Go Canada go… As Metro Vancouver welcomes the world for the 2010 Olympic Games, local company Raicon Development is doing its part – by sponsoring Canadian skeleton athletes.“We wish all our Canadian athletes the very best.” Read more ›› p.6 Photo courtesy of VANOC
February 11, 2010
Living Langley/Cloverdale
Prices on the rise in Metro Vancouver Housing supply and demand reaching a balance TRICIA LESLIE
Township of Langley Mayor Rick Green says the region offers an interesting urban/rural mix for residents, from its heritage to its world-class facilities. Rob Newell photo
Appealing lifestyle and location Neighbouring communities offer plenty to homebuyers TRICIA LESLIE It is a region rich with agricultural and pioneer history; an area that has been home to First Nations tribes, farmers, fur traders, explorers and gold hunters during the past hundreds – even thousands – of years. Both the Township of Langley and the
Cloverdale area of Surrey, two neighbouring communities that border each other within Metro Vancouver, are attracting new homebuyers daily as the entire region flourishes and grows. Cloverdale, part of Surrey’s 465,000 population, is home to the City of Surrey’s official museum and several other heritage sites, while its picturesque downtown ‘main street’ is well-known from its many appearances on TV (including Smallville). Home to the birthplace of B.C. – the historic fur trade post, Fort Langley – the
Township of Langley is immediately east of the Cloverdale part of Surrey, and extends south from the Fraser River to the U.S. border and east, to Abbotsford’s boundaries (the City of Langley is a separate entity located adjacent to the township). While the township’s population currently sits around 100,000, Mayor Rick Green says many more are expected. “In the next 15 years, the regional growth strategy for the area shows we’ll have 70 per CONTINUED ON P.2
January was a busy month in the Metro Vancouver housing market, according to local realty associations. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, which represents the industry in Surrey, North Delta, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford and Mission, reports an active preOlympic market in the valley. The region experienced a return to typical home sale levels and an early surge in new listings last Jake Moldowan month, says the FVREB, with 981 sales recorded in January – an increase of 152 per cent compared to the month last year, when only 389 sales were processed. There was also a 46.8 per cent increase in new listings: 2,941 compared to 2,003 during Paul Penner January 2009. “Compared to last January, the market has returned to balance,” says FVREB president Paul Penner. “Consumers continue to take advantage of the affordability created by lower interest rates.” On a month-to-month basis, sales decreased by 22 per cent in January compared to December, while new inventory more than doubled, going from 1,453 new listings in December to 2,941 in January. This increased overall inventory by CONTINUED ON P.2