The Harris Real Estate Group - Vancouver Real Estate Weekly Update

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2008-05-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

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2008-04-23T11:32:00.000-07:00

The Harris Real Estate Group SUTTON Westcoast Realty December 11, 2007 Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update Dear Reader, It's been another busy week in the Real Estate world, which is why I didn't get this newsletter out last week! Just so you understand how hectic it's been for us here at the Harris Real Estate Group, I've included a link to the cold hard facts about sales in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valleyhere. Hint, the number of homes sold in November was up from last year and prices are up across the board. Anyone still surprised?
Grady Harris The Harris Real Estate Group Sutton Group Westcoast Realty Call me direct: (604) 781-7900 www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
Requested Property Listings:
Apartment Foreclosures
House Foreclosures
Investment Property
Vancouver Lofts
For some no obligation Real Estate advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call.
Tel: 604 771 1637
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES:
The Harris Real Estate Group is proud to offer our readers and clients the first opportunity to view an up coming listing in the soon to be completed Legacy Towers in Burnaby. This huge 2-bedroom and den townhouse, one of only 9 in the entire development, opens up onto an expanse of manicured gardens. Expect this one in early January '08. Email Grady Harris at grady@gradyharris.com to be first on the list to view it.
UPDATE: SOLD
SUCCESS STORIES

The entire Harris Real Estate Group wants to congratulate Gary Foltyn and his clients who completed purchases and sales this week: Dave and Carol sold their home (with multiple offers -great job Gary!) and bought a new one.
Gary sold Chris and Lex's condo for top dollar in only two days and then helped them buy a home that they absolutely love.
Betty sold her investment property in one day for full price because we represent a huge number of pre-qualified buyers who are the first to see all of our listings.
And it's not just experienced investors that Gary helps; he patiently walked Lauren through the purchase of her first condo. She's going to love being a homeowner!
If you are planning to list your Surrey or White Rock home and want it sold for the best price and quickly, email Gary at gary@garyfoltyn.com, you will be happy you did.
Congratulation to Dan who got a rent increase notice and decided he was done paying someone else's mortgage and called us to make a change in his life. He now owns a great looking condo with a mountain view! Oh ya, he's in his early 20's and is now way ahead of his friends when it comes to building his wealth.
************************************************************************************* 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. info@vancouverrealestateinfo.ca

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ACTIVE LISTINGS:

Coal Harbour 2 bed/2ba SOLD!! Coal Harbour's Venus! Steps to Robson Street, Seawall & Stanley Park. Desirable SE corner unit, 2 bed, & 2 bath split floor plan. 9' ceilings, double-sided gas F/P, maple cabinets, granite countertops, & tiled entrance. This highly sought after building has 24-hour concierge service, a meeting room perfect for large social events, boardroom, indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, fitness centre & 2 guest suites.
Private Rooftop Deck with Ocean Views Totally re-done top floor corner unit with no neighbours to 3 sides. This 2/bd, 2bth, bright and spacious condo features vaulted ceilings and 3pc ensuite in master. Updates include: new paint, tile, laminate, fixtures and appliances. BONUS: Relax and entertain on your private 12'x16' rooftop deck with ocean views. Easy to show. Only $319,000!
Click here to see all of our new listings
************************************************************************************* Real Estate News: Click on the headline to read the full article: Flooring Options Thinking of replacing your carpet or putting in new flooring? Read this article to help you decide between hard wood, engineered wood, and laminate.
Green Home Renovations May Add More Value "Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of the 1,266 Canadians asked in the latest Eco Home Survey said they will look for a green improved property in their next home purchase, and 63 per cent said they would pay more for an environmentally friendly home." How much more? Read the article to see if it is worth it for you to upgrade your home...
For some no obligation Real Estate advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call. tel: 604 781 7900
Fax: 604 488 0885
We work with other agents, not against them. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

There's a Chill in the Air...

2007-11-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

Last week in our newsletter, we explored the effect or non-effect that the U.S. credit crunch will have on the Vancouver real estate market.

This week I'm focusing on something that also matters to all current and future home owners.

Yes, it's time to get ready for winter.

Although Vancouverites delight in telling the rest of Canada that we don't have a winter (just long periods of gray clouds and constant drizzle), the truth is is that we have to prepare our homes for winter in the same way that people in Edmonton do.

And no matter where you are from, make sure to do the work BEFORE it gets any colder out!

For an easy way to winterize your home, click here

Remember, it's always cheaper to prevent damage than repair the damage after it happens!

Grady Harris
The Harris Real Estate Group
Sutton Group Westcoast Realty
Call me direct: (604) 771 1637
www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

Requested Property Listings:

Apartment Foreclosures

House Foreclosures

Investment Property

Vancouver Lofts

>>>Daily Listings via email...

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
Email

Success Stories

One of our Buyer's Agents, Tom Van Enter, would like to congratulate Michal and Denise who purchased a gorgeous two-bedroom condo in a new development. You'll both be chuckling at the great price you paid when you move into your new home in a few years!

Gary Foltyn wanted me to pass on his congratulations to Lauren on her purchase of his listing. Gary had buyers lined up even before the listing came on the market. If you are planning to list your Surrey or White Rock home and want it sold fast, email Gary here. You will be happy you did.

I would like to congratulate Yury and Gana for selling an investment property with me, Grady Harris. Their condo was SOLD before they took their well-deserved holiday so that they can enjoy the sun and relaxation knowing that their Realtor is representing their interests. We have a great working relationship and we are taking giant strides towards their well defined real estate goals. Congrats again to you two!

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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:

Yaletown 2 bed/2 ba
Contact D'Arcy Harris to view
Beautiful 900 Sq. Ft. 2bd, 2ba with a great layout. Stainless steel appliances and granite counters throughout. Updates include new paint, new floors and bathroom appliances. Yaletown location just steps to Elsie Roy Elementary, David Lam Park, Sea Wall and all the best that Yaletown has to offer.
View Pics and VIRTUAL TOUR

Coal Harbour 2 bed/2ba SOLD!!
Contact Grady Harris to view
Coal Harbour's Venus! Steps to Robson Street, Seawall & Stanley Park. Desirable SE corner unit, 2 bed, & 2 bath split floor plan. 9' ceilings, double-sided gas F/P, maple cabinets, granite countertops, & tiled entrance. This highly sought after building has 24 hour concierge service, a meeting room perfect for large social events, boardroom, indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, fitness centre & 2 guest suites.
View Pics

Great Surrey Location
Contact Gary Foltyn to view
Excellent location! This clean, 4 bed/3 bath home in desirable neighbourhood has large living and rec. rooms, 2 gas fireplaces, mbdrm w/updated ensuite and W/I closet. Features include: new roof, furnace, H/W tank, G/D Opener, security system and R/I vacuum. 7242 sq' private lot off cul-de-sac, close to schools and shopping. Best home in this price point. View Pics

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 of our current listings>>>

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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!
>>>Schedule an appointment

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Real Estate News:

Fall Maintenance

It's that time of year again homeowners! Yes, time to "winterize" your homes. The chimney should be cleared of bird nests, leaves and twigs. As the leaves tumble, cleaning the chimney and the eavestroughs is important if you don't want water to overflow and seep under roof tiles, shingles and even the foundation. If you are thinking of selling, be sure to take of these little things and you are sure to impress any Buyers and their inspectors.

Here for a good time, not a long time

A nice story about how downtown Vancouver is populated by nomads, from the uber-rich buying second and third vacation homes to students from all around the world coming here to learn english. And "nomads... have a special affinity for Vancouver that to this day drives our culture and our economy."

More on the non-effect of the US credit troubles in Vancouver

Canadian real-estate investors remain optimistic about prospects for their markets in 2008 despite the downturn and a tightening of credit markets in the United States, according to a new industry report.

We work with other agents, not against them. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

What More Do You Need to Buy Some Real Estate?

2007-10-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Parity. Feels good rolling off my tongue. Pear-ah-tea... Yes, it hurts our exports but by God it feels good to plonk down a loonie in Seattle and watch their little faces light up. It gets me every time.

With a higher loonie, watch our economy grow at a faster pace without fear of inflation. (high dollar is deflationary) This means more jobs, more money and more profits. As it relates to real estate, my prediction is that a stronger economy means that this latest real estate boom is more likely to have legs, and for much longer, than most people may think.

If you're "waiting for the market to go down before buying" or "waiting until after the olympics to buy/sell" you may want to rethink your strategy, 'cause it's a whole new economy out there...

Incomes are going up, unemployment is at a 40 year low, rental vacancies are below 1%, which means rents will rise too. Canada is a resource based economy and resources are all at all time highs. Baby boomers are retiring to our shores from across Canada, selling their houses in the prairies to buy condos in Vancouver. Oh and we also have 14 billion in the bank.

ETC.

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

Requested Property Listings:

Apartment Foreclosures
House Foreclosures
Investment Property
Vancouver Lofts
Daily Listings via email...

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

Is This Bad Advice?
This is from my brother Brock Harris, a real estate broker in Los Angeles, one of the most cut throat markets in the world. It was quoted in the LA Times, and got over 100 responses from irate renters. I agree with everything,including the tone. Read on, and weigh in if you must!

______________________________________________________________________________
Buyers are nuts about price.

I think it's a stupid way to choose a house.Why?

All day long I ask potential buyers "How soon do you need to buy?" and "What areas are you looking in?" and all I hear is: "I am flexible, I just want a good deal."

It's crazy - most buyers will wait YEARS and live in houses they don'teven LIKE to get that "good deal."

I say bollocks.

Ever talked to someone who bought well and bought early? What they paid is IRRELEVANT. The homeowners in Burbank who paid $240K instead of $220K(they decided they couldn't wait for the "good deal" anymore), and it's now worth a cool million?

The guy who bought the commercial property on Hollywood Blvd in the mid-90s for $350K (NOT a good deal, in fact he overpaid 10%), and it's now worth $4mil?

Heck, my uncle and aunt in Vancouver "overpaid" for their house back inthe day. Yep, they spent $35K on a house they could have gotten for$33,500. Boo-hoo, the place is now worth $500K. They bought it because they LOVED it.

I will take a well-located, prize home I love at MARKET price all day long over a not-so-nice place at 30% below market. Because in ten years it's not going to make a bit of difference to me, and the nicer place will be worth more anyway.

I am calling through my entire database and I am not kidding you, there are people who have been waiting since 2001. "I'm not in the market," they say, "but if a really good deal comes along, give me a call."

Yeah, right.

______________________________________________________________________________
Be sure to check out the comments this posting received on the LA Times site...

