Despite the economic downturn, many Canadians are still dreaming of owning a recreational property, both as a long-term investment and to enjoy with family and friends. Canadians are willing to make sacrifices to own a cottage, and more want to use their cottage, cabin or chalet year-round as a recreational property and, for some, as their primary residence, according to the 2009 Royal LePage Recreational Property Report.
The 2009 Royal LePage Recreational Property Report comprises a nationwide survey of Canadian attitudes towards recreational property* ownership, coupled with a market analysis of recreational property prices, trends and activity in selected leisure markets across the country.
“The survey showed the dream of owning a get-away property on the water to escape the pressures of city life and to relax with family and friends, is still alive and well across the country,” said Phil Soper, President and Chief Executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. “Beyond the obvious lifestyle benefits however, our research demonstrates Canadians see recreational property as a smart and safe long term investment.”
The survey found that 64 per cent of Canadians view cottage ownership as a sound investment. To pursue their dream of buying a recreational property, 55 per cent of Canadians would be willing to make compromises with regards to their financial or lifestyle choices, such as purchasing a property with family and friends, renting out their cottage, making a cottage their primary residence, buying a fixer-upper, or moving into a smaller principal home in the city.
“While Canadians build their own personal equity through cottage ownership, they also contribute to the economy of the small leisure communities they vacation in by shopping at the local stores and through activities such as boating and golfing,” continued Soper.
Following a reduction in sales in the latter half of 2008 and over the winter, the recreational market is now showing signs of renewed interest and increased activity. Consumer concern about the recession and increasing inventories have eased demand and helped alleviate the chronic supply shortage that has characterized the recreational real estate market in recent years. Improved affordability is keeping many markets busy. So far this year the busiest areas have been those offering more modestly priced or entry-level properties, such as the Kawarthas in Ontario.
Full 2009 Royal LePage Recreational Property Report (.PDF)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
President Obama's Campaign Manager
One of our salespeople here at the Bayview Branch, Susan Gucci, was presented with a Civic Award at the Toronto Real Estate Board recently. Her work with school councils was recognized, including her development of a breakfast program at East York Collegiate. Congratulations Susan!
Susan and I were fortunate to have reserved seats to hear the speaker at the event, David Plouffe, campaign manager for President Obama. In his fascinating address, he attributed the success of the Obama campaign to a number of things, including:
-a disciplined focus one theme, strategy, message
-small financial contritutions made my many rather than large contributions- their average contribution was $85, many made by retirees and students
-recognition of the many small contributors of their value to the campaign
-grass roots support groups organizing themselves, using the website www.mybarackobama.com, the website was used to identify supporters
-they successful changed the electorate, increasing the participation of latinos, blacks, younger people- Obama spoke to many student groups-used internet advertising, "viral marketing', sending Obama volunteers into restaurants, bars etc. where young people went
-winning the first primary in Iowa was key, establishing Obama's creditability as a presidential candidate- in Iowa, as many young people as old people turned out to vote
-"nothing is more powerful than a human being speaking"- many people voted because their friend or neighbour was voting- "my neighbour sees the work like I do"
-Obama supporters took responsibility for swing voters, getting them out to support Obama
-people tune out politicians because they know what they are going to say, but listen when their friends or neighbours speak
-the Obama campaign was willing to defy the conventions of politics and speak to the electorate like they were adults and not tell them what they wanted to hear, didn't speak in sound bites
-Obama volunteers like to do hard things, were very committed- didn't see volunteering as a ticket to the West Wing but rather believed in what Obama was saying, win or lose
-the campaign wasn't afraid to roll the dice and try risky things- there we no leaks from the campaign- those who didn't perform were not kept on
-the campaign was viewed as series of small elections, not a national campaign
Susan and I were fortunate to have reserved seats to hear the speaker at the event, David Plouffe, campaign manager for President Obama. In his fascinating address, he attributed the success of the Obama campaign to a number of things, including:
-a disciplined focus one theme, strategy, message
-small financial contritutions made my many rather than large contributions- their average contribution was $85, many made by retirees and students
-recognition of the many small contributors of their value to the campaign
-grass roots support groups organizing themselves, using the website www.mybarackobama.com, the website was used to identify supporters
-they successful changed the electorate, increasing the participation of latinos, blacks, younger people- Obama spoke to many student groups-used internet advertising, "viral marketing', sending Obama volunteers into restaurants, bars etc. where young people went
-winning the first primary in Iowa was key, establishing Obama's creditability as a presidential candidate- in Iowa, as many young people as old people turned out to vote
-"nothing is more powerful than a human being speaking"- many people voted because their friend or neighbour was voting- "my neighbour sees the work like I do"
-Obama supporters took responsibility for swing voters, getting them out to support Obama
-people tune out politicians because they know what they are going to say, but listen when their friends or neighbours speak
-the Obama campaign was willing to defy the conventions of politics and speak to the electorate like they were adults and not tell them what they wanted to hear, didn't speak in sound bites
-Obama volunteers like to do hard things, were very committed- didn't see volunteering as a ticket to the West Wing but rather believed in what Obama was saying, win or lose
-the campaign wasn't afraid to roll the dice and try risky things- there we no leaks from the campaign- those who didn't perform were not kept on
-the campaign was viewed as series of small elections, not a national campaign
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Real Estate Lessons from Musicians
This week I attended a presentation by Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Realty International. I was quite underwhelmed by his presentation- maybe he was having a bad day or I've just seen the same material presented many times already. However, I was impressed by a musician he presented named Billy McLaughlin. Billy plays a style of guitar where much of the sound is created by plucking the strings on the fretboard rather than the more common strumming style. Billy's successful career was curtailed when he was diagnosed with an incurable neuromuscular disease affecting his right hand. He he could not play anymore. After some trying times, he made a comeback after teaching himself how to play all his songs left-handed. I am not a musician but it seems to have been quite a feat.
