september 26, 2012

Real Estate Resource Guide 2012–2013 – 1

REALESTATERESOURCE GUIDE 2012–2013

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2 – Real Estate Resource Guide 2012–2013


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How realtors HelpBuying or selling a property can be complicated no matter what type of property. It’s also a signifi cant fi nancial transaction. Therefore, it’s important to get the best help you can. Realtors® provide you with protection against misadventure and fraud. They stay current on information by participating in ongoing professional education pro-grams. They make use of the MLS® property database to help you sell your property or fi nd a new home. They have marketing and negotiating skills that will help you make the right purchasing or selling decision.

BUYInG A HoME1. Schedule a consultation to discuss what the buyer is looking for in a home.2. The Realtor® may suggest buyers speak with a mortgage consultant to fi gure out their buying power and obtain a mortgage pre-approval letter.3. The agent will then look up home listings in a particular price range and help the buyers to view the homes.4. When buyers fi nd a home, the real estate agent will help them come up with a fair market price and write up the contract to present to the seller.5. The agent will help the buyer nego-tiate on the fi nal price with the seller.6. The agent may be present during a home inspection, which is recommended.7. The agent will then schedule the home appraisal.

8. He or she will then confirm the closing and be present at closing with the buyer and the attorney, if necessary.

SELLInG A HoME1. The agent will meet with the sellers and evaluate the home and property.2. He or she will do a market analysis to determine the best price to list the house based on the neighbourhood.3. The agent may make suggestions for repairs or improvements that can help make the home more attractive to buyers.4. The real estate agent may present a marketing plan that indicates where the home will be advertised.5. He or she will write up a listing agreement and begin the process of marketing the home.6. An open house for real estate brokers

may be scheduled.7. An open house for buyers will be scheduled.8. The agent will fi eld calls from other agents and notify the seller when a viewing request has been made.9. Follow-up feedback can be offered, which may include information the agent receives by making calls to people who viewed the home or by tracking how many potential buyers viewed the home listing.10. When an offer comes in, the agent will notify the sellers and advise them of the negotiation process.11. The agent will be present during a home inspection.12. The agent will likely be present at the home closing with the attorneys.Individuals buying or selling a home can certainly do it by themselves, but Realtors® have the knowledge and provide assistance through the myriad steps of the process, helping individuals to save time and money.

❚ Courtesy Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

www.brendajenkins.com

For all of your real estate needs

Call Brenda & Al Jenkins

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Anderson & Thompson

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Anderson & Thompson

604-463-6281

David Riddell

Lawyer/Notary Public

Alan C. Thompson

Lawyer/Notary Public

[email protected] [email protected]

22311 - 119th Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC

V2X 2Z2 Fax: 604-463-7497

The advantage of using Bonnie Telep is that she offers her clients more options with access to hundreds of mortgage products. She works with all the major banks and credit unions in order to secure the best interest rate and product for your individual needs. The result is you have the security of knowing you are getting the best mortgage for your needs.

Remember, the Bank works for the Bank,

Bonnie works for you!

Bonnie Telep

604-467-930022519 Dewdney Trunk Road Maple Ridge, BC V2X 7X7


Sid [email protected]

Steve Anderson604-817-5285steveanderson@royallepage.cawww.steveanderson.ca

Luke [email protected]/lukeas

Chad [email protected]

J. J. [email protected]

Debra [email protected]

Karen Bennett604-463-3000karenbennett@telus.netwww.mapleridgerealtors.com

Dawn [email protected]

Chris [email protected]

Allan [email protected]

Randy [email protected]

Tracy [email protected]

Randall [email protected]/randalldidiuk

Pat [email protected]

Angela [email protected]

Sarah [email protected]

Dianne [email protected]

Brian [email protected]

Jeanie [email protected]

Chris [email protected]

Lennie Gullmes604-467-5000lennie@rolftherealtor.comwww.rolftherealtor.com

Danny Gerbrandt604-802-6694danny@dannyandclaudio.comdannyandclaudio.com

Rolf [email protected]

Ed [email protected]

Gina [email protected]

Don [email protected]

Ken [email protected]

Nicole Hunt [email protected]

Dave [email protected]

Jim Isherwood604-250-7755jimisherwood@royallepage.cawww.jimisherwood.ca

Nathan Isherwood604-250-8375 [email protected]

Nicole [email protected]

Coleen [email protected]

Al [email protected]

Michelle [email protected]

Joel [email protected]

Brenda [email protected]/brendalyster

Jeremy [email protected] jeremymccarthy.ca

Taryn [email protected]

Rick [email protected]

Carla McColeman604-908-2014carla@sellingmapleridge.comwww.sellingmapleridge.com

Judith Murato� [email protected]

Jessica [email protected] www.saraheales.com

Betty [email protected]

Debi [email protected]

Don [email protected]

Ray [email protected]

Bob Quinnell604-467-5000bobquinnell@royallepage.cawww.bobquinnell.com

Jim Quinnell604-466-4551jimquinnell@royallepage.cawww.jimquinnell.com

Dave [email protected]

Glenn [email protected]

Luke [email protected]

Claudio Sartore604-340-4167claudio@dannyandclaudio.comdannyandclaudio.com

Tyra [email protected]

Chase [email protected]/chaseshymkiw

Yolanta [email protected]

Tammy [email protected]/tammysonne

Mary [email protected]

Laurell Swaré[email protected]

Trevor [email protected]/trevortache

Ralph [email protected]

Bob [email protected]

Joel [email protected]

Vicky van Herwaarden604-999-2452vicky@concordiahomes.cawww.thepointehomes.ca

Amanda vandenBrink604-619-2164amandavandenbrink@shaw.cawww.clickmyhome.ca

Bob vandenBrink604-812-2894bobvandenbrink@shaw.cawww.clickmyhome.caR.I.(B.C.)Urban Land Economics

Virginia [email protected]

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A Suite DealHaving a suite in your home is one way to bring in some extra income, but the bylaws that regulate suites vary substantially from community to community.

