remax crest realty

Covid-19 conditions still dampen activity, prices stable; condos show price reductions

As to be expected, home sales across Metro Vancouver showed a steep decline in April due to Covid-19. However, that is not to say that the market is dormant. In fact, considering the impact on normal home shopping activity at this time of year, prices across all property types show a remarkable robustness. The one-month overall decline of 56 per cent in residential ales since March still correlated with a 0.2 per cent increase in the composite benchmark price for the same period. At the end of April the benchmark price rose to $1,035,000. On a one-year comparison, this is 2.5 per cent higher than April 2019 and is line with the steadily increasing prices in an otherwise stable market since October 2019. One persistent decrease, however, is the number of new listings in Metro Vancouver. As reported in this newsletter at the end of last year, there has been a steady decline in the rate of new listings for several years. It is difficult to analyse the factors for the decline in new listings in the current conditions. The basic reason may well be that sellers expect prices to rise significantly from their current level in the foreseeable future. There is still an ample supply to provide a good choice with over 9,300 homes currently listed. But it’s worth watching the supply side. With nearly a 60 per cent decrease in new listings compared with one year ago, and a 50 per cent decrease month-over-month decrease in April 2020, a diminishing supply could be a factor if prices begin to rise more rapidly. However, I would remind anyone who is thinking about selling now that prices have been relatively stable for many months, so by listing now you can get readily noticed. I can advise you from direct market experience how to set an optimal for you home. Please give me call if you want chat.


I am also encouraging anyone who is home shopping to take advantage of the many new online tools to facilitate your search, your financing, and even the purchase process. Online innovations can assist you greatly. Please take a look at the resources included for you on my website at: www.liveincentralcity.ca


If you would like to remain active in your home searching while remaining at home, this one-stop-shop has everything you will need. Here you can easily conduct a search for any property type across Metro Vancouver, with updates loaded every 15 minutes. You will be able to locate the available listed property, its listed price. its street address, and find its location quickly on the interactive map along with a clear picture of the property. You can also create your own custom market comparison and quickly see what sales activity has recently occurred in the neighborhood with data on price changes and comparable properties recently sold. Below I have listed my monthly comparison of benchmark prices for each property type in selected areas of the greater Vancouver region. By comparing benchmark prices provided by the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board, you can get a good idea of what comparable homes cost in different areas. The selection I have made for you is based on geographical areas immediately above and below the benchmark price to give you a good idea of where prices may most closely match your budget. You will also be able see the most up to date change in prices, whether an increase or decrease since last month’s newsletter. This month I draw your attention to condominium prices, which have decreased in every example.

Detached Homes
The benchmark price for a single-family detached home in Greater Vancouver at the end of May was $1,462,100, an increase of 0.8 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $2,975,400 and Maple Ridge at $844,500. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: at $1,453,100 an increase of 1.2 per cent from the preceding month; Burnaby South at $1,502,400, an increase of 0.6 per cent from the preceding month; and Richmond at $1,530,500, an increase of 0.5 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Port Moody at $1,443,600 an increase of 1.8 per cent from the preceding month; Vancouver East at $1,430,100, an increase of 0.3 per cent from the preceding month; and Burnaby East at $1,220,400, a decrease of 0.4 per cent from the preceding month.

Townhouses

The benchmark price for a townhouse in Greater Vancouver at the end of April was $796,800, an increase of 0.6 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $1,131,800 and Maple Ridge at $544,800. The three municipalities (excluding Whistler which is too far out more most of my clients) closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Richmond at $802,300 an increase of 0.9 per cent from the preceding month; Vancouver East at $909,300, a increase of 1.8 per cent from the preceding month; and North Vancouver at $986,100 an increase of 2.0 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Burnaby South at $780,000, an increase of 1.5 per cent from the preceding month; New Westminster at $759,700, an increase of 1.4 per cent from the preceding month; and Burnaby North at $727,100, a decrease of 0.1 per cent from the preceding month.

