THE END IS NEAR!!

The end of 2010 anyway.

3^rd Quarter Stats for RE/MAX Main Street Realty (MSR) is showing great stability in the Brooks real estate market. Each of the quarters to date in 2010 reports approximately 30 homes sold each quarter. In the 3^rd quarter MSR is responsible for 60% of the sales within the City of Brooks.

MSR has also reported we are selling the properties in Brooks a full 3 weeks quicker this quarter compared with the average of the rest of real estate board, additionally, properties sold by MSR are selling a full 2 months quicker compared to the same quarter in 2009.

MSR has been working diligently with their listings to educate them on the market in Brooks – we believe if the house is priced right – the house will sell. The house price is dictated by the owner and our job is to guide and advise in the right direction. My belief is this philosophy has attributed to our successes.

One other statistics – there were 160 homes sold in the City of Brooks to date of 2010 compared with 149 for the same period in 2009.

Brad Stolson
403.-793-3776
Broker

RE/MAX Main Street Realty
www.stolsonsells.com
www.homesbuybrooks.com
www.rentbrooks.com

bradstolson@remax.net

WE'RE BACK! Not a "BAD" Market

Finally, back in our original building. It felt like it was longer than 3 months that's for sure.

The perception out in Brooks is a struggling market. The truth is that it hasn't been as exciting in years past but the market is still doing just fine. The unfortunate part of this type of market for a real estate agent tends to be the "bearer of bad news" syndrome. In the past we were able to give news of profits and built equity - now....not so much. This doesn't translate into less sales - it translates into a "I don't like this market" - which than translates to "this is a bad market".

Bottom line, price your home right and it will sell in a very reasonable amount of time.

So far in 2010 there have been 122 homes sold and just over 300 listed in the City of Brooks alone. That means when you list your home you have a 39% chance to actually sell it.

86 of those 122 homes sold had garages. That means your chances to sell your home jump to 50% chance if you have a garage.

60% of the 122 homes sold were over 1100 square feet.

There is currently just over 150 homes for sale in the City of Brooks. 80 have garages and 93 are over 1100 square feet.

Sales are up 19% in the subdivision of Uplands year to date, compared to 2009.

Ingram Park sales are up over 60%, however, the average price in Ingram Park has fallen over $30,000.

After all that, its not a "bad" market, in fact, for RE/MAX Main Street Realty it is our 3rd best year transactional/volume wise in the last 10 years. There is, however, bad news in the market (ie "your house isn't worth as much as you had hoped")

Statistically, your home can sell - it must be priced right and I would recommend a real estate agent that understands the market and can use the statistics to their advantage.

....Did I mention - I'm a real estate agent? Give me a call I would love to talk real estate with you and show you how I can sell your home.

Brad Stolson
403.-793-3776
Broker

RE/MAX Main Street Realty
www.stolsonsells.com
www.homesbuybrooks.com
www.rentbrooks.com

bradstolson@remax.net

Southern Alberta. A climatic treat for all. We get spring in winter, winter in summer, more summer in winter, and more winter in spring. The last few weeks for RE/MAX Main Street Realty has been a challenge. As you may or may not know, a portion of our neighbours wall came crashing down onto our building causing the insurance company to deem our office unsafe due to a potential doomed roof. In a whirlwind of activity we have officially opened our temporary office at 120-3rd Street West on the second floor of the Newell Community Action Centre. We went almost a full 2 weeks without a fullly functional phone system and a receptionist. Luckily, due to my diligent staff we made it work and within seconds of transferring the phone system to our new location the phone lines lit up like a Christmas Tree. Slowly but surely, all of our tenants and clients have begun to locate us.



To the statistics!! (why you guys read this blog)

The following statistics is for the period of January 1-May 28.

2007 - 196 Homes Sold - Average Sale price - $181,888 - RE/MAX participation in sale - 30%

2008 - 141 Homes Sold - Average Sale price - $210,535 - RE/MAX participation in sale - 39%

2009 - 86 Homes Sold - Average Sale price - $202,125 - RE/MAX participation in sale - 43%

2010 - 91 Homes Sold - Average Sale price - $204,908 - RE/MAX Participation in sale - 45%


A few things stand out here. First of all - there was a major jump in prices in Brooks in 2008 and somewhat stumbled in 2009. My prediction is that this number will continue to rise over the next few periods at a very steady but slow pace. Secondly, we are in a recovery and I personally still see good things happening in Brooks. Lastly, RE/MAX Main Street Realty has continued to work hard over the good times and more notably in the poor times.

