Source: Fraser Valley Real Estate Board
Source: Fraser Valley Real Estate Board
The Drop (sculpture)
The Drop is a steel sculpture resembling a raindrop by the group of German artists known as Inges Idee, located at Bon Voyage Plaza in the Coal Harbour neighborhood of downtown Vancouver. The 65-foot (20 m) tall piece is covered with Styrofoam and blue polyurethane.
According to Inges Idee, the sculpture is "an homage to the power of nature" and represents "the relationship and outlook towards the water that surrounds us." The Drop was commissioned as part of the 2009 Vancouver Convention Centre Art Project and is owned by BC Pavco.
Source: Wikipedia
Whytecliff Park
Originally named White Cliff City, which opened in 1909. Whytecliff Park is located near West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay Neighbourhood. The park is currently home to more than 200 marine animal species and is the first Marine Protected Area in Canada. Sea lions can be seen sunbathing on the beach during summer.
The park is perfect for family barbeques with ample space and public washrooms. The park also offers great hiking, swimming and is a popular location for underwater diving.
Source: Wikipedia
Harrison Hot Springs Water Park
If you're looking for a place that's fun for the the whole family and need to cool down then Harrison Lake and Harrison River is the place to go! Enjoy many water activites like fishing, boating, windsurfing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, or just soaking in the hot springs pool, Harrison is all about clear, clean, glacier pure water.
Souce: Tourism Harrison
The Stawamus Chief
Officially called Stawamus Chief Mountain, “The Chief” is the most recognized mountain near Squamish, BC. This granite dome is often claimed to be the "second largest granite monolith in the world." Canada's big-wall rock-climbing mecca, attracting keen rock climbers from around the world every summer. The Chief’s three summits offer rewarding views of Howe Sound, Squamish town site and surrounding mountains. This park has opportunities for camping, hiking, rock climbing and scenic viewing atop the Chief.
Source: Wikipedia
Grouse Grind
The Grouse Grind is Vancouver, BC’s most popular trail. Located in North Vancouver at the base of Grouse Mountain, the trail is so widely used that wooden steps were built on most of the trail to prevent erosion from further use. This trail is not for the faint of heart, there are 2,830 stairs and has an elevation gain of 2,800 feet!
Reach the top of the peak and you can successfully say that you completed “The Grind”. Then you can turn around and hike back down the mountain… just kidding! At the top you can purchase snacks, shop, hike some more, or have lunch. You can also purchase your ticket for the Gondola ride down the mountain.
**THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**
Thinking of renovating or updating your home this summer?
Summertime is all about the great outdoors and drier weather; which for some home owners means it’s the perfect time to start a home renovation project. Whether it is a small do-it-yourself project or a large project requiring a contractor it’s going to take some time and money. We can’t give you more time, but we might be able to give you some MONEY!! Read on!
If you had $200.00 to spend at Home Depot, how would you spend it?
Tell us your plans and you could WIN $200.00 GIFT CARD to Home Depot!
Don’t worry the information we collect is strictly for this giveaway, we will not share your information with others.
Head over to my Facebook page to enter: YES, I WANT TO ENTER THE SUMMER GIVEAWAY!
Thank you for your participation and good luck to everyone!
Houston Trail
Houston Trail is a scenic loop that is located in Derby Reach Regional Park in Langley, BC. The forested trail is 4 km long, is open all year round and is popular with walkers, hikers and the occasional horseback rider.
So you’re buying a home?! Congratulations!! To make sure you don’t get blindsided by those sneaky closing costs, read on…
Required Fees:
Deposits: Have about 5% of the purchase price available in cash. Amounts may vary but this is a good rule of thumb. The deposit is typically taken at the time you remove your subjects and is usually placed in a real estate brokerage’s trust account. The deposit forms part of your downpayment will be applied to your purchase price.
Legal fee: A lawyer or notary prepares all the documentation to transfer the legal title of property from one person to another. This is called conveyancing. For straightforward transactions you’ll pay a notary or lawyer between $600.00-$1200.00.
