What we know about the Millennium Extension

We’ve all been anticipating the design of Vancouver’s next SkyTrain expansion project. Having a better method of travel would make everyone’s days so much more convenient. Can you imagine an easier way to get to UBC? We’re certainly excited for the new additions. But the biggest question is, how will the project make travel more convenient? Where will the stops be placed this time?

With a bit of research, we’ve found the answers for you. Phase 1 of the plan will begin construction along the Broadway Corridor and will be connected directly to the Millennium Line. Finally, the Line will go beyond VCC-Clark Station.

The 6 new stations planned for the Broadway Subway

We are just now finally beginning to see the planning move forward. From what we know, Phase 1 will see the construction of six new underground stations along the Broadway Corridor.

• Great Northern Way Station

• Broadway-Main Street

• Broadway-City Hall Station

• Broadway-Oak Street Station

• Broadway-Granville Street Station

• Broadway-Arbutus Street Station

The Great Northern Way Station will be the first station after VCC-Clark with Phase 1 ending at Broadway and Arbutus Street Station. You can bet that with these new stations along Vancouver’s already busy Corridor, there’s going to be a lot more traffic and density in the area. We can only imagine what this will mean for traffic in Kitsilano. But right now the only concern I can think of is the question of how ‘Park and Riding’ will be handled in this residential neighborhood.

5 Facts about the project

The project’s estimate is $7.3-billion. Yikes! If you’re a driver, this is bad news. Translink and the Metro Vancouver Council are hiking up prices to help fund the project.

The new expansion will be completed in 10 years. Is it just me, or does this seem a little long? Some people have commented on trying to hasten the project, but when it comes to safety, you don’t want to rush things. But we have heard that construction could begin as early as 2019.

The first phase of the expansion will add 6 kilometers to the SkyTrain’s existing Millenium line from VCC-Clark Station. Just saying it doesn’t sound like much, but have you ever tried running 6K. It’s exhausting.

Passengers will be able to travel a single ride from Arbutus Street to the Millennium Line’s eastern terminal at Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station in Coquitlam. The best part is that this trek is estimated to take only 47 minutes.

The time from VCC-Clark Station to Arbutus Street will take only 11 minutes. This is half the time of what it would take by bus currently.

What about Phase 2 of the project?

We’ve heard that phase 2 will include an expansion all the way to UBC. Future off-campus students, your lives will be so much better. You won’t know the pain of having to wake up at 5:30 am to make it to an 8:00 am class and trying to stay awake for the journey so you don’t miss the connection. Past and current students are already envious.

Kitsilano Real Estate Update for June 2018

Summer is in full swing now and we hope that you’ve been able to enjoy some time on the beach. Make sure to keep a look out though, we heard there was a shark spotted in the shores of Kits Beach (link: https://globalnews.ca/video/4289933/small-shark-spotted-off-of-vancouvers-kits-beach).

The market has been slowing down a bit for both Detached and Attached Housing. Out of 30 homes, 11 were sold at asking price or above. However, the majority of the listings did sell within 90% of what they were listed for with only a few below. The lowest reached 74% of the original asking price after a price reduction.

Good news for sellers, the value of properties isn’t dropping much, that means you should really make sure you know the value of your home and do a bit of research to come up with the appropriate asking price. It may take a while for your home to sell, but just be a little patient.

As for buyers, keep an eye out for homes that are overpriced and be prepared for some negotiating. Prices aren’t going down by much.

Also, remember that while you may be going on vacation this summer, the housing market’s not. Keep a eye on our listings page in case the house of your dreams appears. Check out some Condos, Townhouses, and Duplexes here! Summer is especially a great time to look for a place with a patio. It’s so much easier to imagine hosting a barbecue party when the sun hits the yard just right.  

Now it’s time to address the elephant in the room, the new rules issued by the Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) on June 15th. You’re probably wondering “what exactly is going on?” These new rules change a lot of things, for instance “dual agency”. This rule basically ensures that realtors can no longer represent both the Buyer and the Seller as clients. It’s strictly a one or the other deal. To clarify further, realtors can’t represent two people with conflicting interests. This is only one among many of the new rules issued. Visit the RECBC website to learn more about the new changes (link: https://www.recbc.ca/licensee/new-rules.html).

If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to have a friendly chat, don’t be shy. Nick is always up for making new friends, chatting with old ones and he is never too busy to help someone in need. You can get in contact with him easily by phone at (778) 320-8265 or by email at nick@nickchenhomes.com.

