Overview

New Westminster has the distinction of being the oldest city in western Canada. In addition, the city's name was chosen personally by Queen Victoria which has earned it the nickname of the “Royal City”. Justifiably the residents and authorities of New Westminster are proud of their heritage and history and the city is well known for its high number of heritage homes and buildings. However, in recent years a strong program of redevelopment has led to an increasing variety in the types of housing available in New Westminster. From those traditional dwellings, to modern, luxury condo developments, New Westminster has a lot to offer for those searching for homes in Vancouver. The city is located on the Fraser River and the waterfront is a particular focus for many of the innovative new residential and business developments.

Transport

New Westminster is particularly well served by local and national transport networks, another reason that it is increasingly popular for those searching for homes in Greater Vancouver. The city lies adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway, which connects it directly to Vancouver to the west and also eastwards with the rest of Canada. Commuting to Surrey, Richmond and Delta is facilitated by the Alex Fraser Bridge. The SkyTrain service operates three stops in New Westminster making Vancouver accessible via a short 25 minute commute – SkyTrain also links the city with Burnaby and Surrey and planned extension to the network will link New Westminster with Coquitlam and Lougheed by summer of 2016. For more information on transport links see the Translink and SkyTrain websites.

Schools and Universities

New Westminster is served by School District 40 which currently provides eight elementary schools, two middle schools (with an additional middle school set to open in 2016) and one secondary school. As the city is rapidly expanding an extensive program is being undertaken to increase school facilities and to replace older buildings with state of the art facilities. Further information on these improvements can be found on the District's website. Privately run educational institutions are also available in the city (see the FISA website) while post-secondary institutions operate within the city – Douglas Community College and the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

Recreation and Facilities

New Westminster offers a wide range of facilities and offers a long established, vibrant and diverse range of recreational and shopping facilities. The popular Westminster Quay Public Market offers a range of individual, unique shops and an excellent range of pubs, restaurants and food outlets. Other locations within the city also offer plenty of small shops to serve day-to-day needs while in the Uptown area, major shopping outlets can be found, including the Royal City Center Mall which offers all the services of a major city mall. There are a wide range of opportunities for leisure and entertainment within the city which is host to seven indoor recreation facilities, including two ice-rinks and the excellent Canada Games Pool. In addition, there are ten public parks plus the attractive waterfront esplanade and a number of smaller local community parks. With history and culture being a strong focus within the city, a wide program of events is held throughout the year and, in addition, the city hosts three theaters at Douglas College, the Massey Theater and the Vagabond Playhouse.

Buying your own home for the first time can an exciting step but also a daunting one. In this series of blog posts we break the process down into a simple step by step guide; in this first post we look at the factors you should consider before you make the decision to buy your first home.

Step One – Before You Buy

The decision to buy your first home is a massive financial commitment but it's also a huge emotional investment. For many people it is the culmination of a long-term dream, but before you take the leap and make those financial and emotional commitments it pays to be sure that homeownership is the right step to take and that now is the right time for you.

There's a long list of differences between owning and renting your home and pros and cons on each side. Some of the differences are general and some will be personal to you. In order to decide if it's the right time to stop renting and start owning you should consider the pros and cons in detail.

Firstly consider the following questions:

• How financially stable is your life at present – and what are the likely future prospects?

• Are you able to manage your own finances effectively and efficiently?

• Have you considered the “hidden” costs of homeownership? These include both the cost of maintenance and the time that these can take up.

Using these questions as a framework consider the pros and cons of both renting and owning your home. List both and use the resulting lists to decide if now is the right time in your life to make the transition from rental accommodation to your own home.

Those Hidden Costs

One of the biggest factors that many people over look are the hidden costs in home-ownership. Making a sound, accurate monthly budget that accurately reflects your current situation will help to assess how much spare income is available to deal with these costs. When you have that budget consider the actual cost of owning your home. The most obvious cost involved in homeownership is the monthly mortgage payment – this may in fact be less than your current rental. However, you should also factor in utility costs and property insurance – this latter is a cost that you'll probably not encounter when renting.

