Welcome to the Lake

Welcome to the Lake

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas 2008

It looks like it is going to be a White Christmas after all!

On behalf of everyone at Magnuson Realty Ltd., I wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy happy 2009!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Plant a dream and watch it grow!

Year ago someone decided that putting a resort in the middle of the prairies next to a large body of water was a neat idea. The locals all thought he was nuts! It's right out in the middle of nowhere in farm country. Who would want to come out there? There is nothing, no trees, just grass and tumble weeds.

What a difference a dream and a little action can make! Even some of the "locals" are building at this 4-season resort now! Despite the doom and gloom that we either hear or read about in the media everyday, this cottage and RV resort is still thriving! More cottages are being built and I must say that they look impressive.

The longest lake in southern Alberta, a large clubhouse with pools, hot tub and more, what a place to get away! And it all began with a dream!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

2008 - An Interesting Year

Well where ever you look, the real estate market has been slow this past year. Lake McGregor Country Estate sales are no different. Yet that does not mean that activity at the lake has been slow. Construction of new cottages has been, and continues to be going steady throughout the year. I hear from people who have not been out there in several months how much things have progressed out there.

We did have a bad hail storm this past summer. With that came many insurance claims, resulting in new siding for some cottages and RVs. Also there will be new fencing around our outdoor pool. Of course the resort did not look its best after the storm, but once all of these claims have been taken care of, it will almost be like a new resort out there! Well not quite but every little bit helps!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Fall 2008

The leaves are changing colours and the days are getting shorter. Must be autumn.

It has been a slow year for sales. The real estate market on a whole has been slower throughout the country, North America, and even Europe. Lots of negative feelings, negative words in news, makes one a little worried.

Well here is something to think about. First of all, everything goes in cycles so we really should not be surprised that the market has slowed down. It had to. Buyers were being priced out of the market. It was not that long ago that Lake McGregor Country Estates was one of the cheapest places to buy recreational property. People that could not afford recreational property in the larger, more established markets bought here. They bought when the lots were under priced. Now the resort is priced closer to the competition - supply and demand has increased the prices. As a result, the market for buyers got a little smaller. The sales at Lake McGregor Country Estates are still comparable, if not better in 2008 than other resorts in Alberta.

Next, we have federal elections, both here in Canada and in the US. New governments (or re-elected governments) come into power in the new year. With new governments comes optimism. With optimism, people have a more positive outlook on things and should help our economy grow. Just a theory but I think it makes sense. I am looking forward to sales picking up in the spring of '09!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Cottage lot sales

After a very slow spring and summer for cottage lot sales, we finally have had two sales within the past couple of weeks. And we are getting more and more interest. Perhaps people have had their fill of camping this year and are ready to make a more permanent move.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Fall Meeting 2008

The fall owners meeting will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 11 AM in the clubhouse.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

The Community

One of the great features at Lake McGregor Country Estates that we don't read about in the newspapers is the community. The resort has many activities for everyone. For example, last month there was boat poker. Today is the monthly potluck dinner. From May to October, a potluck dinner is held at the clubhouse for owners to meet one another and catch up on some visiting. (also some good eatin'!) Other events include Christmas in July, crafts for the kids, and a Thanksgiving Dinner with turkey and all of the trimmings. The clubhouse is a great place to meet and greet and share some good old family time which is a precious gift.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Green, Green, Green

Mother nature has sure been keeping things green at Lake McGregor! It looks beautful out here...more than usual!

Cottage lot sales have been slow this year. This seems to be a common trend in other local recreational property markets as well, including Little Bow Resort and Lake Newell. Why? This is a reflection of the general real estate market in Western Canada. Experts suggest that this is a correction in the market, as sellers have had it very good in the past 6 or 7 years. Our market is getting to be back to "normal". As my university economics professor said, "Everything goes in cycles". Once again, great time to be a buyer!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Food for thought

Someone was quoted in stating "Many people wish to wait until next year, when prices may be lower, which of course, is a risk in and of itself. Prices may be lower, or may be higher. How many times have you waited for that special sweater at your favourite store to be marked down, only to discover that it was snapped up by someone else before you had the chance to purchase it?

If may be a simple analogy, but the principle is the same: Sometimes you snooze, you lose. If that's okay with you, then go ahead and wait it out. Hopefully you won't want to kick yourself a year from now.

The truth is, none of the experts can accurately predict the real estate market any better than the experts can accurately predict the stock market or what as prices will be a year from now. If you purchasd real estate in 2006 or 2007, you most likely got a great home at a terrific price with a low interest rate. Provided you stay in your home for several years, you will benefit when property values eventually rise again.

If you are selling now, you may be selling a little lower to buy lower. Same as a year or two ago, if you were selling, you were selling higher, but more than likely buying higher as well.

After all, it is a good time to buy!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Tired of high gas prices?

Well, I may have actually been correct with a prediction! With the price of fuel on the rise, I thought that the bare RV lots that we have listed at the resort would not last much past the May long weekend. We had five bare RV lots listed, and as of this morning (Saturday of the long weekend), there is one remaining for sale. Not bad!

There are people coming out to look at the cottage lots as well. It is exciting to see all of the new cottages being constructed, There are some really nice places going up! I anticipate more action after the weekend, as people come back home with the realization of how expensive it is to pull the trailer out for the weekend. At Lake McGregor Country Estates, you have your own lot to come to whenever you want, a clubhouse with swimming pools and more, plus the resort's private marina, beach and boat storage area. Hmmmm...something to consider maybe???

Friday, May 16, 2008

Spring Meeting

The first meeting in 2008 for the lot owners at Lake McGregor Country Estates will be held at the clubhouse at 10 AM on June 7. See you there!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Fireban

There has been a fireban issued for the County of Vulcan. Please take note of this if you are heading out this way.

Things are starting to turn green at the resort. As soon as we get some moisture, look out! We had a nice warm weekend last weekend. As a result, quite a few owners were out dusting off their decks and getting excited about the spring! It is quite a shock for people who haven't been here since last fall as there have been quite a few cottages gone up since then.

We have sold two RV lots within the past few weeks. As the weather gets warmer, interest is growing and growing. With spring approaching and more cottages going up, people are getting excited! I even have my fishing licence already. Do you have yours?

Sunday, February 17, 2008

February 2008

Are you getting the itch yet? If so, you are not alone. Inquiries about the resort are picking up and we even have a few new listings for people to look at. With an increase in activity in other areas of real estate, I wouldn't be surprised to see recreational property following suit! We have a couple new RV lot listings which is great since we only have a few resales left to sell. Plus construction on the cottage lots continues. There are some really nice places coming along! It is really interesting to see the progress of these cottages.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Happy New Year!

Each time I stop at the resort it seems like there is a new cottage going up! And inquiries about the resort have been picking up too. People are checking out the remaining RV lots that are for sale. Less than a handful. What is this going to do for pricing? Supply versus demand.