Investor Info Prince George blog

CN Rail is growing in leaps and bounds

2012-02-12T18:50:00.001-08:00

For those of us in the Prince George area keeping an eye on the growing transportation hub we are becoming this is just more support for what the potential is.

Here is a link to the Prince George Citizen article on CN's growth here.

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/article/20120212/PRINCEGEORGE0101/302129996/-1/princegeorge01/cn-rail-growing-leaps-and-bounds

Cheers!

Dean Birks - REALTOR®

Royal LePage Prince George

www.DeanBirks.com

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Cold Weather Tip - Watch your furnace!

2012-02-07T15:31:00.001-08:00

There has been a few clients in the past few weeks were their furnace stopped working and the home was left vacant for a few days which meant frozen pipes and not so nice outcome. But those are the obvious ones. The less obvious is your furnace switch in your home. Some times it is accidentally turned off due to someone flicking switches to see what light it turns on (not realizing its the furnace switch) only to leave it in the off position. This then shuts your furnace down and again if the home is left vacant you could end up with a frozen home.

I would guess that in a year only 1% of the homes I show have some kind of sticker or color to indicate the switch is for the furnace. I would recommend placing a sticker saying 'Furnace' on that switch. It only take a minute to do and could save your thousands of dollars in repairs due to frozen pipes.

Here is a picture of my furnace switch at home:

Best regards

Dean Birks

Top Office Producer (07, 09, 10 & 2011)

#1 MLS® Producer in Prince George (2011)

Royal LePage Prince George

Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709

Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132

www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Thank you very much!

2012-02-07T10:21:00.001-08:00

Prince George Real Estate - Top MLS agent for 2011.pdf Download this file

I wish to personally thank very much all my past and present clients, along with friends and associates for their continued trust when asking me or referring myself to help with either buying or selling real estate here in the Prince George area. I look forward to another great year and feel very optimistic about Prince George & area in the coming years.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

More good news for North Central BC & Prince George

2012-02-03T12:27:00.001-08:00

1- Foreign Trade Zones Eyed for Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Prince George - The British Columbia government is considering creating two foreign trade zones, one in the Vancouver region and one in the north. Click Here for the rest.

2- Clark Government Unveils LNG Plans:
By 250 News Friday, February 03, 2012 10:05 AM

Prince George, B.C. - Premier Christy Clark today announced British Columbia's natural gas strategy will be established on a foundation of four priorities for long-term economic prosperity under the BC Jobs Plan.

   "We are creating new and exciting opportunities by diversifying our natural gas sector, strengthening job prospects for British Columbians and opening the door to new clean energy projects. My government is positioning liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a cornerstone of British Columbia's long-term economic success," said Premier Clark.

   The Natural Gas Strategy and a complementary strategy focusing specifically on the development of a brand-new LNG sector, were released today by Clark at BCIT. Their four priorities commit the province to:

* Greater emphasis on market diversification to increase the value of B.C.'s natural gas.

* Support job creation together with industry, educators and communities.

* Continued strong leadership on clean energy and climate change moving forward.

* A redefinition of the Province's self-sufficiency policy to ensure B.C. is well-positioned to power expansion.

   The Province's strategy will ultimately support job creation and economic opportunity. Over the next five years, job openings are expected to increase as a result of growth in the natural gas sector and the emergence of a LNG industry.

Development of LNG is expected to produce approximately $20 billion in new private sector investment. This investment will create 800 new long-term jobs for British Columbians working in LNG facilities and up to 9,000 more jobs during construction.

Indirectly, growth and a new LNG industry will support thousands of spin-off jobs in the fields of transportation, engineering, construction and environmental management.

   British Columbia will be home to the world`s first LNG export facilities that use clean energy. BC LNG Douglas Channel and Kitimat LNG will access clean energy from the Province's existing grid. As new infrastructure is built and the industry expands, future energy needs will be served by local, clean energy, with B.C.'s natural gas used to support energy reliability if required. Discussions are underway now with LNG proponents to assess power requirements for future projects.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer (07, 09, 10 & 2011)
#1 MLS® REALTOR® for Prince George (2011)
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

A cautious start to the new year

2012-02-02T18:09:00.001-08:00

Here is a great email I got from Bob and thought I would pass it along. Enjoy!

---------------------------

In the early 70's expanding competition from globalization brought competition that caused major fluctuations in interest rates charged by lenders as credit became more accessible and inflation caught the financial gurus off guard. This explosion of the baby boomers transitioning into home owners with families fed it all. There was no end to the prosperity. Mortgage rates rose for a short time over 20%. In 1982 the bubble burst as values had to be adjusted to suit the payments debtors could afford. The world recovered slowly and here in Prince George as 5-yr interest rates settled into the 10-12% range and values/sales were determined again by the catalyst of credit... payments....
When UNBC was announced in 1990 Prince George immediately benefited over the next six to seven years until the Softwood Lumber Dispute slowed Northern BC substantially as many depended on the sale of word to the US. A comment often heard was: "imagine if we didn't have the University". And it was true. Interest rates continued to slowly drop.
However, during that time growth did happen, even if it was not as robust. Increased Global competition helped reduce the costs of borrowing as overall, interest rates dropped slowly and prior to September 11, 2001, the overall forecast for the global economy was for slow recovery and growth (how often have we heard that?). Immediately after 9/11interest rates dropped world wide. And they continued to drop. Here in Prince George and surrounding area it was the catalyst that combined a new supply with the pent up demand. In 2002 the market started to move for the better and by 2004 things here were chugging along pretty good. About 2006 we started to see result of some success with the expectation of more to come. Interest rates demanded began to rise and borrowers rationalized the cost.. Again, a new bubble burst. This time in 2008. Blame can be set upon the creditors and debtors alike, but it really takes two to tango. Anyways, the enormity to the problem now was magnified by globalization. Getting in... and now getting out (of the problem while maintaining accelerating access to world markets.
Once financial institutions started to fall, so great in 2008 was the fear of a collapse, the resulting damage and then letting order restore itself as it has in similar historical situations was too great for governments not to step in. Values and amounts of debts along with payments are being adjusted in Greece and the same will probably happen in Spain, Portugal and maybe even Italy.
This is not growth and does not spur any reason for an increase in interest rates. For a long time. Last week word came from the US that interest rates will not rise at all until late 2014. We are tied closely enough that we will be in much the same boat.
The advantage for investors/speculators in the Prince George area is that the growth in transportation alone to service the natural resources sector in Northern BC combined with the certainty of low interest rates equals opportunity. We are seeing activity in both the commercial and residential market. Some tire kicking and some actual buying. But as in most trends, many will not join in until the trend is a full swell. Now is the time when those with great insight, luck and guts will try to find the right real estate investment that will pay off handsomely in the next 4- 6 years. Credit will be available but less so as returns for lenders remain low.
My point is, our financial world has become addicted to cash flow and low interest rates. The two are related and value becomes secondary to. The challenge debtors are faced with is maintaining the values they are contractually entitled to. As we are seeing in Greece, that doesn't mean they will get it. Interest rates will remain low and those who have asked for another "kit at the cat" should have it.
I believe that in spite of the challenges displayed to us by the media, here in Prince George and surrounding area, we are on the verge of growth with diversity. What large cities are based and survive on. I would like the opportunity to talk to some of you about it. Please contact me if you have any ideas you want to work on.
thanks,
Bob Quinlan, mortgage broker
office: 250-564-9161
cell: 250-565-8884
fax: 250-564-9132
www.pgmortgages.ca

-------------------------------

Copy forwarded, couresty of:

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer (07, 09, 10 & 2011)
#1 MLS® REALTOR® for Prince George (2011)
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

New Northern BC Travel App!

2012-01-06T14:30:00.001-08:00

I just came across this great app. - Travelling through and around Northern British Columbia has never been easier. Download the FREE Android or iPhone app to discover what there is to do, where to eat, where to stay during your trip, and with the assistance of your GPS enabled device you can easily find your way around.

Android App - https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nbctourism.discoveranywhere

iPhone App - http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/northernbc-for-ipad/id469365416?mt=8

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer (07, 09, 10 & 2011)
#1 MLS® REALTOR® for Prince George (2011)
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Home buyers in 2011 can claim...

2012-01-05T11:08:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone,

Just a quick reminder that some of you that bought a home in 2011 may be able to claim an amount of $5,000 for the purchase of a qualifying home made in 2011, if both of the following apply: Click Here to go to Gov of Canada site.

All the best in 2012. Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer (07, 09, 10 & 2011)
#1 MLS® REALTOR® in Prince George (2011)
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

ECB provided a Merry Christmas for many

2011-12-22T13:56:00.001-08:00

The ECB (European Central Bank) has provided a bailout for the failing economies in Europe to be able to maintain business. A timely Christmas present one may say. The debtors can continue to make payments, borrow more and keep the flow of goods going. Keep the cash flow going. The creditor economies can rely on payments to continue to come inl. They can lend and keep goods flowing. Cash flow. There are also provisions for future bailout funds as the reality is... the only way to keep business and cashflow between the suppliers and the users is to compromise.
This is also welcome news on this side of the ocean. This should keep lenders a little more focussed on lending more with the confidence to compete with the main tool at hand. Low interest rates. How much they will move in the next few months is unsure. I wouldn't expect too much in any direction.
In Northern BC it is a good time to invest in real estate with all that is promised through, mining and exporation, transportation and all the commerce that goes with it. And now there is the added assurance of money available to "get things done".
In the meantime... please take time to be with family and friends and to give thanks for all we are blessed with. The celebration of Christmas is upon that we may have the choice of eternal life.
From myself and family to you and yours, Merry Christmas. We wish you only good things.

thanks,
Bob Quinlan
www.pgmortgages.ca

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Home Warranty Insurance on New Homes

2011-12-16T18:29:00.001-08:00

Homes built by Licensed Residential Builders are covered by mandatory... http://www.deanbirks.com/4a_blog.php

Cheers

Dean Birks - REALTOR®

www.DeanBirks.com

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Steady as she goes

2011-12-10T18:14:00.001-08:00

The market here in Prince George is steady but inventory is low low. Hope early New Year brings on new listings. If your thinking of selling the mid to end of January should be good timing for you.
Cheers
Dean
www.DeanBirks.com

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Royal LePage Canada mobile access

2011-12-08T16:03:00.001-08:00

Royal LePage Canada has launched an innovative new mobile website, developed for Android, iPhone and BlackBerry. With an app-like feel, the site aims to push the boundaries in the mobile space by providing enhanced, never-before-available information about neighbourhoods and the homes for sale within them.

http://video.royallepage.ca/mediadetail/5030259-Royal-LePage-Mobile-Web

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09, 10 & 2011
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Did you know that Prince George has an awesome cross country ski...

2011-12-03T16:50:00.001-08:00

Otway Nordic Ski Centre

At Otway, experience cross-country skiing on 45km of groomed trails, with night skiing, dog trails, a concession, ski school, and rentals as options. The trails remain open for use during the summer for hikers and bikers. Here is link to more info - http://tourismpg.com/activities/otway-nordic-ski-centre

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09, 10 & 2011
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

10 fixed rates as low as ever.

2011-12-02T15:59:00.001-08:00

Dean Birks, REALTOR
CdnMortgageNews: 10yr fixed rates are down as low as 4.39% in the broker channel. Lowest we recall ever seeing
--http://twitter.com/CdnMortgageNews/status/142736178855149569

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Site C Dam great news for Prince George

2011-12-01T20:54:00.001-08:00

Click on link to read details from Prince George Citizen - http://m.princegeorgecitizen.com/article/20111130/PRINCEGEORGE0101/311309973/...&template=JQMArticle
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Prince George CN Container Yard

2011-11-22T15:44:00.001-08:00

I had not really noticed until today just how busy the CN Container Yard here in Prince George is. A good sign I would say...

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Blue is the in color.

2011-11-20T08:51:00.001-08:00

http://bit.ly/tPUqan
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

A rare find! 1.45 acre building lot already zoned for condos

2011-11-16T16:57:00.001-08:00

Just listed - building lot zoned RM6 for condos and geotech report already done = ready to build on. Click Here to access more info.

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

A great way to move...

2011-11-11T12:40:00.001-08:00

You learn something new every day. I had no idea that BigSteelBox has a vast network of stores and yards to help make moving and storage simple. Plus, less stressful than dealing with traditional ways of moving. You can rent, buy or modify a BigSteelBox to suit all kinds of needs.

For the Prince George area visit www.BigSteelBox.com and give Steve a call.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com
Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Latest MLS® Prices - Sales - Forecast for BC Northern

2011-11-09T15:14:00.001-08:00

Here are a few stat graphs I thought some of you may be interested in. Also it looks like (as per todays news) that the Bank of Canada may reduce rates further in the new year. Click on this link to view the Financial Post article.

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

British Columbia's Top Investment Towns Named For 2010 - 2015

2011-11-08T11:42:00.001-08:00

Prince George BC is # 10.

-------------------------------------------------

November 8, 2011
Mark NIELSEN
Citizen staff
mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

A real estate consultant is rating Prince George the 10th best place in B.C. to invest.

That's the same place the city finished when he Real Estate Investment Network (REIN) carried out a ranking two years ago, but is still impressive considering 51 communities in total were accounted for, said the company's president Don Campbell.

See the full story in tomorrow's print and online editions.

Here is link to REIN - http://www.reincanada.com/press-releases-view/articletype/articleview/articleid/127.aspx

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

UNBC Inks Agreement on International Degree Program

2011-11-07T20:09:00.001-08:00

By 250 News

Monday, November 07, 2011 01:08 PM

Dr. George Iwama and Dr. Xue Wei sign agreement ( photo courtesy UNBC)

Prince George, B.C.- UNBC President Dr. George Iwama has signed a letter of intent with Dr. Xue Wei, Vice-President International of Wenzhou University which creates a partnership for an international degree program in Environmental Science and Engineering, starting September 2012.

“This is our first joint international degree program at the graduate level and we hope to discuss the development of similar programs at the undergraduate level with Wenzhou University in the future,” explains Dr. Iwama. “Increased international student enrolment at UNBC will enhance the student experience and offer Canadian students the opportunity to learn about China, be informed and responsible global citizens, and become actively involved in international issues".

UNBC signed a general agreement of cooperation with Wenzhou University in August 2010. Since then, faculty in Environmental Science and Engineering at UNBC have worked closely with their counterparts at Wenzhou University on joint research projects and collaborations in the area of soil and water pollution control and remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil.
Dr. Iwama and Carolyn Russell, Director of Student Success and International Operations, are in China and India for the next week with Premier Christy Clark and 250 other delegates interested in fostering and enhancing international relations in the areas of business, trade, mining, and education. The mission’s intent is to formalize the negotiations begun by B.C.’s post-secondary institutions by signing of agreements with various institutions and government partners.

Copy courtesy of:

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Help support my fundraising for Movember - Thank you in advance!

