Eric Latta (www.ericlatta.com) : Blog http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php This page contains the blog. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:21:15 -0800 http://ubertor.com/?v=1.0 en Go Green to Save Green http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/gogreentosavegreen Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:07:08 -0800 Eric Latta General http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/gogreentosavegreen There are a number of easy ways you can go green – and save some green – when it comes to your home.  For example, when purchasing a house think about the neighborhood where you’ll be living.  Is it a walkable community? Can you get to the grocery store, work, school, recreation and restaurants without getting into your car?  Is it on a bus route? You can also make easy changes to an existing home by insulating your pipes and hot water heater, cleaning your furnace, installing a programmable thermostat, changing your light bulbs, installing light sensors and getting an energy audit. For 50 ways to ‘Green’ your home, click on the link below.  Call me with any questions at 604-351-5211. - Eric

50 Ways to Green

]]> Grants and Rebates for Home Buyers and Owners http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/grantsandrebates Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:29 -0800 Eric Latta General http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/grantsandrebates

26 grants.pdf]]> Ambleside Open House! http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/ambleside-open-house-22 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:40:48 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/ambleside-open-house-22 We are proud to announce that this Jan 29th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 1545 NELSON Ave in the Ambleside neighborhood, West Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Ambleside.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Ambleside House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-926-6718 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Eric Latta
Macdonald Realty Eric Latta

]]> 1545 NELSON Ave, West Vancouver, British Columbia http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/1545-nelson-ave-west-vancouver-british-columbia Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:40:04 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/1545-nelson-ave-west-vancouver-british-columbia I just finished uploading this House for sale, 1545 NELSON Ave, West Vancouver, British Columbia

Better than new! Elegance and grace awaits you in this spectacular eight year old craftsman family home with gorgeous city and ocean views. The finest finishing's and attention to detail, featuring gleaming hardwood floors, a chef's dream kitchen and designer colours. The perfect family floor plan offering three bedrooms up with three bathrooms, gorgeous ensuite, high end designer kitchen with room for the in-laws downstairs, all you have to do is move in and enjoy!

]]> Canyon Heights NV Open House! http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/canyon-heights-nv-open-house-6 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:38:57 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/canyon-heights-nv-open-house-6 We are proud to announce that this Jan 29th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 5173 REDONDA Drive in the Canyon Heights NV neighborhood, North Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Canyon Heights NV.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Canyon Heights NV House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-926-6718 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Eric Latta
Macdonald Realty Eric Latta

]]> Whytecliff Open House! http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/whytecliff-open-house-6 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:38:25 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/whytecliff-open-house-6 We are proud to announce that this Jan 29th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 6985 ISLEVIEW Road in the Whytecliff neighborhood, West Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Whytecliff.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Whytecliff House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-926-6718 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Eric Latta
Macdonald Realty Eric Latta

]]> Whytecliff Open House! http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/whytecliff-open-house-5 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:03:23 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/whytecliff-open-house-5 We are proud to announce that this Jan 29th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 6985 ISLEVIEW Road in the Whytecliff neighborhood, West Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Whytecliff.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Whytecliff House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-926-6718 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Eric Latta
Macdonald Realty Eric Latta

]]> Canyon Heights NV Open House! http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/canyon-heights-nv-open-house-5 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:54:54 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/canyon-heights-nv-open-house-5 We are proud to announce that this Jan 29th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 5173 REDONDA Drive in the Canyon Heights NV neighborhood, North Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Canyon Heights NV.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Canyon Heights NV House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-926-6718 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Eric Latta
Macdonald Realty Eric Latta

]]> Canyon Heights NV Open House! http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/canyon-heights-nv-open-house-4 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:46:37 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/canyon-heights-nv-open-house-4 We are proud to announce that this Jan 22nd, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 5173 REDONDA Drive in the Canyon Heights NV neighborhood, North Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Canyon Heights NV.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Canyon Heights NV House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-926-6718 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Eric Latta
Macdonald Realty Eric Latta

]]> 5173 REDONDA Drive, North Vancouver, British Columbia http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/5173-redonda-drive-north-vancouver-british-columbia Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:06 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/5173-redonda-drive-north-vancouver-british-columbia I just finished uploading this House for sale, 5173 REDONDA Drive, North Vancouver, British Columbia

Panoramic views from this spectacular Canyon Heights cul-de-sac family home. Perched on a lovely sun-drenched, south-side private lot, this home boasts plenty of style and tasteful updates with over 3200 square feet of living space and four spacious bedrooms. With gorgeous dark hardwood floors, a cozy fireplace in the kitchen and delightful touches throughout, this immaculate home is ready for you to move in and enjoy. Just a short walk to Montroyal and Handsworth schools. A truly special property that won't last long!

