Merry Christmas!

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a healthy prosperous 2014!

Here is My Wish List for Lake McGregor Country Estates

When I say here is MY wish list, I mean MY wish list - only my opinion, so please do no blame anyone else Santa! 1) I would really like to see a nice year weather wise at the lake, much like we had last year 2) Last year Lake McGregor Country Estates had to have been the busiest place in the County of Vulcan for construction, with 12 new cottages at the resort this past year. I would like to see that trend continue. 3) I would like to see more buyers come out to the lake. We have cottage lots for under $50,000, and under $40,000 - where else can you get a cottage lot at a resort for prices less than that? Especially when the lots are fully serviced and there is a fully functional clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, private marina, and so much more! 4) Along with cottages, we have RV units on their own lot for sale. I hope that we have more of those buyers come out to the lake. There are some really nice places for sale, and they have been for sale for quite a while. However, we just have not had the buyers. Thus, I want to see more buyers for this section as well. There are a couple of RV lots for sale too. Once again, these lots are serviced and can be used year round. People need to take that into consideration when they are out shopping around. 5) I want to do more fishing. I did catch a couple this past year, but none were big enough to keep. Plus, my cousin always seems to catch more fish than me, so I would like to put an end to that streak, even just once! And I want to show that stupid fish finder gadget that I CAN catch those fish that it keeps telling us are there! 6) I would like to see a group of us clear a spot on the large hills to that we can go sledding in the winter and not have to be concerned about hitting a rock on the way down. Those are some great hills for sledding and they could make for some great family time! 7) I would like to see more pot-luck dinners at the lake. I think that they are a great community event where people get to know each other better. We use to have them once a month during the summers. I would like to see them again. (some really good food too!) 8) Buy a Seadoo! Those things are fun, and with so much lake out there to use, it would be a hoot! 9) Have boat storage sheds at the resort. I think that there is a demand for them and we just need to get one going and others will follow. 10) Get the word out about Lake McGregor Country Estates! More people need to know about us and our great resort!

Blizzard conditions sweeping through county | Vulcan Advocate

Blizzard conditions sweeping through county | Vulcan Advocate

Yes, winter has hit us with a bang again!  I have talked to people who live at the lake and they said that they can get out of the resort, but the highways are bad.  Stay at home if you can.

Farmers Tribute: So God Made A Farmer. Paul Harvey

Water quality and levels

Lately in the news there have been warnings about algae in the water of several lakes, causing concerns about swimming in the water, along with drinking it, or letting you pets drink the water. That has NOT happened at Lake McGregor. I was out on the water this past weekend and the water is fine. (the fish were biting too!) As far as the water level goes, we have reached our lowest point of the year, due to the irrigation system downstream, and the level is back on the rise.

Update for summer 2013

I finally received an offer on an RV lot with a park model this past week. It did not come as much of a surprise though. With similar properties listed in the $160,000+ area, and this property listed at $130,000 (in good condition, not rundown - just priced to sell), it proved my point in that there ARE buyers out there. They are just waiting for a bargain. We now have a conditional sale on a property that we had not even really advertised yet, while we have other properties that have been on the market for 1 year and longer...still waiting for an offer. No one wants to lose money on an investment. I have no problem with people wanting to make a few bucks either. However, the market is what it is, and if you want a sale sooner than later, it better be priced accordingly. Otherwise, properties are going to sit.

Alberta Flood 2013

Just a note to let everyone know that Lake McGregor Country Estates did not get flooded, unlike many other communities in Southern Alberta. The resort, along with Little Bow Resort, has not been touched by any high flowing waters. We are lucky in that other communities such as High River, Calgary, and Hidden Valley Resort have had damage estimates in the millions of dollars, and things are not done yet. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones, and to those who have lost their homes. This is something that we see on TV and are almost numb to it, but when it hits so close to home, it is shocking.

Just because it's raining and cool in Calgary, does not mean it's not warm and sunny here!

