I get asked this question a lot. The Golden Ears Bridge and Pitt Meadows Bridge will improve transportation system of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows communities tremendously. It will be much easier to get to Langley, Surrey and Tri-Cities consequently to Vancouver. For the up-to-date information on the bridges please visit my Maple Ridge Real Estate website.
Will the real estate prices jump? I think home prices in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows areas have already gone up in the anticipation of bridges to be constructed. I know some people who have invested in Real Estate in the area a couple of years ago thinking they can make some profit once the bridges are complete. Well, guess what? We're in the dropping market place and it does affect Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows real estate markets as well. But prices may not be going down here as much as if they could have if the construction of the bridges was not in process.
Once the bridges are complete I think we'll see a lot of demand for housing in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. A lot of people do not believe it until they actually see it and feel it. When bridges come to our area the traffic will improve significantly between Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Surrey and Langley. We'll see a great amount of traffic being diverted from the Port Mann Bridge via Mary Hill Bypass to the Golden Ears Bridge. All the trucks that are taking the Port Mann bridge to Highway 1 right now will be using Golden Ears Bridge. Pitt Meadows bridge will be a non-stop 7 lane bridge that will eliminate all the congestion in the rush hours time.
So what will really happen to the Real Estate market here? I think we'll see a great demand for homes here from people moving from Langley and Surrey areas. The average residential detached price of new home in Surrey in January 2009 was $750,000, when the average house price in Maple Ridge is around $560,000 at the same time (souce:CMHC). But like I have mentioned before unless the bridges are complete not many people will be doing it. Once the bridges are up and running Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows will see an increased demand in housing, which may stop prices dropping.
The talk in town is that because of the improved transportation system in the area Maple Ridge's prices will be 10-20% higher than in the rest of the Lower Mainland. If Greater Vancouver's prices go up, the prices in Maple Ridge will go up 10-20% more than those and if the prices go down our house prices will still drop less by 10-20% than in the rest of the Lower Mainland. The other great thing is that Maple Ridge has a lot of land to offer for the future residential development. Some part of the Thornhill Area is in the Urban Reserve which means the land is approved for future residential development once the population of Maple Ridge reaches 100,000 population mark. It's expected to happen within next 10-20 years. Right now, Maple Ridge's population is around 70,000 people. The shopping is also coming to Maple Ridge. We might see a new shopping center in the Albion Flats or a revitalised downtown, or both.
So, if you want to be ahead of the game and buy while Maple Ridge is still enjoying high levels of inventory and great prices, there has never been a better time than today. Take advantage of the buyer's market. Maple Ridge is for sale now.
At the end of the day, Lower Mainland has the most favourable climate in all of Canada. And if you're a winner by nature you can't let this opportunity to go past by you.
For all your Real Estate needs call an Outstanding Agent for Outstanding Results today. Call Olena today at 778.991.3293 or visit http://www.olenaosipov.com
Just Look. Isn't it beautiful? I think it is one of the most beautiful bridges in Greater Vancouver area.
The bridge is scheduled to open up in June 2009 and is right on time.
These pictures were taken from the private plane during recent flight over Langley in January.
And the last one...I left it this size on purpose. Just to show you how truly beautiful it is.
What does the opening of the new bridge means for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Real Estate?
Detached Attached
Active listings at Feb 22/09 72 50
Average List Price $550,365 $321,402
Sold listings Jan 1-Feb 22/09 8 5
Average Sale Price $461,187 $300,300
Average Days on Market 91 80
Sales Success Ratio 10% 10%
For more detailed statistics please visit Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge Real Estate website.
Do you know your REALTOR well? My clients do know me from the personal contact, my Greater Vancouver real estate website and the posts I try to write on a regular basis here on Active Rain.
First of all, let me tell you what I think about North America's addictions. The main addiction here is coffee. When I moved to Canada the size of the jugs, cups, mugs surprised me. Travel mugs were something I've never seen before. Before I came to Canada, coffee to me was a small amount of very dark liquid barely covering the bottom of a miniature cup. In Europe it's called Espresso.
But since I decided that I like it here and I might stay I had to adjust to a lot of things including the Coffee Culture.
Let me tell you I've never been a coffee drinker. The main reason is probably my family habits. Nobody drank coffee in my family and I suspect it was due to the financial reasons. We didn't have Starbucks, Tim Hortons or Blenz coffee. Nothing fancy at all. But even buying regular coffee beans of instant coffee was quite expensive, at least for my family and my single mom.
Recently I have joined the group of addicted Canadians. I love Strabucks but due to the high cost and amount of calories I left it. Mine usually comes to $5/cup no matter how hard I try to cut on any additives. And honestly, another problem I always encounter - I can never remember what I ordered last time. You can laugh at me but I do not drink regular coffee and get lost among these frapuccinos, moccas, lattes etc. I hold the line for 3 minutes, never get what I want and waste $5. Seriously.
