Real Estate News & Articles

Granville Street’s future begins today

2008-12-01

Major transformation will, it is hoped, turn this outdated ULTAN KAMPFF Sun The shovel hits the ground today and a new chapter in downtown Vancouver history begins. Construction of a redesigned Granville Street — from the north end of…

Owners won’t (or can’t) pay for urgent repairs

2008-11-30

Tony Gioventu Province Dear Condo Smarts: Our strata owners have tried unsuccessfully at two separate general meetings in the past year to pass a special levy for the replacement of one of our building’s roofs. The roof should have be…

Are we flirting with a new depression?

2008-11-30

OUTLOOK: Fidelity chiefs doubt quick recovery as global stock losses pile up RAY TURCHANSKY Province As the daily losses continue to pile up on global stock indexes, there is increasing belief that much of the world may be in a depression r…

Delay social-housing evictions until developer, financing ready: Critics

2008-11-28

Don't crush 224 units that will displace 200 people on lengthy waiting lists for homes Christina Montgomery Province Pressure is growing on the province to reopen more than 200 suites of social housing in Vancouver that B.C. Housing is busy…

Sales slip as Whistler becomes buyers' market

2008-11-28

Sellers forced to aggressively drop prices to attract offers Derrick Penner Sun Phones are still ringing at Tourism Whistler's booking office, offering some hope to a waning Whistler real estate market. "Our real estate activity does flow f…

Tip of the fez to this treat

2008-11-27

It's a spread rich in luxurious, deeply satisfying delights Mark Laba Province Chef de cuisine Jason Toth and executive chef and owner Abdel Elatouabi with prawn and chickpea fritters and Couscous Royale. Photograph by : Gerry Kahrmann, The…

Mon Bella's menu shifts from 'sharing plates' to Kitsilano comfort food with mixed results, mostly positive

2008-11-27

Crafty chameleon changes for circumstances Mia Stainsby Sun Owner Brad Roark and chef Lauren Campbell at Mon Bella. Photograph by : Jenelle Schneider, Vancouver Sun MON BELLA Overall 3 1/2 Food 3 1/2 Ambience 3 1/2 Service 3 1/2 1809 West F…

Protecting retirement savings from seizure

2008-11-25

It wasn't until last week that RRSPs were also finally shielded by law It wasn't until last week that RRSPs were also finally shielded by law Miriam Maisonville Sun Economic uncertainty is at the forefront of everyone's thoughts these days.…

Apartment investors suffering with credit squeeze

2008-11-25

Lenders seek more equity in down payments Derrick Penner Sun Sales of rental apartment buildings in the Lower Mainland collapsed earlier this year in the credit squeeze and they haven't recovered as 2008 winds down, according to research fr…

Getting around treasurer who controls with 'iron hand'

2008-11-23

Tony Gioventu Province Dear Condo Smarts: At our condo in Victoria we elected seven council members at the AGM in August. In early September, six of the seven council members resigned, leaving only the treasurer. Our strata basically ran wi…

Incentives help restore confidence in a declining market, but housing prices will not stay low for long

2008-11-22

PETER SIMPSON Sun Buyers should remember they are purchasing a home, not a commodity stock For every challenge there is an opportunity. If a vacation is in your plans, or you are considering purchasing a vehicle or home, there are some swee…

Adventurers gear up for 'dangerous' Mexican race

2008-11-22

Kent Spencer Province Nov. 20 to 23, 2008 Approximate length: 1,016 km Time limit: 31hours A Vancouver-based group is entering the TECATE-SCORE BAJA 1,000, a 1,000-mile romp for cars through the desert along the Mexican Baja peninsula. Pict…

B.C. Government meddling in freezing BC assessments to 2007 levels

2008-11-22

Bill entrenches meddling in assessments Don Cayo Sun "When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less." -- Humpty Dumpty , as quoted by Lewis Carroll So, too, with making a law -- at least one specific law…

Housing sales slide is part of cyclical slowdown and no cause for alarm

2008-11-21

End of boom isn't a bust Eric Beauchesne Province OTTAWA -- Canada 's housing boom has ended, but the shift to a buyer's market is no reason for alarm, according to an analysis by one major bank yesterday. Another big bank contended that ev…

Toys for car buffs of all ages

2008-11-21

Lowell Conn Sun Kenwood's newly released DPX503 Drew Technologies' DashDAQ Series II Kit Little Miss CARgo Jr. 1. Kenwood needs a brand manager: Kenwood's newly released DPX503 is among the best double-DIN stereo values you'll find this upc…

Westin Grand Hotle developers at 433 Robson found liable in Investor suit

2008-11-21

Financial projections for Westin Grand Hotel were overly optimistic and negligently prepared, judge rules Neal Hall Sun A 1999 photo shows Westin Grand Hotel developers Scott Cressey and John Evans. Photograph by : Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Su…

Council turns down Yaletown patio eatery

2008-11-20

Suzanne Fournier Province Would a 250-seat, open-air patio restaurant atop the glamorous Opus Hotel enhance Vancouver 's livability reputation or would it turn Yaletown into Yelltown ? Many Yaletown residents opposed the plan over hours of …

Globally inspired West Coast cuisine at Voya

2008-11-20

Long-awaited restaurant opens after 15-month delay and manages to deliver both delights and surprises Mia Stainsby Sun Potato crusted cod is on the menu at Voya restaurant. VOYA Overall 4 Food 4 Ambience 4 Service 5 $$$ Loden Hotel, 1177 Me…

Will that be spicy green beans with your snake?

2008-11-20

'You can pretend it's just pork' Mia Stainsby Sun Wonton King owner Olivia Lau with Szechuan chicken, manager Erik Hui with smoked cod and deep-fried bean curd. Photograph by : Stuart Davis, Vancouver Sun WONTON KING 620 S.E. Marine Dr. , 6…

Handi dandy Indian dishes

2008-11-20

Enjoy classic cooking without the bells and whistles Mark Laba Province With a toast to fine Indian food, diners prepare to sample two of the many dishes on offer at Handi Cuisine. Photograph by : Nick Procaylo, The Province HANDI CUISINE O…

Bleak view on house prices

2008-11-19

Most B.C. residents braced for a fall, but some still think they'll climb Province B.C. residents' optimism is up about whether now is a good time to buy a house. Ric Ernst file photo - The Province B.C. residents have Canada 's bleakest ex…

B.C. resigned to real estate price declines

2008-11-19

Derrick Penner Sun The Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals survey of more than 2,000 people nationwide found that those who think prices will fall more than doubled since spring. Photograph by : Vancouver Sun files Bri…

B.C.'s oldest buildings

2008-11-19

Sun There does not seem to be a master list of the oldest buildings in British Columbia . "And believe me, " said The Sun's John Mackie, "it takes a lot of work trying to put one together." But here is a list of some of the contenders, alon…

Developer pushed for 300-foot-tall 58 West Hastings tower

2008-11-19

Pieta Woolley Other A major Gastown developer wanted the controversial seven-storey condominium-and-retail complex planned for 58 West Hastings Street to be much taller. In a May 2 e-mail, Jon Stovell , the general manager of Reliance Holdi…