Scott Leaf Realtor - Maple Ridge, Pitt Lake & Tri-Cities Real Estate: British Columbia: Maple Ridge

Real Estate in Maple Ridge 5 Bedroom Home on Large Lot For Sale

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12314 Fletcher Street, Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Updated basement entry on 8120 sqft lot, R.V. parking. Features 5 bedrms, new 5pc main bath, refinished hardwood, new carpet & linoleum, new furnace, new kitchen, fridge & stove, light fixtures, 2 F/P, new deck, rail & paint. Large sundeck features Natural Gas BBQ connection.

 

 

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

3 Bedroom home on Greenbelt in Maple Ridge's Albion neighborhood for sale

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Lightly lived Maple Ridge home, 3 bedroom with an unfinished basement on Greenbelt, walking distance to Albion Elementary & SRT High School. Situated on a quiet street, off the beaten path in a very family oriented neighbourhood. This ready to move in home in the eastern Maple Ridge area of Albion has room for a growing family & a basement you can custom finish for an extra bedroom and/or your dream media room. Double garage gets your car off the street & a chain link fenced yard keeps the young kids and/or pets under control. Featuring a large open kitchen with island & pantry. The basement is a blank canvas awaiting your inspiration to be finished. Home in great shape, come see!  Offered for sale by Maple Ridge Realtor Scott Leaf of Keller Williams Elite Realty.

 

10006 - 240A Street, Maple Ridge, BC

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

8 Story High Zip Line over Downtown Vancouver - You gotta check this out!

 CLICK HERE if You Want to Look at homes in the Vancouver & Fraser Valley area!

What is the Olympic Experience?  Ambiguous at best but unforgettable for sure.  The Olympic experience is seeing your city as you have never seen it before.  Standing at the normally busiest intersection in the city and watching street performers, taking in all the pavilions, both corporate and nationalistic but check out this unforgettable Olympic Experience!

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 Poised 8 stories above the centre of the Downtown core of Vancouver, over top of the Robson Square media centre and ice rink is the Vancouver Zip Line!  Imagine flying over a crowd of thousands on a 30 second ride of your life and ending up over beside the Vancouver Art Gallery!  What a ride!!!

I spoke with one of the staff manning it yesterday and he told me that the people riding at about 4pm had been lined up since 9am that morning for this Free Experience.  There has been a call heard in the news media that this amazing experience might just need to be another Olympic Legacy that should be kept.

Get your butt out the door from your comfortable perch in Maple Ridge real estate, and come feel the Olympic Experience!

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Maple Ridge Homes Marketed with Movies...take that Virtual Tours!

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There is a disturbing trend in the Real Estate industry to cheap out and cobble a bunch of photographs together using something that resembles a glorified PowerPoint presentation.

Most people know that the number one search engine in the World is Google but what they dont realize is that the #2 search engine is YouTube, guess who owns YouTube?  GOOGLE DOES! 

Google loves Video and hates Virtual Tour photo essays, if you are a Realtor and you are not using video you might as well completely go old school and show properties with a horse and buggy! 

We have all homes professionally photographed in Wide Angle as well as the movie which can also be used to show neighborhood context such as schools, transit, views etc!  Buyer's like photos but they love Video!

If you are selling Real Estate in the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody or Mission areas do not settle for inferior marketing, give us a call.

 

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Winter Olympic Torch Run visited Maple Ridge, British Columbia today

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olympic torch vancouver 2010 arives in Maple Ridge real estateThis morning, grudgingly in order to appease my 10 year old daughter, I fell out of bed at around 5:30 AM in order that I could drive her to the official Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch run through Maple Ridge, British Columbia real estate on its way to Vancouver where it will arrive in the 4 days time after winding through Greater Vancouver.

I like the Olympics but I don't like 5:30 AM, none the less I really enjoyed the ceremony.  Olivia and I were so close to the flame we felt the heat from it on our faces as the runner ran up to the stage at Maple Ridge's Peace Park.

We arrived just in time to secure right upfront position very near the cenotaph, literally inches from the torch runner.  Thousands converged at this early hour, and all joined in on an inspiring 'Oh Canada' as the torch ran up to the stage.

