We do regularly get attention from the Canadian Media for impressive sales, our commentary of the overall market and the way we do business. The Vancouver Sun has featured a number of our sales in their newspaper. Some of our sold properties featured below in the Vancouver Sun.

The big sell: This upper-floor condo in downtown Vancouver’s Sylvia Tower is noteworthy for several reasons: Its sale price of $5 million broke the $2,000-per-square-foot barrier which, according to listing agent Karel Palla, was a record for the West End and a 29-year-old building. He says there have been only six sales in the building — it houses one suite per floor — since it was built in 1986. The Sylvia Tower has a prominent waterfront position with unobstructed ocean, city and mountain vistas. It is next to the heritage-designated Sylvia Hotel and close to Stanley Park. The home has floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious living and dining areas, an expansive open kitchen, two well-proportioned bedrooms, two balconies — including a private one off the master bedroom — two gas fireplaces and two parking stalls. The monthly maintenance fee is $1,113.48.

Source: Vancouver Sun December 30, 2015

The big sell: According to listing agent Karel Palla, 19 offers were received for this 1965 bungalow-plus-basement property, with the successful bid coming in subject-free and $121,000 over the listed price.

Some of the home’s selling points include an open and modern main floor with a chef’s kitchen that features cherry wood cabinetry, granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances — including a gas cooktop — and a built-in wine fridge.

There are three bedrooms on this level, original oak hardwood floors, a refurbished family bathroom with a jetted tub, double sinks, a glass vanity and modern faucets, and a south-facing city-view sundeck.

The basement provides a one-bedroom mortgage-helping suite — it currently rents for $900 a month — with a newer kitchen and bathroom, as well as a large recreation room and flexible room and storage for the owners’ use.

Other highlights include a two-year-old front-loading washer-dryer and hot water tank, a six-year-old high-efficiency furnace, and a new roof with a 30-year warranty.

SOURCE: Vancouver Sun September 4, 2015

The big sell: This sub-penthouse unit is in the Carrara of Portico development, which was built in 2000 within walking distance of Granville Island, downtown and the chic art galleries that line South Granville. It has a distinctive circular tower that forms part of Bosa’s four-building Portico collection — the others being Modena, Siena and Verona. This home has wraparound views that face the water, city and mountains, and a spacious balcony and an airy interior from which to enjoy them. With a layout that spans more than 1,300 square feet, there is plenty of room for “house-sized” furniture. There are hardwood floors, along with an open-concept kitchen with granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances and a breakfast bar. The home has walk-in closets, floor-to-ceiling windows in the main rooms and a gas fireplace. Amenities include a fitness room, hot tub, sauna/steam room, party room and resident caretaker. The monthly maintenance fee is $557.94.

SOURCE: Vancouver Sun March 2, 2015

The big sell: Built in 2013 by Embassy Development, Burnaby’s Vantage tower soars 30 storeys above the Brentwood neighbourhood. It has an extensive amenity centre, with a fitness studio, lounge, sauna and hot tub, as well as on-site concierge and a landscaped terrace with a fire pit and children’s play area. This penthouse has a private 800-square-foot terrace complete with an outdoor gas fireplace and a kitchen, and a detailed interior with more than $100,000 in extras, including roller blinds, hardwood floors, high-end appliances, indirect lighting and five-zone air conditioning. European custom doors and hardware are throughout the open-concept home, while nine-foot ceilings heighten the city, mountain and water views. This unit also comes with the only three-car private garage in the building. Pets and rentals are allowed, although the former has some restrictions. The monthly maintenance fee is $565.12.

SOURCE: Vancouver Sun November 21, 2014

The big sell: There are many reasons why the homes in downtown Vancouver’s Sylvia Tower stand out: namely, a prime west-of-Denman location next to the historic Sylvia Hotel, a building floor plan that allows for only one suite per floor, and commanding panoramic unobstructed ocean, city and mountain views. The tower was built in 1986 and the sellers of this sub-penthouse unit were the first owners in the building. According to listing agent Karel Palla, the home was originally sold as a blank canvas, which enabled the sellers to design the interior to their own specifications. There are large living and dining areas, a spacious open kitchen with a pantry and an eating area, a master bedroom with a wide walk-in closet, two balconies, a den and floor-to-ceiling windows. Additional custom-designed interior features include wall-to-wall carpeting, plenty of built-in storage, a kitchen with abundant counter space and a five-piece master ensuite bathroom.

SOURCE: Vancouver Sun August 18, 2014

The big sell: The Afton is a multiunit freehold apartment building in the heart of Kitsilano, built at Maple and Fifth Avenue in 1928.

It is a walk-up low-rise building that consists of 10 studio apartments and four one-bedroom units, which together provide a net annual rental income of $109,112. According to listing agent Karel Palla, The Afton has been at full occupancy for the past 17 years. The building has been well maintained and has benefited from a new roof and common hallway carpets

installed in 2007. The exterior was also painted at the same time. Appliances in the units - fridges and stoves - were included in the sale. The building's amenities consist of shared laundry, storage facilities, emergency lighting, and an intercom system. The Afton's 50-by-112foot corner lot is within walking distance to shopping, eateries, transit and Kitsilano Beach.

