Beyond The Front Door

Issue #6                                      www.shelleysoles.ca
October 2008
Greetings!

Where DID the summer go?  Thanksgiving has come and gone and I hope you managed to spendShelley Med 2 some time this weekend with family and friends.  We travelled to Kelowna for a couple of days and managed to play our last game of golf of the season.  The drive through the mountains to the Okanagan was a perfect time to reflect and be thankful for all the good things life brings - especially living in this beautiful part of the country!
 
The last week of September was spectacular and felt like a bonus, however I'm lamenting once again about our short relationship with sun and warmth.  Don't get me wrong, I love the fall and the rich golden colours, pulling out sweaters and walks in the leaves.  This year, now that we're living in a condo, there's no worrying about getting our garden ready for winter, but a tiny part of me is missing that, along with planting bulbs for spring.  And while fall warns us that winter is coming, focus on the now, and enjoy every moment! 

Signature

Royal LePage's Top 'DYI' Renovations with Best Return on Investment
 
Now that fall is here, you may be thinking that it's time to  
put some energy into the interior of your home, so here
are some projects that will add value to your home.
Read the entire article and get some great tips! 



 More - but these might require some help!



Notes:  *Assumes mid-grade quality finishes, labour excluded 
** Source: Appraisal Institute of Canada RENOVA, Royal LePage


This Month's Discovery

Dinner in the Sky
 

 If you're looking for a new dinner adventure, check this out!  How about dinner approximately 50 meters above the ground?  The website has all sorts of photos and a great video.  I'm a totally scaredy-cat when it comes to heights, so you won't catch me up there.  Besides, where's the ladies room???? 

Real Estate Update

Double digit slide, plunging, plummeting - oh the headlines! What's happening with our market?  This is million dollar question I'm asked daily. Let me try to shed some light. 
 
For those of you who like numbers, this reflects the year over year and the most recent month over month stats:

SingleFamilySept08



Interestingly, more single family homes are selling in lower price ranges (50% in the $200-250,000 range).  It is clearly still a buyer's market and is a good time for first time home buyers with many choices of properties to be had. 
 
It's important to put the market into perspective - all markets go through cycles (as we are well aware these days). 
 
Slowly, the market is correcting itself and hopefully coming back to a more balanced market with a more compatible number of buyers and sellers.

I expect that this will continue for the next several months. 
 
Hang in there and remember, these days, real estate is for long term gain.  Don't just read the big bold headlines in the paper, read the entire article and get the whole picture.

 
South Okanagan Osoyoos BC
Lots for Sale
 
Regal Ridge Lots
 
There's a development in this beautiful part of BC that is offering 1-3 acre lots with spectacular lake and mountain views from $149,000 to $349,000.
 
They are serviced and there's no timeline to build. They've done an amazing job of combining privacy and natural surroundings with incredible vistas.
 
For more information or for a free DVD about the project, give me a call at (403) 830-6646.
 
Calgary Market Update
 

Single

Family

Sep 08

Aug 08

Jul
08

Sales

1152

1170

1313

*Median Price ($000)

395

398

409

**Average

Price ($000)

444

441

456

Days on

Market

51

52

52

Month End Inventory

5387

5541

6038


 

Condos

Sep 08

Aug 08

Jul 08

Sales

465

495

535

*Median Price ($000)

265

268

273

**Average

Price ($000)

287

288

296

Days on

Market

54

58

52

Month End Inventory

2659

2699

2888

Source: Calgary Real Estate Board
 
*Median price (in 000's) is midway between least expensive and most expensive.
 
**Average price (in 000's) is useful in establishing trends over time, however can be influenced by sales of a few very expensive properties in an community.
 
 
 
 Quick Links
 
 
 
 
 
Shelley Soleslogoaward
Royal LePage Benchmark
403.259.9327
 
Supporting the Calgary Real Estate Board Charitable Foundation
 
This communication is not intended to cause or induce a breach of an existing agency agreement.