Tag Archive: Place Real Estate Team

Why Vancouver’s Real Estate Prices Are So Crazy

It has been a somewhat rocky road for the real estate industry in Canada since the real estate market crash a few years ago, but how rocky that road depends on where you live. The Vancouver Real Estate market has actually done quite well to bounce back, taking just about two years to recover to the all-time highs that were experienced just before the crash, and median home prices are now hovering around that level. Therefore, what is the current view of the Vancouver Real Estate market?

Vancouver Real Estate Market

Demand and Supply whether you are discussing the real estate market or any other market, demand, and supply is often the driving issue behind the economy. When there are too many houses for sale and not adequate buyers, the market stagnates and therefore prices will go down.

On the other hand, if there are too many buyers and not adequate houses to sell, prices can inflate for the reason that we turn out with bidding wars when numerous buyers want similar houses. This scenario sounds good to those individuals who are selling; however, it generally drives prices well above average and can finally have a bad effect on the industry.

West Vancouver Real Estate Market

This is actually what has been happening in the West Vancouver Real Estate market during the spring of 2011. Houses have been selling well above the list price (up to $350k higher sometimes) as many buyers wanted to purchase the same house. This pushes the median property price even higher in this already exclusive Vancouver borough. However, this kind of market is not sustainable and should level out soon. Know more here!

North Vancouver Real Estate Market

Although the North Vancouver neighboring municipality is not seeing similar highly inflated sales prices, certain houses are attracting a lot of buyers and are selling above the asking price. However, the North Vancouver real estate market is much more stable, and the average prices remain closer to the all-time highs.

Vancouver Real Estate Market Outlook

The Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board publishes monthly statistics based on data delivered by its approximately 10,500 members. Factors such as the number of homes sold, the number of listings, as well as the prices of homes sold are considered, allowing the Real Estate Board to compare data month-to-month and year-to-year. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver then publishes those statistics so we can find out what the Vancouver Real Estate market is doing.

Figures released show that the overall market is generally balancing. This is just because in recent months there have been more sellers than buyers, so prices even out as demand and supply level off.

Therefore, what does this mean for anybody looking to sell or buy a house at the moment? Unless you want to buy in West Vancouver or on the west side of Vancouver – where prices are rising well above the Vancouver average, a balanced Real Estate Market should indicate a good time to sell or buy. More details in site: http://www.demopoliscreditunion.com/top-12-tips-for-selling-your-downtown-vancouver-condo/

Top 12 Tips for Selling Your Downtown Vancouver Condo

People invest in Vancouver real estate all the time and it can be a fantastic idea. Real estate is always a hot ticket and being a homeowner has many advantages. However, some haven’t intentionally invested, they just bought a home for their family, others want to maximise their money. Selling a condo – or indeed any home – in Vancouver isn’t without its difficulties. While there are many buyers, there are also many homes, and most buyers are looking for perfection. So, what tips could help you sell your condo?

Move-In Ready

Just because people are looking to buy Vancouver real estate, it doesn’t mean they want to take on a project. Sometimes, homeowners are buying for the first time and don’t have an endless pot of money. You must be smart and make your condo the one that sends out the right signals. Most buyers want to see a home that is liveable – move-in ready. That means there isn’t any serious work that needs done, such as repainting walls or recarpeting rooms. A clean and liveable home is what buyers want.

Keep It Clean

Out and indoors must be welcoming because a buyer wants to be wowed. They don’t want to see a beautiful home with awful exteriors. You must try to keep the home as clean as possible. This mean maintaining the little things as much as the big things. If you can do this, it’ll be easier to sell because people will want to invest in Vancouver property.

You Must Be Prepared to Leave for Good

If you aren’t mentally prepared to leave the home, selling won’t be easy. Everyone develops a bond with their home, but if you aren’t ready or prepared to leave it for good, it’s going to be difficult. Saying goodbye to your piece of Vancouver real estate takes time, that’s why it’s important to prepare yourself mentally – before – you put the property up for sale.

Remove the Clutter

People want to invest in Vancouver condos. They want to walk into a property and fall in love with it. Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the home; unfortunately, they might struggle to get past the clutter. Every home has clutter somewhere and it can cause buyers to walk away. You wouldn’t think something as trivial as clutter would cause issues, but it can. If you want to sell your condo, consider removing or storing the clutter elsewhere.

