Multi-family housing starts were up in Greater Vancouver in November over last year, while single family starts were down, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reported Thursday.

“We have seen a reduction in single-family housing starts so far this year, and sort of a resurgence in the multi-family sector,” said Robyn Adamache, CMHC’s senior market analyst. “We’re starting to see some of the larger condo projects starting again, but we’re nowhere near the levels we were in our peak year, 2007.”

Nationally, housing starts declined to 16,615 from 17,637, with B.C. one of only two regions showing an overall increase from 1,609 to 2,241. Urban Quebec also showed a small increase.

Adamache said immigration drives demand in British Columbia and job growth in Vancouver has kept demand for new homes up.

“I think part of what’s going on is we do have a fairly balanced resale housing marking out there, so there is fairly steady demand,” Adamache said. “Part of what’s driving this is ongoing population growth, or people moving here from other countries. In Vancouver, we get 35,000 or 40,000 people moving here every year.”

There were 1,686 housing starts in November in the Vancouver CMA, up from 918 in November 2010. Single-family starts were at 281 for November, down 10 per cent from 2010. Multi-family starts, which include semi-detached, townhouses and apartments, were at 1,405 for November, up a whopping 130 per cent from November 2010.

The year-to-date figures show an overall increase in the Lower Mainland of 23 per cent for 2011 so far over 2010; broken down, there was a 21-per-cent decrease in single-family starts, and a 44-per-cent increase in multi-family starts. This year-to-date shows a total of 13,295 multi-family housing starts, compared to 16,525 in 2007 when housing starts peaked.

The drop in single-family starts could be related to the referendum defeat of the harmonized sales tax, which applies to new homes and which the provincial government said will be phased out by March 2013. Multi-family developments would not be affected in the same way because of the time it takes to build them and because many condos and townhouses would be below the $525,000 threshold for HST.

Richmond and North Vancouver were hot spots for growth, each showing an 89-per-cent increase in housing starts for year-to-date over last year. North Vancouver had 920 housing starts this year so far compared to 486 at this point last year, while Richmond had 2,355 starts compared to 1,248 at the same point last year. The vast majority of those units were multi-family developments.

“Richmond is a big recipient of people moving here from other countries, so that could be driving the demand,” Adamache said.

Because there was a significant slowdown in housing starts in 2009, and because it takes at least two years to complete a multi-family development, there will not be a lot of completed condos flooding the market in the near future, Adamache said.

Source: Tracy Sherlock, Vancouver Sun

My real estate column in last weekend’s Vancouver Sun featured property sales in Vancouver, property sales in Langley, property sales in Kelowna and property sales in Williams Lake.

Vancouver Sun June 25, 2011

4763 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver

Type: 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom detached
Size: 5,043 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $6.078 million
Listed for: $7.68 million
Sold for: $7.16 million
Sold on: May 17
Days on market: 267
Listing agent: Bryan Yan at Regent Park Realty Inc.
Buyers agent: Bryan Yan at Regent Park Realty Inc.

The big sell: This Point Grey house was totally remodelled in 1992 with an understated elegance. It is on an estate measuring more than 32,000 square feet in an enclave north of Fourth Avenue and close to UBC’s Endowment Lands. Its new design boasts three levels that take advantage of the city and water views. The Italian-style garden has an outdoor, stone swimming pool, hot tub, tennis court and patios. The interior showcases a modern chef’s kitchen with granite countertops, Sub-Zero and Kohler appliances, dark oak wood flooring, vaulted ceilings, skylights, and a sundeck of almost 500 square feet. Tall, mature trees surround the property and provide complete privacy.

4230 196th Street, Langley

Type: 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom detached
Size: 2,519 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $505,000
Listed for: $549,900
Sold for: $548,000
Sold on: May 6
Days on market: 6
Listing agent: Jeremy Sutton at RE/MAX Treeland Realty
Buyers agent: Will Rempel at RE/MAX Treeland Realty

The big sell: This Brookswood home is on a 81-by-135-foot lot on a no-through street with designated parkland opposite.The property was built in 1975 and expanded with family conveniences in mind, resulting in a larger kitchen and family room on the main floor, both with sundeck access to the front and rear of the house. Oak is a central theme throughout, and has been incorporated into the staircase design, the crown mouldings, the living area floors and the kitchen cabinets. Noteworthy details include the stained-glass window in the dining area, gas fireplaces on both levels, a double garage with workshop extension and side access for RV parking, and new appliances, windows, furnace and hot water tank, as well as a large, fenced rear garden.

