I came across this sign today in the Albion Flats, it looks like a Developer is hoping to make this a campaign issue in Maple Ridge this election year.  As a resident of the area and a local Realtor I know that quality shopping is what the residents of Albion, Cottonwood and East Maple Ridge in general really want and need.  It looks like this developer already has several major retailers lined up and waiting. Maple Ridge home values could improve as a result of not having to drive to Mission or Pitt Meadows in order to find the kinds of retail they are looking for. With the bridge to Langley opening in a year perhaps it will become yet another escape route for Maple Ridge shoppers if this sort of development is not allowed to happen. http://www.albionshopping.com/ Scott Leaf Real Est... 11/09/2008

A group of us from the Maple Ridge area real estate community are trying to raise money to help "give Christmas" to a family who needs help from each of the 21 local elementary schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. This will be a low stress tournament for all skill levels. Tickets $25.00  ALL PROCEEDS go to help the families. November 14, 2008 at the Eagles Hall on Fern Crescent (beside Maple Ridge Park on the way to Golden Ears Park). contact: Scott Leaf - 604-839-8239 for tickets 11/08/2008

Dateline October 30, 2008: Reliable, inside sources have informed me that the owners of Jackson Farm in Maple Ridge will tomorrow apply to Maple Ridge City Hall to subdivide Jackson Farm into 2 acre large lot residential.  Accordingly this application does not need any Council approvals other then those of stated policy which they intend to follow. Thus the stupidy of the Friends of Jackson Farm is now know, instead of having aproximately 50% of the property dedicated to Green Space the city will now get only 5% or possibly cash in lieu, although the later is unlikely.  The lands will be lost to public access forever and will end up as large estate-like homes.  Not only are no political approvals required from the Maple Ridge Council, none are required from Metro Vancouver Board either ... 10/30/2008

Regional board votes to save farm Metro Vancouver has rejected a controversial Maple Ridge application to take Jackson Farm out of the Green Zone. The decision has hailed as great news by Friends of Jackson Farm, a grassroots lobby group that has been fighting to save the farm from development. "I think it was the right decision and that was the decision I was hoping for. It doesn't necessarily mean that the fight for Jackson Farm is over," said member Stuart Pledge. Meanwhile, David Laird of Damax Consultants, which planned to develop the property for the landowners, said his clients were "very shocked and upset" by the decision. The TIMES was unable to reach the owners for comment by press time. Although Jackson Farm didn't get taken out of the Green Zone Metro Vancouver voted to excl... 10/29/2008

Voting Places and Directions  Maple Ridge Voting Places will be open on Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You may vote at any one of the following Voting Places: Riverside Elementary School (map and directions)20575 Thorne Avenue Laity View Elementary School (map and directions)21023 123rd Avenue Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre (map and directions)12150 224th Street Yennadon Elementary School (map and directions)23347 128th Avenue Albion Elementary School (map and directions)10031 240th Street Garibaldi Secondary School (map and directions)24789 Dewdney Trunk Road Whonnock Elementary School (map and directions)27471 112th Avenue courtesy of Scott Leaf - Keller Williams Results Realty www.whatismyhomesvalue.ca 604-839-8239 www.scottleaf.com 10/27/2008

Something Wicked The Ghost RidgeTM project is well underway for 2008, and we look forward to bringing youall the thrills, chills, ghosts and goblins you've come to expect from us!(Make sure your affairs are in order before entering.)   October 24th - 30th (6:oo pm - 9:oo pm)Fireworks on October 30th  Once again this year, Maple Ridge's Annual event the Ghost Ridge Haunted House is providing an opportunity for high school students to gain work experience and have fun while they do it For the third year in a row, Samuel Robertson students are participating in the Ghost Ridge Haunted House - this year it's Something Wicked... -and its located down at the Ablion Fairgrounds, Maple Ridge BC. The participating groups are - Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club, the Ridge Meadows Optimists Club, Air Cade... 10/26/2008