2011-11-07T16:12:00.001-08:00

Hi All,
It’s Movember, the month formerly known as November, which is dedicated to growing moustaches and raising awareness and funds for men’s health. I have joined the movement and will be donating my upper lip to the cause for 30 days. My Mo will spark conversations, and no doubt generate some laughs; all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for prostate cancer.
Why am I so passionate about men’s health?
*On average men live 4-5 years less than women
*1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
* 25,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year in Canada
I invite you to support me by donating to me http://mobro.co/DeanBirks

You can even go old school and write a cheque payable to “Movember Canada”, reference my name and Registration Number 2505210 and send it to: Movember Canada, 119 Spadina Avenue, PO Box 65, Toronto, ON M5T 2T2
All donations are tax deductible.
We only have a month to grow Mos and raise awareness and fund, so please come along for the ride.
Funds raised will help make a tangible difference to the lives of others. Through the Movember Foundation and their men’s health partner, the Prostate Cancer Canada, Movember is funding world class awareness, research, educational and support programs which would otherwise not be possible.
For more details on how the funds raised from previous campaigns have been used and the impact Movember is having please click on the links below:
About Movember
Prostate Cancer Foundation research
Global Action Plan
Please donate here - http://mobro.co/DeanBirks
Thank you in advance for helping me change the face of men's health. Go the Mo!
Moustache Season. Now Open.

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

BCREA Housing Market Update (October 2011)

2011-11-07T15:51:00.001-08:00

Here is the British Columbia Real Estate Association Housing update for Oct.2011

Watch BCREA Chief Economist Cameron Muir discuss the September 2011 statistics:

Click on the link to view -

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

A few great things I notice going on in downtown Prince George

2011-11-06T19:07:00.001-08:00

Prince George BC - Downtown activity.pdf Download this file

So I had a few moments on Saturday between appointments to grab a coffee, my camera and drive around downtown Prince George and take a few pictures of some serious money being spent by business & government on either new buildings or renovations. See the attached PDF document.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 07, 09 & 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

CEO of the 2015 Canada Winter Games - Prince George BC

2011-11-03T15:57:00.001-07:00

Stuart Ballantyne, CEO of the 2015 Canada Winter Games, talks about leaving the Vancouver Giants and his vision for the Games.
On August 29, the former chief operating officer of the Vancouver Giants hockey club headed 750 kilometres north to Prince George to take the helm of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/profiles-and-spotlights/people/stuart-ballantyne-ceo-2015-canada-winter-games

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Congrats to Pacific Western Brewing

2011-11-03T15:40:00.001-07:00

I just noticed this great news story about Prince George's very own in the BC Business online. I love their Canterbury beer.

http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/profiles-and-spotlights/people/kazuko-komatsu-ceo-pacific-western-brewing-company

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

UNBC Holds at Number 3

2011-10-26T13:30:00.001-07:00

By 250 News

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 12:46 PM

Prince George, B.C. – For the fourth straight year, UNBC has been ranked number 3 in the “primarily undergraduate” category by Maclean’s magazine.

“I'm delighted to know that we have distinguished ourselves and our region by our strong standing in the national ranking of universities by Maclean's Magazine. We are third in the country overall, surpassed only by two much older universities in the Maritimes,” says UNBC president George Iwama. “We are justified in claiming we are Canada's top small university west of Atlantic Canada.”

The two universities which ranked higher than UNBC are Mount Allison of New Brunswick and Acadia in Nova Scotia, both of which are more than 150 years old.

“Despite our continuing success, we can’t rest on our laurels—and we aren’t,” says Dr. Iwama. “UNBC is ranked first in the country in total research funding per faculty member, and just yesterday, students ranked UNBC number one for commitment to the environment in the Globe and Mail’s Canadian University Report. We are maintaining our focus and priorities in service to our communities in northern British Columbia, Canada, and beyond.”

The annual ranking is important in that students looking for a place to continue their studies, often turn to the magazine for input to help them make a decision on where they will apply.

Copy courtesy of:

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone/Text (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Luxury for Less

2011-10-24T17:32:00.001-07:00

Just because you are on a budget, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style in your home. If it’s time to refresh your décor but you don’t think you have the necessary funds, think again. Here are a few ways you can add a touch of luxury to any room of your home without breaking the bank:

Start with the walls
No room of your home can ever feel luxurious if the paintwork is shabby or wallpaper looks dull or weathered. A new coat of paint or wallpaper is the fastest, and easiest way to a fresh new look. If painting, consider a suede, satin or cashmere finish in a neutral colour for a look of elegance. If wallpapering, consider rich colours, textures or traditional patterns. Use good quality products for best results.

Liven up the living room
Add an instant touch of lavishness with one or two large cushions in rich embroidered fabric, velvet or faux fur. Add warmth to your wood floors with a shag rug for modern décor, Turkish or Oriental style for more traditional tastes. No need to splurge on new lamps, simply update the shades with linen or silk-like material. Give a favourite piece of furniture a makeover with updated sleek metal hardware or repaint with an attractive gloss paint.

Beautify bedrooms & bathrooms
Buy beautiful bed linen when it is on sale. Billowy comforters or duvets with plenty of plump pillows make the whole room look luxurious and inviting. A plush rug for stepping in and out of bed gives a sumptuous start and end to your day. Add plenty of thick fresh towels and large pillar candles in the bathroom to set a pampered scene. Invest in light switch dimmers to create the ambiance you desire.

Get chic in the kitchen
Freshen up cabinetry with new paint or modern hardware and update lighting fixtures. Buy a beautiful tablecloth or table runner and top it off with a potted orchid in an attractive pot. Rather than using every day chipped or stained mugs, treat yourself to a couple of fine china tea cups from a thrift store or good quality coffee mugs for your favourite brew. Then sit back, enjoy tea for two with a friend, and truly savour the moment.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Top 10 for Oct 15, 2011 #431

2011-10-15T16:02:00.001-07:00

Here is the list below I received from Pat with good things in the works for BC and Central BC as well. Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com
Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!
---------------

We had lots of good news on the economic front this past week. Great export numbers, an approval for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports and all of this coming hard on the heels of the new employment numbers.

Next week we are back in the Legislature debating bills and setting the framework for our economy to grow.

Have a great week!

Pat Bell - (MLA Prince George North) http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca/

1.       Establishing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry in British Columbia moved a major step closer to reality with the National Energy Board (NEB) approving a 20-year export licence for the Kitimat LNG facility – the first license of its kind in Canada.

With the capacity to supply B.C.’s natural gas to new markets, demand will increase for the province’s energy resources and investment will be secured for ongoing development. Long-term jobs and business opportunities will be available for northeast communities. The Kitimat LNG facility itself will create approximately 1,500 person-years of work during its construction phase and 120-140 permanent positions once the terminal is in operation. The facility will be supplied natural gas from through the Pacific Trail Pipeline (PTP) (Summit Lake to Kitimat), which is expected to create another 1,500 construction jobs.

2.       We are taking steps to further encourage business immigrants to invest in communities in regional B.C. through the BC Provincial Nominee Program. This is one of a series of steps as part of a commitment in ‘Canada Starts Here - The BC Jobs Plan’ to attract more entrepreneurs from other countries to help create jobs regionally. The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides accelerated permanent resident status to entrepreneurs and qualified workers based on labour market and economic development priorities. Among the changes, a new online investment matching service will link potential business immigrants to business opportunities in regions, with a focus on small business succession, an area of concern identified by the small business sector. In some cases, small business owners in smaller rural communities are facing challenges in finding people to buy their companies when they are ready to retire. The service is scheduled to launch in November.

3.       As I said earlier positive export numbers again for the month of August B.C.’s exports were worth $2.874 billion, an increase of $423 million or 17.3% compared with August 2011. The big winners were coal, energy, agriculture and equipment and machinery.

4.       Another great month as well for lumber exports to China with our first 8 months of exports surpassing 3 billion board feet! This represents a 107% increase year to date over last year and a year to date value of ¾ of a billion dollars!

5.       Korea and Taiwan are also looking very good with year over year growth of 26% and 37% respectively. In fact at this pace the combination of these 2 countries will represent about ½ billion board feet or the production of 2 sawmills.

6.       British Columbia has the lowest smoking rate in Canada for the 12th year in a row at 14.3 per cent, says the 2010 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS). B.C.’s overall smoking rate fell to 14.3 per cent in 2010 from 14.9 per cent in 2009, according to the CTUMS. Overall in Canada, smoking rates are 17 per cent. Ontario has the second-lowest rate at 15 per cent, with Saskatchewan the highest at 21 per cent.

Most positively, B.C.’s smoking rate for youth aged 15 to 19 years decreased from 13 per cent in 2009 to 8.9 per cent in 2010. This is the lowest rate achieved since 1999. The national rate is 12 per cent.

7.       Applications are now being accepted to help local sport, municipalities, Aboriginal and community organizations increase sport opportunities for British Columbians of all ages and abilities.

The Local Sport Program Development Fund provides grants of up to $2,000 for sport programs that aim to increase access to British Columbians. This could include opportunities such as clubs establishing a youth division; a new sport program that requires specialized equipment or coach training; or a club that wants to introduce their sport to local schools.

8.        Mining is returning to the Princeton region as the Copper Mountain Mine celebrates its grand opening today. The mine brings jobs to the area and benefits the entire province. Having started production in June 2011, Copper Mountain is the third-largest copper mine in Canada and the first major-metals mine to open in British Columbia since 1998. The 7,285-hectare (18,000-acre) site is located 20 km south of the town of Princeton and is expected to produce approximately 2.27 billion kilograms (five billion pounds) of copper over its life. When fully operating, the mine will provide about 270 mining jobs in the Princeton area. The B.C. mining sector hit $7.9 billion dollars in gross revenues in 2010, returning to 2008 historic levels after rebounding in recent years.

9.        You likely know them as the happy, hardworking kids in the barns at every summer fair across British Columbia. The Province knows them as the future of agriculture, and that’s why it’s investing $85,000 in the B.C. 4-H program’s young members through a provincial grant. More than 2,350 young people between six and 21 years old participate in the B.C. 4-H program. The goal of the 4-H program, which is now more than 95 years old, is youth development, with a focus on knowledge, leadership, citizenship and personal development.

10.   B.C.’s future forests will include super-trees that can shrug off attacks by pests like the mountain pine beetle – or are remarkably efficient at sequestering carbon, reducing CO2 in the atmosphere. People here and elsewhere will use a simple screening test to detect diabetes waiting to happen, so it can be prevented – and another to easily pinpoint which of many underlying conditions is causing a patient’s high blood pressure, so it can be treated successfully. There’s a link between these four projects: Christoph Borchers, one of the world’s top proteomics researchers. Borchers’ appointment as the Don and Eleanor Rix B.C. Leadership Chair in Biomedical and Environmental Proteomics.

Proteomics is the study of the structure and functions of proteins. It can be used in every area of biochemical research. Borchers, director of the UVic Genome BC Proteomics Centre at the Vancouver Island Technology Park, is focusing on health and forestry in his LEEF chair role.

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Lenders shorten discounts on Variable rate mortgages

2011-10-08T17:48:00.001-07:00

Here is an email I though you would be interested in I just received from Bob. See below. Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!
-------------------------------------------------------

As interest rates continue to creep downward the majority of borrowers are choosing variable rate mortgages. The ones the banks make less money on but need to offer due to competition.
They hope you will lock in at some time... and you probably will. However, banks/lenders would prefer you to be in a fixed mortgage. Less risky for both borrower and lender.
Over the past few weeks lenders across the board have been tightening up these discounts:
1) make them more profitable... and
2) direct borrowers to the fixed rates.
Variable rate: August 18 @ 2.20%; October 7 @ 2.60% while the fixed rates have been dropping.
To save interest on your mortgage over the next while, look at the variable rate or stay on the variable rate. Pick the time that is right for you to lock in. In the meantime, have a great weekend.
thanks,
Bob Quinlan
office 250-564-9161
cell 250-565-8444
toll free: 1-866-964-9161
fax: 250-564-9132
www.pgmortgages.ca
Mortgage Alliance
#2 - 1810 Third Ave.
Prince George, BC V2M 1G4

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

News Release - Northern BC Real Estate

2011-10-08T17:44:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to the latest Northern BC Real Estate news release with latest stats. CLICK HERE

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Top 10 for October 1, 2011

2011-10-03T11:14:00.001-07:00

Here below is more good info about Prince George and area.

Cheers

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

-----Original Message-----

Hi All

A few weeks ago I asked for your opinions on BC’s best wines and the votes are in and tallied! For the first annual Pat Bell’s “Peoples Choice” Awards:

Best BC Winery – Hester Creek!

Best BC Wine – Hester Creek Trebiano

Best BC Wine under $15 – Gehringer Auxerrois $13.99 (and I will add their Cuvee Noire also at $13.99 for a red).

Hope you enjoy the selections.

This past week was the annual UBCM convention in Vancouver, always a busy and important week in the Province. Mayors, Councilors and Regional District Directors gather to discuss important issue that face all of the communities in the Province. I had an opportunity to do several presentations on out new Jobs Strategy as well as providing a general overview of my Ministries activities. I especially find it helpful for the very small communities that don’t always have the resources they need to travel and meet with Provincial Cabinet Ministers.

Next week we are back in the Legislature for the start of our Fall Session and a Throne Speech so stay tuned.

This week’s Top 10 is actually a “Top 8”. It is the 8 sectors that we believe we can build our economy around and the jobs that come with that. It provides you with a sense of why we have selected these sectors and what we think might be possible.

Have a great week!

Pat Bell - http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca/

1. Forestry

B.C.’s forestry industry is on the rebound. Since 2003, when we focused on opening new markets in China and Hong Kong, exports have grown from $69 million to 687 million a year. We know our market, have an international reputation as a stable supplier of high-quality wood products, and offer timber supply security.

2. Mining

B.C.’s mining industry is booming: we have abundant mineral deposits, and are well positioned to meet growing global demand. More than half of Canada’s exploration companies are based here, and we employ the world’s highest concentration of mining professionals, geologists, engineers, prospectors, metallurgists, assayers, lawyers, accountants and financiers.

3. Natural Gas

More than half of the remaining natural gas in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin is in British Columbia. If natural gas prices stay where they are, this sector is on line to double production by 2020, bringing both jobs and investment opportunities.

4. Agrifoods

With fertile land and abundant water, British Columbia leads Canada in sales of blueberries, cranberries, sweet cherries and raspberries. Growers produce food with strong health benefits, a low environmental footprint and an ethical approach. Emerging markets, particularly on the Pacific Rim, will drive demand for trusted and high-quality foods.

5. Technology

BC is home to world-class high tech companies. The demand for digital, wireless and screen based entertainment is on the rise – in 2010, India and China alone added more than 300 million wireless subscribers. China’s market for green technology is forecast to grow to $1 trillion by 2013.

6. Tourism

British Columbia is a choice tourism destination. Global international arrivals will grow to 1.6 billion by 2020, an average of 4.5 per cent per year. Almost 18,000 tourism companies in B.C. create most of the 128,600 jobs in the industry. By 2019, we expect that to grow to 196,000 jobs.

7. International Education

British Columbia has a reputation for educational excellence. In 2010, 94,000 international students came to British Columbia to study in our Kindergarten – Grade 12, post secondary and Language Canada schools. It’s a growth industry: by 2025, global demand for international education is predicted to more than double to 7.2 million.

8. Transportation

Companies in B.C., the U.S, and Asia look to the Pacific Gateway for quick connections across the Pacific. Vancouver, Kitimat and Prince Rupert are Asia’s closest ports of entry on the West Coast, closer than Los Angeles and Long Beach. Steady improvement to ports, rail, roads and airports is key.

