Victoria Real Estate Voice: December 2007

Victoria Real Estate Blog on Victoria real estate Find interesting stories and articles about the world of Real Estate in Victoria BC and beyond. Great source of real estate Information make comments ask questions about Selling or Buying your home or property Find hundreds of homes for sale in Victoria BC.

Are You Coming to the Birthday Party in 2008?

British Columbia is Now 150 Years Old in 2008.

It has been 150 years since the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia and the same for the China Town in Victoria BC (Canada's oldest China Town, only San Francisco's China Town is older). Other Land marks in Victoria are such as Hatley Castle, built by the coal baron James Dunsmuir and the World Famous Empress Hotel, designed by Francis Rattenbury and now called the Fairmont Empress. Victoria's own world renown Butchart Gardens turned 100 in 2004.

These anniversaries will have personal meaning for many people. Victoria and British Columbia will be a popular tourist destination for many people in 2008, With these type of land mark local real estate attractions, they are already popular with many Travelers from around the world.

The Empress Hotel is already planning a Centennial Tea that will be priced at $100 per person. The Butchart Gardens is also planning their 150th anniversary with a list of 150 things to do at the gardens starting next year.

Communities around BC are also making plans as the BC Provincial Government is offering grants up to $10,000 to non-profit groups to who want to celebrate the BC Provinces 150th Anniversary in 2008! They will also be allowed to use the BC150 Years logo (above) and go online in the BC 150 Years calendar of events.

The Provincial Capital Commission have produced several short video's of places throughout the Province of BC celebrating an anniversary in 2008.

 

Cheers, See you in BC in 2008!

 

HAVE YOUR BEST YEAR EVER IN 2012 !

 Link to My web SiteTwitter Fred Carver     Find Fred on Google  Fred Carver on Facebook    Fred Carver on LinkedInFred Carver on YouTube 

Follow Me on Pinterest

Google Me Fred Carver

 

 

 

 

Cheers

Fred Carver
Re/Max Camosun
Accredited Consultant in Real Estate®
Direct 250-598-2963

What's Your Home Worth Fred Carver   Victoria Homes For Sale Fred Carver

40 Years Experience selling Real Estate does make a Difference.. call Fred today to Put his 40 years experience to work for You.

4440 Chatterton Way, Victoria, BC V8X 5J2
Calling from Out Of Town? Call Toll Free 1-800-663-2121

Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale

Find Hundreds of Home For Sale in Victoria BC

Post Copyright © 2011 By Fred Carver All Rights Reserved

Victoria Homes and Properties Web Site

13 comments • Victoria Realtor Fred Carver ACRE 250-598-2963 Accredited Consultant • December 30 2007 04:41PM

Real Estate is Widening Between Canada and the USA

Real Estate continues to Widen between

Canada

and the USA

According to reports in Canada and the USA, where house prices are sinking further in most areas, the lowest in 12 years, down 9% in November. While in 2007 Canadian house prices has surpassed all previous records.  

Almost 500,000 homes traded hands in Canada by December 2007, with home sales up 6% over the previous time last year, mainly in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, and Ontario. Home prices increased over 11% year to date with the average price of a home in Canada now over $313,000.  Projections are for home prices are to ease in Canada in 2008.

In Victoria BC, (which has the countries lowest unemployment rate), the prediction for 2008 is for a 4% increase in real estate prices. The average single family home price in Victoria at the end of November is currently near $600,000. Source VREB.

Even with a easing of house prices across Canada, Industry experts are predicting real estate will still break a new record in 2008.

On TV last Night (Dec 29/07)Donald Trump was being interviewed and he is predicting to his studio and TV audience that the US Real Estate Market will Bottom out in the next six months and Now and over the next 6 months is a time to buy real estate  as an investment. Donald also said Commercial real estate will correct itself with dropping inventory's next year due to the inability by investors to Borrow money to build new Commercial real estate.

 In the US mortgage Interest rates are predicted to continue to fall in 2008. In Canada the economy is strong, and rates have stabilized. The Canadian Lonnie eased up again as the year comes to a close at $1.077 US.

In the USA Donald Trump maybe right... Buy Real Estate Now, while everyone else is sitting on the fence. 

 

 

HAVE YOUR BEST YEAR EVER IN 2012 !

 Link to My web SiteTwitter Fred Carver     Find Fred on Google  Fred Carver on Facebook    Fred Carver on LinkedInFred Carver on YouTube 

Follow Me on Pinterest

Google Me Fred Carver

 

 

 

 

Cheers

Fred Carver
Re/Max Camosun
Accredited Consultant in Real Estate®
Direct 250-598-2963

What's Your Home Worth Fred Carver   Victoria Homes For Sale Fred Carver

40 Years Experience selling Real Estate does make a Difference.. call Fred today to Put his 40 years experience to work for You.

