It's that time of year again, summer is over and now that fall is here the weather is starting to change. It won't be long before the days are cool enough to need to start up the furnace for the 1st time in months. Which makes it a perfect time to be sure that it will actually start up by getting it cleaned. While you are getting your furnace cleaned it might be a good idea to have your gutters and roof cleaned too before the rain begins. 

The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) website offers great real estate tips and the following link offers tips on regular home maintenance:

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_003.cfm

Surrey residents don't forget to start using your new garbage cans and pay attention to your waste collection schedule. Garbage and recycling will only be picked up every other week and your green waste will be picked up every week.

Surrey's goal is to divert 70% of the city's waste by 2015 with this new program. In order to do this the pilot program they held last year was tested and is now being implememented across the city as of next Monday October 1, 2012.  

For more details on the new program and which bins to put out next week, visit Surrey's ReThink Waste website:

http://www.surrey.ca/rethinkwaste/

I have read some articles this week and had some discussion around the office and everyone's concern is about the garbage attracting rodents and being a nasty mess.... The green garbage will be picked up every week, just as it has been in the past. The smell and concern of rodents shouldn't be any more than it was before. As for your actual garbage, if residents follow the guidelines then the little garbage each home has should be clean (so to be speak) garbage, as all your food waste garbage will be in the green waste bin.

The new bins aren't the only change the city is making to help our environment. Our garbage will now be collected with new state of the art Compressed Natural Gas Trucks that emit less carbon and air particles compared to the diesel trucks. One of these trucks alone will be like taking 475 cars off the road each year.

This is a huge step in the right direction and it is about time that we start planning for our children's future and their children's future. If we don't start taking steps now to reduce our waste and carbon footprint, I cannot imagine what our community will be like in 10 - 25 years... 

As much as the garbage bins are unsightly, so is the garbage that gets torn apart and strewn all over the place when people don't use bins.

At the end of the day, what is more important to you? Doing something to help improve our environment and ultimately the beauty of the province we live in. Or, letting our community and thus environment go by continuing to dispose of waste in landfill sites. Change is good! Let's embrace it!

When working with Buyers it is our job to help them every step of the way. One of the most important pieces of advice we can give are the following 8 tips to keep in mind between getting your mortgaged approved and completion when your mortgage is funded.

https://www.balancerealestategroup.com/Thingstorememberwhenconsideringthepurchaseofanewhome.ubr

Insurance

Smoke and Co2 detectors should be one on each floor and if possible one in each bedroom check batteries 2 year at daylight savings time

Turn off and unplug small appliances

Do not overload outlets check appliances cord for fraying or exposed wires

Have a fire extinguisher

Plan and practice fire escape

As of October 1, 2011 Surrey started to participate but there are various locations throughout BC  to recylce old carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
http://www.productcare.org/Smoke-and-CO-Alarm-Depots 

Surrey campaign
http://www.canada.com/Fire+chiefs+hail+smoke+alarm+initiative/6364233/story.html

We have blogged before about the importance of not only getting a home inspection done but ensuring you have hired a good quality inspector. One of the most important reasons for having a home inspection is to ensure there aren`t any water issues in the home. From a leaking roof to a leaky faucet, water issues when discovered can prove to be costly.

Asking the right questions is important. The following article discusses some of the things you should be looking for.

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1242615--good-home-inspections-find-water-problems

When looking to buy your next Home, give us a call and we will be sure to recommend good quality Home Inspectors that have served our clients well in the past.

Just after midnight tonight, the transition to start opening up 3 east bound lanes on the Port Mann will begin. By the time commuters are up in the morning and heading into Surrey or further into the Fraser Valley...those 3 lanes will be open.
I don`t know about you, but it is a little concerning that we will be crossing over a body of water on the widest bridge in the world...even though it isn`t finished. But I guess we shouldn`t be too worried as there have been construction vehicles travelling across the bridge for months.

Unfortunately, the cost to build this bridge has us paying tolls as of tomorrow...although there will be the introductory rate of $1.50 if you register your vehicle. On a positive note once you register and receive your FREE decal for your windshield it will be good for both the Port Mann and the Golden Ears Bridge and you will be able to do away with the transponder. Register before November 30th and receive 20 free trips.  

Drivers will be able to register for an account, starting Monday, Sept. 17, either online at www.treo.ca, by phone at 604-516-8736 or in person at the Coquitlam and Service Centres located at either end of the Port Mann Bridge.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Port+Mann+Bridge+tolls+start+incentive+drivers+with+video/7232152/story.html#ixzz26n7IFBCH

For more detailed information on the building of the new Port Mann Bridge visit the following link:
http://www.pmh1project.com/in-your-community/in-your-community-port-mann-bridge/Pages/default.aspx

2 years ago we took our girls to New York for a holiday and to cross a few things off our bucket list. One of which was to pay our respects and visit ground zero. St. Paul's church outside of Ground Zero, had been transformed as a permanent memorial and the emotions that overcame us as we walked through and read accounts of September 11th. We never expected to be so emotional, it brought us back to that day. We can only imagine how difficult it must have been for New Yorkers living with that reminder everyday.

The present memorial was still in construction when we visited New York, so it still remains on our bucket list to return and pay our repsects once more.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/9-11-museum-previews-exhibit-spotlights-lives-3-000-victims-article-1.1156330

Today around the world, our hearts go out to the families that lost loved ones in New York.