A Realtor Sells A House To Himself In North Vancouver - "The untangible feeling of pride of homeownership I feel is overwhelming and I strive to work harder and longer to make sure my clients achieve the same exciting, rewarding, and satisfying experience!"

“This past week I made the highly anticipated move from my condo to my first house on beautiful Cortell Street in North Vancouver. The new house is a very well maintained, updated character cottage from 1928, with extensive kitchen and bathroom renovations.

The Location is one of the finest in North Vancouver, in the quite and sunny southern pocket of Pemberton Heights, 2 blocks from Capilano Elementary with its coveted IB program. The yard is a gardener’s dream, landscaped and set up with an irrigation system and automatic lighting. The garage is tiny, but my truck just fits in it:). Some of my favourtite features are the classic hardwood floors; the fully renovated kitchen with Viking Gas Convection Stove; the loft with skylghts and views; the many species of birds that call the magical garden home; the protected Royal Walnut Tree in the front yard that I’m forbidden by the District of North Van to touch; the gas fireplace; an exposed brick wall; large south-facing wood deck; the antique claw-foot soaker tub; and the detailed door fixtures, built in cupboards, and wainscoting.

The windows, electrical, furnace, on-demand hot water supply, and roof have all been replaced in the past 6 years. The neighbourhood is a charming mix of cute and character, ultra modern, and brand new masterpieces. My west-side neighbour’s house is currently being gutted, there is a handsome new custom mansion across the street, and 2 brand new houses being built on Cortell, so for a Realtor who loves homes, I feel like a kid in a candy store:). Speaking of candy stores, 2 blocks away is the infamous Corner Store, a Pemberton Heights landmark serving up great coffee, sandwiches, groceries, and snacks in a warm neighbourhood environment.

I am thrilled to have the talented eye of Missy Kaniuk from Design Project in charge of the re-design of the main level & renovations to the basement! We are going to paint the wainscotting white, and the wall in the living room and entrance a tope/grey/olive tone, the office a tope green with white baseboards, and the bedroom white with a dark wood door and window trim, using paint by Benjamin Moore. The exterior will be white with blue or charcoal trim and ‘fire-truck red’ front door. In the long term, I want to refinish the floors a dark oak & install crisp white crown moulding in the bedroom, den, and bathroom!

The downstairs has a finished bathroom but the rest is exposed framing, washer/dryer, furnace, and a work shop. I am planning on renovating the basement so the walls and ceiling are finished with electric heat, pot lights, new washer/dryer, guest kitchenette, and a bedroom. With the help of a great plumber, electrician, framer, and Rona I hope to create an additional 650 sq ft of finished living space. The main challenge is the uneven floor which will require a skilled leveler (which I will be meeting on Saturday morning – Basement design details to come, stay tuned!).

Upstairs will be a guest room & office on the dreamy East side of the loft , and a TV room on the West Side to enjoy the city/ocean views.

Follow my blog for updates on the reno and life as a homeowner! The untangible feeling of pride of homeownership I feel is overwhelming and I strive to work harder and longer to make sure my clients achieve the same exciting, rewarding, and satisfying experience!”

- Realtor Stu Bell, at his blog stubell.com, 24 Nov 2011
[hat-tip to reader who e-mailed the link]

That ‘untangible feeling of pride’ is one factor contributing to the ‘ownership premium’, the amount that one is prepared to pay for a home over and above the cost of renting it. Stu clearly gets a great deal of pleasure out of owning this home, and his personal ‘ownership premium’ is likely substantial (whether he had to pay more than rent equivalent to purchase this house or not). One wouldn’t want to get into a bidding war with this kind of buyer for a home on which their heart was set.
The story is saved here as a fairly intense example of the current Vancouver love affair with home ownership. We believe that this infatuation is closely related to rising prices, and that the feelings will become less intense when prices are falling.
“Will you still need me?
“Will you still feed me?
“When I’m 64(%-of-the-price-you-bought-me-for)?”
- vreaa

[For another recent example of related emotions, see the TV announcer exchange at "Real Estate stories are always great, they never get tiring, you know?"]