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New Law Prohibits Cell Phones While Driving

On January 1, 2010, changes to the Motor Vehicle Act make it illegal to use handheld devices, including cell phones, while driving. A driver caught talking on a hand-held phone or electronic device will be fined $167. A driver caught texting or emailing will be subject to the fine and three penalty points.
 
Drivers will be permitted to use only hands-free cellphones and devices that require only one touch to activate. For new drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP), there will be a full ban on all cellphone and electronic devices, including hands-free. 

 

A person may use an electronic device in a hands-free telephone function while driving if:

  • The electronic device, as well as any part or extension of it, is not held or operated by the hand; and
  • It is voice-activated or requires only one touch in order to initiate, accept or end a call; and
  • If the device includes an earpiece, that earpiece can be worn in one ear only and must be placed on the ear prior to driving*; and
  • The electronic device is securely fixed to the vehicle or worn securely on the person’s body, and is within easy reach of he driver’s seat; and 
  • The device must be installed in a manner that does not obstruct the driver’s view of the front or sides of the motor vehicle or interfere with the safety or operating equipment of the motor vehicle.
  • *Motorcyclists are exempt from the one ear requirement and may have an earpiece in both ears.
  • Note1: Manual dialing is prohibited and is treated as texting.

    Note2: Any type of electronic device with a hands-free telephone function may be used for oral communications if used in a completely hands-free manner as described above.


    More details on what is permitted and what is prohibited under the legislation is at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/publications/index.htm.
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    I have sold a property at 10-1642 E. Georgia Street in Vancouver.
    Welcome to the "Woodshire", a boutique community of character style townhomes located near The Drive. This 3 bedroom and den end unit is superbly finished and well maintained with excellent open plan on main floor, granite and stainless kitchen with gas range, and gas barbeque on the adjacent patio is included! Other features include 2 baths, gas fireplace, insuite laundry and secure underground parking. This beautiful home is near parks, restaurants, shopping, & transit. Pets are welcome and rentals are allowed. Easy to show by appointment with notice.
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    Holding Steady!

     

    No changes were made at the Bank of Canada meeting...
    “The target overnight rate can be expected to remain at its current level until the end of the second quarter of 2010.” - Canadian Mortgage Trends

     

    The bond market continues to be favorable for low rates on the longer term mortgages. The real estate market continues to stay busy as we near the end of 2009.  
                 Bank Prime Rate 2.25%
    Term
    Best
    Bank Posted
    1 year
    2.25%
    4.5%
    3 year
    3.25%
    5.15%
    5 year
    3.89%*
    5.84%
    10 year
    5.25%
    7.15%
    25 year
    9.30%
    9.65%
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     *Strings attached to this rate!
     Bold numbers denote change from last posted rates.  
     
    Variable mortgage from Less Than Prime...TODAY at 2.15%!
     

    Courtesy of

    Laura Stein - The Mortgage Centre
    T
    elephone: 604-657-6535 ext 22
    2

    www.mortgagecents.ca

     

    Call Laura today and tell her Lyn sent you!

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    Property Photo: # 308 3680 RAE AV in Vancouver
    Please visit our Open House at # 308 3680 RAE AV in Vancouver.
    OPEN HOUSE: Sat. Dec. 12th 2-4 pm
    Affordable 2 bedrm/2 bath in solid, trouble free bldg. Freshly painted, new S/S appliances, cozy gas F/P, new HW tank & insuite laundry make this one a good buy! Plenty of closet space plus a large storage locker too, central location neartransit & Joyce skytrain. Sorry, no rentals but 2 pets permitted. 1 secure parking, additional parking available to rent through strata. Open House Saturday Dec 12th, 2-4pm.
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    I have listed a new property at 10-1642 E. Georgia Street in Vancouver.
    Welcome to the "Woodshire", a boutique community of character style townhomes located near The Drive. This 3 bedroom and den end unit is superbly finished and well maintained with excellent open plan on main floor, granite and stainless kitchen with gas range, and gas barbeque on the adjacent patio is included! Other features include 2 baths, gas fireplace, insuite laundry and secure underground parking. This beautiful home is near parks, restaurants, shopping, & transit. Pets are welcome and rentals are allowed. Easy to show by appointment with notice.
    Read

