INSIDE THE JANUARY 2008 ISSUE
of
** Mrs. Wendy Chamberlain Wins the Movie Tickets for Solving the December SuDoKu **
Click on the title above to go to that section of the newsletter. Newsletter Archive
MLS HOUSING PRICE INDEX
REAL ESTATE BOARD OF GREATER VANCOUVER
& Fraser Valley Real Estate Board
Detached Homes - December 2007
| Area |
Benchmark Price |
1 Year Change
|
|
Maple Ridge
Mission - Average
Pitt Meadows
Port Coquitlam |
$ 437,131
$ 386,714
$
467,514
$
551,469 |
4.8 %
15.4 %
2.9 %
17.1 % |
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Attached Homes - December 2007
| Area |
Benchmark Price |
1 Year Change
|
|
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
Mission - Average
Port Coquitlam |
$
309,716
$ 321,666
$
380,223 |
8.5 %
37.4 %
6.3
% |
 |
Apartments - December 2007
| Area |
Benchmark Price |
1 Year Change
|
|
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
Mission - Average
Port Coquitlam |
$
253,529
$ 211,600
$
251,982
|
6.1
%
4.3 %
14.1 % |
 |
Check Past Issues to See Price Changes Over the Past Few Months.
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The 3 Roles That We Play:
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“We have 3 roles in a real estate transaction, we are your consultant, we are your negotiator, and we are the overseer of all of the details. As your consultant, our role is to ask you profound and insightful questions and discover what is really important to you. Our second role is as your negotiator. We treat your money as if it were our own. When it's time to make you or save you money, we are like a pit bull. You will soon discover that our negotiating skills alone are worth every penny you pay us. Our third role is to oversee all of the transaction details. As you can imagine, every “I” must be dotted and every “T” crossed as there are over one hundred pieces of paper requiring 43 signatures. Every transaction has at least 100-150 phone calls and emails and we will deal with 43 people in 14 industries during the 7 stages of your buying or selling transaction.”
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Seller's 7 Stages
- Consultation/CMA Listing
- Staging and Marketing (1st 7 days)
- Negotiation
- Removal of Conditions
- 30/60 Days leading up to :Closing"
- Last 10 days before "Closing"
- Closing and Celebration
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Buyer's 7 Stages
- Initial Consultation
- Searching and viewing homes
- Writing and Negotiating
- Removal of Conditions
- 30/60 Days leading up to "Closing"
- Last 10 days before "Closing"
- Closing and Celebration
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Our Purpose
“Our purpose is to make you so outrageously happy that you'll easily refer at least two people to us before we sell your house because our business is referral based. If we don't serve you at a high level, our business dies. So, all of our focus is on serving you at an extremely high level.”
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The Buyers and the Sellers Both Won!
Late last year Darren and Gord helped two ladies purchase a town house in Maple Ridge. They wanted a property located out of the flood plain, away from the railroad tracks, newer with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with a double garage in a well manage complex and at a very affordable price. There were also some concerns over dates as our buyers also had two seperate residences, one of them was being sold and had specific contractual dates that had to be adhered to.
That week Gord was on the REALTOR® tour and as luck would have it, he viewed the perfect home for his clients. He arranged a showing immediately after and an offer was written, negotiated and accepted. As he was showing the property to his Buyers Gord noticed that their attention was capured by a wonderful stained glass piece that was positioned in an upper window by the stairs. The ladies requested that their offer include the stained glass artwork. As it turned out, it was a family heirloom and could not be included in the sale.
What we did next made surprised everyone involved. First, we found out that one of the Sellers created her own stained glass artwork and she had similar pieces located in their new residence on the Sunshine Coast. We had her modify one of her pieces so it would hang perfectly in the same window that the Buyers saw the first one in. We met about three weeks later and bought the artwork and then we delived it to our Buyers. Everyone was happy and our clients were very, very happy.
We also suggested to Sandra Cook, who creates these wonderful pieces, that we would be happy to display some her stained glass pieces within this web site. Last week Sandra Cook sent me some picture of her work and we are thrilled to display it for you in this newsletter.
