Real Estate News & Articles

Get it in writing -- no exceptions!

2008-07-27

Verbal agreements can leave a strata in tough spot Tony Gioventu Province Dear Condo Smarts: Our strata recently replaced the roofing system on our building. The special levy that was approved was for the amount of $175,000 to cover the tot…

Getting the most from your gadgets

2008-07-26

Sun Lumix, LX3, Panasonic Photosmart A630 compact photo printer Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, Microsoft 1. Lumix , LX3, Panasonic, $550 The top of the point-and-shoot cameras from Panasonic's new lineup are arriving in stores in Aug…

999 Seymour condo project in downtown Vancouver

2008-07-26

DIGITAL ANIMATION PROVIDES VIRTUAL WALKTHROUGH Sun The 999 Seymour condo project in downtown Vancouver may not be built yet, but that doesn't mean you can't take a peek at the building -- inside and out. Thanks to modern technology, the Tow…

City landscape's fascinating, rapid transformation tracked with Sky Shots

2008-07-26

Sun The changing shape of the downtown skyline is evident in this aerial image. In the foreground are the first few finished floors of The Erickson on False Creek, marking one of the last pieces of the puzzle in the redevelopment of the Exp…

Convention centre named best -- Twice

2008-07-25

Sun VANCOUVER -- Vancouver 's Convention & Exhibition Centre is the first repeat winner of an award for "World's Best Convention Centre." It won the same award in 2002. "I congratulate the convention centre on its success in this global…

Tips to help you find a good financial adviser

2008-07-25

Your financial future may depend on it Jim Yih, Sun Most people would agree that finding a good financial adviser is pretty important. Sound financial advice can make big differences in your financial future. It can be the difference betwee…

Hackers get hold of critical Internet flaw

2008-07-25

"We are in a lot of trouble," says expert. "This is a big deal." Glenn Chapman Sun A skull-and-crossbones symbol is placed over a computer keyboard at a 'hacker academy' in Paris, France. Internet security researchers on Thursday warned tha…

Foreclosures rise; new-home sales stronger than expected

2008-07-25

USA Today WASHINGTON — Foreclosure notices more than doubled from a year ago, but sales of new single-family homes were stronger than expected in June, falling just 0.6% to a 530,000 annual pace, two separate reports showed Friday. Fo…

Consumer confidence falling, Canada's economy - gloomy picture of future

2008-07-25

Consumer confidence falling, drop in export earnings forecast Eric Beauchesne Sun Lagging business investment, falling consumer confidence and a worsening trade performance are darkening the outlook for Canada 's economy, separate reports w…

Andre Molnar, local "Condo King" from the late 80's has now turned his attention to building & operating rental apartments in Bellingham

2008-07-25

Andre Molnar still active, but south of the border Bob Ransford Sun Long before condominiums became a local commodity, one Vancouver developer-builder was a leader in the multi-family housing business, constantly breaking new ground and lau…

Tasty mounds of meatballs

2008-07-24

Bite into them and be forever bitten by their flavours Mark Laba Province General manager David Kipis (left) and executive chef Jeremy Atkins find a bottle that goes well with the carne and pesce platter, which includes grilled tiger prawns…

Knol - New Google site will compete with Wikipedia

2008-07-24

Knol will allow people to write about their areas of expertise under their own names, and users will need permission to edit entries Eric Auchard Sun SAN FRANCISCO -- Google Inc. opened its website Knol to the public on Wednesday, allowing …

Finding the right tenant for your rental unit

2008-07-24

Marketing your rental unit Sun Every landlord wants to find the ideal tenant -- the person who always pays rent on time, never disturbs others, doesn't complain or cause conflicts and keeps the premises in better condition than when he or s…

Japanese food, Hawaiian touch

2008-07-24

Mia Stainsby Sun Gohan sushi chef Takeo Ishii holds a freshly made 'deep south roll' at the Gohan Japanese restaurant in Burnaby. Photograph by : Stuart Davis, Vancouver Sun GOHAN 1815 Rosser Ave. , Burnaby , B.C. 604-205-5212. www.members.…

Existing home sales fall 2.6% in June; prices slide, too

2008-07-24

Martin Crutsinger USA Today WASHINGTON — Sales of existing homes fell more sharply than expected in June as the housing industry continued to be bruised by the worst slump in more than two decades. The National Association of Realtors…

may be buying into a bursting bubble rather than over due correction regarding the recent dip in commodities

2008-07-24

Oil continues a slide to its lowest point since May, gold also declines John Morrissy Sun OTTAWA -- Investors eager to pounce on the recent dip in commodities may be buying into a bursting bubble rather than an overdue correction, says Nati…

Experts scramble to head off major threat to Internet security

2008-07-24

Hackers could use flaw in traffic routing system to send users to malicious sites Jessey Bird Sun OTTAWA -- Security experts are urging Internet server administrators to act quickly to head off what they are calling the "single largest thre…

Finding the right tenant for your rental unit

2008-07-24

Marketing your rental unit Sun Every landlord wants to find the ideal tenant -- the person who always pays rent on time, never disturbs others, doesn't complain or cause conflicts and keeps the premises in better condition than when he or s…

Vancouver office space at premium

2008-07-23

Vacancy rate lowest in Canada with market that's going to get tighter Wendy McLellan Province Vancouver's short supply of downtown office space means companies have to make longer-range plans if they want to expand. Jon Murray file photo - …

New call for cellphones

2008-07-23

More wireless spectrum for auction in 18 months Wojtek Dabrowski and Louise Egan Province A pedestrian uses a cellphone while walking past a Rogers store in Ottawa yesterday. Photograph by : Reuters OTTAWA -- The federal government plans to…

BC's Property transfer tax a bad law that needs to be fixed

2008-07-23

Don Cayo Sun Is it fair, I asked B.C.'s revenue minister, to charge property transfer tax on someone's own assets -- on improvements they've long since paid for, and paid the sales tax on -- when, after a period of leasing, they finally buy…

Canadians lag in cellphone use

2008-07-23

John Morrissy Sun Photograph by : AFP/Getty Images OTTAWA - The end of Canada 's wireless spectrum auction and its promise of increased competition comes on a day when new data shows Canadians, who pay some of the highest cellphone rates in…

White House: Bush will sign housing rescue bill

2008-07-23

USA Today President Bush has reportedly dropped his opposition to a bill to help the country pull through the mortgage and housng crisis. Here, a foreclosed home is seen in Vallejo, Calif. WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush dropped his …

BC's Property transfer tax a bad law that needs to be fixed

2008-07-23

Sun Is it fair, I asked B.C.'s revenue minister, to charge property transfer tax on someone's own assets -- on improvements they've long since paid for, and paid the sales tax on -- when, after a period of leasing, they finally buy the land…