If you are looking for a great place to live, learn, work, and play, set your sights on Burnaby. 

As the third-largest city in British Columbia, Burnaby has developed into a thriving urban centre. The once-rural town evolved into a diverse, multicultural hub with a large chunk of its population originating from Africa, China, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Its cultural, economic, and social diversity is a significant reason why people flock to buy real estate in the city. Burnaby is the perfect place for people of all genders, ages, occupations, and interests. Whether you’re single, starting a family, or an empty-nester, investing in Burnaby real estate would be an excellent move.

Hailed as the “Best Run City” by Maclean’s Magazine in 2009, Burnaby remains a fantastic place to live in. If you are looking to invest in real estate property, you may seriously consider this sustainable and vibrant community.

Here are other reasons why:  

Robust Economy and Quality of Life 

Burnaby is a great place to live in because of its low crime rate, outstanding health care system, and good quality of life.

While Information Technology (IT) is its primary economic driver, commercial firms, industrial corporations, and oil refineries also contribute to the local economy. Film production studios have also set up shop in the city.

The cost of living in Burnaby is also relatively low compared to Vancouver. 

Excellent Educational System

Burnaby also presents fantastic learning opportunities. It has 41 elementary and eight secondary schools that offer a comprehensive educational program from kindergarten to Grade 12. These programs include both English and French immersion and over 200 locally and provincially developed educational programs and services.

Burnaby is also home to two major post-secondary educational institutions — Simon Fraser University (SFU) and The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). A lot of international students also come over to pursue academic and experiential courses in Burnaby.

Amazing Commuting Networks 

Getting around Burnaby is comfortable with its remarkable commuting networks and transportation services. Its commitment to public transportation innovation was recognized by being a recipient of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Project Award in 2011.

Located in the geographical centre of Greater Vancouver, it only takes 25 minutes to drive into downtown Vancouver. Skytrain stations are strategically spread across the city to make it easier for residents and guests to commute within Burnaby or cross to Coquitlam, downtown Vancouver, New Westminster, Richmond, or Surrey.

Numerous Shopping and Recreational Facilities 

Investing in Burnaby real estate property is made even more appealing with all retail and recreational facilities around. Its multicultural demography makes it a perfect place for experiencing global cuisine, as evidenced by various cafes and restaurants in the city.

Shoppers will undoubtedly revel in Burnaby’s shopping malls, including British Columbia’s largest mall (and Canada’s second-largest) – the Metropolis at Metrotown. Art, cultural, and sports centres are also scattered around the area, such as the Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby Village Museum, Kensington Complex, National Nikkei Cultural Centre, and Shadbolt Centre, to name a few.

Those aged 55 and above can also take advantage of the four senior centres in Burnaby.

Loads of Greenspace and Parks 

With 25% of the land designated as parks and open spaces, Burnaby is a haven for nature enthusiasts. Outdoor activities abound, such as boating, biking, golf, and other health and fitness activities. Picnics and concerts in the park can also be enjoyed, especially during summer.

Popular outdoor areas are Deer Park Lake, Burnaby’s Farmer’s Market, Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, Metro Skate Park, and Swanguard Stadium. For young families, Burnaby offers the best of both worlds, with outdoor activities and world-class metropolitan amenities in abundance. 

Reach out to us at HofVan real estate group to learn more about Burnaby! 

If you are looking for a great place to live, learn, work, and play, set your sights on Burnaby.

As the third-largest city in British Columbia, Burnaby has developed into a thriving urban centre. The once-rural town evolved into a diverse, multicultural hub with a large chunk of its population originating from Africa, China, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Its cultural, economic, and social diversity is a significant reason why people flock to buy real estate in the city. Burnaby is the perfect place for people of all genders, ages, occupations, and interests. Whether you’re single, starting a family, or an empty-nester, investing in Burnaby real estate would be an excellent move.

Hailed as the “Best Run City” by Maclean’s Magazine in 2009, Burnaby remains a fantastic place to live in. If you are looking to invest in real estate property, you may seriously consider this sustainable and vibrant community.

Here are other reasons why:

Robust Economy and Quality of Life
Burnaby is a great place to live in because of its low crime rate, outstanding health care system, and good quality of life.

While Information Technology (IT) is its primary economic driver, commercial firms, industrial corporations, and oil refineries also contribute to the local economy. Film production studios have also set up shop in the city.

The cost of living in Burnaby is also relatively low compared to Vancouver.

Excellent Educational System
Burnaby also presents fantastic learning opportunities. It has 41 elementary and eight secondary schools that offer a comprehensive educational program from kindergarten to Grade 12. These programs include both English and French immersion and over 200 locally and provincially developed educational programs and services.