Condominiums

The benchmark price for a condominium in Greater Vancouver at the end of March was $685,500, a decrease of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were West Vancouver at $995,200 and Maple Ridge at $360,900. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Burnaby East at $750,400, a decrease of 2.4 per cent from the preceding month; Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $805,900 a decrease of 0.6 per cent from the preceding month; and West Vancouver at $995,200, an decrease of 3.2 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Burnaby South at $673,700, a decrease of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month; Port Moody at $670,900, a decrease of 0.1 per cent from the preceding month; and Richmond at $652,600, a decrease of 0.4 per cent from the preceding month.

Let me help
By working hard for my clients, I stay abreast of the most recent events in the real estate market. This includes monitoring monthly price fluctuations for every property type. If you would like to chat about your needs, whether for selling or buying, I am happy to talk to you. I never pressure anyone, but I can give you honest and informed advice so you can make your best decisions. Please feel free to call: 1 (604) 779-7992

Thanks for reading!

Sibo Zhang, REALTOR®

Despite Covid-19, housing prices and new listings move upwards

What a difference a month can make! As every sector of our economy is trying to cope with COVID-19 disruptions, there are many sources of pressure on the housing market. At the beginning of March, we were beginning to see a resurgence in demand for residential properties in Greater Vancouver. A stifled market after a lengthy period of onerous mortgage rules that had reduced demand had come to end. Buyers who had been waiting to see how low prices would go were now rapidly making offers in an optimal period of low interest and eased mortgage lending requirements. In the first two weeks of March, before the full COVID-19 effect was felt, residential sales across Metro Vancouver jumped over 17 per cent from the preceding month, reaching over 46 per cent higher than one year earlier. Then, just as quickly, a decline set in for the last half of the month – undoubtedly attributable to the precautions necessitated by the epidemic. At present, this unprecedented situation can only be monitored for its impact on the real estate market in the short term. While sophisticated statistical models can provide us with best- and worst-case scenarios, the spread of the virus is ultimately dependent on the behavior of people. However, there is optimism across our region that we are making progress in slowing the rate of infections through social distancing and other safety measures. Of course, this has impacted the ability of home seekers to attend open houses but there is still much you can do online and by phone. For this reason, I want to provide you with information that is useful during this challenging time.

If we are to consider the effect of the coronavirus on our housing market, we must focus on the timing of events. With the surge in demand in early March, we can see some larger than usual price increases beginning to take place. There was also a close to an 11 per cent increase in new listings in Metro Vancouver in March compared with February. This may be interpreted as a shift from a lengthy period of being a “buyers’ market” now transitioning to a “sellers’ market.” What this means is that the underlying demand of housing is pushing upwards and encouraging more people to put their property up for sale as prices rise. I have been advising home buyers to move quickly for the past couple of months, and I still encourage you to keep this market shift in mind. While Covid-19 may slow a rapid increasedue to the practical problems of visiting properties, it will not eliminate the underlying demand which has been pent up for a couple of years. Even with the slowing effect in the last half of March, the composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver at the beginning of March was $1,033,700, a 1.3 per cent increase from February.  Broken down to each property type, there month-over-month increase across the board: 1.2 per cent increase for detached homes; 0.9 per cent increase for townhouses; and 1.4 per cent increase for condominiums. In the comparative benchmarks below, you can see that prices in the past month far exceed the number of decreases.  

 Detached Homes

The benchmark price for a single-family detached home in Greater Vancouver at the end of March was $1,450,700, an increase of 1.2 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $2,942,200 and Maple Ridge at $835,100. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Burnaby North at $1,453,100 an increase of 2.4 per cent from the preceding month; Burnaby South at $1,493,500, an increase of 1.1 per cent from the preceding month; and Richmond at $1,522,800, an increase of 0.9 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Vancouver East at $1,426,500, an increase of 1.3 per cent from the preceding month; Port Moody at $1,420,300, an increase of 0.6 per cent from the preceding month; and Vancouver East at $1,225,300, an increase of 2.5 per cent from the preceding month.  

