Archive for July, 2010

Saskatchewan Residents Were Spending BIG Money

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

A new study indicated that spending habits in Saskatchewan were almost triple that of the national average in 2007-2008. I do believe this had something to do with Sasktaoon home owners and Saskatchewan home owners in general finding a new found wealth when their existing houses in Saskatoon essentially doubled in value.

 

Some of this spending had to do with earning better wages, but a lot had to do with over-exuberance and the negative world market didn’t seem to affect us here until December 2008.

 

The tallies for 2009 have not been finalized yet but it is the belief that most people held off on the over-spending once the reality of the global economic crisis hit home. During 2007-2008 it appears Saskatchewan consumers were the only ones in Canada who weren’t sitting on their wallets. As a Saskatoon realtor I saw this evidence with my many people looking to buy a house for sale in Saskatoon who were looking to buy 2nd properties for sale in Saskatoon as revenue.

 

While some of the people spent their money wisely on new houses for sale in Saskatoon or to use the equity from their existing homes in Saskatoon to buy condos for sale in Saskatoon or revenue properties for sale in Saskatoon, there were a lot of low income people younger people who spent their money on things like vehicles and tvs instead of on something with some return, such as a mortage in Saskatoon. It seems the other group was young families with relatively high incomes who were purchasing houses for sale in Saskatoon within their appropriate price range.

 

I can say that I helped many people buy houses for sale in Saskatoon during that time frame and most had the right idea. If you are looking to buy a house for sale in Saskatoon let me know as I would love to help you with your Saskatoon real estate experience!

 

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd

Saskatoon, Sk

653-8222 

 

Check Your Bank Accounts Saskatoon!

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

I was just on facebook and saw a note from one of my Saskatoon real estate clients/friends who was victim to ‘card skimming’. I am not sure how much money she lost but I do hope that she is reimbursed as she is a wonderful person who works very hard for her money. As a realtor in Saskatoon  I meet many people and stay in touch with as many as I can and it is so hard to hear about a wonderful individual being stolen from. So not fair.

There was an article on News Talk CKOM about the card skimming. Apparently a number of members from Affinity Credit Union were affected but there is not yet a report of how many people were affected or how much money was stolen.

I am glad that I took the weekend off real estate in Saskatoon (well, the weekend from showing my first time home buyers in Saskatoon some houses for sale in Saskatoon) to go home and avoid the latest debit card scam that affected a few of my friends here in Saskatoon.

Apparently they do have someone in custody so I hope that karma and the law gives them what they deserve!

Kari Calder
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd
Saskatoon, Sk
653-8222

So Proud of My Mom-Saskatchewan Published Author

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

This past weekend I was able to get away from the busy Saskatoon real estate market to spend time with my family in Estevan, Saskatchewan and be there to support my mother, Saskatchewan Author, Marie Donais Calder.

To learn more about her books, visit her website at http://www.mariedonaiscalder.com/

For a schedule of events you can visit http://www.mariedonaiscalder.com/events.html

My mom has written a series of books about Post World War II and the life of her father, Edmond Donais, and the first one has been published by a Canadian Publisher. She has been working on these books for over 10 years now and her first book launch in her small home town was a great success.

Her perseverance and dedication have paid off. As a realtor in Saskatoon I have learned a lot from my mother and have been lucky enough to have a mom with such a great attitude. It is most often through the influence our parents that we become who we are and I know I couldn’t be such a successful real estate agent in Saskatoon if I didn’t have such great parents.

So congrats to my mom! She has several dates booked for her other signings around the province so contact me if you would like more information.

Kari Calder
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd
Saskatoon, Sask
306-653-8222

New Development in Saskatoon

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Saskatoon is growing again! There seems like an endless number of projects that are taking place and that means growth in Saskatoon employment as well as finding enough workers and housing challenges. While there are enough houses for sale in Saskatoon at the moment people still need to qualify to buy a house for sale in Saskatoon.

While some of these projects aren’t necessarily bringing in new workers but keeping our local workers busy, there are a few projects that will be creating even more jobs therefore bringing more workers to Saskatoon who will be in need for Saskatoon houses. Saskatoon employment is in demand. More than 750000 visits to SaskJobs.ca is evidence that people are still looking at Saskatoon and at Saskatchewan for employment.

One of the largest projects is the Jansen Potash Mine which is 14o KM east of Saskatoon and this is owned by BHP Billiton Saskatoon. This is the largest mining company in the world! This project will be in excess of billions spent and a large hire of skilled labour.

River landing project in Saskatoon is still moving forward. This will have a 5 star hotel (our first!) combined with a condo tower with a large commercial space and underground parking. This will be a great asset to Saskatoon real estate and to our downtown.

Willowgrove also announces the New Family Catholic Elementary School.

And then there is the road work…the construction on our Saskatoon roads never seems to end but in this case I am pleased as a Saskatoon real estate agent as it will help me work more efficiently…once the growing pains are over!

There is $310 Million allocated for the South End/Circle Drive bridge and another $33 Million for the new Circle Drive and Preston Avenue overpass.

And to further welcome more new faces to Saskatoon we are getting a $30 Million major expansion and renovation at the Saskatoon International Airport.