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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 FORTHE RIGHT PLACE. Email us to set up a no obligation meeting.
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Active Listings:

Yaletown 2 bed/2 bath
Contact D'Arcy Harris to view
Beautiful 900 Sq. Ft. 2bd, 2ba with a great layout. Stainless steel appliances and granite counters throughout. Updates include new paint, newfloors and bathroom appliances. Yaletown location just steps to Elsie RoyElementary, David Lam Park, Sea Wall and all the best that Yaletown has to offer. View Pics and VIRTUAL TOUR

Coal Harbour 2 bed/2ba
Contact Grady Harristo view
Coal Harbour's Venus! Steps to Robson Street, Seawall and Stanley Park. Desirable SE corner unit, 2 bed, & 2 bath split floor plan. 9' ceilings,double-sided gas F/P, maple cabinets, granite countertops, & tiledentrance. This highly sought after building has 24 hour concierge service,a meeting room perfect for large social events, boardroom, indoor pool,sauna, whirlpool, fitness centre & 2 guest suites. View Pics By Clicking Here

Great Surrey Location, Seller highly motivated to sell
Contact Gary Foltyn to view
This clean, 4 bed/3 bath home in desirable neighbourhood has large living and rec. rooms, 2 gas fireplaces, mbdrmw/updated ensuite and W/I closet. Features include: new roof, furnace, H/Wtank, G/D Opener, security system and R/I vacuum. 7242 sq' private lot offcul-de-sac, close to schools and shopping. Best home in this price point.View Pics

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 Gary for more info orClick Here to view

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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!
Schedule an appointment!
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Real Estate News:

Is it better to own than it is to rent?
"While achieving the same wealth as owners is possible in seven of the nine Canadian cities, it is not easy," the researchers reported. "In those cities where it is even possible to accumulate more wealth than owners, renters must be extremely disciplined. They must invest on average nearly 80 percent of the difference between the annual cost to owners and the cost to renters."

High house prices spur switch to condo-building Surging multi-family home construction has pushed 2007 Lower Mainlandhousing starts above last year's pace for the first time, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reported Tuesday.

Canada Is Giddy About the Loonie And Twitting U.S.
Even Canada's finance minister, Jim Flaherty, couldn't resist the opportunity to stand up and speak Thursday, soberly telling reporters he has been worried about the fragile U.S. housing market; Canada's housing market, on the other hand, is "remarkably different."

Schedule an appointment with us

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 or come see us!

101-272 E. 4th Ave.
Vancouver B.C

We work with other agents, not against them. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

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

2007-08-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Vancouver Real Estate - August 14, 2007

2007-08-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

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?!!!

DOES YOUR DENTIST HAVE BAD TEETH?

2007-08-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

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

June 20th, Vancouver Real Estate Update

2007-06-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

Looks like June-uary is finally over and summer is hopefully here to stay. And not a moment too soon. In honour of the sun, this weeks newsletter has some comedy; be sure to check out Will Farrel in The Landlord', and this one I found on YouTube spoofing Realtors. (WHAT? Realtors have a bad reputation?)

On a more serious note, our cashflow positive property in Sun Peaks Ski Resort has hit the market. If you missed it last week, be sure to go and crunch the numbers. Cash Cows are a rare breed of real estate.

We also have the 1.1 Acre, 7,000 sq. ft. house in South Surrey. The owners have asked me to pass how motivated they are: Very. If you're at all interested in getting a great deal, call Grady for a showing.

Gary will be hosting the first showings this weekend at his listing in Surrey from 2-4 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The home is in a quiet area bordering a greenbelt and is perfect for a growing family.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the weather like only people who live in rain 9 months of the year can.

D'Arcy Harris
The Harris Real Estate Group
Sutton Group Westcoast Realty
Call us direct: (604) 771 1637
www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca
Listings and Services:
Featured Listings:

Cashflow+ in 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 $1,895,000.
email to view. Virtual Tour

Well maintained, beautiful 4 bedroom home in Surrey. Asking $629,500

email to view.

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.
tel: 604 771 1637

From the News:
Home Sales Rise; Affordability Falls
“Rising wages, low unemployment and encouraging migration figures continue to support housing demand in the province,” added Muir. “However, recent mortgage rate increases combined with record high home prices will moderate housing demand over the second half of the year.”

Rich People Know Better (from The U.S)
"Gillespie suggests that affluent women’s confidence in real estate, along with the fact that 22% of all homes sold last year were to single women, could be “the driver that ultimately helps the market turn the corner.”

Vancouver considered 'cheap' place to live in global survey
Mercer Human Resource Consulting released a cost-of-living assessment that placed Vancouver 89th out of 142 cities.

Red-Hot Real Estate Market Breaks Records in May
Home sales and prices hit all-time highs last month, flying in the face of repeated predictions of a cooling of Canada's housing boom.

Canada Inflation Rates Rose 2.2% in May on Housing
The core rate has been above the Bank of Canada's 2 percent target for 10 months, leading investors to bet on a rate increase as early as the July 10 policy meeting. Low unemployment, record consumer spending and rising energy and housing costs have contributed to higher prices.

Active Listings:
Perfect Family Home
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.

Abbotsford Under Construction
Owner needs to sell now. Home is partially completed and ready for all you builders and investors out there... Email Grady to View

THANKS FOR READING!

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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. We've sold 100% of our properties. Be sure to include your address so we can get started right away!
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Are you STILL renting?

2007-05-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Home prices hit a record high in April, much to the chagrin of the benchwarmers out there. Across Canada, they're up 9.5% from last year. In Vancouver, up 12.2%!

Yup, prices are "high", but the amount you need to get into the game simply isn't. If you look at buying real estate the same way you would stocks (money in vs. money out=profit or loss), it makes the 'high' prices easy to swallow. Play with the numbers: If you were a first time homebuyer last year, and bought a $400,000 apartment in Vancouver with 5% down ($20,000), you'd already have made $48,000. That's a 140% return on your investment. Sweet.

My loft didn't cost me $324,000, it cost me $16,200, and the bank picked up the rest. I pay a 'rent' to the bank just like you pay a rent to your landlord. No difference, except that when the market goes up, I make money. When it goes down, I stay where I'm living because that's where I'm living and I love it. It ain't complicated.

Call your mortgage broker, call your realtor, call your rich friend; call anybody besides your buddy Frank who rents the basement suite next door and reads too many blogs...

Take the first step!

Listings and Services:

Featured Listing:
Beautiful 7,000 sq. ft. home on 1.1 Acres in South Surrey. Price Reduced by 100K! Asking $1,895,000. email or call (604) 771-1637 to view. Click Virtual Tour to view.

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. tel: 604 771 1637

Success Stories:

Congratulations to S.A, who bought a house on his first day working with us. We looked at 5 houses that matched his criteria, and he bought the best one. That's how it's done folks. It has a pool, a jacuzzi, a tennis court and looks out over the water in South Surrey. He was decisive and a hard negotiator. He gets what I wrote about above and puts it into practice no matter the price range. That's why he's wealthy.

Congratulations as well to Isabelle, who took possession of her lovely one bedroom apartment in Granville Rise this week. One of her criteria was that she wanted to hear the birds in the morning, and I think that worked out just fine! Your criteria is your own, and whatever it has to be it will be if you work closely with your team. Read that last sentence 10 times fast.

Active Listing:

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.

At the end of this month, The Harris Real Estate Group is going to be listing a 2 bedroom single level townhouse in New West, and a brand new 2 bedroom condo in Burnaby. Get on the VIP List!

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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 emailrequesting our pre listing package. Be sure to include your address so we can get started right away!

**************************************************************

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

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

We work with other agents, not against them. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update

2007-05-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

The Harris Real Estate Group
SUTTON Westcoast Realty
Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update

One of my favorite questions is 'So, what's going on in the market'. My canned response is 'what market?' and I always seem to get a weird look. But real estate markets are different in every area of the city, and can even differ from one block to the next. What goes on in Kits will be different than Port Moody, and what's going on in houses will be different from lofts. The question of course, can be answered with a broad stroke which is exactly what the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver attempted to do with the following article:Click Here.
It paints a rosy picture of the future market, and as well it should when articleslike this one go along with it

Some people are waiting for a bubble to burst with batted breath, and it looks like that's all they'll do. In the mean time, get in the game. Home ownership is a tried and true pathway to wealth. Enjoy this weeks newsletter, and thanks for reading!

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

Listings and Services:

Featured Listing:
Open House Sat. 2-4 pm

Beautiful 7,000 sq. ft. home on 1.1 Acres in South Surrey. Price Reduced by 100K this week! Asking $1,895,000. email or call (604) 771-1637 to view. Click Virtual Tour to view.

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 tel: 604 771 1637

Success Stories:

Congratulations to Hanna, who closed on a beautiful loft last week. The open floor plan and access to the common deck (BBQ!) from the unit makes this one of the most original spaces in town. Looking forward to having her as a neighbour!

Also, the listing we had in Crowley sold in less than a week! Thanks to everyone who showed interest!

Active Listings:

1.1 Acres in South Surrey
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 2-4pm!
Asking $1,895,000
PRICE REDUCED BY 100K!

1.1 acre secluded estate in Bayview. The kitchen and eating area opens to the vaulted living room which looks over the gated swimming pool and deck. Fully wired for music, internet and intercoms, this house is perfect for a large family. Easy to show. Previously listed at 2.1 Million. View 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. Click Here to request an over-the-net home evaluation, or send our listing coordinator an email requesting our pre listing package.

**************************************************************

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

Or come see us!

101-272 E. 4th Ave.
Vancouver B.C

We work with other agents, not against them. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

Vancouver Real Estate - April 24, 2007

2007-04-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

When you go shopping at the mall, do you walk into a store and ask them what they can do for you or do you walk in and tell them what you're looking for?

Too many of us hang out in the real estate market like it’s the shopping mall. You know what I mean: wander around, have a cinnabon, kill some time, look at the other shoppers, go to orange julius, look at the mannequins, read a magazine...Real estate doesn’t work that way. It’s just too competitive and there’s too much at stake.

The people who are successful at the real estate game are the one's who spend the time and energy figuring out exactly what they want and then call guys like us help them find it.

Decisiveness is the name of the game folks.

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

Vancouver Real Estate

Featured Listing:

Beautiful 7,000 sq. ft. home on 1.1 Acres in South Surrey. Asking $1,995,000.
(604) 771-1637 to view. Click Here to view Virtual Tour.

Your Property Listings:

Apartment Foreclosures

House Foreclosures

Investment Property

Vancouver Lofts

Success Stories:

Congratulations to the following people on their transactions this week:

Congratulations to Vals, Rob, Brian, and John and Mardie who purchased a condo each in a new development called Jacobsen. 15% down and completion in 2009 means they get to play the hot Mount Pleasant market for two years without any other expenses other than their down payment. This is a great way to participate in a real estate market without having to put up with renters and unforeseen expenses.

We have found another excellent investment opportunity that will be going on sale in May, if you'd like to participate or get more information on it, email us. Space is limited.

