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http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/75354-emscote-ltd-proposes-residential-project

Emscote Ltd. proposes residential project

March 19, 2012 BY REMO ZACCAGNA BUSINESS REPORTER

A big residential project bordering Bedford could be completed by next year if Chebucto community council gives the go ahead April 2.

Emscote Ltd., headed by developer Ralph Medjuck, is proposing to build 113 single-family homes, 54 townhouses and three
multiple-unit buildings totalling 213 apartments on a 33-hectare site immediately north of Royale Hemlocks subdivision,
between Bedford Highway and Highway 102.

Chebucto council will hold a public hearing on the proposal April 2 and subsequently vote on it.
If approved, work should begin “as soon as we possibly can get permits to get into the ground,” Kathleen O’Donovan, director
of development with Emscote, said in a phone interview Monday.

“I want construction to start (this) spring or summer at the latest. We want land available to turn over to the builders by fall ..... so that they can start (housing) construction late this year so they can have homes ready for the public for the spring

market.”

The land is next to an area owned by Clayton Developments Ltd. in Bedford South and Cresco Developments Ltd. south of
that.

“Right now, currently, there’s not a lot of land in Halifax available,” O’Donovan said.
The project encompasses a 27.5-hectare parcel at the end of Transom Drive, Starboard Drive, Cutter Drive, Bosun Run and
Fleetview Drive. Another 5.6 hectares will be developed between Jacob Lane and Bedford Highway.
The proposal is also near an $86-million residential project, just off Larry Uteck Boulevard and Jacob Lane, that is being
developed by Emscote Ltd. and Universal Properties.

O’Donovan said the project is the “missing link” for the Halifax Regional Municipality master plan for development in Bedford
South-Wentworth Estates.
“This will connect the former Royale Hemlocks ..... and it will connect it with Bedford South.”
It would be built in three phases, with the first phase being 27 single-family homes and 54 townhouses, 24 of which will be
condominiums.

The area, close to amenities, schools and green spaces, is the ideal location for a mixed-density project of this magnitude,
O’Donovan said.

“Mixed-density allows people to move up in size from an apartment or a condominium to a townhouse or to a small singlefamily or an executive single-family as their lifestyle changes. But it also allows them to move down as their lifestyle
changes.”

Additionally, the lots would be bigger than the average 4,000-square-foot lot. O’Donovan said each lot would average from
5,000 to 6,500 square feet.

“We’re going to do our best to maintain as many trees as we can behind the houses so that you have sort of a suburban feel
in a city environment.”

(rzaccagna@herald.ca)
By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter

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Tradewinds Realty Reaching the World

In an increasingly digital age it is amazing how important the printed word remains in many countries. In
the UK and Europe, for example, the press has an enormous influence that is hardly matched anywhere
else in the world.

So it is hugely beneficial to make a big splash in the UK press when it comes to publicising and promoting
real estate. Newspapers and magazines such as the Financial Times, The Sunday Times and The
Telegraph really do have a worldwide readership. They also have a significant online presence.

This is where Tradewinds Realty’s London marketing office is so important within our global marketing
strategy. Our London team over in the UK ensure we gain as much editorial as possible. This means we
provide yet another superb route to the international market for our sellers.

Many of our sellers now demand global coverage. But they hardly need tell us. We have been making
sure that we leave no stone unturned in the international market for many years and we have developed
the means, and have the boots on the ground, to ensure maximum press and buyer penetration.

The past year has been no exception and our press coverage has gained us an amazing spread of
enquiries from across the globe - further underlining that if a seller wants a broker who will go the extra
thousand miles or so then they should reach for Tradewinds Realty because they reach the world.

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Which Real Estate Agent Should You Fall For?

With romance in the air this February Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty takes a loving look at how we could fall head over heels with…a real estate agent. Spring is round the corner and love is in the air.

Yet spare a thought for poor real estate agents. These, often undervalued, creatures are amongst the least likely to receive a lot of affection from their clients on Valentine’s Day – or any other day for that matter. But right at the moment, in this challenging economic climate, good brokers and agents are a bit like perfect sweethearts. There are times in life when it is best to havesomeone by your side who really values you, who will fight for you, who won’t answer back – too much, who will only hang around your home when you want them to and has all your best interests at heart. Such a person may not make such a bad partner.

