From the traditional to one of the city’s best kept not-so-secret annual traditions, we’ve put together a list of festive fun for date night to keep you on the “Nice” list. Whether you’re looking for a distraction from packing up before the big move, or a new Vancouver homebuyer, here’s some of the best ways to celebrate the season in the city.

Get a Christmas Tree

Nothing says Christmas like a fresh cut tree. True, some stratas don’t allow the real thing, but it’s still fun to grab a hot cocoa and wander through the lot ogling towering firs. Run by volunteers, Aunt Leah’s Tree Lots around the Lower Mainland have been providing Vancouverites with their trees for 20 years, all in the name of charity. 100% of their profits this year will go to foster youth at risk of homelessness and mothers in need. For locations and hours, check out AuntLeahs.org.

7th Annual Vancouver Christmas Market

Get into the spirit with a mug of traditional Glühwein, the mulled wine beverage of choice for the holidays, as the Vancouver Christmas Market returns for its 7th year on November 26th until Christmas in its new seaside location at the Jack Poole Plaza under the Olympic Cauldron. Shop for edibles and artisanal goods from home and abroad.

VSO’s A Traditional Christmas

Go classy and get tickets for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s annual Traditional Christmas concerts, hosted by Christopher Gaze and featuring EnChor and the UBC Opera Ensemble lead by VSO’s new Assistant Conductor, William Rowson. Concerts start December 8th.

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

Celebrate the solstice as a community Wednesday, December 21st. Starting at 6pm with a lantern procession in Yaletown, Granville Island, and Chinatown/Strathcona, there will be multicultural performances and activities in each of the neighbourhoods to follow. Each celebration is unique to its neighbourhood, reflecting the community by illuminating the darkest night of the year.

The Original Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Grant a wish for a child with a life threatening illness by taking your dearest to the ugliest party in town. Friday, December 23rd the Commodore Ballroom hosts the 15th Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party  in benefit of the Children’s Wish Foundation. Featuring live music, DJ, contests, carollers and more.

What’s your favourite way to celebrate the season? Share with us on Facebook!

Photo: Vancouver Christmas Market

The changing Metro Vancouver real estate market dynamics that started to see a decline in homes sales earlier this fall continued last month. Less homes were listed, and fewer sales were made, resulting in a 38.8% decrease from 3,646 sales in October 2015 to 2,233 in October 2016. It’s also a marginal 0.9% decrease from September 2016. Overall, October sales were 15% below the 10-year average for the month.

“Changing market conditions compounded by a series of government interventions this year have put home buyers and sellers in a holding pattern,” Dan Morrison, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “Potential buyers and sellers are taking a wait-and-see approach to try and better understand what these changes mean for them.”

Morrison went into further detail by stating the detached market has seen the largest reduction in homebuyer demand. He concluded with the tip: “It’s important to work with your local REALTOR® to help you navigate today’s changing trends.”

October Real Estate Market Stats:

New Listings (detached, attached, and apartment): 3,981
3.5% decrease from October 2015
17% decrease from September 2016
9.5% below 10-year average for October

Total Active listings on MLS®: 9,143
4.5% decrease from October 2015
2.3% decrease from September 2016

Sales-to-Active-Listings ratio: 24.4%

Benchmark price for all residential properties: $919,300
24.8% increase from October 2015
0.8% decrease from September 2016

Benchmark price for a detached property is $1,545,800
28.9% increase from October 2015
1.4% increase from September 2016

Detached property sales totaled 652
54.6% decrease from October 2015

Benchmark price for an apartment property is $512,300
20.5% increase from October 2015
0.3% increase from September 2016

Apartment property sales totaled 1,178
23.7% decrease from October 2015

Benchmark price for an attached unit is $669,200
25.7% increase from October 2015
1.1% decrease from September 2016

Attached property sales totaled 403
39.5% decrease from October 2015

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

Correction notice:

Altus Group, provider of the national MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI), miscalculated in their September 2016 reporting which resulted in variances of between 0.1% and 5% in the benchmark prices the REBGV released last month. Click here for the updated report.

*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.

VANCOUVER, BC – November 2, 2016 – Reduced home sale and listing activity are changing market dynamics in communities across Metro Vancouver*.

Residential property sales in the region totalled 2,233 in October 2016, a 38.8 per cent decrease from the 3,646 sales recorded in October 2015 and a 0.9 per cent decrease compared to September 2016 when 2,253 homes sold.

