Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate Agent - Season's Greetings

Wishing my family and all my clients Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Maria Mak - Burnaby Real Estate Agent - Christmas warm wish for my sis

Love me as much as you feel me, 

Before the mind bids last goodbye and slips away,

Simply won't let you go unless we fly away in our highest west wind,

No tears,

No sorrows,

Just hope,

Just love!

* a poem for my sis Teresa*

Drawing by Maria Mak

Maria Mak. Burnaby REALTOR®. Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent My name is Maria Mak 麥福玲, a Burnaby REALTOR® / Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent with Sutton Centre Realty. I approach real estate the same way I approach my art with passion.

Maria Mak. Burnaby REALTOR^®. Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent

 

My name is Maria Mak 麥福玲, a Burnaby REALTOR® / Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent with Sutton Centre Realty. 

  

I approach real estate the same way I approach my art...with passion! When it comes to serving my clients, I always come with a big smile and, most importantly, a big heart!

 

Since 1989 I have made a point of ensuring each satisfied client is not only content with their purchase but does so with a heartfelt smile. While I’m proud to have been honoured with the Sutton President Award, it is more important that I serve and meet all your real estate needs. 

 

For over 25 years I have not only been in the business of real estate but in the business of making dreams come true. This is not just any property, this is your home.

 

Residential, multi-family and project marketing are my specialties. I look forward to serving you in English, Cantonese or Mandarin. Let me take care of your most important real estate assets and I’ll make you smile...that’s a promise.

 

Contact me for my unique Real Estate Marketing Plan and my Cash Back Closing Cost Package. I can leverage the latest technology and marketing systems to maximize profitability and guarantee satisfaction for you.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agents - Vancouver home sales jump 15% in October and prices are still rising

The country’s most expensive market saw an almost 15% jump in October sales from a year ago, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver said Tuesday.

The board said there were 3,057 sales in October, up from 2,661 sales a year earlier. Sales jumped 5.9% from September and were 16.6% above the 10-year average for October.

Prices also continue to rise with the board’s benchmark index up 6% from a year ago to $637,000.The average sale price of a detached home in the Vancouver area is now $1,250,557 but that’s still below the all-time high which was once close to $1.4-million.

“We’ve seen strong and consistent demand from home buyers in Metro Vancouver throughout this year. This has led to steady increases in home prices of between 4% and 8% depending on the property,” said Ray Harris, president of the board, in a statement.

New listings were up 4.4% in October from a year ago but dropped 14.7% from September. Detached homes were the exception with new listings dropping.

“Detached homes continue to increase in price more than condominium and townhome properties. This is largely a function of supply and demand as the supply of condominium and townhome properties are more abundant than detached homes in our region,” Mr. Harris said.

Detached home sales in October  were up 19.1% from a year ago and 60.1% from two years ago. The benchmark price for detached homes was $995,100, a 7.9% increase from a year ago.

Source: Garry Marr, Financial Post

Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate Agents - Buying a home - Homebuying Step by Step.

Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate Agents - buying a home 

Homebuying Step by Step CMHC's Homebuying Step by Step guide is here to make things easier for you by providing the information you need to make a wise homebuying decision. This section provides examples and worksheets that will guide you through the entire homebuying process, from the moment you make the decision to buy your own home to the moment the movers carry the first box through the front door. It couldn't be easier!

In this Section:

• Step 1: Is Homeownership Right for You?
  Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you'll ever make. Prepare by learning about the process of home buying and the responsibilities of homeownership.
• Step 2: Are You Financially Ready?
  This step guides you through some simple calculations to figure out your current financial situation, and the maximum home price that you should consider.
• Step 3: Which Home is Right for You?
  Once you have a good idea about your finances, you’ll need to think clearly about the home you’d like to buy. You need to think about your current and future housing needs and what characteristics are important to you in a home.
  

• Step 4: The Buying Process
  Before you start searching for a home you need to think about your current and future housing needs and what characteristics are important to you in a home.
• Step 5: Now That You're a Homeowner
  Practical advice for homeowners on their financial responsibilities as well as the importance of home maintenance and renovations.
  
