Featured Pre-Sale Projects

'Tis the season to buy a presale!

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 20:02:32 GMT

As the temperatures are reaching our seasonal lows, winter is truly starting to set in. Christmas will soon be upon us, and following that, we will be ringing in the new year as well as new hopes and dreams. At this time of year, there are typically more distractions with family and work obligations and less talk about personal needs such as housing. This is exactly why we are seeing some amazing offers from developers in the presale market, which is a key purchasing opportunity we want to bring your attention to today!

We are often asked if it is a good time to buy a presale and we usually defer to the type of market we are in at that moment. In a seller’s market, buying a presale as soon as the project is released is the most profitable time, while in a buyer’s market, we would advise our clients to wait for the deals to be offered. In all cases, the developers will always price in a bit of a premium to factor in the eventual appreciation.

But what happens when the market has slowed down like what we are experiencing right now?

The answer is...

Buyer incentives! We are seeing some generous offers right now such as:

Rebates for decorations: The price of the home must stay the same, as the developer has a vested interest in keeping the prices moving forward. However, they can offer a discount after the completion date in the form of a rebate.
Free upgrades: Higher quality appliances, extra parking spots or storage lockers, custom closets are all possible upgrades – that you can acquire for free!
Lavish gifts: Trips to popular destinations, luxury goods, and large denomination gift cards are examples of gifts being handed out by builders lately.
Prepaid strata fees or mortgage payments: As everyone is struggling with the higher interest rates, some developers have committed to covering the costs for a fixed period. We have seen up to 2 years of coverage for strata fees or mortgage payments, being offered.
Lower mortgage rates: Borrowers are allowed to buy down the interest rates with their lenders, and some builders have offered to do this on behalf of the buyer. We have seen a 2% buydown for a period of 3 years offered for some projects. This is beneficial for a few years to help you ride out the higher rates.

This all may sound great, but it all comes down to the main question - it a good time or not to buy a presale? We personally believe it is, for the following reasons:

Timing: Most experts and economists believe that the interest rates are at their peak now, and that we will start to see some easing as early as mid-2024. A presale project typically comes with a 2–4-year timeline which bodes well for timing of your future costs. After putting down your deposit, there are no more fees or payments to be made until the completion date. You will not be required to apply for a mortgage and get locked into these higher rates, and instead, you will take the advantage of time as the economy settles down and stabilizes.
Mortgage rate holds: Although we all believe that by the completion date, we will see lower interest rates, some banks are willing to lock in a rate for you today. There are 2 advantages to doing this. First, you have some certainty. In the event the rates keep going up, you have something saved for you. Secondly, if the rates are lower when you take possession, you are guaranteed the lower rate. There is no downside to doing this.
More choices: You don’t often get to buy a presale without an invitation and/or lining up for a few days but recent bans on foreign purchasers and more stringent taxes on speculation means that less people are qualifying to buy a preconstruction home. You can take some time to look around at a few options and even compare to the resale market. Less pressure means more guarantee of high confidence in your home purchase.
Customizable: If you have looked around for a new home before, then you will know that no home is the perfect home. Buying presale allows you to make some customized choices on color schemes, upgrades on appliances, and added features such as EV parking, storage lockers and extra parking.

Is a new home in the cards for you? Perhaps after learning all there is to know about the advantages of buying a presale property, you may feel ready to step into the new year with a realistic hope for a new home! If you are looking for an opportunity to cash in on this rare chance to buy a new home at a decent cost, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we will happily discuss this option with you!

Fleetwood Village 2 by Dawson + Sawyer: Where Affordability Meets Convenience

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:25:30 GMT

Where affordability meets convenience – Fleetwood Village 2 is a master plan community, built by local builder Dawson + Sawyer and centrally located in the heart of the popular family-oriented Fleetwood community in Surrey. The complex sits on a quiet lot on the corner of 85^th Ave and 158^th St and promises to be a short stroll to the station on the upcoming skytrain extension to Langley along the Fraser Highway. Two separate six-story buildings make up the development that offers homes ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms, with completion set for 2026.

