Sandhill Village, Willoughby Heights - Announcing a Dutch Auction on 8-19977 71 Avenue, Langley BC. The Seller has agreed to Reduce the asking price on this lovely luxury 3 bedroom townhouse by a $1,000 every couple of days until sold. This 1,602 sq. ft. home has main floor master bedroom with en-suite including a jetted tub plus a separate shower. For complete details click on the link marked Property Information. Now 
MLS® $358,900 CAD - Dutch Auction.
Property information
August 4, 2010 For Immediate Release
Chilliwack, BC –National Peacekeepers’ Day, on August 9, will be commemorated at Chilliwack City Hall with the raising of the Peacekeepers’ UN Flag. The day honours and remembers all Canadian Peacekeepers who have served or are currently serving in support of peace around the world. The flag rising will be attended by veteran Chilliwack Peacekeepers and members of the Surrey Peacekeepers’ Chapter, as well as Mayor Sharon Gaetz and members of Chilliwack City Council. Everyone is welcome to attend the short ceremony.
“August the 9th is a significant date for Canadian Peacekeepers,” said former Chilliwack Peacekeeper, Jim Harris. “In 1974, nine Canadian Peacekeepers were killed when their plane was shot down over Syria, making it the largest peacekeeping casualty in Canadian history.”
Canada was involved in military observer missions in the late 1940s, particularly during the Arab-Israeli and the India-Pakistan conflicts. In the early fifties, Canada joined other UN nations to resist aggression during the Korean War. However, it wasn't until 1956 that the term peacekeeping entered the popular vocabulary, thanks to Lester B. Pearson. Since Pearson approved the first UN peacekeeping mission in 1956, Canada has been a leader in keeping the peace around the world. Over the past two decades, Canada has deployed more than 2,500 police to 50 missions around the world.
While a peacekeeper’s day has been taking place for several years, it wasn’t until June 2008, that August 9 was officially recognized through legislation, as National Peacekeeper’s Day. Ceremonies are held across Canada to recognize past and present peacekeepers, from the military and Canadian police forces who have served as Blue Berets on United Nations missions or in other NATO and coalition missions.
The Peacekeepers’ UN flag raising will take place at 9am on Monday, August 9th at the flag pole at Chilliwack City Hall.
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Media Contact:
Jim Harris
Former Peacekeeper
604.769.3833
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Hugh Message - Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3
Changes to overseas recognition:
Bars to be awarded for multiple rotations
by Major Laurie Kannegiesser
Canadian Forces personnel who have served multiple tours in Southwest Asia will soon be sporting rotation bars on their medals, one of several changes to the recognition system for overseas service announced March 17, 2010.
Personnel will earn a rotation bar emblazoned with a maple leaf for each period of 180 days of eligible service accumulated after the initial qualifying period of 30 days. On undress ribbons, silver, gold and red maple leaves will indicate the number of rotation bars awarded.
The federal government introduced the changes, which affect the General Campaign Star (GCS), the General Service Medal (GSM) and the South-West Asia Service Medal (SWASM), to address gaps in the recognition system for overseas service.
With the addition of rotation bars, mission bars will no longer be worn on the GCS and GSM. Instead, the medals will be displayed on ribbons that indicate the theatre or service for which the medal was awarded.
Unique ribbons are available for eligible service during Operation Allied Force (NATO’s 1999 air operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) and in the Southwest Asia theatre of operations. The “expedition” ribbon has also been created for the GCS and the GSM to recognize smaller operations conducted in the presence of an armed enemy.
The change to theatre- or service-specific ribbons follows both the United Nations tradition and the trend set by some other Commonwealth countries. For example, the United Kingdom’s Operational Service Medal and New Zealand’s General Service Medal are issued with ribbons rather than bars.
André Levesque, Director Honours and Recognition, says this is a significant departure from the practice of recognizing service based on the mission. “Theatre-based recognition ensures that all service in a defined theatre of operations is accorded the same recognition, regardless of the mission,” he says.
Under the old system, two military personnel serving in Afghanistan at the same time, facing similar risks, but working under separate chains of command, received different recognition.
For example, a soldier serving with NATO’s provincial reconstruction team received the GCS with ISAF bar while a soldier who served at the same time with the embedded training team under the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom received the SWASM with Afghanistan bar.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay says the changes are the end result of a major review of recognition for overseas service.
“Acknowledgment of multiple rotations in the Southwest Asia theatre was particularly important in the review,” Mr. MacKay said. “We are grateful to Canadian Forces personnel for their bravery and dedication. With these changes, we are finding ways to better acknowledge the individual experience of men and women who deploy on operations.”
