9 Tips to Squeeze Exercise Into a Tight Schedule

If you’re like most people, exercise is one of those things you should do – but just never have time for. You might start going for a week or two, but exhaustion from work or conflicting commitments keeps you from going.
It isn’t easy to stay in shape, but I’d like to suggest some strategies to squeeze exercise into a tight schedule.
Continuing is Easier Than Restarting
The biggest problem with going to the gym isn’t usually time – it’s motivation. When work is already exhausting you, finding the motivation to do one more thing seems impossible. This is why forming an exercise habit is so critical. When regular exercise is as routine as eating or sleeping, you won’t need to force yourself to go.
If you want to form an exercise habit, here’s my suggestions:

1. Once-a-Day for 30 Days. Going once per day for thirty days will give you a strong foundation to build a habit from. After you get through the first three weeks, it becomes far easier to stick with it. Thirty days is all it takes to build a habit.
2. Have a Plan. Plan out how, where and when you want to workout. Showing up at the gym and not being sure what to do will only waste time and cause frustration.
3. Get a Friend. Convince a friend to go with you to the gym. The added peer support and motivation can help you stick it out through the first thirty days.
4. Learn How to Change Habits - This article isn’t about habit changes, so check out my book if you want to learn more.

Squeezing In Exercise
Even if you do have a habit for exercising, time constraints can make fitting it into your schedule difficult. Here are some of the strategies I’d recommend so you can stay healthy in even the busiest times:

1. Pick a Workout Hour. Make your exercise time when it isn’t likely to conflict with other plans. I know people who enjoy early morning or late evening exercise plans. The benefit is that these hours tend to be devoid of time-sensitive commitments.
2. Natural Exercise. Creating a more active lifestyle can help when getting to the gym is impossible. That means taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking instead of using a vehicle. This is another habit that requires implementing, so engaging in natural exercise won’t usually turn on as soon as you can’t head to the gym.
3. Plan a Hit & Run. Plan out a twenty minute or half hour workout. If your time is limited you may have to optimize your approach so less time is wasted changing and moving between exercises.
4. Match Up Shower Times. If people don’t want to come within ten feet of you after you’ve been to the gym, you’ll probably want a shower. But adding morning showers and post-workout showers can lengthen the time commitment. I recommend either placing your workout before you shower and get ready in the morning or place your shower after the workout.
5. Coordinate Schedules. If you go with a friend, plan schedules ahead of time so there won’t be conflicts that keep one of you from going. When you’re used to going with another person it can be difficult to motivation yourself to go solo. Have a backup plan in case you don’t have a partner to go with.
6. Combine Exercise and Leisure. Take up fun activities that force you to exercise and have fun. This combination can help when you want to exercise but don’t feel like heading into the gym.
7. Watch Your Elasticity. The elasticity of your exercise habit depends on how much you enjoy exercising and how long you’ve been doing it for. I could probably go several weeks off without too much trouble adjusting back into the routine. But if you’ve just started the habit, don’t let yourself miss too many consecutive days or the habit will snap.
8. Quick Workouts. When time is unusually tight, planning a quick workout can help. Coming up with intense but short workouts isn’t that difficult and most fitness magazines are loaded with them. Jogging, push-ups or going up and down the stairs can work when you can’t spend the time heading to a gym.
9. Consider it an Investment. Exercise isn’t just about looking good or living an extra ten years. It’s also about investing in your energy. Regular exercise boosts your energy so you can sleep better and be more alert throughout the day. Unfortunately if you don’t exercise regularly, it can be hard to see the difference after just a few days of exertion. Consider exercise to be a refuel.

from Scott H. Young Blog

Stand Up - Speak Out! Join Toastmasters

If you’ve been reading this blog, you may notice that I make frequent references to Toastmasters. Of all the organizations I’ve joined, Toastmasters has had the greatest positive impact on my life. I believe the benefits of membership extend far beyond simple public speaking skills. I think almost everyone would benefit from joining toastmasters.
First a little information about what Toastmasters is for those who are unfamiliar with this organization. Beginning in 1924 through Ralph C. Smedley to train public speaking, the organization has since grown to over 200 000 members in over 90 countries worldwide. Focusing on public speaking and leadership skills, Toastmasters is one of the largest organized systems of personal development in the world.

