Special offer

Abbotsford, BC Real Estate News

By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
Everyone, media, home owners, Realtors etc. are fascinated with the average price of housing. With 80% of sales within a $200,000 price change it only takes a couple of million dollar properties to skew the average into an unrealistic number.  I like using the Housing Price Index (HPI) as an indication of the market for tow reasons: first, its gives a truer indication of real estate price levels of both the long and short period; second, when doing a market evaluation of a "typical" home I can look at the change in the index between the date a client purchased their house and the date of the evaluation and extrapolate a current price.  The HPI of the three housing categories follow.  The Housing Price Index (HPI), for all detached homes and apartment condos have recovered to within 3 pe...
Comments 3
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
The following is a statistic that many real estate experts use an indicator of market status.That is the ratio of total sales to total listings. Its commonly help that a ratio of 18% to 22% indicates a balanced market. Below the orange line it is a buyer's market and above theorange line it is a seller's market. The graph tells us that although the market has significantly improved over this time last year we are on the edge of a balanced market.
Comments 2
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
When pricing your property there is one statistic that is a must to look at: The ratio of expired listings versus new listings on the market. Sure it's important to look at how much inventory you have to compete against but you need to look at the daily dynamics.  If you have less new listings coming on the market than are selling the will be a decrease in supply. When the number of new listings exceeds the current sales there will be an increase in demand.  Its supply side economics and as we know an increase in supply can depress prices and a decrease in supply can increase prices.  The last two years with rapid swings in the market saw ratios range from nine to one hundred percent.  Over the long haul the ratio is usually 40% to 60% for both factors.  You may find the following chart...
Comments 0
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
I like to use the Housing Price Index (HPI) when I do a market evaluation. The average price often  quoted in the news media is a misleading number. In a market where the median price is $350,000 a a couple of sales one month in the million dollar range dramatically inceases the average creates a false impression of the value in the bulk of the market. HPI tracks and records the selling price of a "typical" house in a particular market.   You can see by the chart below that the changes in price he last four years as not as drstic as the news media champions.
Comments 3
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
Right here in Aldergrove we enjoyed a night of joy being entertained by the world famous Watoto Children's Choir. Each child has a parent or both parents who died from Aids. Watoto is dedicated to improving the life or children in Africa and building future leaders in Uganda.  This one worthy organization offering sponsorship opportunities for babies that have been thrown away, children, mothers and teachers. Check them out at http://www.watoto.com/index.php    
Comments 0
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
The 15th annual Realtors Care Blanket Drive is underway until Dec. 7 throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Blanket drive started on November 30th and we got 4 more days to go. This year local charities are asking for new blankets, sheets, sleeping bags and comforters. Slighly used winter clothing and coats etc are also nedded. Thousands of bags of collected items are distributed to local homeless shelters every year. In Abbotsford you can drop of your donations at the following real estate offices:Century 21 Ace Agencies 2-33555 S. Fraser Way 604-853-3374  RE/MAX Little Oak Realty 9-2630 Bourquin W.604-859-2341Hallmark Realty 201-2580 Cedar Park Place 604-864-0666Landmark Realty 100-32555 Simon Avenue 604-855-0800Keller Williams Valley Realty 102-32544 Geo. Ferguson Way 604-8...
Comments 2
By Chris Penner, Real Estate Consultant - Keller Williams Valley Realty
(Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the Fraser Valley)
Hey guys, once again Northview Community Church's big NBC (Night Before Christmas) production is upon us in full effect with cue to cue rehearsals starting tonight and running through to Thursday and public shows starting on Friday Dec. 4. This is a great opportunity to come out and see a real great show for a 10th of the cost of what a public venue show might cost of this caliber.  Ticket's are only 10 bucks and you have to buy them in advance at Northview's church office Monday-Friday 930am-430pm. It is on Downes Rd. in Abbotsford, BC just east of Clearbrook Rd.  You won't want to miss it this is the final NBC after 20 years they are shutting it down. This will be my fifth year involved in the music end of things and am really looking forward to wrapping up an era of great shows and g...
Comments 0
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
Upgrading is underway for the interchange at McCallum Road and Highway 1. The upgrade plans include more lanes over Highway 1, longer deceleration on both sides of the highway and changes to the traffic pattern to ensure that peak volume traffic does not back up onto the highway. Bike lanes and sidewalks are also included in the plans, along with a new park-and-ride lot to encourage car pooling. Total project cost is estimated at $25 million shared by Government of Canada ($8.3 million), Government of British Columbia ($8.3 million), City of Abbotsford ($8.3 million). Construction is expected to be running from Spring 2010 – Spring 2011. Existing interchange was built in 1960 as part of Highway 1 freeway project. Current traffic volume exceeds the capacity of this 50 year old bridge. S...
