In celebration of the best guy around, we’ve rounded up our favourite boys’ day out activities to make Sunday, June 19th unforgettable this year.

Our Top Five Things To Do This Father’s Day Weekend

1. Kick off the weekend with a BC Lions football game versus the Calgary Stampeders Friday, June 17th. Get your tickets here! More of a European football fan? The Vancouver Whitecaps are playing New England Revolution Saturday, June 18th, tickets available here.
 
2. More the adventurous type? Have lunch 2,000 feet above sea level. About an hour’s drive from Vancouver, the 11km adventure hike that is the renowned Stawamus Chief overlooks the town of Squamish with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and water. Choose from old-growth forest trail or one with views of Shannon Falls. Feeling particularly daring? The front face of the Chief is popular for experienced rock climbers.
 
3. If chilling’s more the order of the day, stop by The Liberty Distillery’s Cocktail Lounge on Granville Island. Sip one of the Distillery’s artisanal premium spirits, handcrafted on site “from grain to glass” at the 110-year-old antique bar. Service starts at 11am; meaning on boys’ day, any time is a good time to try the good stuff.
 
4. Get cultural and take in a play at the annual Bard on the Beach festival. There are two preview performances of award-winning The Merry Wives of Windsor on Sunday, June 19th. This classic tale of mischief and sweet revenge is set against the beautiful back-drop of mountains and water at the Bard tents in Kitsilano’s Vanier Park. For more performances, check the official schedule here.
 
5. A short, thirty-minute drive out of the city will have you on the Redwoods Golf Course doorstep. This lush, 18 hole Ted Locke Championship course offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains beyond the tree-lined green. Redwoods also offers a Driving Range, the Grill, and flexible bookings from a one-time tee time to seasons’ passes.
 

No matter how you choose to spend your guys’ day, we wish you and all the dads out there a Happy Father’s Day!

Photo credit: Juan Gomez

Thank you to the Jewish Independent for featuring us in last week's paper! If the image is difficult to view, we've transcribed the exerpt below. 

"A power couple in real estate: Andrew and Jill Hasman are experts in West Side homes.

 

Handsome couple. Jill and Andrew Hasman, eh? And a handsome couple handsomely coupled in marriage as they are partners in their highly successful real estate firm, Andrew Hasman and Associates, serving this community for more than 20 years. “And we’re also married 20 years,” adds Jill.

Andrew, born in England. Jill, in Winnipeg. But this town is where they met, married and merged professionally. Inevitable, I figure, that Andrew and Jill chose professional independence. “I’m from an entrepreneurial family,” says Andrew. “My parents were always self-employed,” says Jill. Like parents, like progeny!

As real estate-nik partners, Andrew explains he’s more the business side ... “market specifics and property valuations.” Jill ... “I tune up the house for resale, provide the craftspeople and coordinate the necessary tasks to get a home ready and in order for topdollar resale.”

Metro Vancouver is the Hasman beat, so to speak, “but our expertise is in West Side home sales,” concludes the couple. And I’ll conclude as I began ... a couple, indeed, most handsome!"

Spring is out of the gate at top speeds. The March numbers are in, and they’re breaking new records. Residential property sales in the Lower Mainland totalled 5,173 this past month: a whopping 56% above the 10-year sales average for March. They were up by 24% from February alone (4,172 sales), and 27.4% up from the 4,060 sales in March 2015.

“Strong job and economic growth in our province, positive net migration and low interest rates are helping to drive this activity,” said Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s new president, Dan Morrison. Morrison, who started his tenure as the REBGV’s fearless leader last month, went on to explain that the demand is broad-based. Meaning sales aren’t concentrated in one particular neighbourhood, which is great news for sellers looking to get their properties on the market.

There were a total of 6,278 new listings in March, covering detached, attached, and apartment properties across Metro Vancouver. It’s a moderate 5.2% increase from the same time last year, and an 8% increase from February. What’s interesting, is that the total number of properties for sale is 7,358; a dramatic 40.5% decline from March 2015.

