Recent Blog Posts by Patrick Galesloot

Cold September Slows Down Buyers Or Has It.

Total Listing inventory in the City of Red Deer has declined to the their lowest level 777 properties listed for sale since the end of May (767).  While that may be perceived as high for our market place in comparison to previous years it is a positive sign for sellers and further evidence that buyers should be moving to take advantage of market conditions.  The weekly sales volume is also ...

This Week in Real Estate

How's the market?  Prices going up? I hear those questions and many like them quite often.  The real estate market in Red Deer is reportedly different than Calgary or Edmonton.  Last week the numbers were: Weekly Stats # Listings # Sales # Pending Sales # Price Changes # Off Market Net loss/gain Active Single Family Listings Total Active Dec.28/09-Jan. ...

Red Deer Real Estate 2009 Market Update and Beyond

We finished 2009, the end of the first decade of the "New Millennium".  This month we've been busy returning to work focusing on new goals for the new Year.  At Century 21 Advantage we have also been preparing for our kick off meeting.  This is the meeting where we present tips, tools and information to our associates so that they can better serve your real estate needs.  This year ...

Century 21 Advantage and the Men of MOvember

The Men of MOvember here at Century 21 Advantage are doing their part to change the face of men's health. If you haven't heard of "MOvember", it is a global initiate to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer.  You can learn more at www.Movember.com. However rather than just go to the Movember web site I encourage you to visit the Century 21 Advantage Team fundraising page for MOvember ...

Halloween Home Buying Doesn't Have To Be Spooky

Pumpkins, Candy and Real Estate? Yes tomorrow night kids and their parents's will be running up and down the streets going door to door in search of candy.  Chances are you will see a house that you are curious about.  I remember as a kid some of the houses we would go to and as the door opened you eagerly scope out what treats they are handing out.  There was this one house on my ...

Seasons of Change for Red Deer Real Estate

October is truly a season of change with harvesting done or in final stages, snow appearing and disappearing, leaves turning, and houses on the move. We've officially entered the 4th fiscal quarter for 2009.  So how are we doing?  A recent article in the Red Deer Advocate would have you believe that the market outlook is quite flat and bleak.  This week we've experienced market news ...

Just Listed 145 Oswald Close Red Deer

Our latest listing is in the Oriole Park West subdivision is Red Deer, 145 Oswald Close.  This fast growing area is conveneient to downtown, north Red Deer industrial areas, as well as close to highways 2 and11.  This two storey home has more square footage than most, and you certainly feel that upon entry.  For the complete listsing visit the property details page at www.145OswaldClose.com ...

How to Buy a Home in Todays Market

Join the Century 21 Advantage home buying team Monday September 14th to learn how you can buy a home with confidence. If you have always wanted to know how to get out of renting and into your first home, or perhaps you haven't made a move for a number of years this is for you. Find out the ins and outs of negotiating an offer to purchase, why you need use a lawyer and what they do, what does the ...

Now Hiring Licensed Associates

  Start enjoying the career you've always wanted and thought about.  Real Estate. A Career in Real Estate is more than a job or going to work it's a fun rewarding business.  When you bought your first home or your last home was it a sad angry endeavour?  No I bet it sure wasn't.  In fact I bet you were excited and happy.  Experience that all the time.  Helping some ...

You're online is your listing?

You're online is your listing? The answer is probably a "yes" if it is listed as a MLS listing with any real estate association that is a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). This is really the minimum standard. The question you should be asking yourself is the minimum standard enough? So you're on Facebook, is your REALTOR and your listing also on Facebook? So you found this ...

1640 Bouteiller Close

De and I listed 1640 Bouteiller Close for sale recently  It's a family home in Penhold close to the Penhold school and nestled in a quiet cul de sac.  If you would like to see more of this home visit:  www.1640BouteillerClose.com or call us for a viewing (403) 346-0021.  Penhold is a growing community just a short 10 minute drive from the south end of Red Deer.  With ...

Summer Cooling Off in Red Deer

Real Estate sales in Red Deer slowed down in July from the peak in June, while temperatures soared into the 30's and sun was plentiful. Sales per price range in Red Deer. 2009 100& Under 100-150 150-200 200-250 250-300 300-350 350-400 400-450 450-500 500-550 550-600 600-700 700+ Total JAN 5 4 3 8 27 7 5 0 3 0 0 0 0 62 FEB 3 4 6 15 33 21 14 7 6 3 0 0 1 113 MAR 5 5 10 24 26 21 17 8 2 3 2 0 0 123 APR 5 5 17 31 43 30 17 13 7 6 1 2 1 178 MAY 3 3 13 33 47 43 26 8 6 6 5 3 1 197 JUN 4 8 13 38 57 44 23 10 11 2 2 0 1 213 JUL 5 4 20 33 44 30 21 7 6 4 2 3 0 179 TOTAL 30 33 82 182 277 196 123 53 41 24 1041 Information ...