Not Just Public Speaking…
One of the big problems I see with Toastmasters current reputation is that most people on initial inspection believe that it is simply a program for speakers to get together and practice what, for most people is an often unused skill. Since most people don’t do any public speaking aside from the occasional meeting or toast at a wedding, they see the (usually) weekly meetings as being a considerable investment for unsure benefits.
Unfortunately what most people don’t understand is that the skills learned in mastering public speaking and leadership are core skills needed for dealing with other people. These skills are the communication skills you use many times every single day. Instead of thinking about doing a big presentation with your toastmaster skills, think about something as simple as talking with a group of friends.
Many people who have labeled themselves ‘introverts’ or lack social skills can find Toastmasters to be a fantastic place to rapidly improve their communication skills. Even if you are currently a very sociable person, Toastmasters can teach you to improve your skills and give you the confidence that comes from being a competent speaker.
But if you just go to one meeting and see the prepared speeches, this benefit of Toastmasters might not be apparent. It took me several months before I really found the intrinsic benefits to Toastmasters. Although the improvement to public speaking comes immediately, it can take a little longer before you recognize the benefits it has in all communication.

Meeting People
Toastmasters is a great place to make friends and meet new people. Organizations in general are great places to meet people, but I would say that the Toastmasters atmosphere facilitates it even more. I have met many people through Toastmasters, including many people I might not have otherwise had the chance to meet.
One of the reasons I feel Toastmasters makes it easier to meet people is because there is a strong emphasis on being very supportive of the people around you. It’s too bad that this attitude isn’t ingrained in all our dealings with other people, because it really makes it much easier to make friends. I can’t speak for all clubs when I make this statement, but generally I have found Toastmasters to be a place that tries its best to make people feel welcomed.
The second reason Toastmasters is a great place to meet people is because there is mutually positive feedback between members. By giving and receiving positive feedback I think rapport is established much more quickly. If you do decide to join a club with a high volume of new members I have found this to be even more true as everyone is trying to learn at the same time.

Great Times
One of the aspects of Toastmasters that surprised me most was just how fun the meetings are. Even without all the skill and relationship benefits, I would go to meetings sheerly for entertainment.
Unfortunately I think this aspect of Toastmasters is also overlooked by new members. In the first few meetings you might feel a bit fresh and nervous, so it might be hard to enjoy yourself. But I’ve found after just a couple meetings members have often told me that they come just for the stress relief or laughs.
I’ve been to meetings where there was improv comedy, jokes, and even charades. Even the regular activities such as prepared speeches, table topics and doing introductions are usually filled with humor. If your initial impression of Toastmasters was that of a stuffy, boring organization where people gave toasts to each other, then I think you should look again.

How to Join Toastmasters
Now that I’ve spun on about how great toastmasters is, I want to tell you how you can join a club in your area. Joining is incredibly easy and is extremely cheap compared to the value you get out of it.

Step One: Find a Club
Finding a club is actually much easier than you would think. There are thousands of clubs all over the world, so even if you live in a remote place of the world, you might be able to find a local club. I used to live in a small town of a few thousand people several hundred kilometers away from any major city and I was surprised to realize that there was a club in my area. Find your local club here.
Step Two: Contact the Club
Most of the clubs have a contact address where you can send the vice president of membership an e-mail asking about the club. They should be able to tell you when they meet, what kind of members (experienced, new, etc.) and what to expect. If you live in a larger city you can probably find many different clubs so you can pick and choose what best fits your schedule. So far all of the clubs I have contacted were extremely receptive to new guests, so just send a few e-mails and you will probably get quick responses.
Step Three: Come as a Guest
Each club has a different membership policy, but almost all of them allow for guest visits for a couple of meetings before membership is required. So if you aren’t sure about the Toastmasters experience, come as a guest and check it out. This way you can check out several clubs and find one that suits your needs.
Not all clubs are perfect and some might not be suitable for you. As the VP of Membership in my own club I’ve seen a lot of guests pass by our club (as well as those who join). Just because you dislike the first club you go to would be no reason to stop. I would say try at least three different clubs before making a decision about whether Toastmasters is right for you. Clubs can vary like flavors of ice-cream so just because you don’t like vanilla doesn’t mean you won’t like chocolate.