614 East 11th Avenue, Vancouver

Type: 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom detached
Size: 2,283 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $769,000
Listed for: $899,000
Sold for: $1 million
Sold on: May 3
Days on market: 6
Listing agent: Patrick Weeks at RE/MAX Select Properties
Buyers agent: Teresa Comeau at RE/MAX Select Realty

The big sell: This 1911 heritage house in the South Main neighbourhood sold for $1 million in just six days. The property provides an attractive combination of old and new. Original claw foot bath tubs, hardwood floors, and wood-trim windows showcase the history of the home, but there’s a nod to 21st-century design, with an open-concept plan on the main level that allows design opportunities for a growing family.As well, the home has been divided and contains a two-bedroom mortgage-helper on the lower floor. The south-facing position allows plenty of light and there is copious backyard space for children, dogs and barbecues.It is close to the popular shops and restaurants of Soma.

2448 Sutton Road, Williams Lake

Type: 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom detached
Size: 3,300 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $523,000
Listed for: $569,900
Sold for: $563,900
Sold on: May 3
Days on market: 2
Listing agent: Tanya Rankin at Tanya Rankin Ltd.
Buyer’s agent: Tanya Rankin at Tanya Rankin Ltd.
The big sell: According to agent Tanya Rankin, lakeshore properties such as this secure some of the highest prices in this area. It is easy to see why, as the home is just feet away from the water, and the lure of water-skiing and beach activities. Set on a gently sloping lot, the rancher has a fully finished basement. The main reception rooms – including the master bedroom – are positioned so that the views pour in, and an oversized deck provides a venue for entertaining and summer gatherings. The sellers lived in the property for the past 30 years and there is evident pride of ownership.

2336 Selkirk Drive, Kelowna

Type: 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom detached
Size: 3,335 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $570,000
Listed for: $669,000
Sold for: $650,000
Sold on: May 3
Days on market: 85
Listing agent: Krista Suchar at MacDonald Realty Kelowna
Buyer’s agent: Eric Prehofer at MacDonald Realty Kelowna

The big sell: This was a show home built by Dilworth Homes in 2006 on a private lot backing on to the edge of Dilworth Mountain to the north of downtown Kelowna. The interior has a contemporary design with espressocoloured cabinetry – a theme that reoccurs in many rooms throughout the home. An open-concept kitchen – with pendant and recessed lighting, a breakfast bar and Corian countertops -flows into the dining and family rooms, which have floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the expansive valley views below. There are ceramic tile and hardwood floors, carpeting in the bedrooms, a built-in vacuum, two gas fireplaces and balconies. The property has almost a quarter of an acre and has a double garage and parking for further vehicles.

For the full story, please click on Real estate sales in Vancouver and Langley and Real estate sales in Williams Lake and Kelowna

Compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com and AssignmentsCanada.ca.

Realtors – send your recent sales to nicola@besthomesbc.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

My real estate column in last weekend’s Vancouver Sun featured property sales in Burnaby, property sales in Surrey, property sales in downtown Vancouver, and property sales in Fernie.

Vancouver Sun April 30, 2011

4657 Victory Street, Burnaby

Type: 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom detached
Size: 1,021 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $691,300
Listed for: $788,000
Sold for: $868,800
Sold on: March 8
Days on market: 6
Listing agent: Leslie Gray at Sutton Group – West Coast Realty
Buyers agent: Bonney Bao at Royal Pacific Realty (Kingsway)

The big sell: This 1935 bungalow has numerous pluses: the living space is on one level, the rooms are spacious and the property is in a central location with Metrotown, the SkyTrain, Crystal Mall and schools and parks within walking distance. Other attractions come in the form of the quiet neighbourhood, the treed outlook and the 60-by-106-foot south-facing flat lot that could provide future development possibilities. All this generated seven offers, with the winning bid coming in at more than $80,000 over the asking price. According to listing agent Leslie Gray, South Burnaby is fast becoming a serious contender for those buyers who have been priced out of nearby Richmond.

