Denise Brophy's St. John's Newfoundland Real Estate Blog

There are no “Sold” stickers left in St. John’s and Running Shoes Required

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:58:50 -0700

I think I should buy stock in Nike, Reebok or some other comfy shoe company. My feet are tired; my pretty summer shoes have been tossed into the back seat of the car and there are no “sold” stickers left in St. John’s.

What’s happening? Its no big secret, the provincial government signed a memorandum of understanding last August 2007 with several oil partners and since then the market has increased almost 35% in one year. Recreational properties have increased almost 22% and I’ve gone begging and pleading to my office mates for a “sold” sticker I need to put on a house. No one has any, not our office, not the local board office – everything is selling, and everything else is sold.

Now to say that prices have gone through the roof is not quite accurate, we still have the best prices for residential homes in Canada and probably still catching up to the mainland, but catching up we are. And, fast.

To add another twist into the mix, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is cancelling/suspending its very popular 100% mortgage insurance for buyers by October 15, 2008. This includes all buyers, first timers and more timers which has really put Realtors feet to the fire. Anyone who qualified has to “get their ducks in a row” (not sure if that’s a Newfoundland term or not) by that time so that means run out and buy something/anything with a roof. Some lenders have already pulled the plug and other lenders are closing the doors on this popular program by October 1. Why? Bankers and lenders have developed a conscience and don’t want us to get into the sub-prime mess happening below the 49th parallel. Imagine that protecting us mere mortals – God bless them I say – thinking of us before themselves. Not that Canada has hit a bit of a slump and that many of the Canadian banks invested heavily in the US mortgage market – no. It’s for our own good like cod liver oil.

Townies (St. John’s men/women) are seeing the benefit of homeownership and the increasing values are moving quickly past the overpass with homes, vacation homes, and land appreciating at prices never seen before.

Before I blow a hole in my Nikes – does any have a “sold” sticker?

Denise Brophy, ABR, ePro, CERC Relocation Specialist
www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

I'd Like to Buy a Vowel....

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:36:02 -0700

Has anyone read Marc Davidson's article 100 Web sites, one unfulfilling experience online at Inman News Opinions? He put into words some of the same thoughts I've had about real estate websites in general, http://www.inman.com/opinion/guest-perspective/2008/03/3/100-web-sites-one-unfulfilling-experience my comments follows:

        "Just read your article. I've been struggling with websites without presence or content, or anything valued added for the consumer including my own. And I am guilty as charged with attempting to attract business from the web though I can count on one hand the contacts received that have translated into closed transactions. My thoughts are the same as yours the real estate sites/ agent sites are clogged with "hire me, let me help you, I am the best, the first, the top producer" and no content.

        A few years ago my partner and I hired a "marketing" person who "branded" us, ouch! We were satisfied with the results (it looked pretty) and after numerous meetings we finally said we could no longer labour over/keep tweeking it because we just got to get out there with our campaign. Financially and emotionally we felt we would be able to connect with the real estate buying and selling public, we added content, spoke about the market, linked to important sites and felt we had put plenty of information out there - and maybe just maybe it would translate into a web presence and more business. I think our failure (and it is) with our web presence is our inability to communicate to the marketing person that the customer was "it". Where she felt we were "it". And so we are lost in the pages online and our online experience, which we feel we should be having with people looking for homes, is just not happening. And, if its not happening to us, is it happening for others, to anyone?

        I have a blog site on ActiveRain that has brought more interaction with not only real estate professionals but the buying and selling public who are seeking real estate advice as well. It is less costly, more timely, and user friendly and sometimes I even make it to page 1 on Google with a well written blog.

         I wish I had the magic formula real estate agents are seeking, including me, but I don't. I do think if we continue to overlook the needs of the buying and selling public whereby we promise to get them the listings they want "first" because we sell the most, or that our "marketing" system beats all other systems and seeming to welcome inquiries with open arms yet keeping them at arms length is not a way to built relationships web based or otherwise."

