St Johns, NL

The Olympic torch was in St. John's, Newfoundland today.  It started at Cape Spear, North America's most easterly point and it marched proudly through the communities of Petty Harbour, the Goulds, Conception Bay South, Manuels, Chamberlains,  Paradise, Mount Pearl, and finally it ended up being paraded to the Confederation building and on through the streets of St. John's, Newfoundland. 

The weather was cool and the sky was overcast but there was no wind, rain or snow to be concerned with.  The festivities ended at Bowering Park, in the west end of St. John's, this evening with a real Newfoundland kitchen party that included live music, hot beverages and a super charge of good old Olympic fever.  

I managed to catch a glimpse of one relay team and happily they obliged me by posing around the statue of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, adjacent to the Confederation Building, right after their own relay stint was finished. 

Somehow it seemed fitting too that each of them were affiliated with the Association of New Canadians.  I thought this was an appropriate place for them to be photographed since Sir Wilfred himself was both a champion and a supporter of the local communities in years gone by.  He brought medicine, education and social infrastructure to Northern and Western Newfoundland.  He arrived from England in 1892 and dedicated his life to helping the people who lived and fished off Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Through his tireless efforts – fund-raising, building hospitals, nursing stations, schools, and more – Dr. Grenfell enriched the lives of thousands of people.  In St. Anthony, a museum has been established in his original house, containing photographs and memorabilia of his life, and a statue in his honor stands in the town’s Grenfell Park.  The hospital he constructed in 1924 still stands, and the International Grenfell Association, based in St. Anthony, continues his work" (Memorial University Sir Wilfred Grenfell College website).

Here are a few shots I took today to remember the occasion.  The final shot below with the lovely gal holding the torch high with a big smile is Rae Anne Tremblett, my future daughter in law.  She works with the Recreation Department of the city of St. John's and had a first hand look at the race for most of the day.  She was so close in fact she was handed the torch to have her photo taken with it.  Come to think of it, being Rae Anne's future father in law is about as close as I will ever come to being a real Olympic champion.  I am thankful for whatever small pleasure I can get at this stage of life.

© Copyright R. Greg Osmond 2009.

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove - St. Philips, Torbay – Flatrock – Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador.  For over 21 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at 709-895-2500.

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com.  Thinking of selling your home?  I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate!  If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

 

For sale by owner (FSBO) I will not call you.

Sometimes we Realtors see signs like this. For Sale By Owner - No Agents Please.

Personally, I never call For Sale By Owners with that sign on the lawn. And I know lots of other Realtors like me. We never push ourselves on anyone. It is one of the qualities of Professional Realtors.

I sometimes wonder what you really think about a Realtor that does not call FSBOs. It is not that we are too busy to call you or that we are afraid to call either. There is a very important reason why Realtors like me will not call you.

I don't call FSBOs with this sign because they asked me to NOT do that. I have had aggressive sales people contact me and I don't like it any more than you do. I understand how being agressive can bother people so out of respect for you and the Real Estate industry, I will not do it.

So don't worry dear seller, I am not calling you because I respect your wishes. You have a right to try selling your home on your own if that is what you really want to do. Sure there are risk to that and we can talk about it if you like, but you are free to do it. It is your call.

However, can I ask you something? If you ever decide you really would like a little assistance with the sale of your home, will you ask the Realtor that did call you even though you asked him not to?

Why would anyone do that? That reinforces the practice of Realtors calling For Sale By Owners which you clearly said you did not want them to do.

Call a professional Realtor who has actually respected your wishes. When FSBOs call a Realtor who called them first, they reinforce those Realtors to keep calling FSBOs.

Think about it. It is like those folks who buy from spam emailers even though they hate being spamed. Some people do it so spam emailers will never go away.

So remember For Sale By Owners, I won't call you...unless you call me first. For assistance from me, private sellers must make the first call.

And if and when you do, you will be one of the most well served and informed sellers in the city. I work for my clients even harder than I work for myself. Have a look at my client testimonials.

You know, sometimes selling your home fast for top dollar is not that easy. There is usually more to this job than many people think. I have written about that in Seven Do's For Selling Your Home Fast For Top Dollar.

We all need a little help once in a while. So when you think you may be there, make the first call. Call a Realtor that you respect and make it one who respected you too.

For more information about the qualities of a Professional Realtor read Seven Things You Should Know About Professional Realtors.

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove - St. Philips, Torbay – Flatrock – Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 21 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at 709-895-2500.

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

Cape Spear, Newfoundland is the most easterly point in North America.

A few months ago, I wrote a post about a place not far from St. John's. That place is Cape Spear, Newfoundland, the most easterly point in North America. It was called A Badge Of Honour For The Taking.

I was not long blogging when I wrote that post. My focus was on writing eloquently about interesting places in Newfoundland. I was happy if my compositions were interesting, informative and perhaps even flavoured with a little bit of whit.

I know some people did read the post, but at the time I was an unknown in the blogging world; a mere neophyte as they say. (Oh you should see my following now!)

So, it was a little disappointing that nobody commented. Check it out. You'll see. At the time I was sure there would be 50 or more accolades. Ha Ha! Funny how exuberantly naive one can be even at age 51. I am OK now, so there is no need feel sorry for me. Blogging has a way of making you wiser just 9 months in.

A Facebook friend of mine, Mr. Jim Costello, is quite a photographer. He has a passion for the game and he does it uniquely well! If you could see all of his work I know you would appreciate what I am saying. And when you consider there are multitudes of good photographers, it is quite something that his work stands out on its own.