• Words to Know When Buying a Home
  This glossary provides simple yet accurate definitions of certain terms you may encounter in the Homebuying Step by Step guide.
• Worksheets
  These user-friendly checklists and worksheets will help you all throughout the home buying process.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agent- right time to reduce PPT

*Home Sense - right time to reduce the PPT*

Each year, the BC Legislature's Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services travels throughout BC seeking input about spending and taxation priorities for the upcoming provincial budget.

The Committee reviews and summarizes this information and reports its findings to the Finance Minister, who uses it as input in budget deliberations.

Representatives of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver had the opportunity to make recommendations.

Here is our written submission. (The printer-friendly copy is the full written version that contains a page of income and housing price data for neighbourhoods in the Real Estate Board area.)

BCis on target to balance the 2014/15 budget with a projected surplus of $266 million. This means the time is right to reduce the Property Transfer Tax (PTT).

Reducing the PTT matters to families and anyone working in real estate-related jobs including architecture, construction, home inspection, leasing, brokerage, mortgage lending and legal services.

Real estate plays a vital role in growth, providing jobs and small business opportunities.

Real estate’s contribution to the economy in Greater Vancouver is enormous. In 2013, 28,524 MLS® home sales in the Real Estate Board’s area generated $1.84 billion in economic  pin-offs and created 13,977 jobs. Real estate is the backbone of our communities. Province-wide, the housing sector (construction and real estate) accounts for 25.6% of total economic activity (GDP).

Government is responsive

In 2013, in response to our message, “Help Reduce the Property Transfer Tax", the government made it possible for first-time buyers to buy a home worth up to $475,000 and not pay the PTT. Previously the threshold was $425,000.

Given the projected 2014/15 budget surplus, the government can afford to make changes to the PTT. Continuing to rely on the PTT for a large share of revenue – estimated to be $854 million in 2014/15 – unfairly increases the cost of homes and reduces access for middle- and lower-income buyers.

Who will benefit?

Our communities, including first-time buyers and anyone working in real estate-related jobs will benefit.

Think about when we were younger, landing a first job, buying a modest first home, starting a family and then trading up to a larger home has been a right of passage for generations.

Today, this is possible for fewer and fewer younger British Columbians. The rate of home ownership for 25-34 year olds in BC is now 48.2%. In Ontario it’s 53.8%, in Alberta it’s 59.3% and Canada-wide it’s 52.4%.2

In our Real Estate Board area, the benchmark price of a detached home is $633,500.3 The PTT adds $10,670 to this price given that this home does not qualify for the first-time buyers’ exemption. It’s difficult for first-time buyers to afford this home given that the annual income required is $100,216.4 The average household total income in the Vancouver CMA is $83,666.5

As a consequence, six in 10 first-time buyers are delaying their home purchase, which in turn, significantly dampens economic activity in our neighbourhoods.6

Making adjustments to the PTT would ensure home ownership is more affordable, which in turn is a strategy for a secure and prosperous future.

Recommendations

The PTT is charged at a rate of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the home price. We urge the government to:

1. Increase the 1% threshold to $525,000 from $200,000 to modernize the PTT to better reflect the current price of homes. The 2% rate would be applied to the remainder of the home price.

2. Index the 1% threshold to ensure it more accurately reflects housing market changes over time, using Statistics Canada’s New Housing Price Index or the MLS® Home Price Index, and make annual adjustments.

1 Natural Resources 7.7% is comprised of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting at 1.85% and Mining, Quarrying and Oil and Gas Extraction at 5.81%.

2 Statistics Canada 2011 National Household Survey. Home ownership, by province, as a percentage of all households where the primary maintainer is aged 25 to 34 years old.

3 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver composite residential benchmark price, as at September 2014.

4 See Footnote D on reverse.

5 Statistics Canada 2011 National Household Survey. Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) Average Household Total Income.

6 BMO Home Buying Report, First-time Buyers’ Budgets Increase to $316,100 (Canada-wide) While Rising Prices Cause Delays, BMO,

March 18, 2014.

 

 

Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate Agent - What is a contract and when is it legally binding ?

