The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its Housing Forecast Update for the third quarter of 2010 today.
BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to decline 7 per cent from 85,028 units in 2009 to 79,500 units this year, before increasing 5 per cent to 83,400 units in 2011.
“The volatility in consumer demand characteristic of the past 24 months is expected to give way to more gradual improvement through 2011,” said Cameron Muir, B ...
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at Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:15:26 -0700
Coldwell Banker was a Finalist for Two Inman Innovator Awards!! We all know Coldwell Banker is the undisputed leader in innovation. But it's not just us saying it anymore...
The finalists for the 2010 Inman Innovator Awards were released and which real estate brand was the ONLY one with multiple nominations? That's right, Coldwell Banker!
The BlueScape search was a finalist in the Web Service category and Blue Matter was a finalist in the blog category.
David Marine, Director of Products & Inn ...
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at Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:13:51 -0700
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province declined 23 per cent to 7,722 units in June compared to the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS® residential unit sales in the province declined 5 per cent in June from May 2010. The average MLS® residential price climbed 8 per cent to $499,908 in June compared to the same month last year.
“Market conditions have shifted from balanced c ...
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at Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:35:07 -0700
The Greater Vancouver housing market experienced steady activity to begin the summer season. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,972 in June 2010, a decline of 30.2 per cent compared to the 4,259 sales in June 2009, which was the second highest selling June on record. “Activity in June marked a healthy balance between the near record setting pace of June 2009 and the considerably slower activity witn ...
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at Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:48:45 -0700
Developers take note: Canadians increasingly want homes large enough to house several generations.
According to a recent Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC survey of its professionals across Canada and the U.S., realtors in both markets reported that in the past year more home buyers are looking for properties that can accommodate more than one generation.
“The main reason is financial,” said Coldwell Banker Canada president John Geha, who Business in Vancouver caught up with late June ...
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at Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:41:18 -0700
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province declined 4 per cent to 7,950 units in May compared to the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS® residential unit sales in the province declined 11 per cent in May from April 2010. The average MLS® residential price climbed 7 per cent to $498,294 in May compared to the same month last year.
“A slower pace of home sales combined with an in ...
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at Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:41:26 -0700
The number of properties listed for sale in Greater Vancouver continued to rise in May, while the number of sales showed a year-over-year decrease.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,156 in May 2010, a decline of 10.4 per cent compared to the 3,524 sales in May 2009; 5.1 per cent more than the 3,002 sales in May 2008; and 27.1 per cent less than the 4,331 sales in May 2007. May 2010 sales also represent a 10 ...
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at Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:56:41 -0700
The Bank of Canada today announced that it is raising its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 1/2 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly raised to 3/4 per cent and the deposit rate is kept at 1/4 per cent, thus re-establishing the normal operating band of 50 basis points for the overnight rate.
The global economic recovery is proceeding but is increasingly uneven across countries, with strong momentum in emerging market economies, some consolidation ...
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at Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:21:25 -0700
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) is in Victoria this week to highlight to the Government of British Columbia that, with the highest home ownership costs in the country, BC is at a competitive disadvantage to attract skilled labour and professionals to the province.
“The availability of affordable housing not only dramatically impacts one’s quality of life, it also significantly impacts the ability of the province to attract the labour and talent we need to ensure ...
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at Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:49:33 -0700
While most consumers know that they have a “credit rating,” not all know their scores or how they were calculated. If your mortgage application is refused or approved for less than expected, there’s an opportunity to help you understand the causes and how to improve the score.
You may not know that your credit worthiness is assessed two ways:
Your Beacon score, and A detailed history.
Credit scores range from 350 (low) to 850 (high), with 750 being the median. The numerical ...
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at Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:29:52 -0700
Thursday, April 22, 2010
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While most consumers know that they have a “credit rating,” not all know their scores or how they were calculated. If your mortgage application is refused or approved for less than expected, there’s an opportunity to help you understand the causes and how to improve the score.
You may not know that your creditworthiness is assessed two ways:
Your Beacon score and a detailed history. Credit scores range from 350 (low) to 850 (high), with 750 being the median. The numerical s ...
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at Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:25:24 -0700
Coldwell Banker President Jim Gillespie just got back from the Canadian Business Conference in Vancouver. Here's what Jim has to say. "I’m sure most of you who watched the recent Olympics on TV will understand why I think Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was great to be back there again to talk to hundreds of our Canadian colleagues.
Canada has been enjoying a great real estate market with double-digit appreciation for most of the last five years. The only ex ...
