Having sold my property with all conditions removed and the bright red sold sign waiving in the winter breezes for about 19 days now ....my family friends and fellow realtors ask.....
DID YOU FIND A NEW PLACE?



......... Flash back 30 years and my first child, was overdue by two weeks, it was the hottest August on record, and people would ask...DID YOU HAVE THE BABY YET?
Finding the right home is the same kind of process...hard as you may want it to happen NOW... finding the right house takes time.... but hopefully a lot less pain! Even your realtor and their team of seasoned professionals, will have some challenges no doubt. Do you find a perfect place first and buy before you sell (scared of owning two homes)? We are often asked do we sell first and then end up feeling somewhat homeless as we search. Or if you go the somewhat safe route and can find a seller to accept a conditional offer... you find the right home and hope your home sells quickly. Downside is you are bargaining on a promise. Mr. Seller I promise to buy your home if and when mine sells... and as Dr Phil asks "hows that workin for yah?"
Living this challenge the past three weeks, I am reminded that being in this position is one of the reasons we need realtors and all their support systems. Our job is to be "the Project" manager and work out all the fine details. The discomfort in any situation often comes from the "unknown fear" ...of what may or could or SHOULD happen and often not what does happen. Contingencies and trusted guidance is what counts.
I like many of the buyers and sellers out there right now; I am watching a very tight listing market... fewer properties for sale and some good activity in the buying end. Buyers are stepping right into the market as prices edge their way up... indicators are its going to be a good market... not an explosion and not an implosion.... rates will hold steady and the newest CMHC tighter rules... actually VERY well received.
SO should you be in the position of wanting to sell right now at minus 18 degrees? ...YES the market is moving!! People are buying and selling and although the inventory is low... days on the market is also low... properties that are priced intellegiently are selling! There will be more out there very very soon... HONEST
Keep you posted as I remain... as many of you... Looking for that perfect next home.

January 2011... The "Market" is off and running

Was Christmas really almost a month ago??..Blink and it will be February... BLINK ...March Break...!

The real estate market is always supposed to be heating up as the weather cools to COLD and this year is no different. This year, however, my perspective has been changed.....just a touch. I sold my property between the normally quiet Christmas and New Years time frame. I am now a HOMELESS person.. ok?.. not really... not yet!

After just over a year of freehold townhouse living, the SNOW and the distance got to me. I listed and sold my property fairly quickly. The CONDO lifestyle suddenly seemed the perfect solution.

27 years ago we bought our first condo townhouse and LOVED it.....the people, the parks, the "community" feeling and it was an amazing start. After living in two such townhouses, we moved our family into our first detached 3 bedroom home.. a few years later a larger detached home with 4 bedrooms, a double car garage and an inground pool! BLINK.. kids are through university.. married , MOVED OUT.. lol .. and townhouse seemed just the right fit again. Empty Nester I was.. forward I went!

After cutting grass and shovelling snow for just over a year, the three bedroom, three baths, double tandem driveway ,wrap around porch, full basement, quiet crescent, fabulous family home.. wasn't the right fit....for me. The snow got to me and the buyers were glad it did. A marvelous young couple, searching for the "detached house feeling "but in the price range of a townhome, put in their offer and it was accepted. With baby in tow, these buyers purchased this home they claimed was just the right fit for them.

So off I go in search of the perfect condo. As I have found in life ,the perfect property is about as elusive as the perfect mate ... but there are a few close contenders. My closing is in 29 days.. ( but who's counting) and the spring market is almost here. In the market, we see that the inventory growing every day.....the search is on.

Keep posted ... but I have warned family and friends..." Don't leave your guest room empty... I may be calling".......... we'll see.

Signed your MOST sympathetic realtor...

~~The one who is looking for the perfect next property... just like you!~~

Yours truly,

Dale

(Still packing!)