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Wow! so much going on... What an incredible month it is here in the Lower Mainland!
So many exciting things going on in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley; the 2010 Winter Olympics are only a couple of days away, Chinese New Year is coming quick with the Year of the Tiger and not to forget Valentine's Day!!!
It was so exciting this morning watching the Torch Relay moving thru my small community of Walnut Grove, I am finally really feeling the Olympic Spirit and so excited for our city to be a part of something so huge and something that puts us back on the map as the beautiful and amazing place we call home. Here are some pictures from the very exciting day...my daughter Olivia was decked out in her Canada gear, up early and so excited(she's the cutie on the left)!
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| Fraser Valley Real Estate Board Education Week -----and what a week it was!
Last week was our annual Education week at the Coast Plaza Hotel. We had some great speakers and I learned alot! Some of the notable speakers were (to me anyways) Steve Jagger, Cameron Muir and Michael Campbell. Steve Jagger is a social networking guru, who spoke to us about how technology is changing the face of marketing with new platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in, Meet-ups. It was very interesting for me especially as I am constantly questioning as to whether or not these social networks actually grow your business, but it sure gave me a lot to think about.
Cameron Muir is the Real Estate Board's Chief Economist who had so many numbers, statistics, and predictions for 2010, it was mind bogglng. Some notable tidbits..."We will see fairly moderate growth in Canada this year, we are of course tied to the U.S. and their economic malaise which slows us and our recovery....although prices have come back to previous highs, the interest rates that have been driving our real estate growth will increase in the latter part of the year (probably June)". One of the biggest concerns with our market is the "slow inventory growth, housing starts have not been able to get up fast enough to supply buyers...the current pent up demand has driven the prices up and the inventory is too low."
I read in yesterday's Province: "Record Housing Prices Forcast", the moves to tighten mortgage rules and curb household debt possible as market picks up steam..."Canadian real -estate sales and prices are poised to set records this year, according to a new forcast." source: gmarr@nationalpost.com A very good article, if you want more information on this article, give me a call and I will be happy to get the article to you.
All in all, a very postive outlook for Real Estate for 2010, the past few months have been incredible; if you are considering making a move, now is the time, before the prices go up any more, before the interest rates rise, before the HST comes in...what are you waiting for? |
Buying a Home with Confindence- Top 5 Most Common Mistakes
1.Not Knowing your current credit rating and current financial situation. A good credit rating can improve your ability to get loans and mortgages, not knowing can obviously affect your buying power..
You can check this yourself at www.equifax.ca and then there are no surprises.
2.Being unrealistic about how much you can afford. There are many tools available online that can help to determine how much you can afford, just by entering in your income and expenses will tell you what you can afford. You can find a mortgage calucultor on my handy dandy website: www.jennifertrentadue.com which will help with this.
3. Not considering a mortgage pre-approval. Knowing the amount that you will be approved for gives you the confidence to begin looking at homes within your price range. At most banks, once you are pre-approved, your mortgage rates are guaranteed for 90 days or more. If the rates go up during that period, you're protected, if they go down you are automatically given the lower rate.
4.Thinking that you won't qualify for a mortgage at all. There are many solutions and creative financing -times have changed and so have the financial institutions and the lending practises. There are many different programs that you will most likely fit into to achieve your dream of being a home owner.
5. Forgetting about Closing Costs. Don't forget about all of the important closing details. It usually safe to factor approximately 1.5% of the purchase costs in addition to the price of the home for things such as: Home inpection, legal fees, Property Transfer tax, tax/utility bill adjustments, property insurance, moving costs. |
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Watch next month for HST update, I know that I promised the HST information for this month, but I think that I will leave it for March, there has been so much news about money and financing already in this newsletter. Also watch for new and sold listing updates, new Needs and Wants, and a new March coupon.
As well, the highest compliment my cients can give me is the referral of their family, friends and business associates. And by the way, I am never too busy for your referrals.
Cheers, and Happy February!
Jennifer Trentadue
Royal LePage Wolstencroft |
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RECENT SOLDS
Highland Ridge Walnut Grove Townhouse, sold to my very special and lucky new buyers from the UK, on the market 1 day!!!
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February Special: |
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Legal on me! For any new clients looking to buy and sell with me during the month of February, they will receive their legal fees of up to $1500.00 paid for by me!!
Needs and Wants:
-I have clients looking for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhouse in Aldergrove, hopefully on 32nd Avenue.
-I also have clients looking for a fixer-upper detached investment house in Langley, including Aldergrove, Surrey and Cloverdale,
-I also have clients looking for houses in the James Kennedy school catchment area, and
-I also have clients looking (as always) for homes in the Greenwood/Forrest Creek area of Walnut Grove with and without basements.
Please contact me if you know of anything or anyone that may have any of the above types of properties
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Who can Resist Caramel Corn????
I recently spent the weekend in Victoria eating some homemade caramel corn made by my budding chef nephew Luke, and it inspired me to dig out a recipe for you all!!!
Caramel Popcorn
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
5 quarts popped popcorn
-Preheat oven to 250 degree F, put popcorn in large bowl.
-Using med. sized saucepan over med. heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring 4 mins. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Pour in a thin stream over popcorn stirring to coat.
-Place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven stirring every 15 mins for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool before chowing down!!!!!
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Cheryl's Scotiabank Update
2nd Opinion can win you $10,000!!!! |
Avoiding your RSP's....$10,000 says we can change that! Just meet with a Scotiabank Personal Banker for a free no obligation review of your investment portfolio and you will be entered to win $10,000. Scotiabank is giving away $10,000 twice weekly until March 1, 2010. Get your plan reviewed and get in the draw. To meet with a Personal Banker or review your lending strategies to invest...call me Cheryl Batke AMP at 778-554-3304, You're Richer than you think!
February 8, 2010 Mortgage Rates
MORTGAGE*** Your Rate* APR*
1-year closed 2.49% 2.48%
2-year closed 3.15% 3.13%
3-year closed 3.40% 3.38%
4-year closed 3.89% 3.86%
5-year closed 3.89% 3.86%
7-year closed 5.30% 5.24%
5 Yr. Variable rate Prime 2.25% 2.25%
Ask about the Scotia Free down no downpymt-No Problem! |
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