Also, congratulations to Henry and Chandon. They knew exactly what they wanted and bought the one that matched their criteria on their first day out. They were decisive and clear about their purchase. That's how you buy real estate my friends.

Active Listings:

1.1 Acres in South Surrey Asking $1,995,000

1.1 acre secluded estate in Bayview. The kitchen and eating area opens to the vaulted living room which looks over the gated swimming pool and deck. Fully wired for music, internet and intercoms, this house is perfect for a large family. Easy to show. Previously listed at 2.1 Million. View [http://vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/silver_listingDetail.asp?ID=279847] Photos and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHqinJaX2gg] Virtual Tour.

Affordable Vancouver Living Asking $235,000

Immaculate one bedroom in The Montage, still under new home warranty. Featuring hardwood floors, SW-facing covered balcony, in suite laundry, and underground parking. Bedroom has spacious closet with built-in shelves, living/dining area is open and bright, bathroom is pristine. View [Immaculate one bedroom in The Montage, still under new home warranty. Featuring hardwood floors, SW-facing covered balcony, in suite laundry, and underground parking. Bedroom has spacious closet with built-in shelves, living/dining area is open and bright, bathroom is pristine. ] Photos

Award Winning 2 level Penthouse Loft Asking $459,900

published in Western Living, Wall St. Journal and the Chicago Tribune. Stunning attention to details, sleek and functional Miele kitchen with 5 burner gas cook-top, sub-zero fridge, 2 imported sinks and hardware, 2 baths - one with solid cedar Japanese soaker tub/shower, opening skylight, approx 20' ceilings, tall windows facing east. 1 parking , steps to common roof deck, smaller building and pet friendly.

**************************************************************
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, or send our listing coordinator an email requesting our pre listing package.
**************************************************************

3299 137A St. Asking $1,995,000

2007-04-10T14:36:00.001-07:00

To book a private showing please call D'Arcy at 604 771 1637

It's Listing Season!

2007-03-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

Spring weather is just around the corner, and people all over the city are getting their homes ready to list for sale. (Agents call the coming month's "Listing Season"). Nothing helps sells a home faster than warm sunshine and blooming flowers. Buyers come out in droves, and if you're thinking of selling now is the time to be interviewing agents. Be sure to call us!

All you buyers out there should consider that there will be increased competition in the coming months and now is the time to get decisive about buying. Buying a convertable in the winter and selling it in the summer is the way to go. A wait and see mentality at this juncture will only cost you money down the road, so get on it!

Looking forward to hearing from you,

The Harris Real Estate Group
Sutton Group Westcoast Realty

Call us direct: (604) 771 1637
P.S All you VIP Buyers may have noticed some problems with photos on your listings; the MLS Department is working overtime to fix the glitch and they should be up shortly, sorry for the delay!

Listings and Services:

Featured Listing:< Beautiful 7,000 sq. ft. home on 1.1 Acres in South Surrey. Asking $1,995,000. email or call (604) 771-1637 to view.

Virtual Tour.

Your Property Listings:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1969092728&s=BRC&t=BRC
Apartment Foreclosures

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=560499534&s=BRC&t=BRC
House Foreclosures

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=376269700&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment Property

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1176895463&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Lofts

mailto:darcy@darcyharris.com?subject=Schedule Viewing for MLS
>>>Schedule an appointment

Services:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

http://vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/homeeval.asp What's My Home Worth?

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/gold_custom3.asp What's My Loft

Worth? http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/vip_buyer.asp Become a VIP Buyer

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/silver_customform.asp Newsletter Sign Up

http://www.realestatefinancing.ca Real Estate Financing

Success Stories:

Our listing on http://vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/silver_listingDetail.asp?ID=275412 Vidal St. sold this week. It was previously listed with another realtor for almost 6 months before the owners listed it with the Harris Real Estate Group. We sold it in under a month for close to asking. In the mean time, our Surrey/White Rock Specialist mailto:gary@garyfoltyn.com Gary Foltyn also managed to find them a home. Congratulations on the successful move!

Congratulations to the following people on their purchases:

Suzanne who worked with mailto:grady@gradyharris.com Grady Harris for a long time before settling on a one bedroom in Mount Pleasant with unobstructed mountain views for under $260,000. A deal if there ever was one. Mount Pleasant is an area that will see great growth as we lead up to the Olympics, email Grady for more information, (Oh, and congratulations to Grady and his pregnant wife Julie on their purchase in Mount Pleasant. An agent who's puttin' his money where his mouth is: priceless!)

Tannis and Andrew who knew what they wanted and didn't hesitate to buy a great 2 bedroom apartment in Fairview. Buyer Specialist mailto:Tom@TomVanEnter.com Tom Van Enter from the Harris Real Estate Group lives in the neighbourhood and knows it cold. If that's where you're looking, drop him a line...

Mademoiselle Isabelle, who after one month of looking ferociously found a beautiful one bedroom apartment on W. 11th. Felicitation!

Jason, who will be taking possession of his brand new massive loft in Gastown this weekend. Gastown is changing folks, and the people that are buying now will see dividends down the road. Enjoy your new digs Jason!

And of course, Romanda who picked up a one bedroom in Surrey's Quattro, scheduled for completion in 2 years. Those of you who doubt the strength of the real estate market should have seen the line-up and felt the elbows jostling for some of the lower mainland's most affordable new construction. Phase 3 goes on sale next, if you're interested mailto:darcy@darcyharris.com email me

Also:

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 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.

From the News:

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/186787 Real estate brought 18.6% return in 2006: Index
Calgary (30.4 per cent), Vancouver (22.8 per cent), Montreal (18.3 per cent), Toronto (13.1 per cent) and Ottawa (12.6 per cent).

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070327.re-remodel-0327/REStory/RealEstate/

Safety upgrades and modest renos are good investments The annual "Cost vs. Value" article published annually by Remodeling Magazine gives consumers a look at the average price — and the return on investment — of all the most popular types of remodels.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070327.re-smoke-0327/REStory/RealEstate/
Support grows for smoke-free apartments
If the Ontario Tobacco-Free Network has its way, even your condo or apartment will be a smoke-free zone, whether you like it or not.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/567175.html Sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of home buying 55 per cent of single women, versus 45 per cent of men, say they are planning to buy a home in the next two years...

http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=51&cat=23&id=858199&more= Realtors seek property tax deferrals

realtors are planning to remind the Conservatives of their election promise to allow investors to defer taxes on investment real estate...

For some no obligation Real Estate advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call.

tel: 604 771 1637 Fax: 604 488 0885

Or come see us! 101-272 E. 4th Ave.

Vancouver B.C

We work with other agents, not against them. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

The Harris Real Estate Group

2007-02-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

How crazy do we ALL get when it comes to buying and selling real estate?
Imagine if we shopped for everything the way we shopped for real estate:

CAR BUYING: “I’m waiting to find a seller who really needs the money, and wants to sell me his car at 30-40% under value. Until then, I'm walking!”

CAR SELLING: “Even though my car Blue Books at $5200, I’m going to sell at $6200…because I love my car is so much”

JOBS: “I’m not really in the market for a new job, but if something comes along, I’d be ready to quit, call me if you find something...”

SHOES: “I’ve been looking for about a year now. I really want to get the perfect pair. I’ve probably tried on 200.”

GAS: “I’m going to wait for the market to go down before filling up.”

If any of this sounds familiar, call us and get on with it!

The Harris Real Estate Group
Sutton Group Westcoast Realty
(604) 771 1637

Listings and Services:

Your Property Listings:
Apartment Foreclosures

House Foreclosures

Investment Property

Vancouver Lofts

Services:
VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

What's My Home Worth?

What's My Loft Worth?

Become a VIP Buyer

Newsletter Sign Up

Real Estate Financing

See below for 2 new listings and 2 new agents!

Thinking of Selling?
The Psychology of Pricing

Be the first one in on two listings...

Beauty of a Townhouse:
4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, this is a primo home in a very quiet and child friendly complex. Double garage (park in one, and make the rest your workshop!) and an extra large back yard. Owner is an electrician and he's tweaked it for surround sound and lighting. Perfect for a growing family. Asking $349,900, nothing to do but move in.

2 bed 2 bath with Excellent views
The Tuscany across from the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club's 18th green. This 2 bdrm, 2 bath home features 9' ceilings, crown mouldings and rounded corners, Huge kitchen for the gourmet cook. Recently painted throughout in designer colours. Gas fireplace with marble surround. 6 appliances & security system including new front load high efficiency washer/dryer and new dishwasher, also new blinds. Asking $312,900.

Email D'Arcy Harris for a private showing

We're EXPANDING! New agents joining the team...

The Harris Real Estate Group is proud to welcome and introduce you to 2 new Agents who have joined our team:

The first is Tom Van Enter and he's a Vancouver native by way of Africa (hard to explain...) Tom's background is in Environmental Science and he's got a knack for finding great deals and investment property. If you're a first time home buyer who wants someone who won't BS you, call Tom. He can be reached via Tom@tomvanenter.com email or by calling 778 833 1423 to set up a private meeting.

Born and raised in White Rock, Gary Foltyn has joined us after a long career as a carpenter/builder. Originally one of our clients, ( you may remember a certain listing on Merklin St.) Gary has been involved in building homes for over a decade and the move to agent is the perfect fit. If you're a cautious buyer nervous about leaky condo's Gary is your man. Gary is going to be taking over all of White Rock and Surrey for the Harris Real Estate Group. gary@garyfoltyn.com or call 778 999 1496 for a one on one.

This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

The Harris Real Estate Group February 6th, 2007

2007-02-20T15:21:00.000-08:00

Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update

From “Creative Real Estate Magazine”:
“Many of the people who are complaining right now were also complaining last year about exactly the opposite conditions." Isn’t it time to stop complaining and get to work yet?

One of my favorites real estate related quotes is “Fortunes in real estate have been made in good times, bad times, and in-between times.” I’d like to add my own ending to that statement: But NO fortunes were made by people who spend all their time complaining. :) Remember: Deals exist in every market, it's just a matter of doing it...

The Harris Real Estate Group
Sutton Westcoast Realty
Listings and Services:
For some no obligation advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call. tel: 604 771 1637

Your Property Listings:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=61499423&s=BRC&t=BRC
Apartment Foreclosures

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=312310588&s=BRC&t=BRC
House Forelosures

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1672838361&s=BRC&t=BRC
Investment Property

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1536344586&s=BRC&t=BRC
Vancouver Lofts

mailto:darcy@darcyharris.com?subject=Schedule >>>Schedule an appointment

Services:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

http://vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/homeeval.asp What's My Home Worth?

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/gold_custom3.asp What's My Loft Worth?

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/vip_buyer.asp Become a VIP Buyer

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/silver_customform.asp Newsletter Sign Up

http://www.realestatefinancing.ca Real Estate Financing

Has anyone told you 'The Secret'?

