Buy and pay for furniture after April 1, 2013 - Sales tax decrease Are you looking to buy furniture for your home right now?  If you live in Prince Edward Island, you should consider waiting until April 1, 2013 to buy and pay for your furniture from your Prince Edward Island furniture store. On April 1, 2013, the 5% GST and 10% PST are being replaced by the new 14% HST. Since the 10% PST was charged on top of the 5% GST, you were effectively paying 10.5% PST for a total of 15.5% sales tax before April 1, 2013.  Afterwards, you will be paying 14% harmonized sales tax (HST). Buy and pay for furniture after April 1, 2013 - Sales tax decrease 03/11/2013

The market seems to have turned around in Bucks county. There have been multiple offers on listings. My listing is under contract and I still receieve calls for back up offers. Recently my buyers were involved in a bidding war and my strategy helped them win the bid. If you are thinking of selling your home now is the best time to list. there is pent up demand for homes. Before you list your home read my series Eight steps to selling your home for tips to sell your home for top dollar . Here are the posts :   Eight steps to selling your home. Step # 1. Reasons for Moving Eight steps to selling your home Step # 2 Interview agents Eight Steps to selling you home. Step # 3 Pricing it right Eight Steps to selling your home.Step # 4 Preparing your home to sell Eight Steps to Marketing your h... 02/22/2013

We learn from experience. We learn something new everyday . In real estate every transaction is different. We learn something from every buyer, seller,tenant,landlord, andd property we deal with and from events in our lives. We make adjustments and changes in our techniques and methods based on what we learn  from our experiences. When we   get out of our comfort zone we are reminded of the phrase ...' it won't kill you. ' This motivates us to do things that we normally do not do. When I got my license in 1992 my Broker at that time gave us tips on farming and cold calling. He had a cross directory with names and addresses  by street name.. We did not have a do  no call list in those days. I was scared to call strangers but after a few days I did not mind calling. Most people were frien... 09/21/2012

PEI's New Glasgow Lobster Suppers! Not to Be Missed! When we told people we were going to PEI they all said we had to try the lobster! Okay. And the place to go, recommended by several is New Glasgow. You can't miss it there are signs everywhere, even on the back of the building facing the river! The menu which not only includes Lobster, also has all you can eat; chowder, rolls, salad, bucket o' mussels and dessert. (yes unlimited) Being new to having lobster we had no idea what size to order (and you have to tell them before you go into the dining room), they came in 1, 1 1/2, 2 and 3 lb sizes with options to share the 2 and 3 lb sizes. We should have figured that one out, but we decided to go for the gold and each ordered a 3 pounder. OMG, what have we done!?! After a valiant effort w... 06/03/2012

EXPECT A CALL FROM MY BROTHER NEXT WEEK It is another busy day in real estate. I wrote a recent blog post on TOP 5 REASONS WHY RENTAL UNITS STAY VACANT when it comes to using Realtors. I was inspired to write this blog post because a new real estate investor asked me this question when signing up with me for property management. He informed me that his unit had been vacant for five months and he could not under the reasons from his previous Realtor. Voila! Please read the informative post. So, I have had his unit under management for about a week. I drove out the next day to take several pictures of inside and outside of the home. Also, I wrote down notes about the home to develop a marketing plan for the home. This home was placed on the Internet. We started receiving calls on this pro... 02/28/2012

DOES YOUR CURRENT REALTOR CREATE REAL ESTATE DEALS LIKE ME? I have been a Realtor for the past nine years. Why did I get into real estate? My main motivation was to help real estate investors find great real estate deals and close them. So, this is still my main motivation when it comes to working with real estate investors. The number #1 need for real estate investors from a Realtor is on how to determine a good deal. Then, the real estate investor needs assistance in structuring and closing the deal. The money is made at the close of escrow. That is how I was taught by my real estate mentor. He told me one day "Deals do not come to you. Great Realtors create deals." This statement has always stuck in my head to this day. Very powerful words from one who is very successful in his indus... 07/24/2011

LEARN TO AVOID THE TOP 5 MISTAKES WHEN CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN FOR REAL ESTATE It is critical for all of us to create a business plan for each one of us so that we have a road map to arrive at our destination. I see so many Realtors not focused and frustrated. This can be remedied by establishing a solid business plan. Furthermore, I would highly recommend to them on having a mentor to keep one accountable during this time. Here are the TOP 5 MISTAKES CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN UNREALISTIC FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS-I am going to make $1 million in my first year in real estate. How many of you have witnessed this from a new Realtor? Setting realistic financial projections creates a true picture for oneself. Opportunity-I believe the Reatlor needs to define who they will serve such as first ti... 06/19/2011

I am looking for interior designers, interior decorators and home stagers who give back to their local community using their design skills. Deserving Decor is a non-profit, organization of Interior Decorators, Home Stagers and community volunteers who donate their time and resources to clean, furnish and decorate transitional housing for homeless families - using donated furnishings and home decor.I am looking for like minded nonprofits and groups to share resources, provide encouragement, help, mentor and just get to know one another. If you are involved in a group who provides these types of services or are thinking about creating a nonprofit or group or know someone who is doing this type of work, let us know by posting a comment or sending an email to beth@deservingdecor.org. Togeth... 04/07/2010

3 Bedroom bungalow, With Great Back Yard, and Large garage, I will post details, pictures this week. Anyone interested visit www.trevormurray.net Trevor Murray EXIT Realty PEI 02/24/2010

