Old, outdated, and broken electronics are piling up in our landfills. Many commodities found in electronics can be recovered and recycled. Glass, copper, steel aluminium, plastic and precious metals can be removed and reused in new products.
BC Return -it Electronics is a province wide electronics recycling program. You can drop off end-of-life products at any of the collection sites free of charge. Items that can be recycled include: fax machines, tvs, desktop computers, computer monitors, keyboards, mouse, cables,laptops and desktop printers. (Have a working useable electronic? Make sure to donate it to a thrift store).
Encorp also recycles beverage containers including milk cartons. You can free up landfill space and make some extra cash too with your beverage containers! For information on the recycling programs, a list of recylcing locations and beverage deposits visit http://www.encorp.ca/
Friday, February 27, 2009
January 2009 housing statistics
(Surrey, BC) – A total of 389 sales were processed through Fraser Valley’s MLS® in January, a decrease of 59 per cent compared to 956 sales in January 2008 and comparable to January sales figures last seen in the early 1980s, according to statistics from Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service®. However, for the fourth month in a row, the Board received fewer new listings. REALTORS® added 2,003 new listings in January 2009, 30 per cent less compared to the same month last year. This decreased the number of properties available in the Fraser Valley to 8,630, 26 percent higher than January 2008, but 30 percent fewer than the Board’s record high number of active listings in September 2008.
“Those who don’t have to buy right now aren’t and they’re creating tremendous opportunity for those who are house-hunting,” says Kelvin Neufeld, president of the Board. “The ability right now for Fraser Valley REALTORS® to negotiate for their buyers is the strongest it’s been in over a decade.” Neufeld says if the current imbalance between supply and demand continues to change with the trend moving toward a decrease in homes on the market, buyers will only have this window of opportunity for so long. “When selection decreases, pricing becomes more competitive,” he says.
Residential benchmark prices, the value of a ‘typical’ Fraser Valley detached home as determined by the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI)*, decreased 9.6 per cent compared to January 2008, the eighth consecutive monthly decline. The benchmark price was $452,145 in January 2009 compared to $500,070 last year.
The HPI benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses decreased by 8.5 per cent in one year, going from $322,888 in January 2008 to $295,339 in January 2009, while the benchmark price of apartments decreased by 12.9 per cent going from $253,198 in January of last year to $220,595 in January 2009.
* The MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI), established in 1995, is modeled on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures the rate of price change for a basket of goods and services including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Instead of measuring goods and services, the HPI measures the change in the price of housing features. Thus, the HPI measures typical, pure price change (inflation or defl ation). The HPI benchmarks represent the price of a typical property within each market. The HPI takes into consideration what averages and medians do not – items such as lot size, age, number of rooms, etc. These features become the composite of the ‘typical house’ in a given area. Each month’s sales determine the current prices paid for bedrooms, bathrooms, fi replaces, etc. and apply those new values to the ‘typical’ house model.
Source FVREB
“Those who don’t have to buy right now aren’t and they’re creating tremendous opportunity for those who are house-hunting,” says Kelvin Neufeld, president of the Board. “The ability right now for Fraser Valley REALTORS® to negotiate for their buyers is the strongest it’s been in over a decade.” Neufeld says if the current imbalance between supply and demand continues to change with the trend moving toward a decrease in homes on the market, buyers will only have this window of opportunity for so long. “When selection decreases, pricing becomes more competitive,” he says.
Residential benchmark prices, the value of a ‘typical’ Fraser Valley detached home as determined by the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI)*, decreased 9.6 per cent compared to January 2008, the eighth consecutive monthly decline. The benchmark price was $452,145 in January 2009 compared to $500,070 last year.
The HPI benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses decreased by 8.5 per cent in one year, going from $322,888 in January 2008 to $295,339 in January 2009, while the benchmark price of apartments decreased by 12.9 per cent going from $253,198 in January of last year to $220,595 in January 2009.
