Trent's Tuesday Top Ten (Reasons to Buy a House in a Slowing Economy)

10. Houses sit on the market for a longer period of time. This means you have less pressure in finding the house that is right for you.

9. Because the average days on the market is longer, you stand a much better chance at buying a house for the price you want.

8. Interest rates are low and they might be going lower soon. Lock in your rates with your mortgage broker now and save money over the life of your mortgage.

7. If you are looking to buy a property as an investor, now is a good time. The market value of properties have dropped quickly but rental rates are more sluggish to change. This means that you will likely be able to cover all your costs with the rents received.

6. Slower economies mean more foreclosures. While it's not easy being on the side being foreclosed on, banks generally sell these houses at values that are below market value.

5. If you are renting, this might be a good time to buy to out pace the market. Slow times now generally mean better times ahead. You may be able to buy a house and make mortgage payments that are similar to your current rents. When the market goes up you will have equity in your home.

4. By buying in a slow economy you will actually be doing your part in helping the economy pick up again. So make sure everyone you know buys a house this year!

3. If you have to sell your house in order to buy another it might not be a bad time to move. Yes prices are dropping so you will get less for your house but the house you are going to buy will also be less and your net amount will be the same.

2. Because some area's average prices are dropping faster than others, you may be able to come out ahead depending on what area you move to and what area you are coming from.

1. Remember: Buy Low, Sell High!

Wednesday's Words for Real Estate (Adjustment Date)

Date agreed to by both parties to a real property transaction for the adjustment of property taxes, rent, interest, and other items.

Wednesday's Words for Real Estate (Mortgage Loan Insurance)

Mortgage loan insurance is required by lenders for high-ratio mortgages (more than 80% of the purchase price). It is available from CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) or a private insurer.

Motivational Monday (Crane Ride)

Positive thinking. It's amazing what this can do for you. Lately I've been focusing more and more on maintaining positive thoughts and perusing specific personal and professional goals. I guess my kids have seen me doing this and want to take part themselves.

On Saturday, my son talked about wanting to operate a crane. He saw a crane a bit later and again told me that he wanted to operate a crane. Of course my response was that when he was older he could. Well we walked down to farmers market for our weekly egg and muffin pickup. After that we went for a walk down to the fisherman's wharf. A large fishing boat was coming into dock to have some new hardware lifted on. We waited and watched the first of four pieces get lifted onto the boat with a crane. While the crew on the boat were affixing the piece to the boat the crane operator came over and told us that if we wanted to wait around, my son could have seat in the crane. Well of course we waited.

My son was extremely excited for the opportunity to sit in a real crane. When he finally got settled into the operators seat, the real operator told him to start pulling one of the levers. He pulled it and the crane began to spin around. Then he got to pull another lever that moved the hook up and down. Well, within a couple of minutes my son looked like a pro, operating both levers at the same time, spinning back and forth and moving the hook up and down. This was the highlight of his week.

After that he remembered that he had just thought about doing that the same morning. I told him to make a list like mine of all the things he wanted to accomplish in life. We wrote down about 20 things, most of which involved riding on various machines. After we had written the list he wanted me to read it to him over and over and over. What a great way to stay focused on your goals. And because my son was so excited from the crane ride he truly believes with all his heart that you can accomplish whatever it is you set your mind to.

Government of Canada Announces Additional Support for Canadian Credit Markets (CMHC)

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced the Government will purchase up to an additional $50 billion of insured mortgage pools by the end of the fiscal year as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain the availability of longer-term credit in Canada.

This action will increase to $75 billion the maximum value of securities purchased through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under this program.

"At a time of considerable uncertainty in global financial markets, this action will provide Canada’s financial institutions with significant and stable access to longer-term funding," said Minister Flaherty.

"This extension of the program to purchase insured mortgages will further support the availability of credit, which will benefit Canadian households, businesses and the economy. In addition, it will earn a modest rate of return for the Government with no additional risk to the taxpayer."

In addition:

* The Government will reduce the base commercial pricing of the Canadian Lenders Assurance Facility by 25 basis points. It will also waive the 25 basis point across-the-board surcharge for insurance provided under the Facility until further notice. This will make the Facility more competitive with similar programs offered in other countries. The term sheet for the Facility will be posted on the Finance Canada web site (www.fin.gc.ca) shortly.

* The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) announced yesterday an increase in the allowable limit of innovative and preferred shares in Tier 1 capital. This will provide Canadian financial institutions with more sources of funds to support lending in Canada. This will also ensure that similar decisions in other countries do not place Canadian institutions at a competitive disadvantage. Further technical information is available from OSFI at www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca.

* As the Bank of Canada noted in its announcement on October 13, the Bank will continue to provide exceptional liquidity to the Canadian financial system as long as conditions warrant.

"The Government of Canada is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that Canada’s strong financial system is not put at a competitive disadvantage by developments in other countries. The Government will not allow Canada’s financial system, which has been ranked as the soundest in the world, to be put at risk by global events," said Minister Flaherty.

