Martis Camp Has Successful Residential Lot Sales Year to Date

Aug 31, 2009 — Larry Lawrence, Lawrence Realty

Lot Sales at Martis Camp near Lake Tahoe have been strong so far in 2009.   Here is a list of the lot numbers for the sales at Martis Camp this year thru August. Prices range up to $2.7M.. All together, there were 28 sales, 7 trades and two pending sales year to date. There were three resale lots sold and there are two pending.

Cash For Clunkers Has Hidden Benefits

Aug 31, 2009 — Larry Lawrence, Lawrence Realty

Cash For Clunkers really has hidden benefits.  Last year when fuel prices had nearly doubled to $4.50 per gallon many homeowners who had long commutes to work and who had qualified to buy their homes with just enough to qualify for a stated income loan were strapped financially by excessive fuel bills. This is one reason why many of  the commuting homeowners who had clunkers with low fuel mileage lost their homes as their montly fuel bills doubled from $350 to $500 per month to $700 to $1000 per month. they simply could not afford the extra monthly costs.  

Ilya Photographs Seattle's Seafair

Aug 31, 2009

Ilya Moshenskiy, our favorite estate photographer, shared these pictures of Seafair - Seattle's Summer Celebration with us. Take a look at some of his amazing work! Please click here for more pictures

Moving to The Caribbean-- It's Not For Everyone!

Aug 31, 2009

Courtesy of: Jim Walberg of Caribbean Islands Realty Jim Walberg’s friend, Tom, just completed a move to the Caribbean this month. Over the past ten years there have been several of Jim’s friends who he has assisted with the transition from the Mainland to the Islands. The results have been a mixed bag. Each had surprises and disappointments. All of them have had adventures of a life time. One of the biggest hurdles has been changing the pace of their daily lives. It is unbelievable the length of our “To Do Lists”, and supposed amenities that we seem to require back on the mainland.

CANADA-B.C. real estate on an upward climb for the rest of '09

Aug 28, 2009 — Ursula Morel, RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate

Just like to share this with you: CANADA-B.C. real estate on an upward climb for the rest of '09 Home purchases have doubled since January's near collapse, says economist : http://www.vancouversun.com/business/real+estate+sales+keep+climbing+this+year+forecast/1935829/story.html

A Visit With Marquette Turner Luxury Homes In Sydney

Aug 28, 2009

By Meghan Barry of LuxuryRealEstate.com I had the pleasure of meeting with the team from Marquette Turner Luxury Homes on a recent vacation to New Zealand and Australia. Michael Marquette, Simon Turner and Christine Watson were gracious hosts in Sydney, Australia. I always enjoy meeting with members around the world, and do so as often as possibly. It’s great to hear that they are doing business with so many other LRE members, many of whom they have connected with through the Luxury Lounge. Marquette Turner Luxury Homes has built an impressive reputation throughout the LRE network, and especially in their local community. It’s fantastic to be a part of their success.

Slow, creeping uptick in the higher end opportunities, for Salt Spring's secondary home market?

Aug 28, 2009 — Liane ("Li") Read, Sea to Sky Real Estate

As we start into the final days of August, we're seeing that very slow upticking of the higher end residential category starting to fill in. We're always a good 3 to 4 months behind Vancouver, and approximately 8 weeks behind the Victoria market. To date, on Salt Spring Island, the majority of sales have been in the "below 700,000" range, with most of them being below 500,000. It's a good sign that places like Florida and San Diego are also reporting a rise in interest/sales in the luxury market, along with Toronto. Ontario is a strong buyer profile for Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands. Albertans are also a buyer profile for us, although if they get out of the Okanagan, and out to the Coast, it usually means they're sailors! I always think we're like the tail of the dog, and the last to experience the head movements felt first in other areas, whether it's an up or a down trajectory. Thus, heartening news, indeed, to see uplift beginning in the higher end category, in these distant though somehow comparable marketplaces. Perhaps the uptick will also start to fill in for the undeveloped land parcels? To date, there has been little interest in building projects, or in holding properties. More info re market conditions? Call me! Am always quickly available. How may I help you to buy your special Salt Spring or Southern Gulf Islands property? liread33@gmail.com

St. Charles Avenue Dotted With Million-Dollar Homes Up For Sale

Aug 28, 2009

As seen on WWL-TV August, 24, 2009 Courtesy of Eleanor Farnsworth of Prudential Gardner NEW ORLEANS – (AUGUST 28, 2009) -  St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans has been described as the "Jewel of America's Grand Avenues." It's the finest collection of old south mansions in the country. Travel down the tree lined street and its hard to miss so many architectural gems, now up for sale.

