What a crazy week for natural disasters.
Two days ago there was an earthquake in the Haida Gwai, off the Queen Charlotte Islands, and yesterday was Sally. In case you didn't know, Sally is a massive hurricane which has attacked the East Coast, New York in particular. The American's have dubbed the storm 'Frankenstorm' and it did a massive amount of damage to the city. It completely flooded out the subway system there. Sally led to a widespread evacuation, with an estimated 10,000,000 people exiting the city. The aftermath was eerie, with only the Empire State Building shining any light in the night's sky, like a beacon of hope.
The earthquake in the Queen Charlottes set off a tsunami which was supposed to clobber western Vancouver Island, and be felt as far away as Hawaii. Evacuation orders were given, and in the ensuing scramble, many people wondered if the government had acted fast enough to ensure the safety of its people.
If you are going to live in downtown Vancouver, you will be in a safer place than Richmond. Delta is also built, fittingly enough, on a Delta of sand. If there were to be an earthquake in Vancouver, it is not the downtown which would suffer, it would be those suburbs.
Getting acquainted with the evacuation orders of your neighbourhood is never a bad idea. It's important to discuss with your family what your evacuation plan is, be it earthquake, tsunami, tidal wave or locusts.
There is no doubt that downtown Manhattan real estate has taken a beating in the last few days. If you are from New York, and looking to settle down somewhere a little less dangerous, your downtown Vancouver real estate agent, Anthea Poon, will be more than happy to help you.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Downtown Vancouver Real Estate Agent
I have been a downtown Vancouver real estate agent for over 13 years now. In this time I have sold dozens upon dozens of properties in the downtown Vancouver core. What makes it easier for me is that I speak four languages: English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese. You only need to take a quick walk downtown to realize how valuable these language skills can be. Vancouver is like a modern day ancient Rome. There are literally hundreds of languages spoken here, but by far the most common are English and Cantonese, and I know them both fluently.
Another advantage to having a downtown Vancouver real estate agent is that I understand the city. I am not buying blind from abroad. Nor do I pretend to know the ins and outs of the market here after only residing in Vancouver for a few years. I've been here most of my life. I know this city, from its Expo 86 days, through to the Olympics and beyond.
One serious advantage to buying downtown Vancouver real estate is the land-locked nature of the area. There is water to all sides, and there is only one way to go - up! In both the sizes of the skyscrapers and the value of your property.
Another benefit to owning downtown Vancouver real estate is the convenience. The transportation in this city is fantastic - and very green. If you own a bike, you can easily commute to work on one of the many bike lanes. Or else you can walk. The downtown core of Vancouver is not very big. It's actually comparable in size to Manhattan. But because it is more round, it is even easier to walk about.
Another advantage to having a downtown Vancouver real estate agent is that I understand the city. I am not buying blind from abroad. Nor do I pretend to know the ins and outs of the market here after only residing in Vancouver for a few years. I've been here most of my life. I know this city, from its Expo 86 days, through to the Olympics and beyond.
One serious advantage to buying downtown Vancouver real estate is the land-locked nature of the area. There is water to all sides, and there is only one way to go - up! In both the sizes of the skyscrapers and the value of your property.
Another benefit to owning downtown Vancouver real estate is the convenience. The transportation in this city is fantastic - and very green. If you own a bike, you can easily commute to work on one of the many bike lanes. Or else you can walk. The downtown core of Vancouver is not very big. It's actually comparable in size to Manhattan. But because it is more round, it is even easier to walk about.
Haunted Gastown!
Happy Halloween!
I bet you didn’t know it, but Gastown is one of the
most haunted areas of Vancouver. Even BC for that matter. It makes sense,
as it is one of the oldest places, but there is something about gaslight,
wrought iron, and cobblestones that brings out the old energy of ghosts. Here
are a few haunted locations in Gastown.
Water Street Café - It is said that ghosts inhabit the
fourth floor of this building, and they can be heard dragging things and
thumping on the floors and walls.
Old Spaghetti Factory - Did you know that this Gastown
restaurant has not one but two apparitions that haunt it regularly. One is a
conductor who likes to sit in the trolly booth and bend knives and forks. The
other is a little red mischievous imp who chases ladies in the washroom!
Moores on Granville - It is said that ghosts live in the
storage space of this building. They have been known to throw around objects,
even packing tape!
Gaelors
Mews - This was once the jail. Over 40 men were executed here in the 1800s.
Death was by hanging in the cobblestone square on Carrall. Their ghosts are
said to haunt the Lamplighter Pub and
Waterfront
Station - ghosts have been seen here several times by security guards on night
watch.