If you haven’t heard “The Secret” yet, you will (it's on “Oprah” this Thursday). 'The Secret' is a documentary about the Law of Attraction, i.e., what the mind of (wo)man can conceive, (wo)man can achieve. Essentially, it’s about getting EXTREMELY clear about what you want and not being afraid to put it out there.

Most people DON’T use The Secret. Here’s a typical meeting with a new buyer:

“So you’re looking to buy a house! How soon?”

“Not sure…six months from now. I’m in no rush” [it’s always six…never 4, never 8]

“And what are you looking for?”

“We’re open….we just want a good deal.”

“Okay, what area?”

“We could really go anywhere if it’s a good deal.”

“What did your lender say you could afford?”

“He said to find a house then call him”

Now I don’t mind helping buyers with all that. It’s part of my job. But how likely is this person to find their dream home? What have they conceived? Not much.

Here’s the twist - successful people already use 'The Secret', they just don’t know it:

“So you’re looking to buy a house! How soon?”

“As soon as possible. We are selling our current home to trade up, and want to put it on the market right away as we look for a new house. We sat down with our mortgage broker, and decided we want a 10-yr interest only, and figured we can spend $3200 a month on our mortgage. So $950,000 is the very top. Three bedrooms or more, at least 2 baths. We’ve been driving areas for a few days and want to focus on Kits first, Dunbar second and East Vancouver third. When can we start looking?”

The real magic occurs when you start going for it. What your mind can conceive, you can achieve. Go to [http://www.thesecret.tv/] www.thesecret.tv and order the DVD, and then call us.

Guatemalan Medical Mission: Harris Group raising some MONEY!

On February 17th we'll be hosting a fund raiser for a medical mission to Guatemala!

Two local nurses are raising money so they can join a medical team that travels to the hinterlands of Guatamala to provide much needed medical services for some of Earths poorest people. To help raise money, we're hosting a wine and cheese event on the 17th of February in our office. There will be some live music, good wine, great art, vacations to win and plenty of great people, so be sure to come and support this very worthwhile cause.

Starts at 7 pm at 101-272 E. 4th Ave. please mailto:darcy@darcyharris.com?subject=RSVP RSVP and bring your friends!

If you can't make it but would like to donate, please contact us for details. All the money is going DIRECTLY to the Medical team and the people most in need. http://www.pueblopartisans.org for more information.

This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

Vanccouver Real Estate Update January 24, 2007

2007-01-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

The Harris Real Estate Group
December 24, 2007

When I tell someone that I'm a real estate agent, the conversation inevitably turns to real estate. One of the things that surprises me most is the amount of appreehension people have when it comes to buying or selling for the first time. When I explain the process to them (come in and meet, I expain it all, no obligations, no up front costs, we do all the work, you end up happy) they either don't believe me, think I'm selling something (am I?) or set up a meeting. For example, I just helped a buyer get into a loft in Gastown, and his response was 'well that was easy'. It really is that simple folks. Rates are LOW, the economy is cranking, the Olympics are coming and life is good in B.C. If you're sitting on the sidelines, maybe now's the time to get in the game!

For some no obligation accountability and advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call. 604 771 1637

View Property Listings:
Apartment Foreclosures

House Forclosures

Investment Properties

Condo Assignments

Vancouver Lofts

Harris Real Estate Services:
VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

What's My Home Worth?

What's My Vancouver Loft Worth?

Become a VIP Buyer

Newsletter Sign Up

Don't agree with your new tax assessment? You have until January 31st to Appeal. http://www.bcassessment.bc.ca

From the News:
Real Estate Ads Moving to the Internet
Three new studies say the $11.6 billion real estate ad market is set to shift from print to the Internet...

Residential real estate values in major Canadian market post extraordinary gains over 25-year period
Residential housing values in virtually all major Canadian centres have posted significant gains since 1981, with almost half reporting double-digit appreciation annually.

Mortgage Pre-Approval

I've got a surefire, easy, simple way to lower your cost of borrowing: the pre-approval.

Fixed rates are going UP, and my lenders have given me the heads up a couple of days early. This gives you the chance to lock in TODAYs rates for up to 4 months, GUARANTEEING you the lowest interest rates available.

You'll be giving your money away if you are considering buying without a pre-approval. Give me a call.

Reed M. Harris,
Mortgage Broker
www.RealEstateFinancing.ca
Toll Free 1-866-369-3532
Fax 1-866-358-0372

Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update

2007-01-15T10:13:00.000-08:00

The Harris Real Estate Group
December 10, 2006

When setting your 2007 New Year's resolutions, did you concentrate mainly on your health like the majority of people? In 2007, try something new. Concentrate on your finances!
How about getting out of debt, buying your first property, investing in a project or making passive income? By concentrating on your finances, and exercising the necessary discipline required to succeed, you'll notice a trickle down effect into other aspects of your life. For example, setting a resolution to save for a down payment will make your work more enjoyable, and will make it easier to say no to restaurants, shopping and all the other things that eat up your finances needlessly. Which has aslimming effect overall...From there, it's just a matter of never lettinggo of your dreams!

For some no obligation accountability and advice, give the Harris Real Estate Group a call. 604 771 1637

View Property Listings:

Apartment Foreclosures

House Forclosures

Investment Properties

Condo Assignments

Vancouver Lofts

Harris Real Estate Services:
VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

What's My Home Worth?

What's My Vancouver Loft Worth?

Become a VIP Buyer

Newsletter Sign Up

Don't agree with your new tax assessment? You have until January 31st to Appeal. http://www.bcassessment.bc.ca

From the News:
Top 7 Tips for New Real Estate Investors by Eric Bramlett, BrokerAgentNews.com

Real estate makes more millionaires The number of millionaire homes in the Lower Mainland is up sharply froma year ago, quadrupling in Burnaby and at least tripling in places likeSurrey, Richmond and Maple Ridge.
Hot Streak in Housing Set to Come to a Halt Resale Numbers Unlikely to Top 2005
Elizabeth Church, The Globe and Mail

Canada's resale housing market is poised to end its five-year record-breaking streak, with the number of houses changing hands this yearunlikely to surpass last year's blistering pace.

Success Story: Kendall Harris

Congratulations to K., who gave herself the ultimate Christmas present andbought her first condo in December! She is a 27-year-old nurse, and aftergoing out to view 5 condos with me, and not seeing anything she was reallyexcited about, I sent her a listing for a great condo that was priced$20,000 lower than the ones we'd been seeing. We viewed it, and she wrotean offer. She was the only offer on the table, so we under-offered and gother an even better deal on an already great price!

She worked with our in-office mortgage specialist \, and obtained the down payment in the form of a loan from herparents, so she could take advantage of current interest rates and buynow. She spent the holidays settling into her first home, just as you could be settling into your new home soon!

Call Kendall to discuss your home owning options:

Kendall Harris,

tel 604 873 9970 or kendall@kendallharris.net

Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update

2006-12-05T17:51:00.000-08:00

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

What's My Home Worth?BR>
What's My Loft Worth?

Become a VIP Buyer

Newsletter Sign Up

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!

The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update November 15, 2006

2006-11-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

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.

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Weekly Real Estate Listings
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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.

Vancouver Real Estate - November 6, 2006

2006-11-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

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!

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Featured Listing: North Vancouver, price reduced!
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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

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Success Stories:
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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Community Corner: Realtors Care Blanket Drive…
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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…

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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

Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update August 29, 2006

2006-08-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

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.

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Current Listings: Price reduced!
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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.

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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

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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...

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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
==============================================

Vancouver Real Estate Update August 17, 2006

2006-08-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

==============================================
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!!!

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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

==============================================

Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update August 9, 2006

2006-08-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

==============================================
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!

The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update July 26, 2006

2006-07-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

==============================================
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 15, 2006

2006-07-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

==============================================
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
==============================================

Real Estate Glossary

2006-07-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

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.

SHACKYACK.COM

2006-07-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

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

Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update June 19, 2006

2006-06-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

==============================================
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

==============================================

Harris Real Estate Team - Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update June 9, 2006

2006-06-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update June 9, 2006
==============================================
Every one has an opinion of real estate agents, and generally a positive one is considered the exception. We’ve all heard about the slick salesman who will somehow make you do something you didn’t want to do through a myriad of secret sales techniques, persuasion and underhanded collusion.

What could I possibly say to a person that would make them buy a property? Look at the view? Did you notice the hardwood? Of course you noticed! Here’s the reality: we can’t sell you anything! Most, if not all buyers know right away if the home they’re viewing is the one for them. In fact, usually within 1 minute of walking through the front door. The real job of a Harris Team Buyer Agent is not to ‘trick’ you into buying something you don’t want, but to match you with a suitable property. In fact, it’s an exercise in futility to even attempt to ‘sell’ you into something you don’t want. Our job is simple, to listen to your needs and find a property that matches those needs. Then make sure that you get the best price. There is no trickery, no salesmanship and no ‘sales techniques’ that will convince you to buy something you don’t want! This isn’t a sales job; it’s a simplifying job. We simplify the process for you and find you your dream home. That’s it!

Our goal is to change your perceptions of what a real estate agent is, from salesman to trusted advisor. We’re in this for the long haul, and we believe that’s the only way to last...

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 sign up for a free comparative analysis of your homes value.

==============================================
Success Story: Kendall Harris kendall@kendallharris.net
==============================================
Congratulations to L. and L. who sold their townhouse in Surrey, and are currently finishing renovations on their new townhouse. They have great instincts when it comes to adding value to their home through renovations, and that, combined with rising property values in their area, is a very good thing!

==============================================
Success Story: Grady Harris, grady@gradyharris.com
==============================================

First of all I'd like to pass on congratulations to K and R, a newly married couple who bought their first home this week. They made a decision and we put together a strong offer on a great one-bedroom condo within walking distance to Granville Island. If you're nice to them maybe they'll have you over one evening for dinner on the spacious patio followed by drinks in front of the fireplace. Congrats to you both, I'm so happy you love your new home! Oh yeah, and they were able to save money on their Mortgage because they worked with a great Mortgage Broker. Thanks Reed!

I would also like to commend Y and G for how they bought their 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in the sky (yes it is that high) in a luxurious Coal Harbour tower. By hooking up with the hardest working team of exclusive Buyer Agents around (me in particular, cough, cough) This lovely couple were able buy in this gorgeous area of Vancouver because they made the decision to attend a foreclosure proceeding with me and ended up getting the property. Congratulations, this is a great addition to your growing real estate portfolio...and I can hardly wait to have a swim in that huge pool this summer!

