The front of the building.

This is an amazing property. It was built by a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor. He had his office on the main floor, he lived upstairs and sat outside on the roof top deck. The building was a mixed use building but has been changed to Residential. Here are a few snaps of the space.

This is the livingroom. The livingroom and dinningroom are all part of one big space. The windows are what are called, turn and tilt. They either open the usual way with the window swinging out or tilt away from the top to let in air. They also have metal shutters so you are totally safe when they are closed.

]]> http://jeanniekamins.com/2012/05/bunker-in-strathconna/feed/ 1 http://jeanniekamins.com/2010/05/character-home-in-glen-park-area/ http://jeanniekamins.com/2010/05/character-home-in-glen-park-area/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 17:37:14 +0000 Jeannie http://www.jeanniekamins.net/?p=422

Front of house

Charming 3-Story+ Home in tree-lined Glen Park area. The cheerful completely remodeled kitchen has a new duel Bosch gas stove, stainless steel fridge and silstone countertops. Great workspace/eating area with double doors that exits to a giant sundeck for partying or cozy breakfasts. The floors are first-growth fir flooring covered with non-skid memory foam padded lino and industreal carpet. The house has completely updated electrical, insulation throughout, new double-glazed thermal windows. Eco windows, washer/dryer, lights. New roof (2006) with covered eave-troughs, 4 skylights, and much much more.Call me for more information.

Price $829,000

Kitchen

Kitchen

Kitchen

Kitchen

Livingroom to Diningroom

Livingroom to Entrance

Livingroom to Hall

Entry Solarium

When you buy an apartment, there are three common forms of ownership. Most popular in British Columbia is Strata. This is when you own your own apartment and there are common areas that you are collectively responsible for. The banks like this form of ownership and it is easy to get good mortgages on these properties.

During the late forties and early fifties a number of properties were built called cooperatives. These are where the owners own the whole building and are given a share of the whole property (their apartment) where they live. They are responsible for all collective spaces in proportion to the size of their share.

The banks do not like this form of ownership so only a few banks in the city will support mortgages and all mortgages are given only at a premium.

Throughout the city there are also apartments sold on leasehold land. These include the federal owned developments in False Creek, the city owned developments in Champlain Heights, and various privately owned leasehold properties throughout the West End. There are also homes sold that are situated on Indian Land. These leasehold properties have been quite problematic in the past and should not be entered into without consulting a lawyer.

Freehold home

Freehold

A freehold interest (also known as a fee simple) is the more precise term for what we ordinarily refer to as ownership of a property.  The owner of the freehold interest has full use and control of the land and the buildings on it, subject to any rights of the Crown, local land-use bylaws and any other restrictions in place at the time of purchase.

In English law, a freehold is the ownership of real property, being the land and all immovable structures attached to such land. Immovable property includes land and all that naturally goes with it, such as buildings, trees, or underground resources, but not such things as vehicles or livestock (which are movable).

For an estate to be a freehold it must possess two qualities: Immobility (property must be land or some interest issuing out of or annexed to land); and ownership of it must be of an indeterminate duration. If the time of ownership can be fixed and determined, then it cannot be a freehold.

Leasehold

In some cases you might purchase the right to use a residential property for a long, but limited, period of time.  The owner of this right of use has a type of ownership called a leasehold interest.  This type of ownership is used most often for townhouses or apartments built on city-owned land. (for example: False Creek or Champlain Hights and some buildings in the West End).  It is also occasionally  on First Nations reserves, and for apartments where the owner of the freehold interest of an entire apartment block sells leasehold interests in individual apartment units to other owners.

Leasehold interests are frequently set for periods of 99 years, but regardless of the length of the original term, you will only be able to purchase the remaining portion.  Of course, the shorter the remaining portion, the less you, or the person who eventually purchases from you, will be willing to pay for the leasehold interest

This is a strata property composed of three individual houses on one piece of property

Strata

The strata form of ownership is designed to provide exclusive use and ownership of a specific housing unit (the strata lot) which is contained in a larger property (the strata project), plus shared use and ownership of the common areas such as halls, grounds, garages, elevators, etc.

