Susan Emo in Gananoque/Kingston/Brockville

This morning I read two different articles that got me wondering about whether or not I should focus my marketing efforts overseas?

The first was a story about a modest bungalow selling for $421,800 over asking price. Asking price was $759,000 and was described as "not having had a whole lot of updating since it was built in the 1960s".

The 'successful bidder' is a university student from China with family money behind her so no worries about the property not appraising for value! Considering she paid $1,180,800 for this dated 3 bedroom home, it is a good thing she doesn't need a mortgage!!

The 2nd story I read this morning is a little nearer and dearer to my heart as it takes place just a bit down the road from me:

Terry and Marsha Dixon, owners of our local Eagle Point Winery in Mallorytown which opened only last May, sold the 600 acres to Chinese developer, Du Zhongyi of Wuhai, China!

The winery uses only 20 acres for their operation and the new owner has plans to 'transform the other 575 acres".

Part of the new owner's vision is "for the 600 acre property to include a world-class golf course and country club, residential housing development of 65 homes and an expansion of the winery operation." He expects to invest $100 million into this project.

The number 3 must be his lucky number because he say he wants to be the 3rd largest exporter of wine into China. He is currently the 3rd largest coal producer in China. It seems he has a diverse portfolio of investments in China, Mongolia and now Canada!

I have to say, for once I am speechless!

Shall we hire Chinese interpreters to help market our listings overseas?

I have a gorgeous 100 acre farm with a beautiful limestone home just outside of Mallorytown that would be a bargain for an overseas buyer . . . price? Only $595,000

If you're interested in investing in this part of Canada, get in contact with me, Susan Emo - let me help your vision become reality!

Gananoque, On

GANANOQUE REAL ESTATE SALES
FEB 2012 COMPARED TO 2011

There is lots of discussion with regard to what is happening in our local Real Estate Market. Especially this time of year, people are asking how this year compares to last year in our Gananoque Residential Home Sales Market.

It seems everyone has an opinion on what is going on and not all opinions are based on fact!

Let me provide you with the Facts -

Stats from our MLS

(as at the end of February 2012)

In The Town of Gananoque:

Listings Year to date 2011: 43 Homes
Listings Year to date 2012: 22 homes

Sales Year to date 2011: 7 homes
Sales Year to date 2012: 7 homes

Average Sales Price YTD 2011: $238,225
Average Sales Price YTD 2012: $196,800

So now you know!

This is how the beginning of 2012 compares to the beginning of last year.

In my opinion, the lower Average Sales Price is due to the lessor amount of high end properties available for sale at this time of year. (We do have buyers looking for the higher end homes !!)

As you can see, we have a very low inventory at the moment so if you are considering selling your home, now is the time to get it listed and on the market.

We have many first time buyers taking advantage of the low interest rates and therefore, we have more sales in those attractively priced homes which means the Sellers of these homes are looking to move up! We need homes for these upward Buyers so lets get together and talk about what your home is now worth!

It is an ever changing world and I'll provide you with an update next month. Til then,

If you are thinking of Buying or Selling Real Estate in the Town of Gananoque, make sure you give me, Susan Emo, a call and we can discuss your needs and how I can best help you!

Guess where I'm going tonite in the 'metropolis' of Gananoque??

I'm going to The Socialist Pig for a latte and there, Mark Sinnett, the author of The Border Guards will be reading from his book (and I hope to get an autographed copy too.)

There is only 1 copy left in stock at Amazon and this is part of their review of same:

"Set primarily in Kingston and the Thousand Islands area, a popular summertime playground that in winter becomes a treacherous and desolate locale seemingly populated primarily by spies, smugglers, and border patrols, The Border Guards features a colourful United Nations-style cast of characters that includes Russian gangster Nikolai Petrovitch, Canadian political power broker Michael Hollins and his restaurateur son Tim, FBI agent John Selby, art dealer Hanne Kristiansen, and English soccer hooligan turned executioner Adams Denver.
The novel opens on Christmas Day, but the setting is far from festive or tranquil. Tim and his chef Rebecca are forced to flee their riverside restaurant, hiding in an ice crevice as potential assassins hunt them down. Sinnett leaves their fate up in the air, and cleverly begins to explain how they got in that predicament, in a story that is consistently gripping and as fast-paced as a toboggan ride down a frozen slope.

The plot line of The Border Guards allows for some interesting discussion of such topics as international security in the post 9/11 world . . ."

Gananoque, Kingston and the 1000 Islands have so much to offer, I would love to help you do more than simply read about us! We have homes for every budget, on the water or inland . . . so get in touch with me, Susan Emo, Your Gananoque Realtor and I'll show you something new to write about!

Saint Valentine really got around . . . this is one busy busy Saint!

Or, was there two different Saints?

Did you know the Patron Saint of Epilepsy is also Saint Valentine? (along with another 40 Saints!)

It seems the bigger, greater the disease, the more saints that were assigned to the task!!

There are two saints with the name Valentine who are worshipped in the Roman Catholic Church:

Valentine of Terni, patron saint day February 14, and

Valentine of Rhaetia, patron saint day January 7.

Historically, people with epilepsy are portrayed in images of both these St. Valentines. (most scholars believe they are the same person)

" Saint Valentine is also the Patron Saint of:

affianced couples,
bee keepers,
engaged couples,
epilepsy,
fainting,
greetings,
happy marriages,
love,
lovers,
plague,
travellers,
young people.

He is represented in pictures with birds and roses", from the Saints & Angels website.

Many tourists visit the saintly remains on St. Valentine's Day, when the casket is carried in solemn procession to the high altar for a special Mass dedicated to young people and all those in love."

I always loved that part in the spy thrillers where the message would self destruct after being read.

Now, we have that same ability with some of our more sensitive or confidential emails . . .

OneShar.es has a smart solution to safeguard sensitive information
that’s very Bond, James Bond!

"The web tool allows people to easily share private information, whether its via your mobile device (apps for iOS and Android) or your browser window. The recipient has one chance to view the information and when he or she closes out, it self destructs." (from their website)

Don't take a chance, take care, and protect your details with a message that self destructs!

If you're looking for a Gananoque Realtor who will safeguard your confidential details, call Susan Emo in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 NOW!