A blog cannot deal with all aspects of a subject and is not intended to replace professional advice. It's purpose is to highlight information and identify areas of possible interest. Anyone wishing to discuss this blog or to make any comments or suggestions about this blog is invited to do so by either posting comments or emailing me directly.
New Home Market: Total Housing Starts to Increase in 2014 [This is great news to ease the demand for resale homes that has been driving prices up and frustrating buyers who have to act extra-ordinarily quick in order to buy a home.]
New Home Market: The Average Sale Prices are expected to grow higher and faster in 2014 than they did in 2013. [Again, good news for the resale market as brand new homes were becoming serious contenders to the resale inventory of homes for many buyers.]
Sales in Calgary’s existing home market have trended up throughout 2013, supported by heightened net migration, job creation, and rising wages. Demand for resale homes will keep upward pressure on prices, especially with low vacancies in the rental market and elevated migration flows to Calgary. In 2014, new listings are forecast...
Source: YouTube - Used under standard YouTube license terms.
This is a great video created by an agent that claims to "bust the myth" that the agent (or real estate brand) with the greatest number of signs in your neighbourhood is the right agent for you.
Every so often I get asked the questions, "How do I buy a home?" and, "What's the process?"
Having dealt with hundreds of home buyers - both first timers and repeat buyers - this process is really pretty straight forward for any real estate broker. For a buyer, who only buys a house once every perhaps 5 or 10 years, this is sometimes a pretty foreign process. Some people haven't bought a home in so long don't realize things have evolved. Way back in about 1994, the courts and federal competition watchdogs in the US and Canada came to the conclusion that buyers deserve their own representation in the home buying process in order to have their interests protected and to get the best deal on a home. Unfortunately, in 2013 we still see some homebuyers start the process and call up listing agents to ask questions and to view the home. Or they visit open houses without their own representation hoping to get the inside scoop and a great deal on the home. Well my friends, that just isn't...
RE/MAX has again won Gold in the Calgary Herald Reader's Choice awards for 2013-14!
This is the 20th consecutive year that Calgary Herald readers have chosen RE/MAX as their favourite real estate company in Calgary!
Why is RE/MAX the number one choice of Calgary real estate buyers and sellers?
Two J.D. Power & Associates Awards for highest level of home buyer & home seller satisfaction
RE/MAX has 10 brokerages and over 10,000 agents in the Calgary area
In 2012, a RE/MAX agent was involved in a successful transaction every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day for 365 days. RE/MAX agents in Calgary outperformed their closest competitor by a three-to-one margin
RE/MAX agents outperformed the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 real estate companies combined in 2012
RE/MAX's market share has continued to increase, now at 40 per cent in terms of total transactions in Calgary
In 2013, RE/MAX in Canada will invest more than $26 million in corporate advertising; not including the multiple millions that RE/MAX...
It is an unfortunate fact that many condominium owners do not know they need to insure their individual living units. In media reports we hear of condominium buildings that have been severely damaged by fire or other perils. These reports often include a quote from an owner who has lost everything, “We thought the corporation’s insurance covered us.”
This is an very unnecessary situation. Every condo owner should know that they need their own insurance. To be properly insured, the corporation’s policy should be compared with the owner’s needs. For example, does the corporation’s policy cover upgrades the owner has made? An insurance adviser experienced in condominiums can help condo unit owners get a policy that will suit their needs.
Here is a helpful brochure put out by the Insurance Bureau of Canada to help condo owners and potential condo buyers with simple and helpful tips that may prevent them from a disastrous experience.
As a real estate broker, I've seen all kinds of ways to price homes for sale. From experience, most sellers base their asking price on a few dollars more than the anticipated selling price. Then, there are others...
There are lots of things NOT to base your asking price on:
What you paid for the home
How much it cost to build home
How much is still owed on the mortgage
The cost of the improvements put into the home
What a past neighbour SAID they got for their home
What your current neighbours, or loved ones, suggest
What your individual tax assessment says it was worth
How much you need to net out of the sale for retirement
How much you paid for your next home
How much your dream home is going to cost
Whatever the "Magic 8-ball" indicates
What you should price your home is based upon specific market dynamics and what people can - and will - likely pay for your home. It really shouldn't be an exercise in wishful thinking.
What you probably shouldn't base your homes price...
