<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <channel>
        <atom:link href="https://www.justinhavre.com/blog/2020-03/rss/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
        <title>Calgary Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.justinhavre.com/blog/2020-03/</link>
        <description>Justin Havre's Calgary Real Estate Blog brings you the latest market news and property listings, as well as tips for buying or selling a home.</description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.justinhavre.com/blog/stick-vs-masonry-homes.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.justinhavre.com/blog/stick-vs-masonry-homes.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>What's the Difference Between a Stick Home and a Masonry Home?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Although there are many building materials that can be used to make a home, two of the most common types of building materials are stick and masonry. These two types of homes are very different from one another. Knowing the differences between stick homes and masonry homes can help you decide which type of High River home is right for you.


Stick Home Characteristics


Stick homes are homes that have been built from wood. They have a wooden frame and wooden siding. Wood is a common material used to build homes because it is relatively inexpensive. Stick homes are built in all parts of the country. Wood is a traditional building material that has been used for hundreds of years.


Generally speaking, stick homes are built &quot;stick by stick&quot; on-site, but wood-framed homes can also be built in pieces in factories. These are called pre-fab or modular homes.


Pros and Cons


Wood is common primarily because it is inexpensive and readily available. Wood is also easily customizable, as wooden siding must be painted every five or so years in order to be protected from the rain. This means the appearance of the home can be changed every 5 to 7 years when the house is painted. 


However, this regular need for maintenance can be a downside, as painting a house can be time- and labor-intensive. Paying to paint your house regularly can be expensive, and if the paint is not applied on a regular basis, the house may deteriorate fairly quickly. Wood is also vulnerable to wood-eating pests. Homeowners must diligently inspect their home for termites and carpenter ants to ensure their home is safe.


Masonry Home Characteristics


Masonry homes have also been around for a long time. Many years ago, homes were routinely made of brick. Today, masonry homes are not usually made from solid brick but are instead made from a wooden frame that is covered by brick or stone veneer.


Pros and Cons


Brick is solid and fire-resistant, which makes it a good material to use in some parts of the country where wildfires are common. Masonry is also easy to maintain, as it never needs to be painted or sealed in order to be maintained.


Occasionally, brick needs to be &quot;tuck pointed,&quot; which means the mortar between the bricks needs to be re-applied in order to hold the bricks together. Though tuck pointing does not need to be done often, it can be expensive. Another downside of a masonry house is that the appearance of the house will not change over time, as brick remains the same colour throughout the years.


Which is Right for You?


If you're a home buyer who is trying to decide whether a stick or mortar home is right for you, ask yourself how much maintenance you want to perform and whether it's important for you to be able to customize the appearance of your house. If you can afford to paint your home regularly, and if you want to change the colour of your house on a regular basis, a stick home is right for you. If a low-maintenance home is more important, then a masonry home may be more appropriate.


Work With a Real Estate Professional


If you're a homeowner in search of a masonry or brick home, contact a real estate professional today. Your real estate agent can help you find a home that is right for your budget and personal preferences. Once you've found the home you want to buy, your real estate professional can also help you negotiate a fair price.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:43:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.justinhavre.com/blog/overunderpricing-your-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.justinhavre.com/blog/overunderpricing-your-home.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>The Dangers of Over/Underpricing Your Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Every home seller wants a quick sale. And every buyer wants a bargain. Pricing your home too low can raise questions in a potential buyer's mind just as easily as an inflated price tag will drive people away. Finding the sweet spot involves some concentrated research, and it must be determined based on realistic expectations and an understanding of market trends.


Before listing a De Winton home for sale, consider the following:


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

Market Trends


The most reasonable, and most effective course is to work with a real estate professional who can research local trends, and supply you with background information that will help you set a realistic price. Several statistics are pertinent: the average number of days on market of homes in your area, and a six-month survey of listing price versus selling price of closed properties.


In &quot;hot&quot; markets, the number of days on market will be minimal, and selling prices are frequently higher than listing prices. If this is the case in your area, you might reasonably expect to sell quickly at a price higher than you expect. In a depressed, or &quot;slow&quot; market, the reverse is true, and a seller might want to consider additional incentives in order to promote a sale.


Finding out what homes sold for can be tricky. Having a local agent do it for you is the simplest way to get true comps—you want to know what homes actually sold for, not just what their owners thought they could get.


