Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Fall in Nova Scotia is soon upon us. How to prepare your home and property for the fall and winter is hardly on anyone's minds as we get in our few last rounds of golf or whatever else is of interest.
For me it's all about the lawn. Being a golfer I check with friends who are in the golf industry and who are also greenskeepers. One friend, Ryan Sherry, Head Greenskeeper at Brightwood Golf Course here in Dartmouth suggests a few things for prepping the lawn.
First, seed your lawn in the fall. Overseeding a lawn with similar grass will help the grass remain healthy but overseeding also helps choke out weeds. Who knew? I do now and so do you.
Second, fertilize with a winter fertilizer product you can pick up at most home care or garden centers. Never apply this at the same time as your lawn seeding so make sure you schedule this about 7-10 days apart from a seeding. Apply in the morning when there's dew on the grass so that the fertilizer sticks to the grass and weeds and doesn't simply fall to the ground. Also, bear in mind that you want to make sure that there's no rain in the forecast for a few days.
WIth seeding you kinda do but not with fertilizing!
Thirdly, the house. Check the window frames on the outside and scrape and paint where necessary. Check seals on doors to make sure no sunlight creeps through.....seeing light will likely be a heat loss point. Get your furnace serviced. It's coming into it's starring season where it works the most. It's like training camp for your furnace so make sure it's fine tuned! Get your chimney sweeped, the fireplace bricks replaced, and treat your fireplace/woodstove with respect! Make sure your wood is not stored in the house as it's still drying out and you don't want that extra moisture going into the house.
Your air exchanger needs to be cleaned as well. Unplug it, take the filters out and replace/clean as necessary.
Fourth, make sure you have emergency supplies on hand from matches, candles, gas for the generator if you have one, tinned food, and batteries for any radios.
Finally, break out the flannels. Winter nights are cold and so are yours or your partners feet!
Stay tuned!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Spring time
Wishing you all a wonderful and happy Easter. My family here has enjoyed a restful and relaxing weekend filled with friends and spending time with our friends at our church. It’s been wonderful.
It’s also been a brisk spring filled with change and one of those changes has been me leaving Exit Realty Metro and moving back to RE/MAX nova. I had a great year and a half at EXiT Realty Metro and will always speak highly of that organization and the people there. In my short period of time there I was able to grow my business tremendously. But opportunities brought me back to RE/MAX nova so I leave with no regrets and welcome opportunity at my new home.
Spring time means getting your home ready for enjoyment or even the possibility of a sale. Paint, scrape, plant, update, upgrade, re-pot…..do all that’s necessary as your home represents a huge part of your personal financial portfolio so protect it each and every year!
Happy Easter and I hope to see you all sometime this coming summer. Let’s hope its one filled with sunny days and some rainy nights to keep our grass and plants green!
It’s also been a brisk spring filled with change and one of those changes has been me leaving Exit Realty Metro and moving back to RE/MAX nova. I had a great year and a half at EXiT Realty Metro and will always speak highly of that organization and the people there. In my short period of time there I was able to grow my business tremendously. But opportunities brought me back to RE/MAX nova so I leave with no regrets and welcome opportunity at my new home.
Spring time means getting your home ready for enjoyment or even the possibility of a sale. Paint, scrape, plant, update, upgrade, re-pot…..do all that’s necessary as your home represents a huge part of your personal financial portfolio so protect it each and every year!
Happy Easter and I hope to see you all sometime this coming summer. Let’s hope its one filled with sunny days and some rainy nights to keep our grass and plants green!
Monday, April 4, 2011
A Real Estate Expert in Nova Scotia
Funny, I just received a call from an old friend on Chandler in Lower Sackville and he was asking for the worst Realtor in Nova Scotia. I immediately replied that he got him!! He was a friend sending me a referral......
All jokes aside, being in this business now for 6 years I'm finding that people are calling me with leads from their neighbors, family and colleagues about selling Real Estate in Nova Scotia. It's interesting that people are so keen on helping out a friend and love to refer.
