This Saturday and Sunday,  Feb 25th & 26th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 11491 PLOVER DRIVE in the Westwind neighborhood, Richmond. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Westwind.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Westwind House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Alisa Sakamoto
REALTOR® RE/MAX WESTCOAST

Making an Offer in a Competitive Market

Imagine finding a home you love, making an offer, and then finding out there are other competing offers on the table. Ouch. If you’re looking for a property in a competitive market, it is likely that there will be multiple offers. Even just one can create the risk that you’ll lose the home. So how do you make sure your offer is enticing enough to win over the seller? Here are some ideas: 

• Find their motivations. To seal the deal, you have to know the seller’s motivations. We’re all motivated by something, and seeing things from the seller’s point of view can help you write a killer offer. Usually it’s one of three things:

1. The bottom line (aka “money”)
2. A rush to move/don’t want to drag the selling process out (terms)
3. Emotional attachment

• Don’t make a low-ball offer. If you do, it might be dismissed and you probably won’t get another chance to bid — especially if the other competing offers are near the listing price. 

• Make sure your finances are in order. Have a pre-arranged mortgage and include that with your offer. This reassures the seller there won’t be any money issues. (Most lenders will provide you with a pre-arranged mortgage certificate for this purpose.) 

• Be prepared to move fast. When houses are selling fast, you've got to be faster than rival buyers. Do your research ahead of time to hone in on exactly what you're looking for. If you're financially ready to buy, waiting around won't do you much good. Not only do you risk prices going higher, but interest rates as well.

• Give it your best shot. Remember that sometimes you only get one chance. You need to go in with the highest price you are willing to pay and be happy whether you win or lose. This is tricky and requires a savvy knowledge of the current market, your REALTOR® can surely help you with that. 

In a competitive situation, working with a REALTOR® who is an expert on the local market — and a skilled negotiator — is crucial. Looking for a REALTOR® like that? Call today.

Medallion Club Award

Just received this in the mail - excited to have achieved the Medallion Club Award for the 3rd year in a row! This award recognizes the accomplishments of the profession's Top 10% of realtors in the Greater Vancouver area. I am SO thankful for all the incredible people in my life.. my clients, colleagues, family & friends for helping me get here and achieve my goals! 

I look forward to another year of doing what I love... assisting you to achieve your real estate goals, please don't hesitate to call me.

Thanks!



Alisa Sakamoto 
Personal Real Estate Corporation 

OPEN HOUSE: SAT/SUN FEB 11 & 12 FROM 2PM TO 4PM
11491 Plover Drive, Richmond (Westwind)

This Saturday and Sunday,  Feb 11th & 12th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 11491 PLOVER DRIVE in the Westwind neighborhood, Richmond. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful Westwind.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Westwind House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Alisa Sakamoto
REALTOR® RE/MAX WESTCOAST

The stats from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver have been released for January.  Home sales and listings trends are below long-term averages in the Metro Vancouver housing market. This is due largely to reduced activity in the detached home market.

Please let me know if you have any questions, I look forward to helping you

    Metro Vancouver Housing Market Off to a Quieter Start than Last Year

VANCOUVER, BC – February 2, 2017 – Home sales and listings trends are below long-term averages in the Metro Vancouver* housing market. This is due largely to reduced activity in the detached home market.

Residential property sales in the region totalled 1,523 in January 2017, a 39.5 per cent decrease from the 2,519 sales recorded in January 2016 and an 11.1 per cent decrease compared to December 2016 when 1,714 homes sold.

Last month’s sales were 10.3 per cent below our 10-year January sales average.

“From a real estate perspective, it’s a lukewarm start to the year compared to 2016,” Dan Morrison, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “While we saw near record-breaking sales at this time last year, home buyers and sellers are more reluctant to engage so far in 2017.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 4,140 in January 2017. This represents a 6.8 per cent decrease compared to the 4,442 homes listed in January 2016 and a 215.5 per cent increase compared to December 2016 when 1,312 properties were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver is 7,238, a 9.1 per cent increase compared to January 2016 (6,635) and a 14.1 per cent increase compared to December 2016 (6,345).

The sales-to-active listings ratio for January 2017 is 21 per cent. This is the lowest the ratio has been in the region since January 2015. Generally, analysts say that downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below the 12 per cent mark for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

“Conditions within the market vary depending on property type. The townhome and condominium markets are more active than the detached market at the moment,” Morrison said. “As a result, detached home prices declined about 7 per cent since peaking in July while townhome and condominium prices held steady over this period.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $896,000. This represents a 3.7 per cent decline over the past six months and a 0.2 per cent decrease compared to December 2016. 

Sales of detached properties in January 2017 reached 444, a decrease of 57.6 per cent from the 1,047 detached sales recorded in January 2016. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,474,800. This represents a 6.6 per cent decline over the last six months and a 0.6 per cent decrease compared to December 2016.

Sales of apartment properties reached 825 in January 2017, a decrease of 24.7 per cent compared to the 1,096 sales in January 2016.The benchmark price of an apartment property is $512,300. This represents a 0.3 per cent increase over the last six months and a 0.4 per cent increase compared to December 2016.

Attached property sales in January 2017 totalled 254, a decrease of 32.4 per cent compared to the 376 sales in January 2016. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $666,500. This represents a 0.4 per cent decline over the last six months and a 0.7 per cent increase compared to December 2016.

                                           Click here to download the complete stats package.

FIRST OPEN HOUSE: 10371 Roselea Crescent
Sat/Sun Jan 28-29 2pm to 4pm

I am proud to announce that this Jan 28th and 29th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM I will be hosting an Open House at 10731 ROSELEA CRESCENT in the South Arm neighborhood, Richmond. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House for sale in beautiful South Arm.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this South Arm House for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Alisa Sakamoto
REALTOR® RE/MAX WESTCOAST

NEW PRICE for 11491 PLOVER DRIVE, Westwind, Richmond offered at $2,988,800

BRAND NEW 3944 SF 3 level 5 bedroom + den, 6 bathroom home is another awe-inspiring home by Penta Builders Group. This home sits on a large 5561 SF lot in desired Westwind neighborhood. Thoughtful details including a double car garage, high ceilings, in ceiling speaker system inside & out, Radiant heating, A/C, built-in back yard patio heaters, high end security system & much more! Kitchen features S/S appliances, Spice kitchen, full size pantry and designer finishes.

I just finished uploading this House for sale, 3200 REGENT STREET, Steveston Village, Richmond

Raise your family in this gorgeous one of a kind, custom built 4 bdrm + den, 4 bath home located on a wide lot in beautiful & quiet Steveston Village! Enjoy your lovely sunny south facing backyard â perfect for entertaining! Over 3200 SF, this home is a quality built by Pacific Coastal Homes and features a double car garage, high ceilings, in ceiling speaker system inside & out, A/C, 3 cozy gas f/p, engineered h/w floor, high-end appl & much more! 2 out of the 4 bdrms have high vaulted ceilings w/ ensuites. The Master is enormous with a spa-like ensuite, huge walk in closet & a hot tub off the private balcony! Steps from beloved Garry Point Park & Steveston Village with its quaint shops & restaurants. Donât miss the opportunity to own this stunning home!