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 

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....

A review of the recent sales and listings in the Lower Mainland areas, shows a slow down in the time it takes to sell an average condo property.
The time to seel depends on the number of current listings, versus the number of sales, averaged monthly for the last 6 months.

This absorption rate does not translate directly into what the prices are doing, but obviously if there are large number of listings, and sellers that must sell, the prices will be affected.

Buyers can take a little longer to find their ideal home, and for anyone looking to move up into a larger home, this is the ideal time to do it.

Check out the changes from our previous report on September 23rd.

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.

Jeff Stark, 604-506-8481

With all the bad news around, you would think that all the house prices, in all areas of Canada, are down substantially. 
However, looking at this report by the Canadian Real Estate Association, house prices are still above the 2006 levels by a large margin in most areas of Canada.

The only area that shows lower levels in 2008 as compared to 2006 is in Northwest Territories.
Other areas are still up to 42% higher than 2006 levels.

The same is true when we look at the average house prices by cities.

Other than Victoria and Yellowknife most cities average house prices are still at higher levels than in 2006, by up to 45% in Regina and Saskatoon. So much for statistics. In general, and in spite the huge housing problems just South of us in the USA, Canadian house prices are not falling trough the floor.

 Great Value! This unit priced at $40,000 less than a similar unit in the complex!

This home offers value, comfort and security. The unique waterfront two bedrooms, two bath 1235 sq ft home with multiple updates is all on one level and in a gated complex. You will appreciate the separate outdoor entrance, spacious patio accessed from both the living room and kitchen, laminate floors in living and dining area and separate tub and shower in the master. Take leisurely walks along the river to shop at the Quay. The entire community has a resort-like atmosphere, quaint areas to sit and meditate surrounded by lagoons, gardens and fountains. Take your puppy for some fun in the sun at the "off leash" park. This home is for those looking for something unique and for a home to impress.

For additional information, or to set up a viewing of this property, just call me, Jeff Stark at 604-298-8777 or,

email me at jeff@jeffreystark.net