Vancouver Sun February 19, 2011

Vancouver
3903 West 22nd Avenue

Type: detached
Size: 2,400 sq. ft, 4 bed, 1 bath
BC Assessment, 2011: $1.4436 million
Listed for: $1.86 million
Sold for: $1.85 million
Sold on: Dec 8
Days on market: 0
Listing agent: Walter Wells at Sutton Group -West Coast Realty
Buyers’ agent: Juliana Qu at Sutton Group -West Coast Realty

The big sell: How does a home sell on the day that it is listed with no sign and no showings? When it is being sold for land value only, that’s how. (The 49 ½-foot-wide, 122-foot-deep lot is big enough for a 4,000-square-foot residence.) According to listing agent Wells, this address reaped the benefit from its location in the desirable school catchment of Lord Kitchener – one of the highest rated schools in the city for which buyers are prepared to pay a premium – and current low levels of inventory. This particular home was built in 1927 and has had the same owner for the past 50 years who retained its original features. It is situated on a corner lot, close to UBC and Pacific Spirit Park.

Surrey
18993 68B Avenue

Type: detached
Size: 3,625 sq. ft, 7 bed, 4 bath
BC Assessment, 2011: $592,000
Listed for: $609,700
Sold for: $602,500
Sold on: Dec 20
Days on market: 119
Listing agent: Ben Gauer at Royal LePage Ben Gauer & Associates
Buyers agent: Ralph Janzen at Homelife Benchmark Realty Walnut Grove

The big sell: Corner lots are popular as they provide extra parking and, for the most part, additional light. This two-storey home with a basement is no exception -all occupants of the seven bedrooms, if necessary, could have space for their vehicles. This home is situated in Clayton Village and features high ceilings, upgraded appliances, quality laminate flooring, built-in speakers, maple wood stairs, three fireplaces, and a large 22-by-14-squarefoot master bedroom with sitting area and a five-piece ensuite. On the lower level there are more bedrooms, a den, a large kitchen island and roughed-in plumbing for a second laundry facility Adding to the convenience factor, all shopping, schools and parks are within a three-block radius.

Vancouver
2676 West Fifth Ave

Type: half duplex
Size: 2,142 sq. ft, 4 bed, 4 bath
BC Assessment, 2011: $1.359 million
Listed for: $1.395 million
Sold for: $1.37 million
Sold on: Dec 21
Days on market: 25
Listing agent: Tom Gradecak at Westside Tom Gradecak Realty
Buyers agent: Allyson Brooke at Macdonald Realty Ltd.

The big sell: Sometimes half duplexes present the opportunity to purchase a property in a sought-after location that is the same size as many detached family houses, but for a more affordable price. This four-year-old Kitsilano home offers more than 2,000 square feet with a main floor that features a living space that incorporates a kitchen, dining and eating area, and a family room that opens on to a south-facing deck and yard. The top floor has three bedrooms and two full bathrooms including the master ensuite, and the lower level contains a recreation room, a guest bedroom, a laundry room and another full bathroom. This property offers proximity to Fourth Avenue’s shops and restaurants.

Fernie
192 4A Avenue

Type: detached
Size: 3,068 sq. ft, 4 bed, 2 bath
BC Assessment, 2011: $608,000
Listed for: $599,900
Sold for: $590,000
Sold on: Jan 4
Days on market: 57
Listing agent: Todd Fyfe at Fernie Real Estate Company
Buyers agent: Sharon Taylor at RE/MAX Elk Valley Realty

The big sell: As one of the few properties that survived the fire that swept through the town more than 100 years ago, this property was touted as a piece of historic Fernie. The large family home is situated on a corner lot with views of the Elk River, Mount Fernie, Lizard Range and Three Sisters from two covered porches and a private lush back garden. The interior boasts compelling original features such as softwood flooring, a claw foot bathtub, cast iron radiators, bay windows, wood panelling in the dining room. Rooms are spacious, with a 10-foot-by-25-foot living room and a nine-by-19 kitchen.