Property Transfer Tax:This is a tax payable under the Property Transfer Tax Act on the transfer of an interest in real property by the person acquiring the interest..and it’s nasty!! You’re looking at a cost of 1% on the first $200,000.00 and 2% on the balance of the purchase price so it can get pretty expensive. Is there any way to avoid it? Yes, there is…but only if you’ve never owned property in your name anywhere in Canada. There are certain other criteria too such as purchasing a home under $475,000.00. For more information please visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=BBD16E2D7C1841A7BBD420E3AC5380F1
Potential Fees:
Mortgage Application Fee: This varies from lender to lender and some don’t charge it at all.
Mortgage Default Insurance: Commonly referred to as CMHC insurance, this is mandatory in Canada for down payments between 5% (the minimum in Canada) and 19.99%. Mortgage default insurance protects lenders, in the event a borrower ever stopped making payments and defaulted on their mortgage loan. How can you avoid having to buy this insurance? Save a little longer to scrape together at least 20% down—it will save you thousands of dollars and will take years off your mortgage!
Sales Tax: This applies only to newly built homes. If the home is previously owned —commonly called a ‘resale’—then this tax does not apply. For new builds, you are looking at a cost of 5% GST plus 2% transitional tax depending on when the construction was completed. Is there a rebate? Why yes, there is….and here’s a great calculator to help you figure out what that may be: http://www.lawandassociates.ca/hst-calculator
Home Inspection: Likely your realtor has discussed the merits of having a home inspection done on the property you’re purchasing—it’s just a smart thing to do! You wouldn’t buy a car without kicking the tires and looking under the hood, right? So, don’t buy a house without having a qualified inspector go through it. The cost? About $500.00-$700.00…but well worth the money.
Appraisal: You've found your dream home. The asking price is $500,000.00 -- an amount you've already been pre-approved for by your bank, but is the home really worth that amount? That's the question at the heart of the home appraisal. The worth, or value of the property, will determine how much a lender is willing to give you to buy that particular piece of real estate. If your lender orders an appraisal to be done the cost will be about $300.00.
Moving expenses: Are you packing up yourself and renting a U-haul? Or are you hiring a moving company to do the work for you? Remember to factor these costs in. Also, if you’re moving into a strata unit (townhouse, condo, duplex etc) then there may be move in/move out fees as well. Information about strata move in/move out fees can usually be found in the strata bylaws.
So now you’re in your new home, who else wants access to your wallet? Well, don’t forget about home insurance, utilities, strata fees, property tax, and the regular upkeep and maintenance to your home.
Don’t be discouraged by the costs…be smart, be informed, and be ready! Congratulations once again on your new home, and don’t worry, your wallet will recover…:)
Britannia Mine Museum
For almost 70 years during the 1920s and 1930s, Britannia Mine was an important source of copper ore and was one of the largest mining operations in Canada. The museum is the site of Mill 3, also called the Concentrator and in 1987 was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Fun for the whole family, learn about the history of Britannia Mine and explore the grounds with underground train tours and gold panning demonstrations.
The Butchart Gardens
When visiting Victoria, British Columbia; The Butchart Gardens is one attraction that you don’t want to miss! The gardens receive close to 1 million visitors each year and is recognized as one of the world’s premier show gardens. The gardens have been designated a National Historic Site of Canada due to their international renown.
The gardens offers exquisite views and a spectacular floral display. Started in 1904 by Jennie Butchart, the gardens feature Sunken and Japanese gardens in addition to local flora. The Butchart Gardens are wonderful to visit at any time of the year.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers an all-encompassing BC experience. The 450 ft (137m) long, 230 ft (70m) high Capilano Suspension Bridge has excited guests since 1889. The Vancouver landmark is rich in culture, history and nature.
The first location of its kind in North America, the park also features Treetops Adventures, ecotours, award-winning gardens and nature trails. Observe First Nations totem posts which are North America's largest private collection, period decor and traditional First Nations costumes. Wander through exhibits displaying the park's history as well as enjoy the surrounding temperate rain forest. Guests also can witness a First Nations performance, showcasing their traditional Regalia (ceremonial dress), masks, dancing and storytelling.