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Planning to buy a home?

 

On top of the down payment that you have saved for you must make sure to plan for these additional costs:

 

1) Home Inspection ($400 - $700)

Prior to purchasing a home it is highly recommended that you hire a professional home inspector to determine

whether there are any defects that the previous homeowner either did not disclose or did not know about. Most

Realtors will make sure that the Buyers hire a home inspector, otherwise they will have their clients sign a legal

disclosure form where they state that they declined to do so, despite the Realtor's suggestion.

2) Lawyer or Notary Fees ($800 - $1700)

These are the fees pertaining to searching the land title, investigating the title, drafting all necessary documents,

registering the title in the land title office and for the HST on legal fees.

3) Property Taxes (varies)

If the annual property taxes have already been paid by the previous home owner, you will need to reimburse the

Seller based upon when you take possession of the home. For example, if the previous home owner paid $1000

for the year and you take possession in November, you will need to pay the Seller back for the months of

November & December.

4) Property Transfer Tax (1% on the first $200,000, and 2% of the balance)

For example, if the home sale price was $350,000 you will need to pay $5,000 in property transfer tax. First time

home buyers are exempt if purchase price is under $425,000, if you have never owned property before, and if the

home you are purchasing will be your primary residence.

5) HST or GST (12% before April 2013, 5% after April 2013)

This is the sales tax for new construction homes. If you are purchasing a re-sale home that has already been lived

in you DO NOT have to pay HST or GST. Certain rebates are available to eligible home buyers.

6) Other Possible Costs

If your lender requires a survey certificate or appraisal of the home for financing, this will also be at your cost. In

addition, if your down-payment is under 20% of the purchase price, you will need to pay a premium for mortgage

insurance, since you are considered a higher risk to the lender.

 

In conclusion, make sure to work closely with your Realtor and mortgage broker to ensure that you are fully

informed and aware of all the expenses to expect when buying a home.

 

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AS OF NOV. 1:

 

1. Lines of Credit: You can now only borrow to a maximum of 65% loan to value of your property - in the past it was

80%

 

2. Self-Employed: Clients who are self-employed can ONLY go to a maximum loan to value of 65% on conventional

mortgages.

 

3. All Variable Rate Mortgages must use the 5-year Bank of Canada benchmark rate to qualify as well as any fixed or

variable terms less then 5 years insured or conventional must qualify on the 5 year fixed Bank of Canada benchmark

rate. So, if 3 year rate is 2.9% ... that is fine you can get it ... but you need to qualify at the current 5 year rate (currently

5.27%!).

 

IF YOU HAVE LESS THAN 20% down payment, otherwise known as high ratio mortgages, insured through CMHC or

Genworth.

 

1. Amortizations are reduced to 25 years from 30 years.

 

2. Refinancing is REDUCED from 85% Loan-to-value (LTV) to 80% - no change to purchases.

 

3. Properties purchased over $1 million no longer will be eligible for mortgage insurance. Anything over $1 million

dollars, 20% down payment is required.

 

4. GDS and TDS set at 39% and 44%. The reduction in amortization combined with the lowered GDS ratio could

affect a number of people's ability to qualify.

 

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With any business or profession, the general public has often formulated a group of beliefs that are commonly

held as fact. Some of these beliefs may be well deserved; others may be born out of an isolated incident or reflect

past practices that are no longer in place.

 

Here are a few of the more common real estate myths, let's seperate fact from fiction.

 

1. When buying, working directly with the listing agent will help me get a lower price for the house. 

 

Some buyers think a seller can save money on real estate commissions if there is no buyer’s agent involved with

the transaction.

 

In reality, sellers have usually negotiated to pay a total amount of commission, regardless of whether one or two

agents are part of the process. If you don’t have a buyer’s agent representing you, it just means more commission

for the listing agent. There can be exceptions, but in most cases, there’s nothing to be gained and a lot to be lost

by not availing yourself of the expertise offered by a buyer’s agent.

 

2. The higher I price my house, the more money I’m likely to get for it.

 

Pricing a house for sale is one of the most important yet most often bungled parts of a real estate sale. Some

sellers think they’re building in extra negotiating room. But overpricing your house right out of the gate almost

always results in a negative impression by buyers, as well as agents, and that impression will ultimately depress

the perceived value of your property.