Last month’s sales were 15 per cent below the 10-year October sales average.

“Changing market conditions compounded by a series of government interventions this year have put home buyers and sellers in a holding pattern,” Dan Morrison, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “Potential buyers and sellers are taking a wait-and- see approach to try and better understand what these changes mean for them.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 3,981 in October 2016. This represents a decrease of 3.5 per cent compared to the 4,126 units listed in October 2015 and a 17 per cent decrease compared to September 2016 when 4,799 properties were listed.

Last month’s new listing count was 9.5 per cent below the region’s 10-year new listing average for the month.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,143, a 4.5 per cent decrease compared to October 2015 (9,569) and a 2.3 per cent decrease compared to September 2016 (9,354).

The sales-to-active listings ratio for October 2016 is 24.4 per cent. Generally, analysts say that downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below the 12 per cent mark for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

“While sales are down across the different property types, it’s the detached market that’s seen the largest reduction in home buyer demand in recent months,” Morrison said. “It’s important to work with your local REALTOR® to help you navigate today’s changing trends.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $919,300. This represents a 24.8 per cent increase compared to October 2015 and a 0.8 per cent decline compared to September 2016.

Sales of detached properties in October 2016 reached 652, a decrease of 54.6 per cent from the 1,437 detached sales recorded in October 2015. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,545,800. This represents a 28.9 per cent increase compared to October 2015 and a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to September 2016.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,178 in October 2016, a decrease of 23.7 per cent compared to the 1,543 sales in October 2015.The benchmark price of an apartment property is $512,300. This represents a 20.5 per cent increase compared to October 2015 and a 0.3 per cent increase compared to September 2016.

Attached property sales in October 2016 totalled 403, a decrease of 39.5 per cent compared to the 666 sales in October 2015. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $669,200. This represents a 25.7 per cent increase compared to October 2015 and a 1.1 per cent decrease compared to September 2016.

Download the complete stats package here.

Correction Notice:

Altus Group, the provider of the national MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI), discovered a calculation error in their September 2016 reporting. This error resulted in variances of between 0.1 and 5 per cent in the benchmark prices the REBGV released for September 2016. Corrected September MLS® HPI numbers can be found at here.

*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 real estate industry is a key economic driver in British Columbia. In 2015, 42,326 homes changed ownership in the Board’s area, generating $2.7 billion in economic spin-off activity and an estimated 19,000 jobs. The total dollar value of residential sales transacted through the MLS® system in Greater Vancouver totalled $39 billion in 2015.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing more than 13,000 REALTORS® and their companies. The Board provides a variety of member services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local Realtor or visit www.rebgv.org.

For more information please contact us.

Photo: popejon2

We do live in the North, and that means Vancouver homeowners need to take a few steps to ensure their dwellings are secure for winter. Weatherproofing isn’t just for areas laden with snow, the cold weather alone and incessant rain that hails with the winter months can wreak havoc on your home. Whether you’re gearing up to sell your house, or just purchased a property in Vancouver, here are a few things that will help a clean home inspection and keep you cozy all winter long.

Protect Your Patio & Potted Plants

Start by storing patio cushioning, and either cover furniture well to prevent rust and weathering, or move it inside -- along with your potted plants. Keep your greens as close to warmer outside temperatures as possible at first to prevent them from going into shock.

Waterways

It’s good to blow out your outdoor pipes and turn off the water for winter months to prevent ice from forming and potential bursting. Insulating your pipes and hot water tank as an added layer of protection can also save you on energy bills. Drain hoses and store them indoors as well to keep them in pristine condition. Remove all debris from gutters to prevent water build-up and keep melting snow on the move. When it does snow, watch out for ice dams on the roof that can cause water back-ups, which can then leak behind siding and cause serious damage to your walls.

Don’t Crack Under Pressure

Either hire a professional or do a walk-through of your property to ensure all windows, doors, and roof openings such as skylights have weather stripping that’s intact. Break out the caulking or invest in new stripping and insulation so no crack in the foundation or walls is left untended; this can lead to heat loss and high energy bills. Windows especially can be a huge source of heat loss. Simple window coverings can do the trick, or consider a low-emissivity coating to reflect UV rays and save energy.

