VULCAN LEGION CHRISTMAS BUFFET

The Vulcan Legion is hosting a Christmas Buffet on Sunday, December 19, 2010 from 4:30 to 7:00pm.  There will be turkey and dressing, ham, cabbage rolls, mashed potatoes, yams, peas and carrots, turnips salads, pies and tarts.

$15.00 per person

Worried about high fuel costs?

This is another clip from Pillar to Post:

Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 16% of your utility bill.

There are four ways to cut your water heating bills:

Use less hot water.

Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.

Insulate your water heater.

Buy a new, more efficient water heater.

A family of four, each showering for 5 minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a week; this is enough for a 3-year supply of drinking water for one person. You can cut that amount in half by simply using low-flow aerating showerheads and faucets.

Interior Leaks

This clip is from Pillar to Post:

In some cases what appears to be a roof surface leak is not a leak at all, but rather an interior source of water. Here are some examples –

Air leakage from the house: If household air can leak into the attic, the warm moist air will condense on surfaces in the attic during cold weather. This can cause damage to the roof decking and structural framing and in severe cases cause water to drip back into the house. Sealing the house from the attic in cold climates is very important.

Leaking forced air ducting: If heating and cooling ducting runs through the attic, they should be well sealed, to prevent condensation in cold weather.

Air conditioning ducting: If air conditioning ducting runs through the attic, it should be well insulated and should have a good vapor barrier.

Attic mounted heating and cooling: High efficiency furnaces and air conditioning evaporators located in the attic can create condensation and leak into the house.

PILLAR TO POST ® HOME INFORMATION SERIES

Moonlight Madness

28th Annuall Customer Appreciation and Moonlight Madness Night is scheduled for Friday, November 26, 2010 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.  Get a jump on your Christmas shopping and enjoy the festivities!  Planned events for the evening include Santa Claus parade, Horse drawn sleigh rides, Christmas music on main street, pictures with Santa at the Trek Station, Vulcan Lodge Hall entertainment, Nativity scene on main street and ATCO warm-up BBQ with hot dogs and hot drinks.

Things are slow???

So...How is the market these days?

Slow? When people ask me “How’s the market these days” Pretty slow I hear?”, I have to sit back for a minute. What do you mean by slow?

I have around 45 to 50 listings, all these listings have owners and they want to be kept up-to-date on what’s going on. I am trying to figure out the best way to market these properties, looking for buyers, how to make financing work for buyers, as well as setting up property inspections, appraisals, and so on. I am taking calls every day from people asking about properties for sale, for rent, and they are wondering how much I could get them for their property if they sold it.

I am involved with the communities that I have properties in. For example, I am working with the Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station on ways to help promote the Town of Vulcan and surrounding areas.

Right now, I am on an airplane on my way to St. Johns, Newfoundland for an MTC Conference and Fall General Assembly meeting for the Canadian Real Estate Association. In two weeks, I will be attending the National Association of REALTORS® Conference in New Orleans. These are great networking opportunities where I can promote my properties and my surrounding areas, as well as learn from other real estate professionals. I have learned that the more I know, the more a realize that I don’t know. Thus, I am a sponge, trying to soak up as much as possible.

So when people say that they hear that things are slow….define slow….

Official Star Trek Destination

Did you know that the Town of Vulcan is an officiall Star Trek Destination?  It is the only one in Canada.  Star Trek is also the town brand.  Pretty cool for a small town in the prairies of Canada!

VOTE!

Remember to vote on Monday, October 18, 2010!

The Move to Vulcan

There are currently 59 Residential listings in the Town of Vulcan as of today.  A good selection of properties and low interest rates make it a favourable market for potential buyers.

Vulcan needs something...I am not sure what it is yet.  We need to attract businesses so they can set up in town, hire some locals, and stimulate the local economy.  There are several buildings vacant downtown so getting a good location does not look like a big issue.  Plus, being located between major centres such as Calgary and Lethbridge should help.  Just need to get that ball rolling and I think things could be rolling along again!

Ways to satisfy a beach yearning in Calgary#Comments#Comments

Ways to satisfy a beach yearning in Calgary#Comments#Comments

Welcome to Vulcan

Entrance to Vulcan

Increase in activity

Wow!  It has been a busy past couple of weeks!  Nice to see some people taking advantage of the market and picking up some deals.  I have busy not only picking up listings, but writing offers on properties as well.  Just yesterday I took a listing in the morning, and two offers on properties in the afternoon, then put up a sign on a property that I started getting calls on first thing this morning!  Does this mean that the local real estate market is turning around?  Ask me in about 6 months or so....

Update of Residential Property Inventory

There are currently 55 residential properties for sale on the MLS system.