The history behind suite bylaws is quite different between Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, as are the current rules.

Christine Carter, the director of planning for the District of Maple Ridge, said the district brought in its current suite bylaw in the late 1990s.

“We were one of the first municipal-ities to allow secondary suites,” she said.

That wasn’t an easy decision for the council of the day to make, she added, as there was a lot of opposition.

“I remember when we were creating this bylaw initially, it was a huge public hearing. There were a lot of people that believed if we allowed secondary suites, the character of this community would be destroyed.”

That’s subsided since then, and the district’s bylaw has generally held up.

“I think it’s stood the test of time quite well,” she said. “From a planning per-spective, we get very few calls about secondary suites.”

Secondary suites in Maple Ridge are governed by section 402 (8) of the zoning bylaws, which lays down several important rules. Only one secondary suite is allowed per lot, and it must have a floor area between 37 and 90 square metres, but cannot exceed 40 per cent of the total area of the building.

To have a suite, you need a minimum lot size of 557 square metres, and you must provide an extra parking space. Suites aren’t allowed in floodplains, and the property owner must live either in the main building or in the suite, which Carter said was a crucial provision in

getting the original bylaw passed.“The council of the day felt very

strongly about that.”Carter said the other crucial consid-

eration whether a house can have a secondary suite is what zone it’s located in.

There are old covenants prohibiting suites applying to some houses, but Carter said property owners can bring those in and have them discharged if their houses meet the requirements for suites and are in the proper zone.

Carter said the district’s in the process of re-examining its suites bylaw, but she doesn’t expect major changes. “We’re not starting from scratch and rebooting it.”

In Pitt Meadows, legal secondary suites for non-family members are a newer development, according to Natalie Coburn, from the city’s devel-opment services department.

“Suites became legal quite recently, in 2011, when we brought in our new zoning bylaws,” she said.

Suites in Pitt Meadows are governed by Section 5.4 of the zoning bylaw. The city allows suites starting at 33 square metres of floor area and ranging up to 90 square metres. As in Maple Ridge, they can’t exceed 40 per cent of the building’s floor area, the property owner must live in either the main building or the secondary suite, and one parking space is required for the suite. Most home-based busi-nesses are allowed in a secondary suite, but boarding or childcare uses are not.

Many suites were built in Pitt Meadows before they were officially allowed, but Coburn said the city’s found success in getting the existing ones registered.

Of course, there are still suites that are unregistered in both Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. Carter said registering a suite is beneficial for both owners and tenants, though, as it provides security.

“By registering it, you give the tenants some comfort,” she said.

Carter said secondary suites are a crucial part of providing affordable housing. “For the bulk of the people in this community, really, it’s a reality.”• Details on suites in Maple Ridge can

be found at www.mapleridge.ca/assets/Default/Mayor~and~Council/pdfs/Bylaws~and~Regulations/bylaw_5680-1998.pdf.

• In Pitt Meadows, an overview with links to the various specific documents is available at www.pittmeadows.bc.ca/EN/main/business/607/Secondary-Suites-and-Garden-Suites.html.

❚ Andrew Bucholtz

Natalie Coburn. Photo by Colleen Flannagan.

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Access Grants for Home ImprovementsIt’s what you put in your house that truly makes it a home. From the antique table in the dinning room to the 60-inch plasma TV in the den, your home is defined by the extra care you take to create a welcoming atmosphere.While those added details give your home character, it’s what you do with the tool box that can add value to the equity in your residence. Eventually your roof will need to be re-shingled, your washing machine will break down, windows get drafty, and hot water tanks fail. While the bill to replace may hurt the pocket book, there are ways for resi-dents of B.C. to reduce those costs.

The LiveSmart B.C. Eff iciency Incentive Program offers as much as $7,000 in rebates for home owners looking to upgrade their home. Insulation, furnaces, heat pumps, water heaters, boilers, air conditioners, and windows and doors can all be covered through the program. But like any program where you can access rebates from the government, you are going to have to follow the government’s rules.

The first step: visit livesmart.ca and

see if you qualify for the program. Basically, the current LiveSmart B.C. incentives are available to anyone who hasn’t previously accessed incentives through this program or the federal gov-ernment’s ecoENERGY programs.

Then homeowners must have an energy assessment performed by one of the federal government’s certified energy consultants. The consultant will evaluate the condition of your home, gauging the state of your insulation, heating elements, toilets, windows, doors, bathroom ceiling fans, and ther-mostats. A blower door test, measuring the air change per hour in your home, will also be conducted.

Once upgrades have been completed, a second assessment is done. From there, your certified energy consultant will handle all the paperwork in applying for provincial incentives.

There are also incentive programs available through B.C. Hydro and Fortis B.C. You can save as much as $70 per window through B.C. Hydro’s partnering with the LiveSmart program. Fortis B.C. is offering a rebate of as much as $800 to the first 2,000 applicants who install a furnace that has an efficiency rating of 95 per cent or higher. The program closes December 31, 2012.

Fortis B.C. is also offering as much as $1,000 back to anyone who switches their old oil furnace to a gas one, again with an efficiency rating of 95 per cent or higher.

One of the biggest consumers of energy in a home is the water heater, which eats up as much as 35 per cent of a home’s total energy use. If you replace your old water heater with a qualifying natural gas tankless model, Fortis B.C. is offering homeowners a rebate of up to $500.• Visit bcyhydro.com/rebates_savings

and fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Homes/Offers for more information.