Step Four: Come for at Least Six Months
Unfortunately one of the biggest downsides of Toastmasters is simply that the benefits of membership won’t be apparent initially. When I did my first few speeches and impromptu speaking opportunities I didn’t notice drastic improvement and I hadn’t yet gotten to know all the members. However after completing more speeches and spending several months I really began to see Toastmasters as being fun, educational and useful to my life.
This may be a bit of an investment to spend six months as a trial period for whether you like this Toastmasters thing, but I believe that it can take at least this long before the benefits come pouring in. Some people respond well to Toastmasters and make huge improvements within just a handful of meetings, while others may take longer to build skills and it could take several months.
I’ve said before how I believe in the thirty day trials of experimenting with an idea for thirty consecutive days. Well since Toastmaster meetings are usually only once per week, expanding one month to six would be about fair. If you are willing to invest a month into a new idea, diet, or habit then I think coming up with a little cash and an hour a week isn’t too hard.
Toastmasters is a great club for all ages to join. My last club I was the youngest member by at least ten years, but the new club I am in is a student club where most people range from 20 to 25. If you are in a foreign country and don’t speak the native language, Toastmasters can be a great place to learn. Many members have noted it was a great place to learn English (or whatever language your club speaks).
There are few things I strictly advocate because I believe each person is different. While I’m not arrogant enough to assume Toastmasters is for everyone, I have found it an overwhelmingly positive experience. And again, if you haven’t already clicked the find a club link, here it is

Local Hiking Trails

Malcolm Knapp - UBC Research forest, Maple Ridge, BC

This was my first hike into this well developed area next door to Golden Ears Park. As a working demonstration forest of UBC, it has a well developed series of roads and trails leading to a number of lookouts and lakes. On this particular day I followed the Blue Trail west from the parking area through a nice forest with info signs etc., down over a bridge and a roaring Spring Creek and some great views over Pitt Meadows and back towards Burnaby Mt. Then I basically followed Blue trail till it met G Road and then took the Yellow Trail back to the parking lot. This was a couple of hours of hiking and some good views. There are lots of trails intersecting each other; pick up a map or just follow the colour coded trails. All trails end up back at the parking area. NO DOGS OR BIKES ALLOWED IN THE FOREST, and if walking on the main roads, be careful of some motorized traffic as this is a working research forest. This particular loop was about 6 km of hiking and 2 - 3 hours of fresh air.

There is GPS data attached to this trail (see "download GPS"), which if loaded into your GPS can help you find route points.

Directions:

Follow 232 past Maple Ridge Park and the turnoff for Golden Ears Park. Watch for the right-turn sign onto Silver Valley Rd and then into the parking lot.

Golden Ears Mountain, Maple Ridge, BC

The trail is well-maintained and a fairly easy go despite the 1160m gain to the cabin. For the first two hours the trail is a pleasant meander through the forest. Alder Flats (5km in) is a beautiful camping spot for those who want to take baby steps, especially in autumn when the trees are a gorgeous yellow. After Alder Flats the trail gets steep, not heart-attack steep, but enough to get the lungs going.

For many, reaching panorama ridge and the small alpine cabin will be enough for one day--remember, most of the elevation gain is over the 4 km from the flats. After the cabin the route to the Ears is pretty clear--a 3 km ridge-walk that finds you on loose rock and a patch of year-round snow. The views aren't going to knock your socks off, but the Ears themselves are a Middle-Earth-looking fortress-type peak, and the colourful deciduous trees make this a great fall hike.

Directions:

Follow the Lougheed Hwy East from Vancouver, turning off at the second Dewdney Trunk exit. Follow Dewdney to 232nd St and take a left. There will be a Golden Ears Park sign on the right at Fern Crescent (4-way stop). Take a right here and follow the main, windy road right into the park gates. After the gates continue along the road to its end at a pay parking lot with signs for upper and lower canyon trails. Follow the main upper canyon trail until branching trails eventually disappear after 2 km or so.