Comparables


Potential homebuyers compare prices in much the same way people shop for any other product. Browse homes that are similar to yours online, visit open houses to evaluate features, and ask your agent to supply you with capsule descriptions of properties in your intended price range. Those &quot;comps&quot; are invaluable in helping you determine the most advantageous listing price. However, statistics often don't tell the whole story, and it is wise to personally visit different neighborhoods to gain a better understanding of what drives the pricing in specific areas.


Your Home's Features


Try to view your home through the eyes of a first-time visitor. Be objective. No matter how well a home suits your needs, make a list of its strong points and possible deficiencies. Pay attention not only to square footage and floor plan, but also to design elements, interior materials, storage space, kitchen and bath appeal, views and landscaping. In addition, consider community amenities in your overall assessment of value. A home on the market is, in a sense, under a microscope, and a buyer will see its flaws as well as its best features.


Your Home's Condition


A previously occupied home will never look like a brand-new model, but time and dollars spent on ongoing maintenance and necessary repairs will return dividends in terms of a faster sale and a higher price. While a small percentage of buyers are not deterred by a home in need of extensive work, selling chances improve dramatically for a home in top condition, and it may actually be a prime determinant of price.


Location and Season


Neighborhoods affect pricing. Be honest when you evaluate the appeal of your location, but also realize that all communities have advantages and disadvantages. Contrary to the old real estate slogan about location, it is not the only thing that determines value Finally, although homes sell every month of the year, spring and summer tend to be prime buying and moving seasons. If you have a choice, you might want to wait to list a home until winter is over.


Many variables affect pricing a home properly, and sellers should understand that listing a home is, essentially, an invitation to begin the negotiations that lead to a binding contract. Resist the temptation to start with an unrealistically high price, because that often serves only to discourage potential offers. On the other hand, a &quot;bargain-basement&quot; price tag will have some interested buyers wondering what is wrong with the property. Aim for a price that realistically reflects the home's value and compares favorably with other homes on the market.


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




 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2020 09:28:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.justinhavre.com/blog/the-home-closing-process.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.justinhavre.com/blog/the-home-closing-process.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Breaking Down the Home Closing Process for Buyers</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Closing on a new Chestermere home is an exciting step, but the complexity of the process might take some wind out of buyer's sails if not approached properly. Between all the paperwork and negotiations, buyers will certainly feel challenged at some point, but these tips will help streamline those procedures.


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

Hire Real Estate Professionals


It often requires an entire team of real estate experts working alongside other agents such as attorneys, lenders, notaries, insurance reps and other solicitors to get the keys in the hands of new owners. Buyers purchasing homes in certain provinces may have the ability to use electronic documents for a good deal of the transaction. However, it's likely there will be in-person meetings required with one or more parties involved regardless of location.


Pre-Closing Day: Steps to the Keys


Before any talk of closing happens, buyers and the sellers or their soliciting agents will meet to hammer down any last minute negotiations and finalize remaining paperwork. If an electronic system is being utilized for documentation and there are no questions concerning the transaction's status, a physical meeting may not be required.


During the course of these actions, clients will need to sign a notice of Authorization and Direction. This allows solicitors legal permission to release and transfer necessary documents for registration to proceed with the transaction, so the next phase can be entered into.


Closing on a Home — The Day Has Arrived


Closing day is when the new owner finally takes possession of the home — right after all transfers and paperwork have been processed by the seller's solicitor. Certified cheques or bank transfers should be made at this time and the new keys put into the buyer's hands. As a new homeowner, there's only one final step: moving in


That being said, there will be a few details that lawyers and representing agents will need to finalize such as:




Transferring and registering the mortgage with required entities.


Ensuring closing costs have been received by the seller's solicitors.


Making note that the new owners has received the keys to the property.




The good news is, besides unpacking and making mortgage payments, new buyers are basically off the hook for any further meetings with individuals related to the sale.


The Bottom Line on Home Closings


Looking for homes and finally finding one you want is challenging enough. Navigating the home buying process in Canada without professionals on your side is almost impossible. Case in point, let local experts guide you through the home buying process from start to finish for an optimal experience.


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

 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2020 08:45:00 -0700</pubDate>
</item>
    </channel>
</rss>