British Columbia

Ready for Some Goosebumps? Come Hear the Vancouver Olympic theme song "I Believe" by Nikki Yanofsky.

Well its almost here! 4 Days to Go to the Opening Ceremonies!  I wish I had tickets - but like most of us I think I'll be relegated to watching it on T.V. even though it's happening practically in my backyard!

With all the kafuffle about the weather - it's been positively tropical....yeah yeah they're delivering snow by hekilopter (as my kids used to say) but what can I say?  It's going to be amazing - the snow may not be up to par - but heck it's set in one of the most beautiful cities in the world........Come see!

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If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Cultus Lake, Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz  Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.     

Tri-Cities Rental listings on the Olympic-related website www.rentforthegames.com have elicited no interest from prospective renters, and the website's general manager said steep prices aren't the reason.

"When I say there is no interest, it means there is zero demand for Olympic Rentals in the Tri-Cities," said Melanie Hajjar, general manager of the Vancouver-based rental service. "Lots of people have heard extremely bad stories about transit in the Tri-Cities-- how it's going to be fully packed and how it's going to be hard to get to downtown Vancouver, so most people are deciding to get places in downtown Vancouver so they can walk to events."

Hajjar said the company's most popular rental markets to date have been in downtown Vancouver, Whistler, Kitsilano, the south Granville corridor and in Richmond.

We are honest with the owners and let them know that there's a big chance that Their homes in the Tri-Cities won't be rented, so we do offer anyone in the Tri-Cities the service for free," Hajjar said, adding that she expects rental prices to drop in advance of the Games

In Port Coquitlam, no specific bylaws or regulations were enacted specifically for Olympic rentals.

"We were asked the question, gave it careful consideration, and decided it was not necessary for our community," said city spokesperson Kathleen Vincent.

If you have any questions feel free to give us a call

Doug or Sean

604-726-1023

We are your Tri-Cities Real Estate Experts!

Beginning Monday, Feb. 8, King Edward Street in Coquitlam will be closed for construction between

Lougheed Highway and Woolridge Street until the spring of 2011.

Access in Coquitlam to United Boulevard is from Lougheed Highway at Woolridge (near Ikea).

Access to Woolridge businesses in Coquitlam will now be via Lougheed at Schoolhouse Street or Lougheed at Woolridge.

The city of Coquitlam has asked motorists to note that left turns will neither be possible from Woolridge to King Edward or from King Edward to Woolridge.

If you have any questions on these closures in Coquitlam give us a call!

Doug or Sean

604-726-1023

Thinking of buying or selling Real estate in Coquitlam?

We are your Coquitlam Real Estate Experts!

Experts in Coquitlam Real Estate! Give us a call to find all homes for sale in Coquitlam!

604-726-1023

I often am approached by people thinking about taking their real estate licence course, and going into the business.

I always encourage them to do this, if they seem genuinely interested in the business, and understand the demands on one's time. Am always happy to share thoughts with them, and also to answer their questions, to the best of my ability.

When they do go into the business, I'm also always glad to act in a mentor capacity, even if they are working at a competing company. All companies aren't the same, when offering their sales force a training program, and there's so much to know, in any case, in the Trust's overseeing of my particular region.

This is not a municipality, but a "preserve" area, and so there are a lot of extra things to learn about/to know, when selling properties here. After 20+ years in the biz, I have built up a lot of information in my head that isn't in any easy to find "book".

I don't think any of us get to where we are without the help of those we've met along our path, and that's why I like to "pay it back" by mentoring. It's rare in life that we get to "repay" the person who helped us, as time has gone on. We can, though, help others as a way of saying "thank you" to the one who mentored us (even if it wasn't called that!).

Lately, though, with all the shifts to the industry itself, and the changed role of the real estate agent, as a result, I am wondering if I should also be pointing out the property management path in real estate, not just the sales avenue. In my jurisdiction, there are two separate courses, with different licencing requirements. Although I have a licence that allows me to do both, I have not ever focused on the property management side.

With the changes to the sales side of the process, and less "need" for the traditional skills/knowledge of a real estate agent, at least in the beginning of the process (the internet search motif continues to evolve/expand around us), perhaps in a secondary home/discretionary area, such as mine, a property management decision might make more sense?

The management service might hold out greater promise, at least in the beginning stages of the career. Perhaps the best advice would be to do "both sides" of the courses, and have both a sales and a management licence to offer? With the changes to our real estate act, a few years ago, one may now have another job, apart from real estate or a related aspect of same (insurance, property management). Before that change, one had to give up one's licence, in my area, if taking another and unrelated job.

It's difficult to be part-time in this business. It's about information, and the latest news is what the customer wants to know. One has to be available on the client's timeframe, too. It's the consumer-centric business revolution, remember?

Maybe the best thing to do is to share the shifts in the industry, and the value of predictable income...which might have some potential sales people turning to property management/maintenance instead.

Difficult "calls" these days, as the ground renovates itself under our feet!

Sicamous Real Estate ~ Gorgeous Shuswap Condo for sale !

58 714 Riverside Ave. Sicamous , BC

**Listed at $679,900.

Distinguished & Elegant best describes this Fabulous Shuswap Penthouse in First Class Mara Landing.

1778 sq ft - Ready for you to enjoy as tasteful furnishings are included

Just steps to your private 20' boat slip -A51

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, Hardwood & Tile Flooring

Large Master with gorgeous ensuite- 5 pc, Electric Stone fireplace

Large Island & Vaulted ceilings

All Stainless Steel appliances included, Pot lights & Vacu-flow

A/C, single car garage

Mara Landing in Sicamous offers: Beautiful grounds with outdoor pool, hot tub, immaculate landscaping, pond, gazebo- + complex is on the water leads to Shuswap & Mara Lake!

Distinguished buyers will appreciate the No rental policy.

Taxes $5619/2009

Strata fee's : $371.00/mth Includes: Caretaker, Contingency Reserve, Insurance, Landscaping, Management, Recreational Facilities, Snow Removal, Trash Removal

View slideshow of this Sicamous property at http://picasaweb.google.com/ksingbeil1/58714RiversideAveSicamousBCTopFloorPenthouseMaraLanding#slideshow/5314643851379985298

OR more pics of ALL my Sicamous listings at http://picasaweb.google.com/ksingbeil1