So often we read, see, or hear on the news how the real estate market is doing. On the street, talk to one person and they think that the market is booming, and then talk to another and they will say that the market is slow. We have heard how the Canadian Real Estate market is slowing down, but then we hear how things are booming in Alberta and Saskatchewan. So...what are we supposed to think??? Check with the local real estate agents, your local town office, or local trades people. Just because it is raining cats and dogs and the temperature is cool in Calgary, that does not necessarily mean that the weather is not sunny and warm here in Vulcan. The same goes for the real estate market. Yes, I spoke with a real estate friend this past week and she is getting sick of all of the multiple offer situations that she is dealing with. She gets text messages in the middle of a showing, letting her know that there has just been an accepted offer on the property. Calgary has a different economy, a much larger population, and a much more diverse working population. In Vulcan, we are currently seeing an increase in activity in the local residential real estate market, however, due to our large inventory of properties on the market and a low amount of jobs available, our market is still rather soft. I feel that the overall recreational property market is still soft. When we do get a couple of sales, everyone seems to get excited because "Things are moving again", "The market is starting to take off". My advice to sellers is to be patient. It is still a soft market. When we do actually get an offer in writing, that is at least a start. An offer in writing is a place to start negotiations. Potential buyers talking about putting an offer in, or just wanting to submit a verbal offer, are more often than not, wasting a seller's time. "I have friends who want to buy your place but just aren't ready yet" does not pay off one's mortgage. "We are waiting to see what the market does before we write an offer," does not make the monthly payments. As the saying goes' "In God we trust, all other must pay cash", this holds true for real estate as well. An offer is only as good as the paper it is written on. If it's not on paper, it's not really an offer. People's minds can change, remembering things differently, and so on. And one last piece of advice for the day, enjoy your time with friends at the coffee shop, but take their advice with a grain of salt. Like I said before, just because someone heard that the market is doing great in one place, does not mean that it's necessarily doing great in another. Different regions have different influences on their own market. Do your homework before coming to your own conclusions.

Fire Ban in Effect

Please note that there is a fire ban in effect. Much of Southern Alberta, including Lake McGregor Country Estates and Little Bow Resort, in under this fire ban. The warm dry conditions are helping the farmers get their seeding done quickly, but we need some rain to help get some moisture in the ground to help things grow, and get rid of the dry conditions.

Directions to Lake McGregor Country Estates

One of the challenges that I have found in marketing Lake McGregor Country Estates is that people get confused about how to get there. For example, they follow the signs that say Lake McGregor, or McGregor Lake, and assume that they are going in the right direction. Well of course they are! However, when they get to that destination, they see the lake...and prairie...a few trees... and a campground. "Where is the clubhouse???" "This is not what that silly real estate salesman told us would be here!" Well...they were at the provincial campground. Yes, a campground...NOT the resort. So, here's the directions that will get you to the actual Lake McGregor Country Estates RV and Cottage Resort. If you are travelling from Calgary, Strathmore, or Airdrie or somewhere in that area, travel south on Highway 23 until you reach the south end of the Town of Vulcan. Yes, there is a space ship in Vulcan so it should be fairly easy to spot. At the south end of Vulcan, turn east (left) on Secondary Highway #534. This secondary highway eventually turns into Secondary Highway #531. I am not sure why, but it just does. Anyhow, it will take you around 20 minutes or so from Vulcan to reach Lake McGregor Country Estates. It is about 32 or 33 km from Vulcan. The resort is on the south side (right side) of the road. There is a big sign there, along with flags. "You have reached your destination!" Coming from the south, say from Lethbridge, just follow Highway #23 until you reach Vulcan, turn east on Secondary Highway #534, and same results as above. Coming from Medicine Hat or Brooks, take Highway #36 south to Secondary Highway #539. This highway will take you right to the Village of Lomond. From Lomond, continue west on Secondary Highway #531. The resort will be about 15 minutes away.

Looks like spring!

