On a Personal Note – Where Have I Been???
You may have noticed that there has been a bit of a gap in time since my last newsletter – so where have I been? The simple answer to this question is that I have been working right here in Vancouver! This year has been one of my busiest on record and I have been working with many clients, both old and new. It has been a very exciting and rewarding time seeing clients find and sell homes. A shout out to a few clients who have found new homes: All the best to Tracey and Steve who made the decision to embrace the city lifestyle! All the best to Stephanie, who after a long hard search for “the perfect one”, decided on a great space and location and took sledgehammer to it!! (I cannot wait to see the results of your renos Stephanie.) And heartfelt good wishes to Olga who after 50 years in her home in Point Grey, made the big move to a lovely apartment. Olga was very clear about what she needs in a home: light!! We worked together until she found exactly that – a beautiful home full of natural light, and we celebrated with a special lunch. Over the past month, one of my tasks has been sorting, scanning, and shredding my files of the past 26 years. What I realized as I revisited client files and lists is how often I think of each of you. When I work with you through the process of buying and/or selling a home, a relationship develops – through conversation, exploration of needs and values, and decision-making. When the process ends, I miss you. That is why it is so important to me to stay in touch with you through this newsletter (even if a little sporadically).
Connecting is always important to me but there are moments when I am reminded that the long term and close relationships that I have established through my work are a great blessing. This summer marked the passing of my remaining parent – my dad who lived for many years in the Okanagan. Losing my dad is a very important passage in my life, one that I know a number of you have experienced. As well as the personal loss, there is the overwhelming task of sorting through papers and personal belongings and getting his property ready for sale. I appreciate all that I have learned from those of you who have already had the same experience, and my great colleagues both here and elsewhere who stepped in to help me with my business.
On a happy note, earlier this year, I had some new adventures: cooking school in Tuscany, driving on the Amalfi coast, and yes – a week in Paris! This travel fulfills a long time dream and I may have just rekindled my travel bug. One of the greatest delights of these adventures has been exchanging travel stories with some of you – another way that we can share experience and get to know each other better.
The ‘Hood -- Kitsilano
After a year back in Kitsilano, I am very much enjoying being a “Kits girl” again. I bought a bike and have started doing a little yoga at the beach. It’s a lifestyle like no other in Vancouver. I am now experiencing the bike lanes from a cyclist’s point of view! The long bike paths around False Creek and English Bay are a joy that offer plenty of opportunities for refreshment stops for coffee, a glass of wine, or a delicious snack. I have always been an enthusiastic cook but my interest in food has been reignited in Kitsilano. While I loved every minute of food and wine in Italy and France, coming home I am reminded of how very fortunate we are in this neighbourhood and in this city. There is an abundance of fresh produce, meat, and fish at Granville Island and Farmers’ Markets to prepare feasts for family and friends, and within walking distance there is an overwhelming choice of restaurants featuring cuisines from all over the world. One of my current favourites is Nook at Kits beach where they make simple but beautiful Italian fare in a casual sociable setting that reflects the ambience of the neighbourhood. Another is Vij’s, where inspired Indian food is served in a such a loving way that you feel like you are a valued guest in Vikram Vij’s home. I also really enjoy Edible Canada, a food retail outlet and bistro that serves fresh beautifully presented local fare in a comfortable contemporary setting with a great patio in the centre of Granville Island.
Kitsilano is special in a number of ways but particularly for its strong sense of community. In the summer, we welcome thousands of tourists from all over the world as well as the lower mainland who gather here to enjoy the beach, the parks, the patios, the fireworks, and the general laid back ambience. However, for those of us who live here, no matter what the season, it is just the ‘hood.
Vancouver’s Favourite Topic – “How’s The Market?”
Spring and summer sales have continued at a very good healthy pace. The detached market which is much more driven by Asian investors and new immigrants has continued to be brisk while townhomes and condos move at a more even pace with well priced product still moving fairly quickly. The latest stats show the highest month over month sales since 2011. For those of you who sold homes during this period, we were able to get quick multiple offers that achieved great prices. For those of you who have bought, we have still been able to negotiate favourable prices and terms. Overall, the outlook for the fall is a good steady stable market.