August was more active than anticipated

On the supply side, the number of new listings and active listings were down – showing buyers are engaging more than they have and sellers are willing to hold on to their properties. Once again, there is a noticeable increase in demand for homes in August, similar to July, with anecdotal reports of multiple offers and properties that have been on the market for a number of months getting activity and offers. Prices have already come down (despite reports that they are just starting to come down) which has piqued the interest of buyers and allowed some buyers priced out by the mortgage stress test, to come back in to the market.

There were 2,256 homes sold of all types in Greater Vancouver in August this year compared with 2,584 homes sold last month, 1,961 sales in August last year and 3,097 homes sold in August 2017. August sales were 10% below the 10-year average for this month. In the last three market downturns, (2008, 2012 and 2018) August was the start of the market decline. In fact, in 2008 there were 1,654 sales in August and in 2012 there were 1,670 homes sold. This August had a much different feeling to it. With the supply of listings shrinking, buyers have been more engaged and focusing on the more desirably priced homes. There were 711 detached houses sold in August 2019 up from 575 (23% in August 2018 in Greater Vancouver, with a 9.8% decrease in the benchmark price of these homes year over year. For townhouses there were 409 sales in August 2019 compared to 337 in August 2018 (up 21%) with a 7.8% decrease in the benchmark price year over year; and for condos there were 1,116 sales in August 2019, an increase in sales from 1,025 in August 2018 (up 8%) with an 7.4% decrease in the benchmark price year over year. Houses are getting more and more attention from buyers as the price gap between houses and condos has shrunk and with interest rates coming down, that opportunity will continue to grow.

The interesting part about supply and demand in today’s real estate market is that the total number of homes in Metro Vancouver has grown considerably since the 1990’s yet total number of monthly sales had been relatively the same during the various market cycles in the last 30 years. Home sales in 2015 and 2016 were among the highest on record, which is to be expected when the total market size has increased significantly. With the limited number of home sales in the last two years, there will be significant pent up demand. And demand is not the same as it was 30 years ago. Demographics show that younger generations are staying single longer, and some when coming together keep both properties making one a rental. Divorce rates are higher than before, requiring one household to turn into 2. And of course, people are living longer and staying in homes longer than before. To suggest that demand for housing comes from population growth and that’s how to determine the need, doesn’t take into account all the other factors that drive the need for homes. And we haven’t even talked about potential effects from Hong Kong. Why is supply not an issue?

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#303 1004 Wolfe Ave
Spacious 1 bedroom & den filled with character

#1106 1005 Beach Ave
Ocean views and across from the Beach

3000 Valdez Place, Victoria
spectacular building lot

Our Awesome Listings
that you must see!

#501 6063 Iona Drive

WHY WE

️ THIS PROPERTY:
1. Two spectacular decks with ocean, mountain and city views
2. 2800'+ of one floor living
3. three bedrooms plus a den
4. Nicely situated in a private location in a low rise concrete building

5. Storage plus a 2 car enclosed private garage
6. The living spaces are very generous in size and can definitely hold house sized furniture.
7. Third bedroom is currently set up as a large office
8. One deck is covered and faces west for amazing sunsets
9. Large NW facing deck is enormous, faces the ocean, has an outdoor BBQ, gardens, space for entertaining and all open by eclipse doors to the living spaces.

1703 Edinburgh, New Westminster

WHY WE

️ THIS PROPERTY:
1. New West is a very family friendly City - great parks, great programs and great schools
2. Fully Updated House
3. Four Bedrooms (could easily add 2 more)
4. 50' flat lot perched on hill so very bright
5. PLUS easily build out two more bedrooms and a bathroom in the basement OR convert to self-contained suite (mortgage helper). For every $410 collected in rent, this covers $100,000 of mortgage.

361 West 19th Ave | $4,299,000

WHY WE

️ THIS HOUSE:

1. 44' X 120' SUNNY lot in the heart of the Cambie area
2. 3,802' family home plus 456' laneway
3. One of the best new builds we have seen - high quality and amazing finishings.
4.Centrally located - walk to Cambie St., Hillcrest Community Centre, Mount Pleasant Park.
5. Main floor features a open plan great room, eating area and amazing kitchen (plus a large pantry/2nd kitchen) and a beautiful living space.
6. Upstairs features 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths and a nursery/office.
7. Downstairs offers an enormous recreation space, bedroom, laundry, full bath and powder.
8. The light fixtures are like no other!
9. 2 car garage, parking pad and vaulted ceiling laneway.

