Friday, February 20, 2009

Hollyburn Properties features the Central Lonsdale Marlborough Tower North Vancouver Rental Apartments and Condos for Rent - North Shore Rental Market

Hollyburn Properties Presents the Marlborough Tower North Vancouver Rental Condos


Spectacular North Shore living is now available at the North Shore Marlborough Tower residences located in Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver rental condo market. Featuring studios, one and two bedroom suites with spectacular ocean, city and mountain views, most of these North Vancouver condo rentals and North Shore apartments for rent have great balcony spaces as well. With gated underground parking and just steps from main transportation routes, shopping and dining, the Hollyburn Properties Marlborough Tower rental apartments in North Vancouver are a unique find in today’s ultra tight North Shore rental market. Adjacent to the new library and walking distance to Lions Gate Hospital, this recently refurbished rental apartment building at Marlborough Tower residences in North Vancouver feature a great location along Central Lonsdale complete with recreational amenities in addition to having heat and hot water included with your rental price. No pets are allowed at the North Shore Central Londsale rental suites at Marlborough Tower condos for rent which are located at 144 West 14th Street on the North Shore. Call 604.983.6920 or visit www.rentersguide.com for more information, availability and to arrange a viewing. The rental Marlborough Tower apartments are managed by Hollyburn Properties, a trusted management company based locally.

A Recent Article from Home Renters Guide of Greater Vancouver


Written by Susan B., this is an excellent article that talks about the popular North Shore Marlborough Tower rental apartment suites that are now available in the Central Lonsdale neighbourhood. “There’s something enticing about North Vancouver. Among my friends, those who live there seldom move away. For some, it’s the proximity to Grouse and Seymour, others spend hours describing the delights of sailing and canoeing at Deep Cove or summer picnics at Ambleside. And, of course, there is the Lonsdale Quay, Presentation House Theatre and Art Gallery, plus a whole lot of festivals ranging from traditional to way out there fun’n’funky – Carribaean Days are always a summer highlight on my calendar. And right at the centre of the best this vibran Central Lonsdale neighbourhood has to offer is Marborough Tower rental North Vancouver apartment suites – 24 storeys of premiere rental suites by Hollyburn Properties on the North Shore. The location adjacent to North Vancouver’s new civic library and only a few blocks from Lions Gate Hospital has been described as awesome, fantastic, way cool and unbeatable – depending primarily on the age group. Access to Highway 1, Capilano College, SFU, BCIT and Whistler is a snap. But whether young or old, all agree this is one tough to beat place to call home, here at the Marlborough Towers North Vancouver rental apartment homes in Central Lonsdale.

The Lifestyle and the Marlborough Tower Rental Suites


Most of the suites at the North Shore Marlborough Tower rental apartments have been renovated within the last few years with new dishwashers, cabinetry, vertical blinds as well as new tiling in the entryway, bathrooms and kitchen and with new flooring as well. The lobby of the rental building at North Vancouver’s Marlborough Tower residences by Hollyburn has also been completely renovated to give it a contemporary and sophisticated look that renters are looking for. Some other strong features of the Marlborough Tower rental condos is the Hollyburn Value Added Partners, where tenants can enjoy great deals from places like ING Insurance, CostCo, Shaw, Coop Auto Network and many other places, which gives it a sense of community. Located at 144 W 14th Street in North Vancouver, the rental suites at Marborough Tower condominiums presents one and two bedroom homes as well as smaller studio plans. Providing a maintenance free lifestyle, the North Van Marlborough Tower rental apartments is taken care of by Hollyburn and the existing tenants have nothing but great things to say about their management company. With a prime location in Central Lonsdale and with views of Lion’s Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver and Grouse Mountain, tenants at the rental suites at Marlbourough Towers rarely need to use their cars. According to Mary, “I think the only way I’d move now is if I had to move to another city. I love living here.”

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Thursday, December 4, 2008

North Shore Property Update: West Vancouver Secondary Suites Issue, West Van Limits Size on Monster Homes, Problems with North Van Coach Houses

City of North Vancouver Cancels Coach House Installation


In the latest twist to the ever slowdown of results and progress for affordable housing in North Vancouver, city councillors narrowly voted down a proposal on Monday that would have installed a prototype coach house for display on unused city land according to North Shore News, Benjamin. Home show demo home offered at cost, but North Vancouver councillors balks at the $150,000 required to complete a demo Coach House in North Van real estate to showcase the benefits of affordable housing initiatives that could alleviate the shortage of affordable rental units on the North Shore. The motion called on the City of North Vancouver to spend up to $150k out of a reserve fund for the purchase of roughly six hundred square foot home. The intent was to display the North Vancouver coach house to the public at 204 East First Street for an unspecified period before selling and moving it ot the buyer’s lot. The proceeds of the sale of the coach home in North Vancouver would have been returned to the reserve fund when all said and done. Keating emphasized the energy efficient features of the Smallworks coach house prototype. However, Coun. Bookham opposed the motion because she thought it was highly inappropriate for the city of North Vancouver to promote the services and products of a third party builder. She also couldn’t fathom how the city could justify spending up to $150,000 on a coah house model at this time. Bookham and the City of North Vancouver could produce a list of xisting privately owned North Vancouver coah houses in the city for interested buyers to inspect. Mussatto told city council that the had visited a homeless shelter over the weekend that had turned away 70 people. “There are still camps out there, people looking for shelter. There are people one paycheque away from losing their home, losing their mortgage. And they’ll be looking for somewhere to go. This is one option we could consider,” as he talked about the City of North Vancouver plans to go ahead with coach houses rental suites. But council was not swayed by the mayor’s appeal, and defeated the motion marginally by four to three. Mussatto immediately tabled another motion directing staff to request competing proposals for a similar North Vancouver coach house project in hopes this will addres some of the Councillors objections. This was also voted down, so there is not much anything is being done about the affordable housing problems in North Vancouver. The interior of the Laneway Loft House built by Smallworks Studios/Laneway Housing coach house is at the B.C. Home and Garden Show until Sunday.

West Vancouver Secondary Suites Recommended


Report calls for more housing options in the form of West Vancouver secondary housing suites for the city. This according to Daniel Pi for the North Shore Outlook newspaper. A report presented to West Vancouver Council Monday night recommends allowing secondary suites in the West Vancouver community to raise housing stock in the expensive North Shore community. On Monday, West Vancouver councilors sent the report, penned by the Community Dialogue on Neighbourhood Character and Housing Working Group, to district staff for further research. According to Stephen Mikicich, senior community planner for the district, staff will be reporting back to council in the fall with ideas to implement the 20 recommendations listed in the report, including the West Vancouver secondary suites housing issue. Besides allowing secondary suites in West Van, the recommendations include: considering “infill” housing, exploring new West Vancouver housing types with pilot programs, utilizing surplus district owned lands “to address identified housing gaps in the community, protecting and defining neighbourhood character, and finding ways to reduce residents’ reliance on cars. The report also recommends amending the West Vancouver Official Community Plan’s Housing Policies “to enable consideration of new housing types to meet the current and future needs of West Vancouver residents.” The working group developed its recommendations through public input that included community forums, workshops, and presentation, and an online form. The group also sent out a questionnaire and two newsletters to residents.

West Vancouver Home Sales Drop by Half


According to the North Shore News: Metro figures similar but economist says U.S.=style collapse in the West Vancouver real esate market housing prices unlikely. Written by James W. West Vancouver home sales are down more than 50 per cent from last summer, according to figures released by the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board, and it’s possible there is more to come. Just 101 detached homes were sold in the West Vancouver / Howe Sound area between June and August this year, according to the September 3rd release. That’s down from 230 West Vancouver homes sold during the same period in 2007, a drop of 56 per cent. Other West Vancouver real estate resident types have seen similar declines. With just 13 per cent sales, attached homes in West Vancouver real estate property are down close to 19 per cent; and with 29 sales, condos are down almost 53 per cent. The slide is part of a wider trend across the Greater Vancouver region, according to the board. Lower Mainland homes ales of all kinds dropped 53.7 per cnet last month compared to August last year. North Vancouver is among the communities caught in the fall, although declines there have not been quite as pronounced as its neighbour’s in West Vancouver real estate market update. Summer sales of North Vancouver detached homes are off by more than 33 per cent, and other home types by more than 46 per cent. In a nutshell, says one expert, the good times are coming to a close. “It’s the end of the boom,” says Tsur Somerville, director of the Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate at UBC”s Sauder School of Business. He identified three factors behind the change in West Vancouver and North Vancouver real estate property markets in summer of 2008. The first is a simple truth inherent to all housing booms: they just can’t last forever. Eventually it gets to a point that people can’t pay any more. “You can’t continually have growing number of sales and rising prices unless the economy is growing faster and faster and population is growing more and more,” said Somerville. “since we don’t have those conditions, we have a boom and it tires itself out.” This is what is happening in the new West Vancouver real estate market housing values are dropping. This works in conjunction with a second, psychological component: Canadians are looking at what happened to the housing market in the United States and wondering if the same might happen here. But when asked what thi means for the future, Somerville’s answer was very simple, “I don’t know.” The real estate market in West Vancouver is a difficult thing to rpedict, he said, and any forecasting on his part would likely come back to bit hime. “That’s an invitation for me to be wrong and have everybody remember it,” said Somerville. That said, he made certain observations that might shed some light on the future. For one thing, a crash on the scale of the American housing crisis seems unlikely. That’s because the conditions were different in Canada and West Vancouver real estate market when our neighbour was building its bubble.

