Sicamous Real Estate - Karen Singbeil - RE/MAX at Mara Lake

RE/MAX Barometer Report for Kelowna Feb 2011.mov

2011-02-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

RE/MAX Barometer Report for Kelowna, BC Febraury 2011

Professional sales tips & tools 4 real estate ~ Social Media for 40's, 50's 60's + crowd !

2011-02-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

PSSSTTTTTT yes you! Are you wanting the best tips and tools to use in your real estate business?

Are you 40, 50, 60ish ? Have you been in real estate for 10, 15, 20, 25 + years?

Maybe we can learn together! This past weekend I attended the BEST real estate conference ever: Banff Western Connection 2011 in Banff, Alberta.

Some of the guru's I had the pleasure of meeting and learning from: Nicole Nicolay (Nik_Nik), Reggie Nicolay (ReggieRPR), DougDevitre, Teri-Lyn Conrad (TLCHOME), Kelley Skar, Stephen Jagger (sjagger), Richard Silver & Shane Gibson

I can honestly say that all of them added their own flavor and tid bit of how to swim in the social media pool without peeing in it.

1. Don't create Noise i.e. standing in the room with a mega phone yelling at people, blasting your info, blah, blah, shut up !

**Instead have a conversation with people same message different method. We all know everybody loves to talk about houses and even more so if they own it !

2. If you are on Twitter and Facebook and all you post is about your Saturday and Sunday Open houses and your New listings (am I talking to you?) Perhaps.. well they say NOBODY cares about your open house or new listing!

My take is Unless they are that ONE person looking to buy or sell then they care ! It may be like shooting without a target but I only need one person that is ready, willing and able so I say (2/3 : 1/3 rule) make it 2/3 personal and 1/3 business than you won't annoy the masses!

3. Business has changed a lot over the past 30 years. It is about "Relationship building" not me , me , me. Engage and Interact after you go "online" than go "offline" with people : tweet ups, meet ups, have coffee, lunch or dinner !

I had an opportunity to sit with nik_nik and discuss this among other things she made some really great points and it is "ok" to let your clients "know" about how great you are at selling houses but do it in a More authentic way and it is also ok to show your personal silly side but have a sounding board (my husband). Shane Gibson made a great reference to this in his presentation when he wanted to know why a big compnay had hired him. He found this potential client had done lots of research on him and already knew who he was. The client didn't need to be sold he was basically there to meet face to face and seal the deal. Guess I can put the soap box away ;)

4. Be Relevant , be the "Source"

Stop sell, sell, selling. Offer more: give things for free (NOT your commission) your expertise, your time , your knowledge, your town info. People will want to deal with you. Just be THE source for your all things in your area!

5. Video Blogging (VLOG) Again just be real, try out different ideas see what works for you, you do not have to do everything, do what feels right and is comfortable, go shoot a house tour for them, video at the open house, drive around the neighborhood, video your area, special attractions, interview local people and make it fun. Let them comment on your videos, good or bad!

Stop being so sensitive, who cares what one critic says behind a computer. Is he buying today? Just start the conversation gives you a chance to talk to people whether good or bad you may see a different side and even change your own opinion. Do what you want i.e. blog in your car, bathrobe , a little shaky hands, with your huge St. Bernard puppy :) I need some time for this to sink in maybe a bit of therapy. **I disable the comments and embeding on most of my videos but I need to get over it ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiRU76EmrJ8

6. Blogging : If your asked the Question more than twice it is a blog! *Common reason excuse people use why they don't blog : Answer: I am not a writer ! (Up until this past weekend I was saying that) Commit and be Consistent , if you only have 20 minutes then do that in the morning and evening. Don't start a 365 days a week blog if your NOT going to Blog 365 days a year (period).

So lastly to all those people who were like me and didn't know where to begin...just Begin and have fun !

A BIG THANK YOU to all the speakers at the Banff Western Connection ! I REALLY do appreciate the time and knowledge you all gave me !! See you again soon "online" & hopefully "off".

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap ! Specializing in Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake, Mara & Shuswap River Properties. I can help you whether you are buying or selling in all Shuswap Areas!
MLS®

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook/LinkedIn: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

SHUSWAP British Columbia MLS® FORECLOSURE PROPERTY UPDATE ~ January 23, 2011

2011-01-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

SHUSWAP British Columbia MLS® FORECLOSURE PROPERTY UPDATE ~ January 23, 2011
I first started a Shuswap Foreclosures Blog in December 2009 with MLS® Active Foreclosures:

See how far we have come since December 09, then we had 13 Residential and 2 Commercial Foreclosures!

**To VIEW MY Original Foreclosure post: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1386909/shuswap-bc-foreclosures-listings-information-sicamous-salmon-arm-surrounding-shuswap-areas-

Update January 23,2011 **All info obtained through Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board.

FORECLOSURE Listings Information for Sicamous, Salmon Arm & surrounding Shuswap areas **Contact Karen Singbeil karen@shuswap4sale.com for an e-mail list or to be set up on an automatic MLS® search if you are looking to buy or sell in the Shuswap area.

Current Breakdown of Active Foreclosures listed on MLS® for all areas of the Shuswap, BC:

Total : 37

30 Foreclosures (Court Ordered Sales) under MLS® Residential are currently Active in British Columbia for the Shuswap Region!

7 Commercial Foreclosures (Court Ordered Sales) under Commercial MLS® are currently Active in British Columbia for the Shuswap Region!

Breakdown of Active MLS® Foreclosures for the Shuswap region:

19 listed in Residential Foreclosures: Priced from $152,900 to $749,000. in the area's of Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Malakwa, Lee Creek, Sorrento, Eagle Bay, Seymour Arm, Celista, Blind Bay, Anglemont

5 listed in Strata or Condo Foreclosures: Priced from $229,900 to $525,000 in Salmon Arm, Scotch Creek, Eagle Bay & Revelstoke

4 Residential Foreclosure lots: Prices ranging from $32,900 to $1,499,000 Anglemont, Seymour Arm & Blind Bay

2 Mobile Homes in Foreclosure: Priced at $68,000 and $338,900 in Revelstoke and Salmon Arm.

0 Commercial business listed in Foreclosure:

1 Farm Listing at $479,900 in Salmon Arm

5 Commercial Listings in Foreclosure: prices ranging from $369,000 to 1,400,000. listed in areas : Sicamous, Malakwa, Westwold & Sorrento

1 Commercial Lot in Foreclosure: priced from $119,000 (empty lot next to one of the business above) Sorrento

Jan-Dec. 2010 Foreclosure SOLDS in the Shuswap area under MLS® Foreclosures : 19 Sold

January 2011 Foreclosure SOLDS: 2

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap ! Specializing in Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake, Mara & Shuswap River Properties. I can help you whether you are buying or selling in all Shuswap Areas!
MLS®

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook/LinkedIn: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

Shuswap Real Estate Housing Market ~ MLS® SOLD Stats Jan.1-11th, 2011

2011-01-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

Shuswap Real Estate Housing Market ~ MLS® SOLD Stats Jan.1-11th, 2011

**All Data obtained from Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board for Shuswap Area (excludes Revelstoke)

7 Shuswap properties sold in the Shuswap area and reported by Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board for MLS® transactions for the time period January 1-11, 2011:

Status: Sold (7)
List Price SOLD Price DOM Beds Baths Finished Floor Area
Min $35,000 $26,000 9 3 1 924
Max $399,900 $346,000 417 4 4 2752
Avg $213,929 $197,000 169 3 2 1603
Sum $1,497,500 $1,379,000

For a complete list of what is for sale or what is selling in a specific Shuswap area please contact me at karen@shuswap4sale.com

I can help you whether buying or selling for all Shuswap Properties !

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara LakePersonal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap ! Specializing in Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake, Mara & Shuswap River Properties. I can help you whether you are buying or selling in all Shuswap Areas!
MLS®

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook/LinkedIn: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

Shuswap, BC Real Estate Housing Market ~ Excellent Opportunities Continue for Serious Home Buyers

2011-01-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

MEDIA RELEASE : January 6, 2011

Shuswap, BC Real Estate Housing Market ~ Excellent Opportunities Continue for Serious Home Buyers

Sicamous, BC - The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported December 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types slowed compared to last year at this time. While a decline in new listings continues for the fourth consecutive month, a wide inventory of homes is still offering excellent choices and some great opportunities for serious buyers.

Overall unit sales in December declined 32.43% compared to the same month last year (to 25 units from 37) and saw a 47.91% decrease over the 48 units sold in November. New listings rose 5% compared to December 2009 (to 84 from 80) but dropped 11.57% over last month's 95 units. Total residential sales decreased 27.59% over December 2009 (to 21 from 29 units) - down 41.66% from 36 in November. However, sales activity year‐to‐date (YTD) for all property types was only off by 5.28% compared to the same 12‐month period in 2009 at 699 from 738, while sales volumes YTD dipped to $213 million from $229.4 million last year.

"While economic factors in Alberta and the U.S. continue to affect recreational and investment purchases in the Shuswap, and to draw buyer interest to the States, excellent opportunities for your dream vacation or retirement home exist here under optimum consumer market conditions - a good selection, secure and attractive prices, and low mortgage rates," says Karen Singbeil, OMREB Director and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. "Buyers who have been sitting on the fence would be wise to get into the market now as interest rates are forecast to go up later this year, and there is

OMREB's new Board‐wide monthly Buyers Survey - launched in September 2010 to profile who the buyers are and where they are from - indicates that serious buyers are taking advantage of the current market and leveraging their positive purchasing power while it lasts, Singbeil notes. "Survey results tracked to date (November 2010) have found that the majority of purchases were by first‐time (27.9%) and move‐up home buyers (24.4%) with most buyers coming from within the Board area (Central Okanagan, North Okanagan and Shuswap/Revelstoke) - 57.1% , followed by the Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island - 17.6%, and Alberta - 13.2%."

Pricing continues to be important when selling your home, she adds. "Working with a real estate professional to understand current local market conditions and to provide comparisons specific to your neighbourhood is essential as home values vary based on property type and location. Buyers and sellers must have realistic expectations."The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,138 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.

For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®, visit www.howrealtorshelp.ca All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas. For comprehensive Board‐wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com

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For more information:

Karen Singbeil, Director ‐ Shuswap Zone karen@shuswap4sale.com (250) 836‐2223

Brenda Moshansky, President (Board‐wide statistical information) bmoshansky@coldwellbanker.ca (250) 860‐7500

Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, BCREA (Province‐wide statistical information) cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca (604) 742‐2780

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara LakePersonal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap ! Specializing in Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake, Mara & Shuswap River Properties. I can help you whether you are buying or selling in all Shuswap Areas!
MLS®My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook/LinkedIn: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

Shuswap Real Estate Market Housing Report ~ December 21-31, 2010

2011-01-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

Shuswap Real Estate Market Housing Report ~ December 21-31, 2010

All information obtained through MLS® Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board:

6 Shuswap properties sold in the Shuswap area and reported by Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board for MLS® transactions for the time period December 21-31, 2010:

Status: Sold (6)

LIST Price SOLD Price Days on Market Beds Baths Finished Floor Area
Min $129,900 $116,000 18 2 1 1040
Max $389,900 $376,000 425 4 3 2690
Avg $278,733 $262,333 118 3 2 1816
Sum $1,672,400 $1,574,000

For a complete list of what is for sale or what is selling in a specific Shuswap area please contact me at karen@shuswap4sale.com

I can help you whether buying or selling for all Shuswap Properties !