The Rest At a Glance:

Benchmark price for all residential properties: $815,000
23.2% increase from March 2015

Benchmark price for a detached property is $1,342,500
27.4% increase from March 2015

Detached property sales totaled 2,135
24.8% increase from March 2015

Benchmark price for an apartment property is $462,800
18.8% sales increase from March 2015

Apartment property sales totaled 2,252
38.4% increase from March 2015

Benchmark price for an attached unit is $589,100
20.1% increase from March 2015

Attached property sales totaled 786
8.9% increase from March 2015

For a complete comparison, visit rebgv.org. Want to sell, buy, or require a consultation? Contact me today.

*REBGV Editor’s Note:  Areas covered by Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver include: Whistler, Sunshine Coast, Squamish, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and South Delta.

The industry secret to a successful real estate sale is home staging. Beyond the careful market research and hiring a good realtor that homeowners need to do in preparing their home to list, professional staging can be the hat trick that gets them the top dollar they’re asking for.

Your house could be spotless, have every new appliance and a manicured landscape, but when it comes to the small details of what will entice potential buyers into believing your home could be theirs, staging is what will go that extra mile to get those better offers. Whether it’s that personal family photo versus an eye-catching piece of art or your well-loved furniture compared to the luxurious dining set, master bedroom suite or living room accents of your buyer’s dreams; it’s a Stager’s job to make those dreams come true--even if just long enough to get that above-asking offer.

Revamp Home Staging: “making the most out of your property”, states one of Vancouver’s premier companies in the field. With over 2,000 homes, display suites, condos and penthouses furnished and decorated since 2003, Revamp enhances the uniqueness of each property to its maximum potential with one goal in mind: to sell fast, and to sell for more. Nothing is outsourced, and thus co-founders Michael McNamara and Rien Sharma and their team of interior designers are able to work their magic on tight deadlines. Experienced in the latest design trends and colour palettes, they will transform your home to perfection.

Another of Vancouver’s staging companies that aims to wow is Flüff. Its extensive 15,000+ square foot warehouse chock full of unique furniture, art, and accessories is all arranged by easy-to-use colour stories. Their expert team of interior designers, “TheFlüffians”, are ready to assist you under the guidance of owner Patti Houston and make the process enjoyable and productive. From homes to film sets, Flüff is a stager’s paradise; whether you’re already working with an interior designer or a homeowner looking to get a handle on it yourself, everyone is welcome.

Going it alone? Start with the top three pro tips from Patti Houston, Owner of Flüff Designs:

1. A great rule of thumb is to hang art 60" from the floor. Lower hanging art actually makes ceilings appear higher.

2. Don't overdo accessorizing! Know when to stop. It's also important to use greenery in every project; nothing beats nature.

3. Never compete with a view!

See the proof of home staging success in a past sale of ours. $5000 in home staging can easily add $50,000 to the selling price of your home. It's that effective! We’re always available for your questions: contact us today or find us on Facebook!

If it’s been a while since you listened to the radio, make the next time you turn up the dial The Early Edition with host Rick Cluff on CBC Television. His take on local news as well as the influence of international affairs on our local communities in the Lower Mainland are spot on. One particular podcast caught our attention recently, when Cluff spoke with several experts around the globe about the current state of our real estate market. The round table discussion puts an interesting perspective on our market as part of the whole. Read on, or listen to the full podcast here.

Spring inspires us to clean out, clean up, and start fresh. Whether it’s indoors or out, condo, townhouse, or detached home, we’re instinctively driven to welcome the sunny season by beautifying our surroundings. We’ve rounded up the best places and society sales for obtaining everything you need to cultivate the perfect garden, be it a planter to a full-blown yard.

1. Orchid lovers flock to VanDusen Gardens every year for the annual Vancouver Orchid Society’s Show and Sale, March 25th - 27th. Notoriously finicky plants, these gorgeous blooms pack a lot of punch, transforming small spaces with their refined elegance and making them worth the extra effort. An excellent touch if you’re planning to sell.

2. One of the few garden centers left in the city, Art Knapp Plantland on S. Granville is your one-stop shop. Find everything you need to start a garden from scratch: seeds, bulbs, indoor/outdoor plants, tools and garden accessories. Their knowledgeable staff is on hand to help plan your planting schedule and answer any questions you might have.

