Congratulations on your first transaction! I appreciate your expertise in social media marketing. Your skilled work with QR codes, Facebook, You tube, and our website increased our potential customer traffic. Lets keep it going on the next one!

Main Floor of 4919 48th Street Red Deer for lease. The premises total 2400 sq. ft. and the rental rate is $12.50 per sq. ft. plus operating costs. The main floor leasehold improvements consist of 4 offices, reception area, work room, storage room and 2pc bathroom. The building is air conditioned and has a separate furnace, hot water tank, electrical meter, alarm system and signage. The offices are cad 5 wired and there is Shaw cable. The operating costs are approximately $6,625 pr annum. The monthly costs are approx $3,052.00 plus GST including operating costs.
For more information contact Jim McLeod at 403-309-5000 or via email at jmcleod@reddeerrealestate.com

For any of you that read my last post I hope that you got the impression that I am seeing a bull market in many locations when it comes to real estate. I have been talking to realtors, estate agents, and negotiators all over North America and Western Europe in the last two weeks and in every market it is my opinion that we are seeing the same trend take place. That trend is premium locations are appreciating even when the balance of the market is stagnating. Whenever there is political or economic upheaval people look to park money in a stable political environment with a fair legal system that has a framework for property ownership. If you look at the prime locations in London, Paris and New York I am told prices are up by at least 40% since 2008 while the rest of the market is down.
I believe many of these principles also apply to specific locations in Vancouver and Toronto. So where does that leave Alberta especially lakefront at Sylvan Lake. I believe we are missing one of the biggest opportunities to promote our lifestyle on the real estate world stage. With proper exposure of our best properties what type of customer could we attract? If you are looking for a different experience with your next real estate transaction call me and see why you should be working with me.

It is my opinion that our market is continuing its improvement that started last fall. Inventories are still well below last year and there is more confidence in our economy. Our prices seem to be continuing the upward trend and I see no reason for this not to continue. The questions going forward is how much and for how long and my answer is I do not have a crystal ball but let’s go for the ride. In any location and because real estate is local there are always better investments for appreciation so the real question becomes where do you park your money. In any market specific neighborhoods and even right down to the streets in that neighborhood may represent different values and opportunities. List to sales percentages, days on market are two key things buyers and sellers need to look at when placing a value on a particular property.
I think there are 3 questions that you need to ask your realtor before you start to work with them and they are:
1) What is philosophy about real estate?
2) Where do you put your personal investments?
3) Why should I work with you?
I look forward to discussing my philosophy to any of the above questions.

I would like to introduce and welcome Pierre Dhaussy to our team at Sanctuary Real Estate Ltd. Pierre is from the North of France and is in his 3rd year of a 5 year international business degree at ESCIP International Business School. Pierre’s previous degree in business and experience will allow him to bring a different view to our business. Pierre’s job here will be to analyze different parts of our business operation and implement changes resulting in improvements to our customer experience, day to day operation, social media interaction, and any other areas of our business that he thinks he can make a difference in. As a personal opportunity I am looking to broaden my view of how I look at the business of real estate which will make me a better agent. I always say anytime you need to teach anything you become better at it. When you contact our office and get a French accent on the phone you have the right place. Welcome Pierre and we look forward to your input on improving our business.

Phoenix’s housing market is in a state of fast changes. Prices are ticking up, and buyers are getting more and more frustrated they can’t find homes
Mike Orr
Real Estate Analyst
Arizona State University

I just got back from a few days in Arizona (see my pictures on my facebook page) I could not get away from the snow. I spoke to many realtors in Phoenix and the impression I was left with was the market is changing. Inventories are down and prices are starting to recovery. See the inventory levels on my web page under about tab buying in Arizona. There was an article in the Arizona Republic by Catherine Reagor talking about mortgage relief and I think this will further reduces inventories on the market.

It’s an undisputed truth that whatever you feel comfortable spending on your home it’s never enough. While I write this I have various ongoing searches ranging from a first time home to lakefront cabin. They are all challenging to find but I do seem to be getting closer to the mark on most of them. With all buyers I am learning to manage their expectations in other words help my buyers understand what they will get for their budget and steering them in that direction whether it is location, price, size or condition. Now my real works starts. This means I need to be an optimist, realist and stay positive.

Looking for a new property should be a great adventure including some fun and some learning. On the other side when you see the right property you need to put the wheels in motion. I do not want to be perceived as a pushy agent but one who listens. I like to have the buyer tell me if they could live in property and I like to discuss value.

With the three of us in the office now, soon to be four, I feel we can cover most areas in our market. It is my opinion I am better off to be a master of my market-sphere rather than spread my knowledge too fine.

Technology has changed this business over the last few years and it will continue to evolve. As a buyer or seller technology has given you access to almost everything you need and as more information shows up on the internet your expectations as a buyer or seller will also increase. Technology has changed the way buyers and sellers approach the real estate transaction because they have probably already searched different websites looking at photos, virtual tours and comparable properties. This access to information has allowed people to do their homework on their own time and at their own pace. With this confidence the buyer or seller is expecting more from us as agents. It has made us as agents change and adapt, becoming more mobile and virtual. As agents we have seen our margins eroded and costs increase making it necessary to change the traditional way of marketing our real estate services. The new business models such as what I am using here at Sanctuary Real Estate is much more streamlined and therefore more cost efficient. I believe agents in the future will be looking for this streamlined way of doing business to meet their customer’s changing expectations. I have been seeing this over the last few years in my business as my first time buyer’s communication needs are mobile or internet based. I am seeing more and more real estate transactions happen without more than 1 physical meeting. With changing demographics and all time low interest rates I believe that today’s agent has to step up their game and must have a desire to meet the increasing demands from buyers and sellers. I believe the agent has to create a transaction hub connecting everyone involved in the transaction including, buyers, sellers, other realtors, lawyers, mortgage brokers, and home inspectors all in real time. If you as an agent are still faxing you should be asking if this is consistent with my customers expectations. As a buyer or seller are you asking your agent if he has a virtual business and what is his value proposition?

I learned last week that a mentor of mine from London in the U.K. is retiring. In the last 6 years that I have known him he has helped me keep this business in perspective as he worked in 4 areas of London that had very high price points and with buyers and sellers that pricing seemed not to be an issue as long as they saw value in the property and the service being provided. This one word being value generated many discussions between us over the years. I wish him the best in his retirement and I look forward to using his vast experience to help me continue to improve my value proposition.