The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver released their October statistics. The residential market continues to show signs of slowing down, although not dramatically. Here are a few highlights:

• Listings were up 12% from 2011, but down 5.3% from September 2012.
• Sales were down 16.7% in October 2012 compared to October 2011.
• Since hitting a record high in April, the benchmark price detached homes on the Westside of Vancouver has declined 8.6% while detached homes in Richmond and West Vancouver have seen declines of 6 % over the same time period.
• Port Moody, Maple Ridge and Port Coquitlam are the only markets where average single family prices have not declined since April.
• North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows and Port Moody are the only markets where average condo unit prices have not declined since April.

Source: REBGV stats

Ted Mildon, Matt Saunders and Drew Gilbertson are pleased to announce the sale of 2403 Main Street in Vancouver. The property consists of 8,000 square feet of retail on the main floor and 12 apartment units on the second floor. Colliers represented both purchaser and vendor in this transaction.

For more information on this sale please contact Ted Mildon.

Values for retail properties in East Vancouver have largely been driven by rents in increasingly populated areas such as Main Street, Commercial Drive and East Hastings Street. Properties with strong tenant covenants in East Vancouver should achieve strong valuations with cap rates even below 5.00%.

SFU wants to expand, build in City Centre.

With student demand now greater than ever, Simon Fraser University is looking to double the capacity of its Surrey facility, from 2,500 full-time students to 5,000 – hopefully starting within the next three years.

That’s according to a proposal submitted by SFU to the provincial government earlier this month, looking not only for approval of the plan but funding for the project as well.

“SFU is the only research university that is trying to substantially grow its undergraduate population and that stems from our location in Surrey and the growth in Surrey and other south Fraser cities,” said Joanne Curry, SFU executive director and associate VP of external relations for SFU Surrey.

Burnaby NewsLeader – Edmonds development awaits area planning process.

The development of the vacant lot at Edmonds and Canada Way is awaiting completion of an updated Sixth Street Area Plan at Burnaby City Hall.

A four-storey mixed-use project is being proposed for the corner property at 7320 Canada Way, a former gas station site, according to a city planning report.

City staff informed the rezoning applicant, Kamcon Construction, that “substantial efforts” would have to be made to acquire and consolidate the Odd Fellows Hall property next door at 7724 Edmonds St. into any potential development.