Source: Vancouver Sun October 20, 2012

The big sell: This property was built in 1992 on the west side of Main Street, a quarter block from Queen Elizabeth Park. The width of the lot is wider than most; at 47 feet, it can accommodate a proportionately wider home. The double front doors open to a soaring entryway, with a cross-hall living/dining room design leading off it. The kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances contains an eating area that opens to the east-facing rear garden. The home consists of three levels with four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the upper floor, a fifth bedroom on the main floor, which could double as an office, a family room, and a recreation room downstairs that could be converted into a nanny or guest suite. There are two fireplaces, radiant heat, marble and hardwood flooring, a two-car garage, high ceilings, and a treed outlook. The property is close to Nat Bailey Stadium and the Hillcrest Olympic Centre with its ice rink, swimming pools and fitness centre.

Source: Vancouver Sun June 2, 2012

The big sell: This property was built in 1992 on the west side of Main Street, a quarter block from Queen Elizabeth Park. The width of the lot is wider than most; at 47 feet, it can accommodate a proportionately wider home. The double front doors open to a soaring entryway, with a cross-hall living/dining room design leading off it. The kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances contains an eating area that opens to the east-facing rear garden. The home consists of three levels with four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the upper floor, a fifth bedroom on the main floor, which could double as an office, a family room, and a recreation room downstairs that could be converted into a nanny or guest suite. There are two fireplaces, radiant heat, marble and hardwood flooring, a two-car garage, high ceilings, and a treed outlook. The property is close to Nat Bailey Stadium and the Hillcrest Olympic Centre with its ice rink, swimming pools and fitness centre.

Source: Vancouver Sun June 2, 2012

The big sell: This is a heritage Craftsman town house on a light-filled corner lot on a tree-lined street in the Mount Pleasant/City Hall neighbourhood that is close to Cambie Street's numerous amenities. The home had a total rebuild in 2002 that included not just a repainted exterior trim, but a complete transformation of the interior. The new design allowed for the introduction of an open-concept kitchen with stainless-steel appliances (including a gas range), detailed millwork throughout, decks off both the living and family rooms, a built-in vacuum, California closets and shutters, and a dramatic master bedroom with vaulted ceilings, Juliet balcony, walk-in closet and ensuite that contains a claw foot bathtub and separate shower. Further conveniences include direct access from the garage into the basement and two storage lockers. The home sold over the asking price in five days.

SOURCE: VANCOUVER SUN DECEMBER 17, 2011

The big sell: Proving the popularity of Vancouver's westside homes is the sale of this Quilchena home the first day it appeared on the market.

Four offers were received, with the winning bid coming in subject-free at $102,000 over the asking price.

According to listing agent Karel Palla, the buyer was attracted by the location and the school catchment area, with Quilchena elementary and Point Grey secondary school easily accessible. Even the presence of an oil tank buried in the back yard did not deter the buyers, who will assume responsibility for any costs incurred by its removal.

The house was built in 1913 and has original woodwork, a claw-foot bathtub, and separate family, living and formal dining rooms, with the latter two fitted with wood-burning fireplaces.

As is stated in the property description, the home is livable, but the value is mostly in the land.

With a level, 33-by-120-foot lot and RS5 zoning, there is the potential to increase the house to around 70 per cent of the lot size.

SOURCE: VANCOUVER SUN OCTOBER 1, 2011

The big sell: The buyers of this property were so keen to secure the deal they offered more than $300,000 over the asking price to prevent an open house. What prompted this determination? A Vancouver Special on a 50-by-122-foot lot off the Main Street corridor. The home has new wiring, paintwork and a metal roof, yet is in its original 1973 condition, with vintage touches that include a solid teak wall running the length of the 34-foot living room. The property has a three-bedroom suite on the ground level and the main living quarters upstairs. Listing agent reports that he received around 450 calls from buyers attracted by the opportunity to increase the building’s footprint on the lot, and the potential to add a laneway house. Another reason for the sellers to celebrate their sale? They bought the property in 2009 for $778,000.

SOURCE: VANCOUVER SUN September 26, 2011

The big sell: This Craftsman-style home was custom-built by the seller in 2008 and sits on a 33-by-126-foot Renfrew lot. Ensuring that it meets individual and family requirements, it features a bright, open floor plan with nine-foot ceilings, a contemporary colour scheme, chef-style kitchen with island, undermount sinks, corner oven with granite countertop surround, spacious living and dining rooms, entrance hall, and separate media room.

Upstairs, the master bedroom has a walk-in closet, full ensuite bathroom and a balcony that provides North Shore mountain views.

There is a separate one-bedroom suite in the lower level with its own laundry facility. The backyard has a large deck and double detached garage. The location is central to Renfrew’s amenities and close to Begbie elementary school.

SOURCE: VANCOUVER SUN JANUARY 28, 2011

The Big Sell: On a beautiful, tree-lined street just steps from Camosun Park is this stunning example of contemporary design. This very custom home utilizes ideas, materials & techniques rarely, if ever, seen in Vancouver before. The owner has hand selected the very best the world has to offer. No description could do it justice - it simply MUST be viewed to be fully appreciated. Well thought out plan offers lots of living space on the main, including separate living & family rooms with 2 fireplaces & built-in surround sound, gourmet kitchen with 10 piece appliance package & quartz counters. Up has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms(2 ensuite)and its all topped off with a spacious & private roof top deck. Downstairs there is a spare room with 4 piece bathroom for a nanny or a future suite. South facing backyard has 2 decks, tasteful professional landscaping and provision for a firepit. 2 car detached garage would make a great artist/work space. This home is showing by appointment only. 2/5/10 Home Warranty.

Source: Vancouver Sun: August 21, 2010.