Keeping the bugs away from your backyard

This article is from Pillar to Post and it's about keeping your backyard bug free!

"Sure, spending time outdoors is great – except for all the bugs. But experts say you can stay bug free – without spending a fortune – if you…

Get out the clippers.  Keep tree branches cut back from your deck and patio, and minimize ants. Also, pull up any weeds nearby. Mosquitoes use them as rest stops.

Give flowers a shower.  Soaking them thoroughly with a garden hose before a picnic or party to mimic a rain shower. Pollinating insects like bees don’t like wet conditions and will stay away until plants dry out. That’s usually about two hours.

Blow bugs away… with a fan.  The air current from a fan will deter flying and biting insects because they aren’t strong enough to fly against the wind it makes. It’ll also blow away any trace of your scent, so they can’t find you.

Keep flies away with basil.  Flies hate basil, so if you keep a plant on your patio, they’ll stay clear.

Wipe down tables with vinegar.  Its a great disinfectant that bugs back away from, so they’ll stay away from your patio table. Outdoors, the odor will fade so it won’t bother guests.

Plant the natural pesticide.  Beautiful chrysanthemums. Their leaves contain the same chemical, pyrethin, found in most pesticides. Just having them in your garden will send bugs packing."

Southern Alberta Summer Games

Congratulations to all those athletes and spectators who took part in the Southern Alberta Summer Games in Brooks this past week!

Open houses this weekend

We are hosting open houses Saturday in Vulcan on three different properties.  Watch for the Magnuson Realty Ltd. signs and stop by and say hello!  Two open houses are from 11am to 2pm and the last from 2pm to 4pm.  See you Saturday!

Open House

I am hosting an open house today at 413 1st Street North in Vulcan. This property features a 5 bedroom bungalow with full basement. The basement has a separate entrance. There is a single detached garage, deck off the back door, leading the the fenced back yard. The deck is built around a hot tub. This house needs some cosmetic upgrades, but is priced accordingly.

MLS Update

As of the morning of June 19, 2010, there are currently 58 Residential Properties listed for sale on the MLS system. This means that there is a lot of inventory for Buyers to choose from. Also, Sellers have to be competitively priced to be in this market, otherwise their property is going to "sit" for a long time.

June 12 Weekend

The Parade starts at 10am Saturday morning! Come on out and enjoy the festivities!

Parade 2010

The Spock Days Parade is on June 12, 2010, starting at 10 AM. The theme for this year is "Proud to be Vulcan".

Online Fishing License

Need to get your fishing licsense to head out to places like Lake McGregor or Badger Lake, just click on the link and you'll have your license quick! Good luck fishin'!

National Safe Boating Week

Here comes the long weekend and a great way to start it off with National Safe Boating Week from May 22 to 28. A little reminder for all of us as we get back into boating mode!

List price reduced on Commercial Listing

This shop is on 3 half acre lots. The shop was built in 2005. Large bays and doors can accomodate large trucks and machinery. Easy access to the highway. The list price on this has been reduced to $450,000.

New Listing across from Lake McGregor Campground!

Just listed at 2.79 acre parcel at Milo Estates, the northeast side of Lake McGregor. Imagine building your dream cottage/home by the lake! This lot is large enough that you could build a shop there too to store your boat and other toys! In the meantime, you can pull on your RV and enjoy life at the lake right away!

Spock came home!

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Costly Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make

5 Costly Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make
Buying a first home can be a daunting experience. Here are five common and costly mistakes that novice home buyers make:

1. Ignoring the costs of having a low credit score. Lower-score borrowers pay thousands of dollars in increased interest rates over the life of the loan.
2. Muddying the waters by shopping for other things before closing. Lenders continue to check credit scores right up until the time of closing. Too much shopping could cause the lender to take back the loan.
3. Scrimping on an inspection. Being surprised by the need for expensive repairs can be financially devastating.
4. Buying without contingencies. Buyers should give themselves an out if the inspection turns up problems or the bank raises the interest rates.
5. No money for insurance. Insurance can be surprisingly pricey. Buyers who don’t budget for it can face a nasty surprise.

Source: CNNMoney.com, Les Christie (04/19/2010)

The Food Bank Needs You!

The shelves at the Vulcan Food Bank are getting bare. Let's help those who are going through some tough times and make a donation to the food bank. It could be someone that you know who needs your help. Let that small town pride show through!

Town of Vulcan 2010 Census

Just a reminder that the Town of Vulcan will be conducting a census April, Man and June of this year. The Census is used to collect an accurate count of the population to assist in planning by Council for the future of the community. It will also ensure that the Town receives its share of governement grants and programs.

Let's all co-operate when the Census enumerator calls at your home. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Town of Vulcan office.