Just Listed 229, 54 Bell Street, Red Deer

De and I listed 229, 54 Bell Street today. It is a two bedroom apartment condo in Bower Place, Red Deer, AB.  List price is $158,900.  The full listing details can be found by clicking on the picture or here.  While the interior may be some what dated it is in exceptional condition and not worn out at all. Patrick Galesloot Follow me on Twitter: @pgalesloot

Red Deer 2009 June MLS® Sales Exceed 2008 Levels

June 2009 was a busy month for MLS® sales in Red Deer.  The Central Alberta REALTORs® Association (CARA)recorded 213 sales for June  2009 which exceed 2008 sales number 213. So the market is busier for sales than last year, it is good news but premature for a celebration.  It is still quite competitive if you are selling.  We have been carrying inventory ...

Just Listed 6 Ellenwood Drive

Our newest listing activated today can be found at: www.6EllenwoodDrive.com   It is a well cared for end unit townhouse in Eastview, on the South East side of Red Deer, AB.  the listing price is $226,900 and the home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and newer flooring and decor.  All of our listings have 21 photos to showcase them, and you tube video slide shows or video tours.  ...

Summer Equinox of Real Estate Year?

Welcome to Summer! Officially we marked the summer solstice(equinox) 2009 this past weekend.  It is to early to say whether or not the peak of sales activity also aligns with the longest day of the year, historically the two are close.  The kids in school are no in their last week, and Canada is one week away.  July and August tend to be full of family vacations, and enjoying the short ...

Active Weather in Central Alberta

Just before supper time a storm system rolled through Penhold AB.   As the saying goes, if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes. Central Alberta, Red Deer area, has great summer weather.  It doesn't normally heat up above 30C very often, and it cools down to a comfortable level at night.  Air conditioning units are not very common in our area.  ...

Photos, why take good photos?

I was looking thru the new listings that have come up in the last couple fo days, and one listing jumped out at me.  Not for the price, or the fact that it looked great.  What caught my eye was the terrible photography. I'm sure this is a lovely home, but trying to take an outdoor photo at dusk is just plain silly.  No creative use of out door lighting or sunset, just some one taking ...

Housing Starts Increase in May

CMHC news release today. The seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of housing starts increased to 128,400 units in May from 117,600 units in April, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "The increase in May is broadly based, encompassing both the singles and multiples segments," said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist at CMHC's Market Analysis Centre. Housing starts are expected ...

Red Deer May Real Estate Market Third Highest

Latest headlines are still about Chrysler and GM, still talking about the deficit spending and the "bad" economy, still talking about politics etc...  Now let's talk real estate. Sales for May 2009 increased from April, and overall it was a busy month.  There was a total of 197 MLS® sales in the city of Red Deer for May 2009.  This was up from the 178 reported in April, an increase ...

First Time Buyer Excitement

It's always a thrill to be able to help first time home owners find their first home.  It always takes me back to when De and I found our first home.  We really didn't know what was happening or what we were doing, and really kind of shocked to know we COULD own a house.  That was 1996, in a market place that was more a buyers market than a sellers.  Interest rates back then were ...

Red Deer Real Estate, week ending May 24, 2009

Last week in real estate was a busy week. Sales increased, pending sales increased, and new listings slowed down just a bit. It ads up to a good week. Overall sales numbers continue the April trend that saw us mirror the sales results of 2006. With interest rates continued to be fore-casted at record lows, and oil prices steadily climbing, the so called spring fling market blip is turning out ...

What "Days on Market" doesn't tell you.

Days on Market is a measure of sales typically an average number.  A better measure may be the "median" rather than an "average".  The average DOM for April sales was 44 days while the median DOM for April was 40 days.  An indicator that buyer's are looking and buying at those listings that are "fresh" on the market.  On the Red Deer MLS® system we have our housing data sorted ...

Red Deer Days on Market

One of the more frequently asked questions I and my peers receive is "How long has it been on the market?", and another is "how long will it take to sell my home?".  Both questions essentially centered around "days on market" (DOM).  Days on Market (DOM) is reported on sold properties, and not often calculated on active properties.  The days on market for active properties can be influenced ...

Weekly Real Estate Check Up

Just in time for the long weekend, Stats. As you can see, the market is looking up.  All in all there has been lots of activity.  Busy open houses, and lots of buyers taking advantage of the record low interest rates.  The spring like conditions are also bringing more would be sellers to market.  New listings increased by 31% form the week before, while sales increased 16%. ...