Of course there are good partners and bad partners. Selling real estate well rests heavily on the partnership built up between seller and agent. A good agent will lovingly put your home on a pedestal and then negotiate fiercely to achieve the best deal for you. On the other hand, a lesser agent may just put your property on the internet with all the others and then haggle to find the easiest deal all round.

There is a great difference between the two – often many thousands of dollars. You could come to love the former but hate the latter. The trick is finding the right one at the outset. It’s a bit like finding the best date. They all may look roughly the same but in practice they each act very differently.

So if you are searching for the type of broker or agent you could come to love this spring invite a few around to give you some marketing advice and see how you get on. Then ask yourself which you would prefer, the flashy one who brags a lot and is cheap or the one who you feel most comfortable with to act in the most decent way: the one you can come to depend on.

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How To Be Top

As we enter a New YearNick Churton of Mayfair international Realtytakes a look at what may lie ahead for the real estate market.

Although mature real estate brokers and agents are apt to say that they have seen it all before, this time it is different. No one has seen this market under this set of national and international financial conditions before. But what is rather refreshing is that the uncertainty now cuts down the speculation aspect of a home purchase and strips the requirement to buy down to the real and age-old essentials. This makes for easier choices.

Le Corbusier, the pioneering architect, stated that, “The requirements for a house should be to provide a shelter against heat, cold, rain, thieves and the inquisitive”. He didn’t add that a home should also provide its owner with an investment return of seven per cent year-on-year.

 For the first time since, perhaps, the 1960s property investment can take more of a back seat in the home buying mindset and, instead, fundamental life requirements can come back to the fore. Of course with other financial instruments providing so little in the way of return, real estate is a natural arena in which to invest. But with little or no indication about if or when the market will return in any zest we are left with simpler decisions and choices – does a home suit our requirements in size, location, style and price?

 It is although our needs have been simplified in the way they may have been fifty years ago. With less frenzy and greater choice, for a while at least, this may be a very good time to choose a primary or secondary home for all the very best lifestyle reasons.

 We quickly learn to expect that there is an investment opportunity to be gained from property purchase in a rising market. But we are rather slow to appreciate the reverse is likely in a poor market and/or in particularly adverse economic circumstances as we have now.

2011 was a hard year in property and this year may not be much better. We may have new US, Russian and French presidents, more ructions in Europe and the Middle East, and greater privations at home before we see greater improvement. But still there is a reassuring level of market activity that has more to do with need than discretion. This is the market we have and this is the market we have to deal with – and deal with it we will.

But real estate buyers and sellers should not be deterred. Indeed they should be encouraged as the more life there is in the real estate market the more life there is in the economy. But those still insisting on the sort of financial profit they may have achieved several years ago should perhaps think again and get real. It will be the enlightened that get to the top of the property class in 2012, not those in denial.

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By Nick Churton, Director of Mayfair International Realty.

A Guest Blog From Our Mayfair International Office.

The race is on. The vacation gear has been put away for another year. The kids are back at school. Holiday decorations are already on the grocery store shelves. It must be October and the rush, for some, is to sell their home and buy a new one in time to put those decorations up this year.
It is as though holiday decorations will make a new property an instant home. Romantic thought. But it is usually time that makes a home. And time is not really on the side of October sellers, unless they adhere to some hard and fast seasonal rules. 

So here are six top real estate tips to help move thing along before the 2011 Holidays:
1. Try not to apply an arbitrary timetable to your sale and purchase – especially one that is influenced by the Holidays. It could add unnecessary pressure at an already stressful time. Ultimately the speed of real estate transactions rests on price and not on whimsical desire.
2. Price your home today based on what someone will realistically pay and not an amount you need to buy the property you want, or that you think you should have. Here lies disappointment.
3. Be flexible. Yours will not be the only agenda. Others in the transaction, and in allied transactions, will have their own agendas too. Be reasonable.
4. Clean, paint, de-clutter, shine, stage, beautify and equip for all you are worth. Lots of other savvy sellers will be doing the same to attract a good buyer. You don’t want to be left with a bad one just before the Holidays.
5. Remember a property is not just for the Holidays. It is for all year round. It is for you and your family. If it is worth buying it is really worth waiting for.
6. If you do make it into your new home by the Holidays say a very big thank you to your real estate agent. In this challenging market he or she will have deserved it!

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Top of the Class

Everyone knows that selling real estate is like shelling peas. Right?  Brokers and agents have it easy.  They just put on the internet – and the property is as good as gone at its ambitious asking price. Right?

