The New York City based daytime talk show, ‘Live with Regis and Kelly’, arrived on PEI a few days ago to set up production and all of PEI is taking notice. The crowds are huge, as are the expectations for what this visit will do to increase PEI tourism and recognition for Canada’s smallest province in the U.S. "Many people simply do not know that PEI exists", said Robert Ghiz (PEI’s top politician) in a recent interview. The PEI government has been strongly critisized in recent weeks for shelling out about one million in tax payer’s funds to lure the highly rated U.S. morning program to do four shows on Canada’s Island Paradise, but PEI tourism officials stand by their decision to bring Regis Philbin and Kelly Rippa to the Birthplace of Confederation and hope the move will be a panacea for the Island’s sluggish performance as a tourist mecca in recent years.

Others question the wisdom and performance of PEI Tourism officials for maintaining ‘The Gentle Island’ advertising campaign that has been widely critisized as unimaginative and ineffective in recent years. There is little doubt that the ‘Regis and Kelly’ show will have a positive impact  to some degree. Future statistics will show if the effects will be long lasting or simply ‘fly by night’, but thousands of people are embracing the excitement. Some may  argue that it’s simply a ‘Hail Mary Pass’ late in the fourth quarter and not a more elaborate initiative designed to provide a well defined marketing strategy- time will tell.

Title of ‘Canada’s Island Paradise’ Goes to Island Province of PEI!

The remarkable Title of Canada’s Island Paradise has been awarded to Prince Edward Island for a second straight year. The competition is as tough as ever with beautiful islands from coast to coast to coast all vying for the trophy, but somehow PEI continues to beat out popular west coast Islands, including Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island, which have threatened to take the lead. Prince Edward Island seems to capture the title when all of its merits are weighed, including beyond par golf courses, warm waters thanks to the shallow Northumberland Strait, larger than average lobsters, world class theatre, and the most affordable seaside real estate in Canada or the U.S. It truly is a magical environment, and despite a strong effort from Baffin Island in the North, PEI came up aces again in 2010.

Congratulations to Prince Edward Island on its second win and good luck in 2011. The award is granted annually in a secret ceremony in early April at an undisclosed location somewhere on the winning Island. Premier Robert Ghiz was not available for comment, but a close associate was quoted as saying, "I’m honoured to hear about the award and believe we have a good shot to capture the title again in 2011", which will be an election year for the young PEI premier.

Amazing PEI Tourist Business FOR SALE BY OWNER

Where in the U.S. or Canada can you find a gorgeous sea view B&B with 4 renovated cottages a stone’s throw from a gorgeous beach for under 500K? That is the 5 million dollar question. And 5 million is what this established seaside tourist business would cost on the east coast U.S or BC Coast.

Come to Canada’s Island Paradise and run a ready to go ‘turn key’ summer business near the greatest golf and swimming beaches in North America.

 Call Hamish Today at 902.659.2778 for details and realize your PEI B&B dream in time to benefit from this year’s already established cash flow! ‘Come Home’ to the Island!

‘Come Home’ to the Island  -copyright of Live the PEI Dream. 2010.

PEI Web Virtual Tours-  An Essential Marketing Tool

No one would ever consider having a website without at least one photograph. It would seem odd and be a waste of a visual medium that is meant to showcase your product and develop business leads and sales. In fact, most web sites are strategically designed for best effect and include a large number of appropriate photos and art work. Well, the time is now upon us that is seeing the wide use of video in on-line marketing to better illustrate our services and capture the imagination of the intended audience. After all, this is a highly visual medium and video is the next logical step.

Web Virtual tours have been used in real estate for quite some time, but mainly in major markets and with higher end listings due to the initial high cost. Prince Edward Island is only now seeing a move in this direction and PEI Realty TV & www.LivethePEIdream.com offer short, affordable videos in high quality digital format for home owners who wish to sell their properties privately. PEI Real Estate agents are also able to market their listings on the website. The only thing worse than having no video option is to have a video that is poorly shot and edited. A quality digital camera should be used and it should appear to be professionally filmed (no shaky bits), and include captions, narration, and/or music to enhance the mini-production. People judge a video instantly and a certain level of professionalism should be achieved. After all, image is everything.   

A video on PEI Realty TV is affordable, custom designed and edited according to specs, and will achieve results in this highly competitive PEI real estate market.

Call Hamish at 902.659.2778 to learn more about showcasing your PEI property in high quality digital video on www.LivethePEIdream.com. The video can also be integrated into other websites and placed in a PEI MLS listing (if applicable). Prices start at only $250. Get the edge on the other listing in this competitive marketplace and sell your property this year.

