Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing everyone lots of love, happiness and good health in the Year of Tiger!

BCREA: Housing market likely to enjoy an exceptional 2021

Click the link below to view the monthly market statistics for your area in an easy to understand infographic. Listings, sales and prices are summarized for condos, townhomes and single-family homes in cities across BC.

Abbotsford Bowen Island Burnaby East Burnaby North Burnaby South Cloverdale Coquitlam Kelowna Ladner Langley Maple Ridge Mission Nanaimo New Westminster North Delta North Surrey North Vancouver Parksville Pitt Meadows Port Coquitlam Port Moody Richmond South Surrey/ White Rock Squamish Sunshine Coast Surrey - Central Tsawwassen Vancouver - East Vancouver - West Victoria Vernon West Vancouver Whistler

In 1968, Apollo 8 was the first crewed spacecraft to reach the Moon, orbit it and return. Its three-astronaut crew - Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders - were the first humans to see the whole, round Earth from space, to witness and photograph an Earthrise. Earthrise is a photograph of Earth and some of the Moon's surface. Earthrise helped people to see our world for what it is: a planet without borders, a home to all people, a life-sustaining wanderer through space. That new vision of our world was so powerful that it inspired the first Earth Day in 1970. 

Yesterday definitely was a different kind of Earth Day with most of us isolating at home and so few cars on the road!  The lack of Earth Day art projects or in-class celebrations for our kids, made it feel very different. In years past, we've become accustomed to our children coming home from their school's Earth Day commenting upon how they had all the lights off in their classrooms and other sustainable ways of living in order to take care of Mother Earth. 

It is apparent that humans are very adaptable beings. COVID-19 is not stopping the real estate market from moving along. Accordingly, we have been very busy this week. The market is more active with buyers who had been waiting on the sidelines now taking this opportunity to look for properties. Please let us know if you need our help or have questions. 

We hope you are all doing well. We always love to hear from you. If you have time, feel free to send us an email or give us a call and let us know you are doing. 

The Earthrise message was clear: Earth "really is one world". The world response to COVID-19 confirms this message as well. One world, one people. 

Be safe. Be kind. Be well. 

Allyson, Cécile and Jenny

Staying Positive

We hope you are all staying healthy and are adjusting to the lifestyle changes we have been adopting this past month. Unless you relish “your alone time”, it can be a difficult transition for most people. We found starting our day with gratitude, goals, and self-care (meditation and exercise) helps us to focus and remain positive in the current environment. While practising social distancing, we are staying connected with our friends and families via phone calls, emails or video.

We feel fortunate to be part of the Macdonald Realty team. We are benefiting from our ongoing virtual Monday morning meetings. The meeting allows us virtual connection with the other 200 Macdonald Realtors and to stay on top of the market activities as we share and exchange ideas and experiences. Market activity has slowed down for obvious reasons, but we are still seeing sales due to pent-up demand. There are still sellers who must sell and buyers who must buy. We are staying on top of the market and the listing inventory as we know that our buyers may be able to negotiate a favourable contract in this market.

Please remember we are just a phone call away if you feel bored at home or if you need help with your groceries!

We found a lovely, positive video about Covid-19 and felt it was a great one to share with you all.

Link here: https://www.facebook.com/BalanceGroupVancouverRealtor/videos/250688496322239/ 

Stay healthy and safe,

Allyson, Cécile, Jenny

Property insurance premiums for stratas and condos continue to rise.

Do you know what the ten most common water-related damages are?

What can Councils and Owners do to prevent water damage?

Why do unit owners need personal insurance?

Find out more here: below useful information from BFL Canada

Send us an email if you want a PDF copy of the information.

Happy Snow Day!

Hope everyone is staying safe on the roads this week. Just a friend reminder that City of Vancouver requires all property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks around their property by 10:00am every day.

If you have limited mobility or if you are senior, and are unable to clear the snow, ask a neighbour for help or request a Snow Angel. Failure to remove snow and ice may result in fines.

Want to learn more about volunteering as Snow Angel and help a neighbour, visit City of Vancouver website here.

Pictures from City of Vancouver website