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        <title>Vancouver Real Estate News Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-buying-tips/</link>
        <description>Offering insight into the residential and commercial Vancouver real estate market for home buyers, investors and businesses</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-still-a-strong-investment.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-still-a-strong-investment.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Vancouver Real Estate Still a Strong Investment? </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are indicators that the
steady increase in housing prices in the Vancouver Real Estate market could be
heading for a corrective lowering in the near future as other areas like
Toronto start to attract more interest.&nbsp;
Real Estate pundits offer a variety of reasons for the impervious
Vancouver market, but there remain concerns about what will happen to the
market when the interest rates are adjusted in 2013.&nbsp;&nbsp; 


Will Vancouver continue to be a
growth market in the near future, is this still a great place to invest in
holiday homes, retirement properties and foreign investment.&nbsp; 


There has been much speculation about how Vancouver has
remained unscathed by the economic woes that have created bubble and burst
problems world wide in the housing industry.&nbsp;
Vancouver has remained a strong, stable market with property prices in
general rising during a time when some markets have been nearly completely
destroyed.&nbsp; 


Vancouver has long been rated as
one of the best cities to live in and makes the top of most of the Best Places
to Live lists worldwide, year after year.&nbsp;
This beautiful port city offers some wonderful amenities and
attractions, as well as close proximity to both the Pacific Rim and the US,
making it an attractive market for the foreign investor.&nbsp; 


During the worlds economic
downturn, Vancouver has been a growth market in a number of industries, one of
the most famous being its position as the &ldquo;North Hollywood&rdquo; as it has become a
film and television production center.&nbsp;
The financial industry and technology associated with the film industry
have attracted both companies (including headquarters) and workforce.&nbsp; The strong work force offers an educated,
healthy and vital labor pool, making this an attractive market for expanding
companies.&nbsp; 


The active living opportunities
in the area are a great draw for tourists, retirees and immigrant
investors.&nbsp; The cultural diversity and
cosmopolitan feeling of the pretty port city make it attractive for potential buyers.&nbsp; 


The strong immigrant investment
pool in Vancouver, which requires $1.6 million in net worth and an investment
of at least $800,000 in the property market, has helped keep the prices on a
steady rise.&nbsp; The lack of speculators, or
house flippers in the market has also helped keep the prices rising and the
market more stable than highly speculative markets.&nbsp; 


The use of Vancouver as a
backdrop in films, television series and independent production has also
increased interest in the area.&nbsp; The
wildly popular Twilight series, as well as both Feature and independent film
success have plunged this area into the media, and attracted film buffs and
star gazers of the celebrity kind.&nbsp; 


The elements that have led
Vancouver to be a strong, stable market, are not likely to change in the near
future.&nbsp; The economic development in the
area is still strong, jobs are plentiful and the labor pool is active and well
educated.&nbsp; The rising Chinese millionaire
population continues to view Vancouver as a strong location for immigrant
investment.&nbsp; The burgeoning retirement
population looking for active living rich in cultural diversity and the
cosmopolitan cultural offering of the city are likely to keep interest in the
Vancouver market strong for some time.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:31:02 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-buddle.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-buddle.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Vancouver Real Estate Buddle</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Through out the post-2008 economic woes of the world; real
estate markets have been a barometer of economic conditions for the local
area.&nbsp; Worldwide, real estate bubbles and
bursts have been indicative of economic stability and even employment
opportunities as the housing market in most areas is so deeply interlaced into
the economic conditions.&nbsp; 


Vancouver, BC has been seemingly
impervious to the bubbles and bursts the rest of the world has been
balancing up until now.&nbsp;&nbsp; This strong economic area
has held the housing prices steady or increasing even in some of the worst of
the worlds economic times.&nbsp; 


There have been questions lately
in real estate industry about the steady rise in Vancouver real estate
prices.&nbsp; The concern is that the steady and
lately significant increase in the housing prices in the Vancouver Real Estate
Market could be indicative of a pending bubble.