Before and after…
Scenario #1
Corporal Bloggins receives the GSM with Allied Force bar, and adds the ISAF bar after a tour at the Theatre Support Element in southwest Asia under Operation Athena. Two years later, he deploys to Afghanistan and is awarded the GCS with ISAF bar (gold). Although he can still wear the GSM with the Allied Force bar, he must remove the silver ISAF bar.
After Defence Minister Peter MacKay announces changes to recognition for overseas service March 17, Cpl Bloggins relinquishes his Allied Force and ISAF bars. Without the bars, the medal becomes the GSM-SWA. Cpl Bloggins also receives a GSM-AF. The GSM-AF’s ribbon has light blue stripes instead of green. The two GSMs and the GCS are remounted; where previously he had worn two medals, he now wears three.
Scenario #2
Sergeant Smith receives the GSM with ISAF bar for a tour at the Theatre Support Element under Operation Athena. Two years later, she completes a tour with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. Having qualified for the GCS, she relinquishes her GSM to receive a GCS with ISAF bar. She returns to Afghanistan for a third tour in the theatre of operations, this time working for the Coalition Joint Task Force. Although she has accumulated more than 400 days of operations in the Afghan theatre, she receives no additional recognition.
After the changes are announced, Sgt Smith reclaims her GSM-SWA. She also receives two rotation bars for wear on her GCS, which are represented on her undress ribbon by a gold maple leaf.
Scenario #3
Cpl Brown is a military policeman who deploys in May 2009 to the Canadian Embassy in Kabul to provide security. After 30 days in-theatre, he qualifies for the SWASM. His CO presents his medal before his tour ends in December and he is home by Christmas.
Because Cpl Brown has served more than 30 days at the embassy after July 31, 2009, when eligibility for the SWASM ends, Cpl Brown also receives a GCS-SWA.
Did you serve with ISAF?
If you have a GCS or GSM with ISAF bar, you must remove the bar and relinquish it to your unit for return to the Directorate of Honours and Recognition. Your medal is now known as the GCS-SWA or GSM-SWA.
If you served in direct support of the Canadian contribution to ISAF from outside the theatre of operations for between 30 and 89 days, you may now be eligible to receive the GSM-SWA. The threshold was previously 90 days.
If you relinquished a GSM to receive a GCS, you may be able to reclaim the GSM, provided you did not qualify for the awards during the same six-month period.
Are you eligible to receive rotation bars?
When you have accumulated 210 days of service creditable to the GCS-SWA, the GSM-SWA or the SWASM, you are eligible for one rotation bar bearing one maple leaf. Each additional 180 days of creditable service merits another rotation bar. If your accumulated service for a particular medal merits five rotation bars (930 days), you will wear one bar bearing five maple leaves. On the undress ribbon, the number of rotation bars awarded is indicated by silver, gold and red maple leaves, worn alone or in combination.
What are the changes to the SWASM?
Eligibility for the SWASM ended July 31, 2009. Most service in the Southwest Asia theatre of operations onward from August 1, 2009, including in ships at sea under Operations Altair and Saiph, is eligible for either the GCS-SWA or the GSM-SWA, regardless of the chain of command. There is one exception. Service that qualifies an individual for a medal from a foreign country or from the UN cannot be accumulated toward the GCS and GSM.
Did you serve on Operation Allied Force?
Operation Allied Force was NATO’s air operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from March 24 to June 10, 1999. If you have a GCS-AF or GSM-AF, you must relinquish the bar to your unit for return to the Directorate of Honours and Recognition and have the medal remounted with the new Allied Force ribbon, which features light blue stripes instead of green. Your medal is now known as the GCS-AF or the GSM-AF.
Aircrew and support personnel who participated in Operation Allied Force originally received the NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia. When the NATO Medal for Kosovo was introduced, some aircrew were entitled to exchange their medals. The GCS and GSM were subsequently created and medals with the Allied Force bar were first awarded in 2004.
If you have a NATO medal for service during Operation Allied Force, you may exchange it for either the GCS or the GSM with the new designated theatre ribbon.
Where can you find more information?
Call the honours and recognition hotline at 1-877-741-8332 or consult the Directorate of Honours and Recognition website at www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr.