Have A Formal Inspection

Any nasty surprises could be lurking around the corner and it might make your home impossible to sell. If you have a formal inspection carried out, you know any issues that need to be addressed. This may also make the home more sellable. Of course, most buyers have their own survey carried out, but it’s still important to have. Some will look at Vancouver real estate that has had an inspection already done. It shows them you’re a decent seller who cares about their property. Read more!

Get Rid of Unsightly Furniture

Your tastes might be completely different from a buyer’s taste. While you mightn’t turn away every buyer with a 60’s-inspired sofa, some might be put off. It’s strange but people want to invest in Vancouver condos because it’s going to be their new home. They want to imagine themselves living there and some unsightly furniture might just spoil things. Instead, opt for neutral shades and furniture pieces to attract more buyers.

Include Some Furniture Pieces in the Sale

Let’s face it, you’re more likely to draw in first-time buyers when you leave a few pieces of quality furniture behind. For instance, standard kitchen appliances such as stoves, cookers, fridge freezers and washing machines are likely to be included in the sale. However, you could go one step further and leave behind a coffee machine or a toaster. Vancouver real estate sells better when there are items included in the sale. You could do this for items you no longer need or want. Having that option is always welcomed.

Organize Cupboards and Drawers

People will be looking around your condo. Prospective buyers will be going into cupboards, drawers, and other little storage spots. If you organize these areas, you can show a potential buyer the space on offer. This helps to sell a condo and make them more appealing. When buyers invest in Vancouver condos, they want to see something that’s spacious and ideal for them.

Make Upgrades to the Kitchen and Bathroom

Subtle upgrades, such as modern door and drawer handles makes a real difference. So too does modern lighting and other fixtures. This helps to sell Vancouver real estate and something that’ll help impress potential buyers. Far too many people don’t do this and that’s a mistake. If you want to sell your condo, making minor upgrades can help.

Good Photos Help to Market Wider

While most real estate agents handle the photography side, you too can do your part. You can ensure the home is presentable for any photographs. Also, the condition of the home should be the same as in the photos. It’s something to consider, nonetheless. Remember, people want to invest in Vancouver condos, and they want a home that matches the photos they’ve seen online.

Be Friendly During Visits

If you’re there when a potential buyer comes to look at the property, it’s important you’re a friendly and polite host. Don’t take it to heart if someone says a room is slightly on the small side; it could be the room is small for their requirements. A lot of people say things they don’t really mean and aren’t likely to be saying them out of spite or to cause offense. If you want to sell your piece of Vancouver real estate, it’s essential to be a friendly host during the visits.

Be Open to Negotiations

Another important tip to consider is the price. Now, depending on the market, prices can fluctuate considerably and what you want might not be realistic to a buyer. Sometimes, you must negotiate (even just a little) to find a buyer. That doesn’t mean to say you have to take a loss or accept a price you aren’t happy with. Sometimes, people want to invest in Vancouver property and feel the price is slightly high. This is especially true if they plan to make big changes in the home.

Make Your Home Sellable

Selling a home is never easy. You have an emotional attachment to the home, as much as the next owner, so it’s going to be a difficult time. Putting the emotional stuff to one side, you then must find a suitable buyer. That’s not as easy as you think because most people want a condo, they will call home for the next decade. Some buyers are so particular any little thing can dissuade from them buying. Make your piece of Vancouver real estate a sellable property. Find out more at http://www.demopoliscreditunion.com/tips-for-snowbirding-on-vancouver-island/

Tips for Snowbirding on Vancouver Island

A snowbird is actually a person, not a bird. In fact, this term is a nickname for the dark-eyed junk bird, but in terms of people, it is used to describe a group of seasonal travelers (usually retirees) who migrate to areas with warmer climates during the winter months.

At other times snowbirding is used to escape the heat. For one part or for the other, Vancouver is the perfect destination. You want to know why?

For example, in April, a Canadian city like Vancouver can reach 27ºC on a sunny day thanks to the region’s microclimate. If you are an enthusiast and want to invest in Vancouver as a snowbirding destination you have to know that you will probably see all four seasons in one trip.

This makes it the perfect destination for any occasion. In winter it will not be too cold and in summer the weather will be warm.

Advantages

Nature and urban environment, all in one.

