Welcome to 3207 Valdez Court. Fabulous home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac  street. This home has 3 bedrooms & 3 baths. Lovely living room with French doors, custom built book cases & gas fireplace. Great galley kitchen with white cabinets. Dining area is perfect for family dinners, built in cabinet & wine storage. Family friendly family room with glass slider to the large fenced & hedged backyard. The kids & Fido will love it. Imagine family BBQ's in the Summer. Storage shed for extra garden items. 3 good size bedrooms upstairs. Plenty of storage in the crawl space. Great family neighbourhood with parks, trails, shopping, transit & Skytrain a short stroll away. Call for more details.

November 18-25, 2019

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is coming soon!

Here's how you can help

We collect blankets and warm clothing to help the homeless, women and children in need, and persons living in supportive housing. Your donations are kept in the community where they are collected, and are given to charities that distribute them directly to those in need.

Please donate the following items for all ages:

  • gently used or new blankets or sleeping bags
  • warm clothing, coats
  • hats, gloves, scarves
  • new socks and underwear

Socks are especially important for the homeless. They're as good as gold. Find out why by listening to this item from CBC radio, Sunday Edition.

Here's a list of Lower Mainland charities who received donations from the Blanket Drive.

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive story

Way back in 1994, some caring REALTORS® in Vancouver observed the homeless situation in the city’s eastside and said to themselves, we’ve got to do something.

They put out an appeal to their colleagues for warm blankets and coats and collected enough donations to help 3,000 of Vancouver’s homeless in the downtown core.

That single act of kindness has blossomed into one of the largest annual collections of warm clothing and blankets, helping homeless people and the working poor in every single community in the Lower Mainland.

Since then, thousands of REALTORS® from Whistler to Hope have collected enough donations to help more than 385,000 people in need. Each year, more than 75 dedicated members pick-up and deliver all the donations, and well over 100 real estate offices in the Lower Mainland act as collection depots.

The REALTORS Care® Drive now collects an astonishing amount of warm, winter items on behalf of dozens of local charities to help about 35,000 people each year.

Basement basics to elevate your home

Finishing an underutilized basement makes financial sense in certain situations, and may add to your home’s resale value. For a family who has outgrown their current space and  wants to avoid buying a more expensive, larger home, finishing the basement can be worthwhile. Yet, there are considerations to ensure your project will be worth the time, effort and expense.

Use these guidelines to determine if your basement is a good candidate for a renovation and will deliver adequate return on your investment:

• Is there enough headroom? A finished floor-to-ceiling height of at least 7.5 feet is required. Include in your calculation 2.5 inches for flooring and ceiling finishing materials. If you own an older home with insufficient floor to ceiling space, you may need to consider additional costs to lower and underpin the foundation to create sufficient headroom.
• Is your basement wet? You’ll want to address any moisture problems before you begin. In older homes, moisture issues can be severe. In some cases, you’ll need to waterproof the foundation from the outside. Waterproofing can add substantially to the cost as excavation, waterproofing, weeping tile and backfill may be required.
• Are your windows adequate? The outside bottom edges of all basement windows should be at least six inches above the soil. Consider the size and condition of the windows. Are any large enough for fire escape? Are they operable, damage-free, airtight and energy-efficient? Be sure to calculate the cost of any needed window upgrades when estimating your costs.

Finished basements provide a myriad of possibilities including guest rooms, nanny suites, play rooms and home theatres. Whether you’re looking to increase the value of your home, or enhance your living space, do your research to ensure a successful project.

How to Prepare Your AC for Winter

Presented by Enercare

Sweater weather. Cranberry sauce. Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The sound of leaves crunching underfoot. The signs are real. Summer is officially over and it’s time to transition from cool to cozy.

We all know how to prepare for colder weather – thicker coats, thermal undershirts, woolly socks, the whole kit and caboodle. But when it comes to our air conditioners, the checklist for winter preparation isn’t quite as familiar. The following describes a few things to do before your unit gets attacked by snow, freezing rain and sleet. If you procrastinate, there’s a chance it might not be the same come next summer.

First things first. Turn it off. It’s Canada. You won’t need it for the next six months (at least). This will keep the air conditioner from turning on during an unseasonably warm day and keep any resulting water from damaging the condensing unit. Most importantly, it will prevent the risk of electrocution as you perform maintenance tasks.

Next, prepare your air conditioner for hibernation. Give it a good rinse with a hose. Let it dry.