Alouette Mountain (Golden Ears Provincial Park), Maple Ridge, BC

Your escape into the wild can be fulfilled on this hike. It definitely doesn't have North Shore urban hoard appeal. Not that I'm dissing Mt.Seymour, Hollyburn/Cypress and Grouse --those are all great destinations --but to see fewer people there you have to get up early to hit the trails. Alouette Mountain differs in that it's a bit further east geographically, but less of a drive than to Squamish, offers great alpine views, and is less traveled.

Directions:

From Vancouver head east on the Lougheed Highway; turn off heading north on 232nd Street and follow the signs into Golden Ears Provincial Park. Pass the goat entrance sign ..(this is a pretty obvious locator (no GPS needed here) because in the summer foreign tourists congregate here to photograph themselves much like they do at the totem poles in Stanley Park). pass the sign and turn left after 4 kilometres toward the Park Headquarters and keep left to Mike Lake. Park after 2 kilometres at the bottom of the Incline Trail (250 metres elevation).

Take time and hike through the second growth at an even pace. The forest is great and will give you a chance to marvel at the occasional cedar or hemlock that escaped the original logging before the creation of the park in 1927. The Incline Trail occasionally intersects a fire access road that switchbacks up the flank of Alouette Mountain. This road is used by equestrian and mountain bike traffic in small numbers, so pay heed and give them the right of way. After about 6.5 kilometres (732m elevation) the trail branches left down to 'Lake Beautiful' keep attentive for old growth in this area and see how different it is from the regenerated forest. Continue on the trail for another 2.5 kilometres and gain another 600 metres vertical and you'll be standing on the summit of Alouette Mountain. Do this hike; it's well worth the effort.

Other information:

Elevation Gain - 1100 metres

High point - 1371 metres

Topographic Map Stave Lake 92 G8 Port Coquitlam 92 G7

BC Parks Map Golden Ears Provincial Park Park Headquarters

Buntzen Lake Diez Vistas, Anmore, BC

Diez Vistas trail is aptly named - it boasts 10 beautiful viewpoints. An excellent day trip from Vancouver, you can hike the 15km-route all the way around Buntzen Lake or simply hike to the first few peaks.

The RewardOnce you reach the high point, the trail meanders along the ridge with sensational views of the city and Vancouver Island in the distance, Deep Cove, the snow-covered North Shore mountains, and various views up Indian Arm.

Map: NTS Map 92G7

Description: The first bit is uphill... to get you nicely warmed up. After awhile, heading left at the fork (marked Diez Vistas Trail, you'll soon cross an open power-line (2.25 kilometres), then duck under the old pipeline and continue.There are a number of switchbacks to the high-point of 560 metres. The trail forks right before the first viewpoint (it's quite steep) but joins again farther up - it's worth trying both routes for different but spectacular views. Lots of people just go to the first viewpoint and return,but if you continue the views just get better, so persevere, you have done most of the uphill.

The trail meanders along the ridge with sensational views of the city and Vancouver Island in the distance. Deep Cove, the snow-covered North Shore mountains, and various views up Indian Arm splendid on a clear day. Continue downhill to open bluffs and lake views meeting with an old BC Hydro access road. This takes you back to the north side of Buntzen Lake via a neat suspension bridge.

At the lake have a snack and lay in the sun at the picnic area before continuing on. You can get back to the parking lot at the south end of the lake by taking the trail on either the east or west side of the lake (4 kilometres). The terrain is a bit more rugged on the west side. Unless it's been a cold winter, there's very seldom snow up top, making it a great year-round trail. If you like rugged trail running, this is a great trail!

The attached GPS data (click on "download/GPS" above to see a plot) names the peaks, and is a very complete track. Download that into your GPS and use it to find and stay on the trail.

Directions

Head east through Port Moody/Coquitlam either from Highway 7a (from the Trans Canada) or from the Barnet Highway from Hastings Street and turn left onto Ioco Drive. Follow Ico Drive around the north shore of Burrard Inlet and follow the signs for Anmore and Buntzen Lake. Once at the parking lot, park near the southwest corner. Take the wide graded trail south through the forest. Cross the floating bridge over the south end of Buntzen Lake, and cross the gravel road to start the trail proper. Or download our waypoints by clicking on "Download GPS" above and find the trail using your GPS.

