Archived blog posts for : 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

Federal government announces changes to mortgage financing requirements

by Amalia Liapis on Fri, Jan, 28, 2011 12:00 PM

Categories:Financing,mortgages,real estate,vancouver

The federal government recently announced three changes to the rules for government-backed insured mortgages.

First, the government will reduce the maximum mortgage amortization period from 35 to 30 years. Second, the maximum amount of the value of a home that can be re-financed will drop from 90 per cent to 85 per cent. And finally, government insurance will no longer be available to financial institutions wishing to insure home equity lines of credit.

“These are prudent measures that promote responsible lending practices and further strengthen our internationally recognized mortgage finance system,” Jake Moldowan, Board president said.

The adjustments to the mortgage insurance guarantee framework will come into force on March 18, 2011. The withdrawal of government insurance backing on lines of credit secured by homes will come into force on April 18, 2011.

source: REBGV

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Friday, January 21, 2011

I have sold a property at 2602 1055 HOMER ST in Vancouver

by Amalia Liapis on Fri, Jan, 21, 2011 07:11 PM

Categories:Downtown VW, Vancouver West Real Estate

Property Photo: 2602 1055 HOMER ST in Vancouver

I have sold a property at 2602 1055 HOMER ST in Vancouver.

See details here

Modern entertainment PH featured in a number of Western Living Magazines redesigned by Patricia Gray. Boasting 1,920 sf of open living space, 842 sf of outdoor space and is designed as an ultimate show home. Features Asian Teak H/W flooring; redesigned kitchen by Redl Kitchen Studios; integrated home theatre & sound system. The master bedroom has lots of space, great views, recessed lighting, sound system, 2 balconies, huge walk-in closet, spa-like ensuite and views! The deck features a hot tub; custom built kitchen with a 50" Viking Grill; outdoor gas cooker; fridge; sinks; lighting & sound system. 2 parking spaces & large storage locker.

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Real estate market stable at year-end

by Amalia Liapis on Thu, Jan, 6, 2011 12:00 PM

Categories:Housing,Market,Sales,Stats,Vancouver

The Greater Vancouver residential housing market entered three distinctive phases in 2010. Continued buoyancy from the post-recession recovery began the year, followed by a summer lull and, throughout the fall, a sustained period of stability.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2010 reached 30,595, a 14.2 per cent decrease from the 35,669 sales recorded in 2009, but a 24.2 per cent increase from the 24,626 residential sales in 2008. Last year's number of housing sales was 10.3 per cent below the ten-year average for annual Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) sales in the region.

The number of residential properties listed for sale on the MLS® in Greater Vancouver increased 9.7 per cent in 2010 to 58,009 compared to the 52,869 properties listed in 2009. Compared to 2008, last year's total represents a 7.3 per cent decline compared to the 62,561 residential properties listed in 2008. The number of properties added to the MLS® peaked in April and generally declined for the remainder of the year.

The last two years have been a bit of a rollercoaster for the real estate market. However, sales over the past six months have definitely shown a trend toward stability. We think that's good news for home buyers and sellers, Jake Moldowan, REBGV president said. The Greater Vancouver housing market experienced a modest increase in home prices in 2010, and a continual decrease in the number of properties being listed for sale.

Residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 1,899 in December 2010, a decrease of 24.5 per cent from the 2,515 sales recorded in December 2009, an all time record for the month, and a 24.3 per cent decline compared to November 2010 when 2,509 home sales occurred.

More broadly, last month's residential sales represent a 105.5 per cent increase over the 924 residential sales in December 2008, a 0.1 per cent increase compared to December 2007's 1,897 sales, and a 12.6 per cent increase compared to the 1,686 sales in December 2006.

The residential benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for Greater Vancouver increased 2.7 per cent to $577,808 between Decembers 2009 and 2010. However, prices have decreased 2.6 per cent since hitting a peak of $593,419 in April 2010. Although we saw some pressure on home prices throughout the year, home values in 2010 remained relatively steady in the region compared to the last few years when we witnessed much more fluctuation, Moldowan said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 1,699 in December 2010. This represents a 21.1 per cent decline compared to the 2,153 units listed in December 2009 and a 43.9 per cent decline compared to November 2010 when 3,030 properties were listed.

Sales of detached properties in December 2010 reached 769, a decrease of 14.8 per cent from the 902 detached sales recorded in December 2009, and a 121.1 per cent increase from the 348 units sold in
December 2008. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 4.0 per cent from December 2009 to $797,868. Sales of apartment properties reached 811 in December 2010, a decline of 29.7 per cent compared to the 1,154 sales in December 2009, and an increase of 94.5 per cent compared to the 417 sales in December 2008.The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 1.2 per cent from December 2009 to $387,115.

Attached property sales in December 2010 totalled 319, a decline of 30.5 per cent compared to the 459 sales in December 2009, and a 100.6 per cent increase from the 159 attached properties sold in December 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 2.7 per cent between December 2009 and 2010 to $490,869.

-source: REBGV

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