You will have now received your property tax assessment for 2013 and only have until 
January 31^st 2013 to appeal the assessment. If you think your property is assessed too high then call us now at 604-466-4549 and we will do an evaluation to confirm the value of your property. If you are assessed too high then we will assist youin preparing a letter to B.C assessment to ask to have the assessment reduced. If they will not alter the assessment then we will also put together a presentation for the appeal board and attend the hearing with you . 

This is a service that we provide at no charge to our past and potential clients, and their friends and family. So do not hesitate to call or pass on our number to your friends and family. We look forward to hearing from you and being of assistance.

Home buyers face countless decisions when purchasing a home.  One of the first things to establish is whether you prefer a newer or older home.
 
Comparing newer and older homes can be like comparing apples and oranges.  It really depends on your individual preferences and family priorities.  Here are a few advantages each type of home offers:
 
Pros of Older Homes

1. Old World Charm - Older homes usually boast unique architectural features such as stained glass windows and crown moulding.
   
   
2. Location - Older homes are often located in well established communities with mature trees and developed landscaping.  They're also usually close to popular downtown amenities.
   
   
3. Solid as a Rock - The craftsmanship that went into building homes years ago was usually second to none which means they're built to last.
   
   
4. Outdoor Space - Older homes usually have larger lots which is an important consideration if you value your privacy or wish to extend your home in the future.

 
Pros of Newer Homes

1. Customizable - A brand new home allows you to customize to your own tastes with options such as heated floors, granite countertops or even simple items like fixtures.
   
   
2. Low Maintenance - You're not likely to encounter any serious problems as everything's brand new.  The home's exterior will also be much easier to maintain.
   
   
3. Functional - Newer homes are laid out with functional features such as open concept rooms, attached garages, larger storage areas and ensuite bathrooms.
   
   
4. Energy Efficient - Better windows, insulation and appliances mean newer homes are more energy efficient which translates into lower monthly bills for homeowners.

Newer homes are usually more functional but existing homes offer a level of character that new homes can't match.  You may have a fixed idea of what you prefer but keep an open mind and make sure you're familiar with the pros and cons of each.  This is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make so do your research before signing on the dotted line.

board overall

Single family houses sales for December totalled 426 with the average sale price of $1,078,495. This 32% decrease in number of sales and a 1% increase in average price over last year same time period (December) . Townhouse sales for December totalled 213 with an average sale price of $547,966. This is a 16% decrease in the number of sales and an increase of 8% in average price over the same time period last year (December). Condominiums December sales totalled 504 with the average sale price of $415,991. This a 34% decrease in number of sales and decease of 6% in average price over the same time period last year (December). Total of all types for December was 1143 sales with an average sale price of $689,366. This is a 31% decrease in number of sales and average price basically unchanged over December last year. 

The total number of sales ran about 31% below the same month in the previous year with minimal change in average price in all categories. The Vancouver Real Estate Board sales volume year to date is down by 22% and year to date average sales price is down 6%. The number of active listings is 16% higher this December compared to last December. High inventory and reduced demand has the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver stating that it continues to be a BUYERS market. Over the last 6 months the number of sales has consistently been 25-30% below the 10 year average. Overall prices are off about 6% for 2012 over 2011.

Local Maple Ridge

Single family houses December sales totalled 30 with the average sale price of $494,957. This a 54% decrease in number of sales and average price decrease of 9% compared to December last year. Townhouse December sales totalled 7 with an average sale price $275,771. This is a 60% decrease in the number of sales and a decrease of 3% in average price compared to last December.Condominiums December sales totalled 10 with the average sale price of $177,370. This is a 41% decrease in number of sales and a 25% increase in price over last December.

Total of all types of sales for December was 47 with an average sale price of $394,740. This is a 53% decrease in number of sales and a 8% decrease in average price over last December.

The Maple Ridge sales volume year to date is down by 13% and year to date average sales price is basically unchanged at $501,538 for single family homes. The average sale price has been within $3000 of this number for 3 years. Townhouses and apartments have seen decreases in average sale prices of at least 6% in the last year

The number of properties on the market in Maple Ridge for December is 796 which is 1% above last December.

For more detail just call 604-466-4549 or email  -  pearceteam@telus.net

The language of texting is constantly evolving.  You're probably up on many of the standard texting abbreviations but here are a few that you may not be aware of:

• YOLO = you only live once
• KK = kewl kewl (aka: ok)
• JK = just kidding
• NBD = no big deal
• ILBL8 = I’ll be late
• SMH = shaking my head
• BFN = bye for now

It’s important to familiarize yourself with this new language, especially if you have kids or office colleagues who are communicating in short form.  TTYL :-)

Designing a room with your child is a great way to spend quality time together.  It's also a great opportunity for them to express their thoughts and opinions with you.

One way to keep things fun is to incorporate a theme into the room's interior design.  Remember that a child's interests change rapidly so keep the project simple and flexible.

Wall stickers are a great choice as they're inexpensive, come in a variety of themes, cover large areas and are easy to put up and take down.  This flexibility gives your child the freedom to shape the look and feel themselves.  Stickers are also a great way to create boundaries if your kids share a room.

Display tables and shelves are an excellent way to showcase decorative items.  Framing family photos or your child's artwork in bright or homemade frames is another nice personal touch.  Finally, attractive storage baskets are great accessories and make tidying up a cinch!

A child's vision of a perfect room isn't usually as complex or as costly as you'd expect.  With just enthusiasm alone, you can make your child's day by decorating their room with a few simple items rather than investing weeks of time and lots of money.