Maintenance costs are also another factor to consider; while renting you may not have to consider these at all but even basic maintenance tasks will become your responsibility once you become a home-owner. If you searching for condos for sale this costs may be relatively low but if your dream home includes houses or homes with gardens or land you'll need to consider the additional cost in time, materials or labor that these will include. For this aspect of ownership you should consider not only your financial readiness but also your lifestyle – do you have the time to devote to your home that will be necessary, or can your budget stretch to pay for maintenance work?

Ready for the Real World of Home-ownership?

If you decide to take the leap into home-ownership don't be afraid to discuss the issues above with your Realtor. Top Realtors will be able to offer information and advice on many of the issues relating to ownership – including the likely level of insurance costs and the amount of time-commitment different types of property will require. This type of information can help to make the transition from renting to owning smoother and ultimately help you to find the home that is perfect for you.

So you've heard the Vancouver real estate market is hot, and decided that it's time to put your home or condo on the market? But how can you be sure that your Vancouver home is in one of Vancouver's real estate hot-spots and, more importantly, what are the most important factors to take into account when selling Vancouver real estate? In this post we'll guide you through the top tips to selling your home in Vancouver.

First things first, how to decide if your home or condo is in one of Vancouver's best selling areas? Well, we would say this, but ask your Vancouver Realtor! Realtors are naturally ideally placed to advise you on what is selling, for the best price and in quickest time possible. However, if you'd like to back up this advice with a little of your own research then visit the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. The organization's website contains a very valuable set of resources for both those searching for homes to buy in Vancouver and those looking to sell Vancouver real estate – for the latter the monthly statistical reports are likely to be especially useful.

Having taken the advice of your Realtor and checked the monthly stats for your area, if you've decided your home or condo is as hot as it's likely to get, then it's time to go to market. There are three important tips you should consider at this stage, to ensure you get the best price going and in the fastest time possible.

Enticing Pricing

The bottom line is, of course, likely to be one of the defining factors in marketing your home. Again, your Realtor should provide you with an accurate, fair and realistic price at which to market your property. However, further checks on sold prices and competing properties in your area can be a good plan – check MLS listings and even ask around in the neighborhood. For the hottest properties in the hottest areas discounting that best price by up to five per cent is an excellent strategy. Counter-intuitive as this may seem it's a strategy that is almost guaranteed to generate an off-the-scale amount of interest and will, hopefully, push up the final sale price you achieve beyond that best price threshold!

Delayed Responses

When the offers come flooding in – and with the top Realtors they will – don't accept the first offer that comes your way. In a sellers' market your Realtor is likely to advise you to hold the property for at least a week. Accepting the first offer may well lose you several thousand dollars but keeping the property listed and visible should bring in increasingly good offers. Once you have a healthy set of offers set a date for final offers and, if your home or condo is truly desirable, expect a bidding war!

Timing is Everything

When it comes to viewings or open houses schedule these for the weekends where possible and try to include Friday's in this schedule. Ideally also ensure that the property for sale is listed on MLS listings early in the week, allowing time for people to plan their viewing. Friday viewings or open houses may be best attended by agents but the weekend open house is the one that is most likely to find your perfect purchasers. If you've priced your home or condo low (as discussed above) you should expect a very busy weekend!

Condos are a popular form of property for many people looking to buy a home in Vancouver.   They offer attractive, affordable convenient and secure  accommodation and, as many are new, their state of the art technology and additional facilities are also very attractive to home-buyers.  Condos in Vancouver are generally owned and managed under one of two systems – Strata ownership or Cooperative ownership.  This type of ownership often comes with more limitations than owning freehold property and also, potentially, more costs.  Before you make the decision to buy a condo in Vancouver (or anywhere else, for that matter) there are a number of important points to consider.  In this quick guide we look at the top ten questions to ask before buying a condo in Vancouver.   

