#10 - The warmest jackets and boots are dug out of the closet
#9 - After saying goodbye to someone it is followed with a "Keep warm!"
#8 - You just want to stay in bed under the covers
#7 - The house begins to make loud cracking and popping sounds
#6 - You can't close or lock the outside doors because of the frost surrounding them
#5 - The dog doesn't want to go outside
#4 - The extension cord you use to plug in the car is frozen stiff (to heat the oil pan or the car won't start)
#3 - The ice is forming inside your windows
#2 - You have to bring some of the animals into the heated garage from the uninsulated barn
#1 - The eggs you pull out of the nesting boxes are frozen solid (and the coop is insulated and has a heat lamp)
Can you read that? -37c!!!! (that is -34.6 F)
But, being Prince Geoge, BC life goes on as usual. We just put on our heavier coats and plug in the vehicles overnight. Schools, shops and businesses remain open.
I did bring our geese and ducks into the heated garage last night as it was a little too cold for them in the uninsulated barn
I can say that our winters have become much milder over the years, so it comes as somewhat of a surprise to get such low temps again.... but this is Prince George so we really should expect it.
Senior Citizen have always been special to me and I like to support worthwhile efforts for the seniors in our city.
Recently I was made aware of a program hosted by the Prince George Council of Seniors. It is a senior peer support program which is free and confidential. If you, or a senior citizen you know, requires some emotional support or just someone to listen, please call them to set up an appointment.
For those of you who do not know, I used to work for Veterans Affairs Canada as a Program Support Clerk and also as a Counsellor. It gave me a great insight into the needs of seniors and from there I was one of the founding partners in Country Acres Seniors Community - we designed, built and managed the first private senior citizen's residence in Prince George.
I also published "The Senior Side" newspaper for two years in Prince George and later expanded the publication to central and northern BC. During this time I was also involved with the International Year of Older Persons in 1999.
So, as you can see, I'm very interested in things to do with older people in our community.
Photo Credit: Bob_2006 Flickr
When Realtors write an offer on a home we place subjects in the contract to protect the buyer. One of these subjects is an insurance subject.
Even though I always explain the subjects and how they protect the buyer, the other day one of my clients really questioned as to why he needed this subject in his offer to purchase a home. Now perhaps other areas of the country do not use this clause, but here in Prince George it is a standard subject that Realtors place within the Contract of Purchase and Sale.
The subject states:
"This offer is subject to the Buyer(s) obtaining approval for fire/property insurance, satisfactory to the Buyer(s) on the above mentioned property on or before [insert date].
This subject is for the sole benefit of the Buyer."
This does not mean that the buyer must get insurance before the home is actually purchased. What it means is that the buyer needs to find out by the specified date whether an insurance company will actually insure the home or not.
The buyer brings the listing sheet to an insurance agent, informs them that he is trying to purchase the home and asks if they would insure the home. If so, then the insurance agent can provide a letter stating that they are willing to insure the home as long as all the information provided about the property is accurate. Often the insurance agent will ask for additional information or photos of the home.
Where I live there are certain things that insurance companies will look closely at, such as preserved wood foundations, wood fireplace inserts, age of roof, aluminum wiring, galvanized plumbing, amperage of electrical service etc. Some items make the home uninsurable such as the electrical amperage being under 100amps (although these items may vary between the various insurance underwriters). Sometimes the buyer himself will be a high insurance risk or uninsurable.
If the buyer comes across something that would deem the house uninsurable, then his Realtor can try to renegotiate the offer by either asking the seller to correct the problem, or to reduce the price so that the buyer can correct the problem immediately following the closing of the sale (of course arrangements/permission must be obtained from the insurance company first).
Most importantly this subject protects the buyer in regard to the mortgage. If he is unable to get insurance on the home, then he will not qualify for the mortgage.
Disclaimer: This information may vary depending on insurance underwriters and financial institutions. As such, it is possible that certain inaccuracies or inconstencies may occur.
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I enjoy working with residential & rural properties, and out-of-town buyers. I pride myself in offering exceptional service to my clients in an honest and caring manner and keep their interests first.
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