Vancouver, BC – May 15, 2012. From information gathered from The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE reports that the dollar volume of homes sold through Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC weakened 12.5 per cent to $3.8 billion in April matched to the same month last year. A total of 7,058 MLS® residential unit sales were documented over the same period, down 1.8 per cent from April 2011. The average MLS® residential price was $532,855, 10.9 per cent lower than a year ago.

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“A ten per cent dip in Lower Mainland home sales offset a 14 per cent increase across the rest of the province,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Kamloops, the Okanagan and the North all posted double-digit increases in home sales in April compared to levels one year ago.”

“The share of provincial sales garnered by Vancouver and the Fraser Valley declined from 65 per cent in April 2011 to 60 per cent last month,” added Muir. “A larger proportion of homes sold in less expensive regions contributed to the average BC sales price dipping nearly 11 per cent.”

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume declined 15.8 per cent to $15 billion, compared to the same period last year. Residential unit sales dipped 9.7 per cent to 23,782 units, while the average MLS® residential price was 6.8 per cent lower at $546,870. (SOURCE: BCREA http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/ ) 

South Okanagan:  After 5 Years of declining Real Estate prices, we may be seeing the first signs of stabilization in the Okanagan BUT not Great Vancouver.   Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , reported today that of the Single Family Sales in Penticton and Summerland  “early signs of price stabilization are beginning to show”. 

Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , has noticed a larger increase in Bank Sales and produces an Okanagan Foreclosure list focusing on Bank Sales in Penticton & Summerland BC.

Please contact Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent Raymond MAASKE for more details:

Raymond MAASKE, BBA, CCC, ACRE, ATM-B
Summerland & Penticton, Okanagan, BC

Website: http://www.HomeStarRealty.ca
E-mail: raymond@HomeStarRealty.ca
Phone: 250.488.8764

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Weekly Real Estate Market Review – South Okanagan May 10, 2012

Weekly Real Estate Market Review – South Okanagan May 10, 2012

Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , released today the latest market statistics for the South Okanagan for the month ending April 30, 2012.

Parts of the South Okanagan Real Estate region’s sales are ‘on fire’ while others are ‘dropping ‘.  The greatest increases were in Princeton, Penticton and Summerland. 

Penticton:

• Units Listed 740
• Reported Sales Dollars:  68% Increase
• Average Sell Price / Unit:  $306,559
• Days to Sell:  92

Summerland: 

• Units Listed 293
• Reported Sales Dollars: 21% increase
• Average Sell Price / Unit:  $373,203
• Days to Sell:  127

The South Okanagan Real Estate Board (SOREB) consists of Summerland, Osoyoos, Penticton, Princeton, Kaledan, Okanagan Falls, Keremeos, Naramata, and Oliver.  Raymond MAASKE has been buying and selling Real Estate in the South Okanagan for almost 15 years.

Watch Market Update here: 

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Please contact Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent Raymond MAASKE for more details:

Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , reported today that of the Single Family Sales this week (May 3, 2012) in Penticton and Summerland  seem to be balancing out with ‘balanced’ sales in Penticton & Summerland this week.

In Summerland & Penticton Okanagan BC the new SOLDS hit the market this week at an average list price of $351,200and $404,950 respectively while the selling price was $336,500 and $387,550 respectively.  “This week home sales in Penticton & Summerland look to by balanced on a 1:3 ratio between the two communities.” says MAASKE

On the LISTING side, the average list price of what was listed in Summerland and Penticton was $461,783 and $480,277 respectively.   

Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , has noticed a larger increase in Bank Sales and Foreclosures in Penticton and produces an Okanagan Foreclosure list focusing on Bank Sales in Penticton & Summerland Okanagan BC.

South Okanagan Real Estate Update – Penticton & Summerland May 3, 2012.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 “So, China Eh?… A 16 year old girl’s journey to the Middle Kingdom” is the title of the book Sabrina MAASKE is preparing to chronicle her journey to and thru China. 

Raymond & Janice MAASKE have four children, all unique in their own ways, Sabrina is our eldest and also happens to be the first ready to “be who she is” says dad – Raymond.  Raymond MAASKE has lived the idiom “the impossible is just a little harder to achieve”.  As parents, of course we are concerned BUT our concern should not be based on ‘fear’ but ‘love’ says mother – Janice.  “We love all our children very much and in that love must set them free to be who God has designed them to be” and to do otherwise would be the tragedy says Sabrina’s father.

The MAASKE Family focuses on living life on purpose and it is clear in Sabrina’s next year living 10,000 km from home.  Sabrina’s goals are:

1.     Become fluent in Mandarin Chinese

2.     Live and learn the Chinese Culture

3.     Encourage others to pursue their passion and goals.

Sabrina’s book:  “So, China Eh?… A 16 year old girl’s journey to the Middle Kingdom” will be her experiences living in China and comparing and contrasting two cultures – East and West. 

Sabrina’s parents, Raymond & Janice MAASKE will partly sponsor her trip thru the family owned Summerland Penticton Real Estate Agent Company – Home Star Realty in conjunction with Sabrina’s two years of working at Tim Horton’s.  Tim Horton’s ownership has been supportive of her pursuits and Sabrina hopes to retain her position while she is away.  “It’s important for me to pay for this trip as it is my goal, however, any support is welcome” says Sabrina.  Support needed most right now is in organizing ‘setting up’ in China and communication with people here In Canada.  “My greatest sense of accomplishment would be to share my experience with others that are not able to do what I am doing,” says Sabrina.  “I want to hear from my friends her and those that I make along the way………….”

Evening News – China trip inspired by family travel

A Summerland family is letting their 16-year-old move to China for her grade 11 year, confident their extensive travel experience will help her adapt well.