More

If you like rugged trail running, this is a great trail! One can complete the circuit in about 3 1/2 hours (medium speed!). Unless it's a cold winter, there's very seldom snow up top, making it a great year round trail.

Note if you click on 'download GPS' above, you will see the GPS points for the beginning part of this trail, and, you can download this into your GPS unit to get started and find the trail, even though you can do just fine with the above directions.Elevation Gain 440 MetresHigh Point 560 metresMap Federal Topographic 1:50.000 Port Coquitlam 92G/ 7

Other Buntzen Lake Trails

Halvor Lunden (Eagle Ridge) Trail

The Halvor Lunden (Eagle Ridge) Trail is comprised of the Lindsay Lake Loop, Swan Falls Loop and Dilly Dally Loop. The trailhead is located on Powerhouse Road, near the southeast corner of the South Beach parking area.

Lindsay Lake Loop

Hiking time: 6–8 hours return. Distance: 15 km. Elevation gain: 1020 m.

This route is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only. The trail to Lindsay Lake is the most popular of the three loops along this trail. Climb to El Paso Junction, then turn left and cross Buntzen Creek. Passing through the ancient mountain forest you will encounter several spectacular viewpoints overlooking Vancouver. At Lindsay Lake Junction (at the north end of Lindsay Lake) turn right and head south through the "lakes district" back to El Paso Junction. Return to the main parking area along the same trail you started on.

Swan Falls Loop

Hiking time: 8–10 hours return. Distance: 20 km. Elevation gain: 1150 m.

This route is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only. It is very steep in places. Follow the trail to El Paso Junction, and then choose either the left or right trail to Lindsay Lake Junction. If you choose left, you will see Eagle Ridge's best remaining old-growth forest as well as passing several viewpoints of Vancouver. A right turn will take you through the "lakes district" with its many beautiful tarns. Continuing north from Lindsay Lake Junction, ascend Mt. Beautiful (Eagle Peak) for a panoramic view of Mt. Baker, Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, Coquitlam watershed, Mt. Seymour Park, Indian Arm and beyond. At Swan Falls Junction turn left and follow the steep (and sometimes slippery) trail down to Powerhouse Road, which then leads you back to South Beach.

Dilly Dally Loop

Hiking time: 10–12 hours return. Distance: 25 km. Elevation gain: 1150 m.

This route is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only. The Dilly Dally Loop? Don't believe it! Dilly dally along this trail and you'll be spending the night. If you're up for it, you are rewarded with spectacular views as you travel through high mountain forests. Be sure you have the whole day and note gate closure times. Follow the directions for the Swan Falls Loop to Swan Falls Junction. Continue north along the ridge to Dilly Dally Peak, then follow the trail and access road back down to Powerhouse Road.

Buntzen Lake Trail

Hiking time: 4–5 hours return. Distance: 8 km. Elevation gain: 100 m.

Circle Buntzen Lake and enjoy the beautiful views of surrounding mountains. Starting at Buntzen Creek Bridge at the east side of South Beach, the trail leads north, passing several lake access points and viewpoints. After a short section along Powerhouse Road, the Buntzen Lake Trail resumes at the North Beach picnic area. From here, cross the suspension bridge to continue along the Buntzen Lake Trail or you can return along Powerhouse Road for a shorter, easier hike. The trail takes you through open areas underneath the powerline, through mature forest, across several bridges, then finally opens up onto Pumphouse Road. Follow this road south to the floating bridge across the southwest arm of Buntzen Lake. Cross the bridge and follow the trail back to South Beach.

Energy Trail

Hiking time: 30 minutes return. Distance: 1 km. Elevation gain: 15 m.

Looping around the wooded knoll southwest of the South Beach boat launch, this trail passes through a variety of forest landscapes and past attractive views of Buntzen Lake. Look for interpretive displays along the way.

Diez Vistas Trail

Hiking time: 6–8 hours return. Distance: 7 km (one way). Elevation gain: 460 m.