There are two sides of the opinion on this.The Real Estate Industry stays
steadfast in their conviction that the Vancouver Real Estate Market remains
stable and unlikely to bubble.&nbsp; They state there are
a number of reasons for the higher price level of the Vancouver market.&nbsp; The long-standing financial stability of
Vancouver, including the growth markets of finance, film production and
technology coupled with a strong work force has helped with the real estate
market.&nbsp; In addition, the interest in the
area by foreign investors keeps interest rates low and prices higher.&nbsp; The lower level of flipping speculation in
the Vancouver market has also helped keep the prices higher.&nbsp; On the flip side, supporters of the Vancouver real estate bubble movement believe interest rates are bound to rise eventually, and the average home versus income ratio is higher in Vancouver than anywhere else in Canada. Eventually, prices are bound to settle and correct.


Vancouver has long been a
contender for the Best Places to Live Top Five ranking.&nbsp; The natural beauty and geographic proximity
to both Asia and the US make Vancouver a desirable market for the holiday home,
retirement buyer and investment property market.&nbsp; The cosmopolitan sophistication of the
diverse cultures and cuisine of the area has made it a great location for the
world to travel to.&nbsp; The availability of
the Port and the active living opportunities has attracted businesses and work
force.&nbsp; 


The combination of cultural
diversity, natural beauty, active living, strong employment markets, industry
growth and economic stability make Vancouver a very desirable place to
live.&nbsp; The desirability of the Vancouver
market will remain stable, so correspondingly will the interest in the local
real estate market.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:20:06 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/why-vancouver-bc-is-appealing.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/why-vancouver-bc-is-appealing.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Why Vancouver BC is Appealing</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The
value of property is determined in a number of formulations, there is the
assessed value or tax value; the comparable value or the value of the property
compared to recent sales in the area of comparable properties; but there is also
market value which can be dependent upon other factors such as confidence in
the location, employment trends and other environmental factors.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


In
Vancouver, unemployment runs well below the national average.&nbsp; Thriving, and stable job markets have been a
strong factor in the pricing levels of Vancouver property remaining high, even
in challenging economic conditions.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


One
of the major employers in Vancouver is the government.&nbsp; It is standard in Canada that 1 in 10
employees in the city work for the government; in Vancouver it is 1 in 4.&nbsp; There is some variation in this as
administrations and government change, but across time this is a consistently
strong employer for the area.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


The
financial industry has a strong presence in Vancouver.&nbsp; The Big Five Banks of Canada all have a
presence here.&nbsp; The city is also the
location for a number of banks world headquarters.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


The
Port of Vancouver allows for export and import industries to thrive and in
terms of international commerce, Vancouver has a strong infrastructure.&nbsp; The Port of Vancouver is ranked one of the
worlds best and employees nearly 70,000 people.&nbsp; The forestry and mining industries are strong
employers both currently and historically in the area.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


More
than 1800 acres support the manufacturing and related industries in
Vancouver.&nbsp; Making it a strong employer
in traditional commerce and trade.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


The
film industry has been strongly employing more than 30,000 professionals in the
production and filmmaking industries.&nbsp;
The related film technology industry, which supports post-production,
animation and special effects, is also a strong employer in the area.&nbsp; The software business and related technology
is also growing in Vancouver.&nbsp; Most of
the major software and technology companies have a presence in Vancouver
including IBM, Microsoft, Intel and SAP.&nbsp;



&nbsp;


The
fuel cell and aviation industries are reliable employers in Vancouver as
well.&nbsp; The strong area interest in
sustainability and green make it a draw for new technologies and innovation.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


Tourism,
aided by the 2010 Olympic Games is big business in Vancouver.&nbsp; The city is culturally diverse with a mix of
locals, natives of First Nations and immigrants to Canada.&nbsp; Vancouver has the cosmopolitan sophistication
of an international city with a diversity of restaurants, culture and the
arts.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