The extremely cheap credit that has been available south of the border in recent years encourage speculation in the real estate market. Many Americans, emboldened by super lower interest rates, have been borrowing more money than they can afford, and investing it in houses they hope will make them a quick buck. That in turn inflated housing prices in the U.S. beyond a sustainable level. Canada has not seen credit quite as cheap, however, so speculation here in West Vancouver and North Vancouver real estate markets has been more limited, said Somerville. That doesn’t mean it has been non-existent, however. “We do have potential for bad things to happen in the condo market because we have so many real estate investors there,” he said. “There is definitely is speculation in that market.” And if condos tank as a result, they could drag down other types of West Vancouver property with them, added Somerville. “People wouldn’t be moving up (from condominiums to houses) and people who are… comparing the two might say, ‘Hey, I’m not going to buy a house for this much when I can get a condo for that.” However, guarding against an all-out collapse is the fact that BC’s economy does not appear to be as bad as has been suggested. “I’m not saying it’s all good news. But you look around the Lower Mainland, and where’s the 15 per cent unemployment and the shutting mills and the real problems?” said Sommerville. “A lot of industries are not doing great, but they aren’t abysmal.” Rather than plummeting, housing prices in West Vancouver real estate market may just rise at a slower rate,” he said. And at the end of the day, the Lower Mainland – which ahs been limited supply of homes, is still drawing new people who need a place to live. That has to push up property values in West Vancouver real estate over the long term, said Somerville. So what should homeowners do if they’re thinking of selling? “Be prepared to take a lower price than they think they’re going to get,” he said. “Be prepared to wait longer to sell.” His advise to home buyers in West Vancouver real estate was not far from the same. “If you’re thinking of buying, it’s a time to take your time,” said Somerville. “There’s not reason to feel rushed.

One Size Doesn’t Fit all in West Vancouver Real Estate


According to Jessica B of the North Shore News: District of West Vancouver residents are willing to let go of monster house mania to make way for smaller, more affordable housing, council heart Monday. In addition to smaller houses, West Vancouverites want a greater variety of housing types, but still like the idea of a single family home with a garden or green space. “One or two sizes no longer fit the community that we live in,” said Any, Vice Chairman of the neighbourhood character and West Vancouver housing working group. “We need to change in order to stay the same.” The West Vancouver housing working group, comprised of West Vancouver residents, many with backgrounds in urban planning, engineering and real estate, has been collecting public input through meetings and workshops for more than a year. The Group appeared at Monday’s meeting to president its findings to the West Vancouver Real Estate Council, complete with 20 recommendations based on resident input for preserving community character and shaping neighbourhoods for the future. “This whole dialogue was about people talking to people,” said Christine Banham, group chairwoman. “We heard many personal stories telling of Wets Vancouverites’ struggles and challenges in their neighbourhoods.” Banhm spoke of single retirees coping with the high cost of West Vancouver living, disable adults with accessibility concerns and the so called “sandwish generation” who are at once caring for aging parents and not yet independent children. “Each story is unique, but we heard the same messages over and over again,” Banham said. “West Vancouver residents want to maintain thei homes and neighbourhoods, they wan to remain in community over the long run, even as their needs and abilities change over time. The report’s recommendations for the West Vancouver real estate future include an overwhelming need and public support for West Vancouver secondary suites such as coach houses or infill housing district wide. The West Van working group also suggested leasing district lands for lower-income housing and developing pilot projects in certain neighbourhoods. One thing all the recommendations have in common, Banham said, is that they intended to move council to take action.

West Vancouver Plans New Limits on Large Homes


First steps to a rewrite of zoning in the City of West Vancouver real estate according to Jessica B for the North Shore News. Zoning bylaws in the District of West Vancouver are in for an overhal that will make it more difficult for developers and homeowners to build bulky houses. A series of zoning amendments designed to close loopholes in current legislation that allow real estate developers to skirt the existing bylaws were introduced to council on Monday night for first reading. According to director of planning Bob Sokol, the proposed amendments are the first part of a comprehensive rewrite of bylaws that will overlap with concerns by residents, brought up last week in the neighbourhood character and housing dialogue. The floor area ratio is the amount of floor area that is allowed in relation to the size of the lot. Most West Vancouver housing neighbourhoods allow houses that are 35 per cent of the lot. For example, a 10,000 square foot lot would allow up to 3,500 square foot house. In Ambleside, Dundarave and Horseshoe Bay, however, houses may take up to 50 per cent because the lots tend to be smaller. But Sokol said exceptionas to floor area ratio are contributing to West Vancouver’s bulky monster house epidemic. The biggest culprits, Sokol said, are covered decks on second floors and attached accessory buildings that don’t count toward the floor space ratio. “Over the past few years, there’s been kind of an explosion of people putting covered decks on their houses,” Sokol said, “They add substantially to the bulk of the West Vancouver house, particularly when theyr’ on the second storey.” Sokol added that people routinely add accessory buildings as extensions to their West Vancouver houses too. The accessory buildings are supposed to be separated from the house by a dividing wall. However, Sokol said the walls frequently come down after real estate developers and homeowners receive their last building inspection Under the proposed bylaw amendments, second storey covered decks will still be allowed but would be included in the floor area ratio. The proposed West Vancouver real estate amendments also reduce attached accessory building exemptions from 240 sf to 50 sf. Bylaws limiting changes to grades and retaining wall heights were also introduced along with a proposal to reduce rock and soil removal from 600 cubic metres to 200 cubic metres. More aspects of the neighbourhood character and West Vancouver housing working group report will likely be seen as Sokol proceeds with the zoning and policy rewrites. For instance, Sokol said he did not want to limit basement sizes right now because they may play a role if council decides to allow West Vancouver secondary suites in some neighbourhoods. The interim amendment are “baby steps” on the way to the comprehensive rewrite, Sokol added, which could take up to a year to complete. The zoning bylaws of West Vancouver real estate will also undergo a technical rewrite to bring the 1968 document up to 2008 standards. Council voted unanimously to refer the amendements to the deign review committee for comment. A public hearing on the proposed West Vancouver real estate amendments is scheduled for October 20th and Sokol is expected to return to council on October 27th with a technical review and a list of other policy issues his team will be addressing.

North Shore Real Estate Update by Alan Skinner, the Most Trusted Source of Property Information – October 2008


The Supply/Demand Dictatorship. WE know we live in a democracy, but not everybody realizes that there is a tyrant – depends on which side you’re on – that dictates our lives. Obviously, my old hobby horse, embodie in the term willing seller/willing buyer, is that of which I speak. Say, for a minute, the Supply side represented by potential sellers, got together, and said… buyers (Demand side) are not appearing confident to make the decision to buy a home. Therefore, it makes sense to take our homes off the market (or not add them to the supply pool). But, I hear you sya, that is not realistic as so many of us really want to (need to) sell. Precisely my point! Now, and this is not meant to be facetious; Sellers, realize that it is your collective wants and needs that will cause prices to drop. Supply must decrease or the confidence of home buyers must be restored. We do know that a very large part of that “damage” can only be repaired by the actions of our neighours to the south. Just how long will it take?