I have trusted all the marketing guru's who say 'brand yourself" with a "USP", or buy a system or use a trainer so that all your marketing materials are consistent, such as sending postcards with recipes, or using this program or that program, and last but not least have a web presence. Judging by Marc Davidson's article there's alot of fluff but no stuff online, no content even with calls to action we are failing our clients and only confusing them with promises not kept.

So what is the next best thing? Blogging may add value to the search experience for prospects, and if it adds value and supports our brand it may change the way we do business.

I'd love to hear what the housebuying and selling public think our professional online personna. My guess is they would think it pretty boring, lots of fluff and no stuff, or maybe they'd say its a waste of time and money - that would hurt but maybe I should be back to Marketing 101.

Pat, I'd like to buy an "I".

Denise Brophy, ABR, ePro, CERC Relocation Specialist
www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

It's Not Easy Being Chartreuse, that's a shade of green, isn't it?

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:16:43 -0700

Rain is pouring down outside my St. John’s, Newfoundland home today and that may not sound strange to many of you but it is to us – it should be snowing. Here we call it Sheila’s Brush (which is a snow storm just before St. Patrick’s Day). Now I know most of you would take rain over snow any day but for us it’s a strange weather phenomena. And it tips the balance of our Earth’s ecosystem – again.

Here in Newfoundland warmer rainy weather translates to warmer oceans which translates to fewer icebergs which translates to a reduction of fish stocks (which need cold water to survive) which translates into fewer fish for fisherpersons which translates to a poor economy and so on and so forth.

We can point our fingers at corporate malfeasance, government inaction, but we should really point our fingers at ourselves. We are running ourselves into the ground and taking future generations with us. I happily take my “green” shopping bags to the grocery store, change out my old light bulbs to energy efficient ones, reduced the heat in my home, I compost and recycle, I’ve donated my old cell phone and computers to charity, and I’ve stopped purchasing water and use a water filter at home after listening to Dr. David Suzuki’s www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/02/01/suzuki-water.html commentary on water.

And, not least of all, I attempt to use my vehicle in an energy efficient manner by combining trips and appointments so that I don’t waste precious fuel that today is $1.25 per litre. I don’t watch Oprah very often but very recently Lisa Ling http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200802/20080227/slide_20080227_350_101.jhtml went dumpster diving in New York with a group that apparently does this on a regular basis. Literally boxes full of dated food was thrown away not expired - outside grocery stores in Manhattan. And, people were taking this home, I was hoping they could convince stores to donate these items to local shelters but I’m a dreamer. I’m sure many grocery companies do donate but that fact that most of this good food would end up in landfills boggles my mind.

Here’s my disappointment with being green hence the reason for feeling a little chartreuse (which green with yellow mixed in, really). We are chickens with a big yellow streak down our backs, we talk the walk but not walk the talk – at least most of us. Just take a quick trip to Google Earth and link to World’s Oil Consumption – its astounding! The U.S., China, Europe and population wise Canada are some of the largest oil consumers in the world. That petroleum product translates into my fuzzy pajamas that are made of recycled plastic, I rip my energy efficient light bulbs out of their hard plastic shell that winds up in my local landfill, and as I watch hundreds and hundreds of people in line, including myself at times, idling their cars to get coffee in a “recyclable” cup I feel “green” is an uphill battle.

We are consumers pure and simple and getting to any shade of green is going to take monumental action on the part of government through legislation, corporations by being good citizens of the planet and individuals like you.

Denise Brophy, ABR, ePro, CERC Relocation Specialist

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

Polish up those Crystal Balls!!

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:24:16 -0700

How will the Canadian housing market fair with the U.S. Federal Reserve dropping the rate by another .25%?

Our Canadian economy has seen good growth over the past few years while our neighbours south of the border have had, to put it mildly - a hard go of it. An unpopular war sucking billions of dollars out of its economy, the sub prime fiasco, and now our best trading partner's dollar hovering at .94 to our $1.00 - is there light at the end of the tunnel. Are our housing prices going to bottom out, go through the proverbial roof, where's Greenspan when we need him!!