Clear all the branches, grass, pinecones, bugs and dust using a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, leaving a three-foot clearance on all sides. Gently straighten any bent fins. Unscrew the top grill, lift out the fan (without bending or disconnecting wires) and remove any debris from the interior. Change the air filter. Look for cracks, rust, leaks and other irregularities in the casing.

And finally, turn it back on for a minute or two to listen to the compressor for any unusual noises such as buzzing, clunking or grinding. If you’d rather have a professional take care of all this, Enercare can send out a TSSA certified and licensed technician under our Cooling Maintenance Plan.

Once the air conditioner has been cleaned, it’s ready to be covered. This will protect the unit from debris, falling ice and other buildup that can get lodged in the unit over the winter. Ideally, you’d be able to obtain a cover from the same manufacturer as your unit.  If that’s not an option, use a bungee cord to tie down a waterproof vinyl cover that goes down over the side about 6 inches.

It’s important that this length is not exceeded otherwise the cover might become a quaint room and board for local animals.

If your unit has any exterior exposed pipes, insulate them with foam covers and zip-ties to protect them from harsh temperatures.

And you’re done!

Your air conditioner is now ready for winter. Just make sure to check the cover every now and then. Plus, it’s always a good idea to double check for debris throughout the winter as any kind of buildup could trap moisture in the machine.

You could also consider having your equipment serviced by Enercare so it’s ready when you need it next summer. We could even get your heating system ready at the same time. Service is only a phone call away.

For more information on maintenance plans for your air conditioner, call 1-844-ENERCARE.

November 18-25, 2019

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is coming soon!

Here's how you can help

We collect blankets and warm clothing to help the homeless, women and children in need, and persons living in supportive housing. Your donations are kept in the community where they are collected, and are given to charities that distribute them directly to those in need.

Please donate the following items for all ages:

  • gently used or new blankets or sleeping bags
  • warm clothing, coats
  • hats, gloves, scarves
  • new socks and underwear

Socks are especially important for the homeless. They're as good as gold. Find out why by listening to this item from CBC radio, Sunday Edition.

Here's a list of Lower Mainland charities who received donations from the Blanket Drive.

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive story

Way back in 1994, some caring REALTORS® in Vancouver observed the homeless situation in the city’s eastside and said to themselves, we’ve got to do something.

They put out an appeal to their colleagues for warm blankets and coats and collected enough donations to help 3,000 of Vancouver’s homeless in the downtown core.

That single act of kindness has blossomed into one of the largest annual collections of warm clothing and blankets, helping homeless people and the working poor in every single community in the Lower Mainland.

Since then, thousands of REALTORS® from Whistler to Hope have collected enough donations to help more than 385,000 people in need. Each year, more than 75 dedicated members pick-up and deliver all the donations, and well over 100 real estate offices in the Lower Mainland act as collection depots.

The REALTORS Care® Drive now collects an astonishing amount of warm, winter items on behalf of dozens of local charities to help about 35,000 people each year.

Welcome to the Oasis...Fabulous two bedroom & two bathroom corner upper floor condo unit with gorgeous view of Mt.Baker, the Valley & beyond. An entertainers dream living room & dining room. Gas range for the chef. Stainless appliances, stone counter tops & lots of cabinets. Perfect office alcove. Master suite with balcony+walk-in closet+ensuite with tub. Second bedroom for guest area or den. Great balcony for Summer dinners. In suite front load washer/dryer. Live among the clouds with the floor to ceiling windows. Take advantage of the outdoor pool & hot tub+bbq area+fitness area+party room+lovely garden+ more. Walk to Skytrain, shopping, schools, Lafarge Lake, a huge variety of restaurants & coffee shops.

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14598

November 18-25, 2019

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is coming soon!

Here's how you can help

We collect blankets and warm clothing to help the homeless, women and children in need, and persons living in supportive housing. Your donations are kept in the community where they are collected, and are given to charities that distribute them directly to those in need.

Please donate the following items for all ages:

  • gently used or new blankets or sleeping bags
  • warm clothing, coats
  • hats, gloves, scarves
  • new socks and underwear

Socks are especially important for the homeless.

They're as good as gold. Find out why by listening to this item from CBC radio, Sunday Edition.

Here's a list of Lower Mainland charities who received donations from the Blanket Drive.

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive story

Way back in 1994, some caring REALTORS® in Vancouver observed the homeless situation in the city’s eastside and said to themselves, we’ve got to do something.

They put out an appeal to their colleagues for warm blankets and coats and collected enough donations to help 3,000 of Vancouver’s homeless in the downtown core.