==============================================
BRIX Assignment: Great location and lots of space…
==============================================
I’ve got an assignment of contract at the new BRIX development on Commercial St. Walking distance to the lake and shopping, this brand new development is scheduled to be completed by December of 2006. This unit has 2 bedrooms, 759 sq. ft. of indoor space and two (count em’: 2!) private patios for a total of over 1,200 sq. ft. of usable space. The new drop in the GST will save you a whopping $3,550 right off the bat. We currently have an accepted offer, but you never know! If you’re interested, please email me at assignment@darcyharris.com or you can Click Here for more information.

==============================================
From the News:
==============================================
Saving for a house ain't that hard
When you start with zero, coming up with a down payment seems impossible. But people do it all the time.

Gems of Vancouver's past in new exhibits
The first decade of the 20th century had it’s own real estate frenzy and Gateway to the Pacific aspirations

Sales of apartment buildings show surge
Shortage of supply and low vacancy rate make it the best market since 1989

==============================================
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=1440585630&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1225227678&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1308141676&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1469683553&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: Turtle Gardens, Toplay B.C.
==============================================
Thinking about getting a dog? Then why not adopt one! My wife and I recently adopted a wonderful dog named Kaleb, he’s part Husky and part Lab, and is truly a wonderful dog. As I’m writing this, he’s curled up under my desk. He grew up in Turtle Gardens, a shelter 18 hours north of here, and they need more parents! There are lots of great dogs who have had a tough life who are looking for a home, so if you’re looking to adopt please call them. You can also donate money to the shelter, and every dollar goes to the housing and feeding of these great dogs (and cats!).

The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great place to get some attention. So feel free to email me any community event and I’ll put it here free of charge.

==============================================
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 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

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
==============================================

Vancouver Real Estate Weekly Update: The Harris Real Estate Team Weekly Update May 27, 2006

2006-05-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Real Estate Weekly Update: The Harris Real Estate Team Weekly Update May 27, 2006

Vancouver Real Estate Weekly Update: Vancouver Real Estate Update May 11, 2006

2006-05-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Real Estate Weekly Update: Vancouver Real Estate Update May 11, 2006

The Harris Real Estate Team Weekly Update May 27, 2006

2006-05-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

==============================================
The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update May 27, 2006
==============================================
I just got off the phone with someone who wants to buy a property that was profiled in this newsletter. We had a long conversation about past sales, and what the unit originally sold for. When I told her it had sold last year for $50,000 less, she immediately said that she ‘didn’t want to make anybody rich’, and quickly ended the conversation.

This is what is called an issue with money. We all have them, (money doesn’t grow on trees, a penny saved is a penny earned etc.) and they get in the way of our success all the time. Begrudging other peoples profits is one of the worst. How do you get around that one? The only way is to be the one making the profit. Funny how we would never begrudge that! Lo and behold, this woman has never owned a property in her life and probably never will. She’s her own worst enemy.

What are your money issues? Buying a home is a stressful endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be! The stressful times in your life tend to make the best stories and I guarantee you that though it may not seem like a good time while you’re neck deep, you’ll look back on it and smile...

I look forward to hearing from 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
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
P.S: We’re giving away space in this newsletter for community based initiatives, read on!

P.P.S: If you’re thinking of selling sign up for a free comparative analysis of your homes value.

==============================================
Brix Assignment: Great area, lots of space…
==============================================
I’ve taken an assignment at the new BRIX development on Commercial St. Walking distance to the lake and shopping, this brand new development is scheduled to be completed by December of 2006. This unit has 2 bedrooms, 749 sq. ft. of indoor space and two (count em’: 2!) private patios for a total of over 1,200 sq. ft. of usable space. The new drop in the GST will save you a whopping $3,550 right off the bat.

Email me at assignment@darcyharris.com for more information about the unit or assignments or you can Click Here or Here to learn more.

==============================================
Buyers Corner: A quick note from the trenches…
==============================================
Well I've been busy busy busy the last few weeks, helping readers of this newsletter find exactly what they are looking for in terms of their home's location, style, and of course price! And I can report that I'm seeing less of the market "craziness" that I'm sure some of you are worried about. I'm seeing less multiple-offer scenarios, and there are fewer homes going for $40,000 over asking like we used to see regularly. It's actually easier for us to do my job in a slower market because there is less pressure on you to make an instant decision, and more time for us to negotiate from a position of. Less craziness also allows you to carefully go over all of the important documents, like the inspection report, before making a final decision.

And we know that a detailed inspection report done today can save potential buyers a lot of money down the road,

Speak to you again soon,

Grady Harris
Buyer Agent Extraordinaire
604 781 7900
grady@gradyharris.com http://www.gradyharris.com/

==============================================
From the News:
==============================================
Bank of Canada raises rates, signals pause”The Bank of Canada on Wednesday increased its overnight lending rate to 4.25 per cent, bringing it near a five-year high, and signalled it will take a breather in its rate-hike cycle.”

Housing affordability deteriorates“Housing affordability in Canada continued to deteriorate in the first quarter as the cost of owning a home rose at a faster pace than incomes, Royal Bank of Canada said Thursday.”

==============================================
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=533808200&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1417893632&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1982183172&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1531932906&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.

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NEW! Community Corner: Tell us all about it…
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Do you have something you’d like to tell other people about? A fundraiser perhaps? Or maybe you need volunteers for a project you’re working on? How about a gallery opening or a sporting event? If so then we’re making this space available to you for free!

The Weekly Real Estate Update goes out to over 2500 people a week, and would be a great (and free) place to get some attention. So feel free to email me anything you think other people will be interested in and I’ll put it here.

Just one way of saying thanks for your business!

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Contact Info:
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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 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

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Thanks for reading!
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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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To be taken off any future mailings simply reply with your request and I’ll take you off.

Vancouver Real Estate Update May 11, 2006

2006-05-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

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The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update May 11, 2006
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So the GST is going to be taken down a notch. All I can say is it’s about time. Of course, this being a real estate related newsletter, I guess I’ll have to talk about how it’s going to affect the market and the buyer/seller as individuals.

Here’s a breakdown from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver:

If GST becomes payable on or after July 1, 2006, without having been paid before that day, the six per cent rate applies.
If GST is paid on or after July 1, 2006, without having become payable before that day, the six per cent rate applies.
If GST becomes payable or is paid before July 1, 2006, the seven per cent rate applies.

For more information see the following links:

GST Reduction: Questions & Answers
www.cra-arc.gc.ca/agency/budget/2006/gstrateqa-e.html
GST Reduction: Impact on Sales of Real Property
www.fin.gc.ca/budget06/bp/bpa3ae.htm

Call us,

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 sign up for a free comparative analysis of your homes value.

P.P.S: 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.

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Assignment Available
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I’ve recently taken an assignment at the new BRIX development on Commercial St. Walking distance to the lake and shopping, this brand new development is scheduled to be completed by December. If you’re an investor, this is a great way to bet on the hot real estate market. And if you’re looking for a place to live, assignments allow you to own a brand new place with all the warranties. This unit has 2 bedrooms, 749 sq. ft. of indoor space and two (count em’: 2!) private patios for a total of over 1,200 sq. ft. of usable space.

The new drop in the GST will save you a whopping $3,550 right off the bat.

Email me at assignment@darcyharris.com for more information or Click Here.

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New Listing Open House Sat. 2-4 pm.
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Beautifully finished 2 beds, 1 bath 1,000 sq. foot town home with a huge patio. This unit is walking distance to Guildford Center in Surrey just off highway 1. It has a pool and hot tub and is priced to move at $176,000. The current owners have put in new floors and paint. It’s rare to find something in this price range in such great condition. Perfect for all you non-fixer-upper people out there. (Like me!) We’re going to be doing private showings for readers of the newsletter, simply email me at affordable@darcyharris.com or for more information and pictures please click here.

Open house will be this Saturday from 2-4 pm. Sunday is for your mother!

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Buyers Corner: Kendall Harris, Buyer Specialist
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I was talking to a potential client who wants to buy a house but keeps putting it off, and she said, "The market’s just too hot right now, all these multiple offers! I’ll just wait till things cool off.” This seemed to me the strangest reason NOT to get into the real estate game. And it’s not the first time I’ve heard this complaint. Ladies and gentlemen, multiple offers are a reality in the current real estate marketplace, but they should by no means deter you! As you wait for things to "cool off", interest rates are rising, as is the price of real estate in Vancouver. By the time things "cool off" the prices will be higher, it will be more expensive to borrow, and the house you want today will be WAY out of your reach financially.

Don't let that happen. The time to buy is NOW. And here’s a little reminder: not all purchases end up in multiple offers, and sometimes, especially working with an ace negotiator such as myself, there are multiple offers but you end up the winner! Let's get you started: contact me at kendall@kendallharris.net

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Insider Secrets Revealed:
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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.

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From the News:
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Federal budget: win some, lose some
GST cut applauded, but Tories' silence on election promise of capital gains rollover is viewed as a disappointment…

Immigrants find the Canadian dream in suburbs
"Toronto will be made up of a lot of newcomers, obviously," said Bartram. "Our next foray into another marketplace might be Vancouver. It's a very multicultural city too."

Chilliwack house sales continue ‘strong,’ says real estate official
Chilliwack house sales continued strong last month, in line with a boom in record building permits reported in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland in March by the Vancouver Regional Construction Association…

New Realty Reality in City
Large influx of new buyers throws off traditional balance
"In a balanced market, when someone buys a home, they are also putting a home up for sale," says Esch. "With new people arriving in town, however, they are buying without replenishing the supply with a listing."

GST Reduction: Questions & Answerswww.cra-arc.gc.ca/agency/budget/2006/gstrateqa-e.html

GST Reduction: Impact on Sales of Real Property www.fin.gc.ca/budget06/bp/bpa3ae.htm

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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=508061400&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1145545632&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1229479907&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=58968025&s=BRC&t=BRC

Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist. 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.

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Contact Info:
==============================================
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 Listing Coordinator, the Harris Team Tel: (604) 771 1637 Fax: (604) 488 0885 Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty

The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update April 19th, 2006

2006-04-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

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The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update April 19th, 2006
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So Woodward’s finally hit the market, to much fanfare. In order to avoid people camping our in the streets in front of the building Mr.Rennie instituted a new system of armbands and colour coordination. It seems to have worked, as I spent hours on the phone instead of hours in the rain and ended up with an appointment at 3 pm on day 1. Better than camping in the street, especially in that neighbourhood! The armbands were quickly on the market for up to $2,000 as people clamour for a spot. (Don’t buy one though, it won’t work!) All of which points to a sell out on the first day.
I believe in the development and the future potential of the area. Whether politically one ‘believes’ in gentrification or not, the ball is rolling for that area, and as the momentum gathers steam, it could be a huge opportunity for you.
Call us to discuss your strategy,
D'Arcy R. Harris
Real Estate Broker
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/

P.S: If you’re thinking of selling, now’s the time. Sign up for a free comparative analysis of your homes value.
P.P.S: 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.
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SUCCESS STORIES
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Congratulations to R. and P. who had the patience to wait almost 3 weeks so the seller of their new home could find a place to live. It’s always worth it in the end.