The other day I came across one of Jim's photos that struck me; partly because of it is so beautiful and partly because it reminded me that my blog post about Cape Spear would have done so much better had this photo been a part of it.

Jim has allowed me to use his photos before. If you care to see one of St. John's, I posted it in I Am St. John's Newfoundland After The Great Fire Of 1892. Look At Me Now! So I asked Jim if he would mind me using his Cape Spear photo on my blog as well.

Jim Costello. Used by permission.

He never hesitate to say "yes" and for that I am very thankful. It allows me to share this with you and I do so because one day something will inspire you to come and see Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America all for yourself. It is an experience that you will never forget and one that will finally award you A Badge of Honour For The Taking.

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© Copyright R. Greg Osmond 2009.

About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove - St. Philips, Torbay – Flatrock – Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 21 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at 709-895-2500.

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

This is the Free Home Buyers Resource Manuel for home buyers in Newfoundland.

I have put this together to provide helpful information for the new home buyer.

Sometimes I am asked by home buyers for a package of information that will help them learn about the home buying process. You will find everything I have posted for home buyers in the past year all linked together in this one place to help you with your quest.

As I add new posts on home buying in Newfoundland, I will continue to build this page with each new link.

In the comment section below, please feel free to ask any home buying question that you like. I will reply to all your question.

Lets begin with the following links.

Seven Things You Should Know About Professional Realtors

Search The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Homes in St. John's, Newfoundland

Have Interest Rates Bottomed?

First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit

Seven Do's For The Fist Time Home Buyer

Two Moves or Two Houses. Which Do You Prefer?

How To Manage The Pressure of a Real Estate Transaction

Negotiating For Real Estate Part 1

Negotiating For Real Estate Part 2

Who'd A Thunk It. Mortgage Rates That Just Won't Last Forever!

Here is a link to Greg's Google Map that might be helpful as you search for addresses of interest.

Need information on selling a home? Check out The Free Home Sellers Resource Manual For Home Sellers in Newfoundland.

If you have any questions about home buying or other real estate concerns, please feel free to post them in the comments section below. If you would like to speak with me personally, call 709-895-2500. If you prefer, you may email me at rgosmond1@gmail.com

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 21 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He can be reached at 709-895-2500.

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

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The thought of relocating from one address to another is a two move or two house process that can be a little daunting for many. Let’s call a move a spade and then, let’s call a spade a spade. There are no easy moves when you must move twice. For some, just thinking about this is overwhelming.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just wiggle our nose and everything was done in a flash? Unfortunately we don’t live like Samatha. Truth is, we don’t even know a friendly witch to call when we have to make that move. It will have to be done one box at a time. (If you don’t know Samatha, you probably did not watch the 70’s television sitcom, Bewitched.)

Here is something to remember about buying and selling a home.

Buying a new home and selling your existing home is not really a single event. In order to manage it well, you should think of them as two separate but related transactions. Whichever one you do first will depend upon your own level of comfort.

If you want to sell your home before you buy another one, prepare yourself to make two moves. If on the other hand you prefer to buy a new house first and then sell your present home you should expect to own two homes, at least temporarily. In other words, you will either make two moves or you will own two homes. The question is which do you prefer?

It may be possible to close on your purchase and your sale on the same day but those deals are difficult to achieve and usually come at a price. Selling your home quickly requires that you have everything in "quick sale" shape before you list your home for sale. As well, pricing your home for a quick sale will be critical to making this happen.

Bear in mind that selling quickly can be done but it may not enable you to sell for top dollar. I know some people who agreed to sell to a neighbor for quite a bit less than the market value just because it would give them a quick sale. Sometimes, a little interest payable for a month or so while the home is exposed to the market may be worth paying in order to maximize your sale price. In this case, an interested neighbor would pay its real market value or lose it to someone who would.

Moving from an existing house into a rental or the cottage before you buy the next home is the other way around having two houses. This will require that you move twice. I have known some folks to sell their home and move into a rental property for 4 to 6 months until they find the right place to buy. This method will work well for those who don't want to own two homes.

Here are a three suggestions for making the move go well.

1. Make the effort to bring everyone in the family on side. Discuss the need to make the move with each member so they all know what role will be expected of them. Prepare them for a temporary burst of energy requirement for the period leading up to the move. When everyone buys into the idea, it will help eliminate resistance and likely elicit some meaningful help.

2. Solicit the extra assistance that you need from outside the immediate family. Don't try to be superwo/man who can do it all. Perhaps you can call on extended family and friends. Be sure to call on the right professionals to make the move go as efficiently as possible. Good professional movers are worth their weight in moving trucks.

3. Plan on rewarding yourself at the end. Schedule a little break somewhere after or announce to your family your intention to buy a new piece of furniture or something else that you would like to have. The effort required to make the move is not insignificant. Let everyone know that when it is all done, you will all do this or that or you will buy something that everyone wants...like that new flat screen TV. A little reward will serve as some useful incentive to push through the work load.

Whatever you decide to do, I recommend you take the time to think about your options and move ahead one step at a time. Breaking it down in pieces will keep the event from being overwhelming. Not all lights are green when you plan your trip across town but as you move forward, each light will turn green in its time. Give yourself time and be confident. You really can do this!

R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor serving St. John’s and surrounding areas, Newfoundland and Labrador for over 20 years and can be reached at 709-895-2500. Visit http://www.rgregosmond.com/ for further information.