Nova Scotia Real Estate Agent

New Site and Blog...

2011-03-09T14:38:00.004-05:00

My website and blog can now be found below!

Keller Williams Realty Launches in Halifax, Nova Scotia!

2010-07-15T10:28:00.001-04:00

While new to Atlantic Canada Keller Williams Realty is one of the largest Real Estate Brokerages in the US and Canada. (Family First Realty no longer exists as we have become the Keller Williams Realty Franchise for the area).

Are you an agent and would like to learn more about the absolutely fantastic opportunity with Keller Williams Realty? If so please contact me.

Mike Smith is a REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area and can be reached at 902.209.6745.

Halifax, Nova Scotia Real Estate Forecast

2010-06-04T08:09:00.001-04:00

Here is the latest from CREA (The Canadian Real Estate Association). Please click on the thumbnail image to read the full article.

However it's not all bad news:

“In keeping with the return of a balanced housing market and typical demand-driven housing market cycle dynamics, prices will remain stable,” he said. “Canada’s solid mortgage market trends, conservative lending practices, and prudent borrowing by homebuyers means that Canada will avoid the massive realignment in housing supply and demand being experienced in the United States. Accordingly, Canada will avoid a U.S.-style housing price correction.”

-Mike Smith is a REALTOR® in Halifax, Nova Scotia with Family First Realty and can be reached at 902.209.6745.

Six Rock Solid Reasons to List your Home with Mike Smith!

2010-03-17T13:30:00.004-04:00

Are you thinking of selling your house in the Halifax area? And listing it this spring on the MLS®? When choosing a REALTOR® find out what they can do for you!

Here are SIX ROCK SOLID REASON TO SELL YOUR HOME with Mike.

1. I will post HD video of your house on the MLS® system. This means when people are browsing properties on the MLS® website they can click the "Multimedia" button on your listing and the HD video will launch! What a way to show off your property! Here is an example. Sell your house with Mike, a REALTOR® in the Halifax area.

2. I will pay for a Pre-sale home inspection. Pre-inspected houses often get more showings and offers and they highlight any areas that need attention before listing.

3. I will pay for Certified Appraisal of your house. Most REALTORS® simply provide a "CMA" to determine a listing price. This is really just an educated guess at what your house is worth. You could be leaving money on the table. Let us find out the exact value of your home before we come up with a listing price. Sell your house with Mike, a REALTOR® in the Halifax area.

4. I will pay for a Certified Home Stager's two hour evaluation of your house. "Staged" houses often sell for more and get more offers.

5. I will pay to advertise your property on the Real Estate Channel. Not to mention at least 5 different real estate related websites!

6. And finally, I will add a clause to our listing agreement that if I don't do everything I have said, and if you are not happy with my service, you can cancel the listing at anytime. Most REALTORS® make you sign a contract locking you in for 6 months. Sell your house with Mike, a REALTOR® in the Halifax area.

Watch a testimonial from a very happy client who sold their house with me.

Mike Smith is a REALTOR® in the Halifax area with Family First Realty and can be reached at 902.209.6745

Halifax, Nova Scotia Mortgage Rules getting tougher.

2010-02-19T09:44:00.001-05:00

I just flew back from a vacation in the States. This is the time of year when the Real Estate Market in Halifax, Nova Scotia and surrounding area just starts to wake up. If you know someone ready to buy or sell a home please contact me. I am never too busy for your referrals. Here is a photo I took from my iPhone flying into Boston for a connecting flight to Halifax.

So while I was away the Real Estate Market received a bit of bad news. January home sales were down slightly. (About 2.8% from December)

And there are new Mortgage rules coming that are going to make it even tougher for new home buyers to get Mortgages. Specifically, in the past, new homeowners were only subject to the standards of a three-year, fixed-rate mortgage. This standard will be raised to five-year, fixed mortgage rates as of April 19.

Below are images you can click on the read the full news articles on these two points:

Mike Smith is a Realtor in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Local food in Halifax, Nova Scotia

2010-01-27T13:57:00.001-05:00

Family farming has been made unprofitable by the provincial and national agricultural policies of the past decades. Increasingly farmers feel pressured to sell their farmland for development. That temporarily solves the farmer's financial problems, but the long term consequences for us all is devastating . . .

We need solutions to help farmers and in my opinion we need to keep real estate development out of farm land. Below is a video I helped film and edit on a local food project in Nova Scotia; it just makes sense.