16316 92nd Avenue, Surrey

Type: 8-bedroom, 7-bathrooms, detached
Size: 5,403 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $936,000
Listed for: $970,000
Sold for: $948,000
Sold on: March 16
Days on market: 69
Listing agent: Dennis Fung at Homelife Benchmark Realty
Buyers agent: Suki Bahi at Sutton Group – West Coast Realty

The big sell: Everything about this property is large, from the 12,414-square-foot lot to the twostorey family room. In fact, this home features plenty of room to fill any family’s requirements. Built in 2006 in Surrey’s Fleetwood/Tynehead neighbourhood, the house boasts eight bedrooms and six full bathrooms over three levels. The result? A flexible floor plan that includes a guest suite on the main floor, a gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry and spice kitchen, a master suite with private deck that showcases the mountain and valley views, two additional spacious bedrooms with ensuites, and a large den. As well, the fully finished basement comprises a games room, hobby room, further bedrooms and a 23-by-18-foot recreation room. There is parking for six vehicles and the southern-exposed back yard has a deck.

#1004 -1616 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver

Type: 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment
Size: 1,257 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $930,000
Listed for: $999,900
Sold for: $990,000
Sold on: March 12
Days on market: 2
Listing agent: Holly Wood at RE/MAX Masters Realty
Buyers agent: Thomas Spencer at Royal Pacific Realty Corp.

The big sell: The story of the sale of this Coal Harbour condo would be a compelling tale for those who believe fate plays a hand in the direction our lives take. The buyers happened to walk past listing realtor Holly Wood’s agents’ open house and found themselves looking at exactly the type of property that they had been searching for. The Bayshore Gardens waterfront home has oak hardwood flooring, crown moulding and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the spectacular westerly views of the marina, Stanley Park and the seawall. The kitchen features a Sub-Zero fridge and wine bar, Bosch gas cooktop and dishwasher, and two eating areas. The master ensuite has a double sink with marble countertop, a soaker tub and separate shower with Kohler fixtures and heated floors. The building has 24-hour concierge, a gym, sauna, and meeting room.

1142 3rd Avenue, Fernie

Type: 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom detached
Size: 3,886 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $644,000
Listed for: $544,500
Sold for: $518,000
Sold on: March 20
Days on market: 279
Listing agent: Candace Grey at Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty
Buyers agent: Marilyn Brock at Century 21 Maximum Realty

The big sell: Central to amenities and schools, this five-bedroom property is in the north end of downtown Fernie.
The home was custom built in 1997 and has more than 2,000 square feet on the main level and 1,800 square feet on the lower. The primary floor features a sunroom with beautiful mountain views, striking dark hardwood floors and trim, a family room off the kitchen area, solid oak cabinetry, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a rarity in most homes: an elevator that connects both levels. The finished basement -it could double as an in-law or guest suite -has a large recreation room, further bedrooms, a kitchen, abundant storage space and radiant heat. The exterior comprises a single attached garage and the property sits on a 60-by-120-foot lot.

For the full story, please click on Real estate sales in Burnaby, Surrey, Vancouver and Fernie.

Compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com and AssignmentsCanada.ca.

Realtors – send your recent sales to nicola@besthomesbc.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

My real estate column in last weekend’s Vancouver Sun featured property sales in East Vancouver, Surrey, Delta and Prince George.

Vancouver Sun December 18, 2010

Vancouver
3039 Kitchener Street

Type: 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom detached
Size: 2,304 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2010: $644,100
Listed for: $698,800
Sold for: $730,000
Sold on: Oct. 25
Days on market: 10
Listing agent: Karin Phillips at Royal LePage Showcase Plus
Buyers agent: Baldev Sandhu at Royal Pacific Realty (Kingsway)

The big sell: One of the most common dilemmas in owning property is in deciding whether to spend money on renovations, or to do nothing and hope land prices keep increasing. The owners of this property in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood chose the latter, and came away with multiple offers and a sale over the asking price in the first weekend it went on the market. The home was built in 1950 on a desirable 46-by-127-foot lot with panoramic views from Grouse to Burnaby mountains, with the tree-lined street adding additional esthetic appeal. The floor plan is a blank canvas for the handyperson, containing separate reception rooms, good-sized bedrooms and a basement with hardwood floors, which could be converted into a suite.

Surrey
15268 80A Avenue

Type: 6-bedroom, 4-bathroom apartment
Size: 4,022 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2010: $571,000
Listed for: $649,000
Sold for: $635,000
Sold on: Oct 18
Days on market: 6
Listing agent: Dennis Fung at HomeLife Benchmark Fleetwood Realty
Buyers agent: Dennis Fung at HomeLife Benchmark Fleetwood Realty

The big sell: According to agent Dennis Fung, the purchasers had been looking to move into the “Fairway Park” neighbourhood for some time and this property ticked all the right boxes. The totally renovated home has hardwood flooring and granite countertops, a fully finished basement and a private outlook, backing on to a greenbelt. The house comprises more than 4,000 square feet on three levels, and had been immaculately maintained. The bright, spacious floor plan contains an entrance hall, family room, den, kitchen, dining and living rooms and laundry — and that’s just on the main floor — and a 41-by-13-foot recreation room, two bedrooms and a bathroom in the basement.