Abbreviations
GCS – General Campaign Star
GSM – General Service Medal
SWASM – South-West Asia Service Medal
ISAF – International Security Assistance Force
SWA – Southwest Asia
AF – Allied Force
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Hugh Message - www.HughMessage.com
Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
Veterans Affairs Canada
Public Service Announcement
April 1st, 2010
End of an Era: Commemorative Ceremony at the National War Memorial
Ottawa - A special commemorative ceremony will be held in Ottawa on
Friday, April 9, Vimy Ridge Day, at the National War Memorial and the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honour the service and sacrifices of the
generation of men and women who answered their nation’s call during
the First World War. With the recent passing of John “Jack” Babcock,
Canada’s last known First World War Veteran, Canada has lost its
first-hand witnesses of the “war to end all wars.”
The official party, including the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean,
Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime
Minister of Canada, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of
Veterans Affairs and other dignitaries, will arrive at 10:40 a.m. The
ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend and
participate in this ceremony to mark the end of an era.
Road closures will be in effect. At 8:30 a.m. Queen Street will be
closed between Metcalfe and Elgin streets. At 8:45 a.m. Elgin Street
(northbound and southbound traffic) will be closed from Wellington
Street to Albert Street. At 9:00 a.m. Wellington Street will be closed
between O’Connor Street and Sussex Avenue. Streets will reopen at
12:30 p.m.
For information on Canada’s participation in the First World War,
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Media Enquiries:
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
Sophie Doucet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
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Hugh Message - www.HughMessage.com
Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
Veterans Affairs Canada
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
March 27, 2010
Government of Canada Launches Ad Campaign to Mark the End of an Era.
Ottawa - Today, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of
Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), introduced a
special advertisement created to encourage Canadians to participate in
commemorative activities marking the “end of an era” on April 9,
2010. The advertisement will be aired across Canada leading up to April
9, 2010. Following the passing of John “Jack” Babcock, Canada’s
last known First World War Veteran, on February 18, 2010, the Government
of Canada announced its plans to mark one of the most important chapters
in Canadian history.
“Over the next two weeks we will truly mark the end of an era,”
said Minister Blackburn. “Those who served our country during the
First World War have often been called our Greatest Generation. They
earned that title. They deserve it.”
A national commemorative ceremony honouring all of Canada’s First
World War service men and women will be held on Vimy Ridge Day, Friday,
April 9, 2010 in Ottawa at the National War Memorial-a symbol of the
sacrifices of all Canadians who have served Canada in times of war in
the cause of peace and freedom.
For more information, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at
www.vac-acc.gc.ca.
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Hugh Message - www.HughMessage.com
Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
An Open Letter:
Military/RCMP Veterans
Against Annuity
Benefit reduction at age 65
To: The Prime Minister of Canada
The Leaders of the Oppositions
All Members of Parliament
All Senators
Mr. Peter Stoffer, MP
Sackville-Eastern Shore
Info: Our Supporters
Mr. C.J. Wallace
Publisher
Veterans Voice Info
March 27, 2010
Subject: Military/RCMP Veterans CPP Pension Benefits Reduction.
Re: Bill C-201
Dear Leaders and Members of Parliament.
You are requested to view a Soldier’s Wife commentary at: URL http://www.youtube.com:80/user/heinsight
This Military Spouse and many others because they choose to support their Soldier Husband will probably receive a very small CPP pension at age 65, as they will be denied decent employment opportunities. Is this the Dignity their Families should be subject to for all the pain, suffering, devotion and unconditioned love they have freely given to our Country?
Veterans ask, how can you not vote “YES” to Bill C-201 when Mr. Peter Stoffer, MP presents it to the House of Commons for its final debate and vote?
Mr. Prime Minister and Leaders of the Oppositions we request that you will permit your MP colleagues to vote freely when Bill C-201 is presented in the House of Commons and allow a democratic vote.
Military/RCMP Veterans and their Families have gallantly served our Country Canada! Veterans deserve our gratitude and respect, both while serving and in retirement! They deserve nothing less than to spend their Golden Years with the Financial Dignity they and their Families have paid for in so many different ways!
Please distribute far and wide and write to your Member of Parliament in support of Bill C-201.
Sincerely,
John Labelle
Campaign Coordinator
florencejohn@ns.sympatico.ca
Important site:
www.veteranvoice.info
27 Dresden Court
Lower Sackville
Nova Scotia
B4C 3X1
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Hugh Message – www.HughMessage.com
Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
Tax Credit, Spring Market Expectations Key Drivers for Improved Sentiment
Written by: Point2 Technologies
- Mar 25, 2010 10:44:00 AM
Categorized in: Listings, Market Conditions, Industry News, Web 2 0
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SmallerLarger
Brokers and agents across the United States reversed three months of declining optimism in Point2 Technologies’ (“Point2”) Real Estate Confidence Index (RECI) survey, pushing the forward looking market opinion Index up 2.49 percent for the March 2010 survey period, Point2 announced. Accounting for seasonality, the national monthly Index moved up to 5.77 on the one to ten scale (1 being “Bad” and 10 being “Good), up from 5.63 in February 2010.