The nature of our business is working through referrals. It's as simple as someone wanting a sandwich, we all say, "Go to Tims" or "Try Pete's Frootique" or something as we all want to be helpful. It's the same as we move up the ladder to bigger ticket items. Who hasn't referred someone to see a movie, to eat a dinner, to try a shopping mall, to buy a car, and to buy a house. You've had a pleasant experience and want to share your personal experience with someone else.
And now people are referring to me. Naturally not all real estate in Nova Scotia comes through me but I am proud of my own referral network of friends, present and past clients, present and past colleagues, family, friends of friends and the list continues.
I'm proud of what I do and that I think I do my job very well. Repeat clients and referrals reassure me that I must be doing a decent job.
So, the moral to my story is, "Refer anyone to someone you've had a pleasant experience with".
Is it only Real Estate?
No, but a great cup of coffee can be found at Mariposa Natural Market Cafe in Tantallon!
Get it?
All jokes aside, being in this business now for 6 years I'm finding that people are calling me with leads from their neighbors, family and colleagues about selling Real Estate in Nova Scotia. It's interesting that people are so keen on helping out a friend and love to refer.
The nature of our business is working through referrals. It's as simple as someone wanting a sandwich, we all say, "Go to Tims" or "Try Pete's Frootique" or something as we all want to be helpful. It's the same as we move up the ladder to bigger ticket items. Who hasn't referred someone to see a movie, to eat a dinner, to try a shopping mall, to buy a car, and to buy a house. You've had a pleasant experience and want to share your personal experience with someone else.
And now people are referring to me. Naturally not all real estate in Nova Scotia comes through me but I am proud of my own referral network of friends, present and past clients, present and past colleagues, family, friends of friends and the list continues.
I'm proud of what I do and that I think I do my job very well. Repeat clients and referrals reassure me that I must be doing a decent job.
So, the moral to my story is, "Refer anyone to someone you've had a pleasant experience with".
Is it only Real Estate?
No, but a great cup of coffee can be found at Mariposa Natural Market Cafe in Tantallon!
Get it?
Friday, December 17, 2010
So,
How have sales been in Halifax for the past year versus the past few years? Not too bad considering we're in post recession recovery times. People are still investing in properties and why not? The average house price that sold for $203,178 in 2006 is now selling for $253,919. That's a 25% return on your money in that same period of time.
Comparing that to investments in stocks or the market with RRSPs and the like, the evidence is clear that a Real Estate investment is a very wise choice.
Below are the Year To Date MLS sales statistics just recently released.
Year
2006 Average Price was $203,178
2007 Average Price was $216,339
2008 Average Price was $232,106
2009 Average Price was $239,158
Year to Date Average Price is $253,919
How have sales been in Halifax for the past year versus the past few years? Not too bad considering we're in post recession recovery times. People are still investing in properties and why not? The average house price that sold for $203,178 in 2006 is now selling for $253,919. That's a 25% return on your money in that same period of time.
Comparing that to investments in stocks or the market with RRSPs and the like, the evidence is clear that a Real Estate investment is a very wise choice.
Below are the Year To Date MLS sales statistics just recently released.
Year
2006 Average Price was $203,178
2007 Average Price was $216,339
2008 Average Price was $232,106
2009 Average Price was $239,158
Year to Date Average Price is $253,919
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Flat Fee Real Estate with the new CREA Rules
What is a Flat Fee/Mere Posting?
Tuesday, 07 December 2010 17:50 Written by Dan Scarrow, Macdonald Realty Group,
With the recent CREA agreement with the competition bureau, there have been a number of questions about what Flat Fee models are and how they work.
Flat fee, or For Sale by Owner (FSBO), companies typically provide a kit to a seller that may include a sign and the ability to place a property on the MLS system, now known as a “MERE POSTING”, for an up-front and non-refundable fee.
