- See more at: http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Renovating/HAFI#sthash.RM8BXtMD.dpuf

Courtesy of Canada Mortgage and Housing - Click here for more information!

Preventing burglaries requires more than locks and alarms

There's no doubt about it. If you want to keep your home safe from breakins, you should have good locks an all doors and windows. An alarm system is also a good idea!  But home security doesn't end with locks and alarms. There are other less obvious ways to keep your home safe. For example:

• Install exterior lights with a motion detection feature. A light suddenly going on will almost always send a potential intruder away.

• Look for – and if possible eliminate – spots around your property where someone can hide.

• Always have some lights on in your home when you're away for an evening.

• Never announce that you're on vacation or otherwise away from your home on social media sites. (Also ask your kids not to do this!)

• Don't leave tempting valuables where they can be easily seen through a window.

In addition to good locking systems on doors and windows, simple precautions like these will significantly lower the risk of a break-in.

How to Find a Reputable Contractor

There are so many horror stories about disreputable or incompetent home improvement contactors that television shows have been made about them.

Unless you want to be a guest on one of those programs, take steps to ensure you find a good contractor. Here are some tips that will help:

• Ask for references. Speak to the references and ask many questions!

• Get a detailed written estimate of the work to be done, and make sure you understand all the terms and        conditions.

• Be wary of contractors who insist on large payments upfront! The payment plan should be reasonable and  tied to work as completed.

• Ask if the contractor is a member of any professional associations such as Better Business Bureau.

• Don't deal with a contractor who offers you a no-tax, cash-only deal. 

• Ensure the contractor to get the appropriate permits before starting your project!

These tips won't guarantee you'll hire a reputable contractor, but they will increase the chances that you do!

How a Home Inspection Helps You!

Whether you're considering buying a particular home, selling your current property – or both – a home inspection can help!

A home inspection is an inspection by a qualified professional who takes a close look at every aspect of a home – structure, wiring, plumbing, and more – and identifies issues you may not have noticed yourself.  For example, a home inspection can reveal that a furnace will need to be replaced soon, or that there is a water leak into the basement that needs to be fixed.

You'll definitely want to get a professional home inspection before you buy a particular property. That's why most offers to purchase a home are conditional upon passing a home inspection. (The last thing you want is to buy your dream home only to discover that the wiring needs to be updated!)  You may also want to get a home inspection on your own home before you list it for sale. A certificate from a qualified professional that states that your 
home passed inspection will make your property more attractive to buyers.  Many reputable home inspectors are members of a professional industry association.

In Canada:  

• Canada Association of Home & Property Inspectors.   (http://www.cahpi.ca) 
• Professional Home and Property Inspectors of Canada. (http://www.phpic.ca) 
• National Home Inspectors Certification Council.  (http://www.nationalhomeinspector.org)

In the U.S. 
• American Society of Home Inspectors. (http://www.ashi.org) 
• National Association of Home Inspectors. (http://www.nahi.org) 
• American Institute of Inspectors. (http://www.inspection.org)

It's important to note that certification or licensing is not a requirement in many jurisdictions. So select a home inspector carefully.

If you need to find a reputable home inspector, please give me a call!

Population distribution 

Most of B.C.’s population is located in the southwestern corner of the province. In 2008, the proportion of the population, by region, was:

• Mainland/Southwest – 60%
• Vancouver Island/Coast – 17%
• Thompson-Okanagan – 12%
• Cariboo – 4%
• Kootenay – 3%
• North Coast & Nechako – 2%
• Northeast – 2%

Population age distribution

The population is aging 

B.C.’s population is aging. In 2006, for the first time since census-taking started in the province, the median age in B.C. was just over 40 years.

Between 1995 (the first year for which regional workforce data is available) and 2008, the number of seniors – people aged 65 and older – grew by 34%. That was more than double the increase in B.C.’s total population during the same period (16%).

In 2008, 15% of the population of the province was aged 65 and older. By comparison, 19% of the Thompson-Okanagan population was in this age category. Seniors accounted for the smallest percentage of the total population in Northeast (8%) and North Coast & Nechako (11%). 

Changes in the size and age structure of the population are linked to changes in employment over time. For example, because many people 65 years or older are retired, a large senior population in a region will mean that a smaller share of its residents is likely to be available for work.

Northern regions of the province have a more youthful population than other regions 

Between 1995 and 2008, the number of children (under 15 years) living in B.C. decreased by 8% while the province’s total population grew by 16%.

Mainland/Southwest, where the population grew by 23%, is the only region that saw an increase in children (3%) from 1995 to 2008.