Congratulations to N. who just closed on a new condo after looking and writing offers all over town. Sometimes failing an inspection is a good thing, and this was one of those times.

Congratulations to N. and M. friends and kung fu fighters, who looked diligently, knew what they wanted and bought what they liked. Hard work paid off!

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Insider Secrets Revealed:
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Is there anything specific you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email!

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.

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35-Year Mortgages: Reed Harris, Canada’s Best Mortgage Corp.
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The main reasons to choose a 35 yr amortization are:

To extend your buying power:
This is good for younger buyers who can expect an increase in their income later on, at which time they can start repaying the mortgage faster. It allows you to avoid having to trade up for a while!

To have the option of a very low monthly payment:
Because lets face it, borrowing rates on mortgages are among the lowest available. Instead of putting $150 per month into your mortgage, put it into your investment account. Some investments earned 10, 20, 30% or more in the last 12 months - and paying down your mortgage earned under 5%... Most people are focused on paying down their mortgage. But focusing on paying down your mortgage keeps you from other, more lucrative opportunities.

I've had lots of different objections to the new 35-year amortization option. Here's what I tell them: Nobody has the same mortgage for 35 years, and most people upgrade their house every 5 years. So don't worry about it, since the first 5 years are mostly interest anyways!

Find an investment advisor, and tell him you've just reduced your mortgage payment by $150 per month and want to invest it... That’s how you can benefit from a 35-year amortization. Call me to discuss your options!

Reed Harris
Mortgage Broker
604 725 7684

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From the News:
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An Article about my brother!
The paperclip house swap Think you got a good deal on your house? This is the deal of the century…
Jobs, jobs everywhere, rising every monthThe economy churned out 50,500 new positions last month, far exceeding economists' predictions of 21,000 new jobs. Full-time jobs accounted for 44,000 of the new positions.

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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=579883727&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1896103517&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=108104415&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=114428253&s=BRC&t=BRC
Are you calling the listing agent directly? You should be working with a Buyer Specialist. 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.

==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
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 http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/
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 April 5th, 2006

2006-04-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

============================================== The Harris Team – Weekly Real Estate Update April 5th, 2006 ============================================== When pricing a home, I can’t think of any reason why a seller would want to set it over what the home is worth. Pretty straight-forward statement. You want to sell your house, price it accordingly, if you don’t, then price it accordingly. In a market where everyone has access to the same information (like the real estate market) it’s quite simple to figure out which places are over priced and which are under priced and which are just right. Beware of being the last sucker standing! Currently, I’m in a situation where I thought the seller had no idea how much the place was worth. After speaking with the agent, I’ve realized that they’re hoping to find someone to over pay. The seller may even know that he’s asking too much. Why would he do that? Because they’re hoping to find someone who doesn’t know the value of the apartment. They’re hoping to find someone who’s frustrated and annoyed, and is willing to do anything to find a place. They’re hoping to find someone who doesn’t have a buyer agent working on their behalf. They’re hoping to find a sucker. I tell all my VIP Buyers the same thing when we find a great place and we’re in competition: somebody might over pay, just don’t let it be you. This is a part of the services a Harris Team Buyer Specialist can offer. Not just when to write an offer, but when not to. Don’t be a sucker! Call us. 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: If you’re thinking of selling, now’s the time. Sign up for a free comparative analysis of your homes value. P.P.S: 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. ============================================== Why I love B.C: ============================================== This is guaranteed enjoyment: http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/default.asp ============================================== Insider Secrets Revealed: ============================================== 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. ============================================== Sellers Corner: For Sale By Owner? ============================================== Do you do your own surgery? Dental work? How about taxes? When do you call an expert? Is because you’re going to potentially make a wackload of money a good enough reason for you? I hate to say it, but we’re better at this than you are, no matter how much you read online or how many listings you look at. We look at more, we read more, we see more and we do more. We have thousands of people reading our newsletter, and hundred of pre qualified buyers working exclusively with us. This is all we do, all day long, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We save our clients money, and we make them money. We do all the work so you don’t have to. We make you money when you sell, and save it when you buy. For example: In the U.S, the typical FSBO home sold for $198,200 compared to $230,000 for agent-assisted home sales. How does that save you money? Check out some more statistics about realtors… Click Here for the VIP Seller Program. Or don’t, it’s up to you. J ============================================== Buyers Corner: No Interest Loans ============================================== Leaky Condos are the bane of my existence, and if you've been looking long enough you'll have run into a few yourself. But do you know that no-interest loans are available through the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) to pay for "repairs related to premature building envelope failures?" That's right, a crown-corporation was set up to help homeowners pay for the expensive reconstruction costs of leaky condos, without them being overwhelmed by interest charges. Don't think you can handle the payments on a no-interest loan? Well, the good folks at the HPO have a deal for you: "In some instances, the program's minimum monthly payment of $50 represents too much of a burden. In theses cases, the HPO approves deferred payment loans that do not require any payments of interest or principal for as long as the homeowner lives in the home." Click here for more details about this program or call me. Regards, Grady Harris B.A. Cell: 604-781-7900 grady@gradyharris.com ============================================== From the News: ============================================== Real estate complaints on rise “The Real Estate Council of British Columbia expects to receive 400 complaints against its licensees this fiscal year, a 16 per cent increase over last year.” Record number of homes hit million-dollar mark... The BC Real Estate Association’s stats show 7,725 homes throughout the province sold for more than $2.86 billion last month — a 24% increase over the same month last year. The number of units sold went up by just 3.8% over February 2005, when 7,439 units sold. Locals lose out in city that's a victim of its own success To what purpose have the local, long-established residents of this region paid some of the highest taxes in the world to keep the air clean, the water pure, the streets safe, the parks manicured, the schools and hospitals modern and the pristineness of our unparalleled environment preserved? ============================================== 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=1551278824&s=BRC&t=BRC Investment and Revenue Properties: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1671249265&s=BRC&t=BRC Vancouver House Foreclosures:http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=843248662&s=BRC&t=BRC Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1963597435&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. Keep it simple. 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. ============================================== Contact Info: ============================================== 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 To ensure that you receive your Weekly Real Estate Update, please add www.darcyharris.com to your list of trusted senders. Here's how you can do so: AOL: Place www.darcyharris.com within your address book. Hotmail: Place the www.darcyharris.com domain within your safe list. You can locate your safe list by visiting the "Options" link beside the main menu tabs. Yahoo!: If the Weekly Update is filtered into your "bulk" folder, open the email and visit the link next to the "From" field. Other providers: To prevent the Weekly Real Estate Update from being filtered, try adding www.darcyharris.com "From" and "Reply to" address to your address book. If you are unable to do so, you may want to transfer the message to your "In-box" or even forward the message to yourself. If the newsletter continues to be filtered, please contact your ISP to request assistance. If you're not receiving this newsletter, or it is being filtered, your other wanted messages may be having the same problem. Not only my newsletter, but also email courses, purchase confirmations and support requests. To be taken off any future mailings simply hit reply with your request and I’ll take you off. ============================================== And just so you know… ============================================== I do not compete against other brokers: I work with them. If your property is currently listed with another broker, or if you are currently buying with another broker, please disregard this email. This entire email is an opinion and should be treated as such. Investing in general carries significant risk. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. This means that just because a particular investment worked in the past does not mean, in and of itself, that the same indicators will cause a similar profitable effect. WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OF CLIENT PROFITS. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee you profits. There are no guarantees of profits in real estate or in any other investment for that matter. In fact, in many cases customers suffer a loss of all or part of their investment dollar. INVESTORS CAN AND DO LOSE MONEY. Every trade produces a winner and a loser. Money is not created or destroyed, it just changes ownership. If investing will alter your style of living in any manner to the worse, do not invest. The information contained in this report is a statement of opinion and information contained therein is subject to change without notice. The information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to its accuracy and completeness. Charts and graphs are the work product of third parties, and should not be relied upon by investors or others in evaluating market conditions. They are provided to you with a specific understanding that the author makes no warranty or guarantee that the information or figures contained therein are accurate or correct. Moreover, past results are not necessarily indictable of future results. Those using the information contained herein for reading purposes are responsible for their own actions. This is not to be constructed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy anything whatsoever. No claim is made that any recommendation contained herein will be profitable or that utilizing such recommendation will not result in loss. Investing is speculative and you should carefully review your plan and speak with your financial advisor or licensed advisor before investing. Properties are offered for sale to qualified purchasers without regard to the prospective purchaser's race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, or national origin. 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 ============================================== To be taken off any future mailings simply reply with your request and I’ll take you off.

Vancouver Real Estate Weekly Update: March 21, 2006

2006-03-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

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D’Arcy Harris – Weekly Real Estate Update March 21, 2006
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The way people search for real estate has taken a quantum leap in the last month or so. I haven’t really talked about it here simply because most of the new sites that are out there don’t service the Canadian market (yet). Too bad too, because if they did I would use them myself. Sites like http://www.zillow.com/ (brought to you by the guy who did expedia.com), http://www.trulia.com/ and http://www.redfin.com/ simplify the search process by overlaying the MLS data with a map of the city and offering lots of ways to simplify the process. Other sites are in the works for other cities across the U.S and it’s only a matter of time before Vancouver gets their own. Until then, you’re stuck with RealtyLink.org. Or we could set you up with a personalized search emailed directly to your inbox that’s 3 days ahead of everyone else. Up to you.

Enjoy this week’s newsletter,

D'Arcy R. Harris
Real Estate Broker
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/

P.S: If you’re thinking of selling, now’s the time. Sign up for a free comparative analysis of your homes value.

P.P.S: 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

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Mortgage Hint: Reed Harris, CBM Mortgage Broker
==============================================
My goals this month are to Inform, Instruct and Assist you in the home buying process. So I've put together a couple of common misconceptions I hear all the time, to put them finally and permanently to rest! Enjoy.

Misconception: Since I've been with my bank for X-number of years, they will treat me well.

Reality: Your loyalty is one-sided. You may be loyal to your bank out of habit and good marketing, but miss two payments, or overdraw your account and see how loyal your bank is to you. Your account is one of 10 or 15 million at that bank, and its likely that no one knows your name except when you present your card. Some loyalty. For 10 things your banker doesn't want you to know about your mortgage, visit http://www.realestatefinancing.ca/lenderquestions.asp

Misconception: I have to renew with my current lender, or pay loads of penalties.

Reality:When you first bought your home, you probably used a mortgage broker to get 'wholesale' rates. Your lender will probably offer you 'retail' rates - but you should never pay retail. There are services such as http://www.renewalsonly.com/ , which provide renewal specialization. You can switch lenders (and get wholesale rates) at renewal for NO penalty or legal costs. Save interest cost, and its free. No brainer. Download the complete report at http://www.renewalripoff.com/ for more.

