Originally Posted by SkunkWorks (Post 8973710)

This.

We're in an 800 sq ft 2 Bedroom and only have our stuff in one room. Getting rid of all our excess, barely used crap was one of the best things we've done.

Quality > quantity

... Minimalism does not apply to cars however as there are currently 4. Not as bad as fliptuner so that's a start :lol

Originally Posted by Liquid_o2 (Post 8973715)

What are people's opinions on purchasing a second parking spot?

I have a 1 bedroom + den unit in Vancouver. My thought process is that it won't raise the value of the unit from a resale perspective as most future buyers won't likely have 2 cars. I gave my wife our parking spot and have been renting another spot for the past year... still undecided if it is worth the $15,000 as an investment.

Originally Posted by blkgsr (Post 8973725)

my mortgage is up for renewal in May.

talked to a broker last night (my old broker is now president so he's moved on from handling cases such as mine i would imagine) and he's telling me the banks are looking for 2.89/99 for 5 year fixed. this was with moving approx $30K from my truck to the mortgage.

if not then maybe 2.79 5 year

what have you guys been seeing?

if i move the truck over i still plan on taking the whole truck payment and putting it towards the mortgage

Originally Posted by Mr.HappySilp (Post 8973719)

We do have way too much clothing and shoes and jackets. Also we got a ton of baby toys, baby accessories and baby strollers that my sister gave me (hoping to have a baby soon) and since my sister have 2 babies already so the hand me down went to me.
.

Originally Posted by Mr.HappySilp (Post 8973719)

Depends which part of Van. If it is DT or near DT $15k for a parking is a steal. I would say evening having an extra parking actually will increase the value when you sell your apartment.

Originally Posted by Hakkaboy (Post 8973738)

Here, read the past few pages to see what's being offered currently:

The Official Mortgage Rates Thread - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

Originally Posted by Hondaracer (Post 8973741)

In b4 your place is full of old margarine containers and news papers stacked to the ceiling

Originally Posted by JDMStyo (Post 8973463)

Presales Updates - market's alive again on resales and certain presales. Opening weekends are seeing 20-30% sold deals for well priced offerings.

Richmond:
Fiorella by Polygon - right across from Avanti/Aberdeen Skytrain and mall. Polygon's new 13 story highrise (Richmond height limitation) concrete AC highrise. I personally like it may even get one myself.
$850/ft in some cases, well below $1K ft for new builds in area. Hard to beat central location, Aberdeen foodcourt, central hub, AirBNB potential is quite good.
$450K 1BR start for 678ft A plan. Bit of a steal with amenities, Polygon and location. 50 sold on Sunday out of 160+ units.

___

Vancouver:
Park House - $1300/ft in Vancouver still going rate. May be tough but luxury market can hang a bit usually.

Burnaby
Sun Tower - chugging along. Tough offering but good location. I'm seeing and have done assignments on Goldhouse next door and quite like the exterior. Rize quality has been good on Independence and this new landmark-ish looking building should be very cool.
Highline Thind's next project after 3 towers (4 not yet sold) at Brentwood. $1K a ft for most part- nothing too exciting but if you don't like SUN Tower for whatever reasons this is another option. Practically next doors.
Personally I'd prefer Beedie/Anthem's station Square for Metrotown and/or Concord's next big one.

Coquitlam/Burquitlam
Bit of activity coming up here after Meridian was shelved.
Simon 2 Completion soon. Did some assignments here - $450-500K 650ft 1BR here quite appealing. Skytrain and rent it out as Jr 2br with big den.
Horizon 21 this is going to be one of those get it while you can deals of 2020 - small developer, before the area highway going onto IKEA Coquitlam. Bit of a hike from skytrain and mall but cheaper as a reflection.
SOCO Anthem's big offering - 4 towers like Station Square. Should do well and priced reasonably at $350K's starting for 400ft. Next to Hensley (previously sold out building by Cressey).


Surrey/Langley:
Alexander Square - hotly contested units at $299K for 1BR went fast - but the 2BR are struggling. Langley.
King George Hub 3 Likely won't launch at $299K but Rennie marketing knows markets and will be close to that to get the crowds in.

Originally Posted by LuHua (Post 8973908)

I was looking at SOCO, they apparently had too much interest towards the 1BRs and pumped a lot of the prices on them up by $50k

Originally Posted by JDMStyo (Post 8973955)

Horizon 21 I visited. All the 1BR are "reserved for VIP" and they'll keep some $299K for grand opening to public but it's going fast.
400ft + parking/storage realistiically in $350s - not bad. Lougheed/Blue Mountain corner so it's a bit farther but hard to beat $700ft in Coquitlam for highrise + AC.

Originally Posted by Derpdidoo (Post 8974024)

Has anyone seen the insurance rate hikes already in effect in the condo market? Our property manager says our insurance is going up 50% with some hefty deductibles (3 storey, 2011 built, no insurance claims). According to him most of his properties going up 50-100%. The high premiums are causing strata fees to go up significantly.

https://www.theloop.ca/ctvnews/insur...ciation-warns/

Originally Posted by Derpdidoo (Post 8974024)

Has anyone seen the insurance rate hikes already in effect in the condo market? Our property manager says our insurance is going up 50% with some hefty deductibles (3 storey, 2011 built, no insurance claims). According to him most of his properties going up 50-100%. The high premiums are causing strata fees to go up significantly.

https://www.theloop.ca/ctvnews/insur...ciation-warns/

Originally Posted by Y2K_o__o (Post 8974029)

more and more insurance companies are not willing to insure for condo as they consider high risk due to lack of maintenance, water leakage, drainage block, and smoking fire claims

Originally Posted by Acura604 (Post 8974039)

on the topic of renting..

trying to rent out one of my properties and it clearly states no smoking no pets.

while i understand there's not much I can do to prevent both...why would someone show up to view the place with their fuckin' pitbull?

I asked her.. "you do know there is no pets"..and she was like "yes, but he's such a gentle guy wouldn't hurt a flea"..

fuckin' renters. I swear, the 'good' renters are long gone and/or tied down to a place...all we got left are the vagrants and idiots.