1208VANC

Great deals out there

Once again the real estate market is one of the hottest conversations in town. The topic can be heard at the water cooler, in restaurants, at dinner parties and on airplanes.

We talk about it because it affects us and because the correction in the market has occurred far faster than we expected.

I have heard both doomsday predictions and rosy outlooks. From this, I conclude that right now people are looking for direction. They are looking for some semblance of where the market is going, when the opportunities will emerge and how to best act on those events.

http://www.vancouversun.com/Homes/Great+de...7782/story.html

Hello everyone. I am currently reorganizing how the small town updates are presented. Please check back next Sunday to view the new format.

Thank You

1208BCBC

Tourism B.C. warns of budget cuts in coming year

Tourism B.C. is warning agencies that promote Victoria, Vancouver and other regions of the province to brace for possible budget cuts next year.

Rod Harris, president of the Crown corporation, has suggested in a letter to its marketing partners that they identify possible "austerity measures" in case economic conditions worsen.

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/todays-p...2248/story.html

1208BCBC

Five tips to keep your credit record healthy in 2009

If getting a grip on your finances will be on your list of New Year's resolutions, consider the following tips on how consumers can stay on track in 2009 from the Canadian consumer reporting agency, Trans-Union:

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/mon...75-3c76ce7808d0

1208BCBC

Canada will depend on Asia as economy worsens

B.C. has been building on its trade connections with the Asia Pacific region, but needs to stay on track as the economy worsens, the president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada says.

"Canada has been accused of being a fair-weather friend in its relationship with Asia," said Yuen Pau Woo, CEO of the Vancouver-based think-tank. "It has a bad reputation when economic circumstances change. When times are good in North America, it turns to the U.S. and neglects relationships in Asia. When times are bad, like they were during the Asian Financial Crisis [in late 1997-1998], many Canadian firms pulled out of Asia."

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/todays-pa...2350/story.html

1208BCBC

Good economic news: 2009 is only 12 months long


With layoffs in construction looming, commodity markets lagging and the housing sector continuing to decline, the best part of 2009 for British Columbia could be its close.

"The thing to keep in mind about 2009 is that it will end," Jock Finlayson, executive vice-president of the Business Council of B.C. said in an interview, "and we'll get on to 2010, which is going to be, hopefully, a much better year."

http://www.vancouversun.com/Homes/Good+eco...4438/story.html

1208BCBC

Who shovels the snow?

Dear Condo Smarts: Our strata is a small, eight-unit townhouse development in Qualicum Beach. Since the snow has started, nothing has been done to keep our driveways or sidewalks clear. Several elderly owners have attempted to shovel, but the conditions are simply too wet.

Our strata council of three says that we must remove our own snow, because the bylaws don't say anything about the strata removing the snow. We as homeowners simply cannot do it, and if we hire a contractor, how do we get them to clean the driveway that everyone in the strata uses, without assuming the liability if anything goes wrong? Our bylaws say that we are responsible for any damage done by any contractor or trades- person we hire. I expect this is a problem in most strata corporations this week and we would appreciate your assistance. J.P.

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/todays-p...9991/story.html