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Home Ownership Tips

2011-09-27T19:40:00.001-07:00

Good day everyone.

I just uploaded to my website some good information on Home Ownership Tips etc. Click Here to view the list of short videos.

Hope you enjoy.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

CREA Partners with RCMP for their Marihuana Grow Initiative

2011-09-22T13:36:00.001-07:00

This is great news.

CREA Partners with the RCMP for their Marihuana Grow Initiative (MGI)

Earlier today, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) launched their national strategy to combat marihuana grow operations (MGOs) in communities across Canada, known as the Marihuana Grow Initiative (MGI) (http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/news-nouvelles/2011/09-21-mgi-ircm-eng.htm). Director-at-Large Pauline Aunger was on hand at the launch, held at RCMP National Headquarters here in Ottawa, to represent The Canadian Real Estate Association, one of the official community partners of this initiative, and REALTORS® nationwide.

CREA’s role in this initiative is to help raise awareness of the health and safety concerns associated with the presence of MGOs and to provide expertise on their impact on the real estate industry.

Please find attached the RCMP’s news release announcing the MGI launch, which features a quote from CREA President Gary Morse.

Should you have any questions, please contact info@crea.ca

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

See the full gallery on Posterous

MGI News Release.FINAL.doc Download this file

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Fw: Top 10 for Sept 17, 2011

2011-09-17T15:46:00.001-07:00

Here is some more great news for Prince George Real Estate.
Best regards,
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
250-612-1709
Sent via BlackBerry
From: "Bell, Pat" <P.Bell@leg.bc.ca>
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:54:52 -0700
Subject: Top 10 for Sept 17, 2011
Hi All
Thursday was an exciting day for Prince George and the forest industry with the announcement of the Wood Innovation and Design Centre. The building will set a new worldwide standard at 10 stories exceeding the current tallest modern wood building which is 9 stories. We all know this has been a long time coming but the result will be worth it and this iconic structure will again help support the new markets that we need for our industry.
Next week will be a very exciting week for us as we release the Jobs Strategy. I’ve been working on this for 6 months and I believe the result will serve every community in the Province well not matter how big or small. Stay tuned!
Have a great week!
Pat
http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca/
1.       There is a great article and YouTube video on the current tallest building here: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/09/nine-storey-apartment-built-in-nine-weeks-of-wood.php
The first step in the process and the one that was announced on Thursday is a “Request for Expressions of Interest”. The deadline for this phase is Oct 6, 2011 and we are expecting that “Respondents will be expected to
provide input and commentary on the use of innovative and alternative wood products and their associated implications on the design, construction and ongoing maintenance of the WIDC. In addition, this RFEOI is intended to solicit feedback from industry on the broader issues of ownership and financing options.”
2.     The WIDC will be located in downtown Prince George and will promote expertise in advanced building systems, engineered wood products, interior wood design and applications, and other value-added wood products.
3.     The Facility will house academic and research programs focused on advancing B.C.’s expertise in wood related products, and highlight new and innovative wood building products and techniques.
4.     The University of Northern British Columbia and other post-secondary institutions are examining programming options, such as housing the university’s future engineering program and a research chair on tall wood construction.
5.     The remaining building space will be available to the private sector for retail, residential and commercial leasing space.
6.     The Facility will be an iconic wood building that will highlight new and innovative wood building products and techniques.
7.     Scheduled for completion in late 2014, it is proposed that the Facility will achieve the status of the tallest multi-use wood building in the world
8.     Discussions will focus on balancing opportunities for wood innovation with public safety as expressed in building codes and standards. In achieving innovation at the WIDC, interested parties will also need to consider their engagement with key stakeholders such as the Office of the Fire Commissioner, emergency response community, and building code specialists.
9.     The Wood Innovation and Design Centre project has several objectives:
• Develop capacity in the engineering sector for building large, non-residential and multi-use buildings
utilizing wood;
• Bring together builders, architects, designers and engineers to advance the commercialization of
value-added wood building and design products;
• Amplify B.C.’s expertise and global reputation as leaders in wood construction, engineered wood
products and design;
• Support the revitalization of downtown Prince George;
• Build an iconic building, incorporating innovative design, materials (i.e., CLT) and construction; and
• Foster collaboration between post-secondary institutions, industry and governments.
10. The City of Prince George will allow the land occupied by the Prince George Hotel to be the new home of the Wood Innovation and Design Centre. Construction of the centre should begin by 2012.

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Prince George Real Estate - Average Home Sales Graph as of Sept.2011

2011-09-08T08:28:00.001-07:00

Prince George Real Estate - Average Sale Price graph.pdf Download this file

Here is the latest graph showing the average sale price for single family residential here in Prince George Real Estate.

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

BC Northern Real Estate Stats and local info - Prince George Real Estate

2011-09-06T17:03:00.001-07:00

Hello all,

Well the fall is upon us and I have a few moments to send out a few stats and my own personal observation of things.

1- I have added here two graphs - one is the Forecast of where things are and going. Since the 2008 economic crash, Prince George/ BC North has done well in slow moderate growth. The other is proof we are in a buyers market and the combination of that and record low mortgage rates adds up to the perfect time to be buying a home. For sure if your renting the cost of a mortgage payment is usually less.

2- To date (2011) here is sales and listings for Prince Georg Real Estate city limits since Jan.1 ,2011. There has been 667 sales vs 692 last year.

3- Presently there are a total of 541 homes listed of all kinds in city limits as of this report. This is on the low end, so if you thinking of up sizing or downsizing now through the fall will be a great time to sell.

Note about selling. I have noticed since the interest rates are low, most buyers have opted not to buy homes that require allot of renovations and updates and rather buy move in ready homes. So if your thinking of selling but may need some renos or updates prior to selling, or just not sure, feel free to give me a call to discuss the best options for you.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-17092
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Northern British Columbia poised for record growth

2011-07-24T17:23:00.001-07:00

"We believe this is the northern decade," said Rosalind Thorn, British Columbia Construction Association-North president in Prince George.

Click Here for link - http://www.journalofcommerce.com/cgi-bin/home.pl?rm=print_story&story_id=45377

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Northern British Columbia poised for record growth

2011-07-24T17:16:00.001-07:00

-->

LATEST NEWS

Roadbuilding | Skills Training | Engineering | Trade Contracting | Steel | Green Building

July 25, 2011

Northern British Columbia poised for record growth

JIM STIRLING

correspondent

Maybe Cinderella is finally going to the ball as a guest of honour.

"We believe this is the northern decade," said Rosalind Thorn, British Columbia Construction Association-North president in Prince George.

It's a good thought and it's pretty exciting.;

Some compelling evidence is available to support the notion.

There are a number of major construction projects underway, others close to tendering and a raft proceeding through various required pre-construction stages.

It means that billions of dollars worth of construction is planned for the northern half of B.C.

The list is long.

Prince Rupert Port Corp.’s second phase expansion of the container port is anticipating a construction start, while at nearby Ridley Island, the coal export port facility is bursting at the seams, said Thorn.

Rio Tinto Alcan has confirmed a $2.5 billion rebuild of its aluminium smelter in Kitimat that will boost plant capacity to 420,000 tonnes per year. About $300 million will be spent on the project in 2011 and a 400 person camp for construction crews is already on site.

The Kitimat LNG consortium headed by Apache Canada is acquiring the old West Fraser Eurocan Pulp & Paper site for location of its $3 billion liquefied natural gas plant.

Rounding out Kitimat’s trio of mega projects, Enbridge Inc.’s 1,170 kilometre, $5.5 billion Northern Gateway oil pipeline, originating in Alberta, will have Kitimat as its western terminus if it receives permission to proceed.

The $404 million Northwest Transmission Line extension to Bob Quinn Lake on Highway 37 is proceeding. It could become the key to developing the northwest’s mineral potential.

“I believe there are about $6 billion worth of proposed mines ( in the northwest) that are in differing phases of the environmental assessment review process,” said Thorn.

Major run-of-the-river power generation proposals could become more feasible with closer proximity to the provincial power grid.

About $42 million has or is scheduled to be spent in 2011 on the Galore Creek, copper gold project adjacent to the Highway 37 corridor during the preparation of a pre-feasibility study due by the end of the year.

Construction began on the Galore Creek project in 2007, but was halted when cost estimates for the project more than doubled to $5 billion.

Thompson Creek Metals Company near Endako in central B.C. is continuing its upgrade on its molybdenum mine with about $400 million in expenditures.

The company is also the owner of the Mt. Milligan project, about 92 kilometres north of Fort St. James, where construction is gathering momentum on an open pit copper/gold mine with an estimated total cost of $1.3 billion.

Coal is king in B.C.’s eastern Rocky Mountain foothills with three producing mines in the Tumbler Ridge area. The region is under intense scrutiny for underground coal mine development by companies and steel makers in China.

“These and other projects really identify the need for electrical power,” noted Thorn.

The massive multi-billion dollar Site C dam project proposal on the Peace River near Fort St. John is being investigated as a solution.

The regional transportation infrastructure is being upgraded to support these developments.

Highway improvement projects are underway on Highway 97 north through the Pine Pass and south along the Cariboo Connector toward Vancouver. The Boundary Road project is underway to create a proposed logistics park near the Prince George Airport, while the CN container re-load facility in Prince George has reached its capacity in three years. It was expected to take 10 years, Thorn said.

Construction work is continuing on a new hospital in Fort St. John and a cancer clinic in Prince George. Tenders should be sought soon for a new $25 million RCMP headquarters in Prince George.

“We mustn’t forget the greening of the pulp and paper industry and projects there,” said Thorn.

A new wood pellet manufacturing plant near Burns Lake and major upgrade to the Husky Refinery in Prince George are other significant regional projects.

“The industrial sector has been very buoyant,” she said.

Thorn believes she knows why construction is booming in the north.

“It’s because of world commodity markets and our own geographic luck of being strategically well placed,” she said.

The demand for commodities is being driven by Asian markets.

Skilled labour shortages, however, are a concern.

“The pressure is on right now and (especially) in certain trades,” said Thorn. “We need the human resources and we’re gearing up training. We’re also looking outside the province to the U.S. and further afield.”

101-4299 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1H3
Phone: 604-433-8164 | Fax: 604-433-9549
Toll free: 888-878-2121
E-mail: jocinfo@reedbusiness.com

© Reed Business Information a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Northern B.C. Future Bright, with Some Policy Changes

2011-07-09T21:25:00.001-07:00

By Submitted Article - Opinion 250

Friday, June 03, 2011 10:59 AM

Dr.Paul Bowles, UNBC Economics Professor says there needs to be policy change so the north can reap benefits of commodities boom

Prince George, B.C. - Dr. Paul Bowles, an economics professor at UNBC says when it comes to the economy, it is no longer a bad thing to be economically reliant on commodities. That bodes well for the future of northern B.C. as its resources such as minerals, oil and gas, are in high demand. But the professor says there needs to be some policy change to ensure northern workers and communities reap the benefits.

He says the minerals commodities pricing was virtually unchanged for 60 years, then, it spiked “The prices are out of whack compared to where they have been”. He noted the same could be said for food pricing, and oil pricing . “There has been a dramatic shift in the nature of the Canadian economy and in the North’s economy.” The climb of the Canadian dollar is further evidence of the demand for commodities, a move which has squeezed the manufacturing sector.

“We are living in unprecedented times for demand for commodities”. While he says part of the reason for the boost in pricing is speculation, but there has been incredible growth in India and China.

Dr. Bowles says the real challenge will be addressing the social issues which come along as a result of the demand for resources. How will be benefits of the resource booms be shared, who will get what?

He asks “will there be windfall profit taxes? Where will those taxes go? Will workers share in the benefits?”

Over the last decade, Bowles says socially, policies have gone in the wrong direction with the employment standards changes, and growth of casual work, have not been positive for workers.

He says the abolition of appurtenancy was also a bad move “It tied local resources to local communities it was a direct way of sharing revenue with local communities.” While appurtenancy was a “province building” strategy.

He says the male work-camp model poses strains for the workers, and strains on their families.

“The whole focus for the past decade has been to increase the flexibility for firms, and decrease the security for workers.”

He says there has to be new ways to revenue share and risk share for workers and communities. He says there has to be some way of investment sequencing, for instance, mega projects today create a job shortage, then when that project is complete, there is a job surplus. Sequencing could eliminate or at least reduce those employment swings.

He says there should be some local procurement and hiring rules for projects, which include gender equity policies.

Dr. Bowles says rather than have a B.C. Progress Board, he says there should be a Brighter Futures Board which has representation from all sectors and all regions. “This part of the world is not going to have a brighter future unless all voices are heard, and all regions are involved.”

Above copy courtesy of Opinion 250

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Mining to lead the way in BC - Vancouver Sun

2011-07-09T21:21:00.001-07:00

Prince George Real Estate - Here is a great artical in the Vancouver Sun suggesting that mining in BC with lead the way. Great news for Central BC & Prince Geroge.

Click Here

Have a great week!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Chalk Up Another Award for UNBC Folks

2011-07-09T21:17:00.001-07:00

By Submitted Article Opinion 250

Saturday, July 09, 2011 03:36 AM

Prince George, B.C.- More international awards for a professor and student at UNBC.

The pair, Computer Science Professor Waqar Haque and fourth year undergraduate student Jake Edwards, recently won awards at two separate international conferences for their work .

First, it was the Best Research Paper Award out of submissions from 22 participating countries at the International Conference on Information and Communication Systems in Jordan.

Dr. Haque and Edwards then went on to win another award for Best Research Paper at the Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing Conference in Singapore last month.
“It was a fantastic experience for me. I really appreciated the chance to work with Dr. Haque on these papers” says Edwards. “It’s an opportunity I probably wouldn’t have had at a larger institution. I may not have even learned that this type of research is something I enjoy, which it certainly is.”
Both of the winning papers concern methods of analyzing raw data from unconventional sources to achieve business objectives. “Business data is traditionally collected by units such as finance, marketing, or sales that have an eye for the type of analytics they need and collect the appropriate information,” says Dr. Haque, who is also a professor in UNBC’s School of Business.

“Basically if you look at the information being recorded by any business, such as the transaction history in a bank account or at a retail outlet, it’s all raw data,” says Edwards. “A specific business objective may not have been in mind when the data was compiled, but the raw data can still be analyzed and transformed into information which can be used to answer business questions related to spending patterns, targeted marketing objectives, or any other point of interest.”

Copy courtesy of Opinion 250

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Pat Bell's Top 10 for May 20, 2011

2011-05-26T20:56:00.001-07:00

This week was another week in Victoria in the Legislature debating a series of Ministry budgets as well as a variety of bills. The biggest news of the week though was the entry of the “Site C” Dam into the Environmental Assessment processes of both the Provincial and Federal Governments. This project will have enormous economic benefits to our region in the coming decade and deserves all of our attention. The project has been upgraded from 800 to 1,100 megawatts of power and the price has increased from $6 billion to $7.9 billion but the power continues to remain as affordable as we can find in today’s market.

I’m looking forward to being home this weekend although the weather’s not looking the best.

Have a great week!

Pat Bell

- As the third project on one river system, Site C would gain significant efficiencies by taking advantage of water already stored in the Williston Reservoir. This means that Site C would generate approximately 35 per cent of the energy produced at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, with only five per cent of the reservoir area.