Misconception: I'm going to wait till I save a large downpayment before I buy.

Reality: In an upward moving market, waiting is losing. The house you want to buy today could cost you an extra $20,000 more in 6 months. By 'saving for a larger downpayment' you've just lost out on 20k in equity. If you have 5% down or more your rate does not change, so saving for 10% makes no sense whatsoever. Buy sooner rather than later.http://www.realestatefinancing.ca/deadlymistakes.asp

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From the News:
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House prices soar 26.5 per cent in past year “Vancouver and Calgary lead gains in housing prices across Canada during the past year, the Canadian Real Estate Association reported Thursday. The association, using Multiple Listing Service data, said the average resale house price in Greater Vancouver hit $490,004 in February, up 26.5 per cent since February of 2005.”

Cooler housing market expected after rate hike

“BC. housing markets will "cool off and level out" this year as the fifth Bank of Canada interest-rate hike in the past six months creates conditions that dampen economic growth in the province, Business Council of B.C. executive vice-president Jock Finlayson said Tuesday.”

REAL ESTATE FRAUD PACKS A PUNCH

“Real estate industry insiders now peg the average case of real estate fraud at $300,000, meaning years of personal and financial repercussions for those who fall victim.”
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Insider Secrets Revealed:
==============================================
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

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.

==============================================
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=363071048&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=711369919&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1529938387&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=114797299&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.

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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

==============================================
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!

To be taken off any future mailings simply reply with your request and I’ll take you off.

Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update March 7, 2006

2006-03-13T14:07:00.000-08:00

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D’Arcy Harris – Weekly Real Estate Update March 7, 2006
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Six months is a long time in this real estate market, and before you scroll down to the foreclosure listings, be sure to read the success story of the week and the Hot Listings section. These are the stories that people hear and then wish they had bought when ‘things were affordable’. Well folks, in six months, those people may be saying the same thing about today’s prices. Don’t be one of them, call us!

On another note, Vancouver magazine has just put out an excellent article about the real estate market and where it’s going. West of Denman is profiled and I hate to say it but: I told you so. Oh wait, I don’t hate saying that at all…

D'Arcy R. Harris
Real Estate Broker
Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty
Tel: (604) 771 1637
Fax: (604) 488 0885
darcy@darcyharris.com
http://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: 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

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Success Story of the Week
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Here’s a little background: My clients M. and C. bought an apartment in the West End of Vancouver 6 months ago for $185,000. Last week, they listed it with us for $199,900. Our marketing kicked in and in less than a week there were 8 offers on it. It was sold for $220,000, which just happens to be $20,000 over the asking price (I know, I’m a math genius..) With the extra cash, they’ll be going to Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica. Love it. Congratulations to both of them. (View the sold listing Here)
Also, congrats to N., a wonderful lady who just listed and sold her duplex with us. It was listed at $562,000, and sold for $575,000 on the first day it was shown to anybody. There were 5 offers on it. N. said to take offers as they came in and after the dust had settled she accepted a no subject offer for $575,000. That’s how you sell a house. (View the sold listing Here)
If you’re thinking of selling, now is truly the time. Sign up for a free comparative analysis of your homes value.

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Hot Listing: Kendall Harris
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And now a word from my colleague and sister Kendall Harris, a Buyer's Agent specializing in finding you the best home or investment property for your needs.

“Do you ever look at the price on a downtown condo and think, 'If only I could go back 6 months and buy that place?' Well here's an exceptional listing that gives you a chance to do just that. 1903-1000 Beach Ave. looks right over Granville Island; enjoying a huge, unobstructed, south facing water view. One bed, 2 bath, beautiful hardwood floors, in a building with amenities like concierge, pool, gym, and hot tub. It doesn't get much better than this! Unless the price is as good as this: six months ago, this exact unit sold for $450,000. It is listed today at $449,000. The seller lives in Europe and wants it gone! You're essentially buying it at the price you could have gotten it for 6 months ago. Knowing what you know now, would you have bought six months ago? We don't see opportunities like this every day, call me! ”

Kendall can be reached at 778 233 7838 or email her at kendall@kendallharris.net.

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Mortgage Hints
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Did you know that you can switch lenders for FREE at your mortgage renewal date? Most homebuyers spend a good amount of time shopping for the best mortgage rate when they purchase. But when it comes time to renew their mortgage, a huge majority of homeowners simply accept their lenders' renewal offer. We're busy people, and don't have the time or the inclination to haggle with lenders for hours at a time. That’s where http://www.renewalsonly.com/ enters the picture. They have an innovative new service that allows you to quickly and easily choose the rate you want. Their systems will identify potential lenders, and provide you with the most competitive rate for your mortgage renewal.

Saving money at renewal time shouldn't be a headache for you. Visit http://www.renewalsonly.com/ when you get your renewal notice.

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From the News:
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Inflated Market? Sellers Market? Buyers Market?
“Lots of homebuyers hit the markets and closed deals last month, keeping B.C. realtors busy. More than 5,200 homes, worth more than $1.92 billion, were sold in B.C. in January, a 13.2-per-cent hike over the number of homes sold in January 2005. The increase is yet another example of B.C.'s consistently strong real estate market, said B.C. Real Estate Association president Dave Barclay. “Read more: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/Business/2006/02/24/1459884-sun.html

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Insider Secrets Revealed:
==============================================
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
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.

==============================================
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=908661640&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=703110039&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=483846343&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:
http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=6939555&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.

==============================================
Contact Info:
==============================================
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
http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/

==============================================
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!

Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update February 22, 2006

2006-02-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

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D’Arcy Harris – Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update February 22, 2006

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For those of you who have been reading for a while, you know my brother Reed Harris is the mortgage broker with CBM. Well, the family business just doubled in size with my sister Kendall and my brother Grady coming on board as buyer specialists. When you come from a family who only talks about real estate at the dinner table, working in this industry is inevitability. There has never been a better time to contact us about buying your dream home. Welcome to them, and I’m sure they’ll be writing here soon.

Needless to say, it’s been very busy for me for the last couple of days, 2 new awesome listings (read below) and 2 new awesome agents!

D'Arcy R. Harris Real Estate Broker Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty Tel: (604) 771 1637 Fax: (604) 488 0885

darcy@darcyharris.com http://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: Why I Love Real Estate: Google shares, less than one month ago, were trading at $475. They are now trading at $368. For some reason I cannot see a house purchased for $475K suddenly worth $368 in three weeks.

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2 New Awesome Listings

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This one just hit the market today, but I’m not showing it until the open houses this weekend from 2-4pm. Unless of course you had the wherewithal to email me from the last 3 newsletters to reserve your place, in which case you’ll be contacted by Grady Harris for a private showing. Check it out:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/silver_listingDetail.asp?ID=213216

The other listing will be live and kicking on the MLS in the beginning of March. In the mean time, if you want to get in to view this wonderful old school duplex (it’s on E.11^th) before the masses, drop me a line at duplex@darcyharris.com. It’s not listed yet, so no sheet on it. Email me for more info.

And yes, I’ll stop saying awesome now.

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See the Following Listings Before They Hit The Market

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I may have 2 new listings coming on in Surrey, both are beautiful homes and both are just under $600,000. Compared to their neighbours, these are very well priced. Email surrey@darcyharris.com to get on the beat-the-rush showings…

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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=473268980&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=700453538&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=541901474&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=802089136&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.

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Sellers Corner

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What Home Buyers Really Want - A quality lifestyle ranks higher than square footage on the average home buyer's preference list, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Ten Mistakes Do-it-Yourselfers Make - Home improvement projects often require more time and money than you expect. Four experts share the ten most common mistakes.

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From the News:

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The Olympic spectacle: Next stop, Vancouver Promising economic prosperity while downplaying cuts to social services, the Olympic Games will be a work-in-progress over the next four years as all three levels of government negotiate and barter on regional planning initiatives.

Real Estate Gurus - If Only it Were that Easy - The road to riches sure isn't as easy as advertised.

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Insider Secrets Revealed:

==============================================

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.

==============================================

Contact Info:

==============================================

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

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/

==============================================

FREE Quick Over-the-Net Home Evaluation

Become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to all the New Listings

Access FREE Vancouver Real Estate Information

==============================================

Thanks for reading!

Weekly Real Estate Update February 14, 2006

2006-02-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

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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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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

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

==============================================

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

==============================================

Insider Secrets Revealed:

==============================================

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

==============================================

From the News:

==============================================

Vehicle theft in your community

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

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Contact Info:

==============================================

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

==============================================

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!

Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update February 7, 2006

2006-02-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

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D’Arcy Harris – Weekly Real Estate Update February 7, 2006

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This week, we’ve had flooding in Delta, lots of new listings coming on that you can access before they’re even on the market, some excellent articles (check out the one about bag lady syndrome!) and of course all the loft and/or foreclosure listings you requested.

Also, just a reminder that I have posted all the past newsletters on a website, so if you don’t have time to read it as an email, add http://realestatevancouver.blogspot.com/ to your favourites and check it at the end of each week. Of course, I’ll still be sending the email out at the beginning of each week.

Oh and by the way, 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.

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.

==============================================

See the Following Listings Before They Hit The Market

==============================================

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

==============================================

Weekly Real Estate Listings

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Vancouver Lofts: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=161253261&s=BRC&t=BRC Investment and Revenue Properties: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1500633235&s=BRC&t=BRC Vancouver House Foreclosures: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1587514687&s=BRC&t=BRC Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1596549595&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

==============================================

Because your home may well be your largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. And once you have made that decision, you'll want to sell your home for the highest price in the shortest time possible without compromising your sanity. Before you place your home on the market, Click Here and download my free report.

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Some Recommended Reading

==============================================

Even Rich Folks Have Bag-Lady Syndrome - Do you harbour a fear that your financial security could disappear in a heartbeat? It may not be irrational.

What Home Buyers Really Want - A quality lifestyle ranks higher than square footage on the average homebuyer's preference list, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Top Ten Mistakes by Novice Real Estate Investors - Real estate has become the investment everyone sees as their ticket to easy wealth. It's not that easy.

==============================================

Insider Secrets Revealed:

==============================================

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

==============================================

From the News:

==============================================

Home market forecast to be strong in 2006 Sales predicted to slip from record levels ”Forecasters expect 2006 to continue with strong market activity. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is forecasting robust activity from continuing employment growth, rising incomes and demographic patterns that have seen interprovincial-migration figures swing back into positive territory.”

B.C. town evacuated after violent winds, floods TSAWWASSEN, B.C. — As many as 200 people have been asked to evacuate this coastal community south of Vancouver after a violent windstorm caused heavy flooding and prompted officials to declare a local state of emergency.

