Relocating With Pets Can Be Stressful

Moving is very stressful for a family, That stress is also experienced by the pets. They want to know that they’re part of the family and that they’ll be going, too. Sadly, many pets will not be going with their families to new homes. According to research published in 1999 by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, moving is identified as the most common of 71 reasons for relinquishing dogs and the third most common reason for relinquishing cats to shelters. In addition, when citing moving as the reason for giving up their pets, 38.8 percent of dog owners and 38.1 percent of cat owners cited the refusal of a landlord to allow the animal in an apartment or house. But for most people, leaving their companion animals behind is out of the question. With the proper preparation, you can ensure that your next move will go more smoothly, for you and your pets. Before the Move Moving with a companion animal usually means moving with a cat or dog. While these animals may react similarly to changes within the home, cats and dogs will, for the most part, respond to a family relocation with different behaviors. “We tend to socialize our dogs a lot more,” says Jacque Lynn Schultz, director of special projects for ASPCA Animal Sciences. “We take them more places and often stay overnight with them. We don’t do that with our cats.” In general, cats are more focused on their surroundings and don’t adapt to change as readily as their canine counterparts. Felines thrive on constancy, and any disruption to their environment can foster stress-induced behavioral changes. An independent cat may become clingy and atypically affectionate. Conversely, a cat who’s normally demonstrative may become temporarily reclusive. The most important thing any pet owner …

Basics of Transporting Your Vehicle

Relocating to the Lower Mainland?  When moving long distance, you may want to consider having your vehicle transported professionally.  For many families, a car is the second largest investment they have ever made. Getting that investment safely to a new home is an important component of a smooth move. What are my options for transporting a vehicle? A vehicle can be moved with your household goods or with a separate auto transport company. To ship your car most efficiently and cost-effectively, it’s important to know about the different shipping options, such as open and closed trailers. What is an open trailer? An open trailer is the more popular and frequently used trailer. It carries anywhere from 10-12 vehicles at a time. Advantage: Open trailers are less expensive than closed trailers. The cost is determined by the weight of the vehicle. Disadvantage: Open trailers are subject to the elements (i.e. rain, snow, wind, dirt and dust). What is a closed trailer? A closed trailer is a vehicle that has a covered freight area. It is commonly used for shipping expensive or classic cars. If you wish to protect your car from wind-blown sand and heat, this is your best option. Advantage: The car is well protected from the elements of nature. Disadvantage: Closed trailers cost more. Is my car insured? The company that transports your vehicle(s) should provide adequate insurance to protect against driver negligence. Ask for a copy of the “Certificate of Insurance” and familiarize yourself with the types of coverage provided. Consult with your current auto insurance agent to determine whether you need supplemental coverage. Turning your vehicle over to the carrier. Prior to handing over your car to a driver or transport company, be sure you receive an “Original Inspection Report.” This report provides: pick-up and delivery information, …

Home Security – Deadbolts

When securing your home, it’s important to know that all locks are not created equal. Home security professionals overwhelmingly prefer deadbolts to other types of locks because deadbolts are harder to bypass. When choosing a deadbolt, look for one with a full one-inch bolt. You also want to look for a reinforced strike plate with long mounting screws for strength and durability. Reputable manufacturers offer a wide range of locks with varying prices. When you think about your security though, spending a few extra dollars on the right lock can be well worth it.

Energy Efficiency Checklist for your Home

In this era of rising energy prices and global warming, it makes sense that our homes should be as energy efficient as possible. An easy way to do this is to know where your home is likely to lose energy and then take corrective action to minimize the impact. I have an energy efficiency checklist that I would be happy to share with you free of charge. That way, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to energy conservation. Home Energy Checklist What You Can Do Today… – Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120F). You’ll not only save energy, you’ll avoid the risk of accidental scalding. – Check if your water heater has an insulating blanket. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less! – If you own a waterbed, make sure you make your bed today. The covers will insulate it and save up to one-third of the energy it uses. – Begin using energy-saving settings on your refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer/dryer. – Make sure you check the age and condition of your major appliances, especially the refrigerator. You may want to replace it with a more energy-efficient model before it expires. – Examine your incandescent lights for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents. These new bulbs can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60- to 100-watt bulbs used several hours a day. Measure the clearance in your fixtures to make sure they will accommodate compact fluorescents, which are slightly larger than incandescent bulbs. – Clean or replace the filters in your furnace, air-conditioner and heat pump. …This Week – Visit the hardware store. Buy a water-heater blanket, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and compact florescent bulbs. – Rope …

July, 2011: Real Estate Market Update

  HOME SALES TAKE SUMMER DIP; PRICES REMAIN STABLE IN THE FRASER VALLEY (Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,322 sales on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in July, an increase of 20 per cent compared to the 1,101 sales during the same month last year, however 17 per cent fewer than the 1,588 sales in June. While sales decreased month-over-month, listings went up. The board posted 2,931 new properties on its MLS® in July – 6 per cent more than received in June and 24.5 per cent more than in July 2010 – pushing overall inventory to 10,073 active listings, the highest level in the Fraser Valley since last summer. Sukh Sidhu, president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, says, “Last month, we were busier listing rather than selling properties, which is good news for prospective buyers. A buyers’ market means REALTORS® will have more homes to show their clients and increased negotiating power on their behalf. “For sellers in this market, expert guidance to determine your home’s list price is essential. Overall, we’re seeing home prices remain strong compared to a year ago, but not for every property type or every community. We’re still seeing tremendous regional variation in prices – some areas showing increases; others decreases – as well as local differences in the average number of days on the market.” For example, in July, it took on average 18 days to sell a townhome in North Delta; 45 days on average to sell a single family home in White Rock/South Surrey; and, 65 days on average to sell an apartment in Abbotsford. The benchmark price of a single family detached house in the Fraser Valley in July was $534,042, an increase of 4.6 per cent compared to $510,470 in July 2010. …