February 2017 saw the lowest number of new listings registered for the month since 2003, and the sales were 7.7% below the 10-year average.

However, “While home sales are not happening at the pace we experienced last year, home seller supply is still struggling to keep up with today’s demand. This is why we’ve seen little downward pressure on home prices, particularly in the condominium and townhome markets,” said Dan Morrison, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver president.

The numbers are being attributed to limited supply and the unexpected and prolonged snowy weather. Residential home sales totalled 2,425; a 41.9% decrease from February 2016 but a whopping 59.2% increase from January 2017.

The February 2017 Vancouver Housing Market by the Numbers:

New Listings (detached, attached, and apartment): 3,666
36.9% decrease from February 2016
11.4% decrease from January 2017

Total Active listings on MLS®: 7,594
4.0% increase from February 2016
4.9% increase from January 2017

Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio: 31.9%

Benchmark price for all residential properties: $906,700
1.2% decrease from January 2017

Benchmark price for a detached property is $1,474,200
6.5% decline over the past 6 months
0% change from January 2017

Detached property sales totaled 745
58.1% decrease from February 2016

Benchmark price for an apartment property is $526,300
2.3% increase over the past 6 month
2.7% increase from January 2017

Apartment property sales totaled 1,275
28.8% decrease from February 2016

Benchmark price for an attached unit is $675,500
0.3% decrease over the past 6 months
1.3% increase from January 2017

Attached property sales totaled 404
33.1% decrease from February 2016

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

*REBGV Editor’s Note:  Areas covered by the 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, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and South Delta.

Forget Canada Day and the 4th of July; if there’s one National ‘holiday’ that’s gone international, it’s St. Patrick’s Day! Despite its Irish Catholic origins, the deeper meaning behind March 17th festivities has given way to a reason to let loose and party like the Irish. So in celebration of all things Celtic, here’s a list of the Top 5 things to do around Vancouver for St. Patrick’s Day.

Pick a Pub

Vancouver isn’t short on good watering holes, and when it comes to Irish pubs, we have a few of the best on the West Coast. So in keeping with tradition, raise a pint to St. Patty at one of these fine establishments:

Doolin’s Irish Pub (654 Nelson St) features live music.

The Irish Heather (210 Carrall St) is a Gastown landmark and also has a Whiskey bar

Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub (1601 Main St) will have an all-day St. Patty’s day party with live music and Irish dancers

Mahony & Sons Pub for a good Irish time, choose from its 3 locations.

St. Patrick’s Day Eve Party + Festival at The Blarney Stone

Just like their poster promises, be the first person at The Blarney Stone for the big day by spending St. Patrick’s Day Eve partying with live music and a balloon drop at midnight. Then, join their St. Patrick’s Day Festival from 9am - 3am, March 17th. The Blarney Stone will be serving up fun for the whole family. Live music, face painters, entertainment and Irish inspired food.

Catch a Play for St. Paddy’s Day

For something a little different, forgo the drinks in favour of entertaining stage plays--with an Irish twist. Catch the darkly comic Almost a Stepmom at the Havana Theater and Belfast Girls at the Cultch as part of Celtic Fest.

CelticFest 2017

This annual tradition brings East and West Vancouver together with various celebrations going on around town. From pub crawls to plays, and a Celtic Village in Robson Square Friday the 17th - Saturday the 18th, check the official CelticFest website for a complete schedule of the 9-day event and to get your tickets.

St. Patrick’s Day 5K

It’s not too late to sign up for the BMO St. Patrick’s Day 5K Saturday, March 18th. Save your drinking plans for a toast post-race and feel good about those extra pints you plan to have!

Cheers! Or as the Irish say, Slainté!

It seems winter just doesn’t want to quit this year! As the colder weather persists in Vancouver, so does the drain on your wallet as we use more electricity to heat our homes. Looking for ways to offset your climbing heating bills?

If you’re thinking of listing your Vancouver house for sale, then we’ve rounded up our top tips to curb your electricity usage and prevent you from pouring more money into it while you wait to sell.