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Changing TimesMortgage broker Bonnie Telep has seen plenty of ups and downs during her 30-year real estate career. But nothing along the ride has had quite the impact of the recent adjustment to new home financing rules brought in by the federal government.

“This is a time of really big change,” says Telep, owner of Tri-Tel Mortgage in Maple Ridge. “I’m running into people who have to deal with this new reality every day.”

The new reality is that buyers applying for government-backed mort-gages with less than 20 per cent down must now face a maximum amortization rate of 25 years instead of the 30-40 year amortizations that have become increas-ingly popular in the past decade. The federal government says the changes, which took affect in July, are to help homeowners save money by building equity in their homes.

“Investing in a home is a great way to save,” Finance Minister Jim Flaherty stated in his summer announcement. “That’s the dream that mortgage

insurance was intended to support.”Under this plan, payments for a three

per cent 25-year mortgage will cost $290 more a month than for a 30-year mortgage, according to the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board.

That’s where a good mortgage broker comes in, says Telep.

Mortgage brokers are independent financial advisors who help buyers hunt out the best mortgage rate to suit them. They also assist buyers in securing refi-nancing approval to free up cash for other needs.

To become accredited in B.C., brokers must complete a course through the UBC Sauder School of Business. They are then licensed by the Financial Institution Commission and become members of the Mortgage Brokers

Association of B.C. In-house mortgage specialists work

for a specific bank and assist buyers when choosing options within a bank’s portfolio, while mortgage brokers are independent operators who shop around for their clients at a variety of financial institutions.

“We work for the client, not the bank, and we fight for them,” she says. While she doesn’t work for specific banks, Telep notes that mortgage brokers do tend to negotiate with certain banks over time and brokers charge their fee to banks, not to clients. This approach helps build a trusting relationship between brokers and lenders and that means she can sometimes get people into homes when they may have otherwise been rejected.

“I can say, ‘hey, I think he’s a good risk,’ even if he doesn’t look like it on paper,” she says.

During the recent changes, she’s also seen an emerging role for brokers as homeowners try to navigate through the new remortgaging limits. Traditionally, she has worked to help

“Celebrating over 20 years in Maple Ridge, Bissky Architecture Inc. is a full-service design firm. In addition to planning, architectural, and interior design we provide land development, rezoning and design-build consulting services. Our projects are located throughout British Columbia, Canada, the Caribbean and Africa, and include multi-family, institutional, industrial and commercial developments.”

Bissky Architecture Inc.

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TEKTON Project Management offers turn-key solutions for developers, realtors, architects, and anyone looking to have their construction project managed from start to finish. We take care of your budget, your contractors, your approvals, and your design to ensure the product you want is the product that’s built. Our team has worked in the industry for over 25 years and have been active in the local Maple Ridge community for long enough to know what it takes to get the job done.

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homeowners use the equity in their homes to free up cash for other needs and use their low mortgage rate to help pay off their other debts.

But that has changed. Borrowers can now only refinance to a maximum of 80 per cent of their mortgage, down from 85 per cent. If homeowners manage to get approved, they’ll have to lock into the shorter 25-year amortization. Telep’s concerned for those who have been hit hard by unemployment or domestic woes that make keeping their homes tough.

Telep uses her mortgage broker skills to help homeowners create a plan to lower that debt load so they can once again make use of their home equity. For those hoping to get into the market, she advises to build up a good credit record by keeping credit card balances low and paying bills on time.

“I can help give them a plan to start on a path,” she says. “If they can’t qualify, I can help them realize a way to make it happen.”

And that’s why she got into the business in the first place, Telep recalls.

She and her husband Ralph started Tri-Tel Realty in 1980 and Bonnie

became a mortgage broker in 1997. A longtime volunteer in the community, it’s no surprise what keeps her in the mortgage game.

“I really enjoy helping people get into a home,” she says. “The best part is seeing people again over the years and getting to know them.”

Telep remains hopeful that buyers will adjust to the new changes and is opti-mistic that with a good downpayment

and credit rating this is an ideal time to jump into the market.

“It’s a darn good time to be looking for a house,” she says. “Prices are down. It’s a buyers market for sure.”• For more information on the

changes that went into effect July 9 2012 go to www.rebgv.org/new-rules-mortgage-finance-canada

❚ Lynn Easton

Bonnie Telep of Tri-Tel Mortgage in Maple Ridge. Photo by Colleen Flannagan.

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In 1924 Fuller Watson opened its doors as part of the Port Haney waterfront. The original store was an old fashioned ‘mercantile store that sold everything from furniture to food staples and hardware.

In 1932 Fuller Watson moved up the hill to the new Haney downtown business district and the store has been at the same location ever since. While the store has been in the same place for almost a century, a lot has changed inside and out.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that this is a family business. The fourth generation of our family are now working full time at the store, part of a team of 20 employees from the sales fl oor to the warehouse.

In a world of ‘big box’ retailers Fuller Watson continues to thrive and grow because of the foundation laid back in 1924. We’ve spent over 80 years building our reputation, and we will not compromise by selling anything that doesn’t meet our high standards.


