Weekly Real Estate Update February 14, 2006

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D’Arcy Harris – Weekly Real Estate Update February 13, 2006

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So I woke up this morning, had my coffee and walked down to my basement to hop in my car and start my day. Lo and behold, my front window had been smashed in the night and the daring robbers had made off with my parking change. This got me thinking about property crime, and I wanted to know what the numbers are. Check out the numbers, surprisingly they’re on the way down. The irony of the whole situation is that while they took the change from the ashtray, they left behind a CD entitled ‘The Street Smart Millionaire’ all about real estate investing and how to become wealthy starting from nothing. Small change vs. lasting change. I really get a kick out of the choice they made...

On another note, I am constantly FLABBERGASTED to hear this from people: "I've been reading your newsletter for a year and forward it to all my friends. I just bought a house and have some questions." They then proceed to tell me about the world's worst real estate transaction where they trusted some distant relative or friend of a friend, or were represented by the listing agent because he had somehow convinced them that it was a good idea.

People, please: the reading is free. The expertise is free. The reports are free. The listings are free. The advice is free. The newsletter is free. But for the love of Pete, when it's time to buy or sell, call me first.

I look forward to hearing from you,

D'Arcy R. Harris

Real Estate Broker

Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty

Tel: (604) 771 1637

Fax: (604) 488 0885

darcy@darcyharris.com

www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

P.S: Wondering what your home is worth? Probably more than you think! Find out with an Over the Phone Market Evaluation.

P.P.S Prime rate is going UP. Everyone with adjustable rates is about to get smacked upside the head with a payment increase. KNOW YOUR LOAN. Call your mortgage broker today and make sure you know what's going on with your payment. Don't be an ostrich.

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Success Story of the Week ==============================================

Congratulations to M.R, a fine client indeed. He knew what he wanted, and was clear in his explanation and description. We looked at 2 places, wrote good offers on both and closed on one today. Now he’s going to make over $2,000 a month in passive income from the rent. After paying the mortgage. In the game of real estate, this is a homer.

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See the Following Listings Before They Hit The Market

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These are still up in the air right now; maybe they’ll be on the market, maybe not. In the mean time, I’m taking names to get you in before I list them. Check it out.

East Van Duplex with mortgage helper. Live in one and rent two out for a good passive income. House is beautiful outside, and come ready with your ideas for the inside. Email me at duplex@darcyharris.com

BRAND NEW 2 bedrooms, 2 bath concrete condo in New West. In a great area and close to everything. GST fully paid, this one won’t last. Hardwood, granite, all new appliances, 2-5-10 warranty etc etc etc. Email me at NewInNewWest@darcyharris.com

1 bedroom in Vancouver’s West End. Excellent building, just 1 block to the Seawall. Get on the list to view it by emailing me at Under200@darcyharris.com this one is filling up fast.

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Weekly Real Estate Listings

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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=1569996628&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=42445293&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=955453352&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1009905960&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.

============================================== Sellers Corner

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I had a question from a client about costs associated with selling. I wrote to my Notaries, Hilde and Filip Deprez of Deprez and Associates and here’s what they wrote back:

Generally speaking, only the real estate commissions are payable by a seller. Usually added to that are adjustments for taxes and maintenance fee (could be credit or debit). Sometimes there’s move-out fees, holdbacks, etc...All those show up on Statement of Adjustments.

With the sales proceeds, any mortgages are paid out. A bank might charge a 3 month interest penalty and administration fees. There there’s the notary/lawyer fees.

The seller pays both selling and listing real estate commission and does pay GST on those commissions. The buyer never pays for their realtor. The adjustment for property taxes and maintenance fees could be credit or debit, depending on when you sell: beginning or end of the year or month. If there is GST payable (new development e.g.), that is payable by the buyer.

Sometimes the property management company also charges a move-out fee or other fees. This is also the moment when any outstanding balances or special levies have to be paid. With the sales proceeds thus calculated, any mortgages can now be paid off (line of credits, mortgages, any charges on title that are the seller’s responsibility). The balance goes to the seller.

You can contact Hilde and Filip by clicking Here

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Insider Secrets Revealed:

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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

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.

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From the News:

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Vehicle theft in your community

http://www.icbc.com/crime-fraud/crime_map.asp

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Contact Info:

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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 I do all this for free, imagine what I do when we’re working together!

I invite you to forward this newsletter on to 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

Real Estate Broker

Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty

Tel: 604 771 1637

Fax: 604 488 0885

darcy@darcyharris.com

www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

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