Overall, the northern regions have a youthful population compared with other regions of the province, but even in the north the number of children is declining. In North Coast & Nechako, for example, children made up 20% of the population in 2008. Yet, between 1995 and 2008, the number of young people there declined by a greater proportion than in any other region (34%). North Coast & Nechako’s total population shrank by 14% in the same period.

In 2008, Cariboo also had a relatively large number of children (18%), as did Mainland/Southwest (16%). Thompson-Okanagan (15%) and Vancouver Island/Coast (14%) had proportionally fewer children.

In every region, at least two-thirds of the population is between 15 and 64 years of age 

The largest share of the population in every region is of working age – that is, between 15 and 64 years. In 2008, the largest percentages of working-aged residents were in Mainland/Southwest (71%) and Cariboo (70%). Proportionally smaller working-aged populations were in Thompson-Okanagan (66%) and Kootenay (67%), both having large senior populations.

Courtesy Work BC  http://www.workbc.ca/Statistics/Regional-Profiles/Pages/Regional-Profiles.aspx 

If you are thinking or planning to retire, here are 7 strategies towards speeding up towards financial independence!

1)  Consider a part time job!

If you don’t have enough money to retire, then you’ll need to cut back on your planned retirement spending, or find a way to save more. Many people are choosing to work longer.  If you don't want to work longer, you will have to find a way to save more!

2)  Protect your savings!

Plain old GICs are among the best low-risk investments, but you have to shop around for the best rates. Bonds are another option worth looking into but you may want to speak with a financial advisor to ensure you are selecting the right type of GIC or Bond!

3)  Boost your income with Dividends!

You’ll need to keep a significant part of your portfolio in equities, and focusing on dividend-paying stocks may provide the right balance of risk and reward.

4)  Downsize and cash in your home!  

Real estate in Canada has had an enormous boom in recent years, and that’s allowed many long-time homeowners to build wealth!   If you own an expensive home, you could add to your cash savings by downsizing or relocating.

5)  Think differently about debt!  

Carrying debt into retirement was once considered dangerous and irresponsible. But today’s low interest rates have changed the game—as long as you borrow smart.

6)  Wait before you buy an Anuity!

Annuities suit many middle-class seniors but aren’t necesarily for everyone. Annuity payout rates are affected by interest rates, and current payouts are dismally low. Many experts say the current sweet spot for annuities these days is about age 70!

7)  Reduce your Tax Bill!

Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) has added another option.  If you’re saving for retirement with limited funds, whether you sock money away in your RRSP or TFSA depends on your tax bracket now compared with when you withdraw the funds.

For more information click here!

Courtesey of Moneysense.ca 

Are you thinking of downsizing?  

This is a question that many people are considering these days.  For many people they have family that is getting older or it could be their own home that they want to downsize!    They may want something that is smaller and more manageable or maybe they have a a home that is far to large for them and a lot of equity tied up in the home.

For other people, downsizing can mean leaving a home with many memories, familiar friends and neighbours. Storage issues and not having enough room for guests and family can also be a disadvantage.  The up-side can mean putting your energy into hobbies, dedicating more time to being active, and spending more time with grandchildren.  Spending less time on the house both inside and outside can appeal as well as minimizing your living expenses and travelling more!  What ever you decide, for most people, the thought of downsizing and where to start can be quite overwhelming for most people!

Several years ago my family and I were faced with dealing with this situation and these types of decisions. Deciding where to move our father when his health declined was very hard and there were so many unanswered questions.  Finding out who to ask, and where to go and what to do first was a challenge.  It was a very difficult process to say the least.  With some family living out of town, having 2 young children, working full time, and dealing with the details of the move was both mentally and physically exhausting.

Here are some items to consider when it comes to deciding if you or family is ready to downsize.

