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Blanket Drive 2013 video - http://youtu.be/-r6o14TSh_w

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.

Another regular beneficiary of the Blanket Drive is the Surrey Memorial Hospital's Patient Resource Department. Every year, the hospital receives winter coats to give to patients who need them.

Sharon Frizell is the hospital's manager of volunteer resources. "It’s really, really helpful. We could never have enough coats on hand without the REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive.

"Especially at this time of year, there are some people we care for who do not have adequate clothing for the cold weather. The REALTORS Care® initiative allows us to offer them a warm coat when they're released so they are protected from the elements."

Volunteer REALTORS® pick up, sort and deliver donations dropped off by colleagues, clients, the public, corporations, retailers, community groups and schools. The drop-off locations are real estate offices spread across the region, between Whistler and Hope.

Since 1994, the Blanket Drive has grown to become the largest collection of its kind in the Lower Mainland. Over the years, the program has assisted more than 225,000 people.

www.blanketdrive.ca
www.facebook.com/blanketdrive
www.twitter.com/FVREB  and www.twitter.com/REBGV  (#RCBD)

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News Release: December 3, 2013

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.

“Similar to last November, sales are hovering at about 14 per cent off normal levels, but so are new listings. They’re down about 7 per cent compared to the 10-year average, so what we’re seeing is a slower but steady market keeping home prices in check and the average number of days to sale stable.”

For a detached home in the Fraser Valley, the average number of days to sell in November was 57, compared to last year’s 59 days. For townhomes, it was 58 days and apartments 78 compared to 70 and 74 in November 2012.

Prices for benchmark homes also remain steady showing nominal year-over-year increases or single-digit decreases. For single family detached homes, the benchmark price increased by 1.0 per cent in one year, going from $544,700 in November 2012 to $550,300 last month.

For townhouses, the benchmark price in November was $292,400, a decrease of 2.2 per cent compared to $298,900 during the same month last year. The benchmark price of apartments in the Fraser Valley in November was $196,200, a decrease of 3.3 per cent compared to $202,800 in November 2012.

Todson notes, “Those thinking of buying or selling may notice in our monthly statistics package that average prices in November are up or down substantially compared to the benchmark price.

“Talk to your REALTOR® who will explain that the volume of sales and the calibre of homes sold can dramatically skew average prices, which doesn’t happen with the benchmark price the most reliable of all pricing measurements.” 

Since November 2012, the benchmark price in the Fraser Valley for all three residential property types combined is flat, having decreased by 0.4 per cent and over the last six months the price has decreased by 0.9 per cent.

These stats are provided by the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. To view the entire stats package please visit: 

http://www.fvreb.bc.ca/statistics/Package%20201311.pdf

 

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Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.