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara LakePersonal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Selling the Shuswap ! Specializing in Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake, Mara & Shuswap River Properties. I can help you whether you are buying or selling in all Shuswap Areas!
MLS®

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook/LinkedIn: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

Shuswap Real Estate Market Housing Report ~ December 6-20, 2010

2010-12-20T18:45:00.000-08:00

Shuswap Real Estate Market Housing Report ~ December 6-20, 2010

All information obtained through Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board:

14 Shuswap properties sold in the Shuswap area and reported by Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board for MLS® transactions for the time period December 6-20, 2010:

Status: Sold (14)
List Price SOLD Price DOM Beds Baths Finished Floor Area
Min $79,900 $75,000 20 2 1 1064
Max $949,900 $855,000 269 5 3 3676
Avg $374,357 $347,42 137 3 2 1873
Sum $5,241,000 $4,864,000

For a complete list of what is for sale or selling in a specific Shuswap area contact me at karen@shuswap4sale.com
Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara LakePersonal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap & Serving all Surrounding Shuswap areas
Specializing in Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake, Mara & Shuswap River properties! MLS®

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook/LinkedIn: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

The RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook 2011

2010-12-18T14:40:00.000-08:00

Kelowna, BC -- Although improved economic fundamentals will have a positive impact on Canadian housing markets moving forward, the forecast for residential real estate sales remains static in most major centres in 2011, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook 2011, examining trends and developments in 26 major centres across the country, found that home-buying activity in 2010 fell short of 2009 levels. Housing values, however, continued to climb, with virtually all areas reporting an upswing in average price, ranging from just under one per cent to 15 per cent this year. Lower inventory levels in many markets offset the effects of diminished demand, propping-up price in almost every instance. Kitchener-Waterloo, Quebec City, and St. John’s saw the greatest increases in average price this year, while Eastern Canadian markets including Hamilton-Burlington, Sudbury, Windsor, Moncton and Prince Edward Island were the only markets that bucked the downward trending in home sales in 2010.

By year-end, approximately 441,000 homes are expected to change hands nationally, a five per cent decline from the 465,251 sales reported in 2009. Housing values are forecast to continue to climb, up an estimated seven per cent to $340,000, compared with $320,333 one year earlier.

“Looking forward, we see steady improvement in provincial and local economies – which will bode well for housing markets across the board,” says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. “The relentless drive in the market reminiscent of years past will be gone and instead, we can expect to see more normal, balanced market conditions, with buyers maintaining a slight edge.”

Greater stability is expected to characterize the markets in 2011, with Canadian housing sales predicted to mirror 2010 levels at 441,000 next year, while average price is forecast to escalate three per cent to $350,000 by year-end 2011.

“In terms of resale housing activity, what many are talking about as the new normal is actually a return to the traditional real estate cycle,” says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “The past decade was truly unprecedented—never before have we experienced a run up that was as strong or lasted as long. As we have digressed from the typical pattern, people have forgotten what the usual healthy cycle looks like, but all the hallmarks are there. Ample inventory levels, steady demand, and moderate growth, both in terms of sales and prices, will characterize the market in 2011. While the pace may appear lackluster in comparison to what we’ve grown accustomed to, it underscores the principles of real estate 101: The market is cyclical. All boats rise and fall with the tide.”

Markets in British Columbia are forecast to lead the country in terms of percentage increases in sales activity next year, with Greater Vancouver expected to climb 10 per cent, followed by Victoria at eight per cent and Kelowna at six per cent. After a prolonged period of economic hardship, Windsor is once again on track for growth, with residential home sales predicted to climb five per cent.

Almost all markets are reporting an anticipated increase in housing values next year, with St. John’s in Newfoundland-Labrador in front with an estimated eight per cent hike in average price in 2011. The value of homes in Greater Vancouver, Kelowna, Regina, Saskatoon, London-St. Thomas, Ottawa, Sudbury and Greater Montreal is also predicted to climb five per cent.

“Low interest rates and improving consumer confidence levels should stimulate home-buying activity at all price points next year,” says Sylvain Dansereau, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Quebec. “Overall gains will be more muted -- a welcome reprieve for purchasers. 2011 will be a year that will see more widespread recovery across a broader array of economic sectors, setting the stage for a better 2012.”
In the meantime, a number of factors will continue to support sustained sales and price growth in the months and years ahead:

•Land scarcity, intensification, urban renewal, infill and renovation will continue to drive up values—regardless of supply and demand—in major metropolitan areas. The Canadian housing stock is ever-evolving, particularly in the central core of each city. With average price pushing closer to or well past the $300,000 mark in the vast majority of major centres, and affordability of single-family homes diminishing, the demand for attainable product will rise in tandem, bolstering the growing condominium segment in the years ahead.

• The upper-end of the market continues to be a strong indication of the overall health of Canada’s housing sector. Typically the first segment to soften in a downturn, luxury homes posted record sales activity in 2010, and demand is expected to remain solid in 2011. Strong sales in the high-end will continue to prop up average prices.

• Immigration will remain a serious force stimulating demand, particularly given the penchant for homeownership among today’s new Canadians. While the formation of new households used to take an average of five years, a growing number of newcomers arrive skilled, financially secure, and ready to make their home-buying moves. It is estimated that Canada will average 250,000 new immigrants annually.

• In the year ahead, federal, provincial and local stimulus in the form of continued infrastructure spending and capital projects will be a considerable boon to economic stability and employment, providing consumers the confidence to move forward with real estate purchases.

• Volatility in the money markets will continue to drive buyers to the tangibility of homeownership, both as a reliable long-term investment and a form of shelter, particularly given low vacancy rates and a lack of new rental construction in a number of major centres.

RE/MAX is Canada’s leader with over 18,000 sales associates situated throughout its more than 690 independently-owned and operated offices in Canada. The RE/MAX network, now in its 37th year, is a global real estate system operating in 80 countries, with over 6,300 independently-owned offices and over 92,000 member sales associates. RE/MAX realtors lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, and asset management. For more information, visit: www.remax.ca.

Serious Home Buyers Motivated by Market Conditions ~ Shuswap Real Estate

2010-12-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: December 3, 2010

Serious Home Buyers Motivated by Market Conditions

Sicamous, BC –The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported November 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types slowed compared to last year but improved over last month. New listings taken continue to decline for the third consecutive month indicating a correction in the number of properties available for sale while still providing choice for buyers.

Overall unit sales in November declined 29.41% compared to the same month last year (to 48 units from 68) but saw a 17.17% increase over the 41 units sold in October.
New listings dropped 22.13% compared to November 2009 (to 95 from 122) and were down 30.14% over last month (136).
Total residential sales decreased 34.55% over November 2009 (to 36 from 55 units) but were in line with October (34). However, sales activity year to date (YTD) is similar to the first 11 months of 2009 at 677 (5.84% decline from 719), while sales volumes YTD dipped 7.34% to $208.6 million from $225.1 million last year.

“While economic factors in Alberta and the U.S. continue to prevent potential recreational and investment buyers from purchasing properties in the Shuswap, and to attract some recreational investors to the States, excellent opportunities and optimum market conditions exist much closer to home,” says Karen Singbeil, OMREB Director and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. “We remain cautiously optimistic going into winter and anticipate that buyer interest will improve along with further economic recovery and employment growth.” “Motivation continues to be affected by consumer confidence, however, serious buyers are leveraging their purchasing power by taking advantage of the great selection, attractive pricing and record low interest rates – as evidenced by our new Board-wide monthly Buyers Survey profiling who the buyers are and where they are coming from,” Singbeil notes. “Results tracked this fall have found that the majority of purchases were by first time home buyers in September and move-up buyers in October.

Most buyers were from within the Board area (Central Okanagan, North Okanagan and Shuswap/Revelstoke) – 59.8% in September and 57.3% in October; followed by Alberta – 15.2% in September and 14.5% in October; and the Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island – 12% in September and 13.6% in October.” Singbeil adds, “A real estate professional understands pricing in these current market conditions and can help Sellers establish the right price out of the gate. Buyers and sellers must come together and have realistic expectations in this competitive marketplace if they want to see results.”

The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,136 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.
For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca.

To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®, visit www.howrealtorshelp.ca

All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas.

For comprehensive Board-wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com

For more information:
Karen Singbeil, Director - Shuswap Zonekaren@shuswap4sale.com (250) 836-2223
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Shuswap, British Columbia MLS® Foreclosures ~ November 2010

2010-11-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

Shuswap MLS® Foreclosure Update November 2010

Shuswap, British Columbia MLS® Foreclosures ~ November 19, 2010

I first started a Shuswap Foreclosures Blog in December 2009 with MLS® Active Foreclosures:

See how far we have come since December 09, then we had 13 Residential and 2 Commercial Foreclosures!

**To VIEW MY Original Foreclosure post: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1386909/shuswap-bc-foreclosures-listings-information-sicamous-salmon-arm-surrounding-shuswap-areas-

Update November 19, 2010
FORECLOSURE Listings Information for Sicamous, Salmon Arm & surrounding Shuswap areas **Contact me for an e-mail list or to be set up on an automatic search~

Current Breakdown of Active Foreclosures listed on MLS® for all areas of the Shuswap, BC: Total 38

31 Foreclosures (Court Ordered Sales) under MLS® Residential are currently Active in British Columbia for the Shuswap Region!

7 Commercial Foreclosures (Court Ordered Sales) under Commercial MLS® are currently Active in British Columbia for the Shuswap Region!

Breakdown of Active MLS® Foreclosures for the Shuswap region:

16 listed in Residential Foreclosures: Priced from $140,000 to $995,000. in the area's of Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Malakwa, Sorrento, Eagle Bay, Magna Bay, Anglemont, Blind Bay, Scotch Creek & Revelstoke

8 listed in Strata or Condo Foreclosures: Priced from $229,900 to $525,000 in Scotch Creek, Revelstoke & Salmon Arm

4 Residential Foreclosure lots: Prices ranging from $32,900 to $1,499,000 Anglemont, Seymour Arm & Blind Bay

2 Mobile Homes in Foreclosure: Priced at $75,600 and $359,000 in Revelstoke and Salmon Arm.

1 Commercial business listed in Foreclosure: Priced at $765,000 in Malakwa
1 Farm Listing at $479,900 in Salmon Arm

5 Commercial Listings in Foreclosure: prices ranging from $260,000 to 1,140,000. listed in area's : Sicamous, Malakwa Seymour Arm & Sorrento

1 Commercial Lot in Foreclosure: priced at $150,000 (empty lot next to one of the business above)

Year To Date SOLDS for Shuswap Foreclosures 2010 : 17

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara LakePersonal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas. MLS®

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook/LinkedIn: Karen Singbeil
YouTube: karensreal1

Shuswap Media Release ~ October 2010

2010-11-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
November 3, 2010

Fall Market Conditions are Ripe for Buyers

Sicamous, BC –The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board
(OMREB) reported October 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types remained slow compared to both last year and last month. However, new listings taken continue to decline for the second consecutive month showing a correction in the number of units available for sale.

Overall unit sales of all property types in October saw a 45.33% decline compared to the same month last year (41 units from 75) – and were also down 37% from the previous month.
Total residential sales in October decreased 44.26% over October 2009 (to 34 from 61 units) – but were on par with last month.
However, sales activity year-to-date (YTD) is just off the mark of last year for the first ten months at 628 from 651 (3.53% decline), while sales volumes YTD dipped 5.44% to $192,643,593 from $203,720,499 last year.

“The Shuswap area continues to be affected by the loss of recreational and investment buyers who are not a strong force in the market currently due to a variety of economic factors in Alberta and the US.
Some recreational investors have been attracted to properties in the US; however, opportunities abound closer to home.” says Karen Singbeil, OMREB Director and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. “Consumers are understandably cautious given negative messaging in the media; however, current conditions are very ripe for Buyers.

There are several positive factors that Buyers can leverage including a wide variety of choice, attractive pricing and more flexible conditions by Sellers, and record low interest rates.

These are all conditions that may not exist in the future as already we are seeing inventory decline as Sellers take their properties off the market if they are not successful.”

Singbeil adds, “A real estate professional understands pricing in these current market conditions and can help Sellers establish the right price out of the gate.
Buyers and sellers must come together and have realistic expectations in this competitive marketplace if they want to see results.”

The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,149 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.

For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®, visit www.howrealtorshelp.ca
All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas. For comprehensive Board-wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com
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For more information:

Karen Singbeil, Director - Shuswap Zone karen@shuswap4sale.com (250) 836-2223

Brenda Moshansky, President (Board-wide statistical information) (250) 860-7500
bmoshansky@coldwellbanker.ca

Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, BCREA (Province-wide statistical information)
cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca (604) 742-2780

Shuswap Housing Market Slides Quietly into Fall ~ September 2010 Sales

2010-10-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

October 5, 2010

Shuswap Housing Market Slides Quietly into Fall

Sicamous, BC -The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board

(OMREB) reported September 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types remained quiet moving into fall.