Wednesday's Words for Real Estate (Easement)

Definition: A limited right of use of another's land by a landowner for the benefit of his land. The land receiving the benefit is called the dominant tenement and the land granting the benefit is called the servient tenement.

Trent's Tuesday Top Ten (Reasons to Buy a Home in Port Alberni this November)

10. If you buy now, you can still move in before Christmas. But no long enough to get organized and have the in-laws over.

9. It's raining, hard. You can't hide leaks and flooding when it's raining hard.

8. Property values are now actually coming down in price and there are many deals to be had.

7. There are still many homes for sale on the market. Many of them have been listed since the summer so there is a great selection.

6. The moons are in alignment, the north star casts a shadow on Venus, and your lucky numbers November 1 through 30.

5. You still stand a chance at getting in a few good lawn mowings before the end of the year. Yipee!

4. In the typical yearly cycle October and November have the lowest volume of sales in the year. This means that sellers have more incentive during this time to sell than any other time of the year.

3. You can wait until Boxing Day sales to furnish your home.

2. It's a great time of year to get landscapers to come out and work on your yard because this is there slow season.

1. With the money you save on your purchase this month you can take vacation in the new year.

Another Winner!!!

Congratulations to Wade Wesa for answering my question in last week's contest. Wade wins a Starbucks gift card! Hey wade, let me know how you would like me to send the gift card to you.

Join my Facebook group. Participate in the contests. Win prizes!

2 great new prices!

5413 Woodland Cres. 3 bedroom 2 bath townhouse in Westporte Place now is priced at $209,900

401-4505 Victoria Quay 3 bedroom 2 bath condo is now priced at $225,000

Call me to have a look at either one. 250.723.1800

Canadian Vs. U.S. Economy

I recently read a report provided by the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals discussing the differences between the U.S. and Canadian Housing markets and economies. There are several aspects of the report that I found quite interesting. The first is that they regard the Canadian economy as being much stronger than the U.S. counterpart. They discuss first the overall employment to population ratios. They express the fact that over the last ten years Canada has raised the the percentage of employed population while the U.S. number has fallen. What I find interesting is that our 2008 percentage is still considerably lower than their 1998 percent in the U.S. And although we now have a higher employment rate than in the U.S. I don't believe that our economy is "stronger" it is just more resilient and flexible because of our smaller population and industries.

The second point they make is that since 1990 Canadian homeowners have maintained their level of equity in their homes while in the U.S., their share of equity has fallen from about 64% to around 56%. Obviously this is a reflection of the crisis in the U.S. housing market. The interesting point here is that the downward trend in the U.S. started round 2001 when the North American Housing market started to pick up some speed. Was this the first sign of the lending practices that first got the U.S. into their current housing crisis?

The third point I want to mention is that starting in early 2005, the U.S. average home sale price started to decline while the Canadian counterpart continued to rise. I don't find this surprising at all since the Canadian economy is closely tied to that of the U.S. but does seem to have a lag time in regards to the trends of the market. Our house prices are starting to see declines in most local markets in Canada now that the U.S. economy is likely very near the bottom.

Time will tell where we will be in the next six months or a year. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this report, email me at Trent@TrentSnikkers.com

Real Estate Words Defined: Tenancy in Common.

The form of ownership in which the Registered Owners of interests in the property declare that there shall be NO automatic right of survivorship. If one dies, his or her share is distributed in accordance with their Will or the Estate Administration Act, if Intestate. The property forms part of the deceased's estate and passes to the Personal Representative of the Deceased upon filing a Probate Order with the Land Title Office.

Motivational Quote

The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.

Charles Du Bos

Trent's Tuesday Top Ten (Ways to Green your Home)

10. Check the insulation. Make sure that the insulation in your home is to current codes or better. Check that insulation is not compressed and that there are no gaps. Ceiling insulation is especially important but check walls and flooring as well if it accessible.

9. Buy ENERGY STAR appliances. These can provide a huge amount of savings over older models without and ENEGRY STAR certification. When you replace your fridge with one that is more efficient, don’t put it in the basement as a beer fridge. It still consumes power in the basement.

8. Stop air leaks. Check weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors and replace where needed. Don’t forget to place thermal gaskets around light switches and receptacles and close chimney flues when not in use.

7. Check your water heater. Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Insulate hot water pipes from the tank to the taps, as for as you can, wherever you can. These small changes will save power and money.

6. Program thermostats. Get a programmable thermostat and throw away the old one. Set it to reduce the temperature by a few degrees when your not home and when you are asleep. In the winter, set your temperature down a few degrees and in the summer set it a bit higher to save on cooling costs.

5. Use CFLs. Compact fluorescent lights save energy and save in buying them because they last ten times as long. Even better, try using led lights. Yes, they are more expensive but they require even less power and you might only need to buy on once in you life time.

4. Plant trees. Plant coniferous trees on the north and east sides of your house to block cold winds from hitting your house, reducing heating costs by up to 20%. Plant deciduous trees on the west and south sides and in the winter they will let the sun into your house and in the summer they will block the light.

3. Use low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in your home. Thinking of doing a renovation? Think about the chemicals in the laminate, vinyl, paint and other finishes in your home. Many of these materials can have up to 1000 times the healthy levels. Check the products and ask question from your supplier. If they don’t know what is in their product, look somewhere else.

