Vancouver Real Estate Blog - Vancouver Realtor

Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-26

Sebastian — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:38:00 +0000

Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-19 http://bit.ly/cl0Oov #

Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-19

Sebastian — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:38:00 +0000

The Importance of Making Up Our Own Minds on Vancouver Real Estate http://bit.ly/djCx20 #
Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-12 http://bit.ly/bf8Ybg #

The Importance of Making Up Our Own Minds on Vancouver Real Estate

Sebastian — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:29:06 +0000

A colleague of mine (Naomi Larkin of Royal LePage Coast Capital in Victoria, BC) recently shared these quotes with me. They wouldn’t be out of place in much of today’s media (with altered values, of course).

I think that it’s important to realize that the real estate market is cyclical. We see down markets as well as up markets. However, over the course of the past 100 years there have been few investments that have outpaced an investment in your own home.

“The prices of houses seem to have reached a plateau, and there is reasonable expectancy that prices will decline.” -Time Magazine, 1947

“Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is around $8000 – out of reach for two-thirds of all buyers.” -Science Digest, 1948

“The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans. The typical new house today costs about $28,000.” -BusinessWeek, 1969

“The median price of a home today is approaching $50,000…Housing experts predict price rises in the future won’t be that great.” -Nations Business, 1977

“The era of easy profits in real estate may be drawing to a close.” -Money Magazine, 1985

“The golden age of risk-free run-ups in home prices is gone.” -Money Magazine, 1985

Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be a poor investment.” -Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, 1993

More info on Vancouver real estate

Looking for more information about Vancouver real estate? Be sure to check out my website thoroughly. There is a lot of information available, including a powerful Vancouver MLS search, detailed Vancouver MLS statistics, Vancouver neighborhood information as well as the Vancouver real estate blog.

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Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-12

Sebastian — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:38:00 +0000

June 2010 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver MLS Statistics http://bit.ly/9vVGhi #
Grind for Shelter 2010 – Media Summary http://bit.ly/93tgOE #
Grind for Shelter 2010 – Grouse Grind Ascent Record Broken For Charity http://bit.ly/9XRKKP Donations STILL Open. #
Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-05 http://bit.ly/aUFLkZ #

Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-12

Sebastian — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:38:00 +0000

June 2010 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver MLS Statistics http://bit.ly/9vVGhi #
Grind for Shelter 2010 – Media Summary http://bit.ly/93tgOE #
Grind for Shelter 2010 – Grouse Grind Ascent Record Broken For Charity http://bit.ly/9XRKKP Donations STILL Open. #
Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-05 http://bit.ly/aUFLkZ #

June 2010 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver MLS Statistics

Sebastian — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:42:30 +0000

Vancouver Real Estate Statistics for June 2010

Monthly Vancouver Real Estate MLS Statistics - June 2010

Signs of stability returning to the Vancouver Real Estate Market

For the first time in a few months, I actually see some positive signals in the most recent (June 2010) month’s Vancouver real estate statistics. Since February, just about every possible measurement had been turning to the negative. In fact, it became so obvious that the market was declining that the mainstream media even took notice.

The month of May 2010 in Vancouver real estate was the first obviously bad month. However, there seem to be some signs in June 2010 that our market may be stabilizing rather than declining. East Vancouver numbers look particularly strong.

There were 1873 new listings in June 2010. This is a decline of -18.07% from May 2010 and a rise of nearly 12% over June 2009. This is one of the most promising signals as it appears that the number of new listings coming onto the market is really slowing down (reducing supply).

After seeing a rapid drop in sales from April to May 2010, June 2010 saw a very small increase (+0.84%) to 958. This is a -32.01% decline over June 2009 (the second strongest selling June on record).

Meanwhile, active listings held relatively flat for the first time this year. Since January we have almost seen the number of active listings double in the Vancouver real estate market. The 5254 active listings in June 2010 were a +0.75% increase over May 2010 and a whopping +49.56% increase over June 2009.

Prices dropped across the board. Considering we have been seeing increased supply and reduced demand for some time, this doesn’t come as a surprise. The detached benchmark sat at $1,161,178 (-4.66% vs May 2010 and +17.49% vs June 2009), the attached benchmark was $639,809 (-1.31% vs May 2010 and +11.03% vs June 2009) and the apartment benchmark was $417,886 (-1.53% vs May 2010 and +8.3% vs June 2009).