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Stained Glass
pieces are for sale
and can be purchased
by contacting
Sandra Cook.
604 - 883-0424
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Kids Explain: "What is Love?"
Concerning Why Love Happens Between Two Particular People
"One of the people has freckles and so he finds somebody else who has freckles too." Andrew, age 6
"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell ... That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." Mae, age 9
"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." Manuel, age 8
On What Falling In Love Is Like
"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." John, age 9 "If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." Glenn, age 7
On The Role Of Beauty And Handsomeness In Love
"If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." Anita C., age 8 "It isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." Brian, age 7
"Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time." Christine, age 9
Reflections On The Nature Of Love
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." Greg, age 8 How Do People In Love Typically Behave?
"Mooshy ... like puppy dogs ... except puppy dogs don't wag their tails nearly as much." Arnold, age 10
"When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall down and they don't get up for at least an hour." -- Wendy, age 8 "All of a sudden, the people get movie fever so they can sit together in the dark." Sherm, age 8
Concerning Why Lovers Often Hold Hands
"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." Gavin, age 8 "They are just practicing for when they might have to walk down the aisle someday and do the holy matchimony thing." John, age 9
Confidential Opinions About Love
"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'Dinosaurs' is on television." Jill, age 6 "Love is foolish ... but I still might try it sometime." Floyd, age 9
"Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." Dave, age 8
"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." Regina, age 10
"Yesterday I kissed a girl in a private place ... We were behind a tree." -- Carey, age 7
The Personal Qualities You Need To Have In Order To Be A Good Lover
"Sensitivity don't hurt." Robbie, age 8 "One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." Ava, age 8
Some Surefire Ways To Make A Person Fall In Love With You
"Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." Del, age 6 "Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs ... and don't worry if their parents are right there." Manuel, age 8
"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." Alonzo, age 9
"Shake your hips and hope for the best." -- Camille, age 9
"One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for me." Bart, age 9
How Can You Tell If Two Adults Eating Dinner At A Restaurant Are In Love?
"Just see if the man picks up the check. That's how you can tell if he's in love." Bobby, age 9 "Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold ... Other people care more about the food." Bart, age 9
"Romantic adults usually are all dressed up, so if they are just wearing jeans it might mean they used to go out or they just broke up." Sarah, age 9
"See if the man has lipstick on his face." Sandra, age 7
"It's love if they order one of those desserts that are on fire. They like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are... on fire." Christine, age 9
Titles Of The Love Ballads You Can Sing To Your Beloved
"'How Do I Love Thee When You're Always Picking Your Nose?'" Arnold, age 10 "'You Are My Darling Even Though You Also Know My Sister.'" Larry, age 8
"'I Love Hamburgers, I Like You!'" Eddie, age 6
"'I Am in Love with You Most of the Time, but Don't Bother Me When I'm with My Friends.'" Bob, age 9
"'Hey, Baby, I Don't like Girls but I'm Willing to Forget You Are One!'" Will, age 7
"'Honey, I Got Your Curly Hair and Your Nintendo on My Mind.'" -- Sharon, age 9
What Most People Are Thinking When They Say "I Love You"
"The person is thinking: Yeah, I really do love him. But I hope he showers at least once a day." Michelle, age 9 "Some lovers might be real nervous, so they are glad that they finally got it out and said it and now they can go eat." Dick, age 7
How Was Kissing Invented?
"I know one reason that kissing was created. It makes you feel warm all over, and they didn't always have electric heat or fireplaces or even stoves in their houses." Gina, age 8 How A Person Learns To Kiss
"You can have a big rehearsal with your Barbie and Ken dolls." Julia, age 7 "You learn it right on the spot when the gooshy feelings get the best of you." Brian, age 7
"It might help to watch soap operas all day." Carin, age 9
When Is It Okay To Kiss Someone?