Delta
4565 66th Street

Type: 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom detached
Size: 1,943 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2010: $604,000
Listed for: $629,900
Sold for: $635,000
Sold on: Oct 3
Days on market: 6
Listing agent: Barry Chreptyk at RE/MAX Progroup Realty
Buyers agent: Alice Lai How at Macdonald Realty Westmar

The big sell: According to listing agent Barry Chreptyk, good ranchers are hard to find, so when they come up buyers are usually lining up for them. Two things are adding to their popularity: There are fewer now being built, and people can live longer in them since they only have to deal with one level. This custom-built 1990s rancher in Ladner proved no exception, garnering immediate interest and multiple offers. Its main magnets? It has RV parking, a hot tub, recently installed hot water tank, hardwood floors, gas hook-up for a barbecue, aggregate driveway and patio, and underground sprinklers. It is also situated on a private hedged west-exposed lot. Even the garage has in-floor radiant heating.

Prince George
4179 Northwood Pulp Road

Type: 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom detached
Size: 3,400 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2010: $298,900
Listed for: $319,007
Sold for: $317,000
Sold on: Nov. 2
Days on market: 4
Listing agent: Aaron Switzer at RE/MAX Centre City Realty
Buyers agent: Monica Fraser at RE/MAX Centre City Realty

The big sell: One of the unique selling points of this home was that it sits on 5.35 acres, yet is within the Prince George city limits. A bungalow with a basement, it is bright and open, with new windows, vaulted ceilings, generous room sizes, updated flooring, a sundeck and a 16-by-14-foot kitchen with ample counter space. The recreation room has a free-standing gas fireplace, and there are walk-in closets, a mud room, plenty of storage, and an attached double garage with space for RVs and toys. Serving to emphasize the tranquillity of the property is the listing sheet for the home, which states, under the category View: “Yes — Nature.”

Compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com and AssignmentsCanada.ca.

Realtors – send your recent sales to nicola@besthomesbc.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Read more: Recent real estate sales in East Vancouver, Surrey, Delta and Prince George.

Just listed on BestHomesBC.com is a home for sale in Whistler Cay. This property has it all: a 3 bedroom house plus a recreational room and office, 3 full bathrooms; an inviting living area with vaulted ceilings, lots of natural light and feature fireplace; a gourmet kitchen; double car garage; a flat lot for ease of access and space for the kids and dogs; mountain views and a studio suite as a mortgage helper.

It includes central vacuum, security system, heated floors in the entry, hallway and bathrooms, double hot water tanks, granite countertops in the kitchen and much more.

Please follow this link, Whistler property for sale in Whistler Cay, to view the property’s details and to contact the Realtor, Sally Warner of RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate Whistler, directly.

My real estate column in last weekend’s Vancouver Sun featured property sales in Sun Peaks and Powell River.

Vancouver Sun August 7, 2010

Sun Peaks
4120 Sundance Drive

Type: 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom detached
Size: 2,802 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, July 2010: $1.062 million
Listed for: $1.2 million
Sold for: $1.05 million
Sold on: July 19
Days on market: 431
Listing agent: Liz Forster at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada
Buyers agent: Liz Forster at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

The big sell: Sun Peaks Resort enjoys one of those most sought-after amenities: a number of ski-in/ ski-out properties that mean you don’t have to haul your skis back home after the last run of the day. Located directly opposite the ski school, this log-and timber-accented property comes fully furnished with fir trim throughout. It has custom built-ins, a spacious ski equipment room, and a hot tub on the wraparound deck, which has expansive mountain views to Mount Morrisey. In addition, it has a great room with a tile-surround gas fireplace, hardwood flooring, granite countertops, a spacious master ensuite, double garage, an underground sprinkler system and a separate one-bedroom revenue suite. It’s within easy strolling distance to the village, making it a breeze to return home on the Carpet Lift.

Powell River
4885 Saskatchewan Avenue

Type: 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom detached
Size: 1,500 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, July 2010: $210,600
Listed for: $244,900 Sold for: $233,500
Sold on: June 30
Days on market: 18
Listing agent: Paige Anderson at Coast Realty Group (Powell River) Ltd.
Buyers agent: Dawn Adaszynski at Coast Realty Group (Powell River) Ltd.

