Brad Stolson

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

Big Year Ahead?

Watching the news, reading the economist reports and other mediums all seems to point to a really big year in 2010.  In fact, most are predicting the biggest year in real estate ever.  Thats right -  ever.  What that means for Brooks we don't know yet - but in the past, a strong provincial and national economy has been good news for Brooks.  So everyone should be able to take a deep breath and be prepared for a busy year.

With saying all that I stumbled upon some interesting numbers.  Now that the recession has been reported to be over and it all seemed to begin in September 08 - its been just over 12 months - giving us more clarity on what it did to house prices in Brooks.  I am specifically looking at newer homes (less than 10 years) with garages.

NOVEMBER 1, 2007-SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

42 homes SOLD

Average Sale Price $336,572. 

Sale to List Price - 98%

Average Days on Market - 112 days

NOVEMBER 1, 2008-SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

36 Homes SOLD

Average Sale Price $301,817

Sale to List Price - 96%

Average Days on Market - 118 days

Most of the above details shows that the recession didn't effect us in many ways except the most important figure....price!  For a newer home in Brooks with a garage the numbers show the price dropped a staggering $35,000!  Thats well over 10%!!.  The other bothersome statistic I found is that this decrease has been a slow decrease over the course of the 12 months and hasn't seem to lost any of its steam in the last 6!!.  As I said in the beginning of this blog - all seems to point to a better year in 2010 and we can keep our fingers crossed that it will reverse the trend of house price in Brooks.

Multiplex For Sale in West End

• 12,150 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm multiplex "12 Unit Apartment" - MLS® $759,000

West End, Brooks  -  What a fantastic way to dramatically supplement your income. 12 unit building for sale in Brooks, Alberta. Check out the numbers - they translate into great investment opportunity. The numbers include having a professional property management company so your involvement can be very limited. Vacancy rate has historically been great in Brooks. Most units have been recently renovated with new flooring and paint. New roof installed 2007. Great corner location with nice curb appeal - close to Safeway and Walmart. Call today for more info on purchasing an investment opportunity in a great buyers market

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Bi-Level For Sale in Meadowbrook

• 1,262 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm bi-level - MLS® $369,900

Meadowbrook, Brooks  -  The whole package!! Great location merely seconds away from the Brooks Golf Club and backing onto the open prairie. With a larger than average lot at 61 wide by 131 deep!! Tasteful landscaping treated with underground sprinklers and poured concrete patio off the maintanence free deck. Open and bright floorplan with oak accents throughout. Luxurious hardwood floors throughout living room, kitchen, dining area and hallways. Extremely functional kitchen with great counterspace, ceremic self-clean oven, pantry, built-in desk & wine rack. Master bedroom with shower ensuite, walk-in closet and size to easily accomodate a king size suite. Professional basement development with gasstove, huge 4th bedroom, family room, bar area and still room for the pool table. This home defines pride of ownership.

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Bi-Level For Sale in Lake Newel Resort

• 1,501 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm bi-level - MLS® $329,900

Lake Newel Resort, Brooks  -  Live at the lake without the huge mortgage. Bi-level with bonus room above the garage (master bedroom/ensuite/walk-in closet). All new floorcoverings throughout, light fixtures and modern neutral paint. Great room concept with kitchen open to family room with corner gas fireplace. Lots of light with windows and skylight. Backs onto park space. Full basement ready for development

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STILL STABLE IN BROOKS ALBERTA for Third Quarter

Time for the 3^rd quarter real estate statistics for Brooks, Alberta and the County of Newell.  Time and time again there is proof that real estate sells in both good and bad economies.

There were 66 properties that changed hands in Brooks, Alberta and the County of Newell in the last 3 months (July 1, 2009-September 30, 2009).  The bad news is that for the same quarter last year there were 94 properties changing hands. That says the market is down 30% in comparison.  On a good note, though, the average sale price of these homes remained stable ($199,527(3^rd - 2008) & $198271(3^rd - 2009).

Currently, there are 130 listings in Brooks, Alberta.

As the Broker and Owner of RE/MAX Main Street Realty, I still have to take the opportunity to “toot my own horn”. 

-          We own 49% of the market compared to 43% same quarter last year

-          Our transactional volume has only dropped 20% compared to our main competitor at over 30%!

-          We also maintain 64 listings (50%) of the Brooks, Alberta active listings.

RE/MAX Main Street Realty adopted the philosophy that we are the steakhouse of real estate in Brooks and not just another fast food joint.  That means quality and professional service, before, during and after the real estate transaction.  We believe that because of this philosophy we have remained stable through these more trying real estate times.

As always your questions, comments and other information is always appreciated.  Please never hesitate to contact me.

