This has come home to me in the past year as we peaked and then slumped in the shadow of the world-wide recessionary environment. It takes a dramatic change to shake one out of the pervasive malaise which the past 10 or so years of strength was lulling us into believing was the norm. The message that I believe the change brings is i) not to take anything  for granted  and ii) that some balance (stability) is what all markets seek; not just real estate.

In order for us, as human beings, to have comfort in making decisions, the existence of a stable environment goes a long way to relieving our stress and enabling us to move toward our goals in life. The goals I speak of in this context are those of first time home ownership,  rehousing/relocating  to accommodate growth and contraction of our family unit and the decisions regarding the more mature end of the spectrum (empty-nesting, retirement and so on). This stability is not always evident and, as decisions cannot be deferred indefinitely, these must often be made in times of instability. I define instability in this context as marked swings in supply (inventory), ditto demand, interest rates, security of income (including employment) and threats to maintaining current wealth .

We have some, but clearly not complete, control over these factors. In the process of acquiring or divesting of real estate assets it is of great value to solicit the services of an experienced Realtor who has local knowledge and has seen the progression of a variety of economic cycles. Being armed with the market facts is an imperative part of the ability to make the necessary decisions in times of lesser stability.  

A quick comment on interest rates is timely. Rates (while not at an all time low) are relatively stable in the short term. An important part of the search for property is the need to obtain a rate guarantee as well as a financing  pre-approval . Most financial institutions will provide these guarantees for up to 90 days. Put that little extra effort into getting it   your banker or mortgage broker will assist in this necessary process.

It would seem that our North Shore is still seeing a continued drop in inventory (only W/Van t/homes increased marginally) and this trend does not follow the general one evident in Greater Vancouver where inventories are showing a varied pattern of increases. Our prices still appear to have upward potentia

Again, visit my website to see and  hear  the new developments.  I continue my commitment to keep you... www.OnTopOfTheMarket.ca - the  go to  site for North Shore Real Estate analysis and jumping off point for FULL market listing information.

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Alan