Comments 0
By Darrell Backen, Digital Marketing
(Darrell Backen 1.855.216.6010)
WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH IN  ABBOTSFORD? With access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data I will provide you with what youneed to: Gauge how the market is trending  Find out what sold most recently and for how much         Understand how homes compete on price with other properties selling in the area  View homes for sale with photos to better assess the market conditions ... and answer any pressing questions youmay have. MLS Market Snapshot  FOR ABBOTSFORD?
Comments 0
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
Yesterday (or was it day before) Google finally launched the "street view" feature in Google Maps in Major cities across Canada including Abbotsford. This is really going to be a cool tool for REALTORS® & people searching for homes. You can check out the neighborhood on your computer screen before deciding whether you want to see homes in the area. I have already added this feature to my website. When you click on Map, you have the option the see the street view. So go ahead and virtually drive around in the neighborhood before you call to book the showing Here is the Landmark Realty Office. View Larger Map .
Comments 0
By Louise Henry, Home Stager Pair Home Design Chilliwack
(Pair Home Design serving Langley, Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack British Columbia)
Have you a real estate listing where the home has great bones, reasonable furniture but no pictures, art or accessories to make the home POP and keep potential buyers lingering in the home?  We had a tight budget to work with and had to be creative with what we had. well don't despair for a cost far less that adding all new furntiure a good Home Stager will be able to create a whole new look at minimal cost.                                                     BELOW WE ADDED SOME GREEN LEAFY PILLOWS, GREENERY ALONG WITH SOME OLIVE GREEN PICTURES WITH SOME CANDLES AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE....                     FORMAL LIVING ROOM AND SOME DYNAMIC COLORS WHICH WE WORKED WITH AS PAINTING WAS NOT AN OPTION. THIS WAS A STUNNING ROOM HOWEVER IT JUST NEEDED A TRAINED EYE TO BRING IT ALL TOGETHER ...
Comments 6
By Louise Henry, Home Stager Pair Home Design Chilliwack
(Pair Home Design serving Langley, Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack British Columbia)
                                                      Tips to help you hire the right person when renovating or doing almost any work in your home Where you you begin once you decide to renovate or remodel your home? From my experience doing your due diligence in choosing the right person to come into your home and do the work will make you feel more comfortable as you go through each step of your renovation process.  If you are thinking of doing any major renovations such as bathroom or kitchen or just minor repairs here are some questions and suggestions to get you started: •1.   Get two or three written quotes for scope of work you want to have done •2.   Is the person doing the quote the person doing the work if not, who is doing it •3.   How long do they estimate the job will take...
Comments 3
By Chris Penner, Real Estate Consultant - Keller Williams Valley Realty
(Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the Fraser Valley)
Hey the Malibu Pro Tour stop is this Friday and Saturday and thought you might be interested to see a schedule of events if you where planning on attending that way you know when to show up for certain events. Here you go.   Cheers! Abbotsford Schedule of Events   Friday 9/18/09 9:00 AM Open Men Slalom Round #1 Top 4 competitors will retain seeds #1 thru #4 for finals Top 4 competitors will not ski in Round #2   12:00 AM Open Women Slalom Round #1 Top 4 competitors will retain seeds #1 thru #4 for finals Top 4 competitors will not ski in Round #2   1:15 PM Open Men Slalom Round #2 Top 4 competitors will retain seeds #5 thru #8 for finals   4:00 PM Open Women Slalom Round #2 Top 4 competitors will retain seeds #5 thru #8   Saturday 9/19/09   9:00 AM Open Men Jump primary qualifying round...
Comments 2
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
House for sale at the corner of Clearbrook rd and Balofour Dr. Legal Suite. Lots of parking. Visit my website for more details and photos. What a deal at this price...  
Comments 0
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
August 2009 home sales in Abbotsford were higher than August 2008. view more details on my blog.  
Comments 0
By Chris Penner, Real Estate Consultant - Keller Williams Valley Realty
(Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the Fraser Valley)
I am finally back in the land of written blogs, I have been work on video blog things for the last few months and have taken a bit of a break from writing. Not that my writing was ever any good but hopefully there was some information gleaned or a fun story read here at my blog.  Anyway I just wanted to let you all know that hopefully I will be back on here on a more regular basis again. If you are curious as to what I was working you can always go check out askchris.ca to seem my Real Estate Q & A via video, feel free to leave your comments and suggestions. Our local market place here in the lower mainland and the greater Vancouver area has picked up substantially, so much so we have had some of the best months ever. Prices are still flat, activity increased and inventory slowly going ...
Comments 3