2. Plant your own garden for fresh food. No matter how big or how small, grow something and eat it. Fruit trees, vegetable garden, herbs, etc.

1. Turn off electronics at night or when not in use. Computers, TV’s, DVD players, printers and so on all consume power even when they are turned off. Unplug them or get a power bar and switch them off there.

3535 12th Avenue Great New Price!!!

Attention Home Buyers!!! Price Reduction!
3535 12th Avenue has a great new price!
$192,900.00
3 Bedroom, 2 bathroom, Nicely update.
Let me know if you want to check it out!

2598 3rd Avenue, Port Alberni, BC

Vacant building lot
33' X 125'
Corner of Bruce and 3rd Avenue
Call Trent @ 888.723.1800 for more details.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Supports Canadian Credit Markets

OTTAWA, October 10, 2008 — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will purchase up to $25 billion in insured mortgage pools as part of the Government of Canada’s plan, announced today, to maintain the availability of longer-term credit in Canada.

The first purchase of $5 billion will be made October 16, 2008 through a competitive auction process. The mortgages involved are high-quality assets that are already guaranteed through government-backed mortgage insurance. The Government will announce a schedule of future purchase dates to take place over the coming weeks.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.

Trent's Tuesday Top Ten (Reasons to use a Mortgage Broker)

10. Access to over 75 different lenders, banks, trust companies, investors and financial institutions.

9. Fast credit and loan pre-approvals with no cost or obligation.

8. Up-to-date on all the mortgage rates, terms and re-payment options available on the market.

7. They only specialize in mortgages and are knowledgeable on current trends.

6. They are experts at matching you with the best-suited mortgage.

5. Get mortgage rates at wholesale, guaranteed up to 120 days.

4. They work for YOU, not the bank.

3. They increase competition in the market place, thus keeping rates low.

2. They save you time and money!

1. Brokers have vested interest in satisfying your needs since they rely on referrals and repeat business.

Housing Starts Remained Strong in September - CMHC

OTTAWA, October 8, 2008 — The seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of housing starts was 217,600 units in September, up slightly from 217,400 units in August, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Housing starts remained at a high level in September, with construction activity again staying above the 200,000 unit threshold.” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre. “Higher starts of multiple family homes were behind the rise in new home construction activity in September.”

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts rose 0.1 per cent in September, compared to August. Urban multiples rose in September by 5.5 per cent to 122,500 units. Urban single starts decreased 8.1 per cent to 70,000 units in September compared to August.

September’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts went up or remained unchanged in all regions of Canada, except Ontario, where housing starts decreased by 6.6 per cent to 80,900 units. Urban starts increased to 9,500 units in Atlantic Canada, 29,000 units in the Prairies, and 33,600 units in British Columbia. In the Quebec region, starts remained stable at 39,500 units. Multiple urban starts increased in all regions in September, with the exception of Ontario, where they decreased by 1.9 per cent.

Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 25,100 units in September2.

For the first nine months of 2008, actual starts in rural and urban areas combined were down an estimated 5.7 per cent, compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date actual starts in urban areas have decreased by an estimated 0.8 per cent over the same period in 2007. Actual urban single starts for the January to September period of this year were 15.6 per cent lower than they were a year earlier, while urban multiple starts were up by 12.2 per cent over the same period.

Jim Carrey? You be the judge.

I was walking into the doctor's office yesterday for some routine maintenance. As I was approaching the building from the parking lot, three kids passed by me. One of them said to the other, "Hey, that's the guy from the signs. The one that looks like Jim Carrey." I started to laugh as I went into the doctor's office. By this point though, it didn't even shock me. I have had so many clients tell me the same thing. I guess it has something to do with the haircut. I'll let you decide.

Trent’s Tuesday Top Ten (Reasons to buy 5413 Woodland West Cres)

10. Because it is yellow and according to about.com yellow denotes happiness and joy.

9. Because you don't have to spend time cutting grass, cleaning gutters, and chopping wood, which leaves more time for...well anything else really.

8. Because in Westporte Place there is a higher than normal percentage of police in residence which is generally a good thing, unless you are a fugitive or are trying to start a grow-op.

7. Because no matter what the season you will be guaranteed to be blinded by lights (Christmas, Halloween, Etc...)

6. Because you have two parking spots, one for the Hummer and one for the Bentley.

5. Because you would be as close to Sproat Lake as anyone living within city limits could get.

4. Because it is the end unit the wild parties that you will throw will only make you enemies with one neighbour.

3. Because you could fit a small car in the master bedroom.

2. Because without too much trouble, you will be able to find neighbour that is willing to give you advise on how to make your lawn green...Greener than green...Spray paint green, even though you don't take care of your own lawn.

1. Because you probably can't give me ten good reasons not to.

Fall 2008 Newsletter

September 2008 Statistics - Vancouver Island Real Estate Board

To find more detailed Statitics go to: http://www.coastrealty.com/pages/market_stats/pdf_links/

Starbucks Card Winner!!!