BIKIC, [email protected]

Cummings, [email protected]

Danz, Pamela778-235-0549pamela@pameladanz

EXNER, [email protected]

EXNER, HARVEYManaging [email protected]


FRANKLIN, TRAVIS [email protected]

FRASER, [email protected]

HARRISON, [email protected]

HUBER, [email protected]


JENKINS, [email protected]


JOHNSON, [email protected]

KNIGHT, [email protected]

KYLE, EVE [email protected]

LE VAN, [email protected]

MCCALLUM, [email protected]

MEADUS, [email protected]

MITCHELL, [email protected]

MITCHELL, RON [email protected]

PRINCE, [email protected]

PROKOP, [email protected]

RAMIREZ, [email protected]

SMITH, [email protected]

TELEP, [email protected]


TENBRINK, RON [email protected]

VANDERLEE, [email protected]

WARD, [email protected]

YOURCHEK, [email protected]

MAPLE RIDGE OFFICE22718 Lougheed Highway604-467-3871macrealty.com


BIKIC, [email protected]

Cummings, [email protected]

Danz, Pamela778-235-0549pamela@pameladanz


EXNER, HARVEYManaging [email protected]


FRANKLIN, TRAVIS [email protected]

FRASER, [email protected]

HARRISON, [email protected]





JOHNSON, [email protected]

KNIGHT, [email protected]

KYLE, EVE [email protected]

LE VAN, [email protected]

MCCALLUM, [email protected]

MEADUS, [email protected]

MITCHELL, [email protected]

MITCHELL, RON [email protected]

PRINCE, [email protected]

PROKOP, [email protected]

RAMIREZ, [email protected]

SMITH, [email protected]



TENBRINK, RON [email protected]

VANDERLEE, [email protected]

WARD, [email protected]

YOURCHEK, [email protected]

MAPLE RIDGE OFFICE22718 Lougheed Highway604-467-3871macrealty.com


Home ChecklistBefore you start looking for a new house, take a moment to figure out what you need or want. This will help your real estate agent narrow down the right houses to show you.

ExTErIor Want NeedLarge lot and yard

Low maintenance yard

Single family detached home

Basement suite

Town home

Condominium

One story

Two stories

Three stories

Fenced back yard

Deck or patio area

Attached garage

One car garage

Two car garage

Private driveway

Aluminum siding

Wood siding

Brick exterior

Recently painted woodwork

InTErIor Want NeedOne bedroom

Two bedroom

Three bedroom

Four bedroom

One bathroom

Two bathrooms

Three bathrooms

Four bathrooms

Closet in entry

Separate dining room

Fireplace in living room

Separate family room

Fireplace in family room

Eat in kitchen

Island kitchen

Kitchen appliances with purchase

Laundry room

Master bedroom ensuite

Main floor bathroom Carpeting

Hardwood floors

Large windows

Basement

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Mortgage Payment TipsConsider the following money-saving steps when calculating your mortgage payments:

By shortening your loan repayment or amortization period to 20 years from 25 years, you’ll pay your mortgage off five years sooner. You’ll pay higher monthly payments, but

you’ll build equity faster and you’ll pay less in interest over the long term.

Apply for a prepayment option. If you receive one, you can directly pay down some of your principal before it’s due. Make sure to check for pre-payment penalties.

By paying biweekly instead of

monthly, you’ll make 26 payments in a year or 13 months instead of just 12 months and reduce your amortization to about 20 years from 25 years.


10 Questions to Ask Your realtor®1. How long have you been a Realtor®?2. What is your average list-to-sales ratio? A good Realtor® should hold a track record for how many properties they have listed to how many they have sold within a given time period.3. How will your marketing plan meet my needs? In other words, How will you sell my home? Where and how often will you advertise? Do you have samples of past marketing efforts?4. Will you provide references?5. What separates you from your competition?6. May I review documents that I will be asked to sign?7. How will you help me find other professionals?8. How much do you charge?9. What kind of guarantee do you offer?10. What haven’t I asked you that I need to know?


open Versus Closed MortgagesA mortgage term is the length of time your mortgage agreement will be in effect. At the end of each term you will need to renew or renegotiate your mortgage unless you are able to pay it off in full. Lenders frequently offer both open and closed mortgages.

Open MOrtgages❚ You can make prepayments at any time, or even pay off the mortgage in its entirety without having to pay any penalty.❚ The interest rate on an open mortgage is usually higher, due to the flexibility of the term mortgage.

ClOsed MOrtgages❚ You cannot prepay, renegotiate or refinance during its term without paying a penalty. ❚ If you want to change your mortgage agreement during the term, you will usually have to pay a penalty.❚ The interest rate on a closed mortgage is usually lower, given the reduced flexibility compared to an open mortgage.

❚ Courtesy Envision Financial, Ridge Meadows Branch


Knowing Where to Start with Investment PropertiesInvesting in your future means doing homework today.For anyone considering purchasing property as a rental investment, keep in mind an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Investment properties can be a safe way to invest your money for the long term while getting an immediate return.

According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Spring 2012 Rental Market Survey, the B.C. apartment vacancy rate was 3.4 per cent in April 2012. Vacancy rates for rentals with three or more bedrooms sat at 3.2 per cent, a significant drop of 2.5 per cent from the year before.

One of the key factors in purchasing a rental unit is knowing where to buy. The CMHC’s website (cmhc-schl.gc.ca) covers a wide range of topics for potential renters and is a great place to start. Everything from rental agreements to statistics on average rental prices can be found.

Knowing the rental market in your area is another key factor. Who do you plan on renting to? Are you looking for long-term renters? Then families are your best bet. If it’s students, then where you purchase is key. Are there bus and SkyTrain routes easily accessible?

It’s all about location.Danny Gerbrandt, realtor at Royal

LePage in Maple Ridge, says it’s important to look long-term when pur-chasing a property as an investment. He says fees in selling, like property transfer taxes, can eat away at profits. The key is to not over extend yourself, Gerbrandt added.

“You want a place that you can carry for a few months if you lose your renters.

You don’t want to find yourself in a situ-ation where you can’t pay your bills.”

Gerbrandt says Maple Ridge is a great place to invest because the rent is more affordable than in places like downtown Vancouver.

He says investors should avoid places with basement suites or carafes, which can be “susceptible to marijuana grow-ops.”