North Vancouver Home Rentals


Beware the pitfalls of renting your home to vacationers according to the North Shore Outlook Contributor Jennifer R. If you’re looking to earn a little extra cash this summer, a short term vacation rental may sound like a sweet deal. A quick and easy way to help lighten your mortgage load over the holiday months right? But, according to the Better Business Bureau, many North Vancouver home owners are unaware of the pitfalls of renting their homes to vacationers. “What can look like an easy way to make profits is really not so easy,” says Lynda Pasacreta, Better Business Bureau president and CEO. “Being successful with vacation rentals requires extensive planning and knowledge on how to market your property effectively.” But with some experts saying a homeowner could double or even make up to 10 times the amount with a short term vacation rental than a traditional month to month home rental, the potential pitfalls show no signs of slowing down eager North Shore residents. And with the 2010 Olympics around the corner, many North Vancouver homeowners are taking the time to prepare for winter visitors by renovating their residences. Capitalizing on vacationers often means taking loans to update homes and installing self-contained suites. But before you jump start a renovation project, the BBB urges homeowners to protect themselves by taking a few simple precautions. All you have to do is a little homework. If you are adding a suite to your home, you may need to install a bathroom or a kitchen, which often requires a building permit. It’s a good idea to check with the BBB before you hire a contractor to start the renovation. Next, make sure to get the right type of insurance. To help avoid future headaches consider fire insurance, liability insurance and burglary protection. Ask other North Vancouver homeowners in your neighbourhood what policies they have to cover their homes. Also, check your municipal laws and taxes before you move ahead with a home rental. Familiarize yourself with both provincial and local restrictions and contact your local tax office or chamber for up to date information including B.C. rental tax laws. A hotel room tax coule apply to your short term accommodation if you have four units for rent or more or if you rent to one person for longer than one month. Visit the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue website for more information (www.gov.bc.ca/sbr/). Licensing may also be required. If you are planning on providing services outside your own home rental, you may require additional licensing for areas such as property management and acting as a travel agent. Lastly, be careful when you advertise. The Internet can be a powerful tool for attracting vacation renters through online listings, but some sites are scams. Take your time, do your research and when possible ask for a referral. For more information and consumer tips visit www.bbb.org.

Home Construction Down in North Vancouver Real Estate Market


This article taken from the North Shore Outlook newspaper and written by Jeff N for Black Press. Home builders say they see few signs so far of imminent collapse in the construction industry. Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association president Peter Simpson is pointing to the latest statistics showing Metro Vancouver housing starts are so far up 11 per cent from 2007 housing starts. “If we continue on this pace, we’re looking at the best year since 1993,” he said. Simpson was responding to predictions that the decline in Vancouver real estate prices in the region will soon trigger a building construction decline that could create a drag on Metro Vancouver’s economy. He did not rule out the possibility that will happen in the months ahead. “There are some clouds out there, but the sky is not falling,” Simpson said. “We warned our builders some time ago to be risk averse. Don’t plan out too far in advance.” He said there may be “ abit of shakeout” with smaller industry players, particularly newer entrants. “We’re looking ahead with cautious optimism.” Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) analyst Robin Admanche said 2008 should be the fifth straight year in which housing starts have topped 18,000 units in the Greater Vancouver real estate region. She said the demand for new homes remains healthy, but the inventory of unsold new homes is beginning to rise. Surrey leads the region so far in new home construction, CMHC reported, with 4,000 units started – three quarters of them are multi family units. That’s a 66 per cent increase from the same period in 2007. Vancouver is up 74 per cent with 3,568 starts. Delta has twice as many new starts (171) this year. Langley, Burnaby, New Westminster, North Vancouver and Maple Ridge have all experienced significant declines of at least 20 per cent however. Real estate prices in Metro Vancouver peaked in March, the latest realtor statistics show, and are down about 4.5 per cent so far. Many more homes are now available for sale and buyers have become much more selective.

Community Update for Park & Tilford Shops & Gardens on the North Shore


Park & Tilford gets pedestrian friendly makeover according to the North Shore News magazine. New design of Park & Tilford makes a strong connection with the Gardens. One of the North Shore real estate’s favourite shopping, dining and entertainment destinations will soon be sporting an attractive new look. Park & Tilford Shops and Gardens is nearing the end of the first major renovation in its 20 year history. The $6 million makeover will include new fabric canopies, improved signage and a red brick façade designed to match the architectural style of the gardens at Park & Tilfod. “I think it’s going to be much more inviting, much more friendly,” says greg Richardson of Omicron, the project architect. “When you put canopies on a building you tend to lower the scale and make it more pedestrian friendly. It gives it a small town look and makes for a more comfortable shopping experience.” Richardson says the design of the new Park & Tilford North Vancouver shopping and gardens makes a much stronger connection between the shops and the gardens. “This will unify the whole centre. This is much more than a quick paint job,” says Tony Segaric, Vice President of Operations and Construction, Bentall’s Retail Property Management Division. “We are updating and upgrading the entire shopping centre.” Segaric says the North Vancouver Park & Tilford shopping centre experienced general wear and tear over the years and the exterior had suffered some damage from the elements. “The need for repairs gave us an opportunity to include an aesthetic upgrade to give Park & Tilford a warmer, more modern appearance and improved functionality.” Environmental considerations at the new North Vancouver Park & Tilford were also included in the renovation, and in day-to-day operations, with the use of building components that include recycled material as well as upgrades to improve energy efficiency. The improvements have earned Park & Tilford North Vancouver a “Go Green” designation from the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada, which recognizes leadership in environmental stewardship. Segaric says the approach to the upgrades is consistent with Bentall’s long term view of retail property development such as Park & Tilford in North Vancouver. “We’re extending the lifespan of Park & Tilford to help our retail tenants deliver service and value to the community for many more years to come.”

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Friday, October 17, 2008

North Shore Real Estate Agents & Realtors know what's coming up... a slow property market in North & West Vancouver | Faith Wilson Vancouver Realtor

A Great North Shore Real Estate Professional


A good real estate professional will help you buy or sell a property, regardless of real estate market conditions. A great one exploits those conditions, whatever they are, when you’re looking for the right home or the best home buyer for yours. This is a great article published in the North Shore Magazine on Austin Gangur who share the secrets of his real estate marketing powers. Written by Peter H.

The ability to power a changing real estate North Shore market is making Austin Gangur a star in the North Shore real estate world, and he’s willing to share some of his secrets. “Right now,” he advises, “There’s a lot of inventory. A year or two ago, you could price a home aggressively, expecting to bring in multiple offers and sell over the listing price. It may take off again, but with fewer new listings attracting multiple offers, exact pricing on North Shore homes is becoming more important.” A short time ago, Gangur listed a North Shore condo for $519,000. It produced six unconditional offers and sold for $550,000. He continues to set the stage with an energetic real estate marketing program that gets homes exposed to the North Shore buying public.

EXPOSURE. “A home only sells to one buyer, and solid marketing makes it more certain that the best buyer – the one who is going to fall in love with your home and be ready to pay your price – is aware of the listing and has a good chance to view it,” he says. “I ask clients to let me do an open house ont eh first weekend of a listing, and to have it from noon to 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. If someone’s interested in that kind of North Shore property, and they can’t get to an open house that’s just Saturday or just Sunday, and just from 2 to 4, I want to make sure I have the home open when they can. That person might be the right buyer.” People who are looking for a North Shore home want to search efficiently, he notes. “They are helped by things like a website and listings that are professional and easy to understand. They only take a few seconds for a first look, so they’re more likely to be interested whtn a home is visually appealing.” Gangur advertises all his listings on www.austingangur.com, www.realtylink.org, www.mls.ca, www.sutton.com and www.mslink.mlxchange.com.

REMEMBERED. Some North Shore sales people take pictures themselves. Gangur works with professional photographer Mike Chatwin. “I get him to shoot all the properties I list, and he edits them on his Mac so they’re absolutely striking.” With North Shore home buyers looking at a lot of homes on the internet, Chatwin’s photography makes Gangur’s listings stand out. Chatwin also designs the colour flyers Gangur produces fro each listed property. “I deliver the flyers throughout the neighbourhood,and that helps create a buzz. Potential buyers can also take my flyer with them after viewing the property – that’s much more powerful than a generic sheet of statistics.

MADE EASY. Once there are interested North Shore buyers, he says, the key is to make a North Shore property easy to buy. Gangur hires a professional to measure all aspects of a property. “For condos, strata plans should have proper measurements, but sometimes they don’t,” he says. “You can list dimensions and just say “it’s approximate,” but getting everything re-measured precisely means there’s one less thing for a North Shore home buyer to worry about. “When someone is making a major North Shore real estate investment in a property, you want to be able to tell them about it exactly and with confidence. It shows I’m doing my job and that creates trust. Disclosure is everything.” He also makes it easier to buy by inviting mortgage broker Jessi Johnson to attend his open houses. “Jessi doesn’t push his services, but he’s there when a potential North shore home buyer needs answers to crucial financial questions that can make the difference on a sale.” Gangur’s energy also makes it easy for home buyers on the North Shore reale state market and he’s been featured in MacLean’s Magazine, the Vancouver Sun, Vancouver radio shows and on TV for camping out in new condo line-ups on behalf of clients. He helps by guiding North shore home buyers through their pre-qualification process for a mortgage, notifying them of new listings as they hit the market and also property inspections on potential purchases.

