GV

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17

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FIRST-TIME

HOME BUYER

SEMINARAlthough the seminar is free to attend, GVHBA encourages attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Surrey Food Bank.

Register for this seminar online at www.gvhba.org or call 778-565-4288

Tuesday, March 22, 2011Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, SurreySeminar will take place from 7 - 9 p.m. Attendees are invited to arrive at 6 p.m. to get a wealth of information on new-home developments, mortgage information and other homebuying information.

…and now New Local Home is on Facebook…

!Branch of BC housing

TRICIA LESLIE

Homebuilders aren't holding back on building new homes in 2011.

At least, not in Metro Vancouver.While other parts of the country and

housing markets throughout the world are still struggling to recover from the global economic downturn, Vancouver is experiencing lineups for new-home launches, increasing average home prices and bidding wars on prime – and not-so-prime – properties.

In his most recent Monday Morn-ing Briefing, Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association president and CEO Peter Simpson notes that "high-selling prices for knockdown 'clunkers' are commonplace in hot Vancouver locations."

In the Mount Pleasant neighbour-hood – an area that includes the Vancouver neighbourhood increasingly becoming known as SoMa, or South Main – Simpson says two lot-value-only properties sold for $728,000 and

$868,000; both were on the market less than a week. In the same period, six lot-value-only properties on the West Side sold for an average of $1.7 million each, Simpson says.

Local builders are showing their con-fidence in the region's housing market by launching multiple new projects throughout the Lower Mainland, he adds.

One such builder is ParkLane

continued on page 2

FEbRuARy 24/2011

…Golf course views. Foxridge Homes is bringing a brand-new community to life overlooking the Surrey Golf Course.

Entitled The Links, the single-family detached homes are new and each is unique, as there are dozens of house styles. [5]

FEATURE

SEE PAGE 5...

‘‘Murrayville is a community with a lot of character,” says ParkLane Homes chief operating officer Ben Taddei, on-site at the company's new Winchester develop-

ment in Langley. Winchester is just one of the many new-home developments that Metro Vancouver builders are working on in 2011.

Whole lotta building going on

2 New Local Home February 24, 2011 New Local Home February 24, 2011 3

Homes, a company that had much success at its master-planned Metro Vancouver com-munities in 2010, as well as numerous award nominations and awards – including the Urban Development Institute Pacific Region Award of Excellence for best ground-orient-ed multi-family development (The Block, Vancouver) and best single-family home (Bedford Landing, Fort Langley).

For the second straight year, ParkLane also won the Consumer Choice Award

for top home and townhouse builder in the Vancouver area in an indepen-dent customer survey conducted by Leger marketing.

"This award is especially signifi-cant for us because it is the cus-

tomer who has to vote for us," says ParkLane's chief operating officer Ben

Taddei."There are a lot of great builders in our

industry and to be recognized as number one in this survey is a great honour."

ParkLane plans for 2011 include continu-ing to build out the final phase of its master-planned communities of Bedford Landing and Heritage Woods in Port Moody; final phases will included both woodframe apart-ments and townhomes.

The company has also started construc-tion on a new Langley community entitled Winchester, located in the coveted Murray-ville neighbourhood.

"Murrayville is a community with a lot of character," Taddei says.

"It has a rich history, it is close to great schools and amenities – it's a great place to raise a family."

Two new sites currently under develop-ment, located in Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, are townhome communities slated to start later this year, and ParkLane is also launching the community branding cam-paign for its East Fraserlands development in Southeast Vancouver.

"This will be the largest new development in the City of Vancouver," Taddei notes.

East Fraserlands will include more than 7,000 multi-family homes and once complete, will include a grocery store, drug store, more than 250,000 square feet of retail space, a community centre, daycare space

The local housing market remained in balanced market conditions in January, with higher levels of buyer demand ex-perienced in some of the region's largest communities, reports the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

The number of properties listed for sale and those sold on the Multiple Listing Service last month outpaced the

10-year average in both categories for January, says the REBGV.

"There was a healthy balance between the number of homebuy-ers and sellers in our market in January, but there's always variation in activity from region

to region," says REBGV president Jake Moldowan.

"We're seeing strong sellers' market conditions in areas like Richmond and the west side of Vancouver."

Over the past 12 months, the MLSLink Housing Price Index (the in-dustry's listing service) benchmark price of detached homes increased 22.6 per

cent in Richmond and 12.2 per cent in West Vancouver, the REBGV says.

In comparison, de-tached home prices across the Greater Vancouver re-gion increased 2.7 per cent over the same period.

"When you're looking to buy or sell a home, it's im-portant to familiarize yourself with the wider trends in the market," Moldowan says.

