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Local home sales have remained steady over the past four months, indicating stability in the local residential housing market, reports the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

“With the MLS (the industry’s listing service) sales-to-active-listing inventory ratio indicating a buyer’s market, proper-ties appropriately priced are selling,” states a REBGV release.

According to the MLS Housing Price Index, the benchmark price for all residen-tial properties in Greater Vancouver over the past 12 months has increased by 4.6 per cent to $579,349 in October 2010 from $553,702 in October 2009. Since June, residential home prices in Metro Vancou-ver have remained relatively unchanged, declining by 0.2 per cent.

“We’ve seen a lot more consistency and less volatility in recent months when it comes to both number of sales and pricing, although it’s important to remember that conditions often vary between communi-ties and neighbourhoods,” says REBGV president Jake Moldowan.

Residential property sales totalled 2,337 in October, a 5.3 per cent increase compared to September. While sales in October 2010 were down compared to sales in October of 2009, last month’s sales represent a 71.3 per cent increase over the 1,364 residential sales in October of 2008.

“As we enter the final two months of the year, buyer demand is in closer alignment with supply than we’ve seen for most of 2010,” Moldowan says.

“Those buying today recognize that they still have a chance to enter the market with near-record low interest rates, while gradual reductions in inventory have eased downward pressure on prices.”

The benchmark price for detached homes increased by 6.3 per cent from Oc-tober 2009 to $796,883, says the REBGV.

Home sales steady in Metro Van

TRICIA LESLIE

He noticed them on his way to work one cold winter morning, 15 years ago. Just regular kids, trudging their way to school, as usual ... but they weren’t dressed for the chilly weather.

At first, Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association president and CEO Peter Simpson thought the youngsters were, perhaps, going for the ‘I’m too cool to wear a winter jacket’ attitude that youth often strive to exude.

“It was a particularly cold day, and I thought either they’re not wearing (winter coats) or they don’t have any to wear,” Simpson says. “I figured it was best to err on the side of caution.”

He got to work, talked to others involved in the GVHBA, and Coats for Kids was born.

This year, the 15th annual Coats for Kids campaign kicks off on Nov. 15 and runs until Nov. 30. In addition to the GVHBA office, the public can drop off donations at 33 GVHBA member companies at 46 locations in 13 municipalities – including several Black Press community newspaper offices – throughout Metro Vancouver.

“Last year the response to Coats for Kids was heartwarming as Lower Mainland residents donated more than 3,000 coats, scarves, gloves, blankets and new, unwrapped toys and gifts for distribution to children, teenagers and adults,” says GVHBA chairman Todd Senft. “I am delighted so many prominent members of our association are participating.”

Both Senft and Simpson emphasize that any donation is good. New or gently used winter coats, scarves, gloves, toques, fleece or down vests, blan-kets, sweaters – any warm clothing is welcome, as well as unwrapped gifts and even monetary donations.

All Coats for Kids donations go to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, an orga-nization with many initiatives that help provide a brighter Christmas to local families in need.

Every year, thousands of coats are collected along with other donations, and Simpson says

he is constantly amazed by the generosity from those who do-

nate. He notes that in past years, some GVHBA members have even

gone out and purchased brand-new coats to donate – one member brought in a box of new coats last year. And the public is just as generous, Simpson says.

“The public has opened their hearts and

their closets and have supported this in a huge way ... they’re the ones who make it happen,” he says. “There are a lot of people out there who struggle, and they do it very quietly and don’t ask for help. We want to make sure those people – and those people’s kids – are taken care of, and this way, it’s anonymous.”

Visit www.gvhba.org for a full list of drop-off sites.

Give the gift of warmthGVHBA gears up for 15th Coats for Kids initiative

Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association marketing co-ordinator Christine Reid, left, and GVHBA vice-president of marketing and education Wendy McNeil prepare for the 15th annual Coats for Kids campaign. Martin Knowles photo

Cassia offers brand-new townhomes and garden flats in an ideal North Burnaby neighbourhood that is quiet, yet central ›› p.2

November 11, 2010

COATS FOR KIDS

2 New Local Home November 11, 2010

NOW SELLING, OPEN 12 to 5 pm Register at townewalk.ca or call 604.438.WALK (9255)

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Sales by disclosure statement. Boffo Homes (Chaffey Avenue) Inc., 1391 Venables St., Vancouver, B.C., 604.648.0594. Red Dot Real Estate Marketing Ltd., 604.531.8500.

From the $300,000's: 26 pedestrian-friendly homes in Burnaby's Metrotown neighbourhoodTowneWalk's ultra-convenient address (5655 Chaffey Avenue) has earned it a "very walkable" rating at walkscore.com; live within 'TowneWalking distance' of over 500 shops, parks and services.

In addition, these thoughtfully designed homes brought to you by Boffo Homes provide each resident with their very own front door.Completing December 2010.

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‘These are not cookie-cutter homes’

Finding a new home in a vibrant commu-nity – in a quiet neighbourhood that is con-venient to all amenities as well as central in Metro Vancouver – may seem like a dream to local homebuyers.

But dreams can come true.Guildford Brook Estates Inc.’s Cassia, a

distinctive collection of 60 garden flats and townhomes located at the foot of Burnaby Mountain, offers brand-new homes at af-fordable prices; one-bedroom homes start at $204,900.

In this ideal location, Cassia is part of the energetic North Burnaby community, which offers a wide range of shops, schools – including the popular Burnaby Mountain university, SFU – restaurants, parks and recreation facilities.

