When purchasing a home, you are faced with a multitude of decisions! The primary one is whether you are actually prepared to purchase a home. Locating the perfect home is not always an easy task, and obtaining a mortgage loan can be a complex and tiring process. Although, once you have determined that you are ready to move forward with the required effort towards your home-purchasing goal, the rewards are unquestionable.

While at your side each step of the way, I will make the process of purchasing a home easier, more enjoyable, less time-consuming, and less expensive than if you undertook this challenge on your own. I will help you prepare so that sellers perceive you as a preferred buyer, help you locate and assess properties for sale that match your specifications, and help you through the myriad of details attending the actual purchase.

I am always familiar with the current homes on the market, and I know neighborhood values well, so I can help you determine which properties are fairly-priced and in good condition before you start your search.

Your First Step

Your first step to buying a home is to first ask yourself why you want to buy a home: to stop paying rent? To start building equity? To have a place of your own? To raise a family? To entertain business associates? To move up to a bigger house? Next, list what kind of home you'd like and where you would like to be. Be specific. Separate the "must haves" from the "want to haves."

Think of yourself as zeroing in on a target, going from the general to the specific. Consider area (city, suburban neighborhood, country); community (north, south, east, or west side); neighborhood (older and settled or sparkling new; a particular school zone; recreational facilities; and other community services such as transportation, day care, library, stores, entertainment). Ask yourself how many minutes you are willing to commute to work.

Think about home styles. How much space do you need? Does your situation require a one-level home, or are stairs acceptable? Consider size and kind of property. Do you want a newer home, or maybe an older one to fix up? Someday you or your heirs will want to sell. Consider how long you expect to live in this particular home.

Your Next Step: Loan Pre-Qualification

Once you have addressed the above needs, your next step in the purchasing process is to get pre-qualified with a mortgage company. This can be done over the phone or even online in a matter of minutes.

Call me and I will refer you to a mortgage professional that has an excellent reputation and track record for successfully acquiring loan approval for his/her clients.

I Will Find The Right Homes For You

Once you've been pre-qualified and know what price range you want to stay in, I can help you determine which properties fit your needs by using the (MLS) Multiple Listing Service system to locate them.

I have the best possible resources and communication systems available today to help you locate the homes on the market that match your specifications. You can even search my listings here at my website.

I Will Help You Every Step Of The Way

Getting Around

The Tri-Cities (Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and Coquitlam)

Imagine a place close to nature, near riverside trails, parks filled with old-growth forests and the pristine waters of Burrard Inlet. All this and more is available in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody (the Tri-Cities area).

With a population of about 190,000, moderate climate, a superb infrastructure linking the Tri-Cities to the rest of the Lower Mainland and an abundance of scenic shoreline and parkland, this area is one of B.C.'s best-kept secrets.

Tri-Cities has all the makings of a vacation destination: great golf courses, fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, cycling, museums, art galleries and theatre.

Only 16 kilometres from Vancouver, the area is booming with new real estate and transportation developments and a steady influx of new residents. If you've never explored the Tri-Cities, you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

"Small Town Charm with Big City Connections" (and hometown of Terry Fox)

Port Coquitlam is centrally located in the Lower Mainland between the Fraser, Pitt and Coquitlam rivers. With over 266 hectares of parkland within its borders, the community offers an extensive system of outdoor trails perfect for cycling, hiking and leisurely walks. It is a quick drive into Vancouver via the Lougheed or Trans Canada highways and an easy commute on the West Coast Express train. The City is within driving distance of the U.S. border, Vancouver International Airport and BC Ferries.

One of the fastest growing areas in the Lower Mainland, Port Coquitlam offers an abundance of business opportunities. It is a small town with all the amenities of a large urban centre. Industrial and commercial land is reasonably priced, easily accessible and well serviced. Specialized manufacturing alone employs more than 13,000 people. Supporting and promoting economic growth continues to be a primary community focus. Consequently, Port Coquitlam has become the home base for a large number of progressive enterprises.

The authentic downtown centre is complete with a main street lined with maple trees and decorative street lamps. Specialty shops, restaurants and small business establishments abound.Port Coquitlam is a warm and caring community committed to providing a desirable, safe place to live and raise a family.

Currently, Port Coquitlam is home to more than 55,000 people who enjoy:

• A wide variety of housing choices
• Abundant park space and leisure activities
• Quality schools
• Numerous places of worship
• Local health care facilities

Its picturesque natural setting, business opportunities, small-town spirit and dedication to healthy living combine to offer an exceptional living environment for people of all ages.

Port Moody - Awarded 3^rd Most Liveable City in the World!

City of the Arts

Port Moody, "City of the Arts!", is located at the head of Burrard Inlet and at the foot of Eagle Mountain on the north shore. A vibrant city, Port Moody is 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and the US border, and just steps from seaside parks, mountain trails and lakes.

Port Moody is thriving, with industries supporting a growing residential community, and strives to harmonize the natural environment with our economy and quality of life. Businesses are still attracted to Port Moody's railroad and harbour, as well as retail and service businesses.

