Gorgeous Country Estate on the North Shore
Check out this Donald A. Gardner designed, superbly-finished "Country classic" on a serene and private acreage on the North Shore. Stunning detail inside and out including: wrap around sun porch; great room w/ vaulted ceiling; airy, light-filled breakfast AND dining rooms; music room w/ patio access; and main floor master bdrm w/ spacious ensuite and walk-in closet. The fully finished basement boasts radiant in-floor heat, a large screening room w/ wine cellar, huge games area, guest room, and tons of storage. Outside find a double garage with fully insulated workshop/hobby room above, single carport, wood shed, a complete 18x30 barn w/ hayloft, small orchard, several gardens, a fish pond and too much more to mention. A must see! $689,000.
Buy Waterfront in the Depths of Winter and SAVE!
Here’s a chance to buy a classic waterfront retreat OR a breathtaking year-round residence. This tudor style stunner is warm, inviting, and affordable and boasts 3 spacious bdrms, 2 baths, and loads of outdoor living space. Bathe in natural light from the cathedral ceiling as you sit by the winter fire. Enjoy ample room to garden on the level, landscaped .56 acre lot in the spring and while away the summer on the sandy, south facing beach. Warning-if you view this home you won't want to leave, and when you own it, neither will your guests so it's a good thing a separately metered guest cabin can fully accommodate 6-8 friends or relatives comfortably on the property's north grounds. The seller is motivated and the property is listed below assessed value at only $749,900.00 for quick sale. Think about buying now before the Waterfront market heats up in the Spring.
MLS# K180636
Comeback Trail?
The New York Times is reporting today that December housing contracts finished up 6.3% over November 2008. This is an interesting statistic because it could be a long term recovery indicator, with possible impacts on commodity (lumber) pricing (i.e. very good for the Kootenays). In any case it's good to see some good news, n'est pas? Read the article here.
Silverton Waterfront Building Lot
Here's an opportunity that doesn't come up very often: 50 feet of waterfront and a commanding view of Slocan Lake and the mountains beyond at just $199,900. This waterfront strata subdivision comes with all services at the lot line and includes strata septic. If you've been thinking about a waterfront retreat this might be the right place to start. Contact me for subdivision maps and info on building requirements.
MLS# K171706
What is Buyer Agency?
This is a question I posed in ads around the region this week. I'm continually surprised that while Buyer's Agency has become virtually commonplace in other real estate markets, I still seem to be the only one offer Buyers this method of contractual protection in the West Kootenays.
So what is Buyer Agency? Well, basically, it's a better way to have a REALTOR work for you. Let me explain:
In an ideal world, every party in a transaction would be fairly represented. When it comes to real estate, however, this may not be the case. The seller and buyer, depending upon the type of agreement with the REALTOR®, may not be represented equally.
Example : You call an agent about a home advertised in a newspaper, a home magazine, or on the Web. The agent is friendly and informative. He or she tells you what you believe to be everything about the house. However, the agent represents the Seller, not you.
As this REALTOR® represents the Seller, he or she cannot reveal certain things to you, as the buyer:
When you specifically hire someone to act as your Buyer's Agent they commit to you and provide undivided, confidential representation. It is, in fact, their legal obligation to you. A Buyer’s Agent must work in a professional, ethical manner, ensuring the purchaser is treated with care, confidentiality, full disclosure, and accurate accounting. A buyer's agent will also show the buyer all available homes, whether their on the MLS system or not, and point out the property's features, provide financing information, and submit the offer to purchase. If a Buyer's Agency agreement is struck between you and the Agent, it is YOU, rather than the Seller, who has the representation from the Agent with whom you are working.
Working under the agreements of Buyer Agency, you get the following benefits:
Loyalty The real estate agent must act in the best interest of the buyer.
Professionalism The agent must act in accordance with the lawful instructions of the principle (buyer).
Disclosure of all material factors such as:
The important thing is to understand your options, so that you don't unintentionally accept less representation than you want. When you are looking to make the biggest investment of your life, it is not hard to understand why it is important to be represented exclusively.