Burnaby is also home to two major post-secondary educational institutions — Simon Fraser University (SFU) and The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). A lot of international students also come over to pursue academic and experiential courses in Burnaby.

Amazing Commuting Networks
Getting around Burnaby is comfortable with its remarkable commuting networks and transportation services. Its commitment to public transportation innovation was recognized by being a recipient of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Project Award in 2011.

Located in the geographical centre of Greater Vancouver, it only takes 25 minutes to drive into downtown Vancouver. Skytrain stations are strategically spread across the city to make it easier for residents and guests to commute within Burnaby or cross to Coquitlam, downtown Vancouver, New Westminster, Richmond, or Surrey.

Numerous Shopping and Recreational Facilities
Investing in Burnaby real estate property is made even more appealing with all retail and recreational facilities around. Its multicultural demography makes it a perfect place for experiencing global cuisine, as evidenced by various cafes and restaurants in the city.

Shoppers will undoubtedly revel in Burnaby’s shopping malls, including British Columbia’s largest mall (and Canada’s second-largest) – the Metropolis at Metrotown. Art, cultural, and sports centres are also scattered around the area, such as the Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby Village Museum, Kensington Complex, National Nikkei Cultural Centre, and Shadbolt Centre, to name a few.

Those aged 55 and above can also take advantage of the four senior centres in Burnaby.

Loads of Greenspace and Parks
With 25% of the land designated as parks and open spaces, Burnaby is a haven for nature enthusiasts. Outdoor activities abound, such as boating, biking, golf, and other health and fitness activities. Picnics and concerts in the park can also be enjoyed, especially during summer.

Popular outdoor areas are Deer Park Lake, Burnaby’s Farmer’s Market, Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, Metro Skate Park, and Swanguard Stadium. For young families, Burnaby offers the best of both worlds, with outdoor activities and world-class metropolitan amenities in abundance.

Reach out to us at HofVan real estate group to learn more about Burnaby!

Vancouver Real Estate for December 2020 was 2.8 per cent below the region’s 10-year sales average. Of course, with the rise of the pandemic, many markets and economic changes took place.

“When the pandemic began in March, the housing market came to a near standstill. We knew, however, that shelter needs don’t go away in times of crisis, they intensify. The real estate community worked closely with our regulatory bodies and public health officials in the spring to ensure appropriate precautions and protocols were implemented so BC REALTORS® could help residents safely meet their housing needs.”

Colette Gerber, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Chair

In 2020, the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver reached 54,305 home listings. Comparing the 2020 home listings total to 2019 and 2018, there is an increase from both years. A 4.6 per cent and 1.3 per cent increase, respectively. 2019 had a total of 51,918 homes listed. 2018 there were 53,614 listings.

When comparing last year’s total listings to the to region’s decade-long average, the numbers show a 2.7 per cent decline.

Even with the shift in the COVID-19 environment for real estate, both the local home buyer demand and seller supply was able to return to its steady pace for summer, fall, and winter.

“Shifting housing needs and low interest rates were key drivers of this activity in 2020. Looking ahead, the supply of homes for sale will be a critical factor in determining home price trends in 2021.”

Colette Gerber, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Chair

The year 2020 ends with a total of $1,047,400 for MLS® HPI composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver. In comparison to December 2019, it reveals a 5.4 per cent increase. Townhomes saw a similar increase from benchmark prices compared last year; at 4.9 per cent. While apartments saw the smallest increase at 2.6 per cent, detached homes revealed the largest increase in benchmark price at an increase of 10.2 per cent.

December Summary

REBGV reports that regional residential home sales totaled 3,093, depicting a 53.4 per cent increase when compared to sales total in December 2019, which amounted to 2,016. In comparison to November 2020, where the total of homes sold was 3,064, there is an increase of 0.9 per cent.

December continues to be record high

Last month in November, the sales were 57.7 per cent above the decade long December sales average. It also happens to be the highest total for the month on record.

Gerber states that “Robust December sales outpaced long-term averages in what’s traditionally the quietest month of the year in real estate. This was part of an unusual seasonal pattern the market followed last year, which can be attributed in large part to the pandemic,”

MLS® in Metro Vancouver reported a total of 2,409 detached, attached, and apartment properties newly listed for sale in December 2020. This signifies a 51.7 per cent increase when compared to last year, with 1,588 homes listed in December 2019. When compared to the 4,068 listed homes in November 2020, it shows a 40.8 per cent decrease.

Home Listings

Currently, the total number of homes listed for sale through the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,538. This results in a 0.8 per cent decrease compared to December 2019, with 8,603 homes listed. This also shows a 23.2 per cent decrease compared to November 2020, with 11,118 homes listed.

The sales-to-active listings ratio for December 2020 is 36.2 per cent for all property types. When we look specifically into each property type, the detached homes ratio is 35.2 per cent, 50.4 per cent for townhomes, and 33.1 per cent for apartments.