This route is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only. Spanish for "ten views", the Diez Vistas Trail is aptly named. Offering spectacular views of Vancouver's waterways and mountains, the Diez Vistas Trail commences near the floating bridge. Travelling uphill into the forest, cross the powerline and pipeline and continue along a series of switchbacks until the trail forks. The left trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking Indian Arm and the right leads to a view of South Beach and across to Eagle Ridge. After reaching the high point where the trails reunite, you travel along a forest trail that terminates at a BC Hydro service road. Keep right and follow the service road and transmission line (the Old Buntzen Lake Trail) back to the Buntzen Lake Trail, where a left turn will take you to the suspension bridge leading to North Beach. From here, follow either Powerhouse Road or the Buntzen Lake Trail back to South Beach.

Equestrian and mountain biking trails

Originally constructed and maintained for equestrian use, most of the following trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers as well. Some sections of these routes were constructed as trails, while other portions follow old logging road tracks and powerline rights-of-way.

Mountain bikers are permitted on access roads, transmission line roads, the short trails linking the two parking areas with the floating bridge and on the trails to Sasamat Lake and Eagle Bluff. Mountain bikers are requested to obey all posted signs.

Bear Claw/Saddle Ridge/Horseshoe Trails

Leading steeply up the mountainside into the cool, dark cedar and hemlock forests that blanket the slopes around Buntzen Lake, these trails form loops with Powerhouse Road and the Lakeview Trail and provide access to the Diez Vistas Trail and the trail to Sasamat Lake.

Lakeview Trail

Hiking time: 5–6 hours return. Distance: 6 km (one way). Elevation gain: 150 m.

Portions of this trail are very steep. Equestrians and mountain bike riders should only use this trail if experienced in steep mountain terrain riding. Providing an alternative route along Buntzen Lake's western shore, this trail weaves its way along Pumphouse Road from the main entrance gate, then connects with the transmission line heading north before slipping into the dense forest that enfolds Buntzen Ridge. The trail ends where it joins the Old Buntzen Lake Trail near North Beach.

Academy Trail

Hiking time: 2–2.5 hours (one way). Distance: 4 km. Elevation gain: 100 m.

The Academy Trail begins at the main entrance gate and extends north through a fern-filled forest paralleling the main access road to the equestrian parking lot. The trail then follows Rogue Creek to an open transmission line access road that joins with Powerhouse Road about halfway to North Beach.

Old Buntzen Lake Trail

Hiking time: 45 minutes (one way). Distance: 1.5 km. Elevation gain: 20 m.

Before the suspension bridge was built, this trail portion completed the loop around Buntzen Lake. Follow the transmission line north where it leaves the Buntzen Lake Trail. This leads you to a concrete water intake building. Here the trail cuts through the forest, joining Powerhouse Road immediately northwest of the dam.

Connector trails

The Dog Bypass, Pumphouse Road, Powerhouse Road, the South Beach Trail – there are many small connector trails around the main picnic area and entrance roads.

Why not plan your own loop? Take a copy of our trail map, pick your route and set out to explore Buntzen's unsurpassed scenery.

Please remain on the established trails!

Building your own connections and taking short cuts degrades the soil, disturbs or kills vegetation and alters habitat for small animals. Remember to allow yourself plenty of time to complete your route.

Dogs

Dogs are permitted on all trails at Buntzen Lake. All dogs must be on a leash except in the two designated off-leash areas or on the dog off-leash trail. The 0.6 km one-way dog off-leash trail starts to the south-east of the parking lots.

Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows

We consider ourselves very lucky! Our unique blend of energetic urban centres and scenic natural landscapes are sure to amaze and inspire. With a combined population nearing 85,000 residents, our communities draw thousands of visitors each year.

While you’re here, spoil yourself in our communities’ natural beauty and vibrant urban life. Explore our museums, discover our restaurants, markets, theatres, art galleries, and lively community festivals.
Outdoor enthusiasts have a wealth of activities to indulge in. Choose from championship-designed golf courses, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, boating, horseback riding, cycling and mountain-biking or hiking in our lush evergreen forests.

