My approach to advising buyers and sellers of Collingwood Blue Mountain real estate always takes on a different perspective after my annual family ski vacation at Mt. Tremblant. When I think back to my first visits to Tremblant, when Intrawest's interest in Blue Mountain was just a rumor and our real estate values were 50 % of what they are now,.it is hard not to compare and imagine Blue Mountain and Collingwood in 10 years especially since Canada Steamship Lines, recently announced that a joint venture partnership has been formed that will transform the shipyard lands into a residential and commercial waterfront development .

As I write this during the second week of February sitting in a condo overlooking the Village at Tremblant, the resort is undoubtedly a world class destination with a life and vitality that keeps on developing. The second and third Villages at Tremblant, on the north side of the mountain and at Versant Soleil, are very close to receiving final approval. The next development phase at Tremblant will have a development value of close to $1 Billion Dollars.

Tremblant is situated near a lake in a valley with ski hills, villages and golf courses. By day it is a busy and vibrant resort, by night the Village comes alive with people. The surrounding hills by night are illuminated with hundreds of lights in homes tucked away in the trees and the hills. This is the time that I notice how much this area has changed in the past 6 years. These are not small cabins but large custom built homes on large estate lots. We know that real estate values are the highest in Canada in and around Whistler and now the Tremblant region is experiencing this surge in detached housing. When we allow ourselves to dream, we can imagine what Collingwood and Blue Mountain will look like apart from what is happening at the Village at Blue..................Ian Hawkins

So far, to mid February, this winter has been like the old fashion ones, cold, lots of natural snow and great skiing. Continued brisk real estate activity and diminishing good inventory is resulting in many higher end properties (0ver $400,000) selling since the Christmas holidays. Occasionally we hear comments that we as realtors are swamped and activity is unsurpassed. While we are very busy, real estate buyers are very selective and the level of a buyers market knowledge seldom results in a multiple offer situation or over-paying for a property. The daily press is inundating us with doubt regarding long term financial retraction based on "Corporate Mistrust", financial losses to stock market declines, house price bubbles, house price ceilings and a pending war in Iraq. It can be challenging to interpret this information and provide some guidance and local market knowledge as these and many other factors impact our Southern Georgian Bay real estate market. We do not want to be accused of having our heads in the sand and ignoring market signals by ignoring global market scenarios as they relate to our local economy and real estate market.

The current real estate market is active. Young families are moving here to live and to work, some nearing retirement or planning to retire are buying homes or condos, as well recreational buyers wanting to be a part of the Georgian Triangle's growth are buying chalets and condos. We feel, this influence is positive and will bring long term stability to Southern Georgian Bay.

Condominium and chalet re-sales near Blue Mountain have been slow so far year to date. Buyers looking to invest have expectations of reduced revenues and capital expenditures for condominium up-grades. Any sales that have taken place are the result of reduced prices allowing for a perceived risk discount. If true value is evident in a property, a buying decision happens quickly.

In the next few weeks you will see a change to our web site, RealestateatBlueMountain.com. During the work on the content we realized that we have been involved with more condominium sales at Blue than any other real estate firm in the past 10 years. While it is hard to be humble with this fact, we also know that this experience is valuable to our clients, both Buying and Selling. The rental program has changed dramatically over recent months and we are working with buyers and sellers as they relate to the rental - program on a daily basis. Condominiums that are selling at the highest prices are those which are highly rated on the rental program and are not involved with any condominium corporation special assessments. Currently there are seven condominiums at Cachet Crossing and Chateau Ridge for sale, all but two of them have accepted Agreements of Purchase and Sale. Please call us for a current inventory.

Rivergrass, the next town-home development on the edge of the Village is well under way. It will consist of 82, two and three bedroom condominiums with outdoor hot-tubs and pools. Historic Snowbridge, on Monterra Golf Course, has seen the second phase of town-homes occupied. There are several homes under construction, many of which have been occupied and the next phase of lots will be released later this year. The amenity center in Historic Snowbridge with pool opened last summer. The Village Shops and restaurants have been attracting a lot of activity. Three more restaurants/bars will be opening in early summer along with the Mill Pond. The Grand Georgian and Weider Lodge are open and Seasons at Blue will be opening in early summer. The next Village Development will see the Flag hotel (rumored to be the Westin or Marriott) under construction along with the conference center and the water activity center early 2004.

The re-development of the Blue Mountain area is not the only good news affecting the local economy. There are several other projects in the building, planning and approval process. A major golf course development, the Georgian Bay Club will open in 2003, Blue Shores a condominium project on the water on the east side of Collingwood is experiencing good sales activity, Evergreen Country Estates a new development at the intersection of Osler Bluff Road and Mountain Road, and there are more in the planning stages. Nipissing Ridge and Alpine Hills, both serviced lot developments have several new large homes under construction. A new serviced lot development “Alta” adjacent to Alpine Ski Club, is experiencing home construction. Call us or contact us for more details.

We are entering into a time of some uncertainty. If you are thinking of selling, most buyers are concerned about over-paying during a time of brisk activity. If you are considering buying, inventory is low and will become harder to find good product as the year progresses. We have systemized our search procedures and are being asked to market special properties constantly. If you have specific needs or are considering beginning your search, we recommend that you either call us or contact us very soon.

Housing starts in Canada are expected to reach 205,500 units this year, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) first quarter CMHC Housing Outlook report. Only a slight dip from last year's record high sales of existing homes is projected. Rising mortgage rates later this year and next, and higher house prices will mean fewer sales in 2004. As sales moderate, relative to the number of listings on the market, average resale price growth is expected to slow to 5.3% this year and 3.8% in 2004 (CMHC Website).