I recall a few years ago a buyer from Vermont called me to view a property in a pretty little community about one hours drive outside of St. John's, Newfoundland. The house was built in the 1800's, had a nice renovation completed, included all the furnishings, was situated five minutes from a pcturesque cove and was listed at $189,900 CDN. At the time, this little gem would have cost the interested buyer about $130,000 USD. The sale did not go together because the buyer's property in Vermont did not sell at that time. Thinking back three years later they would have had a nice return on their investment if the stars were aligned correctly.

So after reading Mike Jone's blog Loonie Rules! Canadian Buying Power Up 6 Percent for Tuscon Home! inviting Canadian buyers to purchase in Tucson Arizona, it got me to thinking that with the Feds dropping their rates yesterday to prop up the US real estate market, where is our market headed? We already know that products made in Canada sell cheaper in the US, like tires, why we don't know. We also know that items purchased in Canada that are made in the US are higher priced, books for example (taking the cost of shipping into consideration). So what will become of our housing market, will our homes appreciate or stagnate, will we become victims of the housing "bubble" the US is experiencing. I would have said confidentially "no, no, no" last year but now am really uncertain.

I know my buyers will ask the question. Anyone with a crystal ball?

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

Tipping the Scales to a more Balanced Market in St. John’s, NL – Third Quarter 2007

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:31:46 -0700

The third quarter Multiple Listing Trends for Newfoundland are in. After a tumultuous beginning to the year, it looks like we are beginning to see the "balanced" market all Realtors hope for; a well priced home selling within a reasonable time frame to qualified buyers. Nirvana!

Residential sales were at record highs with an increase in volume of 26% over last year at this time. More good news is in store for sellers as their property values have increased on average to 8.6% for a single residential dwelling over the same period last year - $140,779 to $152,939.

With a good supply of inventory and posted mortgage rates hovering between 6.5% and 7.5% (though slightly higher than last quarter) buyers can rest assured that investing in that first home will have a good return in years to come.

For more information visit Canada Mortgage & Housing's website at http://www.cmhc.ca/housingmarketinfo or visit me at http://www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

MLS Trends for Eastern Newfoundland - Second Quarter of 2007

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:31:55 -0700

We got the news, we got the graphs to prove it, and hot off the press are the MLS Trends for the second quarter in the Eastern Region of Newfoundland.

There's no mistaking it now - its a Buyers Market!!!! We danced around the "balanced market" but Realtors know a bit about economics so when more inventory hits the marketplace there is less demand.

So the good news is active listings have reached all time highs which means lots of inventory for those shopping for a new home. And speaking of new homes builders are now using the MLS more and more to market their properties. The listing to sales ratio is 12.7 percent compared to last year at 15.9.

Now with all that good news heres the downside the Bank of Canada has increased its prime lending rate to 6.25% so inevitably the one to five year rates are hovering around 5.75% to 6.75% and looks like an increase is in store for 2008 by about .50%. For all you who remember double digit interest rates, these are still bargains.

For more information visit Canada Mortgage & Housings website at http://www.cmhc.ca/housingmarketinfo or me at http://www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

Now there's the Money Shot...

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:27:38 -0700

Actually there's two money shots. One is the first iceberg in St. John's in more than five (5) years. Hopefully a treat for all the Oceanographers visiting this province for a CMOS conference this week in June.

While its not warm in St. John's by any stretch of the imagination, I kinda felt that Arctic chill coming off the harbour yesterday morning. I took a quick walk up Signal Hill (or Mother Nature's Stair-master if you get my drift) - my personal best this year - 46 minutes and low and behold there it was - lodged in Freshwater Bay.

Some of the local sight seeing companies took several brave souls on the water where they hooked themselves a bergy bit. Yes, it was on the news - our mainland friends wanted pieces to bring home to show the relatives!

So I was off to Freshwater Bay this morning and as I headed out the trail to get pictures of this Arctic treasure, a few horses came into view, I just love this place.

The people are pretty nice too.

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

Living in the Lap of Luxury - Newfoundland Style

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Wed, 16 May 2007 12:53:32 -0700

It is said (mostly by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation) that a Million Dollars goes a lot further in Atlantic Canada than anywhere else in Canada and perhaps the US.

