Whoooooooooo.........Halloween is a comin'!  If you're like me (you are raising children) Halloween is exciting and fun for the kids while Mum and Dad take on the duty of keeping the sugar intake to a dull roar.  The amount of liquid invert sugar, in it's myriad of forms, that becomes available at this time of year is mind boggling.  I understand that it is, for the most part, available anytime of the year.  During Halloween there is the expectation of being able to EAT IT ALL!!!!  What do you do?  Dole it out a bit at a time, in which case it may last until next Halloween, or tell them to eat as much as they want over the next day, week or whatever?  I guess much of the choice depends on the age of your kids and there ability to metabolize sugar.....the latter we have all learned through hard earned experience.  Mine are four and seven so I will take the course of doling it out AND limiting the time they have to eat it to the week after the big day.  Will the kids (and I) look back in ten years and think I was a tight wad....or...will they appreciate they have healthy teeth and, hopefully, trim waistlines.......only time will tell. 

 

As for the real estate market....buyers and sellers are still making deals and acquiring or disposing of real  estate.  We're heading into the Coast's seasonal slow down but, while the action has ebbed since the summer months, things are still humming along at a very good pace.  Part of the reason is we're seeing a reduction of inventory in the detached market.  I pulled some stats the other day and they show a total of 494 detached listings on the Coast, down from 537 this time last year (a reduction of 8.1%).  On the other hand the attached market had 106 listings last year at this time compared to 125 this year ( a rise of 15.2%). 

 

 

If you're buying in the detached market get out there and make a deal soon.  A further reduction in inventory may solidify prices at the present levels and certainly makes negotiating a good deal more difficult. 

 

If you're buying in the attached market then go out and cut yourself a good deal.  Things are moving much more slowly in this area so if you're down sizing or buying your entry level home take note.

 

 

If you're selling detached stay the course.  Your home should be "well priced" and show well.  When an offer comes in you will enjoy the fact of decreasing inventory via a "closer to asking price" deal. 

 

If you're selling attached then the "latest" is not good news for you.  Try and create something unique about your home that will appeal when the few and far between buyers do come for a viewing. Something unique can be as simple as some new paint, flooring, appliance(s), a well placed mirror or wall hanging can also have an enormous emotional effect on viewers/buyers. If all else fails, and you can't wait for inventory levels to drop, then lower your price. 

 

I hope this is helpful for you.  If you have any real estate questions then call me! If you would like to make a comment regarding these blogs then please do.  Have fun on Halloween and remember to keep doggy and kitty inside that night.

 

Cheers,

 

Russ