Townhouses

The benchmark price for a townhouse in Greater Vancouver at the end of March was $791,800 an increase of 0.9 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $1,133,500 and Maple Ridge at $535,100.  The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Richmond at $795,000 an increase of 1.4 per cent from the preceding month; Vancouver East at $893,300, a decrease of 1.2 per cent from the preceding month; and Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $1,133,500, an increase of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Burnaby South at $768,400, a decrease of 0.6 per cent from the preceding month; New Westminster at $749,000, an increase of 0.7 per cent from the preceding month; and Burnaby North at $727,700, no change from the preceding month.

Condominiums

The benchmark price for a condominium in Greater Vancouver at the end of March was $687,000, an increase of 1.4 per cent from the preceding month.  The extremities of this average were West Vancouver at $1,027,600 and Maple Ridge at $359,700. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Burnaby East at $678,900, an increase of 4.8 per cent from the preceding month; Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $810,800, an increase of 1.9 per cent from the preceding month; and West Vancouver at $1,027,600, an increase of 1.4 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Burnaby South at $674,900, a decrease of 0.5 per cent from the preceding month; Port Moody at $671,900, an increase of 3.8 per cent from the preceding month; and Richmond at $655,200, an increase of 2.3 per cent from the preceding month.   

Let me help

I am working hard to help my clients during this challenging time. I know many of you want to find a home while prices are still within your budget; if you need help navigating the new rules for eased mortgage stress testing; or if you are looking for the best mortgage for your financial capacity, please give me call. There is a lot we can do online and by telephone. I encourage you to visit my website for an extensive list of properties, prices, and areas. Together we can meet the challenges we are facing with COVID-19 and still manage your housing needs.   

Please don’t hesitate to give me a call. (604) 779-7992

Thanks for reading!

Sibo Zhang, REALTOR®


Market conditions bode well for home buyers in the New Year

As we approach the end of 2019, it’s a natural time to wonder what the New Year will bring. Let’s look first at what the past year tells us. Over the past 12 months we’ve had a 4.0 per cent decline in the composite benchmark price for residential properties in Greater Vancouver, and an increase in sales. Total residential sales at the end of November were over 55 per cent higher than one year ago. At the same time, the number of listed homes at the end of November was 10,770, a drop of nearly 13 per cent from November 2018. With lower inventory but increased demand, one would think that prices would have moved up, not down. So how do we account for this peculiar phenomenon? I suggest the primary reason is the ongoing trend in declining prices has been mainly a function of the market correction since government measures were put in place in 2018. So, the question on everyone’s mind is when will prices begin moving upwards again? The answer is, they already have, in some areas. The composite benchmark in Burnaby East, for example, has seen an increase of 1.5 per cent in the past three months; in the same period, Port Coquitlam has increased 1.4 per cent and Vancouver East has increased 1.0 per cent.


Overall, market watchers generally agree that home prices in Greater Vancouver have returned to a level in line with typical prices for the region. Because composite benchmarks are comparative averages, it’s important to look at specific areas to track the monthly price fluctuations. And even here you will find some minor increases and decreases which can be due to the current demand in a particular area. One metric you may also want to keep your eye on at this time is the composite benchmark price for residential properties across all of Metro Vancouver. It is currently $993,700, still below the $1-million mark, which I have often pointed out is an important psychological threshold for both buyers and potential sellers. Over the past six months, this benchmark has declined 1.3 per cent, which may be a reason why new listings have also declined. Since the composite benchmark is made up of individual benchmarks in the region, it can begin moving upwards with slight changes in areas that have shown modest declines. If you are thinking about buying, it’s probably best to make an offer before this happens. The New Year appears to be ready to start with stable market prices, but there is always growing demand for homes we may see a broader range of price increases. If you are thinking of buying, it’s a good time. My selected benchmarks below can help you with the current prices in each property type.


Detached Homes


The benchmark price for a single-family detached home in Greater Vancouver at the end of November was $1,415,400, an increase of 0.3 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $2,904,200 and Sunshine Coast at $588,000. (Note I include the Sunshine Coast only as a factor in the average, but do not report on housing prices in this area because it is to far away for my clients). The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Burnaby South at $1,486,200, an increase of 0.3 per cent from the preceding month; Richmond at $1,490,800, a decrease of 0.7 per cent from the preceding month; and North Vancouver at $1,497,500, an increase of 2.2 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Port Moody at $1,395,400, an in crease of 0.1 per cent from the preceding month; Burnaby North at $1,380,700, an increase of 1.1 per cent from the preceding month; and Vancouver East at $1,377,100, an increase of 1.2 per cent from the preceding month.