October 2008   The Magic of Ireland Presented by The ACT Saturday, October 4  more info....   Afternoon Tea Featuring Entertainment by Nigel Tucker and Emerald Pig Theatrical Society Presented by Cafe ACT Saturday, October 4 more info....   Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council AGM Monday, October 6,  7:30 p.m. Genstar Studio Theatre - Public Welcome   ABBAMANIA and Forever Young Wednesday, October 8 more info...   The Official Blues Brothers Revival Presented The ACT Generously Sponsored by Envision Financial Sunday, October 12     more info...   The Wilkinsons Presented by The ACT Friday, October 17    more info...   Ha Ha's Comedy Cabaret Presented by The ACT Saturday, October 18 more info...   John Kaplan's Stage Fright Presented by Yennaden Elementary School Wednesday, October 22 m... 10/23/2008

Maple Ridge News Widening highway 5-7 years away By Phil Melnychuk - Maple Ridge NewsPublished: October 21, 2008 6:00 PM Evergreen will be SkyTrain Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon came to the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows chamber of commerce luncheon Tuesday and delivered a new bridge for Mission. The $16-million structure will be located a kilometre or two west of the Mission RCMP building, and replace the aging 1957 two-lane Silverdale Bridge next year. Replacing the bridge will be part of the eventual four-laning of Lougheed Highway from Maple Ridge to Mission, a long-discussed project but one that is at least five to seven years away. Given world events, "this is the time for exercising prudence," said Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Randy Hawes. The only item on the menu for Maple Ridge w... 10/23/2008

What a fabulous Real Estate Market for First Time Buyer!  Very Low Interst Rates, lots of selection and now Houses are on SALE! To quote Warren Buffet (A Billionaire and completely self-made), "When others are greedy be fearful and when others are fearful be greedy". Would you rather wait until prices go back up again? How about that rent your paying, getting any lower?  Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Real Estate stands to increase disproportionatly to the rest of the Greater Vancouver region due to the massive expenditure of transportation dollars building the new Golden Ears Bridge and the new Pitt River Bridge.  Now is the time to buy, suffer with the traffic issues for one more year then reap the rewards of modern highway infrastructure...finally! Scott Leaf 604-839-8239Keller William... 10/18/2008

Home prices adapt to affordability demands   VANCOUVER, B.C. - October 2, 2008 - The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver declined 42.9 per cent in September 2008 to 1,585 from the 2,776 sales recorded in September 2007.   New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties increased 28.8 per cent to 6,142 in September 2008 compared to September 2007, when 4,770 new units were listed.   "After five years of unprecedented increases, housing prices are beginning to realign," REBGV president, Dave Watt said.  "Although the economic situation in the United States has affected consumer confidence globally, the consensus view remains that our local housing market is underpinned by solid economic fundamentals."   S... 10/03/2008

Falling Prices, what to do? We have been so used to Rising Real Estate prices here in Southwest British Columbia that some now believe the sky is falling but what I believe is happening is a healthy correction to an over inflated market.  The Real Estate Market is no different then the Stock Market, when prices rise too high, too quickly the cost of buying becomes out of synch with what buyers can afford or are willing to pay. There are many opportunities in a Falling Market but my favourite is the search for the dream home.  Higher value homes lose more equity than modestly priced homes in a downturn, if a $1,000,000 home loses 10% equity thats $100,000 compared to $50,000 for a $500,000 home.  In many cases the higher end homes tend to experience larger swings in price due to the limi... 07/23/2008

Nestled below the Blue Mountain on the north bank of the Fraser River, the quiet pastoral community of Maple Ridge proudly boasts a rich heritage of First Nations and pioneer history, much of which has been well preserved. From the Coast Salish people to the settlers of the Hudson's Bay Company, Maple Ridge (then known as Port Haney), was the third municipality to be incorporated into the new province of British Columbia, in 1874. Maple Ridge is named after the farm of John McIver, who settled on a ridge above the Fraser River in 1860. With an abundance of broad-leafed western maple trees on his fertile land, McIver named his farm Maple Ridge. The Golden Ears, so named for two pronounced mountain peaks, dominate the northern landscape. Golden Ears Provincial Park offers up some of the ... 07/09/2008

Numerous closing costs come with any mortgage. There's a fee for an appraisal and a fee for a credit report... and the lender has its fees, too. And don't forget about the attorney fee, title insurance and escrow charges. Closing costs can vary from state to state and province to province, but you really don't have much choice of whether you want a survey or if title insurance is right for you. There will be a variety of services performed and records searched by different companies, and none of these come free of charge. But there is one closing cost that you can control: discount points or, more simply, points.         A discount point reduces the interest rate on your mortgage. One point is equal to 1 percent of your loan amount, so on a $200,000 loan one point equals $2,000. Why do ... 07/07/2008