While inventory continues to increase and provide more selection for buyers and sales volumes have improved year-to-date, new listings and unit sales are down from last year and last month.
Inventory rose 8.74% compared to last September to 1,854 units from 1,705, but new listings were down 6.54% over 2009 to 143 from 153 - dipping 20.99% from last month (181). Overall sales in September saw a 37.63% decline compared to the same month last year (58 units from 93) - down 10.76% from the 65 units sold in August. Total residential sales in September decreased 41.46% over September 2009 (to 48 from 82 units) - down 14.28% from last month (56). Single family homes sold dropped by 59.57% compared to last September to 19 from 47 - down 51.28% from the units sold in August (39). However, sales activity year-todate (YTD) has improved slightly (2.67%) compared to the first nine months of 2009 to 576 units from 561, while sales volumes YTD dipped to $177,890,188 from $178,119,864 last year.

"BC home sales remained flat in most markets during August and September, after bottoming out in July," says Karen Singbeil, OMREB Director and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. "Potential recreation and investment property buyers continue to be greatly affected by the slow rebound in Alberta and the trend toward deferred retirement until resource sectors improve. They are missing out on some great opportunities so we are hopeful the downward pressure on fixed-term mortgage rates will encourage those who have been sitting on the fence to negotiate a good deal on a vacation or retirement property while the wide choice and low mortgage rates are still available. Consumer confidence is expected to improve over the next few months as the economy strengthens going into 2011. "

"The economy is out of the recession and we are seeing positive job growth," notes Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. "Jobs lost during the peak of the recession have been recovered so most households in BC are back in solid financial positions." Singbeil adds, "When selling a property in a market that continues to favour buyers, working with a real estate professional who knows how to establish the right price is essential. Buyers and sellers must come together and have realistic expectations in this competitive marketplace if they want to see results."

The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,149 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.

For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®, visit www.howrealtorshelp.ca

All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas.

For comprehensive Board-wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com -30-

For more information:

Karen Singbeil, Director - Shuswap Zone karen@shuswap4sale.com (250) 836-2223

Brenda Moshansky, President (Board-wide statistical information) (250) 860-7500 bmoshansky@coldwellbanker.ca

Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, BCREA (Province-wide statistical information) cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca (604) 742-2780

DISCLAIMER: Monthly sales statistics are based on the sales reported by real estate offices as of the last day of the month.

There may be some lag time in reporting sales and minor adjustments in total results are made accordingly.

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas. MLS®

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook/LinkedIn: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

MLS® Sales Activity ~ August 2010 ~ Shuswap Media Realease

2010-09-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
September 7, 2010

Quiet End to Summer for Home Buyers in the Shuswap

Sicamous, BC –The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board
(OMREB) reported August 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types flattened as cool temperatures brought summer to an unusually quiet end. While inventory continues to increase and provide more selection for buyers and sales volumes have improved year-to-date, new listings and unit sales are down from last year and remain similar to last month.

Inventory rose 8.74% compared to last August to 1,854 units from 1,705, but new listings were down 17.35% over 2009 to 181 from 219 – down 18.09% from last month (221). Overall sales in August saw a 28.57% decline compared to the same month last year (65 units from 91) – mirroring the 64 units sold in July. Total residential sales in July decreased 28.21% over August 2009 (to 56 from 98 units) – the same as last month (56). Single family homes sold decreased by 18.75% compared to last August to 39 from 48 – up 2.58% from the units sold in July (31). However, sales activity year-to-date (YTD) has improved by 10.26% compared to the first eight months of 2009 to 516 units from 468, while sales volumes YTD are up to $154,819,743 from $146,181,054 last year.

“Home sales in the province bottomed out in July and remained flat in most markets in August – including the Shuswap – as was expected in the summer lull created by a flurry of activity earlier this year due to record low interest rates and the anticipated HST,” says Karen Singbeil, OMREB Director and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. “Recreation and investment buyers continue to lag well behind primary residence purchasers even though there are some great opportunities available here. Mortgage rates are currently in decline and could spur sales as buyer interest is renewed going into fall. Postponing purchases may not be wise as rates are expected to edge up again, especially if economic stability improves over the winter. When inventory begins to decline during the coming months, the choice of properties will continue to narrow. While the great selection and low mortgage rates are still available, now is the best time to negotiate a good price on that dream vacation or retirement home.”

“A relatively large number of homes for sale has created the most favourable supply conditions for home buyers in more than a year,” notes Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. However, with newly listed MLS® residential units now declining, tighter market conditions may emerge this fall as the property selection drops.
Singbeil adds, “When selling a property in a market that has shifted to favour buyers, working with a real estate professional who knows how to establish the right price is essential. Buyers and sellers must come together and have realistic expectations in this competitive marketplace if they want to see results.”

The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,181 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.

For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®, visit www.howrealtorshelp.ca
All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas. For comprehensive Board-wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com
-30-
For more information:
Karen Singbeil, Director - Shuswap Zone
karen@shuswap4sale.com (250) 836-2223
Brenda Moshansky, President (Board-wide statistical information) (250) 860-7500
bmoshansky@coldwellbanker.ca
Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, BCREA (Province-wide statistical information)
cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca (604) 742-2780

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Home Buyers Take Summer Off in the Shuswap ~ July 2010

2010-08-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

Sicamous, BC –The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board
(OMREB) reported July 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types has cooled off as summer temperatures heat up.
While listings continue to increase and provide more selection for buyers and sales volumes have improved year-to-date, unit sales are down from last year and last month.
Inventory rose 11.98% compared to last July to 1,897 units from 1,694, but new listings were down 8.3% over
2009 to 221 from 241 and dropped 19.4% from last month (273). Overall sales in July saw a 46.22% decline
compared to the same month last year (64 units from 119) – down slightly from 67 units sold in June. Total residential sales in July decreased 42.86% over July 200 (to 56 from 98 units) – a slight drop from last month (52). Single family homes sold decreased by 49.18% compared to last July to 31 from 61 – mirroring units sold
in June (30). However, sales activity year-to-date (YTD) has improved by 19.36% compared to the first seven months of 2009 to 450 units from 377, while sales volumes YTD are up to $134,093,163 from $116,525,684.
“Vacations and yard work traditionally take consumers away from buying or selling homes during the summer so sales in the Shuswap slowed right down in July and, like most BC markets, showed lower than typical results amidst consumer confusion over the HST and rising interest rates,” says Karen Singbeil, OMREB
Director and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. “Recreation and investment buyers remain cautious due to tighter credit requirements, and retirees have pulled back until consumer confidence and economic growth see
further improvement. However, interest rates are edging up slower than anticipated and a projected return to post-recession demand could bring a gradual increase in sales in the fall. Buyers should not postpone
purchases because the wide property selection available now may not last in the coming months.”
“A larger inventory has created the most favourable conditions for home buyers in more than a year,” notes Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “However, the buyers’ market is expected to be short-lived as total active listings throughout the province peaked in May-June and are beginning to wane with more balanced
conditions set to emerge in the fall as property selection drops.”
Singbeil adds, “When selling a property in a market that has shifted in favour of buyers, working with a real estate professional who knows how to establish the right price is essential. Buyers and sellers must come
together and have realistic expectations in this competitive marketplace if they want to see results.”
The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and
east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,179 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.
For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our
national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®
visit www.howrealtorshelp.ca
All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas.
For comprehensive Board-wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com
-30-
For more information:
Karen Singbeil, Director - Shuswap Zone
karen@shuswap4sale.com (250) 836-2223
Brenda Moshansky, President (Board-wide statistical information) (250) 860-7500
bmoshansky@coldwellbanker.ca
Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, BCREA (Province-wide statistical information)
cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca (604) 742-2780

Buyers' Market Brings More Choice in the Shuswap !May 2010 Shuswap Sales Stats

2010-06-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

June 4, 2010

Buyers' Market Brings More Choice in the Shuswap!
Sicamous, BC - The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported:

May 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types has improved over 2008 and the early part of 2009, and has started to level off since last month as the housing market recovers slowly. Listings continue to increase and offer a wide selection of properties for Buyers.

Overall sales in May jumped 42% to 77 units compared to the 54 sold during the same month last year and rose 8% over the 71 sold in April.

Listings were up 24% over May 2009 (from 279 to 348) and decreased 2% from last month (358), while inventory rose 11% from 2009 (1,892 units from 1,690), and improved 9% over April (1,725).

Total residential sales in May rose 31% from last year (to 63 from 48 units) - a 28% increase from last month (49). Single family homes sold saw a 20% increase compared to this time last year (from 25 to 31) - up 47% from the units sold in April (21).

Sales activity year-to-date has improved by 71% from 2009 at this time (311 units compared to 181) and sales volumes are up 75% (to $93,391,192 from $53,270,664).

"The numbers are showing we have entered a Buyer's cycle and this is a return to more normal competitive market conditions," says Karen Singbeil, OMREB Director and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. "While recovery can be expected to remain choppy, underlying economic conditions continue to improve and the Shuswap is still attractive to Buyers by virtue of where it is." Singbeil notes, "When selling a property in a market that has shifted in favour of Buyers instead of Sellers, everything matters including your neighborhood, property type and home's appearance.

Working with a real estate professional who knows how to establish the right price and initiate a comprehensive marketing plan is essential. More choice means Buyers may take longer in the evaluation process so Sellers will need to be patient. Buyers and Sellers must come together and have realistic expectations in this competitive marketplace if they want to see results."

The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,180 member REALTORS® and 85 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.

For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®, visit www.howrealtorshelp.ca
All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas. For comprehensive Board-wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com

-30-

For more information:

Karen Singbeil, Director - Shuswap Zone e-mail: karen@shuswap4sale.com (250) 836-2223

Brenda Moshansky, President (Board-wide statistical information) (250) 860-7500 bmoshansky@coldwellbanker.ca

Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, BCREA (Province-wide statistical information) cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca (604) 742-2780

DISCLAIMER: Monthly sales statistics are based on the sales reported by real estate offices as of the last day of the month. There may be some lag time in reporting sales and minor adjustments in total results are made accordingly

Buyer's Market in the Shuswap ~ April Sales OMREB Stats 2010

2010-05-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

May 5, 2010 ~ Buyer's Market in the Shuswap

Sicamous, BC - The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported

April 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types has improved over 2008, the early part of 2009 and last month as the housing market gains momentum.

"Sales activity has seen a marked improvement in the Shuswap as Buyer interest in recreation properties is typically renewed as Spring unfolds," says Karen Singbeil, OMREB Director and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. "Overall sales in April jumped 47% to 71 units compared to the 48 sold during the same month last year and rose 42% over the 50 sold in March. It's becoming a Buyer's market with a wide selection of properties to choose from as new listings continue to come on to the market. "

Listings were up 10% over April 2009 (from 321 to 354) and increased 9% over last month (325), while inventory rose 10% from 2009 (1,725 units from 1,567), and improved 12% over March (1,531).

Total residential sales in April rose 19% to 49 units from the 41 sold last year - a 28% increase from last month (38). The 31 single family homes sold saw a 24% increase compared to the 25 sales at this time last year - up 47% from the 21 units sold in March. "Potential Buyers from Alberta and other parts of BC are being spurred into action with the sense of urgency created by the threat of further increasing mortgage rates and tighter lending criteria," Singbeil notes. "Activity is picking up as a wider selection of properties provides more opportunity forthose looking for a vacation or retirement home while mortgage rates are still comparatively low andprices relatively affordable. The implementation of the HST on new properties may create more investor interest in resale properties, particularly in the condo market. "Karen says. "It is important to have realistic expectations when buying or selling a house in this competitive marketplace," Karen says. "Consult with your REALTOR® to get the facts on prices and activity in your area, and to determine local market value."

The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,161 member REALTORS® and 85 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.

For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®, visit www.howrealtorshelp.ca

All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas. For comprehensive Board-wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com

-30-

For more information:

Karen Singbeil, Director - Shuswap Zone e-mail: karen@shuswap4sale.com (250) 836-2223

Brenda Moshansky, President (Board-wide statistical information) (250) 860-7500 bmoshansky@coldwellbanker.ca

Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, BCREA (Province-wide statistical information) cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca (604) 742-2780

DISCLAIMER: Monthly sales statistics are based on the sales reported by real estate offices as of the last day of the month. There may be some lag time in reporting sales and minor adjustments in total results are made accordingly.

Karen Singbeil
Sicamous Real Estate
Broker.Owner RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas.

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

RE/MAX Recognized !

