Landing in Vancouver, BC in less than 3 weeks... need help on some Qs

[AvayaLenovo]

Hi,
My husband and I will be landing in Vancouver via road this June 30.  We will just be staying in Canada until July 4 (we'll go back to US after).  So, practically we are not bringing any goods with us. There are some lingering questions that I hope some of you could help me with:

(1) Is it okay if our goods list is empty and the goods to follow has a long list?  Would this raise some concerns?  I'm planning to say that we will be doing our apartment search first before we finally move.

(2) I'm planning to just bring $3000 in cash and a bank statement that proves that we have enough funds in place (the bank is a credit union, though not a widely known bank).  Will this be alright?  I'm planning to say that we will just be doing our apartment search for this trip that's why all I have in cash is the deposit for the apartment.  Is this justifiable?  Would there be any problem if I don't have the full funds in a cash equivalent form?

(3) What are the paperworks that I need to accomplish for my first landing?  PR Card, SIN, what else?

(4) What will happen if I, after this first landing, went back to Canada - but still not carrying the 'goods to follow'?  Would that raise an issue? We are actually planning to "finally" move to Canada by 2014.  So there is a great chance that we will go back to Canada after this landing, but not finally moving yet.

I hope some of you could shed some light.  Very much appreciated.  

Thanks,
AvayaLenovo

[steaky]

1.  Yes, it is ok for good list empty and goods follow list longer.
2.  It should be ok
3.  you need to have a canadian address for mailing the pr card and sin card.
4.  when you first "land" in canada, you should declare both good list and goods to follow list.  then have the customs prepare and stamped your B4 and goods to follow list.  then whenever you move your belongings in the goods to follow list, they would duty free.

[AvayaLenovo]

Thanks, steaky