My daughter made me very proud by maning to catch this amazing up close picture of the torch in mid runner's stride, he was really moving and we were very close.  It would have been a tough shot for me!  I was working the Flip Camera and below is a short video montage of the event to.  I hope you enjoy it wherever you are in the World from metropolitan Vancouver/Whistler, British Columbia, home of the XXI Winter Olympiad in only 4 days!

 

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Olympic Torch Relay Schedule for Maple Ridge - February 8th

CLICK HERE if You Want to Look at homes!Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch

February 8th is the big day when the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay runs through Maple Ridge real estate.  Join the Community Celebration as the Olympic Flame passes through Maple Ridge in the morning of Monday, February 8. Celebrations will take place at Memorial Peace Park beginning at 6:15 am and runs until 8:00 am. An official ceremony, entertainment, Spirit of Wood unveiling, and free continental breakfast will be provided followed by "try-it" sport demonstrations. Due to rolling road closures and congestion around the celebration site the community is encouraged to walk or cycle to the event. Commuters should allow additional travel time to reach their destination. Please note that parking will be restricted in the downtown area.

District of Maple Ridge logo

The posted approximate start time is for the torch to arrive at Telosky Hill (Thomas Haney Secondary) at 7:06 am, winding through town until 8:13 am when it enters Pitt Meadows.

The torch is scheduled to leave Mission at 6:44am from about Wren and Lougheed, it would not be humanly possible to run it from there to Telosky in 20 minutes so it seems there will not be opportunities along the route through Ruskin, Whonnock or Albion to see much more then a convoy drive by until the arrival in the downtown core.

 Official Olympic Torch Relay Site

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Maple Ridge Post Office Mailboxes Robbed

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Maple Ridge Posst office mailboxes stolenMaple Ridge Post office mailboxes stolen

Remember the good old days when you opened up a mail chute on the side of the Post Office and dumped your mail inside?  Remember the sense of confidence you had trusting your mail with the Post Office and the surety in knowing that it would be delivered?

What you are seeing here is the brazen heist of three stuffed to the nuts, mailboxes from right in front of the Maple Ridge Post Office.  Apparently Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are the the midst of a crisis of mail theft on a unprecedented scale.

The S(t)uper Mailboxes and the Standup units, like the ones that were stolen from the Maple Ridge post office, are no match for a chain wrapped around them and attached to a speeding off truck.  I find myself timing my mail dropoff to coincide with the scheduled pickup and never dump mail on a weekend.  I have obtained a Post Office Box that I can trust for my mail delivery. 

Identity theft is at a crisis, creditors and credit agencies don't give you the benefit of the doubt.  You are convicted until you prove yourself innocent in their eyes.  Be warned, be wary!  If they can steal 3 stuffed mailboxes from in front of the Maple Ridge Post Office, then your neighborhood box is just as easy a target.  I know that most of the victims of the Maple Ridge heist are completely unaware of their victimization. 

Don't get me started on those readily available keys for the S(t)uper Mailboxes, thats an entirely different story.  Maple Ridge real estate isn't the only place where this is happening, this one just hits close to my home.

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Considering Selling in Maple Ridge? Get a Free Market Evaluation

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 Thinking of selling your Maple Ridge home in 2010?  Happy New Year 2010

We offer a no cost, no obligation Market Evaulation of your home to help get you started on your journey of moving up, moving away or downsizing.

Maple Ridge listings are in big demand in January 2010, listing counts are lowbut expected to rise towards Spring.  Consider listing your home today and avoid competing with the usual, yearly spat of new listings that occur each and every Spring.

There are so many Buyers right now waiting for homes to become available in Maple Ridge that homes are selling quite quickly when priced correctly.

Call me anytime, directly:  Scott Leaf 604-839-8239

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Where did Maple Ridge, British Columbia's name come from?

How did Maple Ridge get it's name?

Maple Ridge real estate was incorporated on September 12, 1874; it was the sixth municipality to be formed in B.C., preceded only by New Westminster, Victoria, Langley, Chilliwack, and North Cowichan. At that time Maple Ridge consisted of 33,000 acres, but had fewer than 50 families. McIver Farm Maple Trees Maple Ridge British Columbia

By 1874, several small communities had sprung up on the north side of the Fraser River including Port Haney, Port Hammond, Pitt Meadows, Whonnock, Albion, Ruskin, and Webster's Corners. One of the problems of small isolated communities is that they tend to stay small and isolated unless some means is found to build roads between them.

