Interest Rate Forecast

When the Bank of Canada does start raising its key policy interest rate in either late 2010 or early 2011, Canadians should brace for “aggressive” increases of up to a percentage point at a time, says a report from the Chief Economist at Laurentian Bank Securities.

The call, from Carlos Leitao, adds a new wrinkle to the debate as to whether the central bank will be able to keep its pledge to leave its key policy rate at 0.25%, or the lowest level possible, until June 2010 in an effort to stimulate the economy. This analysis kicks off a debate in terms of how aggressively the central bank needs to act once it believes rate increases are in order.

The Montreal-based economist said he believes Mark Carney, the Bank of Canada Governor, will be able to keep his June 2010 promise, based on the amount of spare capacity in the economy and continuing job losses that are likely to peak early next year. The Bank of Canada is likely to begin hiking rates after unemployment peaks (in early 2010) and before inflation hits the preferred 2% target (sometime in mid-2011). Once that period comes, Canadians should prepare for steep rate hikes.

“An aggressive tightening – rather than a gradual one – will be necessary because rates are extremely low,” Leitao said in LBS’s weekly note to clients last week. “A ‘measured pace’ would not be appropriate to ‘normalize’ rates when the starting point is virtually zero.” – Financial Post

The Bank of Canada indicated Thursday it has become more confident about the economic recovery in this country and abroad, adding growth in Canada in the second half of this year could exceed previous expectations.

But the central bank warned “persistent strength” in the Canadian dollar remained a risk to growth, and it retained “considerable flexibility” through monetary policy to deal with a high-flying currency if necessary.

The upwardly revised outlook was delivered in the Bank of Canada’s latest interest-rate statement, in which it, as widely expected, left its benchmark rate unchanged at 0.25% and said the rate is expected to remain at that level until June 2010, pending the outlook on inflation.

In its last statement in July, the central bank said a number of factors, from aggressive monetary and fiscal policies to improved financial conditions, were spurring an uptick in domestic demand, but added that a recovery was “nascent”. – Financial Post

Buying a Home Versus Renting a Home

Buying a Home Versus Renting a Home

At some point in their lives, most Canadians have probably asked themselves whether it is better to buy or rent a home. And purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions most people ever make.

Ultimately, the decision is a personal choice, but it helps to look at the pros and cons of buying to determine whether home ownership is right for you.

Some advantages of buying a home

Owning a home is generally considered to be a sound, long-term investment that can provide satisfaction and security for you and your family.

Each month when you make your mortgage payment, you are building equity in your home. Equity is the portion of the property that you actually build through your monthly payment versus the portion that you still owe the lender.

At the beginning of your mortgage, more of your payments go toward paying off the interest and less toward paying off the principal. But the longer you stay in your home and the more mortgage payments you make, the more principal you pay off and the more equity you accumulate.

Most mortgages also offer you the option of making additional monthly or annual payments to reduce your principal faster. Some prepayment privileges, for instance, enable you to pay up to 20% of the principal per calendar year. This will also help reduce your amortization period (the length of your mortgage), which, in turn, saves you money. You should always consult a mortgage broker when considering getting a mortgage.

There is also a tax advantage. If your home is your principal residence, any profit you make when you sell it is tax-free. A home can appreciate – or increase in value – as time passes, building more equity. As you build up equity, it’s usually easier to upgrade to a more expensive home in the future thanks to the profit you’ll make when selling your current home.

As an owner, you can also decorate and improve your home any way you like. Ownership tends to give you a sense of pride and can offer you and your family stronger ties to the community.

If you do decide that home ownership is right for you, it’s important to choose a home you can afford. If you can’t afford to buy your dream home, purchasing a more modest home can be a great place to start building equity that one day may allow you to buy the home of your dreams. Since we’re currently in a buyer’s real estate market and interest rates have been dropping, now may be an ideal time to enter into home ownership for the first time.

Some disadvantages of buying a home

Since it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a home, it’s important to remember that home ownership has some additional responsibilities as well.

For one thing, a home can be expensive. Chances are, your monthly payments will be more than what you are currently paying in rent when you factor in such things as your mortgage, property taxes, repairs and general maintenance.

Owning a home ties up some of your cash flow and is likely to reduce your flexibility to move to a new location or change jobs. While your home might increase in value as time goes by, don’t expect to get a big return quickly.