How to prepare your kids for being outdoors in summer

Summer is all about visiting parks and beaches and soaking up some vitamin D. But while being in the sun is important, too much exposure can be dangerous. Too many people forget about basic precautions resulting in harmful side effects.

Kitsilano is Vancouver’s most popular beach, so you can expect that a lot of people will be packing up to enjoy a day in the sun. And with Kitsilano’s renovated pool, who could resist paying a visit? We want you to make the most of your fun in the sun by preparing you with the following list of safety precautions for you and your family.

HEAT PROTECTION

Apply sunscreen early and continuously

Even on cloudy days, you should always apply sunscreen liberally and frequently. Plan to put sunscreen on at least 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors to make sure the protection really soaks into your skin. Applying sunscreen just once is not enough. Continue to reapply sunscreen after every couple of hours and after every dip in the pool or beach.

Use proper coverage

The sun can harm skin in a number of ways. Protect your children from harmful rays and exposure by making sure you pack them a hat, sunglasses and other protective clothing. A light long sleeve shirt and pants could protect them from the sun, but keep in mind that you don’t want to overheat them with anything too heavy. Kitsilano has plenty of shops and places you can stop into to pick up a cool drink and take a break from the heat in an air conditioned building.

Note that while shade does provide relief from heat, it does NOT fully protect from UVR and your child could still get a sunburn in the shade.

Avoid peak hours

The sun reaches its peak between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Avoid letting your children play outdoors during this time as much as possible. Try to reschedule and plan outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day, such as in the early mornings or late afternoons.

Keep children hydrated

If you know you will be out for the day, pack a few water bottles and fill them up with ice. Make sure you and your child drink plenty of water before you even feel thirsty. Also eat more fruits and vegetables throughout the day.

WATER PROTECTION

Keep watch over children in water

Don’t let your phone distract you when your kids are playing in water. Lifeguards are there to help watch for signs of drowning or injury, however, ultimately it is your responsibility to look after your child. Know where your child is at all times and ensure they are keeping safe water play practices. Make sure to never leave your child alone near any body of water.

Know your skills

If it’s been a while, consider updating your basic Child CPR certificate. Ideally you should refresh your knowledge on first aid each year.

Put your child in swimming lessons

It’s a good idea for your children to take swimming lessons and as early as possible if you want them to fully enjoy the benefits of swimming. Proper lessons can significantly reduce a child’s risk of drowning.

Important References

1. Sun Safety tips for parents from the Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/sun-safety/sun-safety-tips-parents.html

2. Extreme heat: heat waves from the Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/sun-safety/extreme-heat-heat-waves.html

3. 13 Ways the Sun Affects Your Body from the Live Well blog: https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=9a64f6ba-8855-44dd-82d7-fe32b00f4e06

Have you been to Bard on the Beach?

Kitsilano’s Vanier Park boasts several great attractions and chief among them is the Bard theatre for
Shakespeare. If you’re looking for things to do in kits, we would strongly suggest checking out this
theatre.

Who doesn’t love a good Shakespearean play? Shakespeare’s works have everything from comedy and
love to drama and betrayal.

Yes, we know, Shakespeare died over 400 years ago so why do we still care about his work? Shakespeare
incorporates a great blend of emotion, comedy and sarcasm into his works. He was a master at
understanding his audience and giving them stories and characters whom they can identify with. Really,
who wasn’t touched by Romeo and Juliet’s romantic tragedy?

Featuring the Production of Macbeth at Bard on the Beach

You may have seen the play before, or even read it in school, so why should you go see it outdoors at
the beach. Trust us, going to Bard on the Beach is not the same as sitting in the aisles of a regular
theatre. It’s so much better. For instance, you’re at a literal beach. Nothing beats the backdrop of this
stage performance, with the ocean and mountains to add to the mood. With stunning views and great
actors, it’s easy to become absorbed in the characters as you watch them struggle with power,
corruption and treachery. We’ve heard that this year’s Macbeth is one of the most intense productions
ever staged at Bard.

It’s one of Canada’s Largest Shakespeare Festivals

Bard on the Beach is celebrating its 29 th Season this year. Anything that has been around that long has to
be good and worth seeing. Situated under modern circus-style tents, this is a not-for-profit festival that
features professional Vancouver-based actors to showcase Shakespeare’s work.

Dates, times and tickets are all available on their website at www.bardonthebeach.org.

Who is Nick?

Nick Chen is your neighbourhood fully licensed REALTOR who specializes in helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals within Kitsilano. He has been working in real estate for the last six years and has brokered deals ranging from condos to luxury homes. His favourite part about his job is interacting with clients. He likes getting to know them and helping them reach their goals. He believes in treating each individual with respect and ensuring, meaning that he would never pressure anyone in any way.

