A "green house" minimizes its use of outside energy; minimizes the pollution that it expels while maximizing the comfort, health, safety, and well being of its inhabitants. Ultimately it is better for the homeowner, better for the earth, and better for the economy.

The Finance Department's recent announcement regarding changes to zero down mortgages and 40 year amortization mortgages come October 2008, has many of the lenders such as TD Canada Trust, CIBC and ING eliminating these products from their line up.

Not All Realtors are Equal 1. Communication - Active realtors return phone calls promptly; they know you are their Boss for the duration of the listing or until you buy your new home. 2. Advice - Your realtor should recommend a listing program and price, changes or alterations to be made to your home and answer all questions to your satisfaction. 3. Recommendations - red flags should go off if your realtor insists you use a particular lender, building inspector or painter. It is OK to RECOMMEND but you are the boss and have the last word. 4. Just a part time job. You are probably not going to be happy with your realtor when your find out his/her priorities.

One-in-four Canadian households are paying 30% or more of their income on housing. Statistics Canada confirms that the cost of housing (rental and ownership) has been rising faster than the rate of inflation. The reality is that millions of Canadians don’t have enough money to pay their rent, mortgage payments or other necessities such as energy costs, medicine, food,transportation,clothing and other basics.

Letter from D. Watt President, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver to the Vancouver Sun "We're deeply concerned that The Vancouver Sun's view, expressed in the June 25 editorial, Rising real estate fraud makes title insurance essential, is causing unnecessary panic among B.C. homeowners. The Land Title and Survey Authority reported that over the past 18 years it processed 15 million transactions. In that time, two claims related to land ownership fraud were resolved and only 14 claims related to mortgage fraud were filed. Contrary to your assertions, the authority says there's been no increase in the number of fraud cases and that cases

- animal control - archives - community centres - drainage and flood hazard management - fire departments - libraries - local historic sites - local road maintenance - museums - parks - policing - sewer infrastructure - skating rinks - swimming pools - water infrastructure

Flippers are beginning to panic because of the latest headlines stating the market is about to tank.  They will have some difficulties because developers are not permitting assignments at this time.  In fact, most developers are not allowing buyers to advertise their units until the development has sold out.

Is about making a small, low-effort change to your home, ensuring maximum impact for the minimum amount of work. With some tweaking tips your home will acquire a warm, welcoming, guest-ready feel in no time. Call - Susanne Solby of Colors at 604.290.1992

Yes, sales counts are down across the province Yes, out-of-province purchases are down compared to last year Yes, sales values are down in three of the six regions But, as recently as 2001, there were only 90,000 sales for $16 billion (Q1/08 saw 26,860 sales for $11.695 billion) But, three out of the six regions saw increases in total sales value despite the decreased number of sales But, this is only the first quarter, which traditionally only accounts for less than 20% of the total year's sales So, what does this mean? The market is cooling and a downturn is here, but there is no need for alarm. Looking at the first quarter results, we expect

Why do buyers continue to believe they are going to get a better deal on a "foreclosure"? From years of experience they are overrated. To start, properties go into foreclosure because of default on a mortgage. It is usually the bank who sells the foreclosed property. To arrive at a listing price the bank appraisers and the real estate agent, who they select to sell the property, come up with a list price. The owners are going to be forced out of their home so they are not usually happy to show their home, and the property will be sold "as is" which means they will probably remove the fridge, stove, washer/dryer and anything else they can