Curious on what's happening in your local area? Our first article updates you on current real estate market conditions.
Moving to a new house is an exciting life change but it can also be very stressful. Our second article outlines some strategies that'll help things go smoothly.
Many of us take vacations this time of year so our third article offers some tips on how to "Go Green" while on holiday.
Finally, our fourth article shares some great advice on how to take care of your cell phone.
Thanks for checking out our newsletter. Let us know if you have any questions or comments regarding the articles or real estate in general -- we'd love to hear from you!
The second quarter of 2010 ended with 1,863 year to date residential unit sales on par with 2009. The unit sales number for the month of June declined by 17% with 364 properties being sold as compared to 441 properties selling in June 2009. However the average selling price in June was $295,963.00 up 7% from June 2009 when the average was $276,194.00. This increase indicates strong activity in the mid to upper price range of homes. The $300,000 to 350,000.00 price range continues to experience the greatest sales activity. I you are interesting in receiving a current market evaluation, just give us a call. We would be happy to provide you with up-to-date market analysis.
REALTORS® listed 676 homes in the month of June a similar number to June 2009 when 669 homes were placed on the market. Year to date listing numbers are on par with 3,838 properties being listed for sale. Consumers had 1,412 homes to select from at the end of June.
Sales activity in the smaller communities around Saskatoon e.g. Martensville, Warman, Dundurn remained very balanced with 101 units selling. That number was up 3% from June 2009. The average selling price was up 1% at $254,203.00, the year to date average selling price in these areas is up 4% at $252,788.00. Listing numbers were down 4% with 246 properties being placed on the market for sale as compared to 257 in June 2009. Similar market activity is expected in the third quarter. New home sales are brisk, interest rates remain attractive, job creation continues to increase and regular in migration is taking place. In addition consumer confidence in the local economy also remains strong. All of these are necessary components of a healthy real estate market environment.
It's important to be as organized as possible when you move into your new home. Planning ahead is key to a successful move and you’ll find the more organized you are, the less stress you'll endure.
Start by packing nonessential items like pictures and books and keep them out of sight so you’re not constantly reminded of the move. It's also a great time to donate things you no longer need to charity. Here are a few packing tips for the rest of your stuff:
lay towels between pictures before bundling them up
keep items such as remotes and cables together
pack your sheets and linens into suitcases
water your plants the day before the move
unscrew light bulbs from all your lamps
Pack a box of essential items (sheets, towels, toilet paper, coffee, dish cloths, garbage bags) to see you through the first few days in your new home. Ask your children to add things like stuffed toys and a few books.
Schedule your move with as much notice as possible but try to avoid the last day of the month. Fridays are also very busy and if something goes wrong, you may have to wait all weekend to get it sorted. Here are a few other things to consider when planning your move:
reserve the service elevator if moving to or from a high-rise
ensure your insurance policy covers you during the move
submit a change of address form to the post office
disconnect and reconnect utilities and telephone services
transport photo albums and other personal items yourself
The best way to ensure a smooth move is to write out a plan of action. Make a "to do" list that clearly states what needs to be done and by when. If you follow these tips, you’ll have fond memories of the first day in your new home.
If you’re vacationing this summer, you'll find it's easy to be environmentally friendly even while you’re away. Here are some simple ideas to consider:
Picture This - Take digital pictures and write a journal or scrap book to remember your trip.
Fill Up - Use refillable water bottles instead of buying plastic bottles that end up in landfills.
Buy Local - Purchase souvenirs from local artisans instead of mass produced, throwaway stuff.
Eat Local - To fully appreciate the area you’re visiting, take in the local fare -- it usually tastes much better anyway!
Conserve Energy - Avoid having your towels and linens replaced each day and turn off lights, the A/C and TV when you're not around.
Trains, Planes & Automobiles - Trains are a great way to enjoy local scenery plus they're environmentally friendly. If you rent a car, consider a hybrid.
Tourists often leave huge carbon footprints behind but there are ways to minimize the environmental impact. Now you can enjoy your vacation knowing that you've done your part for the planet!
You’ve probably lost or damaged your cell phone more times than you'd care to remember. It’s important to protect it just like you would a computer so:
regularly back up your data (contacts, music, photos, etc.)
delete personal information before recycling your old phone
purchase a case to protect it from spills and scratches
exercise caution when opening emails and links
always protect your phone with a password
Losing personal information can be devastating! Threats such as loss, theft, damage and accidental erasure are common with mini-computer style smart phones so it’s important to regularly take steps to proactively protect them.
Are you sick of scouring the paper and MLS sites looking for homes? Tired of playing telephone tag with agents only to hear the home's already sold? Sit back, relax and let me do the work for you! Just visit my website and check off the features you're looking for. Whenever a home matching your criteria hits the market, it'll be automatically flagged and emailed to you so you'll never have to worry about missing your dream home. This service is free and there's no obligation! Click here to get started.
Curious on what's happening in your local area? Our first article updates you on current real estate market conditions.