Window + Door Coverings

Keep window coverings closed to avoid heat-loss through windows. Conversely, when the sun decides to arrive for the season, this will keep indoor temperatures regulated and reduce your need for an air conditioner! Storm doors will do the same for doors.

Invest in a little weather-stripping, or a lot in proper insulation. Both will help prevent heat-loss and high energy bills.

Lighting

Consider replacing your bulbs with LEDs, which use approximately 90% less energy than incandescents. Don’t forget, nightlights count! The high cost of LED lightbulbs can be a deterrent, but long-term they will save you money. Another trick is to install dimmer switches. That way, you’ll only use the amount of light you need.

Your Fridge + Freezer

Stock your fridge and freezer well; food acts as insulation so your refrigerator doesn’t have to work so hard. Also, only store covered food and dishes that have already cooled off so your fridge doesn’t have to do double-duty.

Those Other Appliance Drains

You know all those TVs and accessories, kitchen appliances and computers that glow with the time and other settings? They’re draining your electricity. Consider plugging them into a power strip, then switch it off between uses.

Other ways to stop the drain is to turn off the “Heated Dry” on your dishwasher, only do dish and laundry loads when you have a full load, and always wash laundry on cold. Also, check when your off-peak hours are and only run appliances then for cheaper electric rates.

Hot Water Tanks

Insulate it well and drain it twice per year of sediment to keep it running at top efficiency. If you install a water heater timer so the tank only runs when you need it most, you have the opportunity to see a 5 - 12% reduction in your hot water heater’s energy costs.

If you’ve just bought your dream house on Vancouver’s Westside or are calling the East Side home now, these money-saving tactics will also help you ease into homeowner bliss!

Why save all the hearts and flowers for just one day? Tell whomever you love that you do--and often. Love is what makes a house a home, after all! But if you’re keen to celebrate this February 14th and recently buy a house in Vancouver, we’ve compiled a list for those of you new to the Mt. Pleasant neighbourhood where to splurge on your favourite person (and yourself!).

Vancouver Harbour Cruise for Two

Cruise the harbour for a three-hour dinner and dance. Featuring a live DJ, cash bar and complimentary glass of champagne, Spirit Cruises’ annual Vancouver Valentine’s Day Cruise is a memorable way to spend the most romantic day of the year, gliding along the water with the twinkling city lights as a backdrop. Ship off at 6:30 on Valentine’s, get your tickets here.

Indulge in Vancouver’s Annual Hot Chocolate Festival

Toast to the day of love and friendship with a steaming mug of cocoa, devised by some of Vancouver’s best chefs especially for the Hot Chocolate Festival. February 14th marks the last day of this annual event; a must-do on the list for new residents. Indulge at Mt. Pleasant institution French Made Baking, then download the free walking map to check out the rest of the best.

Valentine’s for One at the Last Crumb Bakery

Get cozy at the Last Crumb Bakery. Nostalgic baked goods and savoury treats await at this Mt. Pleasant cafe, and everything is made fresh and in small batches with no preservatives. So you can feel good about eating out for 1, because you are your best first love! Treat yourself well.

Romantic Dinner for Two at Burdock and Co. in Mt. Pleasant

Enjoy an elegant, candle-lit dinner for two at one of Mt. Pleasant’s most delicious restaurants. A celebration of what makes the Canadian Pacific Northwest so special, Burdock and Co. offers up an artisanal feast of natural West Coast flavours, craft beers and local wines.

Where’s your favourite local spot to celebrate Valentine’s? Share with us on Facebook!

As Vancouver residents deal with one of the snowiest winters in decades, we’ve collected our favourite tips to keep your East Vancouver real estate protected from the unexpected wintery onslaught.

Shovel Early and Often

This is your #1 best bet to keeping your walkways, driveway, drains and landscaping safe and skid-free. As snow compacts, you’ll be facing ice that needs taking care of as well as slushy times ahead.

Slow Down It’s Slippery Out There!

Beware of slush! Whether you’re walking or driving around Mt. Pleasant and beyond, it has the potential to freeze so keep your front walk area free of this hazardous winter by-product. Same goes for Black Ice; this invisible peril is the result of snow melting as temperatures rise, then rapidly drop especially in shaded areas and as the sun goes down. Be aware, and go slow!

