Hi everyone!

Well, the typical August lull didn't happen this year - sales were up 21% over last year! And prices continue to climb. Did you know that Port Moody is the latest addition to the 'million dollar club', where the benchmark price for a single family home now exceeds $1M? See details in the Market Stats section below.

Enjoy quizzes? Guess the asking price for these Metro Vancouver houses

Real Estate Matters

Here's the REBGV's Housing Market video update for August.

RBC's predictions for 2016: that sales volumes in BC will decline by 20%, but prices will continue to increase but at a more moderate level

Mortgages: The Globe and Mail compares today's housing market with the high interest rates back in 1981

Income property or mortgage helper? Here's what landlords can do to avoid tenants from hell

Here's your fall home maintenance checklist

For fun: Here are 9 castles that cost less than a condo in Vancouver! And check out how Vancouver stacks up against the others in the Top 25 richest neighbourhoods in Canada

Email Kathy

604 329 1405

Market Statistics for August 2015

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:

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

- Burnaby, New West, Tri-Cities & Ridge Meadows, are in the Greater Vancouver report

- Fraser Valley report covers the south side of the river to Abbotsford/Mission

Keep an eye on price trends!

The list of cities in the million dollar club continues to grow with the addition of Port Moody in August! For the details, 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

Continuing with the million dollar theme, below is a sampling of what $1M could buy in today's market. If you want any additional information, let me know!

CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO SEE ADDITIONAL PICTURES.

Downtown Vancouver West	Saunders Richmond	Port Moody Centre

SE corner unit on 33rd flr w/sweeping views of English Bay. 2 bdrm, 978 sf List $998K	Updated & well-maintained 1970's home. 4 bdrms & 3 baths in 2500 sf List $998K	Inlet view! Open concept, vaulted ceilings, new kitchen. 2600 sf on 8200 sf lot List $979K

South Slope Burnaby South	Matsqui Abbotsford	Crescent Beach South Surrey

8 yr old 1/2 duplex on quiet street. 4 bdrms in 2000 sf. 1 bdrm mortgage helper List $998K	4450 sf executive home built in 1988 on one acre lot lot. Eight parking spaces! List $999K	Older home built in 1968, marketed as a building lot. Property is 8700 sf List $1M

Closing Thoughts

Can you believe it's September already?!? I've always felt that September signalled new beginnings - and journalist Shelley Fralic offers a thoughtful perspective on this month as the 'other' new year.

And if a new home is part of your 'new year's' plan, I'm happy to help out, just ask!

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