Thursday, 15 March 2018

401 1255 Main Street, Vancouver BC

Come and check it out during the public open house on Sunday, March 18 from 2pm to 4pm







Monday, 5 March 2018

How Millennials Can Navigate Vancouver's Real Estate Market


It’s not an easy time to be a millennial home buyer in Vancouver. Increasingly high home sale prices, low inventory and new mortgage qualification changes have made it a challenging time for young adults to enter the local real estate market.

Click Here to get more of an insight on how to Navigate Vancouver's Real Estate Market

Contact Carmen to set up a meeting at her office to discuss in further detail.
604-218-4846

This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

309 1490 PENNYFARTHING DRIVE



Open House Saturday, February 10 11:30am to 1:30pm & Sunday, February 11 2pm to 4pm



401 1255 Main Street, Vancouver BC

Open House Saturday, February 10 2pm to 4pm & Sunday, February 11 11:30am to 1:30pm





Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Should I Sell My Home Now or Wait Until the Spring?


There are many questions homeowners ask themselves during the selling process. "How much will my home sell for?"  "How much should I list my home for?"  "Who should I select as a real estate agent to sell my home?"  "What if the real estate agent overprices my home?"  Last but not least, "Is this a good time to be selling a home?" is also a very common question that real estate agents are asked.
As with every decision in life, there are pros and cons, and choosing when to sell a home is no different. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration before deciding when to sell a home. Many homeowners believe selling a home during the fall or winter months is not a good idea and that the spring is the only time a house should be sold. This is the furthest from the truth. Certainly most real estate markets across the United States experience a "spring market rush" every year. There is no doubt that the "spring market" is a great time to be selling and buying real estate, however, the fall and winter seasons may be the best fit for you for many reasons.
Here are several reasons why choosing to sell your home now may be a better decision than waiting until the spring:
Less Competition
One way that you can tell the spring real estate market has arrived is by driving down a street in your local community. In all likelihood there will be For Sale signs up all over the neighborhood! One great reason to sell your home now and not wait until the spring market is there is sure to be less competition.  The fewer number of comparable homes for sale, the greater the probability that a buyer will look at your home.
Simply put, it’s the supply and demand theory. If there are less homes for sale, there are less homes that a potential buyer can choose from, therefore increasing the demand for your home. Not only will less competition increase the probability for showings, but it will also increase the probability that an offer will be received and you will get the maximum amount of money for your home.
Serious Buyers Are Out There
Homes are sold and bought 365 days a year, period!  Many homeowners believe that buyers aren't out there during the fall and winter months. This simply is not the case. Serious buyers are always out there!  Some buyers may stop their home search because it is the fall or winter, but serious buyers will continue to look at homes, no matter what time of year it is.
The fall and winter months are also a great time for a potential buyer to see what a specific neighborhood is like.  Do your neighbors have pumpkins on their front step?  Are there lots of Trick-or-Treaters wandering the neighborhood on Halloween?  Do any of your neighbors have any light displays for the holidays?  There are buyers out there who will look at these types of things when determining whether your home is in the right neighborhood for them or not.
The Best Agents Are Always Up To The Challenge
Any real estate agent who tells you that the fall or winter months are a bad time to sell is not someone you want selling your home! A great real estate agent will know how to adapt to the current season and market their listings to reflect that.  A great real estate agent can make suggestions and give some of their tips on how to sell a home during the fall or winter seasons. If a real estate agent doesn't have any suggestions on making your home more desirable for the current season, you should be concerned about the creativity they are going to use when marketing your home.
Staging For The Holiday Season
Many sellers believe staging a home is the main reason a home sells.  While staging certainly helps sell homes, some buyers have a difficult time envisioning themselves in a home no matter what you do. However, there are some buyers who can easily be "sold" on a home because it is staged.  Simple “seasonal” staging such as adjusting the color of the decor or having an aroma in the air that is relative to the time of year can go a long way with some potential buyers and possibly be the difference between a home selling or not.
Mortgage Rates Are Low
If you've read about real estate in the past year, it's likely you've read that the mortgage rates are very low.  You also probably read that there is an expectation that the rates will increase very soon. Since mortgage rates are so low right now, buyers are able to afford more expensive homes.  If mortgage rates increase over the fall and winter months while you're waiting for the spring market, it could cost you thousands of dollars as it could eliminate many buyers from the real estate marketplace!  Less demand for your home will mean less money. Bottom line: take advantage of selling your home while the rates are this low.
Quicker Transactions
Right now, there are fewer real estate transactions than there will be in the spring.  The fewer number of transactions means the mortgage lenders have less loans to process, attorneys have less closings to do, and home inspectors have fewer inspections to do.  All of these factors should lead to a quicker transaction and closing for all the parties involved.  One of the most frustrating things for a seller to deal with while selling their home is not getting answers in a reasonable amount of time. A quicker transaction is going to be less stress for you.
By considering all of the reasons above, you will be able to determine whether now is a good time to sell or if you should wait until the spring.


Are you interested in selling 
your home in the next few months? 

Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Downtown Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area! 
Contact carmen to list your home today! 
Get a hold of Carmen directly at 604.218.4846 or email carmen@carmenleal.ca to arrange an appointment.

Thursday, 30 November 2017

Massive Northeast False Creek area plan to transform waterfront



The City of Vancouver held an open house for the Northeast False Creek area plan today, showing off building models and future road networks to replace the viaducts.

The area covered by the plan is massive, and runs along the waterfront from Smithe Street inland to Gore Avenue. It’s also adjacent to the new St. Paul’s hospital proposed for the False Creek Flats, east of Station Street, and will include a new arterial route to take pressure off Prior Street.

The land is the last, large piece of undeveloped waterfront property in downtown Vancouver, and is owned by several property developers, as well as the City of Vancouver, who owns the parcels of land east of Quebec Street where the viaducts currently are.

FOR FULL STORY CLICK HERE



Redevelopment of Metrotown Sears site includes 65-storey tower


The rezoning of the Sears site at Metrotown in Burnaby is moving ahead at the same time the retailer liquidates its department stores across the country and prepares to shut down.

Concord Pacific has owned the Metrotown Sears site for several years, and is preparing to begin phase one of the redevelopment, which will see three new residential towers built on the Sears parking lot at the corner of Kingsway and Nelson.
FOR FULL STORY CLICK HERE