4440 Chatterton Way, Victoria, BC V8X 5J2
Calling from Out Of Town? Call Toll Free 1-800-663-2121

Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale

Find Hundreds of Home For Sale in Victoria BC

Post Copyright © 2011 By Fred Carver All Rights Reserved

Victoria Homes and Properties Web Site

9 comments • Victoria Realtor Fred Carver ACRE 250-598-2963 Accredited Consultant • December 30 2007 12:45PM

8 Ways to Boost Your Business For the New Year!

Is your real estate business in a stall?

Feel like putting the blame on slow markets, the economy, or your own company? Here are eight ways to get things going FAST:

•1.      Use active, rather than passive or reactive marketing techniques to build your business.
Passive techniques include any real estate activity where you wait for the business to come to you, i.e. floor time, open house, or farming by mail with no personal contact. Open house and/or mailing, when followed up with phone calls or an in-person contact, are active.

•2.      Focus on "right now" business.
Take each of your current leads and categorize them as "red hot" (will do business with me in the next seven days), "hot" (will do business in the next 30 days), "warm" (will do business with me in the next 30-90 days) or "cool" (may do business in 90 days). Your "right now" business are the two hot categories. Focus your attention on your hot leads and turning your warm leads into hot leads. You may keep in touch with your cool leads by calling once every few weeks, but don't waste your valuable time showing them properties or doing CMAs. Instead, focus on getting your hot leads under contract and converting warm leads into hot leads.

•3.      Prospect Expired's and FSBOs.
Like it or not, other than referrals, these are two primary sources for "right now" business. If you're nervous about competing for recently expired listings, prospect expired's that are 60-90 days old. These individuals are probably still interested in selling.

•4.      Call at least five of your past clients and/or people in your sphere of influence today.
Follow up with a handwritten note reminding them you build your business through referrals. Rather than having to constantly prospect for new leads, it's much easier to keep in contact with those who have done business with you in the past or who have referred you business. Make a point of contacting them personally at least four times a year. Also, be sure to send them some sort of written material once monthly whether it's an e-mail newsletter or a postcard letting them know you appreciate them. When they do give you a referral, send them a thank you note immediately, as well as a small token of your appreciation.

•5.      Get attached to giving best possible customer service to every person you work with rather than being attached to the outcome.
In other words, your role as an agent is to provide your buyers and sellers with the best information and resources possible. You're not attached to whether or not they list or sell. Instead, you want them to make the best decision possible. It's OK if they ultimately end up not selling or buying. If you provide the best service possible, they not only want to do business with you, they will also want to refer their friends as well.

•6.      Know your market area cold.
Sellers and buyers often choose who represents them based upon how active an agent is in their given area. They're seeking an agent who can tell them exactly what's on the market in their price range, knows where to find the best deals, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of different locations. Become the expert in at least one segment of the market, whether it's working with probate, farming a specific geographical area, or targeting people from a specific profession.

•7.      Build your business around your passion.
If you like cooking, make special treats to give to people you would like to have as part of your referral base. If you love to golf, spend time on the golf course to meet people who share your passion. Instead of forcing yourself to make cold calls or knock on doors, do something you love where you can meet others. People who are passionate about what they do are naturally attractive to others.

•8.      Get out of the office and talk to people about real estate.
For example, go have lunch by yourself and sit at the counter. Strike up a conversation with the person next to you. Walk your dog and make sure you're wearing your something that shows you're in real estate. If you walk slowly or sit down, people will walk up to you and start a conversation just to pet the dog.

  Good Luck and Lots of Success in your Real Estate Career.

Here's a motivational Clip to Keep and watch whenever you need a boost

Copyright © 2008 By Fred Carver All Rights Reserved ' 8 Ways to Boost Your Business For The New Year

Oh, By The Way...whenever you come across people who are thinking about buying or selling a home in Victoria and would appreciate the same level of service I provide my clients, please forward their name and telephone number to me. I will gladly follow up and offer them the high-quality service for them and put you down for a referral!

Need a Little Help with your real estate , Coaching can give some direction to the next level, our own Katerina Gasset on AR is a Great one on one Coach call her to find what she can do to boost your business, (561) 753-0135

 

HAVE YOUR BEST YEAR EVER IN 2012 !

 Link to My web SiteTwitter Fred Carver     Find Fred on Google  Fred Carver on Facebook    Fred Carver on LinkedInFred Carver on YouTube 

Follow Me on Pinterest

Google Me Fred Carver

 

 

 

 

Cheers

Fred Carver
Re/Max Camosun
Accredited Consultant in Real Estate®
Direct 250-598-2963

What's Your Home Worth Fred Carver   Victoria Homes For Sale Fred Carver

40 Years Experience selling Real Estate does make a Difference.. call Fred today to Put his 40 years experience to work for You.

4440 Chatterton Way, Victoria, BC V8X 5J2
Calling from Out Of Town? Call Toll Free 1-800-663-2121

Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale

Find Hundreds of Home For Sale in Victoria BC

Post Copyright © 2011 By Fred Carver All Rights Reserved

Victoria Homes and Properties Web Site

12 comments • Victoria Realtor Fred Carver ACRE 250-598-2963 Accredited Consultant • December 27 2007 11:41PM

Ponderosa Crescent Xmas Light Tour Winner Pictures

Victoria BC Christmas 2007:

The Best Street Christmas Light Display went to the home owners on 4200 Block of Ponderosa Crescent, Plus 4260 won last year for best completely decorated home, lights only. These homes are located within 1/4 a mile of this year's Third place winner of Best Street Display on 1200 block of Alan Road.

