No other housing types in Vancouver have seen such dramatic price increases as detached houses. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver puts the benchmark price of a detached home in Metro Vancouver at $1.34 million, and in Vancouver proper, that rises to a whopping $2,035,100.
For our previous condo and townhouse East Vs. West comparisons, we used the benchmark prices for the whole of Metro Vancouver. However, with the market as hot as it is, there are currently no West Side detached houses listed at $1.3 million, so we have used the Vancouver proper benchmark for this comparison.
With that $2 million figure in mind, we set out to compare homes around that price that are currently available in East Van and the West Side.
The differences between East Vancouver and the West Side that we previously found with our condo and townhouse comparisons are amplified in the scorching hot detached house market. In East Van, we found new or newly renovated houses at approximately $650 per square foot, while on the West Side the pair of liveable three-bedroom homes that we selected were both $1,000-plus per square foot, while a Kits house converted into three rental suites on an undersized lot was still listed at more than $800 per square foot.
At the end of the day, however, options exist in both parts of the city – if you have the money. On the East Side you’ll likely find a nicer, larger home and better value, while the West Side may deliver a smaller home but one that may escalate in value more quickly. Which is worth more to you?
Click through the links to find more details on each property. As the properties are sold, the listings may no longer be available.
Mount Pleasant, East Vancouver
$1,998,000
Six-bedroom, five-bathroom house
Lot size: 33 feet x 122 feet (4030 ft²)
House size: 3,056 square feet
Price per square foot: $654
Year built: 1910
houses/East vs West Houses_Mount Pleasant.png
This large Mount Pleasant home has over 3,000 square feet of living space plus a 439 square foot garage/studio. The house was built in 1910, but major, permitted renovations in 2010 have given the home a fabulous open kitchen with stainless steel appliances, family room with gas fireplace, all new oak floors, big mudroom and heated floors on all three levels and the garage. Three bedrooms up as well as a new bathroom, plus separate one-bedroom and two-bedroom mortgage helper suites down below. The home also features two balconies, a 400 square foot attic and keyless entry.
Collingwood, East Vancouver
$2,168,000
Six-bedroom, four-bathroom home
Lot size: 44 ft x 114 ft (5040 ft²)
House size: 3020 square feet
Price per square foot: $718
Year built: 1993
collingwood house
This European-built home is on a huge lot in Collingwood and is walking distance to elementary and secondary schools, as well as parks, restaurants, shops, Metrotown and great transportation links. The house has six bedrooms and four bathrooms, radiant heating, and a bedroom in basement with a separate entrance.
Renfrew Heights, East Vancouver
$1,989,000
Eight-bedroom, seven-bathroom house
Lot size: 32 feet x 109 feet (3630 ft²)
House size: 3,069 square feet
Price per square foot: $648
Year built: 2015
houses/East vs West Houses_Renfrew Heights.png
This custom-built one-year old house comes complete with one-bedroom laneway home. Highlights include high-end stainless steel appliances, built-in convection and steam oven, wok kitchen, quartz countertops, high ceilings, crown mouldings, custom flooring, built-in vacuum and a security system. The home is still under its 2-5-10 warranty. Enjoy your stunning mountain and city views while soaking in the spa tub on the deck!
Dunbar, West Side, Vancouver
$1,998,000
Three-bedroom, two-bathroom house
Lot size: 33 feet x 110 feet (3630 ft²)
House size: 1,960 square feet
Price per square foot: $1,019
Year built: 1932
houses/East vs West Houses_Dunbar.png
This charming little home is in Dunbar, one of the West Side’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, which means it's sitting on a prime slice of land. This bungalow features a generous-sized living room and formal dining room with a bright, west-facing kitchen. If you’re looking to renovate or rebuild, you’d be rewarded with fantastic mountain views from upper floors. And, as is expected in this tony neighbourhood, you’ll be close highly-desirable schools, parks and retail.
Marpole, West Side, Vancouver
$1,983,000
Three-bedroom, one-bathroom house
Lot size: 33 feet x 114 feet (3790 ft²)
House size: 1,900 Square feet
Price per square foot: $1,043
Year built: 1948
houses/East vs West Houses_Marpole.png
This home is part of a four-lot assembly site on Oak Street. While the listing notes it’s ideal for a developer to buy all four homes and build a complex, it also adds this clean and well-kept three-bedroom home is fully equipped for someone to move into, with oak floors, double-glazed windows and a huge family room. Either way, the location gives quick access to both downtown and YVR, as well as popular schools.
Kitsilano, West Side, Vancouver
$1,900,000
Six-bedroom, three-bathroom house
Lot size: 30 feet x 75 feet (2250 ft²)
House size: 2,327 Square feet
Price per square foot: $817
Year built: 1914
houses/East vs West Houses_Kits.png
One for the investors among you: this house in the heart of Kitsilano has been converted into three suites. Each suite has two bedrooms and is completely self-contained and separately metered. This fabulous location is close to the beach, and steps away from transit, shopping and schools.