Bylaws and Grandfather Clauses

Condos are governed by their own set of bylaws.  You should always ask for a copy of these and double check that no “grandfather” clauses apply.  These are old rules that have been superseded by new ones but may continue to apply in certain circumstances (usually where they were still in  force when an issue was identified).  

The Depreciation Report

Check the date of the last depreciation report; maintenance fees should be linked to the value of the building as a whole and should therefore reflect the age of the complex.  Viewing a copy is also advisable, especially in older buildings.  The report also identifies any upcoming work – general maintenance and also major repairs or work.  

Other Reports

Engineering reports may be available on condo buildings, certainly they should be in the case of new condos and it's advisable to ask to view before buying any condo.   

Contingency Funds

Strata cooperations are required to hold a contingency fund – ask how much this fund is currently worth and, importantly, how it is invested.  If the fund is invested in magic beans you might want to avoid the condo purchase, however attractive the condo!  

Buying Older Condos

If you're looking at older, established condo properties in Vancouver, ask for details of repairs made in the last decade.  Take note in particular of major infrastructure repairs, including those to the fabric of the building or the internal infrastructure.  Recent major repairs can be a plus, or the can be a sign of underlying problems.  

Special Fees

Check if any recent assessments have been made that are not covered by general strata fees and ask what the cost of these was per unit.  Special assessments may be required from time to time and you may need to pay towards these in addition to ongoing standard fees.   

Owner Occupiers?

Although not an essential question you should consider asking how many units are owner occupied and how many are rental units.  This will give you an idea of the make-up of the community in the building.

Litigation Cases

Have their been or are their any ongoing litigation cases affecting individual units or the complex.  Given the complexity of ownership within condos there are many reasons why legal action may occur.  Litigation cases should not put you off buying a specific condo – but it is worth knowing about and taking legal advice before making your final decision.   

Unit Deductible

Ask what is the individual unit's deductible?  The strata as a whole will have insurance for major incidents (usually fire, flood and earthquake cover).  As with standard policies there will be a deductible amount on the policy.  This is generally shared between all units in the building but may vary depending on the size of each unit.  Also check the small print to see when the bylaws of the building allow for the deductible to be applied to only one unit.   

The Strata Fee!  

Last, but by no means least, check the monthly strata fees!  Don't forget to ask what these actually cover.  As this can vary from building to building it can be an important consideration.  High fees may include a whole range of services while low condo strata fees may only cover basic maintenance, this could leave you with higher utility or service bills.  The lowest strata fee may not be the best! 

The saying goes that the camera never lies but, as any professional photographer will tell you, it can certainly be induced to interpret! When you're listing your home for sale, whether with a Realtor or independently, in the modern, online market place first impressions really do count and it pays to pay attention to the images you use for listing your home. In this post we look at some of the top tips from professional photographers which means the sale of your home is just a click away – and ensures that clicking away is not what potential purchasers do!

Lights, Camera, Action

• Lighting is crucial to any professional image and avoiding dark, murky or grainy images is essential. Use all the lighting in each room and add additional lights to illuminate darker areas or corners.

• Use the best quality camera you have access to and use a stand or tripod if you have one. Blurry selfies are fine for Instagram or Facebook but not for listing your home!

• Action shots are best avoided so keep people, pets or complete strangers out of the shot. Use props – a half full glass of juice - to give the impression the space is lived in. Potential purchasers need to imagine themselves in the space, not you!

Space Creation

• Whether it's a spacious family home or compact (but desirable) condo creating the impression of space in an image is harder than it might seem. Thankfully you don't need a wide angled lens to make a room look larger, simply take the shot from an angle or corner, which will create a sense of space and depth in any area, big or small. To enhance the affect, place a chair or vase in the foreground of the image which will add a greater sense of depth and space to the image.

• Presentation also helps to focus the eye on detail and create a sense of space. Tidy clutter away, fluff cushions, drape throws in advance of your photography session. Rooms should look homely, attractive and ready to live in but not lived in to the point of requiring a major clean-up operation.

