North Shore Realty, Your Real Estate Navigator

Garth Raven

Your Guide

Your Real Estate Navigator

  • Cell: (604) 340-2212
  • Office: (604) 984-9711
  • Fax: (604) 984-3350
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Friday, January 13, 2012

New property listed in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver

I have listed a new property at # 508 170 W 1ST ST in North Vancouver.
One Park Lane - GEORGIE AWARD WINNER - High quality finishings throughout this beautiful 2 bdrm, 2 bthm corner suite...
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Friday, January 13, 2012

Open House. Open House on Saturday, January 14, 2012 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Please visit our Open House at # 508 170 W 1ST ST in North Vancouver.
Open House on Saturday, January 14, 2012 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
One Park Lane - GEORGIE AWARD WINNER - High quality finishings...
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Thursday, December 8, 2011

I have sold a property at 395 STEVENS DR in West Vancouver

I have sold a property at 395 STEVENS DR in West Vancouver.
Prime CORNER Building Lot 13,992 sq. ft. Driveway off of Bury Lane on quiet street off Stevens. Value in the land. Flat lot ...
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Thursday, December 8, 2011

I have sold a property at 1904 GARDEN AV in North Vancouver

I have sold a property at 1904 GARDEN AV in North Vancouver.
Opportunity knocks for first buyers or those seeking one-level living. Rancher nestled back on a mature, fully fenced, 33 x...
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Thursday, November 24, 2011

New property listed in British Properties, West Vancouver

I have listed a new property at 395 STEVENS DR in West Vancouver.
Prime CORNER Building Lot 13,992 sq. ft. Driveway off of Bury Lane on quiet street off Stevens. Value in the land. Flat...
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Friday, November 18, 2011

I have sold a property at 602 540 LONSDALE AVE in North Vancouver

I have sold a property at 602 540 LONSDALE AVE in North Vancouver.
Come for the exceptional Ocean, Mountain & City view & stay for the premium upgrades & the Lower Lonsdale lifestyle. This...
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Friday, November 18, 2011

New property listed in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver

I have listed a new property at # 2 220 E 4TH ST in North Vancouver.
Here is your chance to own a super two level T/H in the heart of Lower Lonsdale. The main floor features a bright kitchen...
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Friday, November 11, 2011

New property listed in Cowichan Bay Cobble Hill, BC, Islands-Van. & Gulf

I have listed a new property at 1765 Cowichan Bay RD in Cowichan Bay, BC.
Own a profitable turnkey marina business in picturesque Cowichan Bay. Complete with our West Coast lifestyle, the marina features a 45 moorage slips and float home community. Recent upgrades include 400 amp three phase electrical service, sanitary pump out system, transient moorage, shower and laundry facilities, and too many other improvements to mention. The marina also features a 4,000 square foot take out/dine in restaurant, and a kayak rental and retail sales building.
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Saturday, October 29, 2011

New property listed in Pemberton NV, North Vancouver

I have listed a new property at 1904 GARDEN AV in North Vancouver.
Opportunity knocks for first buyers or those seeking one-level living. Rancher nestled back on a mature, fully fenced,...
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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Open House. Open House on Sunday, October 30, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Please visit our Open House at 1904 GARDEN AV in North Vancouver.
Open House on Sunday, October 30, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Opportunity knocks for first buyers or those seeking one-level...
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Thursday, September 15, 2011

I have sold a property at 1237 Tunney Avenue in Sicamous

I have sold a property at 1237 Tunney Avenue in Sicamous.
Here is a great little 3 bedroom 1 bath home with no pad rent & a great investment for the future. Can be purchased with adjacent...
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Thursday, September 15, 2011

New property listed in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver

I have listed a new property at # 1102 125 W 2ND ST in North Vancouver.
Sensational, south-facing, city, water, and sunset views. Two of everything, 2 good size bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2...
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Thursday, September 15, 2011

New property listed in West End VW, Vancouver West

I have listed a new property at # 1808 1003 PACIFIC ST in Vancouver.
Gorgeous downtown and false creek views. Floor-to-ceiling windows in this generous size 2 bdrm, well maintained, suite...
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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Open House. Open House on Sunday, June 26, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Property Photo: 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver
Please visit our Open House at 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver.
Open House on Sunday, June 26, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Investor alert! You or your tenants can watch the fireworks and...
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Friday, June 17, 2011

Open House. Open House on Saturday, June 18, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Property Photo: 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver
Please visit our Open House at 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver.
Open House on Saturday, June 18, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Investor alert! You or your tenants can watch the fireworks...
Read Full Story
Sunday, May 29, 2011

Open House. Open House on Sunday, May 29, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Property Photo: 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver
Please visit our Open House at 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver.
Open House on Sunday, May 29, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Investor alert! You or your tenants can watch the fireworks and...
Read Full Story
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Open House. Open House on Saturday, May 28, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Property Photo: 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver
Please visit our Open House at 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver.
Open House on Saturday, May 28, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Investor alert! You or your tenants can watch the fireworks...
Read Full Story
Friday, May 13, 2011

