View my E-Newsletter for May 2012 with the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board stats for April.

April showers bring May flowers!  The weather has been fabulous and I love the longer days.  Happy Mother's Day! Enjoy the May 24th long weekend!  And here is my May newsletter...

Krista Freeborn's Real Estate E-Newsletter  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. May 2012 The Bank of Canada has left their lending rate unchanged with their most recent announcement, and the word on the street is that we won't see a rise in rates until late 2013.  Not too long ago the prediction was early 2014, so it seems they are changing their tune a little.  We are seeing a balanced market Downtown and in Vancouver West, but a Seller's market in East Vancouver.  Judging by the increasing inventory in all areas, steady & falling prices in some areas, I suspect we will be trending toward a Buyers market in the near future.  East Van Sellers are still enjoying their hot market though, and I suspect this will remain strong for a while.  With our recent warmer and sunnier days, it is starting to feel like summer is around the corner.  Finally!  And with the May 24th long weekend quickly approaching, the outdoor pools will open, and the beaches will be swarming with sun worshipers looking to celebrate the end of the grey days of winter.  Ah, May....what's not to love about May?  Enjoy!   Listings Looking for a great deck to enjoy the summer days ahead?  Mountain views, ocean views, hot tub, sauna, BBQ parties, sipping your morning coffee while reading the paper in the morning...ahhhhh!  Who wouldn't want that?  And now at a reduced price! Check out properties like these and others      here...     Market Statistics The Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board has announced a balanced market for the month of April.  I have attached a stats package so you can view more details on different neighbourhoods, and different segments of the market.   Read More... Celebrate Mom this weekend! Sunday is Mother's Day so don't forget to do something for her that makes her feel special!  With the warmer days upon us, brunch is always a great way to spend some quality time together...if your mother lives nearby that is.  One of my personal favourites is the Granville Island Hotel patio, but if you are looking for some other suggestions, Click here....  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Krista Freeborn Our mailing address is: 1428 W. 7th Ave, Vancouver BC V6H 1C1 This communication is not intended to induce a breach of an extisting agency relationship.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Do you prefer to watch the Real Estate stats by video?  Click here...  

The Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board announces it has been a balanced market for the last 6-8 months.  

As suspected, the Bank of Canada did not increase their lending rate.  It is inevitable it will rise eventually, but the question is when.  It seems the increase will be sooner than the predicted third quarter of next year.  Read more here...

The stats are out, and it's a balanced market.  For the detailed stats per segment, read more here...

This loft is an entertainers dream!  16 foot floor to ceiling windows.  A massive deck with a hot tub, infrared sauna and BBQ area make your friends green with envy.  Who wouldn't like to lounge in the sunshine with your morning coffee on the deck?  If you are looking for a modern loft that offers something different, this is it!  And now it's $148,000 less. Offered at $1,020,000.  





There are some cool houses with great outdoor space in Horseshoe Bay catching my eye.  Here's another one...Great outdoor space, surrounded by greenery, mid century modern style of home...

Have a quick peek at my e-newsletter for great real estate info, recent stats, and some Vancouver events in and around our great city.

Krista's April 2012 Real Estate E-Newsletter Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. April 2012 Spring has sprung, and the days are getting longer, warmer, sunnier, and Vancouverites couldn't be happier!  And just in time for playoff season.  Our boys made it!  I love game day when the city sidewalks are swarming with blue jerseys and tee's in support of the local hockey fever.  Go Canucks Go!  Ok, enough about that...on to some helpful real estate info.  Do you hear your friends talking about grants, rebates and ways to get money back when buying or owning a home, but have no idea where to find the info?  Finally, the Real Estate Board has combined them into one quick reference guide that is easy to read and understand, Top 28 Grants and Rebates for Property Buyers and Owners  #1 RE/MAX Sales Group Worldwide! For the 3rd year in a row, my office is ranked as the highest Multi-Office Sale Volume in all of RE/MAX Worldwide!  Wowzers!  This is an unprecedented achievement and I am proud to be a part of this amazing office.  Click here  to search for properties for sale on MLS, and for my recent sales and current listings. Market Statistics Downtown is hot!  It's a Seller's market and sales are up 39% with prices virtually unchanged.  It's a balanced market for condos on the Westside with prices, sales, and listings all up slightly.  Houses on the Westside saw a balanced market with listings up slightly, but sales and prices down.  Houses on the Eastside are hot, hot, hot!  Averaging only 10 days to sell, it's a Seller's market with prices up, sales up, and listings up.   Read more... Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Who doesn't love the Cherry Blossoms at this time of the year?  Did you know Vancouver has an annual Festival to celebrate the gorgeous pink blossoms that blanket our city every April?  See where the 800 best locations are for viewing the blossoms, sign up for walks, talks, guided bike rides, and more.  Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2012  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Krista Freeborn Our mailing address is: 1428 W. 7th Ave, Vancouver BC V6H 1C1 This communication is not intended to induce a breach of an extisting agency relationship.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Great new listing in Kits with a fabulous patio!  Superb location, 1 bedroom, 662 sq ft, priced at $449,000.  Call me for more details...this one won't last long!  Spend this summer lounging in the sun!