- Site C would foster economic development by creating approximately 7,000 person-years of direct construction employment through the seven-year construction period. The project is estimated to create up to 35,000 direct and indirect jobs through all stages of development and construction.

- Congratulations to the Northern Development Initiatives Trust this week on reaching a new benchmark in their efforts. To date, $100 million has been committed by Northern Development into eight hundred and three individual projects totalling over $1 billion in total project investments in central and northern BC. These investments were made 'by northerners - for northerners' and funds have flowed into projects where communities, First Nations and businesses are taking leadership in growing jobs, revenues and quality of life.

- A recent project is the Wind Turbine Maintenance Program Training Tower - Northern Lights College - $100,000 grant, and $38,320 loan toward the $494,000 project

- Northern Lights College will build a training tower for use in the Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Program on the Dawson Creek campus adjacent to the new 'Energy House' facility that houses this program as well other courses related to renewable energy. The tower is designed to duplicate conditions faced by wind turbine technicians when repairing, maintaining, installing, or otherwise working on a wind turbine system "at height" (on top of a supporting tower). Students will take courses in confined space entry, wind turbine safety, high angle rescue, climbing, and proper use of protective gear. This highly specialized training will provide access to certified technicians for wind energy companies operating throughout BC.

- This past week a new Treaty was introduced into legislation. The Yale First Nation Final Agreement includes self-government provisions and phases out tax exemptions. The treaty will provide Yale with a capital transfer of $10.7 million, economic development funding of $2.2 million and 1,966 hectares of land owned in fee simple, made up of 217 hectares of former Yale Indian reserves and 1,749 hectares of Crown lands.

- The Final Agreement clearly defines Yale First Nation’s ownership and management of mineral, forestry and other resources on treaty settlement lands. The Final Agreement also defines Yale’s rights related to fishing, gathering and harvesting.

- Soccer fever will hit BC as fans gather to enjoy international women’s soccer at BC Place early next year: eight teams from across the western hemisphere, including squads from Canada and the United States will compete to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.

- The Province has provided $250,000 to support the Canadian Soccer Association’s successful efforts to host the prestigious Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) tournament.

- Canada’s National Women’s Soccer Team, currently ranked sixth in the world, includes British Columbia athletes: team captain Christine Sinclair of Burnaby, Karina LeBlanc of Maple Ridge, Emily Zurrer of Crofton, Brittany Timko of Coquitlam and Sophie Schmidt of Abbotsford.

- A program that I helped start in 2005 is growing! More B.C. children will have access to fresh, B.C.-grown fruit and vegetable snacks in the classroom thanks to a $3-million expansion of the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program.

- Starting in September 2011 through the 2012-13 school year, the program will be available to all B.C. public schools and will expand from the current 1,172 public schools to 1,402 schools, which includes most public and First Nations schools in British Columbia. In addition, $2.5 million from the Ministry of Health’s healthy eating in schools budget has been allocated to support student access to fruit and vegetables for the next two years. One-time grants will also be available to schools to purchase fridges and salad bar equipment to support local solutions to increase fruit and vegetable access for students.

- The best of B.C.’s responsible and sustainable mining industry were honoured with the 2010 Mining and Sustainability Awards. Presented by the Mining Association of B.C. and the Province, the winners for 2010 are Northgate Minerals’ Kemess South Mine and the Northwest Community College’s school of exploration and mining (SEM). The school of exploration and mining came about as a result of the Mining Plan that I developed in 2004/5 when I was Minister of State for Mining so it’s great to see it working well!

- More than a quarter million British Columbians participated in 11 HST telephone-town hall meetings in communities across the province in the last three weeks. Of the 417,464 British Columbians who answered the tele-town hall calls – 66 per cent – or 276,504 people, participated in the calls and stayed on the phone for almost 17 minutes on average.

Great news for the Prince George Exhibition this past week as they were provided with a grant of $27,000 to help with this year’s X!

The above was provided by MLA for PG North - Pat Bell

------------------------------

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Prince George Real Estate - Market update for May 26, 2011

2011-05-26T20:47:00.001-07:00

Good day everyone,

I finally have made some time to crank out an update as to what is happening in the Prince George Real Estate market. The real estate market is still well balanced with relatively low buyers and also low inventory but as I write this, every day the listing count is climbing as it does in spring time. There are a number of listings though, that are in need of renos or repairs that most buyers are not in the mood to buy. It seems over the past year or so that most buyers want to buy homes already renovated or move in ready. So the homes that do require renovation or updates sit on the market or take a hit on the pricing. I don’t think this will last for much longer but with the interest rates so low most buyers seem to say “let’s buy something done” and pay with low mortgage rates verses buying a fixer upper and have to spend their cash or a more expensive form of lending such as lines or credit plus their time to do the work. Home prices, I feel will stay level and only start to rise once we see larger forms of new employment occur.

As for economy, it looks very good for Prince George and area. I see nothing in the next 5 years but good. Prince George is even hosting the 2015 Canada Winter Games! That’s the next big thing after the Olympics. We also have two recently elected MP’s that represent the newly elected majority party in Canada which also is good for this area. Mining, Pipelines, Forestry, Hydro, Health and Education are all in growth mode around here.

So in conclusion I feel now is about the cheapest we will see the cost of buying a home or investment property. That cost is either the ‘price of the home’ or ‘cost of borrowing’ or ‘both’.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Just a few new super listings found on my site www.DeanBirks.com

2011-05-10T16:38:00.001-07:00

Here is 2 great new listings.

1 - 2396 Farrell Dr - Waterfront property on Fraser River in city limits. What a cool home!

2- 6255 Frenkel Rd - Fully updated rancher on 5.2 acres with shop and more.

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Top 10 from Pat Bell - BC update

2011-04-28T11:11:00.001-07:00

Here is Top 10 I just received from Pat Bell - MLA for Prince George North 1. British Columbia’s jobless rate dipped to 8.1% in March 2011, down 0.7 percentage points from a month earlier. While the change in the unemployment rate was driven by a decline in the number of job searchers (−0.6%), employment in the province also expanded (+0.2%). Private sector employment climbed by 0.7% in March, marking the first increase since November of 2010, and was the primary source of increase in the number of jobs. Meanwhile, the number of people working in the public sector fell 1.3%. The unemployment rate of youth aged 15 to 24 climbed 0.7 percentage points to 15.2%, while the jobless rate for workers aged 25 and over dipped to 6.9% (-0.9 points) 2. The average weekly wage in B.C. in March 2011 was $827.55. For B.C. youth between the ages of 15 and 24, the average weekly wage was $385.89—third highest in Canada. (Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey) The average hourly wage in B.C. during March 2011 was $23.14 – more than 2.8 times the minimum wage, and almost 28 per cent above 2001's average wage of $17.98. For B.C. youth between the ages of 15 and 24, the average hourly wage was $13.59 – third highest in Canada. (Source: Statistics Canada) 1. British Columbia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.8% from February 2010, after a 2.3% increase in January. Consumers paid substantially more for fuel oil & other fuel (+19.1%), gasoline (+12.6%) and food purchased from restaurants (+7.8%). (Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Statistics Canada)British Columbia's annual inflation rate was 1.3% in 2010, significantly lower than the national rate of 1.8%. Lower-than-average increases in the cost of shelter and transportation helped offset higher-than-average increases in the cost of food and a few other goods and services. 2. Total retail sales in B.C. rose 0.7% (seasonally adjusted) in February, erasing the slip at the beginning of the year (-0.5% in January). Canadian sales were also slightly higher (+0.4%), largely the result of higher volume (in volume terms, sales were up 0.4%). Quebec (-0.8%) and parts of Atlantic Canada posting losses in February. 3. Manufacturing sales in British Columbia rose 0.9% (seasonally adjusted) in February, building on a 2.3% increase in the previous month. Despite weaker shipments by makers of paper products (−4.8%), sales of non-durables moved ahead (+0.2%) due to gains made by the beverage & tobacco (+6.2%) and food (+0.7%) product industries. Durables were up 1.6% as flagging sales by wood (−0.8%) and machinery (−1.9%) manufacturers were offset by a jump (+9.2%) in shipments by producers of primary metals. 4. Travel from overseas locations inched ahead 0.7% in January, driven by a larger number of visitors from both Asia (+1.4%) and Europe (+1.0%). The increase in European arrivals is the first after four straight monthly declines. Entries from other overseas locations were down 1.4% in January. 5. The population in British Columbia reached 4,554,085 as of January 1st, 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2010, population growth was at its lowest since 2006, up 1.2% compared to the same quarter in 2009. 6. B.C.’s economy is expected grow moderately over the next year according to B.C.’s independent Economic Forecast Council. On average, the council forecasts B.C.’s GDP growth at 2.7 per cent for this year. 7. The Dominion Bond Rating Service, Standard & Poor, and Moody's Investment Service have all reconfirmed B.C.'s strong credit rating. The most recent report from Moody's notes the Province's debt reduction efforts of the past few years have put British Columbia in a stronger position to face the economic downturn. DBRS rates B.C. AA (High); Standard & Poor, AAA; and Moody's, AAA. 8. 421,200 jobs have been added in British Columbia since December 2001, of which 323,700 are full-time positions.

Copy courtesy of:

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

CREAstats - B.C. Northern Real Estate Board

2011-04-21T14:11:00.001-07:00

http://creastats.crea.ca/cari/
Best regards,
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
250-612-1709
Sent via BlackBerry
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Optimism in the west!

2011-04-11T14:36:00.001-07:00

Optimism in the west.pdf Download this file

Here is a good article (attached pdf doc) I just came across about Western Canada Real Estate and it does talk about Northern BC which the Prince George Real Estate market is part of.

Hope you enjoy. Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Prince George Cancer Clinic coming along!

2011-04-01T11:11:00.001-07:00

Prince George Real Estate.

I just drove by the new Cancer Clinic being built here in Prince George. Its been awhile and I had not realized how big of a parking facility they built for it is. Good work!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Direct): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Interest Rate - Uncertainty

2011-03-19T12:12:00.001-07:00

Here is some information I received from Bob and thought some of you may find this interesting. Cheers! Dean

------------------------

Mortgage shoppers crave certainty, so they continually question brokers or bankers about where interest rates are headed. If this is something you’re prone to doing, first ask yourself if your broker or banker can predict the next global catastrophe, war, financial crisis, or sovereign insolvency. If not, you may want to rethink your question.
Unforeseeable events impact mortgage rates at unforeseeable times. The events of this past week are the latest reminder of how fluid rate expectations can be…. A month ago, some economists were contemplating a BoC rate hike as soon as May.
Now, you see:
- the benchmark 5-year yield plummeting Wednesday to 2.43% (bond rates determine how fixed mortgage rates are set)
- deeply discounted 5-year fixed rates falling back to 3.79%
- market rate-hike expectations being pushed out to September/October (based on Overnight Index Swap [OIS] yields).
The prediction business is as predictable as it never was.
After the collapse of the markets in 2008 and the subsequent recovery, we were promised a roller coaster ride. And that is what we are on. What becomes important is keeping short-term market emotion from steering long-term mortgage strategy.
Those of you who are sitting on your variable rate mortgage and considering locking in... you now have some more time to ponder. It's okay to stay with your variable rate for a little longer.
Thank you,
Bob Quinlan, Mortgage Broker
office: 250-564-9161
cell:    250-565-8444
www.pgmortgages.ca
#2 - 1810 third Ave.,
Prince George, BC

------------------------

This copy couresty of:

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Great news for Prince George - Bell and Bond (Local MLAs) in Cabinet in New Roles

2011-03-14T16:21:00.001-07:00

By 250 News

Monday, March 14, 2011 01:09 PM

Prince George, B.C. – Christy Clark has been sworn in as B.C.’s 35^th Premier.

Her cabinet has also been sworn in, and there are major changes.

Local MLAs, Shirley Bond and Pat Bell are part of the cabinet although they are in very different posts. Bond is now the Minister in charge of Public Safety and the Solicitor General. Bell is now the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.

Clark has welcomed back Blair Lekstrom not only to the Liberal caucus but to Cabinet as well. She has also rewarded Harry Bloy, the lone member of the Liberal Caucus, who supported her leadership bid.

Cabinet is smaller, "Our new cabinet will reflect the priorities of British Columbians and put families at the centre of all our decision-making," said Premier Clark. "Together, we will focus on creating jobs and building a strong economy because that is the single most important thing we can do to
support families and ensure we can invest in critical services like health and education. This is a team that will work hard to ensure that prosperity and opportunity extend to every region of our province."
The new cabinet is made up of 17 ministers plus the premier, reduced from the previous total of 24. This includes the new Ministry of Jobs,Tourism and Innovation, which will bring together many of the functions in government focused on job creation under a single ministry. As well, three new cabinet committees reflect the priorities of government - the Committee on Families First; the Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth; and the Committee on Open Government and Engagement.
Responsibility for colleges and universities has been recombined under the Ministry of Advanced Education; responsibility for mining has been returned to the Ministry of Energy and Mines; Labour and Citizen Services have been combined; and Forests and Lands has been combined
with Natural Resource Operations.
The new cabinet appointed and sworn into office today is:
* Premier - Hon. Christy Clark
* Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance - Hon. Kevin Falcon
* Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation - Hon. Mary Polak
* Minister of Advanced Education - Hon. Naomi Yamamoto
* Minister of Agriculture - Hon. Don McRae
* Attorney General - Hon. Barry Penner
* Minister of Children and Family Development - Hon. Mary McNeil
* Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development - Hon. Ida Chong
* Minister of Education - Hon. George Abbott
* Minister of Energy and Mines (minister responsible for Housing) -Hon. Rich Coleman
* Minister of Environment - Hon. Terry Lake
* Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations - Hon. Steve Thomson
* Minister of Health - Hon. Michael de Jong
* Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation - Hon. Pat Bell
* Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government - Hon.Stephanie Cadieux
* Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General - Hon. Shirley Bond
* Minister of Social Development (minister responsible for multiculturalism) - Hon. Harry Bloy
* Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure - Hon. Blair Lekstrom
Additionally, 10 MLAs have been named as parliamentary secretaries, and will work with ministers to focus on key initiatives of government.
Rich Coleman will serve as the Government House Leader and Terry Lake will be the deputy Government House Leader. Ben Stewart will be the Government whip.
"We want British Columbians to have the opportunity to be more engaged with government decision-making," said Premier Clark. "We will work with citizens to find solutions to problems, set priorities openly and explain why we make the decisions we do. British Columbia is starting
from a position of strength. It is up to us to build on this strength for the betterment of families across our province."

This copy courtesy of:

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Feb 2011 Initiatives PG Newsletter

2011-03-01T21:01:00.001-08:00

Thought you would be interested. Feb.2011
http://www.initiativespg.com/Documents/FINAL_Feb_2011_Newsletter2.pdf Best regards,
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
250-612-1709
Sent via BlackBerry
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Now that's a lot of snow!