 

Removing the stigmatization of being overpriced usually requires that you compensate with multiple price

reductions, resulting in a lower sales price than would have been achieved if the house was reasonably priced

from the start.

 

3. If I look long enough, I’ll find the perfect house. 

 

Unfortunately, there is no perfect house. Unless you have an unlimited budget, buying a house is a set of

compromises.

 

You might find a place that has the perfect lot, but the house isn’t everything you want it to be, or vice- versa. So

unless you want to make house shopping a multi-year hobby, try to prioritize your needs and recognize there will

be trade-offs. If you get 85 percent or more of everything you want, that’s doing pretty well.

 

4. Working with a lot of real estate agents will improve my chances of finding the right house.

 

Some buyers go out there and fire up half a dozen real estate agents, thinking that the more agents they have

beating the bushes, the better their chances will be in finding the right house at the right price.

 

First off, agents are all playing with the same deck of cards since there’s only one multiple list system to draw

listings from. There really aren’t any “secret” listings that can give certain agents the inside track.

 

Second, developing a close relationship with just one agent will allow that agent to more fully understand your real

estate needs and wants.

 

And third, agents work on 100 percent commission, so be judicious about using their time if you’re not really

serious about including them in a transaction to buy or sell.

 

5. With all the information available on the Internet, I don’t really need a real estate agent.

 

It’s true that you can find just about anything on the Internet. We’re sure you can find detailed instructions on the

Web about how to remove your spleen. But that doesn’t mean such a thing is necessarily a do-it-yourself kind of

project.

 

There are many internet sites that can help you locate possible homes to buy. But when it comes to negotiating a

purchase or making sure a transaction actually gets to settlement, a laptop will never replace a real live agent.

 

6. In today’s market, it’s always a good idea to first lowball sellers. 

 

Since we’ve been in a buyer’s market for some time now, many buyers think “what the heck, let’s throw a lowball

offer in there and see if we get lucky.” If it’s a house you’re willing to walk away from, that may be fine. But, if it’s a

house you really want, lowballing the seller might poison your ability to ultimately do a deal.

 

When the initial offer is unreasonably low, sellers frequently get their back up, and they can become significantly

less pliable when it comes to further price negotiations.

 

7. Sellers should never take the first offer. 

 

Every once and a while, we put a house on the market and it gets an offer right off the bat. Even if that offer is a

good one, sellers frequently start second-guessing themselves and are reluctant to take a contract that comes in

quickly.

 

We can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen a seller turn down that offer, only to find (six months later) that it was

the one they should have taken. A fast offer for top-dollar doesn’t automatically mean you underpriced your house.

You may have just been lucky to get someone who wanted a place exactly like yours, who was out there shopping

right when you put it on the market.

 

8. If I wait, the market will turn in my direction. 

 

The only problem with this theory is that we’re in a very uncertain market, and trying to time the market is nearly an

impossible thing to do.

 

Since we’re in a period of transition, the chances that market conditions will appreciably change to benefit either

buyers or sellers is very low. In all likelihood, we will experience slow price appreciation, which will benefit sellers.

But, along with that price appreciation, we will also have more homes come to market, something that will be to

the advantage of buyers. As a result, neither side will find themselves in the driver’s seat over the foreseeable

future.

 

9. Real estate agents try to drive up home prices so they will get paid more. 

 

People know agents get paid as a percentage of a property’s selling price. So it’s not unreasonable to assume

that agents would have a vested interest in higher prices. But that’s not really true.

 

If someone pays an extra $5,000 for a house, the additional commission for the agent will be less than $100.

Plus, if an agent were to blow a deal apart by pressing for a few more dollars in the sales price, their commission

would become zero. No agent is going to risk a $7,000 commission in hopes of making an extra hundred bucks.

Besides, the market, seller motivation and comparable sales dictate prices, not agents.

 

10. Now is a bad time to sell, or now is a bad time to buy. 

 

You wouldn’t think that both of these could be true at the same time, but unless you’re an investor, they can be.

The reason is that houses aren’t purely a financial decision.

 

There are many other non-financial factors that can come into play. People get married; people get divorced; they

have babies; any number of things can happen that may inspire you to buy or sell a home. Waiting for the most

favorable economic environment to do so, isn’t always possible. Saving a few extra dollars in a real estate

transaction usually isn’t worth compromising the quality of your home life.

