The future of real estate if mortgage terms tighten - 12/29/09 02:12 PM
A senior B.C. economist is warning the Lower Mainland's recovering real estate market and construction industry will both take a hit if Ottawa makes it harder for first-time home buyers to get mortgages.
Jim Flaherty, who said the government will "likely" boost the minimum down payment from the current five per cent and cut the maximum mortgage term down from 35 years to ward off a potential housing bubble in Canada
A higher down payment threshold would force many first-time buyers with insufficient cash to delay buying.
Shorter maximum terms could mean higher payments, trimming the price first-timers can afford to … (0 comments)

How to Deal With a Potentially Violent Client - 12/25/09 04:27 PM
So this week I have had the opurtunity to deal with some clients who were very hostile from the beging and all through out our dealings. The end result was YES! I did find them a home and YES I did manage to sell their home! For whatever reasons the other party had they decided to fight all the way through our dealings. We will all come across people in our careers who have the potential to be like this! Here are some pointers that I have found to work. I hope someone can make use of them!
 
If you … (66 comments)

How to Stay Safe on New Year's - 12/25/09 04:08 PM
New Year's Eve is a night to have fun and celebrate the coming year. However, safety is a must when participating in the festivities. Whether you're staying in and celebrating with friends and family, or you're traveling to a party or city bash, following a few safety tips will ensure that you're safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in the new year!
 
If you're driving, be aware of your surroundings. New Year's Eve is notorious for drunk driving, and the best way to keep you and your loved ones safe, is to know where you're at and … (7 comments)

traditions to start on the eve of a new year - 12/25/09 03:55 PM
 
New years eve traditions!
Here are some fun traditions to start with your family and friends at your casual at-home New Year's Eve gathering:
-Instead of eating at the dinner table, why not have your celebratory meal at a coffee table? It's cosier and more intimate when everyone is seated on the floor on pillows.
-A congenial way to usher in the new year is to make a fondue so family and friends can enjoy dipping chunks of bread into a cheese or chocolate treat.
-As you wait to ring in the new year, play "Do You Remember When ... … (3 comments)

Pitt Meadows looking to get a new skate park! - 12/10/09 04:45 PM
A recent survey asking young people in Pitt Meadows what they would like to see improved in their community showed overwhelming support for a new skate park.
The old Pitt Meadows Skate Park was demolished in 2008 to make way for a 140-stall parking garage, part of the city's downtown redevelopment
46 per cent of the more than 400 students pitt meadows students in Grades 6 to 12 who took part in survey asked for the skate park to be replaced.
A petition has also been set up on the social networking website Facebook and already has close to 200 supporters.
Ridge … (1 comments)

Greybrook Academy in pitt meadows closes its doors! - 12/10/09 04:27 PM
The sudden closure of Pitt Meadows independent school Greybrook Academy last week could have been prevented with some basic regulation and oversight, says local NDP MLA Michael Sather.
He would like to see changes made to the provincial legislation that governs independent schools, to make them more transparent and accountable to parents.
"It's amazing there are so few requirements ... there's almost no oversight," Sather said. "It's a recipe for disaster."
He would like to see all independent schools that receive tax dollars to file publicly-available audited financial statements, and include parental representation on their boards.
Currently, independent schools are grouped … (2 comments)

Trustees vote to close riverside and Mt Crescent elementry schools! - 12/10/09 04:18 PM
Two schools will be closing in Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows school district # 42!
Riverside and Mt. Crescent elementary schools will close by the end of the 2009/10 school year after Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Board of Education trustees voted in favour of the cost-saving measure
Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and school district 42 say the cost savings will be about $900,000 a year!
Mt. Crescent, which was built to hold 400 students, currently has 168 enrolled. Riverside, meanwhile, has just 107 students in a school built for up to 471.
Trustees in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows voted unanimously, 7-0, in favour … (0 comments)

Should I buy a real tree or a plastic one? The answer might surprise you! - 12/10/09 03:59 PM
Christmas trees are appearing in homes throughout the country and families prepare for the holiday season. But in this age when we are all asked to be aware of the impact we are having on the environment, is the right choice to purchase an artificial tree and use it year after year, or go in search of the perfect living tree to be the centerpiece of our holiday decorating?
Artificial trees do offer a long-term solution for your Christmas tree decorating needs. And I have to admit, the latest generation of "fake" trees don't look that fake. They've come a long … (6 comments)

How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree After The Holidays! - 12/10/09 03:49 PM
Christmas is over, the egg nog has gone off, the relatives finally departed... and you're left packing up the lights and ornaments and wondering what to do with the Christmas tree.  Put it out by the curb and hope that the garbage men will take it away.  Not Likely!
Removing the tree: The best way to avoid a mess removing your tree is to place a plastic tree bag (which are available at hardware stores) underneath the stand when you set the tree up! You can hide it with a tree skirt. Then, when the holidays are done, pull the bag … (0 comments)