3. Get it straight from the source at Vancouver’s most beautiful and iconic garden: the annual VanDusen Plant Sale for patios, pots and planters is on April 24th from 10am - 4pm. Get all of the plants and information you need for gardening in small spaces.

4. The Lower Mainland’s other great source for all things garden is the Prickly Pear in Steveston, on the edge of Richmond. Known for their amazing hanging baskets that are perfect for small-space living, this full-service garden center has plenty else to choose from. Their wide assortment of containers, seasonal flora, and eclectic mix of accessories and giftware ensures your garden isn’t short on style.

5. Feel like you’re lacking the green thumb to cultivate your dream spring garden? Choose from VanDusen’s many workshops. Taught by the experts to get hands-on knowledge on everything from understanding your soil, growing veggies in containers, to the top 25 plants for easy maintenance. You can see their full course schedule here.

We’d love to hear about your gardening adventures in the comments below, or post your trials and triumphs to our Facebook page. Happy planting!

There’s no better way to celebrate a long weekend, and the one involving chocolate egg hunts and the elusive Easter Bunny in particular, than with a leisurely brunch at one of Vancouver’s best eateries with your nearest and dearest. Whether you’re in the mood for an adult-only or more family-friendly vibe, we’ve got a place for you in mind.

1. The open-concept Café Pacifica at Vancouver’s Pan Pacific hotel in Coal Harbour offers up amazing views of the water and the North Shore. Watch ships pass by as you dine on their exceptional Easter Brunch menu featuring everything from a sushi bar and extensive salad options to classic brunch favourites and a children's menu. Served 10:30am - 2:30pm, children under 5 are free.

2. Brunch at either of downtown Vancouver’s Fairmont locations is always a treat, but this luxury hotel chain has pulled out all the stops for Easter with Bunny Bunches at all three of their lower mainland locations. ARC at the Fairmont Waterfront is also offering Easter egg decorating alongside brunch, while the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is having a special Easter Afternoon Tea service. Check the Fairmont site for times, prices, and reservation information.

3. Make a day of it and head up to Squamish for the Second Annual Easter Egg Hunt + Brunch at the Sea to Sky Gondola. Two seating options (10am and noon) with an Easter egg hunt, DIY card-making and wooden Easter egg decorating for the kids make this the Lower Mainland’s premier family events for the weekend. Reserve your tickets early!

4. Nestled in the heart of the city at the Four Seasons Hotel, the YEW Seafood + Bar’s Easter Brunch Buffet, or “Feaster” as it’s known to insiders, pulls out all the stops with a mouth-watering display of fresh, seasonal seafood, build-your-own-float and sundae stations, and other more traditional holiday favourites. Join in the festivities from 10am - 2:30pm. Make sure to reserve a spot early.

5. Enjoy Easter in Neverland; the whimsical Neverland Tea Salon in Kitsilano, that is. Their special Easter High Tea menu includes house-made finger sandwiches, scrumptious pastries, and an extensive tea menu, as well as gluten and dairy-free options.

Happy Easter from Andrew Hasman and Associates!

Sometimes a little R & R is in order, even if a big vacation abroad isn’t. Being in the midst of buying or selling can be an especially stressful time, or simply long days at work with little time at home can put one over the top. Why not treat yourself to a Staycation? Doing something just for you once in awhile can clear the cobwebs and rejuvenate for a higher quality of life and better productivity. Here are a few of our favourite staycations in the lower mainland:

1. Enjoy a leisurely a bike ride around Stanley Park. Pack a picnic, stop in at the aquarium, and take in the magnificent views. The 11km seawall winds around the park, giving you 360 degree views of the harbour, mountains, downtown and west and north shores. Getting in touch with nature combined with exercise will boost those endorphins and have you refreshed in no time. Bike rentals available.

2. Continue the tourist in your own town adventure with a Geocaching adventure. Using your GPS, you’ll go on a “treasure hunt” for hidden ‘cashes’ all around the Greater Vancouver Area. The idea is to get to know your city while looking for these hidden stashes, of which there are reportedly over 4,000 of in Vancouver! We recommend stopping in at La Casa Gelato as your reward. With over 218 flavours of gelato made on site, you could spend an entire afternoon sampling alone.

