STAT PACK

Just some numbers of interest.

2010 - UPLANDS - 52 Listings/32 Sales - Average Sale Price $283,600.

2011 - UPLANDS - 50 Listings/26 Sales - Average Sale Price $288,500

2010 - WESTEND - 52 Listings/29 Sales - Average Sale Price $210,500

2011 - WESTEND - 51 Listings/29 Sales - Average Sale Price $229,300

2010 - LAKEWOOD - 17 Listings/6 Sales - Average Sale Price $243,500

2011 - LAKEWOOD - 24 Listings/14 Sales - Average Sale Price $2425000

2010 - INGRAM PARK - 19 Listings/18 Sales - Average Sale Price $235,700

2011 - INGRAM PARK - 28 Listings/10 Sales - Average Sale Price $236,400

2010 - CENTRAL - 59 Listings/30 Sales - Average Sale Price $174,800

2011 - CENTRAL- 49 Listings/21 Sales - Average Sale Price $199,923

Conclusion - overall the Brooks real estate market has shown small growth in average sale price. There have been virtually the same amount of listings in 2010 compared to 2011 (199 v 202) and a slight decrease in amount of sales (115 v 100). This all translates into stability and that is good for the economy.

Not the Dog Days of Summer!!

The end of summer holidays is in sight. The end is near!! Recently summer has become a slow time for real estate agents, often we can take advantage of the slow days with golfing, beaching and otherwise just taking it easy. In 2009 from June 1-Aug 25 there were only 41 sales in the City of Brooks. In 2010 for the same period it remained stable at 44 sales. 2011 period has definately showed the signs of recovery and showing strength at 57 sales.
The question to many real estate agents in Brooks is "why so many signs" and the perception of the public is nothing is moving and the real estate market isn't doing well. Obviously the numbers show something else. I've tried to break down why so many signs - is it because their is more listings compared to the past? or because less is selling overall ? or a combination of both?
I've taken a look at the listings versus solds in 6 of the largest subdivisions in Brooks (Uplands, Westend, Lakewood, Ingram Park, Central and Meadowbrook). In 2010 there were 158 properties listed in these subdivisions and 68 sold. In 2011 there were 160 properties listed and 67 sold.
When broken down further Uplands seems to be the biggest culprit. To date there have been 35 listings and only 12 sales, compared to last year of 36 listings and 18 sales. It doesn't sound like a huge difference but it does translate to almost 20% less sales in one large subdivision.
So maybe the signs the public sees are just more visible and noticeable because they are on a more trafficked street?
I guess what I'm trying to say is.....I don't know. In 2009 (time frame Jan 1-Aug 25) there were 107 sales, in 2010 (same time frame) there were 106 sales. To date of 2011 there have been 130 sales - Now that is a huge increase in sales. Yet, the amount of signs out in the town signify that nothing is moving
As a real estate broker, all I can say is that the properties that are sitting for a long period of time must be overpriced. Because in an improving real estate market your property should sell - as long as it is priced properly. Additionally, just because the real estate market is improving does not mean your properties are worth more money. The competition is one of the most important aspects to the price of the property and obviously, with the amount of signs out - there is a lot of competition.
Most importantly, if you would like to have a real conversation about the actual value of your home and the marketability and the saleability of it. Please never hesitate to contact me directly.

1st Quarter Stats for 2011

At first glance of the quarter stats for RASCA (REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION of SOUTH CENTRAL ALBERTA) shows a small stumble in February this year.  Oddly enough, the same thing happen for the 1st quarter last year in February.  The difference this year is we bounced right back to normalized numbers in March.  The number of homes sold in Brooks and the County of Newell shows a total of 51 homes sold (an increase of 11% over the same quarter in 2010.)

RMSR (RE/MAX Main Street Realty) was responsible for 56% of all the sales in the City of Brooks.  We can also be proud of the fact that our average selling price was just slightly over $10,000 over the rest of the real estate board for the City of Brooks.  Also comparing to the average, the RE/MAX agents for the City of Brooks negotiated 1% more  (that translates to $2300 on average more in the consumers pocket).  Overall with the City of Brooks and the County of Newell properties RMSR sold the homes on average 30 days faster than our competitors (a whole month!!)

