VictorEric Designs in Aldergrove

As most of you know, our designs are predominately in the lower mainland, but being so passionate about design, we never turn away a fun project. This recent project is exactly that. The site consists of 138 acres and has magnificent views of Garibaldi and the Fraser River valley.

The clients are a great couple who are loving and fun. In fact, I felt a great chemistry with them right form our first meeting. They are looking for a unique and modern design that will take full advantage of the views on their site. The are probably the most prepared clients I have ever worked with. They came equipped with a full wish list complete with photos and magazine cutouts. I actually had to compile a full binder just for their notes. After seeing the site and initial discussions during our kick off meeting, I came back full of ideas in my head. I was excited and can’t wait to sit down on the drawing board to develop the design for them. I must say, I was excited to a level I haven’t been for a long time.  It really made it easy as they were clear in relaying their requirements and we had like-minded visions right from the beginning.

We are in the process of developing a 3D rendering and will continue to post further design developments of this project.

Vancouver Real Estate

The real estate market in the Vancouver area is holding strong as depicted by the following sources:

bc-081002-real-estate1

Real estate market expected to remain strong in first half of 2010

By David Paddon, Canadian Press
Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

TORONTO — Canada’s residential real estate market is expected to remain unusually strong through the first half of this year after a strong finish to 2009, according to a survey published Thursday by Royal LePage.

The Royal LePage analysis is consistent with other recent reports on the state of the Canadian real estate market, which has rebounded over the past 12 months after sales dried up in late 2008 and hit a multi-year low in January 2009.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

  

Vancouver real estate rebounds in 2009

Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Vancouver-area real estate values rebounded sharply in 2009. (CBC) The Vancouver housing market showed a sharp rebound in 2009 after starting the year with near record low sales.

More than 35,600 homes were sold – a 44.8-per-cent jump from 2008, but a 6.3 per cent dip from 2007, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver said in a news release Tuesday.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

 

Royal LePage forecasts continued rise in real estate prices in 2010

Copyright © BIV Interactive.

Market confidence and expected economic improvements are likely to contribute to an increase in Vancouver real estate prices, according to a Royal LePage house price survey.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

Supply, Demand, and a Real Estate Rebound article

This is an interesting article found in the Vancouver Sun by James Schouw. James is the developer and mastermind behind the beautiful Grace condominium building in Yaletown with a few more of similar calibre and quality in the works.

I think he has alot of valid points. I especially agree with him saying that the demand for housing will stay high in Vancouver. As a place to live, Vancouver is very desirable and we are practically next door to other major Asian cities. Talk to any realtor and they’ll tell you that Vancouver’s market in the last 6 months was almost single handedly driven my asian immigrants. Add our beautiful setting as a city and the most temperate climate in Canada and  you’ll see why immigration will still be high which will translate to ongoing high housing demands.

So those who are still waiting for the bubble to burst?

(You can read the Vancouver Sun article here)

Laneway housing: What are the BC Hydro costs?

BC Hydro has eased the installation cost for laneway housing by permitting an overhead option from the house (or adjacent power pole) to the laneway house. In most cases, you can connect from the main house to the laneway house via an overhead connection. This will require a new panel at the laneway house and the meter/connection at the house may also need to be upgraded. The cost of this option will vary between $500 and $900.  In some cases, an underground connnection may be necessary to provide clearance above ground.

The cost to install a separate meter for a laneway house could cost between $2000 and $5000 from BC Hydro.

Fortunately in all cases, these costs are far from the $20,000 cost that was rumored to be in the media awhile back.

As part of the building permit application process for a laneway house, the homeowner should arrange for a BC Hydro technician to perform a field review of the proposed connection and to provide a cost estimate. This could take up to six weeks and a $1000 deposit is required by BC Hydro.