Russ & April Qureshi : Latest Blog Posts

Just Listed!

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:00:29 GMT

Just Listed!

20 240 HARRY RD in Gibsons

This Coastal getway is a must see inside! The exterior is quaint and could use some TLC but when you enter this home you will be surprised by the designer details! New flooring, modern Ikea kitchen including convection oven, concealed DW,LG fridge and soft close drawers, completely updated bathroom, updated lighting fixtures, sliding doors, pine wall panelling and the list goes on....Also, this is arguabley the best pad in the park! At the top and completely private from the other homes. Boasting a good view and only a five minute walk to the beach. All the furniture, dishes, flatware etc are included making this an entirely turn-key situation!

Call April (604-989-2253) or Russ (604-741-7119) for more details.

Open House this weekend!

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:00:24 GMT

Open House this weekend!

601 OCEANVIEW DR in Gibsons.

See details here

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, January 14th from noon - 1:30 pm

This is a great opportunity to own in Woodcreek Park! This 3-bedroom/2-bath Rancher is perfect for the young family or the young-at-heart retiree. The home is bright and open boasting a double garage and a good street view. The rear yardis fenced and backs onto Whispering Firs Park providing access to the trail system down to Chaster Beach.

Open House this weekend!

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:00:23 GMT

Open House this weekend!

172 GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS RD in Gibsons.

See details here

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, January 14th from 2 - 3:30 pm

A beautiful newly updated home with pool & hot-tub set on a completely private property at the end of a cul-de-sac street. Lots of room to spread out in this 2,500 SqFt home. Boasting a very large master bedroom with adjoining dressingroom & ensuite. The pool and hot-tub are just off the enclosed deck making recreation literally at your doorstep. Walk to the elementary school and be less than five minutes by car to the amenities of Gibsons.

REBGV Video Podcast Housing Market Update December 2011

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:26:00 GMT

Real Estate Board of Vancouver's monthly market update videocast featuring Board President Rosario Setticasi

Sunshine Coast Real Estate Stats Overview 2011

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:07:00 GMT

Good news this month on the Housing Price Index! We're up across the board. April and I both noticed we were more busy with buyers of the month of December. I even showed a property on Christmas Day! No problem:-)!

Housing Price Index for the month of December is up over last year by 5.6%, up 4.3% over 3 years ago, up 4.5% over 5 years ago and (again proving real estate is, overall, your best investment) up 123% over 10 years ago.

Lets look at the past year entirely over the whole year of 2010:

In 2011 there were 94 attached home sales with a median price of $273,000 as compared to 2010 with 106 sales and the median price $245,000. Percentage wise we were down 11% in total unit sales and up just over 10% in selling price. The rise in asking price can, partially, be attributed to the new development Watermark in Sechelt coming online and the higher asking prices that project commanded.

In 2011 there were 452 detached home sales with the median price of $390,000 as compared to 2010 with 506 sales and the median price of $410,000. As a percentage we were down just over 10% in total unit sales and down almost 5% in selling price.

Detached home figures paint a clear picture of the market on the Sunshine Coast over 2011. We are/were seeing less sales and the homes that sold did so for less money. Definitely a buyers market and I see this trend continuing through 2012.

On a positive note it's heartening to see, that despite the tough time attracting buyers last year, we only dipped 5% in actual sold prices of most homes. We're weathering this economic uncertainty quite well here on the Coast. This statistic clearly shows that sellers must price their home and property correctly right out of the starting gate.

April and I have both been extremely busy over the previous month of December and this is continuing into January so lets move forward into 2012 with a sense of optimism!

Cheers,

Russ

Sold in your neighbourhood!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:35 GMT

Sold in your neighbourhood!

460 KING RD in Gibsons.

See details here

Lovely three bedroom, two full bathroom home on well over an acre. Pride of ownership is readily apparent! Very well maintained and only six years old the home boasts a large kitchen, dining & living area. Enjoying outside is easy with thelarge, covered deck. The property is large with trees and mature shrubbery/hedging providing privacy. Everything is ready to go... just move in!

