Friday, August 24, 2007

Buy Real Estate and Wait or Wait to Buy Real Estate?

So I went for a walk along the Seawall last weekend. I've never heard so many different languages and accents. There were Aussies, Amsterdammers, Albertans, Parisiens, Barcelonians, Americans and Ontario-ites walking around all over the place. I stopped and chatted with some of them, (I'm one of those people) and sure enough they all agreed on the following:

- Vancouver is more beautiful than their city.
- Vancouver would be a great place to live.
- Vancouver has the best weather in Canada. (All of Ontario can't be wrong!)
- They'll come back, and recommend their friends to come too.

What's my point? My point is that in living here we sometimes forget what's so special about it. If you read the above points and said to yourself, "yeah so?" you need to smarten up. THIS IS A WORLD CLASS CITY PEOPLE! And I'm not even talking about the Olympics.

The real estate market is still cranking, and will continue to do so well into the future.( read) Rents are rising and the population is growing. My father's entire generation will be moving here over the next 5 years.(I asked him, he agreed) There is NO sub-prime mortgage market in Canada,( read) we are second only to Saudi Arabia for oil in the ground, ( read) there is a labour shortage in almost every sector, there are jobs everywhere. (go count "Help Wanted" signs) and dammit: it's beautiful here (look outside!). Don't believe me? Just ask the L.A Times.

Remember, It's better to buy real estate and wait, then to wait and buy real estate... Call us!

The Harris Real Estate Group
Sutton Group Westcoast Realty
Call me direct: (604) 771 1637

This Weeks Success Stories:

Congrats to Sherman, a young guy who walked into our office with Rich Dad Poor Dad tucked under his arm. (if you haven't read it, go buy it, it's a gem.) We've all read the book, so Buyer Specialist Tom Van Enter knew exactly what he was looking for. CASH FLOW! In less than a week Sherman and Tom found exactly that: a two bedroom apartment just off No. 3 Rd. in Richmond that rents out for more than the mortgage payment. Booyah.

Also, big congratulations to Mike and Melanie who just got keys yesterday for their new home in Surrey. They were first time home buyers who were lucky enough to pick Gary Foltyn as their advisor. They took his advice and won a multiple offer (4!)situation. They saw 8 homes in 6 hours and the last one was the one. In this market, the nice homes that are well priced still move fast.

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We have a huge demand for Lofts right now. If you own a loft, and are thinking of selling, WE HAVE BUYERS RIGHT NOW WHO WILL PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR THE RIGHT PLACE. Email us to set up a no obligation meeting.
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Active Listings:
1.1 Secluded Acres only 5 minutes to Crescent Beach

Asking $1,780,000.
1.1 acre VERY private estate in Bayview. Fully wired for music, internet and intercoms, this house is perfect for a large family. Easy to show. Previously listed at 2.1 Million. All offers considered... View the [http://vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/silver_listingDetail.asp?ID=279847] Photos and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHqinJaX2gg] Virtual Tour.

Waterfront lot, fully serviced and ready for your dream cabin.

.84 Acre Build your dream home or cottage get-away on scenic 108 Mile Lake. This nicely treed waterfront property is perc tested and ready for the creative placing of your new home. Imagine enjoying lake-inspired sunsets daily! Road access to fully serviced lot. Steps away from playground and sandy public beach. Year round fishing offered and historical 108 Mile Ranch within short and scenic walk... Click here to View

House with a home based Business?

How would you like to have a water bottling business to subsidize your income? This beautiful little house on Marble Hill has just that, and views to boot... Click here for more information.

Builders: Get 'em while they're HOT!

3 Lots for sale on Marble Hill. Approximately $70,000 in savings here in comparison to relative lots in this community. When these hit the market, they will not last long...[mailto:gary@garyfoltyn.com?subject=Marble Hill] Email for more info or Click Here to view



If you're in the market to sell your home, why not find out more about our proprietary marketing systems? This newsletter is just a small part of our overall marketing plan that gets your home sold fast and for top dollar. Click Here to request an over-the-net home evaluation, or send our listing coordinator an email requesting our pre listing package. Be sure to include your address so we can get started right away! >>>Schedule an appointment

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Real Estate News:

No meltdown for Canada's housing market

The Vancouver Sun
"In Canada, national home sales are now forecast to rise by 8.1 per cent in 2007 to 523,100 units and set new annual records in most provinces, CREA said. In May, it had forecast a 2007 sales increase of 3.6 per cent, which was an update on its original 2007 forecast issued in February. At that time, CREA had predicted that sales activity this year would drop 1.6 per cent from 2006."