A film about Billy, called Changing Keys, is being presented at the ReelheArt Film Festival in Toronto on Thursday June 25, raising funds for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. He will also be performing after the film. For more infomation see www.reelheart.com or www.billymacmusic.com. For a video clip see http://depthqmedia.com/ChangingKeys.
How does all this relate to real estate? Most musicians have such a passion for music that when a they are playing, they really are "playing", not working. The work is the hours of practice that go into being able to perform, an exceptional amount of work in the case of Billy McLaughlin. It is the same for realtors. When we are doing listing presentations, presenting offers, and so one, we are like a musician on stage- we are playing. We are working when we are spending hours training in how to do these things effectively, when we are doing the research, when we are developing our leads, etc. We can't expect to be able "to play" unless we are also willing to do the work. When things look a little grim, through perseverence and creativity, such as exhibited by Billy Mclaughlin, was can succeed.
The movie August Rush came to mind as I watched Billy play- the young musician in it plays a similar style, using the frets. Another musican who plays a somewhat similar style is Kevin Ramessar. I was fortuate last year to attend a house concert where I saw this very talented Canadian musician play. (www.kevinramessar.com).
A film about Billy, called Changing Keys, is being presented at the ReelheArt Film Festival in Toronto on Thursday June 25, raising funds for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. He will also be performing after the film. For more infomation see www.reelheart.com or www.billymacmusic.com. For a video clip see http://depthqmedia.com/ChangingKeys.
How does all this relate to real estate? Most musicians have such a passion for music that when a they are playing, they really are "playing", not working. The work is the hours of practice that go into being able to perform, an exceptional amount of work in the case of Billy McLaughlin. It is the same for realtors. When we are doing listing presentations, presenting offers, and so one, we are like a musician on stage- we are playing. We are working when we are spending hours training in how to do these things effectively, when we are doing the research, when we are developing our leads, etc. We can't expect to be able "to play" unless we are also willing to do the work. When things look a little grim, through perseverence and creativity, such as exhibited by Billy Mclaughlin, was can succeed.
The movie August Rush came to mind as I watched Billy play- the young musician in it plays a similar style, using the frets. Another musican who plays a somewhat similar style is Kevin Ramessar. I was fortuate last year to attend a house concert where I saw this very talented Canadian musician play. (www.kevinramessar.com).
Friday, June 5, 2009
Riding My Bike in Leaside
I went out for a bike ride around Leaside after work last night. First I rode past Northlea School where the Child Care Centre was holding its annual BBQ. Riding south I passed by Trace Manes Park, where an Atom baseball game was going on. Turning back towards home, I rode past Talbot Park, at Eglinton and Bayview, where baseball games where going on at both ends of the field. The last leg of my journey took me past Leaside High School where it seemed like a million little kids were playing soccer. As I put my bike away in the garage, it thought what a fantasic active family neighbourhood Leaside is. It was is just one of the great neighbourhoods that we serve at the Royal LePage Bayview Branch.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Market Rebounds in May
TORONTO, June 3, 2009 - In May 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,589 sales,
up almost two per cent from May 2008 – the first annual increase since December 2007. The
seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales in May was 81,3001.
“The resale housing market in the GTA has remained resilient in the face of challenging times
globally,” according to TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Many home buyers have taken
advantage of extremely low mortgage rates.”
The average price for April transactions was $395,609 – down less than one per cent compared
to the same month last year. “The average resale home price has moved in line with last year’s level because of tighter market conditions experienced this Spring,” stated Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Home sales have increased strongly relative to new listings, bolstering home prices.”
Source: Toronto Real Estate Board
For a complete copy of the Market Watch Report visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com
Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of
Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board.
Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.
up almost two per cent from May 2008 – the first annual increase since December 2007. The
seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales in May was 81,3001.
“The resale housing market in the GTA has remained resilient in the face of challenging times
globally,” according to TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Many home buyers have taken
advantage of extremely low mortgage rates.”
The average price for April transactions was $395,609 – down less than one per cent compared
to the same month last year. “The average resale home price has moved in line with last year’s level because of tighter market conditions experienced this Spring,” stated Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Home sales have increased strongly relative to new listings, bolstering home prices.”
Source: Toronto Real Estate Board
For a complete copy of the Market Watch Report visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com
Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of
Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board.
Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.
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