My real estate column in last weekend’s Vancouver Sun featured property sales in Surrey, property sales in West Vancouver, and property sales in White Rock.

Vancouver Sun November 5th, 2011

1263 Fulton Avenue, West Vancouver

Type: 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom detached
Size: 3,827 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $1.755 million
Listed for: $2.95 million
Sold for: $2.65 million
Sold on: Sept. 15
Days on market: 59
Listing agent: Paul Rickman at RE/MAX Masters Realty
Buyers agent: Eric Christiansen at Angell Hasman & Associates Realty

The big sell: According to listing agent Paul Rickman, the appeal of this Ambleside home was multi-faceted. First was the fact that the home is made of concrete; that’s relatively unique, and despite the additional cost, it offers a longevity and strength not always found with a wood-framed house. Other attractions highlight the extensive use of West Coast materials, including cedar in the vaulted ceilings and soffits, the custom millwork, and the floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive skylights that allow natural light into the home. And the view? Vistas of the water, Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver are showcased from the upper floor, where the kitchen, reception rooms and two offices are located. Double-entry doors open to the ground level, where a spacious foyer leads to the bedrooms, each with its own patio and access to the garden and hot tub.

115 — 13468 King George Blvd., Surrey

Type: 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment
Size: 591 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $N/A
Listed for: $174,900
Sold for: $174,900
Sold on: Aug. 22
Days on market: 15
Listing agent: Michael Sikich at The Agency Real Estate Marketing, TRG Downtown Realty
Buyers agent: Stanley Ng at Sutton Centre Realty

The big sell: The Brookland is a new condo development in Surrey that is set to complete toward the end of November. The four-level project will feature 91 one- and two-bedroom homes ranging from 441 to 914 square feet. This ground-floor unit has fully optimized the space available and includes a master bedroom with a walk-in closet and an ensuite bathroom that can be accessed from the main living space. As well, the home has a kitchen with double sinks, stainless-steel appliances, polished granite countertops, natural maple shaker-style cabinetry, a breakfast bar, in-suite washer and dryer facilities, and a balcony off the living room. The complex, which has a fully equipped fitness centre and lounge area housed in a separate building, is within proximity to Central City Mall, SFU’s campus, the Gateway SkyTrain station, numerous parks and the Surrey Arts Centre.

15552 Columbia Avenue, White Rock

Type: 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom, detached
Size: 4,610 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $1.023 million
Listed for: $1.299 million
Sold for: $1.27 million
Sold on: Aug. 25
Days on market: 86
Listing agent: Kelly Wood at Hugh & McKinnon Realty
Buyers agent: Jeanette Leith at HomeLife Benchmark Realty

The big sell: This four-level residence sounds like it would be more at home in a California setting, thanks to 180-degree ocean views and an East Beach address in the South Surrey/White Rock neighbourhood. The contemporary-style home was built into the hillside in 1991 and features large decks on every floor to capitalize on the views. The upper two levels combine to create a spacious 2,610 square feet that accommodate the bedrooms and open-concept reception rooms. Below, there is a 1,300-square-foot, two-bedroom suite with 10-foot-high ceilings, a five-car garage, a workshop and a cold storage room. The property has a high-efficiency natural gas hot water boiler with in-floor heating on all levels, two gas fireplaces, and an HRV air-circulation system. The lively shops and restaurants of White Rock’s Marine Drive are just down the road.

For the full story, please click on Real estate sales in West Vancouver, Surrey and White Rock.

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 West Vancouver, property sales in Surrey, property sales in Vancouver and property sales in Penticton.

Vancouver Sun December 4, 2010

West Vancouver
1340 Palmerston Avenue

Type: 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom detached
Size: 4,553 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2010: $1.248 million
Listed for: $1.629 million
Sold for: $1.635 million
Sold on: Sept 24
Days on market: Four
Listing agent: Suzanne Wheeler at Prudential Sussex Realty
Buyers agent: Jill Jenkins at Prudential Sussex Realty

The big sell: Sometimes, bigger is just better. This three-storey Ambleside house with ample family sized rooms is on a 13,504-square-foot lot overflowing with flower beds and multiple outdoor entertainment areas. Inside, there is no chance of overcrowding, with plenty of room for friends and family in the separate living, dining and family rooms, 18-by-16-foot kitchen and additional oversized eating area. The home has been comprehensively renovated, with attention to detail apparent in the hardwood flooring, custom millwork, gourmet kitchen, sunken living room and french doors. Upstairs, the master bedroom is spacious and the basement has a further 1,269 square feet of recreation space, storage, and laundry.