  

A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties and describes the rights and obligations of the parties to the contract.

Where a contract has been properly drafted and signed by the parties to the contract, and where the terms are clear and the contract is not for an illegal purpose, then it is likely that a Canadian court would consider the contract valid and enforceable.

Only the parties to a contract can sue or be sued under the terms of that contract.

Before you sign a contract

1. Never sign a contract if you don’t understand it.

2. Before you sign a contract, consult your REALTOR®, your REALTORS®’ managing broker, and/or your lawyer for advice.

As a general rule, Canadian courts expect that if you have signed a contract, you have agreed to it and you will therefore be bound by its terms. You may not be protected if you claim you did not understand what you were signing. Always make sure you understand a contract before you sign it.

Standard form contracts.

The real estate contracts used by REALTORS® are standard form contracts. The wording and terms of these contracts have been prepared by lawyers and have been tested in Canadian courts.

Cancelling a contract.

If you have signed a standard form Multiple Listing Contract, Exclusive Listing Contract or Exclusive Buyer Agency Contract and you wish to cancel the contract early, you can only do so if the other party to the contract (your REALTOR®’s company) agrees. The Real Estate Board cannot require its members to cancel listing or buyer agency contracts early.

If you have signed a contract to buy or sell a property (contract of purchase and sale) and wish to cancel it you should seek legal advice without delay. 

REALTORS® are not parties to these contracts and therefore cannot cancel them unless the contracting parties agree, in writing, to do so.

What happens if a buyer or seller doesn’t fulfil the terms of a contract? 

Even though your REALTOR® may have drafted the contract to sell or buy a property for you, s/he is not a party to that contract. A REALTOR® cannot force his/her client to fulfil the terms of a contract with the buyer or seller. If the buyer or seller does not fulfil the commitments they have made in the contract, you may have legal recourse and should seek legal advice.

If you do not have a lawyer, you may wish to contact the Lawyer Referral Service: 604.687.3221. If you have difficulty understanding English then you may wish to contact organizations like S.U.C.C.E.S.S., call 604.684.1628 for assistance.

Here are examples of common issues for which the buyer or seller (not the REALTOR®) is responsible: •  Buyer does not close the sale. •  Buyer does not remove the contract’s subject clauses. •  Seller does not close the sale. •  Seller does not remove the contract’s subject clauses. •  Property is left untidy or dirty by the seller. •  Seller has removed items that were included in the contract. •  Transaction does not close on time. •  Appliances break down or a previously unknown property defect reveals itself after closing.

Your REALTOR® and his/her brokerage may be able to assist you to resolve this type of complaint. Typically your REALTOR® will contact the other party’s REALTOR® or brokerage and let them know about your concerns and ask them for assistance in resolving your concern. As noted, your REALTOR® cannot force the other party to do what they said they would do in the contract. (For this, you need the assistance of a lawyer or the Courts.)

Maria Mak - Burnaby Real Estate Agent - I am honoured to be a member of Quarter Century Club of Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

Maria Mak - Burnaby Real Estate Agent - I am honoured to be a member of Quarter Century Club of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate Agents - REBGV - September 2014 Housing Market Update

Home buyers were active in Metro Vancouver last month, with home sales well exceeding the 10-year average for September.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,922 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2014. This represents a 17.7 per cent increase compared to the 2,483 sales in September 2013, and a 5.4 per cent increase over the 2,771 sales in August 2014.

Last month’s sales were 16.1 per cent above the 10-year sales average for the month and rank as the third highest selling September over that period.

“September was an active period for our housing market when we compare it against typical activity for the month,” Ray Harris, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver* totalled 5,259 in September. This represents a 4.6 per cent increase compared to the 5,030 new listings in September 2013 and a 33.5 per cent increase from the 3,940 new listings in August. Last month’s new listing total was 0.4 per cent above the region’s 10-year new listing average for the month.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 14,832, an 8 per cent decline compared to September 2013 and a 0.4 per cent increase compared to August 2014.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $633,500. This represents a 5.3 per cent increase compared to September 2013.