 

As we said, there are misconceptions that exist in every business. Real estate is no exception, and there are

many more myths than the few we touched on here. Solid information is always a key to success in making good

decisions. So, when it comes to real estate, make sure you’re dealing with reality, and not being misled by

perceptions that are out of date with how the process works, or out of sync with what’s going on with the market.

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Homeowners in northern states have already had to turn on their furnaces and boilers this fall. And a lot of them

are already paying too much to make the house warm and keep the lights on. The thing is, you don't have to be a

glutton to waste energy—many homeowners with good intentions still end up blowing money this time of year.

 

Here's a look at a 17 common mistakes folks make—and some quick fixes and long-term solutions to keeping a

home's systems running as efficiently and inexpensively as possible.

 

1. Not covering leaky windows and patio doors. 

 

Single pane windows let cold air infiltrate into the house. So do windows and doors that aren't sealed properly. A

fast, inexpensive solution is to cover windows and patio doors with a clear sheet of plastic. You can cover five

windows for about $20.

 

2. Using CFLs everywhere. 

 

Everyone knows that compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs consume less energy, but that doesn't mean they're

always the best choice. "They're really not made to be turned on and off repeatedly," says Brian Winters, co-owner

of Winters Electric, Inc., in Colorado Springs, Colo. "They are designed to be turned on and left on." Constantly

turning them on and off, like in a bathroom or hallway, can shorten their lifespan. "They make more sense outside

where you're leaving on a light from dusk until dawn."

 

3. Overlooking LEDs. 

 

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are sometimes a better choice than CFLs. They don't contain mercury, aren't affected

by frequency of use, and use less energy than CFLs. Plus, some pretty appealing products are hitting the market.

 

4. Not insulating outlets and wall switches. 

 

There's probably not much, or maybe any, insulation behind the outlet boxes in your exterior walls. To stop cold air

from leaking through, remove the cover plates, place a piece of foam insulation over the outlet or switch, then

reattach the cover. You can buy 10 foam pieces for only $2.

 

5. Leaving holes unfilled. 

 

Holes in exterior walls and floors for plumbing pipes, vents and electrical conduits can let outside air into the

house. Fill the gaps and holes with sealant.

 

6. Using incandescent bulbs without a dimmer. 

 

Dimming incandescents reduces the amount of electricity they use. "The bulbs last longer and use less energy,"

Winters says.

 

7. Not adjusting the thermostat at night. 

 

When you're away from home for more than four hours, or tucked in at night, turn down the heat to save a few

bucks. Programmable thermostats can do this for you. Some can even think of this on their own.

 

8. Keeping worn out door seals. 

 

Even with adequate caulking, doors can still be drafty when the weatherstripping wears out. Pull off the old strip,

then install new weatherstripping with staples or small nails.

 

9. Letting warm air escape through the attic hatch. 

 

Weatherstripping is useful beyond just sealing doors and windows. The foam strips can also seal attic access

doors. While you're at it, attach insulation to the attic side of the door. This keeps the air you're paying to heat or

cool from escaping up the hatch.

 

10. Not replacing loose caulk. 

 

While you're weatherstipping doors and windows, you might notice some loose, cracked caulk around those

opening's perimeters. Use a putty knife or an oscillating tool's scraper to remove the old caulk around the exterior

of doors and windows, then seal around them with the appropriate weatherproofing caulk recommended for the

material.

 

11. Under utilizing your ceiling fan. 

 

A ceiling fan keeps air circulating. In the winter, the fan pushes the warm air down from the ceiling to help keep

your warm.

 

12. Leaving a gap under your front door. 

 

Some door thresholds are adjustable by turning a few screws. If you can see daylight under your door when it's

closed, raise the threshold, but not so much that there's friction when closing the door.

 

13. Leaving a gap under your garage door. 

 

If your garage door doesn't close flat and level across the garage floor, cold air, leaves and rain water can blow

inside. Place a flexible garage door weatherstrip across the floor to provide an air-tight seal.

 

14. Allowing indoor air to escape up the chimney. 

 

Most chimney dampers don't provide an air-tight seal, and they allow cooled or heated air to leak out up the flue. A 

chimney balloonprovides a solution—inflates to create a seal, and it's much easier than installing a new damper.

It's quick and easy to remove and install, and if you forget it and light a fire, it'll fall out on its own. Word of caution—

removing an inflated balloon is messy.

 

15. Letting the water run while shaving. 

 

This wastes hot water and the energy to heat it—that's true all year long.