So before you call another REALTOR about one of their listings, call me to have a chat about Buyer Agency.
So what is Buyer Agency? Well, basically, it's a better way to have a REALTOR work for you. Let me explain:
In an ideal world, every party in a transaction would be fairly represented. When it comes to real estate, however, this may not be the case. The seller and buyer, depending upon the type of agreement with the REALTOR®, may not be represented equally.
Example : You call an agent about a home advertised in a newspaper, a home magazine, or on the Web. The agent is friendly and informative. He or she tells you what you believe to be everything about the house. However, the agent represents the Seller, not you.
As this REALTOR® represents the Seller, he or she cannot reveal certain things to you, as the buyer:
- The reason for selling (unless the seller specifically authorizes it)
- Any concessions, in price or otherwise, that the seller may be willing to give up.
- Any conversations between the agent and the seller
- Any information that could be detrimental to the seller, or give you, the buyer, an advantage. This would include a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) that could put the seller at a disadvantage.
When you specifically hire someone to act as your Buyer's Agent they commit to you and provide undivided, confidential representation. It is, in fact, their legal obligation to you. A Buyer’s Agent must work in a professional, ethical manner, ensuring the purchaser is treated with care, confidentiality, full disclosure, and accurate accounting. A buyer's agent will also show the buyer all available homes, whether their on the MLS system or not, and point out the property's features, provide financing information, and submit the offer to purchase. If a Buyer's Agency agreement is struck between you and the Agent, it is YOU, rather than the Seller, who has the representation from the Agent with whom you are working.
Working under the agreements of Buyer Agency, you get the following benefits:
Loyalty The real estate agent must act in the best interest of the buyer.
Professionalism The agent must act in accordance with the lawful instructions of the principle (buyer).
Disclosure of all material factors such as:
- Seller's financial condition
- Properties true market value
- Strengths and weaknesses of the property
- Commissions split with other brokers
- Legal effects of important contract provisions
- Information about property value trends that may influence your decision about a certain area
- CMA information. A buyer’s agent can develop a Comparable Market Analysis, revealing at what price similar properties in the area have listed for and sold for.
- Existence of other offers
- Relationship between agent and other parties
- Determining and advising the buyer of a reasonable purchase price
- Discovering any facts that would affect the purchase of the home, and advising the buyer
- Ensuring all details and facts of the sale are correct
- Ensuring all money handled between parties is accounted for
The important thing is to understand your options, so that you don't unintentionally accept less representation than you want. When you are looking to make the biggest investment of your life, it is not hard to understand why it is important to be represented exclusively.
So before you call another REALTOR about one of their listings, call me to have a chat about Buyer Agency.
Worried that No One is Buying Waterfront?
It's now more important than ever to make sure that your home is properly priced AND properly marketed. This waterfront jem on the North shore of Kootenay Lake was sold for 97% of asking price in just 6 days! Buyers are hard to find in the current market but they are out there, and nobody works harder to find them for you then me. According to KREB statistics I was involved in 35% of successfull waterfront transactions on the North shore in the summer of 2008.
Description Excerpt:
Memories just waiting to be made! Once in a lifetime opportunity to own TWO functional, fun, and fully-furnished cabins with expansive shared decks on 107' of waterfront at Sunshine Bay-just 20 minutes north of Nelson. Enjoy the extra cabin or rent it out by the week. Property comes complete with separate storage shack, 3 berth dock, and large boathouse...
B&B or Vacation Rental to Sell?
Nelson's Bed & Breakfast and Vacation Rental market has slowed down, but there are still buyers for well priced properties, especially with the skiing season on it's way. If you own a property that comes with a revenue stream give me a call and we can discuss the best way to connect with buyers in the current market.
Description Excerpt:
Beautifully renovated heritage duplex close to downtown. Ornate ironwork and stained glass are abundant in this home brimming with character. Main floor 1 bedroom suite currently rented at $1000/month. Upstairs 3 bedroom unit could command significant seasonal rental potential.
Listing Broker: RE/MAX RHC Realty
Selling Realtor: Paul Shreenan RE/MAX RHC Realty
