Vancouver's Real Estate Market

[underscore]

Originally Posted by Tapioca

^ Maybe it's because you live in East Vancouver, which is still a mix of low-income immigrant families and tech bro households?

In my neighbourhood, landscaping services are pretty common for a lot of homeowners with larger lots.

I know nothing about the neighbourhoods, but when I drove through Burnaby and New West recently there was tons of stuff massively overgrown and not maintained at all.

[Hondaracer]

Originally Posted by Qmx323

Super neighbourhood dependent.

My parent's block in central Richmond is a pretty even mix of all ethnicities, and there are maybe 2 or 3 houses on the block that don't maintain their yards to the "block standard"

A friends block two blocks to the east is maybe 80% Asian? A decent chunk of properties have replaced their front grass lawns with small stones.

A few completely ignored yards, but still inhabited, yeah it sucks to look at but it ain't my house lol.

In terms of community... There are a few households here that have chats outside but they've also known each other for 30+ years. I shoot the shit here and there, and with my next door neighbour we kinda bring in each others garbage cans over the years.

Would I miss this if they moved away? Maybe, I'd still help the neighbours with the garbage bins every now and then, but it would probably stop if not reciprocated.

Interesting how tech has connected us further, yet also lead to the closing off of these kinds of small "everyday" conversations.

My parents house is at the end of the block with a green belt beside so we really only had 1 neighbour and for the longest time it was like this decrepit old Norwegian guy, then it was weird Russians, and now actually it’s a super nice Korean guy my dad talks to frequently and helps out etc. however growing up I had very little sense of community from the neighbours moreso due to the location of the house imo (compared to lots of my friends who lived in culdesacs etc. and would have block parties bla bla bla)

However, now in EV of the 5-6 houses directly surrounding mine they are all young families now and I actually know and talk to all of them. We invite them to parties we have and they do the same. Kinda nice but I think that is more age demo as we are all within 5-7 years or so I’d say

[westopher]

It’s funny cause I’d say previously north van had a “snooty rich person” persona, but since I moved there, everyone says hi. I feel like I don’t necessarily look like an approachable person when I’m out on my own (covered in tattoos, walking a junkyard dog, sunglasses always on, etc.) but even the pearl clutching old white people are super quick to say hello and ask how old the dog is, and make small talk.
It definitely feels more like home when your neighbours aren’t doing everything in their power to avoid holding the door for you somewhere, or crossing the street because they think your 11 year old dog with arthritis is going to somehow get the energy burst to maul their children.

[Eff-1]

Originally Posted by westopher

It’s funny cause I’d say previously north van had a “snooty rich person” persona, but since I moved there, everyone says hi. I feel like I don’t necessarily look like an approachable person when I’m out on my own (covered in tattoos, walking a junkyard dog, sunglasses always on, etc.) but even the pearl clutching old white people are super quick to say hello and ask how old the dog is, and make small talk.
It definitely feels more like home when your neighbours aren’t doing everything in their power to avoid holding the door for you somewhere, or crossing the street because they think your 11 year old dog with arthritis is going to somehow get the energy burst to maul their children.

I love north van for that reason. The sense of community in and around our building, especially with young families, makes a massive difference to quality of life.

We have neighbours who pick up our packages when we're away!

[westopher]

Yeah my parking neighbour is a similar age to us. He drives a MASSIVE truck, which normally would be a pretty huge bummer. It’s pretty obvious I’m a guy who’d be upset if my car got dinged, so when he saw me in the parkade he was quick to ask if it was ok if he parked there even though it’s creeping into my area. I said no problem as long as he can park it well enough not to hit me.
Next time I saw him, to say thanks he ran upstairs and brings me a bag full of spot prawns he caught. Now he always brings me rations of what he catches on fishing/hunting trips and let’s me use his parking spot when he’s away so I can bring the e30 home.
If people would just realize that not being a piece of shit to each other makes life in a neighbourhood (especially condo/apartment living) so much easier the world would be a much better place.

[Gerbs]

At my mom's place, I talk to a radius of 2 houses down on each side, as well as my direct neighbors who have garages facing us. Everyone seems to be pretty friendly with majority being there since 1960's - 2000's. A lot of them are either young families or eldery and they both help out my mom with everything.

Fast foward, to me living in an older condo now. My entire floor is full of 40 - 55 year olds. Seems like nobody is open to saying hi and everyone keeps to themselves. When I lived in a luxury condo, it was a lot better though. Since the average age was in their 20's to 30's. Everyone said hi, sometimes invites were thrown around. I think I definitely missed the sense of community at the moment. With two to three units being sold on my floor, I hoped that'd change but they're investment properties. The tenants are now 3 people packing into a 1BR, who give mean mugs lol.

[Badhobz]

Originally Posted by Eff-1

I love north van for that reason. The sense of community in and around our building, especially with young families, makes a massive difference to quality of life.

We have neighbours who pick up our packages when we're away!

no thanks, i prefer starring at empty mega mansions in richmond. nobody bothers us and there isnt any noise at all since nobody is around

[JDMDreams]

^^ also no vis

[EvoFire]

Wife's been complaining about the community thing where we live in Fraserview. But some of my observations were:
1) It's lower density here, larger lots, and just typically not gonna be a whole lot of ppl walking around compared to the medium density townhouse/lowrise where we used to live
2) There are WAY more parks/park space in the vicinity than where we were in Burnaby South, there's more places for ppl to choose from to chill and to take the kids.
3) Demographics. Just a lot of older folks. The two houses on the left and right of us are old people. The two houses directly behind us, one is lived in by an auntie with adult kids that have moved out, the other one has twins. Other than that we are the only house on our block that has a kid. People are friendly though.