2011-02-27T13:05:00.001-08:00

I bet my fellow REALTORs in Vancouver would like to show homes in this.
Cheers
Best regards,
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
250-612-1709
Sent via BlackBerry

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

March 18, 2011 - Time is running out on 35 year amortization and 90% re-finance

2011-02-18T17:52:00.001-08:00

Below is an email I received today and thought some of you may be interested. Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!
----------------------
Now that banks and lenders have raised their fixed rates across the board from .15 to .25%, the next question is... what next? Are they going to continue to rise? Quicky? Slowly? It partly depends on who you listen to and partly what you believe. The majority of people whose opinions are listened to predict that interest rates will rise sooner than later and quicker than we expect. Food prices are rising around the world fueling unrest but also attracting investment. Predictions of higher commodity prices and bond rates are causing "upward pressure" on mortgage rates. Investors in mortgages are going to place their money where it gets them the most money.
Many are locking in to protect themselves against future rate increases. And that is not a bad idea. 5 year fixed mortgage rates around 4% are a very good thing. Others who feel there is still time to work the variable rates in their favor are feeling that rates will remain where they (maybe even wiggle up and down for the next while) and bank prime will remain @ 3.00% until summer. The general consensus is that as rates do rise, it will be very gradually. A gentle massage to bring the economy back to stability...predictability. The stuff plans are made of.
I'm not sure what is going to happen in the next six to twelve months as I read conflicting reports. It seems as if everybody is looking through a different microscope.
Facts: everyone can and will be able to purchase with 5% down. Starting March 19th maximum allowable amortization (the total length of time your mortgage payments are based on) will be reduced from 35 years to 30 years. That means the same payment will qualify for 6% less in mortgage funds.
Starting March 19th any one re-financing their home for any reason will be restricted to the same 30 year amortization and only allowed 85% of the current market value of their property. That means even with rates remaining the same, someone with a $300,000 home can access $270,000 today. On March 19th the limit will be $239,700.
Most banks and lenders have declared they will follow with the same amortization limits on their conventional deals (deals with greater than 20% down payments and not needing CMHC to back the mortgage). Those lenders who have not yet announced they will also reduce amortization limits to 30 years...will. You can count on it.
Recommendations?: Take a look at your current income and payments. If you are vulnerable to any increase in rates of variable rate mortgages or lines of credit, meaning... can you afford to gamble on hoping rates won't go up any further? If you are the least bit concerned you should review your whole financial situation now, before March 18, 2011. An opportunity like this won't be around for a long time.
thanks,
Bob Quinlan, Independent Mortgage Broker

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

This would not be possible without your help. Thanks!

2011-02-07T16:01:00.001-08:00

Thanks once again to all my present & past clients, friends and family for trusting me to help you with your Prince George Real Estate needs in 2010. I will continue to strive to meet the high expectations you have and thank you in advance for your referred business. I look forward in helping you or someone you know to reach your/their Real Estate goals in 2011 and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

I would never have obtained these awards without your help. Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Download now or preview on posterous
2010 Award Ad - Dean Birks.pdf (179 KB)

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

New Home price should cost less with HST

2011-02-06T11:30:00.001-08:00

I just read over parts of an email I got with regards to the confusion with HST. When it comes to Real Estate and New Home construction there is allot of misunderstanding and it drives me nuts that the Home Builders Association does not do more in the way of promoting the positives for the consumer. If your looking to buy new construction the cost today should be lower. In pre-HST they had PST they could not claim back and passed on to the consumer bu now with HST they can claim back the entire tax which should be passed on to the buyers = lower price compared to pre-HST. Anyways, I am not an expert in tax but wanted to get out the general thought that HST for new construction should equal lower prices if the tax savings get passed on as they should.

Here is a new site for more info:

The HST Information Office launched www.hstinbc.ca   a new website designed to put more factual information on the HST in the hands of British Columbians. Public opinion research released in December showed that there is confusion about the HST’s implications, and that a majority of British Columbians are interested in reviewing straightforward and factual information about the HST. The new website was created from a user perspective, based on a review of user surveys, site analytics and polling research. The site has an improved navigation system, so users can find facts and information faster. With a simple URL — www.hstinbc.ca — web users now have access to HST information from a consumer, family-budget, and small- or large-business perspective.

Hopes this helps! Have a super 'Super Bowl Sunday'.

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

This weeks Top 10 from Pat

2011-02-06T11:15:00.001-08:00

Once again I'm forwarding on another great list for BC.

Hi All

Pat Bell http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca

1.    Bucking the national trend our local unemployment rate saw another drop last month to 6.1-percent. That's down .3% over Decembers 6.4 % rate, and an amazing turnaround when compared to last January's rate of 13%!

2.    Small businesses across B.C. will be able to access free energy-efficiency advice, equipment and incentives with the new LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program. The $15-million, three-year LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program will be tailored to meet the needs of key sectors such accommodations, retail, agriculture, offices and more than $4.5 million allocated for upgrades in the restaurant industry. Building on the successful residential LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program, this new program will support small businesses owners who may not have the time, information or resources to make energy efficient improvements. There are four components to the program: Business Energy Advisors: will deliver free energy assessments, help owners tap into available product incentives and cash rebates, and help co-ordinate product installation. Direct Installation: will fund 100 per cent of the cost of replacing and installing select energy-efficient equipment such as lighting and pre-rinse spray valves for commercial kitchens. Enhanced Product Incentives: will increase cash rebates for more than 10,000 energy efficient products. LiveSmart Champion: an open call for businesses to access funding for new, innovative ways to conserve energy.

3.    DriveBC is the Province of British Columbia’s most popular website, and it’s been overhauled and improved by Shirley Bond’s team to make it more user-friendly. The highlight of the new website is an enhanced map view of the province’s highway network. Users can roll over icons on the map to get details of highway events, road conditions and webcam information. As with the previous version of DriveBC, highway events are also available in list form. The DriveBC website at www.drivebc.ca is just one of the many tools the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is using to keep people informed of highway conditions and the work the ministry is doing around the province. Congratulations to Shirley for the great work!

4.    A TD report out last week shows B.C. was a net recipient of 5,592 people moving here from other provinces in 2010 – the highest in Canada. BC is forecast to continue being a top destination for interprovincial migration through 2011 and 2012.

5.     A new $15-million employment and skills training program can help unemployed British Columbians gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to find employment. The Province is providing $15 million each fiscal year for Job Options BC – a program that consists of four to six weeks of facilitated group work followed by an additional four to six weeks of work experience, preparing participants for new employment, or when appropriate, further training. When needed, individuals completing the program can also access up to six months of additional support to help them succeed.

6.    The HST Information Office launched www.hstinbc.ca   a new website designed to put more factual information on the HST in the hands of British Columbians. Public opinion research released in December showed that there is confusion about the HST’s implications, and that a majority of British Columbians are interested in reviewing straightforward and factual information about the HST. The new website was created from a user perspective, based on a review of user surveys, site analytics and polling research. The site has an improved navigation system, so users can find facts and information faster. With a simple URL — www.hstinbc.ca — web users now have access to HST information from a consumer, family-budget, and small- or large-business perspective.

7.     Over 100 actions have been completed or are underway in response to the March 2009 Working Roundtable on Forestry. A January 2011 status update on recommendations from the Working Roundtable on Forestry is now available at: www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestry_roundtable This is the third progress report to be released by government. Copies of the original report and the two previous status updates are also available online.

8.     $1.2 million in federal-provincial funding for the First Nations Forest Sector Technical Support Program will help First Nations with economic development in the forest and wood products industries. The Technical Support Program will help First Nations groups develop new and existing forest-related businesses. Participants will be provided with technical advice and hands-on expertise, such as best practices in harvesting, transportation, equipment selection, mill layout, manufacturing, market intelligence and market opportunities.

9.     Increases of more than 10 per cent in overnight visitors from the U.S. and China, key tourism markets for British Columbia, have contributed to the sixth straight month of gains in international visitors, according to new figures released by Statistics Canada. International overnight visitors to B.C. jumped 7.5 per cent in November 2010 compared with November of the previous year, bringing 175,121 visitors to the province. Canada, by comparison, saw a 6.3 per cent increase. Overnight visitors to B.C. from the U.S. rose 10.9 per cent, while overnight visitors from China jumped 10.4 per cent.

10. Both the Interior and Coastal Forest Industries are benefiting from the work we have done in China. Thirty-five sawmill workers back on the job at the Western Forest Products sawmill in Ladysmith is a perfect example of how B.C.’s coastal forest sector is enjoying increased lumber demand from China. Lumber exports to China for January to November 2010 are nearly 2.5 billion board feet, with a total value of $580 million. With statistics for December still to come, I expect final exports for 2010 will top 2.8 billion board feet and exceed $660 million, to more than double last year’s shipments in terms of value. Provincial lumber exports to China between October and November were about 350 million board feet – one of the biggest monthly gains the market has seen in the last three years. The value of November shipments was about $84 million. More than 200 people are at work in Western’s Ladysmith, Somass, and Nanaimo operations due in part to the growth of the Chinese market for B.C. forest products.

Copy courtesy of:

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Prince George population rate up for the 4th year in a row!

2011-02-01T20:08:00.001-08:00

Download now or preview on posterous
InitiativesPG_EconomicUpdate_January11.pdf (234 KB)

Despite what the Federal Gov't said, most of us here in PG knew there was no way our population was down and that is now supported by this recent report by Initiatives PG. See attached. Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks
Top Office Producer 2010
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Pat"s Top 10

2011-01-30T09:10:00.001-08:00

Here is another great Top 10

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Hi All

This past week I attended the annual “Round Up” conference for the exploration side of the mining industry and what a conference it was. The mood and tone in the industry is exceptional right now and we should see significant growth in mining over the next couple of years. With this week being the conference I thought I would focus this week’s Top 10 on some interesting stats on mining in B.C..

British Columbia is set to welcome the Year of the Rabbit, which kicks off Thursday, along with a variety of Lunar New Year events reflecting the Asia-Pacific influence that has helped build this province over the past 150 years. We encourage everyone to celebrate the instrumental role the Chinese community has played in building and bettering our province, and to enjoy Lunar New Year over the next 15 days. In our region Exploration Place is hosting a Chinese New Year’s Dinner on Feb 5, it’s always a great event. Xai, Xai!

Have a great week! Pat Bell - http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca/

1.    Mining in B.C. is a $6 billion industry, as estimated for 2010.

2.    Mineral exploration spending rose to more than $322 million in 2010, more than doubling the 2009 figure of $154 million and the 3^rd highest year on record!

3.    B.C. has 10 coal mines and 10 metal mines in operation.

4.    There are more than 50 thriving industrial minerals mines in B.C. The total number of aggregate and industrial mineral pits and quarries is over 650.

5.    There were 380 exploration projects active in the province in 2010.

6.    B.C. produces and exports a significant amount of metallurgical coal, copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc, molybdenum and industrial minerals every year.

7.    B.C. is the world’s second-largest exporter of seaborne metallurgical coal.

8.    The B.C. coal industry provides over 3,800 direct jobs.

9.    In 2010, the price of metallurgical coal rose by 70 per cent, copper by 45 per cent, silver by 37 per cent and gold by 25 per cent from 2009.

10. In 2010, more than 28,400 people were employed in the minerals economy in over 50 B.C. communities: approximately 11,400 in mining, 2,700 in exploration and the rest in smelting, refining and downstream mineral processing.

-----------------------------------

Copy courtesy of:

Dean Birks
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

What are they saying about Dean Birks

2011-01-24T10:12:00.001-08:00

Download now or preview on posterous
Find out what they are saying about Dean Birks.pdf (412 KB)

Check out the attached pdf.

PS -If you or a friend or family are looking for a REALTOR® pass this along.

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Marketing Kit Invites Accelerated Investment in Prince George's City Centre

2011-01-21T13:03:00.001-08:00

I just received this release and thought you may be interested.

-------------------------------------

For Immediate Release

Marketing Kit Invites Accelerated Investment in Prince George’s City Centre

Initiatives Prince George Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Downtown Partnership today released a City Centre marketing kit aimed at attracting investment in downtown projects. The kit will be a major tool in upcoming marketing events and activities IPG and the City of Prince George will engage in, beginning with the annual International Council of Shopping Centres Conference this coming weekend. As well, realtors and others representing downtown properties can use the marketing kit to support their own efforts.

A feature component of the kit is a 16 page full-colour prospectus highlighting development opportunities in the City Centre of Prince George. Flowing from the ‘Smart Growth on the Ground’ plan completed in 2009, the brochure maps out projects in catalyst districts of the downtown. It also describes current and planned investment, both public and private, including stimulus projects like the $25m RCMP Detachment and $15m Downtown District Energy System that the City of Prince George is moving forward with in its commitment to downtown revitalization.

The development of the marketing kit is one of a series of action items identified in the Downtown Partnership’s plan for downtown development.

Mayor Dan Rogers, Chair of the multi-stakeholder Downtown Partnership states, “An effective and targeted marketing program has been recognized as a major component of an integrated downtown development strategy, and I have no doubt that this product will attract the interest of investors.”

The prospectus affirms economic growth stimulus to the city overall stemming from Prince George’s successful bid to host the 2015 Canada Winter Games; expansion of regional resource development and its impact on the city as a supply and services centre; the growth of Prince George as an international transportation hub; Prince George being ranked #1 as having the most cost-competitive business location amongst cities profiled in Pacific US and Canada by KPMG; and dominance as a health and education centre.

Katherine Scouten, Vice President Economic Development for Initiatives Prince George and co-lead on the Downtown Partnership is optimistic about the impact of marketing, “Prince George is experiencing growth after a long period of diversification, and this brings genuine opportunity for investment and re-vitalization in the core of Northern BC’s largest city.” The impact of today’s launch is buoyed by other news this week that BC Stats has estimated Prince George’s population growth this past year at 1.2% following 4 years of consecutive growth of 0.8% annually. Scouten adds, “This confirms the time is right”.

Development sites owned and promoted by the City of Prince George are identified in the Prospectus, along with prospective mixed use, commercial, residential and institutional projects for the City Centre.

Ian Wells, Manager Real Estate for the City and also co-lead with the Downtown Partnership adds, “Revitalization is underway already in our downtown, we look forward to communicating this with developers while discussing specific projects.”

Further marketing activities and events are planned for 2011, and will include more detail on the new Revitalization Tax Exemption by-law that the City of Prince George will advance this year. The new program currently under development includes an ‘early-benefit’ option for developers that would make it unique within British Columbia.

Partners in this project are members of the Downtown Partnership: City of Prince George, Initiatives Prince George, Downtown Prince George, Lheidli T’enneh, RCMP, Prince George Chamber of Commerce, Beyond Homelessness Standing Committee, Prince George Native Friendship Centre, and Northern Health.

Contact Initiatives Prince George at 250-564-0282 for more information about the marketing kit, or visit www.pgcitycentre.ca the prospectus can be downloaded.

----------------------------

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Private): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate blog

Prince George home prices-costs only to go up from here

2011-01-18T21:51:00.001-08:00

In the past week I have had a number of people ask me about where I think home prices are going. I have qualified my answer by saying home 'costs' will go up from here on out. I can't say for sure whether it will be the actual prices of homes going up or the cost to purchase a home (ie: new mortgage rules and interest rates) but rest a sure it will be one or the other or both. The next few months will be the best time to buy if your in the market due to home prices here in Prince George being very reasonable as well as the financing costs.

If you or someone you know is thinking about real estate this coming year I would happy to talk real estate and do my best to answer your questions or concerns.

Cheers to a fantastic year in 2011.

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Year in Review - Pat's Top 10

2011-01-12T13:43:00.001-08:00

Just forwarding on Pat Bell's Top 10. Cheers Dean

This week’s Top 10 is actually a “Top 12” and a summary of some of the highlights of 2010. It’s always easy to forget a year and a short year in review is always worthwhile.