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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 www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

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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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Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update February 1, 2006

2006-02-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

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D’Arcy Harris – Weekly Real Estate Update February 1, 2006

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This week we’re chalk-a-block with useful information. The Canadian Real Estate Association put out a very interesting article about the Conservative Party which I’ve paraphrased below, I’m giving you access to one of the most affordable apartments in the city before it hits the market and I’ve included an enlightening look at what makes people successful real estate investors, not to mention all the listings and news articles that you’ve come to expect. But, alas, you’ll have to read it to yourself because I can’t do it for ya!

Looking forward to hearing from you,

D'Arcy R. Harris

Real Estate Broker Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty Tel: (604) 771 1637 Fax: (604) 488 0885 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: http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=homeeval.asp&t=list1

P.P.S: 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.

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Success Hints

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My brother Brock Harris of Brock Real Estate in L.A (www.brockrealestate.com) is one of the most successful agents in the U.S and had this to say about what separates his successful clients from the looky-loos, and I’d have to agree:

Looky-loos say: "I'm in no rush to sell.' Successful buyers/sellers say: "I want to price my home so that I net the most money."

Looky-loos say: "What's my home worth?" Successful buyers/sellers say: "I would like to know what you do to sell my home, what you charge, and what you think it's worth. When can you come by?"

Looky-loos say: "I want a deal." Successful buyers/sellers say: "I am looking for a property under $850,000 in the following areas."

Looky-loos say: "I will buy when a good deal comes along." Successful buyers/sellers say: "I will look at 20 homes I can afford in the next 3 weeks and buy the one I like the most."

Looky-loos say: "Call me when something good comes on." Successful buyers/sellers say: "Can we meet twice a week until we get me into a house?"

Looky-loos say: "I should have bought two years ago." Successful buyers/sellers say: "What's the best deal out there right now and when can I view it?"

Looky-loos say: "We've been shopping for a year." Successful buyers/sellers say: "I've been out of the market while I closed this last deal. I'm ready to start looking again. When can we meet?"

Looky-loos say: "I'm in no rush. I will look as long as I need to." Successful buyers/sellers say: "Buying a property is an important event I want to complete ASAP. Like buying a car, renting an apartment, or finding a job."

Looky-loos say: "I will work with whoever brings me a good deal." Successful buyers/sellers say: "My realtor is like my CPA, my lawyer, and my bookkeeper. I have a well-chosen team that has helped me get where I am today."

Looky-loos say: "I really don't know what I'm doing." Successful buyers/sellers say: "Any new courses or books you can suggest?"

Looky-loos say: "Email me all your listings." Successful buyers/sellers say: "I've gone through the public MLS and these are the 10 properties I'd like to view, can you set up the appointments?"

Looky-loos say: "I'm not at the stage where I need to speak with a mortgage broker." Successful buyers/sellers say: "My financing was the first thing I took care of."

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Downtown Vancouver for Under $200,000?!

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If you’re frustrated by high prices in Vancouver but don’t want to move to PoCo, this is the place for you.

I may have a listing coming on in the next couple of weeks, 1 bedroom one block to the seawall and one minute to downtown Vancouver for under $200,000. This place even has a parking stall and a storage locker AND it’s made of concrete. There isn’t anything like it out there right now, go ahead, search www.realtylink.org, you won’t find anything remotely close.

In a time where Vancouver just made the ‘unaffordable list’ buying something like this may not come along again for a long time. Email me at Under200@darcyharris.com or call me to set up a showing before it even hits the market.

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Some Recommended Reading

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So we have a new government and whatever your politics, there are some changes that are going to be made. My question (and concern) is what will happen in my neck of the economy, namely residential real estate. I’ve taken some quotes from a press release put out by CREA, you can read the whole article here: http://crea.ca/public/news_stats/pdfs/new_government.pdf

“The proposed first-phase reduction in GST would save a homeowner $4,000 on a new home selling for $400,000. Setting the GST rate at five per cent as the Conservatives propose would restore the effective rate of federal sales taxes on new homes to the level that applied prior to the introduction of the GST in 1991, when the new rate is combined with the new housing rebate.

“It all helps keep housing affordable” says Pierre Beauchamp, the Chief Executive Officer of The Canadian Real Estate Association.”

”The Conservative Party platform also calls for the elimination of capital gains tax for individuals who reinvest profits earned from selling real estate or financial investments within six months. The move would apply to physical and financial assets, potentially benefiting people who sell stocks and bonds, or properties such as cottages and family businesses.”

“A capital gains rollover provision for small-scale investors, which REALTORS® have been proposing for several years, would introduce greater flexibility into the small-scale residential rental investment sector,” added Mr. Beauchamp. “If this tax change is implemented effectively, it will encourage more Canadians to look at real estate investment opportunities, especially with small and medium sized income opportunities.”

Interesting stuff, read it here: http://crea.ca/public/news_stats/pdfs/new_government.pdf

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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 or MLS.ca. Want to get them before they’re even in the newsletter? Sign up for the VIP Buyers Program. (http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=vip_buyer.asp&t=list1) 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=1124025023&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1938047749&s=BRC&t=BRC

Here’s a nice little money maker:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1690277870&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1435622015&s=BRC&t=BR

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1350411252&s=BRC&t=BRC

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=vip_buyer.asp&t=list1

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Insider Secrets Revealed:

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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:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=silver_customform.asp&t=list1

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=gold_newsletter.asp&t=list1

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 VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings in Vancouver. How does it work? Visit:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=vip_buyer.asp&t=list1

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From the News:

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If you thought Vancouver is expensive: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/01/31/oslo.cost.reut/index.html

Four steps to spotless credit: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2006/02/01/8367524/index.htm

Will it go pop? Or will there be a slow leak? http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/19/real_estate/home_money_0602/index.htm

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Contact Info:

==============================================

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:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=silver_customform.asp&t=list1

Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!

D'Arcy R. Harris Real Estate Broker Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty Tel: 604 771 1637

www.VancouverRealEstateInfo.ca

To ensure that you receive your Weekly Real Estate Update, please add darcyharris.com to your list of trusted senders. Here's how you can do so:

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To be taken off any future mailings simply hit reply with your request and I’ll take you off.

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And just so you know…

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I do not compete with other brokers, I work with them. If your property is currently listed with another broker, or if you are currently buying with another broker, please disregard this email. This entire email is an opinion and should be treated as such. Investing in general carries significant risk. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. This means that just because a particular investment worked in the past does not mean, in and of itself, that the same indicators will cause a similar profitable effect. WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OF CLIENT PROFITS. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee you profits. There are no guarantees of profits in real estate or in any other investment for that matter. In fact, in many cases customers suffer a loss of all or part of their investment dollar. INVESTORS CAN AND DO LOSE MONEY. Every trade produces a winner and a loser. Money is not created or destroyed, it just changes ownership. If investing will alter your style of living in any manner to the worse, do not invest. The information contained in this report is a statement of opinion and information contained therein is subject to change without notice. The information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to its accuracy and completeness. Charts and graphs are the work product of third parties, and should not be relied upon by investors or others in evaluating market conditions. They are provided to you with a specific understanding that the author makes no warranty or guarantee that the information or figures contained therein are accurate or correct. Moreover, past results are not necessarily indictable of future results. Those using the information contained herein for reading purposes are responsible for their own actions. This is not to be constructed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy anything whatsoever. No claim is made that any recommendation contained herein will be profitable or that utilizing such recommendation will not result in loss. Investing is speculative and you should carefully review your plan and speak with your financial advisor or licensed advisor before investing. Properties are offered for sale to qualified purchasers without regard to the prospective purchaser's race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, or national origin. This e-mail transmission may contain information that is proprietary, privileged and/or confidential and is intended exclusively for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. Any use, copying, retention or disclosure by any person other than the intended recipient or the intended recipient's designees is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient or their designee, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete all copies.

Vancouver Weekly Real Estate Update January 24, 2006

2006-01-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

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D’Arcy Harris – Weekly Real Estate Update January 24, 2006

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I'm amazed how many people "just want to see listings." I get calls constantly - "can you send me listings?" I reply that listings are public, go to RealtyLink.org, knock yourself out.

There are lots of reasons why looking at listings, as a stand-alone activity, is a waste of time. One reason became very clear yesterday, when I called on a house in East Van that was listed as a grow op. Turns out, it was only one room that needed to be redone due to the grow op, AND there was a second house in the back that was legal and could rented for over $1,000 a month. Two houses for the price of one? That wasn’t in the listing!

But I only found that out by getting on the phone and working it over, doing the research. So when you're committed to buying real estate, call me for a meeting, for a relationship, and to work together.

On another note, what makes a successful real estate investor/home buyer? I'm still researching it, but here's my #1 point so far: successful real estate investors (and I mean home buyers and sellers too) have a "bias for action." They move fast and decisively. They have a low tolerance for procrastination and planning.

More next week,

D'Arcy R. Harris

Real Estate Broker

Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty

Tel: (604) 771 1637

Fax: (604) 488 0885

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:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=homeeval.asp&t=list1

P.P.S: 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. Call me today.

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Success Story of the Week

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This week, congratulations to V. and J. a couple from out of province who swooped into town last month and just closed on a 3 bedder in the downtown core. Talk about bias for action, these two were tenacious and hard working. They knew what they wanted and set a time to complete. Also, as my clients, they made full use of me and my information. One of the joys of using a buyer agent is how much easier everything gets for you, the buyer. Congratulations to you both!

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Market Tidbit

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“The good news is, there aren't a lot of sound reasons to think real estate is ready to bust either. Home prices are what economists call "sticky" -- unlike stocks, homes can't be unloaded with the click of a mouse. And huge demographic forces continue to favor real estate: Baby boomers and first-generation Americans are still buying, and demand exceeds supply in many places.”

Read it all:

http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/19/real_estate/home_money_0602/index.htm

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Weekly Real Estate Listings

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Vancouver Lofts:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=191297988&s=BRC&t=BRC

Investment and Revenue Properties:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1026750674&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver House Foreclosures:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=824351&s=BRC&t=BRC

Vancouver Apartment Foreclosures:

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1311341750&s=BRC&t=BRC

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=vip_buyer.asp&t=list1

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Insider Secrets Revealed:

==============================================

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=gold_newsletter.asp&t=list1

If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would like to sign up to receive it directly, please click here:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=silver_customform.asp&t=list1

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 VIP Buyer and beat other buyers to all the hot new listings in Vancouver. How does it work? Visit:

http://www.vancouverrealestateinfo.ca/redir.asp?page=vip_buyer.asp&t=list1

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From the News:

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Will this renovation project pay off?

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/renovation/renovation.html

From coach house to cottage

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2006/02/01/8367531/index.htm

3 rules for a happy retirement

http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/13/retirement/updegrave_money_0602/index.htm

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Contact Info:

==============================================

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.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome, thanks for reading!

D'Arcy R. Harris

Real Estate Broker

Sutton Group - Westcoast Realty