Hello Everyone,

Congratulations to Belinda Zado for answering one of my questions in the discussion section of my Facebook Group. Belinda wins a Starbucks card. (Belinda, let me know how you want me to get that to you)

Make sure you check in at my facebook page or at
AlberniValleyRealEstate.blogspot.com to find out how you can win the next prize! It will be coming within the next week.

If you know anyone who might find real estate info useful or might just want to win something, let them know about my group. My Facebook group is the only place to win!

Trent

Pricing your home right. From the start

One common issue with many listings in the current is that they are overpriced. Not only will an over-priced listing take longer to sell (if it does sell at all), it may also lead to the seller receiving less money in the end. Let me explain.

As a home owner and seller, you want to get the most money out of your home when you sell. Typically, home owners will want to ask more than they know their house is worth just in case somebody wants to buy it at the inflated price. This never happens. Buyers are smart especially with the help of their Realtor.

When a house is first listed, their is a certain level of excitement in the new listing. All the Realtors in the area have clients that are currently looking for houses and the new listing might be the one they buy. If this house is overpriced in the initial offering, the buyer may discount it as a possibility.

Now you may think that the buyer may make an offer at the price that makes sense to them, the fact is that if there are other listings that are priced accurately at the same point in time, the buyer will more likely put an offer on one of those houses because they will believe that they will get a better price on the lower priced listings.

So the over priced listing sits on the market for a month or so. The seller, and the realtor decide its now time for a price reduction. At the reduced price the seller is confident that it will sell. However, now that it is an old listing it has lost some of its sparkle. The other Realtors, have moved it down a notch on their radar. Subsequently, this listings stays on the market for another month or two leading to yet another price drop.

The asking price is now listed just above the floor price that the seller is willing to accept. An offer comes in much lower because the listing has been on the market for so long. The seller is now forced to choose...take the lower price or risk leaving it on the market for another few months.

If this listing had been priced correctly in the first place. There would have been a much higher level of excitement and urgency from one or multiple buyers. In fact, depending on the market, their may be multiple-competing offers. The seller would end up with a higher price in the end.

The moral of this story...Listen to your Realtor, study the comparable sales (not the comparable listings)and list your house competitively right from the start and you will make more money from your sale.

2526 15th Ave is SOLD!!!

I would like congratulate the owners of 2526 15th Avenue on the succesful sale of their house! I would also like to thank them for allowing me the opportunity to represent them with this transaction. I hope the new owners will enjoy the home.

Trent's Tuesday Top Ten (Common mistakes when selling)

10. Your family all thinks your Vancouver Island house is worth $350,000 when the actual market value is about $275,000. Of course you believe and trust their opinion since they live in Mongolia and obviously have their finger in the local market.

9. You decide to paint your house before you list it for sale. Unfortunately, you cover everything inside and out in lime green with purple trim.

8. You are pretty sure your suite in the basement is legal but you have a nagging feeling that the ten illegal immigrants that are cooped up inside are not.

7. You list your house for sale by owner. A sophisticated buyer comes along and asks you for a list of the chattels that come with the house. You get angry and tell him to leave because you aren't selling any of the cows.

6. Vacuuming and making your bed does not count as staging.

5. You decide to stay at home while your house is being shown because you really want to express the frequency with which you flush septo down your toilet.

4. Your Realtor shows up to host an open house on a Saturday morning and politely informs you that there is an offensive odour that may not be appealing to buyers. You inform your Realtor that fried liver and onions is a common breakfast in your country.

3. Your harvest gold kitchen set is not cool...never was...never will be. Period.

2. You decide to spruce up your yard a bit before an open house. You hire a dump truck to bring in some top soil. Unfortunately there is a clerical error and the dump truck loads your front yard with a load full of nicely composted steer manure.

1. You pick your real estate agent based on a photo from the company website. Unfortunately when he arrives at your house he is now a she and is about thirty years older than the picture suggests. Believe me, one picture does not last a lifetime.


5.

THREE OPEN HOUSES! THREE GREAT PRICES!!!

Saturday September 27th, 2008

10:30am - 12:00pm 3535 12th Ave $198,900
12:00pm - 1:45pm 3806 China Creek Road $229,900
2:00pm - 4:00pm 5413 Woodland West Crescent $219,900

Stop by for information on our market and info if you are buying or selling.

Wood Heating: Part Three

Here is the last installment on wood heating. I hope this has been of use to some of you.

Storing Wood

In the early spring, wood should be cut to the right length, split to a variety of sizes and stacked off the ground on rails in an open area exposed to sun and wind. Prepared this way, the firewood will be ready for burning that fall. The tops of the stacks should be covered to prevent rain from soaking down through them. Prime time for firewood seasoning is the very hot days in July and August when the sun beats down, warming each piece of wood while gentle summer breezes rinse away the moisture driven out of the wood. If possible, don’t pile wood in a shady area and never stack green wood in a woodshed because it will not dry properly in time for the heating season.

In the fall, ideally after a few sunny days, the wood is moved to its winter storage location. Winter storage should be close to, but not inside, the house and fully sheltered from rain and snow so the wood stays dry.