• While technology doesn't yet allow for the smell of baking bread and brewing coffee to waft from the screen of an MLS listing, it's still worth adding some attractive touches to your images, flowers or other decorative touches will make an already welcoming home feel that bit more enticing!

On Location

• Outdoor shots are often as important as indoor ones when it comes to selling your home. Shoot you images on a clear bright day – whatever the time of year – to give your property it's best aspect.

• However, if there are overshadowing trees or buildings avoid too much bright direct light, a slightly over cast day can work better, one with clear light but not very defined shadow!

• As with indoors, tidy all clutter, cars, garbage cans and excess people from the shot. Also avoid taking images when seasonal decorations are in place - the property is what is important here so ensuring you minimize any distractions is crucial.

How Much Is Enough?

When it comes to how many shots to take it's important to avoid over-kill. Internet browsers are notoriously lacking in attention spans and bombarding them with images can have a negative effect. While a single shot is never enough for the content hungry home searcher thirty, however, might be too many. Limit yourself to the exterior shots, maybe two or three at most, the main living area, kitchen and dining areas, master bedroom and main bathroom plus a single shot of additional bedrooms. Additional angles or shots of living areas are also a good plan but keep these to a minimum.

Professional Help

Finally, there's nothing like a little professional help and when it comes to selling your home this advice is a true as ever! Top Realtors are experienced in not only selling but presenting homes and, if in doubt, allow your Realtor to get to work and create that Internet ready image for your home for sale!

Being a single parent is never easy and housing is one of the big issues facing many one-parent families.  The cost of homes in Vancouver is ever buoyant and the finding the cash to buy is one of the biggest obstacles for those bringing up children alone.  However, even in an expensive market, home-ownership is still a dream that can become reality.   In this quick guide we look at how you can make that dream come true and provide a stable home for your family.  

Finances First

Check you're credit score, as this is one of the biggest factors that will determine which mortgage you can get – and importantly what rate you may be charged.  Credit scores range from 300 – 900 and the higher your score the less “risk” you pose to lenders.  If your score is currently low it is worth taking time to improve it – the best credit scores will get you the lowest payments on your mortgage.  Credit bureaus such as Equifax or Transunion can provide your credit score but if work with a mortgage advisor you may be able to reduce the cost of finding your curent score.

Budgeting is important for anybody looking to buy a home, and perhaps more so for single parents.  Work out your current liabilities – credit cards, secured or non-secured loans, student loans, car payments and running costs.  Once you have a comprehensive break-down of your monthly costs you can begin to work out what you can afford to pay each month on a mortgage.  

When looking for mortgage products, consider those that allow longer terms – a 30 year term can be suitable for many single parents and it will bring the monthly cost down in the short term.  Many lenders will be willing to offer this type of product for single parent families (or single individuals) but check on up-front costs and compare deals.  

Finances – Benefits

Single parent families are eligible for a range of government benefits – in recognition of the specific financial issues that single parent families face.  Before considering buying a home ensure that you are receiving every possible form of financial help that is available to you.  

The most likely sources of government help include:  

Eligible Dependent Benefit;  

Working Income Tax Benefit

Canada Child Tax Benefit (possibly including Child Disability Benefit, if applicable)

Employment Insurance Family Supplement (eligibility depends on receipt of Canada Child Tax Benefit).

Some of these benefits will be automatically paid to qualifying individuals but, to be sure you are in receipt of everything that you are entitled to, check with the Government of Canada Family Benefits website.  

Choosing a Home

When it comes to choosing a home, finding the right one for your family is essential – a fact that applies to any family, whatever their make-up.  For single parent families the same options will exist as for other families, single family homes, multi family homes (duplex) or condos.  

Vancouver condos offer an interesting option for many single parent families.  With condo ownership you get all the benefits of owning your own home, but without the extra hassle of maintenance.  Whether it's landscaping, roofing or even snow removal, most condo buildings delegate these responsibilities to the management structure.  For single parent families, in particular, this can bring added peace of mind and is a huge saving on time (something every parent is short of!).  Maintenance fees will be payable for these services – usually monthly – so don't forget to factor these into your budget when searching for homes in Vancouver.  

