99 Ontario Street South, Grand Bend ~ Turn Key Retail Store

Home Sales, Listings Take a Leap in January

 

439 residential transactions were recorded last month via the MLS® System of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), 28.7% more than in January 2023. The number of newly listed properties climbed from 386 in December 2023 to 873 in January 2024.   "The number of home sales is consistent with LSTAR’s 10-year-average for January, but the jump in newly listed properties is significant.  In January, we saw the third highest number of new listings for that month," said 2024 LSTAR Chair Kathy Amess. Out of the 439 properties sold in January, 329 were single-family homes, 74 were townhouses, and 31 – apartments. January’s average price for a single-family home in LSTAR’s jurisdiction sat at $660,686, while that of a townhouse settled at $504,304. The average price of an apartment from the London-St. Thomas region was $319,210. "When compared to last January the average prices for townhouses and apartments saw a slight decline. However, the average price of a single-family home increased by 3.8%," Amess emphasized.   Housing supply dropped from 4.4 months of inventory in December to only 3.3 months in January.   "LSTAR’s sales-to-new listings ratio sat at 50.3% last month.  This and our January stats indicate a stable real estate market, which is positive news for everyone." Amess said.   The average home price for the entire LSTAR jurisdiction reached $605,785 last month, up 3.9% over January 2023. However, the Composite MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Benchmark Price ticked up at $573,300, 0.4% higher than a month ago, but 0.7% lower than a year ago.

February Newsletter ~ The PEDLAR Team Update

 

