Good News (For the most part)

Good News and Sad News --
We'll start with the good!


On a beautiful spring day last month in Kelowna my son, Dave, was married to Sara.

Here they are posing with their nieces (my grand-daughters).

So, a new family photo, with us all dressed up

May I have this dance? (note the water bottle in Dave's pocket. The day did get warm!)

Are you concerned with where the food on your table comes from? This came across my desk recently, and I thought it was worth sharing. It's a link to a YouTube video that was produced by Hellman's mayonnaise. Hellman's ad

Well, summer has arrived, and although I do not intend to comment on the weather, I will make mention of a couple of events that are happening in our little city.

This weekend (beginning today) is the Starbelly Jam festival over at Crawford Bay

Saturday, July 17 is Flightfest 2010 and Airport Appreciation Day. The Nelson Pilot's Association is hosting a day at the airport with breakfast, some demonstrations and some vintage aircraft to enjoy.

Wednesday, July 21 - Lakeside Rotary Park - Noon to 10 p.m. the Keep The Beat fundraiser and music festival. Funds raised from this event go to War Child Canada, a Canadian charity dedicated to lessening the suffering of children affected by war.

Thursday through Saturday, July 22 - 24 the Capitol Theatre Summer Youth Program presents Oliver! Tickets are only $12 for reserved seats. I already have mine, and they expect to sell out!

Next Saturday (July 24) is the fifth annual Pedal Along a Rail Route (PARR 5) bicycle ride in support of the Our Daily Break hot meal program in Nelson. This is a fabulous ride along the old rail bed from the top of the Paulson summit down into Castlegar. We leave Nelson at 7:15 on the 24th and the $50 cost includes transportation of bicycles, support during the ride and a great meal.

That's all happening within the next week!

Now for the sad news: Today the final edition of the 109 year old Nelson Daily News rolled off the press. The paper was purchased last month in a multiple-paper deal by Black Press, who announced on July 5th that the paper would close. Here is the front page of today's final edition.

The Nelson Daily News was a morning paper for many years and my own children delivered it. In the days when it was a morning paper, and we looked forward to finding out what was going on. A very good friend of mine who passed away earlier this year at the age of 85 took up delivering the N.D.N. when he retired from his career in teaching. I think his main purpose was that he wanted reliable delivery, so that the paper would be ready to read when he was having his breakfast. Nevertheless, it kept him active and involved with his neighbourhood for several years. He gave up his route when they changed to an afternoon paper, because that didn't suit his schedule. He never liked the afternoon paper format, and would usually not even look at the paper until the following morning.

I haven't heard what is happening with the Nelson Daily News building on Baker Street. Perhaps there's a high profile commercial listing coming up.

With the demise of the Nelson Daily News, their web-site will also be closing. I was just advised yesterday of a new source for on-line news in the Kootenays, and I invite you to check it out: News in the Koots

As is my practice, I will review the statistics for real estate sales this month, as I do on a quarterly basis. We are hearing quite a bit of news about a slow down in residential sales in Canada on the news, but keep in mind that there are many different "markets" across the country. Of course the national statistics reflect what happens in the major centres, because that is where most people live and where most houses sell.

During the month of June there were 13 houses reported sold through the Kootenay Real Estate Board, within the city of Nelson. This compares to 8 sales in June, 2009. Year to date there have been 58 single family home sales in Nelson with an average sale price of $360,585. During the first 1/2 of 2009 there were a total of 41 sales with the sales average being $342,348.

Vacant land sales in Nelson have totalled 8 during 2010. Half of these sales were city-owned lots located in Upper Fairview which were marketed this spring. During 2009 there were only 4 land sales in the first half of the year. The average price is virtually unchanged from the previous year at $146,337.

In Rural Nelson homes sold through the MLS system (this includes detached homes and detached homes on acreage) for January through June 2010 were 47 (45 in 2009) and the average price is down just fractionally at $356,643.

The number of vacant land sales in the rural area has more than doubled this year over last, with 19 sales being reported, vs. 9 in 2009. The average sale price for land has dropped from $161,433 last year to $150,363 this year.

Okay, we got through the statistical stuff. Of course, if you have specific questions or would like more details on any portion of our market, don't hesitate to ask.

Time for a chuckle:

I'm Not Old - I'm Just Mature

I'M NOT OLD...JUST MATURE

Today at the drugstore, the clerk was a gent. From my purchase this chap took off ten percent. I asked for the cause of a lesser amount; And he answered, "Because of the Seniors Discount."

I went to McDonald's for a burger and fries; And there, once again, got quite a surprise. The clerk poured some coffee which he handed to me. He said, "For you, Seniors, the coffee is free."

Understand---I'm not old---I'm merely mature; But some things are changing, temporarily, I'm sure. The newspaper print gets smaller each day, And people speak softer---can't hear what they say.

My teeth are my own (I have the receipt.), and my glasses identify people I meet. Oh, I've slowed down a bit...not a lot, I am sure. You see, I'm not old...I'm only mature.

The gold in my hair has been bleached by the sun. You should see all the damage that chlorine has done. Washing my hair has turned it all white, But don't call it gray...saying "blond" is just right.

My car is all paid for...not a nickel is owed. Yet a kid yells, "Old duffer...get off of the road!" My car has no scratches...not even a dent. Still I get all that guff from a punk who's "Hell bent."

My friends all get older...much faster than me. They seem much more wrinkled, from what I can see. I've got "character lines," not wrinkles...for sure, But don't call me old...just call me mature.

The steps in the houses they're building today Are so high that they take...your breath all away; And the streets are much steeper than ten years ago. That should explain why my walking is slow.

But I'm keeping up on what's hip and what's new, And I think I can still dance a mean boogaloo. I'm still in the running...in this I'm secure, I'm not really old...I'm only mature.

~Author Unknown

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh


Do You Know a Buyer For This Home?

Located in a high traffic area along the "Crawford Bay strip" this 2 year old home is currently operating as a b&b, with a retail area on the main floor. There are 4 guest rooms (1 is 2 bedroom) plus the owner's area, a high quality kitchen and dining area on over an acre of land. There is a lot of house here for the$689,000 asking price. More details at Deer Lake Lodge .

I found this link for information on Canadian Mortgage trends. I know that people are concerned about rising interest rates, and what that will do to their mortgage payment when it renews, or if they have a variable mortgage. According to this article we will see increases over the next year and a half, but they will be moderate. Of course, these forecasts are subject to change depending on conditions, such as the strength (or lack of) in the U.S. real estate and stock market, the stability of the Canadian dollar vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar and other world events that can change things overnight.

The Magician and The Parrot A magician was working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. The audience would be different each week, so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again. There was only one problem: The captain's parrot saw the shows each week and began to understand how the magician did every trick. Once he understood he started shouting in the middle of the show: "Look, it's not the same hat" "Look, he is hiding the flowers under the table" "Hey, why are all the cards the Ace of Spades ?" The magician was furious but couldn't do anything; it was, after all, the captain's parrot. One day the ship had an accident and sank. The magician found himself on a piece of wood in the middle of the ocean with the parrot, of course. They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word. This went on for a day and another and another. After a week the parrot said: "OK, I give up. Where's the boat?" *Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!* cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

On that note, I'll say farewell for another month. As always, your feedback and comments are welcome. If we can be of any assistance with your real estate needs, or if you know someone who is needing representation in a property transaction, we are ready, willing and able to assist.

Thanks for reading!

Lorne & Drew