6775 W. Boulevard | $3,580,000

WHY WE ️ THIS PROPERTY:
1. 76' X 163' HUGE west facing lot
2. Perfect 4,393 sqft family home ready to be updated
3. Paint out the house with White Paint and Update the Light Fixtures = AMAZING!
4. Upstairs features 4 large bedrooms and 2 full baths
5. Downstairs offers a 5th Bedroom in a contained suite (perfect for extra revenue, in-laws suite or teen lair)
6. The recreation room opens up to the inviting pool deck and massive back yard
7. Perfectly located for quick access to YVR, UBC, or Downtown
8. Minutes to the Marine Drive Golf Course, the Arbutus Club or Van Lawn
9. Proximity to prime school catchments

WHY WE

️ THIS PROPERTY:
1. Ocean views!
2. Park views!
3. City views!
4. 1217' with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths
5. Only 5 suites per floor
6. 2 secured parking plus 1 storage locker
7. Concierge for all your online shopping needs
8. Amazing amenities

We had the privilege of working with and getting to know the amazing Zonda Nellis and David Robinson and now they are more than clients...they are friends. Zonda's styles are loved by women all over the world, including Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn! If you haven't had a chance to see her work, now is your chance at this big sale.

Paige and Lake Life

How did we end up renovating a home on Stony Lake, Ontario? After years of my husband convincing me to try his family tradition, I finally did and loved it. For many summers following we rented different cottages. It was a great way to build traditions with our kids… sailing, bonfires, fishing, water skiing and even square dancing! It was also the perfect place for our kids to really get to know their Grandfather from Toronto.

Last year we found the perfect place and decided to buy. We now share an island with one other family. Our side has 800’ of frontage and came with a small two bedroom cottage built in 1969.

Over this past year we embarked on a full-scale renovation. We installed a septic tank, expanded the cottage by 10’ added a real bathroom and another bedroom – all remotely from Vancouver. We also built a bunkie with its own bathroom – perfect for guests.

Building on an island meant barging over all of the supplies before the lake froze over so that much of the work could be done over the winter months. The trades would go over the ice on quads even when it was -30 degrees.

This summer was our first time in our own cottage. It was a lot of work to get things set-up but we are thrilled with the finished product. If you are in Toronto next summer – give us a shout and we would be happy to have you!

Isn't there something about September that will forever make you want to buy back to school supplies...even when you aren't in school?

Back-to-school shopping comes around every year, but as we get older and wiser, we don’t always get to indulge in it. If one of your favourite parts of childhood was stocking up on new pens, notebooks, and planners for the school year, who says you can't still do that now? There’s something special about how these little gems can make us feel organized and revitalized for the season ahead. Read more from Vogue here.

Honest to Pete

Gillian Hurtig and Peter Stannard - Vancouver's Newest Coffee Roasters!

We started roasting our unique blend of beans because, honestly, we missed how coffee used to taste. The bolder blends of yesteryear seem to be fewer and further between, and we wanted to fill our cups with a robust splash of nostalgia. Inspired by a time when coffee was for waking up with gusto in the morning, and winding down in style in the evening. Back when espresso was dark and creamy, and the intoxicating smell of freshly ground beans could lure the whole house down to the kitchen. After years hobbying as a home roaster, Peter finally perfected his signature blend, Retrospresso.

A carefully selected blend of sustainably grown beans from Mexico, Ethiopia, Brazil, and beyond, our signature Retrospresso blend is air roasted in small batches for optimal freshness and flavour retention. It’s a balanced, darker roast – creamy and bold with a hint of chocolate. We like it so much, we just had to share it with you. We hope you love it as much as we do! Our Retrospresso beans are packaged in 100% compostable and eco-friendly bags (simply remove the tin tie and place the bag in your compost).

You can purchase our packaged 1 lb. bags at The Nosherie OR at The Soap Dispensary & Kitchen Staples where you can bring in your own container or buy one there. Until September 30th, when you purchase a pound or more of Retrospresso beans from The Soap Dispensary & Kitchen Staples, you can enter to win a beautiful home grinder!

You must go see one of our client's beautifully renovated home on this tour.

SEPTEMBER 14TH: Five of West Vancouver’s most stunning homes will open their elegant doors to the public this weekend. In partnership with British Pacific Properties, the West Vancouver Art Museum is hosting its annual West Coast Modern Home Tour, followed by a fundraiser and silent auction at the Eagle Harbour Yacht Club to support the museum’s future programs and exhibitions. Click To Read More ››

1703 Edinburgh St.

West End, New West

361 West 19th Ave
Beautiful New Build

#501 6063 Iona Dr.
Stunning Views

6775 W. Boulevard
12,000' Lot!

13 Town Homes
Watch for our upcoming Launch

6245 Mackenzie St.
Perfection!

#807 4078 Knight St.
Penthouse Property

#305 5955 Iona Dr.
Views, Views, Views

6350 Alma St.
This one will be a Beauty.

#402 1233 Beach Ave
Directly across from the Beach!

#74 4900 Cartier St.
4 bed, 4 bath Townhome 3,289'!

1710 Woods Rd.
Bowen Island, BC

Have you tried?

burgers and cocktails. they're our life and we share our passion and soul for them in a 13 seat hole in the wall, while blasting vinyl. no filters and pure respect for the craft we've procured, forget about the rest.

no phone policy.
its like valet but for your phone.