Prince George, BC

1. "Vacation" means going to Kamloops for the weekend
2. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a snowplow on the highway
3. You measure distance in hours
4. You know several people who have hit deer, moose, or bear more than once
5. You often switch from "heat" to "A/C' in the same day
6. You use a down comforter in the summer, but can walk outside barefoot in the winter to grab a beer off the porch
7. You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events
8. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked
9. You think of the major food groups as moose meat, fish and berries
10. There are seven empty cars running in the parking lot at the Canadian Tire store at any given time
11. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit
12. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow
13. You think lingerie is tube socks and flannel pajamas
14. You know all four seasons as: almost winter, winter, still winter and construction
15. It takes three hours to go to the store for one item even when you're in a rush because you have to stop and talk to everyone in town
16. You know it must be cold out when there are ice chunks floating in the river
17. You know where Quesnel is, and you pronounce it correctly
18. When you go to parties in the winter, you wear your Sorels, and bring your nice shoes in a grocery bag
19. You have perfected the peeing outdoors technique because you have been drunk in the middle of nowhere so many times
20. In the winter it is more than normal to drive your snowmobile to a party instead of your truck
21. You know where 100 Mile House, 103 Mile, 105 Mile, 108 Mile, 99 Mile, 94 Mile and 70 Mile are, and don't really think those are strange names for towns
22. Your snowblower has more miles on it than your truck
23. You actually understand these jokes and foward them to your friends.
24. You may move out of the north, but you can never get the north out you

I love this list! It really is true on so many levels! ;)

Most people assume that the sales of raw land in the winter doesn't happen. Especially in my area of the world where the actual land is under 5 feet of snow.

This is not necessarily so - many buyers are looking for property at this time of year so that they can begin building in spring once the snow is gone. My husband and I purchased our acreage lot one December and there was a lot of snow that year - we are extremely happy with our property. I just sold an acreage, and again this year there is tremendous amount amount of snow.

So here are my tips to buying land that you "can't see".

1. Get as much information about the property that you can from your Realtor®


2. Try to look at aerial photos of the land (google maps etc. In Prince George you can also go to PGMap to see photos of properties within the city)


3. Grab a pair of snowshoes and walk every inch of the property. You want to notice the lay of the land, and look for any trees/vegetation that like water so you can tell if any areas are swampy. Don't be afraid to ask permission to explore the property several times before putting in an offer.


4. Talk to the neighbours. If it is vacant land they have more than likely been on it in the spring and summer months, and if you're friendly they will tell you about the property.


5. Always be prepared for surprises once the snow melts.

I have just compiled the MLS data of Sales and Listings for 2008 here in Prince George. This report is for Detached homes within City limits. We have done alot better than most report.
Also note that May, June, July data is not available and is not represented in the data.

Click Here for the report.

All the best in the new year!
Cheers

Dean Birks

Just another of the many reasons Prince George BC is a fantastic place to live, work and invest!

Click Here to watch video

YXS - The New Transpacific Logisitics Alternative

The Runway Expansion Project has transformed runway 15/33 from 7,400 ft. to 11,450 ft., complete with centre line (LED) lighting, dual ILS navigational systems and a dedicated de-icing refueling pad for wide body aircraft. Once completed, the Runway Expansion Project will allow the PGAA to market the airport as a new transpacific logistics alternative, providing carriers the opportunity to make Prince George a destination of choice for refueling and transshipment of cargo.