Sunshine Coast Market Update November 2011

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:08:00 GMT

Detached homes sales summary:

dollar sales are 4% over November 2010,
year to date (YTD) decrease of 13%
number units sold is even with November 2010,
YTD decrease of 9%
average price per unit is up 4% over November 2010,
YTD decrease of 4%

Attached homes (condos and town homes) sales summary:

dollar sales are down 41% over November 2010,
YTD increase of 9.8%
number of units sold is down 64% over November 2010,
YTD decrease of 10%
average price per unit is up 34% over November 2010,
YTD increase of 18% (keep in mind the total sample for
condo's and town homes is less than 100 units and
the price changes are caused by one new project in particular)

Land Only sales summary:

dollar sales are down 0% over October 2010,
year to date (YTD) decrease of 6%
number units sold is down 33% over October 2010,
YTD decrease of 22%
average price per unit is down 24% over October 2010,
YTD increase of 21%

The Housing Price Index shows the Sunshine Coast

down 6.7% over 2010,down 11.2% over 2008, down 2.7%over 2006

SELLERS, the housing price index paints a tough picture!

Price your property right "out of the gate" or you simply won't sell.

Make sure your property is ready to show and when

that offer does come in be prepared to work with it no matter what!

BUYERS, can you think of a better time, historically, to buy?

Don't be looking back in five years thinking to yourself

"Gosh, I should've bought back in 2011!".

Low interest + Low prices = GREAT INVESTMENTS IN YOUR FUTURE

Cheers,

Russ

Open House this weekend!

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:00:22 GMT

Open House this weekend!

17 822 GIBSONS WAY in Gibsons.

See details here

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, December 10th from noon - 1:30 pm

Great purchase for the first time buyer! Multi-level living with clean lines and cozy rooms. The central location can't be beat. Minutes by foot to schools, parks, Wheatberries Cafe, the theatre and shopping mall. The sharp price makes thisan easy decision.

Open House this weekend!

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:00:24 GMT

Open House this weekend!

460 KING RD in Gibsons.

See details here

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, November 12th from 1 - 2:30 pm.

Open House this weekend!

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:00:24 GMT

Open House this weekend!

601 OCEANVIEW DR in Gibsons.

See details here

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, November 12th from 11am - 12:30pm.

CMHC Green Home Insurance Premium Refund

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:16:00 GMT

Your energy-efficient condo, townhome or detached home could net you a 10% refund on your Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) insurance premium.

There's also an opportunity to extend your ammortization up to 30 years without surcharge with CMHC insured financing.

By purchasing an enery-efficient home or making energy-saving renovations you can apply online, by fax, phone or mail for a premium refund.

Here's how:

1. Find out the energy efficiency rating of your home by:

arranging an energy assessment completed by an NRCan (Natural Resources Canada) qualified energy advisor,
obtaining an R-2000 certificate,
obtaining a CMHC declaration from a certified builder or
for condo units a letter from NRCan or project engineer.

2. Boost energy efficiency, if needed.

3. Talk to your mortgage broker about arranging a CMHC insured mortgage.

4. Confirm your improvements with your energy advisor.

5. Apply for your refund!

To find out more about this opportunity to save money on your insurance premiums call April today at 604-989-2253 or view all the details of the CMHC Green Home Insurance Premium Refund by clicking this link.

Yours,

April

Greater Vancouver Housing Market Video Update Oct 2011

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:17:00 GMT

The latest video stats from Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver for October 2011:

The Sunshine coast is a member of the greater Vancouver area and is unique in and of itself.

For further details on the Sunshine Coast housing market check our blog post Sunshine Coast Real Estate Update November 2011 or call Russ at 604-741-7119 today!

Sunshine Coast Real Estate Update November 2011

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:56:00 GMT

While October's stats paint a not so rosy picture I think we can take heart in the fact that the European Union has come to an arrangement to bailout the member countries that are in deep trouble, hopefully averting another global recession.

The Bank of Canada is doing it's part by keeping the prime rate the same. Once we see some more confidence in the markets we should see that translate to higher consumer confidence and increased real estate sales on the Sunshine Coast. As we've all been blessed/cursed to live in interesting times I find it best to maintain a positive attitude and expect the best outcome possible.