Clearing Snow Will Save your Cement

While the City of Vancouver is doing it’s best to clear roads and walkways, doing your part to keep your corner of the neighbourhood relatively snow-free is beneficial to everyone. Not only will you avoid a possible fine, but keeping walkways in front of your home and driveways clear will save the cement they’re made from. Ice can get into fine cracks and as it expands and melts, create craters in the material which will have to be filled in the Spring. So grab a shovel and enjoy the fresh air!

Salt Vs. Sand

Rock Salt lowers the freezing point of water and is traditionally used to keep snow from turning into ice. This mineral form of table salt is a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-get option. However, the salt residue can be harmful to your grass and shrubbery that line the drive and walkways. It can also eat away at concrete and steel over time, which isn’t good news in the long run for your driveway.

Sand on the other hand provides traction at any temperature without physically melting the ice. So if it gets buried by more snow, you’ll have to reapply this option more frequently. Be mindful when shoveling as the sand can clog drains which will be a problem later in the spring rainy season. Sandbox sand is your best bet for size of grain and availability.

Icicles and Ice Dams

Icicles may look lovely, but these frozen daggers pose a serious threat of injury as well as harm to your home. As it gets warmer out, they’ll start to melt and potentially break off; puncturing anything beneath them. They can also create ice dams which could lead to meltwater getting inside your home if there are any air leaks or inadequate insulation.

Share your best snow and ice coping methods with us on Facebook and from your Vancouver real estate experts: Be safe out there!

The 2017 Metro Vancouver real estate market opened at 10.3% below the 10-year sales average for January.

“From a real estate perspective, it’s a lukewarm start to the year compared to 2016,” said Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver president Dan Morrison. “While we saw near record-breaking sales at this time last year, home buyers and sellers are more reluctant to engage so far in 2017.”

1,523 residential properties sold last month, a 39.5% decrease from the 2,519 sales in January 2016 and a 11.1% decrease from the 1,714 sold in December 2016.

Property type is proving to be a key factor as townhome and condominiums continue to be active markets while detached homes are declining in popularity by about 7% since their peak last July.

An in-depth look at January 2017 Sales:

The 2017 Metro Vancouver real estate market opened at 10.3% below the 10-year sales average for January.

“From a real estate perspective, it’s a lukewarm start to the year compared to 2016,” said Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver president Dan Morrison. “While we saw near record-breaking sales at this time last year, home buyers and sellers are more reluctant to engage so far in 2017.”

1,523 residential properties sold last month, a 39.5% decrease from the 2,519 sales in January 2016 and a 11.1% decrease from the 1,714 sold in December 2016.

Property type is proving to be a key factor as townhome and condominiums continue to be active markets while detached homes are declining in popularity by about 7% since their peak last July.

An in-depth look at January 2017 Sales:

New Listings (detached, attached, and apartment): 4,140
6.8% decrease from January 2016
215.5% increase from December 2016

Total Active listings on MLS®: 7,238
9.1% increase from January 2016
14.1% increase from December 2016

Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio: 21%

Benchmark price for all residential properties: $896,000
0.2% decrease from December 2016

Benchmark price for a detached property is $1,474,800
6.6% decline over the past 6 months
0.6% decrease from December 2016

Detached property sales totaled 444
57.6% decrease from January 2016

Benchmark price for an apartment property is $512,300
0.3% increase over the past 6 month
0.4% increase from December 2016

Apartment property sales totaled 825
24.7% decrease from January 2016

Benchmark price for an attached unit is $666,500
0.4% decrease over the past 6 months
0.7% increase from December 2016

Attached property sales totaled 254
32.4% decrease from January 2016

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

*REBGV Editor’s Note:  Areas covered by the 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, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and South Delta.

Current as of February 02, 2017. All data from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. Report © 2016 ShowingTime. Percent changes are calculated using rounded figures.

You won’t have to travel far this winter to indulge in some of the best winter escapes that BC has to offer. If you’re thinking of listing your Mt. Pleasant house or condo for sale soon, now is the time to indulge in a little R and R before the packing begins.