2010-04-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

For immediate release RE/MAX Recognized as the Most
Trusted Real Estate Brand in Canada(Kelowna, BC, April 28, 2010) – RE/MAX has been awarded Most Trusted Residential REALTOR® as
voted on by readers of Reader’s Digest magazine. The survey conducted for the annual awards revealed
that the majority of Canadians trust RE/MAX for all their residential real estate needs, ranking RE/MAX
associates five-times more ‘trusted’ than the second most trusted brand.
“Our associates should be proud and honoured to receive the confidence of Canadian consumers as the
Most Trusted Residential REALTOR®,” says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President for
RE/MAX of Western Canada. “It’s an inspiring merit that the best trained and most experienced agents
have received for providing valuable assistance to so many families.”
Ash believes that this distinction awarded to Canadian RE/MAX associates is due in part to two notable
attributes. The first being “Premier Community Citizenship” - a quality that RE/MAX associates share
by being ever-mindful of the impact they make locally as they are involved with their communities through volunteering, fund-raising and more.
The second is that RE/MAX associates carry more professional designations than any other REALTOR® in Canada. RE/MAX agents are invested in additional education in specialized areas such as Senior’s
representation, commercial brokerage and luxury homes.
RE/MAX is Canada's leading real estate organization with over 17,500 sales associates situated throughout its more than 680 independently-owned and operated offices across the country. The
RE/MAX franchise network, now in its 37th year, is a global real estate system operating in more than 70
countries. Over 6,500 independently-owned offices engage over 115,000 member sales associates who
lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate
services in residential, commercial, referral, and asset management. For more information, visit:
www.remax.ca.
###
For more information:
Rhia Bachynski
RE/MAX of Western Canada
Office: (250) 860-3628
www.remax-western.ca

Sicamous Real Estate Stats for 1st Quarter 2010

2010-03-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

Sicamous Real Estate Stats for 1st Quarter 2010

I love running numbers and checking out the stats for our real estate market especially when it seems they aren't making sense. I started to run the 1st Quarter sales stats for this year in the past few days to try to figure out this CRAZY real estate market and now I am even more confused.

So I decided to search MLS back to 1st Quarter 2006 which was when our Sicamous market was still leaping upward with hefty leaps & bounds probably about mid 2006 to fall 2007 was our really "hot, hot, hot" Sicamous real estate market.

I am trying to figure "out" where we are & basically where are we going! Seems my crystal ball & tarot cards are failing me & I am looking for answers! I keep "hearing" Vancouver & Calgary are both heating up & in multiple offers the forcasts from Bank of Canada seem to believe with the recent interest rate hike they need to cool things down, Really? I am just wondering where are we going to end up for 2010? NOW I am more confused than before I started! The one thing I can tell is the market is down from 2007 no surprise there but 2009 was stronger and I think we are still FAR from balanced as the reports across the nation are reporting.

Sicamous Active Listings 166 Residential properties on the MLS for Sicamous this includes: mobiles, single family homes, condos/strata and lot/acreages. Commercial properties we have 35 listed in the Sicamous area.

MLS Sicamous Sales Stats for 1st Quarter (Jan. Feb. March) ~ 2007 to 2010 (obtained from Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board data)

2010 Sicamous Real Estate 1st Quarter MLS Sales

6 Jan. Average Sale Price $208,333 DOM 180

3 Feb. Average Sale Price $255,000 DOM 55

2 March Average Sale Price $279,250 DOM 394

Average Total $247,528 Average Days on Market 210

2009 Sicamous Real Estate 1st Quarter MLS Sales

1 Jan. Average Sale Price $125,000 DOM 110

2 Feb. Average Sale Price $482,500 DOM 263

4 March Average Sale Price $329,825 DOM 194

Average Total $312,442 Average Days on Market 189

2008 Sicamous Real Estate 1st Quarter MLS Sales

2 Jan. Average Sale Price $246,000 DOM 55

2 Feb. Average Sale Price $319,875 DOM 237

9 March Average Sale Price $217,311 DOM 68

Average Total $261,062 Average Days on Market 120

2007 Sicamous Real Estate 1st Quarter MLS Sales

7 Jan. Average Sale Price $365,429. DOM 151

10 Feb. Average Sale Price $282,675. DOM 225

13 March Average Sale Price $256,158 DOM 167

Average Total $301,420.67 Average Days on Market 181

2006 Sicamous Real Estate 1st Quarter MLS Sales

16 Jan. Average Sale Price $235,788. DOM 170

4 Feb. Average Sale Price $ 217,250 DOM 180

8 March Average Sale Price $200,725 DOM 131

Average Total $217,921 Days On Market 160

So throw all the other data OUT like the garbage and based on 2006 to 2010 we are up 12% to 18% minimum month to month 2006 to present increase !! Agree? SO If you didn't sell in that hot, hot time period then you didn't benefit from all the high, crazy speculatitve increases and really your no worse off.

However , if you did sell in that time period you probabaly bought again so you are still no worse for the wear!! BUT I would love to "hear" from you what do you make of this crazy Sicamous real estate market?

Oh Buyers come out, come out where ever you are! I feel this is & should be a good time to buy!
Have a Happy Easter!

Karen Singbeil
Sicamous Real Estate
Broker.Owner RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Selling the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas.

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook: Karen Singbeil
youtube: karensreal1

MEDIA RELEASE ~ Shuswap Housing Market Continues to Improve Sorrento, BC

2010-03-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release: March 5, 2010

Shuswap Housing Market Continues to Improve Sorrento, BC

The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported February 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types has improved over 2008 and the early part of 2009 as the housing market continues to improve.

"Optimism in the Shuswap is rising with consumer confidence as sales strengthen and more new properties come on to the market to provide more choice for Buyers," says Bob Cliffe, OMREB President and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. "Overall sales in February jumped 135% to 47 units compared to the 20 sold during the same month last year and rose 7% over the 44 sold in January. New listings increased 107% this month to 292 compared to 141 in February 2009 and were up 60% over the 183 last month."

February saw total residential sales of 38 units - a 100% improvement from the 19 sold last year, and a 19% increase over the 32 last month. The sale of 25 single family homes this month increased by 257% compared to the 7 sold at this time last year and rose 38% over the 18 units in January.

"Housing sales in the Shuswap are gaining momentum despite a slowdown in other parts of the province. No snow, 9 to 10 degree temperatures and sunshine - it's all good for business," Cliffe notes. "More Albertans have been arriving these past few weeks. We are now starting to see multiple offers as potential recreation and investment buyers are poking around a lot earlier in the year than normally expected due to the unseasonably warm weather, attractive prices and low interest rates. Activity could heat up even more during the coming months if Buyers wish to avoid the pending changes to mortgage criteria, the HST and the possibility of higher rates."

"The guidance of a REALTOR® to help determine market value in this competitive marketplace is important for both Buyers and Sellers," says Bob. The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke.
The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,152 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC. For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. Our local public website is available at www.omreb.com. All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas.

I have the pleasure of sitting on the OMREB Board of Directors with Bob Cliffe who wrote this media realease for OMREB.

If you are looking to list or buy in the Salmon Arm or Sorrento area please call him and if you are looking to buy or sell in the Sicamous Area please call me 1-800-582-8639!

Karen Singbeil
Sicamous Real Estate
Broker.Owner RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas.

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Twitter: karensreal
FaceBook: Karen Singbeil
YouTube: karensreal1

Sicamous Market Update ~ Sicamous Real Estate ~ January & Februaury 2010

2010-03-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

Sicamous Market Update for January & February 2010

There have been 9 Sicamous sales since the beginning of the 2010. All of them Listed and Sold within our office : RE/MAX at Mara Lake ! (All Data obtained from OMREB)

January ~ 6 Sales
2 single family homes in Sicamous
2 Malakwa properties
1 mobile
1 Strata/Condo in The Sails

February ~ 3 Sales
All 3 were single family homes in Sicamous.

Prices continue to go down from previous years continuing to favor the buyers. Active listings for all of Sicamous 182 :

Inventory is very low in Single family homes under 275K where we have seen this years main activity level.
The first time home buyers are taking advantage of the low interest rates and lower house prices and this shows with the activity we are seeing in the 225-275K range. Of the 55 single family homes less than 10 are under $300,000

There are currently 47 active condo/strata on the MLS this does not include all the new product with the developers i.e. Legacy, Hummingbird , Sicamous developments, Shuswap Villas etc..that are not all listed. Factoring those there are approx. 160 condo units for sale in the Sicamous area.

Bayview Estates after starting over 5 years ago has now completed, soon to be the most sought after address in Sicamous to build your dream home on in the Shuswap.

With the anticipated HST coming into effect July 1,2010 in British Columbia I feel there will be a push for developers to get rid of their older product. Trying to persuade the buyers to make decisions who are wanting to avoid paying the new tax of 12% (7% increase)

Spring is definetly here after a very mild winter in the Shuswap! The flowers are starting to come out, the birds are coming back and the snow is almost all melted... except for the hills so Sledders from Alberta can still come out and enjoy!

2009 brought a change in the way I market my business and I continue to try "new" ideas i.e. blackberry and iphone mobile sites (mobile.shuswap4sale.com). I have set up numerous social media sites: twitter (karensreal and sicamousrealtor), YouTube karensreal1) Video listings, picasaweb (ksingbeil1 slideshows), google, facebook. Join me as a fan of the Sicamous real estate fan page on Facebook, several blogs : this one Sicamous real estate blog and activerain blogs as well. I continue to use traditional ways to expose all my Sicamous listings to as many buyers as possible within the Sicamous and Shuswap market.

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Sicamous area of the Shuswap please give me a call Office toll free 1.800.582.8639!

If you would like to see homes or properties I currently have for sale in the Sicamous area you can also visit my website http://www.shuswap4sale.com

Karen Singbeil
Broker/Owner REALTOR®
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In and Selling the Shuswap!

Sicamous Real Estate - January MLS Sales Stats 2010

2010-02-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

Sicamous Real Estate - (Data obtained from Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board)

Sicamous MLS Sales Stats for January 2010.

Total sales in Sicamous : 6

Breakdown as follows:

Sicamous Single Family Homes: 4

Highest Sale Price : $325,000 (acreage in Malakwa w/unfinished home)

Lowest Sale Price: $170,000 (older home w/acreage in Malakwa)

Sicamous Mobile : 1
Sale price $35,000. (in town)

Sicamous Condo/Strata: 1
Sale price $270,000. (Townhome)

Currently there are 141 Active listings in the Sicamous area.

For all info on real estate in the Sicamous area call the Real Estate Leaders.

RE/MAX has 70% market share for the Sicamous area reported through OMREB for completed transactions on the MLS for 2009.

Karen Singbeil Broker.Owner
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In & Serving the Shuswap! Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas!

Sicamous Real Estate - Sicamous MLS Sales for 2009

2010-01-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

67 properties total SOLD on the MLS in Sicamous:

Sicamous geograhic area under our OMREB real estate board (source data obtained) includes service areas of Sicamous, Mara, Mara Lake, Maj. of Shuswap Lake (3 arms) & Malakwa.

The breakdown below:

Sicamous Homes listed under Single Family Residential : Total 34

Sicamous condos listed as Strata : Total 15

Sicamous Mobiles listed as Manufactured Homes: Total 9

Sicamous bare land listed as Lots and Acreages or Farm: Total 8

Sicamous commercial properties: Total 1

See what was listed in this time period in Sicamous:

Sicamous Expired properties exposed on the Sicamous market for a reasonable time frame which did not sell between time period Jan. 01, 09 to Dec 31, 2009: Total 171

Pricing right for the market we are in is the Key to Success!
Sicamous Active listings currently: Total 126

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Shuswap please give me a call 1-800-582-8639 !

If you would like to see homes or properties I currently have for sale in the Sicamous area you can also visit my website www.shuswap4sale.com

Karen Singbeil
Broker Owner RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corporation

Living In and Selling the Shuswap!

Shuswap BC Foreclosures Listings Information in Sicamous, Salmon Arm & surrounding Shuswap areas!

2009-12-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

Shuswap BC Foreclosures Listings Information in Sicamous, Salmon Arm & surrounding Shuswap areas **Contact me~

Breakdown of BC Foreclosures listed on MLS for all areas of the Shuswap, BC:

Total 15

13 Foreclosures (Court Ordered Sales) under MLS Residential are currently Active in British Columbia for the Shuswap Region!

2 Commercial Foreclosures (Court Ordered Sales) under Commercial MLS are currently Active in British Columbia for the Shuswap Region!