That single act of kindness has blossomed into one of the largest annual collections of warm clothing and blankets, helping homeless people and the working poor in every single community in the Lower Mainland.

Since then, thousands of REALTORS® from Whistler to Hope have collected enough donations to help more than 385,000 people in need. Each year, more than 75 dedicated members pick-up and deliver all the donations, and well over 100 real estate offices in the Lower Mainland act as collection depots.

The REALTORS Care® Drive now collects an astonishing amount of warm, winter items on behalf of dozens of local charities to help about 35,000 people each year.

Welcome to Westhill Place in the popular College Park Neighbourhood of Port Moody. This cute 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom condo is perfect for the first time buyer or the downsizer. Great living room with glass sliders to sundeck that faces the quiet courtyard. Kitchen with freshly sanded and stained cabinets. White appliances. Freshly painted and some updated flooring. The bedroom can fit a king size bed. Mirrored closet doors in bedroom and entry hall. Convenient in suite storage. Updated through the years.  One parking spot. Indoor pool and large exercise room. Rentals allowed with some restrictions. Very pet friendly complex. Walk to Westhill Park. Skytrain is bus ride away. Shopping close by. Enjoy the quiet area.

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14734

Welcome to 1904-2355 Madison Ave. This two bedroom / two bathroom corner unit condo has a fabulous view of the North Shore Mountains to Lions Gate Bridge to the Sparking Lights of Vancouver. This home has floor to ceiling windows, with 9 feet ceiling. Relax in your living room in front of the fireplace. Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and stone counter tops. In suite laundry. Master bedroom with 4 piece ensuite. Second bedroom for home office or nursery. Relax on your deck and enjoy the summertime fireworks. Indoor pool, gym and club house. Two parking spots.  Walk to transit, shopping or your favorite restaurant. Don't miss this beauty. Live the Condo Lifestyle at its best....

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14424

OH MY GORGEOUS! From the moment you walk through the front door, this lovely 3 level 5 bed & 4 bath home, you will be impressed. Elegant dining room & living room with beautiful hardwood floors.  Large kitchen with painted oak cabinets, updated granite counter tops, high end S/S appliances, newer back splash+more. French doors to family room, with gas fireplace. Large master suite. Updated ensuite with soaker tub+2 person shower+double sinks. W/C with built-ins & hardwood flooring. 3 large other bedrooms. Upstairs laundry for convenience. Rec room/family area over garage. Large games room down with kitchen/bar area. Bedroom+flex room. Separate entrance. Could be great nanny or in-law suite in future. Beautifully manicured garden. Summer time decks & patio. Located close to all levels of schools+shopping+hiking trails+so much more. 3 bay garage. Large driveway. Cul de sac. Sprinkler system. An entertainers dream.

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14558

Welcome to 4207 Kitchener Street...Located in the popular Willingdon Heights area in North Burnaby. The current owner has lived in this home for over 60 years. Over 2000 square feet with 2 bedrooms upstairs and 1 bedroom down. The lot is over 6000 square feet with approximately 50 feet wide and 122 feet deep. Reno the current home, add an addition or perhaps build your dream home. Fabulous family neighbourhood with Willingdon Park a few steps away, Kitchener Elementary close by. Walk to transit. Shopping  and Alpha Secondary School a short drive away. Lane access with double car garage. Don't miss your opportunity to live at 4207 Kitchener Street. Property like this rarely come up...

Welcome to #73 at Nile Gate located on a quiet tree lined row. This lovely Georgian inspired townhome with its modern interior & 9' ceiling on main is move in ready. Two bedrooms / two bath + den is location in the popular Riverwood area of Poco. Living room & dining room are perfect for entertaining. Bright kitchen with S/S appliances. Easy care laminate flooring. BBQ deck is Summer ready. Master bedroom & second bedroom upstairs + laundry for convenience. Main/ensuite bathroom with double sinks. Den/office on entry level + bathroom with shower. Cute fenced in front yard.Single car garage with second parking outside "tandem" style. Enjoy the a gorgeous clubhouse with a fitness centre & entertaining room. Fremont Village & Dominion Triangle with shopping, restaurants, craft brewery, coffee shops + schools, Blakeburn Lagoons, Traboulay Trails, Carnoustie Golf Club & transit, all this within walking distance of this home. Don't miss this cutie...