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at Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:00:33 -0700
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 43 per cent to 7,110 units in March compared to the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS® residential unit sales in the province increased 6 per cent compared to February 2010. However, home sales in March were 20 per cent lower than December 2009 on a seasonally adjusted basis. “Home sales have moderated since the beginning of ...
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at Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:51:35 -0700
Coldwell Banker Premier Realty in Vancouver is excited and proud that Susan has been appointed to the National Coldwell Banker Agent Council. There are 22 members that are chosen by the President John Geha from across the country. Susan will be keeping you updated on the National Council as it moves forward.
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at Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:52:04 -0700
A steady influx of new listings has helped create a balanced ‘typical spring’ housing market in the Greater Vancouver region.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that new listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 7,004 in March 2010. This represents a 60 per cent increase compared to March 2009 when 4,385 new units were listed, and a 52.1 per cent increase compared to February 2010 when 4,606 properties were liste ...
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at Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:01:43 -0700
Fixed term mortgage rates have increased by one of the largest one day increases in recent memory. The posted 5 yr rate has risen by 6 tenths of a percent, to just under 6%. Discounted rates are still around 4% for a 5 year term. Variable mortgage rates, which are directly related to the Bank of Canada Prime Rate, are not rising at this time. Indicators suggest that the prime lending rate will increase in the review on June 1 2010. Fixed term rates are going up now in reaction to bond markets ...
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at Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:58:11 -0700
On March 27 at 8:30 pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for an hour to demand action on climate change. But that's just the beginning. Every hour, Canadians are taking small steps to lessen their impact on the environment. From hanging your clothes to dry to taking transit to work, those small steps add up to huge changes for the better. Get inspired by others who are living Earth Hour every hour, and tell us your story.
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at Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:29:45 -0700
The Greater Vancouver housing market continued to experience strong demand from homebuyers and an increase in total property listings in a month where the eyes of the world were focused on the region.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater 2009 when 1,480 sales were recorded and a 28.6 per cent increase compared to the 1,923 sa Vancouver totalled 2,473 in February 2010, an increase of 67.1 per cent compared to Februaryles recorded i ...
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at Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:54:51 -0800
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced that homebuyers looking to qualify for a government-backed mortgage after April 19, 2010 will need to meet three new requirements. The changes revealed this morning include: • Require that all borrowers meet the standards for a five-year fixed rate mortgage even if they choose a mortgage with a lower interest rate and shorter term. • Lower the maximum amount Canadians can withdraw in refinancing their mortgages to 90 per cent from ...
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at Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:51:51 -0800
TheBritish Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 118 per cent to 4,619 units in January compared to the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS® residential sales in the province declined 16 per cent last month compared to December 2009.
“Home sales in the province eased in January as a result of waning pent-up demand and eroded affordability,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief ...
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at Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:44:14 -0800
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its Housing Forecast Update for the first quarter of 2010 today.
BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to increase 6 per cent from 85,028 units in 2009 to 90,100 units this year, before declining 3 per cent to 87,500 units in 2011. Higher home prices and rising mortgage interest rates will provide a constraint on home sales next year.
“BC MLS® residential sales sprinted from an annualized rate of 5 ...
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at Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:51:26 -0800
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is leaving its key interest rate unchanged. In its announcement, the Bank states that “conditional on the outlook for inflation, the target overnight rate can be expected to remain at its current level until the end of the second quarter of 2010.” The Bank also forecasts that the Canadian economy will grow by 2.9 per cent in 2010 and 3.5 per cent in 2011, after contracting by 2.5 per cent in 2009.
Pricing for loans that are typically link ...
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at Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:10:34 -0800
After beginning the year at near record low sales levels, buyers’ confidence in the Greater Vancouver housing market quickly returned, allowing for significant and sustained increases in the number of residential property sales for much of 2009. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total unit sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2009 reached 35,669, a 44.8 per cent increase from the 24,626 unit sales recorded in 2008, but a 6.3 per cent decli ...
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at Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:57:27 -0800
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 165 per cent to 7,182 units in November compared to the same month last year. Last month posted the highest number of MLS® residential sales for the month of November since 2005, when 7,721 units changed hands. Triple-digit gains in province-wide unit sales reflect a low number of unit sales in November 2008. “BC home sales remained at an elevated le ...
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at Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:57:54 -0800
European cities dominate the top of the ranking Vienna scores highest for overall quality of living, Baghdad the lowest Singapore ranks top for city infrastructure; London ranks eighth The quality of living rankings are based on a point-scoring index, which sees Vienna score 108.6, and Baghdad 14.4. Cities are ranked against New York as the base city with an index score of 100. Mercer’s Quality of Living ranking covers 215 cities and is conducted to help governments and major companies ...
