Mark Kowall (www.2buyvan.com): Blog http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php This page contains the blog. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:04:58 -0700 http://ubertor.com/?v=1.0 en 601 1540 W 2ND AV, Vancouver West, British Columbia http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/143 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:15:00 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/143 I just finished uploading this Live/Work for sale, 601 1540 W 2ND AV, Vancouver West, British Columbia

Investors Alert!! Huge loft space currently leased til Oct 2008 at $2700 + GST per month. Another amazing space at the award winning Waterfall building-Arthur Erickson design. Steps from Granville Island - its all about location! This is a great space with loads of potential. The current tenants use it as a work space and will be staying until Oct.2008. Great revenue while the building appreciates in value! Don't miss this one, its the nicest unit in the building!

]]> 601 1540 W 2ND AV, Vancouver West, British Columbia http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/142 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:35:50 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/142 I just finished uploading this Live/Work for sale, 601 1540 W 2ND AV, Vancouver West, British Columbia

Investors Alert!! Huge loft space currently leased til Oct 2008 at $2700 + GST per month. Another amazing space at the award winning Waterfall building-Arthur Erickson design. Steps from Granville Island - its all about location! This is a great space with loads of potential. The current tenants use it as a work space and will be staying until Oct.2008. Great revenue while the building appreciates in value! Don't miss this one, its the nicest unit in the building!

]]> Sentinel Hill Open House! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/141 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:28:27 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/141 We are proud to announce that this Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 981 KINGS Ave in Sentinel Hill, West Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Sentinel Hill.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Sentinel Hill House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Mark Kowall
TRG Downtown Realty

]]> Sentinel Hill Open House! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/140 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:19:49 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/140 We are proud to announce that this Saturday, March 20, 2010, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 981 KINGS Ave in Sentinel Hill, West Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Sentinel Hill.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Sentinel Hill House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Mark Kowall
TRG Downtown Realty

]]> 981 KINGS Ave, West Vancouver, British Columbia http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/139 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:58:19 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/139 I just finished uploading this House for sale, 981 KINGS Ave, West Vancouver, British Columbia

This is a Lot of Home with a Lot of potential on a Great big lot! This 6 bdrm, 4 bath family home situated in a fantastic West Van neighbourhood is ready for your growing family. There is a Huge suite on the lower level with 3 bdrms, 2 baths, a full kit, bar area, giant rec room & a sauna. Sep entrances allow you to have a great lower suite. The big open rooms upstairs are just what any family is looking for. There is a 500 sf private deck above the garage & accessible from the main area as well as the master bdrm, which itself is almost 350 sf! Lots of windows & skylights bring the lush outdoors in. The large landscaped yard is a gardeners dream! This Kings Ave. home is central to just above everything. A short jaunt down the hill to shopping, exclusive schools & the main highway. The home has had updates over the years, but there is still plenty of room for your renovation ideas! Open House this Weekend, Sat & Sun, March 20th & 21st, 2-4 pm.

]]> Stats look better and better every month! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/138 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:48:46 -0800 Mark Kowall General http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/138 VANCOUVER, B.C. – November 3, 2009 – Strong demand has led to a steady rise in Greater Vancouver home prices compared to last year.

Over the last 12 months, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver increased 6.8 per cent to $553,702 from $518,668 in October 2008.

"While home prices have been rising in 2009, they have not eclipsed the peaks reached in early 2008," Scott Russell, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. "We're coming off several months of unseasonably high sales levels, which has allowed for a gradual increase in home values this year,"

The REBGV reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,704 in October 2009, an increase of 4.1 per cent from the 3,559 sales recorded in September 2009, and an increase of 171.6 per cent compared to October 2008 when 1,364 sales were recorded. Looking back two years, last month's sales increased 22.3 per cent compared to October 2007 when 3,028 sales were recorded.

"High confidence and low mortgage rates are continuing to drive the activity we're seeing in the housing market today," Russell said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,977 in October 2009. This represents a 2.3 per cent increase compared to October 2008 when 4,867 new units were listed, and a 13.4 per cent decline compared to September 2009 when 5,764 properties were listed on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver.

At 12,084, the total number of property listings on the MLS® decreased 4.1 per cent in October compared to last month and declined 37 per cent from this time last year.

Sales of detached properties increased 201.6 per cent to 1,487 from the 493 detached sales recorded during the same period in 2008. The benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for detached properties increased 7.7 per cent from October 2008 to $749,808.

Sales of apartment properties in October 2009 increased 148.4 per cent to 1,607, compared to 647sales in October 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 6.3 per cent from October 2008 to $380,975. 

