December Victories with your Realty Team

December Trends in Real Estate from Robert F. McLeod's Team

Year-to-date sales in November surpass 2008 year end sales Edmonton, December, 2009: Total sales through the Edmonton and area Multiple Listing Service® system to the end of November have surpassed total year end sales in 2008. The total value of all types of property sold to the end of November is $6.64 billion. The same figure at the end of December 2008 was $6.42 billion. There have been 20,355 property sales so far as compared to 19,448 at year-end 2008. "Both sales and the value of sales have exceeded our expectations this year," said Charlie Ponde, president of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. "We anticipated sales levels would be the same as last year but REALTORS® have already sold more property than last year with a month to go. This is a good indicator of the strength of our local market." In November, the average price of a single family dwelling went up 1.2% to $368,018, reversing a 2% drop in the previous month. Single family dwelling prices are 1.5% higher than the same month last year. Although condominium prices are down 2.5% from last month they are just $50 higher than condo prices a year ago. The average price for a condo in November 2009 was $231,684. At $284,849, the duplex and rowhouse prices were down 4.7% from last month and down 9.5% from a year ago. Overall, the all-residential average price is down marginally from October and the previous November. It sits at $318,482. There were 1,894 homes listed on the MLS® System in November with 1,261 sales for a sales-to-listing ratio of 67%. The total value of residential sales in November was $402 million and total available inventory was 5,226 homes which is a typical four month supply. Homes sold on average in 48 days which is up one from last month but much brighter than the 63 days it took to sell a home in November 2008. "The market remains rock steady," said Ponde. "Prices vary from month to month within a small range and with a slow gradual upward trend. Buyers have confidence in this market and REALTORS® are prepared to match their needs with the perfect housing option."

Robert in the Trenches, over $16 Million Sold this month! An exclusive invitation! Join our next seminar in January "Best Bets 2010!" Although November saw the end to a run of good weather, it didn't spell the end to a stellar year. As of today, December is bringing a run of good continued business in real estate for both our buyers and sellers. Did you know in November our team closed almost 90 transactions, a new monthly Record at over $16 Million in residential real estate sold this month, 95% all repeat clients! An interesting survey was just released by the Urban Land Institute rating multifamily product in Canada. The expected capitalization rate is expected to hit a steady 7% by December 2010, as such current respondents are saying 33.3% recommend to buy, 58.33% to hold and only 8.3% recommend to sell. Investors in Edmonton can see steady immigration and move-back-in trends bolster moderate-income multifamily properties located in or near metro cores. Properties close to mass transit lines almost can't miss. Want to know the best bets in 2010? Read On. Close to 68% of all our sales in 2009 can be directly attributed to investors buying for themselves. Many seeking equity and cash flow, or clients buying for family, lending a helping hand to get in the market. Frequently people have a vision of what your typical investor should look like. Frequently we hear comments like, "they're rich, they must have no day job, tenants seem like headaches" and so on. Flip side, what do we define as an investor? Everyday we meet more and more clients who have heard of our programs through current and past clients. Many are everyday single individuals and couples with average incomes all looking for another means to shelter cash and protect savings. Many don't have the high and glamarous visions of what owning real estate can provide, many have a moderate viewpoint which can be easily achieved. The biggest question is where to start? It's simple come join us for a seminar on: "I got my first property with as little at $10,000" Join us in our series of seminars, "Best Bets 2010" Come join us and RSVP to Karen Doucet at our office at 780-447-0847. January 21st 2010 7PM McLeod Company Offices 102, 10510-121 St. Edmonton Huge price discounts led us early this year in conjunction with lower interest rates to allow us to convert many renters into first time buyers. However as the volume of inventory has dropped off so too has the amount of higher quality entry level product, leading many buyers scrambling for that one last perfect home or condo. New Team Member Joins December saw the addition of Karen Doucet as Corporate Administration Coordinator to McLeod Project Marketing. "Karen was selected by our firm this past month after several years in sales support with 3M Canada. We're pleased to be filling a much needed role in preparation for several new projects hitting the market in 2010 by McLeod Project Marketing", Robert F. McLeod Clients of our project marketing division will all be receiving updates directly from Karen moving forward into January. For more information please contact Karen Doucet in our main office at 789-447-0847 or by emailing her at karen@robertmcleod.ca. Pass along a friendly hello to our new team member. Brian McLeod (left), Shawna Baly (Middle), Karen Doucet (Right) Recent project meeting with MPM in Edmonton

Project Updates! Aspen Creek-Down to our Last 7,6...5!

This past month we enjoyed a wine and cheese at our project, with friends and so many loyal clients. Learn what they think of Aspen Creek by clicking our link above. Have you had a chance to come see the team? Call us to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a tour of the subdivision 780-986-3355 or call Colleen with McLeod Project Marketing.

Colleen, our project agent for Aspen Creek, stands proud of the successful sale of our last "Aspen Model" with only 5 of our Huntington and Sterling homes left. There's never been deals like this before.

What makes Aspen Creek Special?

• Own for under $1295/month!
• Homes up to 1,584 sq.ft
• Developed by Maclab, the name says it all!
• Refer a friend for $1,000!
• Last 4 show homes come furnished!
  

Project Updates! Lancaster Gate-Brand New Flats From $170,000!

Welcome our lovely new model straight off the runways of London to showcase our hot new flats at Lancaster Gate.

Open 4 days per week, stop by 8117-114 Ave.
Or call our team office 780-447-0847 for an appointment.

What makes Lancaster Special?

• $100,000 Cheaper Than Oliver
• Granite, AC, Style... all Standard!
• Cash Flowing Units for Investors Only 4 Left!
  
• $0 downpayment options, Crikey Mate!