The Best Winter Adventure in Whistler

Kick your ski trip up a notch with Whistler Heli-Skiing. Expect breath-taking views and heart-stopping slopes as you experience 432,000 acres of vast mountain terrain including 173 glaciers. With 475 runs to choose from ensuring no snowboarding or skiing run will be the same, an experienced team to guide you, and freedom from the daily grind; what more could you ask for to beat those winter blues away?

World Class Luxury in Tofino

If fresh local culinary delights with 240 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, an afternoon of indulgence at the Ancient Cedars Spa, and world class accommodations are more your style, it’s time to visit the Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino. Check in to a fireplace-warmed suite and enjoy Storm Season in one of BC’s most beautiful spots, celebrating “20 years of rustic elegance on nature’s edge.”

The Best Friends Getaway at Grouse Mountain

Grab your favourite group of people and head up the mountain for the Grouse Mountain Snowshoe Fondue. Reservations are required for this private snowshoe tour, which includes an experienced guide, your rental, and an après snowshoeing fondue in Altitudes Bistro. With cheese, broth, and chocolate courses, this social dining experience on the peak of the North Shore is the perfect antidote to dreary weather days.

Find Whole Body Health at Sparkling Hills Resort

Just north of Kelowna, BC lies the European-inspired wellness resort Sparkling Hills. The world’s first and only Swarovski Crystal (3.5 million crystals adorn the property) hotel, the first class escape offers up fresh fine dining, stunning views of the Okanagan Valley, and a holistic health spa. KurSpa features 7 crystal-infused steam and saunas, several pools and a vast wellness spa menu.

So whether you’re planning to list, or buying real estate in the Mt. Pleasant area, these winter destination gems are just a hop, skip, and short plane or car ride away. Just a few of the reasons we love beautiful BC so much as your Vancouver real estate experts.

Besides the beautiful scenery, happening cultural scene and healthy lifestyle that makes our city so covetable, annual traditions like Dine Out Vancouver January 20th - February 5th is what makes Vancouver real estate so hot. We love this particular tradition that allows us to taste and savour some of the best cuisine the Lower Mainland has to offer, for all budgets and palates. Did you recently buy a home in Mt. Pleasant? You’re in for a treat: here’s our favourite Dine Out options right on your doorstep.

Vegetarian Restaurant Acorn’s Fresh Offering For Dine Out Vancouver

One of Scout Magazine’s Top 25 Restaurants of 2016, award-winning Acorn offers up seasonal vegetarian plates and cocktails in a fashionable atmosphere. Check out their special Dine Out menu here, and don’t forget to book ahead! Space is limited, but the service makes up for it. 3995 Main St.

Grab a Pint and Dine Out at the Historic Steel Toad Brew Pub

Limited seating is never an option at the Steel Toad Brew Pub & Dining Hall. The 200 seat pub and adjacent 75 seat restaurant beside the Olympic Village may be large, but this converted steel fabricating plant isn’t short on fresh pints, good food, and pleasant staff. Book now for your hearty Dine Out experience. 97 East 2nd Ave.

Chicha Serves Up Peruvian Fare with Flair

Small share plates and a casual modern ambiance epitomize the creative flavours inspired by Peruvian culture at Chicha. Named after the popular purple corn, spices, pineapple and citrus Peruvian drink, the Chicha Morado, Chicha is the quintessential Date Night place, sure to become your go-to place for good eats in a fun atmosphere. Their Dine Out menu does not disappoint. 136 East Broadway.

Exotic Flavours from the Far East Spice Up Date Night

East is East, Chai Lounge captures the vibrant energy of the ancient Silk Road and its colourful eateries (dhabba’s) and vendors. The East side’s locale of this Vancouver institution’s extensive Dine Out menu of diverse flavours including gluten-free and vegetarian options. 4433 Main St.

For more Mt. Pleasant restaurants participating in Dine Out Vancouver, see their official site. Enticed to check out the neighbourhood? As your east side realty experts, we’re always available for a consultation.