WHERE TO STAY IN ST. LUCIA – NORTH VS SOUTH

People usually ask what the best area to stay in Saint Lucia is – North or South. Most of the St Lucia Villa Hotels and Resorts are located in the north of the island. Here you can discover the utmost diversity of accommodation as well as tourist facilities.

# Gros Islet / Rodney Bay

Rodney Bay is the main tourist center offering white sand beaches, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Although very pleasant and vibrant in its own way, the north of the island is fairly touristy, more crowded, more costly to live in, as well as less local and authentic.

# Marigot Bay

South of Castries is Marigot Bay, which has also a variety of popular St Lucia Villas and very pretty views. On the other hand, this area is mainly a marina, there is not too much to do in and around Marigot, with the exclusion of diving, kayaking, sailing, as well as visiting the rum distillery.

# West Coast and East Coast

Between Soufriere and Marigot Bay, there are some places to stay, in addition to the same can be said for the East Coast, the area between Vieux Fort and Castries. These parts of the island are quite picturesque and local, as well as mainly untouched by tourism, although they do offer some interesting attractions and lovely views. Check here!

# Vieux Fort

Near Vieux Fort and just north of Vieux Fort, there are some lovely guest houses as well as inns worth visiting. In addition, there is a wonderful white sand beach popular with kite surfers and certainly the international airport, restaurants, and shops.

# Soufriere

Soufriere is generally a tourist resort, but the setting is more intimate as well as natural than the north. The town is a bit run down and it can feel quite busy as well as touristy sometimes. Expect to be accosted by vendors or beggars and individuals offering different services. It’s better to stay outside of Soufriere, but most St Lucia Villa Hotels and Resorts further out tend to be costly.

# Laborie

Laborie is one of the best areas to stay in Saint Lucia. The charming and authentic fishing village of Laborie proposes some small guesthouses and affordable vacation rentals. You don’t essentially need a car in Laborie.

The beach, restaurants, and small shops are within walking distance, as well as it’s easy to catch a bus to the bigger town of Vieux Fort. It is very near to the Balenbouche Estate which provides the best of both – seclusion and nature, along with access to nearby sites, communities, and attractions.

# Choiseul

Choiseul provides fewer accommodation choices than Laborie, but there are a few Airbnb and private villas, as well as a small boutique resort. Many of these St Lucia Villa Rentals present stunning views of the ocean and the Pitons.

Last Words

In our view, the best area to stay in Saint Lucia is in the south and southwest of the island, between Soufriere and Vieux Fort. This is where most of the islands’ spots and attractions are located, in addition to where you can experience more of the local culture and history. Click here for more information: https://www.prudentialgrandvalley.com/4-reasons-saint-lucia-is-every-vacationers-dream-getaway/

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Is It A Bad Time To Invest In Vancouver Real Estate?

In spite of having around a fifth of Canada’s population, how did British Columbia avoid a massive COVID-19 outbreak as well as a province-wide lockdown? The province has relaxed the coronavirus pandemic rules now. However, British Columbia had fewer to begin with than many other provinces, preserving a lower hospitalization rate than Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec. Generally, the West Coast has maintained a fixed stream of great news during this public health disaster.

Given that the COVID-19 was largely contained in British Columbia, does this mean that Downtown Vancouver Condos Market was also unaffected? It’s been an uneven ride, but it looks like the worst could be finished.

Vancouver Real Estate Market

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation are forecasting a major drop in the nation’s largest housing markets. It projects that Vancouver will face the largest drop of all, with prices falling 12.00% by 2022 from the 2019 average. Not everybody is convinced of a national slowdown with sales activity increasing over the past month. Local experts say that it’s challenging to monitor the information to identify developing trends.

Vancouver Realtors continue to improve new digital tools as well as practices to help their buyers meet their housing needs in a safe and responsible manner. House buyers and sellers have felt more comfortable operating in physical distancing and many other safety protocols in place over the past three months.

Greater Vancouver reports an increase in re-listing activity. There were 5,787 new listings in June, representing an increase of 57% compared to the same period last year. These dramatic trends have astonished analysts in view of that the spike occurred so shortly after the coronavirus outbreak. The number of active listings reached 11,424 and 15% more than in June 2019. Suffice it to say that if you’ve been waiting to dive into the Downtown Vancouver Condos, now might be the best time. Know more here!

Home Affordability to Attract More Clients?

One of Canada’s largest banks published its real estate affordability data for January 1st to March 31st of 2020. The Royal Bank of Canada indicated that that Canadian affordability is still deteriorating, but Vancouver has appeared the biggest improvement in affordability in the Great White North.