Have a great week!

Pat Bell - http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca/

--------------------------

January – Having the Olympic Torch come through Prince George and Mackenzie was certainly a highlight and brought the Olympics closer to us all!

February – We brought the world to B.C when 3.5 billion people from around the world witnessed the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver, the most successful Winter Games ever!

March –Announced $87 million for 51 new provincial highway projects in northern B.C., bringing the value of ongoing highway construction across the region to more than $200 million.

April – “Site C” moves to the next phase and a detailed environmental assessment. This project will create about 35,000 person years of work and will be a real benefit to our economy!

May – Agreements in place make the Northwest Transmission Line a reality, opening up the Northwest to some of the clean energy potential that has been identified in the region and creating jobs with a   $404 million investment through its partners.

June - Early childhood education entered a new era in B.C. thanks to a $144 million investment providing 665 new classrooms needed to accommodate full-day kindergarten in September 2011.

July – Construction gets under way on the $102 million BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North, eliminating the need for northern residents to travel south for treatment – saving them both time and money

August – The Mackenzie pulp mill re-opening represents a triumph for the many partners, the community and the workers and their families benefitting from the 220 direct and 500 indirect jobs.

September – Prince George is awarded the 2015 Canada Winter Games, our time to shine!

October – The Red Rock inspection station opens bringing a state-of-the-art, commercial vehicle inspection station and Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) weigh scale on Highway 97 south of Prince George, allowing trucking companies to save time and money while reducing greenhouse gas emission through reduced idling.

November – The 2010 trade mission to China generated total sales orders five times greater than the mission two years ago. That’s the equivalent of two mills going full-out for a year, with all production going to China. Annual sales to China have now surpassed the production of 10 sawmills!

December – There are more people working in B.C. than ever before! Latest statistics show that B.C. created 4,300 net new jobs in November setting an all-time record for jobs in British Columbia – beating the previous record set prior to the recession in 2008. The steps we’ve taken to strengthen B.C.’s economy and recover from the global downturn are working

Copy courtesy of:

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Private): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Need a new home with lots of space?

2011-01-10T15:21:00.001-08:00

Look no further. Over 5000 ft2 and 5 years young. Click on link for details - http://www.deanbirks.com/14a_read.php?ltl=965144

Another great home in Prince George Real Estate.

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Private): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

BC Northern Real Estate Board Year End News Release for 2010

2011-01-07T14:24:00.001-08:00

Download now or preview on posterous
BCNREB 2010 Year End News Release[1].pdf (179 KB)

Thought I would post this year end news release for those interested. Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Good News Stats for Prince George Real Estate ending 2010.

2011-01-04T11:09:00.001-08:00

The good news – sales were up 4% for the year. Listings were up 8%, and active listings at year end were up 15% over 2009.

Source: BC Northern Real Estate Board

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Private): 1-888-870-4132
http://www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Canadian Home Sales for November 2010

2010-12-16T16:46:00.001-08:00

Download now or preview on posterous
housingflash.pdf Dec 15[1].pdf (43 KB)

I just came across this Canadian housing update and numbers on past years from Scotia Bank Group and thought you may be interested.

Cheers!

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Prince George Real Estate - A couple great new listings!

2010-12-13T16:59:00.001-08:00

Two new listings for your consideration...

1- 13740 Moldowan Rd - Cute cozy home on 20 acres with 35 x 75ft shop.

2- 23810 Ness Lake Rd - Executive home on 16 acres with Ness Lake water front!

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Cancer Centre Enters New Stage Of Construction - Prince George BC

2010-12-04T17:43:00.001-08:00

By 250 News
Friday, December 03, 2010 04:01 PM

Construction crew all smiles after bolting down the first steel column on the new Northern Cancer Centre

Prince George, B.C.- The construction of the Northern Cancer Centre entered a new phase today with the placement of the first steel column on the second floor.

“This means we are finished the concrete construction phase, and will be entering the structural steel stage” says project manager Chris Rasmussen.

The first steel column was lifted into place by the huge crane on the construction site, and a crew bolted it into place. That column is the first of many that will support the roof of the new Northern Cancer Centre. “From here we will really see the building start to take shape” says Rasmussen.

Five months into the construction of the facility that is expected to be complete in late September of 2012, today’s event marked another milestone in this project “This is really huge in the construction business” says Rasmussen.

The crane lifted the column to the roof of the parkade, where Rasmussen and Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad posed for photos, then swung the column over to the second floor of the Cancer Centre where it was bolted into place.

The Northern Cancer centre will have two floors, a basement parkade, and two rooms where radiation treatment can be delivered.

Copy courtesy of:

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
http://www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Asher Place - Seniors Complex

2010-12-02T17:21:00.001-08:00

First time offered for sale! This 2 bedroom unit is on the main floor! http://www.deanbirks.com/14a_read.php?ltl=948042

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Prince George Real Estate - New listing $194,800 in Heritage area.

2010-12-02T16:33:00.001-08:00

Here is a great starter family home - http://www.deanbirks.com/14a_read.php?ltl=948038

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

My Website is Now Smartphone Friendly

2010-11-24T20:00:00.001-08:00

I am happy to announce that my website (my clients listings) www.DeanBirks.com is now Smartphone friendly. Now, when buyers drive up in front of any of my listings they can enter my web address into their smartphone browser to get the price and details while sitting in their vehicle with ease.

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Resale housing market stabilizing in Central BC

2010-11-16T14:34:00.001-08:00

Residential property sales recorded through the MLS® System of the BC Northern Real Estate Board remained below year-ago levels in October 2010, but have been showing signs of stabilizing in recent months.

According to the Board’s statistics, home sales numbered 264 units in October 2010, a decline of 27 per cent from October 2009. Seasonally adjusted activity dropped sharply from May to June this year, but has since posted only small month-to-month changes. On a year-to-date basis, activity remains slightly above levels reported over the first 10 months of last year.

The average price of home sales in October was $193,611**, a decrease of 11 per cent from the same month in 2009; however, the less volatile year-to-date average price figure was even with levels in the first 10 months last year.

**The Board cautions that the average residential price is a useful figure only for establishing trends and comparisons over a period of time. It does not indicate an actual price for a home due to the wide selection of housing available over a vast geographic area (the Board serves an area covering over 600,000 square kilometers or 72 per cent of the province).

The dollar value of all home sales in October 2010 was $51.1 million, down 35 per cent from year-ago levels.

Total sales numbered 306 units in October, down 28 per cent year-over-year. The total value of all properties sold was $57.5 million, a decrease of 33 per cent from October 2009.

There were 482 new residential listings on the Board’s MLS® System in October 2010, edging up two units from the same month last year. Active residential listings on the Board’s MLS® System numbered 2,671 units at the end of October 2010. This is up 11 per cent from year-ago levels, but stands below 2008 levels.

There were 10.1 months of inventory at the end of October, well above 6.6 months in the same month last year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

The BC Northern Real Estate Board is an association of about 410 REALTORS® that provides services to and sets standards for members. The BC Northern Real Estate Board covers the northern part of British Columbia, including Bulkley Nechako, Cariboo, Fraser Fort George, Peace River/Fort Nelson, and Skeena/Queen Charlottes.

The information contained in this report has been prepared by The Canadian Real Estate Association, in co-operation with the B.C. Northern Real Estate Board . The information has been drawn from sources deemed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information is not guaranteed. In providing this information, neither The Canadian Real Estate Association nor the B.C. Northern Real Estate Board assumes any responsibility or liability. Copyright© 2010 The Canadian Real Estate Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission.

Above copy is courtesy of:
Dean Birks

Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Charter doesn’t protect property rights in Canada

2010-11-02T20:28:00.001-07:00

Charter doesn’t protect property rights
By: Larry MacDonald
Tue, 02 Nov 2010 09:56:08 +0000
There is no protection for property rights in the 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Yet property rights are recognized in most other industrialized countries, and were recognized in the 1960 Canadian Bill of Rights.
The National Citizens Coalition cites several examples of governments interfering with the enjoyment or use of property: Ontario landlords’ properties devalued by provincial legislation, companies put out of business by government monopolies in Manitoba, and B.C. dairy farmers compelled to surrender parts of quotas to the Milk Board.
How did it come about that property rights were excluded from the Charter? They were in the first draft but several provinces and the NDP objected to their inclusion. So they were left out of the final version.
The provinces balked at a property-rights clause because they though it would interfere with municipal/provincial land-use regulations. The NDP objected because of “social rights” such as rent control, labour standards, native land claims, environmental regulations and division of matrimonial assets. For more details, see Property Rights and the Constitution (http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/BP/bp268-e.htm).
Constitutional entrenchment of property rights is the newest campaign of the National Citizens Coalition. Those interested can visit the NCC website (http://nationalcitizens.ca/respect_property_rights.html) to learn more, sign a petition, or share their story.
Should property rights be protected in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Top Ten October 29, 2010 - BC News

2010-10-29T13:04:00.001-07:00

This Top 10 is coming from Shanghai China as I lead the largest ever BC Lumber trade mission. Altogether we have 38 attendees including CEO's from Canfor, West Fraser, Conifex, Interex (representing Carrier and Dunkley), Tolko, Hampton and Interfor.
This mission represents phase 3 of our plan to open the Chinese market to BC lumber. Phase 1 was building code development and product knowledge. Phase 2 included wood frame construction training and building a distribution network.
Phase 3 starts now and is about marketing to large developers that are capable of using significant volumes of our lumber. That brings me to the week’s Top 10, the inside story on some of the 40 developers we are meeting with and I'm sure you'll be impressed. For translation purposes 100 square meters is about the size of a newly constructed apartment in China and is approximately 1,000 square feet.
Have a great week! Pat Bell - http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca
1)     Vanke Co. is China’s largest developing group (by $$), focusing on residential buildings. In 2009, Vanke finished new construction area of a total 5.6 million sqm, sales value of 63.4 billion RMB ($CAD 9.75 billion) with a net profit of 5.3 billion RMB ($CAD1 billion).
2)     Jinqiao Co. is responsible for Jinqiao Zone planning, construction and investment, the total area is 27 km2. In 2009, the company achieved sales of US$120 million and haJinqiao Group Biyun International Community covers 4 km2. It is a low density community with large development of villas. More than 1000 foreign families are settled here and occupies 90 per cent of the total residence of the area.
In the next 3 years, Jinqiao is working to attract a total of 5,000 western families to live here and develop it into the biggest western community in Pudong. 100% villas and 90% of apartment buildings are for rental rather than for sale.
They’ve built 500 units of WFC villas to date, and will increase the amount of WFC used in their projects in the future as they embrace green building.
3)     Greenland – one of China’s leading integrated real estate enterprises. In 2009 ranked no 2 among Chinese real estate enterprises and 169 of top 500 Chinese companies. In 2010, it’s rank rose to #96. Sales revenues in 2011 are targeted at CAD $21 billion. This year, Greenland has 22 million m² of residential floor space under construction and 13 million m² of commercial floor space.
4)     BNBM is a subsidiary of China National Building Materials, which has assets of CAD$14 billion and a staff of more than 80,000. BNBM builds 10,000 rural homes per year.
At present, it has already grown to a large state-level enterprise group integrating building materials industry investment, logistics and trading, wood products industry and housing industry development with total assets surpassing 60 Billion RMB CAD $9.2 billion and a sales turnover in excess of 30 Billion RMB （CAD $4.6 billion）.
5)     BRC has completed over 100 large property development projects to date, most located in the Southwest of China. (Chengdu, Chongqing and Kunming).
6)     Vantone , Beijing Vantone Real Estate Co., Ltd. (Code: 600246, hereinafter "Vantone") is an A-share public company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, with the total capital stock of 507,000,000 shares. As of September 30 2008, Vantone's total assets were RMB 8382 billion （CAD $1.33 billion）（its net assets were RMB 2,632 billion （CAD $40 million. With Grade One Qualification for Real Estate Development, Vantone owns 10 holding subsidiaries and 1 affiliated company, all of which are engaged in real estate development.
With its mission of "Creating the most valuable life space", Vantone strives to be a first class real estate company by international standards. Vantone has embedded the "green" into its corporate strategy   which contains green value, green behaviour and green products, hereby leading to long-term competitiveness and the industry.
7)     TEDA is perhaps China’s most advanced, and best, development zone. Major companies, such as Toyota, Motorola, and Samsung have their main China manufacturing bases in TEDA. The Tianjin Economic Development Area was established in 1984.
The TEDA Group, which is the development arm of TEDA, development company (the property is very interested in enhancing its leadership in WFC and has visited B.C. and met with FII and CWG as well as industry.
There are two other wood frame office buildings that will be built, invested by TEDA. The sizes of these two building are 1200 m2 and 4000 m2. Canada Wood will provide Quality Assurance support as well as design review. There is also a villa project in the planning stage.
8)     Longfor In 2006, Longfor was listed among “Top 100 Real Estate Developers in the PRC Real Estate Industry” by the Ministry of Commerce and the China Real Estate Association., Longfor was consistently ranked number one in the “National Residential Customers’ Satisfaction Survey” for four years in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2009. In 2007, Longfor entered into the “Top 100 China Real Estate Enterprises for Tax Contribution”. In 2008, brand name “Longhu” was accredited by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce as a “Well-known Trademark in China”. Longfor was also recognized as the “Top 10 Brand Values in the PRC Real Estate Industry” as well as the “Top 10 Outstanding Property Service and Corporate Service Quality” by the State Development and Research Center in 2008 and 2009 consecutively.
After a decade of development, Longfor has formed an all-in-one system capable of performing investment planning, project development, and commercial and residential property management operations. Its product offerings range from residential buildings, office buildings, high-rise apartment buildings, garden townhouses, luxury villas, as well as large scale shopping malls and business complex. The Company has built masterpieces in every product category.
9)     Beijing Capital Land Ltd. ("BCL") is one of the leading integrated property operators in the PRC, being listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in 19 June 2003 (HKEx stock code: 2868) . Its comprehensive capabilities have placed it in the top rank of the PRC's property industry.
BCL is based in Beijing and its accumulated development scale in Beijing has surpassed 5 million sq. m since its establishment with total investment of over RMB30 billion. Since 2005, it has been expanding by introducing those successful standardized property series into other cities or places. BCL has now expanded into nine cities from four large regions in China with land bank of over 10 million sqm. It owns high popularity in the market and brand influence.
10) Greentown China Holdings Limited (“Greentown” or “the Company”, and its subsidiaries the “Group”) together with its associates and jointly controlled entities (the “Greentown Group”), is one of the leading property developers in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”). It commands a leading position in the industry by leveraging on its quality properties. From 2005 to 2010, we have been ranked for six consecutive years as one of the TOP 10 property enterprises in China jointly by four authoritative institutions, including Enterprise Research Institute of the Development Research Center of the State Council, China Real Estate Association, Qinghua University Real Estate Research Center and China Index Institute.
Since its establishment 15 years ago, the Group has been based in Zhejiang province, one of the most economically vibrant and developed provinces in the PRC. With property projects covering most of the prosperous cities in Zhejiang province such as Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Taizhou, Shaoxing and other places on the list of the Top 100 most competitive counties and county-level cities of China in Zhejiang province, the Greentown Group has built a sizable operation in the province with exceptionally high brand awareness. Due to the Group’s national expansion strategy commenced in 2000, Greentown has successfully extended its business to other important cities such as Shanghai, Nanjiang, Suzhou, Wuxi and Nantong in Yangtze River Delta, Beijing, Tianjin, Qingdao, Jinan and Dalian in Bohai Rim Economic Belt, as well as other provincial cities such as Hefei in Anhui province, Zhengzhou in Henan province, Changsha in Hunan province, Linshui in Hainan province and Urumqi in Xinjiang. This expansion has boosted the Group’s business growth and reputation further. Greentown is currently at the forefront of quality property developers in the PRC.
As at 31 December 2009, the Greentown Group’s premier land bank comprises over 30 million sq.m. of total GFA, which ensures the Group’s sustainable and steady development in the next three years. Leveraging on its quality human resources and effective corporate management structure, Greentown has established a strong presence in Zhejiang province and other cities where it has operations. The Group is confident that its excellent track record in developing high quality projects and outstanding operational capabilities has laid a solid foundation for its further expansion.
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The above copy courtesy of:
Dean Birks
Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Fixed Rates continue to drop as Bank of Canada holds steady on prime