These companies allow a seller to “contract out” of other services provided by full-service agents. Of course, along with allowing sellers to contract out of these services, they also allow agents to contract out of their fiduciary responsibilities of disclosure, confidentiality, and agency. In addition, agents who merely post may not be able or willing to: qualify buyers, provide advice on the market, contracts, legal issues, questions about the house, or even how to deal with an offer. In these cases, sellers would be responsible for showing their own property, being knowledgeable about the market, understanding their legal responsibilities, and hiring a lawyer to draw up contracts, which can run thousands of dollars and are paid regardless of whether a transaction is completed. In addition, a seller, under this model, may not be covered by errors and omissions insurance, meaning that they would be fully liable for a litany of offences, many of which could potentially run hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This Flat Fee model and others such as discounted brokers, contrary to popular belief and media’s reports, have always been allowed to exist in the BC real estate industry. However, the rest of the country has historically placed barriers or restrictions on alternative business models trying to use the MLS (multiple listing service) system as a selling tool. With the recent CREA agreement, the rest of Canada has adopted BC’s progressive stance, which may have the effect of lowering the rest of Canada’s commission rates (typically 5-6 % of the total selling price) to where they are now in BC. This is a good thing, and, as we can see from the BC example, will improve the industry’s competitiveness. That said, despite having alternative models available to consumers for decades in BC, they still only represent less than 10% of the market, in part because sellers typically understand the important role a competent agent plays in effecting the successful sale of the most important asset in most people’s lives.
This piece was kindly contributed by Dan Scarrow, Macdonald Realty Group.
You can follow his blog here: http://blog.macrealty.com/MacdonaldRealtyBlog/ or visit the Macdonald Realty website here: http://www.macrealty.com/
Tuesday, 07 December 2010 17:50 Written by Dan Scarrow, Macdonald Realty Group,
With the recent CREA agreement with the competition bureau, there have been a number of questions about what Flat Fee models are and how they work.
Flat fee, or For Sale by Owner (FSBO), companies typically provide a kit to a seller that may include a sign and the ability to place a property on the MLS system, now known as a “MERE POSTING”, for an up-front and non-refundable fee.
These companies allow a seller to “contract out” of other services provided by full-service agents. Of course, along with allowing sellers to contract out of these services, they also allow agents to contract out of their fiduciary responsibilities of disclosure, confidentiality, and agency. In addition, agents who merely post may not be able or willing to: qualify buyers, provide advice on the market, contracts, legal issues, questions about the house, or even how to deal with an offer. In these cases, sellers would be responsible for showing their own property, being knowledgeable about the market, understanding their legal responsibilities, and hiring a lawyer to draw up contracts, which can run thousands of dollars and are paid regardless of whether a transaction is completed. In addition, a seller, under this model, may not be covered by errors and omissions insurance, meaning that they would be fully liable for a litany of offences, many of which could potentially run hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This Flat Fee model and others such as discounted brokers, contrary to popular belief and media’s reports, have always been allowed to exist in the BC real estate industry. However, the rest of the country has historically placed barriers or restrictions on alternative business models trying to use the MLS (multiple listing service) system as a selling tool. With the recent CREA agreement, the rest of Canada has adopted BC’s progressive stance, which may have the effect of lowering the rest of Canada’s commission rates (typically 5-6 % of the total selling price) to where they are now in BC. This is a good thing, and, as we can see from the BC example, will improve the industry’s competitiveness. That said, despite having alternative models available to consumers for decades in BC, they still only represent less than 10% of the market, in part because sellers typically understand the important role a competent agent plays in effecting the successful sale of the most important asset in most people’s lives.
This piece was kindly contributed by Dan Scarrow, Macdonald Realty Group.