 

16. Not bleeding radiators. 

 

If a radiator is full of air, it can't fill with water. With the boiler running and a bucket handy, open the radiator's valve

and allow the air to escape. Catch any water that comes out and close the valve. The radiator can now fill with hot

water and keep the room toasty. (Note: Don't leave the valve open and unattended—and make sure the radiator

valves are all shut before firing up the boiler for the first time in the season—or hot, dirty water will go all over the

floor.)

 

17. Using a worn-out furnace filter. 

 

This affects indoor air quality as well as efficiency. Inexpensive blue fiberglass filters can stop large particles that

will damage the furnace, but to really get good results—and to block 90 percent of pet dander, mold spores, and

other allergens, consider investing a Filtrete filter. They cost more, but these three-month filters perform better and

last three times as long as the blue styles.

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What's missing from your current home? Storage space? Decent parking? Privacy? Chances are, you might not

have noticed these missing features when you and your home were in the honeymoon phase. But, sometime in

the first few months, that deficiency became glaringly obvious.

 

When you tour a home, it's normal to get so caught up in the granite kitchen countertops that you might not notice

there's insufficient square footage to butter your morning toast. And while that master bedroom looks stylish and

neat, you don't realize that it's the size of a postage stamp.

 

Sometimes, there's a fix. You can downsize the bedroom furniture. You can install shelving or buy bookcases to

add storage. And for privacy, you can put up curtains or a fence.

 

And sometimes you just have to learn to live with it. Or vow that next time around, you won't make the same

mistake.

 

Read on for six make-or-break features for your next home.

There's no such thing as too much storage

No one ever walked out of an open house thinking, "Nice place, but too many closets." On the
other hand, a good staging job can disguise that a home has precious little storage.
 

This is where it pays to use your X-ray eyes. Visually strip away the furniture in a for-sale home and place your

furniture and belongings. Or simply measure -- both the rooms and the closets -- and compare it to what you have

now, says Eric Tyson, author of "Home Buying for Dummies."

 

Ditto for kitchen cupboards, pantries and counter space, says Michael Corbett, author of "Before You Buy." Those

countertops may look spacious until you get out all of your kitchen toys and discover there's not enough room, he

says. Really look at a kitchen in terms of what you need when you cook to make sure the home offers the counter

space you need.

Test the commute before you commit

You're only 15 miles from work. How long is that in traffic time? That daily commute factor is "a really big one that a

surprising number of people don't properly research before they commit to a house," Tyson says. He advises

trying the commute a few times, driving both ways, before you buy.

 

"If you wait until you move, it's kind of too late," Tyson says. "You're stuck with the house at that point." Instead, "do

the actual commute during the actual time of day -- to and from -- that you'd be doing," he says. And talk to people

with similar commutes. You may discover that it ebbs and flows at various times of the year.

 

Some buyers shop for homes where "commute" doesn't automatically mean "car," says Ron Phipps, immediate

past president of the National Association of Realtors and principal broker with Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I.

 

"We're seeing a lot more urbanization and a lot more people moving toward public transportation links," he says.

One college professor wanted a home that was a comfortable walking distance from campus, he adds. "Five

years ago, that wouldn't have been a priority."

How well will you fit in with the neighborhood?

It could be the Saturday night party house, the guy who believes Sundays were made for leaf blowing or the kid

who practices the tuba 24/7. Every neighborhood has its eccentrics, and you need to know if you can live with

them.

 

One of the best ways to find out what's going on in the neighborhood is to chat up the neighbors, Corbett says.

"You must find out if there are any existing neighborhood problems."

 

From the minor issues (such as one neighbor's casual mechanic "shop") to the major (a string of crimes in the

area), you want to know the concerns of the people who live there. "It's really about asking questions upfront,"

Corbett says. Ask the seller, and do your own research, too.

 

One smart move is to visit during morning rush hour, afternoon and evening rush hour, adds Corbett.

 

One prospective buyer who planned to work from home even toured a home with a phone app that measures

ambient noise, Phipps says. The place was quiet, "so it wasn't a problem," he says.

Make sure you have enough power and water

Most people flip lights and faucets on and off when they tour a home just to make sure they get the expected

result.

 

But that's hardly the test of whether the water pipes or electric wiring will meet your needs, Corbett says. You'll

need to determine if the plumbing and wiring can accommodate your lifestyle.