"It's equally impor-tant to seek out knowl-edge of your local area so you understand

current market conditions in your neigh-bourhood."

From a historical perspective, Janu-ary's 1,819 home sales slightly surpassed the 1,790 home-sale average recorded in the region over the past 10 years, the REBGV notes.

More homes are being listed for sale as well – at 10,438, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS increased 5.8 per cent in January com-pared to last month and increased 2.2 per cent from this time last year.

Hot spots in local housing market

Location, location, location ...‘‘There was a healthy balance between the number of homebuy-

ers and sellers in our market in January, but there's always variation in activity from region to region. We're seeing strong sellers' market conditions in areas like Richmond and the west side of Vancouver."

buSybuILDERS

ParkLane Homes' bedford Landing community has won several awards. More new homes will be built at this Fort Langley development this year.

…off the front: “Silver Ridge is such a great community – the green space, view corridors, walking trails and natural beauty – it just doesn't get any better." Rob Grimm, Portrait Homes

Sales Director: Lisa Farquharson • 604-575-5364 • lisaf@bcclassified.comEditor: Tricia Leslie • 604-575-5346 • editor@newlocalhome.comWriter: Maggie Calloway • maggiec@blackpress.ca Advertising Sales: Black Press National Sales • Helen Koch • 604-575-5811 • helenk@blackpress.caOnline Advertising: Black Press National Sales • Scott Elliott • 604-575-5826 • scottelliott@blackpress.caDesigner: Brad Smith • bsmith@blackpress.ca

New Local Home is published once a week by Black Press Group Ltd. (Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9)

350,000 copies are distributed free across Metro Vancouver. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

continued from page 1

Jake Moldowan

“When you're looking to buy or sell a home, it's important to familiarize yourself with the wider trends in the market. It's equally important to seek out knowledge of your local area so you understand current market conditions in your neighbourhood.”

continued on page 4

Samantha Perrin, site sales manager at Portrait Homes' master-planned community of Silver Ridge in Maple Ridge, looks forward to selling more new homes here in 2011. Martin Knowles photo

4 New Local Home February 24, 2011 New Local Home February 24, 2011 5

and two school sites.The entire development process doesn't just

start out of thin air.With 30 years of experience building new

homes in Metro Vancouver, ParkLane has become known for its efficient floorplan layout, thoughtful archi-tectural details and uncompromising quality. Taddei says ParkLane starts by finding the best sites to build on; loca-tions that are good neighbourhoods and close to schools, shopping, transit and other amenities.

"Location is one of the most im-portant factors in choosing a piece of real estate, whether you are a developer, investor or homebuyer," Taddei says.

At Portrait Homes, co-principal Rob Grimm agrees.

Take, for example, Portrait's massive master-planned community at Silver Ridge in Maple Ridge, a community that has been recognized with an unprecedented total of 73 major indus-try awards – local, provincial and national, as well as several customer's choice honours.

"Silver Ridge is such a great community – the green spaces, view corridors, walking trails and natural beauty – it just doesn't get any better," Grimm says.

"If we could find more land that is just as spectacular, we would continue on creating communities like this forever."

In 2011, Portrait Homes will continue with its Silver Ridge community, which includes townhomes, attached single-family rowhomes and detached single-family homes, and start on a new community in Silver Ridge that is adjacent to the existing neighbourhood.

Grimm notes that Portrait will be introduc-ing a new architectural style for this commu-nity, but that style is "still a secret at this time."

They are also starting a new townhouse development in the Surrey area, which Grimm

hopes to start marketing in 2012.Another well-known builder that has been

busy so far in 2011 is Polygon Homes, a devel-opment company that has already experienced line-ups of interested homebuyers at two new-home launches in January and February this year.

At Polygon's Tyneridge, a Coquitlam townhome community, lineups started at 6 a.m. at the January launch event, and by the time it was over, 25 out of the 37 homes released were sold.

In February, there were lineups of potential homebuyers at a launch event at Polygon's UBC highrise development Sitka, a limited collection of luxury apartment residences; when the event

was over, 40 of 80 homes were sold.

Polygon's website also shows several upcoming communi-ties that homebuyers may want to watch for, from a 37-storey residential tower in the heart

of Metrotown in Burnaby (Chancellor) to Red Maple Park, a townhome community in the Willoughby area of Langley.

While Taddei and Grimm admit the build-ing process – from start to finish – can be daunting when taking in factors such as rising construction costs and uncertain government regulations, both say the end result is worth it.

"The biggest positive is the joy our home-owners experience once they move in," Grimm says, recalling one woman who was so happy with her unfinished home, she started to cry.

