Location Location Location - Where What When To Buy Your Home
(February 25, 2016
)
So your pre-approved and ready to purchase a condo, townhome, house or any property? While budget is paramount, you also need to take your lifestyle into consideration. Now how to decide where to buy as a metro Vancouver Home Hunter, Fraser Valley Home Hunter or a BC Home Hunter? Our real estate group have discussed this in previous posts and in our buyers and sellers seminars.
Have you decided whether your an Urban or Suburban Home Hunter? Condo, townhouse or detached home? Here is an updated list for you to review.
Budget will be a large factor in choosing your neighbourhood. As of January 2016, the average cost for an apartment in metro Vancouver is $805 per square foot, whereas in New Westminster an average apartment is $374 per square foot, and Surrey is significantly lower at $215 per square foot. Keeping in mind the Fraser Valley offers significantly better value than the metro Vancouver cities.
Although all three cities have access to rapid transit, each provides a unique set of amenities and lifestyle. And within each city, neighbourhoods vary greatly in price and lifestyle. Marpole and the up-and-coming River District in south Vancouver, for example, have not yet reached price levels compared to the rest of Vancouver. These neighbourhoods offer more per square foot compared to condos closer to the downtown core.
Where you rent and work may not be where you can afford to buy so, in addition to cost, it is very important to consider the benefits of each neighbourhood in relation to your lifestyle, especially when considering a condo as a long-term housing option.
What to consider when making your purchasing decision.
To help narrow down the choices, look beyond today, and anticipate your lifestyle needs for the next five to 10 years. Considerations might include:
Urban versus suburban? How and where do you like to spend your free time? Is noise a factor? City centres or proximity to transit corridors will be noisier.
Transportation. If you commute, transportation will affect your time and your cost of living. Does the municipality you are looking at have access to rapid transit? Are there plans in place to add to transit? It’s a good idea to check with a city’s planning department.
Condo amenities. When living in smaller spaces, amenities become more important. New developments often include a variety of communal spaces such as a yoga room, a communal barbecue on a roof-top deck, concierge services, and more. Be sure to compare amenities with strata fees for built-in costs.
Municipal amenities. Schools, parks, recreation centres, and restaurants – think about your lifestyle, and what a community has to offer. Do you prefer to shop without a car? Is parking a concern? Will you need schools nearby or is restaurant choice important?
Liveability. Consider walkability, cycling paths, and how close are you to your friends and family. Do you want to live within siren distance of a hospital, fire or police station? NO you don't! Our real estate experts know every square inch of the lower mainland, from the best school catchments to the best neighbourhood's you'll see the most significant future equity increases.
Culture. Do you like an artsy neighbourhood, or one with a little more grit? Again, keep in mind those hip and gritty areas often come with significantly higher crime and trickle down issues. Neighbourhoods and condominium developments themselves all offer unique environments and should be explored before purchasing. Again, our real estate experts have lifetimes of experience and knowledge in lower mainland communities and can assist you in avoiding costly mistakes.
Again, Urban or Surburban homes offer wildly different lifestyles and price tags. Not just the initial purchase price but also current and future property tax assessments! All very important considerations for you and/or your family.
Anticipating your lifestyle and needs and understanding the real estate market will help narrow down your choice of neighbourhoods. If you or anyone you know is considering the purchase or sale of your home or any real estate don't hesitate to call Mandeep, Robert, Kritisha and Vesna anytime 604-767-6736.
ShareCategories
Archives
- May 2022 (1)
- November 2021 (2)
- October 2021 (3)
- July 2021 (1)
- March 2021 (1)
- April 2020 (1)
- January 2020 (1)
- October 2019 (1)
- September 2019 (1)
- August 2019 (1)
- June 2019 (1)
- April 2019 (1)
- December 2018 (1)
- August 2018 (1)
- July 2018 (1)
- June 2018 (1)
- April 2018 (1)
- March 2018 (1)
- February 2018 (2)
- January 2018 (2)
- December 2017 (1)
- November 2017 (2)
- October 2017 (2)
- August 2017 (3)
- June 2017 (3)
- April 2017 (3)
- March 2017 (3)
- February 2017 (1)
- January 2017 (3)
- December 2016 (4)
- November 2016 (2)
- October 2016 (3)
- August 2016 (3)
- July 2016 (1)
- June 2016 (3)
- April 2016 (3)
- March 2016 (3)
- February 2016 (10)
- January 2016 (5)
- December 2015 (1)
- November 2015 (4)
- October 2015 (3)
- September 2015 (1)
- August 2015 (3)
- July 2015 (3)
- June 2015 (10)
- May 2015 (4)
- April 2015 (9)
- March 2015 (3)
- February 2015 (5)
- January 2015 (12)
- December 2014 (7)
- November 2014 (13)
- October 2014 (13)
- September 2014 (9)
- August 2014 (4)
- July 2014 (10)
- June 2014 (12)
- May 2014 (10)
- April 2014 (5)
- March 2014 (23)
Subscribe To This Blog
© 2004. An independently owned and operated broker member of Sutton West Coast Realty. Each office independently owned and operated.
Sutton and Sutton West Coast are service marks of Sutton West Coast Realty and are used herein under license. Mandeep Sendher is the licensed realtor at The BC Home Hunter Group and though he is not the owner of any BCHH domains, trademarks, branding or content he assumes 100% responsibility for any and all online and offline print material, artwork, reports etc. MANDEEP SENDHER is responsible for all problems and issues including this web site or other BCHH social media platforms or electronic communication.
All photos, artwork and materials are assumed to be in the public domain unless otherwise stated. Copyright claims will be honored upon specific identification of material and immediately dealt with upon request.
The content of this website is protected by copyright law. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use in any way, shape or form is prohibited. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Maximum care has been put into the accuracy of the content, but specifications and details should be verified by the parties involved in transactions, and we are not liable for any losses whatsoever incurred as a result of information on this website.
You are not permitted to post on or transmit to or from this web site any unlawful, threatening, libellous, defamatory, obscene, inflammatory, pornographic or profane material, or other content that could give rise to civil or criminal liability under the law.
This web site does not grant you any rights to use our trademarks, service marks, logos, artwork or trade names. The content on this site is protected by copyrights, trademarks and service marks, other intellectual property laws, and other laws and regulations.
The design, layout, graphics, photography are copyrighted and the property of THE BC HOME HUNTER GROUP, and may not be reproduced and/or used for any purposes whatsoever, without written consent. THE BC HOME HUNTER GROUP does not claim to own the rights to any or all artwork, designs, photographs etc, found on this web site or any other or any social media unless otherwise stipulated.
BCHOMEHUNTER.COM
VANCOUVERHOMEHUNTER.COM
FRASERVALLEYHOMEHUNTER.COM
NORTHVANCOUVERHOMEHUNTER.COM
WHITEROCKHOMEHUNTER.COM
LANGLEYHOMEHUNTER.COM
CLOVERDALEHOMEHUNTER.COM
WESTVANCOUVERHOMEHUNTER.COM
PITTMEADOWSHOMEHUNTER.COM
BURNABYHOMEHUNTER.COM
COQUITLAMHOMEHUNTER.COM
DELTAHOMEHUNTER.COM
MAPLERIDGEHOMEHUNTER.COM
PORTMOODYHOMEHUNTER.COM
SURREYHOMEHUNTER.COM
SOUTHSURREYHOMEHUNTER.COM
FORTLANGLEYHOMEHUNTER.COM
MORGANHEIGHTSHOMEHUNTER.COM
604LIFE.COM