Fleetwood is home to some of the best schools in the region as well as many renowned golf courses such as Northview Golf and Country Club, home of the Air Canada Championships. Easy access to Highway 1 and 10, as well as a variety of shops and neighborhood eateries. Fleetwood Village 2 is a great choice for a growing family, or empty nesters looking for a quality home to retire in.

Features for the project include:

Building:

- 5,000 sqft of indoor amenities including a gym, climbing wall, game room, and lounge

- 13,000 sqft of outdoor space including a rooftop lounge consisting of a BBQ, putting green, and garden

- All parking stalls are EV ready

- Double gate entry for the valley parking with a secured bike storage

Units:

- Standard 9 ft ceiling height

- Contemporary design options

- Full-size appliance package

- Luxury bathrooms with deep soaker tubs and quality finishes

- Variety of floorplans with optimal use of space

Dawson + Sawyer has been known to be creative with their promotions, so if you are interested in any of their projects, reach out to us and we would be happy to help you!

The Willoughby by Quarry Rock Development Group

Wed, 03 May 2023 19:51:00 GMT

I was lucky to have been invited to preview the soft opening of The Willoughby in Langley this past week, and I left feeling inspired and appreciative of the thoughtfulness behind every detail that was on display. It was clear that the builders were mindful of the environment impacts in choosing materials and features to enhance the energy efficiency of the home.

The modern design and available color schemes are classic and should not require a full renovation each time the trends change. Lastly, each home comes with a rooftop deck - effectively maximizing the use of rooftop space, which is otherwise often wasted.

Some of the features that caught my attention were:

3 level homes with roof top decks
Timeless color schemes
Standard 2 car garages (tandem or side by side)
Built to Step 2 of the BC Energy Code (aka 20-40% more efficient than a standard build)
Awesome kitchens with ample counter space and storage
Durable materials such as hardi panelling and new age metal cladding
EV rough in
Forced air heating system with roughed in AC (or upgrade for $10,000)
Tankless water heater
DuraStrong tiles used on the rooftop deck (made from recycled and repurposed rubber)

The premium location combines a mix of quiet enjoyment and incredible convenience. Located up on the hill off 70A Ave and 204th St of the Central Gordon Estate neighbourhood offering views of the Langley basin, The Willoughby is also just a short drive to the hustle and bustle of the shops in the Willowbrook district, easy highway access, and just a stroll to R.C. Garnett Demonstration Elementary School across the street.

Starting prices are $949,900, for a 1,452 – 1,458 sqft 3 bedroom home. Requiring only a 10% deposit with completion possible as early as August 2023, these homes are going to be a hot commodity. With only 87 homes available, The Willoughby is sure to be a prized catch for those lucky enough to snag one. Contact our team at Happy Homes Vancouver to register today!

Pre-Sale Project: Tower Six at the Amazing Brentwood

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 22:03:28 GMT

Location, Location, Location! The location can’t get any better than this for Tower 6 at the Amazing Brentwood. The developer Shape Properties touts this project as their most exclusive offering to date and it is hard to dispute the title. Nestled on the elevated northwest corner of the 28-acre development site located on Willingdon Ave and Halifax St, Tower 6 is a 39-storey building with 369 homes ranging from mostly 1–3-bedroom condos and offers unobstructed views to the north, west and east side of the building due to the surrounding low-density neighborhood and the shape of that corner of the site. The cascading terraces on the north side of the building and the arching overpass above the passenger pickup and drop off area gives the exterior an attractive look comparable to other architectural masterpiece in the lower mainland.

After visiting the staff at the showroom and looking through the list of features, I came up with a list that stood out to me most.

Building Features:

Only one tower neighbors Tower 6 and it will be on the south side of the building
Out of the 5 towers to date, Tower 6 will have the largest and most luxurious lobby
All parking stalls are Level 2 EV ready
4 high speed elevators
18,000 sqft of world class amenities which will include state of the art gym, outdoor space with putting green and bocce play lounge, indoor & outdoor children’s play area, and a furnished guest suite among the most notable.
Additional amenities throughout the building include Dog wash station, parcel delivery room, and bike maintenance room as well as concierge and car wash bay.

