Radio Interview With News 1130: Grandview and Fraser Real Estate Markets

Last week we joked around with the boys from Stop Podcasting Yourself. This week I did a more serious interview with the local news station, News 1130.

http://www.news1130.com/2014/05/22/part-of-east-vancouver-seeing-spike-in-home-sales/

Dianne Bankay called me to discuss the recent boom in property sales in the Grandview and Fraser neighbourhoods, in East Vancouver.

These areas have seen significant increases in 2014 and their sales to active listings for detached houses in these two areas were over 100% in April. The Greater Vancouver Area as a whole has been slowly and steadily trending upwards over the past 14 months, with the sales ratio rising from 15 per cent in March of 2013 to its current ratio of 19.7 per cent.

One of the reasons for the increase in sales, as I explained to Dianne, is that the inflated West Side market is out pricing many prospective homebuyers. Families and single professionals looking to buy are directing their attention eastward to neighbourhoods like the Grandview and Fraser areas.

Buyers can buy bigger lots at lower prices east of Main Street. There has also been a boom in construction in the Grandview and Fraser areas. Homebuyers are purchasing newer residences, with all of the modern amenities offered by contemporary buildings. Town-homes, duplexes and condos are giving buyers more options and more reasons to look east. The added value is making this region more and more attractive.

Because of this mini-surge, homeowners have been able to increase their asking price. A $50,000 jump has resulted in the average East Vancouver home selling for $915,000. Not bad for those homeowners looking to downsize or relocate.

The increase in value and the absence of affordable living on the West Side, is certainly making the Grandview and Fraser areas a seller’s market.

The second half of my interview with Dianne Bankay will be aired this weekend. We will be discussing home renovations on the East Side and how they are affecting the Vancouver housing market.

This Week's Overheards

This week I overheard two of my fellow Vancouverites, and their guest, talking about my transit ads on their local podcast channel.

For those of you not familiar with the podcast medium, podcasting is the act of creating lengthy audio files for 'at your convenience listening.' Podcasters sit in tiny rooms and record their conversations. They talk about cereal, wrestling, references from the 90s and Tinder (obsessively).

The specific podcast that referenced my work, was the locally recorded, "Stop Podcasting Yourself;" An appropriately named, but unheeded title. The show is hosted by Graham Clark, a local comic and all-around funny-man, and Dave Shumka, of CBC radio. Each week they have a guest on, who graciously joins them for just over an hour of audio.

Now, about two years ago, Dave and Graham were hosting an episode, sans guest. They came to the point in their podcast where they have a thrilling 'bit' on overheard or overread conversations. On this episode, number 230 (that's a lot of nights of sitting in the basement), Graham read an overread from a young lady in Ottawa who commented on a real estate ad she read on a bus bench. The connection of real estate and transit immediately triggers Dave's memory, as he quickly recalls one of my popular transit marketing campaigns, "Anthea in Transit." Dave explains the ad to the listeners, including a description of the source material, "Poetry in Transit." They make a few jokes about my last name, but all in all, a pretty good plug for my business. Thanks boys.

Fast forward to April of this year, when I receive a phone call from a friend. She tells me that the podcasters are at it again. Apparently my transit piece has made quite an impression amongst Vancouver's funniest people. This time a guest, Warren Bates mentions my static bench ad that has the tagline: "Anthea: The Only Name to Know in Vancouver Real Estate." Dave recalls my earlier transit ads and they all have a laugh at 'low-grade' celebrity.

Well boys, I can laugh with you. My ads are a little bit tongue and cheek, especially the Anthea in transit ones. The important thing to focus on is the exposure. I mean your podcast is heard by dozens of people across the country. That is priceless publicity.

I would also love to take you up on your reality show idea: "Ms. Poon - Can Sell Anything." We could start with Graham's old VHS tapes and move up from there. What do you think? I would offer to do a guest appearance, but the current Vancouver real estate market keeps me busy, pretty much all week.

Alright, back to work. See you in transit,

Anthea