Luxury real estate is rising across Canada along with the rest of the market. Homes priced over $1 million were up in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, and Montreal; whereas Calgary saw a decrease by 28% in sales from the same seven month period in 2014. The high demand for luxury homes from foreign buyers and overall price appreciation—driven by low inventory and high demand for single-family homes--factor into this affluent market.

Most of Vancouver’s foreign buyers in the luxury market are families with children who have chosen Canada for its stable economy and high quality of life. Their real estate decisions are based on investment opportunities and proximity to good schools. Favouring new builds with top-quality finishes, they are huge contributors to the market’s impressive gains: 572 properties over $3 million sold between January 1st and July 31st, a 79% gain over 2014.

The luxury condominium market tends to revolve around Baby Boomers who are downsizing in retirement. They tend to be travelers who spend part of their time in a second home, and these $1 million+ condos are chosen for their luxury amenities without the maintenance of a house.

A growing trend in the luxury real estate market is buyers who bypass the MLS system all together and make offers directly to homeowners through their agents. Unlike “For Sale By Owner” sales, the sellers in these transactions are trusting experience agents to get them top dollar.

This reflection of the first seven months in Vancouver’s luxury market is expected to continue through the end of the year for a very profitable—and luxurious—2015.

When it comes to dining out with kids, the right restaurant can make all the difference. We’ve rounded up the local favourites that pair great food with a family-friendly atmosphere for a unique and relaxed experience.

1. Indulge in local, organic ingredients atop tasty pizza pies and craft beers and wines at the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co.. Kids can watch dinner being made in the clay, wood-fired oven or occupy themselves in the play area before enjoying simplified, kid-priced versions of grown-up classics. Make it a Sunday night tradition; from 5:00 – 7:00 is Family Night where kids can roll out their own dough and top it off with their favourites.

2. Designed by moms for moms, the Kokopelli Café on Dunbar is made for kids, so parents can enjoy leisurely homemade lunches too. Laid out to be stroller-friendly, there’s a play area for toddlers and understanding staff. Stop in for takeaway, homestyle meals for no-brainer dinners as well!

3. Satisfy your sushi craving at Kamei Royale in the heart of downtown. The spacious restaurant serves up an array of rolls for every palate and with multiple tatami rooms, dining out can still be private enough to coral the kids in your own corner. The bustling atmosphere ensures a few loud patrons won’t make a difference, either.

4. Finer dining can still be had with kids at The Keg. We suggest the Granville Island location for short impromptu pre-dinner walks with plenty for the kids to see. Friendly staff also deliver snacks and colouring activities so parents can actually peruse the menu.

5. For something a little different, the Storm Crow Tavern is awesome for families with older children. The self-proclaimed “Planet Hollywood for geeks” has an abundance of board games for patrons to play, as well as plenty of memorabilia to check out while you wait for your meal. Well-priced eats come in all forms including vegan and gluten free.

Know of any other family friendly restaurants great for kids young and old? Share with us!

The City of Vancouver regulates how property is used and developed through something called “zoning.” The city is divided up into many different zoning districts and each has its own set of bylaws and schedules that determine the purpose of that particular district, building regulations, and other aspects of development. Learn more about the city’s zoning districts here.

Want to know what zone your property or one you’re interested in is part of? Check out the city’s official directory.

So you know what a zone is and which one you’re a part of. Next step: rezoning. There are three types of rezoning:

1. Create a custom, site-specific zone
2. Change the zoning of an area from one standard zoning district to another
3. Change the rules about what is permitted within a specific zone

We’ve rounded up our top five picks for places to sip, savour, and enjoy the remainder of summer on sun-drenched patios for every budget.

1. Reflections Outdoor Restaurant and Lounge (pictured) offers a tranquil oasis of wood, firelight, and shimmering water amongst the concrete surroundings of Vancouver’s rooftops. Nestled on the 4th floor of the Hotel Georgia, Reflections is downtown’s hidden gem for sipping the afternoon away with artisanal cocktails. Spanish-style share plates based on locally-sourced West Coast ingredients and a well-appointed wine list round out the bar menu.

2. Downtown’s other darling, Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House boasts a comfortable rooftop patio overlooking the entertainment of Robson Street. An iconic Vancouver establishment for over 25 years, Joe Fortes offers up classic American cuisine with the freshest and finest in seafood from around the Pacific Northwest. The patio itself is an ode to its West Coast heritage: laid-back luxe with plenty of buzz.