All three of the national RECI’s variable components improved in March.
The Current Sentiment component, which tracks respondent sentiment of current market conditions made the biggest jump, moving up 3.49 percent on the 1 – 10 scale.
The Short Term, 3 – 6 month optimism/pessimism gauge improved 0.87 percent, and the Long Term 12 – 18 month variable moved up 3 percent, to 6.51 on the scale. 68.6 percent of the respondent base gave the Long Term component a rating of 6 or higher. 10.5 percent gave it the maximum rating of 10 / 10.
Cautious optimism and a general sense of stabilizing market conditions in many parts of the U.S. were driven by declining inventories in the low to mid price range home categories, which some respondents also linked to more frequent bidding wars. “50% of our market is REOs, Short Sales with lack of inventory. REOs create price wars in our market!” “Few conventional sales, short sales and foreclosures with bidding wars, cash/conventional loans preferred.”
Multiple offers on bank owned properties in some markets, and buyer motivation to move ahead of the government’s April 30 deadline for the current tax credit program also contributed to increased market activity and optimism. “80% of the listings are short sales. We are running out of REO and regular listings.” “Prices are down, there is strong activity on bargain priced properties.”
Sporadic positive sentiment surrounding the onset of spring, typically a more active time of the year for real estate also combined with the tax credit deadline to boost respondent expectations for the coming months. “The spring selling season is coming up, there are ample buyers waiting, we need more inventory, interest rates are great.” “Conditions in Atlanta are getting better as the weather gets better. The sense of urgency is starting to hit many buyers as the first-time home buyer’s credit nears its expiration.”
Amidst the renewed optimism, negative sentiment and apprehension remained apparent in many states, with survey respondents indicating buyer reluctance to commit due to job uncertainty. Pressure on prices was also expected to continue by brokers and agents in most states, driven by current foreclosure inventories, with more foreseen to hit the market.
The complete RECI Report, including respondent commentaries presented by state, historical data as well as an interactive state by state RECI score heat map, can be accessed at www.RealEstateConfidenceIndex.com.
More than 50,000 brokers and agents from the Point2 Agent software platform user community were surveyed for the March report, with 1845 usable responses aggregated to generate the RECI score for the month.
RECI Survey Instrument and Methodology
The Real Estate Confidence Index (RECI) tracks the real estate market opinions of tens of thousands of licensed real estate professionals, brokers and agents, across the United States, accounting for seasonality, on a scale of one to ten (1 being “bad” and 10 being “good”). The RECI also rates respondent sentiment for market conditions 3 – 6 months and 6 – 12 months into the future on a ten-point scale (1 being “pessimistic” and 10 being “optimistic”). The median across all three time periods represents the Index measure for the month.
The RECI is open to the Point2 Agent membership and to tens of thousands of additional licensed real estate professionals across the nation at the beginning of each month. Respondents complete a simple, four question survey through third party survey solution providers, Survey Monkey. The data is tabulated electronically, median averages surfaced for quantitative questions, and qualitative feedback and respondent commentaries are captured and presented in Point2’s monthly RECI Summary Report.
About Point2 Technologies Inc.
Point2 Technologies (www.Point2.com) is one of the first web-based inventory management and online marketing software developers in the world, today serving customers in the real estate and heavy equipment industries in over 120 countries.
Point2 markets its industry leading listing syndication and website solution, Point2 Agent (www.Point2Agent.com), in partnership with major real estate Multiple Listing Service organizations and Associations, seamlessly reaching and enabling syndication for hundreds of thousands of real estate professionals.
More information about Point2 can be found at www.Point2.com. For ongoing news about Point2, please visit www.point2.com/news.asp.
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Hugh Message - www.HughMessage.com
Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
The Good Soldier
For God, and King, and Country,
A soldier once I knew,
His banner proudly flying
Against a sky of blue,
Rode forth out into battle
To fight for truth and right
And keep the torch-light burning
Through the coming night.
His King was good and gracious,
And wise, and true, and kind;
A Sovereign Lord anointed
In spirit and in
mind.
On the day of his enlistment
The soldier placed his hand
Upon a worn Bible
And accepted his command.