Attached property sales in October 2009 are up 172.3 per cent to 610, compared with the 224 sales in October 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 4.6 per cent between Octobers 2008 and 2009 to $468,798.

]]> Interest Rates on the Rise, time to Buy! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/137 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:11:55 -0700 Mark Kowall General http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/137 Although rates having been decreasing over the past several months, it now looks like fixed rates are back on the rise. With the Government of Canada’s 5 year benchmark bond yield rate rising almost .25% on Friday, Royal Bank has taken a proactive approach and raised their 5 year fixed rate .35 basis points to 5.84% (this is a posted rate, not discounted). Although we don’t know how this is going to play out with the remaining banks and mortgage companies, one mortgage company has increased their 5 year discounted rate from 3.99% to 4.45% today. This significant increase in the bond rates has definitely put pressure on the remaining lenders to follow suit and we believe they will increase their fixed rates either today or tomorrow.Saying this, we expect the variable rate to stay stable for at least the remainder of this year and possibly mid 2010 or longer. So if you are currently floating with Prime and are concerned about rising fixed term rates, this may be the time you consider locking into a fixed rate.

]]> 1804 1500 HOWE Street, Vancouver West, British Columbia http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/136 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:51:27 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/136 I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 1804 1500 HOWE Street, Vancouver West, British Columbia

Gorgeous waterfront home w/spectacular unobstructed SW views of the Water, Marina & Granville Island. This sought after, rarely available '04' Renovated corner suite in the highly regarded well-managed 'Discovery' has everything! Generous room sizes & great layout makes this bright 1116 sq ft, 2 bdrm/2 bath home ideal for living comfortably. It has been upgraded with Hardwood floors, carpet & appliances. Enjoy a glass of wine on your sun-drenched, SW balcony while watching the holiday yachts sail by, or sipping on an evening hot chocolate as the many carol ship glide by! This is what Vancouver Living is all about! PUBLIC OPEN: Saturday September 19th, 2-4 PM.

]]> False Creek North Open House! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/135 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:38:26 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/135 We are proud to announce that this Saturday, September 19, 2009, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 1500 HOWE Street in False Creek North, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful False Creek North.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this False Creek North Condo for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Mark Kowall
TRG Downtown Realty

]]> False Creek North Open House! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/134 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:48:49 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/134 We are proud to announce that this Sunday, September 6, 2009, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 1500 HOWE Street in False Creek North, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful False Creek North.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this False Creek North Condo for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Mark Kowall
TRG Downtown Realty

]]> False Creek North Open House! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/133 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:43:46 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/133 We are proud to announce that this Saturday, September 5, 2009, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 1500 HOWE Street in False Creek North, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful False Creek North.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this False Creek North Condo for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Mark Kowall
TRG Downtown Realty

]]> Market Momentum !! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/132 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:38:33 -0700 Mark Kowall General http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/132 Market momentum carries into August The number of home sales in Greater Vancouver increased significantly last month compared to August 2008 and moved closer in line with the active summer months experienced between 2003 and 2007. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver increased 119.5 per cent in August 2009 to 3,441 from the 1,568 sales recorded in August 2008 and increased 1.7 per cent compared to August 2007. New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties increased 4.9 per cent to 4,544 in August 2009 compared to August 2008 when 4,331 new units were listed. Total active listings in Greater Vancouver currently sit at 11,937, down 33 per cent from August 2008. “The return of confidence to our market has brought a high volume of home sales over the last few months and has also made determining home prices a little more challenging,” said Scott Russell, REBGV president. “The number of residential home sales this summer has been comparable to activity seen in the five years preceding 2008. While that’s great news, from the variations in activity we’re seeing across areas I’d say the market is still trying to find its own balance.” Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 11.4 per cent to $539,600 from $484,211. However, home prices compared to August 2008 levels are down 1.1 per cent. Sales of detached properties in August 2009 increased 155.5 per cent to 1,367 from the 535 units sold during the same period in 2008. The benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for detached properties declined 0.7 per cent from August 2008 to $732,656. Sales of apartment properties increased 97.8 per cent last month to 1,464, compared to the 740 sales in August 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property declined 1.4 per cent from August 2008 to $369,263. Attached property sales in August 2009 increased 108.2 per cent to 610, compared with the 293 sales during the same month in 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit declined 0.9 per cent between August 2008 and 2009 to $459,159.