The big sell: This split-level home has profited from quality finishing in the form of new hardwood and tile flooring throughout, fresh drywall, custom-made banisters, updated bathrooms, a master bedroom with ensuite and two walk-in closets, and sliding glass doors leading on to a large cedar deck that overlooks the private, fully fenced mature garden with its ample play area. The value added? A double shop with a nine-foot door, power and heating provided by an oil furnace. This is a centrally located property within walking distance to Powell River’s amenities. The town, situated on the Sunshine Coast, benefits from a strong community with recreation facilities, hospital, schools, an airport, ferry accessibility to Vancouver Island and daily flights to Vancouver’s South Terminal.

Compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com and AssignmentsCanada.ca.

Realtors – send your recent sales to nicola@besthomesbc.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Read more: vancouversun.com/business/Sun+Peaks+Resort+property

Just listed on BestHomesBC.com are these ski condos in Sun Peaks Resort’s Delta Residences. Four Diamond resort living at a world class, year-round destination just 45 minutes from Kamloops, BC. Own a fully-furnished family sized 1 or 2 bedroom mountain condominium for a quarter of the price.

Attached to the award-winning Delta Sun Peaks Hotel, each mountain condominium is fully-furnished to the Delta’s Four Diamond standard including gourmet kitchens and full access privileges to all Hotel amenities such as room service, health club, ski concierge, pool and hot tubs.

Quarter Ownership allows you to invest and enjoy in world class recreational property in a manner that best matches your busy lifestyle. It’s perfect. After all, most people only use their vacation homes about one week per month, on average.

The suites are maintained, managed and cleaned by the Delta hotel. Quarter ownership allows buyers to enjoy the year-round activity without the hassle of second home maintenance.

Sun Peaks has emerged as a world class, year-round destination resort – a perfect mix of sun and snow: more than 2,000 hours of sun a year, along with 220 inches (5.6 metres) of Champagne Powder.

This is Sun Peaks’ premier location, 100% ski-in/ski-out.

Please follow this link, Sun Peaks Resort Ski Development – Delta Residences, to view the project’s details and to contact Peter Nixon of S. P. Valley Developments Ltd. Partnership directly.

My Out of Town real estate column in today’s Vancouver Sun features property sales in Prince George and Pemberton.

Vancouver Sun June 12, 2010

Prince George
7200 Bear Road

Type: 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, detached
Size: 2,630 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, July 2009: $223,000
Listed for: $308,800
Sold for: $302,000
Sold on: April 6
Days on market: 54
Listing agent: Dean Birks at Royal LePage Prince George
Buyers agent: Jay Rockwell at Team Powerhouse Realty

The big sell: Big means big in Prince George. Just look at the size of the family room — 27 by 30 feet — larger than most one-bedroom apartments in Vancouver. This completely renovated property features hickory cabinets, an open-plan kitchen area with an island and breakfast bar, a walk-in pantry, hardwood flooring, and a fenced garden on a third of an acre. One of the main draws was the large attached garage/shop with doors on either end that allow any sized vehicle or RV to go through to the back yard. According to listing agent Dean Birks, the Prince George housing market has remained active and stable with predominantly single families moving up, down, in and out of town with continued positive change in the city reflected in many new downtown development initiatives planned to be rolled out over the next two years.

Pemberton
15 – 7400 Arbutus Street

Type: 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom townhouse
Size: 1,226 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, July 2009: $306,000
Listed for: $369,000
Sold for: $365,000
Sold on: March 30
Days on Market: 6
Listing agent: Pat Saintsbury at RE/ MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate Whistler
Buyers agent: Ann Chiasson at Sea to Sky Premier Properties

The big sell: According to RealtyLink, the website for the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, house prices in Pemberton are approximately two times lower than neighbouring Whistler, just 35 kilometres away. How long this will last is hard to say, but both Pemberton and Squamish appear to reap the benefits of Whistler’s success and increasing property prices. A testament to that is this three-storey townhouse in the Woodbridge complex that sold in less than a week. Attractions included tasteful updates: maple hardwood flooring, new appliances, paint and lighting. There are views of Mount Currie from the sundeck, as well as a gas fireplace and a double garage. The home is also within proximity to the village. And, of course, there are those exceptional recreational activities in the surrounding countryside, thanks to the likes of geothermal hot springs, waterfalls, lakes and glaciers.