The soldier always honoured
The solemn oath he made;
And for his King and country
True to his pledge he stayed.
He learned the art of warfare,
And knew his craft full well,
Doing honour to the memory
Of warriors past who fell.
But on the field of battle
One day an order came
That made him blush to read it -
Made in his Sovereign's name.
The cap that he was wearing
Bore the royal crown
As did the sewn insignia
Upon his uniform.
Above him flew the banner
Of his home and native land,
Under which he was a soldier
By the King's command.
His mind could not consider
Nor his heart at all accept
To follow out that order
And still have self-respect.
And so our good brave soldier,
So strong, and proud, and true,
Failed to do his duty -
On account of me and you.
For 'twas you and I betrayed him
When we betrayed our King,
By allowing greed-filled traitors
Within his courts to sing.
(For they sing their song so subtly,
In earnest tones so sweet
That belie their under-meaning
To swindle and to cheat.
They promise all the people
That they shall have their share,
And by cunning and deception,
They trap them in their snare.)
And so the King surrounded
By liars steeped in fraud,
Was advised to make decisions
Against the will of God.
And all that we had stood for
Came crashing to the ground,
And bugle calls to battle
Took on a hollow sound.
And thus the soldier questioned,
As we must too, I fear,
Why he had gone to battle
When all that he held dear
Had been cast away forever
And trampled in the mud
By those whom we elected
And thought would do us good.
Dear God above, we pray Thee,
To bless and save our King!
To give to him advisors
Of hand and heart both clean;
To raise up strong defenders
Of what is right and true,
And whisper to our Sovereign
Such counsel as is due.
And then that brave dear soldier,
Who attends to his command,
Can fight with faith unchallenged
For the honour of his land.
And we can rest in knowledge,
That God will see us through,
Because we chose good people
Whom we know are true.
Written by Robert D.
Redmile,
Friday, the 19th March 2010.
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Hugh Message - www.HughMessage.com
Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
The people who should be most concerned about the lack of Rental Accommodation and the high cost of available housing are those who are home owners. Current home owners bear the brunt of municipal taxation, and stand a good chance of even higher tax bills as governments bring more subsidized housing on stream.
Government controlled and built housing dose not compete in the market place. The subsidization for the most part comes from homeowners, who now pay Municipal, Provincial and Federal taxes to keep governments operating.
Homeowners should get involved in the move to encourage private industry to provide the supply side of the housing picture. The demand side is here, and high demand without proper supply has only one effect – driving up the prices of the available supply. Encouragement to the private sector to invest in housing can create a supply to match the demand.
In the United States there are groups which provide private affordable housing; “privately owned low-rent housing for low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Private affordable housing developments are owned and operated by private owners, not the government. Funding for private affordable housing comes, in part, from government programs.”
“In some cases, private housing developers get tax credits from the government to create, rehabilitate, or preserve low-income rental housing. The tax credits reduce debt, so the developers can charge lower rents and still cover their costs. Housing developers who get these tax credits must make a certain percentage of their units affordable to low-income households for a certain number of years. The largest tax credit program for affordable rental housing in Massachusetts is the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program (LIHTC).” For more details go to the (Source)
As a final thought: competition in the market place will keep prices at a reasonable level Increased private programs mean more housing, which relates in more homeowners paying taxes, instead of less homeowners paying more taxes. When more privately projects are built, it would go a long way in relieving the necessity for public funded housing projects.
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Hugh Message, Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC - 604-530-4111
www.HughMessage.com
Have your ever noticed, Realtors seem to have a language of their own?
To many a new Buyer or Seller, it would appear that salespeople fall into the habit of talking in some strange and unknown tongue in order to confuse them…
I remember the first time I ever heard the term, “C.M.A.” I said to myself, probably it means Canadian Medical Association or something like that. Well in some circles that may very well be true, but when applied to Real Estate I was astonished to find out it meant something entirely different.
Human nature being what it is; most people do not wish to appear ignorant and therefore they do not stop and ask their meaning.
Ok; so what does the term “C.M.A.” mean?
In its simplest form “C.M.A.” means “Competitive Market Analysis”. That may have help somewhat, but perhaps you might be more familiar with the term; Appraisal. Maybe you’re one of the fortunate few who have ever seen an Appraisal.
Appraisals are most commonly used by the Banks. They use them to determine a loan value ratio for a property one of their customers may wish to mortgage; usually at the time of a purchase.
