Nanaimo Clippers schedule 2011-2012 We are well into the 2011-2012 hockey season.  This year the Nanaimo Clippers have a full schedule.  Here is the  October schedule, from the Clippers website for your convenience.  May they have a great season! Nanaimo ClippersRegular Season Schedule October Games DATE - Boxscores TIME AWAY SCR HOME SCR LOCATION   Sat, Oct. 1 7:15P Nanaimo 8 Victoria 6 Bear Mountain Arena   Tue, Oct. 4 7:00P Nanaimo 5 Alberni Valley 2 Weyerhaeuser Arena   Fri, Oct. 7 7:00P Victoria 4 Nanaimo 7 Frank Crane Arena   Sun, Oct. 9 3:00P Surrey 4 Nanaimo 3 Frank Crane Arena   Wed, Oct. 12 7:15P Nanaimo 4 Victoria 5 OT Bear Mountain Arena   Sun, Oct. 16 3:00P Victoria   Nanaimo   Frank Crane Arena   Fri, Oct. 21 7:00P Langley   Nanaimo   Frank Crane Arena   Sun, Oct. 23 3:00P... 10/15/2011

  Nanaimo’s Nanaimo Bars I was thumbing through Nanaimo’s Best of the City Guide. I was intrigued to read about a self-directed tour through Nanaimo called the ‘Nanaimo Bar Trail’. Destination Nanaimo has compiled a list of 12 different places to go and sample 12 different types of Nanaimo Bars.  I visited www.nanaimo.ca to read more about it.  The tour takes you through downtown and the Old City Quarter.   With 12 different Nanaimo Bars to sample you may need to break up the tour over a few days or wear elastic waist pants!!. Below is a list of places (source-http://www.tourismnanaimo.com/content/nanaimo-bar) you can go to try a number of different versions of the Nanaimo Bar.   Traditional Nanaimo Bars are available at the following locations: ·         Serious Coffee 300-60 Commercia... 10/10/2011

Nanaimo Real Estate - What’s selling and for how much?   What is selling in the Nanaimo real estate market?  This is a very important question for both buyers and sellers.  For buyers looking at real estate in Nanaimo the main concerns are price, selection and timing.  For people selling their Nanaimo home the important factors are timing, level of inventory (competition) on the market and how much they can ask for their home. The following figures, stats and graphs will assist buyers and sellers to view the Nanaimo real estate market in a realistic light.   Here’s the type of real estate sold in Nanaimo in September 2011 (source VIREB):   Property Type    Number of units sold        Average price Single Family               96 units                             $359,821 Condo (Apt)     ... 10/08/2011

Real Estate in Nanaimo - Absorption rates for September 2011 I spent some time with my calculator this morning calculating the real estate in Nanaimo absorption rates as of the end of September 2011.  My numbers came from the latest real estate stats published by VIREB (Vancouver Island Real Estate Board).  Based on the information they have supplied I have calculated the absorption rates for real estate here in Nanaimo. This information helps me understand the real estate market in Nanaimo and where it is headed. The definition of absorption rates is the number of weeks it takes to sell the current real estate inventory in Nanaimo at the present rate of sales. It appears that the increased market activity we experienced in August has continued into September. I thought it would be inte... 10/08/2011

Nanaimo real estate statistics- Sept 2011 What happened in the world of real estate in Nanaimo for the month of September, 2011?  Let’s have a look at some Nanaimo real estate statistics for last month. According to the stats it appears that the improvement that we saw in the local market in August carried through to September. The Cumulative Residential Average Single Family Sale Price is up by 3% over September 2010.  The average sale price was $359,821 in September 2011 compared to $350,998 in September 2010. The following are the single family market changes for September 2011 compared with September 2010 -  There were 199 units listed this September compared to 215 units in September 2010.  There were 7% fewer homes listed this September compared to September 2010. -  23% more unit... 10/08/2011

Another Nanaimo Home Sold! This great looking half duplex comes completely furnished and is turn-key. Situated close to bus routes and the university, it lends itself to versatility either as a family home, or a rental. Perhaps you can have students stay in the spare bedrooms as a mortgage helper! The choice is yours. Beautifully kept and turn-key, it`s a great opportunity all the way around. Don`t miss your chance at this one! 10/07/2011