Here is a great Web Site to check out reviews of not only Maple Ridge Restaurants but vitually all restaurants in Metro Vancouver: Vancouver Restaurant and Dining Guide - Dinehere.ca contains restaurant and dining listings including reviews for Vancouver, BC. Brought to you by: Maple Ridge Real Estate - Scottleaf.yourkwagent.com is your gateway for Maple Ridge Real Estate. 06/24/2008

The unfortunate phenomenon of 'Grow-Op' homes springing up all over British Columbia is seriously impacting on values of surrounding homes and neighbourhoods.  The home containing the illegal venture can suffer great damage including  mildew, mould, water damage, etc. and the resale value of the home almost always is seriously impacted, sometimes causing resale to be $100,000 less than comparable homes. In the 90's the leaky condo crisis did exactly the same thing, taking down an entire class of property with it.  Condominium values were slashed across the board with homes in leaking buildings themselves selling for 1/4 their original sales prices in some cases. Those that took the risk and purchased those Leaky Condo's at cut rate prices were rewarded in time due to the expenditure of ... 06/10/2008

Deodorizing Homes with Ozonation & UV Treatment The process of deodorizing homes, which for one reason or another stink, has been a timeless hassle for owners and agents trying to sell Homes.  In todays era we can add a new reason for deodorizing to the classics like Animal odors or Smoking. A new phenomenon has emerged called the Grow-Op, if you dont know what this means your lucky.  Homes used for the growth of Marijuana, really small scale greenhouses, haves erupted in the Metro Vancouver area and the consequence of growing any plant in a heated environment is excess moisture, mold and bacterial growth.  Of course many unpleasant and potentially dangerous odours emerge in homes used for this illegal venture.  One of the major reasons qualified buyers resist purchasing these homes is ... 06/04/2008

VANCOUVER, B.C. - June 3, 2008 - The Greater Vancouver housing market continued its re-balance between sales and listings last month. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver declined 30.7 per cent in May 2008 to 3,002 from the 4,331 sales recorded in May 2007.  New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties increased 20.2 per cent to 7,390 in May 2008 compared to May 2007, when 6,149 new units were listed.  "With more property listings and a decline in the number of sales, prices are not increasing as rapidly, now down to single digits overall, which is good news from an affordability standpoint," said REBGV president, Dave Watt.  "The housing market is at a balanced state, sellers have more competitio... 06/04/2008

During the first four months of 2008 the Residential Listing count in Maple Ridge was up 15% from the same period in 2007 however the Sales Count was down 14%.  Further the Sales Success rate has eroded from 73% to only 60%.  This compares to a 17% increase in listings for the entire Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board and an 8% drop in solds.What is the cause of this? I believe a combination of factors are at play here.  Firstly there has already been an 8% increase in the avergage price of a Residential home in Maple Ridge during this period, the expectations of Sellers seems to be reaching a chriscendo with Buyers, the Buyer's ability to pay has maxed out and Sellers must become more realistic or they risk languishing on the market for extended periods.The Bridge construction, a futu... 05/07/2008

The The excitement builds for Maple Ridge Real & Pitt Meadows Real Estate owners as the completion of the Golden Ears Bridge reaches the Half Way Point.  Watching this massive project unfold has been marvelous and inspiring to see how such a complicated process takes place.  You really have to hand it to the Project Planners organizing the millions of tasks that are required, not only for Bridge Construction but also for the intricate highway network that accompanies this structure.Take advantage of Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows inevitable growth from this massive infrastructure investment being made by the Region.  Contact Scott Leaf 604-839-8239, Keller Williams Results Realty.www.scottleaf.com  04/10/2008

Finding the right real estate professional requires doing a little research and asking a few questions. You need to know everything about the selling process. What is the marketing strategy? What kind of advertising will be done? Is the realtor capable and willing to communicate effectively? Can the realtor effectively present and sell the less-noticeable assets of the property? Real estate professionals also need to be knowledgeable about the community. They need to have a feel for the history of the area and the approximate price that people will be willing to pay. Also, real estate agents should know what the competition is and how much it will effect your sale. NEVER choose a realtor on price alone. Remember that a realtor cannot magically raise the selling price of the house. Consi... 04/01/2008