February ~ It's The Month Of Love! $50 Garden Gate Gift Certificate & Chocolate Giveaway! The first month of 2024 has come and gone, in a flash, as we creep closer to that first day of Spring! As the days start to get longer and we can start the countdown to Spring is now only 45 days away ... I repeat only 45 days away! Great news as well our trusted weather advisor that is furry and cute aka Wiarton Willy didn't see his shadow so Spring is going to come early. And we all know a furry cute animal can never be wrong! We hope those who made their 2024 New Year goals are sticking to them and remember it is never to late to start something new. You don't need the turning of a calendar year to start a new habit or give up an old bad habit. This is the time of year all homeowners will be getting their tax bills for the year ahead so make sure you keep an eye out for those. Lambton Shores had an informative extra page in there tax letters letting residents know about overnight parking restrictions due to the winter weather, firefighter recruitment starts this Spring and that Lambton Shores is starting to look for their seasonal job recruits for the year ahead. Keep in mind that in 2024 is when there will be new assessments for homes across Ontario that homeowners won't pay taxes on until the 2025 tax year. We continue our pledge of giving back to our clients with a Valentines Day themed giveaway. This month we are giving away a $50 gift certificate to Garden Gate Gifts & Florals which is our amazing florist in Grand Bend. There are located in the Pet Valu, Sobeys, Shoppers Drug Mart commercial plaza. They also have some really unique home decor items to choose from so don't forget them this Valentine's Day when deciding what to get that special loved one. To enter the draw you simply need to respond to this newsletter email with an answer to this question: Are you more excited for Valentine's Day or Family Day? There are no wrong answers so respond with anything. Our winner will be drawn on February 9th in time to spend the gift certificate on a beautiful bouquet of flowers! We are never to busy to talk real estate so give us a call today at 519-238-5700! Garrett Pedlar Received The RE/MAX Canada Community Care Award East 2023 Garrett Pedlar was honored to receive the RE/MAX Canada Community Care Award East for 2023. All members of The Pedlar Team have a love for this community but Garrett takes it another step further. His most recent endeavour was the Bruce Trail CMN Hike where he raised over $8k in donations for the Children's Miracle Network and the Children's Hospital in London, Ontario. Along with his countless hours into the Ausable-Port Franks Optimist Club and organizing The PEDLAR Team Food Drive for the second year among other things.  At The PEDLAR Team community is a pillar of our business and we are very proud of Garrett to receive this award!   How Government Bond Rates Relate To Mortgage Rates   Are Canadian government bond yields headed lower in 2024? This is the expectation now that the Bank of Canada (BOC) is widely anticipated to cut interest rates further early next year, according to investors in the futures market. After the benchmark ten-year yield topped 4.25 percent in October, the bond has slumped below 3.5 percent. The same performance was seen with short- and long-term debt instruments. But why should buyers and sellers in the Canadian real estate market even care about how government bonds are performing in the financial markets? One reason is mortgage rates. Many are unaware that government bonds influence mortgage rates, affecting everything from the country’s housing sector to the household’s budget. Let’s take a deeper dive into how government bonds affect the mortgage market. How Government Bond Yields Relate to Mortgage Rates? A diverse array of factors can influence bond prices and yields, such as supply, inflation, monetary policy, and the economy. Traditionally, bonds are conservative investment tools because they tend to maintain an established yield over time. As a result, financial institutions and other lenders utilize bond yields as a benchmark for what they should be providing on their fixed-rate mortgage products. Additionally, this will include a premium of as much as two percentage points. This past fall, bond yields worldwide were surging on expectations of the central banks maintaining their higher-for-longer mantra. In Canada, the five-year government bond, which is what banks pay most attention to in their mortgage products, soared to a 16-year high of 4.42 percent in early fall. This correlated with the five-year fixed-rate mortgage rate exceeding 6.4 percent, according to Statistics Canada. Click this link to read the full article: https://blog.remax.ca/how-government-bond-yields-relate-to-mortgage-rates/ How To Choose A Home For Your Golden Years! Retirement is more than just a milestone - it's a new and exciting beginning. Reward your hard work with a place worth spending your next best years. Here are some great tips for finding the right home to enjoy in retirement. DOWNSIZE OR UPGRADE: Retirement often means downsizing but consider your lifestyle and make a decision based on your wants and needs in a new home. WHAT AND WHERE: A condo in town or a cottage by the lake? Deciding what kind of home and where you want to be is important. BUDGET,BUDGET,BUDGET: Once you've thought about your wants and needs, budget to make sure they're possible. Factor in not only the cost of your new home, but also your new living expenses. PLAN AHEAD: Consider future needs. Health services, accessibility features, and proximity to shopping or public transportation are increasingly important as you age.   2024 Market Outlook From Our Trusted Advisor: Aaron Pedlar At Sterling Mutuals   Over the coming year, I believe both equity and bond investors will benefit from falling interest rates, translating to rising stock and bond prices. However, there’s likely to be fluctuations along the way as the market responds to unexpected economic data.    