We are proud to announce that this Saturday, November 22, 2008, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 2515 ONTARIO Street in Mount Pleasant VW, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful Mount Pleasant VW.
Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Mount Pleasant VW Condo for sale.
As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-263-1144 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.
Barbara Vogel
Dexter Associates - Kerrisdale

We are proud to announce that this Thursday, July 17, 2008, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 2515 ONTARIO Street in Mount Pleasant VW, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful Mount Pleasant VW.
Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Mount Pleasant VW Condo for sale.
As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-263-1144 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.
Barbara Vogel
Dexter Associates - Kerrisdale

We are proud to announce that this Sunday, July 20, 2008, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 2515 ONTARIO Street in Mount Pleasant VW, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful Mount Pleasant VW.
Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Mount Pleasant VW Condo for sale.
As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-263-1144 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.
Barbara Vogel
Dexter Associates - Kerrisdale

'The Elements' Large 1 bdrm & flex space in vibrant Main St neighborhood with mountain & city views! Enjoy your morning coffee or watch the sun set from your private patio w/add'l 454 sq ft yard. Bdrm features a 6' folding door. Quality finishings incl high ceilings, full height windows, reclaimed heritage brick walls, gleaming reclaimed wood floors, free-standing fireplace, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, 1 storage & parking. Near Olympic Village, Whole foods & skytrain. Balance 2-5-10 year warranty. Call for appt today! Open House Sun, July 6, 2-4 pm.

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Beautifully updated 4 bedroom townhome in much desired Riverside Terrace. Adjacent to waterfront development, walking paths and parks. Great open floor plan allows for house size furniture. Sunken living room with patio doors to your own private fenced yard. Formal dining/or family room on the main floor. Sunny south facing solarium affords eating area in kitchen. The double garage has plenty of storage space. Brand new stainless steel appliances, carpeting and hardwood floors complete this move in condition home!

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The Barclay in the heart of the West End just blocks away from Stanley Park , Robson street shopping, scenic English Bay and lively Downtown Vancouver.

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Beautifully crafted & stunningly appointed 5 bedroom 3 & a half bath family home. This regally decorated custom home has been meticulously designed with lifestyle in mind. State of the art Zoha systems surround sound stereo, satellite radio & wiring throughout & on the pool deck for IPOD use make entertaining a breeze. Lavish custom draperies accent the large picture windows & brand new carpeting. Four antique European chandeliers grace pivotal points in the home with delicate light & elegance. New stainless steel appliances & 4 wireless Bravia TV stereo systems & custom wine cellar complete this luxurious exceptional residence. Outdoors, the lush landscaping surrounds brand new decking & a custom built gas fire pit, fountain with stream & European bronze statue valued at $320,000. A native Spirit Bear guards the yard amidst a large collection of pots & palms which accentuate the stylish patio furniture. This home is ready for a family or couple with impeccable taste and an enjoyment of the high life!

View this recently sold Condo or see all my home sales

View this recently sold Condo or see all my home sales

The Gibraltar, Bosa built spacious 2 bedrooms/den with 180 degree views. Close to shopping, transportation, recreation and schools. Bright open living space with large balcony.

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THE DUNHILL. Stunning views of North Shore Mountains and Mount Baker from this spacious 2 bedroom corner suite with wrap around deck. Beautifully updated, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, fireplace and walk in ward robe. Only steps to Highgate Mall and Edmonds Skytrain station.!

THE DUNHILL. Stunning views of North Shore Mountains and Mount Baker from this spacious 2 bedroom corner suite with wrap around deck. Beautifully updated, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, fireplace and walk in ward robe. Only steps to Highgate Mall and Edmonds Skytrain station.!

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Fabulous Bosa built 2 bedroom 2 bath corner suite with view of river from oversized balcony. Bonus 2nd balcony off bdrm and 2 dise by side parking stalls. Great amenities including pool, hot tub and sauna.