There are no guarantees that your home will increase in value, particularly during the first few years. In the beginning, you could actually lose money if you sell because your home may not have appreciated enough to cover the real estate fees, and moving, renovation and other selling costs.

Real estate is, however, usually considered a good investment over the long term. When making the decision about whether to buy or rent, it’s important to carefully choose a home you can afford, and then weigh the pros and cons. Millions of people enjoy the rewards of home ownership but, ultimately, it’s a personal decision based on your own priorities.

If you’re thinking of buying your first home, as a mortgage professionals I can answer all of your mortgage-related questions.

Brent Irving
Mortgage Expert

Your friend in the mortgage business
Tel: 604-764-6336
Fax: 604-541-6323
Toll Free: 1-888-665-1344
Email: birving@dominionlending.ca

www.MyMortgageBC.com

www.BrentIrving.ca

Home Buyer Plan RRSP Withdrawal Limit Increase!

SUMMARY

The 2009 Federal Budget introduced the following changes affecting Retirement Savings Plans (RSP):

• The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) maximum withdrawal limit has been increased to $25,000 from $20,000 for withdrawals made after January 27, 2009.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

How much can I withdraw from my RRSP under the HBP?

For withdrawals made after January 27, 2009, the maximum amount that you can withdraw from your RRSP to purchase or build a qualifying home without having to pay tax on the withdrawal is $25,000.

If I withdrew $20,000 from my RRSP under the HBP after December 31, 2008, but on or before January 27, 2009, can I withdraw an additional $5,000 from my RRSP?

Yes, you can withdraw additional funds, as long as the total of all your withdrawals does not exceed the new maximum amount of $25,000. However, under existing requirements, neither you nor your spouse or common-law partner can own the qualifying home for more than 30 days before making the final withdrawal.

Proposed Changes for First Time Home Buyers

Home Buyers Plan: Starting January 28, 2009, first time Home buyers can withdraw up to $25,000 from a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to purchase or build a home with out incurring the tax. This limit has been increased from $20,000. For the purpose of the Home Buyers Plan, an individual is considered a first time home buyer if neither the individual or his/her spouse owned and lived in another home in the calendar year of the withdrawal or in any of the four preceding calendar years.

First Time Home Buyers Credit: A tax credit of $5000 has been introduced for first time home buyers that purchase a home after January 27, 2009. The credit for the taxation year will be calculated by reference of the lowest personal tax rate for the year the claim is made. A first time home buyer for the purpose of this credit is an individual that has neither owned or lived or his/her spouse has owned and lived in another home in the calendar year of the claim or in any of the four preceding calendar year.

If you would like to pre-approved to purchase your first house please don't hesitate to contact me at 604-764-6336. I'm a long term mortgage broker working with Dominion Lending Centres.

15th annual free seminar for first-time home buyers

15th annual free seminar for first-time home buyers

Vancouver-area young people are eager to purchase their first homes, but many need help to de-mystify the process. They have lots of questions. How can I be safe purchasing a condo before construction starts? What location is best? What type of home is best matched to my needs and financial resources? What are the mortgage options? What are the legal considerations? How do I benefit from builder licensing and mandatory home warranties?

These and other key questions will be answered by a panel of housing experts at the 14th Annual Seminar for First-time Home Buyers, presented by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association (GVHBA) on Tuesday, March 24 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Guildford Sheraton Hotel Ballroom, 15269 104 Avenue, Surrey.

Admission to the popular seminar is free thanks to sponsorships.

Speakers will be determined soon and GVHBA Chief Executive Officer Peter Simpson will be the seminar moderator.

"Our experts will help first-time buyers complete their homework by investigating all available options and issues before they take that crucial first step onto the property ladder,” said Simpson.

"More than 800 people attended last year’s seminar and, because real estate is still a hot topic, including the pre-construction buying process for condominiums, we expect a similar attendance this year. Doors open at 6 p.m., allowing attendees ample time to view displays of new homes, financial choices, warranties and other housing-related products and services," said Simpson.

Pre-registration is required. Call 604-588-5036 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Registrations will also be taken by answering machine at the same phone number on weekends.