In 2002, Port Moody's population reached 25,000. Heritage and established neighbourhoods, together with new housing developments on the city's north shore, have attracted people from near and far.

Port Moody wins third most liveable city in the world!

On October 18, 2004, Port Moody won two big awards at the international LivCom Awards (also known as the International Awards for Liveable Communities) announced last night. Port Moody captured first place in the international "Planning for the Future" award (over 50 competing cities included Honolulu, Seattle, Westminster, U.K., Camden, Australia as well as cities from Australia, U.S., Czech Republic, and Ireland). The city also captured third place overall in their population category for the "most liveable community in the world". "We are thrilled to win third best city in the world for liveability, along with first place internationally for best planning for the future," commented Port Moody Mayor Joe Trasolini. "We've stopped urban sprawl with densification, and we're saving the natural environment, and that helped Port Moody win this international recognition." Port Moody, also known as the "City of the Arts", was one of 14 finalists in the population category of 20,001 - 75,000. The LivCom Awards is the only international competition focusing on management of the local environment. Communities from over 50 countries and many different cultures have participated in the annual awards which used to be known as Nations in Bloom. Port Moody's many achievements include: Highest ratio of parkland per capita in B.C.'s Lower Mainland Adoption of the Naturescape program which supports landscaping using indigenous plants to create wildlife habitat in urban areas Heritage conservation programs Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Strategy annual environment award First community in B.C. to impose pesticide bans First community in Canada to adopt a mandatory helmet bylaw for skateboarders Strong culture of volunteerism and community participation Sound financial planning and economic vitality.

Coquitlam

Located on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, Coquitlam is a dynamic city with a commitment to community-based living. Coquitlam offers the vibrant action of a growing city combined with a beautiful natural setting boasting abundant parks and green space, along with arts and cultural venues and multiple recreational facilities. Visitors are welcomed, businesses excel and residents are valued, making Coquitlam a true City of Choice.

Centered in the heart of the Lower Mainland on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, Coquitlam is just a 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, BC's largest city and about 20 minutes from the US border.

Coquitlam is fast becoming the Lower Mainland's number one location for lifestyle and business. Their open and accessible government is dedicated to providing services that enable all members of our community, businesses and residents to prosper and grow within a safe and clean environment.

They have invested up-front in modern infrastructure that continues to pave the way for double-digit residential, commercial/retail and industrial growth. Our Economic Development Action Plan 2000 provides a framework for ongoing development that has already exceeded the expectations of the Greater Vancouver Regional District's Regional Town Strategy.

Population trends in Coquitlam are indicative of changes in the region. Greater Vancouver is one of the most rapidly growing areas in Canada, and Coquitlam is among the fastest growing municipalities in the region.

Coquitlam's population increased by over 21% between 1986 and 1991, and again from 1991 to 1996. A further increase of 10.9% occurred between 1996 and 2001.

Today, there is the continuing development of attractive residential areas offering a mix of housing types, the pedestrian-oriented Town Centre, a wide range of commercial activities, major industrial/business parks, and new recreation facilities. The pattern of growth has given Coquitlam diverse neighbourhoods within four distinct areas.

The Southwest is well established with a network of public and commercial services and residential neighbourhoods. This area is characterized by a variety of building styles, from the modern to the historical, graced with the French-Canadian flavour of Maillardville. Coquitlam's three major industrial and business parks are strategically located between the Fraser River and Lougheed Highway.

Coquitlam's Town Centre is a newer, 720-hectare community. It provides a dynamic focus as the Regional Town Centre for the northeast sector of Greater Vancouver. When planning for the Town Centre began in the mid-1970s, the area contained only a handful of homes and a small neighbourhood centre. Today, there are over 9,400 homes and a wide variety of commercial services.

The Town Centre core is also a focal point for civic, cultural and educational services. The City Centre Aquatic Complex, Town Centre Stadium and Park, Evergreen Cultural Centre, Public Safety Building, Coquitlam City Hall, the David Lam campus of Douglas College, Pinetree Secondary School and the Pinetree Community Centre, can all be found in the Town Centre area.

While the Town Centre area is a thriving commercial and residential area, it also offers a direct link to nature, with hiking trails along Hoy Creek and Coquitlam River. Watching the salmon return to spawn in these watercourses is enjoyed by many, with an average of 500 people attending the "Salmon Come Home" event at Hoy Creek each fall.

Westwood Plateau

North of the Town Centre lie the Westwood lands - featuring 570 hectares of prime residential development with widespread appeal. Cluster houses, townhomes, single family houses, two golf courses, creeks and walking trails will attract a population of 15,000 to Northwest Coquitlam's Westwood Plateau.

Northeast Coquitlam

Northeast Coquitlam is highlighted by both Minnekhada Regional Park and the southern portion of the massive Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. Currently almost 4,000 people live in a mix of older, well-established and new neighbourhoods, as well as extensive rural properties and farms.