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!