Different designs mean that no single set of procedures will work perfectly in all appliance types.These suggestions come from many years of experience and information from scientists, research studies, stove manufacturers, retailers, chimney sweeps and people who rely on wood to heat their homes.

The procedures are suitable for most current and older models where the fire is built on a solid hearth (not a grate); the combustion air reaches the fire at the front, nearest the loading door; and, there are no catalysts.

However, householders can adapt most of these suggestions to other designs, including catalytic stoves.

You may not be able to use all of the tips that follow exactly, but you can adapt most of them to your circumstances. The result will be more consistent, efficient fires that produce the heating results you want.

How to Start a Fire with Little or No Smoke

A kindling fire that collapses into a smouldering mess is frustrating and also embarrassing if someone is watching. By following the suggestions offered in this About Your House, you can avoid future frustration by building kindling fires that ignite quickly and burn reliably.

The kindling fire should quickly heat up the chimney to create strong draft and heat the brick and steel of the firebox to create a good environment for stable combustion. The type and form of kindling materials affect the behaviour of the fire. The edges of split firewood heat up and ignite first, so the more edges there are close together in the kindling fire, the faster it will ignite.

Kindling pieces need to be finely split to produce many edges where the fire will first catch. The lower density and usually higher oil content of softwoods like cedar, pine and spruce make them better for kindling because they ignite more readily than hardwoods. The drier and more finely split the kindling, the faster and more reliably will the fire ignite and burn.

In preparing to build a wood fire, remove excess ash from the firebox. Ash should never be allowed to build up to more than five cm (2 in.) in thickness. Next, locate where the main supply of combustion air enters the firebox — that’s where you want the fire to first ignite. Open the air control fully.

There are two popular strategies for building kindling fires that don’t collapse and smother themselves: the two parallel logs technique and the top-down fire technique.
Two Parallel Logs

Place two split logs parallel to each other in the firebox with a space between. Fill the space with crumpled newspaper and fine kindling and place several larger pieces of kindling crosswise on top. Light the paper.
Top-Down Fire

First, place two or three standardsized pieces in the firebox. Then add a few pieces of heavy kindling. Finally, add some fine kindling. Roll up single sheets of newspaper, tie a knot in each and place four or five on top of, or in front of, the kindling. Light the paper.

This type of kindling fire can provide two or more hours of effective heating without having to open the door to add wood or adjust the fire.

Owners of small stoves oriented east–west (see Figure 8) may have some trouble using either of these methods. One way to make lighting fires easier in small, east-west stoves is to cut some of your the firewood in half, especially logs intended for kindling, so that each piece is only about 20 cm (8 in.) long. A kindling fire of small, crisscrossed pieces should light easily if the wood is dry enough.

Leave the combustion air inlet open at least until the firebox is full of flame, the surface of the wood is charred black and the edges of the pieces are glowing red.

Wood Heating: Part Two

So I guess I was wrong. I couldn't hold out any longer. I got the wood furnace started and away I go with the heating season. This part of the article may seem simple but beleive me there is importance to what is being said here. Read on...

Buying and Preparing Firewood

Good quality firewood is essential for efficient and convenient wood heating. Good firewood is the right size for the appliance firebox and is properly seasoned.

While hardwoods like oak and maple are fine for very cold winter weather, softer woods like birch and poplar make better fuel for milder spring and fall weather.

As much as half the weight of freshly cut logs can be water. This water content must be reduced to 15 to 20 per cent before the wood can burn efficiently. How you process and store the wood is critical to achieving this moisture reduction goal.

Cut the logs into pieces that are at least 75 mm (3 in.) shorter than the firebox. For convenient handling and fire management in most woodburning appliances, firewood pieces should not exceed 40 cm (16 in.) in length. Piece lengths as short as 30 cm (12 in.) can be better for small heaters. Just because your stove’s firebox can handle 50 cm (20 in.) logs does not mean that logs that long are needed or even desirable.

Split the wood into a variety of sizes for convenient fire building and maintenance. Large pieces are fine for large fires in cold weather but smaller pieces are needed in mild weather and for fast ignition of new fires or fires rekindled from coals. Commercial firewood is generally not split small enough. For most appliances, split the wood in a range of 8 to15 cm (3 to 6 in.) measured at the largest cross-sectional dimension. Although this means more splitting and more pieces to handle, each piece is easier to lift and more importantly, fire management will be much more convenient all winter long.

Wood Heat Introduction

When I woke up today fall smacked me in the face. It sure got cold all of a sudden. I thought this would be a great reason to give you some info on wood heat, which is how I heat my house. And yes, the five cords of wood I chopped are all ready to go but it's going to have to get a bit colder before I can convince myself to start burning up all my efforts from the summer.

 

Here is the intro to an article from the CMHC about wood heat. I will post the rest in coming days because it is fairly lengthy. Enjoy.

Efficient, Convenient Wood Heating

Introduction

More than one million Canadian families heat their homes at least partly with wood. For these households wood is an important energy source, one that involves their active participation. Having control over the fuel supply offers security from electrical power interruptions and shelter from rising conventional energy costs.