In addition, he cautioned potential investors that strata properties can pose problems, with both their monthly fees and their tight regulations.

Fred Armstrong, communications manager for the District of Maple Ridge, says before anyone considers buying a rental property, they should make sure it complies with municipal bylaws and meets building codes.

He says becoming a landlord means you have to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty when sinks clog, toilets back up or washing machines die.

But knowing your rights as a landlord is the first step in preventing headaches, and more importantly, costly bills.

“There are specific zoning bylaws and building code requirements that have to be met. Before anyone signs any-thing, they should come down to the city to make sure what they plan to pur-chase meets those requirements,” says Armstrong. “The city can play a big role right at the beginning.”

Armstrong also said issues like strata buildings can have more stringent bylaws in place and need to be fully researched before investing long term.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a building or

a strata, a lot of areas in the city don’t allow rental properties. You have to look into the zoning.”

Once a place is researched and the property is purchased, next, you must understand your rights and obligations as a landlord.

It’s mandatory for landlords and tenants to conduct ingoing and out-going inspections and complete reports to avoid losing security deposits, which can be no more than half a month’s rent. Whether its pets, smoking, late rent cheques or damage to the property, there is a right way and wrong way to go about finding solutions to problems.

For investors, it’s about knowing where to start.

❚ Tim Fitzgerlad

Each office independently owned and operated


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Renee Williams604-786-8125 [email protected]

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Put my Experience to Work For You!With over 14 years working for clients throughout Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and the Tri Cities, my goal is to make buying or selling a home effortless for you. As one of the most important transactions you’ll make in your life, I will provide genuine and professional advice and service to ensure your sale or purchase goes smoothly.

Your home is your largest asset – you deserve the best representation when dealing with such a large-scale investment.

If you’re thinking of buying or would like a free evaluation on your home or acreage style property, call me today!

Put my Experience to Work For You!With over 14 years working for clients throughout Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and the Tri Cities, my goal is to make buying or selling a home effortless for you. As one of the most important transactions you’ll make in your life, I will provide genuine and professional advice and service to ensure your sale or purchase goes smoothly.

Your home is your largest asset – you deserve the best representation when dealing with such a large-scale investment.

If you’re thinking of buying or would like a free evaluation on your home or acreage style property, call me today!

LifeStyles Realty

Kelly Boros

[email protected] Dewdney Trunk Rd., Maple Ridge, BCEach office independently owned & operated.

Office: 604.466.2838Cell: 604.762.4212www.kellyboros.com


Keeping the cost down is a key consideration for anyone, and the savvy homeowner is con-stantly on the lookout for ways to bring costs down. Here are tips from local experts, offering ways to save money and time.

paintingPaint is far and away the easiest and least expensive, way to transform your home, says Tammy Diniz, owner of Bare Interiors, Maple Ridge’s Benjamin Moore paint retailer.1. Use paint to transform your home, room by room. “A coat of paint completely trans-forms a room, and if you have a tight budget, it’s definitely the best way to get a new look because you don’t need a professional to do the job. You can change a room for under a hundred bucks,” says Diniz.2. Don’t forget that you can paint more than the walls. Paint the flooring, the furniture, the trim, the cabinets, the tile. Be creative, says Diniz. There are lots of really great projects you can find online to give you ideas.

lightingIf you want to improve or update the lighting around your home, follow these tips from lighting designer Dayna Olson-Brooks of Maple Ridge Lighting.1. Focus on priority areas, specifically main areas of your home that guests use – the main eating area, the foyer and the powder room. “These are the main visual areas that people see, so make them look good,” says Olson-Brooks.2. Make sure the bulbs you use around the house are consistent, and that they are appro-priate to the fixtures you have in your home. Our lighting designer says most people have mix-and-match bulbs in their home so the lighting tends to look off. For instance, using a blue-hued bulb in a brown-toned glass fixture is going to make the fixture look like there’s something wrong with it.

UphOlstery & drapesThe problem with trying to save money on drapes and upholstery, says Doris Gagel of

renovating on a BudgetAnyone who’s ever done it knows renovating a home can be a real pain. The aggravation of having your home torn up while the work is being done is only surpassed by the expense of it all.

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Gagel’s Custom Draperies & Upholstery, is that so much of the job revolves around the labor portion of the bill. 1. The way to save money on draperies, says Gagel, is to use less expensive fabrics, but make sure you have someone do the sewing that really knows what they’re doing. Sewn properly, even the cheapest fabrics can look like a million bucks, she adds.2. Bring your budget when you talk to a potential upholster. If the budget is unrea-sonably low, a reputable professional will tell you, and discuss options. Keep in mind, Gagel admonishes, that you’re not going to get a whole couch re-upholstered properly using quality fabrics for much less than $1,500 to $2,000. If someone’s telling you they can do it for a lot less, you can be sure it won’t last nearly as long as you think it should.

FlOOringNew flooring always makes a home more attractive and livable. Linda O’Shea from Maple Ridge Carpet One offers the following for budget-conscious renovators.1. Pick products that you can install yourself. For instance, vinyl planking instead of linoleum is typically less expensive because you can buy the exact square footage you need without a lot of waste.

2. Be prepared to buy in-stock product rather than special order because the savings of bulk buying are then passed on to you. The downside is you don’t have as many choices, but you defi nitely save money.

eXteriOrsDon’t forget about the exterior of your home says Scott O’Dell, owner of the Haney Home Hardware store.1. Stay on top of the “Honey-do” list, says Scott. Trim the hedges, prune the trees, fix those bits and pieces that need it. Most odd jobs around the house make the place look good, and for the most part are pretty inex-pensive. It’s only when you leave them long enough that they become big-ticket items.2. Invest in a good pressure washer (and whatever other yard equipment you need), but share the cost with a relative, your neighbour or a good friend. You know they’re going to borrow it anyway, so save some money on the purchase by splitting the cost. You’ll be able to buy better equipment so it will last longer and, because the co-purchaser is invested, they’ll be more likely to take care of it when they use it, which saves money down the road on replacements.