When selecting a condo building, parents should pay close attention to additional facilities (clubs, crèches, fitness suites – all of which can save yet more time) and also location in terms of proximity to schools, family friendly attractions or parks and open spaces.  Owning your own condo in Vancouver, or any other type of family home, is possible for most single parent families, with some careful planning and attention to your finances!

Overview

West Vancouver is traditionally less well known for its diversity than East Van but there's an exception to every rule and the West End is almost certainly West Vancouver's.  This neighborhood is known for being both family and gay friendly.  An older neighborhood of Vancouver the housing stock includes many traditional family homes and yet also has the ultra-urban modern housing you would expect in a modern city.  West End manages to combine both urban city living and tree lined beach town living in a way that no other part of Vancouver quite manages!  Many residents of West Side have lived in the neighborhood for decades, while new condo developments have seen an increasing rise in newer residents.  The area has a strong community feel but also a strong inclusive community feel and those looking for homes in Vancouver will find this neighborhood particularly welcoming.  Overlooking English Bay to the west and neighboring Downtown Vancouver to the east, West End can perhaps boast one of the best locations in the city, with easy access to the commercial heart (and faced paced) of Vancouver yet with the relaxed feel of a resort town.   

Transport

Travel east on nearly any street in West End and you'll soon find yourself in the heart of Downtown Vancouver.  Commuting options include walking, biking, jogging and driving.  Public transport options are also available through excellent  Translink services.  The proximity to Downtown Vancouver – the hub of transport links to the rest of the city, the Lower Mainland and Canada - means that West End is a particularly well connected Vancouver neighborhood.  

Schools and Universities

The Vancouver School Board provides a full range of elementary and secondary schools in West End and the board also has an excellent range of additional programs focused on key educational areas including English Language Skills and Adult Learner programs.  Transport links from Downtown also make traveling to the University of British Columbia – and other Vancouver Colleges and Universities extremely easy.  

Recreation and Facilities

The diversity found in West End's community is reflected in the entertainment, eating and nightlife opportunities to be found in the area.  Davie Street is the center of gay nightlife in the city, with the biggest clubs located here.  Robson Street is most famous for its shopping but is also crammed with plenty of places to eat and drink.  Denman Street is also a good place to eat out, with options ranging from Indian and French to African and Russian!  Stanley Park borders West Side and the area closest to park is quieter – with Denmen Street in the area being  generally considered the heart of the family orientated part of the community.  Whichever part of West Side you choose you're never far from stunning parks and beaches – Stanley Park with over 8km of coastal cycle trail and 27km of forest trails is a perfect place to relax and English Bay and Sunset Beaches both offer plenty of space and spectacular views.  
 

One thing's for sure when you're buying your first home it's a stressful time!  The stress isn't made easier once the professionals kick in with their seemingly endless resources of jargon!  Understanding at least some of this can help you to make informed choices when it comes to buying a home – whether that's a luxury family home in New Westminster or a condo in Vancouver.  One of the first obstacles you're likely to face is understanding how property is owned;  this may seem simple at first until those professionals get to work on you!  In this guide we'll take a tour of the most common forms of property ownership in Canada.  

Freehold

Probably the simplest and easiest type of property ownership to understand, freehold simply means that you own the land and house which you buy!  If you are planning to build your own home in Vancouver buying freehold land is the most sensible option, as it offers the most freedom in terms of planning, building and designing your home.  Where you buy an existing Vancouver home on freehold terms you will also benefit from the same rights to make whatever alterations and additions you choose, although you'll need to comply with zoning, permit requirements and any by-laws in force in the local area.  These are normally governed by the local city or municipality.  To find the relevant local authority before buying a home in British Columbia check with the Local Government Department of the Government of British Columbia.