At MyMortgageBC.com we are experts in helping first time home buyers obtain low rate mortgages at no charge. Please contact us at 604-764-6336 for any questions you have about obtaining a low rate mortgage.

Is Your Property Value Poised To Go Up?

Property markets are not national – they are regional, local and can even vary widely from neighbourhood to neighbourhood in the same city. That being said, there will always be hot real estate markets.

The following 12 questions will help you decide if your area and personal property values are poised to go up. The more “Yes” answers you get, the better the market will perform.

12 Key Questions:

1. Is your area’s average income increasing faster than the provincial average?
2. Is your area’s population growing faster than the provincial average?
3. Is your area creating jobs faster than the provincial average?
4. Does your area have more than one major employer?
5. Is real estate booming in the surrounding region more than where you’re looking?
6. Will the property values benefit from a major new development nearby?
7. Has the local and provincial political leadership created a growth atmosphere?
8. Is the region’s economic development office helpful and proactive?
9. Is the neighbourhood located in an area of renewal or gentrification?
10. Is there a major transportation improvement occurring nearby?
11. Is the area attractive to Baby Boomers?
12. Is there a short-term perceived problem (such as negative stories or short-term layoffs) that will disappear?

Overall, the Canadian economy and real estate are relatively well-positioned to withstand the economic storms that are battering property values in many other countries.

Making sense of today’s housing market

Making sense of today’s housing market

In recent months, economists have had the unenviable task of trying to calculate the direction the housing market is likely to take, factoring in things like unemployment rates, population and immigration figures, economic growth, mortgage rates, and that most nebulous of criteria: consumer confidence.

They agree that the decrease in housing sales and prices bears little relation to the economic indicators in BC. What has changed is public perception of our financial security, triggered by the troubled global financial markets.

As realtors, people are asking us to help make sense of the housing market.

Sellers are asking if the market value of their home is decreasing. Buyers want to know if they should wait for further price reductions. Homeowners not in the market to buy or sell want to understand the impact on their equity, which may affect decisions like plans for renovations.

Investors are asking about short-term impact – is it a good time to buy, renovate, and re-sell for a profit? And long-term impact – is quality real estate now available at lower prices?

First-time buyers want to know how much they need for a down-payment, whether they can afford the monthly mortgage payment, and if they can get financing in these uncertain times.

There are no easy answers. Around the Lower Mainland’s kitchen tables, realtors are helping people assess their individual situations.

Circumstances cause each of us to make decisions despite uncertainties related to global economies and politics. Someone gets a job in another city. A family must consider estate planning for a parent. A young couple wants to start investing in their own home, rather than renting.

Our MLS® statistics and Housing Price Index (HPI) tell us that, since May, residential home sales and prices have been decreasing. After five years of unprecedented growth in home values in the Lower Mainland, that’s not particularly surprising or necessarily unwelcome.

Between 2003 and 2008, the HPI benchmark price of a detached home in Greater Vancouver increased nearly 70 per cent to $761,000 from $449,000. Condominiums over the same period increased 82 per cent to $387,000 from $213,000. Left unchecked at this rate, by 2013 the benchmark price of a detached home would top $1.2 million and condos more than $700,000.

Current trends offer moderation to a market where affordability, for much of this decade, was eroding, making home ownership unattainable to an expanding segment of our community.

Since May, residential home prices have declined 12.8 per cent, resulting in an 8.3 per cent year-to-date price reduction for detached, attached and apartment properties across Greater Vancouver.

These moderating home prices should not be confused with the U.S. housing downturn. Since 2005, prices in the U.S. have been edging downward due in large part to imprudent ‘sub-prime’ lending practices. Mortgages in Canada are tightly regulated and underpinned by a solid banking structure. The World Economic Forum recently identified Canada as having the world's “soundest” banking system.

The local real estate market is not immune to global economic challenges; however, Canada’s disciplined lending structure has kept the mortgage landscape steady in these uncertain times.

While the current rate of foreclosures in the U.S. is nearly five per cent, only 0.28 per cent of mortgages in Canada are in arrears, a proportion that is not only low but steady, according to the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP).

Low prices are not the concern as much as the view that prices are falling. Buyers are waiting to see of the real estate market has hit bottom.

Identifying the “bottom” of a market is difficult, given that certain variables must remain constant to attain real savings. For example, interest rates must remain low and that perfect house must remain available at an acceptable price.

