December 2018

You have a beautiful home, and you know it will sell quickly if you can just get people in to see it. There are many steps to selling a house, but here are ways you can make showings easier on your real estate agent and prospective buyers.

Should I Stage My Home?

What is home staging and how important is it? The way that sellers stage a home sends a clear message to buyers. That message could be, "I love my home so much that I don't really want someone else to buy it," or "I am going to let you decide if this home is right for you." Most experts will tell you that the latter is the better choice. You do not have to make a vast number of improvements just so buyers will be interested, but it will be worth it to you financially to put the home

The payment of closing costs is one of the last things that happens during the home buying process. For a home buyer, it's important to understand what closing costs are and how much they'll cost. Home buyers who go into the process with this knowledge are often more prepared to buy a home.

What Are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are the administrative fees associated with certain steps of the home buying process. Closing costs can vary depending on where the house is, how much it costs and other factors. Still, most home buyers pay between 1.5% and 4% of the purchase price of the home in closing costs. Budgeting for this money up front can help home buyers who are just starting process of purchasing a home.

When Are Closing Costs Paid?

"Location is key" is a well-known cliché in real estate, but, indeed, it has a foundational truth. When scouting for a house, location is one of the key factors one will have to consider. Location dictates value, affordability, and one's quality of life. Here are four factors buyers should consider when choosing a neighborhood.

Finding the right house can really make a place feel like home, but it isn't just about the physical building itself. It's also about the location. Real estate agents talk about location all the time, and about how important it is for most people. There's a reason for that. Location matters.

Wondering how to find the right house to buy? To find the very best location for your new home, ask yourself these questions.

Are

If you're like many Calgarians, you're expecting to make a lot when you sell your home. A poll released by BMO and conducted by Pollara shows that 33% of the residential home owners here in the city believe that their home is worth twice as much now than it was at the time of purchase.

The survey also shows that 32% of Canadians think that their home is worth double the amount they first invested into it. The results were also high in major cities across the country. In Montréal, 48% of those polled believe that their home is worth twice the amount while 43% of the residents in Vancouver and 42% of the home owners in Toronto believe the same thing.

Nationally, average Canadian homeowners are expecting to see a 62% ROI on the sale of their

Most people know that marketing is folded into practically everything they see. From toothpaste ads to funny Facebook posts, companies all over the country are trying to make their mark whenever and wherever they can. But not everyone knows that they can use marketing tricks to sell their home the same way they might sell their used clothes on eBay. Sellers can boost their offers by making their home just a little more appealing to the right people.

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

The First Public Appearance

The first public appearance of a home starts when a seller officially lists it on the market. This is the time for sellers to

If you're a homeowner here in Calgary you may not know what types of tax deductions are available. On a federal level, there are quite a few deductions that you can take advantage of when it comes to tax time. Here are some of the tax benefits that you may qualify for as a new or existing homeowner:

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a certified tax expert before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

As A First Time Buyer

If you're buying a home for the first time there is a tax credit available up to a $750 maximum. It is based on a $5000 percentage so make sure that you claim it the next time you do your taxes.

Work From Home Benefits

More and more people are putting in a home office and working in the

You have put your home on the market a few months ago and it just hasn't captivated a buyer yet. You have done everything you can do to make it marketable but there's something keeping it from selling.

What to Do When Your Home Won’t Sell

Not necessarily either of them. Dropping the price may not be the right thing to do. It may not be the price that is keeping the buyers away. It may be something completely different.

A lot of home sellers automatically assume that a high price is the reason that their home isn't selling. This is data that is only based on an assumption and before you go ahead and make any changes regarding the selling of your property you should first find out what it is that needs to be changed.

Identify the Problem

Different kinds of siding perform in different ways. When the time comes to choose a siding, knowing the pros and cons of each siding type can help homeowners decide which type of siding is right for them. This siding guide will discuss some of the most popular options and talk about how to proceed after making a choice.

Know the Options

Siding comes in a range of styles. Some types of siding are longer lasting and more durable than others. Here's what you need to know.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular types of siding available today. It is popular because it's easy to install, easy to maintain, attractive, comes in a range of colors and is relatively pest-resistant. Unlike wood and some other types of siding, it