Townhouses

The benchmark price for a townhouse in Greater Vancouver at the end of November was $772,800, an increase of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $1,133,900 and Maple Ridge at $529,200. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Vancouver East at $861,200, an increase of 1.0 per cent from the preceding month; North Vancouver at $937,100, an in crease of 0.1 per cent from the preceding month; and Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $1,133,900, an increase of 1.8 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Burnaby South at $789,600, a decrease of 0.6 per cent from the preceding month; Richmond, at $766,400, a decrease of 0.9 per cent from the preceding month; and New Westminster at $735,400, an increase of 1.5 per cent from the preceding month.

Condominiums

The benchmark price for a condominium in Greater Vancouver at the end of November was $651,500, a decrease of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were West Vancouver at $1,022,700 and Maple Ridge at $347,300. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Burnaby East at $718,100, an increase of 1.8 per cent from the preceding month; Vancouver West at $750,400, a decrease of 0.5 per cent from the preceding month; and West Vancouver at $1.022.700, a decrease of 2.5 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Burnaby South at $647,300, an increase of 0.3 per cent from the preceding month; Port Moody at $629,700, a decrease of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month; Richmond at $627,100, an increase of 0.3 per cent from the preceding month.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Your home is a special place and even more appreciated when it can be enjoyed with friends and neighbors this festive season. My family and I wish you a safe and merry holiday season, and best wishes for the New Year.

Thanks for reading!

Sibo Zhang, REALTOR®

Buyers’ Market Continues: Total Inventory Rises

Following the post-Christmas effect that I described last month with its phenomenal spike in listings in January, February’s overall inventory closed with 7.2 per cent more listings than the previous month in Greater Vancouver, and 6.9 per cent more in the Fraser Valley. This means both areas continue to have a strong base of listings to maintain the current buyers’ market – good news especially for home hunters getting over the winter doldrums. Monthly price fluctuations levelled somewhat in February which was expected. There were some quite large price reductions in January which weren’t expected to continue, but the residual effect means that buyers can make some good deals at this time. You can check the monthly changes in the benchmark comparisons I make below. Where there are any month-over-months increases, they are quite small and reflect normal market activity. On the whole, the sliding monthly price declines are encouraging more listings, so buyers should take advantage of this. The higher inventories mean you will be able to make a good offer and not face severe competition in a bidding war.

COMBINED BENCHMARKS

The combined benchmark for all property types in Greater Vancouver at the end of February 2019 was $1,016,600, a decrease of 6.1 per cent from one year earlier, and a 0.3 per cent decrease from the preceding month. In the Fraser Valley the combined benchmark for all property types at the end of January 2019 was $822,100 a decrease of 2.8 per cent from one year earlier and a 0.1 per cent increase from the previous month.

METRO VANCOUVER

Total inventory hits 11,590 in February; 7.2 % increase over January

New listings across all property types reached 3.892 in February, not quite as high as January’s listings of 4,848, but still strong for the month to keep up a substantial inventory considering February’s sales were almost 35 per cent higher than in January.

Detached Homes

The benchmark price for a single-family detached home in Greater Vancouver at the end of February was $1,443,100, a decrease of 0.7 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $3.029,200 and the Sunshine Coast at $603,700. (Note I include the Sunshine Coast region only as a factor in the average, but I do not report on housing prices in this area because it is to far away for my clients). The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: North Vancouver at $1,492,400, a decrease of 1.3 per cent from the preceding month; South Burnaby at $1,542,100, a decrease of 0.5 per cent from the preceding month; and Richmond at $1,546,500, a decrease of 2.2 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Vancouver East at $1,412,900, a decrease of 1.1 per cent from the preceding month; Port Moody at $1,404,100, a decrease of 3.5 per cent from the preceding month; and North Burnaby at $1,400,800, a decrease of 1.0 per cent from the preceding month.

