The Preferred Homes Team is thrilled to announce the exciting new community of The Summit at Thetis with spacious family homes aggressively priced from only $474,900.

Excellent planning and design by the team at Limona has situated this neighbourhood well away from all the traffic corridors and noise, yet with easy connections to the short commute downtown. Natural park land embraces the site with Mill Hill Park immediately to the West and Thetis Lake Park just a short stroll away.  As well, two community play parks for the kids have been built within the project.

Each lot is situated on a quiet winding street, surrounded by trees, parkland, and trails meandering through the forest.  This truly is a quiet, exceptional place that families can really call home.

Learn more at www.TheSummitAtThetis.com and visit our gorgeous show home every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm.  We look forward to seeing you!

VICTORIA, BC - Single family homes sales have risen 17% since last month, while the six-month average price is up 1% to $599,551. The average price of a Greater Victoria single family home in March 2012 is $640,553 up from $579,985, but is affected by the sale of two homes over $4 million. Compared to March 2011, active listings in this category are up 5% to 1,858, while sales are down 7%.

Sales of condos and townhomes are flat, compared to February 2012, while down significantly from 12 months ago (17% and 15% respectively). Condo prices are unchanged, while townhomes are 1% lower than March 2011.

"With softer prices, buyers have been looking at houses," says Carol Crabb, President of the Victoria Real Estate Board. "That is now being reflected by the six-month average price increase. We predicted a flat market in January, and so far that is what we are experiencing."

She also believes sales activity was affected by poor weather and many families travelling over the two-week spring break. "REALTORS® tell me many clients took the time for family vacations," Crabb adds.

With a total of 4,274 active listings, properties on the market have edged up from last month (3,977 active listings at February 29, 2011). Increased supply levels reflect typical spring activity as seen year over year.

(h)(r)(s)

(NEWSER) – Bhutan measures the mood of its citizens in a national happiness index, and in an international meeting held at the UN yesterday and led by the country, it urged other nations to follow its lead. A report released for the meeting, taking into account polls from 2005 to 2011, ranks the happiest and unhappiest countries. The happiest (the US makes an appearance at No. 11):

1. Denmark
2. Finland
3. Norway
4. Netherlands
5. Canada

The unhappiest, starting with last place:

• Togo
• Benin
• Central African Republic
• Sierra Leone
• Burundi

Click here for the full article:

(h)(r)(s)

Although some market segments and neighbourhoods are having their own challenges, the market was relatively good over the last week with stable sales, stable prices, and even a slow down in the growth of inventory.  All good news for home sellers!  Buyers may want to jump off that fence sooner rather than later.  With interest rates starting to rise and a steady, if not exciting, flow of sales the market may shift more in the favour of sellers soon.

Over the last 30 days, 274 single family houses were sold, down by 1 houses from last week.  The median price is up $10,250 to $565,250. The average house was on the market for 36 days.

In the same time period, 143 condos were sold, up by 10 condos from last week.  The median price is down $1,500 to $273,500. The average condo was on the market for 47 days.

There are now 1,902 houses for sale, up by 10 from last week.  Condo inventory has fallen by 19 to 938 suites.

(h)(r)(s)