West End

West End Video Tour!

The West End is, in my opinion, Vancouver’s in-city suburb. The West End is the only area you will find in Downtown Vancouver where detached residential homes exist on tree-lined streets. Homes in this area are older heritage homes, with many Craftsmen style homes (strating in the lower million dollar range) that have been converted to duplexes and triplexes. The rental rate is some of the highest in this community of the Downtown Vancouver area so for investors looking for small rental investments, the area is ideal.

Just blocks away from the neighborhood is one of the city’s most populous beaches, English Bay. The close-by commercial corridors, Robson, Denman and Davie are also a 5 minute walk from the residential area and thus makes it a great home for those who like a more quiet lifestyle without the hustle and bustle of Downtown Vancouver.

Condos here can be found starting in the higher $200,000′s and lower $300,000′s. Buildings here tend to be older as most of the highrises are developed closer to Coal Harbour, Yaletown and Downtown, and thus provide more space compared to the new construction units with some of them being in the 300 sqft’s.

Several locally owned eateries call the West End home, including several Sushi places, Greek places and Gelato shops. The area is quite ecclectic as well and funky boutiques are seen one after another. My recommendations for eats? Try Stepho’s Greek Taverna on Davie Street (expect a lineup, my trick is to order take-out to avoid them), Tanpopo’s on Denman for all you can eat sushi, or Samurai’s on Davie, a little hole-in-the-wall type place with AMAZING food!

For more information on West End real estate and Vancouver real estate, contact me directly at 778.855.0841 or email me at amy@vancouverpowersearch.com!

Vancouver Real Estate Sales break records in July

And we thought June was a great month for the Vancouver real estate market.

The Vancouver Sun reported a couple of days ago that both the Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley real estate boards reported record home sales for the month of July. Below are the juicy details (aka the numbers)!!

July Sales for Vancouver Real Estate

4,114 sales in Metro Vancouver (via MLS)
–> 89% increase from July 2008
Price of typical single family home in Greater Vancouver area: $711,702
–> -5.5% since July 2008
–> +10% since beginning of 2009

2,089 sales in Fraser Valley (via MLS)
–> 62% increase from July 2008
Price of typical single family home in Fraser Valley area: $477,420
–> almost -6% since July 2008
–> almost +4% in the last 3 months

Of these sales, a whopping 37% were comprised of first time home buyers.

#1 Place to Live!!

Vancouver has come out on top of a recent Livability survey!

Its not that surprising for the people that have already moved here, lived here or has ever been here.  But it might surprise people who have not been to Vancouver. Here is the Full Story.

http://www.news1130.com/more.jsp?content=20090608_174330_9272

Makes me proud to be living in a world class City!