Most of us sell a home and buy a home within the same market; while we may be selling at a lower price, we’re also buying within that lower-priced market.

Deciding to buy or sell a home should be a milestone moment based on your financial and personal circumstances, and the market conditions within your neighbourhood of choice. For those whose finances allow it, there are excellent opportunities in today’s housing market. This is a good market for long-term investors.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver has existed for nearly 90 years and witnessed numerous market cycles. Sales increase and decrease. Prices go up and down. Historically, the values at the peak of the next cycle inevitably surpass the ones before.

(Dave Watt, president of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver)

I hope you found the above article informative. I'm a mortgage broker located in Vancouver BC working with one of Canada's largest brokerage houses Dominion Lending Centres.

The Best Asking Price for your Home

The Best Asking Price for your Home

In market like we're in now the most important thing when selling your house within a reasonable time frame is starting at the right price. Setting a realistic price for your home that reflects current market values will help sell your home quickly and for top dollar. When you price your home properly, you increase the chances that the offer you receive will nearly match your asking price, and that there will be competing offers (although, not very common in this market)—which may net you even more in the long run.

Your property has the best chance of selling within its first seven weeks on the market. And, studies indicate that the longer a property stays on the market, the less it will ultimately sell for. A property priced 10 % more than its market value is significantly less likely to sell within this window than a property priced close to its actual market value. About three-quarters of homes on the market today are 5-10 % overpriced. Sellers will usually over-price their homes by this margin if, either, they firmly believe the home is worth more than what the market indicates, or if they want to leave room for negotiation. Either way, if you choose to over-price your home by this amount, you run the risk of increasing the amount of time your home spends on the market, and decreasing the amount of money you’ll ultimately receive. At the other end of the selling spectrum are houses that are priced below a fair market value. Under-pricing often occurs when the owner is interested in a quick sell. You can bargain on these homes attracting multiple offers and ultimately selling quickly at—or above—the asking price.

The knowledge and skills of an experienced Realtor will be invaluable when determining an appropriate asking price. It is the job of your Realtor to know the current market and market trends inside and out, to be closely connected to the real estate market at large, and to be aware of other properties currently for sale in your particular area. Based on this range of connections and knowledge, your Realtor should counsel you on how to price your home properly in order to attract the highest price possible, in the shortest period of time. Before approaching this process, you should first do some homework yourself. You’ll need to know the workings of the current market before you even begin to think about setting an asking price. The market will always influence a property’s value, regardless of the state of a home, or its desirability.

Here are the types of market conditions and how they may affect you:

Seller’s Market: A Seller’s market is considered a “hot” market. This type of market is created when demand is greater than supply—that is, when the number of Buyers exceeds the number of homes on the market. As a result, these homes usually sell very quickly, and there are often multiple offers. Many homes will sell above the asking price.

Buyer’s Market: A Buyer’s market is a slower market. This type of market occurs when supply is greater than demand, the number of homes exceeding the number of Buyers. Properties are more likely to stay on the market for a longer period of time. Fewer offers will come in, and with less frequency. Prices may even decline during this period. Buyers will have more selection and flexibility in terms of negotiating toward a lower price. Even if your initial offered price is too low, Sellers will be more likely to come back with a counter-offer.

Balanced Market: In a balanced market, supply equals demand, the number of homes on the market roughly equal to the number of Buyers. When a market is balanced there aren’t any concrete rules guiding whether a Buyer should make an offer at the higher end of his/her range, or the lower end. Prices will be stable, and homes will sell within a reasonable period of time. Buyers will have a decent number of homes to choose from, so Sellers may encounter some competition for offers on their home, or none at all. Remember, a Realtor is trained to provide clients with this information about the market, helping you make the most informed decision possible.

The right Realtor will guide you through the ups and downs of the market and keep you up-to-date with the types of changes you might expect. Evaluate your house in the other main areas that affect market value:

Location: The proximity of your home to amenities, such as schools, parks, public transportation, and stores will affect its status on the market. Also, the quality of neighbourhood planning, and future plans for development and zoning will influence a home’s current market value, as well as the ways in which this value might change.

