John Grasty, Licensed Representative in Metro Vancouver, Port Moody based.

Get building Evergreen & Murray-Clarke - now

Published: December 16, 2008 6:00 PM

With much interest I read Port Moody Mayor Joe Trasolini's inaugural address after the council swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 2.

Once again, the mayor should be applauded for reminding his senior government counterparts that the overdue Murray-Clarke Connector and Evergreen Line infrastructure construction projects both remain at the top of the priority list for Port Moody citizens and our neighbours.

We've had an overwhelming hotchpotch of delays imposed on us by Translink, Metro Vancouver's Liveable Region Strategy, provincial and federal government funding uncertainties, changes in the rapid transit technology from light rail to SkyTrain, and debates about a north vs. a south route for the Evergreen Line.

Co-ordinated planning for Moody Centre around sites like Kyle Centre, Jake's Crossing, Andres Winery, the Royal Canadian Legion and others is not possible. OCP planning is basically on hold. How can merchants along St. Johns and Clarke streets reviewing lease negotiations conduct business with the continued uncertainty?

A year ago, I wrote about development on hold in many parts of Port Moody as a result of the outrageous 20-year delay in building the Murray-Clarke Connector and today, the entire city of Port Moody continues to be held hostage.

After meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper last month while visiting Ottawa, Premier Gordon Campbell said, "There are literally hundreds of thousands of construction workers across the country who we want to keep at work." The Prime Minister said, "We all agreed that we should see infrastructure spending accelerated. This will help support general economic activity."

Mayor Trasolini is right. We need TransLink and the new Evergreen Line offices to get their doors open and start talking to and working with the local community. As the mayor points out, costs of construction and financing have come down with the economy slowing. Labour once scarce is now more available so there are simply no longer any reasons for delay.

Since Premier Campbell wants to keep construction workers busy, and since infrastructure spending will be accelerated, what is holding-up the Murray Clarke Connector and Evergreen Line in Port Moody now?

John Grasty, Port Moody

Now more exciting news for our worldwide clients (and us Prudsters) from earlier this month is the leveraging of expertise by combining the businesses of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services into one powerful, efficient company.

Our newly appointed President, Earl Lee is positioning Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services favourably for the long term.

Apparently, the planned integration is already underway and includes creating centralized support functions to better address client needs; restructuring business development strategies and functions to gain efficiency and a greater focus on market opportunities; and consolidating the company's relocation service operations.

"Aligning our business and operational functions is imperative as we move forward, and bringing these core competencies even closer together will result in a major advantage for our customers," says John Van Der Wall, CEO of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services in the December 11^th news release.

Since entering residential real estate in 1987, Prudential Real Estate has grown to one of the largest real estate brokerage franchise networks in North America, with approximately 64,000 sales professionals and nearly 2,100 offices in the franchise Network as of September 30, 2008.

Prudential Relocation provides comprehensive global relocation services to Fortune 500 corporations worldwide. With locations in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China, Prudential Relocation - which operates as Pricoa Relocation in Asia and Europe - offers a broad menu of services critical to the relocation of clients' employees.

Also, Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), is a financial services leader with approximately $602 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2008. The company's long history is a testament to the quality it has provided its customers.

The company's well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time.

John in Port Moody

P.S. if you're in one of the LinkedIn Prudential, Relocation or Referral, groups, please send me an invite.

Let me start by disclosing that I am not an Arborist, but a recent story in the local newspaper of a toppled tree, well over 100 feet, raised some interesting questions for me to consider as a Realtor.

Most urban jurisdictions regulate the conservation, removal and replacement of trees.

Whether a tree is deciduous (sheds all leaves) or evergreen, the health, regulation and safety of trees is important for buyers to know.

Establishing whether the tree is within the survey stakes should resolve ownership issues, but what are the possible consequences of roots that cross boundaries?

A buyer will likely not want to find out after the fact that they are the new owner of a:

•· tree that compromises public safety (e.g. proximity to other houses or power lines);

•· compromised rotting tree, caused by disease, insects or improper care;

•· tree root system that has damaged drainage or foundations underground;

•· a garden or lawn that cannot be rehabilitated due to shade or root compacting;

•· controversial tree that obstructs the view of neighbours from a new subdivision;

•· "heritage" tree of community value; or,

•· "topped" or otherwise damaged tree.

See seven due diligence tips to help your homebuyer manage the risks associated with trees here [...]

As I prepare my business plan for 2009 and beyond, I can't help but think what a waste to lose talented people who have sacrificed so much to become a REALTOR®.

One bold prediction made to me by a local licensee was that we will lose 30% (=2945) of all the licensees before the market turns.

Who knows when the market will turn, but should that prediction become reality we will be at 6873 licensees, which is back to where we were in mid-2003.

Some of the goals I want to take on in my business plan will likely have to wait because I haven't given enough thought how to leverage, or find someone to help me. Assistance with Web 2.0, Top Producer, showing listings, etc., would really help me get business focused and growing in the North-East sector.

Chances are there are other REALTORS® throughout the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) who are going through the same process, thinking about how a few certain skill-sets, such as paralegal or a second language, could help them produce even more business.

Before any licensee makes a decision to leave real estate, try sending out a trial balloon; you never know. Please feel free to post a comment listing your skill-sets, preferred location, and a return email address.

More here [...]

John in Port Moody

The origins of the National Certification Program (NCP) for home inspectors in Canada stretch back to 1997 when a report was issued by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) that uncovered noteworthy inconsistencies in the skill and diligence of home inspectors across the country that still persist today.

With the support of CMHC, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Construction Sector Council, a voluntary national accreditation and certification program was developed by the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) in an attempt to help ensure the competency and professionalism of home inspectors. Home inspectors who have met the requirements of this national certification program are designated National Certificate Holders.

Unfortunately we continue to hear the widespread complaints of consumers and other stakeholders more than 10 years later regarding the services of home inspectors, some with designations.

Given growing consumer protests, especially regarding the poor quality of newly built homes, better consumer protection for home buyers is essential. A Pre-Delivery Inspection Protocol needs to be a priority. more here [...]

John in Port Moody