Betsy Carstairs

When we bought our 1st home in the late '70's the only way we were able to get into the market was with the seller giving us a mortgage. We were fresh out of university & savings were @ a minimum so this worked very well for us as well as for the seller so I thought this article would be of interest. Excerpt from CTV's News website Should you be someone else's mortgage lender? Preet Banerje ...

Up down or sideways.........where is our market going? Last week I was working with clients who looked at a 3 level house in Coquitlam's Riverview Heights neighbourhood listed in the mid 700's. I was a bit surprised when I heard that it was getting multiple offers & accepted a offer over the asking price. When you read the newspaper it indicates a softening of the realestate market. When I lo ...

I love to kayaking up the Indian Arm. My favorite time to go paddling is 1st thing in the morning when the water is calm as glass & the residents are foraging for their breakfast. It was most interesting for me as this summer I also kayaked up in Seachelt. The seal, otter, & eagle life unfolding around me on The Indian Arm I took as normal waters edge activity. I was surprised in Seachelt @ a ...

I ran across this article in Shell Busey's site  Here is what Shell says about heating options to consider when redoing or finishing a basement. The Convectair heaters are what my electrician recommended to me 14years ago & they are so economical & comfortable. More expensive to purchase than the base board heaters but the long term savings more than offset the higher price of the applianceHe ...

Well this was certainly a beautiful sunny day to celebrate the last day of summer. Showed some clients the Brighton Beach cabin & crusing up on the calm glassy water was idealic. Later on in the day some friends invited me over to Cozy Cove across from Deep Cove & it certainly was bitter sweet to savour 1 last hot sunny day on their deck sipping a Cervasa.  What a great way to end a fabulous ...

With interest rates so very low if you have a mortgage it is important to check the rate & make sure you negotiate a new interest rate if today's rates are lower than what you have been paying. This will save you hundreds of dollars. Here is what a mortgage broker friend Tracy Turnell said I was always told that anytime there is a 1% (or more) difference in the rate you have to the new rate ...

Whistler Cornucopia November 11 — 14, 2010 Cornucopia, Whistler's premier wine and food tasting extravaganza celebrates its 14th year in 2010. The annual event is a unique opportunity to mingle, mix and learn from acclaimed chefs, sommeliers, vintners and restaurateurs’ visiting Whistler from around the world. Featuring a sumptuous variety of hands-on seminars, fascinating winemaker dinne ...

With our Canadian economy mirroring the US (to a modified degree) the buzz on the streets is on "reverse mortgages" A reverse mortgage is a mortgage designed specifically for the changing financial needs of seniors. You must be 60 or older and own a home or condo to qualify for a reverse mortgage in Canada. Unlike a traditional mortgage, a reverse mortgage does not require a set pa ...

I love the Fringe Festival & I love Granville Island so marry the 2 together & for me you have a perfect mix. This week is one of my favourite weeks in Vancouver. I get to go hang out with friends on Granville Island ,meet new people ,& watch some great performers. This week 2 shows were my picks. Moving Along with Ryan Gladstone was so funny. The strobe lighting was effective & the pace of t ...

Boating & Partying with friends on The Indian Arm is what makes summertime in Vancouver so special. In August Peter and Kim had a 2 day weekend party and I was lucky enough to be invited over for the bbq and a few drinks at their cabin at Coldwell Bay. It was lots of fun especially when Pete showed off his newest fitness toys. These ropes in varying lengths are thrown from 1 hand to the other ...