Success Stories
Congrats to J., an old friend of mine who just closed on her 1st property,
a great looking loft at 'the spot' in downtown Vancouver. 2 floors, 16ft.
ceilings, you can't go wrong!
Also, congratulations to M. and A. Newly arrived from the prairies, they
came to me to help them negotiate the best possible price on a home
they've had their eyes on for awhile. Brand new development, still under
warrenty and over looking a forest. Perfect.
Congrats also to P and K. who took possesion of their new house in
Surrey. They have plans for a daycare among other things, and I'd like to
wish them good luck!
Property Listings:
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures
Vancouver House Foreclosures
Vancouver Investment Property
Vancouver Assignments
Vancouver Lofts
Services:
VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
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What's My Loft
Worth?
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From the News:
What's in store for Greater Vancouver's housing market? What sort of
housing market can you expect in 2007? Will the US housing market slowdown
hurt our market here in British Columbia? What effect will the 2010
Olympics have on you and the real estate market?
Read More>>>
B.C real estate sales slide for fourth straight month
However, while sales are down, the average home price of $410,728
represented a 20% gain from the yeat before.
Read More>>>
Mortgage Information: Reed Harris, Mortgage Specialist
As a mortgage broker, my JOB is to get my lenders to say YES.
Canadian mortgage lending is a top-down system. Mortgage insurance
companies (CMHC, Genworth, etc.) dictate to lenders which types of loans
are acceptable (yes, even for conventional lending). Lenders compete
within this framework for loans based mostly on rate. Brokers work with
borrowers to find the best rate and suitable terms.
Given this rigid framework, what can a borrower do to increase their
options? There are 3 things that lenders look for in an application:
Credit, Income, Downpayment. Since 2 out of 3 is often enough to be
creditworthy, during a mortgage consultation I seek to discover my
client's financial situation AS IT STANDS TODAY in order to present the
best possible application to my lenders.
First, deal with your income. Income will dictate what size of a mortgage
you qualify for. If you don't know how much you make, call your
accountant, check your taxes, call your employer. Include your goal of
home-ownership in your budget by allocating a percentage of income to a
downpayment account. If you don't have a budget, consider that may be an
indication that you haven't properly taken personal responsibility for
your finances. If you are self-employed for 2 years or more, make sure you
keep your credit excellent - this will allow you to "state" your
income on an application.
Second, your credit. If you don't pay your bills on time, or are
consistently late on credit card payments, your credit will suffer. Some
people spend a lifetime being late or delinquent in their payment history,
then wonder why they are refused a loan or have to pay a higher interest
rate. Get on top of your credit history by ordering a copy from
Equifax.ca. I always review your credit history as part of a mortgage
consultation. (Some tips: Pay the minimum payment every month. Also, all
collections have to be paid prior to qualifying for a mortgage, so just
pay them now (even if you're contesting the collection). Same for
outstanding taxes. Finally, keeping your balances over 85% of your credit
limits will cause your score to drop. Pay off some of each debt to
maintain and improve your score.)
Third, the infamous downpayment. Recent changes have made it easier and
cheaper to finance 100% of the purchase price of an owner occupied
property. Therefore I encourage investors to heavily finance their home to
conserve capital for downpayment on additional properties. If you are short
on downpayment, it can be received as a gift from an immediate family
member. It can only be borrowed or financed when you have excellent credit
and verifiable income. Self employed borrowers cannot use a gift or
borrowed downpayment if they are stating income.
Each mortgage application is unique - and most problems can be explained
away if the rest or the application is strong. Also, reviewing these three
items should raise red flags in problem areas, and give you the opportunity
to improve your situation.
I can be reached at mailto:Reed@RealEstateFinancing.ca, or call 604 725 7684 to schedule a FREE consultation.
thanks for reading!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update November 15, 2006
The market is expected to increase 6% in 2007, down from an 18% increase this year. Yes, the market is slowing down, but it’s sort of like a Ferrari taking a corner, it HAD to slow down. Real estate prices are NOT going down in Vancouver. They are simply going up slower than the last (record) year. An $18,000 return on a $300,000 purchase is still a very good return on your investment. Especially if you buy with 5% down!
The market will go up and down, and regardless of whether you own or not you’ll always need a roof over your head. Buying real estate was tough this last little while, but now it’s MUCH easier than in the past 4 years. The number of listings are up and prices are being reduced across the board (most were over priced to begin with...) and buyers can now take their time and negotiate longer. The trend is our friend. Everyone overreacted when the market was up and smart people made money, now everyone is overreacting when the market isn't going up (as fast) and guess what? Smart people are STILL making money, and living in a cool pad to boot...
Remember, what prices do in the immediate future shouldn’t matter much if you buy a place you love. Trying to time the real estate market is one of the hardest investments to make, even for professionals, and is usually more of an excuse for inaction than a well-researched conclusion.
Happy hunting,
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
===========================================
They are all the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If you want more information about the listings, email me the MLS number and I’ll send you more info.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=844421269&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=622901769&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1145819121&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=311438022&s=BRC&t=BRC
Assignment of Contract:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1890514685&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply click here and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have all the listings that match your criteria emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
If you would like to sign up to receive this update by email, please Click Here.
The market will go up and down, and regardless of whether you own or not you’ll always need a roof over your head. Buying real estate was tough this last little while, but now it’s MUCH easier than in the past 4 years. The number of listings are up and prices are being reduced across the board (most were over priced to begin with...) and buyers can now take their time and negotiate longer. The trend is our friend. Everyone overreacted when the market was up and smart people made money, now everyone is overreacting when the market isn't going up (as fast) and guess what? Smart people are STILL making money, and living in a cool pad to boot...
Remember, what prices do in the immediate future shouldn’t matter much if you buy a place you love. Trying to time the real estate market is one of the hardest investments to make, even for professionals, and is usually more of an excuse for inaction than a well-researched conclusion.
Happy hunting,
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
===========================================
They are all the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If you want more information about the listings, email me the MLS number and I’ll send you more info.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=844421269&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=622901769&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1145819121&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=311438022&s=BRC&t=BRC
Assignment of Contract:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1890514685&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply click here and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have all the listings that match your criteria emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
If you would like to sign up to receive this update by email, please Click Here.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Vancouver Real Estate - November 6, 2006
Sorry it’s taken so long to get the newsletter out again and thank you to everyone who sent an email to remind me!
Our office is now officially up and running and open for business! The entire Harris Real Estate Team has moved into our new ground floor loft in the Mount Pleasant loft district. It’s located at 272 E. 4th Ave, suite 101. It’s on the corner and you can’t miss us, so feel free to stop in and say hello if you’re in the neighbourhood!
This week’s newsletter is packed with information, including a new category of listings: Assignments of Contract. Want to know what that is? Email me your questions; we’re here to help.
Read on!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality. We offer the most in depth services in the business, so call us!
============================================
Featured Listing: North Vancouver, price reduced!
============================================
HUGE views of Vancouver from this beautifully maintained 1br/1ba condo in Lower Lonsdale. Priced to move, it was listed at $325,000 but the price was reduced to $305,000 yesterday! Nothing changed except the seller’s motivation! Walk to the sea bus, shopping and restaurants from this quiet and private 642 sq. ft. apartment. Oh, and did I mention the view?
