Happy New Year everyone!

New year = new look for my newsletter. Hope you like it!

New year = resolutions. Here are 5 ways to help them stick

New year = predictions about where the market is headed. Here's what MoneySense and the Financial Post have to say

Real Estate Matters

Here's the 2014 Year End Market Update from the REBGV. Statistically-speaking it was a "typical" year. Prices for detached homes rose on average 8.1% over last year in metro Vancouver

What effect will the price of oil have on our local real estate market this spring? Click here to hear an opinion

Buying? Here's advice from The Globe and Mail and MoneySense on what to consider given the forecasts for 2015

"You made how much selling your house?" Here's a nifty video that explains a better way to calculate your actual gain.

Property assessments are a hot topic these days. Scroll down in this link to find tools to see how values have changed by city, as well as the 100 most expensive homes in the region.

Here's what $500K and $1M can buy in 25 cities across Canada & the US

For fun: pictures of a foggy, fabulous Vancouver!

Email Kathy

604 329 1405

Market Statistics for December 2014

SnapStats Reports are a great way to keep on top of what's happening in specific cities an neighbourhoods across the Lower Mainland each month:

- Metro Vancouver report covers Vancouver, West Van, North Van & Richmond

- Greater Vancouver report covers Burnaby, New West, Tri-Cities & Ridge-Meadows

- Fraser Valley report covers, you guessed it, Fraser Valley to Abbotsford/Mission

Something new from SnapStats: year over year changes in listings, sales, and prices for single-family & strata properties

Keep an eye on price trends! Yr over yr price gains for single family homes ranged from 3.6% on the Sunshine Coast to a high of 11.9% in East Van

To better understand house price trends, check out the statistics from the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley real estate boards. They report on Home Price Index changes by city & property type (similar to the CPI). You can also find copies of these reports on my website on the tab How's the Market?

Market in Action

Below are listings for homes across the Lower Mainland to give you a sampling of what's on the market at various price points. If you need any more details, just ask! CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO SEE ADDITIONAL PICTURES.

Suncrest Burnaby	Quilchena Vancouver	Pebble Hill Tsawwassen

Desirable South Slope, steps to school and transit. 3500 sf, 5 beds on 8120 sf lot. List $1.15M	Great mountain & water views. 7 beds, 6 baths. Revenue, family home, or building lot List $2.37M	Circa 1975, 14800 sf lot! Park-like yard, near top-rated schools List $690K

Lincoln Park Port Coquitlam	Burke Mountain Coquitlam	Crescent Beach South Surrey

Mint condition 1980's home in great family neighbourhood. Bonus mint green kitchen! List $560K	New construction, 3200 sf home, designer finishings, finished bsmt w/suite potential List $778K	Newly renovated, chef's kitchen, 6 beds, near great schools and parks List $949K

Closing Thoughts

Many of us have made some resolutions for the new year, and they often include eating healthier (myself included). BUT did you know that the 5th annual Hot Chocolate Festival is here?!? I know I'll be making an exception...

If your new year's resolutions includes buying or selling real estate, I'd be happy to help out. Just let me know!

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