Considering the many advantages for those who live at the urban fringe and beyond, wood heating is worth doing right. "Done right" means making sure the wood heating system is installed exactly to safety codes, preparing good quality firewood and operating the system using techniques that will produce the best efficiency and effectiveness.

Figure 1 — This chimney and flue pipe arrangement gives the best performance

System Design and Safety

The chimney is a critical component of a wood-heating system. It is much more than a simple exhaust pipe. It is the engine that drives the system by producing the pressure difference, or draft, that draws in combustion air and expels exhaust outdoors.

To work properly, a chimney must be installed up through the warm space of a house, rather than through a wall and up the outside.

The venting system — the flue pipe and chimney — should be as straight as possible. The best performing system has the flue pipe running straight up from the flue collar of the wood-burning appliance to the base of a chimney that runs straight up through the roof.

"Advanced-technology woodburning appliances," which have been available since 1990, are about one-third more efficient than older conventional units, such as 1970s and 80s "airtight" stoves. They are identified by their Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification or compliance with CSA standard B415 of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) for low smoke emissions. If you are planning a new wood-heating system or thinking of replacing your older stove, take advantage of the new technologies and save yourself time, money and work.

Your best resource for reliable woodheating information and service is a WETT-certified retailer, installer or chimney sweep. WETT stands for the Wood Energy Technical Training program, Canada's national training system for wood-heating professionals. You can find the WETT-certified professionals near you by visiting http://www.wettinc.ca

Our Market - What do you think?

Do you own a home? Are you thinking of buying? Is the current market holding you back or do you still have confidence. Do you think it is a good time to sell?

Let me know what you think.

Fall is here! So is the rain. How to Improve Stormwater Management in Your Yard

Hello everyone,

 

Fall is my favourite time of year, especially September when the days are usually still sunny but the evenings are cool. I also like the fact that my vegetable garden is finally producing some food. I have piles of squash, carrots, potatoes and much more. I also look upon fall as a time to start thinking about water in my yard. In heavy rains, water can sometimes turn my yard into a lake. So between excessive fall rains and the gardens in my yard, I thought I would provide an article about controlling water on your property by using a rain garden. Enjoy!

 

Designing a Rain Garden - CMHC

How to Improve Stormwater Management in Your Yard

Whether it's melting snow in the spring or rainfall all year round, stormwater runoff from your roof, driveway and other hard surfaces in your yard can tax municipal sewer systems, pollute lakes and streams, and harm aquatic habitats.

One relatively easy and inexpensive way to reduce runoff is with a rain garden — a planted or stone-covered bed specifically designed to receive stormwater, and allow it to be absorbed into the soil. To help you let your stormwater runoff soak in, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a series of tips on how to design and build an attractive rain garden for your yard, including:

• First, find a suitable location. Observe where stormwater normally accumulates in your yard, and place your rain garden at a low point along that natural flow.
  
• Make sure your rain garden is as level as possible, to prevent water from simply flowing over the lower edge. If possible, avoid slopes greater than 12 per cent to minimize the amount of soil you need to build up on the lower edge.
  
• To avoid moisture problems, place your rain garden at least 4 metres away from vulnerable areas, such as your house foundation, septic beds or neighbouring homes.
  
• Look for soil that is sandy, gravelly, loam or a mix of soils that drain easily so that you don't have standing water for more than 2 days. Avoid clay soil, because it can substantially slow the drainage process.
  
• Direct your roof downspout extension into your rain garden to absorb runoff from your roof.
  
• Loosen compacted soils in the rain garden to a depth of between 0.6 – 1.2 metres, to ensure that the soil drains easily. You can amend your soil to this depth by working in sand, fine gravel and organic matter to improve drainage.
  
• Make certain the surface of the depression is at least one metre above the seasonally high shallow groundwater table.
  
• Consider locating your rain garden in a sunny or partially shady area, to allow you the greatest selection of plant varieties and species.
  
• Make sure the rain garden is at least 1.5 times longer than it is wide, to capture as much stormwater as possible.
  
• Finally, select perennials, shrubs and grasses that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions. Or, for an attractive alternative, cover the rain garden with loose, hard materials such as pebbles or river stone or combine pebbles and river stone with plants.
  

Follow-up to what the market is doing this fall.

Well yesterday was a day full of meetings for me.

First at our Coast Realty staff meeting we discussed the slowing market and what kind of things we can be doing to stay in business even through tougher times. We discussed such things as using the internet as a low cost or cost free way of developing a sound marketing system for homes. Websites such as Craigslist, eBay, Kijiji, facebook, blogging, personal websites, local websites and so on were discussed as useful tools for marketing ourselves and our listings. I think this is great and I have been using many of these marketing avenues in the past but our meeting put it into focus that these need to be further developed in a slowing market. Community involvement in service clubs, networking groups or other social setting was seen as great ways to develop business. We also discussed many other topics but I won't bore you with the rest.

What amazed me is that if this kind of thing works to sustain business in a slow market, what must it do in an active market? I think sound business practices and marketing strategies are essential even in the strongest markets, but this is beside the point.