3. If you’re in the mood for something a little more low-key, why not re-discover Granville Island. Indulge in a night at the recently-renovated Granville Island Hotel. Featuring plush accommodations and the delectable Dockside Restaurant, you’re free to roam the island’s wealth of artisanal offerings from and even take in a yoga class with views of False Creek before settling in for the night.

4. Discover Deep Cove. From lush parks and trails to kayaking and cultural events, this little oasis is a short, twenty-minute drive from North Van. Known as “The Cove” to locals, this hidden gem at the foot of Mt. Seymour feels a million miles away from the city; perfect for a day trip away from reality.

5. For an extensive day trip worth the ferry ride, Salt Spring Island boasts being one of the warmest places in Canada during these long winter months. With a plethora of artists’ studios, spa options, and restaurants, this tiny island will enchant you to come back again and again.

Any hidden gem getaways we missed? Share in the comments below!

If you ask a dozen so-called real estate experts and financial planners on whether it's the right time or how to invest in real estate, you’ll receive a dozen different opinions. It’s all about your personal needs and how you invest. If you play your cards the smart way, investing in real estate can lead to a nice, passive income stream for your retirement. It's also an ideal way to leverage and borrow against when values rise so you can buy more property.

Three ways to owning real estate are a) sole purchase and ownership of property, b) form a limited partnership to pool resources and enable the purchase of more expensive property, as well as share risks and returns, and c) indirect ownership of property by investing in REITs where you own shares. Today, I'm focusing on direct ownership of real estate and what options you have. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a novice, there's never really a better time to begin long-term investing because the market always shifts.

Before setting off down this path, speak with your bank or a trusted mortgage broker. Rules for down payments on investment properties differ from if you're buying a principal residence. In Vancouver, a minimum 50% down payment is required to generate a break-even monthly cash flow. With property prices so high in the lower mainland, the idea of buying a property and generating cash flow is a challenging feat unless you have a sizeable down payment. The biggest question to consider is: if I buy this property today, do I need an immediate income stream or am I fine with a break-even or possibly a negative cash flow for the first few years? If you do generate a rental loss, this can be used as a tax write-off at year’s end.

In the current financial climate, a lot of real estate investors in the lower mainland are buying with the expectation that property values will continue to rise, and not for current cash flow. This mind-set makes them more “real estate speculators”. If you’ve bought property in the lower mainland over the past 15 years, you've most likely seen a sizeable increase in its market value. Speculators, for the most part, have done very well. It's all about timing. If you bought a property in Vancouver in mid \-2007 and then sold it when the market fell by 20% in 2008/2009, you may have taken a loss. Buying real estate with a longer time horizon is a safer bet, allowing you to ride any market downturns. Short term investing is a lot riskier.

Buying property in Vancouver right now will typically generate a 2-4% Cap Rate depending on a number of factors. Many investors say this return is too low considering the risks and aggravation of owning a rental property. Other investors are just fine with these returns as they’re more focused on the expectation of rising market values. In the end, it’s your perspective that matters and is a personal decision.

If real estate is an attractive addition to your investment portfolio, we’re always available to offer professional perspective and tailored advice to your needs. Contact us to schedule a personal consultation and let's see how, together, we can create wealth and passive income for you and your family.

Here’s to a healthy and prosperous Spring 2016!

Andrew & Jill Hasman

(Photo: Alex Costin)

January 2016 is the second highest start to the year on record with sales 46% above the 10-year average for the month. Low supply and record-breaking buyer demand is still the driving force in the real estate market.

The total number of residential sales in the Greater Vancouver area totalled 2,519 for the month; a 31.7% increase from the 1,913 sales in January 2015. It was only a slight, 10.9% decline from the 2,827 sales in December 2015.

Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s president Darcy McLeod touts the importance of listing your home with MLS® to ensure maximum exposure. For home buyers, MLS®  is the second greatest tool next to an excellent realtor. With so much competition out there, keeping a constant eye on MLS®  gives buyers the best chance to snapping up the home of their dreams.