Photos: http://vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/silver_listingDetail.asp?ID=251166
============================================
Success Stories:
============================================
Congratulations go out to G.H who closed on his first condo! He was very patient in his search for a new home and after a few offers and lots of looking we found a great place for a great price. Well-done G! You've shown us all that being patient and diligent in your search pays off in the long run. If you want to work with a professional Realtor who doesn't push you to buy something then give Grady a call at 604-781-7900.
Another first time home buyer this week is M.P, who closed on a beautifully renovated town house in South Surrey. We were able to negotiate the price down to where it was the least expensive townhouse in the surrounding area. M and his longtime girlfriend S.S. take possession at the end of this month and I can't wait for the house warming party! I'm sure you’ll be happy there for many years to come. Congratulations to you both.
And finally the Harris Team would like to pass on our congratulations to Gary and Jasmine. We listed and sold their one-bedroom condo and also represented them for the purchase of a spacious three bedroom condo for their ever growing family. Using our VIP BUYER PROGRAM, we were able to view and get an accepted offer (for below asking) before anyone else even had a chance to see it. Great work and your new neighbours are lucky to have you there.
============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
===========================================
These are all the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program. If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, email me with the MLS number and I’ll send you more info.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=455990813&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1024050700&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1099711409&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=347329793&s=BRC&t=BRC
*NEW!* Assignment of Contract for Sale:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1296297480&s=BRC&t=BRC
If you see any listings that interest you, simply reply to this email with the MLS number and the time that you’re available to view it and we’ll set up a private tour just for you. Or have them emailed to you daily rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
============================================
Looking for Sellers to Be on TV!
============================================
If you are planning on selling your home this fall then HGTV's hit real estate show “Buy Me” wants to hear from you! Buy Me is searching for Greater Vancouver homeowners and their agents to participate this fall and winter. Buy Me is a 30 minute reality-doc style show that follows the sale of a home from before the listing all the way through to the final sale. It airs on Wednesday's on HGTV. I’m looking for a loft owner who would like to participate with us! As an added bonus, homeowners receive $3000 to put towards their new purchase, move or to do any fix-ups. If you’re thinking of selling and want to be on TV with us, email BuyMe@darcyharris.com ============================================
Expenses when you buy: Filip de Sagher, Notary Public
============================================
Everyone who buys a property in BC pays property transfer tax. That tax is calculated as 1% on the first $200,000 of the purchase price and 2% on the balance of the purchase price. You can be exempt from paying this tax if you are a first time home buyer and meet certain criteria. Here are the most important ones (but not all of them!): Purchase price of $325,000 or less (pro rated adjustment if between $325,00 and $350,000) Mortgage of 70% or more (meaning a downpayment of 30% or less) Never owned a property anywhere in the world before Canadian or permanent resident BC resident for at least a year A couple will get a pro-rated adjustment if only one qualifies for this exemption.
Filip can be reached here: http://www.notarydeprez.com
============================================
From the News:
============================================
Sales down, listings up in Vancouver real estate Nov, 04 2006 - 3:20 AM
VANCOUVER/CKNW(980) - While the overall sales of living space in greater Vancouver decreased last month, there has been a steady increase in the number of real estate listings. According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, total residential sales of detached, attached and apartment properties decreased over 12% in October compared to the same time last year. However, it's also reported that new listings for the same types of living units are up 20% from October 2005. Bright spots in the market include West Vancouver with an increase in sales of 34.5%, North Vancouver, up 14.4% over last year, and Port Moody up 18.5%.
Lower Mainland real-estate market moving away from highs Greater Vancouver's real estate board reported 2,722 Multiple-Listing-Service-recorded sales in October, which was higher than September, but a 12.2-per-cent drop from October, 2005…
Olympics blamed for Vancouver housing woes
The coalition noted that Games organizers vowed no one would lose housing as a result of the Olympics. The city’s bid to obtain the 2010 Games pledged to protect rental housing stock, rental costs and the prevention of evictions.
============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
============================================
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else (or reading it on my blog) and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
============================================
Community Corner: Realtors Care Blanket Drive…
============================================
As the festive season quickly approaches so brings the change of weather in Vancouver. Unfortunately, there are so many less fortunate out there that just hope to have clothes and blankets to protect them from the cold. We can all work together to make a difference for these people by actively participating in our annual Realtors Care- Blanket Drive. We have continued to make this initiative as successful as the next and everyone’ generous donations of blankets and clothing have truly made a difference. To donate, simply email me about your donation and someone from the Harris Real Estate Team will come out to pick it up from you. Everything helps!
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
What's Your Home Worth? Free Over the Net Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to Hot New Listings
View All My Listings
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update August 29, 2006
One of the rules about the stock market is disclosure. If a broker writes something about a stock, or if a CEO sells their shares, they have to disclose whether they own the stock or not. The idea is to make sure that people aren’t taken advantage of. I’ve been writing about the Vancouver real estate market for over 2 years now, and I thought it time to put my money where my mouth is. So in the interest of disclosure, I want to announce that the Harris Family Real Estate Team has bought a ground floor loft in the Mecca building on E. 4th. We’ve done a lot of work in the loft market here in Vancouver, and know that we’ll do much more. I believe in real estate as a long-term investment, and I believe in Vancouver as a premier investment destination. I feel much more comfortable saying that after putting my money down!
We’re going to be moving in in late September and we’re definitely going to be throwing some office parties. So keep your dancing shoes close!
Regards,
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
============================================
Current Listings: Price reduced!
============================================
1bd/1 bath in a great area of White Rock: Quiet and charming 1 bed/1 bath in THE EMBASSY. This is a problem free building close to shopping, restaurants, hospital and the beach. Comes with a hot tub, exercise room and a guest suite. It’s on the ground floor but is only accessible through the lobby for added security. Price has been reduced to $205,000 from $216,000!
Easy to show, call or email me for a private viewing or meet me at the open house this Saturday from 2-4 pm. The owners are motivated to sell!
For more information and photos of this property please Click Here.
============================================
Success Story:
============================================
Congratulations to A. and K. a young (25!) couple who just sold their loft in New West and bought a town home in Cloverdale with us. They want to build a real estate empire and the cash flow positive town home is a step in the right direction. We sold the loft for over asking, which allowed them to enjoy their vacation that much more. This market is still full of opportunity, congratulations to you both!
============================================
Looking for Sellers to Be on TV!
============================================
If you are planning on selling your home this fall then HGTV's hit real estate show “Buy Me” wants to hear from you! Buy Me is searching for Greater Vancouver homeowners and their agents to participate this fall and winter. Buy Me is a 30 minute reality-doc style show that follows the sale of a home from before the listing all the way through to the final sale. It airs on Wednesday's on HGTV. I’m looking for a loft owner who would like to participate with us!As an added bonus, homeowners receive $3000 to put towards their new purchase, move or to do any fix-ups. If you’re thinking of selling and want to be on TV with us, email BuyMe@darcyharris.com
============================================
From the News:
============================================
Why our housing market is better insulatedCanadian real estate may be cooling, but it's not crashing, ROB CARRICK writes, and we positively shine compared with slumping U.S. sales and prices…
Read More...
Freebies for home buyers Home sellers are trying to find creative ways to get buyers to sign on the dotted line. Read More...
============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
===========================================
These are ALL the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, reply with the MLS number and your availability and I’ll set up a showing.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1443839154&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=133705954&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1180117922&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=438767239&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
============================================
Community Corner:
============================================
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family. If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
We’re going to be moving in in late September and we’re definitely going to be throwing some office parties. So keep your dancing shoes close!
Regards,
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
============================================
Current Listings: Price reduced!
