| Recent Blog Posts by Craig Rushton | ||
The House Transformers BuiltDirector Michael Bay has put his Santa Barbara mansion on the market $6.8 million. The 5,400 square feet house was built in 1993 and designed by an architect Jan Hochhauser. The house features four bedrooms and four bathrooms, a guest house and an open layout that allows the beautiful surrounding landscape views into the interior design. Bay’s Santa Barbara mansion has a garage with a three vehicle ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on September 27, 2011
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Willow Street Lofts, Truro Nova ScotiaI was born and lived for 12 years in the town of Truro, a town in the very middle of Nova Scotia. Like my mother before me I attended Willow Street School from Kindergarten to grade 6 (mom and I actually had a teacher in common which is still a bit weird). A few things I learned while at Willow Street School:
Basketball is fun (though I haven't touched a ball in probably 5 years.
Math ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on September 27, 2011
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Insanity!Albert Einstein defined Insanity as: "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." By this definition many home sellers in Vancouver and most Realtors are freaking insane! How many Realtors are using the same tactics to properties that worked in the 70's and 80's but have no relevance in today’s market? "It I keep putting an ad in the paper the phone has to ring!" ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on May 17, 2011
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Honesty in Real EstateIt blows my mind that we even need to talk about being honest in real estate but here we are... Honesty is a two way street when it comes to selling your home:
1. You need a Realtor that will be honest with you, not someone who will tell you what you want to hear just to get your listing. That said you need to be open to hearing the truth about your home; its value, condition and what needs ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on May 17, 2011
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Home Maintenance TipsSome tips from our friends at Pillar To Post: ---
First, buyers should understand the 1% rule. This rule postulates that normal maintenance on a home is about 1% of the value of the home per year. For example, a $250,000 home would require $2,500 per year to maintain. This would be enough to replace the roof covering...and then, a few years later, to replace a failed hot water tank...and then a ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on May 17, 2011
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The $15,000 bathroom & the $0.04 photo
This picture is of a $15,000 bathroom renovation in a condo in Greater Vancouver, problem is I can't see a thing... I guess this is a walk-in shower with a glass enclosure, maybe a granite counter, and a toilet perhaps? Come on people! You spent $15,000 on your new bathroom and this is the kind of photos being used to sell the property? WTH! If I am the owner of this condo then I am raging ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on May 17, 2011
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A few thoughts on Renting vs Buying (with Jacqueline Baker)With interest rates still at historic lows, the housing market looks affordable for many families across Canada and yet far from reach for many others. Can you guess who?
As the old saying goes "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" and here in Canada, it's the truth! It’s note surprising to learn that according to CMHC “a typical homeowner went from being 18 times wealthier than ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on March 4, 2011
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Livable lofts and attics are trendy and viableImagine having a 400-square-foot area in your home that remained untouched and unused?
A room that stayed empty, only to collect dust and cobwebs.
Seems like a bit of a waste, doesn't it?
Well, today, many homeowners are converting the wasted space often found in lofts and attics into special rooms of their own.
"Today, people have more need for space," says Greg Miller, owner of G.E. Miller ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on March 4, 2011
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Best Buy Canada and CENTURY 21 Canada Announce New Geek Squad Partnership
Canadians who purchase a new home through CENTURY 21 are offered one of three Geek Squad services for free
Announcement Highlights:
New national partnership will bring Geek Squad into the homes of Canadians who purchase through Century 21, offering one of three Geek Squad services for free to set up their new home.
Offers include Home Theatre Consultation - $99 value; Basic Home Theatre ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on March 4, 2011
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Average Price = BSBelow is an article published today in the Vancouver Sun stating "Average BC home price hits record high of $505,178 in 2010" As Realtors, Buyers, Sellers, publishers and the public we need to stop looking at things like average price for anything other than pure amusement. Take the West Side of Vancouver; a condo in Fairview has a much higher average price then a condo in Marpole but they are ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on February 11, 2011
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Smallworks Laneway CottagesI received this email from Smallworks today. I am really impressed with this company; they are doing very cool and creative things with small spaces. --- "At about half the price of our full-sized Laneway Houses, our new single-level Laneway Cottages have only marginally less living space and retain most of the amenities. Our building time is reduced by half and the municipal fees are ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on February 11, 2011
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Negativity...
