Meanwhile, on a national scale, the RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook 2012 examined trends and developments in 26 major markets across the country.  Eighty-eight per cent (23/26) anticipated average price increases by year-end 2011—with percentage hikes ranging from one to 16 per cent. The forecast for 2012 shows the upward trend moderating, but still ahead of 2011 figures.  Overall home sales are expected to remain on par or ahead of last year’s levels in 85 per cent (22/26) of markets in 2011—including Saskatoon with a year-over-year percentage increase of 13 per cent and an eight per cent uptick in Calgary, Winnipeg, Hamilton-Burlington and Sudbury.   Almost half of Canadian markets will match the 2011 performance, while the remainder should post increases ranging from one to five per cent next year.  For more predictions from RE/MAX, please watch the video below:

The kids will love to stroll along our historic main street to the town hall, where Santa’s reindeer and their keepers will be answering questions about Santa’s special training regimen for these incredible animals, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. 

From 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., meander through downtown, peaking in the “Living Christmas Windows,” where Fleetwood Dance Centre presents vignettes from the Nutcracker for your entertainment. What a wonderful way to spend some family time while awaiting Ol’ Saint Nick’s arrival!

Don’t forget to visit some of our awesome downtown merchants for holidays ideas or a steaming mug of hot chocolate!

The Santa Claus Parade begins at 5:00 p.m. at Fourth and Hurontario Streets.  Follow along behind Santa, who winds the parade up at the very top of Hurontario Street (near the waterfront) and will join the mayor in the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.  A fireworks display will follow the tree-lighting ceremony to kick off the season in style!   Hurontario Street will remain closed until after these events.

AND…for the 19+ crowd, don’t forget that November is Whiskeylicious in Collingwood, a celebration of the introduction of the only hand-crafted, toasted maplewood mellowed, Canadian Whiskey – made right here in Collingwood! For more information on the 17 participating locations of Collingwood Whiskeylicious, click here.

Single Family Residential
New Listings: 69 ( 82, 87, 85)
Average List Price: $405,469.
Range of List Prices: $157,000 – $1,395,000
Number of Sales: 36 (32, 29, 32)
Range of Sale Prices: $148,000 – $1,175,000

Condominiums
New Listings: 22 (16, 21, 31)
Average List Price: $315,550.
Range of List Prices: $96,500 – $639,900
Number of Sales: 7 (4, 12, 6)
Range of Sale Prices: $110,000 – $468,000

Vacant Land:
New Listings: 12 (13, 13, 10)
Number of Sales: 1 (2, 1, 2)
Range of sale prices: $215,000

Price Changes (up or down): 55

WHAT DID THEY GET FOR THE MONEY?

This week, the sole Vacant Land sale that occurred during our reporting period was a full “town lot” which measured 66′ x 165′ and was located very close to downtown Collingwood.  Severance potential.  Sold for $215,000. 

Single Family Residential
New Listings: 82 (87, 85, 88 )
Average List Price: $429,536.
Range of List Prices: $99,900 – $1,950,000
Number of Sales: 32 (29, 32, 22)
Range of Sale Prices: $85,000 – $2,350,000

Condominiums
New Listings: 16 (21, 31, 19)
Average List Price: $306,231.
Range of List Prices: $121,000 – $799,900
Number of Sales: 4 (12, 6, 5)
Range of Sale Prices: $127,000 – $243,000

Vacant Land?
New Listings: 13 (13, 10, 10)
Number of Sales: 2 (1, 2, 3)
Range of sale prices: $112,000 – $172,500

Price Changes (up or down): 40

Notables this week:

* 1 single family residential listing sold above it’s list price
* 1 single family residential listing sold at it’s list price

New this week:    WHAT THEY GOT FOR THEIR MONEY!

When you read the weekly Barometer, do you ever wonder what on earth would have sold for that amount of money – whether at the high or low end of the price spectrum?!   We thought you might, so this week, we’ll tell you about a sale in the Single Family section of the Barometer which sold for $85,000.  This was a 900 sq.ft.  bungalow in Clearview, with a 70′ wide lot, gas heat, 3 bedrooms on town water and septic, with no basement.  Renovations were needed.

This past week-end, Drew organized an Idols Revisited show as a fundraiser for The Door, a youth drop-in centre that is close to having to close the door.  Very literally, close The Door.  He invited six of his friends from the Canadian Idol show to Collingwood and each one readily agreed and, performed at NO CHARGE!  Isn’t that wonderful of them?