Breakdown of Active MLS Foreclosures for the Shuswap region:

4 listed in Residential Foreclosures: 1 Salmon Arm, 1 Tappen/Sunnybrae 2 in N. Shuswap: Ranging from $299,900 to $539,900

5 listed in Strata or Condo Foreclosures in the N. Shuswap all listed in same complex ranging from $249,900 to $599,900

4 Residential Foreclosure lots ranging from $39,900 to $479,900 3 in N. Shuswap & 1 in Seymour Arm

1 Commercial lot on Riverside across from Channel in Sicamous $449,000

1 Commercial business with land in Malakwa $769,000

I can provide further information on these listings or any others if you are looking to buy or sell in the Shuswap! For all your Shuswap Real Estate needs contact me!

To become a Shuswap VIP Buyer please visit my website http://www.shuswap4sale.com Sign up to receive E-mails of all Shuswap Foreclosures as they come on the MLS!

Karen Singbeil
Sicamous Real Estate
Broker.Owner RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corp.

Living In & Serving the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas.

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Rules for Taxes change as BC vamps up for HST!

2009-11-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

You are probably wondering the same as me. How does this new HST effect me?
Is it just another cash cow for BC? Plain & simple answer is Yeppers. At least that is the way I see it!

The "New tax" officially changes July 1, 2010 from 7% PST and 5% GST to a combined Harmonized Tax of a whopping 12% on ALL goods and services! OUCH BC...

So things that weren't applicable to PST or GST now are ALL applicable to the new 12%HST!
i.e. BC real estate commissions, BC real estate appraisals, haircuts, lodging, groceries, gas, and on and on and on...............................

If your not gainfully employeed you maybe be thinking "Yeah more money for me" that answer would be wrongo pongo, only more money for the BC government!
The NDP aren't even in are they??? Oh yeah it is the other group that said they wouldn't raise the taxes I forgot!
Hmmmm...must be the American in me. I expect people to tell the truth but we are talking politics so I won't even go there.

The real kick on this new tax is buying NEW from builders and developers.

In addition to the Property Transfer Tax (another BC cash cow)! We all have to pay at closing EACH and EVERY time we buy real estate in British Columbia.
Works out to be 1% on the 1st 200K 2% therafter. OUCH Double OUCH OUCH.

This is not aimed at outsiders like some Albertans (I used to be one) Daring aren't I? American & came here from Alberta (haha) I love living on the edge!

So take a new condo from a builder you buy now that is closing after July 1, 2010 Listed at $400,000. add 12% HST $48,000. + PTT $6000.
Total TAX = $54,000! Want me to say OUCH again?

SO your brand new spanking $400,000 condo just went to brand new spanking $454,000 condo. **don't get your glasses you are not seeing double.
BUT: If you buy new and close anytime before June 30, 2010 you only pay 5% GST so better hurry.. like Black Friday tomorrow.. RUN if your buying new or pay the later fees tomorrow.

If you buy a Shuswap condo resale (changed hands from new) then typically it is not applicable to GST or HST. I have some really great one's listed so call me!! OR Look for yourself on my website http://www.shuswap4sale.com If you want more info on Sicamous Real Estate call me I would love to help you!

Have a great day! I pln too!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
REALTOR® Broker Owner
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Specializing in Mara Lake, Sicamous and Surrounding Areas!
Toll Free 1.800.582.8639
Local: 250.836.2223

Snowmobiling fans & fanatics live & play in BC!

2009-11-18T14:21:00.000-08:00

Snowmobiling fans & fanatics live & play in BC!

Snowmobiling in BC is fun for all ages!

Sicamous, BC is the big boys playground for this sport and we have a lot to offer!

Sicamous Snowmobiling is so popular sledders all over Alberta will drive to get here just to enjoy a Shuswap weekend getaway in the glorious snow filled mountains of the interior of British Columbia.

So come try and enjoy the Monashee Mountains from Sicamous to Revelstoke, where snowmobiling is #1 fun in the Sicamous area! Some of the popular spots for snowmobiling: Owlhead, Queest, Blue Lake and Eagle's Pass, are all assessible by forest service roads that are carefully groomed by The Eagle Valley Snowmobile Grooming Society, their website is www.sledsicamous.com a non-profit organization that exists to make your sledding experience a "smooth" one, and to promote the incredible sledding opportunities in our region. Three of the riding areas now feature cozy log chalets. In Mara, BC just past the End of Mara Lake is Hunter's Range another popular spot and located near Backus Racing on Hwy 97A.

If you forget your gloves or need some new gear don't sweat it, AJ's and the Worx shop owner Michelle Wolff has a multi tude of gear to keep you warm!

They carry the ever popular KLIM Snowmobile gear so shopping is made easy in Sicamous! She has just celebrated her 1 year anniversary! They have sales on now until the end of November conveniently located by our RE/MAX at Mara Lake office in the Parkland Mall off Highway 1 and 97A in Sicamous.

If you need a safe place to stay and park your sleds while you are out in the Sicamous area The Overlook at Mara Lake is a popluar spot, kid and family friendly. With only a 3 day minimum rental period so perfect for the BC weekend getaways! This popular cottage rental is located on a private acreage in Mara, BC where you can start em up or get a test run. Not many places stay open year round in the Shuswap! http://www.theoverlook.ca

If you are looking to buy in the Sicamous area and need more info on the Sicamous Real Estate or the Sicamous area just call me I would love to help you!

Happy Sledding !! Let it snow , let it snow , let it snow ;)

Karen Singbeil
Sicamous Real Estate
Broker.Owner RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corp.

Living In & Serving the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas.

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Sicamous Real Estate - Interested in Buying Recreational property in Sicamous?

2009-11-11T08:55:00.000-08:00

Sicamous Real Estate - Interested in buying recreational property in Sicamous?

Days on Market 248?

Days on Market seem high Karen why is that? This is a great question! One I asked myself when I first came to buy in Sicamous in 2002. Then I was living in Calgary and selling primary residential homes, days on market typically 45-60 days or the house was stale so I knew this was crucial to selling!

Was it nobody liked the house in Swansea Point that I liked? It was so close to Mara Lake which leads to Shuswap Lake, within 2 minutes of the white sandy beaches and vacation rentals that all Albertans have come to love in the Shuswap. What was wrong??

I was confused and yet no explanation was given. So I set out to figure it out since I felt the same way about Sicamous homes and needed an answer.

NOTHING! You are buying recreational property key word "recreational property" so there is timing factor with and when the properties in the Shuswap will be MOST desired and LEAST desired.

Most buyers looking to buy with 60 day possessions = Early Spring (Feb, March, April) = for sure! The Albertans are still under snow we have crocus & tulips blooming and they want to get the FULL benefit the Shuswap has to offer for the whole year!

Typically quick possessions (15-30 days) = May, June, July, mid August = quick as they want to get in and have already lost several months of our " Shuswap boating season".

Late August, September, October = varied possession = I always consider these buyers "really" serious, some will take longer possession (next spring if vendors agree) The season for boating, skiing, sun loving is nearing the end OR they are the Snow lovers i.e. Alberta Sledders which is right around the corner.

Sales in November, December and January are few. However I believe this is the time that you can get the "best" deal if you find that one motivated person. Key word "motivated" most of these homes and/or properties are owned by people that DON'T need to sell! So when you see it on for 6 months already they may have had previous offers that they turned down. I know that sounds silly but that is life in the Shuswap!

This quote is how I feel about this time of year some wise words from a very rich man: A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. Warren Buffett

The time to buy is now! So if you are thinking of buying in the Sicamous area call me I would love to help you! More info on Sicamous Real Estate please visit my website http://www.sicamous4sale.com

Karen Singbeil
Sicamous Real Estate
Broker.Owner RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corp.

Living In & Serving the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas.

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Shuswap Fall Housing Market Follows 2002 Trend

2009-11-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Media Release - Shuswap Fall Housing Market Follows 2002 Trend November 5, 2009

Sorrento, BC -The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported October 2009 sales activity of all MLS® property types has slowed since summer but has continued to improve over last year and the early part of 2009. While overall sales weredown by 23% from 95 in September to 73 sales in October, sales were up 21% from the 60units sold in October 2008. Single family residential units sold decreased by 17% from 47 units in September to 39 in October - up 34% from the 29 units sold at this time last year.

"While overall activity in the Shuswap has been affected by the lack of Alberta buyers, sales are currently trending at levels similar to those seen in 2002. The sale of recreation properties has picked up year-to-date compared to last year with a 22% increase (11 units sold compared to 9in 2008)," notes Bob Cliffe, OMREB President and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. "There has also been more interest in the condo market with a 26% improvement in year-to-date condo sales from last year at this time (24 apartment units compared to 19 in 2008). The numbers are small but the trend continues upward so that is very encouraging."

He adds, "Despite lagging buyer interest and challenging economic conditions, sales activitycontinues to improve steadily compared to last year. While recovery in BC is slower than hoped as the resource sectors continue to struggle, the Alberta economy is showing improvement -particularly in Calgary where home prices have climbed steadily over the past few months."

"As the market strengthens and confidence grows in home equity, potential Alberta buyers able to leverage their principal residence could start looking at investment property again in the Spring," Cliffe notes. "The outlook for the Shuswap is looking more positive for 2010."

"The guidance of a REALTOR® to help determine market value in this competitive marketplace is important for both Buyers and Sellers."

The Shuswap Zone of OMREB includes the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, North Shuswap and east along Highway 1 to Revelstoke.

The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,146 member REALTORS® and 87 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC. For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. Our local public website is available at

www.omreb.com. All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas.

For comprehensive Board wide statistical information, please visit www.omreb.com Source: Bob Cliffe RE/MAX Shuswap Sorrento

If you are interested in more information on Sicamous real estate, thinking of selling a Sicamous property or wanting more info on the Sicamous area. I have all types of properties for sale in the Shuswap. My website http://www.sicamous4sale.com I specialize in Sicamous waterfront condos, Sicamous homes for sale, Sicamous condos for sale all located in the interior of British Columbia in the Shuswap. You may reach me Toll free 1.800.582.8639 Karen Singbeil located at the RE/MAX office in Sicamous.

Karen Singbeil
Sicamous Real Estate
Broker.Owner RE/MAX at Mara Lake
Personal Real Estate Corp.

Living In & Serving the Shuswap!
Sicamous, Mara Lake, Shuswap Lake & Surrounding areas.

My plates (LIST4U & SELLM2)

Sicamous Real Estate- October 09 Sales Stats

2009-11-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

Sicamous Real Estate - October 2009 Sales Stats

7 Total October sales

Sicamous Residential Home Sales :

Sales for Sicamous October 09 shows signs of more interest from the buyers in purchasing single family homes if they are at the "right" or "fair" buyers perceived price for the market!

5 Total Houses:

High $370,000 (across from Swansea Pt House with 3.45 acres)

Low $229,000 (house on Kappel went into multiple offers)

Median $264,450

Average $282,133

1 Mobile in Malakwa

$170,000 (mobile w/full basement on 1/2 acre land)

1 Lakeview Lot in Bayview Estates

$170,000.

Looking back to last year Sicamous Sales October 08 time frame we had 9 total sales.

6 of those Single Family Homes Sales in Sicamous 1 Lot, 1 Mobile & 1house in Malakwa.

Median of Sicamous Residential homes for 2008: $289,000

If you are interested in finding out more info on Sicamous Real Estate or looking to buy or sell home in the Sicamous area please give me a call.

Toll Free 1.800.582.8639

Karen Singbeil RE/MAX at Mara Lake

**Sicamous Real Estate - September 09 Sales stats

2009-10-09T15:36:00.001-07:00

Sicamous Real Estate - September Sales Stats

Well September finished off quite well for our area 11 sales total! Too some people that may not sound like much but compared to the total July & August Sicamous Real Estate wound up being combined at 12.

Sicamous Real Estate Breakdown as follows:

Single Family Homes: 8 Sales
Highest $1,887,500. My listing + my career high sale price: 1 acre with a home on Mara Lake.
Lowest $186,000 (Also my listing) That was an oxymoron month!

Lots : 1 Sale
1/2 acre with travel trailer/carport built in bath/kitchen thinga majiggy located in Swansea Point. Beautiful area had been listed for approx. 2 1/2 yrs. I used to own the property next door so I could see the thinga majiggy and always wondered what was in it? Now you know!

Strata: 1 Sale
In town senior (55+) townhouses: Shuswap Lane. Once I get closer to 55 it will no longer be called Seniors but something else original I will come up with then!

For all info on Sicamous Real Estate please give me a call I would love to help you!