Seems logical, our cost of living is low due to moderate housing costs, our heating costs may be higher its all relative. I was on Roberta Murphy's blog awhile back and she invited Active Rainers to join the Carnival of Luxury. It sounds like fun so I thought and I thought, and I thought some more about our provinces concept of luxury. I know the carnival is over but thought I'd add my two cents.

There are a few substantial properties in St. John's listed at over the $500,000 mark and several edging close to $1,000,000. Our board had a condo sell for $1.5 million awhile back and everyone thought the purchasers were crazy. Nice place mind you, four storeys, elevator inside the condo, fabulous view of the Narrows and so forth - I guess that could be considered luxury.

Then I thought that the annual Remax Report on Recreational Properties might be where I find luxury properties, yes there are a few areas, but more like a resort versus luxury home.

So then I thought what would have to be in a luxury home or getaway to be considered luxury:

1. Kidney shaped outdoor pool (we don't need them, too cold on the kidneys)

2. Indoor pool (that's a good idea as long as it comes with a pool boy or to be politically correct pool person)

3. Several garages housing antique sports cars (nope, they'd rust, too close to the salt water, truck with a snowplow would be better)

4. Lush garden with tropical plants (rock garden is more like it, they "the mainlanders" call Newfoundland "The Rock", heck Newfoundlanders call it "The Rock" too)

5. Chef's kitchen (most of our chefs have gone to Alberta were lucky to have a good cook for Jigg's Dinner at the local Irving station)

6. A closet the size of a bungalow (I wear mostly boots and big winter jackets most of the year so the summer portion of the closet would be quite small other than for my shoes)

7. Spa bathroom (nope, who has the time to lie down in a Jacuzzi tub with bubbles and lighted candles - I don't even have time to light the candles forget the suds)

8. Wine cellar that's the ticket (I usually drink what comes in the door so the cellar would be used for those infrequent hot days or hot flashes just to cool down a bit)

9. A high tech alarm system and house wired for sound (not much crime to speak of here, as for the sound system I'd be turning it down all the time after the kids have cranked it up).

10. My idea of luxury is driving into a small fishing community about an hours drive away (no traffic, we do have our "rush hour" at which we might get stuck for two traffic lights), parking my car on the wharf, bringing a little chair and a book to read, watch the fishers (that's the new politically correct name for fishermen) come and go in their little boats, smell the really fresh air, and soak up the elusive sunshine, and listen to the quiet of the cove.

Money can't buy this!!

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

It's Here....MLS Trends for the First Quarter 2007 - Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Realtors

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:30:30 -0700

The MLS Sales Activity Report for the Eastern Region of Newfoundland and Labrador is out and, drum roll please, looks like first quarter residential sales are up over the same time last year. Exhale.

Fortunately for buyers but unfortunately for sellers the market has remained flat during the quarter will little to no increase in prices of average residential housing. The market is firmly in Buyers hands with price growth to be minimal through the remainder of the year. Good for some, not good for everyone.

So they've said it - its a Buyers Market with a sustained increase in listings. Translated that is one in eight homes have sold this quarter with longer days on the market and flat growth for 2007. The good news is the supply of active listings especially from builders and contractors and the resale market appears to be slowing down. The mortgage rate increases have slowed to a halt and looks like that will hold till mid-summer.

Perhaps the market will balance itself out within the next few months, only time will tell. If you would like more information about our current marketplace visit http://www.cmhc.ca/housingmarketinfo/.

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

Now we're Rubbing Elbows with the Big Boys...and Girls

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:38:14 -0700

I just finished commenting on an article from our local paper about affordable housing in St. John's, NL when I came across an article from the Financial Times of London, and not London, Ontario (nothing against you folks) but London, England - where the Queen lives most of the time (when she's not in Scotland or traveling, or riding horses), about guess where - St. John's, NL - again.