"When they're rich." Pam, age 7 "It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you ... That's why I stopped doing it." Tammy, age 10
"If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But if it's a new person, you have to ask permission." Roger, age 6
How To Make Love Endure
"Spend most of your time loving instead of going to work." Dick, age 7 "Don't forget your wife's name ... That will mess up the love." Erin, age 8
"Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash." Dave, age 8
"Don't say you love somebody and then change your mind ... Love isn't like picking what movie you want to watch." Natalie, age 8
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Gord and Darren could send you to the movies.
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Do you have children or do you need to take a break?
Gord Moman and Darren Revell of the REAL Pros Group could send you and a friend to the movies. You see, we always have a SuDoKu in our newsletter. Anyone who solves it in the time allowed is entered into the monthly prize draw for a $25.00 gift certificate to the Cineplex Odeon theatre.
Someone wins with every news letter.
It could be you or one of the kids. Why not give it a try?
Click here to go to the SuDoKu now.
Congratulations to Wendy Chamberlain who won a $25.00 gift certificate to the Cineplex Odeon movies. Wendy emailed us the correct answer to last months SuDoKu. Way to go, Wendy! Enjoy the movies on the REAL Pros Group.
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What's Happening In Phoenix, Arizona.
Despite the media hype, many American Real Estate markets are not as in bad shape as the media would like you to believe. You will remember that the Media gives you statistics like “Foreclosures are up 50%” Sales are down 25%, Prices are down 20%, etc. Well when you have 150 Foreclosures one year and 225 the next year, that is REALLY bad, it is up 50%.
Except for the hyper inflationary housing prices in 2005, our average appreciation year-over-year is around 6% for the past 10 years.
The issue over the past three years has been that Lenders tried to cash in on all the money to be made on mortgages and made loans to home owners and investors they shouldn't have made loans to.
Since many houses appreciated 100%, or more, in 2005, owners now want to cash in on the new “value” of their homes and want to sell. Some people have to move, others want to move up in size and others need to down-size.
Investors who only bought to gain the quick appreciation and never even leased their homes now are making balloon payments and increased mortgage payments and they want to sell too.
Then other's took out Home Equity Loans and bought Luxury SUVs or Speed Boats and now they owe more than their houses can sell for, considering that they now have two payments.
Another factor is that Builder's built as fast as they could and over built some areas and built in areas where there was not a sustainable demand.
So, the bad news is that our current MLS has 16 months worth of inventory. The good news is that we are still selling 3,500 homes a month. That is only down 25% since the highest rates in 2005. The other good news is that we are finding that there are still 100,000+ people moving to the Phoenix area every year. Builders are STILL building large developments.
A recent Phoenix Chamber of Commerce forecast says that by 2025 we expect that there will be 18 Million people living along the I-10, I-17, I-19 highways from Prescott (90 miles north of Phoenix) to the Mexican Border (150 miles to the south). That's three times the current population in this area.
Tucson announced the first week of 2008 that they are planning a 12,000 acre development to the SE of town. Cave Creek just north of Scottsdale announced plans to annex 8 square miles of State land.
The fantastic news for investors, in my opinion, is that there are very nicely located tracts of land still available for less than $5.00 per square foot within 5 miles of the above mentioned corridors, with services and close to everything a development needs, already in place.
The Highway Department is building Freeways and expanding existing Freeways and feeder Arterials as fast as they can.
The most exciting investments can be made in the commercial side of our local Real Estate market. With all the new houses and people who have come to our area in the past 5 years, commercial Real Estate is trying hard to catch up to the demand. Lease rates are in the $25 to $30 plus NNN. New buildings are above $250/SF. Every community is approving great Retail developments, In-Fill developments are steaming along. Phoenix is completing a light Commuter rail system. Green Developments are the rage and necessity; after all we live in the desert and “Green” has a huge economic impact on the affordability of doing business.
If anyone would like additional and/or specific information I would be happy to provide it.