============================================
1bd/1 bath in a great area of White Rock: Quiet and charming 1 bed/1 bath in THE EMBASSY. This is a problem free building close to shopping, restaurants, hospital and the beach. Comes with a hot tub, exercise room and a guest suite. It’s on the ground floor but is only accessible through the lobby for added security. Price has been reduced to $205,000 from $216,000!
Easy to show, call or email me for a private viewing or meet me at the open house this Saturday from 2-4 pm. The owners are motivated to sell!
For more information and photos of this property please Click Here.
============================================
Success Story:
============================================
Congratulations to A. and K. a young (25!) couple who just sold their loft in New West and bought a town home in Cloverdale with us. They want to build a real estate empire and the cash flow positive town home is a step in the right direction. We sold the loft for over asking, which allowed them to enjoy their vacation that much more. This market is still full of opportunity, congratulations to you both!
============================================
Looking for Sellers to Be on TV!
============================================
If you are planning on selling your home this fall then HGTV's hit real estate show “Buy Me” wants to hear from you! Buy Me is searching for Greater Vancouver homeowners and their agents to participate this fall and winter. Buy Me is a 30 minute reality-doc style show that follows the sale of a home from before the listing all the way through to the final sale. It airs on Wednesday's on HGTV. I’m looking for a loft owner who would like to participate with us!As an added bonus, homeowners receive $3000 to put towards their new purchase, move or to do any fix-ups. If you’re thinking of selling and want to be on TV with us, email BuyMe@darcyharris.com
============================================
From the News:
============================================
Why our housing market is better insulatedCanadian real estate may be cooling, but it's not crashing, ROB CARRICK writes, and we positively shine compared with slumping U.S. sales and prices…
Read More...
Freebies for home buyers Home sellers are trying to find creative ways to get buyers to sign on the dotted line. Read More...
============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
===========================================
These are ALL the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, reply with the MLS number and your availability and I’ll set up a showing.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1443839154&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=133705954&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1180117922&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=438767239&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
============================================
Community Corner:
============================================
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family. If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Vancouver Real Estate Update August 17, 2006
==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update August 17, 2006
==============================================
One major change that I’ve noticed in the last couple of weeks has been ‘subject to sale’ clauses making it into contracts of purchase and sale. This is where the buyer owns a home that is currently listed for sale and the purchase of their new home is contingent upon the sale of their old one. In the last two years, there was no reason for a seller to accept that kind of clause, simply because other buyers were coming in with no subjects or limited subjects (such as only subject to financing).
What this means for you as a buyer or seller is that there is now more time to find the home that really fits, and if you need to sell your home before you can buy, now is the time to do it. Our job is to make sure that all the dates coincide and your move is an easy and fast one.
Call us for a free consultation,
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
============================================
Current Listings:
============================================
1bd/1 bath in a great area of White Rock. Quiet and charming 1 bed/1 bath in THE EMBASSY. This is a problem free building close to shopping, restaurants, hospital and the beach. Comes with a hot tub, exercise room and a guest suite. It’s on the ground floor but is only accessible through the lobby for added security. Easy to show, call or email me for a private viewing or meet me at the open house this Saturday from 2-4 pm. The owners are motivated to sell!
For more information and photos of this property please Click Here.
Today, my listing in New Westminster hit the market and the phones have been ringing off the hook. There are few places like this one that are under $200,000 anywhere in the GVRD. If you like 18 ft. ceilings, open kitchens and private roof top patios, then this is the place for you.
First open house is Sunday from 2-4 pm. Call or email for a showing. Click here for more information.
============================================
Success Story: Renegotiation
============================================
Congratulations to Y. and I. who closed on a nice 1 bedroom and den apartment in Richmond. This deal is proof positive that negotiations never end. When we discovered a future assessment for $8,000 coming down the road in 2008 after reading the strata minutes, they didn’t drop out of the running, but instead we negotiated a new price.
Yes, if you discover something after getting an accepted offer you can renegotiate based on the new information. Congratulations to you both.
============================================
From the News:
============================================
Home Sales Remain Steady in July
“With many consumers on vacation, July typically marks the beginning of a slower summer period for the real estate market,” says BCREA President Kelly Lerigny. “2005 was a record year for real estate in BC, which is important to remember when making year-over-year comparisons. Unit sales figures for July 2006 were more closely aligned to those seen in 2004, which may be an indication of a return to more moderate conditions within the market.”
Read more: http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/news_room/2006-07.pdf
Reasons Not To Buy a Home Formerly Used For Growing Marijuana InA real estate agent in Quebec, Canada may lose her license because she made a business out of selling these homes and not disclosing it to the potential buyers. Could you imagine that on the disclosure form? Central heat, check, Basement, check, Pot Farm, Check. Yikes!!!
============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
===========================================
These are ALL the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, reply with the MLS number and your availability and I’ll set up a showing.
Vancouver Lofts
Vancouver Investment and Revenue Properties
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
If you to sign up to receive this blog directly, please Click Here.
============================================
Zoning Introduction
============================================
Check out this very cool map of Vancouver showing the zoning of each neighbourhood: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/currentplanning/coloured_zoning_map.pdf
Then check out this one to understand what the zoning codes mean: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/ZONING.HTM
For more real estate statistics, Click Here
============================================
Community Corner:
============================================
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family. If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update August 17, 2006
==============================================
One major change that I’ve noticed in the last couple of weeks has been ‘subject to sale’ clauses making it into contracts of purchase and sale. This is where the buyer owns a home that is currently listed for sale and the purchase of their new home is contingent upon the sale of their old one. In the last two years, there was no reason for a seller to accept that kind of clause, simply because other buyers were coming in with no subjects or limited subjects (such as only subject to financing).
What this means for you as a buyer or seller is that there is now more time to find the home that really fits, and if you need to sell your home before you can buy, now is the time to do it. Our job is to make sure that all the dates coincide and your move is an easy and fast one.
Call us for a free consultation,
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
============================================
Current Listings:
============================================
1bd/1 bath in a great area of White Rock. Quiet and charming 1 bed/1 bath in THE EMBASSY. This is a problem free building close to shopping, restaurants, hospital and the beach. Comes with a hot tub, exercise room and a guest suite. It’s on the ground floor but is only accessible through the lobby for added security. Easy to show, call or email me for a private viewing or meet me at the open house this Saturday from 2-4 pm. The owners are motivated to sell!
For more information and photos of this property please Click Here.
Today, my listing in New Westminster hit the market and the phones have been ringing off the hook. There are few places like this one that are under $200,000 anywhere in the GVRD. If you like 18 ft. ceilings, open kitchens and private roof top patios, then this is the place for you.
First open house is Sunday from 2-4 pm. Call or email for a showing. Click here for more information.
============================================
Success Story: Renegotiation
============================================
Congratulations to Y. and I. who closed on a nice 1 bedroom and den apartment in Richmond. This deal is proof positive that negotiations never end. When we discovered a future assessment for $8,000 coming down the road in 2008 after reading the strata minutes, they didn’t drop out of the running, but instead we negotiated a new price.
Yes, if you discover something after getting an accepted offer you can renegotiate based on the new information. Congratulations to you both.
============================================
From the News:
============================================
Home Sales Remain Steady in July
“With many consumers on vacation, July typically marks the beginning of a slower summer period for the real estate market,” says BCREA President Kelly Lerigny. “2005 was a record year for real estate in BC, which is important to remember when making year-over-year comparisons. Unit sales figures for July 2006 were more closely aligned to those seen in 2004, which may be an indication of a return to more moderate conditions within the market.”