Jasper Leadership Conference

Just returned yesterday from the Jasper Leadership Conference which was hosted by the Alberta Real Estate Association. It was a very good conference where we networked with people across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and even Manitoba. We talked about the latest trends in real estate, keeping up with marketing to the public in the fast paced techological society, and how we can all work together to make our industry better, both on the inside and on how the public percievs real estate industry members.

The weather was great and the scenery was magnificant! If you are ever wondering where to take the family for a nice get-away, head to Jasper!

Ottawa 2010

I am in Ottawa with my fellow members of the Canadian Real Estate Association, where we are meeting with our MPs. We are talking with MPs regarding indexing the Home Buyers Plan. This means increasing the amount of RRSP money that home buyers can use to purchase a home. Until last year, the amount was $20,000 and that had been the same since day one of the program. Last year we got it raised to $25,000.

Also, we are looking at rolling over the capital gains tax. This means that when a small time investor sells a rental property, if they reinvest within one year, they will not be subject to this tax. Today many people are holding on to old rundown properties because of this capital gains tax. This change can help make our communities more appealing as larger investors can come in and renovate, making these properties look better as well as the jobs that will come as these properties are fixed up.

Welcome Hom Spock!

Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy, comes "home" to Vulcan today!

Live long and prosper everyone!

April showers...no wait...SNOW STORM!

We were hoping for some precipitation...and boy did we get it! Big wet snowflakes accumulated, causing power lines to drop and power poles to snap. Many areas are still without power. The good news is that in a few days, we are supposed to be up near plus 20 degrees! Bye, bye snow!

"Don't list in today's market"?

There was a story in the Vulcan Advocate this past week, interviewing two REALTORS in the area about the real estate market in Vulcan. (no, neither were from Magnuson Realty Ltd.) They said that they are encouraging people not to list their property now as there is a large inventory on the local market right now. This is true as there are currently 51 properties for sale in Vulcan. My advice is that if you are looking to sell your property, price it competitively and make it stand out from the crowd. Fix it up, paint the fence and trim, enhance your curb appeal. There are buyers out there so you best make your property stand out! And for the buyers, you have lots to choose from. Chances are that you are going to get a good deal!

Traveling man!

Been to Ottawa for meetings with the Canadian Real Estate Association. We had our annual general meeting with a Leadership Conference the following day. It's nice to be involved with the decisions that help shape our industry. Plus it is nice to be around those who are very successful in our industry.

As REALTORS, we always seem to take the credit for when the market is good. But how about these days when the market has not been so good? I guess we have to accept that and move on. There are still people picking up good deals in slow markets. In fact, those are the ones that seem to make the most profit. Buy low and sell high. We have all heard that one before. I wonder how many of us take that advice? Well I have learned a lot in these slow times and I think this has prepared me to be a better business person, a better real estate associate, and a better person in general. Now, time to put those lessons to practice! Here's to a busy 2nd quarter of 2010!

10 Inexpensive Ways to Wow Buyers

Now is the time for home owners contemplating a spring sale to spruce up their properties in anticipation of what Mike Larson of Weiss Research calls a potentially vibrant home-selling season.

"If you have been beating your head against a wall, this is going to feel a lot better,” he says.

Here are 10 cheap ways to make a property more attractive to shoppers:

Improve first impressions. Touch up the paint on the front door and other areas that buyers see first.

Clean up the landscaping. Trim the hedges and trees and plant some annuals in the flowerbeds.

Paint the interior. A coat of light yellow or cream with contrasting white woodwork looks fresh and clean.

Refurbish the floors. Buff the hardwoods. Install new carpets – or at least get them professionally cleaned.

Take care of the big problems. If the house needs a roof or the front stoop is crumbling, get them fixed.

Buy warranties. Putting appliances under warranty gives homebuyers a secure feeling.

Improve energy efficiency. New windows or improved insulation tells a potential buyer the seller is on top of things plus they come with tax benefits.

Replace light fixtures. Updated fixtures, especially at the entrance way and in the foyer, create a good first impression.

Buy a stove. Home owners whose kitchen isn’t top of the line can jazz it up for a few hundred dollars by buying a new stove, which gives the room a fresh feel.

Tidy up the bathrooms. Get rid of mildew, replace caulking, and replace stained sinks.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, Luke Mullins (01/21/2010)

SPOCK IS COMING HOME!

According to the January 20, 2010 edition of the Vulcan Advocate, "Leonard Nimoy is definitely comint to Vulcan."

The actor who played Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek series is scheduled to attend the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo in April, but he will first make an appearance in Vulcan on April 23. Details about time and what he will be doing there are still in negotiation.

Me thinks this will help shatter the record for tourists in Vulcan this year!