Leasehold

Leasehold ownership is the possession of an interest in land for a set period of time.  In British Columbia most leasehold properties are located on First Nation Reserve Land or University Lands.  The standard period for leasehold tenure is normally 99 years but it's important to understand that the period is reset as each different owner purchases the property.  So, for example, if you purchase a leasehold property where 20 years of a 99 year lease have elapsed you will be purchasing the leasehold for the remaining 79 years.  If you then choose to sell after 10 years you will be selling only the remaining 69 years on the lease.  Although the lease can be renewed after the initial 99 years has expired there is no guarantee (or requirement) that the freehold owner will choose to do so.  For this reason, leasehold properties with only a short time left on the lease are considered a significantly risky investment.   

Strata Ownership

As in many countries across the world, increasing urbanization in Vancouver and British Columbia has led to an creasing demand for condos.  Condos in Vancouver and other cities in the Greater Vancouver region are extremely popular and with new developments being undertaken on an ongoing basis there are an increasing number of individuals, couples and families who now own property that is owned under the “Strata” model.  If you buy a Strata property you become the owner of the interior of the specific unit that you buy and also own a share in the common areas of the building.  A Strata Corporation manages the building and this is run by a select group of owners who form the Strata Council.  Monthly fees are payable to the corporation which are used for general maintenance and to provide contingency funds for major work, as and when it is required.  For more information on rules governing Strata Corporations and properties visit the BC Government website.       

Cooperative Ownership

This is again usually found in Condos and is very similar to Strata ownership.  Monthly payments will be required for the upkeep of the whole building and a Coop-board will manage the property.  The main difference between the Strata and Coop models of ownership is that with the Coop each individual owns shares in the building as a whole rather than simply the interior of the part of the property that they live in.  

Overview

One of the fastest growing suburbs in east Vancouver, Coquitlam is also British Columbia's sixth largest city. For families searching for homes in Vancouver, the community offers a wide range of benefits with excellent schools, services and transport links. Commuting by car, SkyTrain or the Translink bus services into downtown Vancouver is also straightforward making the area perfect for young working families and couples. The region in which Coquitlam lies is known as the Tri-Cities area, comprising Coquitlam itself, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. The villages of Anmore and Belcarra are also part of the region. Coquitlam and the surrounding area boasts a wide range of homes for sale including townhouses, condos and houses and offers options that will suit a wide range of needs and budgets. As the city and region grow, real estate in Coquitlam is likely to continue to grow in popularity and becoming increasingly sought after, making Coquitlam not only a great place to live but a great investment for the future too.

Transport

Homes and businesses in Coquitlam benefit from strong transport links operated by Translink, with plenty of bus links to the city of Vancouver itself. In addition, new services are planned for the summer of 2016 connecting to SkyTrain services at Lougheed Town Center, making downtown Vancouver even more accessible for those searching for real estate in Coquitlam.

Schools and Universities

Coquitlam is served by School District 43 which provides 48 elementary schools and 9 high schools. In addition there are a number of privately run schools in Coquitlam along with further education institutions. These include Simon Fraser University – located in Burnaby – and Douglas College which has two campuses – one located in Coquitlam. In addition Coquitlam is home to Coquitlam College a privately run establishment offering high quality world class education.

Recreation and Facilities

The city runs a full program of sports activities and has an excellent range of sports facilties. The programs are designed to suit all age ranges and ability levels and sports facilities are available for groups or individuals. With parks and natural areas administered by the city covering more than 2,200 acres there are also plenty of opportunities for simply enjoying the natural environment – another big attraction for families searching for real estate in Coquitlam. Parks include plenty of family friendly features ranging from picnic areas to pools, sports fields and skateboard parks. The city is also keen to foster its reputation as a home to a vibrant and expanding arts scene and supports a number of arts organizations and festivals, running a full (and expanding) program of events. There are numerous and diverse opportunities for eating out in the city, three movie theaters and plenty of friendly pubs and bars. Coquitlam is served by three major shopping centers – the Sunwood Square Center, Coquitlam Center Mall and Westwood Mall, all conveniently located in the town center.