My second meeting of the day required me to change my hat and meet as a member of the City of Port Alberni Planning Commission. On this month's agenda was the proposed rezoning of three apprtment buildings of four units each that sit on one acre of land. The owner wished to subdivide into three separate titles. The motivation for doing so seemed to be so the owner would be more reflexive to changing market and would have options of selling or redeveloping one, two or all three parcels separately. Seems like common sense to me, but again this is a reflection of where our market is headed in the short term and solidifies most of what the market has been telling us for the last six to eight months.

My dinner time meeting was as a candidate member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada. It was an interesting meeting with a room full of around 60 appraisers from the Nanaimo (mid-island) chapter. The unanimous view here was very much the same as my previous meeting of the day. We discussed what the slowing market meant for appraisers but what was surprising was how well, comparatively speaking, the Alberni Valley is doing in comparison to our surrounding markets.

Campbell River representatives are worried. With mills and mines shutting down coupled with an already high number of listings and low sales, they are preparing for prices to fall considerably. Parksville and Qualicum Beach have already begun to experience price drops. Port Alberni and the Alberni Valley, however, have not seen these price drops yet, and I think it is a function of affordability. Our relatively low house prices have put us in a position of higher demand for retirees and young families seeking affordable housing.

So again, between the three meetings, I got a clear picture from many others in the real estate industry that local markets are slowing. I am happy, however that although we are in a buyers market, we are just barely into a buyer's market and are very close indeed to a balanced market. I expect that the local market in the Alberni Valley should fare much better than surrounding areas as long as we continue to develop strong local economic strategies and further diversify our economy.

I also truly believe that any real estate professional that weathers any storm over the next year and a half will come out flying on the other side. Well let's wait and see what happens.

Please let me know if you agree or disagree with any of this. Comment or email trent@trentsnikkers.com

 

Heading into the fall market.

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So the question on everybody's mind lately is...What's the market going to do in the next six months to a year? Great question. If only there was an easy answer. Here are my thoughts:

 

Our local economy in the Alberni Valley and to a similar extent on Vancouver island will experience moderate overall price reductions in comparison with the lower mainland or the rest of Canada. These price reductions will come mainly come from overlisted prices that are coming down into reality. Overall I expect our average and median prices to move upward at or just above inflation. This will be mainly due to the Alberni Valley's overall affordability in comparison with even our closest local markets of Nanaimo, Courtenay, Parksville and so on.

I do see sales, however, slowing, and listings will need twice the market exposure time as this time last year. This is due primarily to the high number of homes that are listed and buyers that are becoming increasingly cautious. These factors coupled with new lending regulations set by the CMHC and the 35-year maximum amortization and 5% down requirements will make it more difficult for first time home buyer entering the market. This will, in the long run, provide more stabilization for the overall real estate industry and should moderate the peaks and valleys of a market that has become complacent with open lending policies.

Properties at or slightly below our average price will sell faster than higher end properties or properties priced lower but needing extensive renovations. This will provide a market with less speculation, both in new construction and in renovating (flipping). Again, this should help to stabilize the current downward trend in prices in preparation for the next upward trend in the cycle.

 

These are only my opinions. Don't use them as specific investment advice. I don't have a crystal ball but if you want to discuss any of this further please comment on the blog or email me at Trent@TrentSnikkers.com

Home Maintenance Tips for Fall - CMHC

Protect Your Home — and Your Investment!

Your house is more than the place where you live. It's your home, and your most important investment. Carrying out a regular program of maintenance and repairs can help you protect that investment for as long as you live in your home, and help keep your family safe and sound in every season.

This fall, for example, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has a variety of simple tasks you can perform to avoid the most common — and costly — problems before they occur, in just a few minutes a week. For example:

* Check and clean or replace your furnace filters on a monthly basis during the heating season.
* Have your furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified service company (every two years for a gas furnace and every year for an oil furnace).
* Bleed air from the hot water radiators, and turn the gas furnace pilot light on.
* Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove dust, removing the grilles on forced air systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
* If the heat recovery ventilator has been shut off for the summer, clean filters and the core, and pour water down the condensate drain to test it.
* Have well water tested for quality.
* Check the sump pump and line to ensure proper operation, and that there are no line obstructions or visible leaks.
* If you have a septic tank, measure the sludge and scum to determine if it needs to be emptied before spring. Tanks should be pumped out at least once every three years.
* Replace window screens with storm windows, and ensure all windows, doors and skylights shut tightly, including the door between your house and garage.
* Ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation wall to prevent water from draining into the basement.
* Clean leaves from eavestroughs and downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof, and check chimneys for nests or other obstructions.
* Cover the outside of air conditioners, and drain and store outdoor hoses. Close the valve to outdoor hose connection, and drain the faucet (unless it is frost proof).
* Winterize landscaping by storing outdoor furniture, preparing gardens and, if necessary, protecting young trees or bushes for winter.

For more information or a free copy of the Ask CMHC About Your Home's Possibilities catalogue, "About Your House" Home Maintenance Schedule or any of the other "About Your House" series of fast-and-factual guides covering virtually every facet of owning, maintaining or renovating your home, visit our Web site at www.cmhc.ca or call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada’s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise.