One of the topics of Vancouver, but which is perfectly fulfilled, is that you can go skiing in the morning, go to the beach at noon and go out for drinks at night, all the same day.

Mountain sports, hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, sailing, whale watching, cycling routes… the myriad of sports and outdoor activities that you can practice in Vancouver is endless.

But Vancouver is also the most important city on the west coast of Canada and has a good range of leisure and entertainment (museums, cinemas, shows), as well as countless restaurants, cocktail bars, night clubs…

It’s the package complete: living in the mountains and in the city at the same time. More details!

Tips

  • You can choose to stay in a hotel during your snowbirding time or rent one of Vancouver’s many condos.The hotel will probably give you many facilities but a condo will give you more freedom.
  • Before going, plan your trip carefully: in which area are you going to stay and for how long.
  • If you are going by car or you intend to rent one in the city, you will have to look for parking. There are usually very good offers if you take packages of several weeks or months
  • If the car is not your thing, Vancouver’s public transport network allows you to get to any area without much problem. The system is fast and efficient and on the Translink website you can find any information on how to move around the city.
  • Find out if your pet can go with you. There are many people who do not leave home without their pet. Fortunately, in Vancouver there are many places where you can also stay with you.

And lastly…

If your English is not very good, no problem, people are used to receiving foreigners and they make an effort to understand you. Click here for more information: http://www.demopoliscreditunion.com/do-i-invest-into-vancouver-real-estate-or-buy-into-the-markets/

Do I Invest Into Vancouver Real Estate or Buy Into the Markets?

Thousands want to invest in Vancouver because the area looks good and house prices are fairly strong. Investors, especially, love real estate because it’s easy to move and offers short and long-term potential. It’s easy to see why more investors look to real estate in Vancouver than in the markets but is that the smartest choice? Can real estate provide you with a long-term investment solution or should you consider the markets? Check here!

A Strong Housing Market Doesn’t Guarantee a Return on Your Investments

There’s no doubt that in recent years the real estate in Vancouver has strengthened but it does not guarantee anyone a return on their investment. For instance, investing in Vancouver real estate is about buying a home for a decent price in a good location. You want the home to increase its value over several months or years. And, you have to sell when the prices are high and buyers are chopping at the bit. Unfortunately, people have lost money on their homes, both their residential home and the investment home they rent out. While real estate can be valuable, it doesn’t guarantee any results.

Diversity Is Smarter Than One Basket

Buying into the markets can be a good idea but again, it carries risks. What’s more, putting your investment chips into one basket is a risk because the sector could tank at any moment. To avoid taking huge losses, it might be wise for investors to look at several different investment solutions rather than the one. Of course, you need to do a lot of research to find the most suitable investments for you. It’s a smart idea to invest in Vancouver but you need to do what you’re doing. At the same time, diversity is often slightly better, especially if you’re risking larger sums of money. For more information, visit: http://www.demopoliscreditunion.com/things-to-do-in-st-lucia/

Know Your Options before Investing in Vancouver Real Estate

Whether you want to invest money in the markets or real estate, you need to know what you’re doing. For example, you need to find homes with an affordable price tag and that’s also likely to increase over the years. You need to research up-and-coming areas as well as study the market’s history; the economy is another factor to consider. As said, having a diverse investment portfolio may be slightly better than a solo market. Invest in Vancouver and see results. It is possible but you do need to invest wisely, no matter how much you’re risking.

Be the Smart Investor

Investing is about having a calm head and a wise mind. You cannot run into this without first knowing the risks and rewards. It’s also important to understand investing as a whole and what happens after the initial investment is made. For instance, you purchased a piece of real estate; will you rent it or sell it on? These are the things you have to consider before you step into the investing world. Vancouver real estate can be a smart investment field to look into but the markets have potential too; think carefully before you invest.

Things to do in St Lucia

Saint Lucia is an island located in the Caribbean and is full to the brim with activities and things to do and beautiful St Lucia villas to stay in. If you are able to tear yourself away from the beautiful surroundings that you find yourself in, then we highly recommend doing the following during your stay on this island paradise.

Go out of the norm.

