A Wonder Indeed

Niagara Falls. Power, majesty, glory, beauty...an amazing and breathtaking example of the existence of a Creator. THE Creator. As a resident of the Niagara Region, I will admit that I had become somewhat callous to Niagara Falls. Sure, we do the Festival of Lights drive each winter, but it had been quite a few years since I had parked the car, and actually taken some time to reflect on the inspirational sights and sounds of Niagara. Late in October, Pam and I took the family for a day in Niagara Falls, and we did the works... Behind the Falls, Maid of the Mist, the Butterfly Exhibit, the Whitewater Walk, and the bus tour of the Niagara Parkway. It was a day we will all remember and cherish. It also was a great boost in spirit, as we felt the presence of our Lord throughout the day. Standing alongside the rushing rapids, hearing the power that it holds, viewing the spectacular colours of Autumn... there can be no denying His existence, and in the words of a beautiful song by Mercy Me, "I can only imagine" what awaits us in the new heaven and new earth. Truly, "This is my Father's World, and to my listening ears all nature sings."

Scholarship Teaser!

Though there are still numerous details to work out, I am letting you know that I am working on a few new projects.
First of all, I am trying to establish an annual scholarship, available to Grade 11 & 12 students at Heritage Christian Secondary School in Jordan. The scholarship would be awarded to the winner of a Short Story Writing Contest. The student who's story is selected will be the recipient of a $500 scholarship to the college or university of his or her choice. As mentioned, there are lots of details to work out yet, but I hope to have the contest in the second semester of this school year, and then annually.
Secondly, RE/MAX Garden City has revamped the company website www.remax-gc.com and it has effected the smooth operation of my site, www.YourNiagaraHome.com . I will be working with my IT guy, Anton van Hooydonk www.antonvanhhoydonk.com , and hope to add some new features soon. Psst: there will hopefully be a kid's area, but don't say anything yet. :)
Finally, I must reassure everyone that the real estate world has NOT spun off it's axis. We are operating at a little slower pace than the rapid fire market we experienced over the last couple years, but there is still lots of activity, and homes are selling. However... this is NOT the time to overprice property that you want sold. It is, by almost any one's definition, a "Buyer's Market', which puts the onus on the sellers to make sure that their property stands out from the competition - through features, marketing, but most of all by offering the property at an attractive and "market-aware" price.
Enough for now. Contact me anytime with comments or questions, and ...
MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Happy 13th to Our Firstborn Son!

Wedding Bells and Belles

This summer is loaded with weddings in our church community. My wife and I try to make sure at least one of us is at every wedding that takes place from couples in our church. So far we have made it to Trevor and Karen's, Greg and Steph's, and Alex and Julianne's. We won't be able to make it to Brad and Vanessa's this weekend... sorry guys... but we wish them all the Lord's blessings as they begin their married life. I never get tired of weddings. I guess that is the emotional or some would say "soft" side of me, but it is what it is. I feel that each time I witness another couple exchanging their vows, "before God and those assembled", it reinforces the vows I made to the Lord and my wife nearly 16 years ago. I am strengthened and encouraged by seeing one man leave his family and cleave to one woman, becoming one, and reflecting the relationship between Christ and His church. I gain strength and courage from the words spoken both in the ceremony, and in the sermon brought by the minister. I am always moved by the text chosen by the couple being wed, and reflect anew on the passage from Matthew my wife and I chose, about not worrying - but seek first the Kingdom of God. There are a bunch more weddings this summer, and I look forward to each of them. Congratulations to each of you, and thanks for the boost in spirit you have given us all.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE...
Strawberry Social & Silent Auction

To All Friends of CDIA (Coram Deo International Assistance) and Randy and Karen Lodder:

On Monday, June 23, CDIA hosted a Strawberry Social and Silent Auction, in support of the ongoing work of Adoration Christian School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This event was an informal evening, giving you the opportunity to connect with the Lodders, enjoy some desserts, and raise some money for CDIA. Though the event has already happened, we would still appreciate you considering a donation to this wonderful cause. Just one more way that you can make a difference in this world.