Listings, prices, and sales are up in East Vancouver across all segments.  In Vancouver West, listings are up in Detached and Attached properties, but down for Apartments.  Sales and prices are up in Attached properties, and down in the other two segments.  For more details in these areas and others in Greater Vancouver, click here...

This house is spectacular!  This 5 bedroom, West Coast Post and Beam home designed by architect Chuck Wills brings the outdoors in!  The lot size is over 16,000 sq ft, and the home is 3000 sq ft.  Professionally landscaped, private, sunny, suited for rental income.  Wowza!  This one is gorgeous!  West Vancouver real estate at its best!  

Prefer to watch a video for a quick market update for Greater Vancouver Real Estate for the month of February?  Watch it here...

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March 2012 As I suspected, the spring market seems to be picking up and is busier than the slow fall market.  The HST/GST transitional rules have been announced, so if you have recently purchased a pre-sale property, or are thinking of purchasing one soon, I can help clarify the numbers for you.  View the rules here. Those of you wanting to buy a new home will be happy to see that 12% tax on your purchase price gone! New Listings! I have some gorgeous new listings with amazing outdoor spaces!  Two level lofts, single level lofts, penthouses, a gorgeous 3 bedroom home with an amazing renovation!  Check 'em out here...  Market Statistics Sales are up, inventory is up, and prices are up!  February was a busy one this year!  Read More... What's going on in Vancouver this month? It's Spring Break, it's St. Patrick's Day, the days are longer thanks to Daylight Savings, and the first official day of Spring is Tuesday.  Don't you just love March?  Spring is in the air today, and although I haven't had quite enough ski days yet, I do love the thought of warmer days ahead.  Looking for ideas of what to do this month?  Check out Tourism Vancouver's Event Calendar.  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Krista Freeborn Our mailing address is: 1428 W. 7th Ave, Vancouver BC V6H 1C1 This communication is not intended to induce a breach of an extisting agency relationship.

This 752 sq ft loft has 9' ceilings, exposed concrete walls, heated floors, and a huge south facing covered balcony.  This loft is like a blank canvas for you to create a cool, modern loft.  Priced well at $475,000.  Check it out...

Another happy Seller!  Sold for a great price!  

Generally speaking we are seeing a more balanced market for Vancouver East and West.  Sales are up significantly over last month, but down a little from Feb 2011.  The number of new listings are up over last February, and generally speaking we saw a slight increase in price.  Click here to view the detailed stats...

Karoleena Homes brought a pre-fab house with them to the Home & Garden Show for visitors to walk through and bid on.  Yes, bid on it too!  They were auctioning off the Kitsilano Home at the Show and installing it on a view lot in Naramata.  Fantastic idea, I'd say!  The house itself was gorgeous...modern, big windows, massive sliding doors, high ceilings....check, check, check!  And have you been to Naramata?  It's one of the prettiest places in the world.  Did I mention the winery tours?  Check out this house and learn more about pre-fab homes...

Check out my February 2012 Newsletter.
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February 2012 The Feds announced rates will stay low until 2014.  Some lenders have just increased their fixed rates, (yes the 2.99% is gone) but they are still at an all time low, and prime is still 3%.  We are approaching what is typically the busiest time of the year for real estate, and after our slow fall market, I predict this spring will be a busy one.  In 2011, the month of March saw the highest volume of sales in Downtown Vancouver, the Westside, and East Vancouver.  So if you are wondering when the best time is to sell, I would say now is the time.  I've had a busy couple of weeks with multiple offers, buyers securing a great investment unit in a cool new project, LIDO, complete with a roof top pool, heated outdoor Wi-Fi stations, & coffee in the lobby for the residents, and a great new listing with ocean views & 500 square feet of decks.  I hope you had a great weekend, and don't forget your loved ones tomorrow...it is Valentine's Day after all!       New Listings! I have 2 new loft listings both with huge decks & amazing ocean & mountain views.  View these great properties, and more of my listings, under the Properties tab on my site.   Market Statistics Selection broadens and demand eases to kick off 2012 in the Greater Vancouver housing market.  For the detailed stats by neighbourhood and price range,  Read More...  For the 2011 Year End Market Update video by the president of the Real Estate Board, click here.   Laneway Housing Are you interested in building a laneway house on your property?  The City of Vancouver has published a How-To Guide  that is loaded with great information to get you started.  ..     .  .   .   follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend

I'll be doing at open house today and tomorrow from 2-4pm at this fabulous penthouse, P6-2410 Cornwall.  Drop in to see the incredible views and private roof deck!

Congrats to the lucky buyer of this fabulous house on the Westside!

The HST/PST transitional rules have finally been announced.  Click here to read the new ruling, and call me if you need some clarification on your own situation.