Central Alberta Real Estate for Bashaw & Surrounding Areas

We Are Now Open!

2008-10-07T06:35:00Z

We are happy to announce that our office on main street in Bashaw is now open. We are a satellite office of Royal Lepage Central in Stetter, and hope to better serve our community and area with an office presence.

Our office hours are as follows:

Mondays: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Fridays: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Although we do have a part-time Assistant (Suzanne Ramstad) in the office, should I be showing properties or have a meeting, I may not be there as we are quite possibly out there working for you! There will be a contact number to reach me at if you stop by and I am not there at the time.

We will be hosting an open house next week sometime, and will be announcing the time and date towards the end of the week, should you be interested in joining us. I think the guys & gals from our head office are bringing Tim Horton's donuts

We look forward to serving you better, and hope you will stop in anytime!

Kyle, Tasha & Suzanne Ramstad

What's New in Our World?!

2008-09-15T04:16:00Z

Hello all! This is actually Tasha here reporting on the happenings in our neck of the woods. I am holding down the fort while Kyle is actually away on a much needed vacation without a phone or a computer. I look forward to September, as he takes some much needed time to recharge his brain & relax. Kyle is an avid hunter, and not only enjoys hunting, but it is truly a passion of his. I could equate his passion to my photography passion. This is the time of year that a small group of men, including his Dad, best friend, and a few other "old time" hunters head out West to the mountains, park their vehicles, and pack in for a day on horses loaded up with packs, hunting supplies and enough food to feed them all for the two weeks! Quite honestly, it isn't my cup of tea, but I do of course enjoy the meat that nature provides when the great hunters return with usually one or two catches per trip. So needless to say, you are stuck with me, should you puruse the site, and need some help while he is away until the end of September

As for the office that we will be opening up....it is coming! Hopefully in the next week or two, I will have it all organized with the help of Kyle's mom, Suzanne. She will be coming on board with us as our "Office Manager." I am hoping once she learns the ropes, that she will help to keep Kyle in line, and me organized and focused! Not to mention that she makes the best muffins in the world! I look forward to coming into the office for her muffins of the day.

We apologize for some of our delays in response, etc. However, we have just moved into the house that we have planned on building for over 10 years, and are so grateful that we took our time in our planning as it has been so worth it in the end. We are in the house and have been for 3 weeks now. I can say we are in, but not quite settled or completely unpacked, but I suppose Rome wasn't built in a day. Anyhow, our 4 children are enjoying their new surroundings very much, and we are just very pleased that we could do this while we were young enough to allow the kids to really enjoy their home, and have a special place to bring their own children home to (once they grow up). If you can't tell, both Kyle and I hope to live here for the rest of our lives (fingers crossed!!). We really like Bashaw, and don't have any intentions of leaving any time soon.

Anyhow, hope everyone is well, and remember, if you would like to post a comment or suggestion to any of the topics on this Blog page.....feel free. This is where open communication is most definitely welcome!

What A Week!

2008-08-07T08:14:00Z

Or should I say, what a few last couple of weeks! I am not sure about the rest of you, but my life has been very full of alot of personal "busyness." Tasha and I are in the midst of so many things, and I hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel real soon. Some of you know we are getting really close to moving into our new house, which Tasha says is kind of like having a baby in a sense. You go through 9 months of creating, and the last few weeks or so are quite tiring as you wonder when the end might ever come, and then one day it happens! You realize that all of those months of hard work and energy poured into creating your home for your family has now finally become reality. I do have to give almost all of the credit to Tasha though. She has been the one who has dealt with all of the trades, visualized and designed what will be the finished product, and has spent many hours, much like another job building our house alongside our contractor. I am pretty easy going, and we both have the same tastes, so I offer up my opinion when she asks, give my two cents, and we both carry on. Our current house is almost packed up. Most everything is in boxes. The kids are quite excited, as they said it is going to feel like Christmas when they get to see their toys again after such a long time. Tasha and I decided to take on the task of tiling and grouting the flooring throughout almost half of the house, so it has proved to be a bit challenging between all of the other things going on in our lives currently. There have been several 3:00 a.m. stints. With one more day, we should be done our part!