This type of ownership is used for homes, duplexes, apartment blocks, townhouse complexes, warehouses, and many other types of buildings.  Because ownership of the common space is shared, the owners also share financial responsibility for its maintenance such as the commonly owned roads, disposal system, landscaping, elevators, management, etc.

A Cooperative in Kerresdale

Cooperative

Not to be confused with government housing co-ops, A housing cooperative is a legal entity—usually a corporation—that owns real estate, consisting of one or more residential buildings. Each shareholder in the legal entity is granted the right to occupy one housing unit, sometimes subject to an occupancy agreement, which is similar to a lease or “strata laws”. The occupancy agreement specifies the co-op’s rules.

WINNER OF THE BEST DRESSED MATRON AWARD, 2010 Academy Awards Ceremony

Jeannie Kamins won the Best Dressed Matron Award at the Oscar Ceremonies this year. She was wearing the Rose Dress by the famous designer, Ralph. When asked how come we hadn’t seen her on the Red Carpet, she replied, “I know you probably missed me as I stepped out of my pink flocked limo on Sunday night, but unfortunately I arrived at the same time as J-Lo. Next year I will have to plan better. Notice that I am wearing the Hopeless Diamond and carrying the famous Scrappy Coco”.

The Suite has the look, charm & feel of a mid-century bungalow with lots of light & big, comfy rooms. Beautiful hardwood floors & double-glazed windows keep you warm in this well maintained & mechanically up-dated complex. Walking distance to shopping, amenities, parks, community centre & transit.

Kerrisdale Community Centre

All the convenience & charm of Kerrisdale at your doorstep at such an affordable price. Co-ops require a 35% down payment. Shows well. Parking available on a 1st come first serve basis.

MLS # V760933

“In 2000 we went looking for a Vancouver home where we would be in the company of other writers and artists. Opposite the Skytrain and Trout Lake on Commercial Street at 18th Avenue, we found the ideal situation–a sunlit, two level, two bedroom European-style condominium. This small home (800+ square feet) has served us well. It is in brand new condition. A skylight in the kitchen opens to the sun and the evening skies. There is a fine gas fire in the living room, and we can see the mountains from the living room and the balcony off the dining room. Our front door opens onto the Villa’s central garden courtyard. The property is secure, including the underground parking.”

So describes my client about his pied a terre here in Vancouver as he and his wife have finally decided that living in Toronto and having a place on Galliano was enough toes on the earth for any one couple. So now you have the chance to put your toe into one of the best spots to live in Vancouver. There on Little Commercial only steps to Trout Lake. Or take a stroll down Commercial for a cup of Cappuccino and a Biscotti before you do your weekly shopping at the numerous markets along the Drive.

If you wait ’til Saturday you can shop at the Farmers Market and feel righteous as you “buy green”, follow the 100 mile diet and support local farmers.

It doesn’t stop there. The complex is filled with artists and writers so you can enjoy a community of culture while gabbing with neighbours in the central courtyard – without even going down to the street.

These fellow condo-ites recently got control of the strata council and have pro-actively ordered an engineer’s report to bring the condo up to snuff. Coming from the report were many suggestions to fix problems that had been nagging at the property for a while. And last year an assessment was put on the suite and has been paid. So you will be buying a property that is “as good as new” with all known problems being dealt with.

Now check out the pictures and give me a call at 604-760-7342 to view the listing.

Exterior from the street. A bit garrish, eh!

Once inside you walk down the courtyard to the suite.

Then up the stairs to the door.

Up the stairs to the suite

enter the suite

Top of the stairs is the kitchen and the skylight opens!

to the right is the dining area and the door to the balcony

the living room with gas fireplace

#10 – 3477 Commercial Street   $325,000

MLS # V760933

“In 2000 we went looking for a Vancouver home where we would be in the company of other writers and artists. Opposite the Skytrain and Trout Lake on Commercial Street at 18th Avenue, we found the ideal situation–a sunlit, two level, two bedroom European-style condominium. This small home (800+ square feet) has served us well. It is in brand new condition. A skylight in the kitchen opens to the sun and the evening skies. There is a fine gas fire in the living room, and we can see the mountains from the living room and the balcony off the dining room. Our front door opens onto the Villa’s central garden courtyard. The property is secure, including the underground parking.”

