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Market Analysis

Current Market Conditions

Copyright, Li Read, 2007

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March, 2007.

Awards are important bench marks for realtors, as it is a way of measuring the success of one's marketing programs, one's customer satisfaction, and one's expertise in an ever changing field.

For the nineth year in a row, I have been fortunate to have been the top realtor, in sales, on Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands. Awards are based on sales accomplishment.

It was interesting, in 2006, that I achieved the highest dollar value sale, in non-waterfront property, and also the highest dollar value sale in waterfront property, and that neither of these were listings on the mls system.

My sales achievement, then, is based on the total sales picture, and not just on the mls listings that I have sold.

The mls system cannot give "credit" to a buyer's agent, then, as the system is about listed properties, only.

If a realtor acts for a buyer, in the sale of a non-listed property, then there is no acknowledgment, via the mls system, for this sale.

This is unfortunate, as it also means that appraisers don't have full information, to do a bank appraisal for a customer's financing needs.

If one relies just on the mls system, then, it's only partial information, and some useful statistical information won't be available to either the consumer or to an appraiser.

It might be time for the mls/board system to recognize the changes in the real estate industry, so that they truly do offer "all" information, and not just "some" information.

The system is only as good as the breadth of its statistical information in this data oriented information age, and, at this moment, the mls system is no longer the source of "all" information on sales.

In 2006, then, I achieved the MLS Gold Award, for sales, which puts my sales level in the top 10% of the entire Victoria Real Estate Board area. I also achieved the RE/MAX Platinum Award, in sales, and this puts me in the top 10% of all RE/MAX sales associates, globally. Earlier, I had received the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement recognition.

I truly appreciate all the clients who have used my services, and feel very fortunate that I was able to help both sellers and buyers to achieve their goals in property ownership or in the sale of same.

It is important to me that the client is the one to be satisfied, in each and every transaction, whether I represent the buyer or the seller.

I love what I do, and enjoy the connections with people, in what is often their most important decision -- the sale or the purchase of their home.

I try, too, to give back to the community, as I believe that this is an integral part of a business plan. I donate regularly to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, have given to the Greenwoods Foundation, and also donate regularly to the Gulf Islands Secondary School resource centre, plus have gifted to the elementary school and the preschool fundraisers, whenever asked, and also support the IODE, as it, too, is focused on education and its benefits. I also am a regular contributor to the Children's Miracle Network, which is the RE/MAX main charity. All funds from this go to the B.C. Children's Hospital, and many Gulf Islands families have been helped, here -- it is a "local charity".

I also have helped sponsor fundraising for Splash, in their pool construction efforts. ArtSpring, and related theatrical productions, have also benefitted from my sponsorship -- I believe in the support of the Arts. The SPCA and sponsorship of other worthy causes, such as cancer research, MS fundraisers, etc., all garner my support.

All of us find ourselves where we are because of the mentoring or helping nature of someone along our path, and the only way we get to return the favour is to pass it along to someone else.

I also do a lot of pro bono work, and often take less commission or even no commission, if it will help someone to benefit and to be able to move on, in their lives. Sometimes, the need to sell is because of death or divorce, or moving to assisted living, and these major reasons often require an individual response to the dynamics of the sale. This is not a cut and dried career!

I love what I do, and am so glad that I met all of the people, over the past 18 years, that I have helped in a purchase or a sale of "their" property.

This is a very unique and beautiful Island, and I am so glad to call it "home".

May I help you to locate your dream?


  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • Entries for 2006
  • Entries for 2005 & Earlier

    Contact Li Read at RE/MAX Salt Spring, 131 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, BC, V8K 2T2, Toll-Free 1-800-731-7131