Downtown: The neighbourhood at a glance

Hewn over 120 years ago from forest, rock and swampland, downtown Vancouver and its shoreline have been dredged, back-filled, paved over and built up to become the glass metropolis it is today. Seen from a distance, the skyscrapers and towers of the downtown peninsula glisten on postcards, their constructed beauty still contained within the majesty of B.C.s wilderness.

What tourists photo leaves out the North Shore mountains, Stanley Park and the three bodies of water that border downtowns city of glass?

Seen up close, the downtown stretches north to south from False Creek to the Burrard Inlet, begins in the west at Burrard Street, includes Coal Harbour (a sliver of high-rises north of Georgia), and to the west even counts Science World.

A renovated B.C. Place changed the skyline and three professional sport franchises (hockey, football and soccer) remain an entertainment draw along with the neighbourhoods concentration of clubs, theatres, restaurants and galleries.

The Vancouver Business Improvement Area claims more than 8,000 businesses, half of which employ less than five people (one third employ five to 20 people), as well as the central offices that drive B.C.s resource and energy sectors. Each work day, 57,000 trips are made through Waterfront Station.

Over the decades, the commercial centre has moved from a townsite called Granville closer to actual Granville Street and with each generation, neighbourhoods distinguished themselves economically and culturally. Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside are not strictly part of the downtown. They are their own places.

Named the worlds most livable city for five years until 2011, Vancouver slipped to third behind Melbourne and Vienna. Affordability (or a lack thereof) can make the lifestyle and attractiveness inhospitable, which the Royal Bank of Canada described in 2012 as extremely poor and the least affordable in the country.

In 30 years, the neighbourhood became the most populated and the most dense in the city. Only two per cent, roughly 6,600 people, called the downtown home in 1971. In 2011, about 54,000 people lived downtown.

Yours,

Carmen Leal
Macdonald Realty Ltd.
www.CarmenLeal.ca
604-218-4846

Real-Estate-Crowdfunding-Set-to-Top-$2.5-Billion-This-Year

Crowdfunding for real estate is already a billion-dollar industry, and it’s expected to more than double this year.

That may come as a surprise. When most people think about crowdfunding, they’re likely to think of a group of friends pulling their finances together to back the launch of a new indie film or a wallet made out of duct tape.

But the world of crowdfunding is a lot bigger than Kickstarter.   

Across the globe, investors and homebuyers are using crowdfunding as a way to own and profit off of commercial real estate or finance the purchase of their own homes. Real-estate crowdfunding was a $1 billion industry in 2014 and is expected to grow to more than $2.5 billion this year, according to a report released today from industry research firm Massolution. In 2014, campaigns ranged in size from less than $100,000 to over $25 million.

Related: Crowdfunding's Next Hot Frontier: Real Estate

While still emerging, the real-estate crowdfunding industry is growing quickly. To date, there are 85 real-estate crowdfunding platforms currently in operation, according to Massolution.

Investors are using real-estate crowdfunding as an alternative way to invest money they are looking to make money with. For example, on platforms such as Realty Mogul, many investors pool their money to buy a commercial real-estate investment with the expectation that the rate of return on their investment will be higher, with less risk, than other typical investment alternatives.

The benefit of real-estate equity crowdfunding over real estate investment trusts, or REITs, which have already been around for two decades now, is speed and diversity. “Technology allows this activity to be conducted more swiftly and more efficiently, availing the investment opportunity to more participants,” the report says.

Crowdfunding for commercial and industrial investments is growing faster than it is for residential or multi-family real estate investments, according to the report. Still, crowdfunding is being used as an alternative finance method to a mortgage from a bank for individuals looking to move into their first home. And there is significant potential in this sliver of the real-estate crowdfunding market.

“Residential crowdfunding has the breakout potential, as mortgage loan origination, a trillion dollar market, is opening up to distributed platform financing,” the report says. One example of residential real estate crowdfunding is LendInvest, a platform out of the U.K. that did $240 million worth of residential mortgage loan initiations last year.

Open Houses Sunday, February 22 from 12pm to 2pm and 2:30pm to 4pm: Happy Chinese New Year!!!

http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=84f72312a6986681fcf7f1035&id=52a05b5365

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OPEN HOUSES   Cellular: 604.218.4846   |   www.CarmenLeal.ca   |   Carmen@CarmenLeal.ca Open House  Sunday, February 22 from 12pm to 2pm TH102-1430 STRATHMORE MEWS, VANCOUVER BC $1,329,000 3Bedrooms + 4Bathrooms + 2Parking For a private showing please contact Carmen at 604-218-4846 http://carmenleal.ca/mylistings.html/details-45985314 Open House Sunday, February 22 from 2:30pm to 4pm 401-2815 YEW STREET, VANCOUVER BC $685,000 2Bedrooms + 2Bathrooms + 2Parking + 2 Storage For a private showing please contact Carmen at 604-218-4846 Property Details. Click on the link below. http://carmenleal.ca/mylistings.html/details-43331033   For a Free Home Evaluation of your home click on the link below and I will get it to you within 24 hours. Also, don't hesitate to call me at 604-218-4846 http://carmenleal.ca/home-evaluation.html Carmen Leal Real Estate Services Macdonald Realty Ltd. Cellular: 604-218-4846 Facebook Twitter I would like the opportunity to get five minutes of your time to discuss your real estate plans. Please simply fill out the contact form by clicking on the Link below: http://carmenleal.ca/contact.html   Copyright © 2014 Macdonald Realty Ltd., All rights reserved. Our mailing address is:      1050 Howe Street Van Bc V6Z1P5 For a Free Home Evaluation click on this Link http://carmenleal.ca/home-evaluation.html unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

179 Furry Creek, West Vancouver

Check out this extraordinary home. Must See!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk9ynxq9ZR0

For more information or a private viewing contact Carmen at 604-218-4846


Yours,

Carmen Leal
Macdonald Realty Ltd.
www.carmenleal.ca
604-218-4846

Energy Use: Here are some eco-friendly and energy-saving tips to consider.

