SELLING A CONDO IN 2026

SELLING A CONDOMINIUM IN 2026— 
By Bernard Bujold — 
Many people have asked me how my faithful companions and I experienced the recent sale of our city condo! 
Real estate is a financial investment, but with the difference that you can’t cash it in whenever you want. You have to wait for the right moment, and that can take anywhere from two weeks to two years… 
In our case, the process was complicated because we wanted to sell but didn’t want to leave the city due to professional obligations. 
In real estate, the agent acts as an advisor, but doesn’t make decisions for the owner, who must choose whether to sell with or without renovations; set the asking price based on market comparisons; and negotiate offers from potential buyers—if there are any—since it’s possible that no one will show interest (no fish on the hook)… 
Renovating a condo for sale is a complicated decision to evaluate because, while renovating will speed up the sale, in 90% of cases, the buyer will tear everything down from top to bottom once they become the owner—removing the fixtures in the rooms (bathroom, kitchen), replacing the floors and paint, and often changing the partition walls. On average, a buyer invests between $100,000 and $200,000 in remodeling their new condo, even if it has been renovated by the seller. In the end, the seller’s renovations are generally a waste of money or, at best, a temporary facade to make the unit more appealing—much like a stage set… 
In our case, we hadn’t renovated! 
The ultimate goal in selling a condo, however, is the result: to sell! “We have to find a solution!” 
And as with any sale, you have to find a buyer who’s interested in the space. 
Real estate agent Louise l’Heureux and I are longtime friends, but we each have a completely different style. I’m impulsive (shoot from the hip), and Louise is very classy. I managed to rein in my impulses, and she managed to find the buyer because she knows her business inside and out. 
In my view of life, what matters isn’t the journey, but reaching the destination! Congratulations to real estate agent Louise L’Heureux, while my faithful companions and I are off on new adventures! www.lestudio1.com

THE DREAM OF FLYING

THE DREAM OF FLYING... 

By Bernard Bujold - 

On September 11, 2001, I was in the midst of a professional upswing, having just taken on the role of communications director for Air France in Canada. It was a wonderful new challenge for me, following a career in politics (Brian Mulroney) and finance (Quebecor), especially since Air France was planning to expand the Canadian market to France by doubling the number of daily flights. 

I remember that sunny fall morning as I waited in the restaurant of the Montreal tower where Air France had its Canadian offices. When I saw one of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center on the restaurant’s TV, I thought it was the trailer for a new fiction movie. Reality surpassed fiction... 

All of Air France’s projects in Canada were shelved, and for me, that marked the end of the aviation dream. One great consolation: I wasn’t in one of the towers in New York that morning of September 11, 2001… 

www.lestudio1.com

MARK CARNEY IS WORRIED

MARK CARNEY IS WORRIED… 

By Bernard Bujold— 

If Mark Carney watched the special program aired by Radio-Canada, "Cinq chefs,une élection", he must be worried… In fact, none of his favorite candidates performed well, and the big winner, in my opinion, is Paul-Saint-Pierre Plamondon… 

Current Prime Minister Christine Fréchette was nervous and tried to avoid answering questions by changing the subject. Charles Milliard would have been the most skilled if this had been a debate, as he continually attacked Christine Fréchette—just as one does in a debate. He was aggressive, but he didn’t use the platform to showcase himself and raise his profile, as he should have. Éric Duhaime was the most candid of the five leaders; he didn’t hide his weaknesses but highlighted his strengths. Ruba Ghazal was the most likable of the group, but she showed a touch of wishful thinking when she declared she was convinced she would form the next government with a majority… In the end, it was Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon who emerged as the winner of the evening and the only one to demonstrate the character of a good prime minister—someone who sees reality and doesn’t shy away from it. 

It’s my friend Mark Carney who must be disappointed and worried. You could say his favorite horses cannot take the lead in the race! 

www.lestudio1.com

THE POWER OF POLITICS

THE POWER OF POLITICS- 
By Bernard Bujold - 
With the Quebec provincial elections just a few weeks away, a question arises: What draws candidates to politics? It’s a job that pays little and demands a great deal of time, and there’s no such thing as loyalty. 
Personally, I was introduced to the world of politics through Brian Mulroney in 1984, but I also experienced the world of business and finance through Quebecor and Pierre Péladeau in 1991. I quickly realized that political power is an illusion and that true power lies in finance. 
With Brian, whenever we walked down the street, everyone treated him as if he were their employee… When Pierre Péladeau was around, people viewed him as a kind of god and believed that the chance to speak with him would bring them wealth… (a Chinese belief that touching gold makes one rich).  
Pierre Péladeau never wanted to go into politics, and he often told me that true power lies in finance. There are many reasons why people go into politics, including a quest for glory—a sort of illusion in the face of life’s realities. To be happy in politics, in my opinion, you have to be financially independent before you start and want to take on a new challenge for the pleasure of testing your talent, not out of the need for a job. 
Mark Carney is an example. He had a career at the top of his field and is financially independent. For him, politics is like an active retirement pursuit after a lifetime in finance. He’s enjoying himself and will leave when he no longer finds it fun. 
Unfortunately, when it comes to the 2026 Quebec election, none of the party leaders demonstrate either financial independence or a previous career at the top. But there’s no getting around the fact that we have to choose a premier, and these are the only options on the ballot… 
Happy voting on October 5! 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q8TY-nXty9Xl6jQMgsPJGHeyqJ11z-jW/view?usp=sharing