Prices have capitulated to some degree, finally coming in line with the reality of increased supply and reduced demand. However, there are signs in the month of June that supply has stabilized and new listings are no longer flooding the market. This, combined with steadying demand leads me to believe that the Vancouver real estate market is beginning to stabilize.

The Vancouver Real Estate Board’s official line

“Activity in June marked a healthy balance between the near record setting pace of June 2009 and the considerably slower activity witnessed in June 2008, a period of recession as we all know,” Jake Moldowan, REBGV president said.

“We didn’t experience any record-breaking activity in June, but we did see a stable summer market,” Moldowan said. “The number of new listings coming on the market is not as dramatic as we saw over the previous three months and demand remains at a healthy level for this traditionally quieter time of year.”

“There has been less upward pressure on prices in our market the last few months, which has allowed prices to ease back from the record high numbers seen in April,” Moldowan said.

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Grind for Shelter 2010 – Media Summary

Sebastian — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:01:48 +0000

I guess that I should have known better. After all, I went through this at last year’s Grind for Shelter (the 2009 charity event at which I set a new record for the most ascents of the Grouse Grind in a single day). Soon after that event, I decided that I would do it again this year. I felt that I could do more.

=> Donate to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation <=

In 2009, one of the challenges that I faced was the amount of media attention that my event garnered. It’s one thing to set out to accomplish an extraordinary physical challenge. It is quite another to do so while almost constantly being photographed, videod and interviewed. Your mind isn’t able to focus on the task at hand, rather you are constantly thinking of your “talking points”.

Being interviewed after Grind for Shelter

For the 2010 event media guru Crystal Reinitz, of Edelman Vancouver, once again volunteered her time to the event. It was her skill and knowledge that helped to draw media interest to the event in 2009, and I was confident that with her help again in 2010 the RLP Shelter Foundation would again benefit from a significant amount of public awareness.

So, the date was set for June 28th 2010. The goal was to reach the top of the Grouse Grind 14 times in a single day (it took me 17.5 hours) and to raise $15,000, as well as much awareness as possible for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.

=> Donate to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation <=

To tell you the truth, we had our doubts about how much interest there would be the second time around. Was it too soon after last year? Would there be a big news story on the day that would push our story to the background?

=> Grind4Shelter Media Coverage Summary <=

As it turned out, the media was interested in the story again. Very interested. Requests for interviews began as soon as the press release was sent out. City TV, Global TV and CTV all had news coverage of the event, as well as radio stations the Peak FM, CBC Radio and Virgin Radio. Just about every newspaper also sent reporters and photographers to cover the story including the Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, Metro News, the Georgia Straight and the North Shore News.

Being interviewed after Grind for Shelter

This year’s event was even more difficult than last. After all, I was attempting to do one extra Grind in the same amount of time. Finding the time and energy to attend to interviews was an added challenge. In order to achieve my physical goal, I knew that no time could be wasted…so interviews had to be fit in where a few seconds could be spared (at the top as I grabbed some food, on the gondola ride down, or at the base of the trail as I was about to begin another ascent).

I am truly grateful for all of the attention that we were able to generate for the event, and most importantly, the RLP Shelter Foundation. The RLP Shelter Foundation spends no money on advertising, which is why most of us have never heard of it. However, as Canada’s largest public source of funding for women’s shelters it plays a very important role in our society. I’m proud to say, that the Grind for Shelter events have generated more press for the foundation than any other event ever has.

=> Donate to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation <=

Contact Sebastian, Vancouver Realtor or send me a quick email.

Grind for Shelter 2010 – Grouse Grind Ascent Record Broken For Charity

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:00:21 +0000

For the second time in as many years, I broke a Grouse Grind record. On June 28th, 2010 my goal was to climb the Grouse Grind 14 times. Starting at 6:30am and not stopping until 11:00pm I achieved my goal thereby setting another world record.

courtesy of Vancouver Sun

=> Donate to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation <=

1. 6:40 41:06
2. 7:46 40:33
3. 8:43 42:38
4. 9:42 44:04
5. 10:43 47:27
6. 11:42 53:10
7. 13:01 50:49
8. 14:14 52:33
9. 15:36 51:34
10. 16:42 55:43
11. 18:00 59:45
12. 19:16 58:28
13. 20:59 57:14
14. 22:15 57:44