[Alpine]

The secret to getting to know your neighbors is having a dog lol (assuming there are dogs in your neighborhood). Walk the dog and you will run into neighbors that a) have a dog themselves, b) are out for a walk after dinner, c) neighbors working on their property.

Of course, this doesn't apply if your neighborhood is dominated by immigrants who spend all their time indoors with the blinds drawn like my HK inlaws lol.

[supafamous]

Originally Posted by Alpine

The secret to getting to know your neighbors is having a dog lol (assuming there are dogs in your neighborhood). Walk the dog and you will run into neighbors that a) have a dog themselves, b) are out for a walk after dinner, c) neighbors working on their property.

Of course, this doesn't apply if your neighborhood is dominated by immigrants who spend all their time indoors with the blinds drawn like my HK inlaws lol.

LOL. I was working on the car outside today when some Chinese lady pops up like a genie right in front of me and starts talking to me and my wife in Mandarin (we don't speak it). We figure out she speaks Cantonese and then she starts asking us all these questions about our patio umbrella right up in my wife's face.

Finally she leaves and then we find out she lives across the street from us - no introduction or greeting or welcome to the neighbourhood. Just "Where'd you get that umbrella and how much is it?"

[68style]

I'm just the crazy white guy with a lot of old cars in my building. Richmond life.

[quasi]

I talk to all my neighbors, mostly friendly but it's easy when you live in a cul-de-sac. The guy who lived next door was kind of a dick but he split from his wife so just her there now, she's nicer.

[ntan]

I've got overly friendly neighbours who pop into my backyard (via the side man-gate) uninvited when he hears me and invites me over for drinks etc. They're also a retired couple whereas I'm still in my early/mid 30s. Would've been nicer if they didn't enter our backyard unsolicited and was closer in age.

[Peturbo]

Originally Posted by Alpine

The secret to getting to know your neighbors is having a dog lol (assuming there are dogs in your neighborhood). Walk the dog and you will run into neighbors that a) have a dog themselves, b) are out for a walk after dinner, c) neighbors working on their property.

Of course, this doesn't apply if your neighborhood is dominated by immigrants who spend all their time indoors with the blinds drawn like my HK inlaws lol.

I agree with this. friendly with both my next door neighbors but when walking the dog, you really get to meet much more of the neighbors besides the ones beside you.

[donk.]

Originally Posted by ntan

I've got overly friendly neighbours who pop into my backyard (via the side man-gate) uninvited when he hears me and invites me over for drinks etc. They're also a retired couple whereas I'm still in my early/mid 30s. Would've been nicer if they didn't enter our backyard unsolicited and was closer in age.

I think that's just a retired thing

When I was doing Reno's on my bathroom in my condo, (unit door closed)
I'm in the bathroom, tearing shit out, and suddenly this 60 year old guy appears behind me

At first I'm like wtf? And his actions were like it was normal. Then he proceeds to talk about how he has been in the building for 30 years, knows everyone, etc. Nice guy, but like Jesus dude....

[TOS'd]

Originally Posted by donk.

I think that's just a retired thing

When I was doing Reno's on my bathroom in my condo, (unit door closed)
I'm in the bathroom, tearing shit out, and suddenly this 60 year old guy appears behind me

At first I'm like wtf? And his actions were like it was normal. Then he proceeds to talk about how he has been in the building for 30 years, knows everyone, etc. Nice guy, but like Jesus dude....

Reminds me of back in elementary school when we would have friends over along with their parents. And then you have these mainland dads who just start opening random doors in the house and going inside checking everything out like its an open house.

[Eff-1]

Being retired is definitely a thing.

Back when I lived with my parents, we barely knew any of the neighbours except for the retired guy next door.

Since I've moved out, and all the other neighbourhood kids have moved out, the remaining residents are all the parents who are retired and empty nesters. Now everybody knows everyone!

Whenever I visit my parents, all my mom talks about is the neighbours and who did this and who did that. And my parents invite different neighbours over for dinner all the time and they get invited too.

[JDMDreams]

They announced a 3 day cool down with penalty for walking away. Discuss, seems kinda stupid cuz it's within the subject removal 7 days? I guess you can write something in the contract to waive it?

[quasi]

Originally Posted by JDMDreams

They announced a 3 day cool down with penalty for walking away. Discuss, seems kinda stupid cuz it's within the subject removal 7 days? I guess you can write something in the contract to waive it?

I don't think you can wave it, one of the realtors on my feed was crying about it.

[Hondaracer]

So it’s that time of year again.. home insurance renewal..

Does anyone use MAX home insurance? I went through a broker at work (HUB) and she got me some quotes, one was with my current provider “family” which seemingly has even worse reviews than last time I looked.

That quote is $2200, or it would be $1800 if I renewed through the home insurance people

The MAX quote is like $1200.. she said “we only use reputable companies” as far as that goes..

So anyone use MAX?

[donk.]

Originally Posted by quasi

I don't think you can wave it, one of the realtors on my feed was crying about it.

I'm with quasi

You buy a home with no subjects > you get 3 days to walk away anyways

[Alpine]

Originally Posted by donk.

I'm with quasi

You buy a home with no subjects > you get 3 days to walk away anyways

So basically it won't matter in a hot market since price competition will be the only thing that matters. It'll just be a major PITA for realtors and sellers as there will be a lot of buyers who get cold feet and walk away.

[JDMDreams]

Well there is a penalty for walking away, I think like $250 per $100k so if you want to walk out on a million place it will still cost you $2500.

[quasi]

I think a lot has been made of this, especially by realtors but in practice how many deals will it really have an impact on? I could be wrong but I don't think it will be that many.