2010-10-28T17:35:00.001-07:00

The Bank of Canada's lack of movement on prime is the best action or "non-action" to take at this time. Mark Carney's most important comment was: "there are too many unknowns". World markets are struggling and we are greatly affected by their ability to do business with us. Especially when it comes to selling our goods. The value of our dollar determines if our customers can buy from us. Our biggest trading partner to the south is expected to flounder for well into 2012. Shifting our business to other markets takes time. It will take a good act of balancing growth and maintaining what we have.
This translates into interest rates will remain at their lowest ever and may even drop further. Currently variable rate: prime minus .75% = 2.25% or 5-year fixed @ 3.59%
Those who have their feet firmly planted on the ground (good credit, proven, reliable income and some savings) and know what they want to do can take advantage. Home purchase, debt consolidation, access to equity for investment are all more realistic. (Variable rates are still the way to go for now as fixed rates continue to drop.)
Variable rates can be locked in at any time for terms of 3, 5, 7, 10 years or longer for protection against the invevitable higher rates in the future. Long term planning for long term plans.
Everyone's position is different and deserves a review.
Thanks,
Bob Quinlan
office: 250-564-9161
#2 - 1810 Third Ave.
Prince George, BC V2M 1G4
----------------------
Copy courtesy of:
Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

[www.vernonmortgagebroker.ca] Rate Notifier - Tuesday, October 19, 2010

2010-10-19T10:51:00.001-07:00

Randy Kazemir

Mortgage Professional

randy.k@mortgagegrp.com

www.vernonmortgagebroker.ca

Vernon Office:250.938.1258

Toll free: 1.866.680.5817

Toll free fax: 1.866.680.6035

Tools

How Much will I Pay

What Can I Afford

Rent vs Buy

Links to Assist You

CMHC

Canada Revenue Agency

##Randy Kazemir Tuesday, October 19, 2010##

Mortgage Rates Our Rate Bank Rate

1 Year Open 6.70 % 6.70 %

1 Year Closed 2.44 % 3.40 %

2 Year 2.99 % 3.55 %

3 Year 2.90 % 4.10 %

4 Year 3.45 % 4.94 %

5 Year 3.39 % 5.29 %

7 Year 4.50 % 6.09 %

10 Year 4.75 % 6.40 %

The market widely predicted the Bank of Canada would not raise rates, and it was right.
The Bank of Canada has left its key lending rate at 1.00%.
In turn Prime Rate will remain at 3.00%.
The next and final interest rate meeting of 2010 is on December 7, 2010.
For the Bank of Canada press release with the economic outlook for Canada http://www.vernonmortgagebroker.ca/newsarticle.asp?id=1958
"Helping you improve your lifestyle"

Visit us at    www.vernonmortgagebroker.ca

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Pat Bell's Top 10 for Oct 9, 2010

2010-10-12T10:14:00.001-07:00

Friday was not a great day for our forest industry as the US Softwood Lumber Coalition launched another challenge targeting BC’s Industry. It seems like every time we sign off on a deal they just can’t live with it. They have very old and inefficient mills in much of the US and can’t compete with the high quality mills here in BC. In my view we should be working together to expand the use of wood into China, India and into nontraditional uses in North America.

Other than that pretty good numbers here in BC so let’s stay positive!

Have a great week! Pat Bell - http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca/

1.   My Colleague Steve Thomson (Minister of Agriculture and Lands) is off to China along the Federal Agriculture Minister, Alberta’s Agriculture Minister and representatives from the BC Cattlemen’s Association (including local ranchers Mark Grafton and Roland Bauman) to try and get greater access to the Chinese market. I have had our Forestry folks working with the Agriculture team to prepare for the trip and while it would be unfair to expect significant sales on the first trip I do believe that we’ll see very positive results for our beef industry over time.

2.   The unemployment rate for last month in Prince George fell to 8.5 % last month. Down from 8.7% recorded in August and 3.2% lower than it had been in September of 2009 when the number of unemployed was 11.7%.

3.   Over the past year the number of people holding down jobs has grown by 6,100 to 48,200 in our region.

4.   Part of the improvement comes from the rebound in the local housing market. Year over year housing starts are up from 73 to 124.

5.   According to Satistics Canada sawmill production in BC is up 33.7% year over year. China leads the way with a 48% year over year increase but even the United States is +16%

6.   During this same period of time Ontario’s production dropped by -1.6%, Quebec grew by +8.3% and Alberta grew by +3.4%

7.   According to BC Stats in July 2010, B.C.'s mean weekly wage was over $836, well above the national average. The average weekly wage has risen by $188 – or 29 per cent – since 2001, when it was $648.

8.   For B.C. youth under 25, the average hourly wage was $13.24 – third highest in Canada.

9.   A British Columbian who earns the average weekly wage of $836 makes over $9,750 more per year today, before taxes, than they would have in 2001, when the average weekly wage was $648.

10.               Those concerned about gang violence in our city should be aware of the Gang Crime Forum November 1^st -6:30-9pm Ramada Hotel. Admission is free. Register at www.civicinfo.bc.ca/event/pggangcrimesummit.asp or in person at City Hall, Service Centre for more information call 250-561-3366

-----------------------

The above email courtesy of:
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Fax (Private): 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Looks like it could move into a Sellers Market...

2010-10-07T16:21:00.001-07:00

As of today the single family homes listed in Prince George city limits is at 430 (on MLS®) which is quiet a bit less than normal. So tracking the numbers if listings continue to stay low the market may move from a slight buyers market to a sellers in the next while.

Best regards
Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Phone (Direct): 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Oh, by the way. I'm never too busy for your referrals!

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

North Island Midweek - Charcoal pellets studied for export

2010-09-28T17:40:00.001-07:00

*This article can also be accessed if you copy and paste the entire address below into your web browser.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_north/northislandmidweek/business...

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Latest Stats for BC & Prince George Real Estate Market

2010-09-21T16:57:00.001-07:00

Download now or preview on posterous
Prince George Real Estate Market update Sept.pdf (205 KB)

Here is (attached) a few BC Real Estate stats as well as mortgage rate trends as of late. As you will see its a good time for buyers with prices relatively flat and mortgage rates low.

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Prince George Airport Logistics Park underway.

2010-09-21T13:15:00.001-07:00

Nice to see the YXS logistics park is started to be developed and sites available for sale.
Best regards,
Dean Birks - REALTOR
Royal LePage Prince George
Sent via BlackBerry
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Prince George wins Canada 2015 Winter Games bid.

2010-09-17T17:35:00.001-07:00

A big congrats to all those involved in making the Winter Games bid a big success. Great job!
Best regards,
Dean Birks - REALTOR
Royal LePage Prince George
Sent via BlackBerry
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Homebuying Step by Step

2010-09-15T14:25:00.001-07:00

Here is CMHC's Homebuying Step by Step guide to make things easier for you by providing the information you need to make a wise homebuying decision. This section provides examples and worksheets that will guide you through the entire homebuying process, from the moment you make the decision to buy your own home to the moment the movers carry the first box through the front door. It couldn't be easier! - CLICK HERE

Thought you may be interested. Cheers!

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Private Fax: 1-888-870-4132
www.DeanBirks.com

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Tips for Renovating Your Basement

2010-09-09T21:00:00.001-07:00

Want to add more space to your home without building up or out? Look no further than your basement. According to the   Appraisal Institute of Canada, renovating a basement can give you a 50-75% return on your investment when it comes to selling your home. Here’s how to get it done right:

Start with a plan
What type of space does your family require? Is it an extra living space for your teenager, a playroom for the little one, or perhaps an entertainment area for all to enjoy? Once you decide on how you want to utilize the space, you can layout your design. If budget allows, an architect or interior designer could assist you with the layout design and make valuable suggestions.

Do it yourself or hire a professional
Depending on your skill set, budget, and time, you may want to enlist the services of a contractor who has the expertise required to finish a basement. If you do it yourself and don't have the required time or skill to do the job correctly, you may find yourself looking at a repair bill far exceeding the amount you originally thought the project would cost. Make an informed decision. Be sure to carefully weigh all factors when deciding which option is right for you, while considering costs, material, labour, and equipment requirements.

Framing
Framing basement walls and ceilings is one of the most important aspects of any basement renovation. Two popular wall framing options are wood or steel studs. Wood is the classic choice. It is versatile, easy to work with, and cost-effective. Whereas steel, although more costly, adds a level of strength, rot resistance and won’t warp and crack like wood might over time. Two popular ceiling framing options are dropped ceiling tiles or drywall. Dropped ceiling tiles provide easy access to pipes and wires which can be a saviour if a tub or toilet on the main level floor springs a leak. Alternatively, dry wall ceilings offer a smooth finish and require less vertical space – a great option if your basement ceiling height is already low.

Flooring
There are plenty of basement flooring choices to choose from including laminate, linoleum, vinyl, wood and ceramic tiles. Be sure to match your flooring choice with the intended use of the space and your geographic location. For example, a game room may require more durable flooring than an office. Do you live in an area with a tendency for flooding or is your location dry? Carpet with high density under pad will offer cushion and moisture protection from the typical condensation found in basements. Engineered hardwood made for below grade installation will flex and handle moisture better than traditional hardwood. Ceramic tile is great for bathrooms and laundry rooms and is easy to install on concrete.

Add a bathroom
Installing a bathroom in the basement is a great way to add value to your home. Determine if you require a full bathroom or if a powder room will suffice. Powder rooms are relatively simple to install, easy to keep clean, and won’t take up too much room. Full three or four piece bathrooms can provide a comfortable, private, and even luxurious, space for overnight visitors to enjoy. With either option, time and costs can be reduced if bathroom fixtures are located near existing plumbing and are arranged in a line on one wall. Be sure to check local codes for plumbing and electrical aspects of your project.

Add storage
No matter what kind of plan you come up with for your basement, remember to factor in plenty of closet or storage space. This will enable you to de-clutter the rest of your home to keep it tidy and inviting. Further, if you ever decide to move, having this extra storage space should appeal to just about any prospective buyer.

A finished basement can not only increase your home enjoyment but it can also add valuable square footage. From everyday living to financial value, finished basements provide many benefits to you as a homeowner.

Hope this helps. Cheers!

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Private Fax: 1-888-870-4132
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Mortgage Rates up and down

2010-09-03T16:26:00.001-07:00

Prepare for another increase in prime next week while fixed rates continue to drop

The majority of economists are still predicting that we will still have increases to prime of .25% in at least one of the two next Bank of Canada reviews. The next is scheduled for next Wednesday, Sept. 8th. The fact that predictions are a little less aggressive than a couple of weeks ago acknowledges that that Canada is still tied to the world economy. And the recovery of the world economy has slowed a little in the past few months. Anyone who is on a "variable rate mortgage" and wonders if it is time to lock in should still wait for a while. Although prime may go up as much as another .50% in the next few months that will still leave most people in variable rate mortgages at around 2.50% (+/-). Five-year fixed rates are still as low as 3.64% to 3.89%.

While fixed rates continue to fall, variable rate mortgages still have the greatest savings. Now, I could fill the rest of the page with a lot of rhetoric that I pick from the pundits...however, it is Friday afternoon leading in to the Labor Day long weekend and I'm not sure many will read on. If you have any specific questions regarding your mortgage I would be glad to hear from you.

Bob Quinlan

250-565-8444

Mortgage Alliance

#2 - 1810 Third Avenue

Prince George, BC

www.pgmortgages.ca

-------------------------

Hope you enjoy this email above I received from Bob. Cheers!

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

BMO cuts mortgage rate to spur home buying

2010-09-01T20:22:00.001-07:00

Good News for this fall here in Prince George Real Estate!
http://www.financialpost.com/m/news/story.html?id=3469471
Best regards,
Dean Birks - REALTOR
Royal LePage Prince George
Sent via BlackBerry
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

2 Acres on Cluculz Lake Water Front. Rare Find!!

2010-08-31T19:34:00.001-07:00

Just listed 2 Acres on Waterfront with home and barn. A rare find on Cluculz Lake. Click here for details

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Ness Lake Water Front!

2010-08-24T13:38:00.001-07:00

New Listing - Executive home on 16.64 acres & one of the nicest waterfront developments on Ness Lake.

Click here to view details. Priced at $699,800.

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Top 10 on the reasons she stayed in Prince George

2010-08-12T20:59:00.001-07:00

This week’s Top 10 is an edition from my summer Constituency Assistant, Lindsay Gardner. Lindsay is originally from Ladysmith, BC (on Vancouver Island) but moved to Prince George in 2006 to attend UNBC for one semester. Nearly 5 years later, Lindsay still loves life in Northern British Columbia. She has written this week’s Top 10 on the reasons she stayed in Prince George.

Have a great week! Pat Bell http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca/

1.      The University of Northern British Columbia! As McLean Magazine’s Best Small School in the West, I ventured to Prince George in January 2006 for my first semester of University in hopes of only staying one semester. Almost five years later I am proud to call Canada’s Green University my own! The growth of UNBC over the past 5 years, including the Northern Medical Program, the Northern Sports Center, and the Northern University Student Center has truly helped shape our wonderful city.

2.      The array of hiking trails is enough to keep one busy all summer and winter long! I was never much of a hiker until I moved to Prince George, since than I have discovered beautiful trails including the Forest of the Worlds behind UNBC, Fort George Canyon west of Prince George and teapot mountain just to name a few that I have done recently but one hike that I am anxious to do still is Bijoux Falls closer to Mackenzie.

3.       What would summer in Prince George be without River Floating? This is one of my favorite activities in the summer months. Each year there are a group of friends that bond together to river float day in and day out. The best place to launch is from Wilkinson Park off Miworth road and float all the way down to Wilson Park off Ospika but make sure that you are all being safe and have enough time to complete the float in the day light. This route usually takes around 5 hours.

4.      British Columbia has over 1000 forestry camping sites, many of which are in Northern British Columbia. On Vancouver Island these sites are so difficult to find that this is another one of my favorite things about Prince George. By car I can make it to many different sites and lakes for a weekend of camping. Did I mention forestry sites are beautiful and free!