If you have a mind of an entrepreneur, one visit to our communities will probably put your thoughts into overdrive with all kinds of tourism businesses that you could start-up in our incredible communities that are overflowing with an abundance of natural assets. We have plenty of room for new tourism operators. Have an idea you’d like to discuss? Give us a call today.

Whatever you choose to do, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are a great place to fulfill your sense of adventure and most importantly, have fun.

Capture the essence of our fantastic, pride-filled communities by checking out the sounds of blues, rock, and jazz in our parks on a warm summer evening, our lantern festival and night market in the winter, kids’ concert series, opening receptions at the art gallery, or laughing the night away with a comedy act at the theatre.

Be sure to visit our Spirit Squares located in the heart of each community. These beautiful green spaces decorated with public art are fast-becoming the natural gathering place for showcasing talent, meeting up with friends, farmer’s markets, and good old R&R. Browse the list of areas to explore and build your perfect “to see and do” list.

Imagine a place where incredible outdoor experiences are endless. Whether you’re traveling with kids, or simply feeling the need to play hard like one, we have a mighty big backyard with lots of room to roam and an adventure for every age and ability.

Play a round or two on our championship golf courses, blaze a trail on your mountain bike in our amazing West Coast trails, or visit our dykes where you can walk or bike for hours and enjoy a picnic, a dip in the water, or even cast your fishing line along the way. Whatever you do, embrace fun, and always know… this is the place to be for all your outdoor adventures!

The Best Ways to Conserve Water and Save Money

It’s easy to take fresh water for granted. But as our water bills continue to rise, here are some simple steps you can take to conserve this precious natural resource:

· Turn off the tap. A running faucet wastes 7 gallons of water every minute. Shut off the faucet while you brush your teeth to save at least 1000 gallons of water a year. When washing dishes, turn off water to apply soap, then rinse.

· Fix leaks: Household leaks account for 13% of all home water usage. A single dripping faucet can waste 2700 gallons a year.

· Buy water-thrifty appliances: When you replace your old appliances look for energy efficient appliances. An Energy Star washing machine can save up to 7000 gallons of water per year.

· Rethink the need for a water-hungry lawn and garden. Plants with succulent or leathery leaves usually need less water and most conifers require less than deciduous shrubs and trees.

· If you do have a yard, water it in the early morning or at dusk. Use a water timer to precisely measure the amount you use.

A beautiful yard or potted plants on a deck can provide you with hours of enjoyment and enhance curb appeal when it is time to sell. Please call or email me with any real estate questions or needs.

Home buyers and sellers enter the housing market at near record pace in March

Call me at 604-603-1257 to get a copy of the complete Stats Report for March 2011

VANCOUVER, B.C. – April 4, 2011 – Activity in the Greater Vancouver housing market continued to strengthen in March with both the number of homes sold and added to the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) reaching near record levels. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver reached 4,080 in March 2011. This represents a 31.7 per cent increase compared to the 3,097 sales recorded in February 2011, an increase of 30.1 per cent compared to the 3,137 sales in March 2010 and an 80.1 per cent increase from the 2,265 home sales in March 2009. The all-time sales record for March occurred in 2004 when 4,371 transactions were recorded.

“Our market has had a very strong start to the spring season,” Rosario Setticasi, REBGV president said. “With home sales above 4,000 and nearly 7,000 home listings added to the MLS® in March, it’s clear that home buyers and sellers view this as a good time to be active in their local housing market.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 6,797 in March 2011. This
represents a 3 per cent decline compared to March 2010 when 7,004 properties were listed for sale on the MLS®, an all-time record for March. Compared to February 2011, last month’s new listings total registered a 19.4 per cent increase.
At, 13,110, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 9.9 per cent in March compared to last month and declined 3 per cent from this time last year.

“Conditions favour sellers at the moment, but we’re seeing differences in home-price trends and overall activity depending on the region and property type,” Setticasi said.

The MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver over the
last 12 months has increased 5.4 per cent to $615,810 in March 2011 from $584,435 in March 2010. Sales of detached properties on the MLS® in March 2011 reached 1,795, an increase of 34.4 per cent from the 1,336 detached sales recorded in March 2010, and a 100.1 per cent increase from the 897 units sold in March 2009. The benchmark
price for detached properties increased 8.3 per cent from March 2010 to $866,806.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,622 in March 2011, a 29.6 per cent increase compared to the 1,252 sales in March 2010, and an increase of 66.2 per cent compared to the 976 sales in March 2009. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 2.1 per cent from March 2010 to $403,885.

