Recycling christmas: many uses for used trees to gift cards & wrappings - 12/29/11 08:43 AM
Yes, the Christmas holidays have past. The hussle & bussle is coming to an end. Hopefully, you & yours enjoyed a happy celebration with many memories to cherish for years to come. So know its coming to a time when we start packing everything away for another 11 months or so. What are your plans for the tree, the crumpled gift wrap, the boxes, ribbon, etc? Here are some ideas that can also make the putting away of Christmas a memorable event.
Christmas Trees
The Hope For Wildlife Foundation in Seaforth, NS ( on Hwy #207 aka the … (3 comments)
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WOW! Income properties are still in high demand. - 12/28/11 08:48 AM
Wow! The demand for income properties is still high in the Halifax Regional Municipality & probably beyond. I am not sure if the new Irving Shipyard Contract has added interest in the rental market or not but when Scott Carroll, cell ( 902 )440-6848, of our dynamic sales team listed this sixplex in Dartmouth for $459,900 his phone, text, & email went nuts for requests for viewings & led to multiple offers. Scott & ReMax Nova have a list of agents with buyers looking to purchase income properties. If you are considering selling some of your real estate portfolio, please … (0 comments)
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Please keep a smile on your face this holiday season - 12/24/11 07:11 AM
Hi! All,
So many people get wrapped up in the best gift to give, making sure everyone has something to open, creating the perfect turket dinner, spending alot of money on wrapping paper & tree decorations & stress themselves & everyone around them out. Take a few deep breaths, relax, & regather. Think back about your best occasions in your life. It wasn't about the gifts or the meal ( don't get me wrong, I am driving 2 1/2 hours today to enjoy my mother's turkey dinner ). Some of my best memories growing up was the hilarity of my parents dropping my birthday cake … (3 comments)
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And the winner is... - 12/16/11 12:02 PM
Re/Max Nova has a Turducken winner. Congratulations to Derek Linders. Thanks to all for participating in selling tickets. We have raised $780 for Childrens Miracle Network. Also a big thank you to Mike Chaisson for donating his time and Turducken mastery. If you are wondering what a Turducken is or how to order one for yourself, please visit the http://www.turduckenking.com … (0 comments)
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Should I take insurance out on my mortgage? - 12/16/11 11:56 AM
The banks & lenders will offer you life insurance on your mortgage when you go in to sign the paperwork. Here are some facts that you should know:
The policies may be voided if you have a pre-existing condition even if you made them aware of it before you sign May not be valid for military members who die in action Are only valid for the principal owing on your mortgage You are often better off taking out a separate life insurance policy with enough to cover the initial amount of the mortgage. The amount of this type of policy stays the same & … (2 comments)
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A Special Gift from Nova Scotia! - 12/16/11 11:50 AM
Peggy's Cove is one of Nova Scotia's wonders. It is a terrific spot to visit but please be careful, many have been swept off the rocks when they have gotten too close to the water. Make sure you also stop to visit the many artisans that can be found along the way.
Via Donna Malone Homes and Property for Sale Nova Scotia (Waterfront, Luxury, Family, Affordable, Cottage, Deals):
A Special Gift from Nova Scotia!
If you ever visit Nova Scotia, there is at least one thing that you HAVE to do. You have to go to the lighthouse at Peggy's Cove. The granite … (1 comments)
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Second Home Ownership: Could It Be For You? - 12/16/11 07:05 AM
I have many clients, 55+ age bracket, that have sold the family home, moved into their cottage hear in the Martimes & then have purchased a second Winter home South or a time share.
Via Rose LoCicero (Prudential Tropical Realty):
Hollywood stars are not the only ones with homes in both California and New York. Farmers escape the Heartland for the sandy Floridian shores, too. Second home ownership has become an extremely popular trend in today’s real estate market. Why? Because demographics and technology are converging to create a historic opportunity for buyers and sellers. As Baby Boomers rush toward retirement, second homes suitable … (3 comments)
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Nova Scotia Cottage Lifestyle! - 12/16/11 06:43 AM
Who doesn't love to escape to a quieter way of life, away from the hussle & bustle. There are so many wonderful spots around the province to own a cottage or cabin. We are known as the Ocean Playground afterall.
Via Mike Smith, Halifax Nova Scotia REALTOR® (Keller Williams Realty):
Here is a great little article from the Globe and Mail on the Cottage Lifestyle. Nova Scotia is mentioned at the end. Now if the weather would just warm up!