Flaherty expects U.S. crisis to have little impact here

The Vancouver Sun
Adding to the economic reassurances, TD Bank released an analysis on Monday that noted financial market crises over the past two decades did not pull the U.S. economy - nor Canada's - into recession, and concluded that there's no reason to believe it would happen now.

Canada is hot-hot-hot

The L.A Times
"What's fueling the pace, he said, is an unemployment level at a 20-year low and a boom in the Canadian dollar, which is nearly equal to the U.S. dollar.

Soper said his nation has a couple of factors that would mitigate a "big, big correction" like the market changes going on here. Canada's market hasn't seen much of the delirious speculator activity that propelled our housing run-up for about five years. And then there's that sub-prime mortgage factor."

For some no obligation Real Estate advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call. tel: 604 771 1637 Fax: 604 488 0885 >>>Schedule an appointment We work with other agents, not against them. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Vancouver Real Estate - August 14, 2007

Sellers, price and condition are key…in fact, they're the only thing you can control. Everything that’s not really well-priced, in excellent condition, stays in the company of 11,215 other listings in Vancouver that take months to sell. There’s no such thing as a down market, only a bunch of overpriced, crap listings. Right now, if you're priced fairly, you'll sell your home. The market is still rising, but so is inventory. Makes for interesting shopping.

On another note, anyone looking to get a deal on foreclosures, it's time to read my free report one more time... You too can be one of thousands of people knocking on strangers’ doors, saying “I heard you’re in foreclosure. Do you want to sell your house?”. They’re REALLY friendly and will be ECSTATIC to meet you... Trust me, it’s a big ol'waste of time. Remember, a foreclosure does not a good deal make!

There are LOTS of other ways to find a great deal out there, and the best one I know is to call a one of Vancouver's most dynamic real estate teams. (ahem)

The Harris Real Estate Group
Sutton Group Westcoast Realty
Call us direct: (604) 771 1637

Featured Listings:
Beautiful 7,000 sq. ft. home on 1.1 Acres in South Surrey. Owners must sell!
Asking $1,780,000.
email or call (604) 771-1637 to view. Click Virtual Tour to view.

Requested Property Listings:

Apartment Foreclosures
House Foreclosures
Investment Property
Vancouver Lofts
>>>Schedule an appointment

Some of our Services:

VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
What's My Home Worth?
What's My Loft Worth?
Become a VIP Buyer
Newsletter Sign Up
Real Estate Financing
For some no obligation Real Estate advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call.
tel: 604 771 1637


The best way to reach us with your questions is to Schedule an appointment

This Weeks Success Stories:

Congratulations to D'Arcy Harris, (that'd be me!) who bought a one bedroom apartment in the West End of Vancouver. I'll be moving in with my wife, my bird, my cat and my dog (yes, I know.) at the end of this month. As a Realtor, people always ask my opinion about the market. Now I just say, 'hey, I'm buyin'. Rentals and pets allowed, so I never have to sell it.

Let the empire building begin.

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MOVIE SHOOT SEEKS INTERESTING LOFT SPACE, WILL PAY TOP DOLLAR. REPLY TO NEWSLETTER WITH YOUR CONTACT INFO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.
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Active Listings:

1.1 Secluded Acres only 5 minutes to Crescent Beach

Asking $1,780,000.

1.1 acre VERY private estate in Bayview. Fully wired for music, internet and intercoms, this house is perfect for a large family. Easy to show. Previously listed at 2.1 Million. The owners are out of the country and are waiting for an offer. The lottery homes have nothing on this one. View the Photos and Virtual Tour.

House with a home based Business?

How would you like to have a water bottling business to subsidize your income? This beautiful little house on Marble Hill has just that, and views to boot.
Click here for more information.

Builders: Get 'em while they're HOT!

3 Lots for sale on Marble Hill. Approximately $70,000 in savings here in comparison to relative lots in this community. When these hit the market, they will not last long.. Email for more info or Click Here to view

Click Here to see all our listings

>>>Schedule an appointment

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If you're in the market to sell your home, why not find out more about our proprietary marketing systems? This newsletter is just a small part of our overall marketing plan that gets your home sold fast and for top dollar. Click Here to request an over-the-net home evaluation, or send our listing coordinator an email requesting our pre listing package. Be sure to include your address so we can get started right away!
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Real Estate News:

Vancouver housing market still hot
The price of a new home in Vancouver is up 9.6 per cent from last year, according to Statistics Canada's latest housing figures released Thursday.