 

Townhouses

The benchmark price for a townhouse in Greater Vancouver at the end of February was $789,300, a decrease of 1.4 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $1,208,500 and Maple Ridge at $525,200. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Richmond at $798,400, a decrease of 1.5 per cent from the preceding month; South Burnaby at $807,300, an increase of 1.8 per cent from the preceding month; and Vancouver East at $823,800, a decrease of 2.9 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Ladner at $727,300, a decrease of 1.8 per cent from the preceding month; North Burnaby at $715,300, a decrease of 1.2 per cent from the preceding month; and Tsawwassen at $703,200, a decrease of 4.0 per cent from the preceding month.

Condominiums

The benchmark price for a condominium in Greater Vancouver at the end of February was $660,300, a decrease of 0.3 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were West Vancouver at $1,103,800 and Maple Ridge at $353,800. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: South Burnaby at $689,400, a decrease of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month; East Burnaby at $718,900, a decrease of 3.4 per cent from the preceding month; and Vancouver West (not West Vancouver) at $784,300, an increase of 0.1 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Richmond at $660,100, an increase of 0.4 per cent from the preceding month; Port Moody at $622,500, a decrease of 1.1 per cent from the preceding month; and North Burnaby at $599,900, a decrease of 1.1 per cent from the preceding month.

 

FRASER VALLEY

Total February Inventory Reaches 6,406; 6.9 per cent Over January

Even with the 25 per cent increase in overall Valley sales over January, February’s inventory closed strongly with 2,216 new listings. The turnover of inventory continues to be relatively fast in this region, with single family detached homes on the market for an average of 43 days; townhouses averaging 39 days, and condominiums 40 days. The total number sales for al property types In February was 982. This represented 354 detached homes, 236 townhouses, and 288 condominiums. The Valley market continues as a sold buyers’ market at this time. Month-over-month increases in benchmarks for detached homes and condominiums very slight, 0.5 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively; while the townhouse benchmark dropped 1.2 per cent for the month.

Detached Homes

The benchmark price for a single-family detached home in the Fraser Valley at the end of February was $958,900, an increase of 0.5 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were South Surrey/White Rock at $1,382,800 and Mission at $652,100. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Langley at $983,900, an increase of 0.4 per cent from the preceding month; Cloverdale at $995,300, an increase of 1.7 per cent from the preceding month; and Surrey at $1,003,000, an increase of 0.5 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: North Surrey at $952,300, a decrease of 0.4 per cent from the preceding month; North Delta at $882,400, an increase of 0.3 per cent from the preceding month; and Abbotsford at $782,000, an increase of 0.5 per cent from the preceding month.

Townhouses

The benchmark price for a townhouse in the Fraser Valley at the end of February was $516,000, a decrease of 1.2 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were South Surrey/White Rock at $646,400 and Mission at $447,200. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Cloverdale at $547,700, an increase of 2.9 per cent from the preceding month; Surrey at $551,200, a decrease of 3.3 per cent from the preceding month; and North Surrey at $565,000, a decrease of 0.7 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities on the lower side of the benchmark were: Langley at $486,100, an increase of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month; Mission at $447,200, a decrease of 1.0 per cent from the preceding month; and Abbotsford at $378,000, an increase of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month.

Condominiums

The benchmark price for a condominium in the Fraser Valley at the end of February was $409,700, an increase of 0.2 per cent from the preceding month. The extremities of this average were South Surrey/White Rock at $488,800 and Abbotsford at $303,100. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the higher side of the average were: Langley at $415,200, an increase of 1.6 per cent from the preceding month; Cloverdale at $456,700, an increase of 0.5 per cent from the preceding month; and South Surrey/White Rock at $488,800, an increase of 1.6 per cent from the preceding month. The three municipalities closest to the benchmark on the lower side of the average were: Surrey at $408,400, a decrease of 2.3 per cent from the preceding month; North Surrey at $403,300, an increase of 0.6 per cent from the preceding month; and North Delta at $376,700, a decrease of 3.7 per cent from the preceding month.