I love living in and Selling the Shuswap! My Calgary clients who just took possession told me the snow is flying in cowtown...glad I am here now but love the AB way of doing business !

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian family, friends & clients!

Happy Columbus day to all my American family, friends & clients!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

REAL TALK: Pricing is Key!

2009-09-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Any REALTOR® can list a property at "any" price but this may not be the best for you or an ethical way to do business :
We are to help provide you with a professional service by pricing and marketing your property to sell not secure the listing by giving you the highest price.

What I mean is pricing is key:
First there should be a CMA done (Comparative Market Analysis) to determine the correct price in today's market. Sales data is easily available from our board and you should be given this data to help determine the price.
Listing where "you" the consumer believes it is worth or what you may need without the basis for this number, may not be starting out right or in your best interest.

Although this sounds great in premise & in a perfect world we would all like to know the lottery numbers for this week, it is very misleading to the public to price a home this way.

A prudent REALTOR® will give the most recent comparables "comps" and under most real estate boards this is required when pricing a home.
This would include a minimum number of Active & Sales data (using the last 3-6 months) comparing what other "similar" properties were listed & MORE IMPORTANT what they ACTUALLY SOLD for.

This is the "real" number you should base your house price on.

If you don't like that then pay to have a certified appraisal done on the property. This is what the banks will lend a buyer who is interested in purchasing your home. If the buyer cannot get bank financing than more than likely they will not be able to purchase your property. So this is very important especially in todays economy where the banks are more conservative in their lending practices.

Don't be fooled by the "highest" price you are given if it is not supported by facts.
This may lead to a longer time on market, numerous price reductions & could possibly even prevent the sale completely.

GET THE FACTS!

Pricing your home "right" is the key to your success!

The only place success is before work is in the dictionary! (Vince Lombardi)

Thinking of buying or selling give me a call 1.800.582.8639

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

Sicamous , BC **August MLS Sales

2009-09-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

Sicamous, BC

August 2009 Sales (MLS) Stats **Data obtained through out local real estate board OMREB
9 Total Sales

LOTS 0

MOBILE 1

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL 4

CONDO 4

Compared to 2008 ONLY 5 Sicamous MLS Sales.

In order to sell for this year you must PRICE IT RIGHT!
Any REALTOR can list a property!
Why not deal with someone who knows SICAMOUS and deals in facts?

Call me today 1.800.582.8639 I would love to help you!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

Sicamous , BC : MLS Sales Stats for July 2009

2009-08-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

July 2009 : 12 Total MLS Sales for Sicamous , BC

0 Lots

1 Mobile

7 Condo (3 of these were Portside Receiver Sale)

4 Residential (2 were mobile's on Freehold land)

That seems like a low number huh? Well it is 2 1/2 times more than Sicamous July 2008 Sales we only had 5.

So it seems the market activity is improving as forecasted for B.C.

If you want to SELL today call a professional who knows how to price your home or property & get it SOLD in today's market!

Karen Singbeil

RE/MAX at Mara Lake 1-800-582-8639

LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

Sicamous June Summer Sales Stats

2009-07-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

June 2009 Summer Sales Stats for Sicamous, BC
Total 7
2 Lots
3 Mobile Home
1 Single Family Residential(Acreage in Malakwa)
1 Condo (Mara Landing)

Compared to 2008 June Sales:
Total 6
1 Lot
3 Single Family Residential
2 Condo

WOW that means were up by 1 from last year but the prices are down a bit surprisingly not as much as a buyer thinks but the majority of the sales were mobiles which are way cheaper and also means it is more permanent moves rather than recreational buyers.
Tells a lot doesn't it? What is going on is Global not just a US problem that I know!

Also there not making any more land in the Shuswap. I am hoping to repeat my Top 100 for RE/MAX Sales stats in July as I have had a heck of a run with 7 ends.

Thinking of Buying or selling in the Shuswap ?
Please give me a call! Toll Free 1-800-582-8639

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
LIST4U & SELLM2 (My plates)

Sicamous A bit of Good & Bad News !

2009-06-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

Sicamous REAL Estate
May Sales Stats 2009

Sicamous 3 Total MLS sales for May 2009 compared to last year May 2008 15 Total Sales.
I guess everything we "hear" going on in the world it seems to be getting a bit slower as the months go by. People keep asking me when will it turn around? When YOUR attitude towards it turns around is what I think!
YOU can make it happen! I am writing deals every week, some go and some don't! OH well.. Interest rates are at record, record lows there is no better time to buy out here. Some prices are back in line with 2006 pricing so give me a call.

Now for the GOOD news: I received a snail mail letter last week from RE/MAX Western congratulating me?

"CONGRATULATIONS! TOP 100 WESTERN CANADA!"

Karen Singbeil congratulations for outstanding individual sales performance for April 2009 on completed transactions....

WOW is all I can say! I am truly honored and proud of my newest accolade.
I guess you keep your head down and keep working hard it does pay off, even in a horrible market!

I love this quote: "Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be" GS

Please call me if I can help you either pricing your home to sell in 09 or drive & buy in 09!
I sell all over the Shuswap! So if you are looking and need to know how to find me Toll FREE 1-800-582-8639.

Have a GR8 Day! I plan 2!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

Pricing for Today's Market

2009-05-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

Sicamous BC May 09

I get asked everyday to give my opinion of value on property, from banks, appraiser's, the public calls me or stops in, & ALL sorts of REALTORS ask me either in my office OR in other towns.

Price is determined by two things:
1. What the other person is willing to pay TODAY.

2. What the last "similar" type property sold for within the same "time" frame which means refer to Rule #1.

This is NOT rocket science.
As REALTORS we have a mandate under our code of ethics to advise our clients properly and in doing so we have to give "facts" of the current market and what we believe the property should be priced at to find that "willing" buyer in that market.

OVER pricing is often used to secure a listing: Ask to see how many others have SOLD at what price & then make up your mind for yourself! Data on "recent" sales should be supplied to substantiate our claims. You do have the right to see this data & ethically you should be given this information. Do your homework! Often in a declining market and far too often lately people are finding out last year their house was worth more than this year. IF you are "really making a move" then price the home for today's market & it should sell!

NOW every once in awhile you will have the anomaly where some person will flat out just over pay SO drastic of "fair" market value this is what I call "my lottery ticket guy" doesn't care , wants it , has all the money in the world and is buying on more emotion than probably reason!
That is why things are sometimes skewed to the public & I understand why they believe theirs is "worth" more BUT that doesn't mean you can price your property placed on that one anomaly. If you are on the market for a reasonable time with little or no showings and NO offers then your just flat out TOO high!

The current lottery is 40M & probably only one guy is going to win it! Let's hope it's you and you come to Sicamous, BC and buy lots of property all over the Shuswap & Mara Lake area! You know where to find me!!

Karen Singbeil 1.800.582.8639
RE/MAX at Mara Lake
LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

Sicamous Real Estate * April Sales Stats

2009-05-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

April 2009

Sicamous, BC **1 Residential MLS Sale** Mobile on Freehold land

Listed and Sold (My listing & RE/MAX at Mara Lake sale)

$152,300.

That's it reported on the MLS! (Data obtained through OMREB our local board)

Receivership condo's by the channel has a sign up that says 8 SOLD- 24 were listed on the MLS and none to date are reported Sold on the MLS system but the sign says 8 sold? Building had 30 in total 6 were sold from the developer when they were new over the past several yrs. I called the listing brokerage to find what is really sold and will let you.

Update on the receiver sales: The co-list said 6 of the sales they are saying Sold on their sign are from past pre-sales with the developer prior to the receiver marketing them. So those are not receiver sales so they DO NOT count! 2 she said are sales but not hers so they have not been reported yet. When/if they do I will update in May sales blog

If you are thinking of Buying or Selling in the Shuswap. Please give me a call 1.800.582.8639

Karen Singbeil RE/MAX at Mara Lake

Sicamous Real Estate - Thinking of Buying or Selling in the Shuswap? Sicamous, BC

2009-04-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

Shuswap REALTORS® specializing in the Shuswap & Mara Lake area. If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Shuswap area of British Columbia than call us first. We are REALTORS ® who know the area! We are committed full time Professionals who know how to service the people that matter most you. Our clients are #1 with us!

**Nobody sells more homes in the Sicamous area than RE/MAX at Mara Lake. We consistently have over 60% of the market share for all list and sale transacations in the Sicamous area for the past 3 yrs. (Data obtained through OMREB statistics)

REMAX at Mara Lake
#1133 Eagle Pass Way, Box 185, Sicamous, BC V0E 2V0
(250) 836-2223 * Fax: (250) 836-4442 * Toll-Free: 1-800-582-8639
E-mail: info@remax-maralake-sicamous.com
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

Local Places to Stay! Close to my Heart!

2009-04-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

Boy we have had fantastic weather in the last few weeks in the Shuswap 18-20C! Spring is in full force and the flowers, tree's, gardens are all blooming. Birds are singing and nesting. Grass is greening up. I saw my first fisherman out in Mara Lake on Wed. what a beautiful sight! Can't wait to launch the boat and go out for our first run of the year!

If you are planning a trip out our way I would recommend staying local in Mara Lake Area at either of the two places below!

Mara Spring Lodges 8265 Hwy. 97A, Mara, BC V0E 2K0
(250) 838-6283
www.maraspringlodges.com E-mail: maraspringlodges@hotmail.com
Located immediately opposite Mara Provincial Park and boat launch. Mara Spring runs through the idyllic landscaped gardens of the property. Individual luxury self-contained lodges with own patio. Free wireless internet; access to cable tv; seasonal heated swimming pool; games room and use of barbecue facilities. Welcome packs on arrival. Sorry, no pets. No smoking in lodges. Three lodges - minimum 2 night stay. Deposit required. 9 am - 8 pm

(**My awesome English friends & clients : I sold this beautiful property to them)

The Overlook at Mara Lake
8185 Hwy. 97A, Mara, BC V0E 2K0
(250) 838-7103 Toll-free 1-866-836-3886
www.theoverlook.ca E-mail: info@theoverlook.ca
Beautiful country-style cottage located high on 5 acres. Wrap around deck with stunning views of Mara Lake, Rosemond Lake & Shuswap River. A creek runs within a few feet of the home and into a private pond. A short walk to Mara Provincial Park beach and boat launch for quick access to the Mara and Shuswap Lakes (approx. 1/2 km.) Ample parking for RVs, snowmobile trailers, boats and cars. These private grounds offer hiking opportunities and the chance to watch eagles and other wildlife in their natural setting. Summer & Winter Fun! Open year round.

(**My husband & I own & live on the adjoining acreage-We love the Shuswap!)

Give either of us a call love to have you stay OR
Want to buy? You know where to find me 1-800-582-8639.

Have a gr8 day! I plan 2!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

Hippity Hop I love Bunnies !

2009-04-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

Must say it has been a truly gorgeous week in the Shuswap area of Sicamous, BC leading into Easter. The flowers are all popping the tulips are almost open but not quite. Albertans are arriving by the truckloads literally! Love that province!!
Overall the weather outlook is a lot better than the forecast for the Canadian economy so I "hear".
Yesterday Rueters reported: I am only giving you a snipit, cuz it is just too beautiful outside to depress you:
TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian economy is expected to worsen in the first half of 2009 but may start seeing tentative signs of recovery as early as the third quarter, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday.

So you have 3 choices: Pessimistic: Think it is only going to get worse. Optimistic: Think it Can only get better. 3) DRINK. No just kidding, okay kidding maybe a little bit (smile) ;)
Hey we could look at it this way: Shuswap + Summer = TONS of FUN: Weather is great here, hot & sunny, ice cream galore, cool cars with red plates (wink, wink) expensive convertibles, water skiing, beach, bikinis, vacation/holiday time, golf, mountains, lakes, wild life, wine tours, fresh okanagan fruit...want me to keep going? Pretty much the best of everything in Canada AND if you have money or the abilities to get some and you are in the drivers seat!
WELL...haven't said that in a few years or maybe 5?

So after Easter you best be getting your self to the bank & getting yourself pre-qualified, deals are out there & interest rates are low, low, low!

Our Real estate board (OMREB) put out this media release today in part:
Buyer Activity Picks Up As Affordability Improves
Sorrento, BC - The Shuswap Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB)
reported March 2009 sales activity of all MLS® property types continued to pick up steam – increasing by 90% from 20 sales in February to 38 in March. In particular, single family residential units sold in March increased by 100% from February – up from 7 units to 14.
“Putting this into perspective, the increase in residential units sold in March over February for the past seven years (2002 to 2008) has been 52% on average,” notes Bob Cliffe, OMREB President and REALTOR® in the Shuswap Zone. “The current increase in spring Buyer activity has likely been boosted by improved affordability and record low interest rates.”

