I was doing a photo tour of West Van, or a part of it anyway and decided to share with you guys one of my favorite places in Vancouver..."Heaven"! Not sure if a lot of people know about this place but it's fairly easy to find and is a great place to look over Vancouver on a date, or if you're like me and like to drool at beautfiul homes you get the best of both worlds!

To get here you want to take the 21st Street exit (exit 10) in West Van, go straight through the first light Right on Folkestone, and a Right before the bridge (I think it's Halston), take next Right and you're in Heaven.

This is the first of my vlogging so I apologize if it's a little shabby! All you relocation clients, if you have any requests as to areas you'd like to take a look at a little closer email me!

Amy Kizaki
amy@vancouverpowersearch.com

Labels: video, vlog, west vancouver

Alrighty, here's part 2 of my previous vlogging...I think the edit turned out a little better this time!

So here we're headed into Downtown via the viaduct onto Dunsmuir Street, took a left on Burrard Street toward the water (Burrard Inlet) where some of Vancouver's finest hotels can be found along with the Convention & Exhibition Centre, another right on Howe Street toward Georgia Street and Robson, and then my camera died on Robson Street headed toward Denman Street (sorry!). But at least we got the main section of Robson...it's THE place most people go to cause major damage on their credit cards!

For all you out-of-towners, I've also attached an image of a map of Downtown with an iteniary...hoping this will help make the tour more comprehensive (you can click on it to enlarge).

Labels: downtown vancouver, Tour, Vancouver

Fullerton - Concord Pacific's First Richmond Development.


Yesterday, I had the chance to go over to look at the Fullerton in Richmond. There are a few units left being sold by the developer.

I must say these remaining units are of tremendous value for the price and the square footage. They call it their 2 for the price of 1 bedroom event.

An example of a good deal is a 3rd floor- 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit is selling for $336,800.
Its a brand new unit never lived in, the GST is net and its 955 sqft.! That amounts to around $342/sqft. which is a pretty good deal in my opinion. Also they would be offering a 2.5% fixed rate finance package for 2 years included with the purchase of the units.

This is a great buy for first time home buyers and for investors looking to make money in the long run. But buyers better hurry they only have 6 remaining units!

The website for more information and the floorplans: http://www.concordpacific.com/fullerton/

So if you or anyone you know is interested in buying their first home or buying their first investment in Richmond, please let me know or pass my information along. I will gladly be of further assistance in this matter.

Edison Chua
Real Estate Consultant
604 - 728 - 1939

edison@vancouverpowersearch.com

Labels: first time home buyer, great buy, Richmond Condominium

Okay, here's my first attempt at vlogging. We started at the beginning of Commercial Drive, made a right on 1st Avenue, another right on Main and a left at the viaduct that goes straight into Vancouver. I love this drive because the view you get of Science World and the skyline, with all the new high rises, is absolutely priceless...and my sad excuse of recording really doesn't reflect it but I swear, I'm going to practice!! It was a super gorgeous day to boot, too.

Labels: downtown vancouver, Vancouver

Sunday night my boyfriend and I decided to be brave and try out a new Sushi place, since we usually like to stick with familiar scenes.

Since it was on either Robson, Denman or Davie where we were going to eat, we decided to stick with the street where we found the closest parking. Got a spot only a block away from Davie so we hopped on our iPhones (have any of you tried to Urban Spoon or Yelp! app by the way? KILLER.) and found that Samurai got some really great reviews.

It was 5 PM on Sunday and the place was packed, but I think we only waited 15 minutes or so. It was a small place and it looked like they tried to fit in as many tables as they possibly could in there...but it had a really great vibe, and all of the people that worked there were actually Japanese (which is a triple plus in my books). The thing that I was shocked at were the prices...and the quantity...AND the quality! It was amazing. For under $10 I ordered the Salmon-Don, which is basically salmon sashimi on sushi rice, which usually doesn't happen (the dish usually runs anywhere from $12-15) but not only that the pieces were ginormous. Anthony ordered the special for just over $10 and had a meal that could feed a couple of people easily...I think it came with beef teriyaki, veggie tempura, a shrimp tempura roll, miso soup, and a couple of appetizers.

I'm usually weary of sushi places that offer really cheap prices...but this place was REALLY GOOD. Definitely the best value! Oh yes, and the service was great as well...lightning fast!

We left around 6 PM and there was a line up outside of the restaurant. Enjoy the pics!

Amy Kizaki
Vancouver PowerSearch Team
amy@vancouverpowersearch.com

Labels: downtown vancouver, Japanese, Restaurants, Sushi

North Vancouver is blessed with a convenient collection of small and bustling business centres dotted amongst the neighbourhoods of this friendly community. It is the Village of Edgemont that most accurately represents the uniqueness of North Shore community.
Located just east of the Capilano River and Capilano Road, Edgemont Village is nestled amongst the very desirable neighbourhoods of Forest Hills, Capilano Highlands and Canyon Heights. Edgemont Village really got its start with the construction of the Lions Gate Bridge in 1937, and soon after residential development commenced with the surveying of lots and property in the Capilano Highlands. It wasn't until after World War II that settlement took place. In 1945, the District began to advertise building lots "on easy terms from $475 - $675”.

Edgemont Village community works hard to retain the charm of earlier years with a collection of over 70 shops and services... most locally owned an operated, no big box retailer here. Restaurants, butchers, bakers and candle stick makers collectively work to create a very alluring sense of neighbourhood character. The "heart" of the Village lies in the community services: the library, community police office, and a regular schedule of community events on Village streets. Throughout the summer, there are frequent public concerts, community days, and celebrations. A well organized merchants association ensures the village remains the hub of the local community.

The Village is close to many popular North Shore attractions and activities. It is often used as a base for locals and tourists heading for Grouse Mountain, Capilano River Regional Park, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and other area highlights.

The local real estate consists predominantly of single family residences and is highly sought after for access to some of the region’s best schools. Prices range from $800,000 - $2,000,000


How to get to Edgemont Village from Vancouver city...

Follow Georgia Street through Stanley Park and across the Lion's Gate Bridge. Take the North Vancouver exit to Marine Drive, then left up Capilano Road. Turn right at Ridgewood Drive and go to the 4 way stop. Turn right on Edgemont Blvd and the charm of Edgemont Village awaits.

Greg Paddy
Vancouver PowerSearch Team

Labels: Community, North Vancouver, Real Estate Market

Over the last couple weeks there has been a noticeable change in the real estate market in Vancouver. The drop in interest rates combined with the new federal budget announcements encouraging first time homebuyers to break out of their shell and embark on the journey of home ownership. The two main announcements coming from the Federal Government was first time home buyers will now be allowed to use more of their RRSP (Up to $25,000 from the original $20,000) and the ability to write off closing costs such as legal fees.


On a personal note I have seen the market pick up substantially in the past couple weeks. I was taking out clients this past Sunday and was surprised to see that 6 of the open houses I was able to show had already had an accepted offer! Of course this was in very desirable areas in Vancouver (Kitsilano / False Creek) but this begs the question: Is this turning back into a seller's market sooner rather than later? I don’t think we are close to this yet, however people who are waiting for the market to drop further may be in for a surprise when they decide to purchase and there is a mad dash to the open houses across the city and they are paying through the teeth to purchase their investment. My advice would be to take advantage of these special circumstances and jump on the opportunity to become a homeowner in an area desired by most of the world!


Lee Bryant
Investment Specialist
604.220.5498 direct
lee@vancouverpowersearch.com

Labels: Real Estate Market, Vancouver