Donna Leyland, Realtor | RE/MAX Select Properties | Vancouver Real Estate Agent Realtor | Blog

Selection Broadens

Donna Leyland — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:10:35 -0800

Selection broadens and demand eases to kick off 2012 in the

Greater Vancouver housing market

VANCOUVER, B.C. – February 6, 2012 – Greater Vancouver home sellers were more active than buyers in January and

overall home prices, according to the new MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI), continued to experience more stability

and less fluctuation compared to the beginning of 2011.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached

1,577 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January 2012. This represents a 4.9 per cent decrease compared to the

1,658 sales recorded in December 2011, a decrease of 13.3 per cent compared to the 1,819 sales in January 2011 and an 18

per cent decline from the 1,923 home sales in January 2010.

January sales in Greater Vancouver were the second lowest January total in the region since 2002, though only 146 sales

Selection broadens and demand eases to kick off 2012 in the Greater Vancouver housing market. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, February 6, 2012 reports: Greater Vancouver home sellers were more active than buyers in January andoverall home prices, according to the new MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI), continued to experience more stabilityand less fluctuation compared to the beginning of 2011.The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached1,577 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January 2012.

Historic Mazatlan Hospitality !

Donna Leyland — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:53:41 -0800

With a past that can be traced back to 1531 and the indigenous tribe of the Totorames, the story of Mazatlan is rich with traditions, European architecture, and activities that treat visitors to genuine Mexico. Unlike many more tourist-driven destinations, most “Mazatlecos” have lived their entire lives in the area and are part of large families who also live and work in the city. Family comes first in Mazatlan, and to visit is to become a part of that tradition.

Stability for 2012

Donna Leyland — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:55:07 -0800

British Columbia housing markets are

expected to post an unremarkable

2012. While the inventory of homes

for sale will continue to wane in

most regions, consumer demand

will nevertheless be constrained by

modest economic growth at home

and abroad. The resulting lukewarm

performance in the job market will

keep unemployment rates relatively

high and while uncertainty around

European sovereign debt will keep

bond markets buoyant and mortgage

rates low, the negative impact

on consumer confidence will be

sustained.

British Columbia housing markets are expected to post an unremarkable 2012. While the inventory of homes for sale will continue to wane inmost regions, consumer demand will nevertheless be constrained by modest economic growth at home and abroad. The resulting lukewarm performance in the job market will keep unemployment rates relatively high and while uncertainty around European sovereign debt will keep bond markets buoyant and mortgage rates low, the negative impac ton consumer confidence will be sustained.

Hot Food/Cold Weather!

Donna Leyland — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:55:12 -0800

Michael, my cooking teacher at the New Orleans School of Cooking, claims that Cajun food is “the only real American cuisine.” Michael is admittedly subjective—he passionately loves his city and its cuisine. One thing is true; N’Awlins offers some of the freshest produce and seafood around due to its climate and location. That fact, coupled with a culinary history that originates from French-speaking Canadians immigrating to Louisiana, makes this cuisine a true North American foodie favorite.

Winter Wonders!

Donna Leyland — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:10:15 -0800

For gardeners, winter can be a terribly long and colorless season. But if you’re a plant lover who’s discovered the joys of growing African violets, just the opposite is true. Their dainty blooms, in a wide array of purple, pink, blue, white, and multicolored combinations, will appear almost constantly and brighten any gloomy January day.

When Less Is More!

Donna Leyland — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:57 -0800

When Pal Pang, founder and principal of Another Design International, took on the task of remodeling a 1,000-square-foot residence for a young family in Hong Kong, his primary goal was to improve the design while proving the old adage that less is more. Today, the apartment, which sits in a peaceful residential area surrounded by schools, is a study in minimalist design.

Romantic Germany!

Donna Leyland — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:40:52 -0800

The kissing city, a romantic road leading to the castle Walt Disney replicated, and a shop devoted to chocolates rumored to be aphrodisiacs— busy packing your bags for France, Italy, maybe Spain? Not so fast; these schatz, or treasures in English, are located in Germany. Forget your stereotypes of bratwurst, beer, and Bavarian costumes—think Baroque architecture, bittersweet chocolate aphrodisiacs, and broken-heart memorials.

Balanced Market in 2011

Donna Leyland — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:30:31 -0800

The 2011 Greater Vancouver housing market began with heightened demand in regional hot spots and concluded with greater balance between seller supply and buyer demand. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2011 reached 32,390, a 5.9 per cent increase from the 30,595 sales recorded in 2010, and a 9.2 per cent decrease from the 35,669 residential sales in 2009. Last year’s home sale total was 6.3 per cent below the ten-year average for annual Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) sales in the region.