Read more: http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/news_room/2006-07.pdf
Reasons Not To Buy a Home Formerly Used For Growing Marijuana InA real estate agent in Quebec, Canada may lose her license because she made a business out of selling these homes and not disclosing it to the potential buyers. Could you imagine that on the disclosure form? Central heat, check, Basement, check, Pot Farm, Check. Yikes!!!
============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
===========================================
These are ALL the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, reply with the MLS number and your availability and I’ll set up a showing.
Vancouver Lofts
Vancouver Investment and Revenue Properties
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
If you to sign up to receive this blog directly, please Click Here.
============================================
Zoning Introduction
============================================
Check out this very cool map of Vancouver showing the zoning of each neighbourhood: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/currentplanning/coloured_zoning_map.pdf
Then check out this one to understand what the zoning codes mean: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/ZONING.HTM
For more real estate statistics, Click Here
============================================
Community Corner:
============================================
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family. If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update August 9, 2006
==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update August 9, 2006
==============================================
My brother Grady’s wedding was a huge success, thank you to all his clients who gave him (and his new wife) the weekend off. He asked me to thank all the people who emailed him their congratulations, so thanks from my family!
There are some duelling headlines I found about the Vancouver real estate market, and this week I’ve got lots of new listings coming on, including a nice 1 bedroom apartment in White Rock, a loft in New West and an opportunity for a developer; so read on!
Regards,
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
============================================
Current Listings:
============================================
1bd/1 bath in a great area of White Rock. Quiet and charming 1 bed/1 bath in THE EMBASSY. This is a problem free building close to shopping, restaurants, hospital and the beach. Comes with a hot tub, exercise room and a guest suite. It’s on the ground floor but is only accessible through the lobby for added security. Easy to show, call or email me for a private viewing or meet me at the open houses this weekend from 2-4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information and photos of this property please Click Here.
I have a listing coming on in New West sometime this week; it’s a Loft that is roughly 700 sq. ft. with a huge roof top deck. Email me at NewWestLoft@darcyharris.com to get on the priority list.
Also, I have a great opportunity available for the right developer/investor in Burnaby. If you want to receive the package once it’s finalized, email me at BurnabyDevelopment@darcyharris.com
============================================
Success Story:
============================================
Congratulations to E. and R. on the purchase of their first home together. There was some talk of a condo or a house, and they were surprised to find out just how much they could afford. If you’re thinking of buying and you aren’t absolutely certain of how much money you can borrow, you’re wasting your time. Why look at houses if you can’t afford them? Why look at condos if you could afford the house you really want? The first thing you need to do is find out EXACTLY how much you can afford.
Email Reed Harris from Canada’s Best Mortgage Co. and he’ll be able to tell you within 10 minutes whether that dream home is within reach. Most people are surprised by how much they can afford.
It’s the first step in the real estate buying process, so get on it!
============================================
From the News: Duelling headlines…
============================================
July house sales drop; average price rises
Slowdown expected as cost squeezes out buyers
"If you're holding your breath waiting for a market crash, you should probably take another breath," Somerville said.
Read more
House Prices SofterArea
real estate prices softened slightly in July, according to new statistics from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. The sale price of a benchmark single detached house in Greater Vancouver dropped $5,000 to just over $644,000. Prices continued to rise in places like Burnaby, Coquitlam, Richmond and Delta, but were down sharply in Port Moody, New Westminster and Maple Ridge. The average sale price for a house in Greater Vancouver is still up more than 19 per cent from a year ago, and the average apartment sold last month for $329,000 – still up nearly 23 per cent from a year earlier.
Read more
============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
===========================================
These are ALL the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, reply with the MLS number and your availability and I’ll set up a showing.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=233739022&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1140918382&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1331290487&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1029157606&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter:
Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
============================================
Latest Stats: Thinking of buying a home and renting it out?
============================================
Apartment Vacancy Rates 2003-2005:
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/keyfacts/vacancy.htm
Average Apartment Rents 1998-2005:
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/keyfacts/rent.htm
For more Vancouver Real Estate stats, Click Here
============================================
Community Corner:
============================================
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
Thanks for reading!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update July 26, 2006
==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update July 26, 2006
==============================================
So summer is officially here, that’s for sure. 30-degree weather tends to slow everything down, including real estate markets. Recently I’ve had a lot of questions from people about the market, and the view from the trenches is still very good. As far as buying is concerned, there seems to be less competition and less overpaying, so you’ll have more time to not only view the place, but even to negotiate the price down! (gasp!). Sellers should expect to take a little bit longer, since the open house is now competing with the day at the beach.
If you’re thinking of selling right now, download 27 Quick & Easy Fix Ups to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar for some timely information.
Enjoy the sun!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
==============================================
Success Story:
==============================================
Congratulations to L., a woman who has dreamed of owning her own condo for almost a year, and is finally on her way to making that dream a reality. What took her so long? She was afraid to call a mortgage broker or her bank about getting pre-approved for a mortgage. She assumed she had 'bad credit' and would be turned down. After putting it off for months and months, she consulted with me, made the call, and was approved for $400,000! Needless to say, she is thrilled. I've set her up on the VIP Buyer Program and she is now well on her way to home ownership. Fear and nervousness about facing one's finances is very common, but in my experience, most people are surprised by how big a mortgage they can afford. Contact me today at kendall@kendallharris.net and let's talk about taking those first steps towards owning your own home.
Stop paying your landlord's mortgage -- believe me, it's alot more fun to pay your own!
==============================================
Latest Stats: Median Home Prices, Greater Vancouver
==============================================
Median Sale Prices of Houses in the GVRD, 2004-2005
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/keyfacts/median-H.htm
Median Sale Prices of Condominiums in the GVRD, 2004-2005
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/keyfacts/median-C.htm
For more stats, Click Here
==============================================
From the News:
==============================================
The sun's shining on real estate
"June 2005 saw the highest monthly unit sales total ever recorded in B.C., which is important to remember when making a comparison," said BCREA president Kelly Lerigny, in a statement. Click here to read it all.
Buyer beware in real estate
Kinch says potential buyers are too often focused on buying quickly instead of doing more research, "There's this pending sense of 'If I don't get in now, prices are going to keep rising and I'd better get in now.' People are hearing stories of all their friends who have made so much money in real estate and they're jumping on the bandwagon and I think these are the individuals that are becoming the most vulnerable." Click here to read it all.
(This is why you need a buyer agent!)
===============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
==============================================
These are ALL the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, reply with the MLS number and your availability and I’ll set up a showing.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=428549884&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1949708391&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1818222773&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1849503420&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
==============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
==============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
==============================================
Community Corner: Breast in Show
==============================================
A group of Vancouver men are raising money for "The Weekend to End Breast Cancer," a 60 kilometer walk happening August 18-20. The all male team, creatively named "Breast in Show," has a goal of $10,000 for the cause. They are looking for additional team members and are accepting online donations through their Web site at www.breastinshow.ca.
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
Find a Local Realtor
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update July 26, 2006
==============================================
So summer is officially here, that’s for sure. 30-degree weather tends to slow everything down, including real estate markets. Recently I’ve had a lot of questions from people about the market, and the view from the trenches is still very good. As far as buying is concerned, there seems to be less competition and less overpaying, so you’ll have more time to not only view the place, but even to negotiate the price down! (gasp!). Sellers should expect to take a little bit longer, since the open house is now competing with the day at the beach.
