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The National DNCL contains the names and numbers of consumers who do not want to receive unsolicited calls from telemarketers. Solicitation is the act of selling or promoting a product or service, or soliciting money by way of telephone, cell phone, or fax etc. Telemarketers will not be permitted to call any of the numbers on the National DNCL unless they already have an existing business relationship with the consumer or individual. Consumers can register up to three different telephone numb... Read Full Post

The third annual real estate buyer profile report (for 2007) from the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board shows that B.C. residents remain the single largest group of buyers of Nanaimo real estate. Although, the Island-wide trend of retirees moving here from Alberta continues with Albertan buyers taking up 13.5% of the market here in Nanaimo in 2007. This information comes from an island wide voluntary buyer survey which received 587 responses from Nanaimo home buyers. The data also concludes ... Read Full Post

The federal government has announced that 40-year mortgages and 100% financing options will be no longer as of October 15, 2008. This responsible and measured decision aims to ensure Canada’s housing market remains strong and will guard against a U.S. style housing bubble. Economic factors such as low interest rates, rising incomes, a growing population, and the demand for residential housing is keeping Canadian housing prices in line. The government emphasized that Canada’s housing and m... Read Full Post

Changes in Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing compliance requirements go into effect June 23rd, 2008. The changes will require brokers and sales representatives to collect more information than ever before. Support materials available below for more information. Click here to view a powerpoint presentation explaining the changes. Read Full Post

Vancouver, BC – May 14, 2008. British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports residential sales dollar volume on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC dipped 1.4 per cent to $4.1 billion in April, compared to April 2007. Residential unit sales declined 11 per cent to 8,623 units during the same period. The average MLS® residential price in the province reached $478,044, up 11 per cent from April 2007. “Rising inventories are providing more choice for consumers and exertin... Read Full Post

Kelowna, BC (May 5, 2008) – Twenty four students from Western Canada were recently notified that they will be individually presented with a RE/MAX 2008 ‘Quest for Excellence’ bursary, valued at $500, during their school commencement ceremonies. The annual RE/MAX Quest for Excellence program encourages graduating students from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the North West and Yukon Territories to write an essay based on their personal experience in one of six topi... Read Full Post

“Homeownership continues to be primary objective”, says Remax While higher housing values and tight inventory levels have hampered home-buying activity so far this year, longer amortization periods and alternative housing types have offset the impact on most major markets across the country, according to a report released today by RE/MAX. Despite a higher degree of frustration in the marketplace than in previous years, the RE/MAX Affordability Report found that first-time buyers, in parti... Read Full Post

The Bank of Canada cut the lending rate to 3.75% on March 4th and signaled further cuts in the near future. March’s cut put the advertised five-year conventional mortgage rate at 7.29% and competition among mortgage lenders continues to remain stiff. This enables borrowers to negotiate discounts from advertised rates; however, the U.S sub-prime mortgage fiasco has tightened credit conditions in financial markets resulting in smaller discounts. Housing prices are forecast to continue rising ... Read Full Post

Now that the Easter holidays and Spring break have come and gone, Spring is officially here! In Nanaimo, the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) sales summary data released by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) for March 2008, shows a drop in unit sales with average sale price increases. The average sale price across the VIREB region for March 2008 was $338,846. This is an 8 per cent increase from the $313,560 posted at the end of March 2007. Unit sales volume increased slightly fr... Read Full Post

Michael hosted his 2008 Client Appreciation Evening on Friday, March 28th at Gallery 223 downtown Nanaimo where wine, art and jazz were enjoyed by all. The Gallery was a wonderful host with plenty of old and new artist’s work on display. The Wellington Jazz Trio played beautifully in the corner while clients mixed and mingled enjoying a glass of wine from a local brewery called Wine Works. Several door prizes were won by the attending guests including art from the Gallery, gift certificates... Read Full Post