Tagged : Calgary Real Estate

Real estate transactions are complicated and can be costly if completed incorrectly. Selling or buying a property is a process that is bound to be a little nerve-wracking and emotional. Buying or selling a property requires in-depth knowledge and experience in a wide range of disciplines.

A real estate agent is more than a "sales person". He or she is a trained professional that acts on your behalf and provides you with a clear understanding of the legal issues and potential pitfalls. After all, one wrong move could result in unnecessary costs and frustration.

Working with a reputable real estate agent that you trust can be the deciding factor in whether your house selling or buying experience is positive or negative. There are

Closing costs — the list of charges that you need to pay to complete a real estate transaction — come as a surprise for many home buyers. Since closing costs are additional costs over and above the price of a home, you should budget at least 2.5% of the purchase price for closing costs, in addition to the down payment.

Your exact closing costs depend on where you live, how much you are borrowing, and how you are financing your mortgage.  The rules and regulations surrounding the various mortgage fees can be complex, and can vary from lender to lender. 

Below you will find a brief explanation of these costs. Some of these fees may (or may not) apply to your specific situation. Use this is a guideline and then talk with your lawyer or real estate

Moving can be a very stressful time for many of us. A move carried out in haste can bring about several unnecessary problems. However, there are many ways to reduce the stress of moving allowing you to actually enjoy the moment. Here are a few tips to help plan for your move.

Get organized
Much of the stress people feel during a move comes from not knowing what or when things need to be done. Make a list of all the tasks you need to do, and assign dates for each task, allowing yourself enough days to complete every item on your list.
 
Reduce your load
Get rid of household items that you no longer need. Hold a garage sale and leave books with friends, the local library or sell them to a used bookstore. Anything you can't sell, give to a local charity.

Positive economic news and low borrowing costs led to strong sales through the first five months of the year, including the increase in May. At the same time, the market has become much tighter compared to last year, due to a substantial dip in new listings.

Overall, the market is in a balanced position, however there are significant differences amongst individual communities and property types stressing the importance of getting local expertise if you’re thinking of buying or selling.
 
Ontario - residential condominium market sees highest gains in May

Toronto, June 3, 2011 – Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,046 sales in May 2011 – up 6% compared to May 2010. This result was the second best on record for May under the current Toronto Real

Many people think of adding square footage to create more space. But that doesn't have to be the case. You can make your home appear bigger without going through the hassle of renovating and remodelling. With just a few home modifications, it is possible to make more from less. And remember, often what the eye needs is the illusion of spaciousness not actually more space.

Here's how to create the illusion of space without adding square footage.

1. Think diagonal views. Think back to geometry and how the hypotenuse of the triangle was the longest of the three sides. Apply that to the sightlines within your small-house design. Your house will appear much bigger than it actually is if you are able to stand at one corner of the house and look to the