* The MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI), established in 1995, is modeled on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures the rate of price change for a basket of goods and services including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Instead of measuring goods and services, the HPI measures the change in the price of housing features. Thus, the HPI measures typical, pure price change (inflation or defl ation). The HPI benchmarks represent the price of a typical property within each market. The HPI takes into consideration what averages and medians do not – items such as lot size, age, number of rooms, etc. These features become the composite of the ‘typical house’ in a given area. Each month’s sales determine the current prices paid for bedrooms, bathrooms, fi replaces, etc. and apply those new values to the ‘typical’ house model.
Source FVREB
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Buyers Market Conditions! Market Outlook
Economic growth is set to moderate in the province, but will remain stronger than the national average. New home construction will decline over the forecast period. High
levels of existing homes listed for sale, as well as fewer overall home sales, has created buyers’ market conditions throughout the province.
Resales: A slowing economy and job market will contribute to lower the number of existing home sales through MLS® this year, after a significant decrease in 2008. Resales will increase in 2010 as a stronger economy and lower mortgage carrying costs, as a result of moderating house prices, eventually draw buyers back to the housing market.
Prices: Buyers’ market conditions will prevail throughout 2009 and result in lower home prices. The average MLS® price will decline ten per cent this year, to just under $408,000, and narrow the price gap with the rest of Canada. In 2010, the resale market will return to more balanced supply and demand conditions, and will result in an average existing home price stabilized at close to the 2009 level.
Thinking of Buying? CALL ME!
SOURCE: CMHC Housing Market Outlook
levels of existing homes listed for sale, as well as fewer overall home sales, has created buyers’ market conditions throughout the province.
Resales: A slowing economy and job market will contribute to lower the number of existing home sales through MLS® this year, after a significant decrease in 2008. Resales will increase in 2010 as a stronger economy and lower mortgage carrying costs, as a result of moderating house prices, eventually draw buyers back to the housing market.
Prices: Buyers’ market conditions will prevail throughout 2009 and result in lower home prices. The average MLS® price will decline ten per cent this year, to just under $408,000, and narrow the price gap with the rest of Canada. In 2010, the resale market will return to more balanced supply and demand conditions, and will result in an average existing home price stabilized at close to the 2009 level.
Thinking of Buying? CALL ME!
SOURCE: CMHC Housing Market Outlook
Monday, February 9, 2009
Great time to BUY
"Because the market can create a knee-jerk reaction among sellers, and market perception can create a hesitance among the buyers, prices can be lower on the way down than they will be at the bottom.... What does this mean?...It's a GREAT time to buy!" source:Mortgage News Daily
Lower prices with great mortgage rates! Thinking of Buying , give me a call, I would be happy to help.
Lower prices with great mortgage rates! Thinking of Buying , give me a call, I would be happy to help.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Mortgage Rates
Fixed rates are still edging downward, especially for the ‘quick close’ mortgages completing within 45 days of approval. For purchases/refinances of investment or ‘mortgage-helper’ properties, a percentage of rental income can be offset against mortgage payments . . . a very good opportunity at fine, fine rates
Mortgage Rates Effective - February 6, 2009
Prime Rate: 3.00%
Our Best Deals: Floating Rate - Closed, variable mortgage @ Prime + .80 = 3.80%
Mortgage Rates Effective - February 6, 2009
Prime Rate: 3.00%
Our Best Deals: Floating Rate - Closed, variable mortgage @ Prime + .80 = 3.80%
Thursday, February 5, 2009
New Federal Budget affects homeowners
The January 27th federal budget brought forth change for homeowners and first-time home buyers. Here are 2 two highlights that will be useful for many first-time Buyers:
- RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan Increase The budget proposes a $5,000 increase to the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, First-time home buyers will be able to withdraw up to $25,000 from their RRSP's for a down payment – tax- and interest-free!!
- Tax Credit for First-Time Home buyers Also proposed is a $750 tax credit for first-time home buyers to help with closing costs, ie: legal fees, disbursements and land transfer taxes. The tax credit will be based on an amount of $5,000 for first-time purchasers who buy a principal residence home. Credit for the tax year will be based on the lowest personal income tax rate for the year and is claimable for the tax year in which the home is purchased.
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