So it was time for a change and I switched to Tim Hortons. Now I order half cappucino French Vanilla, half decaf, pay my $2.39 and ready to go. This is the drink my husband came up with. Coffee by itself is too plain for us, cappucino-too sweet. This is right in the middle. So you simply ask a server to pour half of the cup regular/decaf coffee and the rest with cappucino. Tip: taste it before you leave the store. A lot of times servers do not add enough cappucino and it tastes almost like a regular coffee.
I still do it only once a week or two. Usually on Saturday or Sunday morning. The reason is the same: to stay slim and rich:)
Try it, you might like it!
The Bridal Fair took place on Feb 2, 2009. It was my first bridal fair I ever have attended. What was I thinking when I was getting married? I should have gone to one. For those brides who didn't make it there I'll show and tell you what it's all about.
There was close to 25 exhibitors
Fashion Show 
The main part of the show was the fashion show with intermission and brakes. After each set of the fashion show one of the exhibitors has donated a door prize which was one by one of the brides-to-be. There was 25 prizes which I think was great!
Each bride got a bag with keepsake gifts from all sponsors. Mine was the fridge magnet with local useful phone #s. Next time I think I'll do notepads.
Appetizers were served along with some punch. There was also an open cash bar which always had a lineup. The total amount of attendees came to 114 brides and the room was full. If you missed it this year make sure you go next year. It's a great place to get a hold of many suppliers for your Big Day. Another great thing is that you get to try, touch and feel all possible kinds of products.
As for me, I was one of the exhibitors. The wedding is great! It's a very memorable part of the journey. But it comes and goes. Once it's over you'll need a place to live and build your own nest. You will need A HOME where your life long relationship is built, your kids are raised and simply a place you can't wait to get back from work. You need to buy THE HOME. If you're thinking about renting check out my Buy Now vs Buy Later analysis.
My job is to help you find THE HOME. My job is to make you happy with your new home and make sure this process goes for you as smooth as possible. For most of you it will be the first real estate experience. As a First Time Home Buyer Specilaist who really understands the needs of young families I'll be more than happy to help you.
778.991.3293
 |
|
|
Real estate listings, foreclosures, first time buyers info in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody from RE/MAX REALTOR® Olena osipov on www.olenaosipov.com
Olena Osipov is a reliable Real Estate Professional with 7+ years of Real Estate investment experience, 5+ years o
f Customer Service experience and a Bachelor of Commerce. I bring a new energy to every detail, whether you are buying or selling a property. I work hard to get homes both on and off the market quickly, efficiently and easily by using a comprehensive marketing program which includes weekly real estate market reports and, most importantly, home staging. With this program, I keep you up to date on the current market conditions, ensuring you receive the best price possible. I specialize in residential sales in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Tri-Cities. I speak English, Russian and Ukrainian.
My philosophy as a REALTOR® is that I owe you a duty of care, a duty to listen and to provide an honest service. Being out of country, out of province I know myself what it's like to have an honest real estate professional working with you towards your goal. I know how it feels to move into the house that is right for you and your family, to sell the house for the right price and be happy with the choice of the real estate professional. And this is the service I provide to my clients.
Alex Osipov works as our Marketing Director taking care of all marketing from brochure design to website maintenance making sure we market your property like nobody else. He brings over 15 years of experience from working in well-known agencies in Europe, Middle East and Canada. Alex also runs his own Graphic and Webdesign Studio and has managed to become an International Abstract Artist. He's our local star and was recently featured in the Maple Ridge News.
I also believe in Miracles. Do you? RE/MAX has always been more than selling homes. I believe in giving back to the community. RE/MAX Offices consist of full-time real estate professionals, who live, work and give back to the community in which they serve everyday! RE/MAX is proud be the EXCLUSIVE REAL ESTATE SPONSOR to the Children's Miracle Network; an international non-profit organization, which consists of 170 children's hospitals including Vancouver's own BC Children's Hospital providing state of the art, life-saving care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The hospitals treat 17 million children each year for every disease and condition imaginable including cancer, pediatric AIDS, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, birth defects, asthma and accidents. Supporting Children's Miracle Network hospitals is the most effective way to save the lives of children throughout our city and the rest of North America.
I specialize in resale and new construction homes. I regularly post updates on new construction projects that appear in Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Tri-Cities areas.
I enjoy working with first time home buyers as I'm young, energetic and outgoing myself. I have been a first time buyer myself recently and I can understand the needs of this category of people. I love sharing my knowledge and expertise in the real estate with people who are eager to learn. I have comprised a comprehensive Buyer's Package that I will be more than happy to share with you. Just visit my Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Real Estate website and send me an email with a request.
Maple Ridge 
About: Maple Ridge District, incorporated in 1874, is a fast growing community with a population of 73,000 people. Situated on the shores of Fraser River and nestled against the Coast Mountains, Maple Ridge retains its small town feel nestled within the surrounding farmland yet being a suburb of Vancouver allowing access to all the features of the big city.
Location: Maple Ridge is located 45 kms east of Vancouver, 25 mins to Mission and 40 mins to Abbotsford and US border. It's a 20 minute drive to Coquitlam Centre and/or the Freeway into Vancouver.To the North there are the mountains with Golden Ears park. To the east - the Fraser Valley.