AT HOME. Focusing his energy on the North Shore real estate market means more than cultivating an image, Austin Gangur finds. “You have to be yourself. This business is all about relationships, and people who are smart enough to smell a fake. If you’ve got the understanding and knowledge, a marketing program that’s proven, and a good track record, that’s what’s important.” Born and raised in North Vancouver, Gangur attended Windsor Secondary. Before getting into North Shore real estate, he studied at Capilano College and was an entertainer as well as waiting tables at Red Robin on Marine Drive. He still produces music and writes songs in his own studio, and has been an active performer all of his life – sometimes singing the anthem at B.C. Lions and other pro sports games.

CONNECTED. Gangur is backed by Sutton Group – West Coast Realty managers Roasrio Setticasi, Gerry Goldman and Croft Tracey. “I’ve been known to call them anytime on the 24 hour clock with all sorts of questions.” Laughs Gangur. “their guidance has always been a bright light on the horizon.” Gangur took the UBC real estate program and became fully licensed. His first real estate North Shore property deal cam eone night while he was serving customers at Red Robin.

ORGANIZED. Gangur finds out about the interests of those at open houses who don’t buy, keeps a database with that information, and contacts them directly with new listings that might suit them better. After Gangur sold three townhomes in their complex Allen Zhu, a professor of Business at Capilano University, and his wife Lisa Zhu called to ask hime not notify them of new listings in a complex that interested them in the North shore real estate market. When the right one hit the North Shore real estate market, he had the Zhus in there later that day. The Zhu family is now settled in their new North Shore home, and Gangur sold their previous McCartney Lane home as well. Gangur has sold six North Shore townhomes in the Northlands area alone over the past year and just listed his fifth at McCartney Lane.

SUCCESSFUL. Working with Sutton Group – West Coast Realty, Gangur is excited about being a top producer in an office that’s a leader on the North Shore. He won the Sutton Canada Presidents Award for 2007, has already sold more property this year and is in the running for the even more prestigious Platinum Award from Sutton Canada. “It’s great to work with these professionals. They’re good at what they do, with more experienced Realtors sharing their wisdom and those who are newer to the industry bringing their liveliness, technical understanding and willingness to learn. The cooperation really helps, like showing a home for someone whose schedule is too tight.” Gangur share his success with clients, by giving each North Shore home buyer or seller a vacation package.

TEAMWORK. Gangur credits the real estate North Shore team he works with including Odenza Marketing Group (www.odenza.com) the Burnaby based vacation incentive provider that organizes the high quality rewards for his clients. “We are serious about results, but fun is a part of it,” Gangur says, pointing to photography for this article, including the cover, done by Mike Chatwin of ShotbyChatty. “Seymour Creek Golf Center lent us some turf seen on the cover, Monique Rock, a fellow Realtor at Sutton helped with hair styling and it was great.” With that support, Gangur marketing savvy, hometown knowledge and his energy, Austin Gangur is powering towards new records for real estate sales on the North Shore. This communication is not meant to cause or induce breach of any existing agency agreement. Austin Gangur of Sutton Group – West Coast Realty at 604.710.2671 or www.austingangur.com. Mike Chatwin, Shot by Chatty Photography at 778.839.6735 or www.shotbychatty.ca and Jessi Johnson, AMP, Global Mortgage at 604.716.6474 or www.firsthomeinfo.ca or www.jessijohnson.com.

Faith Wilson – Leading Real Estate Agent in the Lower Mainland
After 15 years as one of the Lower Mainland’s top realtors, Faith Wilson has gained an outstanding level of insight into a real estate market that is becoming increasingly complex. “There has always been a lot of hype in the media as to what’s happening in the market,” explains Faith Wilson. “But what we need to keep in mind are the trends occurring within each neighbourhood.” A third generation Vancouverite, Faith Wilson has cultivated an exceptional understanding of the city, especially when it comes to west side Vancouver neighbourhoods like Kitsilano, Dunbar and Shaughnessy as examples. Faith Wilson and her team of friendly and experienced professionals are able to help clients through every step of the buying and selling process. “Sellers understand that the real estate market has changed,” she says. “Home buyers need to recognize that if they are realistic, mutually beneficial deals are going to happen.” With over 40 properties ranging from $300,000 to $6.5 million, Faith Wilson is currently managing some of the finest Vancouver real estate opportunities in the city. Lcoated in the heart of Kitsilano, just a short walk from the beach and the best of 4th Avenue, is 2451-2459 West 5th Avenue, a beautiful heritage conversion and one of the few new townhom projects available in the area. Blending classid Kits architecture with ultra modern design, each of these 4 two bedroom townhomes embraces an attention to detail that speaks to the history of the classis Vancouver real estate style. Built by Shella Bay Homes with a 2.5.10 year warranty and designed by Paul Phillips, EDG, there are now only two homes available starting from $799,000. And, there is an exciting new promotion: buy a townhome and get a brand new 2009 Honda Fit! Another outstanding property being offered by Faith Wilson is 1498 Laurier, a spectacular turn of the century Shaughnessy mansion located on a pristine 20,000 square foot parcel of land. From the sunny breakfast room to the formal living room with its grand, coffered ceilings, rich oak flooring runs throughout this completely renovated west side classic. Very exclusive and highly sought after, this exceptional home is priced at $4,900,000. For more information on a variety of Vancouver properties being offeredy by Faith Wilson and her team of real estate experts, visit www.faithwilson.com. This is an advertisement in Western Living. According to her other ad: You’ve put your heart and sould into making your house a home. Now put your trust in Faith. Faith Wilson has lived in Vancouver all her life. And, with over 15 years of successful real estate experience she understands the ups and downs of the Vancouver real estate market. Faith Wilson is a dedicated real estate professional who has built her reputation and team on hard work and satisfied clients. Recently, she has risen beyond the top 1% to be in the top 0.2% of REALTORS in Greater Vancouver. Even in this challenging market, Faith Wilson and her team have sold over 70 homes so far this year. Thi sis not a time for novice agents. You need a skilled professional to guide you through the current Vancouver reale state market. Now more than ever, you’ve got to have Faith because Faith moves houses.

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

North Shore Real Estate Trends, North Vancouver Housing Market, Continued Redevelopment and Re-Zoning Plans for Central Lonsdale, Extra Foods Project

Taking Stock of North Vancouver Real Estate As Our Hot Propety Market Cools Off


Straight from the desk of ‘Architecturally Speaking’ by Kevin V and written for the North Shore News, this article dissects what is meant by the recent slowdown and decrease in North Vancouver property values. The crazy ride appears to be over. It only takes a quick glimpse at the North Vancouver real estate listings to see that the market is settling. The tanking housing property market in the U.S. mixed with rapidly increasing fuel costs and a general economic unease seems to be sobering our North Shore housing sales. It’s time to take stock of what we have and recognize the inevitable ebb and flow of the North Vancouver housing marketplace. From an architectural point of view, this slow down can be a good thing. A few years back I remember getting a frantic call from a contractor asking if I was absolutely sure that I wanted ¾ inch plywood on a given section of the roof. The prices of plywood were going up 25 per cent the following day and he needed to put in his order immediately. It was a crazy time. In the height of it all a cost consultant of mine suggested building costs were increasing at one per cent each month. We were struggling to give clients accurate estimates and to keep real estate North Shore projects on budget. It was hard to run a successful race when the finish line kept moving. Regardless of what North Vancouver housing prices do over the next little while, it’s important to realize what we have here on the North Shore real estate market. The three point adage for a successful business “location, location, location” holds true for us as well. The North Shore real estate is one of the most beautifu locales on earth with a mild climate, an astounding picturesque backdrop and a perfect position next to a world-class metropolis. If one compares our North Shore housing prices to equally striking cities like San Francisco or Sydney, one realizes that our real estate property market is a bargain. For the international buyer, we’re still a deal. The topography has limited our real estate development projects to the extents it has with a steep mountainside to our north and ocean on all other sides. It’s densification or no growth at all. “We live in a place where people want to live.” It’s my mantra when discussing the merits of a renovation or new construction. There’s tremendous value in the land we have on the North Shore market. As the real estate market settles, so too wil the construction industry. Material costs have already dropped in the wake of the slumping U.S. housing market and labour rates will surely follow. It wasn’t long ago that I struggled to find a good builder to bid on my projcts but now I’m the one getting the inquiring calls. I’m content with the direction of the North Vancouver housing market is going. I feel strongly that we’ve never been in the proverbial “bubble.” Our North Shore housing prices reflect the value of the place we live. The slowing trend will bring with it cheaper material costs and more competitive labour costs. The real estate industry will take a well-earned deep breath as everyone associated with it takes a little more time for the work at hand. The near future might not be a bad time to consider a construction project after all.