Typically, analysts agree that a downward pressure on home prices are occurring when the ratio falls below 12 per cent for an elongated time, and upward pressure on home prices can be experienced when it reaches and surpasses 20 per cent consistently over the course of a few months.

Detached Homes

Detached home sales in December 2020 reached 1,026. This illustrates a 71.3 per cent increase from recorded sales of 599 in December 2019. $ 1,554,600 is the benchmark price for detached homes. This shows a 10.2 per cent increase when compared to December 2019. And a one per cent increase when compared to November 2020.

Apartments

In December 2020, apartment sales reached 1,474. This is a 40 per cent increase when compared to the 1,053 sales from last year. Apartment property benchmark price is $676,500. A 2.6 per cent increase is evident from December 2019, and there is no change when compared to November 2020.

Attached Homes

The attached home sales totalled 593 in December 2020. This total is a 62.9 per cent increase in contrast with the 364 sales in December 2019. Attached homes have the benchmark price of $813,900. This represents an increase of 4.9 per cent increase from December 2019 and a 0.1 per cent decrease in comparison with November 2020.

Check out our real estate tools and maps to find your next home!

See REBGV’s December 2020 statistics here.

November 2020 Vancouver Real Estate Market has Recorded Sales

The continued 2020 demand for real estate in Metro Vancouver continues to surge above past averages, with November sales surpassing 3,000. The numbers for real estate in Vancouver confirm to rise above the norms and averages. The last time this event took place, was back in 2015.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reported 3,064 sales for November 2020. Compared to last November, a 22.7 per cent increase from the 2,498 sales recorded. In comparison to October 2020’s 3,687 homes that were sold. It is a 16.9 per cent decrease.

November 2020 Vancouver Real Estate Insights

In comparison to the 10-year November sales average, last month sits at 24.6 per cent above the average. It is the second highest total in this period.

“Home buyer demand has been at near record levels in our region since the summer. This is putting upward pressure on home prices, particularly in our detached and townhome markets.”

Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair

Vancouver Real Estate Listings in November 2020

The Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) reported Metro Vancouver Real Estate had 4,068 listings in November 2020. These listings included detached, attached and apartment homes.

The November 2020 listings represents a 36.2 per cent increase when compared to November 2019. In contrast, November 2019 had 2,987 homes listed. The number of listed homes in November represents a 27 per cent decrease compared to October 2020. October had 5,571 homes listed.

The MLS® system currently in Metro Vancouver has 11,118 homes listed for sale. Last year had 3.2 per cent less homes listed. November 2019 had 10,770 homes listed. Compared to October 2020, there is a 10.5 per cent decrease with 12,416 homes listed.

November Vancouver Home Listing Insights

“The supply of homes for sale are a critical factor in understanding home price trends. The total number of homes for sale in Metro Vancouver is lagging behind the pace of demand right now. This trend favours home sellers in today’s market.” 

Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair

November 2020’s sales-to-active listings ratio is 27.6 per cent, inclusive of all property types. The ratio for detached homes is 27.9 per cent, townhomes are 40.1 per cent, and apartments are at 23.9 per cent.

Analysts agree that downward pressure on home prices will occur when the sales-to-active ratio is below 12 per cent for a certain period of time. Home prices will typically experience upward pressure when the ratio is above 20 per cent over the span of several months.

Sunshine Coast Demand

Sunshine Coast had the largest increase in year-over-year demand. This demand translates to 106 home sales in November 2020, a 82.8 per cent increase compared to November 2019, with only 58 home sales.

Gerber states that, ” While demand remained elevated across the region, home buyer activity was particularly focused in more remote areas like the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands and Squamish.” This is rise is accredited to work-from-home arrangements and current physical distancing policies.

Real Estate Sales in November

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for Metro Vancouver residential properties is currently $1,044,000. This number shows a 5.8 per cent increase compared to November 2019, and 0.1 per cent decrease compared to October 2020.

Sales of Detached Homes in Vancouver

In November 2020, detached home sales reached 1,061. This is a 18.6 increase from the 825 sales in November 2019. $ 1,538,900 is the benchmark price for a detached home. This shows a 9.4 per cent increase compared to November 2019, and a one per cent increase compared to October 2020.

Sales of Apartment Homes in Vancouver

Apartment home sales totalled 1,371 in November 2020. This is a 12.2 per cent increase compared to the 1,222 sales from November 2019. $676,500 is the benchmark price of apartment homes. This benchmark price shows a 3.4 per cent increase from November 2019. When compared to October 2020, the benchmark price has a one per cent decrease.

