Members of the Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society hit the streets this year to make sure the city's past has a future. They trekked along every avenue, road and lane in Port Coquitlam to compile an inventory of historical heritage housing gems. The society presented this discovery in a report, written by Fuson and Wendy Sankey, to Port Coquitlam city council trying to get the 108 Heritage buildings they found recognized. The sting of seeing the Wild Duck Inn and Lobb House, two Port Coquitlam historical Heritage landmarks, bite the dust in recent years spurred the society to do the inventory. The previous one was done in 1985 and 64 buildings were discovered in Port Coquitlam, but little was done after that.  The society's report recommends the city document the 108 buildings ... 10/30/2009

Keller Williams Elite Realty, work hard, play hard and have lots of fun.  Family first!  The fastest growing brokerage in the area, here's a reason why... Keller Williams Elite Realty is located in Port Coquitlam, BC and serves the Tri-Cities Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows and surrounding areas. 10/29/2009

How Prices Have Changed In  Port Coquitlam by Darrell Backen, REALTOR...Market Update September 2009 The Market for Homes in Port Coquitlam Has Changed Dramatically. Here Is What the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Has Researched and Published. If you've been sitting on the fence deciding when to list your home.  This may be a good time for you as there's not many homes available for sale on the market. If you're thinking of buying a home.  This may be a good time to accelerate your process as the market seems to be changing. I can make the process much easier for you by placing on my VIP instantly informed program. This has the listings as they come on the MLS sent directly to you by e-mail so that you are instantly informed of what is on the market. This is a free service.  Reg... 10/28/2009

WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH IN PORT COQUITLAM? With access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data I will provide you with what youneed to: •·         Gauge how the market is trending  ·         Find out what sold most recently and for how much         Understand how homes compete on price with other properties selling inthe area ··         View homes for sale with photos to better assess the market conditions ... and answer any pressing questions youmay have. MLS Market Snapshot PORT MOODY 10/26/2009

I was browsing older posts on Active Rain and came across this thread that goes back all the way to 2007. It was started by Kathy Nielsen and was about the small changes and the big rewards that bathroom updates can bring. The best part about that thread is that everyone started to post photos of their own bathroom transformations. I found so many ideas and interesting approaches in looking at those photos. Here is the link to that post, I hope you enjoy looking at it again too. Below is one of my recent bathroom updates that was fairly inexpensive but makes all the difference. Even though the counter and cabinets were quite old, it was not in the budget to replace them. Instead the yellow and green color scheme was updated by rich taupe and red. Old sink and broken fosset were replaced... 10/22/2009

HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME FASTER AND FOR BETTER PRICE IN PORT COQUITLAM There are new Internet Marketing Methods that SELL YOUR HOME FASTER AND FOR BETTER PRICE  Your home is given its own web site page, which has been search engine optimized and is specially designed for your home It includes, a video tour of your home, your building, with music, voiceover commentary and features and benefits written at strategic parts in the video.  This will SELL YOUR HOME FASTER AND FOR BETTER PRICE.    There is a customized map with your home as the end destination, where prospective buyers.  Simply type in the address of their home, their school, their friends to find out how far and how long would take to get to their new home from these destinations. These also SELL YOUR HOME FASTER AND FOR BETTER P... 10/21/2009

Find your new home in Port Coquitlam faster with auto notification from MLS (edit/delete) Find your new home in Port Coquitlam faster with auto notification from MLS INSTANT ACCESS WITH  LISTINGS FROM ALL REAL ESTATE COMPANIES IN THE LOWER MAINLAND USING MLSHave Homes That Match Your Exact Home Buying Criteria E-Mailedto you as they come on the market!!Simply enter your price range, desired features, and location.It's quick, easy, and hassle free...Just fill out the form and click submit Darrell Backen Website Navigation Tool 10/19/2009