Burnaby Mountain offers kilo-metres of hiking and biking trails and a mountain bike park, while Kensington Park and Community Centre are just blocks away.

Barnet Beach – Burnaby’s only salt water beach – is close by, and a myriad of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities await, from the stores at Kensington Square to the many shops at Metropolis at Metrotown.

“Our location sets us apart ... we’re right on the 135 bus route in North Burnaby, at the foot of Burnaby Mountain. There’s a

park across the street and you’re within walking distance to all kinds of shopping,” says Cassia sales man-

ager Judy Lakos.The homes are townhomes and flats,

but not condos, even though there are some one-level plans, Lakos says.

“There is no lobby entrance. We all have our own front doors,” she says, to explain what garden flats are.

Plus, Lakos notes, there are 23 different

floorplans for the 60 homes.“These are not cookie-cutter

homes ... (each floorplan) expresses a lot of personality. They’re all quite different,” she says.

Blending traditional charm and contemporary style, the town-homes and flats at Cassia reflect a demand for quality and every modern convenience.

Kitchens come with sleek, clean cabinetry in walnut or suede, pol-ished quartz countertops, Europe-an tile backsplashes and stainless steel appliance packages.

Bathrooms are calming, with sleek porcelain tiles, soaker tubs and modern polished chrome accents.

An artfully designed garden and courtyard makes it easy for hom-eowners to enjoy their balconies and patios, which are positioned for privacy.

Interested buyers are coming from all over the Lower Mainland, Lakos says, from Vancouver and Burnaby to Richmond and Surrey.

“A lot of people coming in have grown up here,” she says, and notes that while those homebuy-ers may not be able to afford a single-detached home, they can likely find a new home they’ll love at Cassia.

“This is a unique and afford-able opportunity to live in North Burnaby in a new, contemporary home.”

One-bedroom Cassia homes start from $204,900; two-bed-room, one-level homes start from $339,900; townhomes start from $409,900 and three-bedroom townhomes start from $449,900.

There are also special promo-tions on to help eliminate the impact of the HST on homebuy-ers, Lakos says.

Visit www.cassialiving.com for more information.

Cassia offers new homes in a great location

Guildford Brook Estates is building Cassia, a North Burnaby collec-tion of 60 townhomes and garden flats. The new homes blend traditional charm with modern style in a location that is quiet, yet central in Metro Vancouver and close to several Burnaby ameni-ties as well as shopping, dining and entertain-ment opportunities. Whether it’s enjoying the Heritage Carousel at the Burnaby Village Museum, dining at always-popular Anton’s in Burnaby Heights or attending the an-nual Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the city offers plenty of choices to its residents.Submitted photos and

Tourism Burnaby photos

Live ATCASSIA

New Local Home November 11, 2010 3

THIS IS NOT AN OFFERING FOR SALE. ANY SUCH OFFERING MAY ONLY BE MADE WITH THE APPLICABLE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND AGREEMENT OF SALE AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. SUITE INTERIORS , ILLUSTRATIONS, STATEMENTS AND VIEWS DEPICTED MAY NOT BE EXACTLY AS SHOWN. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. E & OE.

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One Park Place was a huge sales success. Hundreds of purchasers got the Lower Mainland’s lowest priced concrete condos with the highest potential for long-term growth. Registration for Two Park Place at the end of November is happening now. For a limited time, the popular CHOICE REWARDS will be extended. Benefit from two of the following three options: HST Helper Discount, 2.5% 3 yr Fixed Rate Mortgage or Two Years Free Rental Management. This is your best chance to GET AHEAD.

One Bedroom: from $209,800 Two Bedroom: from $269,800 monthly mortgage from $705 monthly mortgage from $906

Register online or at our Sales Centre for CHOICE REWARDS INCENTIVES

parkplaceliving.ca 604.583.9866Sales Centre: 9887 Whalley Boulevard, SurreySkyTrain: King George StationOpen daily noon to 6 pm (except Friday)

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Surrey Memorial Hospital Expansion

SkyTrain 35 minto Vancouver

Holland Park

Protected Green Space

New Flagship LibraryNew City Hall, Civic Plaza& Performing Arts Centre

An ExpandingSFU Campus

Central City Mall

New Outpatient Facility &RCMP E Division

GRANDOPENING

NOV 27

Canada Revenue AgencyTax CentreCanada Revenue AgencyTax Centre

SkyTrain 35 minto Vancouver

Surrey Memorial Hospital Expansion

Protected Green Space

New Outpatient Facility &RCMP E Division

New Flagship LibraryNew City Hall, Civic Plaza& Performing Arts Centre

An ExpandingSFU Campus

Central City Mall

Holland Park

4 New Local Home November 11, 2010

CLIENT: CCSJOB NAME: You’re the BossDOCKET #: P10-0930AD #: CCS4997PUB: New Local HomeAD SPACE: col x lines

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PROOF #: 9DATE: 11-4-2010 2:37 PM

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It’s a whole new kind of mortgage that lets you call the shots. You can put extra money in, take it out anytime and even skip a payment once a year, no questions asked. You’re also in charge of your rate. Choose between a fi xed, a variable, and our Half & Half™ Rate–which gives you the advantages of both. Who’s the boss? You are. With the You’re the Boss™ Mortgage.

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CCS4997_New_Local_Home.indd 1 11/4/10 2:38:09 PM