2015 was a great year for Real Estate in our area!

2015 proved to be not only the best year for real estate in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® since 2007, but also the second best year in the history of the Association overall. 9,366 area homes exchanged hands over the course of last year, just 59 units short of the 2007 total of 9,425. "The global financial meltdown that led to the collapse of the U.S. housing market back in 2008 negatively impacted Canadian markets as well," says Carl Vandergoot, LSTAR's 2015 President. "Eight long years later, we're pretty much back on track."

A total of 7,563 detached homes sold in 2015, up 9.2% over the previous year, while condo sales, at 1,803 were up 13%. Overall, sales were up 9.9% over 2014.

"We remain in a balanced market," says Vandergoot, "but, given the relatively low supply, now would be a good time for anyone thinking about listing their home to get in the game."

Real Estate sales the Grand Bend area was great for us as well, as we had our best year since 2004, that must of been a good year too! Now with both Mark and Garrett working together with me I am looking forward to another great year in 2016. January has already been very busy. It is hard to believe Mark has been working with me for 5 years now!

 

34012 ZURICH -HENSALL RD BLUEWATER, ON N0M2T0

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/KSJ3A8

Spacious bungalow with lower level granny suit on large private yard, close to the Lake in between Bayfield and Grand Bend at St. Josephs overlooking a ravine in your back yard. Main floor features spacious dining room with insert gas fireplace, galley style kitchen and large living room with bay window. 4 season sunroom off the dining room area overlooking the back yard. Main floor master with ensuite, main floor laundry and second bedroom. Downstairs was recently finished with separate kitchen and eating area, 3 pc bath, living room and bedroom for your own granny suite.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3.00

Price: $249,900

For more information about this property, please contact MARK PEDLAR at (519) 238-5700 or remaxmark@hay.net. You can also text 3240443 to 67299.

MLS ID: 575118

641 ERIE Street STRATFORD, ON N5A6R7

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/XF76CL

High Traffic location in Stratford on Erie St at the south end of town close to the Industrial and Business Park. Lots of potential for a fast food or restaurant chain with takeout drive through window on the west side of the building. Many other possibilities available with 1460 sqft of space and paved parking for 14+ cars. Currently set up as a coffee shop with seating for 42 patrons, including tables, bench seating and sit up coffee bar at the front portion of the building. Large kitchen with commercial grade sink, cooler and stainless steel table top. All equipment and chattels negotiable. Also available for lease at $2000/month triple net. Additional income on the property from 2 Patterson billboards.

Bathrooms: 2.00

Square feet: 1,460

Price: $349,900

For more information about this property, please contact MARK PEDLAR at (519) 238-5700 or remaxmark@hay.net. You can also text 3236070 to 67299.

MLS ID: 575033

1144 ONTARIO ST STRATFORD, ON N5A6Z3

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/LX859U

The Stratford Festival Inn Hotel for sale as a turnkey operation including the business and real estate. 180 room hotel with two banquet halls, conference room, dining room, lounge, heated indoor pool, hot tub, seasonal patio and fitness center surrounded by 20 acres of land on the east end of Stratford. Located on a hwy 7/8, across from the Festival market place shopping mall and only minutes from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and downtown core. Centrally located between Toronto, London and Goderich and easily accessible by major highways. The hotel has been recently renovated with the pride of ownership evident throughout the property. The hotels main building features the front lobby, banquet halls, conference room, kitchens, eating areas and recreational facilities with 2 large wings attached encompassing 140 guest rooms. The 3 courtyard buildings are detached from the main building but include 40 additional guest rooms. Lots of parking and green space surround the buildings.

Bathrooms: 0.00

Price: $7,500,000

For more information about this property, please contact MARK PEDLAR at (519) 238-5700 or remaxmark@hay.net. You can also text 3230789 to 67299.

MLS ID: 574942

1144 ONTARIO ST STRATFORD, ON N5A6Z3

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/CVPRRX

The Stratford Festival Inn Hotel for sale as a turnkey operation including the business and real estate. 180 room hotel with two banquet halls, conference room, dining room, lounge, heated indoor pool, hot tub, seasonal patio and fitness center surrounded by 20 acres of land on the east end of Stratford. Located on a hwy 7/8, across from the Festival market place shopping mall and only minutes from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and downtown core. Centrally located between Toronto, London and Goderich and easily accessible by major highways. The hotel has been recently renovated with the pride of ownership evident throughout the property. The hotels main building features the front lobby, banquet halls, conference room, kitchens, eating areas and recreational facilities with 2 large wings attached encompassing 140 guest rooms. The 3 courtyard buildings are detached from the main building but include 40 additional guest rooms. Lots of parking and green space surround the buildings.

Bathrooms: 8.00

Price: $7,500,000

For more information about this property, please contact MARK PEDLAR at (519) 238-5700 or remaxmark@hay.net. You can also text 3230775 to 67299.

MLS ID: 574934

9910 NORTHVILLE CR|Unit B-26 LAMBTON SHORES, ON N0M2N0

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/D4DSF7

Northlander Supreme modular home in the Oakridge Resort near Northville, south of Grand Bend. This 2 bedroom unit has been updated with a new rubber roof in 2012, laminate floors throughout, freashly painted and a new sunroom addition that features tounge and groove pine walls and ceilings. The roof top style outdoor gas furnace and air conditioner unit was just installed that keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The wrap around deck overlooks the club house, mini golf, play area and the 3 pools, so it is a great place to enjoy the summer. The Oakridge Resort has a new rec hall and covered patio area that owners may use. This open concept home comes with a new gas stove, fridge, dishwasher, drapes and tracking and your own storage shed just out the back door. There is a short drive to the sandy beaches of Lake Huron at the Pinery Provincial Park or Port Franks.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1.00

Price: $54,900

For more information about this property, please contact DOUG PEDLAR at (519) 238-5700 or remaxdoug@hay.net. You can also text 3214625 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.grandbendrealestate.com

MLS ID: 574503

Real Estate Sales Hold Steady in October

October 2015 homes sales came in just a hair lower than those of October 2014, the best October since 2007. A total of 695 homes exchanged hands last month, just three shy of October 2014, which saw 698 sales. 577 detached homes sold in October, up a marginal 0.9%, while condo sales dropped 6.3%. Total sales were down a very negligible 0.4%. "Clearly we've hit the mark and are holding steady," says Carl Vandergoot, President of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®. Year-to-date sales are up over 2014 by 9.8%.

Listings were down for detached homes in October – 14.2% for detached homes and 7.5% for condos. Active Listings End or Period (inventory) was also down 11.4% for detached homes and 0.2% for condos. "We're keeping a close watch on listings to see if we might be starting to shift into a Sellers' market," says Vandergoot. "Whether that is the case or not, with listings this low, now is a good time to list."

 Year-to-Date the average price of all homes sold through LSTAR's MLS® stood at $265,019, up 4.3%.

Here in Grand Bend the October market was a little softer than other years perhaps with the election on, people are thinking about their Government, in stead of their recreational properties!