If you are thinking about buying a house built on top of peat/bog/soft soil in Vancouver watch this segment from Global News.

There's Something About Vancouver...despite all the negative news on housing affordability, Metro Vancouver continues to witness internal migration. If you have been holding off on a home purchase, you may be interested to know that the recent announcement of increased immigration numbers for 2023 to 2025 in Canada, will cause the region to continue to grow and put pressure on the lack of housing supply.  As the market adjusts to the higher mortgage rates, buyers will return to the market, think fast as REBGV predicts home prices to end with a slight increase in 2023 than the end of 2022.

Link to the REBGV Residential Market Forecast article and graphs here.

For June 2016, a total of 41 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is a decrease from the 50 units that sold in May, and an increase from the 25 units that sold in June 2015.

Of the 41 units that sold last month, 4 were 1-bedroom homes, 29 were 2-bedroom homes, and 8 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, including townhomes/duplexes.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in June was $560,000, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $822,368 while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,129,475.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Village with 23 units, 1 unit from Chancellor Place, 8 units from East Campus, 2 units from Hawthorn Place, and 7 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For May 2016, a total of 50 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is an increase from the 45 units that sold in April, and an increase from the 32 units that sold in May 2015.

Of the 50 units that sold last month, 7 were 1-bedroom homes, 33 were 2-bedroom homes, and 10 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, including townhomes/duplexes.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in May was $526,211, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $793,966 while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,414,050.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Village with 20 units, 4 units from Chancellor Place, 9 units from East Campus, 10 units from Hawthorn Place, and 7 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

The following were taken directly from the UBC Properties Trust website - www.ubcproperties.com

September 2014

UBC Leasehold FAQ

Al Poettcker, President and CEO of UBC Properties Trust, helps us understand the difference between fact and fiction, and why a UBC leasehold home makes solid economic, social and environmental sense.

Q: Many people aren't aware provincial law prohibits UBC from selling freehold properties, but what exactly is someone buying when they purchase a leasehold property? Is it really a tangible asset?

A: Absolutely. Leasehold properties are registered at the Land Titles Registry just like any other home. You can buy them, sell them, even will them to someone. So you have all the same rights as a freehold property owner for the length of the lease - which at UBC is 99 years.

Q: How do prices compare to a conventional home purchase?

A: Like freehold, prices are driven by what the market dictates. At UBC, prices are similar to any other condominium on the Westside. And, of course, homeowners will still pay City of Vancouver property taxes and strata maintenance fees. The main difference is that at UBC you're buying into a 'complete community'. When a developer purchases the ground lease in order to undertake a development, part of the proceeds is used for streets, infrastructure, and amenities like parks and community centres. A significant benefit is that homeowners will not be dependent upon any government for these amenities and infrastructure. In addition, a portion of property taxes are automatically set aside and administered by the University Neighbourhoods Association to provide reserves for the inevitable replacement and upgrading of this infrastructure in the future.

Q: But what if a developer doesn't complete their building?

A: We've negotiated more than 50 leases with developers, and every one of these developments has either been built or is under construction. In the unlikely event of a problem, however, homeowners would have the same rights as they would at any freehold development.

Q: It's tough to discuss leasehold without addressing the widely publicized Musqueam lands in south Vancouver several years ago where people were forced to sell their leasehold homes at devastating losses. Could this happen again at UBC?

A: UBC is quite different. Leases here are fully prepaid by the developer, and there are no rent reviews during the term of the lease. Wherever you have rent reviews during the course of a lease, there will be uncertainty - and risk - both for the lessor and the lessee. 

The Musqueum leases are on reserve land and were prepared by the federal government. They did not have pre-payment options and were subject to a rent review after 30 years. The original lease rates were so nominal, the potential affect of future rent reviews was probably not fully reflected in the resale prices. The problem came in year 30 when lease rates were allowed to be set to market value - meaning in some cases rents suddenly increased to $10,000 or more per annum.

Another example is False Creek, where some leases have a 60 year term with a rent review in the 30th. While that rent review period has passed, the issue now facing owners or potential buyers is the diminishing amount of time that remains on the lease. That affects things like what kind of renovations you might choose to do - or not.