    Property Photo: # 308 3680 RAE AV in Vancouver
    I have listed a new property at # 308 3680 RAE AV in Vancouver.
    Affordable 2 bedrm/2 bath in solid, trouble free bldg. Freshly painted, newer appliances, cozy gas F/P, new HW tank & insuite laundry make this one a good buy! Plenty of closet space plus a large storage locker too, central location neartransit & Joyce skytrain. Sorry, no rentals but 2 pets permitted. 1 secure parking, additional parking available to rent through strata.
    Read

    Please visit our Open House at 10-1642 E. Georgia Street in Vancouver.
    OPEN HOUSE: Sun. Dec. 6th 1-4 pm
    Welcome to the "Woodshire", a boutique community of character style townhomes located near The Drive. This 3 bedroom and den end unit is superbly finished and well maintained with excellent open plan on main floor, granite and stainless kitchen with gas range, and gas barbeque on the adjacent patio is included! Other features include 2 baths, gas fireplace, insuite laundry and secure underground parking. This beautiful home is near parks, restaurants, shopping, & transit. Pets are welcome and rentals are allowed. Easy to show by appointment with notice.
    Read

    Interest Rates Going Down?

     
    The bond market, where lenders go to get funds to lend for longer term mortgages, has room to move mortgage rates lower. The Bank of Canada is showing no signs of wavering from its commitment to keep rates low until at least June 2010. Rates are staying low but affordability is coming down as the very busy Real Estate market drives prices up.

     

    The trouble in Dubai caused a quick knee jerk reaction but seems to have been absorbed without great notice by financial markets. Slow and steady recovery will be how this recession plays out. Keep floating.
      
                 Bank Prime Rate 2.25%
    Term
    Best
    Bank Posted
    1 year
    2.25%
    4.5%
    3 year
    3.25%
    5.15%
    5 year
    3.99%*
    5.84%
    10 year
    5.25%
    7.15%
    25 year
    9.30%
    9.65%
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     *Strings attached to this rate!
     Bold numbers denote change from last posted rates.  
     
    Variable mortgage from Less Than Prime...TODAY at 2.15%!
     

    Courtesy of

    Laura Stein - The Mortgage Centre
    T
    elephone: 604-657-6535 ext 22
    2

    www.mortgagecents.ca

     

    Call Laura today and tell her Lyn sent you!

    Read

    Strong Demand Carries Into Late Fall!

    VANCOUVER, B.C. – December 2, 2009
    Home values continued to edge upward in November as demand in the Greater Vancouver housing market remains well above seasonal norms according to the Real Estate Board of Vancouver.
     
    Over the last 12 months, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver increased 12.4 per cent to $557,384 from $495,704 in November 2008. This price, however, remains down 1.9 per cent from the most recent high point in the market in May 2008 when the residential benchmark price sat at $568,411.
     
    “This unseasonably high level of demand can be attributed in large part to low interest rates, but it also speaks to the diverse range of housing options available in Greater Vancouver,” Scott Russell, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “Prospective homebuyers today have more options at different price levels than ever before."
     
    The REBGV reports that residential property sales in November were the third highest volume ever recorded in Greater Vancouver for that month. Sales in the region totalled 3,083 in November 2009, an increase of 252.7 per cent compared to November 2008 when 874 sales were recorded and a 16.8 per cent decrease compared to the 3,704 sales recorded in October 2009.
     
    “We are experiencing a brisker than normal market for this time of year, although we have begun to see a reduction in the number of homes listed for sale, which is normal as we head into the holiday season,” Russell said.
     
    New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,653 in November 2009. This represents a 21.3 per cent increase compared to November 2008 when 3,012 new units were listed, and a 26.6 per cent decline compared to October 2009 when 4,977 properties were listed on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver.
     

    At 11,039, the total number of property listings on the MLS® decreased 8.6 per cent in November compared to last month and declined 39 per cent from this time last year. In contrast to this year, note that November 2008 was the lowest selling November in Greater Vancouver in 27 years.

     
    Sales of detached properties increased 261.5 per cent to 1,164 from the 322 detached sales recorded during the same period in 2008. The benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for detached properties increased 13.6 per cent from November 2008 to $757,209.
     
    Sales of apartment properties in November 2009 increased 240.5 per cent to 1,396 compared to 410 sales in November 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 11.6 per cent from November 2008 to $381,945.
     

    Attached property sales in November 2009 are up 268.3 per cent to 523, compared with the 142 sales in November 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 10.2 per cent between Novembers 2008 and 2009 to $469,686.

     
    To see the complete report on November statistics, visit http://www.rebgv.org/sites/default/files/REBGV%20Stats%20Package_November%202009.pdf
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