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The Dunhill. Spacious, bright 2 bedroom corner suite 1046 sq ft. Features a wrap around deck facing trees, fireplace and walk in wardrobe. Only steps to all con veniences, shopping at Highgate Mall, transportation at Edmonds Station. 1st sho

View this recently sold Apartment Unit or see all my home sales

View this recently sold Condo or see all my home sales

'The Dunhill' - spacious, bright 2 bdrm corner suite, 1054 sf. Features wrap aro und deck, fireplace, & master bdrm w/ walk in closet. Great location, steps to s hopping at Highgate Mall & Edmonds Skytrain Station. 1st Open Sat, July 7, 2-4pm

The Dunhill! Spacious, bright 1 bdrm (867 sq ft) ground level SW corner suite featuring large patio with seperate entrance. Upgraded unit in move in condition with new floors, gas fireplace and walk in wardrobe. Only steps from all amenities including skytrain and Highgate mall.

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"The Dunhill." Spacious, bright 2 bdrm corner suite. 1073 sq/ft with great mount ain views. Huge wrap around deck, new fireplace, master bedroom features walk in closet. Convenient location close to Highgate mall and skytrain.

1. Location counts.  If you want to invest think about what the future buyer and renter will want.  Most 1st time condominium buyers want something close to town with trendy and convenient neighborhoods.

2. Size matters.  This is not always true as most new developments are built with ingenious plans that make small spaces look bigger.  The best investment units are studios or 1 bedrooms of 450 to 600 sq ft due to price affordability and rentability.  Rental incomes in or near the downtown core are going for $2.00 per square foot.

3.  Calculate the per square foot price.  As an investor your per square foot price matters.  A lot of new developments will sell for slightly lower psf than the existing neighborhood as an incentive to the Pre Sale buyer.

 4.  Look for quality and reputation.  It is important to know the quality and reputation of the developer when choosing between developments.  

 5.  Look for opportunities.  

• For Pre Sales, get on the developers list 1st by using your real estate agent to book an early appointment.  Your realtor is informed about new developments before the general public.  
• Pre Sales 65% sold or more, ask for an incentive to buy .....for example reduction in price or free upgrade. 
• Keep an eye out for burgeoning neighborhoods as the perimiter will be the next location to be developed and get in early.

6.  Financing options.  Explore all your financing options.  Is your Mortgage Tax Deductible?  Not in Canada unless you learn how to convert your mortgage interest into large, annual, legal and free tax deductions through investing.   For more information on the Smith Manoeuvre please call me or Paul Riley, mortgage broker on my links page.

7.  Be realistic.  When investing it is always best to calculate for the what if's.  If you buy a  Pre Sale with the intention to assign before it completes and it has not reached the price you want by that time, are you ready to hold onto your investment?  Are you prepared financially for the closing costs and can you afford the difference between the rental income and the mortgage monthly payments over the long term.

As noted in the blog entry to follow  (BC Economic and Housing Update by Cameron Muirs, Chief Economist) Personal Net Worth is driven by Real Estate.  A staggering 42% of our Net Worth is in Real Estate today.  With numbers like these it is wise to spend more time making wise informed decisions to improve your Personal Wealth for the future.  For Recent Pre Sales near downtown see my Listings Actives and Solds

Please email or call me if you have any questions regarding your next Real Estate investment.

The forecast for 2007 and beyond is a strong BC economy and a stable housing market as discussed by Cameron Muir, Chief Economist in his seminar May 2007.  Housing starts and Condominium inventory will not be enough to satiate demographic demand and prices are set to rise 6 to 9% per year.  Renovations are on the rise due to the lack of inventory.  The Olympics will only account for 3% of BC economic growth, so the question of what will happen after seems to be answered already....continued stable growth.

BC salaries and economy are rising 2 to 3x the rate of inflation, with the BC economy rising faster than the rest of Canada.  Average mortgage rates will remain stable and are down from the average 6 years ago.  Real Estate is still the driving force behind net worth with 42% of Personal Assets being held in Real Estate.  The only area of major concern is the affordability of mortgage payments given the rise in housing prices. 

See :  http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/economics/REBGV_WSDivision2007.pdf  for complete charts and analysis.

"The Zone" 1 Bedroom with study in convenient Broadway location close to South Granville shops and restaurants. Enclosed balcony with North view of mountains and downtown. Expected completion 2009

View this recently sold Apartment Unit or see all my home sales

View this recently sold Apartment Unit or see all my home sales

View this recently sold Apartment Unit or see all my home sales

View this recently sold Apartment Unit or see all my home sales

Waterfront living at Concord pacific's Quay West One. This bright one bedroom comes with a great layout, covered balcony and unobstructed views. Fantastic location places you virtually on the seawall and steps from Yaletown.

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