 

Flipping a bedroom light on and off doesn't compare to a busy morning with two blow-dryers and an electric

shaver running while the microwave heats breakfast, the air conditioning clicks on and the TV blasts the traffic

report.

 

And if you are showering while someone does laundry and a third person flushes the toilet, will you feel a drop in

pressure or a blast of cold water? With water, you can run a few things at one time and see how the home

handles the pressure, Corbett says.

 

As for the electrical systems, you might want to talk to your home inspector, he says. Just explain that there are X

number of people in the family who may use electricity simultaneously and ask if it will hold up, Corbett says.

Don't forget a home for your car

It's a great home for you, but does it fit your car? Tyson remembers one home he owned came with street parking.

It was great, but simple errands such as a trip to the market required a little more planning and a few extra steps.

"In retrospect, we wouldn't have done it differently," he says. "But you have to make sure you understand the

ramifications of not having a garage in the city."

 

Likewise, Corbett has seen buyers in condos or town houses realize they don't have a space usable for their car.

Especially if the designated spot is against a wall or post, he says.

 

Some neighborhoods have rules about parking in the driveway or on the street. So if you have a preference or

other plans for your new garage, it's smart to check any covenants before buying.

How much do you love your neighbor?

Privacy is a factor that some buyers overlook until it's too late. "If you're in the bathroom, are you staring into your

neighbor's shower?" says Corbett. "You really have to be smart. Try to spend some time in the house." The goal is

to get the feeling of what it's like to really live in the house before you actually buy it, he says.

 

Do a quick test run and think about the home and what you plan to do there. Then take an hour and "walk through

your experience of how you live in the house in a day," he says. You should ask yourself if the home suits both you

and the way you plan to live.

 

"I think the biggest mistake that people make is they have to see not only do they fit," says Corbett, "but does their

lifestyle fit?"

 

Read

 

The calendar has turned to November; the month during which we transition from fall into winter.


With less sunlight, colder temperatures, and shorter days ahead, it’s an opportune time to cross those last-

minute maintenance items off your homeowner to-do list.


Practicing preventive care — both inside and outside your home — can save thousands of dollars in repairs come

later this winter. What follows is a brief checklist to get you started.


For outside the home :

  1. Inspect exterior lights and outlets. Be sure that none of the outlets are cracked or broken, or have exposed wires.
  2. Clean gutters and clear all blockages. If leaves are falling, redo after leaves are off all trees.
  3. Inspect and test outdoor railings and stairs.
  4. Have problem trees trimmed, including those that may damage your home in a storm.
  5. Protect outdoor water faucets from freezing. Consider using foam cups, sold at hardware stores.

For inside the home :

  1. Change batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, whether they’re “dead” or not.
  2. Vacuum refrigerator condenser coils, plus the front bottom grill. Empty and clean the drip pan.
  3. Inspect wood stoves and fireplace inserts. Hire a certified chimney sweeper to clean the chimney, if needed.
  4. Insulate bare water pipes running through your home to prevent freezing and to limit condensation on cold-water lines.
  5. Inspect automatic garage door opener. Lubricate chains according to manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure bolts and screws are properly tightened and secured.


As a constant series of chores, home maintenance is a four-season job and one which should not be taken

lightly. The tasks of each season are unique and November’s jobs are mostly preparatory in advance of colder

weather.


If your routine maintenance uncovers larger issues including a faulty HVAC unit, or a leaking faucet, for example,

seek professional help to make the repair and remember you can also refinance and include any needed repairs

or desired renovations at historically low interest rate. 


Read

 

You will want to make the process of shopping for a home as productive and enjoyable as possible. After all, you'll be

on a quest to find your next dream home. That's why it's important to take the right things with you:

 

  • A digital camera, so you can take pictures of the features you like in the properties you see.
  • A notepad, so you can take notes.
  • Measurements of your largest pieces of furniture, so you can confirm they'll fit in the rooms of properties you like.
  • A measuring tape.
  • Some healthy snacks and beverages, (especially important if you're taking the kids along).
  • A map of the area, so you can check out local parks and other neighbourhood features.
  • Clear driving directions to each of the properties you want to see.

 

One of the best ways to shop for a home, and actually enjoy the experience, is to work with a great REALTOR®.

 

Happy home shopping!