Overview

Yaletown, part of the central Downtown district of Vancouver, was once a primarily industrial district and while Downtown remains at the heart of the business life of the city of Vancouver it also has one of the fastest growing residential populations.  With high quality and luxury condo developments rising as rapidly as property prices in Vancouver, Yaletown is undergoing a major urban renaissance.  Alongside condos for sale, the vibrant densely packed neighborhood also features converted warehouses, designed for those who love fast-paced city life.   Many of the best known and trendiest restaurants in Vancouver are situated in Yaletown and bars, boutiques and cafés attract a young, wealthy clientèle, while celebrity spotting in these venues is not just a must, it's unavoidable.  Growth, both upwards and in terms of population, is a feature of Yaletown and Downtown Vancouver in general, with upwards of 40,000 people moving to live in the area in just ten years.  There is a high rate of young professionals living in Yaletown -  a large proportion of the residents being in the 20-40  age range, which lends the area a distinctive character.  However, in recent years condos featuring family units have begun attracting a more diverse mix.  In addition, Yaletown penthouses are attracting the very wealthy and the neighborhood is also proving appealing to empty-nesters, looking to downsize from large family homes to convenient and low maintenance downtown condos.   

Transport

Being at the core of the city in terms of business and commerce, Yaletown is well served by all the major transport services, including SkyTrain and Translink services.  Downtown is the transport hub of the city and while all roads (and rail) may lead to it, this means that they also lead out – making it one of the most convenient locations to live and to have easy access to large parts of both Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.  

Schools and Universities

The Vancouver Schools Board provides education for the City of Vancouver and offers a wide range of schools covering all levels and a strong focus on additional educational programs including adult education opportunities.  With excellent transport facilities, access to the University of British Columbia is straightforward to Yaletown residents.   

Recreation and Facilities

Home to two of the most vibrant and busiest nightlife streets in Vancouver, Yaletown offers something for everyone in terms of bars, restaurants and clubs.  Hamilton and Mainland Street are where the majority of the action is centered and although the clubs and bars can be very busy, there are plenty of them to make bar hopping a quick and easy option!  Other attractions in the neighborhood include the BC Place, home of the Vancouver Cannuks, Vancouver Art Gallery and the Queen Elizabeth Theater.  In addition the Roundhouse Community Center is a popular venue for the arts and learning. There are also two parks in Yaletown, Cooper's and Helmcken Parks.  There are also plenty of private gyms and fitness programs in Yaletown to help you work off those nights out in Downtown!    

Buying a home is a stressful, emotional and often expensive process, facts which are true whether it's your first condo or your next home! The state of the housing market itself can add to this stress and, for those looking to buy real estate, the stress is only made worse when they encounter a “sellers' market”. While on a global level recessionary trends have created vast fluctuations in the housing markets of the world, some locations remain hot property and sellers have the edge over those looking to buy a home. Vancouver real estate is on of those markets that continues to remain buoyant and one in which sellers certainly have the upper hand. This is great news for many, unless you are searching for Vancouver real estate! In this post we'll cover the top tips to navigating your way through these troubling waters.

Call the Professionals

Vancouver real estate statistics suggest that the ratio of properties sold to those listed is around 30%, which beats the definition of a sellers' market by a full 10%. So, when it comes to the first tip for buyers searching for homes in Vancouver, the rule is find a top Realtor! While we all love hours spent taking virtual tours and viewing attractive shots of homes we could never afford, your Realtor will be able to rapidly short-list appropriate and affordable properties for you to view. Realtors have access to listings several days in advance of the general public and, perhaps more importantly, can assess the real value of homes and condos listed. In a sellers' market this is where they become truly indispensable to the buyer.

Budget, Budget, Budget

Being clear on your budget is always good – whatever the state of the housing market. It can, however, be especially important in a sellers' market. A pre-approval will help here and will also reduce the stress of your home search. It should also reduce the time spent viewing properties, removing those that you simply can't afford, however much you'd like to! Discuss your bidding strategy and budget with your Realtor, again, real estate agents are best placed to advise you when and if to make an offer and when to simply walk away.