Housing Starts Up in August

OTTAWA, September 9, 2008 — The seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of housing starts was 211,000 units in August, up from 186,500 units in July, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“After a brief pause in July, the volatile multiple segment bounced back to a level of activity that is more consistent with our forecast for this year,” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist at CMHC's Market Analysis Centre. “Most of the volatility in housing starts over the last three months reflected swings in multiple starts in Ontario.”

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts rose 15.2 per cent in August compared to July. Both urban multiples and singles moved higher, with an increase of 25.2 per cent for multiples to 114,700 units, and a 2.0 per cent increase for singles to 71,200 units.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts was down in every region except Ontario where housing starts jumped 81.0 per cent to 86,500. Urban starts sagged 22.5 per cent to 23,700 units in the Prairies and dropped 11.5 in Atlantic Canada. Smaller declines of 8.7 per cent and 8.2 per cent were recorded in Quebec (37,600 units) and British Columbia (30,400 units) respectively.

Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 25,100 units in August2.

For the first eight months of 2008, actual starts in rural and urban areas combined were down an estimated 4.3 per cent compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date actual starts in urban areas have increased by an estimated 1.0 per cent over the same period in 2007. Actual urban single starts for the January to August period of this year were 16.8 per cent lower than they were a year earlier, while urban multiple starts were up by 17.6 per cent over the same period.

1 All starts figures in this release, other than actual starts, are seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) — that is, monthly figures adjusted to remove normal seasonal variation and multiplied by 12 to reflect annual levels.

2 CMHC estimates the level of rural starts for each of the three months of the quarter, at the beginning of each quarter. During the last month of the quarter, CMHC conducts the survey in rural areas and revises the estimate.

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

3806 China Creek Road – PRICE REDUCED!!! To $229,900

Hello everyone, I wanted to let you all know that 3806 China Creek Road has been reduced to $229,900 from its original price of $257,900.

I think that this is an exceptional deal in a great neighbourhood. The house has been extensively renovated including: refinished hardwood floors, new paint inside and out, brand new kitchen cabinets and appliances, some new windows, new concrete retaining walls, marble counter in bathroom and much more. It is located in a great neighbourhood near schools, church, nature trails, shopping and more. Call me at 888.723.1800 or email trent@trentsnikkers.com to schedule an appointment to view.

 

This offer is only available for two weeks so call now.

 

OPEN HOUSE!!! 5413 Woodland W Cres. Port Alberni BC $229,900.00 Saturday July 26th from 11:00am to 1:00pm

5413 Woodland W Cres. Port Alberni BC $229,900.00

WESTPORTE TOWNHOUSE!

3 bedroom, 2 bathroom end unit located in one of the Alberni Valley's most desirable areas. Open floor plan on main floor and laundry located upstairs with the bedrooms. Include 5 new appliances, new floors on main, new rock-work on gas fireplace. Also includes a storage locker and two parking stalls. Close to parks and river.

5413 Woodland Cres. Port Alberni BC $229,900

3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse located in Westporte Place in the Alberni Valley.
More info and Photos coming soon. Email trent@trentsnikkers.com for more info.

Talll ships come to the Alberni Valley BC

5234 Ian Ave. $299,000 Port Alberni BC Canada

#401-4505 Victoria Quay $245,000.00 Port ALberni BC Canada

Two bedroom plus den, 2 bathroom corner condo unit on top floor with exceptional views of Somass River, Strathcona Glacier, mountains and marina. Large master bedroom opens onto balcony and features a 4 piece bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower. The unit has an open concept floor plan with laminate flooring. Located close to all amenities, this building features a secure entrance, secured covered parking and elevator. Large laundry room in unit with space for a deep freeze. Don't miss this opportunity to live easy at such a great price!

5234 Ian Ave. $299,000 Port Alberni BC Canada

Country or City living? Get both in this incredibly unique 1.067 acres located well within city limits and close to schools, shopping and parks. This beautifully treed property backs onto Kitsuksis Creek Green belt with trails connecting the house with acres and acres of nature. The house is just over 1600 square feet with 2 bedrooms [possibly 3], Large living room and kitchen. Also includes sheds, fenced section of yard and lane access. If you are looking for the peace of living in the country but want the amenities of living in the city this is the one for you!

4619 10th Ave. $250,000.00 Port Alberni BC Canada

Located in quiet Glenwood location, this home is just under 2800 square feet. 3 Bedrooms on main with rec room and workshop inside. Also includes two potential bedrooms in basement, large deck that is partially covered, double carport, large in-ground pool.

Price Reduced! $209,900. 5573 Strick Road Port Alberni, BC

3162-3164 8th Ave

3535 12th Ave REDUCED!!! $204,900

ALL THE WORK IS DONE IN THIS 3 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM HOME

This home is centrally located, near schools, shopping and parks. New floors, paint, thermal windows. Extra large laundry/utility room on the main floor, large bedrooms and deck finish off this great home. The yard requires very little maintenance and the house is ready for you to move in. A stand-out home in this price range! Make sure you have a look inside this home.