Most accredited Appraisers use at least three other similar properties to derive a value for their subject property. They use properties which have recently sold, (hopefully in the same area). In their report they include details of the comparable properties; however there’s one major drawback, they do not include active or expired listings in their final report. So, appraisals are in fact historical reports of real property value for a particular time.
So what’s the difference between an appraisal and a C.M.A. which is prepared by a professional Realtor?
In the hopes of keeping things simple, certified appraisals cost money, and depending on the size and type of the property they can easily run into a significant amount money. Where as a professional Realtor will provide one for their customers as a normal course of doing business.
A Professional Realtor when preparing a Competitive Market Analysis for their customer will attempt to use between 10 - 15 similar properties: these will be selection of Active listings, as well as Sold and Expired listings. The Active Listings tell the customer what completion the subject property is up against. Solds give the customer the understanding of what similar properties are currently selling for, while Expireds let the customer know what prices are too high for the market. This additional input gives a customer a more complete picture; which, I believe when reviewed properly will help both the customer and the professional Realtor to arrive at a more suitable conclusion.
Now there’s always the question in the mind of every Buyer or Seller; is now the best time to be thinking about buying or selling…
I recently reviewed an item which was originally published by the Canadian Real Estate Association, (a National Association) which may address that question partially. (You may read the entire article on the previous link): “January results suggest that the national resale housing market may be past the recent peak,” said CREA Chief Economist Gregory Klump. “One car doesn’t make a parade, so a few more months of results showing a cooling trend will be required before talk of a Canadian housing bubble begins to fade. It could take until the second half of the year before a cooling trend becomes evident, since home buying activity may continue to be accelerated in the first half of 2010 by expected interest rate increases, and by the introduction of the HST in Ontario and British Columbia on Canada Day.”
As consumers, we should be aware of reports such as the one from CREA, but we must realize, both Appraisers and Market Researchers pay little attention to data other than actual sale values, including pricing and numbers when addressing the market. Very little or no influence is given to Active Listings or Expired Listings, but Professional Realtors know they are truly needed in order to give their customers a balance in which to understand their Current Market Conditions.
So with so much uncertainty in the world is this information really relevant in today’s market? Is the Market moving upwards or is it dropping? What will it be like in six months from now or six years? Is now a good time to buy or should I wait? And I grant you, these are all good questions.
Regardless of the external influences currently affecting us, life continues to go on. People will continue to fall in love and get married. They will continue to have families and of course as their young families begin to grow they and their children will need to look for housing to meet their specific needs. Another factor to consider, families today are very dynamic. Not only are they mobile, they are either increasing in size or reducing as age takes over, either way there will be a continued need for housing.
One other consideration to take into account today is the ever increasing number of broken families. That phenomenon puts a whole other dimension on the housing market. Whereas before when one home was sufficient for their family needs, now because of family breakups, they’re producing a need for two separate housing units instead of just one.
As the increase in the demand continues for new housing thus there will be and ever increasing need for a truly informative Competitive Market Analysis: both for the Seller (in order to price their home competitively) and for a Buyer (in order to purchase their dream home at the right price).
Hugh Message
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Hugh Message Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3 Bus: 604-530-4111 Fax: 604-530-3707
Ref: http://www.hughmessage.com/blogs/hugh_message/archive/2010/03/02/a-message-from-message-what-does-the-term-c-m-a-mean.aspx
Note that this information is outdated.
Regular monthly meeting to be held at West Villa Estates - Club House 8560 156th Street, Surrey. Time: 13:00 hours. Visitors are always welcome.If you have ever been in the Military and have served overseas either with NATO or UN Deployments, and you're looking for fellowship with a kindred spirit then you should attend.
Read More
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Hugh Message - www.HughMessage.com
Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
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A resale house is generally thought of as a house which has been previously occupied. There are some benefits to buying a resale house.
Primarily, you can see what you are getting - the house, it's condition, the lot and the present character of the neighbourhood.
A resale house may include drapery tracks, light fixtures and towel racks already installed. Frequently, the price may also include such extras as higher quality broadloom carpeting, appliances, built-in cupboards, bookcases or additional shelving, tool racks, workbenches and other such items of conveniences or decor the owner installed but is leaving behind.
You can see exactly what the condition of the decor is, even if you don't like the colour of the walls, you at least know what the colour is. You can see both the features and flaws.
The garden may be lightly or fully landscaped, but the lawn at least, is usually well established. You can see if it is fenced, or if there is a hedge. You can see how the lot relates to the properties adjacent, and the proximity of the neighbouring houses.