Surging real estate prices defy expectations, again
In July, Greater Vancouver recorded 3,873 Multiple-Listing-Service sales, 41.8 per cent more than the same month last year, and five per cent over the record July in 2003. Greater Vancouver's inventory of unsold homes was also up 7.6 per cent to 11,215 units compared with a year ago.

HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO READ THESE KINDS OF HEADLINES BEFORE YOU GET IN TO THE MARKET?!!!


Friday, August 03, 2007

DOES YOUR DENTIST HAVE BAD TEETH?

Every week, I tell you to buy some real estate. Lawyers say sue, dentist say brush, and realtors say buy; right? How can you trust advice when there's a vested interest (i.e commisions) in closing a deal? How can you possibly trust my advice when I earn my living off of transactions? I'm an agent, so how can you know I'm not just spouting off to get you to buy or sell?

I doubt you'd go to a dentist with bad teeth, and the real estate agent equivalent can be sussed out by asking the following question:

What have you invested in lately?

Well, this week, Harris Real Estate Group Buyer Specialist Tom Van Enter bought a beautiful 1 bedroom apartment in Vancouver to live in. And my brother and in-house Mortgage Broker Reed Harris just closed on a 2 unit rental property in Mount Pleasant. I'm currently in the market for a loft in downtown Vancouver.

There are deals to be had, and money to be made in any market. Don't doubt that the right agent can make you money. Just ask some of our past clients!

Call us when you're ready,

D'Arcy Harris
The Harris Real Estate Group
Sutton Group Westcoast Realty
Call us direct: (604) 771 1637

Featured Listings:
Cashflow Positivein Sun Peaks:
Let your tenants pay the mortgage! Subdivision in progress. Won't last. $$$

Beautiful 7,000 sq. ft. home on 1.1 Acres in South Surrey.
Asking $1,780,000.REDUCED! email to view. Virtual Tour
Your Property Listings:
Apartment Foreclosures

House Foreclosures

Investment Property

Vancouver Lofts

>>>Schedule an appointment

Our Services:

VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
What's My Home Worth?
What's My Loft Worth?
Become a VIP Buyer
Newsletter Sign Up
Real Estate Financing
For some no obligation Real Estate advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call.

The best way to reach us with your questions is to simply reply to this newsletter!

Success Stories:
Congratulations to the following clients:

Jim and Dawn, who listed their home with ary Foltyn (Our Surrey/Whiterock Specialist) and sold it shortly therafter for a record breaking price. Nearly 10k over what the last house sold for. Needless to say, call Gary to sell your home and you won't be disapointed.

Congratulations as well to Chris and Karmen, who purchased a 1,025 sq. ft. 2 bedroom condo in Coquitlam for 10k under the asking price. [mailto:grady@gradyharris.com"> Grady Harris is the guy to talk to to for a similar experience.

Speaking of my brother Grady, a BIG CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of his first son. Brody Paul Harris, weighing in at 7 Lbs 3 ounces. Welcome to Earth little buddy.

Active Listings:
Abbotsford Under Construction
Owner needs to sell now. Home is partially completed and ready for all you builders and investors out there. Someone is going to make some $$ on this one... Email Grady to View

Perfect Family Home SOLD!
Asking $629,500
Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, this 4bd, 3bth home with bonus games room. Huge 8300sq. ft. lot. Email Gary to view

Cash flow positive Investment Property in Sun Peaks ski resort...
Asking $799,000

Legal duplex with 2 basement suites, rent pulls in $5,100 a month...Great opportunity for all you cashflow investors out there... Photos 1.1 Acres only 5 minutes to Crescent Beach
Asking $1,895,000
1.1 acre secluded estate in Bayview. Fully wired for music, internet and intercoms, this house is perfect for a large family. Easy to show. Previously listed at 2.1 Million. The owners are out of the country and are waiting for an offer. The lottery homes have nothing on this one. View the Photos and Virtual Tour.

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If you're in the market to sell your home, why not find out more about our proprietary marketing systems? This newsletter is just a small part of our overall marketing plan that gets your home sold fast and for top dollar. [http://vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/homeeval.asp] Click Here to request an over-the-net home evaluation, or send our listing coordinator an [mailto:listingpackage@darcyharris.com?subject=I want to list my home, please send me a pre-listing package...] email requesting our pre-listing package. We've sold 100% of our properties. Be sure to include your address so we can get started right away!
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THANKS FOR READING!

For some no obligation Real Estate advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call.
tel: 604 771 1637 Fax: 604 488 0885
www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

Or come see us at our own office!
101-272 E. 4th Ave.
Vancouver B.C