Slowdown in North Shore Real Estate Housing Sales Not a Concern, Say Realtors


According to the North Shore News, drop in North Shore property housing sales a minor correction only by Melanie K. Although Greater Vancouver’s housing market is showing distinct signs of cooling off, North Shore real estate home owners have no reason to worry – at least not yet – according to North Vancouver real estate agents. That the market is slowing down is evident in the figures from the region’s real estate board. In 2007, 73 per cent of houses listed in North Vancouver real estate and 63 per cent in West Vancouver sold, while this year it has dropped considerably: only 47 per cent of North Vancouver houses listed sold in North Van and 35 per cent of listings sold in West Vancouver real estate market. That stagnation has had an effect on prices – particularly in the last month. The median price of a detached house in West Vancouver has dropped nine per cent since June, from $1,538,000 to around $1,400,000. North Vancouver real estate has experienced a similar thing on a smaller scale, with the median house price slipping two per cent from $880,000 to $865,000. But to those in the real estate North Shore industry, this shift comes at no surprise. “We’re going through a correction process like we did in 1990. It’ll correct 15 to 20 per cent,” said realtor Brent Eilers. “I think this process will take a further six to 18 months, depending on how quickly the prices drop.” The correction in North Vancouver and West Vancouver real estate is inevitable after the meteororic price gains of recent years, said North Shore real estate agent Ray Proc. “Ever since Expo, the real estate market has been continuously going up, and after September 11, the market really took off,” said Proc. “Just about everything in West Vancouver has doubled in the past five years. It just can’t sustain itself.” The correction in the North Shore real estate market housing prices should be kept in perspective, however, said the real estate agents. Overall, North Shore prices are still higher than last year. West Vancouver’s rose 13 per cent between June of 2007 and June 2008 and North Vancouver real estate’s rose ten per cent over the same period. The slip is only “a temporary breather,” said Proc.

More about the Future of North Shore Housing Prices


And the North Shore real estate market is protected in contrast to other Lower Mainland municipalities because space here is so limited, he said. “What we have here is what we have. You can’t open up 350 acres like you can in Surrey real estate to keep the prices down,” said Proc. Realtor Alan Skinner agreed with that assessment. “The demand is still extremely healthy for the North Shore property market,” said Skinner. “We’re not into a tragic situation where people shouldn’t have bought last year. The North Shore real estate is kind of a microcosm in Greater Vancouver that is extremely special.” Skinner emphasized that this kind of real estate property market is good for North Shore buyers who can now take time to rationally reflect on making a good purchase decision. As long as the North Shore real estate is desireable place to live, the market will stay strong, he said. “We’re really bulletproof for our lifetimes and beyond.” For the time being, the best thing North Shore homeowners can do to protect themselves is to list their homes at prices that reflect the demands of the North Shore property market, said Proc. Doing so might help cut down the backlog of unsold North Vancouver and West Vancouver property currently on the market. “If people would be more realistic on their asking price, we wouldn’t have 550 homes for sale,” he said. To make sure they hit the mark, said Proc., North Shore home owners should “look at what sold, not what’s for sale.” In the end, the hardest hit are the realtors themselves, said Skinner. A drop in sales means a drop in revenue. After so many years of white-hot sales on the North Shore, many are not used to dealing with a slump. “the majority of the real estate agents on the North Shore haven’t experienced a correction,” said Eilers. Agents who are used to making sales easily are kicking up the most fuss, he said.

North Vancouver City Backs Off 10 Storey Condo Plan North of 17th Street


According to the North Shore News Heidi C writer, the City of North Vancouver had a 5-2 majority favouring further consultation regarding plans to build condo/mixed-retail/commercial high-rises north of 17th Street along Lonsdale Avenue. City of North Vancouver council has put the brakes on a density bonsuing scheme that would see residential apartment building height along Lonsdale Avenue top out at 10 stories north of 17th Street. The plan, coming out of Central Lonsdale Planning Study stakeholder group discussions that included key city staff as well as community members, sees a trade-off of one market-priced residential North Vancouver Lonsdale Avenue unit for every one rental unit built. In the case of non-profit housing the ratio would be three market units for each one non-market North Vancouver resience. The goal is to build up the City of North Vancouver’s diminishing rental housing stock, hard hit by aging buildings and high priced real estate. Instead, in a 5 to 2 vote July 21, North Van Council voted against changing the city’s official community plan for real estate development to advance the plan. First it wants further public consultation. “this decision does not need to be taken tonight,” said Coun. Barbara Perrault. “What’s the rush?” Condo Towers in North Vancouver’s Central Lonsdale district were never envisioned for the area north of 17th Street. Such a drastic OCP change needs more consideration, she said. “We need broader consultation beyond the stakeholder group with property owners, rentants and the real estate development community.” The stakeholder group was not unanimous in its proposal, with one dissenting voice strongly opposed to blocking views of the North Shore mountains from Lonsdale Avenue, said Perrault. “I believe what’s porposed here is quite radical a change,” said coun. Pam Bookham. “It is so complex and it is very controversial. I think people need to fully understand the impoications of these proposals.” For the redevelopment of the Central Lonsdale real estate district. She said she sould like to see a scale mock-up of the North Vancouver Central Lonsdale new building heights proposed in roder to properly envision what Central Lonsdale real estate district will look like.

More about the Redevelopment of Central Lonsdale Real Estate Corridor


This is an election issue, said Bookham, who hopes North Vancouver city council members take a stand and residents speak up through ballot decisions. Two significant issues, the future of Central Lonsdale real estate corridor and rental housing in North Vancouver city are mixed in this proposal, said Coun. Bob Heywood. “Looking at the rental housing stock situation, I’m really troubled with us trying to find the absolute solution to this in the City of North Vancouver, which has one per cent of the Metro Vancouver housing stock,” he said. “If you take every four level walk up in the city and go to three times the density, we’d come up with a very, very uninteresting city. And would we sovle anybody’s problems?” asked Heywood. “We already, in this North Vancouver City, have 53 or 54 per cent of our people in rental accommodation.” The argument between rental and strata ownership is moot, said Heywood. The cost to the individual is the same, he said. “It may be cheaper to own,” he said. Few City of North Vancouver home owner pay 30 per ent of their income for housing as do some renters, he said (referring to upscale rental residences not subsidized rental stock.) Heywood said he would support trying the scheme out on a single building first. City of North Vancouver council needs to be concerned about the loss of rental housing to market condominium North Vancouver real estate development, said Counc. Craig Keating. The real estate development on the southeast corner of 13th Street and Chesterfield Avenue is an example, he said. “that is the future, unless this council or the next council takes action,” said Keating. “And the only action I can say that we can do with the measly powers that municipalities have, is make the construction of rental and renewed rental units affordable and possible in this market place.” This one-for-one plan and three-for-one for non profits does that, he said. Both Keating and Major Darrell Mussatto voted in support of the OCP amendment. “the reality is the buildings are getting old,” said Mussatto. “We have very few tools to provide affordable housing rental housing.” Senior levels of government are not in the game, he said. “We need to use all the tools we can that the stakeholder group recommended and go forward with this. That’s being realistic,” he said. “If we’re going to look at some OCP changes let’s go forward with that. Let’s talk about how we are going to keep rental housing in our community.” The staff report noted that the limitation to 10 stories may be economically restrictive and insufficient to cover building costs along the redevelopment of the Central Lonsdale real estate corridor. It’s on the point that Counc. Sam Schechter said he wanted further public discussion that a policy committee meeting would provide. The height limitation ay be too conservative for Central Lonsdale he said. Forty two per cent of North Vancouver’s rental housing stock is in Central Lonsdale. Most of the rental apartments are between 20 and 60 years old. The North Vancouver City rental housing stock is shrinking as it losses rental housing to redevelopment.

