Steve Bell - Blog

CENTURY 21 Dome Realty Inc. ♥ Easter Seals

steve.bell@century21.ca — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

CENTURY 21 Dome Realty Inc. ♥ Easter Seals

Congratulations to the brokers, agents and staff at CENTURY 21 Dome Realty Inc. for achieving outstanding fundraising results in 2012. Their commitment and dedication with the various fundraising efforts including a golf tournament, poker night, and rappelling down the side of a 22 Storey building raised $60,485.74 to send kids to Camp Easter Seal at Watrous, SK.

At the CENTURY 21 Awards in Saskatoon on March 7th, it was announced that CENTURY 21 Dome Realty Inc. achieved:

#2 CENTURY 21 Easter Seals Fundraising Firm in Canada
#5 CENTURY 21 Easter Seals Fundraising Firm Internationally

We have some exciting news to share . . . in 2013 CENTURY 21 Dome Realty Inc. will be a matching sponsor. This means we will match, dollar for dollar, every donation to our Camper Cousin appeal up to $50,000. This is an incredible opportunity to double the impact of your donor dollars. If you are interested in donating, please contact my office at 306-566-9362 or email me at steve.bell@century21.ca .

It costs $1,500 to send one child to camp for one week. In 2012, CENTURY 21 Dome Realty Inc. sent 40 kids to Camp Easter Seal at Watrous, Saskatchewan.

We're Expecting a Strong, Healthy Spring Real Estate Market.

steve.bell@century21.ca — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For the seventh consecutive month, sales activity has been below the activity of the previous year, according to statistics reported by the Association of Regina REALTORS®. The amount of listings coming onto the market is picking up. The increased supply plus with the strong local economic activity, job and population growth, and a tight rental market, provides the components for a strong, healthy spring market.

Statistics for February 2012 compared to February 2013:

Regina (within city limits):

Sales were down 24% - from 245 to 186
Average sale price was up 9% - from $289,478 to $315,189
Active Listings in the city at the end of February – 664

Regina and area:

Sales were down 26% - from 295 to 219
Average sale price was up 9% - from $285,032 to $310,551
Active Listings at the end of February - 1210

If you are considering a move, please visit my website.

Saskatchewan Housing Starts Highest in 33 years

steve.bell@century21.ca — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Housing starts in the Regina area were down 3% in January, with 269 total starts compared to 277 in Januray 2012, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC). There were 68 single-detached housing starts compared to 57 in January 2012 and 201 multiple-unit starts, down from 220 in the same period last year. The decline is due to builders scaling back production of multi-family units following the record year of construction in 2012.

In 2012, Saskatchewan posted the highest number of housing starts since 1979. Urban housing starts in Saskatchewan increased 40% in 2012 compared to 2011, placing Saskatchewan first among the provinces in terms of percentage change. In December, urban housing starts increased by 70.7% compared to December 2011, the second highest percentage increase among the provinces.

Saskatchewan continued to be among Canada's economic growth leaders in 2012 producing favourable results for the province's housing markets, with impressive gains in employment, income, and net migration, housing starts are on pace to increase for the third consecutive year, reaching what will be a 33-year high.

If you’re planning to build a new home or looking for your first home, investment or commercial property, check out my website.

Cool Start to the 2013 Regina Residential Real Estate Market

steve.bell@century21.ca — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Very cold January temperatures were consistent with a cool start to the residential real estate market with 181 homes sold which is down 27% from January 2012 when 247 sales were reported by the Association of Regina REALTORS®. The number of homes sold was also below the five-year average of 222 and slightly below the 10-year average of 184 for the month. There were 155 sales in the city, a decrease of 25% from 2012 when 208 residential properties sold.

The average sales price in the Regina area, including bedroom communities, was $299,700 - a new high for January and an increase of 5% from January 2012. The average price in the city was $300,356, also a new high and up 4% from $289,127 posted last year.

During the month homes which sold were on the market for an average of 43 days before selling at an average of 97.1% of asking price. This compares to 41 days and 97.4% in 2012.

At the end of January there were 1084 active listings on the market, including 558 in the city. There were 435 new listings placed on the multiple listing service (MLS) system during the month, up slightly from 431 in 2012.

The level of activity during the month was a continuation of a slower market which began in last summer. January was the sixth month in a row where sales were down over the previous year. Slower sales activity has contributed to an increase in supply, back to historical levels at this time of the year in the city, providing more choice to buyers.

Despite the slow month, it is expected that market activity will pick up as we move into the late winter and early spring months. Demand continues to be supported by strong economic activity, job and population growth, and a tight rental market.

As local market experts, CENTURY 21 Dome Realty sales professionals are uniquely trained and qualified to help home buyers navigate the opportunities that exist in the local real estate market and provide sellers with excellent marketing and exposure for their properties. To view property listings, please visit my website.