Real Estate Trends in Nova Scotia
By Nicole Salter
Travellers to Nova Scotia have long experienced the adventure and breath-taking beauty of a land and a people truly shaped by the sea. Renowned for the highest tides in the world at the Bay of Fundy, award-winning vineyards, nationally recognized chefs and over 700 festivals annually, Nova Scotia is a place of remarkable natural beauty and thriving culture. Tourists have the option to relax at Peggy's Cove fishing village, go on a whale watching trip, tour the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, or take extensive tours. These historic waterfronts are home to some of the province's hottest action (think fresh-caught seafood at trendy restaurants, vibrant live indoor/outdoor music, historic attractions such as Pier 21 Halifax, all with the stunning harbour as a backdrop).
For centuries, Nova Scotia has also been the gateway to Canada, and many Canadians can trace their family tree there. With easy access to the Atlantic and one of the world's largest natural harbours, there's a reason why it has been the entry point for millions of Canadian immigrants. But is there a practical reason to actually stay, rather than visiting as a tourist or using it as a stepping stone to another province?
In the Fall of 2009, the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® announced that the average price for MLS® home sales from July to September was $192,826 - still extremely affordable, even though prices had gone up 4.7 per cent over the same three months in 2008. While the market is currently still leaning towards a buyer's market, the new residential listings on the MLS® system continue to decline - which will eventually lead to competition as buyers scramble to bid on the few homes available for sale. The lack of inventory should drive prices up, moving towards a sellers' market, until more sellers put their homes on the market to balance supply with demand. These real estate cycles can take years to achieve.
Linda Smardon, NSAR President, has an optimistic outlook for the immediate future of Nova Scotia real estate. "Towards the middle of 2009, consumer confidence began to build again and the recovery from double-digit decreases in sales and dollar volume indicates a brighter 2010 for the market than some previously thought."
If you are looking for Nova Scotia homes for sale, there is a wide variety of housing choices, ranging from urban to rural, condominiums to single family detached, income properties to lots of land. For an extensive list of properties currently on the market, visit the Multiple Listing Service website and select Nova Scotia.
All in all, Nova Scotia Real Estate is holding steady as a great opportunity for buyers to find affordable homes in a beautiful setting, and for sellers to achieve full market value for their homes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Salter
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Bus Line Decline
Acadian defends bus route cuts
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 9:13 AM AT Comments15Recommend7CBC News
Acadian Coach Lines says it needs to drop one of its three daily runs between Sydney and Halifax because of fierce competition from shuttle companies.
The bus company made its pitch Tuesday before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
A small group of people turned out for the hearing in Sydney, but only two people spoke.
Darren Bruckswaiger, deputy mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said Acadian is a crucial transportation link for the area, since there's no passenger rail service to the island and air fares are too pricey for many people.
"Think about the economic challenges that people face here in CBRM," he said. "Consider those who depend on the bus service, especially our students and low-income people … and the fact that we're living in an aging society where seniors depend on the service."
But there are about a dozen shuttle services and they have much more flexibility than the bus line, said Manon Piche, vice-president of marketing and sales for Acadian's parent company.
"Unfortunately, whether or not we have people on the bus, we've got to go. Whereas shuttle vans, they just don't leave if there's no one on the vans," said Piche. "That creates quite a fixed cost that we have to cover, and there's not enough demand at the present time."
John Pearce, spokesman for Transport 2000, a transportation lobby group, said Acadian could win back business from the shuttles if it did a better job of marketing.
He also suggested a gas or tax rebate to help Acadian keep its routes.
Acadian has also applied to cut its daily service between Kentville and Digby and add two express runs between Halifax and Moncton, N.B.
Quebec-based Groupe Orleans Express Inc., which bought Acadian five years ago, estimated the company has lost approximately 100,000 passengers and $1.6 million since then.
The utility and review board is expected to release its decision in about three months.
Post a comment
Miatou wrote:
Posted 2010/03/03
at 6:08 PM ET"A gas rebate for Acadia Bus Lines???" Are you kiddin me??? Why don't we just subsidize the "CAT" to go between Sydney and Halifax? Acadia Bus Lines increased the fare with the big gas prices a few years ago and NEVER dropped them! You want more business? Lower your prices! Good on the shuttle services, you can always find one of them ready to go!!
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 9:13 AM AT Comments15Recommend7CBC News
Acadian Coach Lines says it needs to drop one of its three daily runs between Sydney and Halifax because of fierce competition from shuttle companies.
The bus company made its pitch Tuesday before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
A small group of people turned out for the hearing in Sydney, but only two people spoke.
Darren Bruckswaiger, deputy mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said Acadian is a crucial transportation link for the area, since there's no passenger rail service to the island and air fares are too pricey for many people.
"Think about the economic challenges that people face here in CBRM," he said. "Consider those who depend on the bus service, especially our students and low-income people … and the fact that we're living in an aging society where seniors depend on the service."
But there are about a dozen shuttle services and they have much more flexibility than the bus line, said Manon Piche, vice-president of marketing and sales for Acadian's parent company.
"Unfortunately, whether or not we have people on the bus, we've got to go. Whereas shuttle vans, they just don't leave if there's no one on the vans," said Piche. "That creates quite a fixed cost that we have to cover, and there's not enough demand at the present time."
John Pearce, spokesman for Transport 2000, a transportation lobby group, said Acadian could win back business from the shuttles if it did a better job of marketing.
He also suggested a gas or tax rebate to help Acadian keep its routes.
Acadian has also applied to cut its daily service between Kentville and Digby and add two express runs between Halifax and Moncton, N.B.
Quebec-based Groupe Orleans Express Inc., which bought Acadian five years ago, estimated the company has lost approximately 100,000 passengers and $1.6 million since then.
The utility and review board is expected to release its decision in about three months.
Post a comment
Miatou wrote:
Posted 2010/03/03
at 6:08 PM ET"A gas rebate for Acadia Bus Lines???" Are you kiddin me??? Why don't we just subsidize the "CAT" to go between Sydney and Halifax? Acadia Bus Lines increased the fare with the big gas prices a few years ago and NEVER dropped them! You want more business? Lower your prices! Good on the shuttle services, you can always find one of them ready to go!!
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Acadian Bus lines Nova
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