So alongside of moving (not out of Bashaw), we are also trying to get our Royal Lepage Central Bashaw office up and running on main street. We have taken a few things down to the building in the hopes of it starting to look like an office soon. But Tasha says it reminds her of one of those expensive clothing stores where there aren't many clothes to buy; in other words a bit empty....So our office is a little bare right now, and we haven't quite made it there officially, but we are definitely working on getting all of the paperwork over there, the office equipment figured out, and all of that fun stuff that goes along with it.

With our 4 kids, the new house, old house, office, real estate, Tasha studying & everyday life......I apologize if I haven't been as sharp as a tack, up to speed, or timely in my responses. I am looking forward to fall as being a time to breathe and a time to get back on track and be completely organized and settled. I hope everyone else out there also will have the opportunity to do the same .

Your View of The Real Estate Market

2008-08-04T16:53:00Z

So, now that fall is around the corner (I know, summer has just gone by so fast!), I would be very interested in knowing everyone's thoughts regarding the real estate market and where you think it is headed. I have my own opinions and insight, but it is always interesting to me when I hear consumers feedback. Let's see if we can't start a bit of a discussion here. Post your thoughts

New Federal Law: Fintrac Forms Needed for All Real Estate Transactions

2008-07-21T18:57:00Z

Your REALTOR® is Asking Questions Because It's the Law.
© 2008 The Canadian Real Estate Association

On June 23rd, 2008 new federal money laundering and anti-terrorist financing

regulations came into effect that require real estate agents and brokers to

collect personal identification information from buyers and sellers.

Your REALTOR® requires this identification information to comply with the law. It is the federal Proceeds of Crime

(Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) that requires financial institutions and real estate agents,

among other professionals and services covered by the legislation, to identify customers who conduct financial transactions.

These include depositing funds or buying and selling real estate. The Act also requires real estate agents to keep these

identification records for five years.

Canada has had substantial anti-money laundering and terrorist financing legislation since 2001. Since then REALTORS®

have had a legal responsibility in Canada’s efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, by reporting any

cash transactions of $10,000 or more, or reporting suspicious real estate transactions.

Those original legal requirements still exist but under these new regulations, REALTORS® must now document personal

information and proof of the identity of their client in each and every transaction, including occupation. If the client is a

corporation, REALTORS® must obtain official corporate documents, and the names of directors. If the buyer or seller is

in another city, province or country and no in-person meeting is held, REALTORS® must now use an agent or “mandatary”

to identify third parties.

The new compliance requirements effect even a buyer or seller not using the services of a licensed real estate practitioner.

If there is a real estate agent involved in the transaction, they are also required by law to now verify that private buyer

or seller’s information as well.

REALTORS® must also complete a report for ALL funds they receive during the real estate transaction, not just those of

$10,000 or more.

What your REALTOR® needs to do to comply with the law.

The real estate agent you are dealing with is required by law to ask for and verify your personal information. By providing this

information when requested, you will ensure that they can meet their legal obligations. The Act requires REALTORS® to keep

identification records, and track all funds (not just large amounts of cash) provided during the real estate transaction.

ID Please

Under the new rules, REALTORS(r) are required to obtain, record, and retain the personal information of their clients,

including date of birth and occupation. To do this, they must ask for a government-issued identification document such as

a drivers license, passport, or residency card. You should not provide your Social Insurance card as identification.

REALTORS® are required to keep a record of this information on file in the brokerage for a period of five years. For the

purpose of compliance with this law, REALTORS® are not required to keep photocopies of government issued ID, just

the factual data contained on it. However, your REALTOR® may make a photocopy of your ID because of other requirements

related to the real estate transaction.

Are you a private seller or buyer?

If you are not represented by a real estate agent in this process – in other words, you are buying or selling privately – the

law requires the real estate agent that is involved representing the other party, to request your personal information and

keep that information on file.

Is there anyone else involved?

There are aspects of your real estate transaction that might prompt the real estate agent you are dealing with to ask you

for more information. For instance, you may be asked whether you are acting on behalf of a third party while conducting

your transaction. This basically means you are following the instructions of someone else in completing the transaction,

or someone else (individual or company) is involved in financing the transaction.

If there is a third party involved, your REALTOR® is also required by law to obtain their identification information, and

keep that information on file for five years.

Details of the deposit

Every time funds are received by a REALTOR® (e.g. a deposit) during the course of a real estate transaction, they are

required to record the amount received and how it was obtained. Your real estate agent then must record this information,

and also keep it on file at the brokerage for a five year period.