Nick has future plans to move his family into a house in Kits where they can all enjoy positive and exiting vibe of the city. Nick says that “just the idea of being able to step out my door and be able to walk to the water within 15 minutes with my family excites me.”

It is really important to Nick that the people he works with understand that he truly cares about them and their needs and will always make their best interests his top priority. He is a people person who truly cares about the community. He has a wide network of contacts to ensure any member of the community can reach who they need from lawyers, handymen and contractors, to cleaners. His clients and neighbours know him as resourceful and a person who truly cares about building trust and looking after his client’s best interest.

Nick in Kits

Growing up in West Side Vancouver, getting to Kitsilano was easy for Nick. He often frequented the many establishments of Kits to experience the taste of the good food, shops, parks, and beach. What impresses Nick the most about this city is the outdoor spaces and the lively atmosphere of the people. Everyone in Kits seems to love coming out to enjoy the sun.

Nick on the Streets

During the week, Nick often finds himself travelling down the streets of West 16th, West Broadway and Cornwall. Every time he walks down these streets, he is amazed by the new restaurants and different styles of cuisine he sees making Kitsilano their home. He says that “there are great stores along the main routes after work and many restaurants to choose from.” Some of his personal favourite stops include Mak N Ming and Sweet Obsessions. For those who are up for experimenting, he would recommend the Beetroot Latte at Be Fresh Cafe.

Nick’s Hobbies and Interests

In his free time, Nick enjoys playing casual volleyball when he has the chance and explores the many shops that Kits offers searching for the perfect baby goods to provide for his expanding family.

Kitsilano homes selling in wide range of prices. 

Kitsilano is proving to remain a popular destination for buyers.  May was a strong month for the attached homes market in Kitsilano. Many buyers aren’t inclined to pay above the asking price, but for the right house in the right neighbourhood, they are willing to make negotiations to beat the competition. It’s a testament to the Kitsilano neighbourhood that homes are selling above the listing price. 

For the attached homes, 22 of the 52 sold homes were at asking price or above. The homes that sold under were within 89% of the most recent asking price.  

The detached homes also showed success as 4 of the 9 homes sold were at asking price or above. The homes sold under were within 96% of the asking price. 

Like last month, Kitsilano is still sought after by buyers. This is the time to get into the market or sell, before lending rates increase, redcuing the purchasing power of active home buyers!

What to do in Kitsilano this weekend

Friday – June 1, 2018

Party

Friday night is party night! If you’re looking for a fun bar to go to this Friday night, The Ellis is the place to be. The Ellis is a bar that is all about welcoming people from distant shores and who are eager to create something new. This is a great place to go to meet new friends or hang out with old ones. This pub has a great selection of local craft beers on tap as well as a cocktail list to cater to everyone’s taste.

https://www.theellis.ca/

Saturday – June 2, 2018

Play

As North America’s longest salt-water pool, the Kitsilano pool was ranked number 3 on Red Bull’s list of world’s sexiest pools to train in. It measures a length of 137m and has the stunning view of mountains and ocean to show off Vancouver’s scenery. This year, the pool even went through a $3.3-million renovation to make the pool run more efficiently with less water and energy waste. We heard that the upgrades made it so that people will float better. Most of us might not feel the change just splashing around, but why don’t you challenge yourself and take a few strokes to see if the water feels different to you. Kitsilano pool opened for the summer on May 19 and will remain open until mi-September.

http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/kitsilano-pool-location-contact.aspx

https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/coolest-swimming-pools-in-the-world

Sunday - June 3, 2018

Shop

Going to a local farmer’s market first thing on Sunday morning can be such a refreshing experience. And if you haven’t been to the Kitsilano Farmers Market yet, then you’ve been missing out. You can’t treat your body to anything better than fresh, organic fruits and vegetables grown locally. Visit the Kitsilano Community Centre at 2690 Larch Street between 10am – 2pm. Check out their website for Vendor Listings and Market Map. Aside from the vegetation, you can even get artisan beer, delicious meat and even handmade crafts. This year, a new bakery has been included in the roster, the Rising Knead Bakery. It uses 100% organic flour to create low gluten breads.

http://eatlocal.org/markets/kitsilano/

http://maps.managemymarket.com/3168

https://www.facebook.com/RisingKneadBakery/

5 Reasons to Live in Kitsilano

Kitsilano is known for being a lively and eco-friendly beachside community. At any given time of year, a person can easily get lost in the culture of Kitsilano while exploring the many activities in the neighbourhood. This is one of the reasons that makes it a prime location to live. Anyone looking for an active lifestyle will definitely find it in Kitsilano. Here are our 5 top reasons to live in this family-friendly city.