North Vancouver City Sends Extra Foods Real Estate Redevelopment Proposal to Hearing


By Heidi for the North Shore News. The redevelopment of the Extra Foods site at 17th Street and Lonsdale Avenue passed another stepping stone July 28th when City of North Vancouver council sent the real estate redevelopment of this North Vancouver site to a public hearing. The Extra Foods real estate site plan calls for replacing the existing 25,000 square foot store with one approximately twice the size almost 200,000 sq ft of residential apartment development. In December 2007, City of North Vancouver council approved a height variance of up to 40 feet above what is allowed in the official North Van community plan and some density bonusing for the current Lonsdale North Vancouver Extra Foods site. The real estate proposal sent to hearing is 240 feet in height – 60 feet above the OCP limit. Staff point out that is no higher than the proposals on the table from the Central Lonsdale Planning Study of North Vancouver real estate rezoning and redevelopment. Council hopes the real estate development will contain community amenity space, a publicly accessible open space and the potential for up to 10,000 or 12,000 square feet of affordable housing for North Vancouver City. The new real estate building at Extra Foods will be connected to Lonsdale Energy Corporation’s heating system. A large underground parking lot will also be created at the Extra Foods proposal for redevelopment. The entrance and exit to the parking and the potential for pedestrian/vehicle conflict, is so far the only point in Loblaw’s real estate development proposal to catch some council criticism. Extra Foods retailer proposal for their North Vancouver Lonsdale property site calls for right in, right out vehicle access across the east side of Lonsdale Avenue sidewalk into the underground parking. Site access is critical to the store’s reopning, Dallas Wingerak, director of real estate development of Loblaw Properties, told council on July 28th.

More about the Redevelopment of Central Lonsdale Real Estate


During the anticipated 18 month closure Loblaws expects to lsoe some customers, she said. “What we need to do when we reopen the store is ensure that the store is designed in such a way that everyone we lost is welcome back into the store,” she said. In addition to the traffice for the proposed rezoning and re-develompent of the Extra Foods North Vancouver real estate site, impact study done by Bunt and Associates Engineering, which supports the Lonsdale acess option, Loblaw’s commissioned a third party independent traffic impact study through Opus Hamilton, a transportation planning and engineering firm. That study also showed improved overall traffic safety with the right in, right out alignment. It relieves pressure off of 17th Street. Moreover, there’s several examples of successful similar access situations throughout Metro Vancouver said Wingerak. “Our commitment to the City of North Vancouver in developing this Extra Foods site is that the brand new 40,000 square foot modern food store will continue on a very attractive price offering, as a price leader on the North Shore. We believe this real estate development is well aligned with the city’s goals for Central Lonsdale in becoming a great pedestrian environment and that it will be a highly successful anchor in the Central Lonsdale area,” she said. According to the City of North Vancouver engineering report, staff don’t fully support the Lonsdale Avenue option for a number of reasons. These include a city policy to eliminate driveways across Lonsdale – currently vehicular access off Lonsdale Avenue is prohibited except for service station use. Also the City of north Vancouver real estate transportation plan identifies Londsale as a pedestrian precinct and vehicle access across the sidewalk would detract from the city’s goal for a pedestrian friendly streetscape. The public hearing for the redevelopment and rezoning of Extra Foods int eh real estate corridor of Central Lonsdale in North Vancouver property is scheduled for September 8th.

Building Awareness in North Vancouver Central Lonsdale Real Estate Rezoning Plans


As with any change to a community, the development proposal for the City of North Vancouver’s Extra Foods rezoning site will no doubt meet with hostility from many Central Lonsdale residents according to the Viewpoint in the North Shore News. If and when the condo towers start to rise at the corner of 17th Street and Lonsdale Avenue in the North Vancouver Central Lonsdale real estate corridor, there will be griping about the loss of views, increased traffic, pedestrian safety issues and the impact on neighbourhood character. But to those affected by the real estate rezoning Central Lonsdale Extra Foods North Vancouver project: understand that you have the opportunity now – before the first brick has been laid – to influence the outcome. On Monday night, city council of North Vancouver will be holding a public hearing on the matter of the rezoning of North Vancouver’s Extra Foods site in the Central Lonsdale real estate redevelopment plans. Councillors will be gathering input and deciding whether to allow the rezoning project to go ahead. The questions they will be addressing are not small. The proposal for the rezoning of the Central Lonsdale Extra Foods North Vancouver real estate site calls for the existing supermarket to be replaced with one twice the size and a 240 foot high residential condo building – 60 feet above the OCP limit. It will likely include public amenities, a significant amount of affordable housing and an underground parking garage that opens on to the Lonsdale Avenue sidewalk as part of this rezoning of Extra Foods Central Lonsdale site. This is not to suggest the North Vancouver redevelopment project should necessarily be viewed as bad, but it will unquestionably be a significant change to the Central Lonsdale real estate corridor. Municipal meetings are notoriously under-attended, but municipal decisions are met with no shortage of complaints. Now is your chance to make your concerns known ahead of time about the redevelopment of the North Vancouver Extra Foods Central Lonsdale rezoning site, when they can actually have an impact. Grumbling after the fact will be of little value to anyone.

City of North Vancouver Approves Extra Foods Central Lonsdale Condo Tower


A great article on the most recent developments regarding the re-zoning of the Extra Foods site in Central Lonsdale North Vancouver real estate by Stephanie for the North Shore News. Nearly two years in the making, a controversial plan to redevelop Extra Foods site at 17th Street and Lonsdale Avenue was passed by City of North Vancouver council after a crowded Monday night public hearing. Council voted 6 – 1 in favour of rezoning this Central Lonsdale North Van property site that will result in roughly 200,000 square feet of residential real estate development and the replacement of the existing 25,000 sq ft grocery store with one nearly double its size. A 240 foot Central Lonsdale North Vancouver condo high-rise will top OCP height limit by 60 feet. Council’s approval will allow the residential condominium high-rise to reach 240 feet, again about 60 feet above the present City of North Vancouver official community plan limit. Several speakers at the overflowing public hearing said they were opposed to amending the OCP and drastically changing the Central Lonsdale North Vancouver real estate skyline. “I am really glad to see some sort of configuration of the 17th street… but I am very disappointed about the ehgith of the building,” said Gloria Atkinson, a local resident for 59 years. “I feel that is (a height increase) is approved by council, where does it end? We are the North Shore please keep us distinct,” said Atkinson. “We don’t want a concrete jungle.” Other speakers about the Extra Foods rezoning plan for City of North Vancouver real estate in Central Lonsdale condo high-rise said they were concerned that Council members were jumping too quickly at the opportunity to secure affordable North Vancouver housing in exchange for an increase in density and height for the North Vancouver real estate developer. The City of North Vancouver will receive approximately 8800 sq ft of non-market North Vancouver rental housing from the joint venture between owner Loblaws and real estate developer Anthem Properties. A decision on how the condo suites and rental housing in North Vancouver’s Central Lonsdale extra Foods site, possibly 12 to 13 in total, will be managed is yet to be made by city council. Ken Hawthorne, a Lower Lonsdale resident, called the process a “total destruction of the official community plan in the neighbourhood in the name of affordable North Vancouver housing. “I hear people say, from council that (the North Vancouver OCP) is a guide. Well, if it’s a guide then why isn’t it called a guide? It’s an official community plan,” he added. It was the issue of North Vancouver affordable housing, however, that caused several speakers, some of whom wore green placardsthat read GO! Redevelopment of Extra Foods, and members of council to support the Central Lonsdale real estate development. “I commend a development like this that allows people to work downtown and live in the Central Lonsdale area,” said resident Blaine Barden. He said this type of residential North Vancouver real estate development allows people to get “a foothold in the market.” Councillor Sam Schechter also supported the proposal, citing concerns over a lack of rental housing in North Vancouver. “Senior governments aren’t playing the game of providing affordable, subsidized housing,” he said. “We should deal with these issues; we should tackle them head on.” Councillor Barbara Perrault agreed. “A lot of young people who have grown up here cannot live here anymore. This will give them a leg up to find housing here,” she said.