]]> BC Assessments http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/bcassessments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:36:52 -0800 Eric Latta General http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/bcassessments Homeowners in British Columbia received their 2012 property assessment notices earlier this month from BC Assessment (BCA).    BCA calculates market value by analyzing sales of comparable homes within the local market, and look at factors that affect value such as size of home, view and location.  Realtors’ assessments are sometimes different than BCA's, because realtors take into account differences in a property's lot size and shape, its architectural significance, whether it has a unique view and whether it the owners have made changes that BCA hasn't yet taken into account.  In addition, realtors incorporate market conditions (whether prices have risen or fallen) in the six month period between July 1st and January 1st the following year.  For a thorough and complete market analysis of your home, contact Eric Latta today 604-351-5211 or email him at eric@ericlatta.com.]]> Ambleside Open House! http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/ambleside-open-house-21 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:31:24 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/ambleside-open-house-21 We are proud to announce that this Jan 15th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 1314 FULTON Ave in the Ambleside neighborhood, West Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Ambleside.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Ambleside House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-926-6718 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Eric Latta
Macdonald Realty Eric Latta

]]> January Market Update http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/janmarketupdate Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:49:02 -0800 Eric Latta General http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/janmarketupdate Balanced real estate market prevailed through much of 2011

The 2011 Greater Vancouver housing market began with heightened demand in regional hot spots and concluded with greater balance between seller supply and buyer demand.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2011 reached 32,390, a 5.9 per cent increase from the 30,595 sales recorded in 2010, and a 9.2 per cent decrease from the 35,669 residential sales in 2009. Last year’s home sale total was 6.3 per cent below the ten-year average for annual Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) sales in the region.

The number of residential properties listed for sale on the MLS® in Greater Vancouver increased 2.7 per cent in 2011 to 59,549 compared to the 58,009 properties listed in 2010. Looking back further, last year’s total represents a 12.8 per cent increase compared to the 52,869 residential properties listed in 2009. Last year’s listing total was 11.1 per cent above the ten-year average for annual Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) property listings in the region.

“It was a relatively balanced year for the real estate market in Greater Vancouver with listing totals slightly above historical norms and sale numbers slightly below,” Rosario Setticasi, REBGV president said.

Residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 1,658 in December 2011, a decrease of 12.7 per cent from the 1,899 sales recorded in December 2010 and a 29.7 per cent decline compared to November 2011 when 2,360 home sales occurred.

More broadly, last month’s residential sales represent a 34.1 per cent decrease over the 2,515 residential sales in December 2009, a 79.4 per cent increase compared to December 2008’s 924 sales, and a 12.6 per cent decrease compared to the 1,897 sales in December 2007.

The overall residential benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for Greater Vancouver increased 7.6 per cent to $621,674 between Decembers 2010 and 2011. However, prices have decreased 1.5 per cent since hitting a peak of $630,921 in June 2011.

“Our market remained in a balanced state for most of the year, although higher levels of demand for detached properties in the region’s largest communities caused prices in certain areas to rise higher than others,” Setticasi said. “For example, the benchmark price of a single-family detached home experienced double-digit increases in nine areas within the region over the last 12 months.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 1,629 in December 2011. This represents a 4.1 per cent decline compared to the 1,699 units listed in December 2010 and a 49.4 per cent decline compared to November 2011 when 3,222 properties were listed.

Sales of detached properties in December 2011 reached 630, a decrease of 18.1 per cent from the 769 detached sales recorded in December 2010, and a 30.2 per cent decrease from the 902 units sold in December 2009. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 11.2 per cent from December 2010 to $887,471.

Sales of apartment properties reached 774 in December 2011, a decline of 4.6 per cent compared to the 811 sales in December 2010, and a decrease of 32.9 per cent compared to the 1,154 sales in December 2009.The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 3.7 per cent from December 2010 to $401,396.

Attached property sales in December 2011 totalled 254, a decline of 20.4 per cent compared to the 319 sales in December 2010, and a 44.7 per cent decrease from the 459 attached properties sold in December 2009. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 4.2 per cent between December 2010 and 2011 to $511,499.

]]> Ambleside Open House! http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/ambleside-open-house-20 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:09:41 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/ambleside-open-house-20 We are proud to announce that this Jan 8th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 1314 FULTON Ave in the Ambleside neighborhood, West Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Ambleside.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Ambleside House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-926-6718 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Eric Latta
Macdonald Realty Eric Latta

]]> December 2011 Market Update http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/december2011marketupdate Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:44:47 -0800 Eric Latta General http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/december2011marketupdate 2011 was another strong, stable year for the housing market in BC as solid domestic demand and positive demographic shifts continued to buoy both prices and sales. The biggest gains were seen in the 5 municipalities of Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, and White Rock. These 5 key markets averaged detached home price gains of roughly 20% in 2011. The remainder of municipalities in the Lower Mainland, along with cities and towns on the Island and in the Interior, has price growth charts that mirror the rest of Canada: from flat to 8%.