After a robust recovery in 2023, now is not the time to feel paralyzed as an investor. In fact, historical trends suggest that this could be an opportunity. While past performance is not an indicator of future returns, history shows that investing in robust, resilient companies during periods of volatility can lead to favorable outcomes over the long term. Regardless of where we are in the market cycle, it’s always important to take a disciplined approach to investing and stay focused on your long-term goals. I find this strategy helps you keep your emotions out of investing, typically buying high and selling low like many investors do. The ongoing monitoring and reviewing of your portfolio also ensure it remains on track. 2023 RRSP deadline and NEW 2024 TFSA room February 29, 2024, is the deadline for 2023 RRSP contributions. If you are looking for ways to reduce your 2023 taxable income while simultaneously helping your future self financially, please reach out to see if this is something you should consider taking advantage of before the deadline. The new year also brings an extra $7000 you can allocate to your TFSA. This amount increased from $6500 in 2023. Both RRSPs and TFSAs hold most types of investments. I am always happy to talk to you more about the tax-efficient advantages of RRSP and TFSA investing and discussing what makes best sense for you. Thank you for your continued trust and for the opportunity to assist you in working toward your financial goals. I am committed to you along every step of your investment journey. Should you have any questions regarding your portfolio and retirement planning, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Learn more by visiting his website by clicking the link: https://www.pedlarfinancial.com/   Family Day Activities February 19, 2024   Keep an eye on our social platforms (instagram/facebook) and we will be sharing everything we see going on in the area for Family Day fun! One event I know for certain is some FREE skating over at the Thedford Legacy Centre on Family Day being put on by the Ausable-Port Franks Optimist Club! COMING SOON IN SOUTHCOTT PINES! 10322 Grand Oaks Drive, Grand Bend Listed at $969,900   Welcome to 10322 Grand Oaks Drive, Grand Bend in sought after Southcott Pines subdivision. This 5 bedroom 3 bathroom bungalow is nestled amongst the vast Carolinian forest near the sandy shores of Lake Huron with deeded beach access. A quick 5 min walk through the woods takes you straight to the beach for a day of relaxation! Situated on a corner lot with lots of mature trees allowing for lots of privacy on both the front patio and backyard. Great curb appeal with the updated exterior and nicely landscaped front entrance. Paved double wide driveway, with space to park a boat, leading to the double attached garage. Entering the front door you are invited to a spacious entrance foyer. Leading into the living room with high cathedral ceilings detailed with white shiplap and a large skylight for lots of natural light. The gas fireplace with brick surround gives a great ambience with a large flame and lots of warmth. The updated kitchen offers lots of counter space with the large center eat up island with a wet bar sink, built-in appliances, tiled backsplash and updated stainless steel appliances. Dining space off of kitchen allows for the whole family to gather around for dinner. Sliding door off dining space to large back deck making for easy access to be cooking on the BBQ. Main floor offers a spacious primary bedroom with two double closets and four piece ensuite with jetted tub. There is another full three piece bathroom, two bedrooms and laundry on the main floor for main floor living. Fully finished lower level offers ample space for a large rec room, two bedrooms, full bathroom and two bonus rooms that would make great hobby/craft/office spaces. Large utility room is great for storage and work bench. Backyard has been nicely landscaped with a fire pit area, garden shed, playground and a grass area for yard games! Your best summer yet is to come once you step foot in this home and take the short stroll to the deeded beach access to the sandy shores of Lake Huron! Call us today at 519-238-5700 for more information and book a private showing before it goes live on MLS on Tuesday February 6, 2024!     110' River Front Merrywood Meadows 10138 Merrywood Drive, Grand Bend Listed at $1,900,000   Riverfront home in Merrywood Meadows, part of the Grand Bend community with 50 upscale homes situated along the Ausable River near the Warner Wildlife & Nature Preserve. Built in 2017 by Medway Homes, this property showcases 2560 sqft of well-designed living space with an open concept floor plan flowing with natural light. Situated on a large lot with landscaped gardens, mature trees, interlocking brick drive leading to your insulated triple car garage, covered front and back sitting areas, stone firepit patio and your own private dock with 110’ of River frontage. Inside, you’re greeted by the 16’ vaulted entry foyer giving you the grand entrance into the home that features engineered hardwood, quartz countertops and high-end finishes throughout. The gourmet kitchen includes stainless-steel built-in appliances, gas range, double oven, large island, chevron tile backsplash and pantry for storage. Eating area