These numbers translate into one thing - list with RE/MAX Main Street Realty and you will have the opportunity to sell your home quicker and for more money.

The average sale price in the 1st quarter of 2011 for Brooks and County of Newell in total (data provided by RASCA) was $205,430 (compared to $198,996 for the same quarter last year).  Days on market for these 51 properties sold was 111 days and the sellers were negotiating, on average, 5% of the list price.

All indicators seem to point to a strong consistent year. RE/MAX in Brooks, Alberta, feels and practises that the key to selling real estate is and will always be good customer service through education and regular contact. The properties will sell when price is right and when our clients effectively recieve the education on how the market has performed in relation to their property.


I look forward to the next quarter and feel the potential of a great year in respect to real estate.

As always, if any one has any questions or comments about the real estate market in general or how it will relate to them, please never hesitate to contact me.

Brad Stolson
Broker/Owner

http://www.homesbuybrooks.com/
bradstolson@remax.net

403-793-3776 - Direct

RE/MAX Main Street Realty
Brooks, Alberta

So far....So Good!

The first 6 weeks of 2011 are in the books and real estate is accelerating.

Some early 2011 statistics…

· There have been 19 homes in the first 6 weeks in the City of Brooks that have changed hands so far.

· The lowest home sold was $12,000 and the highest being $399,000.

· The average sale price of these 19 homes was $216,484.

· There are currently 93 listed homes in the City of Brooks.

· There are 20 homes listed between the prices of $200,000 and $250,000.

· There are only 14 homes listed in the price range of $250,000 and $300,000.

· There are 23 homes listed over the price of $300,000 in the City of Brooks.

In summary, looks like the makings of a great real estate year in 2011. As the weather starts warming up more competitive listings will start popping up. There are quite of few buyers out there right now and putting your home up for sale now may be a great idea and get a jump on the listings coming in spring.

Please don't be shy, contact me and I would be more than happy to discuss the real estate market with you and help you decide what to do with your real estate in Brooks.

2010 Year End

2010 is over. A time to reflect and reset.

The real estate market in Brooks remained stable over the last 12 months and all predictions lean towards another stable market in 2011. Interest rates have remained low and personally I believe they will stay low throughout the year.

Foreclosures is a fact of life in Brooks and over the last several months the foreclosure listings have been increasing our inventory. With increased inventory and stable sales the price of real estate in Brooks should also stay quite stable.

Obviously, real estate is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it and the seller is willing to sell, and depending on motivation of the buyer and seller, they will ultimately determine whether or not there are good deals out there. With Main Street Realty selling 57% of the homes sold in Brooks there is proof that there are good deals out there. Knowledge of previous sales and existing listings is key to finding those deals and Main Street Realty has the knowledge and capable service available for you.

2010 STATISTICS

- Main Street Realty sold their listings a full 2 weeks sooner than the average real estate agent in the area

- April was the busiest month overall for us

- Our top for transactional months were March, April, September and November

- We also were responsible for 80% of the homes sold in Brooks the month of December (15 homes sold in Brooks)

PURE NUMBERS

- The real estate board reported 251 sales/643 listings for a 39% average sale to list value

- RE/MAX Main Street reported 107 sales/223 listings for a 48% average sale to list value

- Our closest competitor reported 112 sales/340 listings for a 33% average sale to list value

- There were 192 transactions reported in the City of Brooks with RE/MAX Main Street Realty responsible for 110 of those transactions.

- Average sale price in Brooks alone was $224,581

- Average negotiated price reported in the City of Brooks was 95% of list value

- RE/MAX Main Street transactions on average were completed in 81 days

- There were 41 homes in Brooks sold over $300,000 (37 of those were between $300,000 and $400,000)

As always, these are just numbers and statistical data. Keep in mind that each house has its individual value and worth (sometimes not the same number) Your real estate agent should be able to help and educate you to intelligently list your home so you are able to get the most out of your investment.