One of the earliest European settlers in the district was John Mclver, a Scot, who homesteaded where the Maple Ridge Golf Course is now located. The first Council was formed on October 3, 1874 when a group of men representing their small communities gathered at Mclver's farm to discuss incorporating the whole district between the Pitt River and Mission to allow taxation for road building. The McIver property with its ridge of beautiful maple trees which stretched for two miles along the river was the source for the name Maple Ridge.

Maple Ridge was not connected to New Westminster until 1913 with the construction of River Road and the Pitt River Bridge and was the only rural municipality in British Columbia through which the Canadian Pacific Railway passed.

source: The Corporation of the District of Maple Ridge

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Maple Ridge Christmas Tree Recycling Disposal (Chipping) 2010

The annual need to dispose of the Christmas Tree and have it recycled approaches as rapidly as does the New Year. This seasons options in Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows are as follows:

Maple RidgeMaple Ridge Christmas Tree Chipping - Recycling

Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue Annual Tree Chipping

Search and Rescue Building 23598 105 Avenue (next to Planet Ice)

Pick up service also available for minimum $10 donation! Call  (604) 244-2850  (604) 244-2850 or email scoutchipping@gmail.com. Include your name, number, address, and preferred date. Pick up provided for a minimum $10 donation.

Chipping event:

Jan 2 & 3

Jan 9 & 10

9:00am-4:00pm

Pick up dates:

Jan 2 & 3

Jan 9 & 10

Trees chipped for a donation. Proceeds go to Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue and First Haney Rovers.

Maple Ridge Transfer Station

(SSG Holdings) 10092 236TH St (604) 466-9277

During regular hours:

M 8am-5pm, Tu-W 8am-7pm, Th-Sa 8am-5pm, Su 10am- 5pm

Trees collected as yard waste. Regular green waste tipping fee applies (minimum $6)

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

CP Rail Christmas Train Comes To Maple Ridge December 18th

The CP Rail Christmas Train continues its cross-Canada journey into Alberta and B.C. CPR Christmas Trainon December 9 before completing its journey on December 18th, the day the train passes through Maple Ridge.

This is the 11th year that the Canadian Pacific Christmas Train has been raising food, money and awareness for food banks in communities across Canada and the U.S. To date, they've helped raise $4 million and 2 million pounds of food with our Holiday Train program.

From the initial partnership with the National Food sharing program this was a new idea formed in 1999.That December, CP began running a freight train decorated with thousands of Christmas lights across Canada, to raise awareness of the issue of hunger prevalent in all communities. In 2001, CP launched a second Holiday Train in the United States.Shaun Verrault Wide Mouth Mason

The goal of the Holiday Train is to collect food and money for local food banks and to raise awareness in the fight against hunger. At each event, the Holiday Train provides a box car stage, a line up of great musical talent and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. The community, in turn, is encouraged to donate food and funds, all of which stays in the community.

Entertainers on this train include the Odds, an alternative rock band, bringing their energy and full voiced harmonies to the Holiday Train stage for the first time. They will be joined by Shaun Verrault of the The OddsCanadian blues-rock trio Wide Mouth Mason.

Maple Ridge has long been a successful and well attended stop on the train's tour.

Maple Ridge Train Time - 7:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., across from the Billy Miner Pub on River Road.  Bring something for the Ridge Meadows Food Bank.

Bring the kids down to Maple Ridge's Historic Port Haney area and let the kids see Santa!

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Are you going to Hire a Professional Realtor?

 criticism of maple ridge realtors

 

This is part of a new advertising campaign we will be running in December 2009 in the neighborhoods I work most often.  A bit edgy, certainly eye catching and hopefully a bit provocative!  No apologies either, what do you do for the money you charge and how well do you do it? 

Don't do the tired old things others are doing!  Be different!