It has been quite the extreme in weather this spring. We seem to go from no snow on the ground one day, to shovelling snow the next, to needing sunscreen the following day, and then repeat.... Is it safe to say that we are done with the snow? Hey, we live in Southern Alberta! We are not really out of the woods yet until the end of May or so. BUT we do have the clubhouse so no matter what the weather is doing outside, there is always something for the family to do inside. As far as sales activity goes, there have been a few people looking around, but the market is still soft. With any luck, this nice weather will bring people out from their hibernation and start shopping.

Springtime Selling Tips

Springtime selling tips Inventory almost always rises in the spring. Why? Because the largest number of buyers are actively searching for a new home during the months of April, May and June – although Calgary’s spring is arriving a little late this year. Your clients may be asking how they can make their homes stand out among the sea of new listings. Here are some tips to share with them: • Wash windows inside and out: Sparkle sells homes. A potential buyer may not realize why a home seems so inviting but will feel drawn to it if the windows are spotless and reflect sunlight. • Rake the yard / trim back bushes: Clean out dead leaves and debris. Don't let overgrown vegetation block windows or the path to the entrance. • Mow diagonally and edge lawn along driveway / sidewalks: Artfully manicured lawns show the seller pays attention to the details. Diagonally mowed lawns make a yard appear larger. • Transplant tulips and daffodils or buy flowers in containers: Research shows that yellow flowers stimulate buying urges and induce feelings of happiness and contentment. • Clean drapes, curtains & blinds and open every window: Wash, dry and press window coverings. Toss blinds into a soapy bathtub for a quick wash. Get rid of all accumulated dust and spider webs. Crisp linens and a spring-time breeze through the windows invites the season inside. • Set out fresh-smelling flowers such as just-clipped lilac branches or peonies: Natural scents are more appealing than artificial and trigger fewer allergies. • Polish floors to a high gloss: Hardwood floors should be refinished, if necessary. Make ceramic and linoleum floors twinkle and shine. Bleach dull grout. Thoroughly clean all area rugs. • Utilize towels, throws, pillows in light colors – yellows, pinks, pale blues, lavenders: Towels, linens, throws and sofa pillows are inexpensive accents. Replace aging items. • Offer an outside mat for cleaning shoes: Spring weather is often unpredictable, it can be 18 degrees one day and snowing the next – as Albertans well know!

Another cottage going up!

Work on digging the basement for a new cottage at the lake started this past week. The shingles on another new one are complete. It is exciting to see development continue out there! Hopefully this action will excite potential buyers, letting them see what a quality development this is, and result in more sales!

January to now...an update

The recreational property market is still soft. Yes there has been some interest with one cottage sold at the lake and it looks like another is pending, but we are still in a soft market. 2012 had a slow start too, but then we ended up with 20 sales at the lake for the year. Do I see things picking up? Yes. When? Good question. Last year it was not until the summer that we really saw some good sales activity. Perhaps it will be the same this year. Buyers are shopping around, but I still see them as being somewhat hesitant to make a decision. And why not? There is not pressure to buy. Interest rates are low. There is plenty of selection. There is not a lot of competition. However, when they see a bargain...stand back because there will be a stampede! Just my opinion.

It's Spring Time!

The calendar tells us that spring has arrived! Yesterday, it certainly looked like spring. Today, well, it looks like a spring snow storm. Hey, it's March. Snow happens! The market activity at the lake has been slow, a "soft" market. I did get an accepted offer on a cottage last week, so that is a good start. We had about 6 different parties out about 2 weekends ago looking. I guess people are just shopping and comparing with not much urgency right now. This is good for buyers, but then again...one party was looking at the cottage that I just got the accepted offer on, and now they have missed out, at least on that one. We do still have a good inventory for those looking to buy, so you can say that we are ready for the buyers. Come on down!

Activity at the lake

We have hit a bit of a lull in activity at the lake. I think that we are in the transition of slower winter season, moving towards a busy spring. There has been construction happening, and more is about to start. This will be nice to see. It's always great to see progress at the lake. There is going to be a new set of architectural control guidelines coming as well. With the changes to Vulcan County guidelines, and fire prevention, and other things that people way smarter than me (builders, planners, and such) are paid to do, it is time to get things updated. No sitting back and resting on our butts here! Oh, and I will be at the Calgary Home and Garden Show Saturday on behalf of the Town of Vulcan so stop by and say Hello! Yes, I will be having some Lake McGregor Country Estates brochures there too! I SO like to brag!

