Selling a home? MLS reported 3,646 sales; a 19.3% increase compared to October 2014 (3,057), and a 9% increase to September sales of this year (3,345). That’s 36.2% above the 10-year sales average for the month of October.

Buying a home? Patience, deep pockets, and the right realtor that knows the market and how to make an acceptable offer will ensure you a spot in the game. Darcy McLeod, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s president, said that “Home sales are more than one-third above what’s typical for this time of year, yet the supply of homes for sale is the lowest we’ve seen in five years.” That also indicates that when you do find the home of your dreams, having your financing lined-up and limited conditions can make all the difference.

The market at a glance:

October 2015 Active listings: 4,126
8% decline from the reported 4,487 active listings in October 2014

Total number of properties for sale: 9,569
30% decline from October 2014, and an 11.4% decline from September 2015

Sales-to-Active-Listings ratio: 38.1%
Benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is $736,000

15.3% increase from October 2014

Benchmark price for a detached property is $1,197,600
20.1% increase from October 2014

Detached property sales totaled 1,437
13.1% increase from October 2014’s 1,271 sales

Benchmark price for an apartment property is $425,800
11.4% increase from October 2014

Apartment property sales totaled 1,543
21.7% increase from October 2014’s 1,268 sales

Benchmark price for an attached unit is $526,700
9.3% increase from October 2014

Attached property sales totaled 666
28.6% increase from October 2014’s 518 sales

The Greater Vancouver Area’s market is in the home seller's favour as residential property sales numbers continue their steady climb. For a complete comparison, visit rebgv.org. Want to sell, buy, or require a consultation? Call us at 604-657-7936 or email Andrew at andrew@andrewhasman.com!

*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: Jennifer C.)

With raindrops hitting our roofs more and more these days, it’s time to plan for cozy evenings inside, and the best of this city’s cultural events for when we’re looking to get a little more social. From the famed Cirque du Soleil to melody-filled evenings and catching the big games, here’s the fall line-up.

1. If you’ve seen the yellow and blue tents by the Georgia viaduct, then you already know that Cirque du Soleil has returned to Vancouver with Kooza; the story of a melancholy loner “The Innocent” in search of his place in the world through acrobatic performance and bold, slapstick humour. Kooza runs from October 29th - December 27th. Get your tickets for one of the greatest shows on earth!

2. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has a number of upcoming shows to choose from, including a reprise of one of VSO’s most successful Pops concerts: Fifty Years of James Bond.  Enjoy memorable screen-stealers from Dr. No all the way up to the Oscar-winning Skyfall, just in time for 007’s twenty-fourth installment coming to theaters this month.

3. For more intimate evenings, the Friends of Chamber Music present a monthly classical concert series. Featuring world-class musicians playing some of the most timeless and evocative music from the masters, FoCM concerts offer a truly unique experience not to be missed.

4. Love them or hate them, the Vancouver Canucks have a couple of home games this month. Check their calendar and get your tickets for a night indulgent of the city’s spirit through an iconic hockey team.

5. Get a jump on the Holidays with the Canadian premiere of A Christmas Story and the acclaimed It’s a Wonderful Life at The Arts Club. With runs November through December, these tales as told on stage through live theatre is as traditional as the season can get.

Love it or hate it, Halloween arrives each year with the same demand: decorate and hand out candy to neighbourhood children. For people looking to sell their homes, this extra “landscaping” might not be at the top of the To Do list. However, if done right, getting into the spirit of All Hallows’ Eve is a good opportunity to appeal to your target buyers.

The #1 thing to remember for decorating: Keep It Simple. Use decorations that go up easily and don’t leave traces behind. That means no extra nails, paint, etc. that could prove difficult to remove. If a quick closing date is on the table, you don’t want to be spending precious time taking down everything that just went up.

The second thing to keep in mind is: Keep It Tasteful. You might love haunted houses, gore and spiders galore, but your potential buyers might not. The last thing you want to do is give the wrong impression or turn off viewers before they’ve even stepped in your home. Traditional pumpkins, tasteful door wreaths (you’ll find an abundance of beautifully pre-made ones at Michaels), and ghostly ghouls out of cheesecloth are always seasonal favourites.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, these easy-to-whip-up decorating ideas for your porch and front lawn from Martha Stewart will enchant trick-or-treaters and visitors alike.