Taddei concurs."Building homes for people is extremely

rewarding," Taddei says."Not only is it the biggest and most impor-

tant purchase that most of us will make, the home is the place where people raise their families, entertain their friends and create memories that will last a lifetime."

“The biggest positive is the joy our homeowners experience once they move in.”

Rob Grimm

'Building homes for people is extremely rewarding'

Polygon Homes' Sitka, a highrise development at ubC, garnered a lot of interest at its launch weekend in early February. Homebuyers lined up to look, and 40 out of 80 new homes were sold.

continued from page 2

ParkLane Homes is building a new community in the Murrayville area of Langley (above) entitled Winchester. At Polygon Homes' Tyneridge community in Coquitlam (left), homebuyers started lining up at 6 a.m. for a chance to purchase a new home.

Life is sweet at The Links

Some homebuyers are searching for a new, detached home.

Others are looking to move their young family from a townhome or condo into a new, single-family home.

Some are looking to downsize from a larger home into a smaller, yet still detached, home that means less upkeep.

The Links, a Surrey community built by Foxridge Homes (a division of Qualico De-velopment), fits the bill for all homebuyers, says Foxridge sales and marketing manager Diane Zarola.

"In all our communities we end up with a mixed group," she says.

"We have retirees, we have people who are either moving up to a single-family home or people who still want to live in a single-family home but don’t want to have to deal with major maintenance any more."

Every home has a view of the magnificent Surrey Golf Course and the location – near 78 Avenue and 170 Street – allows easy ac-cess to downtown Langley, the new Golden Ears Bridge and other major transportation routes including Fraser Highway.

And, Zarola notes, there's plenty of differ-ent plans to choose from at The Links, which features a total of 74 new homes.

"There will be dozens of different home styles and sizes at The Links because of the topography," she says.

"We are on the side of a hill with three crescents, or cul-de-sacs, so as you come

around the curve each lot is a different size and we designed each home to fit each lot."

If potential homebuyers are worried about

Foxridge Homes' The Links offers brand-new single-family detached homes with views of the Surrey Golf Course.

S urrey is the fastest-grow-ing municipality in B.C., set to outnumber Vancouver's

population within the next 10-20 years. So why not buy a home here? At Foxridge Homes' latest project, The Links, homebuyers can peruse a vast selection of new, single-fami-ly detached houses that offer views of the scenic Surrey Golf Course. With 74 homes in total, Foxridge sales and marketing manager Diane Zarola notes that each home is different from the next. "There will be dozens of different home styles and sizes at The Links because of the topography ... each lot is a different size and we de-signed each home to fit each lot." Beautifully designed and perfectly positioned for the life you've been waiting for, The Links is ready for you and your family.

Love your home at The Links in SurreyMAGGIE CALLOWAy

continued on page 7

6 New Local Home February 24, 2011 New Local Home February 24, 2011 7

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56th Ave

56th Ave

Taylor Rd

Harris Rd

Downes Rd

Langley Bypass

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Mt. Seymour Pkwy

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Steveston Hwy.

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Richmond Fwy.

48th Ave.Westham Is. Rd.

Ladner Trunk Rd.

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River Rd.

28th Ave.

152n

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8th Ave

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Marine Dr.

Stay

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Como Lake

Guildford Way

Loug

heed

David Ave.

St. Johns

Barnett Hwy.

Austin Rd.

116th Ave.

