Archive for September, 2008
Featuring The Sapphire in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour
September 30th, 2008 Categories: Coal Harbour, Vancouver Real Estate
The Sapphire in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour recently opened and is one of Coal Harbour’s newest condo buildings. As Vancouver’s real estate market continues to grow, Canada Post shows there are now over 4000 condos in Coal Harbour.
Developer - Pinnacle has been a developer of Vancouver real estate for a long time
Features: security card access, high speed elevators, electric fireplaces
The Building: 34 storeys and 112 suites. Read the rest of this entry »
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British Columbia’s Green Building Code is Now in Effect
September 29th, 2008 Categories: Green Condos, Vancouver Real Estate
Every new building in the province must meet strict standards for energy and water efficiency. The new green requirements, which apply to all new construction in BC, were announced by the Provincial government in April and came into effect on September 5th.
New houses, multi-family residential buildings under 5 storeys, and small commercial and industrial buildings will now have to comply with the province’s new insulation requirements.
New high-rise residential towers and large commercial buildings must meet the American Society of Heating, refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers 90.1 (2004) standard. It applies to the building envelope, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water heating, power, lighting and other equipment.
Ultra low flow toilets and other water efficient plumbing fixtures are now mandatory for all new construction.
The new Code also features amendments to the Development Cost charge provisions for developers. In principle, lower DCC’s will offset some of the appliance and construction improvement costs that may raise the price of a new home.
Both the federal and provincial governments offer rebates to underwrite some of the costs for existing home owners to renovate to Green Building Code standards and upgrade to energy efficient appliances and ultra low flow toilets. The BC government also offers PST exemptions on EnergyStar qualified products.
Get more info on the Building Code provisions by opening the link called ‘greening the BC building code’.
Share your green home story with us.
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courtesy REBGV
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35th Annual Vancouver Circle Craft Xmas Market
September 28th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News
The Circle Craft Christmas Market Preview runs October 3 thru November 4, 2008 at the Circle Craft Shop & Gallery on Granville Island. Admission is free!
Discover the work of a selection of craftspeople booked to be part of the 35th Annual Circle Craft Christmas Market at the Vancouver Exhibition and Convention Centre November 11–16, 2008. In other words, don’t miss this opportunity for Market fans to start your shopping lists early!
The Preview Exhibit focuses predominantly on the work of visual artist Lynn Blaikie (Whitehorse, YK), clay artist Myriam Bouchard (Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly, QC), wood artist Michel Chayer (Varennes, QC), children’s clothing designer Roisin Fagan (Halifax, NS), clothing designer Laura Kapp (Regina, SK), jeweller Hélène Limoges (Montreal, QC), doll maker Erica Perrot (Montreal, QC), jeweller Christine Phillipe (Quebec City, QC), jeweller Allyson Simmie (Hubbards, NS), and fibre artists Anke Fox and Lesley Armstrong (Dartmouth, NS)
Visit their website
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What $5 Million Buys you in Real Estate in Vancouver Now Versus 2003?
September 25th, 2008 Categories: Coal Harbour, Vancouver Real Estate
The following is a study of Vancouver real estate, specifically Coal Harbour, and what sold in condos during the month of September, between $1 and $10 million.
In September 2008 there have been 4 sales in the price range. A front suite on West Cordova sold for $1300 pr sq. ft. - 1700 sq.ft. sold just over $2 million.
In September 2007 there were 23 sales. The most expensive was a north east corner at One Harbour Green, on a high floor, over 2600 sq.ft. sold for just over $4 million, over $1600 pr. sq.ft.
In September 2006 there were 9 sales. You could buy the north west corner on a high floor at Callisto - 1281 West Cordova - for less than $1.7 million for 1368 sq.ft. , $1242 pr sq ft). Read the rest of this entry »
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Wordless Wednesdays
September 24th, 2008 Categories: Vancouver Real Estate, Wordless Wednesdays
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New Hospital Construction Huge Business in Vancouver
September 23rd, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, Vancouver Real Estate
There’s more to Vancouver real estate than condos and houses, billions of dollars are being invested in British Columbia to build new hospitals, as public-private partnerships.
In Vancouver, the VGH has been undergoing a complete transformation that goes back years and will continue some years into the future. The new Jimmy Pattison pavilion will replace the Centennial pavilion which has been renovated for other uses. The Gordon and Leslie Diamond Ambulatory Care facility and some dozen other projects are either done, ongoing or planned on the VGH grounds. Total cost is thought to be around $1 billion.
Plans continue to be discussed to relocate St. Paul’s Hospital to property near the Via Rail train station. Estimated cost around $1 billion. This project will be after 2010.
The B.C. Government and Teck Cominco announced plans to raise $200 million to rebuild the Children’s Hospital.
Many new condos have been built around the VGH. As for St. Paul’s, my guess is the current site will be sold to a developer for condos.
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Canada Real Estate Roundup
September 22nd, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, Vancouver Real Estate
Take a look at what’s happening in the real estate market across Canada - some up, some down, some flat:
Vancouver - prices down
Edmonton - prices down
Calgary - prices down
Saskatoon - prices up
Winnipeg - prices up
Toronto- prices flat
Montreal - prices up
New Brunswick - prices down
Newfoundland - prices up
Uptick in Canada Housing Starts Seen as Temporary
We’ll update real estate information in the above Canadian cities after the September stats are published.
Which Canadian city will be the best performer for 2008? And which will be the worse? Leave a comment.
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Taste of Yaletown, Vancouver
September 21st, 2008 Categories: Vancouver Events, Vancouver Real Estate
The event invites Vancouver’s food and wine enthusiasts to discover and enjoy the fantastic offerings of Yaletown’s premier restaurants, who will offer guests a special three-course menu at set prices of $25, $35 or $45.
A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
Visit their website for participating restaurants and menu information and contact the restaurants to make a reservation. Let us know which you think is the best Yaletown restaurant!
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Featuring The Ritz in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour
September 19th, 2008 Categories: Coal Harbour, Vancouver Real Estate
The Ritz at 1211 Melville Street, Vancouver will be opening next week, as Coal Harbour’s newest condo building. As Vancouver’s real estate market continues to grow, Canada Post shows there are now over 4000 condos in Coal Harbour.
Developer: Pinnacle International. The Ritz Website
Architect: Hancock Bruckner Eng and Wright Architects
Features: security card access to main extrance and underground parking and recreation areas, air conditioned, overheigh 9 ft ceilings in the majority of living areas, custom design electric fireplac
The Amenities: indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam, fitness facility, meeting room, screening room, party lounge, 24 hour concierge Read the rest of this entry »
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What You Should Know About Qualifying for a Vancouver Mortgage and Your Credit Score
September 18th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, Vancouver Real Estate
The Canadian banks have tightened their requirements for people wishing to buy Vancouver real estate.
Many people who have below a 620 beacon score, may have challenges finding mortgage financing in the near future. After Oct 15, at least one applicant on a high ratio mortgage application MUST have a minimum 620 beacon score at all insured lenders.
Below is a basic overview of important factors that make up a credit score, and some tips on keeping a good score or improving a low one.
The credit score is not a summary of the applicant’s credit as of today. It is actually a prediction of the applicant’s likelihood to default on a debt over the next two years. The lower the score, the more likely that client is to default in the future, and therefore, the applicant is considered a higher risk candidate for a mortgage. Read the rest of this entry »
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