Just finished my 1st Q newsletter:
Sicamous Stats Jan. Feb. March 2009 (obtained from our local OMREB)

6 Sales Total

Residential ** 3 Residentail SOLD**
Highest Selling Price $705,000 (new house in Swansea Pt)
Lowest Selling Price $125,000 (mobile on freehold land in town)
Average Selling Price $445,000 & Median Selling Price $415,000
Average Days on Market 206

Condo/Strata
** 1 STRATA/CONDO SOLD**
Highest Selling Price $500,000 (Direct waterfront The Narrows)
Average Days on Market 231

Mobile Homes
** 2 MOBILES SOLD**
Highest Selling Price $91,000
Lowest Selling Price $18,301
Average & Median Selling Price $54,650.50
Average Days on Market 135

Lots
** 0 LOTS SOLD

There you have it! You decide if your "ready" to price it to sell in 09 OR
Drive & buy in 2009?
Good opportunity for someone!!

I have to get going to book the rest of my weekend of work... Hippity Hop!!

As always thinking of buying or Selling in the Shuswap please pick me pick me... I would love to help you!
1-800-582-8639

Happy Easter! I hope you have time to celebrate & spend time with the people which matter most in life - Our families. I plan too!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

Sicamous Real Estate- No April FOOLS Here!

2009-04-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

The Snow is nearly gone in Sicamous. Mara Lake has some snow on it still but Shuswap Lake is all clear! This weekend it is supposed to be warm 18C (70F) the spring flowers are all peeking out from the trampled down beds..they probably feel like me... finally, whew.. after the very long winter!
Usually Easter we have tulips and crocus but they are definetly going to be late this year.
BONUS: Sun is shining and the 1st Quarter of 2009 is forever GONE!!!

I ran the Stats for my Quarterly Newsletter & we are WAY down in sales numbers overall.
Sicamous BC Total Sales Jan - March 2009 (6)
Three of these were mine (1 condo & 2 houses) The other 3 sales were mobiles = not mine.
Needless to say I am "very, very" thankful to be selling!

Compared to the past 2 years:
Total Sales 2008 1st Quarter (14)
Total Sales 2007 1st Quarter (30)

See way down, right?

Deals are out there but so are the OVER priced listings! People please price them to the market we are in. That is if you "really" want to sell in 2009?
If you don't believe me, then spend the $$ and get a certified bank appraisal. The banks are NOT willing to give money to just anybody. The lending criteria is very strict now & your buyer has to be very strong to qualify. Rates may be low but not everyone has good debt ratio, deposit (cash on hand), or a job (steady income) to be able to qualify/purchase.

I feel if your property has not sold in the last 6 months & you have not adjusted the price you probably should! Go look at other similar properties to yours and see if they sold at what price and then do an adjustment. The other Active listings have NO bearing on what your house is worth, they are merely your competition. Other OVER priced properties "help" sell houses that are priced RIGHT! And just to clarify...I mean Lowering the price not raising the price haha..can you believe that happens? That is a funny one.

Oh by the way the assessed value (tax man) has no actual bearing on the "worth" or price of your property either so please quit thinking that. I am sure you have figured out this is a cash cow for the State or Province , right?

These buyers are NO April FOOLS!!
April Fool's these buyers are NOT!! Get it?

I love Reality TV & I am trying really hard to be a REALITY priced REALTOR®

Thinking of buying or selling in the Shuswap please call me!
I am always ready to go to work for you! 1.800.582.8639

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

Aim for the Sky!

2009-03-25T06:48:00.000-07:00

Early morning: lurky, kinda foggy, a little thick & really dense (pretty much describes me) NO silly outside. Does that make sense? It has been nice the last few weeks & the snow is nearly gone in Sicamous 10C for the high during the days. Do I need to keep translating for my American family and friends? K, about 50F.

Anyway I have had a KILLER year and fantastic month so far. All my deals I have been working on endlessly finally ALL came together! Oh the sweet sounds of success kinda like domino's falling when they hit eachother OR the sounds of Vegas slots ringing endlessly...it was JOYFUL indeed!

Last night I watched the US Prez 2nd press conference and I am going to say this AGAIN! I don't see what throwing masses of money at this problem is going to solve? (read below a few and see my last great idea).
I see from the approval polls about 40% of the people SEE what I SEE!

I did notice Obama let some of the more "unconventional" news people ask him questions (even that 1 lady was shocked she got to ask a ?) and then Ebony (since I am an American & live in a foreign country I feel I can translate this best for my Canadian friends ) that is a more black magazine publication something I doubt GWB would of done. He even let the ABC lady ask him about Race? Really?? We are talking about that still? I agree with him it was a great moment for our country 1 DAY now get over it. We are ALL so proud but let's don't glout in us really being able to put on our big boy pants finally, k? Fox news played nice too WOW...talk about out of your comfort zone. And do you notice how respectful they all are when they ask their questions?
WELL they better cuz if they weren't I guess he could NOT play nice and kick a little sand in their faces. He is the President OR he could just toss them permanently. I guess from anywhere he wanted....POWER gotta love it!

Oh gotta jump subjects for a second I just thought of something. My 14 yr old told my husband & I last week, he thought it would be great if he could be the President of the US & the Prime Minister of Canada. Oh wait it gets better...ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! hahaha....Is this my kid? Who the heck would want to do that? I would say someone who needs medical attention immediatley. LOL-*grin*
Really hated to tell him it is NOT possible. At least Not at the same time!
I love goal setting and at least he is aiming high!! Love you Hunter ;)

Enough politics for today. I must go finish some work i.e. e-mails, twitter a tweep , update my Facebook, run off to FAXland like Candy land but big people games, you know same ole, same ole. Wouldn't people from another world think we are all nuts?
We are but I am trying to keep it REAL!

As always I am able to help you in buying or selling Real Estate in the Shuswap!
Rememeber if you price it right for the market we are in I promise it WILL Sell!

Have a good one I plan too!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

LIST4U & SELLM2

Billy Boy is Back @ #1!

2009-03-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

Today it is "really bright and sunny" in Sicamous, still cold though for Mid March -3C. Translation for my American family & friends that is 26F.
Are you impressed? I speak to languages (American & Canadian) and do 2 conversions (metric & imperial) WELL okay they are REALLY all English systems but I am trying to impress you , k?? ;)
March is going good. I firmed up another sale yesterday so I am Bright and Sunny too!!
BUT Poor Warren B. reported that he has lost 1/2 his fortune and now Billy Boy is Tops again! So the way I figure it he has a new goal...kinda like Ellen wanting to get on Oprah's Mag cover , something to strive for!

My goals are this: Enjoy my life, be a good wife (haha) , and to keep working so I make a living and in doing this I MUST network more, so basically promote my self & my recreational rental biz http://www.theoverlook.ca.
My husband and I bought the adjoining acreage next 2 us a few yrs ago and converted it to a weekly rental cottage. This is our second year and WOW it is better than we expected, right honey? Our plans are to make a little village , host weddings (we want to build a chapel) ALL happy things, vacations, reunions, unions etc...
But for now we rent out the cottage, we have a bunk house for extra sleeping, + we put in several RV sites.
It is just fabulous, better than we imagined and still lots to do! But hard to get started with all this SNOW!
SO First project over there is a much requested: firepit...(coming I promise)

We have great views, if you like mountains, lakes, basically nature & like to go OUTSIDE... YES the woods , no concrete jungle here, it is peaceful, in an animal friendly way (we have domestic animals: cats (7) dogs (2) kids (3), bears (the dog usually runs them off before I get a picture dang!) & birds (big ones i.e. eagles, are they considered American if we are in Canada?, Osprey, Vultures, anyways too many too count, but you can try).
We are on a mountain across the street from Mara Lake which connects into Shuswap Lake.
We feel plain thankful to live here. I feel really "lucky" to be able to boat to property I am listing, showing and selling!

Every April when we first put our boat in the water it really sets in after the winter how beautiful it is here. For the most part except July & Aug + long weekends & holiday times it is a ghost town as the "tourist" aren't here and there is barely a soul in sight just the beauty of the land that God made and believe me IT is beautiful.
You should come and see!

Then if you want to buy something - Please Pick me, Pick me!!
As Alway I am never too busy to do my JOB!
Call me 1.800.582.8639 , Facebook or twitter me : karensreal

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

SPRING Forward !

2009-03-02T11:07:00.001-08:00

Well today it is kinda gloomy outside , can't decide if it should snow or rain & hovering around 0C in Sicamous. Looking out my office window the snow is still piled 20' high from all the clearing of our parking lot and from what I read the Eastern areas are being plummeted with the worst snow storm in years!
So I guess that darn groundhog was right after all! Dang Varmit!

SO it seems the weather remains similar to the economy or what the doom and gloomers make of it! Yesterday I heard Warren Buffet said the worst year he ever had was in 2008...really Warren??? Was he the Richest man in N. America 2 or 3 yrs ago-No Bill Gates was, how about 5 or 10 yrs ago NO not than either, how about 20 yrs ago or 40 yrs ago? Nope, Nope, Nope don't think so!
SO... WARREN BUFFET THE RICHEST MAN ON EARTH, how bad could it be?
His definition of bad MUST be WAY different than mine...LOL
Funny he chooses to drive a used Cadillac, chooses to live in Omaha Nebraska and he has more money than every person he knows, will ever hope to meet, or his every relative could ever spend in their lifetime!
NOW how Bad is it??

I am merely selling real estate. YEP... still selling real estate! I am lucky enough to have another pending deal this weekend.
So People, deals are out there if you want one.

The way I see it is, the only REAL difference in a slower market is your customer service has to be that much stronger.
You have to "actually" return your calls, maybe even the same day as you get them, do the work, prepare the reports, be professional, nice & courteous (always a bonus), know your product, service your clients, show up to the office, you know the same ole, same ole it is YOUR Job...and you will continue to make a living!
Actually treat your customers the way YOU want to be treated and you will be successful!!

Have a great March I plan too!

As always thinking of buying and selling in the Shuswap, call me!
Office 1-800-582-8639 or e-mail Karen@shuswap4sale.com

I am NEVER too busy to return my calls, e-mails etc.. or be ready to work for you!
AND REMEMBER:
Price it "right" (for the market we are in) and it WILL SELL!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

PS. Don't forget to Spring that clock forward on Saturday night!!

LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

787 The Magic Number!

2009-02-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

Today in Sicamous it is a bit overcast but with really light high clouds about -6C.
The sky kinda resembles the US economy or what the media is saying about the economy in general: A bit Cloudy not real clear.

SO all the hoopla is over the US bill is signed and the final number is 787 Billion!
Wow...if your into feng shui the 7 means fortune and the 8 is trust, do you believe that? In this case I sure don't!
My husband and I have a really good friend who lives primarily in Alberta, and he is not in the oil biz, he owns half of almost everything including but not limited too: Lake Louise, Banff, Sicamous, Calgary, Canmore, anyways a whole bunch of property ..you name it he owns a piece of it!
He was over last week for dinner (actually he was over more than that he is like my fourth child I see him at the dinner table so often...jk ;)

I asked him name ONE thing that is different in his life with the financial crisis in the US that has affected him here in Canada...tick, tock..He kept talking but wouldn't answer that question.
SO I asked him: Do you know anyone who lost their job lately? Or at all? Has he cut back any employees hours? Laid them off? NOPE. tick, tock... he kept talking but not answering.
The way I figure he has this diabolical scheme:
He WANTS , REALLY wants all the paniced, already uncertain people, to completely go off the deep end & nose dive their properties so he can swoop in like the vulture/speculator he is and get a fantastic deal/opportunity on some more buildings/developments/properties/land so he can make another million or two dollars!
That is what I think is REALLY going on.....So Last night he was over again. Telling me about the doom and gloom and I said really in Canada? What??
Name ONE thing different...tick, tock...Still couldn't name one thing.

So I told him that I read today the REAL financial situation with Canada:

Article Title: Worthwhile Canadian Initiative

From: Newsweek Magazine, Feb 7, 2009

Author: Fareed Zakaria

Canada has done more than survive this financial crisis. The country is positively thriving in it. Canadian banks are well capitalized and poised to take advantage of opportunities that American and European banks cannot seize. The Toronto Dominion Bank, for example, was the 15th-largest bank in North America one year ago. Now it is the fifth-largest. It hasn't grown in size; the others have all shrunk.