“Gains in home values are being led by the detached home market. Condominium and townhome properties are not experiencing the same pressure on prices at the moment,” Harris said.  “Individual trends can vary depending on different factors in different areas, so it’s important to do your homework and work with your REALTOR® when you’re looking to determine the market value of a home.”

Sales of detached properties in September 2014 reached 1,270, an increase of 24.1 per cent from the 1,023 detached sales recorded in September 2013, and a 113.8 per cent increase from the 594 units sold in September 2012. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 7.3 per cent from September 2013 to $990,300.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,188 in September 2014, an increase of 16.7 per cent compared to the 1,018 sales in September 2013, and a 75.7 per cent increase compared to the 676 sales in September 2012. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 3.3 per cent from September 2013 to $378,700.

Attached property sales in September 2014 totalled 464, a 5 per cent increase compared to the 442 sales in September 2013, and an 88.6 per cent increase over the 246 attached properties sold in September 2012. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 4.2 per cent between September 2013 and 2014 to $477,700.

Contact Maria Mak @ Sutton Centre Realty @ www.mariamak.com for all your premium real estate services , thank you.

Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate Agent - Home sales activity picks up the pace in September

Home buyers were active in Metro Vancouver last month, with home sales well exceeding the 10-year average for September.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,922 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2014. This represents a 17.7 per cent increase compared to the 2,483 sales in September 2013, and a 5.4 per cent increase over the 2,771 sales in August 2014.

Last month’s sales were 16.1 per cent above the 10-year sales average for the month and rank as the third highest selling September over that period.

“September was an active period for our housing market when we compare it against typical activity for the month,” Ray Harris, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver* totalled 5,259 in September. This represents a 4.6 per cent increase compared to the 5,030 new listings in September 2013 and a 33.5 per cent increase from the 3,940 new listings in August. Last month’s new listing total was 0.4 per cent above the region’s 10-year new listing average for the month.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 14,832, an 8 per cent decline compared to September 2013 and a 0.4 per cent increase compared to August 2014.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $633,500. This represents a 5.3 per cent increase compared to September 2013.

“Gains in home values are being led by the detached home market. Condominium and townhome properties are not experiencing the same pressure on prices at the moment,” Harris said.  “Individual trends can vary depending on different factors in different areas, so it’s important to do your homework and work with your REALTOR® when you’re looking to determine the market value of a home.”

Sales of detached properties in September 2014 reached 1,270, an increase of 24.1 per cent from the 1,023 detached sales recorded in September 2013, and a 113.8 per cent increase from the 594 units sold in September 2012. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 7.3 per cent from September 2013 to $990,300.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,188 in September 2014, an increase of 16.7 per cent compared to the 1,018 sales in September 2013, and a 75.7 per cent increase compared to the 676 sales in September 2012. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 3.3 per cent from September 2013 to $378,700.

Attached property sales in September 2014 totalled 464, a 5 per cent increase compared to the 442 sales in September 2013, and an 88.6 per cent increase over the 246 attached properties sold in September 2012. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 4.2 per cent between September 2013 and 2014 to $477,700.

Maria Mak.Burnaby Real Estate Agent - Why the Bank of Canada will keep interest rates low

On September 3, 2014, the Bank of Canada announced that it was holding its trend-setting overnight lending rate at one per cent. The overnight rate has not moved in four years. It’s likely that it will remain where it is for some time yet. Why?

1. Inflation is on target

Inflation recently increased and is tracking close to the Bank’s two per cent target. However, the Bank believes the increase reflects temporary factors and cited evidence in support of this in its policy rate announcement. As a result, it does not see interest rate hikes as being necessary to rein it in. Instead, the Bank thinks inflation will keep itself in check as temporary factors dissipate.

2. Uncertainty remains high

While the U.S. economic recovery appears to be back on track after a dismal first quarter, European economic growth has faltered due in part to its trade sanctions with Russia. This means low interest rates are still needed to support Canadian economic growth while question marks loom about the outlook for global economic growth, demand for Canadian exports, and Canadian economic growth.