You can see the street, assess the character of the neighbourhood as well as the maintenance standard of the nearby properties.
One of the unrecognized values of a resale property is the fact that you see it as it is - completed and ready for you to move in. And one final equation: there is a definite tax advantage to buying a resale as a opposed to a new house.
Excerpt:
Some BC Real Estate HST Numbers and How It Affects You
Scenario 1: Based on a purchase price of $600,000 for a new BC or Vancouver home, the homebuyer would pay a total of $72,000 in BC HST taxes (12% on $600,000). With the homebuyer HST rebate for purchases above $600,000, the homebuyer would receive the $20,000, thus reducing their purchase cost to $52,000 in taxes for a total of $652,000. Currently, the 5% GST applicable to the same home would cost only $30,000 (a difference of $22,000). *This does not include the HST applicable to closing fees.
Scenario 2: If a BC homebuyer wanted to purchase a new Vancouver home costing $800,000, the total 12% HST hit would be $96,000. The partial HST rebate of $20,000 (maximum allowed) will reduce this to $76,000, making the final purchase price at $876,000 plus property transfer taxes and other closing costs. Before July 1, 2010, a new home would be subject to only 5% GST which is $40,000 on a $800,000 property. With the new BC harmonized sales tax, a BC homebuyer would pay $36,000 more for the same home after implementation of the HST tax. *This also does not include the HST applicable to closing costs.
Hugh Message
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Hugh Message, Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3 604-530-4111
Report: 2010 Veteran’s round-table conference
On January 27 I represented CPVA at a round table in Ottawa hosted by the Liberal party focusing on the New Veterans Charter (NVC) and other veterans’ issues. I was asked to be a panel member and gave a short presentation on what I feel are the issues with the NVC. Many feel the NVC was created because the old veteran’s legislation was not sufficient to deal with the modern day veterans. The NVC did not need to be created all that was required is a review of the past veterans pension act and training regulation. Veterans’ legislation is very complicated and over the last 60 years has had many changes, and everyday I still learn new things about veteran’s legislation. I am sure there are many out there that will disagree with me; however, at the end of the day what the NVC does to the status of veteran is important. Here are the highlights of my presentation at the panel.
An injured soldier who comes under the NVC will receive 75% of their salary, at age 65 VAC stops the income replacement so the veterans is off the benefits. VAC will tell us the veteran then qualifies for all the same benefits any other Canadian citizen is entitled too, old age, CPP, etc. It has taken some time for me to realize if at age 65 the veteran is entitled to all the same benefits as all other Canadian citizens, this means the veteran is consider and will be treated like every other normal citizen, in a sense the veteran has lost their status as veteran in the community.
The NVC takes out the pension act and the social contact to which the citizens of Canada and the government are responsible to look after veterans because of the sacrifice they have given to this country.
The NVC has created different classes of veterans. A veteran from the 90’s is treated different than a veteran from Afghanistan. A veteran from the 90’s is treated different than a veteran from WWII. I feel it is important to remember and respect the sacrifices of veterans from the past; however, the damage from a bullet is the same to the person regardless if they served in 1914, 1940 or 2010. The suffering of family for the dead and wounded is also the same, so should veterans not have the same benefits? Creating different treatment for veterans goes against the Charter of Freedoms and Rights in this country where it states all citizens are treated equal.
In the veterans community we can all point fingers to blame someone for the treatment that is happening to veterans; it is easy to blame the government in power or the bureaucrats, however, I feel we need to look inwards to the veterans’ community. Within the veterans’ community there is so much infighting, new organizations starting and the way the veterans’ community has done business has not changed in 60 years. As long as the veteran community is not united then it makes it easier for the bureaucrats to dived us and do what they want.
During the development of the NVC I was not asked if I wanted the pension act to be taken out and I know many other veterans were not asked as well. I have heard people working on the NVC were sworn to secrecy, and I can understand that puts people in a difficult position. However, if we as the veterans’ community stand untied and say to the bureaucrats and government “no we as a community will allow secrecy we will only allow transparency” then the government and bureaucrats have no choice but to do as the community wants.
In the 14 plus years I have been involved in veterans’ issues and veteran organizations; I have been on a journey full of learning and frustration. I have tried to leave the politics and advocating of the veterans issues but I keep getting drawn back in. As much as the frustration of veteran’s infighting can wear a person down, deep down in my heart I want to do the best I can to make sure the veterans of tomorrow are properly looked after. I want the veteran of tomorrow to look back and say “thank you for looking after me and my family” not have them say “what have you done, thanks for making it harder”. After all is that not we as veterans of today should be doing for veterans of tomorrow?