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14572

Sluggish Start to 2019 Provides Silver Lining for First-time Home Buyers in the Country’s Largest Cities

• National home price growth slowed to 2.7 per cent year-over-year in the first quarter of 2019
• Home prices in western Canada forecast to decline
• Price growth in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) remains steady, supported by low inventory
• Slowdown in Greater Vancouver driven by policy changes
• Greater Montreal Area home price growth continues to outpace the GTA and Greater Vancouver
• Ottawa home prices inch ahead of Calgary for the first time

TORONTO, April 4, 2019 – According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey^[1] released today, Canada’s residential real estate market showed slowing year-over-year price growth in the first quarter of 2019.

Early in 2018, Canada experienced the most significant housing correction since the 2008 financial crisis. Markets showed signs of recovery late in the year, yet the figures for early 2019 suggest that the market has once again slowed.

The Royal LePage National House Price Composite, compiled from proprietary property data in 63 of the nation’s largest real estate markets, showed that the price of a home in Canada increased just 2.7 per cent year-over-year to $621,575 in the first quarter of 2019, well below the long-term norm of approximately 5 per cent. When broken out by housing type, the median price of a two-storey home rose 2.6 per cent year-over-year to $729,553, while the median price of a bungalow rose 1.1 per cent year-over-year to $513,497. Condominiums remained the fastest growing housing type on a national basis, rising 5.4 per cent year-over-year to $447,260.

Looking ahead to the second quarter, Royal LePage expects national home prices to stay relatively flat throughout the 2019 spring market, with the national aggregate price of a home increasing 1.0 per cent over the next three months. Meanwhile, the housing markets in several larger Canadian cities have shown noticeable signs of slowing, with nearly half of the regions in Royal LePage’s Quarterly Forecast^[2] anticipating quarter-over-quarter price declines. Notably, Royal LePage is expecting home prices in Greater Vancouver to fall 1.4 per cent over the next quarter. Ottawa is expected to post the highest price appreciation during the spring market and is forecast to rise 2.8 per cent to $482,459 during the second quarter.

“We are expecting this to be a sluggish year overall in Canada’s residential real estate market, with the hangover from the 2018 market correction and weaker economic growth acting as a drag on home price appreciation, balanced by lower for longer interest rates,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage. “There is a silver lining here. This slowdown gives buyers, and first-time buyers in particular, an opportunity to buy real estate in our country’s largest cities.”

The global economy hit a soft spot entering the new year. The economic downturns in China and Germany, ongoing trade disputes, and slowing U.S. growth support a relatively muted global outlook. The upside for the Canadian housing market is the increased likelihood that interest rate hikes are on hold for the foreseeable future.

“Canada is certainly affected by negative global macroeconomic trends, yet full-time job creation in our country is very strong, and full-time employment turns renters into buyers,” said Soper. “The medium-term outlook for housing remains very positive.”

In the federal budget tabled by Finance Minister Bill Morneau in March, the Canadian government announced three new or enhanced housing programs. The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive is a three-year, $1.25 billion shared equity mortgage program whereby the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC) will co-invest up to five per cent of the purchase price of an existing home. Further, for the first time in a decade, there was an increase in the registered retirement savings plan withdrawal limits in the Home Buyers Plan. The increase, from $25,000 to $35,000, was the largest since the program’s inception in 1992. Finally, an additional $10 billion in financing over nine years was earmarked for the construction of purpose-built rental housing.

“Like many government initiatives, the new housing programs have supporters and critics,” said Soper. “Prospective home buyers and the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who directly or indirectly earn their living from real estate activity should remember that there were many policy areas competing for attention. In 2019, housing captured the attention and support of federal lawmakers, which is a welcome and necessary development.

Some critics believe that the narrowly focused federal housing initiatives will overstimulate already expensive markets. We disagree. Eroding affordability risks taking the dream of homeownership away from young Canadian families,” said Soper. “Without a healthy influx of first-time buyers, the entire cycle of real estate activity can stall. There is the chance, however, that activity levels in the spring of 2019 will be reduced as some delay purchases, waiting for the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive to kick-in.”

Driven by supply-side shortages, and augmented by an improving job market, home price appreciation in Ontario heavily influenced the national results in the first quarter of 2019. If Ontario is excluded from the Royal LePage National House Price Composite, Canadian price appreciation would sit at a modest 0.4 per cent increase compared to 2.7 per cent.

“The City of Toronto is still one of Canada’s fastest appreciating real estate markets,” said Soper. “Detached home prices are rising in line with inflation, but condominium prices are increasing at near double-digit levels as vertical living has become the primary new-build option in this growing, world-class city.”