3. Canadian exports need help from the currency exchange rate

The Bank rate announcement noted that “Canadian exports surged in the second quarter.” The reasons cited were strengthening U.S. investment and “the past depreciation of the Canadian dollar.” Hiking interest rates too soon would result in a stronger loonie and dampened Canadian exports. The Bank is counting on stronger exports to lift business investment and economic growth.

4. Higher exports have not yet translated into stronger investment or hiring

The Bank was pleased to see the pickup in exports but noted, “While an increasing number of export sectors appear to be turning the corner toward recovery, this pickup will need to be sustained before it will translate into higher business investment and hiring.” As such, interest rates will need to remain stimulative in order to entice firms into increased investment and hiring even if exports remain strong.

Housing market

With these reasons in mind, interest rates are unlikely to rise in the near future. One notable change in language in the September 3 announcement was the removal of any references to a soft landing in the housing market. The Bank said that the housing market has in fact remained stronger than previously anticipated and that risks associated with household imbalances have “not diminished.”

That said, it is possible that stronger U.S. growth, a surge in exports, and the current strength of the housing market could all reflect a rebound from weak performances this past winter, which was unusually harsh.

As such, the Bank said that it remains “neutral with respect to the next change of its policy rate,” and will wait for new information as regards their outlook and assessment of risks to economic growth
and inflation.

As of September 3, the advertised five year lending rate stood at 4.79 per cent, unchanged from the previous Bank rate announcement on July 16, and down 0.55 percentage points from the same time one year ago.

The next interest rate announcement will be on October 22 and will be accompanied by an update to the Monetary Policy Report which contains the Bank’s outlook for the economy and inflation, risks to its economic projections, and an update to its estimate for potential Canadian economic growth.

Source: Canadian Real Estate Association

 

Maria Mak.Burnaby Realtor-B.C. to tighten standards for home inspectors

VANCOUVER — By the end of next year, home inspectors will have to meet a standard set of professional criteria to be licensed in British Columbia.

Housing Minister Rich Coleman said Friday the improved requirements will help safeguard home buyers who rely on the inspections for making what is likely the largest investment of their lives.

Consumer Protection B.C. will set the education and training requirements and be responsible for testing and licensing home inspectors.

“At the end of the day, buying a home is one of the biggest purchases somebody ever makes, and we’ve always been very supportive of any move toward consumer protection in this area,” said Tayt Winnitoy, vice-president of operations for Consumer Protection B.C.

In 2009, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in Canada to require licences and insurance for home inspectors, and there are now about 440 licensed in the province.

A few months later, a North Vancouver couple won an unprecedented award in the civil lawsuit they brought against their home inspector.

Three years earlier, Manuel Salgado and Nora Calcaneo bought a home for $1.095 million.

They paid $450 for an inspection, which found a number of structural deficiencies. The inspector, Imre Toth, estimated the repairs would cost them $15,000 to $20,000.

They closed the deal.

When the bill came in, it totalled $213,000.

They filed suit against Toth, the sellers and the real estate agents, but settled with the previous owners and dropped their claim against the agents.

Justice Grant Burnyeat said Toth’s estimate was “woefully inadequate.”

The purpose of the inspection is to provide a homebuyer with expert advice about any significant deficiencies, the judge wrote.

“I have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the plaintiffs relied upon the report received by Mr. Toth to decide whether they would purchase the property,” he wrote.

“Plainly, if prospective home purchasers did not believe that they could secure meaningful and reliable advice about the home they were considering purchasing, there would be no reason for them to retain an inspector to inspect that home.”

Currently, inspectors must pass regular examinations to obtain and keep their licence but there are four different associations that can licence, each with its own evaluation process.

In a survey by the provincial Office of Housing and Construction Standards, 78 per cent of home inspectors felt the requirements for a licence are too lax.

“It is clear ... that action is needed to increase consumer protection and to address the challenges in the current model,” the report said.

The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors — one of the four groups that license inspectors — said non-existent standards improved with the 2009 regulations, but loopholes remain.

Winnitoy said home buyers can rest assured that the inspectors they’re dealing with now have met minimum training and education requirements.

“What we see now and what we’re looking forward to is a deepening and an improving of the framework to help ensure that there’s a level playing field for all home inspectors and a clear set of expectations for consumers to have.”