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Maple Ridge: 22308 Dewdney Trunk Road 604.466.2838

Pitt Meadows: #2-19126 Ford Road 604.459.2838Each office independently owned and operated

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WEAVER, JEFF604-809-8788jeffweaver.ca

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WOOD, RACHAEL604-999-7448rachaelwood.ca

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WEININGER, RAINERManager/[email protected]

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Maple Ridge: 22308 Dewdney Trunk Road 604.466.2838

Pitt Meadows: #2-19126 Ford Road 604.459.2838Each office independently owned and operated

AMBROSE, JANE604-230-2676ambroseandassociates.com

AMBROSE, [email protected]

ANTALEK, RON604-351-3261ronantalek.com

ANTALEK, [email protected]

BARTHELS, [email protected]

BARTHELS, GORDON604-250-0594gordonbarthels.com

BELL, [email protected]

BHARWANI, ANIL604-476-1111anilbharwani.com

BOROS, KELLY604-762-4212kellyboros.com

BUDD, FRANK604-724-5567frankbudd.com

BUYZE-KERR, LYNDY604-466-2838lyndybuyzekerr.com

CARLSON, [email protected]

CHADWICK, MATHEW604-466-2838mathewchadwick.com

CHIVERS, GLEN604-420-9100 [email protected]

CRAIK, [email protected]

DALE, JOHN604-816-9604johndale.ca

DIPIETRA, [email protected]



DUSHOP, PETER604-765-7934peterdushop.com

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HARTT, RYAN778-866-7478ryanhartt.ca

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HILL, TRACY604-644-7134tracyhill.com

JEEVES, [email protected]

JOHNSON, ROB [email protected]

JOHNSTON, [email protected]

KEEGAN, [email protected]

KEENAN, ADRIAN604-312-6488adriankeenan.com

KEE, [email protected]

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MANYK, LORRAINE604-828-8634rltylink.com

MOUDATSOS, MARIA778-388-6533realestateinmapleridge.com

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O’GRADY, JOHN604-202-5117mapleridgerealestate.com

PACHECO, [email protected]

PFEIFFER, ASHLEY604-813 4421therightproperty.ca

R.P. [email protected]

RUPPEL, [email protected]

SHEPPARD, [email protected]

SMITH, TERRI778-988-1224terrismith.ca



TENBRINK, DAN604-762-4663dantenbrink.com

TOORENBURGH, [email protected]

WAGNER, [email protected]

WEAVER, JEFF604-809-8788jeffweaver.ca

WILLIAMS, JIM604-463-22006044632200.com

WILSON, [email protected]

WOOD, RACHAEL604-999-7448rachaelwood.ca

WYANT, SANDRA604-813-9447sandrawyant.com

WEININGER, RAINERManager/[email protected]

FRAIPONT, GARYRealtor/Owner604-466-2838rltylink.com

BOUCHARD, [email protected]

For TheWay You LiveREMAX-RIDGEMEADOWS-BC.COM


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Finding a Safe neighbourhoodLooking for a new home is always a worrisome process because there are so many issues to consider. Is the house right for my family? What are local schools and public transportation like? Can I afford the place I have my eye on? There are so many questions, but one of the most important is what is the neighbourhood like? Is there any crime on the street? What are the neighbours like? Any drug houses or grow ops? Will my family be safe and secure in this new neighbourhood?

Clint van Blanken, coordinator of crime prevention programs for Ridge Meadows RCMP, knows these questions are paramount to home buyers, so he offers the following tips for assessing whether the neigh-bourhood you’re considering is right for you. He also has some thoughts about making it safer once you’ve moved in.

The first thing you can look for

when you’re thinking about a specifi c neighbourhood, says van Blanken, is the presence of a Block Watch program for that area. Not every neighbourhood has one, much as he’d like them to, but if you see Block Watch signs in an area it means the neighbours look out for one another, and are attuned to what’s going on around them.

“A Block Watch program helps create a sense of community,” he adds. “It means there are eyes and ears on the neighbourhood. If there isn’t one already in your neigh-bourhood, you should consider becoming a Block Watch captain. There’s no cost, it’s not all that time

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consuming, and there may even be financial benefits to having the program in your neighbourhood because some insurance companies offer a break to people living in Block Watch areas.”

If you’re considering renting in an apartment complex, van Blanken says you should consider buildings that have been certified under the Crime Free Multi-Housing program, which is going to be ramped up again this fall.

The multi-housing program is tar-geted at apartment blocks and involves a security assessment and other activ-ities that lead to safer buildings because tenants are then required to include a crime and safety addendum to their lease. Again, there are potential financial benefits because buildings that are cer-tified qualify for tax breaks, which are often passed on to tenants in the form of lower rents. It’s worth checking out, van Blanken says.

Anyone considering a new neigh-bourhood, in general, says the crime prevention coordinator, should do some basic reconnaissance before buying or renting. Take a walk through the neigh-bourhood at different times of the day and see what takes place. Knock on the

doors of people already living in the area and ask them whether they con-sider the neighbourhood to be safe.

This strategy is echoed by security professional Mike Morden, of ASC Professional Security Services, who notes it’s important to spend a bit of time in the area to “get a feel for it.”

He notes grow ops are a big concern, but adds: “Some simple surveillance over several days will provide the infor-mation you need … the neighbourhood should look and feel safe. Spend some time there, talk to the neighbours, check with bylaws at the city, as well as your local police.”