]]> 1804 1500 HOWE Street, Vancouver West, British Columbia http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/131 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:36:12 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/131 I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 1804 1500 HOWE Street, Vancouver West, British Columbia

Gorgeous waterfront home w/spectacular unobstructed SW views of the Water, Marina & Granville Island. This sought after, rarely available '04' Renovated corner suite in the highly regarded well-managed 'Discovery' has everything you are looking for! Generous room sizes & great layout makes this bright 1116 sq ft, 2 bdrm/2 bath home ideal for living comfortably. It has been upgraded with Hardwood floors, carpet & appliances. Enjoy a glass of wine on your sun-drenched, SW balcony while watching the holiday yachts sail by, or sipping on an evening hot chocolate as the many carol ship glide by! This is what Vancouver Living is all about!

]]> 69 15151 34th Avenue, South Surrey, BC http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/130 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:50:55 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/130 I just finished uploading this Townhouse for sale, 69 15151 34th Avenue, South Surrey, BC

Location, Location, Location !!! Beautiful neighborhood, walking trails, gym close by,excellent dining and all your shopping needs 2 minutes away! This Beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 level Townhome at the Sereno in South Surrey is just seconds from highway #99 and a short 30 min. trip to downtown. It is just over 1500 square feet and has had many upgrades in the last year. Home is only 2.5 yrs old. We are moving out of the country, so furnishings are available for sale as well. Its very chic and luxurious, not your ordinary Townhome, Definately the nicest in this Gated complex. Completely repainted in designer colors top to bottom. Gleaming Hardwood floors. Granite Counter tops in Kitchen & Baths. New designer Floor Tile in the bathrooms and hallway. New Designer charcoal Grey carpet upstairs. Custom Slate Rock work around the gas fireplace. All stainless steal appliances; including Bosch DW, LG French Door Fridge, LG MW & Gas Stove. New patio designed for usability and outdoor living. Garage is a Tandem + Storage space The strata fees are only $150 per month and the Complex has a small gym and spacious clubhouse. Pet friendly with great trails right outside the door and parks a short walk. If your looking for a gorgeous executive turn key townhome, this is it ! We are offering an upscale lifestyle for some lucky couple :)

]]> 204 36 WATER Street, Vancouver West, British Columbia http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/129 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:43:53 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/129 I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 204 36 WATER Street, Vancouver West, British Columbia

Located in Historic Gastown on Water St.The TERMINUS building is a unique blend of old and new.Behind the historical facade are sleek & modern contemporary loft interiors,featuring integrated kitchens with European appliances, front loading washer&dryer,Philippe Starck linear bathrm,Strand hardwood flring,geothermal heating and air conditioning.Fabulous roof top deck with cool lounge area inside and BBQ and outside seating area with peek-a-boo mountain view.Coming soon Nester's Market and London Drugs(Woodwards Dev).Added bonus this suite comes with 1 SECURED U/G PARKING STALL on site.

]]> 69 15151 34th Avenue, South Surrey, BC http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/128 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:44:27 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/128 I just finished uploading this Townhouse for sale, 69 15151 34th Avenue, South Surrey, BC

Location, Location, Location !!! Beautiful neighborhood, walking trails, gym close by,excellent dining and all your shopping needs 2 minutes away! This Beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 level Townhome at the Sereno in South Surrey is just seconds from highway #99 and a short 30 min. trip to downtown. It is just over 1500 square feet and has had many upgrades in the last year. Home is only 2.5 yrs old. We are moving out of the country, so furnishings are available for sale as well. Its very chic and luxurious, not your ordinary Townhome, Definately the nicest in this Gated complex. Completely repainted in designer colors top to bottom. Gleaming Hardwood floors. Granite Counter tops in Kitchen & Baths. New designer Floor Tile in the bathrooms and hallway. New Designer charcoal Grey carpet upstairs. Custom Slate Rock work around the gas fireplace. All stainless steal appliances; including Bosch DW, LG French Door Fridge, LG MW & Gas Stove. New patio designed for usability and outdoor living. Garage is a Tandem + Storage space The strata fees are only $150 per month and the Complex has a small gym and spacious clubhouse. Pet friendly with great trails right outside the door and parks a short walk. If your looking for a gorgeous executive turn key townhome, this is it ! We are offering an upscale lifestyle for some lucky couple :)

]]> 603 1540 2ND Ave, Vancouver West, British Columbia http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/127 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:11:45 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/127 I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 603 1540 2ND Ave, Vancouver West, British Columbia

Be a part of something unique! The award winning concrete lofts of Waterfall are just steps to Granville Island. This Arthur Erickson designed property features a fantastic downtown, False Creek and North Shore Mountain view from the bedroo m. Large opening sliders bring the outdoors in and allows for excellent natural light. The polished heated concrete floors, concrete counters, custom sinks & custom silver leaf shower are just a few of the unique features of this property. The soaring ceiling in the living room is an art gallery waiting to happen. LIve at the heart of it all in one of the cities most iconic buildings. Only 1 available so come see it today!

