Real Estate News & Articles

Pros and cons of leasing cars versus buying

2009-09-21

Scott Hannah Province Ford's Escape and Focus sit for sale in this file photo. Photograph by: Reuters Q: I'm going broke keeping my old car running. I need a new one -- should I lease or buy a new car? A: Before leaving your driveway in sea…

Don't make bylaws you can't enforce

2009-09-20

Limiting the number of proxies conflicts with the Strata Act Tony Gioventu Province Dear Condo Smarts: A small group of owners in our strata is frustrated by the lack of interest of most of the strata owners in our complex. We often struggl…

The Vancouver Special reimagined

2009-09-20

Owners of five renovated homes open their doors during one-day event Lena Sin Province Virtually unrecognizable as a Special, this renovated home in the Dunbar neighbourhood incorporates massives windows and a ‘zigzag roof’ to a…

New tax rules are needed for donated real estate

2009-09-19

The goal is to encourage more donors to step up Jamie Golombek Sun Canada should kill the capital gains tax on donations of appreciated real estate and private company shares to charity, says a study released this week by the C.D. Howe Inst…

All talk and no action: Our transportation mess is a major roadblock to affordable residency

2009-09-19

Provincial and municipal government discord costs us all Bob Ransford Sun The new Canada Line speaks strongly of the possibilities of transit, Bob Ransford argues, and of the realities.'If and when higher density growth is planned around ..…

Spacious, finished UBC apartments a post-secondary lesson in luxury

2009-09-19

The Wesbrook is also the first highrise in growing south-campus neighbourhood Michael Sasges Sun In the Wesbrook kitchens and... Photograph by: Mark van Manen, Vancouver Sun ...bathrooms the cabinetry is Italian, the counters quartz, marble…

House hunting goes mobile with new text-messaging services

2009-09-18

Consumers can get listing information from property signs with realtor's code Derrick Penner Sun New real estate listing services are popping up to serve the growing number of people carrying mobile devices. Potential buyers can key in a nu…

Time to cut taxes on new homes

2009-09-18

Don Cayo Sun The total tax bill on a new $565,000 home is $82,974, after all three levels of government take a piece. Photograph by: Ian Smith, Vancouver Sun The way new homes are taxed in B.C. is excessive, wrong-headed and harmful, and th…

Renovations should be undertaken with care

2009-09-18

'Too personal' changes can affect sales price Pedro Arrais Sun Planning a renovation? You're in good company. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., two out of five homeowner households renovated their homes last year. Homeowners s…

House hunting goes mobile with new text-messaging services

2009-09-18

Consumers can get listing information from property signs with realtor's code Derrick Penner Sun New real estate listing services are popping up to serve the growing number of people carrying mobile devices. Potential buyers can key in a nu…

Cool new Mis Trucos marks Davie Street's coming of age with upscale and sophisticated food choices from the traditions of Spain

2009-09-17

Menu a homage to land of original tapas Mia Stainsby Sun Chef Kris Barnholden (centre), shows off his duck salad and shares a laugh with bartender Jonathan James (right) and manager Eryn Dorman. Photograph by: Mark van Manen, Vancouver Sun …

Vancouver leads home resales surge

2009-09-16

Greater city area sees huge gains from a year ago Province Resales have sizzled in many parts of Canada recently, but analysts say the surge will be short-lived. — CNS FILE Canada 's resale home sales sizzled in August, led by Greater…

Metro Vancouver leads nation with 117% gain in home resales after short, sharp recession

2009-09-16

Derrick Penner Sun Metro Vancouver's dramatic 117-per-cent increase in home resales in August compared to August 2008 led a national rebound in the real estate market. According to statistics released by the Canadian Real Estate Association…

Whistler hoteliers among hardest hit in Canada during recession: survey

2009-09-16

Resort shows steepest drop in average room prices in the country, Hotels.ca says Derrick Penner Sun Hoteliers in Whistler have had a tougher time than their counterparts anywhere else in Canada during the recession, recording the steepest d…

Province launches new web service for smart phones

2009-09-16

Province Province is now easier to read on the go. Today, we are launching mobile-optimized versions of our website, specifically designed for iPhones , BlackBerrys and other smartphones . “British Columbians are especially active on …

'That's a lot of money' for new concourse

2009-09-15

Weatherproof walk cost $38m Ian Austin Province A $38-million concourse now connects the old and new convention centres on the Vancouver waterfront. Photograph by: Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province At $100,000 a stride, it's B.C.'s costliest …

Hotel reopens after ‘thrilling’ renovations

2009-09-15

THE BEACON: Former drug haven now features clean, safe rooms CHERYL CHAN Province Rich Coleman at the opening of the Beacon Hotel in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. JASON PAYNE — THE PROVINCE The Downtown Eastside’s most no…

Vancouver home sales up 117 per cent in August compared to one year ago

2009-09-15

Sun Vancouver led the nation with a whopping 117 per cent increase in home sales in August compared to August a year ago, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association. Photograph by: Rick Collins, Special to the …

A sign of the times — Ritz-Carlton back on track

2009-09-15

Fiona Anderson Sun A rendering of Arthur Erickson's Residences at The Ritz-Carlton tower as it would have looked against the city skyline. Photograph by: Handout The new condominium market seems to be alive and well in Vancouver with the Ri…

Troubled Jameson House project at 838 Hastings on the rise again after recovering lost financing

2009-09-14

Derrick Penner Sun Concrete forms now poke above ground at 838 West Hastings St. as signs that the landmark Jameson House condominium development is back from the financial intensive care of court protection from creditors. The project suff…

Village takes exception to Street View

2009-09-14

England community stops Google photo program in its tracks and ignites privacy concerns across Europe HENRY CHU Sun BROUGHTON, England — The good folk of Broughton don’t take kindly to being photographed without permission. Just…

House prices climb in B.C. - average up 11.7 per cent

2009-09-13

Province B.C.'s average house price climbed 11.7 per cent to $471,078 in August from the same month last year, the B.C. Real Estate Association said. "Home prices edged higher in many markets over the summer months as declining inventories …

House prices climb in B.C. - average up 11.7 per cent

2009-09-13

Province B.C.'s average house price climbed 11.7 per cent to $471,078 in August from the same month last year, the B.C. Real Estate Association said. "Home prices edged higher in many markets over the summer months as declining inventories …

Seduced by San Miguel's rich heritage and artistic vibe

2009-09-13

many charms: Art galleries, festivals and colonial architecture lure visitors who end up becoming residents Lisa Monforton Province La Parroquia, the iconic parish church in San Miguel, glows with lights and the setting sun. -- BALD MOUNTAI…