-Mike Smith is a REALTOR® in Halifax, Nova Scotia with Family First Realty and can be reached at 902.209.6745Mike Smith, REALTOR® | … (0 comments)
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Remax has nearly topped $100,000 for the Run For The Cure! - 12/15/11 04:02 PM
Our enthusiastic ReMax Nova team that participated in the pouring rain but still had a fantastic time for a good cause. RE/MAX Run for the Cure fundraising approaches $100,000 Another fantastic turn out from Team RE/MAX on our 8th Run For The Cure.CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP 10 TEAMS:
… (3 comments)
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Taking Care of Your Christmas Tree - 12/15/11 02:37 PM
There are a few products out there that you can buy to that set off a reminder to water your christmas trees when needed. Could be great gifts to give to clients who are closing close to the holidays as well.
Via Gene Mock, CRS ABR CIPS TRC SFR SRES CLHMS (Keller Williams Realty of Leesburg):
Many families in Northern Virginia/South Carolina will be celebrating this holiday season by setting up a Christmas tree. While it's fun to decorate and enjoy, these trees can also be a serious fire hazard when not properly cared for. Since fire departments report an increase in home fires … (0 comments)
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The Boy Scouts are right "Be Prepared" - 12/15/11 02:32 PM
If you are considering purchasing a new home in the new year, take advise that we learned as kids, " be prepared " & it will avoid a great deal of heartache.
Via Doug Jones Mortgage Broker NMLS 286668 (Mortgage Magic):
Be Prepared. That's the motto of the Boy Scouts.
"Be prepared for what?" someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting,
"Why, for any old thing." said Baden-Powell.
The Boy Scout motto is really good advice. Most times when clients call me for a mortgage loan it takes them days and sometimes more than a week to get all of the required … (0 comments)
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The latest mortgage rates from Nova Mortgage - 12/15/11 02:29 PM
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First Time Home Buyers Deciding to Buy - 12/15/11 08:36 AM
We should also share this information with our sellers. Factors such as these should be used in the marketing of their home & determining the proper sale price.
Via Nick Walton - Your Frisco Realtor (Keller Williams Frisco Stars):
First Time Home Buyers Deciding to Buy
If you are a first-time home buyer and decide you are ready to buy, it is important for you to begin the process by carefully assessing your values, wants, and needs—both for the short and long term. This is a critical step since consultation sessions normally start with a buyers' values. Afterward, we can explore your … (0 comments)
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Choosing Your Home Inspector - 12/15/11 08:31 AM
Some great advice from my fellow Halifax real estate agent, who I have had the pleasure of working with over the years & from T.E. gordon who has carried out a lot of building inspections for my clients throughout the years.
Via Tina Parker and Sylvia Large (Century21 Trident Realty):
We take pride in doing a thorough job for our clients. To help them make informed decisions for what can be a very daunting task, purchasing their next home. After doing so, we're not thrilled for them until we've completed the home inspection. Unbeknownst to us, the home inspection industry is not regulated. The role of the home inspector … (0 comments)
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Google Plus Button-Real Estate-Content is King! - 12/15/11 08:14 AM
Great post! Thank you for the terrific information. I will definitely google+ you. And I agree, we should reciprocate, afterall, we are all here for the same reason, to grow our businesses & learn from one another.
Merv Edinger
Via Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate Market, Call the Home Pro! 616-784-2360 (Flexit Realty "Flexible Real Estate Options"):
We can help each other move up in local Rankings. I spent time yesterday at Rain Camp for me I am always learning something from someone.
Hopefully this help you and we can share the wealth. Google has 66% of all search activity. If you … (2 comments)
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What is you photographic intent? You need to know before you release the shutter! - 12/15/11 08:08 AM
So true! Many real estate agents think that they just need to snap a picture of a room but don't consider the little things that can make a photo & a home more appealing: the sunshine on the front of the home so that it does not cast shadows; a blue sky; turn lights on for interior pictures; using the right camera settings; rearranging furniture or objects in the home to make the room appear at its best; close the toilet seat when taking a picture of a bathroom; make sure its not garbage day when you take the exterior photos; … (4 comments)
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7 Social Media Myths: Why Social Media Can Make or Break You - 12/15/11 08:02 AM
I recently took a social media class offered by our brokerage, Re/Max Nova. I now highly recommend that the other agents in our office take the course as well that is offered by Jeff Brown of Alpha Computers, you can find hime of course on Twitter at @4JeffBrown & Facebook. If you ever need help with your social media endeavors, he is always willing to share his knowledge & offers a lot of help on Youtube & hiis website.
Via Nadine Larder (www.PrinterBees.com):
This article originally appeared on the blog The Real Esate Marketing Guru....Good stuff!!! A blog I subscribe to.There isn't a … (2 comments)
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Soaring student loan debt to delay homeownership, boost rentals. You can avoid this - 12/14/11 10:20 AM
In an article today by John Burns, in InMan News the author states that student loan debt now totals $865 billion, which is greater than all credit card debt outstanding, as well as all other types of household debt except for mortgages.