The big thing, says van Blanken, is for people to get to know their neighbours, and to talk with them about small issues before they become big problems.

Van Blanken says people typically want the police or the municipality to take care of problems for them, but that they can save themselves a headache by being proactive before moving into an area, and by becoming involved after they arrive.

❚ Robert Prince

5 Ways to Create a safe Community

1 Get to know your neighbours.

2 Talk to your neighbours when you see a problem developing and discuss options.

3 If a crime takes place in your neighbourhood, report it – Police can only target crime hot spots if they know about them, and non-reporting is a sure way to be overlooked.

4 Form a Block Watch unit in your area.

5 Take pride in your street – don’t let graffiti and garbage, for instance, show the criminals that people in your neighbourhood don’t care.

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The rising importance of a good credit scoreA credit score may not be a subject of everyday conversation, but it can have a large impact on your ability to buy a home.

Jeff Knutson, the manager of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows branch of Envision Financial, said credit scores are becoming critical even beyond that, as they’re no longer used just when you’re applying for a loan.

“Credit scoring systems allow lenders to quickly evaluate a potential bor-rower’s credit worthiness by looking at patterns of credit usage,” Knutson said. “Historically, credit scores were only used by lenders, but now we see employers, l a n d l o r d s , i n s u r a n c e

companies and utility com-panies using the systems as well. This means that main-taining a healthy credit score is more important than ever.”

What exactly is a credit score, though? It’s a snapshot of how you use credit pro-vided by one of several agencies. It’s affected by factors such as your total amount of outstanding debt, how quickly you pay debt off, your credit account history, the types of credit you use and how frequently organi-zations are looking up your credit. Knutson said credit

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scores can di ffer s l igh t ly be tween agencies, but tend to follow the same principles.

“There are several agencies in the mar-ketplace, but the two most prominent are TransUnion and Equifax,” he said. “Each agency has its own system, which will make the scores vary somewhat, but they should generally be in the same range.”

O n e i m p o rt a n t element in main-taining a good credit s c o r e i s s i m p l y making payments quickly. That shouldn’t b e o v e r l o o k e d , Knutson said.

“Make your pay-ments on t ime ,” he added. “Setting your bills to auto-matically come out

of your bank account is an effective way to manage your payments.”

Even if you make every payment on time, though, having large credit balances can still count against you. Knutson recommends having a substantial gap between what you owe and what you’re allowed to owe.

“Keep your balance on your revolving credit [credit cards and lines of credit] below 50 per cent of the limits,” he said. “The more

room you have, the better you’re able to withstand emergencies.”

The makeup of your credit portfolio can matter, too.

“The type of credit you have can affect your score,” Knutson said. “A healthy balance between loans and revolving credit is good.”

Knutson said one of the most crucial aspects of man-aging your credit score is simply keeping an eye on it, and doing so long before you need to.

“Be proactive in your credit management,” he said. “Contact Equifax and TransUnion directly to obtain a copy of your bureau. Don’t let mistakes or fraud sideline you when you’re ready to make an important purchase.”

He said the t ime lag involved in a credit score means dealing with issues early is critical.

“Balances that show on your bureau are not in real time,” Knutson said. “This means if you make a payment to your credit card today, your bureau may not show this until the following month. If you’re applying for a loan and the payment is significant, be prepared to show proof to your lender.”• More information on

credit scores and how to obtain a copy of your credit report is available at transunion.ca & equifax.ca.

❚ Andrew Bucholtz

Jeff Knutson of Envision Financial. Photo by Colleen Flannagan.


10 Steps to Buying Your Home 1. Are you ready to buy?You should already have saved some of your down payment and should be good at managing debt like credit cards or loans. A mortgage is a fi nancial responsibility that also requires constant upkeep. 2. Decide how much you can afford.Use this simple equation to consider what to expect after you’ve saved for your down payment. The cost of buying a home = one time costs (down payment, legal fees, inspection fees and taxes) + monthly costs (mortgage, utilities, maintenance, insurance and property taxes).3. Decide what you want to buy.First decide where you want to live (urban, suburban, rural) and then decide which neighbourhood suits you best and what type of home (detached, attached or apartment) you want. Whether or not the property is new or resale may also affect your costs. 4. Find the right Realtor®.There are many ways to fi nd a real estate agent; drive through neighbourhoods that interest you and jot down names,

go to open houses, look at advertising, ask friends and family for referrals. Interview two or three and pick the one you like best.5. See what’s out there.Realtors® run an incredible search tool called the Multiple Listings Service®

(MLS®) which contains information on property listings. Your agent can send you listings that fit your criteria and together you can draw up a short list and visit them. 6. Sell your current home. 7. Add specialists to your team.Decide on a lender. A notary public or a lawyer will help you understand the many legal documents that come with buying your home. A home inspector can save you from unpleasant surprises when you move in. 8. Make an offer.Realtors® are expertly trained and will prepare your offer for you and explain any terminology you don’t understand.9. Arrange a mortgage.There are banks, credit unions and other lenders available for you. Talk to your financial institution and call around

to others. Ask friends or family for referrals. Realtors® are knowledgeable about mortgages and may refer you.

10. Close the deal and move in.Your offer has been accepted and your real estate agent and notary public or lawyer will do most of the closing work. Make sure you understand the con-ditions of the agreement that require immediate action on your part.


www.clickmyhome.ca

Creating Clarity and Confidence in all your Real Estate Endeavors

Bob vandenBrink,

R.I.(BC)604-812-2894

[email protected]

Bob and Amanda were both raised in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows and have enjoyed what these communities have to offer for many years. As a father/daughter team with backgrounds in Marketing Management and Urban

Land Economics specializing in Real Estate Marketing and Real Estate Appraisal. We bring a new energy to every detail and our knowledge and passion for the

real estate industry will help make your home sale or purchase a smooth and exciting process that will stay

with you for years to come.