We believe the reason for the discrepancy between these 5 markets and the remainder of the Province can be explained by the settlement patterns of Mainland Chinese investor-class immigrants who choose to move to Canada. To qualify for this immigration classification, applicants must have a net worth of CDN$1.6 million, with investable assets of at least $800,000. Of these applicants, the majority are now from China, with 80% of those choosing to settle in BC because of its geographic proximity to China. And of those 80%, the majority is choosing to settle in the 5 municipalities listed above.

This is a pattern that BC has seen before. During both the Hong Kong and Taiwan immigration waves, certain neighbourhoods in Vancouver appreciated in value at much faster rates than the surrounding suburbs and the rest of BC. Eventually, however, the rest of the Province caught up as Sellers downsized or moved to other areas of the province, pushing up prices. This same pattern has yet to occur this cycle, but the influx of foreign capital is expected to counteract news of the fragile global economy.

In spite of the current global economy, migration and demographic patterns in BC will see roughly 35,000 new households created annually for the foreseeable future. Because of this, a survey of the Macdonald Realty senior management team found that most expect the 2012 BC Housing Market to be similar to 2011 in terms of sales and pricing. The one exception is East Vancouver, which is expected to outpace the rate of growth in BC in 2012 to narrow the gap with Vancouver's Westside.

Despite all of this, every survey respondent had the same caveat: We live in an interconnected world, all bets are off if the global economy suffers a massive shock.

Merry Christmas and all the best in 2012!

]]> 975 Aubeneau, West Vancouver, BC http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/975-aubeneau-west-vancouver-bc-1 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:41:17 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/975-aubeneau-west-vancouver-bc-1 I just sold this House at 975 Aubeneau, West Vancouver, BC Sentinel Hill.

View this recently sold House or see all my home sales

]]> 975 Aubeneau, West Vancouver, BC http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/975-aubeneau-west-vancouver-bc Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:40:10 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/975-aubeneau-west-vancouver-bc I just finished uploading this House for sale, 975 Aubeneau, West Vancouver, BC

Offering sensational views, total privacy and all day sunshine this fantastic architect designed custom home is very special. Completely renovated throughout, the main house has 3 bedrooms and den, 3 baths, and a fantastic open plan including 20 ft vaulted ceilings surrounded by floor to ceiling glass, gleaming hardwood floors and extensive use of granite and stone. The separate detached studio is gorgeous and very special in itself; the ultimate for guests or home studio. Over 1000 sq ft of patios and mature gardens as well as an incredible outdoor living area with full outdoor kitchen, bar, heaters, fireplace and swim spa to enjoy incredible sunsets and westerly views throughout the year. A fantastic lifestyle!

]]> 2690 Finch Hill, West Vancouver, BC http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/2690-finch-hill-west-vancouver-bc-1 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:31:45 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/2690-finch-hill-west-vancouver-bc-1 I just sold this House at 2690 Finch Hill, West Vancouver, BC Canterbury.

View this recently sold House or see all my home sales

]]> 2690 Finch Hill, West Vancouver, BC http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/2690-finch-hill-west-vancouver-bc Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:29:28 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/2690-finch-hill-west-vancouver-bc I just finished uploading this House for sale, 2690 Finch Hill, West Vancouver, BC

SENSATIONAL 2 year old masterpiece designed by Geoffrey Forrester. A beautiful two story, glass atrium greets you as you enter this stunning home featuring a bl end of stone floors and Brazilian cherrywood with warm radiant heat throughoutThe solid gourmet maple kitchen and exquisite finishing throughout this home are the finest available. Lush indoor gardens surround the full spa and relaxation centre with adjoining bedrooms inlcuding a gorgeous master suite with private garden patio . This 6000 sf home includes a self-contained business centre, multiple private entrances and steel and concrete construction irreplaceable with this quality and detail.

]]> 1770 HAYWOOD Ave, West Vancouver, British Columbia http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/1770-haywood-ave-west-vancouver-british-columbia-1 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:43:15 -0800 Eric Latta Listings http://www.ericlatta.com/Blog.php/1770-haywood-ave-west-vancouver-british-columbia-1 I just sold this House at 1770 HAYWOOD Ave, West Vancouver, British Columbia Ambleside.

View this recently sold House or see all my home sales

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