AVG: 50:55

There were some tweaks that I made from my experiences in the previous years. I trained more specifically for the event, I took nutrition more seriously and I had better organization prior to as well as during the event. These changes, along with determination, perseverance and incredible support allowed me to achieve my physical goal (and I’m really happy that I not only managed to reach 14 grinds in one day, but also that I kept them ALL under 1 hour).

courtesy Vancouver Sun

It wasn’t easy, by any means. There were countless times when I doubted myself, when my body began to fail me…and when I simply wanted to give up. Around the 5th Grind I began to have severe cramps. They reminded me of the beginnings of the debilitating cramps that I had had the year before, but due to better nutrition they didn’t get as bad (at one point in 2009, I was curled up in a ball unable to move).

courtesy Vancouver Sun

There was something that was worse than cramps. After the 10th Grind I was excreting blood. Lots of blood…but I kept going. I still had my wits about me, and I was so close to my goal that I wouldn’t let that deter me. There were so many people watching me…so many people willing me to succeed…that I really don’t believe I had any other choice other than to reach my goal.

=> Donate to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation <=

There were also many memorable moments on the trail. Early in the day, there was a large crowd of young school children climbing the grind. A few of them recognized me from the news, and word quickly spread amongst them. Soon enough, at least 50 of them were cheering me on (although, I also overheard one of them telling his friend that I was never going to make it).

courtesy Vancouver Sun

The support from friends and family cannot be underestimated. I have so much to thank them for. The core of that group were Bess Durey, Crystal Reinitz, Bjoern Ossenbrink and my mother. Without the help and support of these four people, I could not have achieved what I set out to do. They were all instrumental in their own ways.

Post Grind for Shelter Celebration

On the day of the event, there was also a large group of Grouse Grinders that came to show their support. Many of them even climbed one or more Grinds with me during the day….keeping the repetitive task from becoming boring (and helping to ensure my safety as darkness came on). Amongst them, I would like to thank Jason Chong, Vicki Mann, Amy Tso, Oliver Bibby, Michael Frewin, Ryan Dietrich, Eric Wan and Matt Collinge. Thanks to all of you!

courtesy Vancouver Sun

While the physical achievement is certainly gratifying, it was not the primary goal. Setting a new Grouse Grind record was simply a tool to raise money and awareness for a great and meaningful cause; the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. This fantastic organization is the largest source of public funding for women’s shelters and violence prevention programs in Canada.

Aside from reaching the top of Grouse Mountain 14 times in one day, my goal was to try and raise $15,000 for them. So far, I have fallen short in my goal having raised $6,300 as of July 3rd, 2010. There is still time and opportunity to donate to the cause if you are able to.

Contact Sebastian, Vancouver Realtor or send me a quick email.

Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-07-05

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:38:00 +0000

Grind for Shelter 2010 – Grouse Grind Ascent Record Broken For Charity http://bit.ly/9XRKKP #
I broke world record 4 charity (climbed #grousegrind 14x in 1 day). Donations open. #grind4shelter http://ow.ly/279K2 #
Thanks for the RTs @careebray @kyegrace @tyamdm @bmgauto @rlpvancouver @rebroker_jenn #
Thanks @jeffpoh We’re at a total of $6135 with cash/cheque donations #grind4shelter in reply to jeffpoh #
I broke world record 4 charity (climbed #grousegrind 14x in 1 day). Donations still open. #grind4shelter http://ow.ly/26lw5 #
What r u doing tonight? Come c Galaxy Award winner Bess Durey @ YVR Jazz Fest tonight 10pm FREE! http://ow.ly/263Xq #jazzfest #
Spent the afternoon at Granville Island enjoying Canada Day and the Jazz Fest. Not exactly ideal weather, but great crowds nonetheless. #
Thx 4 support @joanchang @LondonDrugs @MortgageMark @AdinaDragasanu @poonamkaler @diminutivecook #grind4shelter http://www.grind4shelter.com #
Thank you. RT @ CalgaryRealtor @SAlbrecht you’re a shining example of someone who truly gives back to his community. Hats off #Grind4Shelter #
This isn’t the right time to ask me. RT @RLPVancouver @604homesguy Good for you! If we’d known we might have come up. Next year…. #
My body still hurts a bit too! RT @MonicaHamburg My body hurts just thinking about what you did @SAlbrecht. #
Thank you, Akash. You are too kind. RT @AkashSablok Sebastian, you are an inspiration! #
Thanks! RT @urban_yuppie You did amazing! I’m happy when I do it just once in a day! #grind4shelter #
How’s the editing coming along? RT @mega1e Editing my amateur documentary of #Grind4Shelter in reply to mega1e #
Not sure about that. I feel pretty much the same as last week. RT @Odin195 You are now officially a local HERO! How does that feel? in reply to Odin195 #
Thanks @admgaumont @closingnight @meljoaquin @asifa604 @liveatsquamish @joanchang #grind4shelter #
Thx @cathybrowne @debrasonmor @calgaryrealtor @lacouvee @perfectplaces @mortgage604 @rgiesbrecht @EpicEmpire @karlwoll @blizzz @adamgaumont #
Thx 2 all that supported #grind4shelter After breaking record of 14x #grousegrind still need donations! http://ow.ly/24L1N #
Thanks 4the congratulations on #grind4shelter @mis_sy @dixontam jen_jen @jpadamson @kyegrae @modworkingwoman @courtney_dawn @rlpshelterfdn #
Thanks for the congratulations on #grind4shelter @Odin195 @KateGajdosik @urban_yuppie @eternalcanadian @silvia_tan @alex_ruiz @dilarahamid #
Thanks for the congratulations on #grind4shelter @pawspix @gillianshaw @marni_wedin @angelelabbe @cococaviar @raincoaster @dustypupVI #
So, so glad not to b climbing the #grousegrind this morning. I climbed it yesterday a record 14x for the #rlpshelterfdn #grind4shelter #
Thanks @VancityBuzz @Anna_Lilly @KaerusGrp @Sandra_Webb @250joules @mega1e @iamclean @davemacdonald @hummingbird604 @tyamdm @rebeccapermack #
Just finished an interview with Rick Cluff on the Early Edition on CBC re #grind4shelter #
Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-06-28 http://bit.ly/cpiCBS #

Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-06-28

Sebastian — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:38:00 +0000

Awesome. Group of kids on #grousgrind cheering me on. Love it. Thank you. #grind4kids #
No 4 (of 14) started. On pace for the goal of breaking the record. #grind4shelter #grousegrind #
Climbing 3rd #grousegrind this AM. Still feeling great. Only 11 3/4s to go! #grind4shelter http://www.grind4shelter.com #
Finished No 2 (of 14) #grousegrinds in 40:30. Waiting for the gondola to take me down. #grind4shelter #
On No 2 (of 14) #grousegrind after brief #ctv interview #grind4shelter #rlpshelterfdn #
No 1 (of 14) #grousegrind done in 42 minutes. Feeling good! #grind4shelter #
Good thing I am wearing a race bib. Generous passing hiker just donated $500 to #rlpshelterfdn #grind4shelter #
Stretching at the base of the #grousegrind about to head up on my 1st of 14 for #grind4shelter http://www.grind4shelter.com #
Time for breakfast, a little stretching and then a great day on #grousemountain #grind4shelter. #
Grouse Grind for Shelter – June 28th – http://eepurl.com/FeM3 #
You can follow all of my updates on my attempt to climb #grousegrind 14x by keeping your eyes on #grind4shelter on June 28th. #
One day before I try to climb #grousegrind 14x to raise $ 4 women+kids. Pls donate + RT. http://ow.ly/23KXV #grind4shelter #
I'll climb #grousegrind 14x (Jun 28) raising $15,000 4 women + kids. Plz donate + RT! http://ow.ly/22M0t #grind4shelter #
Climbed the grind last time yesterday. Next time will be Monday when I do 14x #grousegrind 4 charity. http://ow.ly/22LQw #grind4shelter #
Thank you so much! RT @merikok Good luck climbing the grouse grind 14xs in reply to merikok #
I'll climb #grousegrind 14x (Jun 28) raising $15,000 4 women + kids. Plz donate + RT! http://ow.ly/21ItP #grind4shelter #
Thanks 4 RTs @grind4kids @mega1e @rlpshetlerfdn @royal_lepage @rlpVancouver @rebroker_jenn @Mikejang @realtor_erica @gdmitchell @lfroese #
Weekly Thoughts on Vancouver Real Estate for 2010-06-21 http://bit.ly/afaIoN #