http://www.selectnovascotia.ca/?cid=62

Tomi Akinkunmi is only eight but she  can spell complicated words with the rest of them. On May 29 she claimed second price in the 2010 Regional Educators Spelling Bee, held at Mt. Saint Vincent University.

A grade 3 three student at Bookhouse Elementary School in Dartmouth, Tomi was the youngest of 90 students from across Nova Scotia to compete. She went more than 25 nail-biting rounds against the grade 9 student who clinched the triumph.

Tomi studied six months to prepare and in her books the two hardest words were rhadamanthine and mischievous -both of which she got!

Congratulations to Tomi!!

Stylish and stunning, architect-designed home in convenient and popular Beaverbank. This truly unique home offers gorgeous open concept main living area with an amazing kitchen, three bedrooms and two baths up (master en-suite features large corner shower), plus bright and functional entry level family room perfect for home office/teen suite. The stainless acrylic stair railings, eco friendly,designer paint colours, and real pine floors, just to mention a few of the wonderful design elements; combined with the high standards of energy efficiency (air-to air heat pump)and functional considerations including the large back deck, rear entrance to mud room and laundry area, offer quality and distinction rarely available. The property backs on a green space owned by the province and is close to schools and other amenities. The house includes all top quality appliances and has an Energuide rating of 83. This is a must see home for a family seeking a comfortable one-of-a-kind property in a country setting!

April 30, 2010

Wow! What was that? The April real estate market in Old Dartmouth, Southdale and Crichton Park was amazing. Compared to April of last year sales of single family homes and condominiums were up from 19 to 31 and prices were up almost 10% to an average price of $ 223,616. To put that into perspective we should consider the more modest gains of the first quarter. Sales were up from 60 in the first quarter of 2009 to 73 in 2010 and prices rose a mere 2.5%.

So what happened to make April so busy? There were two main reasons: First, word got out that mortgage rates were heading up and secondly, many people tried to beat the April 19 CMHC deadline for changes in the lending rules (see April 6 post). I think that, now that pent up demand has been somewhat satisfied, we will see a leveling off of activity that will be more in line with the first quarter numbers. Rates are still low, so the market should continue to strengthen as we climb out of the recession. Happy house hunting.

    Sold!!!          Sold!!!          Sold!!!      Sold!!!          Sold!!