Here are some eco-friendly and energy-saving tips to consider.

Energy use

Air conditioning and heating account for more than half of the home energy bill. To trim that:

1. Change filters regularly on the air-conditioning and heating unit.

2. Adjust the thermostat. Raising the temperature just one degree saves 7 percent to 10 percent on cooling costs.

3. Install a programmable thermostat.

4. Choose a more energy-efficient air-conditioning unit. The higher the seasonal energy efficiency, or SEER, rating, the more efficient the unit. Look for a rating of 13 or greater.

5. Replace the clothes washer, dishwasher, refrigerator and dryer with Energy Star appliances.

6. Add ceiling fans and portable fans to help circulate the air and cut down on air conditioner use.

7. Add attic insulation.

8. Add a ridge vent on the roof to lower temperatures in the attic.

9. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents.

10. Replace compact fluorescent lights with light-emitting diode, LED, tiny light bulbs that fit into an electrical circuit. They use one-third the energy and last five times longer than CFLs.

11. Consider a tank-less or instantaneous water heater.

12. Replace an electric water heater with a natural-gas water heater.

13. Set water heater temperature to 120 degrees.

14. Install the water heater near the kitchen.

15. Buy a wind turbine if you’re in a rural area.

16. Plant trees on the west, south and east sides to shade the house.

17. Replace windows with Energy Star ones.

18. Add solar screens.

19. Wash laundry in warm or cold water and rinse in cold water.

20. Clean the dryer’s lint filter after every load.

Roofing

21. Choose a light-colored roof to decrease heat transferred to the attic.

22. Buy a roof made of “cool” shingles.

23. Add a durable metal roof.

24. Purchase rooftop solar shingles to help offset your energy use.

25. Purchase a rooftop photo-voltaic solar system.

Indoors

26. Consider carpets made from corn fiber or wool. Some carpets release volatile organic compounds, VOCs.

27. Clean with vinegar and products free of phosphates, chlorine and petroleum distillates.

28. Install counter tops made of bamboo.

29. Choose counter tops made of recycled glass.

30. Consider reclaimed wood flooring.

31. Opt for cork floors.

32. Use concrete for counter tops or floors.

33. Buy linoleum made of linseed oil, cork and jute.

34. Use unbleached paper for paper towels and coffee filters.

35. Consider milk-based paint.

36. Use acrylic paint that gives off low volatile organic compounds.

Water use

37. Run full loads of laundry and in the dishwasher.

38. Consider adding plumbing to recycle gray water from sinks and tubs to toilets.

39. Replace toilets with low-flow or dual-flush models.

40. Repair dripping faucets promptly.

41. Install low-flow shower heads on showers and aerators on faucets.

42. Install a water softener to minimize mineral deposits and prolong the life of the water heater.

Outdoors

43. Inspect sprinkler systems for leaks.

44. Collect rainwater to water plants and lawn.

45. Buy energy-efficient LEDs for exterior light. Bonus: They don’t attract bugs.

46. Xeriscape. Plant drought-tolerant shrubs and perennials and give them the proper amount of sunlight.

47. Start a compost pile. Not only does composting recycle kitchen waste, the end product is a nourishing amendment for gardens and planting beds.

48. Use a manual lawn mower.

49. Leave grass clippings on your yard as mulch.

50. Reduce the size of your lawn.

Contact me if you have any questions by clicking on the link below and filling in the form.

http://carmenleal.ca/contact.html

Yours,

Carmen Leal

Macdonald Realty Ltd

www.carmenleal.ca

604.218.4846

Bank of Canada Rate Announcement: January 2015

In a change of pace from the last rate announcement, on Wednesday the Bank of Canada dropped their overnight rate by 0.25%. This decision was in response to the recent sharp drop in oil prices, which will be negative for growth and underlying inflation in Canada.

This is the first rate change we have seen since September 2010 (when the rates went up .25%). That’s a stretch of 4.5 years that we have benefited from a low prime rate on mortgages.

What does this drop in rate mean?  A few things really.

1. We anticipate the banks will soon drop the prime rate to 2.75%.

2. Our clients with variable rate mortgages can take advantage of this low rate

Curious about how this drop may affect your current or future mortgage? I am always here to answer any questions you may have. Click here to leave your contact and I can direct you to one of my reliable mortgage specialists.

Yours,

Carmen Leal

Macdonald Reatly Ltd.

www.carmenleal.ca

604.218.4846

Vancouver-Real-Estate: The-Independent-at-Main

The independent at main

At 21 storeys, The Independent will be the tallest tower at one of Vancouver’s key crossroads – Main at Broadway.

Centred in a neighbourhood that is full of independent breweries, grocers, coffee shops, restaurants and boutique retail shops, the aptly-named The Independent at Main represents a mixture of history and happening that defines the current Mount Pleasant. The Independent stands first and foremost for the individuality that defines this vibrant community. With five unique building forms designed to reflect the eclectic building mix that already exists in Mt. Pleasant, The Independent will feature crafted aspects that will make it a landmark and iconic structure.

For more information visit http://carmenleal.ca/blog.html 

or contact Carmen at 604-218-4846

If you are interested in this development and if you want priority in the buying stage please don't hesitate to give me a call @ 604-218-4846

Yours,

Carmen Leal

Macdonald Realty Ltd.

www.carmenleal.ca

604-218-4846