Live, work and play at Morgan Crossing ›› inside
December 10, 2009
High home demand in local housing Demand in the Greater Vancouver housing market remained well above seasonal norms throughout November, reports the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. That demand has home values edging upward, states an REBGV release. In the past year, the benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver increased 12.4 per cent to $557,384 from $495,704 in November 2008. This price, however, remains down 1.9 per cent compared to May 2008, when the residential benchmark price sat at $568,411. “This unseasonably high level of demand can be attributed in large part to low interest rates, but it also speaks to the diverse range of housing options available in Greater “Prospective Vancouver,” says REhomebuyers BGV president Scott Russell. today have “Prospective more options homebuyers today have more options at at different different price levels price levels than ever before.” than ever Residential property sales in November before.” posted the thirdhighest volume ever recorded in Greater Vancouver for that month, reports the REBGV. Sales in the region totalled 3,083 in November 2009, an increase of 252.7 per cent compared to last November, when 874 sales were recorded. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, which represents Metro Vancouver regions including Surrey, North Delta, White Rock and Langley, also reports a busier than normal November in the real estate market. Residential sales for the FVREB increased 200 per cent compared to the same month last year. “This was the second-busiest November Fraser Valley realtors have seen in 10 years,” says FVREB president Paul Penner. The predictions are positive for 2010, too. The latest Re/Max Housing Market Outlook survey for next year forecasts residential real estate sales will likely recover in nearly all major Canadian cities. Greater Vancouver will lead the way, that report says, with an expected 45 per cent increase in sales.
Public pitches in with coats GVHBA campaign makes the season warmer for many TRICIA LESLIE Being warm during the B.C. winter usually means bundling up in layers of warm clothes, gloves, toques and thick, cozy winter coats. But for the many people who don’t own a proper winter overcoat, the holiday season is not necessarily bright. That’s why the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association has been pitching in to help for more than a dozen years with its Coats for Kids campaign.
Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association marketing co-ordinator Christine Reid (left) and Wendy McNeil, GVHBA director of marketing and education, have their arms full of winter coats, thanks to the community’s generosity. The GVHBA’s annual Coats for Kids campaign runs until Dec. 11. Rob Newell photo
An annual initiative that is now in its 14th response from the public has been fantastic.” year, the fundraising effort sees thousands Last Thursday, Simpson says, a local elof coats and warm articles of clothing go to ementary school responded in numbers. the Lower Mainland A Grade 6 class from Christmas Bureau, Walnut Road Elemenwhich distributes the “The need always seems to be tary dropped by with donations accordingly. there. Some people are even a whopping 239 coats, Last year, more than explaining that they 3,000 coats and other bringing in brand-new coats.” wanted to participate items – including “as part of our studies brand-new toys – were donated during the related to social responsibility.” campaign, which runs until Dec. 11 this year. “It’s wonderful to see this participation at “The goal is always, to do better – to exsuch an early age,” Simpson says. ceed – last year. The need always seems to be “These Grade 6 students – some of whom there,” says GVHBA CEO Peter Simpson. likely gave up their old coats – are likely help“Some people are even bringing in brandCONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE new coats ... we’re getting reports that the