Today I attended a one-day architectural photography course taught by Dennis Huckaby. Dennis has been an advertising photographer for 25 years and for many years now he has been passing on his secrets of how to take outstanding interior and exterior photos to real estate professionals. As Dennis says:   This weekend Dennis taught his class as part of Annual Re-Designers Conference in Vancouver and his audience consisted of stagers and re-designers. I think we all saw the connection that this type of photography and staging has. Each requires paying attention to composition, lighting, background, colors and the use of props. Dennis made his point very clear that camera is just a tool and you don't have to own the most expensive piece of camera equipment to take stunning photographs. Know... 10/16/2009

NEW CONSTRUCTION The Bad News! The harmonized sales tax ( HST ) will combine the 7% provincal sales tax (PST) with the federal GST into one harmonized sales tax ( HST ) as of july 1st 2010.   Right now a buyer of a new home priced at $600,000 will pay 5% GST wich will make the sale price $630,000 After July 1st 2010 that same home will have a tax ( HST ) 12% so that 600,000 will now cost $658,824   The Good News! When the HST is in full force the buyer on the purchase of a new home $400,000 or less will get a rebate of 5% to a maximum of $20,000 A buyer of a new home over $400,000 will get a flat rebate of $20,000 Also the builders will get a tax credit of 2% and these savings may be passed onto the buyer. RESALE HOMES Both buyers and sellers will pay the new HST on a range of goods and... 10/10/2009

It certainly has been a whirlwind for the last 4 months since we started Keller Williams Elite Realty in Port Coquitlam, BC.  We knew we had something special but we didn't know just how special it was. When our previous KW franchise converted to another well known franchise over 100 of us chose to leave and form a new and improved Keller Williams office, under our Operating Principle Terry Spillsbury & Team Leader Peter Talbot, strictly following the franchise systems that are proven to work and re-creating the culture we love to work in. When a new office starts up it has a hurdle to jump called First Transmital, transmital is a monthly obligation to send all the sales & budget data to KWR International head office.  First transmittal is a great barometer for how well an office is goi... 07/10/2009

Summer is here and its time to enjoy BBQ's, margaritas and backyard parties. But have your also brought some summer colors indoors? During my last visit to the fabric store I fell in love with this green striped fabric that perfectly describes my mood this summer. Green is definitely one of the favourite colors this summer and it is easy to intergrate into your existing decor. Here's a good article about "green finds" at IKEA. I decided to use a combination of fabrics to cover dining room chairs and to make some throw pillows for the sofa. Add some orange or red accessories to really bring things to life. By the way, this Upholstery Stapler from Home Depot is my new favourite tool! Enjoy the summer! 06/16/2009

What do you get when you put 15 home stagers and designers together in one room? Fair amount of networking, exchange of information and of course a whole lot of fun working together on projects. This was the setting for this Saturday, June 13th Accessory Magic workshop at Flüff rentals. Lisa Roy from Spacelift provided a presentation on visual merchandising and its direct connection to home staging. Lisa has over 20 years of experience in the design and visual presentation field and examples of her recent staging projects spoke for themselves. Lisa reminded us that Staging is simply visual merchandising and provided us with some of the main characteristics that a space has to have in order to appeal to a customer: 1. It has to entice by creating a certain mood or a "lifestyle" that awak... 06/13/2009

We All Have Websites - and Most of us Would Like to be Able to Generate More Leads.  John Prescott is one of the foremost experts on Internet Lead Generation. Well this is a Event you won't want to miss!  Call me to reserve your spot! 604-852-2234  If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you're considering a career in Real Estate or would like more information please give Liz Moras a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.                                                        Copyright © 2009 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved                                  06/01/2009

On Sunday, May 3rd, my husband and kids joined me in the Walk for Kids Help Phone. It was a 5 km walk around Langara Golf Course and the participants had worked hard months prior to the walk raising funds to support the Kids Help Phone. There are so many good causes to support and each of us picks what is closest to our heart. Kids Help Phone has been providing Canada's only 24 hour, toll-free, bilingual and anonymous phone counseling services since 1989.  Some of my close family members have had firsthand experience with abuse, violence and other painful situations when growing up. At the time, they didn't have anyone to turn to who would listen and offer support when most needed. To know that kids today have the option to talk to a councelor at Kids Help Phone or to post their questio... 05/04/2009