3. Find yourself in the picturesque garden setting of Vancouver Art Gallery’s Café for delicious, fresh eats that are both local and organic. The cafeteria-style Gallery Café offers live classical music and whimsical design for an all-together luscious afternoon among the flora.

4. The cheerful red umbrellas that mark Tap and Barrel’s chill patio in Olympic Village shield patrons from the sun, while allowing for fantastic views of some of Vancouver’s best landmarks: False Creek, Science World, BC Place and Rogers Arena. The Tap and Barrel features a continuously rotating tap to serve up an ever-changing menu of seasonal brews from BC’s best breweries. Savour long into the night alongside one of their cozy outdoor fireplaces.

5. There’s several around the lower mainland, but our favourite Boathouse Restaurant is in Kitsilano. With the best patio of the bunch, it’s perfectly situated overlooking Vancouver’s busiest beach scene and the ocean beyond. The heated, covered patio is open both summer and winter so you can indulge in great views and scrumptious pub food all year long.

The gloriously lazy days of summer are slowly drawing to an end, which means if you’re still thinking of putting your house up for sale in 2015, now’s the time to prepare. From choosing the right time to put up that For Sale sign to staging, hiring an agent, and all the other important details involved in ensuring a successful sale; it’s best to organize your “To Do” list as early as possible. Things happen, not always good; so if there’s plenty of time to meet them head-on you’ll come out on top.

To get you started, we’ve got the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s Summer Stats. Knowing where the market stands and how your home compares is the first step in preparing to sell. Next step? Call us to make an appointment so we can help you on your journey.

Recently a client approached me to sell their condo in Kerrisdale. The suite was a well laid out, 2 bdrm plus den, offering over 1500 square feet of living overlooking Elm Park. The building was a beautifully built and well maintained concrete low rise. My first impression was that this would be a fairly straight forward sale as the condo was located in a sought after building in a great location.

The suite was in immaculate well maintained condition. The only issue I could see that buyers might have would be the ability to look beyond the poorly appointed furniture relative to the layout. The dining room area had no dining table and was made small looking by a large oversized wood hutch. The master bedroom had no bed in it. The living room was arranged so that it looked very narrow and difficult to furnish.

We decided to go to market without making any changes to the furniture. After 2 weeks on the market and 15 showings, we finally attracted just 1 offer which was on the very low end of where I suggested it might sell. This offer was accepted with a subject period of 2 weeks. On the 14th day the buyer backed out and the sale did not go through. At this point the seller was feeling a little frustrated.

It was my suggestion that staging the home would solve all the buyer concerns about the lack of dining area, the narrow living room, and the uninviting master bedroom. I felt that if the condo was correctly staged, we could attract a buyer quickly, and at a much better price than the previously accepted offer.

The seller was concerned that paying $4,500 for staging might not pay off. I felt otherwise.

The Outcome:

3 days after the staging went in, we sold the condo at a price $50,000 above the previously accepted offer. The staging cost the homeowner $4,500 so the net result was a gain of $ 44,500.00! Staging your home does work.

If you have any questions about home staging or would like a consultation, please call Andrew at 604-657-7936.

(Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Andwhatsnext)

The June 2015 numbers from The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver are record-setting. It was the highest selling June on record.

The month saw residential property sales exceed 4,300, which is a whopping 28% more than that of June 2014. These numbers surpassed those seen in May. June 2015 also hit another high: four straight months with more than 4,000 sales per month.

These numbers signal a lot of positives for sellers. Many people believe that summer isn’t the best time to sell, but because most people take their property off the market, inventory becomes scarce and sellers can often see multiple offers and a quick sale. we are seeing some great inventory right now.

It’s also the ideal time to prepare for the fall market. We are available to consult with potential sellers and offer suggestions for staging, repairs or other issues a seller might not have considered. We have a list of pros to help get any place into top selling shape.

We also understand the additional pressure buyers struggle with in a competitive market. Many buyers feel the need to make major decisions in a rush, and that can be problematic. The current high demand for housing is further extended by the recent cut in interest rates, along with an expanding population base and a decrease in supply of detached homes.

We’re great at handling such complex scenarios to help potential buyers understand what they need to know in a stressful, often rapid-fire situation. We use our deep insight into the local market, dexterity with MLS listings and expertise in buying strategies to ensure your success.