Property: The age, size, layout, style, and quality of construction of your house will all affect the property’s market value, as well as the size, shape, seclusion and landscaping of the yard. Condition of the Home: This includes the general condition of your home’s main systems, such as the furnace, central air, electrical system, etc., as well as the appearance and condition of the fixtures, the floor plan of the house, and its first appearances.

Comparable Properties: Ask your Realtor to prepare you a general market analysis of your neighbourhood, so you can determine a range of value for your property. A market analysis will provide you with a market overview and give you a glimpse at what other similar properties have been selling for in the area.

Market Conditions/ Economy: The market value of your home is additionally affected by the number of homes currently on the market, the number of people looking to buy property, current mortgage rates, and the condition of the national and local economy.


We are Mortgage Brokers located in Vancouver British Columbia and are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the home buying and selling process.

Real Estate Expectations Changing

A market shift = a shift in expectations

Real Estate market conditions in the Lower Mainland and other parts of BC have shifted. After five years of blockbuster Real Estate activity in BC and double-digit price growth, market conditions have slowed, and now favour buyers in many areas of the province.

Residential sales have declined 22 per cent in the first six months of this year, while available resale inventory has grown by 54 per cent to 57,000 active listings in June. In the Greater Vancouver board area, where longer-term data is available, inventory is at the highest level since 1998.

Home price appreciation observed from 2004 to 2007 is less attainable in today’s market, and sellers’ expectations for such gains should be tempered. More generally, in a market favouring buyers, prices generally increase at or below the level of inflation. While the average residential home price in BC increased at a healthy 6 per cent per year since 1981, large gains are often followed by periods of price stagnation. Over-optimistic pricing by sellers will only inhibit the timely sale of properties, adding to inventory levels.

Buyers have more homes to choose from now than in previous years, resulting in greater freedom to compare the attributes and prices of similar properties in the market before making purchase decisions.

Despite current buyers' market conditions fuelled by housing affordability constraints and economic uncertainty, the economic and demographic backdrop in support of housing demand remains strong in BC. BC's unemployment rate remains near record lows, while the labour force participation rate hovers near historical highs. Meanwhile, the province remains a favoured destination for new migrants, reflected in the third-highest population growth among provinces during the first quarter of 2008. However, challenges continue in the forestry sector, and eroded consumer confidence may also be playing a role in a pull back of consumer spending.

As a mortgage broker I can still offer 100% until October 2008 at fully discounted rates.

Lower Mainland Free First-Time Home Buyers Seminar

Lower Mainland Free First-Time Home Buyers Seminar

With home values still rising, Vancouver-area young people are eager to purchase their first homes, but many need help to de-mystify the process. They have lots of questions. How can I be safe purchasing a condo before construction starts? What location is best? What type of home is best matched to my needs and financial resources? What are the mortgage options? What are the legal considerations? How do I benefit from builder licensing and mandatory home warranties?

These and other key questions will be answered by a panel of housing experts at the 14th Annual Seminar for First-time Home Buyers, presented by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association (GVHBA) on Tuesday, April 8 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Guildford Sheraton Hotel Ballroom, 15269 104 Avenue, Surrey.

Admission to the popular seminar is free thanks to the sponsorships by TheVancouver Sun, The Province, Homeowner Protection Office, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Genworth Financial Canada, TD Canada Trust, Shaw Cablesystems, CKNW, Rock 101, AM 730 and 99.3 the FOX.

Speakers are Robyn Adamache, senior market analyst, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation; Ken Cameron, chief executive officer, Homeowner Protection Office; Narrinder Dhanoya-Bhangu, regional vice president, Genworth Financial Canada; Bill Niblett, regional sales manager, TD Canada Trust; Deborah Spicer, director, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver; Ralph Archibald, senior vice president, Polygon Homes; and Adnan Habib, managing partner, Baker Newby Barristers and Solicitors. GVHBA Chief Executive Officer Peter Simpson will be the seminar moderator.

"Our experts will help first-time buyers complete their homework by investigating all available options and issues before they take that crucial first step onto the property ladder,” said Simpson.

"More than 800 people attended last year’s seminar and, because real estate is still a hot topic, including the pre-construction buying process for condominiums, we expect a similar attendance this year. Doors open at 6 p.m., allowing attendees ample time to view displays of new homes, financial choices, warranties and other housing-related products and services," said Simpson.

