The red hot market for homes in Vancouver last year was noticeably cooler further east in the Fraser Valley.
The benchmark price of detached houses across the Valley climbed 17.3 per cent to $672,400 in 2015, according to the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, which includes Surrey, North Delta and White Rock in its region.
Year-end statistics show townhomes in the Fraser Valley were up 9.6 per cent to $321,800 while condos gained 7.2 per cent to a benchmark $204,900.
On the north side of the Fraser River, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reported its benchmark detached house price was up 24.3 per cent to $1.248 million. Townhouses there were up 13.6 per cent to $543,700 and condos gained 14 per cent to $436,200.
But the largest single increase in the Greater Vancouver board's area wasn't in Vancouver, but for detached houses in Tsawwassen, which were up 32.2 per cent.
Even with that gain, a benchmark Tsawwassen house at just over $1 million is barely a third the cost of its $2.88-million equivalent on Vancouver's west side.
The fastest price gains in the Fraser Valley were for detached houses in North Delta, which were up nearly 26 per cent to $703,100, followed by White Rock/South Surrey, where benchmark houses were up 18.4 per cent to $1.1 million.
Party bus reforms urged
There are renewed calls for tougher restrictions on the party bus industry after the death of a passenger over the weekend.
The 23-year-old woman died after she fell out of the open door of a party bus as it made a left turn in downtown Vancouver.
It's the latest in a series of deaths, often tied to underage drinking or drug use.
The province last year tightened licensing requirements for buses and limousines with perimeter seating, including mandatory display of a special licence plate to allow police checks.
NDP MLA George Heyman said the province hasn't gone far enough.
"It's time to admit that relying on self-regulation has failed with tragic results," he said.
Heyman previously proposed legislation requiring chaperones for trips involving minors, standardized safety training, penalties for advertising illegal activity, and safe drop-off provisions to end the practice of dumping sick or distressed passengers.
"These things might have made a difference this weekend, and could make a difference in the future."
Rental dispute fee doubles
Tenants who take disputes with their landlords to the Residential Tenancy Branch now have to pay twice as much after the B.C. government approved fee increases in late December.
The fee for a dispute resolution application filed by a renter doubled to $100 from $50. And an appeal review now costs $50, up from $25. Landlords must pay the fees if the branch finds in favour of the tenant.
Critics predict the fee increases will deter some tenants from seeking recourse when landlords break the law.
The province says it will use the extra fee revenue to hire new arbitrators, reducing the wait for urgent hearings.
Fees have also been raised for landlords seeking to impose extraordinary rent increases.