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at Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:48:07 -0800
The BC Government has announced that it will provide a rebate on the 12 per cent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) for homes costing up to $525,000 from the previously announced $400,000. The HST is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2010. This is good news for the Real Estate Board and proof that its lobbying efforts produce results. In October 2009, the Board presented a submission to the BC government on how the proposed 12 per cent HST would hurt affordable home ownership. In the submission, the ...
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at Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:02:07 -0800
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 115 per cent to 8,624 units in October compared to the same month last year. Last month posted the highest number of MLS® residential sales for the month of October since 2003, when 8,682 units changed hands. The average MLS® residential sales price in the province climbed 17 per cent to $493,328 from $420,259 in October 2008. "BC homes sales continued o ...
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at Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:43:22 -0800
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its Fall 2009 Housing Forecast today. BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are estimated to increase 20 per cent to 82,900 units this year from 68,923 units in 2008. Residential sales in 2010 are forecast to increase a further 8 per cent to 89,600 units. The ten-year average is 82,800 units. "A sharp rebound in consumer demand turned a potentially dismal year into a very strong year for home sales,” said Came ...
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at Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:33:00 -0800
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 68 per cent to 8,576 units in September compared to the same month last year. The average MLS® residential sales price in the province climbed 15 per cent to $474,169 from $412,149 in September 2008. "Upward momentum in consumer demand continued unabated in September,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Low mortgage interest rates and ...
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at Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:36:35 -0700
The Bank of Canada announced that it will leave its key interest rate unchanged at 2.25% and restated its commitment to holding this rate steady until mid-2010, conditional on the outlook for inflation. In its statement the Bank declared that “recent indicators point to the start of recovery in major economies, supported by aggressive policy stimulus and the stabilization of global financial markets.” Lenders are expected to keep their prime lending rate steady. Variable-rate mortg ...
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at Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:30:35 -0700
It often seems as though men and women are from different planets, but every day millions of couples navigate through day-to-day and even life-altering decisions. Because a home is the biggest purchase most people will make in their lifetime, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. The real estate company engaged a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR), to delve into the in ...
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at Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:52:41 -0700
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
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Strong spring market carries into summer months! The Greater Vancouver housing market gained further momentum in July with record sales levels and a continued strengthening of home prices. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,114 in July 2009, becoming the highest volume of sales ever recorded within the REBGV for that month, outpacing the 4,023 sales in July 2003, which is the only other year ...
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at Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:54:39 -0700
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
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Strong spring market carries into summer months! The Greater Vancouver housing market gained further momentum in July with record sales levels and a continued strengthening of home prices. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,114 in July 2009, becoming the highest volume of sales ever recorded within the REBGV for that month, outpacing the 4,023 sales in July 2003, which is the only other year ...
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at Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:54:39 -0700
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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Housing Market Balancing Out The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that April was the third consecutive month of increasing home sales in the province, on a seasonally adjusted basis. Consumer demand was bolstered by lower home prices and record low mortgage interest rates. Housing affordability hit a three-year high at the beginning of the month. “Downward pressure on home prices has eased considerably,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “An in ...
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at Thu, 14 May 2009 08:43:01 -0700
Monday, May 4, 2009
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Buyer activity brings greater stability to the housing market With more buyers and fewer homes for sale in recent months, the Greater Vancouver housing market has entered a more moderate and balanced state. For the sixth consecutive month, new listings for detached, attached and apartment properties declined in Greater Vancouver, down 33.7 per cent to 4,649 in April 2009 compared to April 2008, when 7,010 new units were listed. The total number of property listings on the Multiple Listing Se ...
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at Mon, 04 May 2009 23:05:40 -0700
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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Bank of Canada commits to hold current policy rate until the end of the second quarter of 2010. The Bank of Canada today announced that it is lowering its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of a percentage point to 1/4 per cent, which the Bank judges to be the effective lower bound for that rate. The Bank Rate is correspondingly lowered to 1/2 per cent. The deposit rate - the rate paid on deposits held by financial institutions at the Bank of Canada - is left unchanged at 1/4 per cent ...
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at Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:30:08 -0700
The snow and cold weather are beginnng to leave us. We've endured a long, cold winter and we have experienced 6 months of doom & gloom and negativity. It now not only looks like Spring is on it’s way, but it feels like the Spring Market has begun. There is definitely activity everywhere. Buyers who’ve been waiting for months to buy have returned to Open Houses and are making offers. The snow and very cold weather has delayed alot of Sellers putting their properties on the market. Wh ...
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at Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:38:22 -0700
Today marks the first day of the new website. The new site offers a wealth of fresh industry information that's constantly being updated. Have a great time checking it out!
posted in General
at Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:14:36 -0800