Specializing in Residential and Farm/Acreage properties.

Call us for all your Real Estate Needs.

Amanda vandenBrink

[email protected]

Brookside Realty

11933 224th St., Maple Ridge

Donald LockwoodNotary Public

203-22320 Lougheed Highway 604-463-7181donaldlockwood.com [email protected]

Put our professional team to work for you!Visit us for Conveyancing (property sales/purchases), Notarizations, Wills/Powers of Attorney, Mortgages (New/Refinance), Subdivisions, Easement, Rights of way, and more!

Purchasing or Selling a Home?

Brookside Realty

11933 224th St., Maple Ridge [email protected]

When you work with me, you can count on personal, attentive, patient service, excellent

knowledge of the area, great negotiation skills and expert selling strategies.

Love where you live...Dianne Enns604-655-2505


10 Steps for Selling Your Home 1. Decide when to sell.In real estate, timing can influence your home’s selling price. Factors like how quickly you need to sell, whether it’s a buyers or sellers market and season-ality all play a role in your home’s final selling price.2. Find a Realtor® who’s right for you.The agent who helped you buy your home is a good place to start. They already know your home and they know you, so you’ll be saving time right from the start. Or look for names on For Sale signs in your neighbourhood or ask friends or family. Make sure to interview candidates and choose the one you like best.3. Sign a listing agreement.This authorizes your agent and their bro-kerage to market and sell your home. It will define the legal relationship between you and the real estate bro-kerage and also set a time limit for your agent to sell your home.4. Determine your home’s asking price.The right asking price will attract buyers and pay you a maximum return. Setting too low a price means you could miss

out on thousands of dollars. Setting too high a price will scare away buyers. Your goal is to find fair market value. 5. Add some specialists to your team.Similar to when you bought your home, it’s essential to have a notary public or lawyer handle all the documents that change hands and make sure your interests are protected. 6. Prepare your home for sale.Now is the time to see your home through a buyer’s eyes: get rid of clutter, clean and repair as much as you can, within reason. Remember, weigh the cost of all your home improvements versus the potential financial return. 7. Let your Realtor® do what they do.Your agent will begin to market your home. For Sale sign, open houses, newspaper ads, a listing on MLS®, the internet and of course through your agent’s relationship with other agents. 8. Prepare your finances.Will the buyer “assume” your mortgage or are you “discharging” it. If you’re buying a new home, is your mortgage “portable”? What taxes are involved? These are important questions to ask

your agent, your lender and your notary public or lawyer. 9. Receive an offer.Although Realtors® will walk you through the process, be prepared for some stress. You will see every offer since it’s required that you see every offer submitted. You will have three options: accept, reject or counter offer. 10. Close the deal.Yo u w e r e s u c -cessful and have drafted a legally binding agreement. Contact your lawyer or notary public, your lending insti-tution and consult y o u r R e a l t o r ®. Immediately start satisfying any con-ditions of the agreement that require action on your part. On closing day, your lawyer or notary public will finalize all the details and give you a cheque for the net proceeds.


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Buyers may look at dozens of houses before fi nding the right one. Here’s a checklist to guide you through the things to con-sider when house hunting. Keep notes on each house you see so you can compare.

Location: ________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

Asking price: ____________________________________________

Annual property taxes: __________________________________

Type of house: __________________________________________

Neighbourhood type: ____________________________________

Neighbourhood condition: _______________________________

Zoning restrictions: ______________________________________

Proximity to schools: ____________________________________

Proximity to main roads: _________________________________

Lot size and shape: ______________________________________

Size and condition of front and back yards: _______________

Number of stories: ______________________________________

Driveway: _______________________________________________

Siding type and condition: _______________________________

Overall condition of exterior: _____________________________

Garage type and size: ____________________________________

Backyard privacy: _______________________________________

Patio/deck type and condition: ___________________________

Roof type and condition: _________________________________

Windows type and condition: ____________________________

Room sizes: _____________________________________________

Number of bedrooms: ___________________________________

Number of bathrooms: __________________________________

Kitchen cabinet type and quantity: _______________________

Countertops type and condition: _________________________

Floors type and condition: _______________________________

Wall colours and condition: ______________________________

Fireplace/wood burning stove: ___________________________

Basement description: ___________________________________

Electrical wiring and outlets: _____________________________

Lighting fi xtures: ________________________________________

Plumbing condition: _____________________________________

Heating type and condition: ______________________________

Hot water heater age and condition: ______________________

Appliances: _____________________________________________

Insulation: ______________________________________________

Your HouseHunting Checklist

other Costs to Buying a HomeThe price of the house you are buying is not the only cost you need to consider when deciding if you can afford to buy. There are other costs to consider:

• Legal Fees• Appraisal Fee• Home Inspection• Title Insurance• Property Transfer Tax or Land Transfer Tax• Water Tests/Septic Tests—depending on location• Survey Certifi cates• Prepaid Expenses

• Property Tax—typically paid for the year so the seller is reimbursed the portion of the year that the buyer will occupy

• Utility Bills• Strata/Condo Administration Costs to produce

• Estoppel Certifi cate• Insurance Binder• Form A

• HST/GST—new construction only

❚ Courtesy Envision Financial, Ridge Meadows Branch

WENDY D. WHITTERNotary Public

604-467-531322568 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge

MEMBER

Jan HickmanEach office independently owned and operated

604-828-3445 homesmapleridge.com

The Realtor who unites Hearts and Homes


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Paul Chang

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Al HogarthMaple Ridge, BC

MARKETING & SALES BY SALES BY

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september 26, 2012

Documents

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