IN THIS ISSUE         Febuary Newsletter 2014                   

Hello;
 
According to the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, in our area (Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Errington & Qualicum Beach) there were 99 single family homes listed in January and there were 32 SFD sales (an 19% increase over January, 2013).  The average price was $399,141 (16% more than the average January 2013 sale price).  As for building lots, there were 11 lots listed last month and there were 8 sales, (huge increase from the 1 lot sale that took place last January) and the average price was $137,750.   As for apartment/condominiums, there were 18 condos listed and 4 sales in January, the average sale price was $150,125 (33% lower than the average sale price in January, 2013). As for patio homes & townhouses, there were 19 listed last month & 4 sales; the average price was $306,925 (down approximately 15% from the January 2013 average sale price).

Though the number of sales is encouraging, the actual list/sell ratio for single family homes is only 32%. This means that buyers have a large selection of homes to choose from and only 1 out of every 3 homes listed will actually sell. If you want to actually sell your property (and not just “list”) you want to be sure that your listing is handled professionally and priced correctly.  Royal LePage is the largest and most successful real estate company in our area and I have been a top producer within the company & community for over 23 years.  This provides the exposure you want and more importantly, the experience you need in this market.  My goal is not only to get your property sold, it is to get you the most money possible.

If you would like to sell, please call me @ 1-877-248-4348, locally @ 250-248-7612  or e-mail me at sold@shaw.ca
Karen & Debbie
Royal Lepage 
 

Mexican Black Bean Soup

 
2 cups dried black (turtle) beans
2 onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 jalapeno, chopped
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp fennel seeds
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
28-oz can stewed tomatoes
4 tsp fresh lime juice
Salt & pepper
Garnish – sour cream, cilantro or lime slice

In large pot cover beans with 6 cups of water – ring to boil and cook 2 mins.  Remove from heat; let stand 1 hour. Drain, rinse and drain again.  Sauté onions, garlic and celery in oil until softened.  Stir in chili, hot sauce, jalapeno, oregano, cumin and fennel.   Cook for 1 minute.  Add beans and stock.  Simmer for 1 ½ hours, until beans are tender.  Add tomatoes, lime juice, salt and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.  Puree soup in batches – return to pot and heat.  Serve with your choice of garnish.  If soup is too thick, add more stock.  Serves 8