A condo developer in Vancouver who built a number of condominium projects all over the Lower Mainland is liquidating 375 properties at 20%-40% off of assessed value. This recent development is definitely a sign of the times. You have to ask yourself - why are they selling these units at such a discount? Why? Because maybe they see the storm on the horizon. If you owned these units would you discount them if you expected sales prices and activity to increase?

What do you think? Any opinions out there?

Here is the article by CBC…

A Vancouver real estate developer is making an unprecedented move to offer a liquidation sale of $350 million worth of its condominiums throughout the Lower Mainland. The marketing strategy by Onni Group of Companies is aimed at selling off hundreds of condos in its inventory. About 375 unsold condominiums in cities such as Richmond and New Westminster will be offered at 20 to 40 per cent off, a real estate insider told CBC News.

It is not known whether the big discounts are based on prices when the condos were completed or current market values. Onni was to hold a media event Thursday to announce details. Onni’s marketing tool might nudge some reluctant home buyers off the fence, said Tim Silk, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia’s business school. “If you see the units being priced below comparable units, then you might see people jump in,” Silk said Wednesday. “But there’s still that hesitation of, ‘Have we reached bottom?’ ”

Home prices in the Vancouver real estate market dropped almost 11 per cent between December 2007 and the end of 2008, according to a special price index updated earlier this month by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. And the number of homes sold in 2008 fell more than 35 per cent from 2007 sales of more than 38,000 homes.

Link to CBC Article.

 
Post is included in group: Beautiful British Columbia

1 Comments on A Sign Of The Times? Vancouver Real Estate Liquidation

JAN
23
2009

I think it is a common marketing technique to discount prices to create lineups and possible bidding wars. Sort of like a foreclosure. Probably the developer was better off doing it this way, selling them at discount prices overnight, avoiding real estate agents commissions, properties sitting on the market and further price drops. I'm sure their accountants/financial planners have done all necessary calculations. Builders have bank loans that become due and payable one day.

I've heard people lined up at 9PM and many people didn't get anything.
12:10pm • #1


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Kirsten Mason

Kamloops, BC

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