College graduates have debt averaging $25,000. Even more troubling is the rise in debts associated with for-profit college and trade schools, whose revenues come primarily from debt available through federal government programs.
Student loans are going to be yet another hurdle for the housing market to overcome. Faced with mounting student loan debt, poor job prospects and stagnant wages, an increasing … (2 comments)
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How to make sure you avoid top five home buying errors - 12/13/11 02:07 PM
Avoid top five home buying errors, Ontario Realtors advise Canada NewsWire
TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2011
This is a terrific article released today that applies to anyone buying real estate. Rarely, do you hear of real estate agents willingly participating in competitive offers when they are buyinga new home. The reason is, most of us will not allow ourselves to become emotionally attached to a home, at least not before we actually purchase it. Point #1 is really important. Don't just get pre-approved! Sit down with your mortgage broker & discuss other financial aspects of your life that you will also need … (0 comments)
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Exciting news! I have launched our new website... - 12/13/11 06:26 AM
Hello! Everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that I have been working on revamping my website, http://www.MervEdinger.com . It still needs some tweaking but I think I am off to a decent start. Please visit & let me know what you think. You never know, you may stumble upon your new dream home while checking it out. lol
Thanks,
Merv
… (6 comments)
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Giving back - 12/12/11 12:04 PM
Once again, we at Re/Max Nova participated in the C100 Toy Drive.
From Thursday December 9th to Friday December 10th 2011, Halifax radio station C100 broadcasted live from Empire Theatres locations in support of The Salvation Army.
Over this two day period friends and families as well as schools and businesses dropped off new unwrapped toys to be distributed by the Salvation Army. These toys will go to metro families in need of some Christmas morning magic.
Program Coordinator for the Salvation Army Trudy Dunphy was overwhelmed by this year’s response, “The C100/Empire Theatres Toy Drive brought in 35,000 toys … (0 comments)
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So you want to look at properties . . . a primer. - 12/12/11 07:35 AM
Some terrific advice shared here. There are a few I would like to add:
If you as a buyer have sensitivities to certain foods, scents, outgasing of materials etc... please make your real estate agent aware. Be careful not to make offhanded remarks as you enter a home. Some times the sellers are still in the home. I know of an agent who's buyer gave a quick remark to a paint color as they entered the home. The seller came around the corner & punched the agent in the face. Not a pleasant home shopping experience. If you have fear of animals Let … (2 comments)
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A pet-friendly Bedford condo for sale - Re/Max Nova - 12/11/11 07:46 AM
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A contemporary family home for sale in Fletcher's Lake, NS - 12/11/11 07:18 AM
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Pool! Hot tub! Sun room! A terrific Hammonds Plains family home for sale - 12/11/11 07:10 AM
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Can you build "real" relationships through social media? - 12/11/11 06:47 AM
Absolutely you can build "real" relationships through social media. The whole point of it is to engage people, build trust, show that you have a personality,, so that THEY WILL WANT to meet you face to face.
Years ago, pen pals were considered friends. They were not people you were ever likely to meet face to face but you did share a great deal & we called them "pals". The internet simply allows us to achieve this in a way where the response is fast, may involve chatting via skype, attach video etc...
Caution though! These relationships can be built & torn … (1 comments)
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Why clients refer Merv Edinger & Associates to their friends & family - 12/10/11 03:31 PM
Thank you to all of our past clients who referred us to their friends & family this past year. Your referrals are the best compliment that we can receive & are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to helping you & yours find the next dream home. … (2 comments)
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Please Put Your Valuables Away - Tips To Store Valuables When Selling Your Home - 12/10/11 06:30 AM
Its not only jewellery, money, credit cards & the like that sellers should put away while their homes are on the market. We live in a day where identity theft is a real issue. I have shown many homes where the sellers have left a computer on with an open email account; left a cheque book on a countertop; left openned statements for credit cards laying out on a table. Think about it! People no longer need to pick up an item so that you would even notice that it is missing. Today, with smart phones, people can simply take a photo … (2 comments)
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Blogging! Is it so 1990's? - 12/09/11 06:59 AM
Hello! All,
We need everyone's help to prove our 28 year old daughter that she is more out of touch than we are. LOL Being the "next generation" she is one of those kids that believe if she is not into something than it is passe. Yesterday, as I was working on an upcoming blog, she phoned to simply chat & asked me what we were up to. When I told her that I had been working on a blog, she responded, " people still do that? That's so 1990's ". In her defense, in 1990, she was only 7 yrs old & doesn't … (12 comments)
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Why Didn't The Appraisal Meet The Sales Price? - 12/08/11 11:15 AM
A few years ago we have a multi unit building for sale in an older established neighborhood where there had not been a lot of sales in the recent years. The seller had had an appraisal that came well below the market value of the home. We listed at market value, had lots of activity on the property & ended up with 2 offers that were $20,000 more than the appraisal. Unfortunately for the sellers, the buyer's bank required an appraisal which came in very close to the seller's origional appraisal. The seller did agree to sell the property to the … (0 comments)
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Make Sure your Halifax Home Insurance is Adequate - 12/08/11 11:05 AM
This blog was written quite some time ago but when it comes to insurance you should always be prepared & informed regarding your policy. Many people were taken aback here in 2003, after Hurricane Juan hit, to what their policies would & would not cover. Preparing your home so that you do not have to call your insurance company is always best.