Sold to a Very Happy Buyer! Looking for a well kept, affordable family home in a great area? Need more room? This attractive 2,320 square foot 1/2 duplex is located on quiet street in popular Stephenson Point. As you enter the foyer gleaming hardwood floors greet you and open into an attractive living room that features warm colours, custom faux wood blinds and a gas fireplace. This space flows out to a sunny back deck in your fully fenced back yard which offers a concrete patio and mature landscaping. Also on the main is a 2 piece powder room and a spacious kitchen with pearl stained cabinets & attractive tile back splash. All this opens into a comfortable dining area. Three large bedrooms up include an inviting master with huge cheater ensuite that offers a dressing area and linen clo... 10/07/2011

Hi Everyone, I am posting my Youtube page so you can see the video of some of my lifting at the 2011 World Masters Powerlifting Championships. I would have posted it on my last blog, but had not had time to upload them. My Real Estate career is doing nearly as well as my lifting career these days and has been occupying much of my time, I'm happy to say! At any rate, here it is: Video from the 2011 Worlds. The last squat video is the World Bronze, the last bench video is the World Silver, and the last deadlift video is the World Gold. All are new Canadian records, and I am waiting for confirmation that some or all are also new Commonwealth Records as well. 10/05/2011

FOUND: NEW HARDWARE - Four World Championship Medals! I just got home and am tired but elated. At the World Masters Powerlifting Championships on September 27th, I medaled four times! I have Bronze in the Squat, Silver in the Bench and Gold in the Deadlift. I took Silver over all, making me the second strongest woman on this planet in my category. With this I broke all my old Canadian records, and several Commonwealth records as well. At a bodyweight of 61.84 kilos, I squatted 147.5 kg, benched 100 kg and deadlifted 162.5 kg, for a total of 410 kilos to take a World Silver. (To convert to pounds, multiply these numbers by 2.2) I have been blessed with good health and no injuries, fantastic support from family and friends, and that includes my wonderful Activerain family. At 53 I can sti... 10/04/2011

  Nanaimo seniors Real Estate Specialist   I recently made a decision to study to become a designated Seniors Real Estate Specialist in Nanaimo.   I love working with all age groups in my career as a Realtor.  However, I find that I am particularly drawn to people in their senior years.   As a seniors real estate specialist I now feel more qualified to help seniors make real estate decisions.  Some of the skills I have gained are:   ·          A keener awareness of the motivations of the senior client as well as how to address their needs and desires.   ·         A thorough knowledge of the housing options available to this market   ·         Available resources to assist clients in the moving process.   ·         Understanding the implications of tax laws, probate and estate planning. ... 09/28/2011

Green home renovations for your Nanaimo home   Home renovations can be a great way to improve your Nanaimo home's market value.   Environmentally-friendly products are fast becoming a popular way for homeowners to make their home a greener place, as well as to do their part for the planet.  Here are a few tips you can use to think green in your home renovation projects.   1.     Painting - If you are repainting a room or your entire home, use an environmentally-friendly latex paint.  Be sure you let leftover paints dry before disposing of them, and do not dump paint down the drain.   2.    Flooring - Consider wood floors rather than carpets, and be sure they are from a forest source that uses renewable lumber practices.  Wood floors are also easier to clean and require less maintenance.... 09/25/2011

Buying a house in Nanaimo from a distance   Buying a house in Nanaimo can be a fun and rewarding experience.  However, if you are purchasing a Nanaimo home from another city, the experience can be more complicated  Whether you are relocating for a job, retiring to a dream location, or are just looking for a change, purchasing a home long distance has a whole separate to-do list on top of the already long list of things that need to be done to purchase a new home.  I’ve listed a few things below that can make buying a house in Nanaimo from a distance, a little easier.  1.     Know which Nanaimo neighbourhood you would like to settle in.  I invite you to visit my Nanaimo neighbourhood’s page to read up on different neighbourhoods.       2.    View Nanaimo neighbourhoods on a map to see wh... 09/24/2011

Last Workout Done! Chek TV interviewed me today during my last workout before the 2011 World Championships. I tripled a 225 lb benchpress, which was videoed, and compete next Tuesday. Now I am ready: I kow my numbers and am comfortable that I can execute the lifts....So time to bring it! They tell me it will air on Sunday at 7pm Pacific Coast time. Of course, it may be changed but that's the date they gave me. Here's the link if you miss it on TV. http://www.cheknews.ca/index.php?option=com_jumi&fileid=7&Itemid=126 Tonight I'm packing my lifting gear and my dreams up for the trip and tomorrow morning I catch the plane for the World Championships. It seems surreal. I will continue to share this experience with you as things progress. Dreaming of a medal! 09/23/2011