Statisitcs Summary for October 2011:

Detached homes sales summary:

dollar sales are down 24% over October 2010, year to date (YTD) decrease of 15%
number units sold is down 27% over October 2010, YTD decrease of 10%
average price per unit is up 3% over October 2010, YTD decrease of 5%

Attached homes (condos and town homes) sales summary:

dollar sales are down 47% over October 2010, YTD increase of 47%
number of units sold is down 45% over October 2010, YTD decrease of 5.5%
average price per unit is up 1% over October 2010, YTD increase of 5%

Land Only sales summary:

dollar sales are down 68% over October 2010, year to date (YTD) decrease of 6%
number units sold is down 58% over October 2010, YTD decrease of 24%
average price per unit is down 23% over October 2010, YTD increase of 23%

Sellers, my advice remains the same! Make sure your property is ready to show and when that offer does come in be prepared to work with it no matter what!

Buyers, can you think of a better time, historically, to buy? Don't be looking back in five years thinking to yourself "Gosh, I should've bought back in 2011!". Low interest + Low prices = GREAT INVESTMENTS IN YOUR FUTURE.

Cheers,

Russ

Positive Signs for the Canadian Economy

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:41:00 GMT

Positive signs for the Canadian economy!

The latest statistics from Cameron Muir, Chief Econmist BCREA (British Columbia Real Estate Association) shows real GDP growth of 0.3% over August 2011 stemming from the energy sector.

CLICK HERE to read the full story on our facebook page

Watch the BC Housing Market Update podcast for October 2011

Just Listed!

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:00:27 GMT

Just Listed!

601 OCEAN VIEW DR in Gibsons

See details here

Call April (604-989-2253) or Russ (604-741-7119) for more details.

Open House this weekend!

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:00:21 GMT

Open House this weekend!

460 KING RD in Gibsons.

See details here

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, October 29th from 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Open House this weekend!

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:00:20 GMT

Open House this weekend!

17 822 GIBSONS WAY in Gibsons.

See details here

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, October 29th from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Just Listed!

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:00:16 GMT

Just Listed!

460 KING RD in Gibsons

See details here

Call April (604-989-2253) or Russ (604-741-7119) for more details.

Referral Programs - What's in it for Me?

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:51:00 GMT

Since I partnered with Russ in July as Coastlifestyles - "Making Your Sunshine Coast Real Estate Dreams Come True" I've been thinking up ways to generate new business.

Russ has bulit a successful business over the past 8 years with referrals from clients, friends and family so I thought I'd give it a try. I let friends, family and past clients know that I'm accepting new clients by referral. They often ask "What is a referral?"

re·fer ral n. re·ferred, re·fer·ring, re·fers v.

1. To direct to a source for help or information: referred her to a heart specialist.

2. A recommendation to consult the professional person refferred to: this client is a referral from Mrs. and Mr. Jones.

The next comment is often, " Well, if I bring you a home buyer or seller, What's in it for me?"

It's a great question!

That question lead me to talk to Russ. We've come up with our exclusive Reciprocity Program that benefits both you and me as well as those in need. Here's how everyone benefits...

When your referral results in a successful purchase or sale of real estate we'll make a tax-deductatble donation of $250 in your name to a registered charity of your choice...even if it that charity happens to be YOU!

Your referral client gets benefits too! Here's how...

expert advice so your referral can relax knowing they have all the information needed to make the decision that's right for them,

access to our exclusive referral network of professional service providers mortgage brokers, licensed home inspectors, interior designers and more,

timely follow up with vital information,

our full attention as we listen to thier needs and desires,

peace of mind knowing that we're working for them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,

access to our comprehensive online marketing system,

exposure of thier home to potential buyers from around the world resulting in a quicker sale and for top dollar in today's market,

access to all availble properties with just a click of you mouse, and

your referral is in control with thier own Virtual Office Website (VOW), that tailors thier personal criteria so that they can view homes as soon as they come onto the market, even before the home is on the MLS®.

With your referrals of our real estate services to your clients, family and friends we are able to meet our goals, build a solid business, plan for a prosperous future and help others in need.

Russ and I look forward to building a strong relationship with you that will take us all toward a future we desire.

Just Listed!

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:37 GMT

Just Listed!

3483 STELLAR PL in Roberts Creek

See details here

A great opportunity to acquire level Roberts Creek Acreage! Formerly operating as Amble Park Nursery, this 5-acre parcel is ready for you to take over and create a 'going concern'! Three green houses and several outbuildings give you ahead-start. The home is a cozy 2-bedroom/2-full bath space with room for you to put your stamp on things. A bonus mobile home pad with all services is also included with the offering. Just off the highway & minutes to amenities!

Call April (604-989-2253) or Russ (604-741-7119) for more details.