As part of my business development I looked back at my past to reflect on influential moments in my life.  It was fun thinking back to many great moments and I realized that many of these moments came when I was volunteering.

For example, I have a long history with sailing in and around Vancouver.  I have coached and raced but I currently help out volunteering on Tuesday nights to get people out sailing between the ages of 18-40 that can’t quite afford their own boat but want to be out on the water in English Bay.  I get to meet many new and interesting people and share with people my knowledge about something I am passionate about. 

So if you are looking for new experiences in your life, find something you enjoy and get involved as a volunteer.  It may surprise you how much you enjoy it. I have volunteered at Theater Under the Stars, coached community hockey, high school coaching/tutoring, currently sit on a Sailing Committee and work annually with the Food Bank.  We are all busy people but helping out when and where people are needed as a volunteer not only helps the overall fabric of humanity but can be a deep and rich experience as well.  In keeping with these lines, check out this great YouTube video link below titled, The surprising truth about what motivates us. (The animation is done really well.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc

9. Day Adventure to Bowen Island for Lunch

8. Fireworks night from Jericho Beach or Vanier Park

7. Dinner from a day of shopping at Granville Island

6. Theater Under the Stars in Stanly Park at Malcolm Bowl

5. Sun set walk at Queen Elizabeth Park Rose Garden

4. Picnic at Spanish Banks

3. Walk around Stanly Park

2. Bard on the Beach

1. Getting out on the water somehow by kayak, aqua bus, sail boat, sea bus or motor boat!

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this University Condo for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-644-0056 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Michael Andruff
RE/MAX Crest Realty - Westside

View this recently sold Condo or see all my home sales

Spacious 2 bedroom/2 bathroom south facing, third floor unit. Feats, incl.: gas f/p, lrge balcony, two parking spaces, locker, IS/L, and lrge kitch, Close to University Hill H/S, Great amenities with O/D pool and exercise rm.

View this recently sold Townhouse or see all my home sales

The Vancouver Real Estate Market continues as always to move up and down.  I find from time to time people like to know what is happening in the Vancouver Real Estate Market so I provide a monthly update to my clients.  The Real Estate Update e-news letter is a great way to keep tabs on the market and get handy real estate tips and info as well. If you are interested in signing up for an e-subscription email me back Greg@TeamAndruff.ca .

Greg Andruff – Vancouver Real Estate Specialist

Greg@TeamAndruff.ca

778-899-4267

PS Of course if you have any other question about Vancouver Real Estate or know someone that needs a Free Home Evaluation call me any time as I am always here to help!

I was sitting with some friends at dinner the other night and someone asked “How do you build wealth because it always seems that you need money to make money?” Another friend said, “I just got lucky I bought my first condo and it went up in value, which allowed me to buy a house, which went up in value and when I sold that I bought a pretty nice home.”

Everyone knows that owning your own home is typically a better solution to renting. I am not telling you anything that you don’t already know but have you ever calculated the difference in the cost between renting and owning your home?!

Paying Rent

Lets just say you pay $1,000 in rent a month that is $12,000 a year.  Over five years that is $60,000 (which is anywhere from 1 -2 years salary for some).  Now if you rent your whole life, say from the age of 20 to 65 (and you had the unbelievable fortune of never having a rental increase) at a $1,000 dollars a month that would be $540,000 that you would have spent in rent.  This money that you will never seen again because it was your rent money and you did not own the property you lived in.

Paying a mortgage

To again keep the numbers as easy as possible lets say you put $25,000 down (you can lend yourself up to $50,000 from your RRSP’s) and got a mortgage for $175,000.  With a current 5 year fixed mortgage rate of 4.59% and a 25 year amortization, you could buy a $200,000 1 bedroom condo in New Westminster. I know you are thinking “Ya but I don’t want a condo in New Westminster I want a $400,000 condo in Kits or anywhere else…” The point of this is just to follow the numbers. (By the way there are currently about 404 listings in an area from Maple Ridge to the Sunshine Coast to Whistler under $200,000.)  If you bought your first place for $200,000 tomorrow and owned if for the full 5 year term paying a mortgage of $977.35 a month and sold it at the same price you bought it for you would have accumulated $21,128.10 in equity.