If you’re thinking of selling right now, download 27 Quick & Easy Fix Ups to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar for some timely information.
Enjoy the sun!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: Sign up for a home evaluation, with absolutely no obligation!
P.P.S: I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation in the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call the Harris Team to help make it a reality.
==============================================
Success Story:
==============================================
Congratulations to L., a woman who has dreamed of owning her own condo for almost a year, and is finally on her way to making that dream a reality. What took her so long? She was afraid to call a mortgage broker or her bank about getting pre-approved for a mortgage. She assumed she had 'bad credit' and would be turned down. After putting it off for months and months, she consulted with me, made the call, and was approved for $400,000! Needless to say, she is thrilled. I've set her up on the VIP Buyer Program and she is now well on her way to home ownership. Fear and nervousness about facing one's finances is very common, but in my experience, most people are surprised by how big a mortgage they can afford. Contact me today at kendall@kendallharris.net and let's talk about taking those first steps towards owning your own home.
Stop paying your landlord's mortgage -- believe me, it's alot more fun to pay your own!
==============================================
Latest Stats: Median Home Prices, Greater Vancouver
==============================================
Median Sale Prices of Houses in the GVRD, 2004-2005
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/keyfacts/median-H.htm
Median Sale Prices of Condominiums in the GVRD, 2004-2005
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/keyfacts/median-C.htm
For more stats, Click Here
==============================================
From the News:
==============================================
The sun's shining on real estate
"June 2005 saw the highest monthly unit sales total ever recorded in B.C., which is important to remember when making a comparison," said BCREA president Kelly Lerigny, in a statement. Click here to read it all.
Buyer beware in real estate
Kinch says potential buyers are too often focused on buying quickly instead of doing more research, "There's this pending sense of 'If I don't get in now, prices are going to keep rising and I'd better get in now.' People are hearing stories of all their friends who have made so much money in real estate and they're jumping on the bandwagon and I think these are the individuals that are becoming the most vulnerable." Click here to read it all.
(This is why you need a buyer agent!)
===============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
==============================================
These are ALL the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program.
If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, reply with the MLS number and your availability and I’ll set up a showing.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=428549884&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1949708391&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1818222773&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1849503420&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
==============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
==============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
==============================================
Community Corner: Breast in Show
==============================================
A group of Vancouver men are raising money for "The Weekend to End Breast Cancer," a 60 kilometer walk happening August 18-20. The all male team, creatively named "Breast in Show," has a goal of $10,000 for the cause. They are looking for additional team members and are accepting online donations through their Web site at www.breastinshow.ca.
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
Find a Local Realtor
Thursday, July 20, 2006
The Harris Team Weekly Real Estate Update July 15, 2006
==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update July 15, 2006
==============================================
Part of my job is to make sure you’re comfortable writing an offer. The only way to accomplish that is by you becoming an educated consumer. One way to improve your knowledge is to drive around the areas you like and do open houses. Regardless of whether a home is in your price range, it’s always a good idea to view it. The idea is that eventually you’ll be at a point where you can walk in the door and know right away whether the home is over-valued, under priced or just right. Isn’t that my job you may ask? Yes it is, but the fact is that most people will take the advice of their agent only if they agree with the advice, so get out there this weekend and look at some listings!! (that’s the only reason Realtors know property values, we look at lots of property!)
To make it easier, here’s a site with all the open houses in the entire city. Just be sure to call the Harris Team should you find one you like.
We represent the buyer; we work for you...
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com
www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
P.S: If you’re thinking of selling you can sign up for a comparative analysis of your homes value, with absolutely no obligation!
==============================================
Success Stories
==============================================
Congratulations to T. who bought an apartment in North Van for his daughter. Negotiations were tough and drawn out (one of the pluses for buyers in this market is you can actually take a breath every once in a while!) but eventually they all came together. Contact Buyer Specialist Grady Harris to get you on the road to home ownership.
Also, a quick congrats to the fast-moving and effervescent C., who told me she wanted to wait 9 months before buying but couldn’t resist writing an offer on a small 2 bedroom apartment only 2 blocks to the beach in Kits. With a long closing date, this fits the bill for her schedule without having to look at property for 9 months (phew!) Decisiveness is a virtue in this business!
==============================================
From the News:
==============================================
Real estate agent to pay in leaky condo case Vancouver --
A real estate agent who promised not to sell her client a leaky condo now has to pay the woman almost $20,000 for doing just that. Former Vancouver-Kingsway MP Simma Holt purchased a condo in Port Moody after assurances from her agent, Ada Van Leeuwen, that she wouldn't sell her a leaky condo. Ms. Holt went on a holiday after the purchase and returned to a water damage bill of almost $15,000. Read More (good for her!) Condos sell like crazy Edmonton --
Statistics show Vancouver is at the top of the heap where residential real estate goes for 214% of the Edmonton price. Fort McMurray is second at 191%, Toronto at 154%, Calgary at 148%, Durham region at 112%, Ottawa at 109%, Hamilton at 108% and Kitchener-Waterloo at 105% of Edmonton prices. Read More
==============================================
Latest Stats: Who’s buying where?
==============================================
Bright spots in Greater Vancouver in June 2006 compared to June 2005:
APARTMENTS:
North Vancouver up 23.1% ................................(117 units sold, up from 95)
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 131.5% ...............(44 units sold, up from 19)
ATTACHED:
Port Moody/Belcarra up 48.3% ............................(43 units sold, up from 29)
Richmond up 23.9% ............................................(202 units sold, up from 163)
Squamish up 73.3% .............................................(26 units sold, up from 15)
DETACHED:
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 4.1%......................(201 units sold, up from 193)
Squamish up 36.4% ...............................................(30 units sold, up from 22)
West Vancouver/Howe Sound up 12.3%............... (73 units sold, up from 65)
===============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
==============================================
These are all the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program. If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, email me with the MLS number and I’ll send you more info.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1498245815&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1195657735&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1017411226&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1897801804&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
==============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
==============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
==============================================
Community Corner: Gallery YOYO
==============================================
Gallery YOYO will be showing two extraordinary emerging artists over the summer period. It will be opening the YOYO summer season on July 20 with the oil paintings of emerging artist David Hucal. David’s work is both chilling and complex. He is interested in the void between the individual and the psychological space they inhabit. His tense mysterious and dream like forms reveal and subtly and suggest an altered reality. The implicit narrative is constructed from snippets leaving the viewer to puzzle out the relationship between what is hidden and what is shown. For more information: http://www.galleryyoyo.ca The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, think how I'll be when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
www.RealEstateAreaExperts.com
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update July 15, 2006
==============================================
Part of my job is to make sure you’re comfortable writing an offer. The only way to accomplish that is by you becoming an educated consumer. One way to improve your knowledge is to drive around the areas you like and do open houses. Regardless of whether a home is in your price range, it’s always a good idea to view it. The idea is that eventually you’ll be at a point where you can walk in the door and know right away whether the home is over-valued, under priced or just right. Isn’t that my job you may ask? Yes it is, but the fact is that most people will take the advice of their agent only if they agree with the advice, so get out there this weekend and look at some listings!! (that’s the only reason Realtors know property values, we look at lots of property!)
To make it easier, here’s a site with all the open houses in the entire city. Just be sure to call the Harris Team should you find one you like.
We represent the buyer; we work for you...
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com
www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
P.S: If you’re thinking of selling you can sign up for a comparative analysis of your homes value, with absolutely no obligation!
