southernbc's Blog: All Categories

I was just looking around for something interesting to write a blog on and I came across a Realtors blog which was going back and forth as to whether the Real Estate market has begun a decline (some even thinking a crash is imminent).

In my market area on the southern border of British Columbia I do not see any signs of weakening at all.  The BC market in general seems from my perspective to be continuing a huge growth.  This of course is an opinion formed as a result of talking to active buyers/sellers who are in my area for real estate purposes.

Because I have no actual foundation for comparing notes I was hoping to initiate a thread in which various realtors in any and all areas can give a report as to how they percieve the market conditions as… Read Full Post

How many career paths could you choose where your volume of business would improve if you chose to spend your time golfing, curling, playing softball, hockey ......  The list goes on and on,  Real  Estate is just such a career. 

Time spent having fun (networking) with our friends and community has more value than time spent almost any other way.  I happen to curl and it would be a rare day at a bonspiel for me not to have to change into my  Real Estate hat several times in the course of a normal day.

I think when people are used to having fun with you it helps make them comfortable that doing business with you will be fun as well. 

The bottom line?  Go out, mingle, have fun,  but don't forget your Real Estate Hat!

Have a Great Day!
Don (The… Read Full Post

In the past I tried to optomize every word on every  page I wrote, I currently believe there was an error in my logic.  I think now the most forward thinking bloggers are writing aiming for solid content  which will grab the heart of the reader to the point where the reader wishes to share this feeling with others.

This type of writing is I believe what the search engines are aiming for in their ever changing algorythm tweaking and vigilance.   As time passes search engines become more adept at identifying true links which are intended to direct people to an article which is well written and thought provoking.   In the end why we write in a blog is simply to prove to others that we have something important to say.  We hope in the long run they will seek… Read Full Post

There was never a more accurate statement made than when it was said " you  harvest what you Plant or (Reap what you Sow)".  Especially when you are talking about community involvement in a tight community group.  As Realtors we are in a position where the opinion of the people in our area can have a significant effect on our overall income. 

I find it advantageous to provide "FREE" services to non profit community organizations or local government when it is easily within my power to do so.  There is a definate light at the end of the tunnel for the Realtor who makes an impression on their community which indicates that it is not ALL about money.  People become more at ease in their approach and the feelings they have of you are not always felt for… Read Full Post

I have to say yes it is, from my vantage point in a small market 5-6 hours from Vancouver (the home of the 2010 Olympics) my observation is that the Olympics have been a key factor driving our Real Estate market into a frenzy.  The Real Estate market on the lower mainland has been building steadily  with properties becoming more and more valuable. 

The people selling in the Lower Mainland are doing so to get out of the rat race.  Many of them are choosing to buy a home in the Okanagan Valley at Kelowna, Vernon, Penticon, Oliver or  Osoyoos.  That trend is fueling the market at little old Greenwood, Midway, Grand Forks and Rock Creek who are only a 1-2 hour drive from their choice of the Okanagan Cities.

As a result of this and an incredibly strong… Read Full Post

Every webmaster and wannabe knows what keywords are and the role they play in search engine positioning. I want to discuss the things that are almost universally missed. I may regret this as many of you compete with me for positioning in some way or another.

I personally take the attitude "let the big dogs fight over the bone I'll eat well out of the bowl while they do". In other words I do not strive to capture the biggest most unniversal keywords such as "Real estate" or "homes for sale" there are reasons to strive for such terms but if you do not optimize for an international Real estate company or directory the majority of the traffic you recieve would find you irrelevant.

I first try to talk in my articles and keywords as a BUYER not a SELLER… Read Full Post

Since the rise of the internet as a popular marketing tool there has been a multitude of people varying from true experts in search engine marketing and positioning to people regurgitating dogma they have read in various forums and websites.

I have no special training in website design or optimization.  I am completely self taught since 1998 and there are holes in my knowledge that you could drive a truck through.  So take my opinion for what it is meant for, and use the thoughts to round out what you already know.  I am NOT an expert in optimization techniques and do not wish to mislead anyone.

It is clear to me that Real estate Webmasters is the real deal, so I wish to share a few of the things I have learned in my carreer of search engine… Read Full Post

Hello all,

If you happen to be looking for property in Canada in general you can start your search here: http://www.mls.ca .  If you need assistance or a referral partner in the Kootenay Real Estate Board's area please give me a call.

Have a Great Day!
Don Mann Read Full Post