Today I attended a Realtor review (certainly it is no “preview”) of the Millennium Water development. It’s the first time I got to go into the suites and actually see what it was that our $1B+ bought. The day started off with light refreshments and about 1000 Realtors. By light refreshments I mean bottled water, [...]
Multiple Offers and Regrets
Friday, September 11th, 2009Keep you Head on your Shoulders and both Feet on the Ground As we head into a weekend which will no doubt see quite a few bidding wars ensue I wanted to share my thoughts with you. These are taken from the perspective of a Buyers Agent. As a Seller’s Agent I would do everything [...]
11.09.2009 Buying 2 Comments
Increased Affordability ain’t just a Buzzword
Monday, March 9th, 2009Why Prices have Stopped Hemorrhaging You’ve seen the monthly releases by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and you’ve heard the term passed without a second thought. “Increased Affordability” has been pointed to as one of the reasons that people are buying. One of the reasons why now is a great time to buy. [...]
09.03.2009 Buying, Mortgage Rates, Selling 8 Comments
Now Onni is Suing Buyers who have Backed out of Presale Agreements
Thursday, February 5th, 2009What? You thought that the big splash 20-40% off sale was the developer’s way of just unloading unsold suites? You thought they were a real deal and the timing was just perfect for an early spring market? Nah. Onni even admitted that many of the units being sold at the “Big Sale” were units buyers [...]
05.02.2009 Buying No Comments
Stupid Stupid Incentives
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009Buy a Home get a Car! Stella did it. Buy a condo and they gave you a Honda Fit. A place in North Vancouver is doing it with a BMW lease for three years. Some individuals are trying to do it, too. And today I got an email from Polygon for their Hennessy project in [...]
22.01.2009 Buying 6 Comments
Condos fire sale offers up to 40-per-cent discounts
Thursday, January 15th, 2009This is an update to the post I put up last night. I guess the press conference was held as the Vancouver Sun has some more details (only the good stuff posted here, full story at the link below): Condos fire sale offers up to 40-per-cent discounts The one-day sale will take place on March [...]
15.01.2009 Buying, New Condos No Comments
Onni’s Big Sale! Everything Must Go! 20-40% Off!
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009I heard news of this through the real estate grapevine just over a week ago. Onni, the big developer, is going to attempt a blow-out of its unsold stock by deeply discounting their prices 20-40%. From what price that is is another matter altogether and just how good the deals will be are another but [...]
14.01.2009 Buying, New Condos No Comments
Your Building is Your Neighbourhood
Saturday, January 10th, 2009“Who are the people in your neighbourhood?” That’s how the song goes, anyway. A lot of emphasis is put on location when you go to buy a condo but even more importantly, I would say, is the neighbourhood. By neighbourhood I do not mean necessarily “Yaletown” or “Coal Harbour” but more specifically within your building. [...]
10.01.2009 Buying No Comments
Fire Sales Going on Now
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008With the Vancouver real estate market in such a state that Sellers are basically having a standoff with Buyers and nothing is moving we have been getting some brilliant price reductions. There are those who would like to sell and those who need to sell. Many of those in need are those who are in [...]
29.10.2008 Buying 2 Comments
Should it be Included
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008Having just been in Japan, I was reminded of how markets can be so different. Forget about performance, contracts, or prices… I’m talking about what is expected to be included in the purchase price. You see, in Japan, whether buying or renting, appliances are not included. All you get is your walls. Not even lights [...]
22.06.2008 Buying 2 Comments
Vancouver, BC 