November 2018

Found 19 blog entries for November 2018.

Purchasing a Calgary CondoPurchasing a condominium in Calgary is much different than purchasing a single-family home. The questions you need to ask and the things you need to take into consideration are quite different. Here are some of the things to ask before making your final decision and a few things to consider.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Condos and City Life Are a Great Combination

Today you can enjoy the luxury of city living and property ownership by purchasing a condo. When you really can't afford a single-family home and don't want to move out to the suburbs, a condo is the perfect choice. Affordable housing is available downtown in the form

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Buying a Home With a Fireplace'Tis this season to hang up your stockings by the fireplace with care. If you don't have a fireplace, you can hang your stockings somewhere else in the home. While a fireplace is a definite necessity for some people, others wouldn't give it a second thought. When it comes to having this luxury in a home, it all comes down to personal preference.

Do You Want a Fireplace in Your Home?

There are a number of reasons someone may choose to buy a home with a fireplace or not. After all, fireplaces can bring warmth and comfort to a home, but they can also require consistent maintenance and involve some element of safety risk. If you're considering getting a home with a fireplace, consider these facts.

The Warmth And Glow

For some people there's

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An Insurance Primer: Canadian Homeowners Have Varied Insurance NeedsThere's more involved in buying a home than finding the right property and qualifying for the mortgage. It's smart to protect against different types of loss, although it's not mandated by law. It's not always easy.

Required Coverage

Prospective buyers all realize that there are more costs attached to a home purchase than the mortgage and the price of new furniture. Insurance is one of those costs, and it's important to be aware of requirements that protect the lender, as well as assessing the need for additional coverage to protect personal interests and capital investment.

Mortgage Default Insurance

A mortgage default policy, commonly known as CMHC insurance in Canada, is required for all loans with down payments between 5 and 19.99%.

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Purchasing a New Home CostIf you're like most people in Alberta, you're prepared to spend more than the Canadian average in order to buy a home. According to a new report issued by BMO, called The First-Time Home Buyer's Report, the average that the first time Canadian buyer is planning to spend on their purchase is $300,000. People here in Alberta have loftier goals and expect that they'll be spending $406,000 for their first property.

In British Columbia the average was $384,000 while it was even lower in Ontario at an average of $326,000. 

The report also goes on to say that 63% of the first-time homebuyers have had to cut back on their budget in order to save for the down payment while 27% expect either their parents or another member of the family to help out

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Selling Your Vacation HomeA vacation home can be a wonderful thing. You'll have the opportunity to get away and explore somewhere new, and you'll also be able to avoid the high costs of a motel. Especially if you vacation in a very popular area, getting a motel room for a few nights could really add up. With a home in that location you won't have those costs, but you will have other expenses that are important to consider. One of those is the mortgage payment, and when you finance a vacation home it's not quite the same as getting a mortgage on the primary residence where you spend the majority of your time.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Recreational Real

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Preparing for Snow in CalgaryWhen the winter months arrive in Calgary, it's inevitable that snow and ice will be piling up. In order to keep up with the exterior home maintenance and snow removal of a Calgary home, consider the following tips.

Preparing for Snow in Calgary

Living in Calgary means you need to be ready for the snow. The right snow removal equipment and the right plan can make the winter so much easier, especially if you're new to the area. Here are some tips for snow removal this winter.

Choosing Your Equipment

Snow removal equipment comes in just a few forms. You can choose a snow blower, electric snow melter or a shovel. If you have back issues, a shovel may not be the best choices, but it's the cheapest option. Just make sure the shovel you choose

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How to Prepare Your Calgary Home For WinterWith the days getting colder it's time to get your home winterized for the frosty months ahead. Most of the steps you'll need to take can be done on your own and by doing them you'll be able to save some money on your utility bills this winter.

How to Winterize Your Home For Winter

The home protects its household from the weather, so it's important to keep its systems intact. Here's how to take care of different elements of the house.

Put Your Ceiling Fans Into Reverse

Most ceiling fans have a switch that allows you to put the machine into reverse. This will make the blades run in a clockwise direction and will create an updraft, which will then push the heated air down from the ceiling. Hot air naturally rises so you'll be taking the

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Happy Holidays from Justin HavreThe holiday season is nearly here and there will be plenty of great events to enjoy. From holiday shows to dinners, there's quite a variety on the calendar this year. Here's a look at a few of the best events for the holiday season in Calgary.

There are all types of ways to enjoy the holiday season in Calgary. It won't be warm anymore, so you may have to bundle up the kids, but once you do, you can enjoy a number of events, festivals and so much more. Here are some of the best things to do throughout the season.

Once Upon a Christmas

Celebrating Christmas the old-fashioned way is possible at Heritage Park this year with the Once Upon a Christmas show. This event will start Nov. 24 and run until Dec. 23 each Saturday and Sunday. It will

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How You Can Buy a Home with a Small Down PaymentThe purchase of a new home is a big process with an up-front financial obligation that can be daunting, especially for first-time homeowners. If a prospective homeowner needs to explore different options in order to successfully save for a Calgary home down payment, consider the following down payment options and financial tips.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

How to Buy a Home Using Different Down Payment Options

Buying a new home is an exciting time. However, some potential buyers may not be able to come up with the ideal down payment amount, making them think that homeownership is not a feasible option at the moment. This does not

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Should You Buy or Rent Calgary Real Estate?If you are weighing your options in terms of buying or renting Calgary properties you should carefully consider all aspects of the debate. Depending on your financial situation, your choices should be fairly straightforward.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Should You Rent a Home?

Reasons To Rent a Home

Renting a home means that you will have no major renovations or maintenance to do in the house. You will not be held responsible for major damage unless you have caused it as a tenant. This means that you do not have to worry about large and small expenses arising with little or no warning that can personal financial distress.

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