VISIT CORAM DEO AT: http://www.coram-deo.org/

WOW! Check out the awesome sign that Scott Wallace (Go2Graphics) made and erected for me at my listing in St. Ann's (just south of Smithville). The sign is 4'x8' and looks great... and so does the vacant building lot it is on!

I'm going to put Scott and Brenda's site in my links section of the blog, so that anyone who wants something custom made like this can give them a call. Great job Scott!

Declaration of Independance

The unanimous Declaration of Randy Mulder, Realtor.
When in the Course of a Real Estate career, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the professional bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Realtors are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the pursuit of property listings.
That to secure these rights, Real Estate Brokerages are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the Ontario Real Estate Association, that whenever any Real Estate Team or Alliance becomes non-conducive of these ends, it is the right of the Realtor to alter or resign from it, and to institute a new Team or Alliance, or even, henceforth, to stand alone, laying his foundation on such principles and organizing his powers in such form, as to him shall seem most likely to effect his safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Real Estate Teams long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that Realtors are more disposed to endure, while conditions are endureable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of inequity and limitations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute boundaries, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such membership on a Real Estate Team, and to provide new dreams for their future security.
I, therefore, the Realtor known as Randy Mulder, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by Authority of the good People of RE/MAX, solemnly publish and declare, that I am, and of right ought to be a free and independent Realtor; that I am absolved from all allegiance to the Hendriks Real Estate Team, and that all professional connection between me and the Hendriks Team, is and ought to be totally dissolved, excepting the bond of friendship, which shall endure; and that as a free and independent Realtor, I have full power to list property for sale, conclude transactions, contract both buyers and sellers, establish agency agreements, and to do all other acts and things which independent Realtors may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, I mutually pledge to God my life, my fortune and my sacred honor.

Randall Wayne (Randy) Mulder
Sales Representative
RE/MAX Garden City Realty Inc. Brokerage

Whose Niagara Homes?

Folks, this post was originally from 2008. I just wanted to bring it back up to the top of the heap again, and remind readers/viewers what it is I do, and why. Here is the basic building blocks of my real estate career:

Well... a little about the biz. In the last couple weeks, I have been communicating with people all over the world about homes for sale in Niagara. I have spoken with people in Britain, Scotland, The Netherlands, Qatar, Australia, New Zealand and Colombia... all interested in information about real estate in the beautiful Niagara region of Ontario. We are a worlwide phenomenon! But why wouldn't we be? Look at all that Niagara has to offer! Is there anywhere else in the world that can boast of the easy proximity to major Canadian and American cities (Toronto and Buffalo within 1/2 hour to 45 minutes) high quality access to sports for all 4 seasons (skiing, hockey, golf, baseball, basketball, tennis, football, soccer, you name it), hiking that is breathtakingly beautiful (Bruce Trail, Short Hills, etc), biking, a great Community College (Niagara), a world class University (Brock), theatre (Shaw Festival), historically significant sites (Queenston, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Fort George, the Underground Railroad, Laura Secord House, etc), a world wonder in Niagara Falls which is maintained wonderfully by the Niagara Parks Commission, festivals and cultural celebrations of all sorts, a world famous wine industry, one of the largest commercial floral industries in the world, environmentally friendly green spaces that are enchanting and diverse, a Great Lake waterfront, incredible restaurants... you know, this could go on and on. What a place to live! One significant bonus is: no hurricanes, earthquakes, tidal waves, tornados, avalanches, tsunamis, ... just the odd picturesque snowstorm. Hey, come join us! Your Niagara home awaits you!

My Venture & Adventure

nGreetings to all.

Being completely new to this sport of blogging, yet not one who suffers from technophobia, I go forward boldly, yet somewhat naively. Where will this take me? Hopefully to the land of success... success in assisting people in the search for and purchase of their next home. Success in the marketing and sale of their existing home. Success in having clients who think fondly of the experience of working with me, as they ponder their next move, or reflect on their latest one. I love real estate, but more than that, I love having clients who are thrilled with the home they have purchased, and the role that I was able and honoured to play in assisting them. Everything else is gravy.

Call me... my phone is on my hip Monday morning until Saturday night.
905-651-3585