Fireplace & Furnace Maintenance

If you’ve got a traditional wood-burning fireplace, check to ensure your wood rack isn’t warped, which can prevent oxygen from getting underneath. Have a professional check your fireplace every year, whether it’s old school or gas. Clean chimneys help prevent smoke from circulating inside your home instead of out, and it’s always a safe bet to keep gas in check.

Pinterest Your Way to Cozy

Keep the inevitable slush, dirt and debris at bay with a boot tray at the entrance filled with polished river rock for pretty yet effective drainage. And don’t underestimate the power of a few rugs over hardwood and additional throws on the couch for both added heat, and pops of colour on dreary winter days.

Got any more winterizing ideas for your Vancouver home? Share with us on Facebook!

Tickets booked, bags packed, house… cleaned? Sometimes, it’s the most obvious things that are the most effective in keeping your home safe while you’re away. There are a few simple things you can put into motion before heading out of town that will act as an intruder deterrent, starting with:

Clean It Up!

Now we know you haven’t even left yet, but imagine arriving home to clean floors, tidy rooms and fresh sheets. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Just a bonus to cleaning up inside and out before you leave. The real reason to mow the lawn and clean up yard tools and stray kids’ toys is because nothing tells strangers “nobody’s home” like yard debris that hasn’t moved in days and an unkempt lawn. Not to mention you’ll immediately notice if anything is amiss when you return if things are in order before you go.

Windows & Doors

You’d think this one would be obvious, but locking doors and windows isn’t something everyone remembers; especially if you’re in a ‘safe’ neighbourhood. Consider placing a blocker in the sliding door track to prevent forced entries, and deadbolts on the doors are always a good idea as extra protection.

Perimeter Check

A well-lit entryway isn’t a thief’s best friend, but it is yours. Whether on timer or not, perimeter lighting tends to make intruders shy away. Checking out the the view of your home from the street or yard is worth the extra five minutes. Can you see expensive electronics and artwork? Consider securing your most valuable belongings out of sight. Another trick is to unplug the power to your automatic garage to prevent thieves from using a universal remote and gaining access that way, and always lock the door into the garage from your home.

Make It Appear That You’re Home

Resist the urge to share those all-important vacation details on social media! Same goes for outgoing answering machine messages broadcasting no one’s home. They’re a virtual “welcome” sign to criminals to break in. Alert neighbourhood watch by entrusting a neighbour you know to keep your stoop clear of newspapers and pick up the mail. If your trip happens to coincide with trash day, have them put out and pick up the containers again; left out too long, and it’s a dead giveaway no one is home. You can also install timers for indoor lights, radios, and televisions.

Whether a few days or a few weeks, the same rules apply. The more you can prep beforehand to make it seem like someone’s home, the better chances you have of returning to your home the same way you left it. Safety first!

In today’s hot Vancouver real estate market, you need to do everything you can to keep on top of the game, and that includes getting into the spirit of the holidays. In this case: All Hallow’s Eve. Come Monday, October 31st, there will most likely be a line-up of pint-sized characters on your stoop, and the adults with them might just be home buyers in disguise.

Why Decorate?

Keeping your home neat and tidy, inside and out, is just one part of making it market ready. Going the extra step to stage the inside and manicure the outside will be the key factor in getting the asking price of your dreams, and in some case, way beyond them. Staging your home like a professional haunted house may not be necessary, but adding a few tasteful details that scream Halloween to your welcoming front stoop and yard could make a difference. It shows you care for your home, and it will make others want to do the same. Potentially hundreds of people will be walking by your home on Halloween, why not give it the best curb appeal you possibly can?

Ideas for Decorating

Check out our post on Fall Decor Ideas, then hit up Pinterest for tasteful takes on Halloween decorating! Another good place to source ideas is the talented people at HGTV Canada. Search their Decorating database for a number of elegantly spooky ways to make your home just the right amount of festive for walkthroughs and curb appeal. If you’re selling, keep in mind to keep it simple! You don’t want to be dealing with decorations if it came down to a quick sell.

Host an Open (Haunted) House

You’re going to have trick-or-treaters and their guardians knocking on the door anyway, why not invite them in for a walkthrough that includes free candy and an ‘in’ to the conversation? Make your take-away pieces halloween-themed and they’ll stand out from the pile for sure. And remember: don’t skimp on the treats.

What’s your top tip for keeping Halloween decor classy? Share with us on Facebook and have a Happy Halloween!

Image Credit: Better Homes and Gardens