real estate investment

New Condos Are The Interests Of Property Investors From Mainland China

Many property investors from mainland China are not necessarily immigrants. They are investing in Vancouver’s real estate market since the new legislation of tourism between China and Canada by the end of year 2009. Details please contact Angel Wang.

real estate investment

HST’s Impact On BC House Price Explanation

From July 1st, 2010 HST (Harmonized Sales Tax，12%) will be officially implemented in BC. The biggest and direct impact on the house price in Vancouver BC is that it is definitely going to increase your investment cost of purchasing new home (because before only 5% GST will applied on sales of brand new property). Other than that, it will also cost you more on purchasing all other type of real estates. Angel Wang explained the reasons for that impact on Vancouver real estate market in this video (Sorry, only Chinese in this video.)

real estate investment

Which Oceanfront Property To Choose: West Vancouver Uphill or Downhill?

West Vancouver is becoming one of the hottest real estate investment market globally. More and more international investors are impressed by the gorgeous ocean view from those oceanfront properties. But there is always a concern for choosing uphill or downhill oceanfront homes. I compare the advantages and disadvantages (I speak Mandarin) in this video. Any inquiry regarding investing real estate in BC Canada, please contact me directly.

real estate investment

Investments in Vancouver Real Estate to Benefit from Strong Housing Demand in the Near Future

Residential real estate in Vancouver has shown remarkable resilience in the current downturn. While the market has recorded a 5 per cent decline in home values compared to the peak reached in 2008, home prices in Vancouver have risen, on average, 17 per cent each year since 1980. This has made Vancouver’s property market lucrative and attractive to real estate investors. The trend should persist as a slew of market indicators, economic fundamentals, and other factors suggest that demand for housing in Vancouver—and therefore the market prospects for strong investment performance—should remain strong.

Various indicators paint a rosy picture of the property market activity in Vancouver. Housing sales in the January-August period are about 14 per cent higher than in the same period last year. Yet, this compares to an expected decline in housing sales of nearly 15 per cent in the country as a whole. In fact, the home sales rebound in Canada, forecast for next year, will be driven primarily by a robust recovery in sales in British Columbia and Alberta, with the Vancouver area leading the way. Increased housing demand, especially given limited inventory levels, will put an upward pressure on prices, making investments in real estate in Vancouver highly desirable.

In fact, inventory levels in Vancouver have already fallen as many home buyers have taken the advantage of low mortgage rates and well-priced properties in desirable locations. New listings are down approximately 23 per cent from last year. According to RE/MAX Canada, residential real estate market in Vancouver is currently considered balanced, with purchasers and vendors on the same page for the first time in years. This has exerted pressures on prices, which bodes well for those expecting to earn capital returns on their investment properties.

On the other hand, although the unemployment rate in British Columbia has increased by 3.5 percentage points in a year to 7.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2009, wages in the region have actually increased by 2.2 per cent. At the same time, consumer confidence has rebounded and most Canadians now believe that the market is expected to turn around, making this the right time to buy. Considering the impending economic recovery, British Columbia, including Vancouver, should see employment and wages rebound. As the region is expected to lead the rebound in the housing activity in Canada next year, Vancouver real estate investments should benefit from the current and emerging economic trends.

In fact, Canadian real estate market—and especially that of Vancouver—should prove attractive to international real estate investors for several reasons. Canada’s economic growth next year will be at least double that expected in the United States and more than quadruple that of Europe. Moreover, the Canadian banking sector, which is ranked by the World Economic Forum as the soundest banking system in the world, has created a sound financial environment in Canada that ensures the security of real estate investments in an otherwise highly volatile global investment environment. Besides, the advent of the 2010 Olympics and the opportunity to showcase Vancouver globally should bode well for residential real estate in the coming year. Therefore, investing in Vancouver’s real estate could be a sound investment strategy for international investors.

In general, prospects for a strong demand for real estate in Vancouver look optimistic. The expected rebound in housing activity, along with an economic recovery, strong financial sector, and the coming 2010 Olympics all bode well for investments in Vancouver’s real estate. Investing in Vancouver properties has proven lucrative so far and will likely continue to be a choice for many local and international investors.