]]> Increased demand steadies housing market in Greater Vancouver http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/125 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:57:00 -0700 Mark Kowall General http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/125  A continued increase in buyer activity over the last four months has resulted in increased home sales and lessened the downward pressure on housing prices in Greater Vancouver. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,524 in May 2009, an increase of 17.4 per cent from the 3,002 sales recorded in May 2008, and an increase of 18.9 per cent compared to last month. Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 4.5 per cent to $506,201 from $484,211. However, home prices compared to May 2008 levels are down 10.9 per cent. “The increased level of buyer activity over the last few months has had a stabilizing effect on home prices across our region,” Scott Russell, REBGV president said. “MLS® data continues to show a trend toward a balanced market in the region.” New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties declined in Greater Vancouver, down 36 per cent to 4,733 in May 2009 compared to May 2008, when 7,390 new units were listed. At 13,641, the total number of property listings on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) declined 4.7 per cent compared to last month and 16 per cent compared to May 2008. Sales of detached properties increased 16.5 per cent to 1,402 from the 1,203 detached sales recorded during the same period in 2008. The HPI benchmark price for detached properties declined 11.8 per cent from May 2008 to $680,320. Sales of apartment properties in May 2009 increased 17.2 per cent to 1,458, compared to 1,244 sales in May 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property declined 10.2 per cent from May 2008 to $349,987. Attached property sales in May 2009 are up 19.6 per cent to 664, compared with the 555 sales in May 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit decreased 9 per cent between May 2008 and 2009 to $435,848. Bright spots in Greater Vancouver in May 2009 compared to May 2008: Detached: Burnaby up 48.9 per cent (140 units sold from 94) Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 13.4 per cent (144 units sold from 127) North Vancouver up 31.4 per cent (134 units sold from 102) Port Moody/Belcarra up 52.6 per cent (29 units sold from 19) Richmond up 14.0 per cent (170 units sold from 142) Vancouver East up 11.1 per cent (180 units sold from 162) Vancouver West up 59.5 per cent (193 units sold from 121) Attached: Burnaby up 31.5 per cent (96 units sold from 73) Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 43.8 per cent (46 units sold from 32) North Vancouver up 31.8 per cent (58 units sold from 44) Vancouver West up 54.5 per cent (102 units sold from 66) Apartments: Burnaby up 32.6 per cent (187 units sold from 141) North Vancouver up 22.6 per cent (103 units sold from 84) Richmond up 27.4 per cent (200 units sold from 157) Vancouver East up 28.7 per cent (139 units sold from 108) Vancouver West up 25.4 per cent (529 units sold from 422)

]]> Buyers Market Over? http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/124 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:25:53 -0700 Mark Kowall General http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/124

Vancouver, BC – May 26, 2009. As part of its Spring 2009 Housing Forecast, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reported today that housing market conditions have improved more rapidly than expected. As a result, BCREA has revised its home price forecast upwards, reflecting greater price stability through the balance of the year. The average Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential price in British Columbia is forecast to decline eight per cent to $420,600 in 2009, instead of 13 per cent originally forecasted at the beginning of the year.

“The majority of the decline in home prices has already occurred,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Balanced markets are emerging in Victoria, Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. There’s now little downward pressure on home prices in these areas.”

Home sales in the province have climbed out of a trough, posting double-digit percentage gains for three consecutive months (seasonally adjusted).   

BC MLS® residential sales are forecast to decline 12 per cent to 60,755 units this year, as a result of a weak first quarter. However, stronger consumer demand is expected to continue for the balance of the year and through 2010. Residential sales in 2010 are forecast to climb 10 percent to 66,740 units.

Affordability reached a three-year high in April with lower home prices and record low interest rates reducing the carrying cost of the average priced home 24 per cent over the last year.

“A significant increase in affordability has brought many first-time buyers into the market,” added Muir. “First-time buyers were largely absent in the late fall and winter, making it more difficult for move-up buyers to sell their current homes. The chain of ownership is now being oiled.”   *news release from BCREA

]]> False Creek Open House! http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/123 Fri, 08 May 2009 01:51:58 -0700 Mark Kowall Listings http://www.2buyvan.com/Blog.php/123 We are proud to announce that this Saturday, May 9, 2009, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 1540 2ND Ave in False Creek, Vancouver West. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Condo for sale in beautiful False Creek.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this False Creek Condo for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Mark Kowall
TRG Downtown Realty

]]>