In contrast, UBC leases are for a 99-year term, are prepaid in full by the developer, and have, on average, over 90 years left. So as a homeowner, you have complete certainty there will be no further lease payments for the balance of the term.

Q: Pure math indicates most UBC lease won't expire until well into the first decade of the 22nd Century. But what does happen at the end of 99 years?

A: At the end of the lease, the university can d o one of two things - negotiate an extension of the lease or pay the leaseholder fair market value for improvements to the property. The key point, though, is that over the next eight or nine decades, the number of people who want to live and work on campus will continue increasing. The university has a vested interest to ensure people are making a sound investment when they buy a home here and to do everything possible to retain this area as a vibrant, dynamic place to live.

Excerpt from the Metro Vancouver New Condo Guide, September 5-19, 2014.

Link to the original page here.

For April 2016, a total of 45 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is an increase from the 39 units that sold in March, and an increase from the 31 units that sold in April 2015.

Of the 45 units that sold last month, 8 were 1-bedroom homes, 30 were 2-bedroom homes, and 7 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, including townhomes/duplexes.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in April was $515,000, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $763,796 while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,424,142.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Village with 15 units, 4 units from Chancellor Place, 12 units from East Campus, 5 units from Hawthorn Place, and 9 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For March 2016, a total of 39 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is an increase from the 38 units that sold in February, and an increase from the 23 units that sold in March 2015.

Of the 39 units that sold last month, 5 were 1-bedroom homes, 29 were 2-bedroom homes, and 5 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, including a townhouse/duplex.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in March was $513,580, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $785,648 while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,479,000.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Village with 14 units, 3 units from Chancellor Place, 6 units from East Campus, 7 units from Hawthorn Place, and 9 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For February 2016, a total of 38 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is an increase from the 15 units that sold in January, and an increase from the 15 units that sold in February 2015.

Of the 38 units that sold last month, 4 were 1-bedroom homes, 18 were 2-bedroom homes, and 16 unit was 3-or-more bedroom homes, including townhouses.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in February was $488,250, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $834,947, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,457,173.

The majority of the total units sold last month are tied with 9 units each from Hawthorn Place and Hampton Place, 8 units from Chancellor Place, 4 units from East Campus, and 8 units from Wesbrook Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For January 2016, a total of 15 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is an increase from the 13 units that sold in December, and a decrease from the 18 units that sold in January 2015.

Of the 15 units that sold last month, 3 were 1-bedroom homes, 11 were 2-bedroom homes, and 1 unit was 3-or-more bedroom home, also being a townhouse.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in January was $413,666, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $904,045, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,105,000.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Village with 6 units, 2 units from Chancellor Place, 2 units from East Campus, 2 units from Hawthorn Place, and 3 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For December 2015, a total of 13 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is a decrease from the 21 units that sold in November, and a decrease from the 16 units that sold in December 2014.

Of the 13 units that sold last month, 2 were 1-bedroom homes, 10 were 2-bedroom homes, and 1 unit was 3-or-more bedroom home, also being a townhome.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in December was $454,500, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $693,680, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,152,000.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Place with 5 units, none from Chancellor Place, 4 units from East Campus, 2 units from Hawthorn Place, and 2 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For November 2015, a total of 21 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is a decrease from the 33 units that sold in October, and an increase from the 14 units that sold in November 2014.

Of the 21 units that sold last month, 1 was a 1-bedroom home, 11 were 2-bedroom homes, and 9 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, 2 of those being townhouses or duplexes.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in November was $512,000, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $685,345, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,454,944.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Place with 13 units, 2 units from Chancellor Place, 2 units from East Campus, 2 units from Hawthorn Place, and 2 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For October 2015, a total of 33 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is a slight increase from the 32 units that sold in September, and an increase from the 12 units that sold in October 2014.

