Vancouver: known for being Hollywood’s second home, that hockey team, the 2010 Winter Olympics, and, of course, the rain. Or so everyone who lives anywhere else thinks. As Vancouverites know, and this crazy dry spell over the past while has proven, Vancouver actually has one of the mildest climates in Canada and--wait for it--is prone to moderate drought conditions in the summer months. Read on for more wacky weather facts that might surprise you:

1. Sure the Lower Mainland receives on average a 165 days of rain a year, but that varies greatly from one neighbourhood to the next. North Vancouver receives double the precipitation than Richmond! And 165 days may sound like a lot, but hey, how else would Vancouver stay so beautifully lush and vibrant?

2. The mild climate allows for a 221 (on average) day-long “growing season”. Meaning that botanically, horticulturally, and agriculturally, things just have a longer, better chance of growing than any other major city center in Canada.

3. Olympic organizers for the 2010 Winter Games expected mild, but that didn’t prepare them for the warmest stretch of winter in the region’s 114-year history. 9,000 cubic meters of snow had to be brought in by 300 workers to make the Games possible.

4. Environment Canada ranked Vancouver 3rd out of 100 Canadian cities for “Lowest Snowfall”, but 59th for “Most Huge Snowfall Days”; beating out notoriously snowy Calgary and Toronto. Huh.

5. In July 2013, there was no rain in sight for the entire month. So this whole reputation for rain is based on a lovely annual average temperature of 10.4 degrees Celsius; one of the warmest climates in Canada. Also securing Vancouver the title of second driest city in Canada. Thank goodness for that beautiful ocean to gaze at during those gloriously sunny days.

Love it or hate it, the weather is here to stay and makes Vancouver the jewel it is. Let us know your thoughts on Vancouver’s wild weather!

Facts From:

Hikebiketravel.com
Infovancouver.com
Wikipedia.org/wiki/climate_of_vancouver
Forbes.com
ec.gc.ca

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)

With the internationally acclaimed Calgary Stampede just over for another year, horses are on the mind. Fortunately, the West Coast is home to an array of stables and ranches that offer both English and Western styles of horseback riding.

Whether you’re new to the Coast or simply looking to take up an outdoor activity that boasts both tradition and limitless mental and physical benefits, we’ve found five BC ranches you might like. Keen to saddle up but don’t have any previous riding experience? Most places offer lessons and a one-on-one experience.

1. Glen Valley Stables, Langley

Only 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Glen Valley Stables offers some of the best trail horses in the Vancouver area and experienced guides to lead you through Campbell Valley Park. Glenn Valley makes sure to match up horse and riders of similar temperament and riding style so their guests can feel safe. Rides range from 1 - 2 hours, and are available in small groups; the more, the merrier!

2. Hylee Training & Trail Rides, Mission
A lesson and training ranch located in Mission, BC, Hylee Training has something for everyone from clinics, off-site rides, to show and theory lessons in a relaxed, fun environment. Their stables have horses for all levels of riders, including competition stock.

3. Copper Cayuse Outfitters, Ltd., Pemberton
A little further out is Copper Cayuse Outfitters. One of the premiere guided backcountry horseback outfitters in the area, they offer several versions of the mountain horseback trail rides, from one hour rides in the Pemberton Valley to 1/2 day, full day, and 3 day rides. Overnight adventurers will sleep in comfortable platform tents for a true outdoor experience. Their Li-lik-hel Mine Ride has recently been recognized as a Canadian Signature Experience!

4. Sundance Guest Ranch, Ashcroft
Looking for a weekend getaway? Sundance is a four hour drive from Vancouver and easily accessible via three different scenic routes, making the journey itself worth it. The ranch is located in central BC, making it one of the warmest and sunniest spots to take in a beautiful view of the Thompson River Valley. With over thousands of acres of land, it’s the perfect place to explore on horseback, or simply watch the horses gallop free. 

5. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Tofino
How about a full-on vacation in a remote Canadian wilderness resort with five-star cuisine, spa, tents with fluffy duvets and antiques, and other enticing outdoor activities in addition to horseback riding? The resort’s team will personalize your daily adventures based on your interests, experience level, even weather conditions and animal sightings; and they offer a range of highly experienced horses for all levels of riders. Yup, sounds like a dream!

Found another great ranch or stable on your search we don’t have listed here? Went on your very first horseback ride and documented it with an awesome picture? Share it with us! And Happy Trails.

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.

This weekend is Father’s Day as well as the first day of summer, so we thought we would share some ideas on how to spend your day together in a distinctly Vancouver way! Whether your Pops is a backwoodsman, a beer aficionado, or someone who just likes to relax, this incredible city has so many options for great day plans with Dad.

Car Free Day on Main

Of Vancouver’s street parties, Car Free Day on Main is one of our favourites. Shops South of Broadway set up booths on the street, and there is live music. Car Free Day really has something fun for everyone to enjoy. With meat tastings, micro-breweries, and lots of shopping options, you can stroll around with Dad while enjoying this great street party.

BBQ at Spanish Banks

Break out the hibachi, buy some salmon, tasty drinks, and pack up a picnic for the beach! Spanish Banks has picnic tables, BBQ pits, white sand beaches, and spectacular views of Downtown Vancouver to enjoy while basking in the sun all day. This is great way to spend some quality time together as a family while enjoying the splendor of Vancouver’s natural beauty.  