5.      The first time I made a visit to Northern British Columbia, I went to Fort Nelson in March and it was quite dark and there wasn’t a lot of daylight. The first summer I spent in Prince George I just couldn’t get over how early the sun rose and how late it set! With long days, visiting with your friends around a campfire can last for so long and makes summer in the North truly remarkable.

6.      Prince George is full of recreational sports for athletes of all different levels. This year I had the opportunity to join the PG Mix Slo-Pitch league which is just one of the many different sports available throughout the summer not to mention the winter sports you can play including curling, hockey, swimming just to name a few. For a list of contacts for the different clubs and teams around town visit: http://www.city.pg.bc.ca/rec_culture/communityrec/contact/

7.      Saturdays rain or shine are Farmers Market days in Prince George. You can visit the farmers market every Saturday year round now for everything from fresh bread, jams, meats, vegetables and fruit. The Farmers Market is open from 8:30-2:00pm every Saturday and usually you can find live music and good friends!

8.      Where else in British Columbia can you find some of the best powder in the country? Powder King! Northern BC’s mountain for champagne powder and pristine conditions. PK is not the largest mountain but when people ask me if there is any good skiing or snowboarding my answer is always a quick yes! The conditions are some of the best I have ever experienced and you don’t have to wait in line for an hour each time you ride the chair lift.

9.      Living in Northern British Columbia is very different than living on the ocean, and some days I miss that. However, when its -20 outside and you wake up to start your day in the dark, watch the sun rise and the day turn into a beautiful sunny crisp afternoon you can’t help but smile. I love how the sun shines all winter long and you need your sunglasses every morning on your way to work or school.

10. Prince George is the Northern Capital of BC and offers endless entertainment. From the Park-Drive in Movie theatre to live music in Fort George Park or at UNBC for the Back Yard BBQ. Let’s not forget the world famous shows CN Center can bring including Sir Elton John and The Blue Man group. With entertainment like this there is never a dull evening in Prince George.

Copy courtesy of:

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Forward of our MLA's Top 10

2010-07-19T18:15:00.001-07:00

July 2010,

Hi All

In the ongoing spirit of “Guest” Top 10 writers I’ve asked Finance Minister Colin Hansen to remind us of the “Top 10” tax cuts of special interest to rural BC Residents over the past number of years. Tax cuts that help to build the economy on clearly this strategy has worked over the years.

Have a great week!

Pat Bell - http://www.patbellmla.bc.ca

1.       Personal Income Tax Reductions

·         Individuals earning up to $118,000 in British Columbia now pay the lowest provincial personal income taxes in Canada.

·         For the majority of taxpayers, provincial income taxes have been reduced by at least 37 per cent since 2001 and an additional 325,000 people no longer pay any British Columbia income tax.

2.       Northern and Rural Home Owner Benefit

·         The northern and rural home owner benefit of up to $200 will be introduced in 2011. It will be provided as an increase to the home owner grant and the eligibility criteria for the home owner grant will also apply.

·         The northern and rural benefit applies in those areas of the province outside the Capital Regional District, the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Fraser Valley Regional District.

3.       First Time Home Buyers Program Threshold Set at Province Wide Rate

·         Eligible first time home buyers can claim an exemption from Property Transfer Tax if the fair market value of the home is less than the threshold amount. In Budget 2007 a single threshold was created for the First Time Home Buyers’ Program at $375,000. Prior to this the threshold was $325,000 in the Lower Mainland and Capital Region and $265,000 in the rest of the province.

·         The single threshold at the increased amount means that more individuals buying homes outside the Lower Mainland and Capital Region may be eligible for the First Time Home Buyers’ Program. The current threshold for the First Time Home Buyers’ Program province-wide is $425,000.

4.       Tax Reductions for Small Business

·         In 2008, the small business tax rate was reduced from 4.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent — a reduction of 44 per cent. The government has committed to reducing the small business corporate income tax rate to zero by April 1, 2012.

·         Since 2001, the small business corporate income tax threshold (i.e., the income level at which small businesses start paying tax) has increased to $500,000 from $200,000.

5.       Provincial Farm Land Property Tax Credit

·         Effective for the 2011 and subsequent taxation years, the Provincial Farm Land Property Tax Credit will reduce provincial school property tax on farm land (class 9) by 50 per cent.

6.       Industrial Property Tax Credit

·         The Industrial Property Tax Credit which reduces provincial school property tax on major industrial (class 4) and light industrial (class 5) properties was introduced for the 2009 and subsequent taxation years. For 2009 and 2010, the credit reduced school taxes by 50 percent. For the 2011 and subsequent taxation years, the rate is increased to 60 per cent.

·         The Industrial Property Tax Credit applies to British Columbia manufacturing, mining, forestry and other major and light industries many of which are located in the province’s rural areas.

7.       Harmonization

·         Major industries such as forestry, mining, oil and gas, and transportation provide thousands of jobs for rural and remote communities. BC’s resource and manufacturing sectors will benefit significantly from the HST as their business inputs and exports are no longer taxed.

·         Sales tax harmonization will account for an $11.5 billion increase in capital investment and a net increase of 113,000 jobs by the end of the decade, according to a report by economist and tax expert Jack Mintz.

8.       BC Mining Exploration and Flow-Through Share Tax Credits

·         The BC Mining Exploration Tax Credit provides a refundable tax credit equal to 20 per cent of eligible BC Grassroots mineral exploration expenditures. In mountain pine beetle affected areas there is an additional 10 per cent credit to a maximum of 30 per cent.

·         The BC Mining Flow-Through Share Tax Credit allows individuals who invest in flow through shares to claim a non-refundable tax credit equal to 20 per cent of their BC eligible grassroots exploration expenditures. The 2010 BC Budget extended the BC Mining Flow-Through Share Tax Credit to December 31, 2013.

9.       Distant Region Film Tax Credit

·         BC film tax credits are designed to encourage film, television, digital animation and visual effects production in BC.

·         For productions distant from the lower mainland and the capital regional district an additional credit is available to encourage production activity in those areas.

10.   Corporate Income Tax Rate Reductions

·         Reductions in the corporate income tax rate from 16.5 per cent to 10.5 per cent since 2001 and the planned reduction to 10 per cent in 2011, combined with federal tax rate cuts that will take effect in 2012, mean that British Columbia businesses will enjoy the lowest corporate income tax rate in the G7 by 2012.

Reprint courtesy of:

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Let the Construction Begin

2010-06-25T22:28:00.001-07:00

By 250 News
Friday, June 25, 2010 02:54 PM

Councillor Cameron Stolz, Mayor Dan Rogers, Minister of Transportation Shirley Bond, Henry Remple, and Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell, do the initial digging to mark the start of Boundary Road construction

Prince George. B.C. – With the toss of some gravel, the long awaited construction of Boundary Road in Prince George is set to begin.

Representatives from the City, Province and the private investors, took time this afternoon to celebrate the awarding of the construction contract to WIC construction and to kick off the work.

At a gathering just off Gunn Road, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Shirley Bond, said the construction of Boundary road is a key element in the economic future of Northern B.C, “ Today says, we are ready for business , we are ready to move forward.”

That moving forward means the development of a logistics park and light industrial park. Some of the property is on lands owned by the Prince George Airport, while the bulk of the property is privately held. Henry Remple is one of the private land holders who have put up $6.5 million dollars towards the cost of the development of Boundary Road.

Boundary Road has been on the radar for the City of Prince George since the 1970’s. It is the first step in developing a ring road around Prince George that will keep heavy truck traffic out of the downtown core, provide   a much quicker route between highway 97 south and highway 16 east, and will act as a dangerous goods route as well.

The overall cost of the project is $28 million, with the Federal and Provincial Government’s contributing $7.5 million each, while the City and Private land developers contributed $6.5 million each.

The construction of Boundary Road is expected to be a significant positive factor for Initiatives Prince George as it moves forward to sell the Logistics Park development on the Airport Lands. IPG CEO Tim McEwan says while there has been a great deal of interest expressed by   Asian logistics companies, the actual construction of the road will show that the project is “real” . “This construction will open up 3,000 acres of light industrial lands” says McEwan who says the construction also marks the culmination of two years of work that involved everything from convincing the Agricultural Land reserve to release the properties from the ALR to convincing the senior levels of government that this was a project worthy of their financial support.

Construction of the Boundary Road intersection with highway 97 south will be completed as part of the Cariboo Connector upgrades already underway.

The two lane roadway is expected to be complete in the fall of 2011.   Construction will include:

6.8 kms of undivided 2 lane roadway including bike lane

Pedestrian sidewalk complete with street lighting

storm, sanitary and watermains

new intersections at highway 16 East and Highway 97 South

roundabout intersection at current Boeing/Gunn Road intersection

Private land owner Henry Remple says he is hopeful of starting the first phase of his logistics park as soon as he has detailed information on his property’s access to Boundary Road.

Copy courtesy of:

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Final project agreement cost for the new Cancer Centre

2010-06-11T18:00:00.001-07:00

Prince George, B.C.- The final project agreement cost for the new Cancer Centre to be built in Prince George has been reached. And the building will feature... Click Here for details. (pdf file).

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Agreements for Highway 37 Transmission Line Signed

2010-05-28T21:54:00.001-07:00

By 250 News

Friday, May 28, 2010 03:40 PM
Victoria, B.C. -   Agreements signed today will help set the stage for the development of the Northwest Transmission Line.

Clean energy agreements between BC Hydro, British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC), Coast Mountain Hydro L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of AltaGas Income Trust Ltd. (AltaGas) and the Tahltan Nation will help to create jobs, provide clean and renewable electricity to B.C.'s Northwest, and power the development of the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL)

The agreements, which will support construction of the NTL, include:
* A $180-million umbrella agreement between AltaGas and BCTC for the construction and development of the NTL.
* An electricity-purchase agreement between BC Hydro and AltaGas for the Forrest Kerr clean energy project near Bob Quinn Lake.
* An impact-benefit agreement between AltaGas and the Tahltan Nation for the Forrest Kerr project.
The NTL project also includes $130 million in funding through the Government of Canada's Green Infrastructure Fund, announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper last September. The estimated ratepayer contribution to the NTL will be
$94 million, which is expected to be offset by contributions from future clean, renewable energy projects and/or mine developments.
The NTL is a $404-million, 287-kilovolt, 335-kilometre, publicly owned transmission line from Skeena Substation (near Terrace) to Bob Quinn Lake. It will provide a secure interconnection point for clean generation projects, supply clean electricity to support industrial developments in the area, and reduce greenhouse gas emission by enabling communities now relying on diesel generation to connect to the grid.
An application for an environmental assessment certificate for the NTL was accepted by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office on April 14, 2010. The 180-day application review period is underway, and public meetings have been
held in the project area.
Construction of the NTL is scheduled to begin in late 2010 and will create an estimated 280 construction jobs, subject to receiving necessary environmental assessment and regulatory approvals and accommodation of First Nations' interests.

Above copy courtesy of:

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Create New Downtown in 2 Years - Prince George BC

2010-05-26T22:11:00.001-07:00

DBIA Has Mission to Create New Downtown in 2 Years

By 250 News

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 05:21 PM

DBIA Vision for downtown: A-Public market and artists loft; B-Multi use development; C - Downtown Wood Innovation Design Centre; D - Student Housing; E- Expo building; F- Performing Arts Centre; G- Parking Building; H- access to riverfront Heritage Trail; I-Mixed Use development; J-Commonwealth Gardens-seniors housing; K-Commonwealth Health

Prince George, B.C.- The new DBIA in Prince George has presented a vision for the downtown of the city which calls for public-private partnerships,   some private investment, and a shared vision with the City of Prince George.

The   vision depicts a downtown that has been transformed by a variety of “incentives” for development. The incentives include low development cost charges, guaranteed approval times, and revitalization tax “incentives”. Presenter Heather Oland specifically changed the word from exemptions to “incentives” and says it need not be offered to everyone, perhaps just to the first three developers who get on board, perhaps only to certain sectors but that everyone agrees the fundamental building blocks for the downtown are a university campus ( wood innovation centre) a performing arts centre and housing.

The DBIA strongly supports 20, 30 or 40 year tax exemptions to spark new development. Oland says an empty lot worth $56 thousand today would still generate taxes for the City if the value of improvements to that lot (putting a building on it) were   given the tax break.   “It’s controversial, but let’s have that public discussion” she told a gathering at a downtown hotel.

The DBIA held a strategic planning session in April of this year and emerged with a Vision ( to create a new downtown), and a mission (to create a new downtown by 2012). That Vision sees the construction of the wood innovation and design centre on land ( former P.G. Hotel property) which the company headed up by the DBIA’s Treasurer Dan McLaren sold to the City of Prince George.

The plan also sees property on the east and west sides of George Street developed for a performing arts centre and a P.G. “expo” centre it would be “A gateway to the downtown” Oland told the group.

The block between Dominion and Quebec streets bounded by 5^th and 6^th Avenues, would be home to student housing (currently it is home to the Italian club, a bowling alley and a parking lot), while the block at 3^rd and George across from the Courthouse would become a market with an artists loft.

Copy courtesy of:

Dean Birks
Royal LePage Prince George
Direct Phone: 250-612-1709
Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Get CMHC & other info on your wireless.

2010-05-20T20:18:00.001-07:00

If you are on the go and every need access to insurer information? Visit www.cmhc.ca/wireless , www.genworth.ca/wireless or www.canadaguaranty.ca/mobile from your handheld device. Hope this helps.

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George

Direct Phone: 250-612-1709

Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Prince George Market Summary - Q1 2010 - CMHC

2010-05-20T20:14:00.001-07:00

Download now or preview on posterous
Prince George Market Summary__Q1_May_2010.pdf (2011 KB)

Here is attached report of CMHC's 1st quarter market summary for Prince George Real Estate.

Hope you enjoy.

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George

Direct Phone: 250-612-1709

Private Fax: 1-888-870-4132

Prince George Real Estate

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

Open House - Asher Place - Seniors Living

2010-05-14T11:50:00.001-07:00

If someone you know is or has been looking for a true seniors living strata complex this is it! Asher Place. Open House this Sunday May 16, 2010 from 1 to 2:30pm at 2889 Ferry Ave, Unit 503, Prince George BC. View this home as well as the Rec Center, Community Hall facilities. The best 55+ living in Prince George.

For more details visit www.DeanBirks.com

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George

Direct Phone: 250-612-1709

Prince George Real Estate

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

National Royal LePage Garage will be held locally at Prince George office.

2010-05-11T17:16:00.001-07:00

Where will you be on Saturday May 15th? Find the nearest RLP office hosting our National Garage Sale for Shelter! http://ow.ly/1JDbt

Best regards,
Dean Birks - REALTOR
Royal LePage Prince George
Sent via BlackBerry
Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate

2 more great news items for Prince George BC

2010-05-09T21:57:00.001-07:00

For your convenience here is two latest news items for Prince George BC.

One is the Delegation that came to Prince George to explore the Logistics Opportunities and the other was the renovations to the hospital in preparation for the cancer clinic.

See attached pdf.

Cheers!

Best regards

Dean Birks

Royal LePage Prince George

Direct Phone: 250-612-1709

MLS Prince George

Download now or preview on posterous
Delegation Explores Logistics Opportunities.pdf (71 KB)

Download now or preview on posterous
Renovations Begin At Hospital for Cancer Centre.pdf (100 KB)

Posted via email from Prince George Real Estate