Watch Full Interview here: http://www.chbcnews.ca/video/china+trip+inspired+by+family+travel/video.html?v=2228897754&p=2&s=dd#stories 

Read it on Global News: China trip inspired by family travel – Evening News – Videos | CHBC News

Please contact Sabrina MAASKE for more details:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/sabrina.maaske 

or Raymond MAASKE at Raymond@HomeStarRealty.ca

Strong Sales: Penticton makes a comeback!  Okanagan Real Estate Update – April 26, 2012.

Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , reported today that of the Single Family Sales this week (April 26,2012) in Penticton and Summerland  seem to be balancing out with strong sales in Penticton this week.

In Summerland & Penticton Okanagan BC the new SOLDS hit the market this week at an average list price of $374,450 and $485,696 respectively while the selling price was $352,500 and $459,889 respectively.  “This week home sales in Penticton clobbered Summerland with 13 sales versus only two in Summerland” says MAASKE

On the LISTING side, the average list price of what was listed in Summerland and Penticton was $719,342 and $422,942 respectively.   A few scenarios can be run to explain this dichotomy says MAASKE “ we may be seeing a bounce back to ‘normal’ after slower sales in Penticton relative to its size to Summerland” 

Home foreclosures in the South Okanagan Towns of Penticton & Osoyoos BC have climbed again this week

Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , BBA, CCC, ATM-B has highlighted 17 properties ranging from under $100,000 to almost $1,800,000.  We continue to see more foreclosures from a wide varieties prices and locations.

“In Osoyoos you can now find a three bedroom, two bathroom house $329,000” says Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE.

“In Penticton, you will find Top floor South East corner unit at THE ELLIS at Kettle Valley Station. The top floor offers this unit a vaulted ceiling in the living room. Two bedrooms, two-bathroom unit with open floor plan. Secure underground parking: Patio doors from living room and master bedroom to 58 Sqft deck area: Mountain and City views: Second parking spot purchased already! All measurements are approximate. 2011 Tax Assessment: $206,800 and owner paid $235,000 in 2008.” Says MAASKE.

There are no shortages of properties to choose from in Penticton either.   For example, there is a house at 233 BRANDON AVE – just reduced $7000 to now $242,900.  Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE  describes this “2-bedroom home well situated between the Malls offers great value 19% below its current tax assessed value of $297,000. The recently updated kitchen offers lots of cupboard space and the ease of functionality, with plenty of room to work. There is a separate laundry area just off the kitchen offering access through sliders to the rear yard and patio area perfect for barbecuing with friends and family while the kids run and play. The renovations have only just been begun, so this is a perfect opportunity for you to get in on the action and make this house your home or next investment.”

A struggling economy is to blame for more people losing their homes in the South Okanagan Towns of Penticton & Summerland, BC but in the Kelowna area, the lure of luxury condominiums has waned as buyers turn to year-round sunshine destinations South of the our border.

“I just received another foreclosure on Friday that I am processing which is getting harder to value as the process of bank sales thru foreclosures is time consuming and stressful as I often work directly with those losing their homes” says Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , BBA, CCC, ATM-B

Buyers from Alberta and the Lower Mainland purchased luxury properties in Kelowna and in the South Okanagan Town of Penticton when the market was high in 2008. Now they are taking losses as prices have dropped, some by as much as 50%, which has sent foreclosures rates in the Okanagan through the roof.

Watch Weekly Review here:     

Get Foreclosure List Here:  http://www.mediafire.com/?kae4boa6bh1ycgf 

Contact Raymond MAASKE at 250.488.8764 or Raymond@HomeStarRealty.ca  for listing details.

Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , reported today that of the Single Family Sales this week (April 19,2012) in Penticton and Summerland  are ‘bizarre’ as Summerland continues to outperform compared to its neighbor – Penticton BC.

In Summerland & Penticton Okanagan BC the new SOLDS hit the market this week at an average list price of $402,757 and $298,471 respectively while the selling price was $378,714 and $289,375 respectively.  “This week home sales are outpacing Penticton -(three times the population of Summerland BC)” says MAASKE

On the LISTING side, the average list price of what was listed in Summerland and Penticton was $775,600 and $487,360 respectively.   A few scenarios can be run to explain this dichotomy says MAASKE “ some people have waited for the market to improve and perhaps this is as good as they think it may get in the short term.”  But why Summerland and nowhere else?

Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , has noticed a larger increase in Bank Sales in Penticton and produces an Okanagan Foreclosure list focusing on Bank Sales in Penticton & Summerland Okanagan BC.

According to The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) “ the dollar volume of homes sold through Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC declined 26.5 per cent to $3.8 billion in March compared to the same month last year.  A total of 6,882 MLS® residential unit sales were recorded over the same period, a decline of 20 per cent. The average MLS® residential price was $545,959 in March, 8.1 per cent lower than in March 2011.”

Watch Video Here:   

South Okanagan:  After 5 Years of declining Real Estate prices, we may be seeing the first signs of stabilization.   Summerland Penticton Okanagan Real Estate Agent and Home Star Realty Owner Raymond MAASKE , reported today that of the Single Family Sales this week (April 12 2012) in Penticton and Summerland  “early signs of price stabilization are beginning to show”. 

There seems to be a ‘rush’ in a few towns in the Okanagan but from the statistics, things don’t look so promising says MAASKE.  “

Summary: 

British Columbia Real Estate:

• Dollars Sales DOWN 26.5%
• Units Sold DOWN 20%

Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board:

• Sales DOWN 30%
• Listings DOWN 14%
• Now, listings up 16%

^{Note:  March 2012 compared to March 2011}