Real Estate supply low on North Shore...and

Those who follow my commentary will know that I concentrate on supply and demand in an almost (?) obsessive way. Not only are there too few listings in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, a number of these listings are priced in a rather optimistic way (read, far too high). Thus, if we have (say) 20% less homes in a certain category (e.g. townhomes, North Vancouver) and if 25% of these are "optimistically" priced, it may mean that the effective (realistic) inventory is in fact closer to (say) 40% less than last year. Couple this with the evident demand - ready willing and able buyers, working with Realtors, visiting opens and MLS websites - and we have the possible makings of a gentle upward pressure on prices again. Within the week I'll have access to the full February sales/price/inventory results and I'll comment further in my Monthly Update. Visit my site www.OnTopOfTheMarket.ca and sign up for the Monthly Update and you'll get it by e-mail automatically once it's been written.

Vancouver Real Estate MLS Rollout

Something exciting that I have recently added to my website. The ability for anyone to access all of the listings in Greater Vancouver (and especially North and West Vancouver - my back yard!)
Firstly, what does MLS stand for? Most have had some exposure to this term. Simply put, it is the Multiple Listing System and is the acronym for almost all Real Estate Boards' full (and up to date) list of current property listings. What you do is visit www.OnTopOfTheMarket.ca and click on the innocuous, tiny "MLS" button on the "toolbar" at the top. This takes you to any easy to use "search engine" which you follow step by step, inserting those parameters which govern your home hunting needs - e.g. Greater Vancouver, West Vancouver, Dundarave, Townhome, $450,000 to $750,000, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms etc. Push the search button and voila, all the current listings matching these parameters. You now get a general description, a specific price, usually one (or more) photographs [unless a brand new listing where pics are yet to be added] and some details - bedrooms/bathrooms etc. The most important factor is the MLS # [ for Greater Vancouver it is a seven (letter/number) code e.g. v650145]. Now this is the real value of this system!! In the left panel there is a "Contact" field - click on this and enter that MLS code, with any other comments and you will be sent (by return e-mail) the full details of that specific property including specifics like actual measurements of each room, strata information (if applicable) and much more. This service is totally free of charge and will enable you to 1) eliminate the properties you are unlikely to be attracted to and 2)prioritize those you'd like to actually spend time visiting. Have fun and I await your further enquiries. Call me at 604-988-7368 with any Q's.

North Shore Real Estate Greening and Sustainability

Sustainability issues that jump to mind are, firstly, can the market sustain its “value” levels, however, far more importantly, can we sustain our quality of life (or improve it?).

An issue that I, as a Realtor, have for years been concerned about is the amount of paper we consume (let’s not get into the gasoline!). The main abuse is clearly the countless flyers, notepads, “I have just sold…” and the like, primarily intended to market the practitioner and keep their name front and centre. Assuming that 1 in 20 of these pieces gets at least a cursory glance (and ALL end up in the garbage – or at best recycling), this is of questionable socially responsibility. I stopped mailing out my “update” about 4 years ago and confined its distribution to a) an e-mail “opt-in” list – now over 600; b) the North Shore News; c) my own website and d) Ozzie Jurock’s website.

I am more than pleased with the level of readership and the questions, comments and contact I receive as a result of this non-intrusive marketing. 2006 was my best year yet. Happy to say I featured in the Re/Max Crest’s top 18 awards –and am one of only 8 individual Realtors in that group vs. the other 10 who are heads of “teams” with up to 7 assistants.

This year I pledge to continue my personalized service and further reduce my business ecological “footprint”. A new initiative is the “radio” (podcast) library which I am creating. All “Updates”, reports and information articles, checklists etc. will be archived on my website and available for download or desktop listening 24/7. You can access the information you seek when the spirit moves and not when someone pushes yet another flyer into your mailbox. I am most excited about these developments – visit my website for a “test drive”! Input as to the topics for “programming” you feel would be of interest is strongly sought. Please e-mail or call me.

“With 2007 listings emerging tentatively, it’s most likely that January ‘07 will be a low volume month!” – quote from Jan/07 Update. How did we do? Bear in mind that we’re comparing one month last year to one this year – average figures become more meaningful as a “year to date” comparison with “more” months emerges.