I’ve commented anonymously in the past (one of the first-time buyers). Since you like getting happy feedback Norm I thought I’d let you know that we too had an offer accepted this weekend! We ended up going, suffice it to say a lot over list, but within our perceived “comfort range”. We thought that in this market we’d have to end up ‘settling’, but we found a house we really love and everything fell into place!

It’s not official yet, as there is financing to work out, etc. (I won’t be fully relieved until things are signed!) But the biggest hurdle has been overcome.

I hope this can provide some hope for others. It’s frustrating out there, sometimes downright tear-jerking, but have patience and you’ll find “your house”. Some advice that helped us: 1) Look below what you think your price range is, so you can afford to offer more. 2) Don’t be afraid to revise some of your “must haves” – for example, perhaps “MUST be in Area 2″ can be changed to be “MUST be in a safe area”.

Don’t give up! Eventually you’ll get one, and then you can start worrying about OTHER things like mortgage payments. Hang in there!

(and I second the praise for Norm)

I commented a little while ago (Sad, Frustrated in Regina) and wanted to let you know we DID end up getting a pretty decent 2 storey place in Buena Vista.

After 5 days on the market, they apparently had no offers. Usually that’s bad news. But for us… it meant “take a closer look”. The place didn’t show well (looks like sellers did not do much to stage it, or photograph it). We offered asking, then upped it to 6K over asking when another bidder put in an offer.

We got it. And the home inspection 2 days later turned up no deal-breakers. We have many, many cosmetic things to do (i.e. repainting pink sponge-painted stipple, removing awful shag carpet from stairs) — but we got the house and neighbourhood we wanted for under $250,000.

It’s a relief. We can focus now on selling our Regina home. And, Regina buyers can take heart. Some houses in good neighbourhoods can still be had for relatively cheap here…. the market is up, but just not in quite the same frenzied no-conditions way as Saskatoon’s.

Anyway, thanks again, and do keep blogging, Norm. You’re doing a great job.