47 Horseshoe Blvd - A Delightful Surprise this Beautiful home may be exactly what you looking for,Open concept design makes this spotless home very inviting,seeing is believng,you also have a proper In-Law suite everthing on ground level no stairs easy access,2 homes for the price of one!! Phone 902-394-4037 Today or email: sold@trevormurray.net View More Details: http://www.exitrealtypei.com/details.php?id=59 02/12/2010

      Mary TaylorSales Manager/Sr. Loan OfficerGolf Savings BankPhone: (503) 701-2269Fax: 1-888-287-1675metaylor@golfsavingsbank.com    I've been hearing a lot as to how much we are indebted to China - NPR also ran a piece on this a few days ago.  Below are various commentaries that speak to this.    From Think Big, Work Small    US markets were met with news this morning that China increased its reserve levels for banks by 50 basis points. The move was somewhat expected but never with a timetable. China has been moving to slow its growth and fend off the inevitable inflation spiral when demand increases at levels supply can't keep up. The reaction to the news sent stock indexes lower after strong gains yesterday, and is rallying the rate markets after the 10 yr note broke its technical... 02/12/2010

Lower Malpeque Road : $24,975 A large .58 acre lot located minutes from all major amenities. This lot is perfect for a back split or any other home design that can utilize the beautiful back yard. Build your home here, family living, schools within minutes, baseball field + new soccer complex in the area. This lot even has it's own stream in the back year. Size 130`X265`X180`. All measurments are approx. MLS® # 09047342 View More Photos: www.trevormurray.net Call Trevor Murray 902-394-4037 EXIT Realty PEI   01/25/2010

The  First time home buyer tax credit has been extended and now   includes existing home owners who lived in their home for five  of last eight years  and used it as their primary residence who  buy another home as their primary residence.. You can check the IRS guidelines for income and eligibilty or go to www.irs.gov There are buyers who are looking to buy so you may able to sell your home and take advantage of the credit and buy a home. Call Gita Bantwal for free market analysis of your home ReMax Centre Realtors 2153438200x124   visit www.gitabantwal.com email gita at gita01@aol.com     01/21/2010

There are lots of opportunities to buy property and fix it and turn around and sell it. There are strict guidelines but it has become easier. You need to have a good contractor who can fix it at a reasonable price . You should know what improvements will get you a higher price and need a good agent who can identify potential property to buy and them market it and sell it once it is fixed. You need to follow HUD guidelines and have a good accountant. Please click on the link below for Hud guidelines. http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/waivpropflip2010.pdf Call Gita Bantwal at ReMax Centre Raltors 215-343-8200x124 or direct 215-343-8206   01/17/2010

Lets all work hard to make 2010 the best year for all, good health, safety for family and friends, peace, and hope that 2010 is the best year in Real Estate on Prince Edward Island and through Canada and USA. Happy 2010. http://www.trevormurray.net   01/04/2010

Yesterday I attended an education session that had several home inspectors presenting information to a group of real estate agents.  They gave us valuable information on what should be expected from a home inspection and how we can help our clients benefit from them.   One important tool they supplied us with was a checklist of things we could do as real estate agents to ensure the home inspection went smoothly for all parties involved.  This checklist included the following suggestions:   Give the inspector a quick call the day before the inspection to verify the appointment.  Make sure the inspector is aware of access arrangements.  If they need to pick up a key at the office or if you need to meet them there to let them in, they should be informed of this ahead of time. Ask the inspe... 11/19/2009

The average home sold for $155,000 in 2009 it increased from $141,200 in Oct. 2008. Other provinces through out Canada are also on the rise. I feel this increase in the average home sale is happening today in the Prince Edward Island Real Estate market, because there is a lot of older homes and property that is not selling, and the new home sales with the big price tags are selling so this drives up the average price in the market. I will keep you all posted as the new year is fast approaching. Visit www.trevormurray.net for new listings and open house schedule Prince Edward Island. 11/19/2009

  Home Inspections   When you buy a home, you don't receive a money back guarantee as you do with other purchases. There is no return policy if you find yourself disappointed in your purchase after the fact. Once you are the owner of this home, you are then responsible for all the maintenance and repair costs as well as any bills that go along with it. Before you purchase a home and when you write up a contract to purchase, you do have a clause that allows you to have a home inspection on your home before you decide that you want to go ahead and finalize the deal. Since most people only use a home inspector once or twice in a lifetime, it's sometimes difficult to know how to choose a good one. Your real estate agent can steer you in the right direction with this decision and give you a... 11/18/2009

Are these a thing of the past?  Do agents still send these to clients?  How many per year and what do yours consist of?  Do you do them yourselves or pay someone to do them? In the past, I made our newsletters myself and we would send them out four times per year.  Since we are trying hard to "go green" - we would send them via email as much as we could and mail the ones we didn't have emails for.  It was our way of keeping in touch with past clients.   Do you find these to be effective or are they now a thing of the past?  What are your thoughts? 11/17/2009

I'm curious on other real estate agent's opinion on social media.  Are many agents using it and if so, are you seeing results?  I am currently on Twitter and I have a fan page on Facebook.  I also have an account on Linked In.  People say social media is the next big thing so I do think it's important to create a presence in these places but I haven't really seen any tangible results as of yet.  I often use these medias to post links to my blog, so I do see the increase in traffic to my site, but I have not seen any leads created from any of these medias.  I would be interested to hear other stories from agents who may have had some success from these mediums.  Do you think they are here to stay or just a passing phase?  How important is it to clients to have their agents up to date on ... 11/17/2009