That last couple of weeks of December are crazy! You are scrambling with shopping, getting ready for the holidays, and trying to jam as much fun as possible into that small window of vacation time you have. You want to do things over the holidays and experience Christmas right here with your friends and family. Here are a few highlights of the season that I am sure you will enjoy!

Lights

Each holiday season, my family and I love to drive around and see all of the houses and neighbourhoods all lit up.  We each choose which one is our favourite.  We also go to these great events.  Here are our favourites:

Trinity Street Christmas Light Festival

Until Dec. 20, 6 to 9 p.m. | 2400-2900 Trinity Street, Vancouver

Take public transportation to this car-free jaunt…

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You would have to visit your local pharmacy or science lab to rival the number of potentially dangerous chemicals in the average home. You likely store everything from paint, fertilizers and acidic cleaners to gasoline and corrosive drain openers. 

Obviously, it makes sense to ensure that everyone in your home uses and stores such items safely.

For example, laundry detergent packs – which have become popular recently – are attractive to children. Keep them locked and out of sight. You should do the same with all laundry products. Even exposure to fabric softener pads can cause skin irritation to a child.

Always read and follow the labels on household chemical products. Use and store them as directed.

Keep corrosives, such as harsh cleaners and…

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  • We are in a Seller's market for houses with 24% of the homes selling within a month and we are in a Buyer's Market for attached homes with 13% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 12.3% from a year ago!
  • Inventory is down -4.1% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 4.5 months of inventory while our attached market has 8.2 months.
  • The average price of a house is $569,787
  • The average price of an attached home is $281,158.

If we compare from a year ago (November 2013):
Prices are up 4.8% for houses and down 1.2% for attached homes.

Now... there are some areas that are selling better than others just as some areas offer better buying opportunities.  Here are the three most expensive areas:

For Detached…

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  • We are in a Seller's market for houses with 36% of the homes selling within a month and we are also in a Seller's Market for attached homes with 24% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 15% from a year ago!
  • Inventory is down -11.5% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 3 months of inventory while our attached market has 4.5 months.
  • The average price of a house is $718,832
  • The average price of an attached home is $321,871.

If we compare from a year ago (November 2013):
Prices are up 9% for houses and up 1% for attached homes.

Now... there are some areas that are selling better than others just as some areas offer better buying opportunities.  Here are the three most expensive areas:

For Detached…

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November was another very busy month for real estate here in Vancouver.  In fact, it was one of the strongest November months we have seen in the last five years!  Here are some of the market insights:

  • We are in a Seller's market for houses with 29% of the homes selling within a month and we are also in a Seller's Market for attached homes with 20% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 4.1% from a year ago!
  • Inventory is down -8.5% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 3.9 months of inventory while our attached market has 5.6 months.
  • The average price of a house is $1,321,214
  • The average price of an attached home is $502,210.

If we compare from a year ago (November 2013):
Prices are up 11.1% for houses and…

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