October Victories with your Realty Team

October Trends in Real Estate from Robert F. McLeod's Team

Resale housing prices bounce back with strong September sales Edmonton, October 2009: Although sales were not at record levels in September, they compared favourably with sales levels last year and settled in for the third best September ever. Only sales in September 2006 of 1,844 residential units and last September (1,729) were better than the 1,704 sales pegged last month. "We have experienced strong sales through the third quarter," said Charlie Ponde, president of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. "At the end of the first quarter YTD sales were down over 21%, and after six months they were up almost 2%. The last three months have had strong buyer demand and year-to-date sales are up 5.3% over the same period last year." The strong sales also boosted prices of both single family and condominium properties. Prices dipped slightly in August after showing steady gains all year but bounced back to mid-summer levels in September. The average price of a single family dwelling was $371,947 and condos were priced on average at $245,546 (both up 1.4% over August prices). SFD prices are up over $20,000 from where they were on New Years Day. Higher prices have not resulted in greater listing activity. 2,564 homes were listed in September resulting in a 66% sales-to-listing ratio as compared to September 2008 with over 3,100 listings and a 55% S/L ratio. The slower listing activity dropped inventory to 6,032 from 6,445 units last month but there is still almost four months of inventory at present sales volumes. Duplex and row house properties sold on average for $299,964 and the combined Average Residential Price was $327,235 in September; up 2% from September 2008. "Homes are selling slightly faster than last month and much faster than last year at this time," said Ponde. "I expect that sales in this market will show continued strength through the fall and early winter." The average days-on-market was 44 in September; down four days from August.

Robert in the Trenches October saw another major milestone for our team investment team clients. We've been keeping tight lipped for a few months on a very exciting condo project we put together for our most loyal past investors. Let me tell you a story. Back in early January of this year my phone began to ring with many "opportunities" from past clients, deals on Honduran ocean front lots, condos in Phoenix, or even land in Saskatchewan; all with promises of unreal returns not available in our predictable and profitable backyard of Alberta. I saw clients who had spent years making all the right decisions taking great risks with little market knowledge. Thus, I hit the pavement looking for deal after deal to show our client base that, yes, amazing deals do exist in our own backyard, you can cash flow in Alberta, there is equity to be made. Along came an exciting 20 unit project in Oliver for us to tackle. The presentation evening to our clients came and in 25 minutes we had the project sold out. Unfortunately it was a foreclosure and we we're out bid during the multiple offers on the complex. Now how many projects have you heard about selling out like this in the past 3 years? Undaunted, and with the support of our investors I hit the pavement looking for an even better project. Along came "Park Place" right near the Royal Alex Hospital and now only 100 meters from the new NAIT LRT. This gem from the early 1980's offered massive condos, 2 bathroom 2 bedroom units, and the previous owner had just finished over $350,000 in capital improvements. The investors came back and in less than 15 minutes we were all sold out... again! Sounds too good to be true? Well it was a very challenging 5 months, gone were the days of 90% financing, gone were the days of approvals in a week. We showed our clients the new ropes to investing in real estate and with the support of a few select banks who stepped up and said we'll do business and a lawyer who worked tirelessly to make this possible it would never have happened. October 8th was a pivotal day for our company for as you see above, my proud victory dance in-front of the complex was not missed by many. We could have given up many times. A quote rang true for me during these past months "Integrity is the foundation upon which all other values are built", we made a commitment to the vendor, to the investors and to the tenants... we were going to make this happen, no matter how many barriers were thrown at us. The address of success? 11019-107 St. Photos from our investor victory party will be in next months issue, so too will be the new sign and new name. The proudest part of this message is that we were able to condo convert a project in the Edmonton market, keep the tenants happy, continue to cash flow units for our investors and not raise rents on the tenants one dollar! Our opportunities are vast, our inventory and relationships with some of the best developers never stronger. Remember you don't have to have bags of cash to get started in real estate, simply email me at info@robertmcleod.ca and tell me you want in on the next deal! Many times we find ways for you to get on the path to freedom with little or nothing down. Condos to live in, homes for your family, townhouses trade up to, modular homes to keep you from renting. We do it all-so remember over 80% of all our business is from repeat clients and your referrals of friends and family. We're not your ordinary Realtors, we're advisors, creators of wealth, and business people lead by ethics.

Project Updates! Lancaster Gate-Brand New Flats From $170,000!

Welcome our lovely new model straight off the runways of London to showcase our hot new flats at Lancaster Gate.

Open 4 days per week, stop by 8117-114 Ave.
Or call our team office 780-447-0847 for an appointment.

What makes Lancaster Special?

• $100,000 Cheaper Than Oliver
• Granite, AC, Style... all Standard!
• Cash Flowing Units for Investors Only 4 Left!
  
• $0 downpayment options, Crikey Mate!
  

Project Updates! Aspen Creek-Down to our Last 10!

Colleen our project agent for Aspen Creek stands proud this past Saturday on the successful sale of our last "Aspen Model" with only 10 of our Huntington and Sterling homes left, there's never been deals like this before.

What makes Aspen Creek Special?

Own for under $1295/month!

Homes up to 1,584 sq.ft

Developed by Maclab, the name says it all!

Refer a friend for $1,000!

Last 4 show homes come furnished!

October is proved to be an exciting month at Aspen Creek. Down from 212 brand new homes to only 10 left mid-month. Leduc has embraced our wonderful subdivision! Did you know Aspen Creek now represents over 10% of the entire sales market in Leduc.

What are others saying about Aspen Creek?

"The community has proven to be more than we expected when we moved from Red Deer, our children have made so many new friends"
Lynn & Tim H.

"Colleen and your team spent three weeks making our dreams come true. You went above and beyond to help us make Leduc and Aspen Creek our special place"
Olivia B.

"Success comes in cans, not cant's".

www.aspencommunityhomes.com