Canmore in July

Summer in the Rockies
 
The late spring months of May and June and right through to mid October are the best times for me in Canmore.
 
While spring seemed later this year, the feeling I got as the days got longer, as I saw more and more early wild flowers on my morning walks and just being able to experience the freshness in the air that is almost enough for me. But May also brings much more every year and this year we had a bonus.
 
Banff Centre Arts and Entertainment
 
Being a jazz musician I love to experience the musical talent that comes to the Banff Centre for the three week jazz workshop in mid May. Musicians from all over the world attend this workshop to hone their playing and writing skills as they master their instruments with planned and impromptu concerts. One can attend "The Club" in the bowels of the Centre and hear music that you would normally have to go to New York, Chicago or Los Angeles to hear. In the more formal settings of the Eric Harvie Theatre, talent is pooled and ensembles give three hour concerts several times a week. This year we had a six day bonus that ended in early June.
 
 
Jazz, Classical, Pop and Big Band Featured on Concerts Bill
 
The 33rd annual International Trumpet Guild Conference took place at the Banff Centre June 1-5, 2008, marking the first time the event has been held in Canada.
Edmonton-born, Los Angeles-based trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann hosted the five-day showcase that featured a wide range of music including classical, jazz, pop and Big Band, performed by leading trumpeters from around the world.
The opening night gala will featured classical and jazz music luminaries Dave Douglas, Hakan Hardenberger, Ingrid Jensen, Manon Lafrance, Brad Turner and Lindemann. Monday, June 2 featured Norwegian Ole Edvard Antonsen followed by Calgary's Prime Time Big Band, who appeared with Doc Severinson of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show fame.
Tuesday evening featured 12 trumpet principals from every major Canadian orchestra performing together for the first time in a program shared with trumpeter Allen Vizzutti and Calgary's Altius Brass.
The last evening,  Russia's "Paganini of the Trumpet," Sergei Nakariakov, was showcased as well as the Boston Brass, the U.S. Army Brass Quintet and two Jazz at Lincoln Center musicians, Sean Jones and Wycliffe Gordon. The finale featured Hakan Hardenberger, considered one of today's great contemporary classical soloists; Canadian legend Guido Basso and Vienna's Mnozil Brass.
Of all the concerts my wife and I have attended at the Banff Centre over the past 20 years, these six days had to rank in the top three or four. The energy in the concert hall was contagious. The audience was "speechless" during most intermissions as they continued to enjoy the "music in the air."
I just bring this to your attention because we sometimes forget about the incredible world class arts and entertainment programming that is at our doorstep. Make sure you check out the Banff Centre.
 
The Canmore Marketplace - What's Going On?
 
We are experiencing a buyer's market. In simple terms this means there is more supply than demand. The buyer has more choices because there are more homes on the market, so sellers have to price their properties "correctly" if they are truly motivated to sell.
 
I like to use the expression (tongue in cheek) that a "blind dog with a bone in his mouth" could have made a really good living as a real estate associate over these past several years. In a buyer's market, it is different.
 
In the past with a seller's market the agent and seller could price the home aggressively - meaning a little high, but with the market values increasing every month you could expect a written offer within 60 days. The asking price and market value would eventually come together. In today's market, unless you price your home in line with or slightly below market value it will sit and not sell because as the market value declines, the asking price is still high and the gap between the two values gets larger every month instead of smaller.
 
I have been licensed for a few decades now and have seen all types of situations. I remember in the early 80's interest rates reached over 20%. As agents we were writing second mortgages at 4% to blend the monthly payments so a home would sell. Those of us that were in for the long run survived and so did our buyers and sellers.
 
Today is not any different. If you have to sell, price your home accordingly, take your profits and apply them to a different home that is likely selling for a price lower than it was a year ago.
 
If you have any questions about buying or selling real estate please give me a call. I would be happy to assist you in any way.
 
REMEMBER I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR YOUR REFERRALS.

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