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Maple Ridge, BC Real Estate News

By Liz Whittingham, Performances not Promises
(RE/MAX Results Realty)
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
Clearing of the land for the new Kanaka Creek Bridge in Albion is well underway.  I stopped by recently to have a look at the scope of this project.  It seems that phase one involves removing all the trees in order to widen the right of way and stabilize the approaches which are quite steep. The scope of this project vastly exceeds simply replacing the bridge deck and will change the landscape and views around this area forever in the Maple Ridge real estate neighborhood of Albion.
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
The District of Maple Ridge have made the commitment for the Lower Jackson Farm on 102nd Avenue to become a park.  There were 4 options proposed in the staff report to Maple Ridge Council on how to aquire the property from the owners: District of Maple Ridge purchase the Lower Jackson Farm property. District of Maple Ridge trade municipal owned property within the Urban Boundary for Lower Jackson Farm Upper Jackson be designated Urban Residential in exchange for Lower Jackson being dedicated to the District of Maple Ridge. Satus quo - Upper Jackson remains in the Urban Reserve and the District of Maple Ridge awaits outcome of the Master Parks Plan before exploring the acquisition of Lower Jackson through other mechanisms. The proposal that Maple Ridge Council has proceeded with to Publi...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
Maple Ridge Council will look at a request next week by Haney Place Mall (Amarsham Holdings) to change the design guidelines and allow a two-story building for a new Westminster Savings and Credit Union in the Zellers parking lot at the southwest corner of 224th Street and Lougheed Highway, fronting on the highway. The mall wants to put up the 10,000-sq. foot building in the southwest corner of its lot on 224th Street. The city guidelines for that area say new buildings should be at least three stories high and for good reason, density equals people, people support businesses. Unfortunately this attempt to enhance Maple Ridge real estate in the squalid downtown core and time passed by Haney Place Mall has hit a major hurdle.  The anchor tenant in the Mall, the great Canadian company Zel...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
240 Street Bridge Replacement over Kanaka Creek in the Maple Ridge Real Estate neighborhood of Albion. The bridge on 240th street in Albion over the Kanaka Creek is now closed for an aproximate 5 month period as the District of Maple Ridge replaces the existing 2-lane bridge with a 4-lane bridge and widens the approaches,  The bridge on 240 Street, from north of McClure Drive to just south of Kanaka Creek Road, is now closed to traffic and pedestrians. The closure will be in effect until sometime in December of 2009.  The detour created by this closure is quite long taking travellers along Kanaka Way to the Lougheed Highway or Tamarack Lane to reconnect with 240th Street View Larger Map
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
July 31, 2009 the Albion Ferry, which linked the Maple Ridge real estate neighborhood of Albion to Fort Langley sailed down the Fraser River for the last time and into history.  The Albion Ferry sailed the mighty Fraser for a little over 50 years, starting in June of 1957.  On this day the parking lot is empty, a far cry from the multi-sailing waits that were reported on radio traffic report on a hourly basis. The remaining boat is tied up awaiting it's next assignment, certain to have a more useful fate then the Fast-Cats tied up in North Vancouver.  These ferries did some serious work! Annual traffic at the end was 1.5 million vehicles and 4.0 million passengers a year.  All made redundant by the new Golden Ears Toll Bridge which should facilitate in the order of 9 million plus trips ...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
I thought it was getting a little hot in the house towards the end of the work day in the Maple Ridge neighborhood of Albion what I did not know was my Air Conditioner/Heat-pump was failing fast and on the hottest day of the year!  Today in Albion it was at least 35C atop our Thornhill perch, the humidity making it feel as if it was well into the 40's.  The heatwave we have been experiencing has been reminiscent of what it feels like when you step off the airplane upon arrival in Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean but in little old Maple Ridge?  Rumors have been surfacing that a pent up excess of hot air from Maple Ridge Council may be the cause as the likes of Councilor Craig Spiers think up new ways to circumvent the Official Community Plan when it pleases them and stop desired prog...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
All careers and professions come with a downside and it should come as no surprise that being a REALTOR® is no exception. We spend weeks, months or years cultivating leads, providing our clients with Real Estate information.  We get to know the people closely, driving around discussing homes, their lives, dreams and aspirations.  Becoming close with their children, enjoying a little play time with them while Mom & Dad check out the homes.  All of this bonding culminates in a hectic crescendo of activity then.... its over. Yes we pop by afterwards to say hi, we make the odd phonecall, we correspond but it's not really the same.  It is sad for me, I never really feel confortable with the break.  The last meeting is awkward, like saying goodbye to a friend that is moving to another country...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