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Golden Ears Way

North Vancouver

West Vancouver

Burnaby

New Westminster

Squamish

Richmond

South Delta

Coquitlam

Port Moody

Port Coquitlam

Vancouver

Surrey

North Delta

LangleyCloverdale

Fort Langley

Pitt Meadows

Maple Ridge

South SurreyWhite Rock

➜

SquamishSkye-Soleil-Aqua

Presentation Centre, Unit 3, 1233 Main St.,Squamish. 604-616-1215

Furry Creek-Ocean Crest415- Furry Creek Dr. 604-787-1456

Maples at Fintry ParkBryson Way and Finch Ave. 604-894-3344

North Vancouver Anderson Walk

139 West 22nd. 604-988-8236The Kimpton

210 W. 13th St. 604-988-3020

Vancouver The Mark

1035 Seymour St. 604-687-4353Pacific Spirit

UBC Westbrook Village. 604-221-8878 604-264-6477

James289 W. 2nd Ave. 604-275-1000

Spice on RobsonNicola and Robson streets. 604-683-5555

Local1661 East 2nd Ave at Commercial. 604-688-5527

BurnabyJewel II

6130 Wilson Ave at Beresford. 604-456-0688Motif at Citi

4400 Buchanan St. 604-298-8800Adera - Green

7438 Byrnepark Walk. 604-439-8858Perspectives

4710 Lougheed Hwy. 604-294-4995Affinity

5695 Lougheed Hwy at Holdom. 604-453-5893

CoquitlamLevo

Pinetree Way & Northern Ave. 604-464-5856The Foothills

Burke Mountain, 3381 David Ave. 604-944-3188Tatton

1240 Holtby, Coquitlam. 604-552-2220Tyneridge

1035 Soball Street. 604-464-7985Belmont

1456 Avondale St. 604-461-7113Sterling

3412 Wilkie Ave. Kensal Walk

1125 Kensal Place. 604-552-3853

Port CoquitlamPearl

2343 Atkins Ave. 604-308-0227The Shaughnessy (on Lions Park)

2950 Glen Dr. 604-461-2750

RichmondRiver Green

5111 Hollybridge Way. 604-233-2633Mezzo

7373 Turnill St. 604-725-1250Emerald

7180 No. 3 Rd. 604-244-8333Hamilton Station

22788 Westminster Hwy. 604-279-8866Wishing Tree

9566 Tomicki Ave. 604-303-6840Saffron

180-8360 Granville Ave. 604-270-2482

South Surrey-White RockHighland Park

160th & 24 Ave. 604-542-8995Glenmore at Morgan Heights

161A St. & 24 Ave. 604-542-8863Wills Creek

160th & 32 Ave. 604-542-6200

Morgan Heights26th Ave & 164th St. 604-531-1111, 604-420-4200

SouthPort3677-143 St. 604-292-0871

High Street402-2950 King George Hwy. 604-536-9333

Summerfield109-172A St. 604-536-1155

Avra1456 Johnston Road. 604-531-9030

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Brighton at Silver Ridge

13851 232 St. 604-270-1889Duet

22977 116 Ave. 604-453-4962Main Stone Creek

10116-241 St. 604-463-5000

New WestminsterVictoria Hill

McBride Ave. 604-523-0733Inter-Urban

Begbie and Columbia St. 604-523-0081Port Royal

Holy Ave. and Salter St. 604-520-9890

DeltaTrend

7445 Scott Road. 604-590-5483South Pointe (at Sunstone)

10527 Modesto Place. 604-584-2908Atria

120 St. and 75A Ave. 604-453-6666 Equinox

10415 Delsom Crescent. 604-581-8144

LangleyBedford Landing

23015 Billy Brown Road. 604-888-2176Seasons & Prelude at Milner Heights

208th St & 72nd Ave. 604-539-9484Time at Walnut Grove

9525-204 Street. 604-694-1819

Cornerstone5655 210A Street. 604-534-6000

High Point Equestrian Estates20048 2nd Ave. 604-531-1111

SurreyAugusta Walk / Woods at Provinceton

18199 70th Ave, 778-571-1088Hazelwood Estates

7881 164A Street. 604-657-5220Knoll

7348 192A Street, Surrey. 604-574-0001Quattro

114-10768 Whalley Blvd. 604-581-8000Ultra

105-13339 102 Ave. 604-588-6999Taylor

1-8767162 St. 604-584-1114

On Tour

Intergulf Developments’ Kits 360 offers brand-new homes in an extremely desirable Vancouver location: Kitsilano.

buying into a community where all the homes look alike, cookie-cutter style, they needn't worry at The Links, Zarola says.

The lower floor of the project's showhome is Foxridge's design studio and colour rooms, she explains.

"Clients can pick not only the exterior colour and trim colours, within design guidelines, but the whole of the interior," she says.

"This includes all interior colours, cabi-nets, counters, flooring, etc. This is where homeowners get to customize their new home and make their dreams come true."

Homes at The Links are energy efficient and offer the latest technology, including EnergyStar low-E glass, double-glazed vinyl warm-frame windows and superior insula-tion.

Inside, the attention to detail continues with overheight ceilings and a natural-gas fireplace in the great room or family room.

The kitchens are a dream with maple cabinets finished with chrome knobs and exclusively designed flat-edge laminate countertops with full-height ceramic tile backsplash.

Bathrooms are designed to pamper with white one-piece soaker tubs and shower stalls in the ensuite bathroom accented with

ceramic tile surrounds.Elegant, individual framed mirrors over

vanities add glamour to this private retreat.Homes are priced from $659,900.Visit www.linksliving.ca for more

information.

Where homeowners can 'make their dreams come true'

FEATuRE

continued from page 5

Wake up to views of Mount baker and the Surrey Golf Course in a new, detached home at

Foxridge Homes' new community, The Links.

8 New Local Home February 24, 2011

Ledingham McAllister

New Local Homes Corporate ad

LED11-0221

LEDMAC_corporate_NLH_Feb25.pdf

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CMYK

Legacy Sans

February 22, 2011

sroberts@stbernadine.com