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November 2012

 
 

Macdonald Realty November 2012 Market Update

It's been a relatively slow summer and fall housing market for most areas of the province. That being said,

prices have remained stable through the balance of 2012. So our forecast from December 2011 was half

right: our survey of managers at that time predicted flat prices and a similar number of sales. We were right

on the first forecast and wrong on the second.

 

Much of the blame for the decrease in housing sales can go to the federal government, which moved to

tighten mortgage rules in June of this year. Historically, tightening of this type has led to a slower housing

market for the following 3-6 month period, followed by a return to a normal market after the adjustment. That

means that we expect both prices and sales to remain flat for the balance of 2012.

 

For those that are worried (or excited) about a drop in prices, Macdonald Realty recently had its bi-annual

real estate conference where TD Bank Chief Economist Craig Alexander presented that he sees no

evidence of a looming external shock on the Canadian market to justify these concerns. Interest rates and

unemployment will need to rise dramatically in order to precipitate a significant fall in prices and there is no

reason to believe either of those will occur in the near future. In fact, Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank

of Canada, has recently had to pull back from his threats to raise interest rates due to the fragile economic

situation, while it looks as though the US economy is finally on a slow but steady recovery from the Great

Recession.

 

To help you keep tabs on what's happening in your market, Macdonald Realty has recently introduced

Housing Market Infographics that will give you a snapshot of various real estate markets throughout British

Columbia. Click here to take a look:


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151213525344609.472675.350405189608&type=3

 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics for October 2012

Housing market sees slight changes in October.

 

The Greater Vancouver housing market saw a slight increase in the number of home sales, a slight

reduction in the number of listings, and a slight decrease in home prices in October compared to the

summer months. With those changes, the sales-to-active-listings ratio increased to 11 per cent in October

from 8 per cent in September.


The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reported 1,931 residential property sales of

detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October,

a 16.7 per cent decline compared to the 2,317 sales in October 2011 and a 27.4 per cent increase

compared to the 1,516 home sales in September 2012.


October sales were 28.5 per cent below the 10-year October sales average of 2,700.


“Buyer demand increased slightly in October compared to the previous few months,” Sandra Wyant,

REBGV president-elect said. “Overall conditions in today’s market remain in favour of buyers, with low

interest rates, more choice, and less time pressure in terms of decision-making. This translates into a

calmer atmosphere for those looking to buy a home and it places more onus on sellers to ensure their

homes are priced to compete in today’s marketplace.”


New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,323 in

October. This represents a 1.2 per cent decline compared to October 2011 when 4,374 properties were

listed for sale on the MLS® and an 18.8 per cent decline compared to the 5,321 new listings in September

2012.


At 17,370, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 12 per cent from this

time last year and declined 5.3 per cent compared to September 2012.


Since reaching a peak of $625,100 in May, the MLS Home Price Index® (MLS HPI®) composite benchmark

price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver declined 3.4 per cent to $603,800 in October. This

represents a 0.8 per cent decline compared to last year.


“There’ve been modest price changes since they peaked in the spring. The largest reductions have

occurred in the areas and property types that experienced the biggest price increases over the last few

years,” Wyant said.


Since hitting a record high in April, the benchmark price of a detached home on the Westside of Vancouver

has declined 8.6 per cent while detached homes in Richmond and West Vancouver have seen declines

of 6 per cent over the same time period.


Sales of detached properties in Greater Vancouver reached 790 in October, a decrease of 18.9 per cent

from the 974 detached sales recorded in October 2011, and a 19.1 per cent decrease from the 976 units

sold in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for a detached property in Greater

Vancouver has declined 4.1 per cent to $927,500.


Sales of apartment properties reached 803 in October 2012, a 16.2 per cent decrease compared to the

958 sales in October 2011, and a decrease of 18.4 per cent compared to the 984 sales in October 2010.

Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for an apartment property in Greater Vancouver has

declined 2.9 per cent to $368,800.


Attached property sales in October 2012 totalled 338, an 11.5 per cent decrease compared to the 382

sales in October 2011, and a 10.3 per cent decrease from the 377 attached properties sold in October

2010. Since reaching a peak in April, the benchmark price for an attached property in Greater Vancouver

has declined 2.9 per cent to $457,700.


 
 
 
*This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.

*Although this information has been received from sources deemed reliable, we assume no responsibility for its accuracy, and without offering advice, make this submission to prior sale or lease, change in price or terms, and withdrawal without notice.
 
 
     
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Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.