1. The Beach

(Multi-)Million dollar view

Do we really need to say more? The activities at Kitsilano Beach can fill up more than just an entire day. Aside from swimming in the ocean and sun-tanning along the shore, you could also spend a morning walking along the seaside seawall, enjoy an afternoon of beach volleyball, and then dig into the menu at the Boathouse for dinner.

2. Shopping

Tourists come from all over the world to experience the cherry blossom lines streets

Kitsilano’s West 4th Avenue is where it’s at when it comes to shopping in Vancouver. With around 250 unique stores, Kitsilano boasts a great range of lifestyle, fashion, specialty, outdoor, and food businesses, you can easily find yourself losing track of time wondering the shops.

3. Integration of Nature with Urban Life

Seamless transition from concrete to green

Even though Kitsilano is a city in the heart of Vancouver, access to nature is as easy as stepping out into your backyard. Looking out across the ocean at Stanley Park and West Vancouver with the North Shore Mountains as a backdrop, you’ll have trouble finding a more picturesque view than from Kitsilano beach. Besides the view, stepping into nature isn’t hard as there are an abundance of parks and gardens to visit that’ll give you a moment away from the busy city life. Many of these parks even offer off-leash areas for pet owners so they can allow their dogs to run around freely and play.

If you have an afternoon to spare, challenge yourself to the Kitsilano Nature Tree Walk

4. Healthy Living

The maverick in athleisure

If there’s one thing Vancouverites are passionate about, it’s their healthy living. We love to feel good about our bodies. There are plenty of local farmer’s markets and organic restaurants to make eating the right kinds of food easy. You also have plenty of options of fitness programs to choose from and is even the birthplace of the world renowned yoga brand Lululemon Athletica.

5. Art and Culture

Rain or shine, the show must go on

If you haven’t been to a summer festival in Kitsilano, then you’re really missing out. The annual Shakespearean festival Bard on the Beach is especially worth going to. Kitsilano also has a number of other great family-friendly attractions, such as the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the Museum of Vancouver, and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Kitsilano trees: Can you find them all?

A nature walk through Kits

If there’s one thing Vancouverite’s are proud of, it’s their easy access to nature. There are so many places to visit where you can step away from the busy city streets and enter a world of natural beauty. The best part about it is that you don’t even have to walk far from your front porch.

You might not know this, but Kitsilano is home to some of the more interesting trees in Vancouver and with the great weather we’ve been having, it would be a waste not to take the opportunity to find these hidden treasures.

Beautiful Kitsilano

The Natural Beauty of Kitsilano

Kitsilano is a very plant loving community and you just need to walk down the tree-lined streets to see that. And thanks to a friendly community member, you can even follow along with a ready-made map that takes you through the city to find the most gorgeous trees in the neighbourhood. You can actually download and print the free map at http://www.kitstreemap.com.

What makes this urban route different than one of B.C.’s many forest trails is that you wouldn’t get nearly as much diversity. With so many different species and range of colours, you will be astounded by what you’ll come across among Kitsilano’s urban trees and community gardens.

Just to give you a little taste of what you’re in for, here are two of the amazing trees you could come across on your nature walk through Kitsilano.

Japanese Zelkova

As seen in New York

This tree is native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan and is often grown as a piece of decoration for the garden.

Where can you find this tree?

This tree is sits above the Maritime Museum along the footpath off of Cornwall Avenue.

Weeping Willow

Similar tree not in Kitsilano

The weeping willow originally came from China, however, it can now be found throughout the northern hemisphere. The tree came by its name as it was described as having “raindrops that are falling to the ground from the drooping branches of willow resemble tears.”

Where can you find this tree?

Follow the path through Kitsilano Beach and as you approach the central beach area, you will come across this magnificent tree.

Visit to the Outdoors

Nature is such an important part of our community. Many schools and daycares have even introduced outdoor programs to help enrich the education of students through exposure to nature.

Even if you’re not up for a long walk, you can find nature just sitting on the patio at what could be a new favourite restaurant and coffee shop. But if you do have a day to spare, we recommend you definitely challenge yourself to the Kitsilano tree walk.

Good news for home buyers! 

Sellers, there are more buyers shopping currently. With the right marketing and pricing, we will be able to sell your home quickly before more competition comes onto the market!



Take a look at the houses on the market RIGHT NOW! 

Don’t forget to contact us to check out some amazing houses that have recently sold

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.