Recently I attended a workshop that explored the techniques of combining Feng Shui with Home Staging. Workshop was taught by a Feng Shui Consultant Mark Ainley who takes a contemporary approach to this ancient science. I have always been interested in learning about Feng Shui but it always seemed so disciplined and confusing that I didn't know where to even begin. Mark clearly explained the basic principles and gave us lots of ideas on how to start incorporating these principles into our own and into our client's lives. As a home stager, I was delighted to discover that Feng Shui can vastly improve and explain some home staging truths. Stagers typically say: "Our goal is to transform a property so that it appeals to the broadest range of buyers." By that we mean that the home should be ... 04/06/2009

Looking for something to do tonight in the Tri-Cities Area? Like Texas Holdem Poker? The Gaby Davis Foundation  is hosting it's first Annual Texas Holdem Poker Fundraiser TONIGHT at 7pm! Totally casual and suited to all levels of play, no cash prizes with emphasis on fun and raising money to assist families with very sick children that need to travel for extended periods to get specialized Health Care for such things as cancer. Come down to the River Springs Community Centre at 1950 Lodge Street in Coquitlam, off of Shaughnessy.  Turn north off of Lougheed Hwy and keep going. Inexpensive and fun the buy-in is only $25 and it ALL goes to help families in dire need. STARTS at 7PM! FOR LAST MINUTE DETAILS CALL SCOTT LEAF at 604-839-8239, I'll talk you in! 04/04/2009

Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm marks another Earth Hour. Turn off your lights for one hour and don't forget to also turn off your computers and other electrical appliances. I remember when I was a kid, we had power outages every now and then. That was one of the most exciting things that could happen because it was spooky, we got to light the candles and the whole family had nothing else to do than spend time together! These days, we don't even notice how everyone is busy in their own corner either with a computer, TV or some appliance that is not human. I believe we could all use some more one-on-one time with our family, it's just that we are all so busy! Well, Earth Hour is a good opportunity to take that time. Here are some ideas on how you could have fun with your family while... 03/13/2009

Well its official! In less then 10 days we've opened up a brand new Keller Williams Market Centre in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.....only 30 minutes away from my home office here in Abbotsford.  Its an exciting time - bustling with excitement and incredible synergy - I'm proud to announce ...       NEWS RELEASE:  For Immediate Realease..  Keller Williams Realty Canada Welcomes New Franchise in Pt. Coquitlam, British Columbia Company continues to grow with financial model, agent-centric initiatives  Toronto, Ont. (March 11, 2009) - Keller Williams Realty Canada is proud to announce the launch of a new franchise in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.  Top Keller Williams agent Josh Bath and his partner Terri Spilsbury have opened Keller Williams Elite Realty in the Lower Mainland - eas... 03/12/2009

Spring is almost here even though the recent snowfall made it feel like Christmas again. If you are selling your home this spring, it is time to take a close look at the outside appearance of your house. Cleaning up the outdoors and improving curb appeal is a vital aspect of selling your home. First glimpse of your house from the street shapes the buyers impression about your property.  TREE AND SHRUB PRUNING It is not too late to get your fruit trees and shrubs trimmed. Overgrown trees and shrubs can cover up the windows and restrict light from entering the house. This is also a good time to start planning about what flowers to plant to add some color to your landscaping. As to when exactly is the right time to prune, there is an easy rule to remember: if you want maximum flower produc... 03/10/2009

 Congratulations to Keller Williams Elite Realty in Port Coquitlam!..What an Amazing Story Of Lost and Found! Ever heard of a Real Estate Conversion.......?........Well its what happened when we were enroute back from Orlando......between flights e-mail messages and texts started flying in.........our Sister Office in Port Coquitlam.......had a surprise in store for them.... Agents were called to an emergency meeting only to find out that the Keller Williams Results Realty office........overnight had become.......hmmm shall we say....a competitors franchise?  Signs were changed.......decor rearranged and the Realtors - all 185 of them were told that their company had changed.........their name.........oh and their business cards and signs too....But....it was all done for their own good... 03/08/2009