Via Roy Thomas (EXIT Realty Metro - Halifax NS):
According to the calendar, spring is right around the corner. However, you wouldn't know it with the cold bite that is still in the air. Between the frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall … (0 comments)
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100 Things To Do In Halifax & the Regional Municipality - 12/07/11 06:16 PM
If you are one of those people who sit around thinking “ what am I going to do this weekend?” , then get up off your lazy butt because there are a ton of things to in HRM, some are for those who want to splurge others are for the more budget minded, & some can even be free.
1. If you have ever been to Halifax, then you have heard of pub crawls. Don’t worry! I am not suggesting you become inebriated. I am suggesting a twist on the idea, a Foodie Crawl. Get a few of your … (0 comments)
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Canadian Home Sales Edge Higher - 12/06/11 07:25 AM
According to statistics released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity picked up a little further in October 2011 following the uptick in September.
Sales activity rose in October, marking the highest level since January. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) national sales activity in October stayed in line with the 10-year average for the month, as it has most months this year. Year-to-date sales are also even with the 10-year average. The number of newly listed homes remained little changed from levels in the previous three months. While the combination of stronger sales and stable new … (1 comments)
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Smaller May Be Better When Buying a Home in Our New Economy - 12/04/11 07:32 AM
I have to agreed. Many people are surprised to find out where we live. They seem to believe that because we are real estate agents we would live in a large upscale neighborhood. We live in a 1800 square foot sidesplit, for 2 people & 3 pets its more than enough space. Why should we buy large homes to impress others. They are simply more to maintain, heat, clean & pay taxes on. So many of our clients are selling because they have realized over the last few years that they live in only 3-4 rooms in their homes. People also forget … (2 comments)
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The Birch Cove Development - a community with cutting edge sustainability technology - 12/01/11 06:04 PM
The Birch Cove Development Draft has been released. The successful waterfront planning balances enviromental, aesthetics, economical & cultural factors. It has been designated as a suburban local centre because of its equidistant proximity to surrounding centres. With the Bedford Highway passing by at the intersection of Kearney Lake Rd, the local is highly visible. The project is planned to have cutting edge sustainability technology. Fora more detailed plan of the development, please visit the pdf format in the following link. http://www.halifax.ca/regionalplanning/documents/BirchCoveFinalDraftlow-res.pdf
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Current Demands to Make your Home More Desirable - 12/01/11 05:46 PM
If you can meet as many of the buyers' needs & wants in a home, your home will sell faster & for more money. Always ask your real estate professional for advice on where is best to spend your money to receive the most return for your dollar. Many of them will be surprisingly inexpensive.
Via Tina Parker and Sylvia Large (Century21 Trident Realty):
If you're considering selling your home in the near future and need to do some upgrades and/or improvements, it's important to know current demands to make your home more desirable. According to a new Ipsos Reid poll, Canadian homeowners have indicated a wish list, … (0 comments)
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Featured Community Programs - 12/01/11 05:23 PM
The province of Nova Scotia will again be offering its Home Heating Assistance Rebate Program.
To qualify, single people with an annual income of $27,000 or less or households with 2 or more people with a combined annual income of $42,000 are eligible to apply. Households are eligible to receive up to $200 off their home hezating bill. for more information please call 1-800-670-4357 & visit www.gov.ns.ca for more details.
The Halifax Regional Municipality along with local community groups offer a snow removal program for seniors & persons with disabilities. Residents with total gross income of $30,000 or less are eligible to … (0 comments)
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10 Great reasons to list in the Winter monts - 12/01/11 07:05 AM
I have to agree. Locally, it was common to list homes in the late Winter early Spring due to the fact that we are a largely military city & that was when the postings came out. This has changed. The postings have been spread out throughout the year. Winter is a good time to list. My one suggestion is that sellers put pictures out of their yard in the Spring/Summer, especially if they hard particuliarly nice landscaping.
Via Alison Creamer, Realtor, ABR, CDPE Virginia Beach , Virginia (Keller Williams Realty Hilltop):
10 Reasons to list your home during the late winter With … (3 comments)
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