Height Bonus for the Extra Foods Condo High-Rise in Central Lonsdale Nets Non-Market Rental Units for North Vancouver


The Central Lonsdale real estate development includes a green roof (among other sustainable initiatives), a publicly accessible plaza area and an underground parking garage which conists of right in, right out parking access on Lonsdale Avenue. The current Extra Foods site has a right out ext on Lonsdale Ave. Concerns on how this change will affect traffic and pedestrians were raised several times by speakers from the Central Lonsdale North Vancouver community. “(Allowing this access) flies in the face of what council has been working to achieve,” said William Caulfield, who lives and works in the area. “Loblaw’s proposal is unsafe for pedestrians and unnecessary.” The City of North Vancouver’s existing policy has been to eliminate driveways across Lonsdale sidewalks and to develop the avenue as a pedestrian friendly streetscape. But Dallas Wingerak, director of North Vancouver real estate development for Loblaw Properties, told council that the Lonsdale access is critical for the store to regain customers when it reopens. “When we’re looking at a decision where we will close a store that is profitable for 18 months and build a more expensive store that doesn’t have what we deem to be successful access, ti becomes a very difficult decision for us,” she said. A traffic impact study conducted by Bunt & Associates Engineering supported the Lonsdale access option. So also did a second traffic study, commissioned by Loblaws, through Opus Hamilton, a third party independent firm. Both studies on the Extra Foods rezoning and building of the new condo high rise Central Lonsdale tower in North Vancouver real estate show improved overall traffic safety by relieving pressure on 17th Street. However, in a July 22 report to council, city staff recommended against the Lonsdale access chiefly because of pedestrian concerns. Councillor Bob Heywood voiced concern over the potential for vehicular and pedestrian conflict. He said, however, that if Loblaws was willing to conduct safety audits and continue to improve the right in, right out access after the North Vancouver real estate project was complete that he would be more inclined to support it. Loblaw’s Wingerak said working with the city of North Vancouver on safety audits had already been discussed. Councillor Pam Bookham, the only councilor to vote against the Extra Foods Central Lonsdale rezoning proposal said there are too many unanswered questions as to how the city’s non market housing will be managed. “When we look to use density bonusing as a tool, we need to be able to explain to the community the benefit that we see,” she said. “Judging by comments made tonight [the community] has not received the answers they were looking for.” Anthem Properties says it will take 2- 3 months to develop a construction schedule for the rezoned Central Lonsdale Extra Foods North Vancouver condo tower development. Building should take 18 months.

Scaled Down Extra Foods Central Lonsdale Condo Tower Wins North Vancouver Council Approval – October 2008


An article from the North Shore News by James W updating the status of the approval of the condominium tower residences at the existing Central Lonsdale Extra Foods site. Central Lonsdale real estate corridor will be getting a new condo tower after all with the decision by City of North Vancouver council Monday to give the proposed Extra Foods site redevelopment property the green light. From an earlier proposal that was shot down by city countil regarding the overheight portion of the condo building, the new Extra Foods condo building tower will only be one hundred and eighty feet or fifty five metres as opposed to the originally proposaed and passed 240 feet or 73 metre high-rise Central Lonsdale North Vancouver condo tower. The drop in height puts this North Vancouver real estate development within the limits of the official community plan, which caps construction of condo high-rises at about 18 stories, but also comes at the expense of a number of below market rental units and affordable housing suites in addition to community amenities that were part of the original proposal for this North Vancouver Extra Foods Central Lonsdale real estate site. Bypassing a total of $6 million dollars in development for North Shore affordable housing units, the city council gave way to the construction of a market value condo North Vancouver tower. The original planned proposal was for a 25,000 sq foot Extra Foods store to be converted into a massive new 200,000 square foot grocery store, 24 storey residential North Shore condo tower that would have been 60 feet over the allowable height under the existing Official Community Plan of North Vancouver real estate. With this added height, the developers were asked to build about 8,800 square feet of affordable housing in the form of below market rental suites for the Central Lonsdale property market in addition to a public plaza. However, all changed on October 6th, when the city council reversed course and the building proposal had to be amended from there. With community opposition to this North Shore condominium tower, the voices were heard somewhat. Now, in October 2008, it is a done deal with the height reduction in the market value North Vancouver condo tower at the Extra Foods Central Lonsdale site in addition to a reduction in the non market rental units. Whichever side you are on, there are certainly benefits and disadvantages to this passed proposal.

North Shore Real Estate Update August 2008 – Property Value Correction Does Not Mean Disaster


Reading some commentators one might believe that “Chicken Little” was too great an optimist. No, an adjusting real estate market on the North Shore is not a disaster – like strenuous exercise, some discomfort does lead to a healthier, sickness-resistant organism. Indeed, an anxious seller on the North Shore property market may well be “giving back” a little to a canny home buyer or do we as a society favour existing property owners over those wanting to buy? I do know thought hat it is cold comfort for the August 2008 seller to hear that the March 2008 seller did well with 10% of the stress in the North Shore real estate market. This is according to the Allan Skinner editorial in the North Shore property newspaper, the most trusted news source for trends in the North Vancouver and West Vancouver real estate market. You can visit www.OnTopOfTheMarket.ca for more information or you can get an email version of these updates by requesting them from alanskinner@shaw.ca or calling 604.988.7368. These are highly recommended to North Shore home buyers and sellers. How to deal with today? Fact, lots of North Shore property on the market. The figures below show West Vancouver real estate inventory up over last year by 50 to 80% and North Vancouver property up over double in all North Shore real estate segments. If one has to sell, accept (i) that the North Shore property will sell for less than it would have 4 to 6 months ago and (ii) that nay real urgency to effect a sale may dictate a further reduction. Appropriate asking price and North Shore property condition are the key to achieving the speediest an dhighest sale result. Consider the following- if one North Shore property were selling on average every 5 days and there are 110 on the real estate market (ignoring new listings) that would mean that the North Shore inventory for property sales will be fully sold in about 1.5 years! If one has truly the average home, in average condition , in a middling location, it could take approx 9 months – hardly an exciting prospect! One has little control over one’s existing location but condition and price are “adjustable”. The buzz word for “sale condition” is now “staging” – a concpt which may connote something distatesful for some as in creating an illusion for increased sales price of North Shore real estate property. True condition is fortunately hard to fake. We are no longer in a phase (seller’s market) where anyone could say “I have a property to sell… it’s a bit rundown, but since the demand is so high (and supply low)… you’ll have to take it as is.” Remember, the well maintained and well presented North Shore property real estate will be easier to sell than the West Van and North Van properties where work has to be deferred. For the North Shore home buyer, the time is now to start looking seriously – no pressure to complete, time to consider rationally and a significant breadth of supply. Work with an experienced Realtor who has encountered this sort of real estate market on the North Shore and remember that Calgary’s 7100 detached home investory end of May ’08 became June ‘08’s 6500. Now si the time home buyers on the North Shore real estate market! The commend has been made – “why would it be called a buyers’ market if so few of them are making the decision to buy!” Predictions – continued leveling off of values this year and (I agree with CMHC) some increase in values once 2009 rolls around. Now the sevent months 2008 figures versus 2007 – North Vancouver real estate detached homes sold down 20% from last year, attached townhomes down 19% and apartments down by 21% from 2007. Detached average North Vancouver home prices +15% and inventory now up by 105%. Average prices up 8% townhouses and up by 12% for apartments. Inventory for North Vancouver townhomes is up 110% and apartments are up 107% - both of these continue to affected by slower absorption of new construction properties. While there still is demand, continuing high investory will maintain a tempering of sales prices – continuing of the plateauing. West Vancouver real estate market – detached number of sales has dropped by 25% from 1007. Average price of West Vancouver homes is up 7% and inventory is now up 85% over 2007. On the condo side, attached townhouses sold are marginally up over 2007 by 5% and average price down 10% YTD. Active listings are now 57% over last year and apartments reflect 96 sold versus 128 by July 2007. Overall North Shore real estate demand still evident with inventory remaining higher.

The North Shore Real Estate Market – The Land at the North End of the Lions Gate Bridge


A great article in the Home Renters Guide is all about apartment rentals and condos for rent on the North Shore that consists of North Vancouver (District and City) as well as West Vancouver and the outlying municipalities. Visitors to Vancouver are often told, “if you want to head north, just look for the North Shore Mountains,” unless of course the rain is obscuring the horizon, but that is another story. Huddled againt these inspring mountains, the three municipalities of the North Shore real estate market sprawl along the Burrard Inlet shoreline from Indian Arm ont eh east to Howe Sound on the west, and travelling through this diverse region reveals subtle and also major differences. The mountain wilderness which is the North Shore real estate’s forested backyard defines its character and speaks eloquently of its pioneer past, and of the First Nations who have called his land home for millennia. If you are looking for North Shore rental apartments or condos for rent in North Vancouver or West Vancouver, now is the time as vacancies are so low and not many new rental housing units are coming to the market anytime soon. Occupancy is usually near or at 100% especially in the City of North Vancouver complete with its excellent transportation system and idyllic location. Our trip starts at the historic birthplace of the City of North Vancouver in Lower Lonsdale rental condo market. Here the lumber industry was established on the North Shore of Vancouver in the 1860’s and soon families were settling around this bustling centre of industry and creating fledgling Lower Lonsdale North Vancouver rental communities that ultimately would become the municipalities of the North Shore real estate district. Small clusters of dwellings soon were scattered along the North Shore shoreline towards Horseshoe Bay in the west. Named Ambleside, Dundarave, and Hollyburn, these formed the nucleus of present day West Vancouver North Shore real estate rental market. To the east, the future of District of North Vancouver streteched towards Indian Arm.