Your information is kept confidential

The only reason the REALTOR® keeps your personal information on file is to comply with the new federal laws. It will

not used in any commercial way, and will not be provided to anyone else except in response to a request from the federal

agency responsible for compliance, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). The

law requires these files be kept at the brokers office for five (5) years.

What you need to know about this new federal law.

While Bill C-25 is Canada’s newest legislative attempt to curtail money laundering and terrorist financing, we have had

legislation since 2001 that required designated industries in Canada (including real estate) to report suspicious transactions

and large cash transactions of $10,000 or more.

Money laundering

Money laundering is the process used to disguise the source of money or assets derived from criminal activity. This illegal

activity can include drug trafficking, smuggling, fraud, extortion and corruption. Criminals must launder the profits and

proceeds from these crimes to be able to enjoy them. The scope of criminal proceeds is significant; the International

Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that some $500 billion (U.S.) is laundered worldwide each year.

Terrorist financing

Terrorist financing operates somewhat differently from money laundering. While terrorist groups do generate funds from

criminal activities such as drug trafficking and arms smuggling, they also obtain revenue through legal means. Supporters

of terrorist causes may, for example, raise funds from their local communities by hosting events or membership drives. In

addition, some charity or relief organizations may unknowingly become the route where donors contribute funds that may

eventually be used to commit a terrorist act.

How does FINTRAC assist law enforcement and security agencies?

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC, collects, analyzes and discloses financial

information and intelligence on suspected money laundering and terrorist financing activities. It was created as part of a

Canadian government initiative to fight money laundering and terrorist financing. Although it operates at arms length from

law enforcement, FINTRAC's primary role is to provide law enforcement agencies with information to help them with their

investigations.

FINTRAC is required by law to protect the personal information it receives from unauthorized disclosure.

Who must report to FINTRAC?

The following persons and entities must report suspicious and certain other transactions to FINTRAC:

• real estate brokers and agents;

• financial entities including banks, credit unions, caisses populaires, trust and loan companies and agents

of the Crown that accept deposit liabilities;

• life insurance companies, brokers or agents;

• securities dealers, portfolio managers and investment counsellors who are provincially authorized;

• persons engaged in the business of foreign exchange dealing;

• money services businesses;

• accountants and accounting firms when carrying out certain activities on behalf of their clients;

• casinos; and

• individuals and any entity importing or exporting currency or monetary instruments (such as a money

order) of $10,000 or more.

Additional information about this federal initiative, the federal legislation, and the role of FINTRAC in the reporting system

is available at www.fintrac-canafe.gc.ca or call toll-free: 1-866-346-8722.

The term REALTOR® is a trademark of REALTOR® Canada Inc., a corporation owned by

The Canadian Real Estate Association and The National Association of REALTORS®. The

term REALTOR® refers to real estate professionals in Canada who are members of the

Canadian Real Estate Association, who subscribe to a high standard of professional

service and to a strict code of ethics.

The MLS® family of trademarks, which includes Multiple Listing Service® and associated

logos, identifies the quality or standard of services offered by REALTORS®. One of the

tools used to provide these services is the property listing system operated by most local

real estate Boards or Associations under the MLS® trademark.

Our New Office!

2008-07-12T23:26:00Z

We are getting an office on main street Bashaw! Beginning early September, we will be taking over the main floor of the big beautiful brick building right on main street across from the Happy Gang Centre. We like to call it the "4 corners of Bashaw."

We are excited to have a place for you to stop by, view listings, ask questions, and anything else pertaining to real estate. We won't have any set hours per se, as with real estate, we could be out showing properties throughout the course of the day. Contacting us however is only a phone number away by cell phone! We are going to try to be there on average a few hours in the morning and in the afternoon Monday-Friday (to hopefully get some paperwork accomplished), and be available to the public.

So don't forget to watch for the opening of our new office building coming in September and shortly thereafter, our grand opening. We'll keep you posted!

Kyle & Tasha Ramstad

Consumer Information for the Real Estate Industry-RECA

2008-07-11T17:42:00Z

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. This site provides consumers with information regarding transactions, industry regulations, etc. Check out the link for more. http://www.reca.ca/

I am a new Blogger!

2008-07-11T05:54:00Z

I am giving this a go, and hope that something comes of this blog, so please bear with me as I try setting up my very first blog!

Stay tuned for more!

Kyle