I have sold a property at 20 1900 INDIAN RIVER CREST in North Vancouver

Property Photo: 20 1900 INDIAN RIVER CREST in North Vancouver
I have sold a property at 20 1900 INDIAN RIVER CREST in North Vancouver.
'Tiffany Pines' long considered one of North Vancouver's most sought-after gated communities. This 'A' Plan offers...
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Thursday, May 12, 2011

I have sold a property at 3123 BROADWAY AVE W in VANCOUVER

Property Photo: 3123 BROADWAY AVE W in VANCOUVER
I have sold a property at 3123 BROADWAY AVE W in VANCOUVER.
RARE...PRIME Kitsilano location... Historical landmark Hollywood Theatre, family owned and operated for 75 years is now for sale!...
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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Open House. Open House on Sunday, May 15, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Property Photo: 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver
Please visit our Open House at 208 212 FORBES AVE in North Vancouver.
Open House on Sunday, May 15, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Investor alert! You or your tenants can watch the fireworks and...
Read Full Story
 
Who's Doing  High Fives Now?    SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2007
 

If you think lenders make too much money, you are not alone........ However, it's very likely that you, the borrower, are an eager participant in all those profits. Billions of dollars are literally given away to the banks each year because of consumer  pathy. Lenders know this and in fact they "bank" on it. What do we mean?
Well, a recent survey conducted by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reveals that despite all the new mortgage products on the market, people looking to renew their mortgage will more often than not, revert back to their current lender. In fact, according to the report, 81% of them did. Does this make sense when the competition could be offering lower interest rates and better terms? It doesn't. There is some good news though. This same survey indicates that consumers are shopping around slightly more than they were in the past. People that were renewing their mortgage were faithful to their financial institution to the tune of 88% in 2000. By 2006 this dropped 7 percentage points.
This decline in lender loyalty was also very evident in repeat home buyers and people that refinanced their mortgage because of wanting extra cash to make home  enovations or consolidate debt. In 2006 only 65% of these consumers went back to their current provider – well down from what it was in previous years. The only category that remained relatively stable was first-time home buyers.

57% of these buyers financed through their banking institution in 2000 and this remained almost constant - 58% in 2006. It would appear that first-time buyers are savvy and cautious when it comes to mortgage debt. Initially, they do their

research diligently when it comes to comparing lenders and what they can offer. However, these very same buyers that were so careful at the start, oon join the ranks of those that are "too busy" at mortgage renewal time to check out and compare lenders. Most people know that banking is a business. However, not all acknowledge that bank

employees are paid to look after the bank's best interests – not yours. In fact these employees have quotas to fill – big quotas! It is amazing that people will go to seminars sponsored by Lenders and expect to be told how to negotiate the best mortgage deal for themselves.  Puh-leeze! That's like inviting a fox to the chicken coop to tell the chickens how to avoid getting eaten by him. It makes no sense whatsoever, yet that is exactly what people do. Even more remarkable is the fact that these potential customers believe they are getting sound and unbiased information and actually act on the

advice given by the fox. This can be a very costly mistake. 

 
However, let us explore mortgage renewal in greater detail.
 
Mortgage funding is extremely competitive. Lenders spend an enormous amount of money just to get mortgage business in the first place and they certainly don't want to lose customers now or at any time in the future.
If homeowners would just take a few hours and shop around for several proposals from different lending institutions when their mortgage term is up, they might be pleasantly surprised about their findings. The chances are that they would quite possibly receive an offer from another Lender that is better in both interest rates and/or terms provided.
Lenders may even pay for all the set-up, transfer and legal fees when the mortgage business is transferred to them. Once a homeowner has different options in hand, the power to choose becomes theirs. They can accept this new favorable proposal or have their current lender match or better it. Odds are, your lender isn't going to be
willing to give up your business without a fight.
How much actual cash could be saved by keeping Lenders honest? Well, let's figure it out. A $300,000 mortgage calculated at 6% over a 25 year amortization period works out to monthly payments of $1,919.42. Conversely, at 5.5% and using the same criteria, the payments are $1,831.18. The difference is $88.24 per month. Now multiply that by 60 (five years of monthly payments) and you will see that by negotiating a better rate, rather than blindly accepting the first offer, you have saved $5,294.40. Really, with a little investigative effort, you could have put a stash of cash in your jeans or made a handsome contribution towards paying off your mortgage. Instead of the Lenders' CEO's counting profits and doing high fives around the boardroom table because of consumer apathy, you could be going on vacation. You may be trained to be loyal but hopefully, not tamed! Next time . . . shop around!
Garth Raven
Cell:(604) 340-2212
Office:(604) 984-9711
Fax:(604) 984-3350
Prudential Sussex Realty
2996 Lonsdale Avenue
North Vancouver, British Columbia
V7N 3J4 Canada