Median home prices in the City of Toronto rose 5.8 per cent year-over-year in the first quarter of 2019. Two-storey home prices and bungalow home prices rose 4.8 per cent and 2.5 per cent year-over-year, respectively, while condo prices rose a weighty 9.3 per cent year-over-year. The overall GTA’s aggregate home price rose 3.4 per cent over the same period.

Real estate values in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe region continued to appreciate at a brisk clip, as local economies grew and workers from the GTA looked to trade commuting time for lower house prices. Niagara/St. Catharines, Hamilton, and Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge aggregate prices were up by 6.9 per cent, 6.3 per cent and 8.9 per cent, respectively.

In eastern Ontario, Ottawa home prices appreciated by 7.7 per cent year-over-year. One of the principal advanced technology regions in North America, and home to much of the federal government’s labour force, household formation in the national capital region has been robust. The aggregate price of a home in Ottawa has now surpassed that of Calgary for the first time, a trend unforeseen five years ago.

Other notable price increases for Ontario cities include Kingston at 10.3 per cent increase, and in western Ontario, London and Windsor both experienced double-digit home price increases, rising 10.7 per cent and 12.4 per cent year-over-year, respectively.

While the overall provincial economy remains strong in British Columbia, its housing market remains vulnerable as government intervention continues to drive down real estate activity. For the first time since 2012, Greater Vancouver home prices declined year-over-year, with the aggregate price dipping 1.5 per cent for the first quarter of 2019 to $1,239,306, while overall listing volumes are increasing.

“The Greater Vancouver area remains one of the most desirable places to live in the world. Population growth is driving household formation and employment levels high. Yet policy intervention has induced a drop in home sales to levels not seen in three decades,” Soper said. “Hammering consumer confidence and artificially choking off demand with a series of new taxes and restrictive regulations doesn’t eliminate the need for new housing, it simply sidelines families in the short-term and fuels a disruptive boom-bust cycle.”

Some of the most desirable regions in Greater Vancouver are seeing home price declines. Properties in the region’s higher-end markets like West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, and the City of Vancouver are all declining in price offering buyers seeking luxury housing a rare window of opportunity to enter some of Canada’s highest priced markets.

Despite a recent rally in world oil prices, activity levels in the Canadian energy sector remain muted. While it is unlikely that the province will enter a technical recession, economic activity in Alberta is forecast to remain sluggish. The aggregate price of a home in Calgary, Edmonton, and Fort McMurray fell marginally by 1.5 per cent, 1.0 per cent, and 0.8 per cent to $468,974, $371,782 and $576,211, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2019, the aggregate price of a home in the Greater Montreal Area increased 5.5 per cent year-over-year to $406,332. The rate of home price appreciation in the Greater Montreal Area once again surpassed rates seen in the GTA (3.4 per cent), Greater Vancouver (-1.5 per cent) and the national average (2.7 per cent). All three reported housing types saw gains this quarter, with median home prices for two-storey homes, bungalows, and condominiums rising 6.4 per cent to $514,412, 3.7 per cent to $316,159 and 5.2 per cent to $328,488, respectively.

Economic activity in Atlantic Canada remains a mixed bag. Prince Edward Island is seeing solid economic growth, but persistently high unemployment rates have resulted in an aggregate price increase for a Charlottetown home of only 0.7 per cent year-over-year to $288,230. The demographics in Nova Scotia are favourable, as the province is benefiting from higher immigration and interprovincial migration numbers, and the region has a strong export sector. The aggregate price for a home in Halifax increased 1.6 per cent year-over-year to $318,733.

Meanwhile, the outlook for New Brunswick is mixed, with forecasters anticipating gains from an improving commodity sector will offset a declining population and an 8.5 per cent unemployment rate. In the first quarter, the aggregate price of a home in Saint John increased 1.9 per cent year-over-year to $213,290, while the aggregate price for a home in Moncton decreased 1.3 per cent year-over-year to $192,185. Similarly, the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador is sending mixed signals, as the current unemployment rate is 11.8 per cent but natural resource projects like the syndicate-operated Hebron Project, Husky’s White Rose oil field, and Vale’s Voisey’s Bay nickel mine are all expected to ramp up production. The aggregate price of a home in St. John’s decreased 5.6 per cent year-over-year to $324,955.

Read more about regional trends here.

Aggregated regions and the Royal LePage National House Price Composite (.PDF)

Q2 2019 Royal LePage Quarter-over-Quarter Forecast (.PDF)