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Twilight Saga: Eclipse being filmed in and around Maple Ridge, British Columbia

It's official, the biggest thing since Harry Potter, the Twilight Saga is filming the second instalment Eclipse in and around the Lower Mainland of British Columbia in the suburbs of Vancouver.Forks Washington police cruiser twilight eclipse new moon

I spotted the "Forks Washington" Police Cruisers in storage, probably near an unidentified set in downtown Maple Ridge earlier this week and have been on the look out for one of the actual sets ever since.  If i got my 8 & 10 year old daughters on set of Eclipse I would be the coolest Dad in the World for at least the rest of the year in my girls eyes.

A movie set cropped up in the Maple Ridge real estate neighborhood of Albion which looked suspiciously like Eclipse, non-descript without the usual set arrow signs with a name on them.  My spider senses told me this might be a way to keep the young girls away from the set. So I pulled up, video camera in hand, and this is what happened:

In reality there is nothing Forks Washington in Eclipse, this may have not been an actual set for the Movie in Maple Ridge but some of the known sets have been located in:

  • Belcarra Regional Park, Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Capilano College, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada David Thompson Secondary School, Victoria-Fraserview, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Langley, British Columbia, Canada
  • Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada
  • Robert Burnaby Park, East Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
  • Steveston, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
  • Surrey, British Columbia, Canada  (Bella's house)
  • Vancouver Film Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Canada's Debt Clock

Its enough to make you sick, but what is even grosser is that the US Debt is $39,000 per person and spiraling out of control. The major buyers of the debt in 2009, are China and several Arab countries spearheaded by U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia. Scott Leaf, your Maple Ridge Realtor

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Transitional Rules for HST in BC for new Real Estate Construction

The British Columbia Government has released important details today with respect to the transitional implementation of the HST with resepct to new Real Estate construction.  The tax will not just occur on July 1, 2010 but will be phased in.  This is an important consideration for builders and buyers.

To help homebuyers and builders transition to the HST, transitional rules would be provided for new housing transactions that straddle July 1, 2010. The proposed transitional rules would be similar to the transitional rules that applied when the GST was introduced. These rules, including builder reporting and disclosure requirements, would be administered by the CRA.

 

Generally, sales of newly constructed or substantially renovated homes would be grandparented where the written agreements of purchase and sale are entered into on or before November 18, 20096 and both ownership and possession of the homes are transferred under the agreement after June 2010. These sales would be subject to the federal component of the HST but would not be subject to the provincial component of the HST.

Grandparenting generally would apply to sales of newly constructed or substantially renovated single-unit homes7 to individuals. Also, grandparenting generally would apply to sales of residential condominiums to all persons including individuals.

Sales of these grandparented homes would not be eligible for the B.C. new housing rebate or new rental housing rebate.

Grandparenting would not apply to traditional apartment buildings, duplexes, mobile homes, floating homes and homes built by owners for their personal use where construction straddles July 1, 2010, as the general transitional rules would apply differently to these homes. However, these homes may qualify for one or more of the following proposed rebates: the PST transitional new housing rebate, B.C. new housing rebate, B.C. new rental housing rebate in addition to the GST new housing rebate and the GST new residential rental property rebate that may be available.

9 On a temporary basis, large businesses (those with annual taxable - including zero-rated - sales in excess of $10 million) and financial institutions would not be able to claim ITCs in respect of the B.C. component of the HST on certain inputs used in their taxable activities. After the first five years of the HST implementation, ITCs for these inputs would be phased in over a three-year period. Items for which ITCs would be restricted are listed at www.gov.bc.ca/hst.

Traditional apartment buildings, duplexes, mobile homes and floating homes would be subject to the general application of tax (see above) such that the proposed HST would apply to the sale of these housing types if both ownership and possession are transferred to a purchaser on or after July 1, 2010. However, if under a written agreement of purchase and sale, either possession or ownership is transferred prior to July 1, 2010, then the provincial component of the HST would not apply.

Builders who are registrants for GST/HST purposes would be able to recover the provincial component of the HST paid on most purchases through input tax credits (ITCs), as under the GST, with limited exceptions.9 However, builders of grandparented homes generally would be required to pay an amount-a transitional tax adjustment-based on the extent of the home construction or substantial renovation completed as of July 1, 2010. The transitional tax adjustment for grandparented homes is intended to approximate the amount of PST, approximately two per cent, which would have been embedded in the price of the home, on average, under the current PST regime. Builders would also be required to meet certain reporting and disclosure requirements for grandparented homes.

