October

This shot was taken out at Rosebud Lake, between Salmo and the U.S. border.

You Just Can't Beat the Fall Colours!

Naturally, this year some of the colours we've been seeing are elections signs. That is all over as of last night. There is no change in our local riding, and no new tenant moving into 24 Sussex Drive, but we are hopeful that the new mandate that the Conservative Party received yesterday will add some stability to our financial markets and more confidence into the economy in general.

Well, I guess I should clarify about the election being "all over". While we're done with the federal election, there are municipal elections happening in one month's time. Locally, we have 4 people running for the mayor's chair and 7 people running for 6 city council seats. There are 2 new people seeking a seat at the council table, but one of the current councillors is vying for the mayor's position. Finally, there are 4 people running for 2 school board positions in the city.

Of course, many of us up here in Canada are keeping an eye on the U.S. election race as well. That one has less than 3 weeks to go.

The Man Who Sold Hot Dogs


There was a man who lived by the side of the road and he sold hot dogs. He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio. He had trouble with his eyes, so he read no newspapers.

But he sold good hot dogs.

He put signs on the highway telling how good they were. He stood on the side of the road and cried: “Buy a hot dog, mister!”

And people bought.

He increased his meat and bun orders. He bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade. He finally got his son home from college to help him out.

But then something happened.

His son said, “Father, haven’t you been listening to the radio? Haven’t you been reading the newspapers? There is a big depression. The domestic situation is in terrible shape. The economic situation is worse.”

Whereupon the father thought, “Well, my son’s been to college, he reads the papers and listens to the radio, he ought to know”

So the father cut down on his meat and buns orders, took down the advertising signs, and no longer bothered to stand on the highway to sell his hot dogs.

And his hot dog sales fell almost overnight. “You are right son,” the father said to the boy. “We sure are in the middle of a great depression.”

Author Unknown
Food for thought!

Anecdotally, it seems that the Realtors in our office are busier now than they have been for much of this year. That's certainly true for Drew and I. I used the term anecdotally, because it is too early to be reflected in any statistics yet.

However, as is my practice, I will bring you some statistical information this month, as I do each quarter.

In Nelson last month there were 6 sales of residential homes. In September, 2007 there were exactly double that number. Year to date there have been 68 sales, with an average sale price of $361,029. A year ago there had been 122 sales with an average price of $325,729.

In the Nelson Rural area (combining single family homes and homes on acreages) there were 10 sales in September, 2008 compared with 12 in 2007. The average price for those homes in 2008 was $351,890 ($384,400 average in 2007). I don't think we can say there has been a decrease in price in the rural area this year -- it's just that last year there were more sales of homes with acreages than there have been this year, and homes on acreages tend to sell for more money than homes on a standard lot size. This year to date there have been 92 sales in the rural area, compared to 125 up to September 30, 2007.

So, while prices are holding up fairly well, the number of sales is definitely off.

If you are interested in further details on property statistics (e.g. vacant land, manufactured homes, recreational property), just send me an e-mail and I'll get the figures out to you.

Subject: Fw: Five Lessons

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?'Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the RainOne night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. Aspecial note was attached...It read:'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away.. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied.The little boy again counted his coins.'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down thetable. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies..You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed theKing for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticeda purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. Thepeasant learned what many of us never understand!Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...Many years ago , when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.He looked up at the doctor and asked with atrembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'.Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her but he had chosen to save her anyway.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

*Free Will* A young couple came into the church office to fill out a pre-marriage questionnaire form. The young man, who had never talked to a pastor before, was quite nervous and the pastor tried to put him at ease. When they came to the question, "Are you entering this marriage of your own free will?" there was a long pause. Finally, the girl looked over at the apprehensive young man and said, "Put down yes."

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!* http://www.crosswalkmail.com/xwsczzsa_npohphdzbh.html

Do You Know A Buyer For This Home?

This delightful 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is located in the Uphill area of Nelson on a view lot, with an incredibly private and beautifully landscaped rear yard. Convenient location that is within walking distance to downtown, all levels of schooling, hospital and recreational trail. $465,000. For further details and photos, check out: RED Full Public (K) Acres

Daylight Savings Time

For quite a few years we changed our clocks back one hour before the end of October. Last year it was decided to move that date into November. So, remember that when you go to bed on Saturday, November 1st to move your clocks back. You'll enjoy an extra hour's sleep that night and it will be lighter in the morning, although the darkness will, of course, come an hour earlier in the evening. Also, please remember to change the batteries in your smoke detector at that time.

Inner Strength

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy
to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never
correct her/him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

Then You Are Probably The Family Dog....

So, that's it for another month. Your feedback is always welcome. If at any time, or for any reason, you would prefer not to receive this monthly link, just send me an e-mail and I will remove your name from the recipient list. Of course, we are always too happy to assist with any real estate needs you or your friends & acquaintances may have.

Lorne & Drew