According to the Royal Bank of Canada, the median Vancouver household currently needs almost 80% and 4% percent less than last year. This is the sudden drop in British Columbia. Even though prices are still 31% greater than the long-term average, affordability is increasing. This is a welcome improvement for not only homebuyers but also real estate investors, especially millennials. This demographic has driven novel trends in the Downtown Vancouver Condos Market in recent years.

Vancouver Adapting to Coronavirus

Industry insiders say an important trend in Vancouver Housing has been the adaptation of buyers and sellers to this new coronavirus society. If it’s practicing social distancing or adopting stricter hygiene routines, everybody is doing their part as well as this is helping the housing market. Realtors have installed physical distancing mechanisms to comply with government health and safety commendations like other key markets. And more and more individuals are becoming more comfortable with this novel normal for housing transactions.

As well as wearing masks, gloves, and limiting contact, real estate agents take advantage of digital tools, from business papers to virtual tours. This makes buying and selling Downtown Vancouver Condos still feasible, even though the public health crisis still affects Canada. You can know more at: https://www.prudentialgrandvalley.com/important-tip-when-buying-a-vancouver-condo/

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Important Tip When Buying a Vancouver Condo

It’s your third weekend to head out and view 5 new Vancouver MLS Listings that just hit the market on Thursday. One posting in the 5 looks fantastic in the photographs, yet it’s your first time going to this specific building. Your real estate agent has disclosed to you the building looks great, and he has not heard anything terrible about its development and/or condition. Once inside the condo, you are amped up for the view and the design. After seeing the conveniences, typical regions, underground stopping, extra closet and bike room, you realize that this could be your next home.

This Downtown Vancouver Condos scratches off all the cases, and you advise your agent you might want to make an offer.

Read the Strata Documents before You Offer

Before a pen is put to paper (fingertips to a console), a decent purchaser’s agent will request a duplicate of the relative multitude of strata records from the posting agent. Numerous buyer’ agents today rush to compose an offer subject to the purchaser endorsing the strata reports. I generally read the whole strata report bundle before plugging down with my customer to write a proposal on a Downtown Vancouver Condos available to be purchased.

Note any data that may influence the worth of the posting or be an undesirable expense in the close or far off future. Strata records to zero in on are the accompanying.

Structure B and financials

  • Minutes of the meeting including all AGM’s and Special AGM’s
  • Devaluation report and any Engineers Reports
  • Strata plan
  • By-Laws and Rules

Seven-day subject period

When every one of the records has been perused and a current market assessment is done, my customer and I will have a reasonable comprehension of how to continue recorded as a hard copy of an offer. Even though we have perused the reports, incorporate the standard seven workday subject provision for supporting all archives:

Provision: “SUBJECT to the Buyer, before 7 workdays from the date of acknowledgment getting and endorsing the accompanying strata reports… ”

We can demand additional data about the building during this seven-day subject period, knowing there are no curve balls or things that will influence the worth or utilization of the Downtown Vancouver Condos. Check here!

When a listing agent has a copy of the strata document?

Should the posting agent have a duplicate of the strata report before the principal day of appearances?

Indeed, undoubtedly. A posting agent ought to have every one of the strata archives prepared and accessible when the posting hits the market. If the posting agent doesn’t have the records, they cannot manage their work appropriately or expertly.

  • A few realities of why strata reports are significant before making an offer?
  • Legal strata plan may show a more modest area than the promoted area.
  • Depreciation Report shows spaces of concern and expected uncommon appraisals.
  • Form B may state forthcoming changes to the By-Laws.
  • Minutes of gatherings frequently tell a story of how the local area works inside the building.

In summary, knowing however much as could be expected about the building and the strata before you compose an offer is significant.

See the best of the Downtown Vancouver Condos Real Estate Agent and click here for more information: https://www.prudentialgrandvalley.com/is-vancouvers-real-estate-market-really-in-free-fall/

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4 Reasons Saint Lucia Is Every Vacationer’s Dream Getaway

Santa Lucia, a destination that combines the spectacular beauty of the island with the hospitality of its people. This beautiful volcanic island will give you the opportunity to explore tropical forests, enjoy paradisiacal beaches and live its lively nightlife.

Located in the Caribbean, the island is an island state in America. It is located in the same area as other exotic islands, such as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as well as the famous island of Martinique.

The Island has been known for a long time but in 1502, on December 13, it was discovered by Christopher Columbus. And a century later it became part of the United Kingdom, although it gained its independence in 1979.

