouver home? You be the judge! The study includes the following:

Stale Properties

  • 87 vacant homes (not staged) at an average of 277 days on the market, unsold. Those homeowners decided to take their properties off the market to stage them. Those same homes sold in 63 days on average. This is 78% less time than a non-staged home.
  • 39 occupied homes (not staged) previously on the market at an average of 233 days, unsold. Those same staged homes sold in 53 days on average after staging. This is also 78% less time than a non-staged home.

New Listings

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Resulting from lower listing levels, housing values in Vancouver and much of Canada are expected to continue to climb; a supporting factor being the many instances of multiple offers in certian Greater Vancouver sub-areas this year. We believe Vancouver can anticipate a strong spring market even though sales figures will likely be off 2010's active pace due to mortgage changes and rising interest rates.

Feel free to view the entire REMAX New Release.

Attention to Google Chome users: right click on the link to open PDF files while Google and Adobe work things out ;)  

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