15th annual REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive **November 30 - December 7, 2009.  Every year, Lower Mainland REALTORS® organize a Blanket Drive to collect blankets and warm and/or waterproof clothing to help people in need stave off the winter cold and wet. Thousands of REALTORS® and members of the public generously donate to this worthwhile cause.                           Greater Vancouver drop-off locations Fraser Valley drop-off locations Chilliwack drop-off locations Blanket Drive recipient charities   Last year there were 75 REALTOR® volunteer coordinators and over 100 real estate offices across the Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver which served as drop-off locations to collect an astounding 4,000+ bags of blankets and clothing - bags the size of green garbage bags stuffed with donati... 11/08/2009

The Evolution of Garrison Crossing, Chilliwack  - A Village Within a Village   For those of you that know me - you KNOW that I love Garrison! With such a unique blend of condos, townhomes, new and refurbished houses ~ this place oozes character! It satisfies my need for 'a little bit of this & a little bit of that'. This afternoon I took a drive through its streets and was charmed all over again.  From young moms pushing strollers, children jumping on pogo sticks, seniors pruning in their gardens, to jocks jogging with their dogs....this wonderful community is a modern day Village!     You know you want to! Let me show you the Homes For Sale in Garrison!:-) Garrison Houses For Sale Garrison Condos and Townhomes    Previous Posts on Garrison Crossing: Wordless Wednesday - The Fall of Nov... 11/03/2009

Bordered by the Fraser River to the north and the Hope Slough to the south, Fairfield Island is a patchwork of rich farmland...and small subdivisions.  With quiet streets and rural feel - Fairfield Island has it's own unique appeal. Tucked between Little Mountain and Downtown Chilliwack it's home to the Fairfield Island Sportsfield.... Minter Country Garden's , Gwynne Vaughan Park and Island 22 Equestrian Centre ...and of course it's set next to the amazing Hope River and Slough - with it's Miles of Walkways.   Check out :  Chilliwack's Hope Slough - the Heart of Fairfield Island Looking for Homes for Sale in Fairfield Island?  Click Here! Fairfield Island Homes and then give me a call! :-) Map of Fairfield Island                                                    If you or someone you ... 11/03/2009

My first Halloween without my kids.  This year has been a year of many firsts.  The jury is still out on whether or not I'm finding that a good thing.  I  made no 'Bat and Ghoul' Cookies  I had 2 pumpkins but they weren't carved...........I wore no costumes and had no scary music playing in the background. :-( I kept reminiscing about the days of old: (Chris is the cowboy on the left, Sarah the bunny - and Rachel is Barnie.........top right is my three once a ponca time!.......bottom middle is Sarah in her 'fifties' outfit...last Halloween - and My niece and nephew Carmen and Adam!)          I knew I'd my kids wouldn't  be bringing any candy home for me to scrounge some.......so I bought some chocolate Halloween cupcakes with lots of goo on them, and ate 3 of them! (and I don't do that!... 10/31/2009

Cultus Lake is one of my favorite places - 10 minutes from Chilliwack - its an easy mini-get-a-way.  Even better - it's one of the few place left anywhere in the lower mainland or valley surrounding Vancouver - with affordable waterfront!  Everything from cottage style, to villa's there's something sure to have you fall in love.  Hiking, fishing, waterskiing, kyaking, you name it - its all here!   Autumn at Cultus Lake... Live and play at Cultus Lake Park and enjoy the many benefits of a close-knit community of friends and neighbors. Or you might choose to Invest!  Many people purchase property here and rent it out from October to June and then enjoy it themselves during the summer.  Others rent seasonally - 9 months to one tenant and then week to week anywhere from $500-$2000/week in t... 10/30/2009

    Interested in Properties for Sale in Cultus Lake? Also see:  Beautiful Cultus Lake - A Perfect Family Getaway - Chilliwack, B.C.                                                    If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Cultus Lake, Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz  Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.      Copyright © 2009 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved. All photos by Liz Moras ( except the one's I'm in!). All information provided by this author is only an opinion, it is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, and may be time sensitive.  It is not nece... 10/28/2009