So describes my client about his pied a terre here in Vancouver as he and his wife have finally decided that living in Toronto and having a place on Galliano was enough toes on the earth for any one couple. So now you have the chance to put your toe into one of the best spots to live in Vancouver. There on Little Commercial only steps to Trout Lake. Or take a stroll down Commercial for a cup of Cappuccino and a Biscotti before you do your weekly shopping at the numerous markets along the Drive.

If you wait ’til Saturday you can shop at the Farmers Market and feel righteous as you “buy green”, follow the 100 mile diet and support local farmers.

It doesn’t stop there. The complex is filled with artists and writers so you can enjoy a community of culture while gabbing with neighbours in the central courtyard – without even going down to the street.

These fellow condo-ites recently got control of the strata council and have pro-actively ordered an engineer’s report to bring the condo up to snuff. Coming from the report were many suggestions to fix problems that had been nagging at the property for a while. And last year an assessment was put on the suite and has been paid. So you will be buying a property that is “as good as new” with all known problems being dealt with.

Now check out the pictures and give me a call at 604-760-7342 to view the listing.

Exterior from the street. A bit garrish, eh!

Once inside you walk down the courtyard to the suite.

Then up the stairs to the door.

Up the stairs to the suite

enter the suite

Top of the stairs is the kitchen and the skylight opens!

to the right is the dining area and the door to the balcony

the living room with gas fireplace

• before their home can be transferred to a new owner, other than to their surviving spouse, or

• upon their death, with repayment through their estate.

Homeowners aged 60 years and over may defer the payment of annual property taxes on their principal residence. The program is also available to homeowners of any age who are widowed spouses, or who meet the definition of a person with disabilities, in the “Disability Benefits Program Act.”

Check with your local Municipal Government for more information.
For forms to defer your property taxes go to:

http://142.32.78.120/search/SearchResults.aspx?SearchMode=1&Brochures=true&Bulletins=true&Forms=true&Legislation=true&Notices=true&Tax%20Facts=true&Keyword=property%20taxes&PageSize=10

Currently more than 12,000 households in British Columbia defer their property taxes.  In total there is about $173 million owing to the provincial government.  West Vancouver heads the list with 941 homeowners who deferred over $4 million last year, just over $4,000 each on average so as you can see, although it was started to help poor seniors not loose their homes, the rich have been quick to jump on the band wagon!
Lots of seniors who can well afford to pay their property taxes are realizing it is a good investment NOT to pay property taxes but to defer it against the increased value in their homes.The program has become more popular with the increase in the price of homes, property taxes and the aging population.  There was a 50% increase in applications last year.

The interest rate is set every six months, October and April at not greater than 2% below the rate at which the province borrows money.  There is a $60 set-up charge and an annual renewal fee of $10 on which no interest is charged, it just accrues.

So consider a property tax deferment as a way to stay in your home. It is the cheapest loan you can get!

Download  PDF:  Flyer page 1, Green Tea House Details

Go to full description here.

The Harmon | Sill residence and Studios (MLS Listing: V746957 – http://www.caroleharmon.ca/sale/index.html ) was designed by architect David Murray from Edmonton Alberta, and was completed in fall 2006. This property consists of a home and two separate studios. One for Gary Sill is a composer, pianist, and music producer, the second is for Carole Harmon – a photographer. His studio is located on the main floor of the main house and includes a sound studio and performance space,  Carole Harmon’s studio is located in a separate workshop building at the rear of the property. She also operates Harmon Gallery in Banff, Alberta.

For more pictures and the blue prints of the Green Tea House go to:

http://www.caroleharmon.ca/sale/index.html

Design Concept

This property is located between Main and Fraser Streets at the head of Brewery Creek. The site was chosen for it’s central location and proximity to the vibrant Main Street corridor which is one of Eastside Vancouver’s most popular neighbourhoods with new shops and services opening almost weekly.