Sales of Attached Homes in Vancouver

Sales of attached homes in November 2020 totaled 632. November 2019 had sales of 451, this is a 40.1 per cent increase. The benchmark price of attached homes is $ 814,800. This benchmark price represents a 5.6 per cent increase compared to November 2019, and a 0.2 per cent increase compared to October 2020.

Curious to see how October 2020 compares? Click here.

See Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s November 2020 statistics here.

October 2020 continues to see record levels of activity for Greater Vancouver Real Estate.

Increases in real estate sales in Vancouver for October 2020

A total of 3,687 homes were reported sold by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver for October 2020. A 29% increase compared to October 2019. October 2019 had 2,858 sales recorded. Sales also increased by 1.2% compared to last month. September 2020 reported 3,643 sales.

Also 2020 had the 2nd highest October Average. Sales were 34.7% higher than the 10-year average for the month of October.

Greater Vancouver Real Estate had Less New Listings for October 2020

October 2020 had 5,751 homes newly listed. 2020 had more new listings compared to October 2019. October 2019 had 4,074 homes newly listed. 2020 had a 36.7% increase compared to October 2019.

However when compared to September 2020, there were less listings. September 2020 had 6,402 listings. Compared to October 2020, this is 13% less.

Inventory was less compared to September 2020

The Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) has 12,416 homes currently listed for sale. An increase of 1.5% compared to October of last year. October 2019 had 12,236 homes on the market.

Compared to September this is a 5.2% decrease. September 2020 had 13,096 active listings.

Vancouver Real Estate was in a Seller’s Market for October 2020

All Greater Vancouver real estate products were in a seller’s market for October 2020. The overall sales-to-active listing ratio was 29.7%. Detached homes had a ratio of 30.9%. Townhomes were at 43.5%. Apartments had a ratio of 24.9%.

Townhomes and detached houses have become more desirable to potential buyers. As more people work from home, large spaces become more attractive. However barriers to entry are still quite high for first-time home buyers to get into a detached home or townhouse. Condos continue to be more feasible for first time home buyers.

Detached Homes

Detached housing had 1,335 sales for October 2020. An increase of 42.3% compared to October 2019. October 2019 had 938 detached sales.

Detached homes had a benchmark price of $ 1,523,800. A 1.1% increase compared to September 2020.

Condos

Condos had 1,570 sales compared to October 2020. A 13.4 per cent increase compared to the 1,384 sales in October 2019.

Condos had a benchmark price of $683,500. Compared to September 2020 the benchmark price is almost identical.

Attached Housing

Attached homes sales had a total of 782 for October 2020. A 45.9 per cent increase compared to October 2019. 2019 had 536 sales.

Attached homes had a benchmark price of $813,000. A small 0.4 increase compared to September 2020.

Click here to see the full stats provided by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver for October 2020.

To see last months blog as well as other posts click here!

The Greater Vancouver real estate market sees a hot summer market for July 2020.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Reports Increased Sales for July 2020

Just like the month previously, Vancouver’s real estate market continues to see an increase for July. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reported a total of 3,128 home sales for July 2020. A 22.3% increase compared to July 2019. July 2019 had a total of 2,557 homes sold. As well as a 28% increase compared to the 2,443 homes that sold June of this year.

The sales for July 2020 were above the 10-year July sales average.

Vancouver Real Estate Sees an Increase of Listings for July 2020

July 2020 had a total of 5,948 new listings on the MLS® system. The number of new listings surpasses July 2019. In comparison, July 2019 had 4,613 homes listed.

Compared to June 2020, July had a 2.8% increase. June 2020 had a total 5,787 homes listed.

Active Listings Continue to Increase Compared to June

Similarly active listings continued to increase for July when compared to June 2020. July 2020’s Vancouver real estate market had a total of 12,083 active listings. Compared to June 2020 this is a 5.8% increase. June 2020 had a total of 11,424 active listings.

Compared to July 2019 this is a 15.1% decrease. July 2019 had a total of 14,240 listings.

A Seller’s Market for all Property Types in Greater Vancouver

Greater Vancouver saw all real estate enter a seller’s market for July 2020. Overall the real estate market had an active to sales ratio of 25.9%. Similarly the ratio for detached homes was 25.1%. Town homes had a ratio of 31.1%. Apartments had a ratio of 24.7%.

The Benchmark Price for Homes in Metro Vancouver sees Slight Increase

The benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver was $1,031,400. Compared to July 2019 this is a 4.5% increase. This is a 0.6% increase compared to June 2020.

Detached homes had a benchmark price of $1,477,800. While apartments had a benchmark price of $682,500. Townhouses had a benchmark price of $797,000.

Click here to see the full stats provided by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver for July 2020!

If you’d like to see last month’s write up, click here.