Wrong!

What about selling real estate at a time when not so many are interested in buying?  When buyers are strapped for cash; when the banks aren’t lending so much or so easily; when the country is facing a harsh austerity period and at a time of tenacious financial uncertainty.  What about selling real estate when a seller may be demanding more than the market will stand?  What about selling real estate when people have more pressing things to think about?  And how about selling real estate for someone whose personal circumstances – joyous, sad or desperate – crucially depend on an agent’s efforts, despite all the above negative market conditions.

Then selling real estate is not quite so easy as many might suggest.

But, cometh the moment cometh the agent.  Of course when the market is in overdrive it is easier to sell homes.  But now, in many areas, matters are more serious.  Selling property in this market needs an agent with experience, with heart and foresight and skill and purpose. One with a steady hand who understands that moving home is often played out over two legs. There’s the home leg, selling, and the away leg, buying.  This is a time to play the long game and to see and understand the bigger picture – and to be able to communicate this to anxious clients.  There comes a time when selling property has to be put into the hands of someone who is seriously good at what they do. This is the time for hiring the top of the class.

If you want the agent who – even against your own optimistic judgement – has priced your home way higher than every one else, do go ahead if that makes you feel good.  But what will really make you feel good is selling your home and moving on to another.  And for that, right now, you need a professional.

Red Adair, the famous oil well fire fighter said it perfectly, “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur!”

Nicholas Churton, Director, Mayfair International Realty, London, England.

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Tradewinds Weekly Update i.Newsletter for the first week of June 2011

[click to receive]

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Tradewinds – Everywhere for You

In today’s market, just about every company has a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube account, to represent their business on social media. It has become a necessity for companies who are building a brand with longevity, and establishing not just sales but, life long customers.

Real estate is an industry in which social media has really taken off as of late. Agents are using these platforms to not only promote their listings but to build relationships and connections to the neighborhoods in which they specialize.

As with the Tradewinds’ other social media initiatives, Facebook will be used to share our weekly inewsletter, videos from the Broker, events of interest in Nova Scotia and to connect with You. We believe that culture is the most important factor around social participation and doing social media right.

Recognizing that Facebook has over 600 million users and is now used by 1 in every 11 people on earth, we feel that this is an exciting announcement and are encouraged by the interest already. We know that is certainly not a replacement of the one on one conversation of which we encourage first and foremost, however, we feel that this is one more opportunity for us to celebrate our unique offerings, as well as informing the community of any important information that has happened or is upcoming.

Along with LinkedIn, Twitter, and our Tradewinds Youtube account, our new Facebook page will provide us with one more venue to incorporate social media as a means to connect with the Nova Scotia community and speaks to our strong commitment to 21st century learning at Tradewinds.

To become a fan of the Tradewinds Facebook page, search for Tradewinds Realty Nova Scotia on Facebook.

For more information on Tradewinds Realty, please visit our website.

Tradewinds Realty represents a wide selection of waterfront, oceanfront and ocean-view real estate as well as residential, business and land real estate.

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With an inventory of twenty eight properties on the market for a million dollars or over, it is good news that five of these are under a sales contract. The first quarter of 2011 has been excellent. Showings on our higher end properties are on the increase as well. Getting activity on our upper-end inventory is a good indication the market in Nova Scotia is on the rebound.

WATER STREET CHESTER

In 2010 we only sold three homes over a million dollars, so this early activity is welcomed. First quarter results also show that we have closed 50% more sales in 2011, than the same period for 2010.

However, even with the sales activity, the effort that is required to put a Buyer and a Seller together is extreme. Negotiations have been protracted and at times heated, as the Buyers are squeezing the Seller for every drop of blood. Having said that, once the deal is signed, everyone is shaking hands and looking forward to the day of closing.

Two of the five sales have been in Chester, one west of Chester near Lunenburg, another one east of Chester and one in St. Margaret’s Bay on Peggy’s Cove Road.

We typically have an inventory of forty or more properties over a million dollars, so the present lower inventory is also a benefit for those still in the market. Others have decided to remain off the market until things pick up. Maybe the time will soon be near for more inventory to hit the market. – Tim Harris, Broker, Tradewinds Realty Nova Scotia

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[click here] NOVA SCOTIA PROPERTY NEWSLETTER