As the year winds down, it would be great to get your thoughts on the type of market news, information and research that is most valuable to you, and what you would like to see on this site in 2015.

Let me know by dropping me a line. [cscf-contact-form]
Happy Holidays!

– David

The outcome of the upcoming civic election gets more media attention in the City of Vancouver than any other municipality, and polls suggest the race for Mayor is quite close.

Which way are you leaning?

[poll id=”7″]

 Some twitter activity:

Latest Insights West poll gives Robertson 46% of decided vote, Lapointe at 41% and Wong at 9%. About a quarter undecided. #vanelxn

— Keith Baldrey (@keithbaldrey) November 10, 2014

MT @Howellings: @MayorGregor pleads for @COPEVancouver‘s support, apologizes to voters in #CBC debate http://t.co/GLKF3jcdJe #vanpoli — Vancouver Courier (@VanCourierNews) November 13, 2014

Affordability is the big challenge we face: @mayorgregor at #cityvotes2014 mayoral debate hosted by @cbcearlyedition. #vanpoli

— Vision Vancouver (@VisionVancouver) November 12, 2014

Putting the community back in community consultation: the NPA will revitalize CityPlan, a neighbourhood-led plan for #Vancouver #vanpoli

— NPA Vancouver (@NPAVancouver) November 12, 2014

Meena Wong Wins CBC Debate: "We have a clear choice: affordable housing or developer profits" http://t.co/RqYUlvzCu6 #vanelxn #vanpoli

— COPE | 進步選民聯盟 (@COPEVancouver) November 12, 2014

Here is a snapshot of where concrete values are this year based on resales. Taking a look at Year-to-date MLS resales in Vancouver West for buildings built in 2012 or newer, and excluding the downtown peninsula, yields the following:

• 134 sales, averaging $808 per SF
• This market is now firmly entrenched well above $700 per SF in most areas
• The cheapest sale was $584 per SF

Source: MLS

The average for Downtown Vancouver remains higher ($904 per SF YTD); however, this is skewed by higher end luxury sales in building such as Residences at Hotel Georgia and 3 Harbour Green. Ultimately, the scarcity of newer concrete product, even in areas that are percieved to have lots of inventory like Olympic Village, is driving Westside concrete values to match or even exceed Downtown prices.