One of Maple Ridge's best kept secrets in the Summer time is Whonnock Lake.  When Golden Ears Park is so crowded they turn you back at the gates or you would like a lake to swim in that is not snow-melt fed brrrrrrrrr.....like Alouette try Whonnock Lake. Probably the warmest swim-able lake in Metro Vancouver, Whonnock Lake which is located in eastern Maple Ridge is a mostly rain fed lake and is further warmed due to the shallowness of the water and the high peat content.  Yes the water is a bit murky from the stirred up peat found at the bottom but warm and safe.  The District of Maple Ridge maintains this park which is looked after by a resident caretaker and is open daylight hours more or less.  If your not up for a swim check out the boardwalk at the Whonnock Lake Centre and stroll o...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
I am sitting outside in the the heat of a 30C+ day here in Maple Ridge, at my home on Thornhill with my trusty laptop.  The sky is clear and I can see Point Roberts, and the mountains south of Bellingham Washington from our perch about 400ft in elevation.  I have a peek-a-boo look at the mighty Fraser River through the tree, a view which is amazing in the Winter when the leaves fall off the poplars that dot the cliff behind my home. This picture taken from my cell doesn't do it justice but here it is none the less. My house has air conditioning but I'd rather grab a beer from the fridge and sit on the deck and type out a blog comment.  It's way better! There are many birds and wildlife in Maple Ridge and this deck has been a viewers sanctuary since we moved here.  All sorts of birds des...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
As self-employed individuals, finding the motivation to get up early isnt always easy but remains the best source of 'Time' on the planet today. "Yes come to my seminar and I will teach you the three beautiful words that are the reason for my success in Real Estate"  - Tom Vu, 1990's infomercial My three little words are not the same as Tom Vu's and you do not have to come to my seminar, I don't even have one yet.  I first heard of this concept at a Keller Williams seminar where the things in common that top agents do was being discussed.  They actually said that Top Agents get up early, you should have seen the eyes rolling and laughs and smiles on that one! For me getting up early is a bit easier then for most as I have a bad back alarm clock that wakes me up bright and early every da...
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By Darren Revell
(Keller Williams Realty Temecula Valley)
    Janice WhyteManager, Residential Mortgages604.716.7144       Weekly Watch July 3, 2009 Do you know of a friend or associate who needs mortgage financing? Click Here Mortgage & Home Equity Line of Credit Rates1Effective June 10, 2009  Conventional and NHA Mortgages2 Posted Rates Lowest Rates3  6 Month Convertible 4.60% 4.60%  1 Year Open 6.55% 6.55%  1 Year Closed 3.75% 3.75%  2 Year Closed 4.05% 3.05%  3 Year Closed 4.65% 3.65%  4 Year Closed 5.14% 4.09%  5 Year Closed 5.85% 4.49%  4% CashBack - 5 year term 5.85% 5.85%  5% CashBack - 6 year term 6.30% 6.30%  5% CashBack - 7 year term 6.80% 6.80%  5% CashBack - 10 year term 6.90% 6.90%  6 Year Closed 6.30% 5.30%  7 Year Closed 6.80% 5.80%  10 Year Closed 6.90% 5.90%  Variable Interest Rate Mortgage4 Posted Rate APR6  5 Year Closed a...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
The numbers are in for the first week of the Golden Ears Bridge's traffic count and they are well above the prdecited numbers. Translink predicted that 30,000 drivers per day would cross the Fraser River from Langley to Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows real estate but in fact the daily average is 47,000 drivers per day.  The weekend count was 52,000 which probably can be explained by curiousity and available time to check out the new span. What is very clear is that while Langley and Pitt Meadows have made significant transporation improvements in anticipation of the traffic generated by the bridge with connecting roads and arterials, traffic seems to deadend into chaos when turning into Maple Ridge.  The northern Abernathy corridor while existing in spirit is nothing more then a ridiculous 2 l...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
Wondering what Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows have in store for celebrating Canads's 142nd birthday on July1 2009? So am I.  The official Maple Ridge Web Site posts this: Canada Day - Maple Ridge 2009 Celebrate Canada Day at  Memorial Peace Park. Festivities take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Begin your day with a visit to the Haney Farmers Market, followed up with lots of interactive activities for children and families.  The official ceremonies, flag-raising and awards will begin at 12:30 pm.  Entertainment, singing, dancing, activities, food and fun continue throughout the day.  Don't forget to participate in our neighborhood "Show Your Colours for Canada Day" contest. Canada Day - Pitt Meadows 2009 Celebrate Canada Day with an eight kilometer walk/run beginning at 8:00 am and an offi...