VISITING THE NEW CONDO

VISITING THE NEW CONDO... 
By Bernard Bujold - 
My friends Donald and Mark really love my new city condo (an urban pied-à-terre in Old Montreal). I have to admit I won them over by showing around my workspace, where I’d placed a photo of each prominently on my coffee tables. Ulysse keeps a watchful eye on the photos... 
The challenge: how to have two political opponents in the same room! The answer is simple: politics is nothing more than theater. The real reality lies behind the curtain, and in the end, we’re always surprised to find that what we see on stage is an illusion… 
Happy Labor Day—2026 edition. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JXx4JKMMHtj1s6w26GX3bgU3f15zihue/view?usp=sharing

SUMMIT MEETING

SUMMIT MEETING— 
By Bernard Bujold - 
We are one month away from the provincial elections in Quebec, which will be held on October 5. Who is the favorite to become the next premier? There are three possible candidates: Christine Fréchette, Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon, or Charles Milliard! 
According to my friend Mark, Christine could win by default, but Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon’s team is more popular as a political party than the CAQ. Charles Milliard’s Liberal Party has several strong candidates, but it hasn’t managed to take the lead in the race. The next few days of the campaign will be eventful—or at least they should be—otherwise we’ll be headed for an election with a disastrous voter turnout of less than 50%… 
This Labor Day long weekend will be an opportunity for the candidates to take stock and draw up their action plans for the coming month. You could call this weekend the candidates’ summit… 
Stay tuned! 
www.lestudio1.com

A NEW LIFE

A NEW LIFE— 

By Bernard Bujold - 

It’s done—I finally sold my city condo! Selling real estate is an art, and according to Donald Trump (an expert in the field), this art relies entirely on “good timing” and nothing else… So you have to know how to seize the moment when it comes! According to Donald, cashing in on a real estate investment can take anywhere from two weeks to two years. It all depends on the timing… 

In my case, however, I still have to wait a little while longer before leaving the city for good to move to the countryside—even though the condo has been sold. Professional and personal obligations currently require me to maintain quick and easy in-person access to Montreal’s urban environment… To that end, I’ve decided to temporarily rent another condo in the same neighborhood to better prepare for my move toward new adventures and a new life entirely in the countryside. 

Have a great fall 2026 and happy voting in the October 5 election! 

To be continued... 

SEE VIDEO OF THE SALE OF THE CONDO

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JXx4JKMMHtj1s6w26GX3bgU3f15zihue/view?usp=sharing

MARK CARNEY - THE WINNER

QUEBEC ELECTIONS 2026- 
By Bernard Bujold - 
Premier Mark Carney is a true champion, and he proved it by winning all three by-elections held on Monday, August 31, in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Mark and I have different visions for how a political election campaign should be organized. Mark is methodical, whereas I, when I was in politics in Brian Mulroney’s cabinet in 1984, was instinctive. In English, this style is called “shooting from the hip.” Donald Trump uses my strategy… 
According to Mark, to win an election, you need a precise plan, and he has clearly proven that his formula works. I have a great deal of admiration and respect for Mark, and I proudly display on my desk the birthday gift he sent me last June. The question is: will the five leaders in the Quebec election campaign act in Mark’s style or mine… Mark doesn’t want to say who he’d like to see as premier, but we know he doesn’t favor the Parti Québécois! His support—even if it’s discreet and indirect—could influence the outcome of the vote. Will he support Christine Fréchette or Charles Milliard? If we manage to get a clue about his support, we’ll be better able to predict who will win the election on October 5. 
A story to watch… 
www.lestudio1.com

THE WINE RESERVES ARE DRY

THE WINE RESERVES ARE DRY... 
By Bernard Bujold- 
I love sharing a glass of wine with friends. I prefer red wine, although in the summer I occasionally switch it up with a white. I was devastated when the SAQ pulled American wines from its shelves on February 4, 2025, because they were my favorites. Luckily, I had a few cases in reserve… My favorites are Coppola and Mondavi. But now my reserves are almost gone, and with the breakdown of negotiations between Mark and Donald, I’m going to run out completely… Yet Mark and Donald had promised me they’d come to an agreement! Now the two are blaming each other for the failure of the negotiations… 
I’m going to have to reach out to Giorgia Meloni and invite her to the cottage so she can bring me a case or two of her excellent LIANO Cabernet Sauvignon… 
www.lestudio1.com

ACADIAN NATIONAL DAY - 2026

ACADIAN NATIONAL DAY - 2026 -EDITION -
By Bernard Bujold - 
Happy National Day to the Acadians, of whom I am one. The history of the Acadians resembles that of the Americans! Both peoples had to face England... In both cases, England wanted to occupy the territory. The big difference is the reaction! The Americans raised an army, took up arms against British soldiers, and waged war. The Acadians, being more peaceful, did not form an army or take up arms; instead, they chose to flee or be deported. War is always tragic, but it’s less terrible than deportation. During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), it is estimated that approximately 25,000 Americans died fighting on the side of the American Revolutionary forces. During the deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1763, it is estimated that 5,000 people died. These tragic deaths occurred primarily due to the catastrophic conditions of the deportation. At the time of the deportation in 1755, the Acadian population settled in Acadia (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia) was estimated to be around 15,000 people. This means that the losses from the deportation (5,000 deaths) affected nearly 33% of the entire Acadian population. The percentage of American deaths relative to the total population during the War of Independence (approximately 25,000 out of a total population of roughly 2,500,000 across the thirteen colonies) represents a military mortality rate of about 1% of the total population. In conclusion, perhaps the Acadians should have taken up arms and gone to war… 
Happy National Day to all Acadians! 
www.lestudio1.com