Surrey
The Brookland condos, 310 – 13468 King George Boulevard

Type: 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment
Size: 441 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2010: $N/A
Listed for: $159,900
Sold for: $155,000
Sold on: Oct 24
Days on market: 39
Listing agent: Michael Sikich at The Agency Real Estate Marketing, TRG Downtown Realty
Buyers agent: Michael Sikich at The Agency Real Estate Marketing, TRG Downtown Realty

The big sell: This is a studio apartment with a difference: Instead of trying to juggle where the bed will go in the available space, a partial dividing wall provides a separate bedroom area, complete with a walk-in closet. This unit is in The Brookland, Surrey’s latest condo development, minutes from the Gateway SkyTrain station. It comprises 91 one- and two-bedroom homes scheduled for completion in the fall or winter of 2011. The units come in a choice of colour schemes and are pre-wired for high-speed Internet and cable. Interior features include stainless steel appliances, porcelain tiles, granite countertops, deep soaker tubs, and a breakfast bar with overhead pendant lighting.

Vancouver
4785 West 2nd Avenue

Type: 5-bedroom, 2-bathroom detached
Size: 4,235 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2010: $4.761 million
Listed for: $4.8 million
Sold for: $5.1101 million
Sold on: Sept 29
Days on market: 14
Listing agent: Evan Ho at Dexter Associates Realty
Buyers agent: Surinder Holat at Dexter Associates Realty

The big sell: According to listing agent Evan Ho, this house is a perennial Vancouver favourite that has fostered an emotional attachment with many people who walked by for years. Built in 1933, it has an attractive design with a distinctive red-brick exterior, a hip roof and dormers. Over the years, the house has fallen into disrepair, with the wooden roof now covered in moss and the interior uninhabitable. The geography of Vancouver naturally limits the amount of land available for development, so the opportunity to purchase an estate lot of 42,000 square feet and build a dream home in a prime westside location resulted in multiple offers and a sale in just two weeks for more than $300,000 over the asking price.

Penticton
1188 Queen Street

Type: 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom detached
Size: 1,916 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2010: $293,200
Listed for: $349,900
Sold for: $335,000
Sold on: Oct 7
Days on market: 65
Listing agent: Steve Thompson at Royal LePage Locations West Realty
Buyers agent: Raymond Maaske at Home Star Realty

The big sell: This is a well-presented single-family home on a 0.15-acre lot, with a landscaped yard containing a selection of plants that prosper in the Penticton climate. There is a covered patio area at the back surrounded by a fenced garden, which has underground irrigation and a detached single garage. The home has a spacious open-plan layout, with hardwood floors in the living room and bedrooms. The home has had extensive upgrades to the roof, windows, kitchen and bathroom, and last year a new gas furnace and central air system were installed. The basement is partly finished and contains a recreation room and an additional bedroom.

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 West Vancouver, Surrey, Vancouver and Penticton

Just listed on BestHomesBC.com are The Brookland apartment homes for sale in Surrey’s newest real estate condo development.

The Brookland has one and two-bedroom condos for sale with the contemporary urban style, luxury and convenience that you want in a community and a home. Enjoy the beautiful stainless steel appliances, luxurious granite countertops and elegant finishes that are all included with your new condo!

A two minute walk to the Surrey-Gateway SkyTrain station puts New Westminster, Burnaby, Metrotown and Downtown Vancouver just minutes from your doorstep. Located just moments from BC’s most expensive homes and in the growing Surrey City Centre, The Brookland is an investment you can count on.

The Presentation Centre is located at 13468 Gateway Drive, Surrey and is open every day from noon to 6pm, except Fridays.

Please follow this link, The Brookland Surrey condos for sale, to view the development’s details and to contact Carol Hunt of The Brookland Sales Team, directly.

Just listed on BestHomesBC.com is a super one bedroom condo for sale in a modern, clean, well maintained building on the South Surrey / White Rock border. Ideal for the active mature. Features great room concept with oak laminate floors, nine foot ceilings, two balconies and located on the quiet side of the building. Rentals and Pets allowed. Currently Vacant. Call for details.

Please follow this link, Surrey condo for sale, to view the property’s details and to contact the Realtor, Allan Edworthy of RE/MAX Colonial Pacific Realty, directly.