cheaprealty net

Zillow.ca is unlikely in 2008, but should be on the short list of international expansion.  Zillow represents itself as a real estate media company, a kind of national real estate marketplace.

Should Canadian realtors be afraid of Zillow? Ian Watt asks the question and the Zillow rep does some skillful dancing. What do you think?

This video that points out by neighbourhood some of the disconnect between rental asking prices in Vancouver and what the market can bear. I found the emphasis on the influence of incomes on rents interesting, in that anyone purchasing now can't be relying on rents to pay the freight. Also, the commentary points to a downward trend in rental prices over the past year - is this possible while sale prices still go up?

The other interesting thing is the emphasis on the softness of the 2 bedroom rental market in Vancouver - is that surprising, or maybe people are just squeezing into smaller, cheaper places? Or is it because mortgage helper suites in houses are increasing in numbers, and they are the other main competition for the pool of renters interested in this type of accommodation?

A timely video. Thanks for the commentary to CoalHarbourVancouver.