Photo by Danica Stradecke on Unsplash

Last updated: July 28, 2020

Being in the right home for the right school

To see your home’s school catchment, please visit the School Locator, or talk to us – we’ve been helping our clients find their perfect home in Burnaby for a long time, so knowing the ins and outs of the education system here is a big part of that.

You can also use our map search tools to help find homes close to local schools. This tool is a great way to visualise where things are and what surrounds them. Create a free account to get started!

How do we know which schools are best?

What’s best can definitely be a subjective question: it really depends on what’s important to you as a parent as well as what your child’s aspirations might be. Read more to find how the Fraser Institute rates each high school in British Columbia, as well as their rankings of the Burnaby high schools. You’ll also see the different programs that the Burnaby School Board offers, and how your child can apply to these programs.

Every year the Fraser Institute rates each high school out of 10, and creates a ranking called The Report Card on British Columbia’s Secondary Schools. This ranking is released publicly and can be viewed here. The Report Card helps parents compare schools in BC and facilitates school improvement.

The Report Card critiques BC high schools based on the following seven academic indicators. Then, the indicators are combined to create a weighted average summary. To see how The Report Card is made, and for further details, please visit here.

1. The average exam mark in the Grade 12 language arts courses which include a mandatory provincial exam.
2. The percent of Grade 12 language arts mandatory provincial examinations that were failed.
3. The average difference between the school mark and the exam mark in the courses mentioned above in indicators 1 and 2.
4. The average difference between female and male students in their exam mark in the school’s most popular grade twelve language arts course.
5. The rate of graduation.
6. The delayed advancement rate.
7. Where there are no gender-gap results because they are either an only-boys or only-girls school, the school versus exam mentioned above in indicator 3 would be weighted higher. Where there is no delayed advancement rate, the graduation rate mentioned in indicator 6 would be weighted higher.

Here are the top Burnaby High Schools based off of The Report Card on British Columbia’s Secondary Schools (2016-2017 Rank)

1. St. Thomas More Collegiate
   Rank out of BC: 18/251
   https://stthomasmorecollegiate.ca/
   Catholic Private School
   Grades: 8-12
   7450 12th Ave
   Burnaby, BC V3N 2K1
   604-521-1801
   Registration Fee: $175.00
   Tuition for Canadian Residents (2019-2020): $6,950.00
   Grade Fees (Varying by Grade): $215-250
   Technology Fee: $150.00
   Grade 12 Graduation Fee: $250.00
2. Carver Christian High School
   Rank out of BC: 22/251
   http://carverchristian.org/
   Christian Private School
   Grades: 7-12
   7650 Sapperton Ave
   Burnaby, BC V3N 4E1
   604-523-1580
   Registration Fee: Please contact Carver Christian High School for more details.
3. Moscrop Secondary
   Rank out of BC: 87/251 (Tied with Burnaby Mountain)
   https://moscrop.burnabyschools.ca/
   Public School
   4433 Moscrop St
   Burnaby, BC V5G 2G3
   604-664-8575
4. Burnaby Central Secondary
   Rank out of BC: 99/251
   https://central.burnabyschools.ca/
   Public School
   4939 Canada Way
   Burnaby, BC V5G 1M1
   604-664-8542
5. Cariboo Hill Secondary
   Rank out of BC: 136/251
   https://cariboohill.burnabyschools.ca/
   Public School
   8580 16th Ave
   Burnaby, BC V3N 1S6
   604-664-8568
6. Burnaby Mountain Secondary
   Rank out of BC: 143/251
   https://mountain.burnabyschools.ca/
   Public School
   8800 Eastlake Dr
   Burnaby, BC V3J 7X5
   604-664-8552
7. Alpha Secondary
   Rank out of BC: 167/251
   https://alpha.burnabyschools.ca/
   Public School
   4600 Parker St
   Burnaby, BC V5C 3E2
   604-664-8535
8. Burnaby North Secondary
   Rank out of BC: 189/251
   https://north.burnabyschools.ca/
   Public School
   751 Hammarskjold Dr
   Burnaby, BC V5B 4A1
   604-664-8550
9. Burnaby South Secondary
   Rank out of BC: 218/251
   https://south.burnabyschools.ca/
   Public School
   5455 Rumble St
   Burnaby, BC V5J 2B7
   604-664-8560
10. Byrne Creek Secondary
    Rank out of BC: 226/251
    https://byrnecreek.burnabyschools.ca/
    Public School
    7777 18th St
    Burnaby, BC V3N 5E5
    604-664-8299

It’s important to note that Deer Lake School is another Christian private school in Burnaby that was not found on the 2017-2018’s Report Card, but was ranked 11/293 in 2010. For more information about this school please visit here.