What really happened to my friend from dinner the other night was not luck.  What really happened was that he started to own part of something and that something grew in value over time as he built equity. In this basic scenario (not including property appreciation, rental increases, taxes, strata fees, or moving costs from a land lord deciding to move you along whether you like it or not…) there was a difference of $81,128.10 between the gains of owning and the loses of renting.  Instead of never seeing your rent money of $60,000 ever again after five years of renting, you would be worth $21,128.10 and 5 years closer to not having to pay any more mortgage payments or rent ever again if you own.

Greg Andruff - Vancouver Real Estate Specialist
778-899-4267

Greg Andruff - Real Estate Specialist

778-899-4267

On most transactions the 7% GST or HST (soon to be 12% as of July 1, 2010) is paid at the moment of purchase. What happens when the purchase takes place over a period of time as is often the case when purchasing real estate? Although not officially passed as yet, there is a two stage transitional proposal.  A declaration will be made stating how much work has been accomplished by July 1, 2010.  For example, your home is listed for sale today in May, and an offer is accepted to buy it with completion and possession dates set for July 15^th.  The seller then pays a blend of both GST and HST.  Say the Realtor did 90% of the work to market and sell your home before July 1, then the GST is payable on 90% of the commission, and HST is payable on the remaining 10%.  Likely the same will be the case with new construction.  Builders will have to declare how much work they have done to build the home as of July 1, and the purchaser will pay a blend of GST and HST, based on the percentage of work completed as of July 1, 2010.

For more info contact me at

GregAndruff.tel

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Brentwood Park Townhouse for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-644-0056 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Michael Andruff
RE/MAX Crest Realty - Westside

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Brentwood Park Townhouse for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-644-0056 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Michael Andruff
RE/MAX Crest Realty - Westside

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Brentwood Park Townhouse for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-644-0056 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Michael Andruff
RE/MAX Crest Realty - Westside

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Brentwood Park Townhouse for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604-644-0056 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Michael Andruff
RE/MAX Crest Realty - Westside

Lofty, lovely & luxurious nearly new concrete townhouse, with lots of light & oversize windows & high ceilings (17') in the living room. Many upgrades including gleaming granite, stainless appliances, fireplace, engineered wood floors, north facing corner unit with 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. The master bedroom has 11 ft ceilings & double-sink ensuite. A corner unit on quiet side, garden view, patio, locker, pets allowed/restricted and approved rentals allowed! Come and see The Oma in sought after Brentwood Park, central location, easy commuter access or walk to sky train. All sorts of stores & restaurants close! Great amenities with pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and exercise room.

Bringing an all BC concept to the Vancouver dining scene, this 50-Seat + Sidewalk Patio Point Grey restaurant offers an outstanding opportunity for the next owner/operator. Lease payments include a 2-bedroom apartment over the restaurant with 2 rear parking spaces. Please do not visit restaurant without first contacting Listing Realtor. Full Info Package available upon completion of Confidentiality Agreement (see Documents Section).

Come and see this updated 1 bedroom in fabulous downtown location! This is a quiet inside unit facing the inner courtyard. Updated with newer carpets, paint, light fixtures, kitchen & bathroom. Building had new plumbing in 2009, new paint, carpets and lighting in common areas. Common rooftop deck with views of English Bay and downtown. Perfect starter unit or investment property. Potential of $1000 - $1100/month in rent. Parking available for rent for $50/month. Call today to view

View this recently sold House or see all my home sales

Its an Old Timer in original condition could be great for a young family looking to create a new home, fix up and flip or great building lot. Sold as is where is. Deep lot 33' - 138.5'. Priced to sell as lot value.

Great View, Great Space, Great Price! This stylish home has a large west facing balcony with a great view of the city. Some updates make it a must see as the location is unbeatable with an easy walk to Granville Isl., Seawall, Downtown and South Granville shopping. Underground Parking and Storage Locker arc secured. Pets and Rentals are not a problem.