Jessica Prasad

• Canada is home to the longest street in the world. Yonge Street in Ontario starts at Lake Ontario, and runs north through Ontario to the Minnesota border, a distance of almost 2000 kilometres.
• Canada has the world’s longest coastline at 202 080 km.
• A bear cub named Winnipeg was exported from Canada to the London Zoo in 1915. A little boy named Christopher Robin Milne loved to visit Winnipeg (or Winnie for short) and his love for the bear cub inspired the stories written by his father, A.A. Milne, about Winnie-the-Pooh.

• The Hotel de Glace in Quebec is built every year using 400 tons of ice and 12 000 tons of snow. Every summer it melts away and every winter it is rebuilt.
• Canada’s only desert in British Columbia is only 15 miles long and is the only desert in the world with a long boardwalk for visitors to walk on.
• Canada contains 9% of the world's renewable water supply.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

PTT (sometimes called PPT) is a sales tax charged by the BC Government on all transfers of Real Estate in BC.

• The government has announced, effective February 19, 2014, under the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First-Time Home Buyers’ Exemption program, qualifying first-time buyers can buy a home worth up to $475,000. The previous threshold was $425,000.

• The partial exemption continues and will apply to homes valued between $475,000 and $500,000.

  With this change, the government estimates 1,700 additional first-time buyers will annually be eligible to save up to $7,500 in PTT when they buy their home.

• Further Example: If two people buy a home together, and one is eligible for the First Time Home Buyers Special rate, and one isn't, then tax will be charged proportionately to their ownership share.
• Homeowners who claim the First Time Homebuyers PTT Exemption must live in the home for at least one year after purchasing it.
• All types of real estate pay the same PTT rate, whether the property is used, new, or vacant land.
• The PTT rate is based on 1% of the first $200,000 of price, and 2% thereafter
  (except first time buyers below $475,000).
• Homes are not charged PTT on the HST component of the price, for sales where HST or GST applies.

Looking to Calculate a PTT Exemption?

Check out this great BC... Property Transfer Tax Exemption Calculator!

Handyman Service

Feeling like Listing your home??? Not quite ready yet???

Thinking about buying a NEW place? Need to move a few things???

My clients get a FREE hour of handyman services!!!

Call me to help you BUY or SELL your home! 778-241-8946

• small repairs
• light move
• delivery
• declutter
• painting
• clean up
• lawn cut

Real Estate Market Updates

Ask me…your local Greater Vancouver Real Estate Agent about all your Home questions… “what’s my house worth?”, ”What's the marsket like in Coquitlam?”, “How fast are homes selling”, “Is this a “buyers” or “sellers” market?”, "What's the difference between Market Price and Property Assessed Value?"

I have Month to Month stats on what the Market changes are.

News + Statistics use this link www.rebgv.org/news

Monthly Statistical Reports use this link www.rebgv.org/monthly-reports

MLS^® Home Price Index use this link www.rebgv.org/home-price-index

Listed vs Sold use this link www.rebgv.org/listed-vs-sold

I can provide you with easy graphs on specific areas that you are looking in!

Call me 778-241-8946 for more information and to check out what’s on the market now!

Have you been on Remax.ca lately?? "Make me your Favorite Agent!!!'

or go on to www.jprasad.remax.ca

You're Awesome!!!!

So how can a home owner stay warm and save money?

1) INSULATION
Heat loss through walls and attics can be reduced using cavity insulation. This involves blowing insulating material into the gap between the interior and exterior walls.

2) DOUBLE PANED WINDOWS
Single paned windows are highly inefficient and keep your home chilly and uncomfortable. Upgrading to double paned windows will substantially reduce your heating bill savings and over time these energy efficient windows will likely pay for themselves.

3) WINDOW CAULK & FILM
If you can’t afford to upgrade to double pane windows. A more cost-effective solution is caulk the window frame and cover with window film. Caulking around windows blocks air leaks. Window film is affordable and easy to install, creating a sealing that can reduce heat loss by 50 percent.

4) WEATHER STRIPPING
As far as drafty doors go, weather stripping can be a relatively inexpensive DIY option. All you need is a pair of scissors, some fabric, a sewing kit, a funnel, some filling, like rice or kitty litter and a little practice.

5) UNBLOCK VENTS
Keep heating vents clear by moving away objects such as rugs and furniture which block the vent and prevent heated air from circulating efficiently. Return air registers also need to be kept clear.

6) FURNACE / DUCT INSPECTION
Have your furnace and duct work inspected for potential heat loss issues. (Un-insulated ductwork which winds it way through a cold attic or crawl space can lose up to 60% of its heat before it reaches the vent outlet.)

7) PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
Installing a programmable thermostat, which automatically lowers the temperature at night and when you’re away, can further reduce your heating bill by up to 33%.

Here’s a helpful list of toll-free numbers for common service providers:

Cable TV, Internet Service Providers, and Satellite Services
Bell	800.773.2121800.773.2121	www.bell.ca
Fido	888.481.3436888.481.3436	www.fido.ca
Rogers Cable	888.ROGERS1888.ROGERS1 (888.764.3771888.764.3771)	www.rogers.com
Shaw	888.472.2222888.472.2222	www.shaw.ca
Telus	866.558.2273866.558.2273	www.telus.com

Newspapers & Magazines
Globe & Mail	800.387.5400800.387.5400	www.globeandmail.ca
National Post	800.668.7678800.668.7678	www.nationalpost.com
Rogers Magazine Subscription	800.228.9981800.228.9981	www.rogersmagazineservice.com
Vancouver Sun	800.663.2662800.663.2662	www.vancouversun.com

Music, Videos, and Books
SIRIUS Radio	888.539.7474888.539.7474	www.siriuscanada.ca
XM Canada	877.438.9677877.438.9677	www.siriusxm.ca

Utilities
Fortis BC	888.224.2710888.224.2710	www.fortisbc.com

FIRST TIME BUYERS INCREASE UP TO $475,000 OR LESS  up from $425,000

Great news!!!

Announced yesterday by the BC Government in the 2014 budget, the first-time home buyers exemption threshold for the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is being raised from $425,000 to $475,000. The partial exemption also continues and will apply to homes valued between $475,000 and $500,000. This is effective for all transfers that take place February 19, 2014 and after.

http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_library/forms/0269Guide.pdf

If you have any questions, please do no hesitate to contact me.

My WHY???

I have always strongly believed in continuous improvement and being involved in making a difference. This is a perfect opportunity for me to help raise the standards and professionalism in our industry. I am committed to lead other members into making better decisions, help with communication between our Board and our REALTORS®, bringing awareness to issues and that effect our day to day lives and improve our future as REALTORS®. My relationships that I have created with fellow REALTORS® while coordinating the Tri-Cities MLS® Tours and my background in event planning will be an asset to educational courses and upcoming social events. I am asking for the support of my BNT Division colleagues to make the right decision about who will represent them in fresh light and positive manner.

Thank you again to all the REALTORS® that voted! It does make a difference!!!