At the end of the day we can all argue and point fingers at each other and let the politics of veteran’s culture cloud us from what is happening around us. I feel if we as a veterans’ community/organizations do not stand untied we have given a blank cheque to the government and bureaucrats to do what they want.
With a stroke of the pen the social contract and pension act was taken out of legislation. The question I pose to all veterans is what will be gone next when you wake up?
The solution for this huge problem is we need to work together. The head of veteran organizations need to tell VAC and the government we will no longer be divided we will no longer give up our rights as veteran. But before we as a community can do that we need to clean up our own back yard and stop making different classes of veterans. We must honour and respect the sacrifices and conflicts of past veterans, but we must also understand we are people with families who have chosen to serve our country. Remember a solider does not choose where they serve, or what types of conflict they serve in, they just choose to stand by the flag and serve this country. I feel that is one thing all veterans from any era have in common.
Tom Hoppe
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Hugh Message - Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3 604-530-4111
OTTAWA
– The recent cases of Canadian veterans being shut out of Ste. Anne’s veterans
hospital is just the latest example of how the Harper government is abandoning
our veterans in need, Liberal Veterans Affairs Critic Rob Oliphant said today.
“Veterans groups signed on to the 2006 New Veterans Charter with the
understanding that the government would use it to meet the needs of veterans as
they arose,” said Mr. Oliphant.
“The Charter gives Veterans Affairs
Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn the discretion to step in and ensure things like
this don’t happen. And yet he won’t even respond to inquiries made to him by
family members who are fighting to get their loved ones the health care they
deserve.”
In the last week, two Canadian veterans have come forward to
protest being shut out of Ste. Anne’s hospital, located in
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec. Funded and operated by Veterans Affairs Canada,
it is the country’s last remaining federally-controlled veterans’ facility that
serves as a national centre for the care of Canada’s heroes.
Mr.
Oliphant, who recently toured the facility, was shocked to learn that there is
currently an entire floor left vacant, while clients who should be eligible wait
for a bed. According to media reports, the hospital is negotiating to lease the
space, which contains 30 long-term care beds, to another hospital. (Montreal
Gazette, Feb. 9, 2010)
“Ste. Anne’s Hospital is in place to ensure our
veterans have priority access to care,” Mr. Oliphant said. “No veteran should
have to endure waiting while beds sit empty. If ever there was an instance where
the government should step in and use the New Veterans Charter to resolve a
matter, this is it.”
“If nothing else, the government should intervene
because it recently made a $150-million investment to modernize and expand the
facility,” Mr. Oliphant added. “After Veterans Affairs Canada made such a
significant investment, it is only fair that veterans are able to take advantage
of some improvements.”
“This government loves to bill itself as the
great defender of our men and women in uniform, but when their actions don’t
match their words, it’s just empty rhetoric. I call on the Minister to make it
immediately clear that as long as there are beds lying empty, no veteran in
Canada will be kept out,” Mr. Oliphant concluded.
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Hugh Message, Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3 - 604-530-4111
Government actions seem geared to deny what is justly owed to more than 4,000 injured soldiers
By Sean Bruyea, FreelanceJanuary 27, 2010
It has become a sad truth that the path of an injured soldier to receive disability benefits in Canada is a minefield of obstacles. Last Thursday, the Supreme Court of Canada heard about one of those mine-fields.
When Canadian Forces members are injured on duty, they receive pain and suffering payments from Veterans Affairs while keeping their full salary. If soldiers are so disabled as to be unemployable, those soldiers are kicked out of the military and paid 75 per cent of their salary through a long-term disability plan held by the Canadian Forces. Then, in some seeming petty act of revenge, the Canadian Forces insurance plan deducts amounts for pain and suffering paid by Veterans Affairs.
No other long-term disability income plan in Canada is allowed to deduct Veterans Affairs payments for pain and suffering.
This is why Dennis Manuge has brought his case to the Supreme Court of Canada as his case represents more than 4,000 disabled soldiers similarly affected. I am one of the 4,000 disabled soldiers. The
National Defence Ombudsman has called the deductions "profoundly unfair" and said "the inequity might very well be serious enough to attract the protection of human rights legislation" including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, "which identify physical and mental disabilities as prohibited grounds of discrimination."
The Veterans' Ombudsman agrees.
Full Article: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Federal+treatment+disabled+veterans+disgraceful/2489412/story.html
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Hugh Message
Macdonald Realty 1st Pioneer, 22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3