News

ReForest London and over 60 Members of the London and St Thomas Association of REALTORS® and their families took advantage of yesterday's unseasonably warm weather to plant nearly 400 native trees and shrubs in Springbank Flats. "The flats separate a busy street from Greenway Park," explains Heather Arnott, Chair of LSTAR's Quality of Life Advisory Group, which recommended the project to LSTAR's Board of Directors. "Having this beautiful natural barrier will enhance the experience of people visiting the park along with all the many other benefits trees confer on a community."

The top four contenders for Mayor – Matt Brown, Roger Caranci, Paul Cheng and Joe Swan were invited by the "Keep London Growing Coalition" to answer two questions.

Survey_Response_Summary_2014.pdf

Candidates registered for City Council and the position of Mayor were invited to answer two questions.

Steve Cordes, the Executive Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), was on hand Wednesday, September 3rd, to receive a cheque from London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) President Jim Holody for $3,732.76. The funds were raised through the Association's Kool Wheels Charity Bike and Auto Show, which took place on June 14 and was sponsored by Dalmar Motors.

Area home sales began to trend upwards in the Spring of 2014 with sales that exceeded those of the previous year in May (by 5%), June (by 23.4%), July (by 24.4%) and, now, August (by 13.6%). 791 homes sold in August 2014, making last month the best August since 2007, when 871 homes sold. "Even better, we're starting to pull ahead of last year," says Jim Holody, President of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®. "As of August 31, a total of 6,102 homes have sold, 7.1% over 2013 at this same time. We're seeing a strong recovery on the part of our local market after a long, hard winter and an unusually cool spring. If this continues, 2014 may very well prove to be a better year than 2013."

980 homes sold in July 2014, making last month the second best July on record, surpassed only by July 2007, when 1,009 homes exchanged hands. "This month's sales, like those of May and June, point to a strong recovery on the part of our local market," says Jim Holody. "The market was in lockdown during an exceptionally long, drawn out winter and unusually cool Spring. Now it's in overdrive."

The London and St Thomas Association of REALTORS® is proud to announce that the recipients of this year's LSTAR Scholarship are Morgan Austin, the granddaughter of LSTAR Member Peter Christensen, Laura McFalls, the daughter of LSTAR Member Jeff McFalls, Benjamen Stafl, the grandson of LSTAR Member Yvonne Collyer, and Kale Waram, the grandson of LSTAR Members Mike and Lynn Brady.

981 homes exchanged hands last month, up 23.4% from June 2013. "Everything was up," says Jim Holody, President of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®. "Detached homes were up 22.3%, condos were up 28.4% and listings were up 18.6%. An increase in listings is good news because it means our market remains a balanced one. In addition, the Year-to-Date sales total 4,337, up 2.8%. There's no question but it's a happening market out there. Our Members have been telling us that the market has been playing catch-up to adjust for the unusually cold winter; the stats for the last two months certainly bears that out." He goes on to point out that, "Low interest rates, the conclusion of the provincial election and strong consumer confidence all contributed to making last month the best June since 2007 – itself a record year."