Blog-Real Estate & More

COMMITTMENT-A MORTGAGE OR AT LEAST A FIXED RATE?

Last week you couldn't read a newspaper without finding an article on mortgages, interest rates holding or going up, when they would go up, and how to make the right choice for you.

CARA SAVEGE of Invis tweeted late last week that "many expect Bank of Canada to increase rates twice later this year by 25bps/time only once they have established the CDN economy is strong."

For the first time in a very long time clients are tellilng me that they are locking in to a low rate rather than take a chance by waiting.  The GLOBE AND MAIL ran a special feature on April 18th on MORTGAGES which supplied a lot of valuable information for those looking at financing. 

For more information on mortgages in the Globe and Mail press here

For more information on mortgages that suit your lifestyle from Cara Savege press here

The Vancouver Version of Blue Sky!

Available from the MOMA Store & on sale because it's not raining anywhere-except in Vancouver!

Press HERE to purchase

MAINTENANCE MATTERS!

You never know who you'll find on YouTube these days!

BC Housing is on YouTube with a series on maintenance for both single & multi-family residences supplied by the Homeowner Protection branch.  Topics include Cladding-the materials used to cover the exterior of a building, Exposed Wood Structures such as decks & walkways, & At Grade & Below Grade Assemblies.  These and more are coverd in HPO's Maintenance Matters Bulletins developed in conjunction with CMHC, Polygon Homes, & building envelope consulting firms. 

CLICK HERE for the pdf format or CLICK HERE for the YouTube series.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR-SPRING CLEANING!

I've used GREEN GRADS EXTERIOR CLEANING since 2005 when founder Callum Ng was a university athlete trying to get himself through school.  I was impressed with his business then and continue to be today.  Not only do they do a great job but they do it in a "green way" with great service too.  What more can you ask for?

Click HERE for more information & how you can hire them for all your exterior cleaning needs.  I highly recommend them!

MONEY AVAILABLE TO PROPERTY BUYERS & HOMEOWNERS CLICK here FOR THE FULL LIST. 

From new housing rebates & property tax deferrments to lots of energy efficiency reward programs there may be funds availabe for you & your home.

SALES ARE DOWN BUT SO ARE LISTINGS-MARCH 2012 UPDATE!

The numbers are just in for March 2012 and we can compare the first quarter of this year to last which is more meaningful than month to month.

Overall listings are down significantly on the West Side & especially good ones.  Why aren't Sellers listing this year?

• media headlines about lower sales & softening of prices so Sellers often think they should wait until "the market comes back"
• knowing that listings are in low supply Buyers are Buying before listing if they are in a position to take the risk on the sale of their home
  
• news that the Mainland Chinese Buyers are here in much lower numbers this year due to high prices in Vancouver & changes to immigration policy
• the cost of moving-although listings are down, prices are still up from a year ago so the costs of a new home, property transfer & real estate fees all add up
• moving in uncertain times-job instability due to possible cutbacks or contract negotiations

I've heard some Sellers say that they wanted to wait until after Easter-not sure why but I'm hoping that April does bring more listings for the many Buyers waiting for them.