Saint Lucia is an impressive and stunning island. By staying on land you are are only seeing a fraction of what this beautiful island has to offer. You can catch a Catamaran from Rodney Bay and Capella Marina and sail on down to Soufriere Bay. Most of the excursions include extras such as lunch, visiting a volcano, going to the botanical gardens and not to mention the quick swimming stop that happens on the way back. By doing all of this you can see what the beautiful island has to offer from a distance which will make you value it a whole lot more. Another way you can get to see another part of Saint Lucia is by going hiking in the rainforest. However, this is not for people who just want a quick glimpse of the island. By doing this you will be investing at least 3 or 4 hours into the hiking but the reward is worth it. You will get to see the island up close and personal. For any hike that you want to do you will first need to get permission from the Forestry Department, but it will be worth all the extra work when you are blessed with the incredible views that await you. Read more!

Under the sea.

If you think that Saint Lucia is beautiful above sea-level, wait until you see her from below. It is highly recommended that you go scuba diving during your stay on this island so that you can see everything that this beautiful island has to offer both above and below. There is also the option of going on dive boats if you don’t fancy suiting up and doing it yourself – and also most hotels offer this type of excursion so try not to miss out and enquire as soon as you arrive.

For the people that can’t stay still

For those who like to have their heart racing Saint Lucia will not let you down. Whilst it is known for its peace and relaxation, there are also options for people looking for thrills. Here you can zipline through the rainforest. If you head on over to Rainforest Sky Ride, you will be greeted with a choice of 10 zip line adventures (and also a calmer tram ride) through the islands forest. The view from here is incredible as you zip through it at lightning speed. As with any getaway island, here you can find water parks. But Saint Lucia improves on that, Splash Island Water Park offers a park full of inflatable water sport items that allow you to climb, hop and jump your way through them, as if it were total wipeout. Here you will be happy as you challenge yourself to jump from one to the other and at the end of the day you can return back to the villa and relax.

To sum things up, Saint Lucia is more than just a pretty face; it offers a range of activities that will keep each and every member of the family happy. The only thing that is missing from Saint Lucia is you, so what are you waiting for, your villa waits. Check out this site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucia

Save Money When Buying and Selling Real Estate with a Realtor

Investing in Vancouver Real Estate has become highly popular over the course of the last few decades and there’s no sign of it slowing down. Even when the market hasn’t been at its best, people have always wanted to snap up a bargain and get a way to invest in a seemingly solid adventure. Of course, with real estate there are always risks involved and if you don’t buy and sell at the right time, you could lose a lot of money. However, it is possible to save on properties when you use services such as realtors. Not convinced? Read on to find out more.

They Find the Best Tenants and Homes for You

When you are renting a home out or buying one, it can be very difficult to know which way to turn but with a real estate agent or realtor they can make things far easier. Remember, estate agents know the markets really well and have the tools at their disposal to find the right homes for you as well as tenants. For buyers who want to rent their properties, they can find the agents help to find a suitable rental property that suits their budget and might not need a lot of work. Even if you already have the home, they can still help with finding suitable tenants and taking care of everything. That’s really going to prove useful for most buyers and sellers today.

They Know the Market

Realtors know the market. It doesn’t matter if you are the renter or person renting the home, they will be able to help. Having a real estate agent and a realtor on your side can really help no matter if you are buying or selling. People often think realtors only help those who are buying but not always, they can also help those selling properties too. Having a professional who knows all about the latest changes to the housing market and the demand for certain houses will help you in many ways. It will make a big difference to have these individuals on your hands when the time comes for buying or selling. More details.

Realtors Can Be Useful Tools

When you are looking to find new accommodation it can be very difficult to know which way to turn and it’s problematic. However, going to a realtor and enquiring over the homes available can be useful. You tell them what you want and need and they go out and find it for you; that means you don’t have to do anything but look at the property. That’s really going to be useful to say the least and it’s going to help speed up the process as well. Real estate in Vancouver isn’t always easy to find but with the use of a realtor it can prove simple.

Save Today

Whether you buy, sell or rent a property it can be a very costly process and one which far too many struggle with. However, having help on your side could prove crucial at the end of the day and might make things far easier for everyone involved. Maybe it’s time to look into getting help from a professional who knows the market well. Choosing the services of Invest in Vancouvea real estate agent or realtor to Invest in Vancouver can really be useful and something you should think about also. Learn more details at: https://placerealestate.ca/downtown-vancouver-condos/coal-harbour-condos/