French Immersion

The French Immersion program is a program that the Burnaby School Board offers that helps children to gain French as a second language.  Students graduating from the French Immersion program will receive a bilingual designation on their high school diploma; this may help enhance their employment and post-secondary learning opportunities. Please visit the Burnaby Board of Education’s website for more details.

One thing that’s important to note is that the French Immersion program starts in elementary school. More details about the French Immersion Program can be found here.

The following elementaries offer the Early French Immersion Program starting in kindergarten:

• Aubrey Elementary
• Brantford Elementary
• Inman Elementary (K to 3)/ Cascade Heights (4-7)
• Marlborough Elementary
• Seaforth Elementary
• Sperling Elementary
• Westridge Elementary

The following elementaries offer the Late French Immersion Program starting in Grade 6:

• Armstrong Elementary
• Capitol Hill Elementary
• Marlborough Elementary

Both the early and late programs enter the same Secondary Immersion program in Grade 8 in the following high schools:

• Cariboo Hill Secondary
• Moscrop Secondary
• Alpha Secondary

Burnaby School’s Career Education Program

A program that the Burnaby School District offers is the Career Education Program. This program allows students to build knowledge and skills in a variety of careers and trades programs. Depending on the program, some can lead towards post-secondary credits, industry certifications, apprenticeships, scholarship opportunities and/or the development of portfolios. The programs can help students with post-secondary applications and/or with employment. Further information can be found here.

For some of the trades programs, students can start their apprenticeship and participate in 480 hours of paid work. Students can start to earn qualifications towards becoming a journeyperson. For more information on the Youth Work in Trades program can be found here.

These are some of the options for the Career Education Program:

• Auto Collision Repair Technician
• Auto Refinishing Prep Technician
• Auto Service Technician
• Baker (Pastry Arts)
• Carpenter
• Cisco Networking Academy
• DigiPen Game Development Academy
• Film & Broadcast
• Construction Electrician
• Graphics/Media Arts
• Fitness Instructor
• Health Sciences
• Hair Stylist
• Metal Fabricator
• Tourism and Event Management
• Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
• Music Production and Technology
• Painter and Decorator
• Pipefitter
• Palo Alto Cyber Security Academy
• Professional Cook
• Plumber
• Robotics (Mechatronics)

We hope you find this useful, please reach out to us with any questions about Burnaby schooling, and buying and selling property here.

Vancouver Real Estate for June 2020 sees Increased Movement

June 2020 sees buyers and sellers more active in the real estate market for Vancouver. Home sales and listing activity return to typical historical levels. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reported that residential sales in the region reached a total of 2,433 in June 2020. Comparing this to last June, this was an increase to June 2019’s 2,077 sales.

Vancouver buyers and sellers are becoming more comfortable moving forward on purchases and sales. This is a huge difference compared to the start of the COVID-19 restrictions. Compared to last month, the numbers of solds have increased from May 2020’s 1,485 homes sold.

June 2020 Vancouver Real Estate Sales-to Listings Ratio

In continuing with the increased sales as mentioned above, it goes without surprise that Vancouver’s overall state is in a seller’s market. For all property types the sales-to-active ratios for June 2020 is 21.4%. Some analysts say upward pressure on home prices can occur when the ratio goes above 20% for several months.

Detached homes had a ratio of 19.9%. Putting detached homes in a high balanced market. Townhomes had a ratio of 25.2%. While condos had a ratio of 21.3%. This means that June 2020 is a seller’s market for attached homes.

Vancouver West’s June 2020 Real Estate Market

Detached

There were a total of 487 active listings for Vancouver West in the month of June. Out of the 487 homes, 78 of them sold. The benchmark price for detached homes was $3,076,700. Detached homes on the Westside had a sales-to-active ratio of 16%. This shows that the detached Westside is in a balanced market. Homes took an average of 58 days to sell.

Condo

Meanwhile on the Westside condo market there were a total of 1,465 active condo listings for the month of June. A total of 282 homes sold. This means that the active-to-list ratio was 19.2%. Showing a high balanced market. The benchmark price for condos was $789,300. Overall condos took an average of 26 days to sell.

Vancouver East’s June 2020 Real Estate Market

Detached

When looking at the Vancouver Eastside real estate market for June 2020, detached homes are in a sellers market. There were a total of 443 active listings and 105 sales. Unlike on the Westside the active-to-sale ratio was 23.7%. Overall the average days on market for detached Eastside homes was 26 days. The benchmark price for detached homes was $1,459,100.

Condos

Similarly condos on the Eastside were also in a seller’s market. June saw a total of 442 active listings and 130 sales. Although condos were in a much higher seller’s market with a ratio of 29.4%. Also similar to the detached market, condos took 26 days to sell. The benchmark price for June was $588,400.

