After a winter of waiting for interest rates to fall, the North Shore real estate market is … still waiting for interest rates to fall. But there have also been signs of activity as the traditionally busy spring market gets into gear.
Listings ticked up over 30 per cent last month over January for apartments and townhouses. Sales are also up over the same time last year – particularly in North Vancouver.
“We have had a few multiple offer situations,” said Calvin Lindberg, real estate agent with Angell Hasman and Associates in West Vancouver.
One older house described as “basically a tear down” on a large lot in Ambleside was recently listed for almost $1.8 million. It sold for over $750,000 over the asking price in just days, after receiving 37 offers. “A number of those offers were from builders,” said Lindberg – an indication the market could be picking up.
Multiple offers have also been received on some properties in North Vancouver.
“What that tells me is there’s a lot of pent-up demand,” said Lindberg. “When something good comes on the market there is a high interest for it. Everybody’s just waiting.”
Here are some of the most and least expensive homes to sell over the first two months of 2024 on the North Shore:
Most expensive detached home
The most expensive single-family home to sell so far in 2024 is at 3174 Travers Ave. in West Vancouver’s exclusive West Bay neighbourhood.
The exclusive waterfront home, in an area which is often home to the North Shore’s top sales and assessments, sold for $11 million Feb. 26 after just four days on the market.
The 4,600-square-foot home is classically beautiful, according to seller’s real estate agent Brock Smeaton. The 17-year-old home was designed by architect Brad Lamoureux and completely rebuilt in 2007.
The four-bedroom five-bathroom home features an expansive open plan with oceanfront views. Downstairs features a wine room, games room and media room including theatre-quality equipment while upstairs the master bedroom features a gorgeous ensuite.
The home is fully automated, including lighting and blind controls. Seaside there is a covered veranda including barbecue centre and fireplace overlooking the pool and spa.
Expansive patios overlook landscaping by landscape architect Paul Sangha.
The property was last assessed in 2023 at just over $10 million.
Most expensive townhouse
The most expensive townhouse on the North Shore is a 3,500-square foot half-duplex in West Vancouver’s exclusive Glenmore neighbourhood.
The bespoke six-bedroom side-by-side duplex at 9 Glenmore Drive sold for $2.6 million Jan. 21.
The home boasts hardwood floors, and a bright open concept living space throughout the main floor and a massive 12-foot-wide Eclipse door system that opens out to a heated, covered outdoor patio. In addition to the four bedrooms upstairs, the basement includes a separate two-bedroom suite with kitchen.
Most expensive apartment
The most expensive apartment to sell at the beginning of the year is a three-bedroom three-bathroom penthouse at 701 – 768 Arthur Erickson Place in Onni’s West Vancouver Evelyn project.
The 2000-square-foot south-facing home sold for just under $3.5 million on Feb. 2 after 107 days on the market.
The five-year=old apartment features a large den, 1,500 square feet of south-facing patio and high-end kitchen appliances by Sub-Zero and Miele. A luxurious ensuite off the master bedroom features quartz counter tops. Other perks include automated lighting and sound control with built-in speakers, and secure double gated parking. Other amenities in the development include an exercise room, steam room, sauna and concierge.
Least expensive single-family home
The least expensive single-family home to sell in February was an unusual non-strata side-by-side duplex at 1795 Rufus Drive in North Vancouver’s Westlynn neighbourhood.
The 1,700-square-foot home three-bedroom two-bathroom home on a fully fenced lot sold for $1.5 million Feb. 4 after just 12 days on the market.
The 45-year-old home was updated after 2016 and features an open floorplan, large deck and updated kitchen, plus natural gas fireplace and plenty of storage.
Least expensive townhouse
The least expensive townhouse to sell on the North Shore sold in just two days, and it hasn’t even been built yet.
The townhouse at 106-948 Lytton Street is in Anthem’s hip new Baden Park development of condos and townhouses in North Vancouver.
The two-bedroom two-bathroom ground floor unit of 744 square feet with its own private patio sold Jan. 22 in two days for just under $810,000. The new development at the corner of Lytton Street and Mount Seymour Parkway riffs on North Shore themes and has been popular with buyers with several recent sales in the past two months.
Least expensive apartment
The least expensive apartment to sell on the North Shore at the beginning of the year is an unusual one.
The 600-square-foot one-bedroom one-bathroom apartment in the Winchester Estates at 204 – 155 East 5th Street in Lower Lonsdale is actually part of a co-op ownership.
So the $314,000 sale price is actually for shares in the co-op, which requires a 35 per cent down payment.
The well-maintained building dates back to 1970. A balcony offers views over to Burrard Inlet and Vancouver. Located on a quiet street within walking distance to everything.
The apartment sold Jan. 23 after 15 days on the market.