From the opening line of the video, "Maybe you, maybe you got to go out on the street and say dammit all, look are we crazy? are we are going to lose a history of 400 years of food production because nobody thought about it? Start thinking about it!" The "radio show" 4 minutes into the video is hilarious :-)

Did you hear the entire interview with the farmer from the beginning quote? It starts 13:45 into the video. Paul Colville is on-fire and pretty much sums it all up here.

Let your voice be heard please come to the event on Wednesday the 27th at the Halifax Forum by the The Nova Scotia Agricultural Land Review Committee. Yes this is today! The Halifax Forum is on the corner of Young and Windsor. The meeting is in their multipurpose room which you enter from the Young Street side.

For more information here is the link to "The 2008 GPI Atlantic Report, Farm Economic Viability in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island:"
http://www.gpiatlantic.org/publications/naturalcapital.htm

Local Food in Nova Scotia - Halifax Farmer's Market from Mike Smith on Vimeo.

Nova Scotia Property Assessments in 2009

2010-01-21T08:43:00.002-05:00

When I speak with people everyone is so happy that their Real Estate value is going up throughout Halifax and Nova Scotia at large. Because their homes are worth more, right? Real Estate prices in Nova Scotia were up an average of 4.2% in 2009. But the flip side of that is the property assessments are going up too. Assessments were up an average of 6% in 2009. So why 6% if prices were only up 4.2%?

That's a good question!

Click on the thumbnail above to read the very short article on assessments.

Mike Smith is a Realtor in Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.iListinHD.com

Get your home mortgage locally in Nova Scotia.

2009-12-30T16:12:00.002-05:00

My friend Waylon who lives in Boulder Colorado, had a great post on his blog entitled, "A New Year's Resolution worth Considering."

You know as a real estate agent I deal with people trying to get mortgages all the time. Just in the last month I had two qualified buyers, with good jobs, be told the big NO to their mortgage application by BMO, in this case. Let's help the economy in Nova Scotia by banking locally. Personally I use one of the credit unions in town. Here is the great video worth watching from Waylon's post.

www.ilistinhd.com

Halifax Nova Scotia Realtor

2009-12-29T12:39:00.000-05:00

Here is fun tag cloud tool called wordle. You enter the URL of a web site or a blog, and it scans all the content and generates a list of the most frequently appearing words, then displays them. Larger size words occur more frequently. Below is the tag cloud for iListinHD.com

Notice that Halifax Realtor®, Nova Scotia Real Estate Agent, Selling your house and MLS® all come into play. Which makes sence as selling houses in Halifax through the MLS® as Realtor® is what I do! (Click on the image to make it bigger).

Halifax Realtor

2009-12-12T11:50:00.003-05:00

By Mike Smith | 902.209.6745

Why work with a Halifax REALTOR® like myself? Well here is fantastic web site made by CREA, (the Canadian Real Estate Association) which spells out all the benefits of working with a REALTOR® if you are buying or selling a house.

Click the photo above to get started on this journey. Wow, CREA did a good job on this. Or here is the direct link to forward to others! http://www.howrealtorshelp.ca/

Halifax, Nova Scotia Home prices

2009-12-08T17:36:00.001-05:00

I thought people might find this interesting. Here is really neat interactive map of Canada from CBC News. It shows house prices and their changes over the last few years. The data shown is gathered from Statistics Canada and CREA. It is very interesting to see what home prices are throughout our great country. Click on the map on above to go to the full story and interactive map.

Mike Smith, REALTOR® | 902.209.6745

Family First Realty | Halifax, Nova Scotia

iListinHD.com | mike@iListinHD.com

Halifax Real Estate Agent

2009-11-26T21:11:00.011-05:00

Well, it has been along time coming but I finally launched my new Real Estate Site!

In case you did not know I’m using HD video to show off all my listings. I feature this fact throughout my site. This video really makes a difference as most Realtors just through up a few digital photos with their listings, and some times lousy pics at that!

Please click on the link on the left to visit my site. And enjoy!

Mike Smith, REALTOR® | 902.209.6745

Family First Realty | Halifax, Nova Scotia

iListinHD.com | mike@iListinHD.com

MLS listing for Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia

2009-11-24T07:48:00.003-05:00

67 Armcrest Drive | Lower Sackville | $169,900 (Click here to view this listing on the MLS system). Please take a moment and watch the full HD video of this home by clicking on the "play" button below.

Over 1400 Sq. feet of living area in this immaculate split entry. Home has been pre-inspected! All 5 modern appliances are included. Landscaped, central vac, 8x8 shed, large country kitchen with pantry, laundry room, brand new carpet, fresh paint, and the patio doors open to a 12 x 10 deck. This home is ready to move into.