==============================================
Success Stories
==============================================
Congratulations to T. who bought an apartment in North Van for his daughter. Negotiations were tough and drawn out (one of the pluses for buyers in this market is you can actually take a breath every once in a while!) but eventually they all came together. Contact Buyer Specialist Grady Harris to get you on the road to home ownership.
Also, a quick congrats to the fast-moving and effervescent C., who told me she wanted to wait 9 months before buying but couldn’t resist writing an offer on a small 2 bedroom apartment only 2 blocks to the beach in Kits. With a long closing date, this fits the bill for her schedule without having to look at property for 9 months (phew!) Decisiveness is a virtue in this business!
==============================================
From the News:
==============================================
Real estate agent to pay in leaky condo case Vancouver --
A real estate agent who promised not to sell her client a leaky condo now has to pay the woman almost $20,000 for doing just that. Former Vancouver-Kingsway MP Simma Holt purchased a condo in Port Moody after assurances from her agent, Ada Van Leeuwen, that she wouldn't sell her a leaky condo. Ms. Holt went on a holiday after the purchase and returned to a water damage bill of almost $15,000. Read More (good for her!) Condos sell like crazy Edmonton --
Statistics show Vancouver is at the top of the heap where residential real estate goes for 214% of the Edmonton price. Fort McMurray is second at 191%, Toronto at 154%, Calgary at 148%, Durham region at 112%, Ottawa at 109%, Hamilton at 108% and Kitchener-Waterloo at 105% of Edmonton prices. Read More
==============================================
Latest Stats: Who’s buying where?
==============================================
Bright spots in Greater Vancouver in June 2006 compared to June 2005:
APARTMENTS:
North Vancouver up 23.1% ................................(117 units sold, up from 95)
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 131.5% ...............(44 units sold, up from 19)
ATTACHED:
Port Moody/Belcarra up 48.3% ............................(43 units sold, up from 29)
Richmond up 23.9% ............................................(202 units sold, up from 163)
Squamish up 73.3% .............................................(26 units sold, up from 15)
DETACHED:
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 4.1%......................(201 units sold, up from 193)
Squamish up 36.4% ...............................................(30 units sold, up from 22)
West Vancouver/Howe Sound up 12.3%............... (73 units sold, up from 65)
===============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
==============================================
These are all the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program. If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, email me with the MLS number and I’ll send you more info.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1498245815&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1195657735&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1017411226&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1897801804&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
==============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
==============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
==============================================
Community Corner: Gallery YOYO
==============================================
Gallery YOYO will be showing two extraordinary emerging artists over the summer period. It will be opening the YOYO summer season on July 20 with the oil paintings of emerging artist David Hucal. David’s work is both chilling and complex. He is interested in the void between the individual and the psychological space they inhabit. His tense mysterious and dream like forms reveal and subtly and suggest an altered reality. The implicit narrative is constructed from snippets leaving the viewer to puzzle out the relationship between what is hidden and what is shown. For more information: http://www.galleryyoyo.ca The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, think how I'll be when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
www.RealEstateAreaExperts.com
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Real Estate Glossary
Amortization - The number of years it takes to repay the entire amount of a mortgage.
Appraisal - An estimate of a property's market value, used by lenders in determining the amount of the mortgage.
Appreciation - The increase of a property's value over time.
Assessment - The value of a property, set by the local municipality, for the purposes of calculating property tax.
Assumable Mortgage - A mortgage held on a property by the seller that can be taken over by the buyer, who then accepts responsibility for making the mortgage payments.
Blended Mortgage - A combination of two mortgages, one with a higher interest rate than the other, to create a new mortgage with an interest rate somewhere between that two original rates.
Buy-Down - When the seller reduces the interest rate on a mortgage by paying the difference between the reduced rate and market rate directly to the lender, or to the purchaser, in one lump sum or monthly installments.
Closed Mortgage - A mortgage that cannot be prepaid, renegotiated or refinanced during its term.
Closing - The real estate transaction's completion, when the parties involved agree that all legal and financial obligations have been met, and the deed to the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer.
Closing Costs - Expenses in addition to the purchase price for buying and selling a property.
Common Elements - The portions of a condominium development owned in common (shared) by the unit owners.
Condominium - Shared ownership in property. Owners have title (ownership) to individual units and a proportionate share in the common elements.
Conventional Mortgage - A first mortgage issued for up to 75% of the property's appraised value or purchase price, whichever is lower.
Counter Offer - One party's written response to the other party's offer during negotiation of a real estate purchase between buyer and seller.
Debt to Service Ratio - The percentage of a borrower's gross income that can be used for housing costs, including mortgage payment and taxes (and condominium fees, when applicable).
Down Payment - The difference between a property's purchase price and the amount financed.
Easement - A legal right to use or cross (right-of-way) another person's land for limited purposed. A common example is a utility company's right to run wires or lay pipe across a property.
Encroachment - An intrusion onto an adjoining property. A neighbour's fence, storage shed, or overhanging roof line that partially (or even fully) intrude onto your property are examples of encroachments.
Equity - The difference between a property's purchase price and the amount financed.
Estoppel Certificate - A written statement of a condominium unit's current financial and legal status.
First Mortgage - The first security registered on a property. Additional mortgages secured against the property are "secondary" to the first mortgage.
Foreclosure - A legal process by which the lender takes possession and ownership of a property when the borrower doesn't meet ("defaults on") the mortgage obligations.
High Ratio Mortgage - A mortgage for more than 75% of a property's appraised value or purchase price.
Interest - The cost of borrowing money.
Joint Tenancy - A form of ownership in which two or more individuals (often spouses) have an equal share in the ownership of a property. In the event of one owner's death, his or her share is automatically transferred to the surviving owner(s), apart from the deceased's will.
Lien - Any legal claim against a property, filed to ensure payment of a debt
Listing Agreement - The contract between the listing broker and an owner, authorizing the REALTOR to facilitate the sale or lease of a property.
Listing Broker - The REALTOR/Real Estate Company who signs a contract with an owner to sell the property.
Maintenance Fee - A monthly fee paid by condominium owners for maintaining the development's common area.
Mortgage - A contract between a borrower and a lender. The borrower pledges a property as security to guarantee repayment of the mortgage debt.
Mortgage Broker - A licensed individual who, for a fee, brings together a borrower in search of a mortgage and a lender willing to issue that mortgage.
Mortgagee - The mortgage funds lender.
Mortgage Insurance - Government or private backed insurance protecting the lender against the borrower's default on high-ratio (and other types of) mortgages.
Mortgage Life Insurance - Insurance that pays off the mortgage debt, should the insured borrower die.
Mortgage Payment - The regular installments made towards paying back the principal and interest on a mortgage.
Mortgage Term - The length of time a lender will loan mortgage funds to a borrower. Most mortgage terms run from six months to five years, after which the borrower can either repay the balance (remaining principal) of the mortgage, or renegotiate the mortgage for another term.
Mortgagor - The borrower
Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) - A national system for relaying listing information to REALTORS and buyers about properties for sale.
Open Mortgage - A mortgage that can be prepaid or renegotiated at any time and in any amount without penalty.
Portability - A mortgage feature that allows borrowers to take their mortgage with them without penalty, when they sell their present home and buy another one.
Possession Date - The date on which the title and keys to the property are transferred from the seller to the buyer, and the money is paid.
Prepayment Privilege - A mortgage feature that allows the borrower to prepay a portion or all of the principal balance with or without penalty. This privilege is frequently restricted to specific amounts and times.
