Metro Vancouver commercial real estate sales reach record $1.42 billion.

Commercial real estate transactions in Metro Vancouver reached an unprecedented six-month total of $1.42 billion during the first half of 2012, breaking the previous record of $1.03 billion set during the first half of 2010, according to a report released Wednesday.

The figures point to a longer-term surge and confidence in commercial land investments, experts say, but belie anxiety over diminishing industrial land availability as it gives way to more apartments and office towers.

The City of Vancouver Affordable Housing Strategy was recenently unveiled which provides direction on affordable housing initiatives from 2012-2021.  The strategy relies heavily on the private sector leasing city owned land to construct affordable housing. 

More information can be found here.

A two-storey retail building on the south side of West Broadway has sold for $2,320,000,  representing $498 per sq ft. The asking price was $2,350,000. The building is adjacent Joey’s Broadway.

The building is 4,658 sq ft in size and is leased to a tanning salon on the upper floor on a month to month basis. The bottom floor is available for lease and asking $35.00 per sq ft net.

Commercial real estate market remains stable, new inventory expands.

Metro Vancouver’s commercial real estate market remains stable, according to the latest CBRE Ltd. reports.

The company’s second-quarter industrial report for the region noted that the overall availability rate of industrial property remained unchanged from the first quarter’s 7.3 per cent. The regional vacancy rate rose 30 basis points to 4.7 per cent but has risen from a two-year low reported in the first three months of the year.

A 14-unit three-storey walkup apartment building in Kits has sold for $4,800,000, or a 3.1% cap rate ($343,000 per unit). The building, located at 2250 York Avenue contains one and two bedroom units and had been listed for sale for $5,600,000. The property is zoned RM-4.