About 500 people attended the show last Saturday evening to listen to almost 3 hours of fantastic singing.  The pipes on these fellows have matured in just the 18 months since the show ended and I guess that has something to do with the performance experience they’ve had since.  Omar Lunan did one song A Cappella that raised goose bumps on my arms.  The Pigott brothers, Sebastian and Oliver, brought their twitching and bewitching talents to the stage with soulful energy that riveted the audience’s attention.  Adam Castelli rocked the house with his rockabilly tunes while Paul Clifford sang quietly and almost reverently.  Then came Earl.  Yup, that snowboarding, gangly big oaf from Alberta named Earl Stevenson.  He was clearly a crowd favourite and certainly to this gal – I call myself Earl’s Girl.  My husband reminds me that perhaps I should say I’m his Mama since he’s exactly half my age.  Spoil sport.

Then came Drew who brought the house down with his stunning guitar playing and remarkable vocal ability.  That lad can sing!  Thank-you Drew for bringing this great show to us and for helping another local organization through some tough times.  A special shout out to John Gabrielle who makes things like this work with his superb organizational skills.  He also happens to be about the most charming fellow this side of Athens.

P.S.  To my friends who bet I’d never get to meet Earl?  Ha!  A bunch of us went over to Cranberry after the show and listened to two more hours of the fellows.  We met, we talked and, I win!

Single Family Residential
New Listings: 51 (61, 35, 40)
Average List Price: $ 451,849
Range of List Prices: $133,900 – $1,595,176
Number of Sales: 19 (20, 14, 18 )
Range of Sale Prices: $120,000 – $2,385,000

Condominiums
New Listings: 19 (22, 13, 11)
Average List Price: $253,605
Range of List Prices: $135,000 – $839,900
Number of Sales: 1 (6, 6, 3)
Range of Sale Prices: $135,000

Vacant Land
New Listings: 8 ( 8, 10, 9)
Number of Sales: 1 (3, 0, 2)
Range of sale prices $99,000

Items to Note: There was a vacant land sale at it’s list price.

Single Family Residential
New Listings:  34 (48, 47, 28 )
Average List Price: $452,869.91
Range of List Prices: $174,900 – $3,200,000
Number of Sales:  15(15, 26, 24)
Range of Sale Prices:  $122,000 – $725,000

Condominiums
New Listings:  16 (13, 9, 17)
Average List Price: $391,431.25
Range of List Prices: $139,900 – $750,000
Number of Sales:  5 (9, 9, 8 )
Range of Sale Prices:  $188,000 – $315,000

Vacant Land
New Listings:  11( 4, 10, 3)
Number of Sales: 7 (5, 4, 3)
Range of Sale Prices:  $80,000 – $700,000

Number of Prices Changes All Types (down or up):  38

Notables this week:
* 2 vacant land properties sold at their list price and 1 Single Family Residence sold at it’s list price.

Single Family Residential
New Listings:  48 (47, 28, 37)
Average List Price: $477,514.40
Range of List Prices: $99,900 – $2,195,000
Number of Sales: 15 (26, 24, 28 )
Range of Sale Prices:  $139,000 – $1,111,000

Condominiums
New Listings:  13 (9, 17,18 )
Average List Price: $237,235.08
Range of List Prices: $119,900 – $700,000
Number of Sales: 9 (9, 8,10)
Range of Sale Prices:  $173,500 – $299,900

Vacant Land
New Listings:  4 (10, 3, 6 )
Number of Sales: 5 (4, 3,4)
Range of Sale Prices:  $150,000 – $500,00

Number of Prices Changes All Types (down or up):  35

Notables this week:
* 2 condos sold at their list price and 1 Single Family Residence sold at it’s list price.

Over the years, we have been blessed with wonderful clients, who have very often become dear friends, as well.  We’ve laughed and cried; celebrated and mourned with you and for you, and you’ve done it right back for us.  We’ve spent days, weeks, months and even years looking for that perfect place for you to hang your hat and call home.  There have been many a meeting around your kitchen table debating the merits of an offer on your home.  Do you know what?  We wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

Chris and I are ever so thankful for your business and your friendship – past, present and hopefully, if we are lucky, future. 

To our clients, our friends, our families and all those who, to our delight, blur those lines, have a restful, peaceful, happy Thanksgiving.  We are thankful for you.