Yesterday someone told me to "keep my negativity to myself" I quickly apologized and our conversation ended. Afterwards I was thinking if I had been overly negative about her situation. I by no means consider myself a negative person; I have been known to get stressed out once and a while and bang my fist on my desk with excitement but I am always positive about our market, my profession and life ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on February 11, 2011
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Coming Soon...Kits 360I received an email this morning regarding a great new condo project by Intergulf Development Group in Kits. Stay tuned for more info. Dear Craig, KITS360 is coming soon and we want to let you know first about the amazing qualities of this soon-to-be coveted community:
Spectacular views of downtown, False Creek, English Bay, the North Shore Mountains and beyond Prime Kitsilano location ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on February 11, 2011
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Pier in Review 20102010 was an interesting year at the Pier. We saw new neighbours to the South, had a few debates over maintenance fees and recreation facilities and had a property manager resign...who needs TV? We also saw some very strong sales figures and a renewed confidence in the project. Here are your in depth sales stats for 2010: 100 East Esplanade # of sales: 1 Average Price per Square Foot: $805 Highest ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on January 8, 2011
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5 Reasons to buy Real Estate in East Vancouver
East Vancouver is becoming a more and more popular place for people of all demographics to purchase Real Estate, both a place to live and an investment property. Here are my top 5 reasons you should consider East Vancouver for your next Real Estate purchase:
Room for growth. Unlike areas like Yaletown which has reached the proverbial ceiling as far as potential to increase in price East Vancouver ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on January 8, 2011
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A walk through history with the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) is one of Vancouver's oldest organizations. In fact, we celebrated our 90th birthday in 2009! Vancouver boasts the formation of Canada's first real estate board in 1888. While that organization lasted only a short time, the Board has been in continuous existence since 1919. That year, 10 local real estate brokers came together and ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on January 8, 2011
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2011 Vancouver Polar Bear Swim, January 1, 2011A quick videos from the 2011 Vancouver Polar Bear Swim...Enjoy!
Craig Rushton, C 21 in Town Realty, 604.505.6503, craig@craigrushton.com www.craigrushton.com
Posted by Craig Rushton
on January 8, 2011
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December 2010; Real estate market stable at year-end
The Greater Vancouver residential housing market entered three distinctive phases in 2010. Continued buoyancy from the post-recession recovery began the year, followed by a summer lull and, throughout the fall, a sustained period of stability.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2010 reached 30,595, ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on January 8, 2011
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How to Buy a Condo in Vancouver and not get screwed
You have heard the horror stories: You parents friend who bought a condo and had to pay $100,000 because it was leaking, your cousin’s boyfriend who unknowingly bought a grow-op, the dude you went to high school with who mortgaged more than he could actually afford and ended up in foreclosure, that guy in the paper who decided he didn’t want to complete on his presale condo and thought ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on December 12, 2010
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November 2010: More sales & Fewer New ListingsGreater Vancouver residential home sales improved in November compared to the previous four months, with the number of sales posted on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) coming in slightly higher than the 10-year average for that month. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,509 in November ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on December 10, 2010
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The Hunt for VALUE
Everyone is looking for VALUE, especially now that we have realized Vancouver Real Estate is not bullet proof and we can no longer use our homes as short term savings accounts. The hard part is trying to figure out what constitutes VALUE. Some people look at price per square foot, sure this can work if things like view, finishings and location are meaningless... people talk about "bang for your ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on December 10, 2010
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2010 Realtor Blanket Drive November 30, 2010 – Volunteers with the 16th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive are appealing to local media to help raise awareness about the need for donations to this Lower Mainland-wide program. The weeklong event kicked off this week and runs until Monday, December 6. People wishing to donate can stop by any of the more than 100 participating real estate offices or provide items to ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on November 30, 2010
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Is 2011 the Year you STOP RENTING?Home Buying can be a daunting process; however, it is not always as difficult as it can seem to be. That 1 bedroom condo you pay $1500/month in rent for, did you know you could own it for a very similar monthly payment even with a minimum down payment? Something to think about.... A few reasons why 2011 could be a great year for you to buy:
Interest rates are still very low. Yes, ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on November 26, 2010
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The Most Expensive Home in the WorldOne Hyde Park in London is the most expensive home in the world. This 2-level, 6 bedroom pre-construction condo sold for $140 Million pounds (almost $228 Million Canadian Dollars) completion is scheduled for December 2010.
Craig Rushton | CENTURY 21 In Town Realty | 604.505.6503
Posted by Craig Rushton
on October 26, 2010
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Unique Global EstatesMy goal as a Real Estate Marketer is to constantly be evolving my marketing plan and expanding my Global networks and reach. With this in mind it is with great pleasure that I announce my newly formed partnership with Unique Global Estates the “World’s Largest Showcase Exclusively for Multimillion Dollar Estates” It is a great honour to be one of a select few Vancouver Realtors affiliated ...
Posted by Craig Rushton
on October 26, 2010
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