Blog-Real Estate & More

CHANGE IS COMING-MORTGAGE CHANGES THAT IS

Yesterday's announcement that the amortization period for mortgages has been reduced has everyone talking.  It really affects most those struggling to qualify and effectively will add almost 1% to the cost of borrowing with this change.  The debt ratios have also been reduced for anyone wanting a 5year term mortgage which has been the popular choice with the current low rates.  Low interest rates and 30 year amotization periods have allowed a lot of Buyers into the market who couldn't otherwise afford it.

There is some confusion about which mortgages are affected by the changes-it is ONLY high ratio mortgages which means less than 20% downpayment.  It affects the rest indirectly as values will be lower with fewer buyers in the market that qualify for financing at that level.  Experts are not expecting a quick drop in prices but something that will happen gradually over time with some values affected more than others. 

July 9th is the deadline to have a deal done so I'm expecting a flurry of sales activity over the next 10 days!  For more detailed information go to the VANCOUVER SUN , the GLOBE AND MAIL  the FINANCIAL POST or speak to your mortgage broker.

INNER CITY FARMS-COMING TO A YARD NEAR YOU!

B.C. Business describes it as "an agricultural collective that aims to turn the backyards of Vancouver into productive farmland.  It's a social enterprise whose goal is not only to put food on tables, but to put people in touch with the food they eat."

When we go to the weekend Farmers' Markets we are around like minded people but you only have to pop into  one of the chain supermarkets to know that some people think that vegetables only come in plastic containers.

     ICF is a community supported agriculture collective whose members can pickup their share at Le Marche St. George.  Land is provided by city landowners who support these effors & in return they receive a share of the harvest.  To find out more CLICK HERE

IT'S GARDEN TOUR TIME!

heritage vancouver is sponsoring it's first annual garden tour on June 23 & 24, a self guided tour through 14 gardens in east and westside vancouver.  Available online until June 15th at www.heritagevancouver.org or at a variety of garden centres.  A 2 hour 8th annual garden party fundraiser will be held on the 25th in the garden of Susan Anton-events@heritagevancouver.org

SUBWAY TILE-TREND OR A CLASSIC?

         white subway tile with white marble counters, usually carrara-it was everywhere; you could probably even find it at Home Depot.  That's when you know it's a trend gone too far!  Still you can't argue the classic shape and it's flexibility in application so....

how about using it in green?

classic but fresher with white

cabinets instead of dark & the marble

isn't cararra

kitchen in london, england

                 or in marble and taupe?

  bathroom designed by Steve Gambrell

or putting words on it?                      

                                        Puntiles available at Stonetile

It's really up to you how to take a classic tile and make it your own.  The possibilities seem endless!