The Great Escape!

Donna Leyland — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:42:04 -0800

Now that Christmas is behind us and the New Year looming, it's time to consider a great escape from the Canadian winter. Here's the story - from my Home By Design magazine, of one family's escape:

Sandra Espinet—interior designer and owner of Interiors by Sandra Espinet, in Los Angeles, California, and Los Cabos, Mexico—approaches each project with a fresh point of view. Her philosophy is evident in the eclectic interiors of Casa Walker in San José del Cabo, Mexico, a 10,000-square-foot hideaway for a family based in Dallas, Texas.

The Confident Conversationalist!

Donna Leyland — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:57:58 -0800

By the time December rolls around, your calendar is likely filled with holiday work parties, social engagements, and gatherings with family and friends. Such merriment is part of the season and welcomed by many a socialite. But if you’ve struggled making small talk with strangers and distant acquaintances in years past, those same gatherings can be a source of anxiety and dread.

Beach Side in Brazil!

Donna Leyland — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:44:52 -0800

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an international city known for its lavish Carnival and tropical landscape, it’s the windows that frame the city’s natural works of art. In this ninth-floor penthouse apartment, towering above the world-famous Copacabana Beach, an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows showcases a breathtaking view of the South Atlantic and all the excitement of this desirable destination.

A Balanced Market

Donna Leyland — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:51:19 -0800

VANCOUVER, B.C. – December 2, 2011 The Greater Vancouver housing market saw relatively typical home saleand listing activity in November.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) reached 2,360 in November. This represents a 5.9 per cent decline compared to the 2,509 sales in November 2010 and a 1.9 per cent increase compared to the 2,317 sales recorded in October 2011.

Wining & Dining in BC!

Donna Leyland — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:16:25 -0800

Growing luscious table fruit has always been a mainstay for farmers in British Columbia’s Thompson Okanagan Valley, which lies in the center of the province, with the Vancouver mainland and Fraser Valley on the west and the Rocky Mountains on the east.

Small is Beautiful!

Donna Leyland — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:15:09 -0800

In the capable hands of New York City–based interior designer Keith Lichtman, small is beautiful. He has transformed a 750-square-foot New York City apartment into a showplace that functions superbly as living space, and feels much bigger than it really is. The place also reflects Lichtman’s trademark technique of combining vintage pieces with modern, creating a stimulating, eclectic mix.

Harvest Menu!

Donna Leyland — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:53:42 -0700

My newest issue of Home By Design has some outstanding recipes! My favorite? Squash and sweet potato soup! As leaves turn rich shades of red, orange, and gold, blustery fall winds sweep in and leave us craving heart-warming dinners. But as long as days are mild and fall sports are in full swing,

October Sales Update!

Donna Leyland — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:32:49 -0700

With a sales-to-active property listings ratio of 15 per cent, the GreaterVancouver housing market continues to hover at the lower end of a balanced market and has been trending in that

direction over the past five months. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) system reached 2,317 in October

Smart Decorating!

Donna Leyland — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:32:40 -0700

It isn't easy to differentiate in the world of interior design but Delphine Krakoff does it! So impressed with this story and the amazing photos of her 7-story New York townhouse! Read the entire article from Harper's Bazaar: "Go inside interior designer Delphine Krakoff's sophisticated New York townhouse that she shares with her designer husband, Reed Krakoff, and their children. Plus, read our interview with Krakoff for a glimpse into her Parisian chic design philosophy.

A Petite Pied-A-Terre!

Donna Leyland — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:22:37 -0700

Relying on the Remarkable Views and a Neutral Palette, Joe Fava Designs a Sophisticated Manhattan Retreat for an Italian Couple. In densely populated cities, space may be limited, but style is boundless. People flock to these cultural melting pots for the experience - the art, the cuisine, the shows, the fashion, and the infinite energy.

Winter Blooming Shrubs!

Donna Leyland — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:51:37 -0700

It’s relatively easy to have colorful flowers when temperatures rise above sixty degrees, but what about the winter garden, when cold winds blow and the dreariness of November sets in? That’s when it takes a bit more planning to produce a garden that yields delicate flowers for our enjoyment and to urge us on to spring.

Quick Energy Fix!

Donna Leyland — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:24:54 -0700

You’ve got a project due at work, Thanksgiving travel plans to book, and kids to help with their homework every night. Faced with such a full schedule of activities and obligations, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed and wondering where all your energy went. And, as you head into one of the busiest seasons of the year, you can only predict that things could get worse from here.