real estate: LIKE Red Maple Realty and Share to Win an iPad Mini - 03/26/13 11:17 AM
If you LIKE Red Maple Realty and Share the post you will receive a chance to win an iPad Mini!  
Today we decided to run a new campaign on facebook to encourage the growth of our facebook fan base.  My associate Andrew Macdonald and I are excited about the prospect of being connected to 1000 people who will receive real estate news, our marketing endeavors, our goals and successes.
 
Having an audience to observe our activity serves to keep us motivated to provide meaningful content on a weekly basis.  It makes perfect sense to build an audience so we can … (0 comments)

real estate: 32 Carpasian Road, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 2R1 - 03/22/13 05:06 AM
This lovely home at 32 Carpasian Road, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 2R1 give you are rare opportunity to live on one of the most preferred streets in St. John's.  We listed it for sale on March 21, 2013 and it is priced at $509,900 mls 186729.  
There are many upgrades including roof, windows, doors, siding, and interior decorating.  The lots size is 60 x 144 with lots of mature trees and schrubs. Have a look at some of the photos and you will see it has been well cared for.

  
 
 

Check out the listing on our … (1 comments)

real estate: Like It or Like It This Is Our New Facebook Page - Red Maple Realty - 03/06/13 04:11 AM
It would be really cool if you would Like our Red Maple Realty Facebook page!  Andrew Macdonald and I have been busy with so many things since getting together and building this new and distinctive real estate brand of marketing in Newfoundland. 
We established Red Maple Realty to represent quality service, a modern approach to marketing, and guaranteed results.  

One of our first items of business has been to put together a new Red Maple Realty Facebook page reflecting the service values we share and promoting the properties that we sell.  Its been great fun!  But, there is so … (2 comments)

real estate: What Can Realtor Waldo do? - 02/25/13 11:41 PM
I am asking you this question.  What can Realtor Waldo do?
Let me be candid about being a real estate agent today.  I have been a practicing Realtor for the last 24 years. As a Realtor in Newfoundland, I sometimes feel my biggest job is trying to stand out from the crowd.  Some days it seems that there are more agents in the business than the Newfoundland market can support.  I have joked with my friends on occasion saying, “One day, you too will be a real estate agent. ”It may sound a little odd but a few of them are already. 
… (5 comments)

real estate: Five Low Cost Ways to Maximize Your Real Estate Investment Return - 02/24/13 12:04 AM
For most of us purchasing a home is more of a necessity than an investment.  We all need a place to live and owning a home is both primary and preferable to meeting that goal.  However, buying a home for an investment is still a valid objective, even if you intend to live in it.
 
Whether you are making your primary home or a separate rental property your investment, here are five low cost ways to maximize your real estate investment return.  These will help to convert your real estate asset to cash faster and will lead to a a more financially rewarding result.

 
… (1 comments)

real estate: When Real Estate Was Easier it Wasn't as Much Fun - 03/29/10 02:06 AM
When real estate was easier it wasn't nearly as much fun was it?  Today, you have to know so much more, but learning is so much fun!
You may know that since January 2008 I have been working part time on my Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland.  It has been a fun couple of years given I have continued to work full time while doing two courses per semester.  What a blast! 
My friends and clients should not worry though.  I have certainly not abandoned them for higher learning nor will I any … (16 comments)

real estate: Heady Real Estate Market in St. John's Newfoundland - 02/05/10 01:25 AM
We have a heady real estate market in St. John’s, Newfoundland right now.  Perhaps we should ask, "Is it getting a little too heady?  Are buyers beginning to be too aggressive?  Are consumers just resigned to the fact that prices are climbing more?" 
For many years our market in St. John's was balanced and prices were advancing modestly.  A two to three percent rise was the norm.  Then, Newfoundland's average prices were third lowest in the country.  But things are different today.  Annual increases in average prices have risen by >10% in the last two years.  Average prices in Newfoundland … (5 comments)

real estate: 91 Skinners Road, Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Newfoundland, A1M 1S2 - 11/17/09 01:38 PM
This new listing at 91 Skinners Road, Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Newfoundland, Canada, A1M 1S2 is a very spacious and attractive single family home!  It has recent upgrades to the roof, windows and doors.  There are hardwood floors, ceramic tiles, and laminate floors recently installed. 
There is a propane fireplace in the living room, and a beautiful bright kitchen with oak cabinetry.  The dining room is roomy and overlooks the sunken living room. 
Each of the bedrooms are spacious and the basement has development with a rec room with a den and lots of storage.  This beautiful home is priced to sell quickly.  The photos below will give you a … (2 comments)

real estate: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation MLS Trends Newfoundland and Labrador - 11/04/09 04:49 AM
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation MLS Trends reports that the Newfoundland and Labrador MLS sales were 1,504, a 11% decline in the third quarter of 2009, over the 1,695 in the third quarter of 2008. 
During the same period, average MLS residential house prices climbed 13% to $206,852 over the average prices in the third quarter of 2008 at $182,306.
The Newfoundland and Labrador real estate market has been the only consistent price growth market in Canada during the past 12 month period.
The number of active listings for the third quarter of 2009 averaged 2,200, 26% higher than the average … (0 comments)