The North Shore is a land of superlatives according to this Homebase Media article. The soaring snow-capped peaks of Grouse Mountain, Seymour Mountain and Hollyburn Mountains, here skiers and back-country enthusiasts explore the wonder of winter sports and summer hiking, are literally at Vancouver’s back door and the Coastal Mountain Ranges fo the North Shore real estate market. Grouse Mountain’s cable car chairlift operates all year, and this major tourist attraction is visible from the most palces in Vancouver. At the peak, you can tka eyour pick from skiing, hiking, helicopter trips, paragliding, lumber sporting events, and fine dining. West Vancouver real estate’s Cypress Bowl on Hollyburn Mountain also offers skiing with cross country trails forming a network through the mountains. Further east, Mount Seymour has its share of outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy exploring the mountains that overlook Indian Arm real estate in the North Shore. Whether you enter the North Shore real estate market over Lions Gate Bridge or the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge, or from the Seabus which darts across the harbour from Vanocuver, you can expect to find recreation, entertainment, and shopping: in fact, you may wish to stay. Lonsdale Quay in Lower Lonsdale North Shore real estate is similar to Granville Island, with its maritime ambience and endless array of shops and tantalizing foods to choose from. The Lower Lonsdale North Shore area around the Quay is steadily growing and undergoing revitalizing, with beautiful new rental condominium complexes and restaurants which have transformed the streetscapes of this energetic area. The adjacent Versatile Shipyards is currently being rezoned into a major waterfront North Shore real estate development with 1.6 million sq ft of residential/commercial and institutional use. The City of North Vancouver real estate, the smallest of the three North Shore municipalities is staunchly proud of its heritage and its independence.

More about the North Shore District of North Van Real Estate Rental District
The District of North Vancouver real estate on the North Shore of Vancouver with its wealth of natural wonders like the 250 hectares of Lynn Canyon Park with its suspension bridge, roaring toreents, and tranquil forest trails, offers neighbourhoods with woodland splendour. Deep Cove rental apartments and condos on its eastern boundary is a peaceful seaside village with a Mediteranean feel. Restaurants, boutiques, and funky stores makes this popular destination, and Panorama Park in Deep Cove and Beach is a favourite hangout for sunlovers, and kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts on the North Shore rental real estate market. A truly amazing way to explore the length of the North Shore real estate district from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay is along the rugged wilderness Baden Powell Trail which winds through wild terrain for 41 km. For an awe-inspiring experience, the Capilano Suspension Bridge which soars 230 feet above the Capilano River takes visitors across a numbing 450 foot span. While you are in this North Shore real estate district, visit the Cleveland Dam which is also on Capilano Road, nad thrill to the spilling waters from Cleveland Lake which course over the dam. This is a fine place to admire the peaks of The Lions in the distance, which provided Lions Gate Bridge with its name.

About the rental West Vancouver property market and what to expect
The waters of the Capilano River which flow into the sea beside famous Ambleside Park form West Vancouver’s eastern boundary in real estate North Shore. This recreational mecca offers white beaches, the start of the seawall which extends along the waterfront to Dundarave, playing fields, wonderful French fires at the conseccion, and views across to Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge and as far as Spanish Banks and the Endowment Lands of UBC. The rental apartment market for West Vancouver North Shore real estate has no industrial lands and has developed into a mainly residential community sparkling with seaside parks, fine shopping and some of the most expensive real estate in Canada. High on the mountainside overlooking this North Shore real estate enclave of wealth and natural beauty, the millionaire mansions of the British Properties creep up the hillside, reminding us that the Guiness family, who built the Lions Gate Bridge, also developed this incredibly expensive tract of North Shore real estate. Cocooned between mountains and the ocean, the North Shore real estate rental market has roged its own distinct identity and provides a scenic backdrop for visitors to the City of Vancouver to enjoy. This is a fine place to admire in the distance, the peaks of The Lions, which provided Lions Gate Bridge its name.

A Tradition of Sound Advice from Brent Ellers Prudential Sussex Realty on the Facts of the North Shore Real Estate Markets for West Vancouver and North Vancouver


Brent Ellers is a Diamond Medallion Club 2007 fro 19 years now and is trusted North Shore real estate agent who has given advice based on factual information to prospective buyers and sellers in both North and West Van. The experience to inform and the confidence to advise focused on results only. If you are considering a move in 2008, Brent Ellers would like to invite you to call him for a private consultation on the current North Shore real estate market conditions. For 25 years now, he has consistently been one of the North Shore’s most successful realtors providing professional advice, outstanding personal service, and achieving prompt results! Your North Shore home is your most valuable asset, get properly informed so call 604.984.9711 for North Vancouver real estate market conditions or 604.925.2911 for West Vancouver inquiries or visit www.prudentialsussex.com. What you need to know – the Factual Summary: Since January 1, 2003 the average prices for detached single family houses have risen 141% in West Vancouver real estate and 121% in North Vancouver property market (the previos 8 years from 1994 to 2002 saw only a 21% increase in total). For the last 5 years total detached North Shore family homes have falleneach year from 2225 in 2003 to 1887 in 2007. In 2989 we had 3283 sales (Currently we are on pace for approximately 1450-1500 in 2008). Record or near record interest rates from 2002 to 2007 as well as very liberal bank lending policies provided a much greater than normal borrowing oppoortunities for homebuyers on the North Shore. Inventory levels in West Vancouver and North Vancouver real estate markets fell to historic low levels from 2003 to 2007 providing for an outstanding sellers market. Inventory levels for North Shore real estate are now up substantially compared to the same time last year, up 126% in North Van and up 81% in West Van. This is providing a much more selection for home buyers. Conclusions: In the past 5 years plus, North Shore real estate sellers have capitalized on a unique supply/demand relationship. New initiating North Shore home buyers have paid strong prices due primarily to a lack of choie. Rising North Shore inventory levels in housing are now providing new home buyers the opportunity to purchase properties that represent the best value. Prices will adjust to account for that interpretation of value. The number of North Shore real estate housing sales will increase when the sellers price expectations get in line with the home buyers capacity to pay in both West Vancouver and East Vancouver. Your home is you most valuable asset. Make sure you are properly informed in this new North Shore real estate market. Mis-information could cost you money! His personal attention to all aspects of the selling process means that his invaluable experience, knowledge and negotiating skills are available to you at all times. If you desire knowledge, security and most important results in the North Shore real estate market, call Brent today!

North Vancouver Lawyer Charged in $30 Million Housing Mortgage Scam


Law society says 77 homebuyers in North Vancouver and the Lower Mainland affected according to North Shore News writer Bethany L. After a six year investigation, a former North Vancouver lawyer is headed to court to face charges on an alleged housing mortgage scam valued at more than $30 million. Martin Wirick was arrested on Tuesday at local business Koko’s Gourmet Pet Foods, where he has been working since he resigned from the Law Society of B.C. in 2002. Former real estate developer Tarsem Singh Gill, a Vancouverite, was arrested on the samd day in connection with the frauds. The two men are charged with two counts each of fraud and theft against 77 North Vancouver home buyers, and two further charges against lenders in 30 separate transactions. Wirick faces further charges of uttering false documents, and Gill has been charged for possession stolen property. A joint investigation headed by Vancouver police and the RCMP’s crime section into the pair began in 2002, when Wirick was disbarred after the law society learned that he had allegedly been misdirecting funds to Gill. According to the law society, Wirick first began misdirecting homebuyer mortgage clients’ money in 1999, when he was working for Gill, a Vancouver real estate developer. His duties included collecting funds for down payments and mortgages, but instead of using that money for its intended purpose, he allegedly misdirected it to Gill and his companies. Gill then used some of that money to pay off a portion of the mortgage debts so that they wouldn’t default. According to the law society, Wirick told home purchasers that mortgage discharges could sometimes take up to six months to appear, in order to delay their suspicion. Then push came to shove, the law society claims, Wirick would redirect funds to secure a discharge, but occasionally, he would even forge discharge documents. The alleged misdirections weren’t discovered until 2002, when he was cited by the law society for two fraudulent transactions. Since then, the law society has paid out $38.4 million in compensation in response to claims from people affected by the alleged scam. Between 1986 and 2001, the law society paid a total of $5.2 million in compensation to clients defrauded by lawyers – about one seventh the amount reimbursed to Wirick’s alleged victims. In order to repay bank lenders and homebuyers, the law society had to remove its annual cap on compensation payments. Since Wirick’s alleged misdeeds were uncovered, the law society says that it has made changes to the reporting guidelines in its trust assurance program. The rules for handling trust funds and filing audits have also been tightened up.

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