• Determine what your needs will be!  Will you be travelling once you downsize?  Do you want to be in walking distance to shopping, transportation and seniors or recreation centers?  Do you need a guest or project room?  Is strata living such as a condo or townhome an option?  Determining your essential criteria for your new home is the first step.
• Get help!  Have a family member assist you.  Start with just 15 - 30 minutes each day and sort through piles of paper, photos, cupboards and clothing.  Have 4 areas where you can put items to send to family, recycling, garbage and charity.  Host a garage sale is another good option!  There are also some excellent companies that offer assistance with packing, sorting and decluttering your home.  Having someone to assist you through the downsizing process will make it much more enjoyable whether it be family or a professional!  Having the assistance will make the process much easier.    
• Assess your needs!  Will you need a place setting for 14 or will 8 be enough?  Will you need a large dining table and a kitchen table as well?  Will you be taking the treadmill that is collecting dust, or will your walking shoes be enough?  Ask yourself how often you use these items.  Consider giving special items to family members or close friends.  Passing your china onto children or grandchildren can be an option and you get to enjoy seeing them use the items.  Putting items in storage for 6 - 8 months can also be an option - this way you can see if you really will miss the item.
• Measure your furniture!  You will need to know how your furniture is going to fit into your new home.  Often people's large furniture items do not fit well into their new residence.  Couches and bedroom suites can pose the biggest problems for people so be aware and measure!
• Consider storage!  Don't underestimate the amount of storage you will need!  How many closets will the new home offer?  Will you have fewer kitchen cupboards?  If you are moving into a condo, does it offer a storage locker or will you need to rent a separate locker?  Going through your kitchen and bathroom cupboards and getting rid of junk that has accumulated will be necessary.  Minimizing tools and garage items will also be required.  
• Buy or Sell first?  Sellers often ask whether they should buy or sell first.  It really comes down to the individuals and their situation and their risk tolerance. Do you want the risk of owning two homes or none at all?  Generally speaking, it can be less pressure to sell your home first.  You will know exactly how much money you will have and while it is on the market, you and your Realtor can view other housing options.  Sometimes purchasing a new home subject to the sale of the present home can be an option depending on the market.  Ask yourself if you are financially capable of carrying two homes until one sells?  If you are not, then selling first and if you do not find an available home, a short term rental will be your option.
• Getting ready for the move!  Once you have decided on where you or family will be moving to, deciding on how the move will happen is the next step!  This can be an exciting time for people and scary for others.  Getting professional movers is a great option and can minimize stress.  Many moving and downsizing companies will come in a access, pack and unpack you once the move has taken place.  

I have many resources available and business alliances that specialize in many of these areas.  Whether you or someone you know is considering a smaller home, 55plus condo, assisted living or continuing care, I can provide advice and guidance to assist your through the process.  Decluttering, packing, storage, moving, finances and estate planning must all be taken into consideration.  If you would like more information regarding downsizing or moving, please call me anytime!

I'm excited to tell you about a new and upcoming project in the tri-cities!  

This project is designed for people that are downsizing from their large homes!

This is wonderful news to have some new properties available in the tri-cities.  As many people know there has not been a lot to choose from for people that are wanting to stay in the tri-city area and downsize from their large homes.  

These homes will have an attention to detail and high quality construction, including rain screen technology!  They will offer a comprehensive Travelers Guarantee Company of Canada warranty coverage: 1 year for materials, 2 years for mechanical and electrical, and 5 years for building envelope and 10 years for sturctural coverage!

I will have more information coming soon so keep checking back or e-mail me @ leannesellshomes@shaw.ca if you would like to visit one of these homes!

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Did you know that the City of Coquitlam has a 50 Plus Newsletter and membership!  

You can become a member or get helpful information regarding local bus trips, special events, talks and workshops, arts and crafts, cards, health and fitness, games and more!  Check out the cities website or click on this link!

their methodology is incomplete in such a way that the omission of certain variables and of one supply equation can explain the importance of the demographic variable;

their result seems specific to the United States since the same demographic importance cannot be identified in other countries;

the relationship they estimate between household age and housing demand is incorrect because the age effect and cohort effect are confused. Far from reaching a peak at age 40, housing consumption seems to remain high right up to about age 70. Ageing will therefore not reduce the

on housing prices is not statistically significant, but that fluctuations in real income and interest rates were important.  The Foot contention, widely echoed in magazines and newspapers, met a cool, even negative, reception from housing market analysts who recalled the importance of economic factors in determining prices. However, the literature review found that the scientific conclusions are not repeated in the popular press and books aimed at the general public.  To clarify the respective contribution of demographic and economic influences, the authors used Canadian data to estimate a structural

econometric model of the housing market.  The model contains a demand equation and a housing stock adjustment equation. This empirical model is used to evaluate the impact of demographics and economic conditions on the change in real housing prices during the 1956-1997 period.  Three demographic growth scenarios and two economic growth scenarios are used with the model to

2. See “The Baby Boom, the Baby Bust and the Housing Market”, Journal of Regional Science and Urban Economics 19, pp. 235- 258 and “The Baby Boom, the Baby Bust, and the Housing Market: A Reply to Our Critics”,  Journal of Regional Science and Urban Economics , 21(4), pp.573-579, both by Mankiw, N. G. and D. N.Weil. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

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