Major Changes to old Vancouver buildings on the way.  Huge changes have been proposed for strata corporations. We could start seeing lots of older buildings around Vancouver getting torn down and re developed. A new law has been proposed making it easier for owners to terminate their strata corporation. Currently, there are many older buildings in Vancouver, especially in areas like Kitsilano and the West End. As these buildings continue to age, some 50-60 years old, costs can climb and start to become unreasonable. Many owners feel that instead of repairing the building it should be knocked down and sold to developers so they can re develop it. Many times it just makes more sense than continually pumping money into an old building where the improvement costs outweigh the return on investment. They are also better to maximize the land space with a redevelopment. Currently if owners want to sell their condo unit to developers they need everyone in strata to vote unanimously to terminate their strata corporation and then sell the entire building to a developer. However, the new proposed change will make it from a unanimous vote to only an 80% vote required. This could mean lots of

Vancouver Real Estate loneliness an epidemic.  It’s no secret the supply of land in Vancouver is extremely limited. Which is why developers are working to continue to densify downtown Vancouver with many new high-rise buildings planned. However, developers, city officials, and even fire fighters are facing some very serious issues. First there is something called The phenomenon of urban loneliness.This is becoming a more pressing issue recently where surveys have found that 43 per cent of those who live in high-rises do not know at least two of their neighbours’ names. Some developers are taking this very seriously and are proposing what they call “sky gardens” which are basically common areas, like a green space on each floor where neighbours can go out; enjoy some fresh air and socialize with other neighbours on their floor. However, to make this happen they are also suggesting to get rid of people’s private patio’s in their units. I live in a high-rise building here in Downtown Vancouver, and I can tell you not only from my building but other buildings alike not many people actually use the communal areas. People prefer their privacy. It’s evident by the fact that every time i’m in

Public Outrage over foreign investment. A recent Vancouver housing study has created a lot of backlash amongst Canadians. The Study released on Monday, tracked home sales in some of Vancouver’s most expensive areas, Of those 172 homes sold , 66% were sold to Chinese buyers. To say Chinese buyers are only snatching up multi-million dollar properties is also false. Take a look around, it’s a trickle down effect. I’ve witnessed it first hand, it’s happening everywhere. This undoubtedly will and should upset Vancouverites. However, it’s important to understand this is not a race issue. This not about blaming a group of people. This is a Government issue. The blame needs to be put on the Government. We have weak immigration and tax policies that allow this to happen. It just so happens that the Chinese have figured this out and they are exposing it and taking advantage of our broken system. Foreign investors are allowed to purchase as many properties as they like. Even tho, back in China in 2006, many Chinese were being priced out of the market by foreign investors. The Chinese government swiftly introduced a law limiting foreign investors to 1 home, strictly for use as a

The Georgia Viaducts are coming Down Like it or not, the Georgia Viaducts are coming down. It’s inevitable. Personally, I don’t really care.. Now before anyone can say how can you not care, you live here you need to care! I don’t. Why? Because, I don’t concern myself with things that are out of my control. You can protest and throw a big fit, but at the end of the day the City is going to make the decision, they have all the power and trust me when I tell you, those things are coming down. Now if you want my opinion, if this came down to a vote I would vote yes, tear those viaducts down. Quite frankly I find them to be an eye sore, a dated infrastructure constructed in 1972 that  sticks out like a sore thumb on such a beautiful city. In a city where land is at an absolute premium it doesn’t make sense to have this infrastructure which creates all this dead space. The potential to add an extra 4000 new residents and 4.5 acres of new waterfront park sounds pretty good to me. I know some may accuse me and say why because

Foreign Investors evading taxes through Vancouver real estate. I was born and raised in vancouver, my family is all from here. We’ve lived and breathed Vancouver for I don’t know how long. My parents are honest, hard working people. My dad is a pilot and my mom is a realtor and just like most people they pay their fair share of taxes whether they agree with it or not. What you might not know is that Realtors are a profession which is heavily watched by the Canadian Government. My mom is probably the most honest person I know and I’m grateful for that because I believe she passed that trait down to me. In a system based primarily on honesty, they come after the most honest person. The governement is always coming after her for more taxes. Someone who has lived here all her life and works hard for everything she has. What they’re saying is “We don’t believe you. We don’t trust you. You owe us more.” Even more frustrating if you’ve seen the news lately, but you can’t miss it. “Foreign investors avoid taxes through Canadian Real Estate” Here’s an excerpt from the Globe & Mail “ Beijing-based