Nova Scotia Real Estate Forecast for 2010

2009-11-02T10:37:00.007-05:00

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation just released their latest stats a few hours ago. Hot off the press, so to speak, please click on the thumbnail to the left to read the full article.

In Brief the numbers will be down slightly for 2009 but forecast to improve in 2010. This is not surprising if you remember last January and February as the market was almost at a standstill. Actually, if you had asked anyone at that time they never would have guessed the year would have ended so strong.

Are you in the Market to buy or sell a condo or home. Please give me a call. Mike @ 902.209.6745

www.iListinHD.com

King's Wharf Condos

2009-10-23T06:57:00.012-04:00

The King's Wharf model suite is now open! This is a very exciting project especially for me as I live just a few minutes walk away. It will also have a huge positive impact for Dartmouth. Please click on the thumbnail on the left to visit their site.

I was able to get in the other day for a sneak peak. Here is a short video of the Model Suite posted with King's Wharf permission:

Please call me now for more information, Mike @ 902.209.6745, and I would be happy to introduce you to the King's Wharf Condos and show you their model suite. Whether you are looking for a Condo to move into, or if you are looking to purchase a few units as an investment, Nova Scotia has never seen such a Real Estate Project!

Mike Smith, REALTOR® 902.209.6745 Family First Realty Halifax, Nova Scotia

http://www.ilistinhd.com/

mike@iListinHD.com

Not enough Real Estate Listings in Nova Scotia.

2009-10-19T12:26:00.008-04:00

The supply of new listing across Canada is going down. Please click here to read the full article from the Financial Post. All in all we can not complain about the Real Estate market in Nova Scotia....

It's a good time to get out there and buy a house if you have been on the fence according to this article. 95% of the Real Estate news coming out for Nova Scotia and Canada at large has been very positive for the last several months.

Mike Smith, REALTOR® | 902.209.6745

Family First Realty | Halifax, Nova Scotia

iListinHD.com | mike@iListinHD.com

Halifax Real Estate market

2009-10-02T12:16:00.001-04:00

Here is another article hinting that the Real Estate Market in Canada, and most of the world, is starting to look better. However I believe that we have to keep in mind the unemployment situation in American is still getting worse and if this continues, as some say it will, there will be an adverse effect on the Real Estate markets in general. Click on the thumbnail above to read the full article from the Glove Investor.

Mike Smith, REALTOR® 902.209.6745

Family First Realty Halifax, Nova Scotia
iListinHD.com mike@iListinHD.com

Halifax Commercial Real Estate

2009-09-11T09:29:00.002-04:00

The Canadian Commercial Real Estate Market is still facing troubled times as the Residential market recovers. Click on the thumbnail above to read the full story from the Chronicle Herald. Sales are down 50% for the first 1/2 of 2009 compared to where they were the year before. However things starting looking alittle better in July...

Mike Smith, REALTOR® 902.209.6745

Family First Realty Halifax, Nova Scotia
iListinHD.com mike@iListinHD.com

Thinking of buying Real Estate near the Halifax Airport?

2009-09-10T13:16:00.003-04:00

Below is a great funny video of why to work with a REALTOR® I actually will knock on the neighbors doors when I have a buying client to get any "insights" into the neighborhood they are buying into. You know to check for serial killers, grow houses, etc. But seriously how many REALTORS do you know that will go that extra step?

Mike Smith, REALTOR® | 902.209.6745

Family First Realty | Halifax, Nova Scotia

iListinHD.com | mike@iListinHD.com

Search for Nova Scotia Real Estate.

2009-09-09T10:35:00.000-04:00

Well leave it to Google. They have made a very easy way to search for Real Estate in a givin area (including Nova Scotia). Just click on the link above or go to www.maps.google.com/realestate to check it out.

This is so much more easier than the clunky MLS system who always seems to be behind the times.

Pick out a few properties and I would be happy to show you them! I'm just a phone call away.

Mike Smith, REALTOR® | 902.209.6745

Family First Realty | Halifax, Nova Scotia

iListinHD.com | mike@iListinHD.com

Halifax Real Estate on fire!

2009-09-09T07:36:00.000-04:00

Mike Smith, REALTOR® | 902.209.6745 Family First Realty iListinHD.com | mike@iListinHD.com

Opposed to my last post, this article from the Burnside News show the Real Estate Market in Halifax is on fire!

