Real Estate Information Archive

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Plan for gradual improvement, not spectacular leaps. A slow and steady stream of water will, in time, erode the hardest rock."

~ John Campbell, Ph.D. 

BATTER UP!

It's exciting to attend a baseball game in any league and see the batter swing into a major home run. It really ramps up the fans, and pumps up the score. Hoorah for the home team! What batter wouldn't be excited running around the bases?

In most baseball seasons, however, there are many more base hits, more runs batted in, and more games won on singles and doubles. Oh sure, the crowd is more subdued, the accolades lower key, and the base-hit batters not as widely recognized. Nevertheless, at the end of the season it's the base hits that win the pennant.

Yet, as youngsters, we've all heard our parents and relatives talk about the day "their ship will come in." This is the mythical tale, beloved by grown-ups, that attributes wealth and financial independence to a single event - the sudden and unexpected arrival of a ship laden with gold and silver.

While awaiting the ship, many others are quietly hitting singles and doubles - getting an excellent education, saving and investing modest sums, quietly improving their service to employers and customers. They understand that each step forward, no matter the size of the step, will pay larger and larger dividends in the form of promotions, added income, and independence later on.

Solid growth in all areas of life is most often the result of carefully laid foundations on solid bedrock, rather than sudden, whimsical actions carried out without consistency, careful forethought, or vision. Before any ship can come in, it must first leave the harbor. It must have a destination, enough fuel, an excellent navigator, food and water, a map and compass, and a captain passionate about reaching the destination.

If you want to leave the harbor, repeat to yourself the words of William Earnest Henley from "Invictus" - "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul." Land ahoy!

Abbotsford   15% Absorption Rate (good for Buyers)

Mission          13% Absorption Rate (good for Buyers)

Langley         20% Absorption Rate (good for Sellers)

Absorption Rates Explained

If we have 100 homes on the market and we consume (sell) 18-22 (18%-22%) of these homes per month that is a balanced market, fair for buyers and fair for sellers.

If we sell under 18% it becomes a Buyers market with a lot of inventory for buyers to choose from. Sellers will have to make some price adjustments or do some minor updates such as increase curb appeal to attract a buyer.

If we sell over 22% it becomes a Sellers market. Buyers will find themselves in multiple offer situations and potentially loose out on the house the are bidding on.

If you would like a market update of any other city listed here, simply email me and we are happy to get one out to you at no cost or obligation.

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value."

~ Albert Einstein

 A WEALTH OF CHARACTER!

 A couple of years back, there was a terrific "rags to riches" story that ran on the newscasts, and it still remains in memory. A gentleman won a $220 million jackpot in Idaho, although that fact is not what is so extraordinary. It’s what he planned to do with his winnings – invest for the future.

 Most folks would allow themselves to go a little crazy if they became instant millionaires. After all, you could spend - say, oh two million bucks - and still have plenty left over for the future, right?

 Well, this fellow’s plans were to “build a billion-dollar empire to take care of my family and to give opportunities to the people who have given me opportunities.” Taking his one-time lump payment of $125 million ($85 million after taxes), he wanted to amass a one billion dollar portfolio within fifteen years. Immediately, a team of attorneys, public relations gurus and financial advisers began working to help him achieve his goals of investing in business and donating to charitable organizations.

 Not wishing to bask in the limelight or expose his family to the compulsory media frenzy, he tried to remain anonymous, but discovered that was in violation of the lottery’s regulations. Telling two family members when he won, he broke the news to the rest of the family during a special meeting where they expected to hear of a terminal illness, wedding engagement, or marketing scheme.

 The sports enthusiast’s “big splurge” was a professional racing bicycle – no yachts, luxury cars, or vacation homes. He simply wanted to continue enjoying the things he always had, and to remain the person he always has been.

 It’s clear that regardless of winning the lottery, he is the type of person who would still have done everything in his power to improve his life, the lives of those around him, and the lives of those in need. He shows that character is not measured by one’s success, but by one’s value. One wonders how he's faring today, and how we increase the net worth of our own “character portfolios.”