Brad Stolson

Broker/Owner

Bungalow For Sale in Pleasant Park

• 1,215 sq. ft., 3 bath, 5 bdrm bungalow - MLS® $344,900

Pleasant Park, Brooks  -  Evident pride of ownership in a fully developed bungalow. The yard alone will have you falling in love with this home before you ever step in!! Quality fenced, underground sprinklers, RV parking, tasteful landscaping, fire pit area and a partially screened low maintenance deck to overlook it all. Enter the home to an open floor plan accented with gorgeous oak trim & ledges throughout. A 3/4 wall separates the kitchen from the living room adding character to the vaulted ceilings. Modern black appliances feature in the oak kitchen. Main floor washroom with deep soaker jet tub for those `relaxation days`. Master bedroom with walk-in closet and shower ensuite. Basement fully developed with beautiful laminate hardwood floors throughout. Wired for sound and video!! Basement also features excellent lighting options including track and pot lights with dimmers. Great use of space throughout and architectural designs for featuring plants, ornaments or pictures. No more room to write!!

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Summer is Over and the Market is Heating Up!!

It has been a busy few weeks this last couple of months, but the kids are going back to school and the regular routines we all have are starting to normalize.

The real estate market has been notably quieter in recent weeks but it appears things are once again heating up.  In real estate here in Brooks, Alberta we historically have two surges of activity - Spring and Fall.

Some numbers to note in some areas of Brooks, Alberta.  Uplands (28 Listings), the WestEnd (36), Meadowbrook (21) and Ingram Park (20) appear to provide us with the most listings over the course of a year, however, each of these areas has shown a decline in the amount of listings.  Each of these areas have also shown a decline in percentage of listings SOLD.

-UPLANDS (39% SOLD), WESTEND (42%), MEADOWBROOK (43%) and INGRAM PARK (20%).

The largest percentage of SOLD vs listed is Lakewood (80% Sold), Parkland (80%) and Greenbrook (70%).  These areas also had the largest percentage of SOLDs vs listed in 2008 as well.

Duchess and Bassano has held the same percentages of SOLD vs Listings to date this year compared to 2008.

 To date in 2009 overall for the Brooks Real Estate Board there is a 44% SOLD vs Listings ratio compared to 54% in 2008.  Also of note is the average price in 2008 compared to YTD in 2009 fell about $10,000. ($213,384 fell from $225,319)

Since July 1, 2009 there have been 42 homes in Brooks/County of Newell that have sold. For the same period last year (July 1, 2008-Sept 1, 2008) there was 67 properties that changed ownership.  RE/MAX Main Street Realty is responsible for almost 35% of these transactions.

 As always any information you would like regarding real estate I would be glad to help.

Brad Stolson, Broker/Owner

RE/MAX Main Street Realty

Brooks, Alberta

Bungalow For Sale in Lakewood

• 1,293 sq. ft., 3 bath, 5 bdrm bungalow - MLS® $269,900

Lakewood , Brooks  -  Location and curb appeal start this home off in the right direction. Next there is a large park like, pie shaped lot together with a 2-tiered deck. Exterior is updated with vinyl siding, shingles and new windows on the main floor. Inside - almost 2600 square feet of living space. 3 full bathrooms for the growing or grown family. This property is screaming HOME and combo with great location and fantastic lot, translates into a great HOME investment. Book a showing today.

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Other For Sale in Lake Newel Resort

•  other - MLS® $123,950

Lake Newel Resort, Brooks  -  Best view of water without paying the big bucks. Backing onto headgates - gorgeous vantage point to the beautiful prairie sunsets. Lake Newell Resort is a lifestyle and not just another place to put a house. Enjoy fishing, boating, walks on the beach and the serenity of the prairie. This is a fully serviced bareland condominium lot with minimul condo fees (currently $30).

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Price Reduced on 37 White Pelican Way in Lake Newel Resort

Lake Newel Resort, Brooks  -  Announcing a price reduction on 37 White Pelican Way, a other. Now MLS® $123,950 - .

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JUNE, JUNE, OH JUNE

Posted by Brad Stolson at 9:35 AM 0 comments

Labels: alberta, brooks alberta real estate market, housing market in Brooks

Price Reduced on 108 Margaret Avenue West in Duchess

Duchess, Rural SE Alberta  -  Announcing a price reduction on 108 Margaret Avenue West, a 1,144 sq. ft., 3 bath, 5 bdrm bi-level. Now MLS® $309,900 - .

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Lot / Land For Sale in Lake Newel Resort

•  lot / land - MLS® $285,000

Lake Newel Resort, Brooks  -  Room with a view? How about a home with a view!! A gorgeous estate style lot backing onto the marina. Over 95 feet across the back to take full advantage of the water. Perfect for building a walkout home to further enjoy the view. This lot is in a growing resort-style community - an excellent opportunity to build your dream home, second home, retirement home or lake home

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Price Reduced on 21 Blue Heron Court in Lake Newel Resort

Lake Newel Resort, Brooks  -  Announcing a price reduction on 21 Blue Heron Court, a 1,375 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story. Now MLS® $282,900 - .

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