A ”Mere Posting" allows a REALTOR® to limit their involvement on a MLS® System property listing to a very short and definable time frame. Essentially what a mere posting amounts to is a "For Sale by Owner" (FSBO) or private seller that has their property marketed through an MLS® System. Only a provincially licensed REALTOR® can enter the data into their privately owned database although now sellers are permitted to try their hand - without representation - in negotiating their way through the actual give-and-take "System" that had previously been the privy of REALTORS®.
For a "Mere Posting": The seller's REALTOR® (the listing agent) provides the home seller with a market value opinion, verifies all the data provided by the seller, and the home listing data and photos provided by the seller are entered into the local MLS® System database. [**As of 2018, the REALTOR® is responsible for the measurement of the home -- either doing professional...
Please a seasonal wreath on the front door and leave it for the new buyers.
Tighten all loose door knobs, doors and oil any squeaky hinges.
Re-paint the front door and trim. Paint any outside trim, or nicks on the home - especially where the potential buyers come into the home.
Trim the shrubs and weed the front gardens. Add greens or a colourful planter at the front entrance. There's nothing more cheery than a front step or porch that's bright and cheerful with planters filled with well-maintained plants and flowers.
Change the outdoor lamps to fluorescent bulbs and leave them on day and night: A well-lit home is a welcoming home.
In the wintertime, make sure your sidewalk, walkways and driveways are clean and clear of snow and ice. Most buyers and real estate agents are courteous enough to park on the street and not in your driveway, so try to make sure they don't have to climb over a snowbank...
Your most important decision when selling your home is the selection of the person you choose to represent you in this often difficult and complicated process.
The job of your real estate professional is to support you in selling your home with the best possible terms, advise you on your options and the aid you through the entire process.
Your real estate professional will explain the process of selling a home, and familiarize you with the various activities, documents and procedures that you will experience throughout the entire process.
Tips for Selecting Your Real Estate Professional:
Your Real Estate Professional should be:
A member of the local real estate board and a REALTOR® - only REALTORS® have complete access to the MLS® Systems in Canada. Only a member of the LOCAL real estate board will get you exposure to local agents, and knowledge of many of the private sales,
Highly aware of the complicated local and provincial requirements...
Condominium apartments and townhouses offer a quite affordable option to single-family homes in the Calgary area, and they're ideal for those who truly appreciate the maintenance-free lifestyle. Buy before you buy a condo, make sure you do your "homework."
These are some of the really important elements to consider:
Maintenance: Many condo properties hire onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas. Those with a concierge service may coordinate repairs in your unit and let in workers when you're not at home.
Amenities: Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centres, or other facilities that would make life much more convenient and would be hugely expensive in a single-family home.
Security: Keyed entries are the norm for most condos. You're also closer to other people in case of an emergency.
Neighbours: You're much closer to your neighbours in a condo apartment or townhouse. If you like a sense of community, make sure you introduce yourself to...
We’re very pleased to announce that once again, RE/MAX has won the Consumer Choice Award for real estate brokers in Calgary! RE/MAX has been a fixture in Calgary for decades and remains the undisputed market leader in real estate marketing.
The research has been performed now trust the facts, the best Calgary real estate brokers are from RE/MAX. The real estate brokers at RE/MAX are invested in finding the right real estate solution for all clients. For everything real estate trust the Company voted great, RE/MAX winner of the Consumer Choice Award for the best real estate brokers in Calgary.
- Consumer Choice Award website
What are the Consumer Choice Awards?
Consumer Choice Award is the only organization in Canada to determine the top-ranked service providers in various categories by conducting an independent market research survey that is statistically accurate.
Each year, consumers are surveyed all across Canada...
Data is supplied by Pillar 9™ MLS® System. Pillar 9™ is the owner of the copyright in its MLS®System. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Pillar 9™.
The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.
Today, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, (CMHC) released the Housing Market Outlook Report for the Calgary Metropolitan Area.
Condominium apartments and townhouses offer a quite affordable option to single-family homes in the Calgary area, and they're ideal for those who truly appreciate the maintenance-free lifestyle. Buy before you buy a condo, make sure you do your "homework."
The research has been performed now trust the facts, the best Calgary real estate brokers are from RE/MAX. The real estate brokers at RE/MAX are invested in finding the right real estate solution for all clients. For everything real estate trust the Company voted great, RE/MAX winner of the Consumer Choice Award for the best real estate brokers in Calgary. 