North Burnaby’s June 2020 Real Estate Market

Detached

Also the detached market for North Burnaby was in a seller’s market. This means there was a total of 31 sales and 112 active listings. Bringing the active-to-sold ratio to 27.7%. Overall homes on average took 24 days to sell. The benchmark price for June 2020 was $1,488,200.

Condos

Condos were also in a seller’s market with an active-to-sold ratio of 22.1%. Unlike the detached market homes took longer to sell with the average being 39 days. The condos benchmark price was $605,500. There were a total of 285 listings and 63 sales.

Burnaby South’s June 2020 Real Estate Market

Detached

Unlike Burnaby North, Burnaby South is in a balanced market. There were a total of 165 detached listings and 24 sales. The ratio for actives-to-solds was 14.5%. Homes on average took 32 days to sell. Although the benchmark price of homes was higher compared to Burnaby North. Burnaby South’s benchmark price was $1,559,300.

Condos

Condos in Burnaby South were also in a balanced market. June saw a total of 310 active listings and 57 sales. The days on market average was 35. Condos in South Burnaby also had a higher benchmark price of $670,500 when compared to Burnaby North.

For the June 2020 stats provided by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver click here.

And for last month’s market update click here.

Photo by Himanshu Chanan on Unsplash.

The Brentwood Great Takeout Food Truck festival is happening in Burnaby, BC. Starting June 20, 2020, Burnaby residents will have access to some amazing eats by local food trucks in the Brentwood area!

Where in Burnaby is the Brentwood Great Takeout Food Truck festival happening?

The Brentwood Great Takeout Food Truck festival will be held at 2150 Alpha Ave, Burnaby. The event will be from 11:00AM to 6:00PM and happen bi-weekly starting June 20th.

Skip the lines and order ahead

A few of the vendors are offering online ordering. Therefore you can order ahead and skip the lines. For instance you can call when you arrive and the vendor will bring the food directly to you.

Next Gen Concessions

Next Gen Concessions provides food stalls across the lower mainland specializing in hot dogs and burgers.

At the Brentwood Great Takeout Food Truck Festival in Burnaby they will be serving Tokyo street dogs, french fries, poutines and jumbo hot dogs. To be sure to skip the lines you can order your meal online from this site. During the event just call upon arrival and one of their staff will bring the food directly to you.

The Trukin’ BBQ

The Trukin’ BBQ will also be at the event serving delicious barbecue meat sandwiches. Their sandwiches include pulled pork and beef brisket. Additionally you can find poutines with barbecued meats on top. There are also other delicious side items like deep fried pickles. In order to see the full menu please click here. If you would like to order ahead of the event please call 778-388-7390 for availability.

Reel Mac and Cheese

Reel Mac and Cheese will also be a the event. This Canadian staple of any food truck event offers delicious gourmet takes on mac and cheese. One of our favorite options is the Godzilla. This is mac and cheese with a Japanese twist. If you’d like to see the full menu, click here. To order ahead please text 604-828-8440.

Rocky Point Ice Cream

Rocky Point Ice Cream will also be at the Brentwood Food Truck Festival in Burnaby. This delicious Port Moody favorite will make the drive to Burnaby and bring their amazing flavors. To order ahead of time please text or call 604-788-1661.

For more information about the Brentwood Food Truck Festival in Burnaby

Additionally if you’d like to find more information regarding the event please visit the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival website.

Plus if you haven’t already done so visit our real estate tools to find out which restaurants are in your community.

If you are looking to purchase real estate in Vancouver for your child or yourself that will be attending UBC (University of British Columbia), there are a few things to consider. While this article does provide information and guidance buying real estate in Vancouver for UBC. It is in no way a substitute for receiving professional legal advice. Meaning it is important to seek independent legal advice before moving forward on a purchase.

Purchasing a home on University/UBC lands in Vancouver West

When considering purchasing real estate in the UBC/University area of Vancouver West, there are two prominent types of ownership available for purchase. These are leasehold and freehold.

Leasehold vs Freehold

There are three types of leasehold: private, public & first nation. For this article we will be focusing on private. Buying a leasehold property, you purchase the rights to live in the home for a limited period of time. For example, in UBC the period of the lease is usually 99 years.

While a freehold interest, the owner has continuous use of the land subject to local bylaws and other restrictions. Freehold interest is also known as a fee simple interest.

For further reading on different types of homes and ownership, please read RECBC’s article on buying a home.

When does a leasehold start?

As mentioned above, leasehold periods for Vancouver Westside real estate in UBC usually has a period of 99 years. However, that does not mean that the 2nd owner of that home will get the full 99 years. As a buyer of a previously owned leasehold property, you are only buying the remainder of the lease. This means that the original owner may have the longest period of 99 years. But any subsequent owners will have a shorter period.

What happens at the end of a leasehold period?