End of Summer/beginning of Fall...can't believe it's September already, on Salt Spring Island...

Aug 27, 2009 — Liane ("Li") Read, Sea to Sky Real Estate

August 27, 2009. Don't know if it's just a hold-over from the years I was in education (used to teach grades 8 to 12), but I always think that the year "really" starts in September, and this January to December demarcation seems quite artificial, to me. The Fall is a signal for new beginnings, to me. Evening classes offered, symphony and opera seasons, theatre playbills, yoga classe beginner levels (no excuse not to try it!), book club meetings, Fall schedule at the pool, you name it/there's something, and September seems to unleash that creative spark that summer's softer rhythm submerged. It is "back to school" time, though, and in some areas they've already started/in others, it's right after Labour Day (which is "late", this year). Pay attention to crosswalks, to distracted children, and to inattentive motorists...it's suddenly busy again on the streets/sidewalks, after the summer lull. Keep alert, and remember those speed zones. Locally, remember to thank all current members of the Lions Club...they do such good work on the Island, and support so many things. It's their 50th Anniversary on Salt Spring Island! Appreciated! Catch J. Mitchell Gallery's summer show -- runs till Sept. 20th. Talented roster of artists...welcome the new owner, and his manager. A new look to the gallery's displays. Drop by Auntie Pesto's, nearby, to view photographs by Gillean Proctor (from his Botanical series). Tree House Cafe continues the live music, nightly -- tonight, catch Sharon Bailey; on the 28th, it's Julia Beattie; on the 29th enjoy Lisa Maxx; on the 30th it's Billie Woods; Monday the 31st, enjoy Gene Grooms. The popular Open Stage is on the 1st, with Stephanie Rhodes holding down top spot on the 2nd. Always something great at Treehouse! More music at Moby's, with Classic Rock, by Paxton Bachman, from 8 to 11, and jazz with Henry Boudin & Friends on the 30th (7 to 10 p.m.). Enjoy! Drop by ArtSpring, or the Chamber/Tourist outlet, and pick up the brochure of ArtSpring's lineup for their Fall/Winter season...some great events coming to Salt Spring, from September 16 to May 4. Don't miss out! Tomorrow, at Salt Spring Vineyard, their new release, 2008 Pinot Gris & Merlot Rose, takes place...live music on Fridays, too, from 2 to 4 p.m. September 2, the Music & Munch series, at All Saints by the Sea, showcases Black Velvet Band (concerts are free, in this series, and begin at 12:10. Optional lunch, to follow, for $5.50. If you haven't attended this series, start now! A special evening with Valdy and The Usual Suspects at MarketPlace Cafe, in Harbour Centre, on the 30th, at 7 p.m. Enjoy the food and the sounds! Mark your calendars for the annual Terry Fox Run -- Sept. 13th. I saw Terry on his run, in northern Ontario, heading west, just before he had to call off his race across the country. It was both heart-breaking and inspiring, and is not something one ever forgets. Terry Fox 09, for cancer research. Call 1-888-836-9786 for more information. This Sunday, the 30th, there's a half-day Zen meditation retreat, at Ango Retreat, with Peter Levitt. Contact Simon at 250-537-1721 for more details. An opportunity to feed your soul? If you can't dial in the local radio station (107.9 on your fm dial), then catch them over the web at: cfsi-fm.com Have your ideas for programming? Give them a call! Winding down summer/gearing up for Fall...it's a hiatius moment. Tread lightly!

2009 Top Caribbean Real Estate Markets!

Aug 27, 2009

Courtesy of: Jim Walberg of Caribbean Islands Realty There are 25 Caribbean countries that Jim Walberg is follows their real estate economic trends. The real estate includes Caribbean fractionals, villas, townhomes and condos. In spite of the current global economic crisis there are international real estate markets that are still thriving. Remember, all real estate is local. Four of the locations in the Caribbean that are thriving are the Dominican Republic, Belize, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Dominica. There is an amazing amount of cash that continues to sit on the sidelines waiting for smart values in the world of international real estate. The Caribbean is one of those locations where the cash is being spent.
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