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Where do you want to live?

Where would you want to live?

With all the talk of collapsing house prices and the housing market going down the tube, I decided to have a look at what is happening to house prices in the three most interesting markets.
Obviously, Vancouver prices are the highest. But you know, other than the few months in the middle of this year, Vancouver prices have been pretty steady. There are always ups and downs and adjustments, according to supply and demand in real estate as in any other business.

But, given a choice, where would you like to live?

Cold Calgary or steamy Toronto?? 

 

If you are looking to Buy or to Sell real estate in Vancouver area, give me a call. My consultations are FREE. The benefits to You, may be worth a lot of Money.

call Jeff at 604-506-8481 or email jeff@jeffreystark.net



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Posted on December 18, 2008 00:31:50 by jeffrey.stark - View Profile
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Risks much lower in Canada

Recent media reports have expressed some concerns about potential risks for the Canadian housing and mortgage markets.


Risks much lower in Canada


Will Dunning, Chief Economist for CAAMP
Oct 8, 2008 - 5:40:13 PM 


Risks are Contained Within the Canadian Mortgage Market

By CAAMP Chief Economist, Will Dunning

Recent media reports have expressed some concerns about potential risks for the Canadian housing and mortgage markets. One of the concerns being expressed is that Canadian consumers have been "over-extending" themselves through mortgage borrowing. And, it has recently been suggested that the Canadian housing and mortgage markets might fall into a downward spiral like the one currently underway in the United States.

Most Canadian economists, including CAAMP's Chief Economist, point to very substantial differences between the Canadian and US situations, which mean that the risks in Canada are considerably lower than they have been in the US.

The Canadian Economy is Much Stronger

During this decade the Canadian economy has been much stronger than the US economy. Figure 1 shows the percentages of adults that are employed (the "employment-to-population ratio"). The US economy peaked at the start of the decade. While it recovered somewhat during 2005 and 2006, the ratio has remained well below the prior peak. By contrast, the Canadian economy has shown increasing strength in this decade, and the employment-to-population ratio has set new record highs every year from 2003 to 2008. Moreover, to the extent that the US economy did improve at mid-decade, most of the growth was from the housing market - increased construction plus home equity take-out. There was a self-reinforcing bubble in the housing market. In Canada, on the other hand, economic growth has been diversified and much more durable. The Canadian economy has done a very good job of generating highly-qualified home buyers; in the US, slower job creation has meant that there have been fewer good mortgage candidates. Credit quality has remained very strong in Canada but slipped badly in the US.

read more....

 

 



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Posted on December 10, 2008 18:42:50 by jeffrey.stark - View Profile
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A block from SkyTrain!! Best priced 2 bedroom condo! - Update

Immaculate S.E. facing end unit 2 BR Townhouse with a bright sunny enclosed solarium

Sleep in and still make it to work on time.

Excellent mortgage rate and the seller will pay your
closing costs:

Legal
Inspection
Bank appraisal

Immaculate S.E. facing end unit 2 BR Townhouse with a bright sunny enclosed solarium. This lovely home features a well designed bright kitchen with a huge skylight and lots of storage. Electric fireplace for added warmth on cool evenings. Newer appliances consist of in suite stacking washer/dryer, fridge, freezer, stove and dishwasher. Recent updates include all new doors, bedroom and living room carpets, new paint throughout, new bathtub and shower tiles, faucets and light fixtures.
This warm family home is in move in condition and comes with covered parking, an extra large storage locker and pets are welcome. Very close to all levels of schools, a 5 min walk to Holdom skytrain with easy access to downtown and the Brentwood and Lougheed Town Centre Malls for shopping. The Burnaby Lake recreation area with walking and biking trails and the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex are also very close for all your recreation needs.

 For more information visit; http://www.5592broadway.com/



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Posted on December 07, 2008 11:25:40 by jeffrey.stark - View Profile
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Vancouver area condo listings

Availability of condos in the Lower Mainland is a changing scene.

If you are shopping for a condo, than you may be interested in what is avaiable.

Here is a quick review of the listings for a typical 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo, in some of the Lower Mainland communities

Burnaby total of 445 listings

Low five:



High five:

Vancouver West - Downtown, total of 226  listings

Low five:

Top five:

Richmond toal of 458 listings

Low five:

Top five:

 In spite of all the bad news around, life still goes on. There are sellers that need to sell and buyers that need to buy.
As we can see from the above, there are good deals around and great buying opportunities.
In this kind of the market, the best deals can be made if you are moving up.

If you are thinkung of moving up, let us show you how you can save a lot of money now.
Call me anytime. Jeff Stark at 604-506-8481 



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Posted on December 06, 2008 14:46:44 by jeffrey.stark - View Profile
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Making sense of today's housing market

The local slowdown should not be confused with the collapse in the U.S.

 

The following article from the Vancouver Sun, Friday Edition, December 5th, 2008

In recent months, economists have had the unenviable task of trying to calculate the direction the housing market is likely to take, factoring in things like unemployment rates, population and immigration figures, economic growth, mortgage rates, and that most nebulous of criteria, consumer confidence.

They agree that the decrease in housing sales and prices bears little relation to the economic indicators in British Columbia. What has changed is public perception of our financial security, triggered by the troubled global financial markets.

As realtors, people are asking us to help make sense of the housing market.

Sellers are asking if the market value of their home is decreasing. Buyers want to know if they should wait for further price reductions. Homeowners not in the market to buy or sell want to understand the impact on their equity, which may affect decisions like plans for renovations.

Investors are asking about short-term impact -- is it a good time to buy, renovate, and re-sell for a profit? And long-term impact -- is quality real estate now available at lower prices? First-time buyers want to know how much they need for a down payment, whether they can afford the monthly mortgage payment, and if they can get financing in these uncertain times. There are no easy answers. Around the Lower Mainland's kitchen tables, realtors are helping people assess their individual situations.

read more....

 



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Posted on December 06, 2008 11:20:34 by jeffrey.stark - View Profile
Jeff Stark

Jeff Stark | Home Selling System
4259 Hastings Street
Burnaby B.C. V5C 2J5
Office: 604-298-8777
Brokerage: 604-291-0980

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