1. The above average size of PEI’s lobster (No one can honestly say size doesn’t matter).

2. Prince Edward Island sunsets. (second to nowhere)

3. The Golf on PEI. (Sean Connery agrees)

4. The cost of PEI seaside real estate. (Best deal in Canada or U.S.)

5. Bothwell beach near Souris, PEI. (Check it out)

6. The PEI Potato (Especially the organic spud)

7. The entire works of Lucy Maude Montgomery. (No one would know of PEI otherwise)

There are so many options for the visitor to Prince Edward Island. You can stay at five* Inns, rustic B&B’s, hotels, motels, or maybe you want to tent it at Lord Selkirk Park in Eldon, which is located about thirty minutes east of Charlottetown just off the trans Canada. It depends on your budget and on the type of PEI vacation you’d like to experience. Is it all about being near the mini-putts and go cart tracks that characterize the bustling Cavendish  north shore, or do you come to PEI to experience the natural flow of the lifestyle, less crowded beaches, and maybe some clam digging on an endless sand bar at low tide?? Different strokes for different folks, but whatever you seek, you’ll find what you’re looking for on Canada’s Island Paradise.

Have a look at some of the videos on the site to learn more about PEI holidays and places to stay. And feel free to call or email with your questions if you’d like some inside information.

The PEI Hobby Farm Dream

There are so many people living urban lives who, either openly, or very secretly, have the fantasy of living on a small hobby farm in rural PEI. Maybe it’s from watching too many ‘Road to Avonlea’ reruns with Sarah Polley and quietly wishing for a less chaotic way of life, but I know you’re out there. I get calls and emails everyday from people in Alberta or BC or Ontario or Europe asking about small plots around five or so acres with an old farmhouse and a barn and an outbuilding, so they can keep chickens and a few sheep. 

Life in the city is getting a little less safe and maybe just too busy. A lot of people get to a certain point in life and simply want to simplify. Maybe it’s the dream of running a B&B, the desire for clean air, or maybe a wish to stop fighting traffic in the daily commute? It’s understandable though. We weren’t really designed to live in a concrete environment. Some love it, but some need that five acres and a trip back in time. The good news is Prince Edward Island property is still a great deal and coming to PEI is like traveling thirty years in the past.

Get in touch today if you secretly or not so secretly wish to flee the urban chaos for a more simple lifestyle on Canada’s Island Paradise. Affordable hobby farms still exist! I am always happy to talk about PEI with anyone who wishes to learn more about this amazing Island. As far as I’m concerned, It’s Canada’s Island Paradise. Call Hamish any time 902.659.2778.

Prince Edward Island offers some exceptional sights after a storm, especially if you cross country ski or show shoe on a backwoods trail like this one in eastern PEI. If you have ever wondered how many hares are hopping around, just count the footprints in the snow as you make your way through the woods. You might not see them, but you know you’re surrounded. Prince Edward Island is paradise, whatever the season.

1 Carrington Road

Stratford, PEI

MLS®: 09046588

Price $ 439,900

Prince Edward Island is one of Canada’s most spectacular Islands. Vancouver Island is also a beautiful place, but  has become increasingly expensive and populated in recent years. The west coast also boasts the Gulf Islands that sit between Vancouver Island and the mainland. These islands command enormous real estate prices in exchange for a peaceful enough existence. A small hobby farm on Mayne Island was recently advertised in Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine for well over 2 Million. Big Bucks! Another unfortunate aspect of the west coast Island lifestyle is that surrounding waters are incredibly cold for swimming- even in mid-July. That said, the sailing culture of the west coast islands is a great lure, but even the elite can find these prices a bit O.T.T!

It is hard to compare Prince Edward Island to Vancouver Island and the other Gulf Islands. They are very different, but the once peaceful, affordable, and underpopulated west coast seems to have lost much of its lustre for those seeking an idyllic seaside lifestyle. A trend is afoot, as BC residents of  Vancouver Island, and elsewhere, pack up the car and head east to places like PEI, where one can still find peace, a healthy lifestyle, and affordable real estate, without a burgeoning population. And let’s not forget PEI’s vibrant arts, theatre and cultural scene.

PEI deserves the Title of Canada’s Island Paradise for obvious reasons. Although Canada boasts magnificent Islands from coast to coast t coast, Prince Edward Island allows us to revisit a more simple time, when people smiled more and helped their neighbours, and  young families or retirees could afford a house near the sea to call home.

Canada’s Island Paradise is a registered Federal Trademark belonging to Hamish Redpath, the owner of this website.