The calculation of the transitional tax adjustment is described below.

9 On a temporary basis, large businesses (those with annual taxable - including zero-rated - sales in excess of $10 million) and financial institutions would not be able to claim ITCs in respect of the B.C. component of the HST on certain inputs used in their taxable activities. After the first five years of the HST implementation, ITCs for these inputs would be phased in over a three-year period. Items for which ITCs would be restricted are listed at www.gov.bc.ca/hst.

 Transitional Tax Adjustment - Single-Unit Homes

 

For grandparented sales of newly constructed or substantially renovated single-unit homes, including detached, semi-detached and attached homes, the builder generally would be required to pay a transitional tax adjustment where the home is completed in full or in part after June 2010.

The transitional tax adjustment for these homes would be calculated on the total consideration of the home, as established for GST purposes, based on the degree of construction or substantial renovation completed as of July 1, 2010, as follows:

Degree of completion of construction or substantial renovation on July 1, 2010

Transitional tax adjustment rate

< 10 per cent

2.0 per cent

10 per cent ≤ and < 25 per cent

1.5 per cent

25 per cent ≤ and < 50 per cent

1.0 per cent

50 per cent ≤ and < 75 per cent

0.5 per cent

75 per cent ≤ and < 90 per cent

0.2 per cent

≥ 90 per cent

0.0 per cent

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

BC Increases threshold for new BC HST Real Estate purchases

The Province is proposing to increase the threshold for the B.C. HST new housing rebate from $400,000 to $525,000 to ensure that, on average, purchasers of new homes up to $525,000 pay no more tax due to harmonization, Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced today.

"We heard the concerns from consumers and industry about how the HST might affect home buyers, and this increase will move the threshold to above the average new home price in the province. At $26,250, this provides the highest maximum provincial rebate in Canada," said Hansen. "A similar rebate will also support the construction or substantial renovation of affordable rental housing."

Purchasers of new homes would be eligible for a rebate of 71.43 per cent of the provincial portion of the HST paid on a new home, up to a maximum of $26,250. Homes above $525,000 would receive a flat rebate of $26,250. This enhanced rebate represents a 30 per cent increase in the threshold and maximum rebate available.

The Province is also proposing transitional rules for new housing. The provincial portion of the HST would not apply to sales of new homes where ownership or possession is transferred before July 1, 2010. In addition, sales of new homes under written agreements of purchase and sale entered into on or before Nov. 18, 2009, would generally not be subject to the provincial portion of the HST, even if both ownership and possession are transferred on or after July 1, 2010.

Although the HST is expected to put a significant damper on new home sales this news is welcomed.

 

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

West Maple Ridge 4 Bedroom home for sale near Westview Secondary & Laityview French Immersion w/suite potential

 

West side Maple Ridge 4 bedroom home on large corner lot, walking distance to Laityview French Immersion Elementary & Westview Secondary. Lots of room for RV or boat storage, relaxing solarium & suite potential with basement separate entrance. This charmer is situated across from a beautiful treed park & just a few minutes walk to both Secondary & French Immersion Elementary Schools. Take advantage of the amazing transportation improvements that have drastically shortened commute times or take the Westcoast Express right to Downtown. The separate entrance in the basement affords the option of creating a suite. Enough room on the driveway & fully fenced off yard to park a large RV or boat.

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Closing Day is Coming - Prepare Your Home For Pay Day

 

Via R. Greg Osmond Realtor, St. John's, Newfoundland, Real Estate (Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd.):

So you have sold your home!  Congratulations!  Closing day is coming.  Prepare your home for pay day. 

When your house sells it usually results in you feeling pretty great, at least for a little while.  Yet not long after, the pressures of preparing the home for closing day begin to mount.  You wanted this day to come but now that it is really happening you have some ambivalence.  Preparing the house for closing becomes top of mind

So what things should you do to prepare for closing day?

Here are seven recommendations to help with the mental task of preparing your home for closing.  That is the day when the buyers walk through, inspect "your" work, confirm that everything is as they expect it to be, and proceed to the lawyers office with the cheque.

