I must say after living in Pitt Meadows /Maple Ridge for 29 years, I'm thrilled that the Golden Ears Bridge is finally a reality! My husband has been commuting to North Surrey for 17 years , took his first trip over the bridge to work on Tuesday the 16th, and it has cut his commute from 50 minutes or more if any accidents, down to 25 minutes! Hooray! Now just waiting for the finale, the opening of the new Pitt River Bridge!

Home Inspectors must be licensed in BC....
As of March 31, 2009, home inspectors in British Columbia are required to be licensed by the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority ( BPCPA). Consumers can check the BPCPA website www.bpcpa.ca to find a licensed home inspector. Consumers should ask to see the inspectors license before signing a contract for a home inspection, or contact BPCPA with any inquiries or complaints at 1-888-564-9963.

2008 proved to be an interesting year for many in the market place, the year started off reasonably well, gains in real estate prices continued in to May, but then we started to see the tides begin to change. The summer market which typically does slow down, started to lose momentum, and from there we were heading into a price correction in the market place. There always has been a price correction through any real estate cycle. But what was unexpected was the global financial crunch we all experienced and that had a further impact on the markets! It undermined , and placed fear into the average consumer, and they began to pull back on any large purchases such as homes, vehicles, furniture, appliances and so on!
It shows how quickly tides can change, but there is something always positive about a changing market, it gives opportunity to many more buyers to purchase, an opportunity that may not have been there last year. I've noticed that there are still many buyers out there, that wish to buy a home, but are taking their time, because they have choice and continue to monitor prices. If you're looking to purchase a home to live in, as a long term investment, now is the time to look and buy, with mortgage rates so attractive, an abundance of inventory and already adjusted prices, why not! If you've bought already for the long term, you'll ride out any further correction. When the markets bounce back, historically they've always rebounded higher than the last cycle. Having been in the real estate business for almost 16 years, I've experienced the correction of the 90's, and the markets may slow down but homes continue to sell, it may take longer, and the seller's have to be more patient and competitive on their pricing.
If you're looking to sell right now and repurchase in this market place, it's all relative, you may sell for less than you would have last year, but you're buying for less! Many of the longer term homeowners have made great equity gains over recent years, which gives them the opportunity to make a move, if so desired. This is the time to consider buying as opposed to waiting till everyone else starts to feel confident in buying, when the prices would be going up again, and product choice would start to diminish. I not only speak as real estate agent but as a long term homeowner ( 29 years) that has owned through one of the worst real estate cycles in the 80's and then again through the 90's and have still seen a great equity gain in my own home!
When you're ready to buy or sell, take the time to do your homework, get all your ducks in a row, and then determine is this now the right time for me. Speak with a real estate agent, and speak to your lender, ask the questions that need to be asked and then decide! Feel free to give me a call!

Happy New Year to all! Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009! I wish to thank all my clients, friends and family with their continuing support and confidence in my services and of the many referrals that I received from you! I always look forward to serving you in the future. Any referral never goes unappreciated, I value the success of my business and continue to strive to have long-term happy and satisfied clients!

Realtor's Care Annual Blanket Drive November 24th to December 1st! Help those in need for a little extra warmth at this time of year!

If you have any clean , warm blankets, sleeping bags, coats , jackets, clothing, new toiletries or food to donate, please give me a call and I"d be happy to arrange to pick-up. All donations go to the 'Friends in Need Foodbank' and also shared and dispersed to the Salvaton Army, the women's shelter, Christmas Hamper Society, and the homeless, nothing is for resale. So clean out your closets and give me a call, every little bit helps.

Thanks

Helen Gambling
604-230-7311 or
helengambling@telus.net

Realtor's Care Annual Blanket Drive November 24th to December 1, 2008

Once again the time is approaching to donate and keep the less fortunate warm and comfortable through the winter season! If you have any clean ,warm blankets, jackets or coats, clothing, new underwear and toiletries to donate, please give me a call to arrange pick-up. These items will be donated to the local charities , no items will be for resale! Local charities such as 'Friends in Need' foodbank, Salvation Army, Christmas Hamper Society, and Women's shelter will receive the benefits of these donations. Please help, clean out those closets, and give me a call, Helen Gambling at 604-230-7311, or you can drop off at any of the participating real estate offices in Maple Ridge.

Certainty for BC Property Owners
Released by Kevin Kruger ( November 7, 2008)
Minister of Small Business and Revenue (British Columbia)

'On November 1, 2008, Premier Gordon Campbell announced that effective immediately and for 2009 only, assessments will be maintained for all property classes at their July 1, 2007 levels. New construction that takes place in 2008 will be assessed at a value as if it existed July 1, 2007.
As legislated under the Assessment Act, property assessments are based on market values as of the annual July 1 valuation date. The appraisal work and analysis is done by BC Assessment Authority over a long period of time each year, with the annual assessment roll finalized in December and notices mailed to property owners in January.
To ensure B.C.'s continued competitiveness, and to provide support for businesses and individuals in this challenging economic enviroment, the B.C. government is taking a number of other immediate steps to help keep B.C.'s economy strong.
One of these steps is a new property tax deferrment program. The program will allow people to defer their property tax payment for each of the next two years. To qualify, the owner must have at least 15 per cent equity in their home and be experiencing fnancial difficulties due to the current economic climate.
Homeowners will not have to pay the deferred taxes until they sell their homes, but can pay the Province back earlier if they choose. This will help homeowners who might otherwise have to try to qualify for a home equity loan during the current credit crunch. This provision is in addition to the current program, which benefits homeowners who are 55 years of age or older.'

Why as a buyer or seller, do I need to show my realtor identification?
New federal regulations , FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada) June 23 , 2008
Real esate agents are now required to ask for proof of the identity of all buyers or sellers involved in a Canadian real estate transaction. If the client is a corporation, that information must include corporate documentation, and the names of the corporation directors. They must also ascertain if a third party is involved in the transaction. This also applies if a buyer or seller involved in a transaction is not represented by a real esate agent, but the other individual is represented. Those buying or selling privately will be asked by the agent representing the other party involved in the transaction to provide proof of identity as well, and that record must be kept by the real estate agent involved in the transaction.
Also under the new FINTRAC regulations, real estate agents dealing with clients they never meet must also verify personal information. The broker office involved can do this with a service agreement with an agent or mandatary in the area where the client is located. That agent or mandatary must then meet the client, verify the identification of the client, and provide the information to the broker office actually handling the real estate transaction.
In addition to verification of personal information, real estate agents must also complete a report on the receipt of all funds received during the real estate transaction, not just those of $10,000 or more. For more information visit www.fintrac.gc.ca or toll free 1-866-346-8722
Source Canadian Real Estate Association

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver ( REBGV) reports that while there are fewer housing sales in March 2008 compared to last year, residential prices continued to climb.
"The market is continuing to balance, with sales and listings beginning to rel-align with our 10 year averages," say REBGV president, Dave Watt. " The selectin of inventory hitting the market is wider than we have seen in the past few years, which gives prospective buyers more choices."

The Real Estate industry is a key economic driver in BC. In 2007, 38,050 homes changed hands in the Board's area generating $1.065 billion in spin-offs.