August 2019

Found 10 blog entries for August 2019.

The 5 year rule Canadian real estateIf you've been looking into real estate in Calgary you've probably run into the five-year rule and may not fully understand it. If so, here's a brief explanation that will help you get a grip on this rule and where and why it applies.

What is the Five-Year Rule?

This is a very general rule that means you should plan on remaining in the home you purchase for five years at least. If you don't, it will hit you in the pocketbook, in most cases. This is due to the closing costs that need to be paid when you sell your house and can be a substantial amount, depending on the value of the home.

As well, you'll have to look at how much equity you have actually built up in your property. When you first take out a mortgage you'll be paying mostly interest

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How Millennials Are Changing the Face of Home BuyingMillennial home buyers would seemingly be the most eager of the population to delve into homeownership. However, current trends, statistics and surveys seem to say otherwise—at least according to details from Angus Reid for CIBC. In all, 42 percent of Canada's millennials have delved into homeownership, with 81 percent of those claiming they intend to sell in the future. Nearly two-thirds of such respondents claim they plan to sell due to the high cost of maintenance, taxes and mortgage payments.

So, what are millennials who have not invested in a home just yet thinking? According to recent statistics, 23 percent of surveyed individuals state that they have no plans to buy a home, while 29 percent doubt that a home purchase will ever be within their

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How to Organize Your GarageWhile garage organization can be seemingly impossible to obtain and maintain, with some clever design ideas and a willingness to ditch the junk, the garage can become a more inviting and functional space. And when selling a home with a garage, a clean garage always leaves a great impression on a potential home buyer. Here are some easy ways to get things in order fast, which can prevent injuries and allow everyone to find needed tools and stored items with ease.

Make a Plan and Set Aside a Date and Time

Avoid the temptation to just start pulling things out and rearranging on a whim, as this can lead to mixed results without actually getting much organization accomplished. Set a date and time such as a weekend morning, preferably when the

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What You Should Know Before Renting Your PropertyBuying a home and then renting your home to become a landlord can be a great way to really take advantage of a property. Tenants not only pay rent every month, but they also maintain the integrity of the property. (Just the simple act of using the plumbing system regularly can help it stay intact.) And if something goes wrong, such as a leak in the ceiling, the tenant will be there to alert the owner. But just because tenants can be a boon for property owners doesn't mean that all of them are worth the trouble. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before moving forward on a candidate.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney before renting your home or proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Start with the Regulations

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5 Things to Know About Seller DisclosuresSelling a home often involves presenting the property in its best condition. However, sellers also have obligations to potential buyers. In order to minimize future liability, sellers should confirm that they have given buyers a full picture of the home's condition. Some rules are based on the city or province. Others are more closely related to convention. With this information, sellers will understand how they can provide buyers with useful and accurate data about the property.

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

1. Unknown vs. Known Faults

The information that a seller gives to a buyer is primarily a matter of liability. Sellers are

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What to Know About Seller FinancingIf you are selling your home you may have considered using seller financing to get it sold quickly. By seller financing we mean lending money to the person that is buying your home and acting as a financial institution for them. Contracts can be made up that allow you to loan the money to the buyer and then collect the interest from it.

This can greatly speed up the selling time for a home since many people do not meet the stringent requirements for mortgage loans at a bank. Also, a lot of people have a very hard time coming up with the initial down payment for their first home. If you need a quick sale you may consider seller financing as a viable option.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a financial advisor before proceeding

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What to Know If You're a Single Home-BuyerBuying a home as a single person is a lot different than buying a home as a couple. When you have another person that is going to be buying a home with you, you have a sounding board to work with during the process. All of your concerns and questions can be discussed with your partner and at the end of the day it will be two signatures that are penned at the bottom of the contract instead of only one. When one person only has to sign, it can be a lot more stressful since you are assuming full responsibility for the new property and all of the payments that are going to go along with it down the line.

In order to help take some of the stress out of the situation, here are some tips you can use if you're a single person that is looking for a home:

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What to Expect From Next-Generation HomesAny decorator can walk into a home and date it back to its beginnings by its architectural style. Sometimes there are long transition periods from one style to the next but there's no question that throughout the years housing designs have been changing. What's in store for the next generation of homes and what are the latest trends for new design styles?

The next-generation homes are going to be bright and airy with plenty of space. The dark and narrow hallways of yesterday will be transformed into large passageways that lead from one open concept room to the other.

The Flow of Modern Homes Has Changed

There is a lot of concentration on the flow of the home and how the residents of it can make their way from one end of the house to the other

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Tips to Research the Real Estate Market Before BuyingWhether you're a first-time home buyer or an old pro, it's helpful and important to research the real estate market before buying a home. Knowing what kind of homes are available and what to expect from the buying experience can help you be prepared. These tips can help.

Look at Listings

Before making any decisions about where to buy and what kind of home to purchase, future buyers should start looking at listings in the neighbourhoods they're considering. Looking at pictures and prices can help buyers get a sense of what kind of homes are available. They'll also start to get a sense of what features are typical in homes, so they'll know what to prioritize when they're making their home purchase wish lists.

Explore Neighbourhoods

Once the

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What to Know About Home Warranty PoliciesAlthough a home doesn't quite have as many moving parts as a car or cell phone, items can still break and be in need of repair. Often times these repairs can come out of the blue and can be rather costly to fix.

In the instance of an older home or any situation where a homeowner anticipates something might go wrong, a home warranty can be a beneficial tool. An agreement between a homeowner and a home warranty company, this contract can cover a number of repairs.

The Basics Of The Warranty

Each home warranty might look a bit different, but the ultimate goal is to provide protection and monetary coverage should something break in one's home. Many times a home warranty is included with the purchase of a home as an additional perk, or it can be

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