The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of more than 2,900 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

Blanket Drive provides warmth as cold snap hits Lower Mainland

VANCOUVER, BC - For dozens of local charities and the people they help, the November 18 – 25 timing of this year's REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive couldn't have been better.

For the 19th year in a row, REALTORS® collected enough donations of coats, blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing to help more than 20,000 people as the mercury plummeted.

“With the cold snap, your donation of blankets, gloves, and warm clothing mean so much to our clients,” said Maxine Davis, executive director of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. “Some of the recipients have shared with us that their living conditions are very cold right now, so these items were put to immediate use.”

The Dr. Peter Centre, one of Vancouver's recipient Blanket Drive charities, offers health programs and long-term and supportive housing to individuals with HIV/AIDS requiring specialized care.

Fraser Valley's housing market cools in November

SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) recorded 986 property sales in November, an increase of 9 per cent compared to the 905 sales during the same month last year, however a decrease of 21 per cent compared to October’s 1,249 sales.

Month-over-month, the Board also received 24 per cent fewer new listings – 1,774 compared to 2,336 in October – but still an improvement over the 1,723 new listings received during November of 2012.

Ron Todson, president of the Board says, “We typically see a slowdown just before the holidays and this year it started a little sooner reflecting what we’re seeing in our overall economy.

Region's largest warm clothing and Blanket Drive offers first line of defence for thousands in need

19th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive collection will run Nov. 18-25

VANCOUVER –Chances are high that many of the 1,600 homeless people currently living in Vancouver; 400 in Surrey, and 200 in Abbotsford have received a blanket, coat or multiple changes of clothing supplied through the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive.

Although the annual Blanket Drive is now so successful it assists thousands of underprivileged in our region by equipping dozens of charities and community service organizations, the original goal of direct distribution to those most in need remains at the heart.

“What our Blanket Drive does is provide the first line of defence for our most vulnerable citizens living outside,” says Vancouver REALTOR® and volunteer Louise Boutin. “Many of our recipient charities distribute what we collect right on the streets and regularly see repeat clients coming back for a change of clothes or a sleeping bag to protect them from the rain, cold and concrete.”

Fraser Valley home sales in October consistent with 10-year average

SURREY, BC – An increase in sales and a decrease in new listings last month resulted in Fraser Valley’s real estate market returning to typical activity levels for October – on par with that month’s 10-year average.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board posted 1,249 sales on its Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in October, an increase of 19 per cent compared to the 1,053 sales processed during October 2012. At the same time, the Board received 2,336 new listings, a decrease of 7 per cent compared to the 2,522 new listings received during the same time period last year.

Ron Todson, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, says, “We’ve had a great summer and good early fall, but it’s important to remind everyone of the context. The last four months of 2012 were amongst the slowest for our real estate market in the last 15 years.

September housing market shows marked improvement over last year's historical lows

SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley real estate market continues to edge closer to typical activity levels as September saw the largest year-over-year increase in property sales this year to date.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,131 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September, an increase of 32 per cent compared to the 857 sales processed during the same month last year and 10 per cent fewer than processed in August.

Ron Todson, President of the Board, explains, “It is good news however, it’s important to put the increase into context. Our home sales in September went from the worst in 10 years to just below our 10-year average.