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Nobody likes to move...but it's a necessary evil to get to a new home. Being organized can help a lot:

About a month before moving day:
- as a client of ours, you will receive a "Holmes Team After the Sale/Moving Checklist"
- call a moving company and book moving date
- notify post office for change of address
- notify school(s) of change of address
- contact your home insurance company to update info
- notify bank of change of address

A couple of weeks before moving day:
- contact your lawyer/notary to ensure they have all the information needed regarding the sale/purchase of your home
- arrange to have utilities disconnected at current home and connected at new home
- hold a garage sale to sell unwanted items
- arrange for transportation and care of your pets
- start packing and labeling boxes
- discontinue newspaper delivery
- plan to carry valuable documents/jewelery with you on moving day
- take down curtain rods, drapes and shelves

A day or two before moving day:
- confirm with Greg and Liz what time you will be leaving your home and moving to your new home
- clean fridge and oven
- finish packing personal items
- set aside items to go into your vehicle with you
- confirm contact information, address and moving time with movers
- verify that utilities have been/will be connected at new home

Moving day:
- have vacuum ready
- empty and clean out your fridge and freezer
- make a final inspection of house before leaving
- check all rooms, closets, cupboards and drawers
- get keys from Greg and Liz for your new place
- enjoy your new home!

If you have any questions about moving, feel free to contact us at info@holmesteam.ca or call us at 778.834.9929. We would be happy to help. 

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You never expect it to happen but sometimes your belongings may be stolen or destroyed. To protect your possessions in your home from theft or a fire or some sort of disaster, putting together a household inventory would be very useful. When it's time to provide your home insurance company with a record of your items to make your claim, this will reduce your stress, anxiety and time during this process.

You probably received some nice gifts at Christmas, and now is just the time to record these items and put them into a list if not done already.

I'd suggest starting one room at a time, otherwise it's just too overwhelming. And don't try to do it all in one day. Also remember to include items in your garage, attic, basement or storage facility.

You can find lists online that you can print out or make your own spreadsheet and include the item's serial and model numbers, purchase date, cost, where you bought it and attach any receipts you may have.

Take photos of the items, sometimes it's good to have a family member in the photo to show ownership (if it's an expensive item). Video is great too. You may also want to include copies of wills, passports, birth certificates and credit card info with the inventory list.

Once you are done with the list, keep a copy and put another copy in a safety deposit box. If you don't have one, give a copy to a relative or friend to keep. It's good to update this list every six months or so.

I hope you never have to go through this painful process of theft or a disaster in your home, but thought I'd bring this up, as it's a new year, and a good time to protect your possessions.

For all your real estate needs, contact Greg and Liz Holmes - The Holmes Team to help you buy and/or sell your home! Call us at 778.834.9929 or email us at info@holmesteam.ca .

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Recently reduced! This gorgeous property at 209 3411 SPRINGFIELD DR in Richmond is still available. Why not get that nice post-Christmas condo you've been wanting! Great buy!
Enjoy the quiet surroundings of this affordable 2 bedroom condo in Steveston! This spacious unit is ideally situated along the peaceful, inner courtyard with views of trees and green grass. This inner corner unit offers more privacy than others in the complex, with the seldom-used guest suite as your neighbour. A very clean unit - updated kitchen, newer appliances, large master bedroom with a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom, neutral colour scheme and an open-air balcony. A very well-managed complex - the building upgrades include new boiler (2011), new windows (2010), re-piped and re-painted inside and out. Cats ok. Rooftop deck, outdoor pool, clubhouse, workshop and more! Plenty of visitor parking and storage on the same floor. Check out the many photos and video below!
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Planning on buying a home or already own a home? Here are 10 grants & rebates that will help you save $$$!

1. Home Buyer's Plan
Qualifying homebuyers can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSP's for a down payment. Homebuyers who have repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the program a second time. (Go to www.cra.gc.ca enter "Home Buyers Plan" in the search box or phone 1-800-959-8287).

2. GST Rebate on New Homes
New homebuyers can apply for a rebate of the federal portion of the HST (the 5% GST) if the purchase price is less than $350,000. The rebate is up to 36% of the GST to a maximum rebate of $6,300. There is a proportional GST rebate for new homes costing between $350,000 and $450,000. (Go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca enter "RC4028" in the search box or call 1-800-959-8287).

3. BC New Housing Rebate (HST)
Buyers of new or substantially renovated homes priced up to $525,000 are eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7% of the 12% HST) paid to a maximum rebate of $26,250. Homes priced at $525,000+ are eligible for a flat rebate of $26,250. (Go to http://hst.blog.gov.bc.ca/faqs/new-housing-rebate or call 1-800-959-8287).

4. Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First Time Home Buyers' Program
Qualifying first-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of a home priced up to $425,000. There is a proportional exemption for homes priced up to $450,000. (Go to www.rev.gov.bc.ca/rpt or call 250-387.0604).

5. First-time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC)
This is a non-refundable income tax credit for qualifying buyers of detached, attached, apartment condominiums, mobile homes or shares in a cooperative housing corporation. It's calculated by multiplying the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2009) by $5,000. For 2009 the maximum credit was $750. (Go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hbtc or call 1-800-959-8281).

6. BC Home Owner Grant
Reduces school property taxes by up to $570 on properties with an assessed value up to $1,050,000. For 2010, the basic grant is reduced by $5 for each $1,000 of value over $1,050,000 and eliminated on homes assessed at $1,164,000+. An additional grant reduces property tax by a further $275 for a total of $845 for seniors, veterans and the disabled. This is reduced by $5 for each $1,000 of assessed value over $1,050,000 and eliminated on homes assessed at $1,219,000+. (Go to www.rev.gov.bc.ca/hog or your municipal tax office).

7. LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program
Homeowners improving the energy efficiency of their homes who hire a certified energy advisor may qualify for cash incentives through this provincial program provided in partnership with Terasen Gas, BC Hydro, and FortisBC. (Go to www.livesmartbc.ca/rebates or call 1-866-430-8765).

8. BC Hydro Appliance Rebates
Mail in rebates of $25-50 for purchases of ENERGY STAR clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, or freezers between June 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 or when funding is exhausted. (Go to www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/appliance_rebates.html or call 1-800-224-9376).

9. BC Hydro Fridge Buy-Back Program (different from Applicance rebates)
This ongoing program rebates BC Hydro customers $30 to turn in spare fridges measuring 10-24 cubic feet in working condition. (Go to www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/fridge_buy_back.html or call 604-881-4357).

10. BC Hydro Mail-in Rebates/Savings Coupons
BC Hydro offers rebates including 10% off an ENERGY STAR cordless phone, 50% off an E2TM dual-flush toilet, $15 off a clothes drying rack, and 50% off Earth Massage showerheads. Check for deadlines. (Go to www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/coupons.html or call 1-800-224-9376).

Bonus - couldn't help but provide you with another one!
11. Terasen Gas Rebate program
Rebates for homeowners include $25 gift cards for furnace servicing, $50 rebates for upgrading a water heater, $150 rebate on an EnerChoice fireplace, $1,000 rebate for switching to natural gas and installing an ENERGY STAR heating system. (Go to www.terasengas.com/homes/offers/lowermainlandsquamish.html or call 1-888-224-2710).

Adapted from REBGV The Open House August 13, 2010


For all your real estate needs, contact Greg and Liz Holmes, The Holmes Team.
If you have any questions about the above rebates and grants or have a real estate related question, please call us at 778.834.9929 or email us at info@holmesteam.ca

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