2016 Opening Numbers:

New Listings (detached, attached, and apartment) in January: 4,442
6.2% decline from January 2015

119.8% increase from December 2015

Total Active listings on MLS®: 6,635
38.6% decline from January 2015
10.1% increase from December 2015

Sales-to-Active-Listings ratio: 38%

Benchmark price for a detached property is $1,293,700
27.9% increase from January 2015

Detached property sales totaled 1,047
34.1% increase from January 2015

Benchmark price for an apartment property is $456,600
19.4% increase from January 2015

Apartment property sales totaled 1,096
35.5% increase from January 2015

Benchmark price for an attached unit is $563,700
16.4% increase from January 2015

Attached property sales totaled 376
16.4% increase from January 2015

For a complete comparison, visit rebgv.org. Want to sell, buy, or require a consultation? Contact me today.

*REBGV Editor’s Note:  Areas covered by Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver include: Whistler, Sunshine Coast, Squamish, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and South Delta.

(Photo: explore604)

Family Day isn’t necessarily just for families. It’s a much-needed stat holiday during the bleak days of winter that turns an ordinary Monday in February into your best chance to relax and recharge. Here are the top five ways to stretch the most amount of fun out of your three-day weekend.

1. Both Whistler and Grouse Mountain are offering 50% off for BC residents. Head up the Sea-to-Sky for some of North America’s best skiing, the Fire and Ice Show, tubing, and luxury accommodations. Stick closer to home but still get the best in winter activities--from boarding and snowshoeing, to sliding and skating--at Grouse Mountain. For the full schedule of special Family Day events happening, visit Whistlerblackcomb.com and Grousemountain.com.

2. Sip your way to decadence at the 6th annual Hot Chocolate Festival, happening through February 15th. 25 participants showcasing 59 crazy flavours are taking part to support the downtown eastside’s Women’s Job Training Program. Get your walking map here, and let the indulgence begin!

3. Have littles? Community centers around the lower mainland are hosting various Family Day activities. With everything from arts and crafts to bouncy castles and more, there’ll be something for every tyke. Check with your neighbourhood centres for a schedule of events.

4. The Bloedel Conservatory is one of the city’s best, little known gems. Tropical forests and flowers, over 200 free-flying birds, and the healing gardens designed to engage your senses for total well-being beckon from the top of Queen Elizabeth Park.

5. Unplug and Unwind. Put aside your smartphones, tablets, and power down those computers for one day of true R & R. Business can wait out one stat holiday, your family is hopefully with you anyway, and friends are just an old-fashioned phone call away. Make screentime a dirty word for the day and reconnect with true facetime.

Wishing you all a very Happy Family Day from the Andrew Hasman team.

(Photo: Mark Burge)

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and nothing says “I love you” better than time spent together. The lower mainland is not in short supply of spas, but the following top our list for their unique offerings specially tailored to couples. So relax, enjoy, and reconnect with what matters most: the heart of your home, your partner. Box of chocolates optional.

1. The Scandinave Spa in Whistler is renowned for its Scandinavian bath spa experience that is included with every massage. Whether you’re already enjoying time on the hill or making it a day trip, their Duo Massage with hydrotherapy is the perfect way to unwind.

2. Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 spas, Spa Utopia at the Pan Pacific Vancouver offers an extensive massage therapy menu, esthetics, and even a salon. Truly relax with your special someone by extending your treatment to indulge in the hotel’s outdoor saltwater pool. Available to spa guests, it features picturesque views of the harbour and North Shore mountains.

3. The award winning Spa Wedgewood in the heart of downtown features a Duet Harmony Massage that can include a hybrid of Deep Tissue, Swedish, and Aromatic massage. Staying at the Wedgewood Hotel? In-Suite and After Hours massages are available as well.

4. Part of the Fairmont family, the Willow Stream Spa is synonymous with luxury. The Pacific Rim’s spa has a designated couples’ room with deep Japanese Zen tub and a variety of uniquely Canadian services, like the Van Active Body treatment should you be in need of recovery after the city’s variety of active offerings.

5. For a truly decadent experience, traveler’s choice Pemberton Valley Lodge is offering a Blissful Couples’ Getaway package. It featuring a massage for two, one-night accommodation, early check-in and relaxed check-out time, champagne, chocolate, and a long-stemmed rose as the finishing touch.

Any hidden gem spas that should’ve been on our list? Let us know!