Victorians go all out every Christmas with their colorful yard and home light display, other homes here are 2733 Blackwood for the best Nativity scene this year, and a special home display on Tuxedo Dr. done with a Fire Engine.

 Merry Christmas Enjoy the photos!

Which one is your favorite?

 

 

HAVE YOUR BEST YEAR EVER IN 2012 !

 Link to My web SiteTwitter Fred Carver     Find Fred on Google  Fred Carver on Facebook    Fred Carver on LinkedInFred Carver on YouTube 

Follow Me on Pinterest

Google Me Fred Carver

 

 

 

 

Cheers

Fred Carver
Re/Max Camosun
Accredited Consultant in Real Estate®
Direct 250-598-2963

What's Your Home Worth Fred Carver   Victoria Homes For Sale Fred Carver

40 Years Experience selling Real Estate does make a Difference.. call Fred today to Put his 40 years experience to work for You.

4440 Chatterton Way, Victoria, BC V8X 5J2
Calling from Out Of Town? Call Toll Free 1-800-663-2121

Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale

Find Hundreds of Home For Sale in Victoria BC

Post Copyright © 2011 By Fred Carver All Rights Reserved

Victoria Homes and Properties Web Site

16 comments • Victoria Realtor Fred Carver ACRE 250-598-2963 Accredited Consultant • December 23 2007 11:49PM

It's 5 Am...I Woke to a Real Nightmare.

5 AM Last Tuesday morning I woke up with my Wife calling out loud. "There is something wrong with Winston". Half a sleep and all the lights on, I looked at my Dog (our 13 yr old American Cocker Spaniel) coming toward me and stumbling and falling.

My first reaction to my wife was "he must have fallen down the stairs or maybe he's had a stroke?" he certainly was having trouble standing on all four legs and was trying desperately to come back into the bedroom from the hallway. Jane then said he's had an accident and gone to the bathroom at the top of the stairs. The first thing that went through or minds we was to dizzy to go down the stairs. He must have had a stroke or something, I picked him up on the bed to comfort him and asked Jane to call the 24 hour animal emergency hospital, within minutes we were dressed and driving 10 minutes to the Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital for animals here on the north side of Victoria at 760 Roderick. The Nurses met us at the door, and the Vet on duty took Winston into her examination room, we paced in the waiting room, not knowing what to expect. The vet came out in about twenty minutes or so and asked to speak with us in her office. Her discussion; basically they were sure he probably was suffering with Vertigo, or and Inner ear infection and said he could take him home with some anti bionics and see how he responds in a few days or leave him with them for observation  over night. I thought for only a moment, this is the best place for Winston, until we know what's going on.

We left with our hearts sinking, and expecting the worst, as the Vet also had suggested if it's not an inner ear infect they would like us to consider getting a cat scan in Vancouver to determine the degree of vertigo or a possible brain tumor.  I felt confident he did not have a tumor.. The Falling Day at Noon I called the hospital, the response from the Dr. Gurney was sure Winston has an inner ear infection, as he is very bright, wagging his tail, moving about and eating.

I thought the little shit just wanted attention and it just cost me $450 for that wee visit. At the moment he seems fine, and is on very strong anti bionics for 3 weeks to kill a bacterial infection in his inner ear. I still wonder how we did not notice as we clean his ears nightly. In any event he happy and okay, and thank goodness he did not have a stroke or anything else too serious. We love this little guy, and just had the hell scared out of us this week, maybe a warning.

It sure has a thinking, he's 13 and how many more years will Winston be with us, for the moment we not discussing it anymore. The good news..... he seems to be back to being his old self. Why do these things always happen at Christmas?

Here 's Winston sleeping, I have this photo on my computer screen desk top

 

HAVE YOUR BEST YEAR EVER IN 2012 !

 Link to My web SiteTwitter Fred Carver     Find Fred on Google  Fred Carver on Facebook    Fred Carver on LinkedInFred Carver on YouTube 

Follow Me on Pinterest

Google Me Fred Carver

 

 

 

 

Cheers

Fred Carver
Re/Max Camosun
Accredited Consultant in Real Estate®
Direct 250-598-2963

What's Your Home Worth Fred Carver   Victoria Homes For Sale Fred Carver

40 Years Experience selling Real Estate does make a Difference.. call Fred today to Put his 40 years experience to work for You.

4440 Chatterton Way, Victoria, BC V8X 5J2
Calling from Out Of Town? Call Toll Free 1-800-663-2121

Victoria Homes and Properties For Sale

Find Hundreds of Home For Sale in Victoria BC

Post Copyright © 2011 By Fred Carver All Rights Reserved

Victoria Homes and Properties Web Site

34 comments • Victoria Realtor Fred Carver ACRE 250-598-2963 Accredited Consultant • December 23 2007 12:08AM