I can help

Please let me know if you need specific information for a market comparison in any property type. I am happy to prepare a customized market analysis for your home if you may be thinking of selling. And don’t forget, if you preparing you home for a listing, or just making renovations to enjoy yourself, I can recommend excellent and trustworthy trades people for whatever your needs, whether plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, or general renovations. I am also able to advise you on what your optimal investment should be to maximize your home’s value in the event you are planning to sell. And for prospective buyers, I have the financial experience to advise you on mortgages and fees associated with a home purchase. I am always happy to help in any way I can.

Thanks for reading!

Sibo Zhang, REALTOR®

How Homeowners Can Keep (and Properly Care for) Tropical Fish

A lot of people enjoy fishing for relaxation. I’ve never been one of them, that is someone who stands with hip waders in a river casting a line with hook for hours, or even sitting patiently in a boat drifting for an afternoon waiting for a bite. However, I have discovered a way of enjoying fish. I must admit that watching the tropical fish in my son’s fish tank can be very calming. Warren took up this hobby last year and it came with a lot of responsibility for him. I’m proud of his conscientious care for his fish, and I get to enjoy them while he does everything required to give them the proper care.

Warren did a lot a research before he started his hobby. What kind of fish did he want to care for? What size of tank did he need? What temperature did the water need to be? How would he keep it clean? What did the fish need to eat? What kind of environment did he need create for them inside the tank? These are just some of the questions for which he had to know the correct answers, and he took on the task very seriously.

Like anything that involves looking after some living thing, there are important issues to take into consideration. I recently came across a 2017 article called “The Ethical Issues of Keeping Tropical Fish.” One of the first things the article said was that goldfish were first made pets in China as long ago as 800AD. Of course, being from China, I knew goldfish had been kept in domestic ponds for a long time, but I didn’t realize exactly how ancient this hobby was. The article went on to say that some goldfish have been know to live longer than 40 years. I found that amazing! And in one recorded case, a goldfish grew to be over one and half feet long. Now that opens up the discussion about how big a tank should be. A very large tank, or perhaps an even larger pond, would be needed to grow a goldfish to that size. Of course, there are many different kinds of tropical fish besides goldfish – I will have to ask my son as this is something he knows more about now than me – but he knows exactly how much water they need to have a healthy environment.

His tank is small, and perhaps some day, if he keeps enjoying his hobby as he grows older, he will get a larger one and keep larger fish. But for now, he’s got a number of chores to keep his little fish happy in his bedroom tank. It’s really creates a nice ambience in his room, peaceful and calming. The lighting of the tank can also make a big difference so if you are planning to put a fish tank into a room in your home, keep in mind what kind of lighting will enhance the colour of your room and create the mood you like. Something read in another article on energy consumption was that some fish tank lights can consume a lot of energy and therefore be somewhat expensive to maintain. Of course it depends on the size of the tank. The article said a large tank with live coral and several species of fish could consume several thousand KWh a year, so if you are a major hobbiest this could get expensive since electricity rates are steadily going up. But the editor also said that a small fish tank could consume a little as 150kWh per year.

However, some solutions to this issue have been offered by Matt Clarke, editor of Practical Fishkeeping magazine, who suggested that modern LED lights can help fishkeepers by reducing energy costs. The LED bulbs allow you to replace fluorescent and metal halide lamps which are high wattage and save substantially on your energy bill. All that is good for energy savings, but remember it’s still important to keep in mind what is best for the species of fish you are keeping. Some tropical fish species will require that you create an environment that closely resembles their natural habitat, so it’s something that you need to research before picking up whatever is on your pet store shelf.

Well, as I said at the beginning of the Blog, I get to enjoy the fish and my son gets to do all the research and work necessary to care properly for the fish. He is great with his responsibilities and enjoys the lessons that his tropical fish hobby teaches. And this includes those important moments when he can just gaze into his fish tank and let his mind relax and enjoy the beauty he has nurtured. This is a great arrangement.

If you want to start a tropical fish tank, I highly recommend you encourage your children to enjoy the hobby with you.