There are renewal options and/or buyout options that are provided in the lease. Therefore it is always advisable to review the lease with a lawyer prior to purchase. Another option would be to have reviewing the lease as a subject in the offer.

The value of leasehold

Leasehold properties can be considered unwise investments. The reason being as time passes the length of the lease decreases. This can sometimes make leasehold properties less desirable.

For further reading, Pazder Law has written an amazing article in regards to leasehold properties.

Is all Vancouver Westside Real Estate Leasehold in UBC?

While homes in UBC can be leasehold, not all real estate in the University area of Greater Vancouver is leasehold. There are some homes that are freehold. Working with a REALTOR® can help you determine the property’s ownership.

Click here to view active listings in the UBC area.

Vancouver real estate near transit to go to UBC

Understandably, purchasing real estate in UBC is the first option your mind goes to. But Vancouver has amazing transit options that go directly to UBC. This opens more possibilities for finding homes that could work for future and current UBC students.

99 UBC B-Line

One of the more recognizable routes to go to UBC. This direct bus line travels from Lougheed and Boundary along Broadway all the way to UBC’s bus loop. The 99 B-Line travels through Point Grey, Kitsilano, Fairview, Mount Pleasant, Renfrew and Renfrew Heights. Depending on where you start your route, the ride could be around an hour.

33 UBC

Another bus route that goes directly to UBC is the 33. On the Westside of Vancouver, this bus travels through Point Grey, Dunbar, Kitsilano, Shaughnessy, Fairview and Cambie. While on the East Side of Vancouver the route goes through Main, Fraser, Knight, Victoria, Collingwood and Renfrew Heights. Transit time could be less than an hour.

25 UBC

From the statistics provided by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Vancouver prices tend to be higher than Burnaby’s. Burnaby could be a great option if you want to look for something more affordable.

The 25 begins at Brentwood Bay 5 and travels along 22nd and King Edward Ave all the way to UBC. In North Burnaby, the 25 passes through Brentwood Park. In South Burnaby the bus passes through Central Burnaby, Greentree Village and Burnaby Hospital. East Vancouver the route passes through Renfrew Heights, Grandview, Victoria, Collingwood, Knight, Fraser and Main. On the Westside, the route goes through Cambie, Shaughnessy, Quilchena, Arbutus, Mackenzie Heights and Dunbar. Travel time can be longer. The ride may take an hour and fifteen minutes if starting in Burnaby.

The Millenium Line Extension

There are skytrain routes that lead to UBC buses but as of today there aren’t any skytrains that go directly to UBC. The city is planning on adding a train that goes directly to UBC. Although that might not complete for a long time.

Click here to read more about the Millenium line extension.

Buying Vancouver Real Estate for UBC

There are numerous options when buying Vancouver real estate for UBC. Instead of purchasing a leasehold property you may want to consider freehold. Purchasing a home in Vancouver requires a strong team to guide you along the way. You may want to consider hiring a lawyer, mortgage broker and REALTOR®. If you need guidance on where to start, please feel free to contact us! We’re happy to help!

Call 604-719-7684 or email Info@HofVan.com.

May 2020 begins to see sellers and buyers feel more comfortable in the real estate market with increased activity.

Activity for May increases compared to April 2020

A total of 1,485 homes sold in May 2020. This shows a 33.9% increase compared to April’s 1,109 sold properties. Sellers and buyers are becoming more comfortable moving forward in the market.

Benchmark Price remains relatively unchanged for May

Although home sales and listing activity is down compared to the 10 year May average, home prices remain steady. The Benchmark Price is based of the estimated sales price of a typical property within each market. April 2020’s benchmark price of homes in Greater Vancouver was $1,036,000. The benchmark price for May 2020 was $1,028,400.

Inventory increases giving buyers more selection

Inventory has decreased since May of last year. However a total of 3,684 detached, attached and apartment properties were listed for sale in Metro Vancouver for May 2020. This is a significant increase of 59.3 per cent compared to April 2020’s 2,313 homes that were listed.

The market remains balanced across all properties

The percentage of sales-to-active listings ratios for all properties in Greater Vancouver was 15%. The detached ratio was 13.5%. Townhouses were at 18.9% and condos were at 14.8%. According to some analysts, downward pressure on home prices occur when the ratio falls below 12% over extended months. While upward pressure can occur when the ratio goes above 20%.

Sales increase in Vancouver & Burnaby

On the Westside of Vancouver, there were a total of 264 sales for May. In April, the Westside had a total of 195 sold homes.

East Side Vancouver sold 165 homes in May, while April’s sales for East Vancouver totaled 120.

Burnaby had a total of 160 sales for the month of May. In the month of April 2020 Burnaby had a total of 107 sales.

To see the full Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s stats package for May 2020, click here!

Click to read our April 2020 market update!