At Andrew Hasman and Associates, buying or selling your home in Vancouver's Westside doesn't get any better than this. Reach out to us at 604-657-7936 or email andrew@andrewhasman.com.

It was another sound year for our market here in Vancouver. On Vancouver’s Westside, (the priciest of markets in the metro area) home prices for single family homes continued a steady climb higher. Inventory remained stable with a slight bias to the downside.

The market here on Vancouver’s Westside for homes continues to be driven by immigration into the city. We saw a steady stream of buyers for all types of homes this past year compared to 2012 when new construction remained soft while all the action was centered around Lot Value homes.

This past year saw strong activity in the high end of the market too. There were 43 homes sold over $7 million in 2014 compared to just 10 homes sold back in 2010.

Demand for Lot Value properties of all shapes and sizes was strong with many home sales attracting multiple offers and selling prices substantially over the Listing Price.

The Condo and Townhome market also saw a strong market with average sale prices remaining stable with a slight bias to the upside. Inventory levels of re sale properties remained stable with a slight bias to the down side. We saw many condo and townhome properties sell quickly with multiple offers.

For home owners looking to sell, 2015 should pick up where 2014 left off. The Lunar New Year is typically a very busy time for home sale activity in Vancouver and this year probably will be no different. Home owners that list their homes early may be at an advantage facing less competition verses waiting for Spring when many more homes enter the market. Many of our clients have had tremendous success selling before the flowers bloom taking advantage of the late Winter Market.

If you are planning to sell your home this year, here are a few tips now to ensure a smooth selling process:

1. Interview realtors who only work in your neighborhood. Listing with an “out of area” realtor is not recommended.
2. Spring Cleaning is essential. De-clutter, have the garden pruned and ready for Spring. Fix any minor repairs needed.
3. If you own an older home (Pre 1960) check for a buried underground Oil Tank.
4. Have your Furnace / Boiler serviced if it has not been done in 2 years. 
5. Have your Windows Cleaned.

These are just a few Things to Do to get you started. For a complete list of suggestions call us anytime or visit our website and download our Pamphlet, “29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast for Top Dollar”.

Wishing you a healthy and Prosperous 2015,

Andrew & Jill Hasman

Another very satisfied client!! This past weekend we SOLD this lovely Point Grey property. Our marketing strategy was to attract as many potential buyers in the 1st week of the home being listed. This 50 x 122 ft lot sold with 11 offers! The buyers bid up the price to $ 2.95 million which sets a new high benchmark for properties of this kind in the upper Pt Grey Area! We are just thrilled for our clients.

P.S. There are no plans for development.

I always say, “The best time to sell is when it's right for you." There is never an ideal time to sell when you consider our busy lives. Selling your home gets in the way of routine which just makes the whole process darn inconvenient. That being said, if you want to sell, ideally you want to make sure the process from start to finish is one that does not consume your lives for an extended period of time. Most homeowners are relieved when their home sells in less than a month. Anything longer and it begins to wear on sellers' patience.

If you have a home to sell in 2015 you should be thinking of selling anytime from late January onward. Late January would not normally be a time that you would consider simply because gardens are still asleep due to the winter. In Vancouver, over the past several years, the late winter market has proven to be an opportune time to sell. Why, you ask. It is the Lunar New Year, a time when many overseas buyers travel to Vancouver for the purpose of buying real estate. This is a very busy time many smart homeowners have taken advantage of with tremendous success when it comes to selling their homes. This year the Chinese (Lunar) New Year is on February 19th. Typically we see a pickup in home sales 2 weeks before the New Year which lasts for at least a month after. If I was a homeowner on Vancouver’s West Side, I would seriously be looking to be on the market by no later than mid-February to take advantage of the traditionally busy time.

Andrew & Jill Hasman

(Photo: flickr.com/stewart)

The Real Estate Board of Vancouver (REBGV) just released their report for November 2014. For a month that is traditionally more quiet out of the year, home buyers in Metro Vancouver remained active!

Take residential property sales in Metro Vancouver, for example. They reached 2,516 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) last month. Even though that’s a 17.7% decline from the 3,057 sales in October 2014, it’s still an 8.4% increase compared to November 2013 at 2,321 sales.

The overall good news is that last month’s sales were 6.9% above the 10 year sales average for the month of November!

Read the full article here