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In these series of Vancouver neighbourhood guides we’re taking a look at each part, talking about its history, characteristics and future development. The first place in the series belongs to Cambie, once considered the heart of Vancouver.

South Cambie is considered one of the smallest neighbourhoods in Vancouver, housing just over 7000 people on 217 hectares of land. It’s well known for it’s characteristic villagey feel, attracting a young pool of active professionals with families. The neighbourhood was named after a CPR engineer Henry Cambie, who was in charge of the railway’s wester division in the nineteenth century.

South Cambie is located between Queen Elizabeth park (a former pit mine) and Little Mountain. Its bordered by Oak Street on west, Cambie Street on the east and the West 16th & 41st Avenues on the north, respectively south.

The architectural style of the neighbourhood is varied. Most houses in the area are detached houses built before the seventies, heritage homes, divided houses with rental units, walk-up apartments and condominiums.

The first settler in this area was an experienced gold miner named William Mackie. He claimed himself over sixty hectares of land around a former elk pasture. The place in question today is known as Douglas Park on West 22nd Avenue. Jeremiah Rogers, the next known setller, is credited as one of the first users of mechanized loggin equipment and for building the road to the top of Little Mountain, the highest place in Vancouver offering a full 360 degree view on its surroundings. Complete development of the area finished in the early 1940′s.

South Cambie is known for its abundance of medical facilities including Shaughnessy Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital and the BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. They are well known by having the reputation of being the best in the province.

The most notable recent event which influences both the future appearance and characteristics of the neighbourhood is the construction of the Canada Line rapid transportation system. The Canada Line will connect Vancouver with Richmond and runs through the entire lenght of Cambie street. The area will benefit from a complete reconstruction – amongst improved street geometry which will include corner bulges at key intersections and bike lanes for some portions of the street, there will be better sidewalks, new pedestrian lightning street, street furniture and there will be place for public art as well.

Jay Banks has been an accomplished Vancouver BC real estate expert since 1991. For more information on Cambie real estate and other great articles, visit his website http://www.jaybanks.ca

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Banks

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Ok so you might find the next few links interesting. These are from around the web, just random snippets that I’ve picked up in my reading, but I found some very cool information in them. You might too. Here goes…

Homes for Sale in Lake Cowichan, British Columbia $679900

2500.00 sq. ft. Homes for sale in Lake Cowichan Lake Cowichan, British Columbia. For sale at $679900.0000 CAD. 501 Point Ideal Drive, Lake Cowichan MLS 296198.

Homes for Sale in Dean Park, North Saanich, British Columbia $739000

3759.00 sq. ft. Homes for sale in Dean Park North Saanich, British Columbia. For sale at $739000.0000 CAD. 8745 Carmanah Terrace, Dean Park MLS 277847.

Homes for Sale in Wells Landing, Chilliwack, British Columbia $389900

Homes for sale in Wells Landing Chilliwack, British Columbia. For sale at $389900.0000 CAD. 6876 Coach Lamp Dr.,, Wells Landing MLS H1002187.

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.

Have a great day!

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Many people in the lower mainland or Greater Vancouver area prefer to buy a resale of a house for either personal or investment use. In any educated decision there are advantages and disadvantages to this decision. Here are some general guidelines.

Top 10 Advantages

1. Generally the sale of a used home is less expensive.

2. A resale house has a lived in feeling that can sometimes be cozy.

3. Perhaps this homes architectural style is unique and not often used anymore in newer designs.

4. As time goes on, you can see whether or not problems will occur. They will most often occur within the first 5 years of home ownership. A competent and professional building inspector in the Fraser Valley can discern if there are nay problems in the houses design or construction. You can find building inspectors that work out of Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Burnaby, Maple Ridge, Langley, Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack.

5. The landscaping of a re-sale is often mature and looks better then a newer home.

6. Your neighborhood will be established and has developed it’s own “character”.

7. Community services has been established over the years.

8. Previous owners or owner of the home may have installed upgrades to the home that you’d normally not receive if it were a newer home purchase.

9. You will not have to pay GST on the purchase of a resale of your home in British Columbia!

10. The area should have developed enough to include amenities surrounding the area to make your shopping easy and accommodating.

Top 10 Disadvantages

1. An older home may not have been built to current building standards and may not meet today’s electrical and insulation codes. Keep your eyes out for formaldehyde foam insulation as it is not to be in any homes according to BC’s new health codes.

2. Defects in the house construction are not visible or identified unless a through inspection is done by a building inspector. A buyer of a new home is covered by the a warranty legislated by the government.

3. If you buy a resale in a high density area, the property could be more expensive then a new home depending on the location of the home in the Fraser Valley. Most homes in Vancouver, Richmond, White rock and Surrey are more expensive then Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack or Aldergrove.

4. Older homes will often have an un-attractive or functional design. Rooms may be smaller of the layout is a poor setup. You can find low basement ceilings that make the area less usable and your comfort level / standard of living depreciates.

5. The hot water tank, roof, air conditioner, fridge, stove and other amenities may be out dated.

6. A new home will look modern, fresh and smells NEW!

7. Market evaluation of the newer house is easer because of similar comparable properties built in the area.

8. Many new home builders are registered with the New Home Warranty program in their Fraser Valley area’s.

9. As the fist one in the house, you have the advantage of being able to personalize the house to meet your own family’s needs rather then a remodeling job.

10. When buying a new home your home builder will offer you a design scheme which outlines the kinds of kitchen cabinets, carpet and color’s as an option. You will find these mostly in new condominium developments.

However, if the contractor has no previous history in the industry of building a new home in the Fraser Valley or Lower Mainland area be very cautious. The contractor could have been operating under a previous company name but went under a different company name. Consider the possibility that the contractor is a first timer and learning the tricks of the trade at your expense. Do a little bit of research with your local Greater Vancouver Realtor to find out the background of your contractor. When buying a new home construction, make sure your deposits are held in a trust account and not given to the developer as a stakeholder. There is that risk that the money is going directly to the builder and not being held in a trust account by a lawyer or a real estate company. Ask your realtor about this and make sure they are covering all their bases.

Our rental network helps to find quality homes, apartments or vacation rentals in Canada’s Fraser Valley area. Visit the website RentBurnaby.com [http://www.RentBurnaby.com] for more information on Fraser Valley Homes and Apartments for Sale or Rent [http://RentBurnaby.com].

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Berten

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