My Mortgage BC.com note: I've spoken to people that have attended this event and the past and have said it was very informative. We are mortgage financing specialists with the experience to not only walk you through the home buying process from the beginning to the end but will also ensure you get the best mortgage rate to ensure that you save money (often thousands). Please give us a call at 604-764-6336 if you have any questions about obtaining a mortgage or the home buying process.

Pre-registration is required. Call 604-588-5036 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Registrations will also be taken by answering machine at the same phone number on weekends.

Home Sales Slip in February

Home Sales Slip in February

Vancouver, BC – March 17, 2008. British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports residential sales dollar volume on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC rose 4.5 per cent to $3.26 billion in February, compared to the same month in 2007. Residential unit sales dipped 9.8 per cent to 6,822 units during the same period. The average MLS® residential price in the province reached $478,172 in January, up 15.8 per cent from February 2007.

“BC home sales fell for the second consecutive month, marking the slowest start to a year since 2003,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “While it’s still too early to call a trend, fewer home sales and an increase in active listings may be pulling the BC housing market toward balanced conditions.”

“Strong employment and wage gains over the last year continue to underpin housing demand,” said Muir. The number of unit sales recorded in the month was 13 per cent above the February average from 1998 to 2007. “However, continued erosion in housing affordability may be taking a toll on the ability-to-pay for some buyers.”

Additionally, a weak US economy and lower demand for BC lumber is negatively impacting BC’s forestry industries and local resource communities, while current economic volatility may also be impacting the confidence for some would-be buyers.

My Mortgage BC.com note: This could be good news for anyone looking to purchase a home in BC. Lower sales should create some buying opportunities.

Completing a House Purchase in December?

It's important to note that during the holidays most legal offices, real estate offices and mortgage brokers will be operating at reduced capacity (or closed) during the last week of December. Many offices will close early on Friday December 21st and it's safe to assume most offices will operate with a skeleton staff during the following week. It's important to ensure your mortgage broker, realtor and lawyer have all of the required documentation earlier than normal. It is especially important this time of year because with the holidays it may be difficult to track someone down for a signature or last minute documentation.

For all of mortgage enquiries or clients we will be available at My Mortgage BC .com throughout the holidays and can be reached during the holidays via email or phone at 604-764-6336 or toll free at 1-888-665-1344.

A little planning ahead will help make this holiday season an enjoyable one.

How Does an Appraisal Work?

MyMortgageBC.com note: The most common approach for estimating residential values for mortgage purposes is the comparison approach.

An appraisal is an estimate of the current value of the property (the 'subject property'), using one or both of the following techniques;

1. The majority of residential appraisals use the market value comparison approach, comparing recent sales of similar properties ('comparables' or 'comps' in real estate jargon) and adding and subtracting the differences in value of the same features in the subject property. For example, if a house of the same size on the same street and in the same condition as the subject property recently sold for $200,000, but this 'comparable' had a triple garage and a finished basement and the 'subject' does not; the appraiser calculates the market value of these features (say, $12,000 in total) and deducts this amount from $200,000, giving an 'adjusted value' of $188,000. This is usually done with at least three 'comparables' and either averaged or the middle ('median') value used.
2. A supporting measurement of value used by many appraisers is the "depreciated cost" approach, whereby the land value is estimated and added to an estimate of the depreciated building value. Where there are few comparables available, relatively more weight might be given to this method.

MyMortgageBC.com is a mortgage broker located in the Vancouver, Surrey area serving all of the lower mainland of British Columbia.

Vancouver Real Estate Channel & Website

Many people are surprised to find out that Vancouver has a TV Channel on the Novus Network for the sole purpose of advertising Vancouver Real Estate 24/7

It only broadcasts in Downtown Vancouver on Channel 80 so their focus is obviously the condo market. If your not downtown you can watch it on the Web. It is supported by selling advertising to realtors and condo developers.

Real Estate Channel Downtown Vancouver

A Great Alternative to MLS.ca

HousingMaps.com offers an interesting alternative to MLS.ca. Housingmaps.com combines Google Maps with Craigslist and provides user the ability to see the exact house location along with the price based on whats listed on the real estate for sale section on Craigslist.org. The real estate for sale section on Craigslist.org has both realtor's listings and FSBO's making it a great place to visit if your in the market for a new house.

What will they think of next?