Unit Features:

9’ ceiling height
Pre-built backing for wall mounted tv
Wireless key entry system for all homes
Main bathrooms feature in floor heating system by Nuheat
All bedrooms will have a light fixture instead of switch controlled outlet
Efficient and functional laundry areas with built-in shelving, hanging rod and work surface
Central heat and A/C controlled by smart home thermostats in all homes
Functional kitchen designs with built-in pull-out pantries in some units

But do all these features make Tower 6 a good investment with their starting prices going for around $1000/sqft? You bet it does! For starters, there will be 5 more towers coming up after Tower 6 and each will have a higher starting price. As a reminder, the location is hard to beat with a walkscore of 100 and the proximity to all amenities such as skytrain and bus access, shopping and entertainment, the best food court in town, and the short stroll to schools and parks. As a bonus, Shape Properties has partnered with L Catterton Real Estate to bring the luxury brand portfolio of their fund sponsors Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) to the mall which will draw attention from big spenders to this special neighborhood in North Burnaby.

For more information, please contact us today!

Pre-Sale Project: Soco 2

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 18:32:00 GMT

SOCO 2 is the second tower in the 7 tower master plan community, located on the north side of Highway 1 on the Coquitlam side of North Road. The developer promises a design meant to make life effortless and with such a prime location, we think they hit the nail on the head.

A variety of homes are available, from studios to 3 bedrooms, with different layouts perfect for all stages of life. What stood out in the showroom were the quality finishes and thoughtful details. The luxurious bathrooms feature the extensive use of porcelain walls and bath tiles, while the modern kitchens utilize maximum counter space and reputable brand appliances. Two tasteful colour schemes are offered, one of which is certain to fit your individual style! In addition to the very functional and efficient layouts, SOCO 2 offers 12,000 sqft of great amenities. These include a fully equipped exercise room, private music rooms, golf simulator, a DIY workshop for your weekend projects, a dedicated dog park with a grooming station, a beautifully landscaped outdoor communal lounge with firepit, and bbq & seating area!

This great location near Highway 1 and the Skytrain line, as well as near many boutique stores and diverse eateries, will provide a vibrant and robust lifestyle for those who seek it. SOCO 2 is a place to call home for the first time homeowner, busy young professional, small family, or downsizer who desires independence while also enjoying a great community. As of this writing, prices are starting from the high $300’s. If you are interested in learning more about SOCO 2 or would like to book an appointment to see the homes, please feel free to contact us today!

Pre-Sale Project: Oasis by Concord Pacific

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 22:28:37 GMT

“Your Home, Your Paradise” This catchy theme rings in the upcoming master plan community in the heart of Brentwood called, Oasis by Concord Pacific. Located on the south side of Lougheed Highway between Delta Ave and Beta Ave this architectural masterpiece is still just a short stroll to Brentwood Town Centre Skytrain Station and the ever-growing mall.

The developer’s plan show a resort-like environment where people can relax and feel as if they’re on a vacation right in the comfort of their own home. This includes 30,000 sqft of world class amenities such as a private sun-bathing beach on the rooftop surrounded by an outdoor track and beautiful greenspace. The indoor facilities feature a fully equipped fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, basketball court, bowling alley, spin studio, and much more.

Features for this exciting project include the renowned Concord retractable glass screen system that merges the indoor living space with the large, covered patio, touchless tech to access elevators, option to upgrade to have a personal steam closet allowing individuals to sanitize and freshen their clothes to start the day, automated carwashes, and lots more.

Oasis includes 3 towers: East, West, and North Towers. As of this writing, offerings for a 1-bedroom units up to 3-bedroom units starting from the Mid $700,000’s for the 1 bedroom to Low $1,300,000 for the 3-bedroom units.

The size of the home falls between 560 to 1200 sqft depending on the number of bedrooms and does not include the extra 167 to 349 sqft of balcony space available with every unit. This beautiful and exciting project is estimated to complete early 2027, the West tower has all been sold out, and the East Tower is currently available for sale.

Don’t miss out on a unique opportunity to own your next happy home in this prime location, call us now for more information or to book a private showing.