real estate: How to Manage The Pressure Of A Real Estate Transaction - 07/21/09 04:37 AM
As surely as the sun shines in the morning a real estate transaction will produce pressure situations for you, your family and your Realtor. It goes with the territory. There are a number of reasons for this.  Usually there is big money exchanging hands, there are multiple people involved in executing the transaction, there are lots of things that can go wrong and often time-lines are set without extensive consultation. In real estate contracts “time is of the essence”. Therefore stress is going to be a part of the transaction even if you are calm cool and collected 99% of the … (8 comments)

real estate: I Am St. John's Newfoundland After The Great Fire of 1892- Look At Me Now! - 06/12/09 02:45 AM
On July 8, 1892, St. John's, Newfoundland was devastated by a fire that destroyed nearly all the homes and businesses in the east end of the city.  The high winds that day, the incomplete repairs to the water supply system and the simple incident of dropping a pipe in Timothy O'Brien's stable at Freshwater Road at the top of Carter's Hill ushered in what would become the worst fire in St. John's history. 
Together these events combined to create the calamity that leveled much of the city turning it into rubble and soot within twenty-four hours.  The fire spread and devoured … (4 comments)

real estate: 3 St. Laurent Street, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, A1A 2V3 - 06/06/09 12:50 PM
This home is now reduced to $222,900!  Nice value for someone!
Here is a two apartment home just listed in a great east end location.  This home is in good shape with hardwood floors, three bedrooms up, eat in kitchen.  There are five appliances included.  Hot water radiation heat.  Asking price only $229,900.  Apartment is currently vacant.  All vinyl windows, and new shingles installed within the last 8 years.  Appointments after 5:00 PM weekdays and anytime weekends.


 

Excellent starter home or investment property.  Priced to sell!  Call Greg Osmond today for best service.  This one won't last!
… (2 comments)

real estate: Greg's Google Map - St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada - 03/25/09 07:44 AM
Here is a tool that will help when you are trying to find your way around St. John's, Newfoundland.  It's my Google Map of St. John's, Newfoundland.  Its a work in progress of course which in time will be rich in detail. I will add places and information to it as time and inspiration allows.  If you would like to see something added that is of interest to you, drop me a line and I will be happy to include your suggestion.
I invite you to click on the link below "View Larger Map" and then add it to "Favorites" in your web … (1 comments)

real estate: Average Home Prices In Canada By Province - Newfoundland Highest Growth - 03/16/09 02:23 PM
Each month, The Canadian Real Estate Association compiles the statistics of existing homes and properties sold through the Multiple Listing Service®. This provides an overview of the existing housing market in Canada, and tracks market trends for prices and properties sold in each of the respective provinces.
The following table will show the latest statistics for major markets across Canada, based on the MLS® reports provided by local real estate Boards.  The latest average home prices are listed from East to West.  Newfoundland has led the group with a 29% growth in average home prices year over year.

According to … (0 comments)

real estate: Real Estate Statistics for Newfoundland and Labrador as of February 28, 2009 - 03/06/09 01:52 PM
As expected, 2009 is shaping up to be a moderately slower year for real estate sales in Newfoundland than was 2008.  We see from the MLS statistics report published by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Realtors that new listings for the year are down slightly by 3% from the 2008 level, expired listings are up significantly by 42% and the total number of sales is down by 21% from 2008. 
 
We also note that total sales dollar volume YTD is $76 million as compared to $79 million in 2008.  This is a modest reduction in volume and is still … (5 comments)

real estate: St. John’s Museum Peers Over The Old City With Both Eyes Open - 03/02/09 08:46 AM
Standing boldly above the landscape where once the Fort Townshend stood, The Rooms looks alertly over old St. John's.  It is a modern piece of real estate like no other on the Island.  It houses the artifacts, archaeology and architecture of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Here at The Rooms, the archival records which preserve the heritage of Newfoundland and its people from centuries before are housed in a climate controlled environment ensuring they will be kept intact for generations to come.  This is where the Provincial Museum, the Provincial Art Gallery and the Provincial Archives have been brought together under one roof.
My wife and … (4 comments)

real estate: The Hot St. John's Market Takes A Breather - 02/25/09 11:26 PM
According to the Senior Market Analyst with CMHC, the fourth quarter average MLS® prices in St. John's surged 27% to $193,529 compared to $152,160 during the fourth quarter of 2007, representing the only growth market in Canada. 
Prices spiked in the 2008 as there were often multiple buyers for the same home leading to a bidding war which contributed to the significant rise in average prices for the year.  In light of this, real estate in St. John's, NL was one of the best places to have been invested in North America in 2008.    
Thus far in 2009, market demand has weakened allowing for a more moderate pace of sales.  As well, inventory has began to rise and … (0 comments)

real estate: Negotiating For Real Estate in St. John's Newfoundland - 02/09/09 12:36 AM

Negotiating for Real Estate in St. John's, Newfoundland is a skill well worth honing.
Typically Real Estate transactions are formed as binding buy and sell agreements that must be negotiated by at least two parties.  A Purchase and Sale agreement is between a specific buyer and seller and as a minimum, lists the terms and conditions of the agreement, the parties involved in the transaction and the planned closing date. 
While it is true that some folks would rather not haggle for anything (nice luxury for those who can afford it), negotiating is as important to Real Estate trading as writing the … (4 comments)