This time it was about one of our neighbourhoods just up the road from the downtown better known as Georgestown. Actually, this three block square community is home to one of the nicest bakeries in the city (the cranberry chocolate bread is heavenly), some very trendy lofts, a pub, a small convenience store and a stone's throw to The Rooms.

The area became known as Georgestown, as George Winter owned most of the land in the area and after one of St. John's many devastating fires people began building homes in the area as early as 1840. Georgestown has a strong neighbourhood association and has an eclectic mix of old and new homes.

This little community borders Monkstown Road, Military Road, Bonaventure Avenue and Empire Avenue with real estate values for fixer uppers starting as low as $55,000 cdn to lovely homes valued at $350,000 cdn or more. The average sale price for a turn of the century home, with lots of character, ranges from $140,000 to $180,000 cdn and still within walking distance to downtown. No car needed.

"A diamond in the rough" by Daina Lawrence is a nice article about one of the city's up and coming communities. That translates to the prices of homes will increase in the area because of this article - let's hope not by too much. We locals need affordable housing too.

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

St. John's, NL is Sitting on the International Stage Like a Cheshire Cat!!

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:13:28 -0700

Can you keep a secret? No, obviously not, because someone's let the proverbial cat out of the bag...

...that someone I swear is the Premier of the province, Danny. Someone's told someone else that there is still affordable, yes affordable housing in St. John's, NL and now the world knows about it. Last Saturday's Telegram dated April 14, 2007 Real Estate section headline reads "St. John's starter homes an international bargain". I'm telling you they are going to be arriving in droves. Them "Come From Aways" (CFA's) will scoop up all good housing, great views, enjoy our restaurants and coffee houses, take part in our cultural heritage like the Royal St. John's Regatta, Folk Festival, probably stagger home from the George Street Festival full of Newfoundland Screech and cause a great disturbance in our local economy - for the better. Well I'm all for it. Finally a city, a downtown core, that is more affordable than any other major city in Canada, North America, and possibly the world!

The commute to most of the major businesses in the downtown is a mere 5 or 10 minutes walk on the outside and you can probably pick up your morning coffee along the way. Groceries can be delivered to your door, state of the art fitness centers are located just steps away from Water Street, and some of the trendiest footwear and clothing can be found at bargain prices compared to the mainland. Our square footage prices for businesses and housing cannot be beat.

So our weather is not the best, we get a little more rain, sometimes snow than the rest of Canada but we were the third warmest winter capital in Canada last year. So what's not to like, the people are friendly and entertaining which is part of the character of St. John's, I'm just hoping you can keep a secret - otherwise we'll be overrun!

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

What's the Difference Between a Harley, or a Beemer, or a Mercedes???

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:58:21 -0700

I met a Realtor at a house the other day to pick up some keys for a viewing appointment. He drives up in a little BMW, a sporty number.

I said "Wow!"

Last summer another agent in our office went on viewing appointments on his motorcycle. I said "Wow!"

Another agent I know drives a huge gas guzzling 8 cylinder truck, I'd need a crane just to get into the passenger seat.

I've seen agents driving mini-vans, SUVs, domestic, and foreign imports, one has a big cube van with his picture on it. If I say "Wow" do clients do the same?

I'm somewhat conservative thinking what if I drive something more impressive than my clients what will they think of me?

Will Sellers think:

•1. She's got a lot of cash so lets ask for a cut in the commission

•2. Who does she think she is, lets look for someone who needs the money, or

•3. It's a nice vehicle, not too over the top.

Will Buyers think:

•1. She's way out of our league.

•2. She's not even in our league, or

•3. It's a nice vehicle, not too over the top.

I figure that Realtors want to appear successful but not want to put clients off. So what constitutes success does the appearance of success garner more success or less? .

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:07:03 -0700

Someone's Found Me on Active-Rain...

...in truth it was someone I had made contact periodically over the past few years and have not kept in touch with recently. But I will now!

So I consider today one of those red letter days, I got a referral from Halifax, a lead from Active-Rain, a commercial listing that will sell, and a chain letter. So I'm doing my happy dance around the office, this working it stuff pays off.

courtesy of Charles Shultz

Wait a lead from Active-Rain, how'd that happen?