Got any Halloween decorating tips that you’ve discovered do the trick? Share with us!

Whether we admit it or not, we love looking into everyone else's beautiful homes. So, here for your viewing pleasure is a list of some of Canada’s most spectacular mansions from Coast to Coast!

1. The highest priced mansion on the list is in Vancouver’s own Point Grey neighbourhood. This 25,000 sq.-ft. property is so beautiful, we almost understand the price tag. On three lots with a movie theatre, tennis courts, and a 10 car garage, it sold for more than $51 million in December 2014.

2. We’d brave the Calgary cold for Kettle Lake Ranch, which went on the market for $38 million in February of 2014. The house itself is a modest 5,000 square feet with a beautiful rustic-chic appeal. The real value is the 240 acres of land on which it sits and includes two private lakes and a number of creeks. The property was once owned by the Ford Motor Family, and only adds to its historic charm.

3 Saskatchewan may not be the first place that comes to mind when imagining where one might find the most expensive homes in Canada, but this incredible 35,000 square foot home is most notable for its movie theatre and grand architecture. Owner Jeffrey Smith, CEO of First Impressions Theme Theatres, Inc., had it designed in the most opulent style available; reminiscent of grand Opera Houses and Ballrooms from colonial era Europe.

4. Compared to its fellow mansions in Vancouver and Toronto markets, a Manitoba listing this year went for a mere $11 million dollars. The 27,000 square foot estate is comprised of 28 rooms and promises impressive luxury (just look at that indoor pool) in modern minimalism.

5. Listed at $25 million dollars, 68 The Bridle Path is simply palatial. Not every home purchase also affords you a golf cart included in the price to transport owners and guests around the vast property. Along with a forty car garage, this classic mansion reminiscent of its European forebearers is impressive to say the least. The gardens alone make us feel like we’re in high society.

6. It is no great surprise that Quebec would not only have dozens of magnificent mansions, but castles indulgent of its French heritage. Sitting on 12.36 acres of waterfront property just outside Montreal and listed at $11.4 million, this exquisite 20,000 square foot mansion lives up to exactly what one would expect from one of Canada’s oldest cities.

Living in Vancouver means living with the rain. To coexist happily with this potentially damaging element, weatherproofing is a homeowner’s best friend. It not only keeps your home toasty warm from the wet and cold, but will also help keep your heating bills in check. The most crucial areas are windows, doors, basements and decks.

Weatherproofing your windows and doors will prevent the elements from infiltrating your home and heat from leaking out. Check around windows for caulking that has gone stiff or crumbly. Removing it is fairly simple with a screwdriver; take care to remove all of it before laying down a new bead of caulking in its place. Weatherstripping is common around doors to protect against drafts. Replacing peeling, cracked, or missing weatherstripping with new flexible vinyl weatherstripping is an important but quick fix.

More involved steps to fully weather-proofing your home include ensuring your pipes are cold-weather friendly to prevent bursting in extreme temperature changes, decks are weather-proofed against mould and mildew, and basements are properly insulated and crack-free. Easy for the ambitious DIYer, or research the best Pro in your area to help out with these last three.

If you have any weather-proofing tips for fellow Vancouverites or can recommend a good Pro, don’t hesitate to share below!

As a key economic driver in BC, the real estate market is happily humming along in our fair city. There was a 14.5% increase in residential property sales this September; 3,345 compared to the 2,922 sales reported in September 2014. This is only a slight 0.5% decrease to August 2015 sales.

Let’s review the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s September Stats as a big picture. Knowing where your homes stands in the grand scheme of Vancouver’s market will help you prepare to sell it, or know what’s a good buy and what isn’t. 

September sales were 32.9% above the 10-year average, even though the total number of properties for sale listed on MLS® was 27% less than September 2014, and .8% less than August 2015.

Sales-to-Active-Listings ratio: 31%

Benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is $722,300

A 13.7% increase from September 2014

Detached property sales totaled 1,272; a 0.2% increase from September 2014
Benchmark price for a detached property is $1,179,700

Apartment property sales totaled 1,529; a 28.7% increase from September 2014
Benchmark price for an apartment property is $415,100

Attached property sales totaled 544; a 17.2% increase from September 2014
Benchmark price for an attached unit is $518,600

(Photo: Alex Costin)

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.