Rare View - 2 bdrm Roof Top BBQ Garden Terrace.

I have sold or viewed a lot of properties in Vancouver and yet never have I seen a property with a view like this, particularly for under $400,000. The view alone is work $50-100,000. I am holding an Open House every Saturday from 2-4 pm. The rare 2 bdrm Penthouse that includes a 360 degree panoramic roof top terrace view of North Shore Mountains & downtown is a steal at $399,000. Includes a $9000 finishing package, all S.S. kitchen appliances and ensuite laundry, plus quality Maple laminate flooring - and just 7 minutes to Downtown Vancouver while only 5 minutes to the freeway & North Shore. This central location cannot beat and great local shopping. Your own private roof top terrace with 252 sq ft, plus a downstairs balcony off the livng room.

Development Opportunity Natal, Brasil

Nestled between the Beach of Tabatinga and the Lagoon of Arituba and only 25km south of Natal, Brazil (Rio grande do norte). Natal will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and is often referred to as the City of Sun that enjoys 360 days of sunshine year round and an average temperature of 83 F. Considered one of the safest capital cities in Brazil and yet more than any other city in Brazil, Natal also offers easy access to Europe and North America through frequent direct flights from a host of International cities. The beach of Tabatinga is considered by many to be the best region on the North East coast of Brazil with a natural Lagoon that provides for a magnificent sunset. The architectural project provides for 96 condo that include ocean views of the lagoon of Arituba all with in a building lot 8732,00 m2. The condominium is composed with 8 building which 3 floors and 4 apartments in each floor. 64 apartments with large terrace 77,83 m2 total (2 bedrooms with 1 suite,2 bathrooms, American kitchen ,living room). 32 penthouses with private roof terrace and Jacuzzi of 150m2 total (75m2 apartment and 75m2 roof terrace) Facilities condominium: swimming pool, 24h security , parking , sauna, academy, solarium, deck, communal barbecue area and playground.

my real estate report: Terrific Buys, Strong Canadian dollar lures Canadi...

my real estate report: Terrific Buys, Strong Canadian dollar lures Canadi...: "Western Canadian investors armed with a strong dollar are hunting for trophy properties amidst the depressed U.S. commercial real estate ma..."

Terrific Buys, Strong Canadian dollar lures Canadian investors into U.S. commercial real estate.

Western Canadian investors armed with a strong dollar are hunting for trophy properties amidst the depressed U.S. commercial real estate market.

"The loonie's strength at the same time when U.S. real estates are 'on sale' has not occurred in a generation," said Greg McPhie, managing partner of NAI Commercial in Vancouver. This has made the U.S. prime territory as asset prices have fallen and Canada's investment firms have begun hunting for acquisition opportunities.

The examples are many: Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's investments in New York and Washington, D.C. last year, as well as acquisitions by Riocan REIT and Artis REIT that have been matched by smaller investments across the U.S. Sunbelt by Vancouver developer Onni and syndicator Sunstone Realty Advisors Inc.

"California is on that list, but Arizona seems to be where I'm hearing 'Canadian investor' coming up,"said Ross Moore, director of research, North America, for Colliers International. “We’re in that sweet spot window where I think it works for both sides,” Moore explained. “The guys who are selling don’t feel that they’re selling at the absolute bottom, and at the same time I think that the investors who are going down there still feel like they’re getting good value.”

Ed Sonshine, president and CEO of RioCan REIT, said that prices have “snapped back,” on both sides of the border, noting that RioCan dropped out of the bidding for a U.S. portfolio when the price tag rose too high. “You knew prices would come back but I don’t think anybody knew they would come back this quickly.” In Canada, RioCan is looking to development and the recognition that there is not enough space to house the new, mainly U.S. retailers, earket. “There ain’t much vacant space in the retail area in Canada.” As for the U.S., he anticipates corporate opportunities as many rivals there remain capital constrained.

For a full report on Canadians investing in the U.S. commercial real estate market, see the May issue of Western Investor.