Attached property sales in March 2011 totalled 663, a 20.8 per cent increase compared to the 549 sales in March 2010,
and a 69.1 per cent increase from the 392 attached properties sold in March 2009. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 3.6 per cent between March 2010 and 2011 to $511,039.

The Agency Relationship

REALTORS® work within a legal relationship called agency. The agency relationship exists between you, the principal, and your brokerage, the company under which the individual representing you is licensed. The essence of the agency relationship is that the brokerage has the authority to represent the principal in dealings with others.
Brokerages and their licensees are legally obligated to protect and promote the interests of their principals as they would their own. Specifically, the brokerage has the following duties.

1. Undivided loyalty. The brokerage must protect the principal's negotiating position at all times, and disclose all known facts which may affect or influence the principal's decision.
2. To obey all lawful instructions of the principal.
3. An obligation to keep the confidences of the principal.
4. To exercise reasonable care and skill in performing all assigned duties.
5. To account for all money and property placed in a brokerage's hands while acting for the principal.

You can expect competent service from your brokerage, knowing that the company is bound by ethics and the law to be honest and thorough in representing a property listed for sale or lease. Both buyer/tenant and seller/landlord can be represented by their own brokerages in a single transaction.

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Dual Agency
Dual agency occurs when a brokerage is representing both buyer/tenant and seller/landlord in the same transaction. Since the brokerage has promised a duty of confidentiality, loyalty and full disclosure to both parties simultaneously, it is necessary to limit these duties in this situation, if both parties consent.
If you find yourself involved in a dual agency relationship, before making or receiving an offer, both you and the other party will be asked to consent, in writing, to this new limited agency relationship.
This relationship involves the following limitations:

1. The brokerage will deal with the buyer/tenant and the seller/landlord impartially;
2. The brokerage will have a duty of disclosure to both the buyer/tenant and the seller/landlord except that:
   1. the brokerage will not disclose that the buyer/tenant is willing to pay a price or agree to terms other than those contained in the offer, or that the seller/landlord is willing to accept a price or terms other than those contained in the listing;
   2. the brokerage will not disclose the motivation of the buyer/tenant to buy or or lease or the seller/landlord to sell or lease unless authorized by the buyer/tenant or the seller/landlord;
   3. the brokerage will not disclose personal information, not otherwise necessarily disclosed in the transaction documentation, about the buyer/tenant or seller/landlord unless authorized in writing.
3. The brokerage will disclose to the buyer/tenant defects about the physical condition of the property known to the brokerage.

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When There is No Agency Relationship
You may also choose to use the services of a REALTOR® without having any kind of agency relationship. This might occur, for example, when you are being shown a property by the seller's/landlord's agent.

The REALTOR® you choose to work with in this manner has a legal and ethical duty to provide you with accurate, honest answers to your questions and may provide all these services:

• Explain real estate terms and practices
• Provide and explain forms used
• Assist you in screening and viewing properties
• Inform you of lenders and their policies
• Identify and estimate costs involved in a transaction
• Assist you in establishing your range of affordability
• Prepare offers or counter-offers at your direction
• Present all offers promptly

A REALTOR® who is not your agent cannot:

• Recommend or suggest a price
• Inform you of his/her principal's top/bottom line
• Disclose any confidential information about his/her principal unless otherwise authorized

You should not provide a REALTOR® who is not your agent with any information that you would not provide directly to his or her principal.
Where a seller/landlord uses a Mere Posting to list their property the seller/landlord and the listing Brokerage will agree to reduce the agency obligations of the Brokerage to reflect the limited services being provided.

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Members of the public are aware that, in most cases, properties offered for sale by members of the real estate profession have a commission or fee that the seller/landlord has agreed to pay to the listing brokerage.
The listing brokerage traditionally shares this commission/fee with the cooperating brokerage. Commission and fee may vary.

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