Steady trends continue in the Greater Vancouver housing market

Consistent home sale and listing activity has allowed balanced market conditions to prevail in the Greater Vancouver housing market for most of 2013.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,321 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in November 2013. This represents a 37.7 per cent increase compared to the 1,686 sales recorded in November 2012, and a 12.8 per cent decline compared to the 2,661 sales in October 2013.

Last month’s sales were 1.2 per cent below the 10-year sales average for the month, while new listings were 1.5 per cent above the 10-year November average.

“We’ve seen steady and consistent trends the Greater Vancouver housing market for much of this year,” Sandra Wyant, REBGV president said. “This year’s activity has resulted in gradual and modest increases in home prices of approximately one per cent over the last 12 months in the region.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,245 in November. This represents a 17.7 per cent increase compared to the 2,758 new listings reported in November 2012 and a 24.8 per cent decline compared to the 4,315 new listings in October of this year.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® in Greater Vancouver is 13,986, a 10.9 per cent decrease compared to November 2012 and an 8.3 per cent decline compared to October 2013.
The sales-to-active-listings ratio currently sits at 16.6 per cent in Greater Vancouver.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver is currently $603,000. This represents a 1 per cent increase compared to November 2012.

Sales of detached properties reached 926 in November 2013, an increase of 47.2 per cent from the 629 detached sales recorded in November 2012, and a 1.1 per cent increase from the 916 units sold in November 2011. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 1.1 per cent from November 2012 to $924,800.

Sales of apartment properties reached 969 in November 2013, an increase of 29.2 per cent compared to the 750 sales in November 2012, and a decline of 3.1 per cent compared to the 1,000 sales in November 2011. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 0.8 per cent from November 2012 to $367,800.

Attached property sales in November 2013 totalled 426, an increase of 38.8 per cent compared to the 307 sales in November 2012, and a 4.1 per cent decline compared to the 444 attached properties sold in November 2011. The benchmark price of an attached unit is currently $458,000, which is a 0.8 per cent increase from November 2012.

Contact Maria Mak and her team at Sutton Centre Realty @ 604.839.6368 for all your premium professional real estate services, or visit her website www.mariamak.com, THANK YOU.

Maintenance tips for preparing your home for winter

Maintenance tips for preparing your home for winter - Maria Mak. Burnaby Realtor @ www.mariamak.com

Winter’s coming, and with it, plunging temperatures and shorter days that make you want to curl up and relax, warm and cosy by the fire. As the coldness looms and you prepare to pump the heat, it’s important to protect your home from potential damage and address heat and energy leaks. These seven simple tasks will help you stay warm, safe and energy-conscious this winter.

1. Prepare your hearth for fire

Before getting chestnuts ready for the roasting, get your fireplace set for the fire. Grab a flashlight and look inside for build-up, bird’s nests or obvious cracks. From the outside, check for broken bricks and crumbling mortar. Ensure that your damper opens and closes and seals tightly. Clean out the ashes and remember that in addition to these steps, you should have your chimney professionally cleaned every other year (more often if you burn a lot of fires). Stock up on wood and kindling, and you’re ready for a comfy, cosy season by the fire.

2. Seal the windows

Seal drafty windows to keep heat in and energy bills low with one (or both) of these two simple tasks. First, caulk the cracks. Sold in temporary or permanent form, caulking is inexpensive and easy to apply. Second, cover your windows in a thin plastic film (available at any hardware store) and tape it down with waterproof double-sided tape, heating the edges with a hair dryer and pressing the protective layer into place. When it gets warmer outside, simply peel the film off, open the window, and let the sun shine in.

3. Clear out the gutters

Clogged gutters block the drainage of rain and melting snow, resulting in household leaks and damage to landscape and foundation. As fall sheds its last leaves, grab a ladder, a garbage bag, some rubber gloves and dig in. Remove everything, from twigs to leaves to caked-on dirt. Check that the downpipes are clear of obstruction and then ensure the entire system is un-clogged and leak-free by running water through it.

4. Prepare for winter storms

Don’t let a blizzard take you by storm―always have a fully-stocked emergency kit at hand. Include batteries, a flashlight, candles, matches and a lighter; warm clothes and blankets; a battery-powered radio; non-perishable food items and water (two litres per adult per day); a first-aid kit and specialty products like medicine, baby formula and pet food (if necessary). Store at least three days’ worth of supplies for everyone in your household.

5. Don’t forget about heating maintenance

Is your heating system ready to weather the winter? Have a professional check your heating system and ensure it’s in good working order before you turn it on. Schedule checks for your furnace, venting system and chimney. Don’t forget to replace the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, in case any of your heating systems are overworking.

6. Pad your pipes

A small frozen pipe can cause big household damage if it bursts, so pad your pipes to prevent floods. Grab some tubular pipe insulation sleeves from your local hardware store and set to task covering exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as a basement, attic, crawl space or cabinet. The pipe sleeves are easy to apply and can be cut to fit. Cover all exposed parts, including bends and joints. Finally, seal the seams with duct tape. With that simple task, you’re not only preventing considerable water damage, but also conserving energy.

7. Clean out your garage

Like your traditional spring cleaning, consider scheduling a traditional ‘fall cleaning’ of your garage. Organize the remains of your summer projects and clean and store gardening tools. Like a seasonal turning of your closet, push what you won’t be needing ― the lawn-mower, hedge trimmer, rakes and summer toys – to the back and bring any winter necessities ― shovels, snow blowers, skis and sleds ― to the front. Set out salt and gravel containers, and you’ll thank yourself the first time the ice hits.

For all the professional real estate services, contact Maria Mak and her team @ Sutton Centre Realty @ 604.839.6368 or visit her website @ www.mariamak.com, THANK YOU.

Contact Maria Mak and her elite team @ Sutton Centre Realty @ 604-839-6368 or visit her websitewww.mariamak.com for latest housing marekt updates. THANK YOU .

Maria Mak - a poem for my beloved sis - pray for her speedy recovery

We - walking deep into the roaring ocean in the dark, fearless,
You - holding tight onto my little hand in our rough merry-go-round, fearless.
Should We - would you - finishing our artists' dreams together, fearless too?
Dream on...for you and for me.
We will be the last pair of tin soldier to fall.

To my beloved sis and pray for her speedy recovery.

Drawing and written by Maria Mak @ www.mariamak.com        

       

Written and drawing by Maria Mak @ www.mariamak.com

Contact Maria Mak and her team @ Sutton Centre Realty @ 604-839-6368 for all your premium professional real estate services or visit her website www.mariamak.com

Maria has been serving her clients in Metro Vancouver for over 25 years with a big heart and with a big smile .THANK YOU .

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Well established, high traffic, nicely renovated 4 chairs barber shop business close to Metrotown is for sale. 15 ft frontage, approximate 700 sq ft. Average $6,500 monthly income. New lease with low monthly rent $1,670. 3 years plus 3 years. Triple net. Owner will train, best for owner operated turnkey business. Dont miss this golden opportunity. Contact Maria Mak or visit her website www.mariamak.com for details and private viewing.