  Hi Everyone, Next Tuesday I will be lfting at the 2011 World Womens Masters Powerlifting Championships against the best the planet can throw at me. I will be looking for new hardware and especially hungry for Gold. I want to share this incredible day with you and hopefully some of the adrenaline rush, too. I am nervous, yes, but strong and ready; I feel like a rocket idling on a launching pad and the countdown is on. Fear, excitement, joy...all at once as the time to lift closes in. I may be 53, but that is just a number...Life is an awesome experience!       Here is the link to the live stream of the 2011 World Masters Championships I mentioned. You should be able to see my session from it. I lift at 5:30pm on Sept 27th (St. Catharines, Ont. time)   http://goodlift.info/live.php     ... 09/21/2011

  Nanaimo Real Estate – Does the aroma of freshly baked cookies help to sell a home?   The sense of smell is one of our five senses and is somehow connected to our memory bank and in turn to our emotions.  So, with that in mind, maybe the aroma of freshly baked cookies does help to sell a home.  Because scent stirs our memories, it stands to reason that for most people, the scent of freshly baked cookies will trigger warm feelings.  Good smells can help make a buyer feel at home in your home.   The following tips can help make your home more appealing to prospective home buyers:   1.        Boil a little cinnamon in a pot for an hour or so before a showing.  The scent of cinnamon conjures up warm, cozy memories and in turn feelings.   2.       Empty your garbage regularly.   3.       Us... 09/21/2011

 Real Estate in Nanaimo - Should I accept the first offer that I get on my home? Should I accept the first offer that I get on my home? That is a tricky question and one that is asked all of the time.  If only we had a crystal ball! Generally, as a Realtor in Nanaimo, I will have reviewed with my clients (both a buyer and a seller) the current statistics in the local real estate market.  We will have a look at the following before we make an offer or counter an offer: ·          How much inventory is currently on the market - This is an important consideration.  If there is allot of inventory on the market and few buyer’s the chances are that offers may be few and far between. ·         What percentage of list price homes have sold for over the past month.  Knowing this number will help... 09/20/2011

Nanaimo’s Haven House – Campaign for Courage Nanaimo’s Haven House is just that – a haven for women and children in need.  I was driving down Bowen Road today and I saw a big sign promoting the Haven House’ new campaign to raise awareness and funds for the society.  It is called the Campaign for Courage.  For the past 30 years Haven House has offered shelter to women of all ages, who have been physically, sexually and/or emotionally abused and for their children.  The Haven House website states:   Haven Society has grown from a small network of volunteer safe-houses to a multi-site agency serving the central Island from Ladysmith to Qualicum with comprehensive programming.  Haven Society continues to play a critical role in educating the local community about the prevalence of violence ... 09/19/2011

Isn’t it true that I will get a better price on a home if I call the listing Realtor? In my job as a Nanaimo Realtor I often get asked questions like “Isn’t it true that I will get a better price on a home if I call the listing Realtor? “  When I get questions like this from buyer’s I realize that the public, as a whole, do not really understand the benefits of working with a Realtor when shopping for a home.  I am going to write a few posts to help debunk some of these misconceptions. 1st debunker: Isn’t it true that I will get a better price on a home if I call the listing Realtor? Firstly, it is important to understand Agency.  The listing Realtor is in an Agency relationship with the seller.  He owes fiduciary duty to his client, the seller.  In other words; the listing Realtor will... 09/17/2011

Renovated 6 bedroom home with 2 bedroom suite on .31 acre lot that backs on to greenspace.. Peek of ocean view in a great area "Beach Estates". Rent potential $2150 making it a great investment or a single family home on a large lot with a suite. Hardwood floors newer appliances, new roof in 2007, Double French doors in master and dining room lead out to decks in back. A small deck was created on the back of the garden shed to create a private deck area for lower tenant. The over sized master bedroom could be used as a large office or family room. If you want a home with a suite on a large lot in a good area this is a must see. 24 hours notice required rented up and down (short term rental up). Nanaimo real estate 09/16/2011

There are basically two methods to getting new clients: Chase Attract. The “Chase” Method: This involves going after new clients one at a time. Typically youmight cold call a list of homeowners, ask them if they plan on making a movesome time in the near future. If you call two hundred homeowners, youʼre bound toget one or two yes's. But wait! The funʼs just starting. NEXT: Work those leads - Try to convert them into new listings .Difficult to do when youʼre starting off the relationship as a “salesperson”.In fact, not only is it a real time consumer, but it can be downright exhausting. However sometimesyou do have to do some “chasing” to win those new clients. Personally, I think it'd be better to have potential clients call me whenthey have a need for my services. Thatʼs the “Attract”... 09/13/2011