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By Darren Revell
(Keller Williams Realty Temecula Valley)
  Janice WhyteManager, Residential Mortgages604.716.7144 Weekly Watch June 26, 2009 Do you know of a friend or associate who needs mortgage financing? Click Here Mortgage & Home Equity Line of Credit Rates1Effective June 10, 2009  Conventional and NHA Mortgages2 Posted Rates Lowest Rates3  6 Month Convertible 4.60% 4.60%  1 Year Open 6.55% 6.55%  1 Year Closed 3.75% 3.75%  2 Year Closed 4.05% 3.05%  3 Year Closed 4.65% 3.65%  4 Year Closed 5.14% 4.09%  5 Year Closed 5.85% 4.49%  4% CashBack - 5 year term 5.85% 5.85%  5% CashBack - 6 year term 6.30% 6.30%  5% CashBack - 7 year term 6.80% 6.80%  5% CashBack - 10 year term 6.90% 6.90%  6 Year Closed 6.30% 5.30%  7 Year Closed 6.80% 5.80%  10 Year Closed 6.90% 5.90%  Variable Interest Rate Mortgage4 Posted Rate APR6  5 Year Closed at TD Mor...
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By Darren Revell
(Keller Williams Realty Temecula Valley)
    Chamber Fest 2009....IT'S BACK!!  Saturday July 18th  We are proud to announce that tickets are now on sale for Chamber Fest 2009, on Saturday, July 18th with special guests Jerry Doucette, Prism and Honeymoon Suite.   Hosted by the Golden Ears Winter Club (Curling Rink), the event will have a different layout with significant sound improvements. We decided to eliminate the dinner portion of the night so we are partnering with local restaurants, including Kingfishers by the Albion Ferry, the Black Sheep Pub, and the New Lava Room Dinning & Lounge to give Chamber Fest Ticket holders special discounts the day of the event. More info to follow.....   Doors Open at 6:15 pm Tickets - $45.00 +GST - No tickets sales at Door Tables of Eight (8) - $315.00 +GST   Seating will be limited to 60...
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  On June 6th, the Chamber of Commerce serving Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows along with their partners hosted the inaugural Alouette Lake Fishing Derby under the watchful peaks of the Golden Ears Mountains.        The event attracted over 125 people, from all over the lower mainland, and included 27 boats, four (4) kayaks, and ten (10) people fishing from shore. The fishermen, who had fished the lake in the past, claimed that the fish were healthier and fatter than in years past and more than 60 people caught 200 fish including:   · Kokanne - 180 (30 adults and 15 kids each with 4 fish) average fish weight .8 and average total of four fish total weight was 2.2 lbs   · Rainbow - 4 - all the same size (avg .8 - .9 lbs)   · Cutthroat - 2 (one small one, caught by a child from shore, was kept...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin had his turn at the microphone today extolling the virtues of the fabulous new Golden Ears Bridge.   While he spoke of the massive savings in time for commuters and how much time they were going to now be able to spend with their families instead of commuting my mind could not but help to contemplate the massive missed opportunity successive Maple Ridge Councils have perpetrated on it's residents including his. I happened upon an Economic Development Officer for Langley on the Bridge today, I told him "You guys should just hold up a big banner that says 'Gateway to Shopping'".  He laughed and told me that they were counting on North side residents to flock in massive numbers to businesses in Langley and most certainly Surrey. It is ironic that Mayor Dayki...
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By Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation, Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team
(Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC)
Wow what a day!  Can you imagine aproximately 2 km of 6 lane road solid with people?  Well thats what happened today as residents of Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows linked up with residents of Surrey & Langley to mark the wonderous occasion of the opening of the Golden Ears Bridge.  There were so many people that authorities had to close down access from the north side for a time as the centre-span area became too congested. What an incredible day, there can be now no doubt that this bridge will drive economic development in the eastern part of Metro Vancouver like nothing else ever has.  Real Estate values in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows in my opinion will benefit the most from the Golden Ears Bridge as commute time, access to the border and commerce to the south will now make the North East ...
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