My Listings: A $5.85MM, 40 acre Luxury Estate in North Carolina; A small Office Lease in Queen Creek, Three adjoining commercial lots in Coolidge, 101 Mixed-Use acres between Casa Grande and Coolidge; Two luxury Air Park Lots with horse and Taxi-way privileges; Two house lots in Show Low; Two Short-Sale houses in North Phoenix; 34,000 acres in San Felipe, Mexico; and sales activities in 4 housing developments on the west coast of Costa Rica; and even, a Christian Theme Park business opportunity. |
Haydn K. Piper
Keller Williams Commercial
Integrity First Realty
1001 W. Southern Ave. Suite #118
Mesa, AZ. 85210
Are you interested in buying or selling property anywhere in Canada or the USA?
Give me a call at 604-467-0754 and I'll put you in touch with a licensed agent in the area. |
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The Happy Homemaker by
Amber Sweeney
Welcome to the first “Happy Homemaker” article where I will be sharing some helpful tips for around the house, every month in the Life Links newsletter!
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Today I will be sharing with you a little about my new love... My slow cooker! A great way to make sure you have a proper meal after work is to use a slow cooker. For myself, I buy groceries and plan to make dinner when I get home from work, but by the time I get home I'm too tired, have other plans, or have seen too many burger commercials and I just end up in the Wendy's drive through. But with a slow cooker, I make my meal in the crock pot the night before(it takes about 5 minutes depending on the recipe), store it in the fridge over night, put the crock pot in the slow cooker on the low setting in the morning and when I get home from work... Dinner is all ready! I am obligated to eat healthy, oh no!
Most evenings, you will find me at home, in front of my computer. More specifically I will have my nose pressed against the screen, drooling over recipes on www.recipezaar.com. The recipe that I will be sharing with you today is perfect for your slow cooker and perfect for your busy life. It only takes 2 minutes to prepare and it takes 8 hours to cook, perfect for while you're away at work!
This goes out to all the people who, like me, spent September to January forgetting about the hot summer months that will find you on the beach in your speedo...the people who said “Yes!” to all those second helpings of Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner and New Years appys! This recipe is for YOU! With 1.5 grams of fat and 177 calories, how can you say “No”? Easy Yummy Healthy. Enjoy!
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Tortillas
This recipe makes 10 servings and takes ½ a day to make; 2 minutes to prepare.
For this recipe you will need:
1- Slow Cooker
4- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
32 ounces salsa
1- 14 ounce can of corn
1- 14 ounce can of black beans
10 Flour tortillas
Sour Cream
Guacamole
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cheese
Extra Salsa optional |
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Place chicken in Crock Pot. Pour salsa, corn and black beans over chicken
Cook on low 6-8 hours.
30-60 minutes prior to serving, remove chicken, shred and return to crock pot.
Separate chicken mixture into tortillas with sour cream, lettuce, tomato, cheese, guacamole, and extra salsa if desired. |
Think, Act & Live!
"Happiness is a butterfly which,when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if youwill sit down quietly, may alight upon you."
NathanielHawthorne,novelist
"I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through, then followthrough."
Captain EdwardV.Rickenbacker,aviation pioneer
"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success."
AlexanderGrahamBell, inventor of the telephone
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If you or someone you care about is thinking of purchasing or selling a home,
call Gord Moman and Darren Revell.
Let us show you how our 10 point marketing plan helps to sell your home
in half the time and get you an average of 6.9% more money. You could receive a Las Vegas mini-vacation and $500.00 cash for a phone call.
604-467-0754 or 604-619-7805 |
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Tri-cities, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge
& Mission, B.C. residents.
Find out what your home is worth on-line.
Go to: www.your-market-value.com
Free On-Line House Values. No Pressure, No Commitments.
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Decembers SuDoKu
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Here's one for the family. Solve the SuDoKu by January 31, 2007 and fax or email the solved puzzle back to Gord Moman.
FAX: 604-467-0259 or
Email: soapranos@shaw.ca
Print a copy by clicking here.
For solving the SuDoKu in the time allowed you will be entered into the monthly prize draw of two movie tickets in our local theatre. Contest is limited to Lower Mainland residents only. Winners are announced in next months newsletter.