off the kitchen overlooks the back yard with access to the back covered deck. Living room with tray ceiling, pot lighting and gas fireplace plus enjoy the views of the river from the picture window. Spacious primary bedroom suite includes a walk in closet and large ensuite with heated tile floors and glass tile shower. Main floor guest room or office at the front with an additional full bathroom, plus main floor laundry in the mudroom. Fully finished lower level features a family room that includes a living space, games area and wet bar; Great space for entertaining. Room for additional family and friends in the two lower-level bedrooms with another full bathroom. Partially finished utility room could be a great home gym. Just a short walk or drive to the amenities of Grand Bend and the sandy beaches of Lake Huron. Click the link to watch the virtual tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOxqxfWX7UM A+ Location In Southcott Pines 10284 Birch Lane, Grand Bend Listed at $899,900   Nestled in the highly desirable Southcott Pines subdivision, 10284 Birch Lane in Grand Bend offers an idyllic retreat that seamlessly blends modern comforts with the tranquility of a private lakeside haven. This charming property boasts a beautifully updated kitchen that is sure to delight. The kitchen is not only functional but also stylish, featuring granite countertops, tiled backsplash, shiplap ceiling and updated appliances that cater to both aesthetics and functionality. One of the most enticing features of this property is its incredibly private location, situated at the very end of Birch Lane. This ensures a sense of seclusion and exclusivity that's hard to come by, allowing residents to unwind and enjoy their own peaceful oasis. Offering a1,430 sq ft comfortable and spacious interior, with ample room for family and friends. The well-designed layout ensures that there's plenty of space for entertaining or simply unwinding after a day at the beach. With three bedrooms and two full bathrooms it is large enough for the whole family. Large windows, skylights and solar tubes throughout the home flood the space with natural light. The spacious living room with gas fireplace makes for a very comfortable space. Enjoy your morning coffees or simply just relaxing in the year-round sunroom with gas fireplace overlooking nature. Lots of space around the fire pit to enjoy the best way to end any long summer day! The lush greenery that surrounds the property adds to the sense of privacy, creating a natural buffer from the outside world. With just a few steps from the front door, you'll find yourself on the sandy shores of Lake Huron. The proximity to the lake means that you can enjoy leisurely beach walks, take in breathtaking sunsets, or simply relax to the soothing sounds of the waves, all within moments of your residence.   Click the link to watch the virtual tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG2bzh1oZRc Looking For An Agent Outside Of Our Coverage Area? Just Ask Us!   Looking to move outside of the area and not sure who to call? As always call The PEDLAR Team with any of your real estate needs! We are closely connected with a group of realtors that cover Southwestern Ontario. Along with our involvement in the Re/MAX community we are sure to line you up with a trusted knowledgeable real estate agent to make your plans a reality anywhere in Ontario, Canada, North America, or the world for that matter because RE/MAX is global! Get Your 2024 Grand Bend Locals Card!   Support Local With Your GRAND BEND Locals Card It is the hope that this card will encourage you to choose local businesses, more often. They've been quietly adding new businesses, new offers and TWICE as many draws! As lovers of Grand Bend, we need to stick together and keep our businesses OPEN. These Local businesses who are unable to provide specific offers, have stepped up to help provide MORE CARDHOLDER Draws! More Draws = More Winning & More Local Spending. Let's support them, for all they do to support our community.   Click the link to see more information: https://grandbendlocals.com/ New To Lambton Shores?   The municipality of Lambton Shores is starting a new initiative of making municipality information easier to find out. Check the link out and see what things you didn't know about this awesome municipality.  Click the link: https://www.lambtonshores.ca/en/living-here/new-to-lambton-shores.aspx?platform=hootsuite Social Media   Have a great day everyone and don't forget to check out our social media sites like youtube, facebook, twitter and our website to stay up to date on all the latest listings. You can find the links to these various social media outlets above our information below. See the benefits of using a high quality drone and camera for videos and pictures to add content to each listing. GIVE US A LIKE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE BY CLICKING THE ICON BELOW! We love to hear about your experience with The PEDLAR Team so please feel free to head to our facebook page and leave a review. Click the link to leave a review: https://www.facebook.com/thepedlarteam/reviews/

If you or any of your friends and family are looking to buy or sell make sure to call us first! Referrals are the greatest compliment Check our website out by clicking the link below http://www.grandbendrealestate.com  Doug Pedlar      Mark Pedlar     Garrett Pedlar      Broker of Record                         Broker                        Sales Representative   519-902-4099    519-670-0746     519-872-0910  remaxdoug@hay.net           remaxmark@hay.net          remaxgarrett@hay.net

Garrett Pedlar ~ RE/MAX Canada Community Care Award East