Commercial mortgage rates continue to remain attractive, supported in large part by bond yields that have continued a downward march. As of Monday July 23rd, the yield on 5-year GOC bonds was 1.12%. Financing options remain available for stronger assets below 3.50% on five year money.

Source: Bank of Canada

Vancouver looks to Richmond in hiring new planning boss.

After an extensive international search in which it received 108 applications from all over the world, the City of Vancouver had to go no further than the municipality next door to hire a new general manager and director of planning.

On Tuesday the Vision Vancouver-led council ratified the hiring of Brian J.Jackson as the new general manager of planning and development. For the last four years Jackson has been acting general manager of planning for Richmond. He begins work August 27.

North Shore Outlook – NVSD looking to sell or lease four school properties.

Moving ahead with plans to offload nearly a dozen vacant school sites, the North Vancouver School District is putting four properties valued at more than $26 million on the auction block.

On July 6, the school district issued a request for proposals to buy or lease the former Monteray elementary, Ridgeway Annex, Keith Lynn and Plymouth elementary school sites in North Vancouver city and district.

Read more: http://www.northshoreoutlook.com/news/162875106.html

View the RFP here.