Of the 33 units that sold last month, 4 were 1-bedroom homes, 25 were 2-bedroom homes, and 4 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in October was $476,500, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $727,854, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $932,500.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Place with 16 units, 2 units from Chancellor Place, 6 units from East Campus, 3 unit from Hawthorn Place, and 6 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For September 2015, a total of 32 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is a decrease from the 43 units that sold in August, and an increase from the 19 units that sold in September 2014.

Of the 32 units that sold last month, 5 were 1-bedroom homes, 17 were 2-bedroom homes, and 10 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, 4 of those being townhouses or duplexes.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in September was $475,800, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $702,135, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,355,480.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Place with 8 units, 5 units from Chancellor Place, 5 units from East Campus, 7 unit from Hawthorn Place, and 7 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For August 2015, a total of 43 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is an increase from the 39 units that sold in July, and an increase from the 36 units that sold in August 2014.

Of the 43 units that sold last month, 5 were 1-bedroom homes, 22 were 2-bedroom homes, and 16 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, 8 of those being townhouses or duplexes.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in August was $449,300, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $652,127, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,458,562.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Place with 13 units, 8 units from Chancellor Place, 5 units from East Campus, 5 unit from Hawthorn Place, and 12 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For July 2015, a total of 39 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is quite an increase from the 25 units that sold in June, and an increase from the 28 units that sold in July 2014.

Of the 39 units that sold last month, 8 were 1-bedroom homes, 25 were 2-bedroom homes, and 6 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, 4 of those being townhouses.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in July was $444,350, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $671,119, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,513,333.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Place with 14 units, 4 units from Chancellor Place, 10 units from East Campus, 5 unit from Hawthorn Place, and 6 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For June 2015, a total of 25 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is quite a decrease from the 32 units that sold in May, and an increase from the 22 units that sold in June 2014.

Of the 25 units that sold last month, 8 were 1-bedroom homes, 12 were 2-bedroom homes, and 5 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, 2 of those being townhouses.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in June was $450,986, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $707,366, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,172,800.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Place with 8 units, 6 units from Chancellor Place, 7 units from East Campus, 1 unit from Hawthorn Place, and 3 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For May 2015, a total of 32 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is a slight increase from the 31 units that sold in April, and an increase from the 26 units that sold in May 2014.

Of the 32 units that sold last month, 7 were 1-bedroom homes, 21 were 2-bedroom homes, and 4 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, 2 of those being townhouses.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in May was $497,942, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $688,408, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,093,250.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s oldest neighbourhood, Hampton Place with 11 units, 2 units from Chancellor Place, 7 units from East Campus, 3 units from Hawthorn Place, and 9 units from Wesbrook Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

For April 2015, a total of 31 units of strata homes, i.e. condos and townhomes, were sold in UBC.  This is an increase from the 23 units that sold in March, and an increase from the 24 units that sold in April 2014.

Of the 31 units that sold last month, 3 were 1-bedroom homes, 20 were 2-bedroom homes, and 8 units were 3-or-more bedroom homes, 2 of those being townhouses.

The average sale price for 1-bedroom strata home in the UBC Campus in April was $397,533, a 2-bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $769,555, while a 3-or-more bedroom strata home had an average sale price of $1,039,600.

The majority of the total units sold last month is from the UBC’s newest and largest neighbourhood, Wesbrook Place with 10 units, 4 units from Chancellor Place, 6 units from East Campus, 4 units from Hawthorn Place, and 7 units from Hampton Place.

I've lived in the UBC campus for over 10 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a REALTOR®, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you are thinking of listing your UBC property, or for a FREE private consultation, please call me, Len Diaz, at 604-551-1323.

Sold units does not include single detached homes, pre-sale, under construction, and private (FSBO) sales.  All figures are taken from MLS.

You are driving in your car and just discovered the perfect neighbourhood.  You see the cutest house around the corner and wonder how much it is.  

Pull over to the side and try our mobile friendly setting to search all the for sale listings in the area.  Just click on the tab "MLS Listing by iPhone or Smart Phone", then click OK to let the application locate you on the map.  It's very easy and so convenient to use.

Canada comes in at #5 in UN's Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 2015 World Happiness Report, ahead of the US, the UK, and Australia.  The report takes into account GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.  

For the full report click here.