© Copyright (c) CP

Contact Maria Mak @ 604-839-6368 or visit her website @ www.mariamak.com for all your premium real estate services.

Maria has been serving her clients in Metro Vancouver and Burnaby for over 25 years with a big heart, with a big smile, most importantly with passion. Thank you.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agent - Serving her clients in Greater Vancouver and Burnaby for over 25 years with a big heart, with a big smile.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agent - 

Serving her clients in Greater Vancouver and Burnaby for over 25 years with a big heart, with a big smile. 

Contact Maria and her elite team for all your premium real estate services , you'll be smiling too.

www.mariamak.com

Maria Mak - Sutton Centre Realty

3010 Boundaey Road 

Burnaby BC V5M4A1

Mobile: 604-839-6368

Office: 604-435-9477

An honour from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver that I am officially a member of Quarter Century Club.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Realtor - An honour from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver that I am officially a member of Quarter Century Club. Thank you.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agent - $165,000 renovated top floor condo near Highgate Mall in Burnaby

 

 

$165,000 - Best priced for this fully renovated N/S/E facing one bdrm top floor corner end unit in well managed Chateau Lyon. 

Newly painted throughout, laminate flooring, custom countertops and hardwood cabinets, slate tiles flooring in kitchen, stainless steel appliances. 

Bright spacious open layout with a large balcony facing NE to the quiet courtyard. 2 blocks to Highgate Mall. 4 blocks to Edmonds Skytrain.

Monthly low maintainence fee $205 includes heat, hot water and management fee. Healthy contingency fund. Storage on 2nd level plus insuite storage. One parking stall in secured underground garage. No rentals and No pets.

Recent updates includes newer roof in 2008.Sidings painting and boiler in 2009. Elevator updated in 2013. Balcony railings painting in 2014.

Why rent when you can own this beautiful condo. Contact Maria Mak @ Sutton Centre Realty 604.839.6368 and arrange for private viewing. 

Maria Mak.Burnaby Real Estate Agent - 50 ways to green hour home

You can search the 50 ways to green your home by category or scrolling down the following list

Location		Office
Home improvement		Yard improvement
Water		Green and clean
Lighting		Living green
Kitchen		Financing
Bathroom		Resources

Location

1. Green neighbourhoods

Buy a home in a neighbourhood close to work, transit, shopping, community centres and other services.

2. Transit-oriented density

New, compact, complete green neighbourhoods are being built with transit as their focus. Instead of owning a car, join a car share cooperative, take transit, cycle or walk.

3. Score your location

Walkable neighbourhoods offer health, environmental, financial and community benefits. Enter your address or the address of a home you want to buy at www.walkscore.com. This tool calculates a walkability score based on the home’s proximity to transit, grocery stores, schools and other amenities.

4. Lower-cost luxury

If it’s features such as a gym or pool you want, buy a strata unit with these amenities and share costs.

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Home improvement

5. You choose, you save

BC Hydro and FortisBC offer a variety of incentive and rebate programs for home upgrades and rebates.

6. Install a high-efficiency heating system

Make sure it’s ENERGY STAR rated.

7. Weatherize your home

From windows to doors to insulation and weather stripping. Don’t forget to seal your ducts.

8. Insulate your pipes

It will prevent costly heat loss. Here’s how.

9. Insulate your hot water heater

Buy a pre-cut jacket or blanket for $10–$20. You’ll save up to 10% on heating costs. Learn more.

10. Install a programmable thermostat

Set it lower at night and during the day when you’re away. Lower the temperature. Each degree below 20C saves you 3-5% on heating costs.

11. Replace your furnace filter

This optimizes performance, as clogged filters reduce airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder.

12. Get the most from your fireplace

Here's how to make it efficient.

13. Use curtains

In the daytime during summer, close to help cool your home. Learn more.

14. Use an electric fan

Skip the air conditioning. On hot summer days, place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to cool down.

15. Install ceilings fans

The energy it takes to run a fan is less than an air conditioner. In summer, make sure the fan’s blades are rotating anti-clockwise for a cooling effect. In winter, the fan should be running clockwise, pushing the warm air down. Learn more.

