Amenities, schools and major transportation routes are all nearby. So are parks, beaches, nature trails, and the Nickomekl River. At Skylands in South Surrey, homeowners can experience convenience and beauty at the same time. Dubbed the ‘unhouse,’ the Equitas project offers new, single-family detached townhomes to buyers ›› p.4
Finding your current floors dated? Find out what’s trendy in ›› p.2 new local home projects
August 13, 2009
July sees record-high home sales, REBGV reports
Hardwood, laminate and cork flooring is popular in several styles, says Casa Madera Hardwood Floors Inc.’s Peter Pocrnic.
Tricia Leslie photo
Floors: give yourself happy feet Choosing your favourite flooring can be the hardest part KOLBY SOLINSKY It’s kind of a funny thing, one that makes you roll your eyes and say, “Duh.” Any new home you walk into is intriguing from the get-go, with firm sofas, chocolate brown wood walls, stainless steel appliances
and a mixture of a million sights and smells that toggle your senses. It’s so appealing you often forget that what you’re standing on is just as crucial. For in B.C., there’s a whole swath of carpet, hardwood, tiling and laminate that bring a glossy feel from the floor to the roof. It has become a trend that has taken over almost every new home development in Greater Vancouver, as each one can display a unique and luxurious approach to groundwork.
“It’s interesting, because you’ve got people going with the chocolate browns, and then you’ve got people going for brush handscrape or a brushed oak, and you’ve got people going for rich, exotic woods, too,” says Peter Pocrnic, owner of Casa Madera Floors in Burnaby, highlighting the many choices home owners and home builders have to choose from.
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CONTINUED ON P.2
The highest-ever number of residential property sales were recorded in Greater Vancouver in July, says the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. Sales totalled 4,114 in the region, becoming the highest volume of sales ever recorded within the REBGV for that month, out pacing the 4,023 sales in July 2003 – the only year July sales exceeded the 4,000 mark. Such a high sales volume helps home prices to continue to strengthen, says the REBGV. Since the beginning of the year, the benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 9.2 per cent to $528,821 from $484,211, the REBGV says. Compared to July 2008, home prices are down by five per cent. “Home sales this summer are seasonally higher than normal, which is due in large part to the price correction that has taken place in the last year and low interest rates,” REBGV president Scott Russell said. “Although well-priced listings and lowerto mid-range-priced properties remain in the highest demand across Greater Vancouver, recent activity from first-time buyers is beginning to boost demand in the ‘move-up’ segment of the market.” New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties declined in Greater Vancouver, down 17.4 per cent to 5,041 in July 2009 compared to July 2008, when 6,104 new units were listed. At 12,482, the total number of property listings on the Multiple Listing Service declined 5.8 per cent compared to last month and 34 per cent compared to July 2008. “It is currently taking, on average, 48 days for a home to sell in the region. Today’s market activity differs by area and property type and it’s important to tap into local housing market expertise to understand why some properties are attracting multiple offers, while others are not moving,” Russell said.