Enjoy the SuDoKu and let the REAL Pros Group solve the real estate puzzle; because real estate is not a game. |
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Don't Miss Las Vegas
Go to Las Vegas on us! You read correctly. To cash in on this just list your home with the REAL Pros group, buy a home through us or send us a referral for someone who may be looking for a good real estate agent to go to work for them.
Upon completion, we will send you and a friend on a Las Vegas mini vacation. Enjoy 3 exciting days and 2 fun filled nights including lodging at a major hotel. Plus, receive over $1,200.00 in casino benefits including cash, drinks, free slot play, tokens and meal discounts.
Vacation may change without notice. You will receive $500.00 cash to help pay for for taxes, transportation, airport and processing fees. This offer is not available to other real estate agents or their clients. Not valid with any other promotion. Offer may change without notice.
Call Gord Moman @ 604-467-0754 or Darren Revell @ 604-719-3805
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Send us a Buyer by January 31th, 2008 and, on completion,
you will earn a Mini-Vacation to Las Vegas. See details above.
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Priced at $519,900 OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 2nd & 3rd, 2008 from 1 to 4 pm.
Great 4 bdrm family home in quiet area of Pitt Meadows on a huge lot of almost 10,000 sq ft. Loads of updating throughout. Stainless appliances, a large sunken family room, renovated master bedroom ensuite with glass shower stall & rain-style shower head, a large double garage with a seperate workshop space. Outside, you'll find mature landscaping with a variety of trees and bushes, a large covered patio, a huge fenced backyard and custom built playset for the kids. Close to schools, & only minutes to shopping. This home won't last!
| Bedrooms: |
Bathrooms: |
Lot Area SqFt: |
Grand Total Floor Area: |
3 + den |
3 |
9,899 |
1,865 sq. ft. plus |
MLS#: NEW LISTING Address: 12031 188A Ave. Pitt Meadows, BC. |
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Priced at $289,900 OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY JAN. 27TH, 2008 from 1 TO 4 PM.
Large fenced .27 acre lot in desireable Kawkawa Lake sub-division. Quiet no-through street is ideal for families. Close to lake and town center. Possibility of one or two bedroom suite in basement arae. Current owner will consider renting from new buyer. Quick possession possible.
| Bedrooms: |
Bathrooms: |
Lot Area SqFt: |
Grand Total Floor Area: |
4 |
3 |
.27 Acre |
2,000 sq. ft. |
MLS#:
H2705391 Address: 21080 Swallow Place. Hope, BC. |
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Priced at $329,000
Desired Robertson Ridge cpmplex. Spacious floor plan with loft/den. Quick Possession Possible.
| Bedrooms: |
Bathrooms: |
Lot Area SqFt: |
Grand Total Floor Area: |
3 |
3 |
Strata |
1,546 sq. ft. |
MLS#: V679161 Address: 21, 11355 236 ST. Maple Ridge, BC. |
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Priced at $399,500
Spacious comfort in recently renovated rancher. Two bedroom suite in basement. Home may be used for professional business office. Centrally located. Close to WC Express. Enjoy afternoons on covered deck.
| Bedrooms: |
Bathrooms: |
Lot Area SqFt: |
Grand Total Floor Area: |
5 |
3 |
5,473 |
3,340 sq. ft. |
MLS#: F2724705 Address: 7511 Grand St. Mission, BC. |
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The Lighter Side of Life
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Are you thinking of selling in the next few months? Do you know what you home is worth?
Let Gord Moman and Darren Revell provide you with a free over the internet home valuation.
Call us at 604-467-0811 or send us an email right now!
Take your next step in real estate with Darren revell and Gord Moman and the REAL Pros Group. |
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Copyright REAL Pros Group 2006 - 2007 . This information is solely advisory and should not be substituted for adequate professional advice. The REAL Pros group cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without proper professional advice. Any omission of credit to an author is purely unintentional and should not be construed as plagiarism or literary theft. This newsletter is for entertainment purposes only.
This is not intended to cause a breach in an existing agency agreement. Gord Moman and Darren revell are licensed REALTORS® with Keller Williams Results Realty.
Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated. |
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