These transactions were compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com and AssignmentsCanada.ca

Realtors — send your recent sales to nicola@besthomesbc.com.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Read more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Completely+renovated+home+commands+price+near+asking/3145294/story.html#ixzz0qeRDlMTi

My real estate column in today’s Vancouver Sun features property sales in New West, East Van and Kits.

Vancouver Sun June 12, 2010

NEW WESTMINSTER
203 – 69 Jamieson Court

Type: 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment
Size: 1,190 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, July 2009: $274,500
Listed for: $329,000
Sold for: $320,000
Sold on: April 29
Days on market: 57
Listing agent: Craig Rushton at Century 21 In Town Realty
Buyers agent: Dave Vallee at RE/MAX Advantage Realty

The big sell: Some of the most impressive landscapes of the Fraser River are in New Westminster, and the outlook from this condo in the popular Palace Quay complex does not disappoint. It features two generous-sized bedrooms — the master is 19 by 12 feet — two full bathrooms, separate dining and living rooms, an in-suite laundry, large covered balcony, and unobstructed water views from every room in the home. The twin 18-storey tower development, built in 1992 by Bosa, offers an array of recreational amenities: an indoor swimming pool with spa, a gym, and billiards, darts and table games. Located in the heart of the city, it is close to transit and shopping, and includes parking and storage. Some pets and rentals are allowed.

VANCOUVER
2825 Ontario Street

Type: 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, detached
Size: 2,089 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, July 2009: $570,000
Listed for: $699,900 Sold for: $750,000
Sold on: May 3
Days on market: 5
Listing agent: Ben Chimes at RE/MAX Crest Realty Westside
Buyers agent: Ben Chimes at RE/MAX Crest Realty Westside

The big sell: This character home, set up as a duplex on one of the stellar “province” streets between Cambie and Main, has plenty of potential. Both two-bedroom suites have their own laundry facilities and separate hydro meters, with the larger suite offering a spacious 1,320 square feet and occupying the main and upper floors. City-approved updates were undertaken in 2005, with plumbing and electrics completed to code. The lower floor was completely redone at the same time and the main floor had two new bathrooms fitted. Plenty of room in the southwest-facing back yard for all occupants with three patios providing space for rest and relaxation. A classic investment property or reno project for the handyperson and easy to live in/rent out with the Canada Line, Main Street and Broadway just around the corner.

VANCOUVER
2726 West 2nd Avenue

Type: 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom half duplex
Size: 1,314 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, July 2009: $870,600
Listed for: $899,000
Sold for: $902,000
Sold on: March 30
Days on market: 8
Listing agent: Merideth Schutter at RE/ MAX Select Properties
Buyers agent: Mark Longpre at RE/ MAX Crest Realty (Westside)

The big sell: There is a trend in Kitsilano toward oversized decks, which might explain the predominance of tanned bodies come the summer. This side-by-side half duplex is no exception; it boasts 400 square feet of south-facing, sun-drenched deck space, and if that’s not enough, there is an additional, private west-facing patio. Built in 1979, the property has since been renovated with contemporary, high-end details: granite countertops, glass backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a wood-burning fireplace with oversized tile surround, hardwood flooring, a modern paint colour scheme and clean lines throughout. Situated close to the MacDonald Street end of Kits with the popular shops, bars and restaurants of West 4th and Broadway.

These transactions were compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com and AssignmentsCanada.ca

nicola@besthomesbc.com.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/views+space+plenty+amenities/3145274/story.html#ixzz0qeGQSqga

Just listed on BestHomesBC.com is your very own Rossland valley retreat located on a beautiful 101 acre property with 2 creeks and includes a unique custom built home.

With recreation on your doorstep and just 6 km away from Rossland town with Red Mountain and Red Stone Golf Course minutes away.

This property is very private, mainly treed, with 20 acres of fenced pasture. The tastefully renovated home features a great sunny room with a large window wall. The custom designed kitchen is handcrafted from local exotic woods. Enjoy the highly efficient freestanding Tulikivi soapstone fireplace, three spacious bedrooms, master bedroom with luxurious ensuite.

Enjoy the wooden deck with hot tub, sundeck with greenhouse, wood shed, storage buildings, barn, stable, chicken coop and a landscaped yard with your own waterfall!

This is an incredible package and must be seen to be appreciated.

Please follow this link, Rossland property for sale, to view the property’s details and to contact the Realtor, Marie-Claude Germain of Lifestyle Properties, directly.