Vancouver real estate prices top country in April

June 15, 2010 — Jennifer

Vancouver has the largest year-over-year new housing price increase in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.

The national statistical agency released its new housing price index for the month of April this morning, which showed a 0.3% average increase across Canada and was identical to March’s increase.

The index evaluates changes in the sale prices of new homes agreed upon between the contractor and buyer, and the prices collected from builders don’t include value added taxes such as the GST or HST.

Vancouver’s year-over-year price increase was 6%.

That increase matches April’s 21% jump in B.C. residential home sales when compared with the same month in 2009, according to the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA)…

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Posted by: BIV Business Today
Date: June 10, 2010

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Coldwell Banker sees growing trend in multi-generational homes

June 15, 2010 — Jennifer

Developers take note: Canadians increasingly want homes large enough to house several generations.

According to a June 8 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC survey of its professionals across Canada and the U.S., realtors in both markets reported that in the past year more home buyers are looking for properties that can accommodate more than one generation.

“The main reason is financial,” said Coldwell Banker Canada president John Geha, who Business in Vancouver caught up with late June 8.

“The second reason would be that it’s traditional. Canada is a very international country, and in a lot of countries around the world, this is normal.”

Originally from the U.S., Geha is visiting Vancouver from Toronto.
He said the trend toward having baby-boomer parents or even grandparents live together is more pronounced in cities like Vancouver because its real estate prices are comparatively high…

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Posted by: BIV Business Today
Date: June 9, 2010

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Outstanding renos on display at 17 locations around the region

June 15, 2010 — Jennifer

Annual Parade of Renovated Homes set for Sunday

A few months ago, a renovation contractor asked me if I wanted to tour a Shaughnessy home where a complete makeover was nearing completion. Having viewed hundreds of renovated homes over the years, I wasn’t too keen to drive from Surrey to Shaughnessy just to wander through an empty house.

“Uh, thanks for asking. I’m kinda busy, so if you don’t mind, I’ll take a pass,” I told the renovator.

“It’s a $6-million renovation,” he replied.

“I’ll be there in 40 minutes,” I said.

The workmanship and customization were to die for. The home included unique, high-end features I hadn’t seen before. For example, the home’s nine toilets -some with remote controls (don’t ask) -cost $4,500 each…

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Posted by: By Peter Simpson, Special to the Sun
Date: June 12, 2010

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Eco Friendly Father’s Day Finds to Delight Every Dad

June 14, 2010 — Jennifer

Confused about what to get your father for Father’s Day? Here are a few eco-friendly ideas that might come in handy when picking out the perfect gift.

Finding just the right Father’s Day gift can be tricky. Throw in the eco friendly element and it can be downright frustrating! We’re not sure why, but dads seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to their special day, with many of us throwing in the towel and going with the obligatory tie. But, this year, you’re in luck, because we have found some of the coolest gifts and gadgets on the market. Whether dad is artsy or athletic, business minded or boyish at heart, there is an eco friendly Father’s Day gift for every type! Dad and the planet will thank you…

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Posted by: Bonny Osterhage

Posted in Eco-Design, Environmental, Links. No Comments »

An eco-friendly family adventure across the world

June 14, 2010 — Jennifer

Can you imagine traveling around the world without the use of any motorized transport? Now imagine doing that with three small children.

Katmandu, Nepal (CNN) — Traveling around the world with children is difficult enough, but attempting it without using motorized transport is even more of a challenge.

But Dario Schworer, a 42-year-old climatologist and mountain guide, and his 33-year-old wife Sabine Schworer-Ammaun are on a mission to do just that.

The Swiss couple want to travel across the world’s oceans and climb the highest mountain on every continent to promote Earth-friendly ways of life.

“We are collecting good examples of dealing with climate change and living in harmony with nature and spreading such ideas,” Schworer told CNN. “We want to help people cope [who are] affected by global warming and inspiring children for the future.”

In Katmandu recently after having spent three months teaching children in the Everest region (Schworer also climbed Everest, although he didn’t reach the summit), the intrepid couple told CNN that they want to show it is possible to travel through all the world’s climate zones using just human-power and the forces of nature…

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Posted by: Manesh Shrestha, for CNN
Date: June 9, 2010

Posted in Articles, Environmental. No Comments »

Three Best Ways to Become Eco-Friendly

June 14, 2010 — Jennifer

As images of the Gulf oil spill disaster continue to flash on TV monitors, small-business owners may be thinking about how their ventures can help safeguard the environment.

Going green can be just as beneficial for small companies as large concerns. Not only is it good for the Earth, but customers and employees might request “eco-friendly” products and practices. And, adopting environmentally sound practices may even produce cost savings.

For any entrepreneur with a new commitment to green, there are several simple business practices to adopt, says Greg Unruh, author of “Earth, Inc.: Using Nature’s Rules to Build Sustainable Profits.” One the easiest is to make a conscious effort to buy sustainable business supplies, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, recycled binders and pens with nontoxic ink. Most manufacturers “now identify products they sell that are environmentally friendly,” explains Mr. Unruh, also a professor of global business at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Ariz. “You don’t have to do the research on your own.”

Finding green advice is also easy these days. Many sites, including Planet Green, Sierra Club and Mother Nature Network provide tips on everything from maximizing computer efficiency to ramping up office recycling efforts…

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Posted by: Sarah E. Needleman
Date: June 11, 2010

Posted in Environmental. No Comments »

RBC Provincial Outlook Economic Report

June 11, 2010 — Jennifer

Here’s a look at how each of the provinces in Canada performed in the past year and some hopeful predictions for the future.

Please click for the RBC June 2010 Forecast

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West Enders lobby to protect 100-year-old tulip tree

June 9, 2010 — Jennifer

A local architecture firm is taking a unique approach to protecting a tulip tree that’s believed to be Vancouver’s oldest deciduous tree: It wants the West End property where it’s located declared a heritage site.

Local firm Bing Thom Architects is asking city council to give heritage status to 1245 Harwood Street in order to protect the 100-year-old tulip tree that towers over the house’s gardens…

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Posted by: Yolande Cole, The Province
Date: June 5, 2010

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Real estate market cools

June 7, 2010 — Jennifer

Sales down, but listings up in Greater Victoria

Sales declined and the number of listings swelled to more than 4,500 last month as Greater Victoria’s real estate market continued to cool.

Properties listed for sale climbed by nearly 300 during May from the previous month while the number of homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service totalled 695. That’s down from 756 sales in April and 789 in March, according to the Greater Victoria Real Estate Board.

Still, sales are about 14 per cent ahead of the first five months of last year, said board president Randi Masters.

“It’s important to note that the first few months of this year were very strong compared to the same period a year ago when the effects of the recession were still being strongly felt,” said Masters…

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Posted by: Carla Wilson, Times Colonist
Date: June 2, 2010

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Fraser Valley real estate flattens out

June 7, 2010 — Jennifer

Fraser Valley real estate market due to more listings, fewer sales and lower prices in a lot of locations, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board reported Thursday.

Fraser Valley board realtors recorded 1,477 sales through the Multiple Listing Service in May, down two per cent from May 2009 and down almost 18 per cent from April. New listings of 3,457 homes for sale topped May of 2009 by 23 per cent.

Fraser Valley board president Deanna Horn said that while May sales were 16 per cent below the board’s 10-year average, it still represented solid activity.

“Certainly we’ve got sales, they’re good, but people are taking their time to look,” Horn said, adding that buyers are also negotiating harder on price…

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Posted by: By Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun
Date: June 4, 2010

Posted in Articles, Industry News, VictorEric. No Comments »
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