Kari Calder
Century 21 Conexus Saskatoon
653-8222

After Threats of Legal Action I Had To Move This Blog Re: Alarm Companies

Monday, July 5th, 2010

I wrote  a blog on my Century 21 website a year ago based on several articles that were in the paper about practices by some alarm companies.  I was contacted on Canada Day by one of the US companies referred to in the articles and threatened with a law suit.  I am a small fish but apparently my blog goes a long way as I ticked a lot of people off (hence the bullying phone calls and 3 or 4 letters from bulldogs at these companies and their lawyers). To be honest, it has reinforced my belief that consumers need to be aware of the reports about foreign alarm companies reportedly operating in Saskatchewan. As a realtor in Saskatoon I believe that my clients need to be aware of any reported and/or potential property related scams or unscrupulous businesses. In addition to raising awareness of potential problems related to home ownership my practice has always been to refer clients to Saskatoon locally owned and operated companies in order to avoid the potential pitfalls of dealing with foreign companies.

Some other links to consider when shopping for alarm companies:

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Pinnacle+Security+falsely+claims+member+Better+Business+Bureau+Saskatchewan/3162647/story.html

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2009/06/burglar-alarm-scam-door-to-door-salesman-ane-driggs-utah-better-business-bureau-ron-walters-security.html

http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-article-a-40962-m-7-sc-31-avoiding_alarm_scams-i

http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/13373/home-alarm-security-scam-manitoba/

Here is the EDITED version of the blog that caused so much ruckus and controversy.

I was recently contacted by one of the owners of a local security company as the Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan has been receiving hundreds of complaints about home security ‘salespeople’ that have been going door to door and misrepresenting security companies in Saskatoon and Regina. I saw these young men (from Alberta by their plates) going door to door this past weekend. They didn’t stop at our house perhaps because we had a security sign on our front step and it was not a local security company so they likely couldn’t find it on their list. We did the old trick of putting up a sign without having an alarm-now we have Reed Security as I trust them!

I had a neighbour with a local company’s sign on their lawn who told me that these guys told them they were with that company…but I know all of the sales people there and this was not the case.

These US based companies are reported to operate under several names but may be linked and the names mentioned in the articles can easily be accessed on the internet. Do a google search and see for yourself, but it is my opinion based on my experience and the information available to me that signing up for an alarm plan, or any other plan or product for that matter, should be avoided if it is the result of high pressured sales tactics. Stick with your locally trusted companies and don’t be pressured by unscrupulous sales people from any company who show up at your door.

Here is a link that warns Saskatoon consumers:

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Business/warns+public+about+high+pressure+sales+tactic/1683942/story.html

(Apparently they got to the Star Phoenix too as this article appears to be removed)

I am advised that these salespeople may see your security company sign and tell you that they work for that company and then try to give you a “Free upgraded” alarm system, but this upgrade will actually cost you about $45/month and it isn’t through your current supplier. They also reportedly try to name drop and tell you that your neighbour X has upgraded their system, even though they probably did not and I have heard they especially like to go after seniors.

Be aware of these high pressured sales tactics.

SO that was the blog that started this whole thing and my lawyer agrees that as a Saskatoon Realtor and as someone my home buyers in Saskatoon trust to help set them up with quality people that it is reasonable for me to want to warn my Saskatoon home buyers of any reported and/or potential scams or questionable businesses, especially first time home buyers in Saskatoon.

When choosing and alarm company it is always advisable to do your due diligence by checking out the companies you wish to deal with (ie: do they have a local office, have they been reported to the Better Busineses Bureau, do they have local references…). If you do choose to use any company that is not locally based it is always prudent to do your own due diligence and get references but ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ask them for the business cards before allowing them to even speak to you and ask them to leave any contracts and documents with you for your review before you agree to anything.

Good luck consumers! Hopefully this post by a small fish realtor in Saskatoon won’t warrant more threats as I do believe in freedom of speech!

Kari Calder
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd
Saskatoon
653-8222

New Listing 106 Blakeney Crescent

Monday, July 5th, 2010

I am pleased to say that previous Saskatoon home buyers are already using me to list their house for sale in Saskatoon. It is a great compliment to have repeat business and as a Saskatoon realtor I am very happy to say that I have had a lot of that in my 3 short years as a Saskatoon real estate agent.

My most recent house for sale in Saskatoon is located at 106 Blakeney Crescent in Confederation Park. This lovely and well cared for home features a heated verandah, laminate throughout main floor and bedrooms, open kitchen with island and pantry, 1.5 bathrooms, basement that is framed and wired, and plenty of room for a garage. This house for sale in Saskatoon was built in 2005 and is 1156/2 (not included the 4 season heated verandah).

If you are looking to buy a house for sale in Saskatoon this is a great listing and a great price at only $259,900.

Contact your favourite Saskatoon realtor for a personal showing or if you don’t have a realtor in Saskatoon please contact me as I work with many first time home buyers in Saskatoon and can walk you through the entire process of buying a house for sale in Saskatoon (or buying a condo for sale in Saskatoon).

Kari Calder
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd
306-653-8222