This stats are from the NSAR so they should be accurate. Click on the thumbnail above if you are interested in reading the full details.

Halifax Resale Home Prices

2009-09-08T20:08:00.000-04:00

Resale Prices up except Halifax? - June 2009 Numbers (edit/delete)

More good numbers for the Canada resale home prices. Click on the thumbnail above to read the full article for Reuters.

Interesting if you read through it though that the numbers for Halifax were down. This seems to be opposite what the last several other articles I have published have stated. Only thing I can think of is that these numbers were from last June and I have been posting more resent information.

Mike Smith, REALTOR® | 902.209.6745

Family First Realty

iListinHD.com | mike@iListinHD.com

Nova Scotia Home Sales Looking Good

2009-09-07T15:08:00.002-04:00

Mike Smith, REALTOR 902.209.6745
Family First Realty
iListinHD.com mike@iListinHD.com

Here is another post in a series I have been writing from the CBC on how well the housing market is doing in Nova Scotia. Please click on the image above to view the complete article. 2009 sales are just off what they were in 2008. Many thought during last winter that sales would be dismal for the year.

Are you ready to invest in a house or sell the one you are in? Please call me now. I will film HD video of you home when you sell it with me and post this to the MLS system. This will give you home a tremendous advantage!

Halifax, Nova Scotia Real Estate Looking Good

2009-09-06T09:33:00.000-04:00

Halifax, Nova Scotia Real Estate Looking Good (edit/delete)

Mike Smith, REALTOR | 902.209.6745

Family First Realty

iListinHD.com | mike@iListinHD.com

More good numbers for Housing Starts in 2010 for Canada. Click on the thumbnail above to read the full article from Time Colonist. Housing starts are expected to increase by 40% next year. If you have been holding off waiting to buy hoping prices are going to fall it may not be time wait anymore.

Call me now and let's find you a property to buy together.

Halifax Students buying houses instead of renting.

2009-09-04T09:15:00.001-04:00

Mike Smith, Realtor

Family First Realty

902.209.6745

Are you a student in the HRM area? Have you thought of buying a house or condo to live in while you are here? Click on the thumbnail above to read the whole story. This is a great article from canada.com.

Here is some of the logic behind buying a house:

"One bedroom with a shared kitchen can easily generate $500 per month in rent. Multiply by three bedrooms and you've got $1,500 in rental income for that house. The price of a four-bedroom house can run from $250,000 to $400,000, but based on 20% down, the mortgage on a $300,000 home, for example, could be carried from the rent alone (based on today's interest rates and a 25-year amortization schedule)."

Give me a call now and I would be happy to find you a place.

Halifax Housing Starts. September, 2009

2009-09-04T09:13:00.000-04:00

Michael Smith, Realtor

Family First Realty

902.209.6745

According the CMHC things are looking up for 2010 in Atlantic Canada. Housing starts are down for 2009 but will recover next year. Please click on the thumbnail of the article above and then scroll down for more stats than you can handle.

Family First Realty | Halifax, Nova Scotia

2009-09-04T09:01:00.001-04:00

After being away for a year in Ontario I must say what a delight to be back in Nova Scotia!

Well, I have now gone full circle back to being a Realtor with Family First Realty in Halifax! With my tremendous experience in the Home Inspection business I have much more to offer clients. I look forward to working with you.

Mike Smith, REALTOR

902.209.6745

Hamilton Ontario Home Inspection

2009-01-26T15:26:00.004-05:00

I would like to Congratulate Noel Whitten as the new regional owner for A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections Atlantic Canada! Noel brings a tremendous amout of experice to the field.

I will be concentrating my efforts in Southwestern Ontario as I bought a larger region there. If you know of anyone in Ontario who may be interested in this excellent business opportuntiy please give me a call.

Here is a pic from the closing. (I'm the more handsome of the two, hehe)

From Real Estate To Home Inspections

2007-10-22T11:12:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I have some very exciting news.

Many years ago I became interested in becoming a home inspector and I went into real estate to learn the in and outs of the industry. I have now made the transition into home inspections with A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections as the Atlantic Regional Owner.

I understand the importance of referrals from Realtors and now that I have done both I have a very good understanding of the industry at large. We have a few franchise opportunities available throughout Atlantic Canada. Have you thought about a career change? Call me if you are interested in learning more.

Please visit our website and, Realtors, please put us on top of your “list of three.”

Best regards,
Mike Smith
A Buyers Choice Atlantic Regional Owner
902.404.1315

http://www.abuyerschoice.ca/