Disappointing Times

Be prepared to take your time and to take a few losses too – in a hot property market you'll certainly find yourself out-bidden on more than one occasion. This really can add to the stress and frustration of the home buying process but if you're prepared to face this fact the process can be less painful. As mentioned above, listening carefully to professional advice will also reduce the stress and save some wasted time. On this point it is also crucial to spread your viewing net as widely as possible. The more properties you view the more choice you will have and, importantly, the more familiar you will become with the market – getting a better overview of which properties sell within hours and which may linger long enough to make your dream achievable.

From Dream to Reality

There is no getting round the fact that home buying in Vancouver's hot property market can be stressful, time consuming and occasionally disappointing. However, with the best Realtor and a certain amount of patience, finding your dream Vancouver home will become a reality.

Living and working in any city brings some important questions, not least how do you get around that city? Commuting can be a pain and many people are turning to alternative options when it comes to the daily trip back and forth from home to work. Vancouver offers some great options for those living and working in the city and in this post we'll explore them in more detail. Perhaps one the best things about Vancouver real estate, and the city's neighborhoods, is that they all offer a good range of different types of housing to suit different needs. From condo living to single family homes, most neighborhoods will offer a good set of choices. Each neighborhood also has its own feel and character – so the options are there for just about everybody, whatever their background or lifestyle. The second best thing, is almost certainly the quality and quantity of transport links and options that the city offers.

Public Transport in Vancouver

Vancouver is an incredible city in an incredible setting and it prides itself on its links to the outdoors, with beaches and mountains easily accessible and many parks and outdoor facilities located within each neighborhood. It should be no surprise then that there is a focus on Green transport options, and the public transport network in Vancouver is definitely fit for purpose in the 21^st century. The options include the Canada Line, SkyTrain, SeaBuses and rapid transit buses, further information on these can also be found on the Translink site. Services focus on ease of use and access and also use routes that attempt to link all the key areas of the city, from Vancouver International Airport to the business core of Downtown Vancouver. The network is designed to be as accessible as possible throughout the city's neighborhoods and improvements to services and extensions to networks are an ongoing priority.

Commuting by Car

Traveling around any city by car can be an exercise in anger management, today. Vancouver is no exception, particularly at rush hour, although the city does benefit from good north/south and east/west arterial routes. Rush hour is approximately 7am – 9am and 3pm – 6pm on weekdays. Downtown Vancouver is the place to avoid at these times of day, if at all possible, with traffic on West Georgia Street (in the direction of the Lions Gate Bridge) and 99 North (in the afternoon, particularly) being particularly heavy. If you commute by car check the Greater Vancouver Traffic Conditions site for real-time traffic updates.

Biking to Work

Biking is a massively popular option for many commuters – both to school and work in Vancouver. The city has encouraged the trend by creating separated bike lines in Downtown Vancouver on major routes and major bridges. Many neighborhoods in Vancouver also feature cycle routes and trails in parks and coastal areas that can be easily combined into your daily commute. Public transport (buses and light transit trains) are able to carry bikes, so combining both green travel options is easy and practical from many residents in Vancouver neighborhoods.

Vancouver Car Share Options

If biking and public transport aren't for you (or you need to commute by car occasionally) car sharing is a viable option and Vancouver residents have a number of options to explore. Whether you've an early meeting and need to arrive fresh and relaxed at work, or simply need to pick up groceries on the way home, using the services offered by car2go Vancouveer, Zipcar or Modo can be the perfect solution. Services are charged by the minute – more cost effective than standard car hire – and car2go offers on-demand availability or 24 hour advance booking.

Useful Apps & Parking Places

Apps make the world of commuting a little smoother for everyone; Translink information can be found on their own website and also via Transit App while “Go Parking” can save time and frustration when you're in a rush! Free street parking in Vancouver can be hard to find, so the latter app can be very useful indeed. Many streets will have residential only parking for those with valid permits. Parking costs in general tend to be high – meters charging an average $6 an hour in busy areas, whilst parking lots range between $2-5 per hour.