Not long ago I did a post about Mall Watching...Views from a Chilliwack Real Estate Kiosk - the Rythmn of a Mall - Well yesterday we had Landmark Realty's Kiosk Grand Opening Celebration ~ and other then the rain storm, lightening  and thunder - it was a success! We set up a big tent in the parking lot of the Mall - invited all our customers/clients and friends - and served hot dogs and pop in exchange for donations to the Foodbank!  And Lister the Lion was around to remind people who to list with! :-) Inside the Mall - next to the Kiosk we set up two face-painting stations and what a hit!  Sue Chamberlain and  Yours truly painted dozens of children's faces (and the odd teen) and handed out Halloween Candies!  It was fun - reminded me of my children's parties and events when I was the d... 10/18/2009

We do a lot of things behind the scenes to help our clients listings sell.  Sometimes it is hard to explain so we thought that we would put a little video together to show our clients. It is only 26 seconds long.  Take a look. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-xU1oUfe-tYo/happyhomesbc_commercial/ I appreciate you taking the time to view the video. Have a great day. HappyHomer. 09/28/2009

  Here is a positive story for you all.  One of my RE/MAX colleagues, Denny Friesen received a floor call a few months ago from an elderly gentleman who wanted to sell his home.  After chatting with him on the phone for some time he drove over to the property to do a CMA.  What he found was a man who was "trapped" in his own home.  Aparently over some time this man's home had been overrun with drug dealers and squatters and because of his age and small stature was unable to fend them off.    Denny took a look at the home, which had been destroyed, priced it properly, and got it sold within 2 weeks.  So far a typical Realtor transaction, however, Denny didn't stop there.  He helped the gentleman find a proper senior care home and worked with the bank on putting his money in a high intere... 09/25/2009

  We had a solid day of meetings with all the BC Real Estate Boards Presidents.  There were many topics of interest, most of which involve the individual Boards and their members.  We did however, discuss the HST and it seems there isn't much we can do.  It's coming to BC regardless and  the government doesn't seem to want to negotiate with us.  At the end of the day there are some changes that can be made that could make this less of an impact on British Columbians.  One, they could put the threshold up to $500,000  instead of $400,000.  They could change the $20,000 rebate to a 4% rebate.  They could also start to eliminate the Property Transfer Tax to help offset even more tax.    So with that, we need all Real Estate agents to talk to their client base and have them log onto the BCR... 09/24/2009

Corner / End Unit in desirable "Beacon Downs" townhomes complex. 25+ age restricted complex offers a great locations close to all amenities. 2Bed / 2Bath ground floor units has private backyard. Visit http://41BeaconDowns.TheCondoSeller.Com for more pics and details or click an image below.   Update: This unit is no longer listed with Raj Dhaliwal. 09/22/2009

Popular Parksfield townhome in Sardis Park! This 3 bedroom and den corner unit is only a 5 minute walk to Sardis Park and 10 minutes to Cultus Lake... Double car garage - trim and shakes re-painted this year.  Private back patio... Loads of windows... Maple cabinets with all Black appliances...   Master bedroom...on th main floor Guest Powder Room Nook/library office area   2 large upstairs bedrooms with window seats...share their own bath.. Office/Den on the Main Floor   Less then 5 years old this 1600 sq ft town is yours to enjoy at $275,000 and strata fees at only $124/mo.                                                                   MLS# H2903617                                                      If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Chilliwac... 09/20/2009

  Monday and Tuesday are the president's meeting in Vancouver.  We will be discussing such issues as the HST, education and some other hot topics.  I have to be honest the last president's meeting wasn't very useful, so I am hoping this one will be a little better.  I'm not a big fan of having meetings just to have meeting.  I prefer a little meat to the discussion, other wise it would be better left to an email exchange.    I will blog when I return on what we accomplished. Kyle Hislop Chilliwack Realtor 09/19/2009