Principal - The mortgage amount initially borrowed, or the portion still owing on the mortgage. Interest is calculated on the principal amount.
Rate (Interest) - The return the lender receives for advancing the mortgage funds required by the borrower to purchase a property.
REALTORS - Real Estate Professionals who are members of a local real estate board and the Canadian Real Estate Association. Only these professionals can call themselves REALTORS.
Refinancing - The process of obtaining a new mortgage, usually at a lower interest rate, to replace the existing mortgage .
Reserve Fund - The portion of a condominium maintenance fee that is set aside to cover major repair and replacement costs.
Second Mortgage - A second financing arrangement, in addition to the first mortgage, also secured by the property. Second mortgages are usually issued at a higher interest rate and for a shorter term than the first mortgage.
Secondary Financing - Second, third, fourth, etc. mortgages, secured by a property "behind" the first mortgage.
Selling Broker - The REALTOR who actually finds the buyer.
Term - See Mortgage Term.
Title - The legal evidence of ownership of a property.
Title Search - A detailed examination of the ownership documents to ensure there are no liens or other encumbrances on the property, and no questions regarding the seller's ownership claim.
Unit - Term used to describe the individual home or apartment held by the owner within a condominium development.
Variable Rate Mortgage - A mortgage for which payments are fixed, but whose interest rate changes in relationship to fluctuating market interest rates. If market rates go up, a larger portion of the payment goes to interest. If rates go down, a large portion of the payment is applied to the principal.
Vendor Take Back Mortgage - When sellers use their equity in a property to provide some or all of the mortgage financing in order to sell the property.
Zoning Regulations - Strict guidelines set and enforced by municipal governments regulating how a property may or may not be used.
Monday, July 10, 2006
SHACKYACK.COM
What is ShackYack.com?
ShackYack.com is a website that allows homebuyers to find, at a glance, properties for sale in the greater Los Angeles area. It then allows them to comment on that house or the area. It makes home-hunting seem more like shopping, or a dating site even. I’ve tried to make it fun.
What makes this site different from all the other real estate sites popping up?
As a realtor, I found that homebuyers looked for houses in very basic ways – they knew their maximum price, and they knew what part of town they wanted. Everything else was pretty soft. So I created a map that loads all the results of a basic search instantly. Users can adjust price sliders and change the type of property they want. Furthermore, what they see is not just dots on a map: the darker icons are more expensive, the lighter ones cheaper, and each type of property looks different. So a user looking for a house or a duplex in Hollywood can see them at a glance. Then the best part. Homebuyers can do online what they’ve been doing privately for years: comment on the house itself, the realtor, the location, anything. We’re the first, and user feedback in real estate is here to stay.
Are these Multiple Listing Service (MLS) listings?
The results are actual, updated listings from the Los Angeles, Valley, Pasadena, and Glendale MLS systems. It's the same informaiton that I use as a realtor - I'm just making it available to the public in a new format.
Who are you?
I’m a Los Angeles realtor. I am 30 years old and have been in the business for 5 years. Last year my team and I sold over 100 houses. I have appeared as the Los Angeles real estate expert on HGTV’s “National Open House” and “My House is Worth What?”. I received lots of press a few years back for listing a home for $1.
What prompted you to create this site?
For all the hype about online home search, the reality for homebuyers is much different. Try to find a home online and you will get incomplete inventory (trulia.com), awkward interfaces (homepages.com), outdated data (realtor.com), or be forced to give up your personal information so a salesperson can contact you (homegain.com et al). Furthermore, most search interfaces are stuck in 1998 – drop down menus specifying all kinds of irrelevant data like maximum bathrooms, search buttons, and results stacked in order of price or days on market. The worse part is searching by area: zip codes or city names are very limiting, especially in metro areas like Los Angeles.
After seeing what was out there I decided to create one that I would use myself, and ShackYack.com is just that.
Is this a site that lets people buy houses as well as look at them?
No. It’s a shopping and community site for real estate. If users want to buy, that’s where we come in. We fully expect ShackYack.com to become the most used real estate portal in Los Angeles. People love to talk about real estate, and this is the only place they can do that.
How do you think Realtors will respond to public comments on their houses?
Realtors can be a traditional bunch. When I listed a house for $1 a few years ago, I got so many confused called (“I don’t get it”) and not a few offers for $1. So I anticipate some chaos at first. In the end, I figure it will be like amazon.com – for the most part, public comments are accurate. There are a lot of amateurs in this business, and some biting public comments could be just the right medicine (“Left four messages for agent and have yet to hear back.”). The professional realtors, the ones committed to customer service, whose MLS remarks are accurate and free of typos, who actually market their properties, who do a great job…they’ll love it as much as the buyers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: SHACKYACK.COM
ShackYack.com is a website that allows homebuyers to find, at a glance, properties for sale in the greater Los Angeles area. It then allows them to comment on that house or the area. It makes home-hunting seem more like shopping, or a dating site even. I’ve tried to make it fun.
What makes this site different from all the other real estate sites popping up?
As a realtor, I found that homebuyers looked for houses in very basic ways – they knew their maximum price, and they knew what part of town they wanted. Everything else was pretty soft. So I created a map that loads all the results of a basic search instantly. Users can adjust price sliders and change the type of property they want. Furthermore, what they see is not just dots on a map: the darker icons are more expensive, the lighter ones cheaper, and each type of property looks different. So a user looking for a house or a duplex in Hollywood can see them at a glance. Then the best part. Homebuyers can do online what they’ve been doing privately for years: comment on the house itself, the realtor, the location, anything. We’re the first, and user feedback in real estate is here to stay.
Are these Multiple Listing Service (MLS) listings?
The results are actual, updated listings from the Los Angeles, Valley, Pasadena, and Glendale MLS systems. It's the same informaiton that I use as a realtor - I'm just making it available to the public in a new format.
Who are you?
I’m a Los Angeles realtor. I am 30 years old and have been in the business for 5 years. Last year my team and I sold over 100 houses. I have appeared as the Los Angeles real estate expert on HGTV’s “National Open House” and “My House is Worth What?”. I received lots of press a few years back for listing a home for $1.
What prompted you to create this site?
For all the hype about online home search, the reality for homebuyers is much different. Try to find a home online and you will get incomplete inventory (trulia.com), awkward interfaces (homepages.com), outdated data (realtor.com), or be forced to give up your personal information so a salesperson can contact you (homegain.com et al). Furthermore, most search interfaces are stuck in 1998 – drop down menus specifying all kinds of irrelevant data like maximum bathrooms, search buttons, and results stacked in order of price or days on market. The worse part is searching by area: zip codes or city names are very limiting, especially in metro areas like Los Angeles.
After seeing what was out there I decided to create one that I would use myself, and ShackYack.com is just that.
Is this a site that lets people buy houses as well as look at them?
No. It’s a shopping and community site for real estate. If users want to buy, that’s where we come in. We fully expect ShackYack.com to become the most used real estate portal in Los Angeles. People love to talk about real estate, and this is the only place they can do that.
How do you think Realtors will respond to public comments on their houses?
Realtors can be a traditional bunch. When I listed a house for $1 a few years ago, I got so many confused called (“I don’t get it”) and not a few offers for $1. So I anticipate some chaos at first. In the end, I figure it will be like amazon.com – for the most part, public comments are accurate. There are a lot of amateurs in this business, and some biting public comments could be just the right medicine (“Left four messages for agent and have yet to hear back.”). The professional realtors, the ones committed to customer service, whose MLS remarks are accurate and free of typos, who actually market their properties, who do a great job…they’ll love it as much as the buyers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: SHACKYACK.COM
Monday, June 19, 2006
Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update June 19, 2006
==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update June 19, 2006 ==============================================
It seems that every couple of months I need to touch on the ‘real estate bubble’ that pervades so many of my conversations with buyers and sellers. Rather than wax poetic about interest rates and the economy, I forward your attention to the following article.