So what accounts for the genius of the Canadians? Common sense. Over the past 15 years, as the United States and Europe loosened regulations on their financial industries, the Canadians refused to follow suit, seeing the old rules as useful shock absorbers. Canadian banks are typically leveraged at 18 to 1—compared with U.S. banks at 26 to 1 and European banks at a frightening 61 to 1. Partly this reflects Canada's more risk-averse business culture, but it is also a product of old-fashioned rules on banking.

Canada has also been shielded from the worst aspects of this crisis because its housing prices have not fluctuated as wildly as those in the United States. Home prices are down 25 percent in the United States, but only half as much in Canada. Why? Well, the Canadian tax code does not provide the massive incentive for overconsumption that the U.S. code does: interest on your mortgage isn't deductible up north. In addition, home loans in the United States are "non-recourse," which basically means that if you go belly up on a bad mortgage, it's mostly the bank's problem. In Canada, it's yours. Ah, but you've heard American politicians wax eloquent on the need for these expensive programs—interest deductibility alone costs the federal government $100 billion a year—because they allow the average Joe to fulfill the American Dream of owning a home. Sixty-eight percent of Americans own their own homes. And the rate of Canadian homeownership? It's 68.4 percent.

Canada has been remarkably responsible over the past decade or so. It has had 12 years of budget surpluses, and can now spend money to fuel a recovery from a strong position. The government has restructured the national pension system, placing it on a firm fiscal footing, unlike our own insolvent Social Security. Its health-care system is cheaper than America's by far (accounting for 9.7 percent of GDP, versus 15.2 percent here), and yet does better on all major indexes. Life expectancy in Canada is 81 years, versus 78 in the United States; "healthy life expectancy" is 72 years, versus 69. American car companies have moved so many jobs to Canada to take advantage of lower health-care costs that since 2004, Ontario and not Michigan has been North America's largest car-producing region.

His response to me? Hmmmmm and he left.

I guess I made my point no need to debate! Pfttttttttt.....

As always: Positive and able to assist in buying and selling homes!
Call me today I would love to help you!
1.800.582.8639

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

This is not your typical wheel of fortune!

2009-02-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

Last night I watched the US Presidential news conference in its entirity and all I could keep thinking. Is this the solution to "dig out" of the mess just throw masses of money at it?
I am so thankful me and Uncle Sam don't have to see eye to eye anymore as I never knew where my tax dollars went when I lived and paid taxes there either.
No more than I know now where they go here in Canada. BUT...I did read yesterday on CBC that CCRA ( that is the Canada Revenue agency same as IRS if your not on an abbreviated basis with them your one of the lucky ones OR not so lucky depends on how you want to look at it) Anyway they have OVERPAID some 5200 past employees in excess of 3M dollars. These lucky people were still receiving automatic deposits long after they no longer worked for them and they are just going to write it off. As I was reading I kept thinking is this for real? No chance this could ever happen too me!
When I was still living in Calgary (Cowtown) I once got re-assessed and owed them $1.78 and they sent out 42 dollars of notices to try & collect it! (another story for later)
Back to the mess.
Can someone tell me why the US is bailing out all the greedy banks that caused the sub-prime dabacle that left the housing market in the US in ruins? This shocking twenty first century financial crisis that ALL the greedy people created?
Let's start with them giving back what is not theirs! Should at least bring us down a billion or two, huh?
It is really mind boggling the numbers they are talking about. My thirteen year old told me yesterday that the amount they need would be the equivilent of 100 dollar bills wrapping around the earth 6 times...wow that is a whole lot of cash!

Why don't they return all their bonus money, the big expensive rock star style mansions, corporate wives gifts i.e. birthday parties (can you imagine 1/2 mill), numerous jets, numerous yachts, numerous cars and the list goes on and on-OUCH....

So here's my idea ( as the US prez's idea to give them more money is just crazy & way too civilized):

Let's round all these people up, yep like the "good ole days" get the posse and go get em: I mean all of em'
Corporate ceo's, sub-prime lenders, hedge HOGS , Madoff types,
and put them in front of this GIANT WHEEL they get 1 spin:
Whatever it lands on that is their punishment? Sound good?
Here are the options: Jail, Death, Homeless, Jobless, Federal Pen, Starvation..you get my drift??
None of the choices are anything you would wish on your worst enemy.
I don't buy that throwing 890 Billion dollars in the kitty is going to correct the mess.
Just my opinion.

Today is bright & sunny but cold brrrr -8C in Sicamous, BC.
I have appointments to show houses and subjects to remove on pending deals so I can't rant any longer. I have to get organized.
Have a great day!
Thinking of buying or selling call me always toll free 1.800.582.8639

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

Do groundhogs get mulligans?

2009-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

So I wake up this morning to 2' of fresh powder and the news that the poor ole goundhog in Canada & the good ole USA saw his shadow so we are in for 6 more weeks of winter...good, can't change it! That means perfect conditions for the sledders in Sicamous , warm 2C today and tons of snow!
Personally I hate the snow but I have to admit it looks gorgeous if you can imagine thick, really super thick, white iciing dripping off the trees. The lake was so crisp driving in to the office...just reflections of the mountains & trees so not all bad here.

January 09 is over so now only 11 months left in the year and February is starting off well.

Once upon a time: When I was living in Calgary January was always SO cold brrrrrr...but there was light at the end of that tunnel because if I was out showing houses in -40C, my hands were so cold I could barely open the lock box with my sun glasses stuck to my face (yes this really happens because the sun was always shining in AB!) at least I knew I was Selling a house...you know why? Because only "serious" buyers would be out looking in that weather.
Well that is how I feel today in this market.

If you read the news today the doom and gloomers have gone to the "world" markets. I figure they can't keep ramming the same thing down our throats or we become de-sensitized so they have gone fishin elsewhere today. I feel a premonition coming on... tomorrow it will be about us in N. America AGAIN!

The BCREA (British Columbia real estate association) put out a news release today an excerpt below:
Next year is expected to be a year of stabilization in the economy and the housing market. Real GDP growth in the province is forecast to rise a modest 1.5 per cent and job losses in 2009 are expected to give way to some gains in employment in 2010.

Last year 2008 we had a 10-12% gain in average house prices from 07.
Yes the sales were down by 50% but the prices sure were not!

Take a holiday come see for yourselves how nice it is out here!
Why not spend your holiday time and $$ (cash) in Canada & explore British Columbia?
The Shuswap is located in the interior approx. 4 1/2 hrs from Vancouver and 5 1/2 hours from Calgary.
We are surrounded by gorgeous lakes, beautiful mountains, world class golf courses, hundreds of wineries, some of the tastiest, juciest, freshest okanagan fruit +++ more. We are truly a 4 season recreational area & family oriented!

If you are even remotely planning a holiday in 09 then things CANNOT be as bad as the news wants us all to all believe...now can they?

Thinking of buying or selling in the Shuswap?
I am always looking to help new clients or love to hear from the ones I already have.
Office Toll Free:
1.800.582.8639

Did I mention I am never "too" busy for your referrals.

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

Do you know the definition of Insanity?

2009-01-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

It is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Does that make sense to you? Wow ...it does too me especially in this business!

Market Update 09

Partial e-mail I sent to ALL my current listing clients in Jan. 09:

I just wanted to let you know where our market is at and some stats I pulled through our Real estate board for 08 compared to 07 to give you an idea where the market was and is.
So I can help you get your property sold!

In 2008 Total Sales for all of Sicamous reported on the MLS was: 72

The breakdown is below:

Residential: Total 38
Highest Sale Waterfront in 2 mile at 2.5M (trade with an older property next door & paid the difference)
Next highest Semi-waterfront in 6 Mile-Swansea Point $550,000. (listed in 07 and 08)
Lowest $160,000 in Malakwa

Strata/Condo: Total 10
Highest Waterfront Mara Landing $700,000 (Listed in 07 and 08)
Lowest: $232,900 (in the Station)

Mobile: Total 11
Highest Swansea Point: $118,900
Lowest: In town $17,400

Lots: Total 11
Highest Waterfront : $575,000 (listed in 07 & 08)
Lowest : $125,000 Malakwa

Current Active's: Total 142 (this is your competition)

Residential: 52
Strata/Condo: 44
Mobile: 7
Lots: 39

Compared to 2007

Total sales for the year reported on the MLS: 128
Residential: 62
Strata/Condo: 23
Mobile: 14
Lots: 27

** Sales were down approx. 50% from 07 to 08. So what is the definition of insanity again?

Call me today for a market evaluation and get your property priced right and sell in 09!

Oh by the way did I mention "I am never too busy for your referrals!"

As always if you are thinking of buying or selling in the Shuswap call me! 1.800.582.8639

Karen Singbeil

RE/MAX at Mara Lake

LIST4U & SELLM2 (my plates)

Why hasn't mine sold? Price.

2009-01-30T06:18:00.000-08:00

Still with the doom and gloom today, so what else is new?
Sun is still rising and shining in Sicamous and I am breathing ..how about you?
Okay to the point:
Here is why I am selling houses in January of 09 and not just one but several. These particular vendors know where the market is and are in tune with it.
I can promise you if it is priced "right" it will sell!
Okay so you say to me:
What is right?
Well first I will tell you what is wrong. You can't price a property on what you "feel" your house is worth. It has to be "fair" market value and this is determined by what is going on in the market at that particlar time, what else is selling and at what price, lending abilities, timing, days on market etc.. All Markets fluctuate up and down so do house prices. We are lucky that all of my career or since the mid-90s they have gone up dramatically across the country.
If it is priced where the bank would lend on it (appraised value-the people who will actually give them the money to buy your property) this is the most accurate way to determine the ceiling price a willing buyer would pay, see most people are not going to pay you above this ever but especially not in a slower market.
Yes you may get lucky and one guy will come along and over pay if he really wants it depending on his motivation. Like I say someone is going to win the lottery that week too, but it may not be you but (one in thirteen million) will win it, this is the guy that at that particular time had some buyer come along , love his house and over pay and that is what you base your high price on, wrong.
Then there are other factors besides that maybe the buyers want/motivation could be location, condition, terms, possession all these factors or a sort of these variances or say the moon, the sky and the stars all happen to magically line up on that day and he buys your house and over pays ...well good for both of you seems you got what you wanted.
Again... not really reality but we can all dream, that is the lottery ticket guy, just plain lucky!

The REAL safe bet is pricing your house "right" if you want to be one of the lucky 09 sales!
OR go buy the lottery ticket or price the house right ...you choose?

Oh by the way call me when you win the lottery! I love winners ;) +++ I know where you could spend some of that extra cash you just won!!

As always if your looking to buy or sell in the Shuswap I would love to help you! 1.800.582.8639

I am NEVER too busy for your referrals!

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

LIST4U - SELLM2 (my plates)

The Boomers have turned to Doomers!

2009-01-29T13:36:00.000-08:00

Enough of the doom and gloom already! The sun is shining in Sicamous and the temp is about -3C maybe higher, I haven't been outside in hours but my office is nice and toasty.

The January activity for "me" has been very serious , serious buyers, so that means more qualified & want to buy. More so than the last 5 yrs I have lived here!
Why is it that people like to follow and when everyone else is buying at premium prices they want to buy then too? Wake up and smell the deals...the smart people with money are buying now, good deals, low interest, lots of choices, you get my drift, right?

So stop reading the papers and watching the news, don't jump off the bridge today and start believing people...know that we are not as bad as my fellow country men to the South.
Love you all ole glory. But... Canada didn't buy into the falsehood of fake paper money/credit , sub-prime dabacle and eratic markets the same way the good ole USA did. The Canucks are much more conservative.

Remember Cash...we all love cash in our pocket well get used to it and use it, go to the ATM take some out and spend it. Don't charge for groceries, use that credit for buying houses. Buy a revenue property have the tenant pay your taxes and mortgage while the equity increases.

I believe that Today is the day if you have the cash you should be buying. There are some serious deals to be made believe me I am living it. Some people are more motivated than others but if it is "listed" more than likely they want to "sell it" and move on so take a chance, jump in low interest rates, lots of choices and lots of options.

Call me I would love to help you! 1-800-582-8639

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake

List4U and SellM2 (my plates)