Articles tagged with
Home Buying

Will 2016 be the Year of the Condo?

By Barbara Yaffe Condominium units have long been viewed as the poor cousins of single-family houses in Vancouver’s real estate market. But 2016 could well be the Year of the Condo. Realtor Patrick Weeks foresees only moderate growth this year in Vancouver’s detached housing sector. But he sees the sale of “certain segments of condos going up substantially, as (single-family...[ read more ]

Hiring a lawyer – buyer and seller can use the same one!

By Linda Palfi You have enough expenses when you’re buying or selling a condominium home, so why not save a few bucks on the legal end? This can be accomplished by the seller and the buyer employing the same lawyer to handle both ends of the transaction. The saving comes from the lack of cost to courier documents and trust...[ read more ]

Don't fear strata fees

By Cameron McNeill Shining a positive light on a modern necessity FOR THOSE OF YOU who are contemplating buying a condo but are uneasy about the monthly strata fees – don’t be so concerned! Although strata fees are typically viewed in a negative light because they’re another monthly cost you must account for in your budget, these fees actually come...[ read more ]

Speculating on presales

By Frank O'Brien The new condominium market in Metro Vancouver is sizzling hot and prices of new concrete condos, the favourite type for investors, have reached record levels. Yet, there remains room for a nimble investor to get in and get out of the new high-rise condominium market quickly and with a tidy profit. This strategy has been rare over...[ read more ]

Condos for Families: Why Developers are Building Bigger

By Susan Boyce When the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2015, it will mark not only the beginning of a new year but a new view on family-sized apartment options. In a move envisioned to ensure homebuyers have access to an adequate supply of larger condominiums, New Westminster will become BC’s first municipality to legislate that new condominium developments...[ read more ]

Colour me perfect: new hues for your new home

By Jane Lockhart Buying your new home is a rare opportunity to start with a blank canvas – it’s a great opportunity to choose the perfect colours. Hues speak to us on a subconscious level, and it is important to use what is best suited for the space. Once you have chosen the colour, it’s time to personalize it with...[ read more ]

Top tips for downsizing without compromising

By Lindsie Tomlinson Downsizing can be stressful. Moving to a new home is a big change in itself, but moving to a smaller space can be an even bigger adjustment. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through the downsizing landmine. Plan Ahead Give yourself lots of time to prepare. You should start at least three months before...[ read more ]

Make the condo move with ease

By Barbara Lawlor Moving into a condominium allows suite owners to leave behind the worries of maintaining a large property and embrace a more carefree lifestyle. Nonetheless, a major move can also be stressful – especially if you are coming from a large home with countless possessions. A little pre-planning can make moving day go smoothly. Even if you purchase...[ read more ]

10 real estate trends to watch for in the Canadian housing market in 2016

By Josh Sherman The Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) recently jointly released their Emerging Trends in Real Estate report. The annual report identifies what investors should look out for in the Canadian and American real estate markets over the following year, drawing on a vast number of sources. ULI, a nonprofit and research organization, and PwC, the global...[ read more ]

How to understand strata minutes when buying a condo

By Bob de Wit Considering the purchase of a condo? One of the key steps to ensure you are making a sound purchase will be in reviewing the strata minutes. Not the most exciting of reading choices – however, the minutes will provide you with an in-depth look, not only of the building and operations, but also a peek into the condo...[ read more ]