I continually preach to my agents at the office that service must be continually and constantly maintained. Real estate is more than just a sign.

As always, if anyone has any questions or comments please do not ever hesitate to contact me.

Brad Stolson
Broker/Owner

RE/MAX Main Street Realty
Brooks, AB

Spring is in the Air

I love spring. Not only does it jumpstart the real estate sales but everyone is starting to emerge from their winter hibernation. The bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, joggers and walkers come out in troves. Everything starts to bloom and turn green – and let’s not forget – golf season is just around the corner.

It’s been a while since I posted – I think that’s a good thing because I’ve been busy running a busy brokerage and selling homes. To date, 2010 has mimicked the first 3 months of 2009. There is still the feeling out there that this is going to be a fantastic year. The difference between a fantastic real estate year for agents and a fantastic real estate year for clients is the price of real estate. There is a common misconception that a good year in real estate will translate into higher house prices. The truth is that a fantastic year for real estate is there is a larger number of homes selling. Prices will go up when there is a higher demand for houses in Brooks, so obviously, if the demand goes higher than prices will reflect that sooner than later. Unfortunately, there are a lot of homes for sale in Brooks, so the demand remains low-stable.

Currently there are 102 single family detached homes for sale in Brooks. Since January there have been only 25 single family detached homes sell. (Does not include mobiles, vacant land, condos, etc)

In total, however, there have been 43 properties that have changed hands in Brooks and County of Newell.

RE/MAX Main Street Realty has been involved in 46% of those transactions since January 1, 2010. Our nearest (and largest) competitor has been involved in 33% of the transactions.

Another interesting statistic is the listings vs. solds of single family detached in Brooks. Overall, since January 1, 2010, the Board has reported a 33% ratio (25/80). RE/MAX Main Street Realty has a ratio of 36% (14/39). And our nearest (and largest) competitor has reported a dismal 17% (7/42). 33% is still a low ratio by my standards, however, our systems are almost twice as effective to get your home sold then are nearest (and largest) competitor.

RE/MAX strives for a high standard of customer service. We believe that this attitude will help us to continue to rise “above the crowd”. I train my agents to maintain communication with their clients throughout the listing/sale process and not leave the client guessing.

Year End Stats!

What an up and down year. Real Estate wise one week we would be twiddling our thumbs and the next week we wouldn't know up from down (because we were busy).

RE/MAX Main Street Realty thrives on goal setting and achieving/maintaining not only a high service standard but production values as well. Going into 2009 the warning was put out there as a challenge that it was going to be a tough year, but Main Street Realty was up for the task. By the end of the year we were involved in over 58% of the transactions in Brooks alone.

The REALTORS Association of South Central Alberta (RASCA - Surrounding Areas of Brooks, Vulcan, Drumheller and Hanna) experienced another 15% decrease in transactional volume from 2008 (They also experienced the same 15% from 2007 to 2008). That’s a whopping 30% decrease in transactional volume for RASCA in a 2 year period!!. Main Street Realty also suffered a significant decrease in volume transaction of 19% in that same 2 year period.

There were 250 homes in Brooks & County of Newell that changed ownership in 2009. The average price of those homes is $205,130. It took 111 days on average for each of these homes to sell. In 2008 (for comparison - there were 321 homes sold that took 102 days and averaged $201,676 for a sale price). This also shows that an increase of around 2% in sales price occurred over the year as well.

Another noteworthy statistic is that the Sellers also negotiated 2% less in 2009 compared to 2008 (94% vs. 96%). This means the Sellers listed their homes at a higher price than the year before but negotiated more to net a slightly higher price.

RE/MAX Main Street Realty are preparing for a strong year. As of January 1, 2010 we have already noticed an increase in website, listing and phone activity. We believe that we the consistent service we offer, the experience we have and of course the results we produce this year will be a fantastic real estate year.

In my opinion, the prices should remain fairly stable for the next few months in Brooks and it will "appear" as a buyers market. Expect the listing price to jump a little and the negotiating from the Sellers to give a little - but in the end - house prices should be more expensive this year than in 2009.

As always, if you ever have any questions or comments about the real estate market in Brooks, Alberta, please contact me.

Brad Stolson

Broker/Owner

RE/MAX Main Street Realty

Brooks, Alberta