Jim Messner

After a long wait Google Street View has gone live in a number of Canadian cities, including Cochrane and Calgary areas.

This technology has a practical value for the real estate.

For Buyers who are from out of town this technology can allow them to get a street side view of potential communities that they are interested in perhaps living?

We are now starting to use this technology to help potential buyers view our listings and the surrounding community.

So, if you're a buyer who is interested in one of our listings, you will be able to see a street view of that listing, the houses in the neighbourhood, and schools and shopping in the vicinity.

So give it a try or give us a call and we can help - Google Street View for Calgary and Cochrane areas.

As we head into the winter market in Calgary, Alberta the future is beginning to look a lot brighter.

Calgary area homes for sale in the area have become a more balanced market which is good for the whole industry, both Buyers & Sellers. At least now one can better judge the true value of a home with NO guessing!

When the market slowed and almost ground to a halt it was due to more than one event as reported by many that are much more experienced in the economy than I.

However "why" doesn't really matter when one sees what is happening today, in fact who really cares about the "why" if there is nothing that one can do about it anyhow say some?

I would suggest that it is important to know "why" because it may help you to identify trends in Real Estate for the future. The "why" in this last go around was made up of several parts including the mortgage melt-down in the USA and the potential effect on the Canadian economy.

The economy started to turn around not all that long ago in the Calgary area and it was a surprise for many. However when one looks at history should we be surprised? Calgary has often had the reputation of the last into a recession and the first out. This was usually due to the local economy being so strong mainly due to the oil patch and supporting industries. What will happen if and when the oil industry dries up?

The Provincial Government has taken it upon themselves to add extra taxes onto the oil and gas companies in Alberta and a few of them are leaving the province in hopes of finding what they are looking for in places like BC and Saskatchewan. If they find what they are looking for will they come back? A good question for future government and maybe even the current government to ponder.

However on the bright side of things Cochrane and Calgary are in pretty good shape. House prices are starting to slowly go up and we are even seeing a few competitive offers on homes with some sale going over list price. Homes are not near as plentiful as they were a short time ago so Buyers are having to shop a little longer and Sellers are having to be much more realistic in their pricing. Sellers need to listen to the statistics and their Realtor's advice.

Calgary is situated on the Bow River in the beautiful valley the scenery and location are hard to beat.
The foothills west of Calgary are full of views and ranching history. Just west of Calgary (about 12 minutes)is the town of Cochrane which is an easy commute. In fact many of Cochrane's residents work in Calgary as they want to raise their families in a small town.

If you are looking for further information send us an email at Homes@Telus.net and we will get you the answers you need. In the meantime get ready for another winter and have a great week!

Jim Messner

Realtor & Certified Condominium Specialist
CIR Realty
Serving Calgary and Cochrane areas.
E-Mail: Homes@Telus.net

We are going to cover this again before the end of the year with another GOAL Workshop.

Listen to Tony Robbins on Goals at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBraIGG-Gfs

Prepare now!

Listen to what Tony has to say and put it into ACTION! NOW!

Write it all down but make sure you ADD an ACTION Plan.
How will you reach your goal, whats the map? Be flexible. If it doesn't get you there or you get blown off course don't give up - thats how you win! The others will quit! How bad do you want it? This is what seperates the winners from the losers. This seperates the ordinary from the extra-ordinary.
Go Get your GOALS!

Train your brain! Be positive.
Check Out: http://www.CochraneBusiness.net
Watch our site, get on the mail list via
Email: BizNet@Telus.net so that you don't miss out on this valuable workshop!

Remember if you have needs for Real Estate in the Calgary or Cochrane alberta area we can help!
No obligation or pressure, just the facts. Save your self hassle time and money too.
Why hire a Realtor when you can have the whole team for the same price!

Jim Messner
CIR
Calgary Independant Realty
(403)681-3858
Email: Homes@Telus.net
www.HomeHelpersCalgary.com

CEO and Sponsors of the Cochrane Business Network

A lot of people are trying to time the market in Real Estate just like some try to time the markets on the TSX or New York Stock Exchange.

Whether you live in Calgary or Cochrane Alberta or somewhere in between, timing the market can be a dangerous and costly strategy.

The local real estate market has been telling us for some months now that the bottom has past. In other words homes are slowly going up in price and/or levelling back out some months dependant on price range and location.

My advice to our Clients right now; If you are ready to Buy then BUY NOW. The interest rates are holding low - they are almost giving money away! We have never in our lives seen money this affordable so its likely a good tme for a mortgage too! In fact youll likely save tens of thousands over a few short years ago.

As far as home prices go; well they are still affordable and they are poised to climb again. The economy is starting to pick up and indicators are that we potentially are coming out of the recession. The other day I heard that the indicators in the USA are starting to show the same thing. If thats true it wil boost us even further into recovery. What does all this mean?

Well if consumers get comfortable with spending that too will drive the economy and then interest rates will climb. Its always the "Teeter Totter" effect. No spending; low rates! High spending = higher rates!

So its a good time to invest now whether its your firts home or a move up type of home the market is all relative and the indicators are lining up to be a well balanced market right now this very month!

So for those of you that are waiting for the bottom of the market - I think its too late her in the greater Calgary area.

We can offer you a Team of Realtors for the same price as just one Realtor. Do your self a favor before you sell or buy and take the time to at least let us show you what we have. We have a lot in our arsenal that you wont find any where else. Call and meet with us and we will show you.

PS: We never apply pressure, no hassles or obligation, Just the FACTS!

Jim Messner
Jim Messner & Associates
CIR
CALGARY INDEPENDANT REALTY
Email: Homes@Telus.net
Phone Direct: (403)681-3848
Web: www.JimMessnerHomes.com