On another note, I’m offering a new program for anybody interested in selling their home quickly but still wants top dollar. It’s my “40 days or it’s free Guarantee”, which basically says that I have 40 days to sell your home or I sell it for free. Pretty self-explanatory. Read more about it….
Oh, and if you’re at work and need some help getting motivated, check out this private island under foreclosure…
Dream big!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: If you’re thinking of selling you can sign up for a comparative analysis of your homes value, with absolutely no obligation!
==============================================
Success Story: BRIX Assignment SOLD!
==============================================
Congratulations to F. and M. who listed and sold their assignment at the BRIX on Commercial St. with us. Previously they had it listed with another agent and 6 months (over 180 days!) later it still hadn’t sold. After listing it with the Harris Team, we got it sold in under a month for just under their asking price!
Congrats again, and thanks for your business!
==============================================
Buyers Corner: Why do buyers put it off for so long?
==============================================
It's always fun to meet first time homebuyers and hear about the reasons they've put off buying a home for so long. They weren't sure how to start, they felt they should know more about the market so they could get a good deal, they wanted to make sure all the conditions were right, they thought it might be better after the holidays/after school ended/after Aunt Maude left.
Many put off buying to save more for their downpayment, all while interest rates are creeping up and prices in Vancouver continue to rise. And for most, this is all going on while they continue to pay rent, which is definitely not going towards any equity of their own. Forget all your reasons; if you want to own your own home, start today. Because I can assure you, once people do own their first house, they are absolutely thrilled and they can't believe they put it off for so long!
Contact me today at kendall@kendallharris.net, and let a Buyer Specialist get you started on the road to home ownership.
==============================================
From the News:
==============================================
Housing prices top $300,000:
“The cheapest place to buy in May was the Mauricie region of Trois-Rivières in central Quebec, where the average home sold for $102,870. The priciest was the Greater Vancouver area, where homes averaged $518,176.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060614.whouseprice0614/BNStory/Business/home
Did Someone Say Bubble?:
Canada's rocketing real estate market is defying pessimists -- heck, it's defying realists. KATHERINE MACKLEM explains why, thanks to a solid economy and nesting boomers, it's here to stay.
http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/business/article.jsp?content=20040510_80137_80137
==============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
==============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
==============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
==============================================
These are all the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program. If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, email me with the MLS number and I’ll send you more info.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1519236902&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1709043719&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1301571660&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1224137350&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
==============================================
Community Corner: 2 cats looking for a new home!
==============================================
One of my clients just had a baby, and due to allergies, his two cats need a new home! They are much loved and very well behaved and would make great additions to your family; if you’ve thought about it, this is your opportunity! Email me at Kitties@darcyharris.com for more information…
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update June 19, 2006 ==============================================
It seems that every couple of months I need to touch on the ‘real estate bubble’ that pervades so many of my conversations with buyers and sellers. Rather than wax poetic about interest rates and the economy, I forward your attention to the following article.
On another note, I’m offering a new program for anybody interested in selling their home quickly but still wants top dollar. It’s my “40 days or it’s free Guarantee”, which basically says that I have 40 days to sell your home or I sell it for free. Pretty self-explanatory. Read more about it….
Oh, and if you’re at work and need some help getting motivated, check out this private island under foreclosure…
Dream big!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
darcy@darcyharris.com http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: If you’re thinking of selling you can sign up for a comparative analysis of your homes value, with absolutely no obligation!
==============================================
Success Story: BRIX Assignment SOLD!
==============================================
Congratulations to F. and M. who listed and sold their assignment at the BRIX on Commercial St. with us. Previously they had it listed with another agent and 6 months (over 180 days!) later it still hadn’t sold. After listing it with the Harris Team, we got it sold in under a month for just under their asking price!
Congrats again, and thanks for your business!
==============================================
Buyers Corner: Why do buyers put it off for so long?
==============================================
It's always fun to meet first time homebuyers and hear about the reasons they've put off buying a home for so long. They weren't sure how to start, they felt they should know more about the market so they could get a good deal, they wanted to make sure all the conditions were right, they thought it might be better after the holidays/after school ended/after Aunt Maude left.
Many put off buying to save more for their downpayment, all while interest rates are creeping up and prices in Vancouver continue to rise. And for most, this is all going on while they continue to pay rent, which is definitely not going towards any equity of their own. Forget all your reasons; if you want to own your own home, start today. Because I can assure you, once people do own their first house, they are absolutely thrilled and they can't believe they put it off for so long!
Contact me today at kendall@kendallharris.net, and let a Buyer Specialist get you started on the road to home ownership.
==============================================
From the News:
==============================================
Housing prices top $300,000:
“The cheapest place to buy in May was the Mauricie region of Trois-Rivières in central Quebec, where the average home sold for $102,870. The priciest was the Greater Vancouver area, where homes averaged $518,176.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060614.whouseprice0614/BNStory/Business/home
Did Someone Say Bubble?:
Canada's rocketing real estate market is defying pessimists -- heck, it's defying realists. KATHERINE MACKLEM explains why, thanks to a solid economy and nesting boomers, it's here to stay.
http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/business/article.jsp?content=20040510_80137_80137
==============================================
Insider Secrets Revealed:
==============================================
Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!
Each month, I publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners – money saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, and much more that DOESN’T fit in this newsletter: Click Here.
Would you like to have access to all the new listings that match your home buying criteria, including area, price range and style of home, emailed to you directly? Tired of leafing through hundreds of listings to find what you’re looking for? This is a free service and will allow you to view only the homes that you're interested in seeing. Become a Vancouver Real Estate VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings.
Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.
I’ve put up all the past newsletters on a blog! So if your dog eats your email, you can always check it out by Clicking Here.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
==============================================
Weekly Real Estate Listings
==============================================
These are all the current listing out right now; in fact, some of them are so new they’re not even posted on Realtylink ors MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program. If they don’t load, cut and paste the links into your browser. If you want more information about the listings, email me with the MLS number and I’ll send you more info.
Vancouver Lofts:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1519236902&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1709043719&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1301571660&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1224137350&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist; we’ll do all the work and won’t charge you a nickel. Simply reply to this email and we’ll contact you within 24 hours!
I could also have them emailed to you ASAP rather than weekly, sign up for the VIP Buyers Program to learn more about our personalized services.
And please remember, I supply this information to you free of charge and without obligation with the hope that when you do decide to buy or sell your home, you’ll call me to help make it a reality.
==============================================
Community Corner: 2 cats looking for a new home!
==============================================
One of my clients just had a baby, and due to allergies, his two cats need a new home! They are much loved and very well behaved and would make great additions to your family; if you’ve thought about it, this is your opportunity! Email me at Kitties@darcyharris.com for more information…
The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention for your community event. So feel free to email me and I’ll put it here free of charge. Just another way of thanking you for your business…
==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
If we do all this for free, imagine what we do when we’re working together!
I invite you to forward this newsletter on to your friends and family.
If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please Click Here.
Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!
D'Arcy R. Harris
Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
==============================================
Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation
Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings
Access Vancouver Real Estate Information
==============================================
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