Check out this new listing in Promontory!  Set on a wide tree-lined street with fabulous view ~ this 4 bdrm and den ~ almost 2500 sq. ft. home is a beauty!        Great street appeal...Quiet street yet minutes to shops and restaurants.      Large Mahogany stained kitchen with island - with adjacent family room and sliders overlooking a       beautiful 2 tiered back yard.    Master bedroom with walk-in closet and beautiful ensuite with jacuzzi tub!     Basement Recroom perfect for pool table or media room!  Larger then average 2 tiered back yard with shed.  All this...offered at $370,000!  For your private viewing - give me a call!  Liz - 604-799-0459 -                                                                                                                                 If you o... 09/19/2009

Some of you already know from previous posts that my daughter Sarah is an Amateur MMA fighter...I subscribe to Weekly Women's MMA Wrap-Up | MMA Opinion - and i just received the latest weekly addition and what should I find but a write up on  Sarah - check it out - about 1/2 down the article. Sarah leaves next Thursday for Manchester - to go train with the amazing Rosi Sexton ......yep my 2nd daughter in a month to leave!  Tomorrow they're holding a fundraiser for her - and of course if you feel so inclined -send donations. :-) Here's the article... Weekly Women's MMA Wrap-Up | MMA Opinion September 17th, 2009 by Yael Grauer Welcome back to another edition of the weekly wrap-up, in which I attempt to put all the (verified) tidbits of female fighter information I find on the internets in... 09/17/2009

  Ouch...I am still sore!  We had our 1st annual softball tourney with all the other real estate offices, the RCMP, and the Chilliwack Firefighters.  It was a great event to raise some money for charity, and spend some time with those who are involved in the city.  The RCMP team won the trophy, they were an excellent team and played really well.  Our RE/MAX team did fine, we won 2 out of 3 games.  With that success comes a little pain, and that pain is in my legs, butt, arms and shoulders.   So if you come into my office and I'm laying on the floor very still...don't call 911, I'm just a baby :) Your Chilliwack Realtor, Kyle Hislop RE/MAX 09/15/2009

August Market Report   This is your happy home specialists bringing you the Real Estate Market Report that has been compiled from data that is distributed from the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board. Another strong month is behind us and all indicators are that the market is now on the move and people are taking advantage of fantastic interest rates and low prices.  We are definitely witnessing signs of an upward movement in sales prices.  Buyers seem to be responding with more confidence which is driving sales in an upward direction. Over 52% of the residential sales that occurred in the month of August were in the price point of $275,000 to $500,000!!  This is up from last month which saw the largest amount of residential sales between $225,000 to $400,000.    Sales in the pric... 09/02/2009

Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board Statistics for July 2009 as interpreted by HappyhomesBC  Chilliwack had a major heat wave reaching temperatures over 35 degrees !!!  But there was another heat wave and that was the Real Estate Market.  Hot hot Hot!!!! We are feeling the heat and we are fired up about it.  The total value of residential sales increased almost 42% compared to last year and the amount of units that sold also increased by the same basic number which means that prices have stabilized and there is a major increase in market activity. Total inventory in the Chilliwack and District Real Estate board decreased from 2008 by almost 30%.  There are less than 50% of the townhomes on the market today than there were last year.... The number of days on the market for resident... 08/24/2009

                                                           If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz  Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.      Copyright © 2009 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved. All photos by Liz Moras(except the one of Claire). All information provided by this author is only an opinion, it is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, and may be time sensitive.  It is not necessarily representative of the opinions of Landmark Realty Chwk. Ltd..                                        08/15/2009

Our office now has a Kiosk in Cottonwood Mall. Yep 14 of us Realtors pay to sit for a couple of hours 2 or 3 times a week to meet and greet ~ I've always enjoyed people watching...but who has time these days other then at a stoplight? Well here I sit, nestled between Cobbs Bakery where I get to inhale the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread...                          And the Flight Centre - where there's a huge map of the world and I get to fantasize where I would like to put a pushpin next.                   And the rest of the time I get to talk about Real Estate - and who doesn't like to talk about Real Estate?  The people come, and they pause and watch our Two Big Screen T.V.'s with scrolling images of our office listings. They pause to talk about prices, market conditions, mortgage... 08/14/2009