The house and photography studio are built on floating concrete slabs supported by deep drilled helical steel piles. The metaphor of a land-locked houseboat was used as the inspiration for the design. Both buildings are entered over raised cedar bridges which float above the landscaping. A rectangular concrete pond fronts the photography studio building.

The lot contains the last remaining mature trees in the neighbourhood including a Deodar cedar, Douglas fir, and red leaf hazelnut in the front yard and a hawthorn, tamarack and ancient apple tree in the back yard. The yard is being developed with native plants and ground cover. The roofs of the photography studio and the entrance over the main front door have been structurally prepared for green roof plantings which have not yet been actualized. The building concept and execution included, whenever practically possible, environmental considerations and the finishes and materials used were chosen to enhance the original design concept.

The Music Studio

The audio Studio is located in the main house adjacent to the living room. It has a 10′ ceiling and is a 24′ X 15′ room built within a 26′ X 17′ shell with the floor resting on rubber de-couplers. The 14″ space under the floor is heavily insulated as are the walls and ceiling. A 5″ open space separates the insulated structure from the exterior envelope. A 7′ opening accommodates two custom built metal and glass doors which open wide enough to allow the grand piano to roll in from the adjoining live room when absolute quiet is needed. The studio has it’s own electrical which is separated from the rest of the building and an air exchange unit that silently brings in fresh air.

The live room is 25′ X 16′ with 12′ ceiling and opens on one side into the rest of the building. A lighting rail circles the ceiling with various heads and floods that are useful for home concerts. Both studio and living room are floored with recycled pine and heating is in-floor radiant. The studio is connected to the living room by double acoustic steel doors which allow the grand piano to be in either the studio or living room.  The details and a slide show of Gary Sill’s studio can be seen on his website: Gary Sill Music | Creative Music Performance, Composition and Recording Services

This is a light filled space with enough ‘liveliness’ to make it easy and inviting to play in.

The Photography Studio

Carole Harmon’s photography studio is a 616 sq, ft., one story, free standing building located on the north side of the property. The building design is the same as the main house, with large windows overlooking a rectangular concrete pond which is structurally cantilevered to the building. Both are constructed on a floating concrete slab supported by deep drilled steel piles as is the main building. The building is presently configured with a large open studio on the east side of the building and a two piece bathroom and darkroom on the west side. The bathroom has been plumbed and prepared for a future shower. Three skylights have been framed into the ceiling of the main studio space. The studio roof has been built to accommodate a future green roof. It was intended that the shower, skylights and green roof would be completed together after the main construction as a Phase 2 project. To view the work produced in this studio please visit Carole’s personal website: Carole Harmon | Photographic Artist | Canadian Fine Art Photography and Harmon Gallery website: Harmon Photography – Fine Art Nature Photography in our Banff Gallery

Description of house

The main house is two story with a cedar deck and hot tub on the second floor in the SW corner accessed from the family room. The open concept plan uses changing levels to define areas.

The living room and music studio are sunken one step from the entrance hallway and have reclaimed fir floors. Reclaimed fir is also used in the exposed fir ceilings of the entrance way and dining room. Fir was chosen as it is an indigenous wood and the actual flooring was reclaimed from a military gymnasium in Nanaimo.

The kitchen, mechanical room and powder room are raised and float above the entrance way by 2 steps. Beneath the raised kitchen is a large storage space.

The dining room is dropped by three steps. Aesthetically this provides separation for the practical areas of the main floor while still keeping the kitchen as the heart of the home. A panorama of windows overlook the rear yard from the kitchen and dining room. In a practical sense this design allows for the services under the kitchen floor as well as some low crawl space storage.

The stairway to the second floor is located centrally and is one of the architectural features of this home. The stairs themselves are of the same fir as the living room, studio and second story floors with open mesh powder-coated aluminum along the north side which is open to the kitchen. An enormous skylight over the stairwell floods the stairwell and interior of the house with light brightening the kitchen below and family room, master bedroom, and master bath on the second floor.

Link here for more pictures and the blue prints of the Green Tea House.

Click to download PDF flyers