Leisure & Entertainment: Maple Ridge has become a year-round centre of festivals and festivities like the Jazz and Blues Festival, Caribbean Music Festival, Maple Ridge Country Fest and the Santa Claus Parade. It offers the ACT, performing arts centre, state-of-the-art leisure/youth centre complex, library and indoors ice and curling rinks.
Parks & Lakes: Golden Ears Provincial Park, Albion Fairgrounds and over 30 other parks including 2 water parks. Allouette, Mike's and Whonnock Lakes offer great fishing and swimming activities. Maple Ridge also offers 6 golf courses.
Shopping: Save on Foods, Extra Foods, Cooper's Foods, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, Zellers, Liquidation World, Haney Place Mall, Valley Fair Mall, Rona and numerous shopping plazas.
Education: Public schools include 18 Elementary Schools (at least 4 of which are French Immersion), 5 High (Secondary) Schools. For more information visit www.sd42.ca. If you're interested in private education for your child you have a choice between 4 institutions: Meadowridge School, James Cameron School, Maple Ridge Christian School and St.Patrick School. There is also a Ridge Meadows College.
Future Projects: The Golden Ears Bridge is a new six-lane bridge under construction between Langley and Surrey on the south side and Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on the north side crossing the Fraser River. The new bridge, owned by TransLink, will have a clearance of 40 metres, and with a span of 968 m (3175 ft.), this will be the longest extradosed bridge in North America when it is completed in 2009.
Real Estate: Maple Ridge real estate market offers a variety of housing options with a lot of newly constructed homes at affordable prices. From acreages, farmland and estate areas to affordable condo, townhouses and homes with easy access to all amenities, Golden Ears Park and numerous trails. It's a perfect place to raise your family. It is still one of the most affordable communities in the Greater Vancouver area.
Many clients are asking me quite often if the house prices will go up after Golden Ears and Pitt Meadows bridges are complete. My opinion is that the prices have already gone up in the anticipation of the bridges coming. But once the bridges are finished we will see people selling their homes in Surrey and Langley and buying in Maple Ridge where average home price is much lower than in those areas. The other thing about bridges is that they help the home prices to be more or less stable in the area and many people are moving to Maple Ridge because of the significantly improved transportation system.
Pitt Meadows 
About: The District of Pitt Meadows was incorporated in 1914 and borders Maple Ridge on the west side and Port Coquitlam on the east. The population numbers approximately 13,800. Agriculture is vital to the area and its residents. Pitt Meadows farmers grow a variety of crops but are most famous for specialty crops such as blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries. The Pitt Meadows Airport is the only airport in the Fraser Valley that is located on the north side of the Fraser River. It offers a variety of services, including daily flights to Victoria, charter flights, helicopter rides, flying and parachuting lessons and sightseeing tours. There is also seaplane access.
Location: Pitt Meadows is considered the "Gateway" to the Fraser Valley and is 40 mins by West Coast Express passenger train service and 1 hour by car from Vancouver's downtown area and Stanley Park. It's a 15 minute drive to Coquitlam Centre and/or the Freeway into Vancouver. It is situated on the north side of the Fraser River at its junction with the Pitt River.
Leisure & Entertainment: The library, leisure centre, Cineplex movie theatre. The natural topography and physical features support boating, canoeing, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, bird-watching, cycling, walking and horse-back riding. The dikes along the river provide an extensive trail system for your enjoyment. There are many waterways to use and discover.
Parks & Lakes: There is approximately 10 parks, a water park and 1 outdoor swimming pool in Pitt Meadows. Pitt Lake, on the City's northern boundary, is the largest tidal lake in North America. The three golf courses are the Pitt Meadows Golf Club, Golden Eagle Golf Club, Meadow Gardens Golf Club and the Swan-E-Set Bay Resort.
Shopping: Superstore, IGA, Safeway, Winners, Homesense, Michaels, Petcetera, Pier One, Jysk, Canadian Tire, Staples and numerous shopping plazas.
Schools: 4 Elementary Schools and 1 High (Secondary) School. For more information visit www.sd42.ca. For higher education there is a Ridge Meadows College.
Future Projects: The Golden Ears Bridge to Langley and Surrey, scheduled for completion by 2009, is stimulating new economic opportunities in Pitt Meadows. There is another bridge that's coming for Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge areas. The Pitt River Crossing is part of a long-term initiative to improve highways in Greater Vancouver. The Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Interchange Project include a proposed new bridge that will replace the existing swing bridges and an interchange to replace the current Lougheed Highway and Mary Hill Bypass intersection.The new bridge, proposed to be located between the existing bridges, will have three lanes of westbound traffic and four lanes of eastbound traffic. It will provide up to 16 meters of marine clearance and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
Real Estate: Pitt Meadows real estate market has experienced a rapid growth during the past years. In 2009 we will see continued development of a corporate business park, retail centres, additional commercial centre expansion and several residential developments. As Maple Ridge's real estate market it offers a great mix of older and newly constructed homes.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
