Recent Blog Posts by CENTURY 21 Advantage

Banff, Location, Location, Location

How often have you heard that saying about real estate?  Location, Location, Location. The last few days I have been attending the Banff Western Connection Real Estate Conference and I've been thinking about "The Location".  I just love Banff and coming here at all times of the year.  I don't get to ski as near as often as I would like, but standing on top of the resorts here and ...

Red Deer seniors and persons with disabilities to benefit from new housing

Red Deer... Local seniors and persons with disabilities will have access to more specialized housing, thanks to capital funding from the province. The funding is being provided through the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative. The more than $4.2-million provincial grant will help develop 36 new affordable supportive living units at Bethany CollegeSide. "This capital funding will help develop ...

Market Outlook - A New Horizon

So, there has been a lot of conflicting information in the media recently from recession talk, financial markets and strength of banks, and the housing market.  This has made it very difficult to come up with any kind of game plan in order to prosper in these changing times.  I think it is very important that we take a step back and look at the broader picture so that we can position ...

AREA installs 2009 board memebrs

Yesterday AREA (the Alberta Real Estate Association) installed the board of directors for 2009.  I'm pleased to announce that Janice Resch is one of them.  Janice Resch is part owner of Century 21 Advantage, a company that has deep family roots for her.  Janice has been active with the Red Deer Real Estate Board now called CARA (Central Alberta Realtors Association) for years and served ...

Another Red Deer real estate week.

Weekly Stats # Listings # Sales # Price Changes Nov. 17-Nov. 23   44         26          60 Listings declined a little bit this past week, which is not a bad thing. We still have plenty of listings to choose from and from a selling standpoint it helps to get the ...

Penhold Alberta, the place to invest in

Looking for a small town loaded with potential?  Penhold may just have what you are looking for. Penhold although small in stature is the only "bedroom" or "commuting city" with in 15 - 20 minutes of Red Deer that has experienced an increase in MLS sales volume.  The average sale price for real estate in Penhold has also experienced growth over 2007, not matched by Blackfalds or Sylvan ...

Red Deer Real Estate Market Update

How is the Real Estate Market in Red Deer Alberta? Well as you can see it is still quite healthy. There are many listings on the market creating conditions for a buyers market. The average sale price in August for single family homes (houses) was quite strong. The average house sale price in August 2008 being $346,40, which is 99% of 2007's average house sale price of $351,467. August and July ...

Century 21 is sending KIDS TO CAMP!

CENTURY 21 CANADA is raising funds during a year long, nation wide fundraising campaign found at www.century21kidstocamp.ca. CENTURY 21 agents from across Canada are committing to raising at least $2100 for active living programs and services offered by Easter Seals provincial members including our highly touted Easter Seals summer camps. Their support is incredible and to support a CENTURY 21 realtor ...

August market in Red Deer

Back to school may be the most wonderful time of the year for those of us with kids.  The question is will it be the same for the real estate market? August turned out to be a mixed bag yet again.  The single family home sales were strong if you were priced right and not in a higher price point.  Town houses and duplexes are settling out into a good groove.  Apartment condos on the other hand not ...

Alberta continues to prosper.

Alberta budget surplus announcement good news for all. Tuesday the Alberta government released latest budget information for the province. Finance and Enterprise Minister Iris Evans released the province's First Quarter Update, showing a forecast surplus of $8.5 billion for 2008-09, $7 billion higher than predicted in Budget 2008. Higher-than-budgeted resource revenues will enable government to increase ...

City of Red Deer population up

Recent press release from the City of Red Deer highlights the continued growth in Red Deer. Red Deer is home to 2,111 new residents - an increase of 2.46 per cent over 2007. The increase brings Red Deer's total population to 87,816. Last year's census saw an increase of 3.22 per cent, with a 4.92 per cent increase in 2006."Growth in Red Deer is down slightly over previous years, but the census indicates ...

April open for business and business was...

Good. Sales were down from record 2007 sales volume, but well above 2006 numbers. Here at Century 21 Advantage, we led the way with listings sold in Red Deer. Out of the 220 properties sold in April Century 21 Advantage sold 56 which is a little over 25%. How does this compare to what the market is like or what is every one else doing? Well today we see a total of 785 properties available in the ...

More drops in the Interest rates, benefits who??

Today the Bank of Canada announced yet another decrease in interest rates. A significant cut from 3.5% to 3.0%. The last time the Bank of Canada dropped rates by 1% in the same short time frame (6 weeks) was back in 2001. The Bank of Canada indicates that they are doing so in response to economic indicators primarily from the US economy. From the Bank of Canada Press Release: "The Bank is now projecting ...

Your Credit Score and You

When working with buyers the question will come up have you spoken with your bank about whether or not you are qualified for the price level you are shopping in?  This can be a conversation that happens at one of our first meetings and really it should.  The challenge can be the buyer may be reluctant to part with this information until they get to know us, or simply they just don't know. The ...

January 2008 Market Update

More of the same? Kind of, yes.December was a slow month in comparison to the other months in 2007. Sales of single family homes totaled 62 and in January we saw a modest increase up to 69 single family homes sold. Not a large numbers jump but still a 11.29% increase in sales. I wouldn't be surprised if I read a head line that indicated sales increase by 11%. That would not be an accurate reflection ...

Government Giving at Christmas Time

Time of year for giving and it starts at the top.  The past few years have been very good for Alberta.  Recent announcements and plans released indicate that 2008 will also be a great year in Central Alberta.  Both provincial and federal levels of government are workin with regional levels to improve the quality of life for us all. More money is being spent on infrastructure helping ...

Best Year Ever?

With head lines indicating that the end is near, and that we're in a buyers market so look out for falling prices how can 2007 be the best year ever? By the numbers it is.  Volume of sales is up, the average sale price is up, and the economy is strong.  This is what it looks like for 2007 in the city of Red Deer:   2006 YTD 2007 Average List Price $252,791 $313,378 Average ...

October ends but wasn't a scary finish!

In fact it was another busy month for real estate in Red Deer. It was very similar to October 2006. There was a total of 100 Single family homes sold in October 2007 compared to 101 in 2006. The similarities continued with the average sale price. The average sale price for 2007 single family homes was $338,856 and in 2006 it was $333,138. Our growth has slowed to a point where we've caught up to ourselves. ...

September stats are Balanced

The Red Deer Real Estate Board released their stats yesterday for September.  A few of the highlights are:"BUYERS BENEFIT FROM BALANCED REAL ESTATE MARKET"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERed Deer – October 9, 2007 – Throughout Central Alberta homes continued to change hands at areasonable rate last month according to the MLS® figures released by the Red Deer & District RealEstate Board.Residential sales ...

Things to do on a fall day In Central Alberta.

There is so much to see and do in Central Alberta in any season.  Recently I had an opportunity to take some time off with a few friends and enjoy a round of golf.  Sure there was a frost delay as there are in many areas across Canada this time of year, but it was worth it.  One of the joys of golfing is enjoying the outdoors, and taking in the scenic views of a well cared for course.  ...