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Water

16. Fix leaks, fix leaking taps

One drop per second equals 7,000 litres of water wasted per year. Learn more.

17. Install a filter

Stop buying costly bottled water which adds to the landfill.

Lighting

18. Change your light bulbs

Lighting accounts for 15% of your energy bill. Replace old bulbs with ENERGY STAR rated bulbs.

19. Motion detector lights

Turn lights off outside when not in use.

20. Keep it dark

Light pollution is an increasing problem. Turn off outdoor lights to save energy and encourage night life such as bats and frogs. A single bat can eat tens of thousands of mosquitoes nightly. If you have safety concerns, use motion detector lights – which come on, only as needed.

21. Holiday lights

Use LED lights.

Kitchen

22. Replace your fridge

An old energy guzzling fridge costs you about $90 a year  to operate. Replace it with an ENERGY STAR fridge. BC Hydro will also not only come and pick up your old fridge free of charge, they’ll give you $30.

23. Replace your freezer

Buy an ENERGY STAR freezer and save money with lower operating costs.

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Bathroom

24. Low flow shower

Hot water accounts for 25% of your energy costs. Showers can be the largest single contributor to overall hot water use in a home, accounting for 15% of total household energy use. Save with a low-flow showerhead.

25. High efficiency of dual flush toilets

These are now required in new homes because of water savings.

Office

26. Use smart strips

Also known as power bars, this lets you power off all equipment at the same time.

27. Buy energy smart electronics

Buy energy smart electronics and save.

28. Recycle your old electronics

Here's how.

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Yard improvement

29. Conserve water

Fresh water comprises just 3% the world’s total water supply, so conserve. Get a rain barrel and harvest water you can use in your garden. Local governments such as Coquitlam and Richmond will subsidize the cost.

30. Less lawn and low-maintenance lawns

Lawns waste water. Instead, conserve and beautify using indigenous plants such as ferns, tiger lilies and hostas. Or try a low-maintenance lawn that is made up of a diverse mix of hardy, drought-tolerant, slow-growing turf grasses, that require less mowing, fertilizing and watering than conventional lawn species.

31. Elbow grease

Don’t power wash your driveway. Sweep it or use a scrub brush and pail.

32. Drip irrigation

It saves water compared to sprinklers.

33. Grow your own

How much more will you spend on food this year? Even a few miniature fruit trees and a small vegetable garden in a raised bed or in containers on your deck will help keep you healthy and save you dollars. Lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and blueberries thrive in our climate. Learn more.

34. Preserve your poduce

Invest in home canning jars and equipment and a small freezer and enjoy your produce year round – at considerable savings. Here’s how.

35. Bee friendly

We need bees to pollinate, so plant a few bee-friendly annuals such as asters, marigolds, sunflowers, zinnias; or perennials such as clematis, foxgloves, hollyhocks, roses or shrubs such as Buddleia. Consider becoming an urban bee keeper, some municipalities like Vancouver allow bee keeping in your backyard.

36. Go chemical-free

“Get rid of weeds without using chemicals that harm us and our pets,” advises REALTOR® and Richmond City counselor, Derek Dang, who led the way to a bylaw banning cosmetic pesticides. His suggestion, “Use dish detergent or weed by hand.”

37. Plant fruit trees

They’ll give you shade and fruit. Growing guide.

38. Compost

It will make your garden grow and divert waste from the landfill.

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Green and clean

39. Clean green

Vinegar, baking soda and lemons clean as well as expensive, chemical-filled cleaning supplies for a fraction of the cost.

40. Upgrade your washing machine

Replace your old washing machine with an ENERGY STAR washer that gets clothes clean using cold water. Wait until you have a full load instead of washing clothes as you need them. Clean the lint trap of your dryer after every use.

41. Green laundry detergent

Use phosphate-free, biodegradable detergent.

42. Install a clothesline

Dryers use a large amount of energy.

43. Get a rack

If your neighbourhood or strata prohibits clotheslines, buy a small drying rack.