Read more: Recent property sales in Vancouver, Surrey and Fernie

Vancouver Sun February 5, 2011

Vancouver
704 – 1139 West Cordova Street

Type: 2-bedroom, 3-bathroom apartment
Size: 2,550 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $2.29 million
Listed for: $2.75 million
Sold for: $2.6 million
Sold on: Nov. 11
Days on market: 38
Listing agent: Mark and Stacy Raymond at RE/MAX Select Properties
Buyers agent: Rebecca Ng at Regent Park Fairchild Realty Inc.

The big sell: To some people, this split-level condo represents the best of two worlds. It has features similar to those of a house (it has both bedrooms on the upper level, entertainment-sized principal rooms and a private two-car garage) but it is located within the Two Harbour Green apartment building, which has a 24-hour concierge, an indoor swimming pool with a sauna and steam room, a fitness facility, and something a little different: a golf simulator in the form of a virtual driving range. As you would expect from the price tag, the interior is elegant and tasteful. It has 20-foot ceilings, expansive southwest-facing windows that fill the suite with light, wood cabinets made by Snaidero of Italy, an over-sized kitchen island, spa-like ensuite bathrooms, and balconies with views of Coal Harbour.

North Vancouver
4723 Hoskins Road

Type: 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom townhouse
Size: 1,831 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $546,000
Listed for: $579,900
Sold for: $575,000
Sold on: Nov. 23
Days on market: 7
Listing agent: David Thon at Macdonald Realty Ltd.
Buyers agent: Darcy McClary at Sutton Group – West Coast Realty

The big sell: This three-level townhouse is well proportioned, with approximately the same square footage on each floor. There are updates in abundance to both the unit and the Yorkwood Hills complex. (The siding has been replaced, the flashing has been upgraded and a new roof and chimney have been installed.) The interior has a new kitchen, bathrooms, lighting, flooring, paintwork, energy-efficient furnace, hot water heater and double-paned windows. There is a recreation room in the basement, a large open-plan main floor with a gas fireplace that is enjoyed by both the living and dining rooms, two large skylights, a fenced patio and garden, and a single-vehicle carport. This is a family-oriented complex with an outdoor swimming pool. It is in the catchment area for Upper Lynn elementary and Argyle secondary schools.

Vancouver
229 East 23rd Avenue

Type: 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom detached
Size: 2,171 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $721,800
Listed for: $799,000
Sold for: $825,500
Sold on: Nov. 22
Days on market: 10
Listing agent: Lailey Wallace at One Percent Realty Ltd.
Buyers agent: Raquel Green at RE/MAX Home Advantage

The big sell: Judging by the fact that this home sold over the asking price after the first open house, the Main Street corridor is as popular as ever. The selling points of this property, other than its location next to shops and restaurants? It is an updated three-bedroom character house that still retains many of its original 1910 features, with a two-bedroom basement suite that has new laminate floors and a separate laundry room. The home has double-glazed windows, new gutters, fresh paintwork, refurbished hardwood floors, an upgraded family-style kitchen, a large 17-by-11-foot living room, an entrance hall, a master bedroom with full bathroom, a fenced back yard and mountain views.

Courtenay
6421 Rennie Road

Type: 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom detached
Size: 2,640 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $363,000
Listed for: $409,000
Sold for: $390,000
Sold on: Dec. 22
Days on market: 74
Listing agent: James Smith at Royal LePage Comox Valley
Buyers agent: James Smith at Royal LePage Comox Valley

The big sell: Recreation enthusiasts take note: Courtenay is a mini haven for water sports and mountain activities. This property is in a prime position, just 1.5 kilometres from the ocean and 30 minutes from the ski hill at Mount Washington. The main level of the house features all the primary rooms, including a 17-square-foot living room, new windows, flooring, kitchen, and a large deck from which to survey the property’s 2.2 acres. Additionally, there is an unfinished basement that could be completed to double the size of the living space. Situated in a semi-rural setting, the house is just 15 minutes from town and is set well back from the road, with a large detached shop.