In almost every movie featuring a house on fire, the actors seem to be able to move around the house and see just fine, while beating back flames with a shirt or coat. Of course, that’s not what happens in real fires.

When there’s fire in a home, there is typically complete darkness (because the power goes out) and a cloud of spreading thick, black smoke makes it difficult to see and breathe. That’s why knowing how to get out of your house — fast — is crucial.

Experts recommend rehearsing what to do in case there’s a fire. Make sure everyone in the family has an exit plan. Each should know exactly how to get out, including primary and secondary exits, and where the family will meet once safely outside.

Never attempt to take anything with you. It may seem like you have plenty of time to grab a coat or purse, but the characteristics of a fire can change in seconds.

As a failsafe, in case you can’t exit through a door, you should determine in advance which window has the safest exit. Make sure that the window opens easily and everyone knows how to remove the screen or any other obstruction.

Finally, don’t call the fire department from inside your house. Get out first, then make the call!

Did you know that, next to heating and air conditioning, your lights consume most of the energy in your home? In fact, you can lower your electricity bill quickly – and substantially – simply by being smarter about lighting!

First, consider replacing your conventional light bulbs with the energy saving variety. You've probably seen these at your local Home Depot or Rona. Compact florescent light bulbs, for example, use up to 75% less energy!

Second, lower the wattage in some outlets. Is it necessary to have a 100 watt bulb in the furnace room? Try a 60 watt bulb.  

Finally, think before you turn on the lights. Do you really need them on?  Perhaps there's an alternative, such as opening a window blind to let in more sunlight.

Of course, other appliances in the home will also use energy in the home.  Here are a few other tips for reducing your energy bill!

Unplug appliances when you are not using them such as  TV's, stereos, computers and laptops!

Check the thermostat in your fridge!  Fridge thermostats are normally set to 40 degress or lower and may be colder than necessary!

Eat dinner by Candlelight!

Use a booklight rather than having the main light in your room on.

Only do dishes when the dishwasher is completely full!

- Close your blinds in the summer, open them in the winter.

- Turn on your ceiling fans instead of running your AC.

- Clean the filters on your AC unit and furnace, they’ll all run more efficiently!

- Use your phone as an alarm clock. Toss that old school clock radio in the recycle bin.

September 2013 Market Update!  

Home sales are up 63% higher than last September!  See the Video link to the newest housing market update here!

Sale and listing activity continues to follow historical averages

Home buyer and seller activity in the Greater Vancouver housing market continues to far outpace 2012, yet is in line with the region’s 10-year averages.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,483 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2013. This represents a 63.8 per cent increase compared to the 1,516 sales recorded in September 2012, and a 1.2 per cent decline compared to the 2,514 sales in August 2013.

Last month’s sales were 1 per cent below the 10-year sales average for the month, while new listings for the month were 3.5 per cent below the 10-year average.

“While sales are up considerably from last year, it’s important to note that September 2012 sales were among the lowest we’ve seen in nearly three decades,” Sandra Wyant, REBGV said. “Home sale and listing activity this September were in line with the 10-year average for the month.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 5,030 in September. This represents a 5.5 per cent decline compared to the 5,321 new listings reported in September 2012 and a 20.2 per cent increase compared to the 4,186 new listings in August of this year.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® in Greater Vancouver is 16,115, a 12.2 per cent decrease compared to September 2012 and a 0.5 per cent increase compared to August 2013.

The sales-to-active-listings ratio currently sits at 15.4 per cent in Greater Vancouver.

“It’s important to remember that stronger sales activity does not necessarily equate to rising home prices. In fact, home prices have not fluctuated much in our market this year,” Wyant said.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver is currently $601,900. This represents a decline of 0.7 per cent compared to this time last year and an increase of 2.3 per cent compared to January 2013.

Sales of detached properties reached 1,023 in September 2013, an increase of 72.2 per cent from the 594 detached sales recorded in September 2012, and a 6.9 per cent increase from the 957 units sold in September 2011. The benchmark price for detached properties decreased 1.4 per cent from September 2012 to $922,600.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,018 in September 2013, an increase of 50.6 per cent compared to the 676 sales in September 2012, and an increase of 10.4 per cent compared to the 922 sales in September 2011. The benchmark price of an apartment property decreased 0.5 per cent from September 2012 to $366,600

Attached property sales in September 2013 totalled 442, an increase of 79.7 per cent compared to the 246 sales in September 2012, and a 20.4 per cent increase from the 367 attached properties sold in September 2011. The benchmark price of an attached unit is currently $458,300, which is unchanged from September 2012.

Courtesy of the real estate board of greater vancouver. 

Market is picking up for buyers!

Todays Market continues to favor Buyers!   Low interest rates, good selection on the market and less time pressure in terms of decision making make it a good time to buy!

Sales to Active listing ratio is up 11% since September!  First time since March that their has been an increase in this ratio.

The City of Port Moody and Coquitlam will be hosting a free information session for businesses that would like to purchase and install a public electric vehicle charging station!

Provincial incentives up to $4000.00 are available.  ATTRACT CUSTOMERS & GAIN PROFILE - Information session is Monday, November 19 from 9:00am - 11:00am at Coquitlam City Council Chambers - 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam - Registration is not required.  

For more information visit these City of Coquitlam or City of Port Moody links!

The City of Port Coquitlam is offering free emergency preparedness sessions to the residents of Poco.  

Families should be prepared to sustain themselves for 72 hours in an emergency.  According to the Cities website, the most important thing you can do to keep yourself and your family safe in an emergency is to prepare, stay calm, and follow instructions from emergency personnel.

Topics that will be covered in the one day course are:  Personal Preparedness, Rapid Damage Assessment, Basic fire suppression, Light urban search and rescue.  

For more information and class times, visit the cities website or click this link!

Well, hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner!  

The City of Coquitlam will be hosting a Christmas pyjama morning with Santa on Sundya, December 16th from 8:30am till 11:30am!  It will be lots of fun for the kids and parents with music, crafts and pancake breakfast!  The event will take place in the Howie room at the Poirier Community Center at 630 Poirer Street in Coquitlam but all family members that will be attending the event must register!  No drop ins at the door!

For more information contact the City of Coquitlam or click on this link!

*Courtesy of the City of Coquitlam

The City of Coquitlam has an interesting up coming Field to Fork event as part of their series of high profile speakers that is available to the public!  

Thursday, November 22, 2012 the City of Coquitlam is hosting an event at the Evergreen Cultural Center and will be discussing the benefits and challenges of purchasing and eating locally grown food.  You will also learn how individual food choices influence the health and long term sustainability of our food system.  

There will be a series of speakers as well as food and beverage tasting starting at 6pm!

For more information about this event click here!