Dominion
Building - The architect of this building still haunts his final creation. On
the opening day, J.S. Hellyer tripped on the 8th floor steps and
plummeted to his death. He is said to be seen on that very floor.
Gastown Real Estate Agent
If you are looking for a Gastown
real estate agent who can help you navigate the horrors of this beautiful,
yet once-haunted part of town, talk to Anthea Poon.
I have been selling real estate in Gastown for over 13
years. I speak four languages, so no matter what the current owner on Gastown
real estate has to say, I can negotiate a deal for you. Even if you are dealing
with people from another world.
If you are selling Gastown real estate, I can help you as
well. I know the buyers’ market in Vancouver. And with uncertain market
conditions on the horizon, not to mention the lowest mortgage rates of all
time, it could make good sense to sell off your Gastown real estate now before
prices stabilize too much (or even slip lower than usual in boomerang effect).
As scary as this post may be, remember, it’s Halloween! So
have some fun tonight.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Luxury Real Estate In Vancouver
If you are interested in luxury real estate in Vancouver, you might be poised at exactly the right time to strike.
Vancouver is quickly becoming a buyers' market, and not just a buyers' market for the rich, a haven for the super rich.
The government recently clamped down on borrowing policies, effectively changing the maximum mortgage time from 30 years to 25 years. This has shown to not only affect entry level buyers, but also luxury real estate in Vancouver. And your competition, who may have been relying on a 30-year mortgage to make the payments work, is shying out of the bid.
Sales have flatlined. This means it is only a matter of time before prices start to drop on luxury real estate in Vancouver. If you catch the wave just right, you will be able to afford yourself a $10 million+ home at incredible value.
September saw the market slump once again. Nothing, not even luxury real estate is moving. It is only a matter of time before the 20% correction that analysts are predicting to come about. If you are ready, it could be the opportunity of a lifetime.
If Manhattan is any indication, luxury real estate will hit unprecedented heights as billionaires clamour for high-end multi-roomed penthouses near the park. Recently a penthouse sold for a record-breaking $100 million. Another seller had his penthouse on the market for $100 million after buying it for $4.5 million just fifteen years ago.
That could be you. The real money to be made is in luxury real estate in Vancouver. To find out more - ask me.
Vancouver is quickly becoming a buyers' market, and not just a buyers' market for the rich, a haven for the super rich.
The government recently clamped down on borrowing policies, effectively changing the maximum mortgage time from 30 years to 25 years. This has shown to not only affect entry level buyers, but also luxury real estate in Vancouver. And your competition, who may have been relying on a 30-year mortgage to make the payments work, is shying out of the bid.
Sales have flatlined. This means it is only a matter of time before prices start to drop on luxury real estate in Vancouver. If you catch the wave just right, you will be able to afford yourself a $10 million+ home at incredible value.
September saw the market slump once again. Nothing, not even luxury real estate is moving. It is only a matter of time before the 20% correction that analysts are predicting to come about. If you are ready, it could be the opportunity of a lifetime.
If Manhattan is any indication, luxury real estate will hit unprecedented heights as billionaires clamour for high-end multi-roomed penthouses near the park. Recently a penthouse sold for a record-breaking $100 million. Another seller had his penthouse on the market for $100 million after buying it for $4.5 million just fifteen years ago.
That could be you. The real money to be made is in luxury real estate in Vancouver. To find out more - ask me.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Front Page Of The Vancouver Sun
This was front page news in the Vancouver Sun today:
Metro Home Sales Slump - Prices In Decline
Yikes. It looks like sales have slowed right down in Vancouver. Prices are down a little, but not enough to spur on the next wave of buyers. The hardest hit places in September were the luxury homes in West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Vancouver West.
I think there's a lot of weed-sitting going on. There will be a tipping point, just when sales go down enough, to fuel a buyer frenzy to bring us right back to where we are at now.
If I were a buyer, I'd be on the ready. This is like the stock market - you want to be in early enough to take advantage of a low point, but if you are too slow you might miss your chance.
Keep me on your speed dial, buyers - I can get you in quick before the value jumps faster than Apple with iPhone 5.
604.719.6103
Metro Home Sales Slump - Prices In Decline
Yikes. It looks like sales have slowed right down in Vancouver. Prices are down a little, but not enough to spur on the next wave of buyers. The hardest hit places in September were the luxury homes in West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Vancouver West.
I think there's a lot of weed-sitting going on. There will be a tipping point, just when sales go down enough, to fuel a buyer frenzy to bring us right back to where we are at now.
If I were a buyer, I'd be on the ready. This is like the stock market - you want to be in early enough to take advantage of a low point, but if you are too slow you might miss your chance.
Keep me on your speed dial, buyers - I can get you in quick before the value jumps faster than Apple with iPhone 5.
604.719.6103
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