What to do in case of a collision

I pulled this off of an email that I received from the Alberta Motor Association and I thought I would share it: What to do if you have a collision Unfortunately, chances are that some time in your life you will be involved in a collision. Here’s a quick refresher on what you should do. The first thing you should do is evaluate the damage. Call the police if: Someone is hurt. You think any other driver may be guilty of a Criminal Code offence, such as driving under the influence of alcohol. There is significant property damage or your vehicle is not drivable. If there are no serious injuries, try to move your vehicle to the side of the road. If your vehicle is not drivable, be sure to turn on your hazard lights or use cones or flares to alert other drivers. Exchange information Then exchange information with any other parties involved in the collision. Obtain the names and contact information of other parties, passengers and witnesses involved in the collision. Also, write down any other details of the incident, including time, location and road conditions. To help you, the Insurance Bureau of Canada has developed a collision report form. Keep a copy of the form in your glove box so you won’t have to worry about remembering what to write down. If you don’t carry a cell phone with camera capabilities, keeping a disposable camera in your glove box can come in handy at a time like this, so you can capture a few photographs of the scene and any damage. Report the claim If the combined damage to the vehicles involved is over $2,000, you must file a Collision Report at a police station. Failure to do so could result in a fine or demerit points. You could also have difficulty getting your vehicle repaired. As of January 2011, auto body shops and auto wreckers are prohibited from making collision-related repairs or destroying a vehicle without a damage sticker. The sticker indicates that the collision has been reported to the police Protect yourself from hit-and-runs In 2012, there were over 7,400 hit-and-run accidents. Recently in the Edmonton Journal, an article on this growing trend was published to make you aware of a problem that seems to be increasing in Edmonton. Within the article a quote from Sgt. Kerry Bates suggested that as the cars pull over, one will just keep going and drive away. Bates recommends that you snap a picture of the licence plate. Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada Edmonton Journal Alberta Treasury Board and Finance

May 1, 2013 Price Increase

We have been informed that the price of the lots remaining for sale from the Developer will be increasing in price as of May 1, 2013.

Why have a home inspection?