Sea to Sky Gondola

Hike the Chief, then take the Gondola back down

If you’re up for something more challenging, the new Sea to Sky Gondola goes from the top of the famous ‘Chief’ cliff face in Squamish, down to the bottom of the mountain. The hike up the back of the Chief is rigorous, but well worth the effort to enjoy breath-taking views of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains. When you’ve had your fill of the views, you can simply hop on the Gondola, and be down the mountain in a matter of minutes. This would be a Father’s Day activity to remember.

Craft Beer Bike Tour

For the beer-loving Dad, Vancouver is chock full of amazing microbreweries taht offer tasting tours. For a family of adults, a bike tour of a few Vancouver microbreweries is a unique way to spend an afternoon, and gives you a great sense of Vancouver’s independent brewery culture. Set up as a beer tasting tour, the guides make sure to keep you safe and satisfied as you visit Main Street brewery, Bomber Brewing, and a mystery location. They offer lots of food, and do not permit the consumption of additional alcohol on the tour to make sure that you’re riding safely. You can also plan your own brewery bike tour! There are many many micro-breweries in Vancouver, but here are a few highlights from East Vancouver, Vancouver’s micro-brewery hub:

Powell St. Brewing

Parallel 49

33 Acres

Brassneck Brewery

Have a Happy Father’s Day everyone, and be sure to remember your sunscreen regardless of where you spend your Sunday.

School’s almost out for summer, and we know you’ve been distracted by all this sunny, summer weather we’ve been having in Vancouver. So we’ve compiled a westside short-list of all the fab day camps available.

1. PedalHeads have swimming lesson and bike day trip combination camps at Jericho Beach Park all summer long! This camp gets kids outside for fun in the sun, and they’ll learn the basics of cycling and swimming safety. Kids are taken on rides all over Vancouver with experienced guides who focus on safe, educational fun. For parents who are avid cyclists, your kids can learn the fundamentals of bike safety during the week so that you can enjoy time together on your weekends off! Great for kids ages 4-9.

2. UBC has an amazing assortment of adventure camps to choose from. Kids can be windsurfing one week, and Zip-lining the next week. These day camps are a great way to expose your kids to a variety of outdoor activities, and appeal to their inner adventurer. Designed for children of all ages, camps with individual themes run on a week long cycle. You can choose a combination of activities to offer your kids some variety in their summer fun.

3. Pear Tree Education offers full-day camps for kids with activities such as TV broadcasting workshops, educational beach trips for the budding marine biologist, and cooking camps for aspiring chefs. The variety will keep your kids engaged, and allow them to try many new things before the summer is out. Programs are available for kids 5-14.

4. Arts Umbrella are a fantastic organization who have been educating kids in the arts in Vancouver since 1979. They offer camps for visual artists, thespians, and writers, empowering your child to trust their creative impulses. Camps are taught by experienced artists from around Vancouver, and give kids a chance to learn through experimentation with their own creativity. Your burgeoning artist will come out of this camp inspired and full of imagination! There are programs available for youngsters 3-19 years of age.

(Photo: Pear Tree Education)

Falling supply and strong demand continue to push house prices to record price levels across the city.

On Vancouver's Westside we are definitely in a Seller’s Market as homes are selling at a record pace. Price levels and demand vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The areas with the strongest demand and price increases appear to be in those areas connected to specific school catchments. Many of the homes being sold are receiving multiple offers and sale prices considerably over the asking price.

Virtually every home we have sold in 2015 has attracted multiple offers. For homeowners, these conditions are ideal when selling.  For the buyers however, it's a tough go. Many are going from home to home trying to figure out how they can win the bidding process.  We are now seeing seminars for buyers to teach the tools required.

We have been selling homes for 22 years on Vancouver's Westside. Whether you are looking to buy or sell we are always available to provide you with great information and advice. Call us today, 604-657-7936, we are here to help!

With Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of new brunch spots! There are so amazing options in Vancouver’s West Side neighbourhoods, so there’s no need to venture downtown! Appealing to a plethora of palettes and price ranges, your mouth is bound to be watering by the end of this list:

Kitsalano:

The Oakwood Canadian Bistro

Featuring locally sourced ingredients, and an eye to sustainability, the Oakwood Canadian Bistro is modern in both its menu and attitude. Their refreshing takes on classic brunch dishes are delicious without stepping too far outside the box.

The Linh Cafe 

For something less traditional, the Linh Cafe offers a Vietnamese kitchen with French Style cooking. This innovative cultural fusion is well loved in the neighbourhood, and provides a welcome step outside the ordinary.

Cafe Zen on Yew 

For classic breakfast fare, Cafe Zen on Yew is perfect. If your Dad is an early riser, they’re open at the crack of dawn and offer just about every style of Benny under the sun as well as omelettes, pancakes and waffles.  

Kerrisdale/Dunbar:

Jethros Fine Grub 

One of Vancouver’s best loved greasy spoons, be sure to wear your most comfortable pants, because you’ll leave Jethros stuffed. With their casual atmosphere and crowd pleasing favourites, Jethros is very family friendly and has something to please everyone’s taste buds.

Blaq Sheep  Coffee 

There is no excuse to have bad coffee in Vancouver, made abundantly clear by Blaq Sheep coffee. They take their roasts very seriously, which is ideal if Dad is a coffee connoisseur. Their brunch options are classic and tasty, but won’t distract from great coffee.

Secret Garden Tea Company 

If Dad is a tea lover, changing things up with a more traditional tea experience at the Secret Tea Garden is a great way to create memories as a family. With beautiful decor and a selection of delectable tea accompaniments, high tea creates a sense of occasion and will definitely make Dad feel special.