Living Green

44. Recycle

Recycling keeps materials that can be recovered (paper, glass, metals, plastics, food etc) out of the landfills; and in the case of organics like paper, food, yard waste, it significantly reduces greenhouse gases from landfills. Learn more.

45. Buy local

Buy local, organic and fair trade food. Your food doesn’t travel long distances, you support local farmers and the local economy and you consume less pesticides.

46. Don't use paper or plastic

Use cloth bags when you shop or reuse your plastic bags

47. Backyard chickens and bees

Become involved in your own food production, raise chickens for their eggs or bees for their honey in your backyard.

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Financing

48. Borrow green

Most financial institutions offer “green” mortgages, including: • BMO Eco Smart Mortgage offers home buyers preferred interest rates on qualifying green properties. • RBC Energy Saver™ Mortgage gives home buyers a $300 rebate for a home energy audit and preferred interest rates. • Vancity offers a Bright Ideas Home Renovation Loan at prime +1% to home buyers and owners making green renovations. • CMHC offers a 10% Mortgage Loan Premium refund and possible extended amortization for buyers purchasing an energy-efficient mortgage or making energy saving renovations.

49. Loan programs

Pay-as-you-Save (PAYS) loan program will help home owners and businesses finance energy efficiency improvements through a loan from BC Hydro or FortisBC. Pilot programs starting in November 2012 in certain BC locations.

Resources

50. Green Tool Kit

BC Real Estate Association’s Green Tool Kit provides information, references and links. It also provides comprehensive information on rebates and incentives.

Maria Mak . Burnaby Real Estate Agent - Home buyers continue to slightly outpace sellers , but not by much

The Greater Vancouver housing market continues to see slightly elevated demand from home buyers, steady levels of supply from home sellers and incremental gains in home values depending on the area and property type. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 3,061 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in July 2014. This represents a 3.9 per cent increase compared to the 2,946 sales recorded in July 2013, and a 10.1 per cent decline compared to the 3,406 sales in June 2014.

“This is the fourth consecutive month that the Greater Vancouver market has exceeded 3,000 sales,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president-elect said. “Prior to this, our market had not surpassed the 3,000 sale mark since June of 2011.”

Last month’s sales were 3.8 per cent above the 10-year sales average for July of 2,948.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver* is currently $628,600. This represents a 4.4 per cent increase compared to July 2013. 
 
“Today’s activity continues to put Metro Vancouver in the upper reaches of a balanced real estate market,” McLeod said.

The sales-to-active-listings ratio currently sits at 19.6 per cent in Metro Vancouver. This ratio has ranged between 18 and 20 per cent over the last four months.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 4,925 in July. This represents a 1.5 per cent increase compared to the 4,854 new listings in July 2013 and a 7.8 per cent decline from the 5,339 new listings in June.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 15,617, a six per cent decline compared to July 2013 and a 2.5 per cent decrease compared to June 2014.

Sales of detached properties in July 2014 reached 1,322, an increase of 5.8 per cent from the 1,249 detached sales recorded in July 2013, and a 68 per cent increase from the 787 units sold in July 2012. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 6.5 per cent from July 2013 to $980,500.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,212 in July 2014, an increase of 0.2 per cent compared to the 1,210 sales in July 2013, and a 30.7 per cent increase compared to the 927 sales in July 2012. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 2.2 per cent from July 2013 to $376,500.

Attached property sales in July 2014 totalled 527, an 8.2 per cent increase compared to the 487 sales in July 2013, and a 37.2 per cent increase over the 384 attached properties sold in July 2012. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 3.4 per cent between July 2013 and 2014 to $472,400.

* Areas covered by Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver include: Whistler, Sunshine Coast, Squamish, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and South Delta.

The real estate industry is a key economic driver in British Columbia. In 2013, 28,524 homes changed ownership in the Board’s area, generating $1.84 billion in economic spin-off activity and 13,977 jobs. The total dollar value of residential sales transacted through the MLS® system in Greater Vancouver totalled $22 billion in 2013.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing more than 11,000 REALTORS® and their companies. The Board provides a variety of member services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local REALTOR® or visit www.rebgv.org.