I am working on a transaction that is subject to a property inspection being satisfactory to the buyer. "This is something that I recommend to each of my buying clients. Questions come up, such as "Who pays for that?" "How much is it?" Why should I get one? Everything looks okay." Well, here is my two cents... First of all, the Buyer is the one who usually pays for the home inspection. There may be a special arrangement made that the Seller pays for it, but as it is for the Buyer's benefit, it is usually at his/her cost. Prices vary for home inspections, but as of today, you would be looking in the $450 and up range for a home inspection. There may be cheaper ones out there, but that's an average in my area. BUYER So why a home inspection? Here is what I tell my clients: A home inspector's job is to find deficiencies in a house/property. Whether the house is brand new, or is 100 years old, the inspector is going to find something wrong with it. That is what they are trained for. The average inspection will take around two hours or so, depending on how detailed the inspection is. After the inspection is complete, the inspector usually gives you a document (paper or electronic) to let you know what he/she has found. Some inspectors like to have your there during the whole inspection, while others like to have you there at the end of the inspection so that they can show you in person what they have found. The inspection should show you what needs to be done right away, and what should be done within a couple of months or years, or longer down the road. It should show you any major deficiencies such as structural, electrical, plumbing, or other things like the possibility of mold or asbestos. Some inspectors now have infrared scanners which can show you how energy efficient the house is, among other things. Okay, so your possible new to you dream home is not perfect. Now what? This is where the Buyer does his/her homework. The Buyer has to decide how bad the deficiencies are; how much is the Buyer willing to spend on fixing the issues; is the Buyer willing to walk away from the transaction because of the deficiencies: or, is the Buyer going to want the Seller to help pay for repairs. The Buyer could decide that they want the property anyways and will deal with things later. The Buyer could decide that they want to split the cost of repair with the Seller, and that would have to be negotiated. The Buyer could do some homework, getting costs to repair, and set themselves us a budget to get things done at their own pace. The Buyer could also decide that the cost to repair would be too costly and walk away from the deal. I like to have my clients have an idea of what the future has in store for them. Owning your own home comes at a cost. Repairs, maintenance, and all that are part of owning a home. How much a person wants to pay for those costs is up to them. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Buyer might be buying a house that costs them $200,000 to purchase, but the inspection brings up a concern about the age of the furnace. This is Mr. and Mrs. Buyer's dream house, so they know that they will have to budget for a new furnace sooner than later. This works out fine with their plans so they go ahead with the purchase. If it was going to be too much for them, they could walk away from the deal (as long as they had a subject to property inspection condition), and find their next dream home that will hopefully be in better condition. SELLER Why would a seller get a home inspection? In a competitive Buyer's market, a Seller that has already had a home inspection done may be one step ahead of his/her competition. A) You can show potential buyers what the condition of the house is, inspection wise, when they come to look at the property; and B) You could already address some of the concerns that the property inspection brought up. For example, I was selling my house and had an inspection done beforehand. The inspector showed some minor issues with some electrical outlets, so I got them taken care of right away. I showed this to potential Buyers and it helped give them more peace of mind. It ended up saving them some money, AND some time as they did not have to order an inspection. We just got the deal done. MORAL OF THE STORY Have I had deals collapse where I represented the Seller and the property inspection showed defects that the Buyers found unacceptable? Yes. However, it is best to know before money exchanges hands, and before people feel like someone was hiding something and people get upset and lawyers get involved. Disclose, disclose, disclose. And do your homework before you buy or sell. You will sleep much better at the end of the day.

January - Advocacy-Win

Jan-Advocacy-Win

I wanted to post this news clip to bring to light some of the things that REALTORS(R) are doing that are not always noticed by the public.  Being part of PAC (Political Action Committee) is a way for me to help give back to my community.

Staying Connected

Over the next few days, I will be attending the Banff Western Connection Conference. This is one of the largest real estate conferences in North America. This is my fifth BWC conference, a conference which takes place every two years. Every other year, there is the Jasper Leadership Conference. Great conferences, priceless information, and wonderful connections are made. I do enjoy attending conferences, especially when I know I am gaining valuable information to help my everyday work,and to better serve my clients. I was also a director with the Alberta Real Estate Association, was President in 2011, and I currently serve as a committee member on the Calgary Real Estate Board with the Political Action Committee, and the Town and Country Committee. The thing is that the more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know! Thus, I like to stay involved at some level of organized real estate. So when do I have time to serve my clients, to get my work done, to make a living? Am I doing my clients a disservice by not staying in the office everyday? It did for a while, but now, after learning from many mistakes, I have gained some very valuable experience. First of all, I have a great team behind me, to take care of my clients while I am away. Also, I am a mobile agent. I have a smart phone, tablet computer, iPad, along with many, many programs and applications which help me take my office in the road. When people call me, I could be at my office, on the road (yes, I have a hands free device), checking out properties, or someplace else. wherever I am, I still have telephone access. If I am not answering the phone, I could be with clients, on an airplane, or doing something that just does not make it possible for me to answer immediately. However, I do have voicemail, and I do my best to answer my messages ASAP. Along with email, virtual faxes keep me connected to serve my clients and other real estate agents. For example, I have been here in Banff for two days, and during that time, I have set up three showings, priced a commercial lot for my local town, am in the process of setting up a property inspection, and have a foreclosure property to do a market analysis on when I get back home. I also have three meetings booked for Monday and Tuesday next week. At the same time, I am gaining valuable information, and networking with real estate agents across Canada and the United States, which, in turn, helps make me a better agent to better serve my clients. And in the end, the goal is to be of more value to customers and clients. REALTOR Lyle at 12:57 PM