1. Find yourself some boxes.  If you are doing your own packing, and many people do, gathering lots of wrapping tissue or news paper and boxes will be just the thing.  Pick up 50 or more depending on how much stuff you plan to take to your new destination.  When you have them, start packing all the things you plan to take but can do without until you are relocated.  It is more than you think.

2. Identify the give aways and make a list of people you know will take them off your hands.  We all have a few items that we would prefer to give away.  Avoid carrying these into your "next life" by passing them down to a loved one or friend.  It often feels liberating to pass along something you are no longer using or that you just want someone else to have.

3.  Identify the garage/yard sale items and plan your weekend sale now.  This will involve putting the announcement notice in the paper and online.  Get it organized and planned for the earliest date.  This will help you to make sure the weekend does not creep up on you unaware.  Deadlines for advertising in the paper are some of those things that do creep up.

4.  Throw away anything else left over.  If you can't sell it or give it away and you are not going to keep it, then send it to the landfill.  Yes, I know that is not environmentally friendly but unless you can make an old broken chair into next weeks dinner, you have to throw some things out.  This is one of those times.

5.  Clean up all rooms in the house that you can before moving day gets here.  Leave only the vacuuming for the very last day.  Ask a couple of cleaners to go through the home and do the heavy work for you.  Hire them if you need to.  Cleaning the ceilings and walls, lights, shelving, cupboards, windows, and storage areas are things the hired help can do.  This is not the time to be Superwoman....or even the time to be married to her.  Tip for the guys.  Insist on this one.  It will save you a tonne of guilt. :-)

6.  Book the movers.  I know, I have it numbered as 6 but really you should make this number 1.  The earlier you do this, the better.  Often the movers are really busy at peak moving days so get on this and reserve them now.  It will take a lot off your mind.

7.  When closing day comes, you will have everything out of the house, and the house thoroughly cleaned.  Why not leave a little gift on the counter and a hand written note expressing your personal enjoyment of the home, along with well wishes for the new owners in the years ahead?  It is amazing how that little gesture will help smooth over any small wrinkle that might arise.  At this point, you have prepared the house as best as you can.  The final piece is all about people management.

Closing day will come and your efforts will all be rewarded.  With careful attention to details the sale will close smoothly and the payment for the home will be in your account, if only for a moment in time.  At this point, you need to take yourself out for dinner.  After all, you deserve a reward too.  You have done a great job!

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove - St. Philips, Torbay – Flatrock – Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador.  For over 21 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at 709-895-2500.

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com.  Thinking of selling your home?  I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate!  If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

 

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Maple Ridge westside 4 bedroom home near Laityview & Westview schools

West side of Maple Ridge 4 bedroom home for sale marketed by Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates.  Located very near to Westview Senior Seconday and Laityview French Immersion Elementary School (L'Ecole Laityview) This beautiful, well kept corner lot home offers a large yard that could be used for RV parking.

This listing is coming to MLS soon, this sneak preview is just a taste of this listing.  Photogrpahs and Video of the inside coming soon!

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.

 

 

Video of Deer Paying Visit to Upper Jackson, Albion, Maple Ridge, BC

Maple Ridge real estate was host to two young deer making a Fall visit to the Upper Jackson property in Albion, Maple Ridge.  This site should be enjoyed as this beautiful farm pasture has been approved for development, contrary to the Official Community plan and all recomendations by Mape Ridge District planning staff.

The developers, who made financial contributions to the campaigns of most of the town concillors and Mayor, are expected to build 112 homes minimum on this field. 

The only hope to save this field rests with the Metro Vancouver board of directors and is expected to be heard by that body early 2010 but possibly sooner.

Urban Sprawl brought to you by the District of Maple Ridge, ignoring residents and catering to Land Developers since time in memorium .

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Maple Ridge real estate

your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor 


District of Maple Ridge web pageSituated on the shores of the mighty Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge is a mecca of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast. Located 45 kilometers east of Vancouver, it is a progressive community well-known for its beautiful countryside and spectacular scenery. It is a community of urban sophistication that retains a sense of rural charm.