properties

Cambie Corridor will have 11,500 New Homes; City says

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Cambie Corridor will have 11,500 New Homes; City says

Huge vision for Cambie Corridor’s Phase 3 will focus on rental housing, townhouses and row homes

The draft plan is the City’s first to introduce below-market rental housing as part of its housing policy. Of the 11,500 new homes planned, more than 4,000 are intended as “affordable” homes, including social and rental units linked to residents’ incomes.

“The third phase of the Cambie Corridor Plan is the first of many exciting steps that puts the City’s Housing Strategy into action with vision for the neighbourhood that delivers a housing mix that meets peoples’ needs,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “I’ve heard loud and clear that people want a mix of housing – rental, townhomes and row houses – near schools, parks and transit in Vancouver’s low-density neighbourhoods. This plan for the Cambie Corridor provides that and more.”

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Condo Prices “Can’t Not Increase” in 2017 – But BC Election Will Effect Real Estate Market

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Condo Prices “Can’t Not Increase” in 2017 – But BC Election Will Effect Real Estate Market

Demand for condos so high and supply so limited, prices will keep rising, even under election-related market uncertainty, argues leading local agent

As house prices have slid over the fall and winter, condo sales have stayed the course and prices will continue to rise in 2017, predicts by the professionals.

We see continued price appreciation in condos this year – they can’t appreciate at the pace that they’re selling. But at the same time, you’re not going to double your money in 12 months. Whereas houses will see more of a balanced market, buyers will have time to decide, there will be inspections on houses, and it will take more than a weekend to sell your house. In comparison to the last year or so, it will be a pretty boring year.

While the rest of Canada’s economic activity will be limited, especially in Ontario and Quebec, the West will continue to do well… We have a sense of economic activity in British Columbia that gives positivity to the real estate market. The Canadian dollar will remain low, which will continue to draw in foreign money, despite the 15 per cent foreign buyer tax – that tax shocked the market but hasn’t stopped it.

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Lego-like modular housing in Vancouver

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Lego-like modular housing in Vancouver

The City of Vancouver is a few pieces closer to finishing its Lego-like modular housing pilot project at the corner of Main Street and Terminal Avenue.

Work crews hoisted finished sections of the 40-unit building into the air Wednesday, lowered them and snapped them into place, fleshing out a structure that the city had previously announced. The bulk of the building is formed from moveable, modular housing units that have a 30-40 year lifespan and are intended to be rented out at affordable rates.

Among those on hand to watch the construction — and speak to reporters — was Vision Vancouver Coun. Kerry Jang.

“People need a place that’s decent, that’s clean and warm and gives them dignity … a place to be stable and to start to heal,” Jang said before touting the merits of modular homes.

“(T)his ain’t no trailer park,” he said.

The city is underwriting the $3.5-million project, which is expected to be completed in mid-February. Most of the units are 250 sq. ft., though the first floor has larger, wheelchair-accessible homes. Vancouver Sun

Nearly %50 of B.C.’s most expensive homes secretly owned

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Nearly %50 of B.C.’s most expensive homes secretly owned

Critics say the B.C. government must work to close loopholes that allow homeowners in the province to hide their identities behind false fronts such as shell companies.

NDP housing critic David Eby and Green MLA Andrew Weaver called for changes after reading about a Transparency International report that slams Canada for failing to close loopholes that allow homes to be owned through shell companies, trusts and nominees. The report shows almost half of Vancouver’s 100 most expensive houses were bought using shell companies or other methods that obscure the identity of the owners.

Report author Adam Ross found that use of tactics to obscure ownership has increased in the past five years in B.C.  He also concluded the prevalence of opaque ownership in B.C. luxury real estate makes it impossible to measure how much offshore cash is invested in B.C. homes, even though B.C. is attempting to collect data on foreign ownership.

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