Brendan Connolly

Vancouver Real Estate: Westside, Eastside & Downtown

Residential Real Estate Consultant
RE/MAX Select Properties  604-833-8793

Brendan Connolly's posts

Westside, Downtown & East Vancouver real estate updates and tips for buyers, sellers & owners of residential property.

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Foreign buyer tax impact

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On August 1, 2016, the provincial government implemented an additional 15 per cent Property Transfer Tax on all residential sales transactions by foreign entities in Metro Vancouver. Home sales had already been cooling since spring 2016, and simply comparing a lower level of sales in August to the heights of the market in the early part of the year would dramatically overstate the impact. To analyze the impact in a more meaningful way, BCREA simulated how home sales in the Real Estate … [Read more...] about Foreign buyer tax impact

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Metro Vancouver sees fewer home sales and more listings in July

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VANCOUVER, BC - August 2, 2017 - Home buyer activity returned to more typical summer levels in Metro Vancouver last month. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in the region totalled 2,960 in July 2017, an 8.2 per cent decrease from the 3,226 sales recorded in July 2016, and a decrease of 24 per cent compared to June 2017 when 3,893 homes sold. Last month’s sales were 0.7 per cent above the 10-year July sales … [Read more...] about Metro Vancouver sees fewer home sales and more listings in July

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BC wildfires show importance of emergency management

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Tens of thousands of British Columbians have been forced to evacuate their homes due to dangerous wildfires. Thousands more have been stunned by the alarming images in the media, wondering when this devastation will end. A situation like this demonstrates the importance of proactive emergency management. For any natural disaster—fire, flood, extreme heat or other events—being prepared in advance can create a faster, more efficient response. Preparation can also increase a community's … [Read more...] about BC wildfires show importance of emergency management

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Demand for condominiums continues to outstrip supply

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VANCOUVER, BC - July 5, 2017 - The imbalance between supply and demand in the condominium market is creating home buyer competition across Metro Vancouver. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in the region totalled 3,893 in June 2017, an 11.5 per cent decrease from the 4,400 sales recorded in June 2016, an all-time record, and a decrease of 10.8 per cent compared to May 2017 when 4,364 homes sold. Last month’s sales were 14.5 per cent … [Read more...] about Demand for condominiums continues to outstrip supply

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Checklist for buying and selling property with an oil tank

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Is there an underground storage tank (UST)? Oil tank detection and removal is a big deal in North America. Whether you are in Vancouver or Virginia, local authorities will have regulations in place to unwind mistakes of the past and make this planet great again ;)  Virginia based Willard Environmental Group have some outstanding information on their website and kindly provided this handy checklist outlining what to look for if you are buying or selling a home that may contain an … [Read more...] about Checklist for buying and selling property with an oil tank

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Housing needs vs. housing wants

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As the Canadian real estate market becomes even more competitive,  buyers are having to make tough choices when it comes to choosing between their housing needs and wants. Before you lose out on purchasing that potential dream home, learn how to weigh your wish list against a reality check. Weigh it up [su_accordion] [su_spoiler title="Big yard vs. small yard" style="fancy"]If you harbour visions of hosting neighbourhood barbeques in a big backyard complete with a bubbling water … [Read more...] about Housing needs vs. housing wants

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Market activity picks up in May

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VANCOUVER, BC – June 2, 2017 – Home buyer activity returned to near record levels across the Metro Vancouver housing market in May. Residential property sales in the region totalled 4,364 in May 2017, a decrease of 8.5 per cent from the 4,769 sales in May 2016, an all-time record, and an increase of 22.8 per cent compared to April 2017 when 3,553 homes sold. Last month’s sales were 23.7 per cent above the 10-year May sales average and is the third-highest selling May on … [Read more...] about Market activity picks up in May

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BCREA’s position on drug operations

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Cannabis legalization and industry stakeholder working group On April 13, the federal government introduced their bill to legalize and regulate the production and consumption of cannabis. While this bill is not yet law—it still needs to pass through the necessary readings and reviews in the House and the Senate—it is expected to pass sometime in the next year. The government intends for the legalization process to be complete by July 2018. Regardless of the legality of cannabis, BCREA's … [Read more...] about BCREA’s position on drug operations

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Summer home maintenance checklist

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Summer is almost officially here and no doubt you can't wait to spend time outdoors. Before you head off for a well deserved holiday, take the time to check the following home maintenance tasks off your to-do list. Do you need help with yard work or home repairs? Give me a call! I can recommend professionals in almost any home related field – like contractors, designers, landscape companies, junk removal services, handy people, and more. Out in the … [Read more...] about Summer home maintenance checklist