The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 6,661 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February, up 19.4 per cent from the same month last year. Total sales dollar volume was $4.3 billion, an increase of 24.8 per cent compared to a year ago. The average MLS® residential price in the province rose to $639,405, up 4.5 per cent from the same month last year.
"Consumer demand remained robust in February on the strength of rock bottom interest rates and improving economic conditions," said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. "After several years of below-average activity, home sales are now trending above long-term levels."
Total active listings on the market were down 7.5 per cent from a year ago. Fewer homes for sale, combined with elevated consumer demand has the housing market firmly in balanced conditions.
Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was up 18 per cent to $6.9 billion, compared to the same period last year. Residential unit sales were up 12.4 per cent to 11,038 units, while the average MLS® residential price was up 5.0 per cent at $621,065.
I consider my clients the heart and foundation of my business and am always searching for new ways to add to my skill set and qualifications. I am proud to share I am now a Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) - The Real Estate Negotiation Institute: a designation not shared by many in the industry. I am working hard for you as a Skilled Negotiator and a Leader in Real Estate.
March 2, 2015, Victoria BC - The Victoria Real Estate Board today released its report on real estate activity in the Victoria area for February 2015.
542 properties sold in the Victoria region this February, a 31.6% increase compared to the 412 properties sold in the same month last year and a 54.4% increase compared to the 351 properties sold last month in January.
"The trees bloomed early in Victoria, and so did local real estate. February was a busy month with numbers closer to what we would expect to see in the spring season." Victoria Real Estate Board President Guy Crozier says. "285 single family homes sold over the course of the month. We've not seen that many single family homes sell in a February since 2008 when we tracked 295 transactions. Though buyers are already in spring purchase mode, the amount of available inventory may not be quite up to the pace. We continue to track the trend of higher year-over-year sales, and lower year-over-year active listings that we started to see in mid-2013."
There were 3,480 active listings for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® at the end of February, 7.7% fewer than the 3,770 active listings in February 2014.
The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core this time last year was $549,700. The benchmark value for the same home this month has increased by 1.33% to $557,000.
"The Board certainly anticipated an increase in sales for spring, but the increase we've seen exceeded my expectations," President Crozier adds. "The early spring combined with available low interest rates will likely create more demand for Victoria real estate as the rest of Canada digs out from winter."
Posted on February 27, 2015 by Rosemarie Colterman
#101-951 Topaz Avenue, Hillside, Victoria
Listed at $269,900
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday 1st March 2-4pm
ondo on the park! Open house Sun. 2-4pm. This 2 bed, family friendly, ground-level, corner condo was fully remediated in 2007. Right by Topaz Pk. it offers a large private patio & no-step access. Updated kitchen includes: newer SS appliances, ceramic floors; newer range hood & backsplash; new sink/faucet; pantry closet & eating bar/opening to dining area. Other features include: laminate flrs, wired internet jacks, closet organizers, thermal pane windows, laundry room w/ newer stacked washer/dryer & many storage shelves, & digital fan timer in bath. Strata offers depreciation report, affordable fees, parking spot, extra storage, & allows 1 pet. Great location: On bus route 6. Walk to Quadra Village! Just out the door to play in Topaz park!
Posted on February 25, 2015 by Rosemarie Colterman
1691 Tampico Place, Gordon Head, Saanich East
Listed at $514,900
OPEN HOUSE:
Early Bird: Thursday Feb. 26th, 3-6 pm
Regular: Saturday Feb. 28th, 1-3 pm
Great Family Home! Early bird open house Thurs. Feb. 26, 3-6 pm. & reg. open house Sat. Feb. 28, 1-3! This 1977 custom built home, on a quiet cul-de-Sac, is on the market for the 1st time! Main level features: large south-facing kitchen/dining room opening thru French doors to newer deck overlooking a wide, flat, fully fenced backyard: perfect for children & pets; living room w/ large picture window & fireplace. Lower level features: family room w/ fireplace; 4th bed; 2 piece bath; utility/laundry rm; workshop; wine cellar; storage & single garage. Great potential here! The property is beautifully landscaped w/ in-ground sprinklers; fruit trees & garden space. Short walk to schools, Lambrick Park, & Gordon Head Rec.! Newer roof w/ warranty!
Posted on February 19, 2015 by Rosemarie Colterman
#104- 1485 Garnet Road, Cedar Hill, Saanich East
Listed at $164,900
ROSEBANK GARDENS may be YOUR BEST NEXT MOVE! #104 is one of the quietest, brightest, loveliest suites w/ east views over green fields & arbutus trees. At ground level; there's an easy access patio perfect for small dog owners & patio gardeners. Rosebank offers an extraordinary style of independent/community retirement living. The owners own the WHOLE thing: their suite + the building, its facilities & services! These residents love their home! Fees cover daily chef cooked meal, weekly housekeeping, 24 hour staffing, & all bldg. maintenance. Facilities include large common/dining room, laundry room on every floor & guest suite. Tucked into a quiet, gardened, urban oasis you can walk to the public library, groceries, & University Mall.
Posted on February 18, 2015 by Rosemarie Colterman
On Saturday, February 21st Rosemarie and Tom will join Victoria Mustard Seed’s “Coldest Night of the Year” walkathon. The purpose of this walk is to raise awareness of ongoing poverty in our city and to raise money for agencies involved in addressing it. If you would like to sponsor us, or join us, please drop us an email at rosemarie@rosierealestate.ca or tom@rosierealestate.ca. To find out more about this event follow this link, https://coldestnightoftheyear.org/location/victoria.
We will be at the inner harbour for registration around 3:30pm. Registering is a cost of $25. The walk sets out at 4pm. It isn’t a long walk. It will be good for body and soul!
February 2, 2015, Victoria BC - The Victoria Real Estate Board today released its report on real estate activity in the Victoria area for January 2015.
351 properties sold in the Victoria region this January, an increase of 2.6% when compared to the 342 properties sold in the same month last year.
"We don't expect to see big numbers in January. It's a slower month traditionally for real estate," Victoria Real Estate Board President Guy Crozier says. "Even this slight increase after the 11.67% year over year increase in sales we saw in 2014 shows the continued stability of our market. There's also a good balance of inventory available for sale, which will likely appeal to buyers as the spring season hits. Last month while we saw 10 single family homes sold for over a million dollars, there were also 95 homes sold for under $500,000."
At the end of January there were 3,283 active listings for sale on the Multiple Listing Service®, a slight decrease from the 3,489 in January 2014. This continues a trend that started in mid-2013 where there are fewer listings in the market than there were in the same month of the year previous.
The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core this time last year was $548,500. The benchmark value for the same home this month has increased by 2.39% to $561,600.
"With the change in mortgage rates surprising some, and the continuing low oil prices and Canadian dollar, the spring real estate market should be an interesting one to watch," Crozier adds.
Back at my "Friends of Rosie" Event in September we made an announcement that my Clients Chris and Alena were expecting a baby.
Well they had their baby. It was a beautiful baby boy named Leo. Here is their official announcement:
“Our son, Leo, arrived on January 17th, three weeks ahead of schedule! He was born just after midnight and weighed 5lb 15oz. It's been a busy week, but both grandmas are here helping out, and we're all completely in love with Leo.”
(The photos show Leo in the hospital then at home 5 days later.)
Congratulations to Chris and Alena from all of us here at the Rosie Team, we're so happy for you!
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