You can follow his blog here: http://blog.macrealty.com/MacdonaldRealtyBlog/ or visit the Macdonald Realty website here: http://www.macrealty.com/
Monday, October 18, 2010
Halifax for the Fall Market
I know, a little late but it seems as though the fall market has snuck up on us here in the HRM. Considering the long summer and the mild fall, until the last week it's been difficult getting our heads wrapped around the fact that it is the fall.
So, what gives? Fall? Is it a seller's market or a buyer's market? There are equally good arguments on both sides. Let's consider a few valid points.
For sellers, there aren't too many competitors out there vying for the buyers. The summer inventory is either sold or taken off the market as some people believe that the fall and winter markets are slower. Most people want to be in their new homes by the time school starts for their children so anything left on the market after September 1 won't sell until the spring.
There's certainly some truth to that. But consider that there still are buyers out there! In 2009 from January 1 - August 31 there were 2670 single family homes sold in HRM with the average list price being $274k and the average selling price being $266k. From September 1 - December 31 there were 1026 homes sold and the average listing price was $270k and the average selling price being $262k.
From January to August there was an average of 333 homes sold per month. From September to December there were 256 sold per month.
So, the moral of the story is that there is still a very healthy fall market. Considering the statistics I've compiled from MLS data, there are only 23% fewer homes sold per month in the fall. The inventory is lower but there are still buyers!
So, it's becoming a sellers market in the fall as inventory is lower and there are still buyers!
And think about listing in the fall. How good does your home look with the leaves turning, the fall crispness in the air, the halloween decorations up now? What about Christmas? Take it off the market? Not a chance! Your home looks the best it will ever look at Christmas! Your lights, your decorations, the snow accenting those lights! Wow....who wouldn't want to buy!
So, what gives? Fall? Is it a seller's market or a buyer's market? There are equally good arguments on both sides. Let's consider a few valid points.
For sellers, there aren't too many competitors out there vying for the buyers. The summer inventory is either sold or taken off the market as some people believe that the fall and winter markets are slower. Most people want to be in their new homes by the time school starts for their children so anything left on the market after September 1 won't sell until the spring.
There's certainly some truth to that. But consider that there still are buyers out there! In 2009 from January 1 - August 31 there were 2670 single family homes sold in HRM with the average list price being $274k and the average selling price being $266k. From September 1 - December 31 there were 1026 homes sold and the average listing price was $270k and the average selling price being $262k.
From January to August there was an average of 333 homes sold per month. From September to December there were 256 sold per month.
So, the moral of the story is that there is still a very healthy fall market. Considering the statistics I've compiled from MLS data, there are only 23% fewer homes sold per month in the fall. The inventory is lower but there are still buyers!
So, it's becoming a sellers market in the fall as inventory is lower and there are still buyers!
And think about listing in the fall. How good does your home look with the leaves turning, the fall crispness in the air, the halloween decorations up now? What about Christmas? Take it off the market? Not a chance! Your home looks the best it will ever look at Christmas! Your lights, your decorations, the snow accenting those lights! Wow....who wouldn't want to buy!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Halifax Housing Market
Halifax housing market has perked up in the last few weeks. The Bamnk of Canada has changed their lending rules to take effect April 19, 2010 so people are out buying up homes and income properties. Why Income properties? their rules are changing from a 5% down to a 10% downpayment.
Other than that, the unusually mild winter has brought out the gardeners, the handyman do it yourselfers, the window washers, bikers, runners, wedding planners, roller bladers, and even the flowers are coming up!!
A few of our local golf courses have even opened up last weekend.
If you're thinking about buying, lock in the still historic rates with today's rules so that by April 19th you're not having to re-apply because of all the rule changes for mortgage qualification!
Other than that, the unusually mild winter has brought out the gardeners, the handyman do it yourselfers, the window washers, bikers, runners, wedding planners, roller bladers, and even the flowers are coming up!!
A few of our local golf courses have even opened up last weekend.
If you're thinking about buying, lock in the still historic rates with today's rules so that by April 19th you're not having to re-apply because of all the rule changes for mortgage qualification!
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