The
population of Vancouver is well educated with over 60% of citys work force
holding a university or college degree.&nbsp;
Rated in 2008 as one of the worlds smartest cities, the well-educated
work force makes it an attractive location for businesses and economic
development.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


Strong,
stable economic conditions; coupled with high market value for property and
good working conditions make Vancouver a good place to work.&nbsp; It is attractive to a young workforce as well
as the more established senior level executives.&nbsp; If you are looking for a location where your
property will be attractive to the workforce, it seems Vancouver works.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:08:09 -0500</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/top-5-tips-for-flipping-a-house-in-the-vancouver-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/top-5-tips-for-flipping-a-house-in-the-vancouver-market.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Top 5 Tips for Flipping a House in the Vancouver Market   </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If the
do-it-yourself-reality show is any indication, there isnt anything simpler
than to buy a dilapidated home, invest some elbow grease and a few spare
thousand and poof instant profit.&nbsp;&nbsp; The
show uses editing to make the whole process look painless and rapid.&nbsp; However, life rarely imitates this form of
art.&nbsp; 


There are
sizable risks in the flipping market.&nbsp;
Even when purchasing property in Vancouver, which seems to
be moving ahead of the pack and has a stable economy; there are risks.&nbsp; 


1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nothing costs as much as inexperience:&nbsp; this
is a challenge as many flippers are new to the game.&nbsp; In some cases they have no construction or
development experience, know little about the market and are looking for a
quick profit turnaround.&nbsp; This is
definitely an area where what you dont know will hurt you.&nbsp; If you do not know the area, get a broker,
attorney or accountant that does.&nbsp; It is
critical to know how much houses are selling for, how long they are on the
market and what the return on improvements by area and type is running in that
market.&nbsp; This will prevent you from
overdeveloping a property, a common novice error.&nbsp; High-end finishes in a low-end market can eat
up any available profit.&nbsp; 


2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Know what you are getting into:&nbsp; have a
detailed home inspection from someone with strong credentials prior to starting
final negotiations for price and terms.&nbsp;
This can easily be the best money you will ever spend.&nbsp; If there are critical issues such as
foundation, termites, asbestos, radon or mold damage; it is essential that you
understand the depth and value of the damage.&nbsp;
Getting a house an unbelievable price is no bargain if you need to spend
twice its value to rid it of rodents, termites or mold.&nbsp; Frequently credits are offered from the
seller if the inspection reveals costly required repairs.&nbsp; 


3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Know the neighborhood:&nbsp; are the
schools highly rated, what is the crime rate, what is the development plan for
the neighborhood?&nbsp; If you do not know
what is coming, and most of this will be public information if you take the
time to look, or work with a professional capable of tracking it down.&nbsp; These same things can be selling points for
potential buyers if the answers are positive. &nbsp;


4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bad construction costs money: if you have no experience in construction,
hire someone who does.&nbsp; Be certain you
have accounted for their cost in your budget and be sure to plan for the
unexpected by having a cushion in the budget for the unexpected, unplanned and
previously unregulated.&nbsp; If you have no
dry walling experience, hire an expert.&nbsp;
Bowed walls give it away.&nbsp; If you
dont know AC from DC, hire a certified electrician.&nbsp; Blowing yourself up is never a good
investment.&nbsp; Skilled trades are just that,
they require education and experience.&nbsp;
Bad work means bad prices in the market and that means less or no profit
from your flip. 


5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This is not about your taste:&nbsp; you may be
the foremost expert on the most electric colors ever made, but that does not
sell the property.&nbsp; Neutral colors,
choices that appeal to the largest segment of the market and avoiding purchases
that date the period are essential to sell this fast.&nbsp; This isnt personal, its business.&nbsp; Treat it like that. 


Research, Research, Research is as important
as location, location, location. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:27:47 -0500</pubDate>
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