I make comments, I post occasionally, so how did this person find me here in St. John's. Me, little old me. I don't know if I'm SEO'd, Localised, mystified, or what? But its manna from heaven in my books (other than the chain letter which I must send off immediately least I or someone close to me suffers the indignity of "not forwarding to five friends" before midnight tonight and some other person suffers for reasons unknown).

Keep it coming Active Rain, you made my day.

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

To Fool Mother Nature is to Fool Ourselves

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:24:11 -0800

Last week, I heard that scientists were going to "examine" the Northern Lights in Canada. The Northern Lights apparently cause disruption for cell phone users, telecommunications, distort cable television and do a lot of other nasty things to the consumer. Can you imagine one of the symbols of the aboriginal peoples of Canada for eons is hurting big business? I thought another nail in the coffin for Mother Nature. Of course they might just want to harness the energy to power our lights, or perhaps turn it on for tourists and turn it off when it becomes bothersome. I thought why not just leave it alone, leave it for us to admire and wonder and feel insignificant in the universe, don't touch them.

We've put our hands into too much of what our planet offers altering the balance of nature, then trying to correct the mistake by adding or changing something. A lot a people joke about Global Warming, or hugging a tree, or green house gases, it's not a joking matter anymore. I come from a land of snow, ice and icebergs with some of the most amazing landscape I've seen anywhere. The weather isn't perfect but each season used to bring us surprises from Mother Nature - till about 10 years ago. I remember saying to a co-worker back then that I had not seen an iceberg this season, nor ice in the harbour, and it's been seasons since that no icebergs appear in the harbour. Why? They are melting further north. Since they are melting in the high Arctic, the Arctic is becoming warmer, our fish are disappearing because they need cold water, our lakes and rivers are drying up, we are killing our planet, we the consumer can change, we must change.

Take one paper napkin or two, dry your clothes outside, don't idle your car, use real plates instead of Styrofoam, take a thermos to your favorite coffee shop, recycle plastic bags and bottles, please. All we may have in another ten years is a picture of the last iceberg, and the day they turned off the Northern Lights.

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

A bump on the head, a stubbed toe, …. and a new pair of shoes!

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:21:30 -0800

Yesterday I had one of those days. You know the ones where everything goes a little haywire. It started out that way just after I got out of bed. I usually hit the ground running during the weekdays, off to the office, bury my head in paperwork, meet with my partner, Bill, show a few houses, but yesterday was different.

Perhaps karma kicking in like My Name is Earl, telling me to slow down or something. I was getting the paperwork together so I could bring my tax return to my accountant (yes the Tax-man Cometh to Canada too). I had to find one last piece of paper when "clunk" a metal bedpost fell on my head (it's a long story - renovating). It just wasn't a bump but certainly a clunk and two ice packs later - I had a nice egg on my forehead. I got dressed, took the paperwork, ran to the office - only to remember we had a bunch of Agent Open Houses to view between 12:00 and 1:30. So I rang Bill at the office, he jumped into my car cringed at my glowing and growing egg on my noggin and off we went.

Beautiful house at the first stop, in my hurry, I smacked my toe off the foot-board of the bed in the principle bedroom. Ouch! Next house, a duplex, I missed step in the basement, and got away without injury. Next stop, gorgeous range bungalow, overpriced. A fellow agent in his car hits my car with his door, bad scrape - I'll have to bring it in to the shop. Finally a condo in our downtown, lots of snow nowhere to park and I was about to give up but I said this agent is doing his darnedest to get us to view this condo by enticing us with a gift certificate for a pair of shoes at "the nicest shoe store" in the city, Gallery Shoes - a little plug. The shoes didn't matter to me, he really needed an opinion on price and he generously gives his time to visit when I do Agents Opens. So with positive thoughts I trudged on through the snow and was locked out of the condo for several minutes until a resident opened the door for us. Keeping positive (praying that I would not get a parking ticket) Bill and I got to our last stop and headed back to the office.