Thanks to its wonderful landscapes of green mountains and crystal clear waters, tourism is never lacking on the island. As it is a small island, its most attractive points can easily be visited in a few days. I will tell you a little secret, St Lucia Villas are spectacular.

Reasons why Is small

Being a small island in the Caribbean, as I have already told you, it is ideal for a stay of a few days that will allow you to know all its surroundings.

The west coast of the island is spectacular, especially the journey from Castries to Soufrière.

In Castries you can see its spectacular bay, or you can see the president’s house, easily accessible from the road. You cannot enter, but you can see the luxurious building and its imposing gardens.

Further on, one comes across postcard-worthy landscapes, such as that offered by Marigot Bay, full of coconut trees and small boats. But, without a doubt, the most spectacular image is that of the two pythons, the most emblematic symbol of the island.

The great Friday Night Party

One of the biggest attractions on the island of Santa Lucía is attending the Friday Night Party, an unbeatable occasion to experience the Caribbean party, mingle with local people and dance until the wee hours of the morning.

The Friday Night Party, basically, is a night street party that takes place on Friday nights in various places on the island. The most famous is Gros Islet (next to Rodney Bay), with Dauphine Street being the busiest of all.

Along Dauphine Street you can find dozens of street stalls serving all kinds of food. Click here!

The weather

Its climate is tropical, with an average temperature of 27 ° C. It is one of its great tourist attractions. Although it has a rainy season that lasts from May to August, it is usually always a sunny landscape.

Its mountainous landscape is ideal for those who like hiking and walking, riding a bicycle or simply being in contact with nature.

The marine fauna

You can look up for a St Lucia Villa rental because their landscape surrounded by the sea is truly spectacular. And if you like swimming, diving, and the sea you will be able to discover corals, jellyfish, sperm whales, sea urchins, sharks, sea horses and many more species in its waters.

The best time to visit the island is from January to April, its dry season. For more details read our article: https://www.prudentialgrandvalley.com/is-vancouvers-real-estate-market-really-in-free-fall/

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Is Vancouver’s Real Estate Market Really In Free Fall?

Who wouldn’t want to invest in Vancouver? It’s beautiful and there are many beautiful homes to snap up; however, there has been a lot of talk about falling house prices. That’s always a concern when you own property, especially if it’s a rental or investment property. Even when it’s your family home, you can owe more than you originally bought it for. It’s a nightmare and something which many Vancouver homeowners are concerned about. So, is the real estate market in free fall?

Understanding the Average House Prices

A lot of newspapers have been talking about how the bottom is falling out of the Vancouver real estate market and if you look at the figures it does seem that way. However, while there has been a slight drop in the average house price, it isn’t as shocking as you might think. Yes, there has been a downturn in the market of late but if you actually look at the homes behind the headlines, it’s the ones worth millions of dollars. Estimations for standard family homes are pretty steady at the moment so it’s not time to panic, as yet anyway.

Traditional three or four-family homes worth a few hundred thousand dollars aren’t suddenly losing their value. Of course, if your home was worth $5 million then you have some cause for alarm. Generally, you can invest in Vancouver real estate and make a tidy profit – if you buy wisely.

Changing of the Vancouver Real Estate Market

There’s no denying that real estate can fluctuate as much as any stock or investment piece. It’s a gamble to buy a home, even when the market is pretty steady. You never know when the economy is going to nose-dive and leave you with a home that’s worth half of what you paid for it. It’s a major risk of life and one that’s often unexpected. Fortunately, if you do your homework before you buy, you can invest in Vancouver and see a nice return. Of course, nothing is guaranteed but it does help to know the market. Sometimes, buying in an up-and-coming area helps, especially if you’re buying a family or forever home. More details!

Taking the Gamble Is More about the Property You Buy

Investing in property can be a smart idea but you do have to be extremely careful. You need to understand the current state of the market and whether the home you buy is worth what you pay. For instance, a $1 million mansion in an upscale part of Vancouver might seem nice but will you be able to see a profit the way the market stands? Or, would you be more likely to see a safe return on a smaller family home in another nice area of Vancouver? The Vancouver real estate market is buoyant, somewhat, but prices on the higher-value properties are decreasing.

Watch the Markets Closely

Unless you own a $5 million home, it’s unlikely the slight decrease in house prices will affect you. Of course, that doesn’t mean a dip in the market won’t impact you at some stage. As said, the real estate market can change in an instance and you need to stay alert to that possibility. The market isn’t in free fall yet but anything can change. If you want to invest in Vancouver real estate you have to approach any property with caution. To find out more, check out https://www.prudentialgrandvalley.com/who-is-buying-vancouver-real-estate/

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