My Name is Denise and I won a $150 pair of shoes.

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

Touchy Feely or Arms Length?

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 09:22:13 -0800

I'm tossing this out there to see how other Realtors handle the "invite". Many of my clients often invite me over to their homes after they have sold or purchased for a social gathering or meal. I'm not talking about a "housewarming" party, its as though they'd like to build or enhance the relationship.

For those people who move from out of town, we as Realtors are the first friendly faces they meet. So do they "like me, really like me" a la Sally Field or is it just courtesy or do they want "free advice" etc. How do you handle the professional side of your relationship with your client versus the personal side. Is it always arms length, if so we stand to lose alot of great friendships? Or if its touchy feely when do we cross the professional line? Your thoughts!

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

Does Weather Determine Consumer Activity...

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 08:02:35 -0800

I know we are smack dab in the middle of Winter but today its sunny in St. John's, Newfoundland so I know I'll get a few phone calls on my listings. No matter what my plans are for today, I know I'll have to keep an hour or so for showings.

I'll get a lot of phone calls after three days of sun, several viewings and possibly a listing this time of year. I think it has all to do with the weather here on the East coast of Canada. No matter how urgent the need for housing, if the weather looks a little unstable, flurries for instance - no activity. I'm not talking hurricanes, tornadoes or such but a little inclement weather really sets people off.

Beautiful British Columbia has its share of rain (particularly this year), Ontario its snow squalls or lake effect snow to be politically correct, yet Quebec takes everything in stride rain, snow, power outages.

So my question to everyone is...does the weather determine consumer activity where you live? I'd be interested.

www.MyNewfoundlandHome.com

I Am Canadian, eh...

Denise Brophy ABR ePRO CERC (Re/Max Realty Specialists ) — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 06:58:00 -0800

After the last blast of snow I had some time to check out the Canadian contingent on the Active Rain site. Looks like a good percentage of us post and comment frequently so how about a blog for us folks.

It appears that a lot of Realtors in the States have groups that band together nicely, like the New England Association of Realtors, and the North Carolina Association of Realtors, both groups a fun bunch by the way. My partner, Bill and I attend some of the National Association of Realtors Conferences south of the border and their associations are tight knit groups. What about us in the Great White North?

We've got lots to talk about...

Snow

Snow and how to effectively maneuver about while showing houses, i.e. snow shoes, gaiters, dog sleds or Artic Cats.
Different snow shovels and techniques as you shovel your way to vacant homes. Mine is that neat little curved handled thing and plenty of de-icer.
How to carry your clients over the snow to showings. I usually drag my clients across the snow heels dragging - sometimes the way I get them to make an offer.
When to give up on the Open House once a blizzard hits. I just wait for the announcement that they've taken the City snowplows off the road, that's a pretty good indication that it's getting bad outside.

Hockey

How about anyone remember the original Six, can you name them. I do and can, yikes!
Does anyone know hockey is played in Nashville? Not honkey.
Can anyone believe its 40 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup? By the way they are putting the last winning team on the ice in Toronto tonight, not to play thank God - they might win!

Game Shows/Canadian Content & The CBC

Entertainment Tonight Canada or ET Canada. This show brings attention to the little known starlets who wear underwear in Canada because it's cold outside. At first I though I thought ET (the extra terrestrial) had moved to Canada. With the new investigation on the Northern Lights it was a good possibility.
Deal or No Deal Canada with Howie Mandel. I still loved the surgical glove routine, wonder if he secretly wears them on the show for all those OCD's out there.
This Hour has 22 Minutes, The Rick Mercer Report, and Little Mosque on the Prairie reruns. Brightens the day now that the actors are on strike and no one seems to have noticed.

Oh, I almost forgot - Beer!

Micro versus Macro Breweries
Labatts versus Molson
Quidi Vidi Light versus Northern Light
And when we are feeling cold and Seasonal Adjustment Disorder (SAD) has us in its grip, good old sunshine in a bottle, Corona.

Before I forget - Real Estate, too

Right here in Newfoundland, it's plugging along. What's it like in your neck of the woods?