Calgary Real Estate Blog

Why Customer Service Can Make or Break or Real Estate Agent's CareerWhat sets one real estate agent apart from the others? Is it their demeanor? Their experience? Their stats? The truth is that any and all of these things have the potential to work to the agent's advantage. But no matter where an agent's strengths lie, the need for customer service from a real estate agent is never going to diminish. It's the element that ties the rest of their brand together.

Making an Impression

Some people make an excellent first impression but have a difficult time keeping up with their initial efforts. Not such a good thing when you consider that real estate deals can last for months (or even years.) A real estate agent makes friends in their industry by being consistent each and every time they have a professional

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5 Tips for Buying a Newly Constructed Home Buying a brand new home can be one of the most thrilling things for a new homeowner—it's the ultimate clean slate just waiting to be filled with lasting memories. But buying a new home has a few caveats that really can't be ignored. Find out more about what's different with a new construction sale so there are fewer surprises.

The Timeline of Buying a New Construction Home

With a new home, buyers have to contend with the owner's schedules (which can be difficult enough). With newly constructed homes, buyers have to deal with delays from government authorities and nasty weather. Unfortunately, both climate patterns and local politics can be extremely unpredictable, so buyers should be ready for possible hiccups. However, it's important that

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When's the Best Time to Buy and Sell Your Home?When should I sell? How can I make sure that I will get the most for my home? I can’t afford to own two homes, so how can I be sure I don’t get stuck with my house?

Wondering when to sell? Hoping to make the most profit possible? Afraid you'll be stuck with two houses if your first doesn't sell? Let's talk about the art of timing, and how your timing will make or break your success.

Timing is a critical factor in determining the amount of money you can expect to get for your home. It is important to note that we are discussing a free, “no labour required” way to add thousands to the price of your home. Before figuring out when we should sell, we need to understand the two primary factors that will determine how effectively you can maximize

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What You Need to Know About Calgary Home Architectural StylesIn Calgary and throughout Canada, there are several home architectural styles that are prevalent. The style of the individual home is likely influenced by the time period in which it was built as well as the neighborhood in which it resides. Home buyers should know that each home architectural style features a distinct floor plan and layout, which can influence their ultimate decision.

It's important for potential home buyers, especially first-time home buyers, to understand which home architectural style will best suit their lifestyle. The most popular home architectural styles in Calgary are:

Cottage Homes

Cottage homes can best be described as cozy and quaint. They are charming homes that may be small in size, but they boast an

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Why Get Pre-Qualified For a Loan?If you are seriously considering buying a property in Calgary you should get pre-qualified for a loan first. By doing so, you will be taken seriously by your real estate agent and home sellers. It shows that you have taken a step towards buying a house and you are committed to it.

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

Your Agent Will Take You More Seriously

You will find that your real estate agent will work even harder to search for and get you the ideal home in the shortest possible time. If you do not spend some time to get pre-qualified for a loan, you may find your agent less enthusiastic to work with you. When you have obtained a loan…
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What to Know About Working With a Mortgage BrokerAre you ready to get a mortgage? If you are and want to work with a mortgage broker here in Calgary, here are the top three questions you should be asking.

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

Is Hiring a Mortgage Broker a Good Idea?

For thousands of Canadians the answer is yes. Statistics show that approximately 30% of Canadians looking for a new home loan are shopping through a broker. Many will end up saving thousands in the process, especially when you consider the long-term interest paid on a mortgage. Even saving a fraction of a percent on the interest rate can pay off big down the road. Here are just a few of the advantages you can

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Where to Buy Vintage Clothing in Calgary Consignment ShopsFinding the best consignment and vintage clothing stores can help you find the perfect outfit. Whether you prefer a vintage look or you just want to find a great deal on brand name clothing choices, three specific choices make it easier.

Trend Clothing Company

A second-hand shop with brand names, Trend Fashions is one of the top places to find your trendy gear. Owner Donna Riopel has a concept that appeals to the fashion-conscious crowd. The store is full of jewelry, shoes, clothing and accessories. They buy old clothing, new items and they will even give you a store credit for your unwanted items.

Trend is located at 120 10 Street NW in Calgary. They are open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 7pm, Friday from 10am to 8pm, Saturday from

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Why Some Home Improvements are Better Than OthersWhile it has been said over and over again that you should make your home look as good as it possibly can in order to get a faster sale, there hasn't been a lot of discussion about over-improving your home. When you live in an area that is full of modest and older homes, the money that you invest into major improvements may not come back to you when you decide to sell your home.

What Makes a Home Improvement Bad?

For example, if you live in an area where the average price of a home is $400,000 and you modify your home to bring it up into the $600,000 range, you may have a difficult time selling it based on its location. A person that is interested in spending $600,000 on a home is going to be more focused on looking in communities where other

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What's the Value of Selling Your Home in Winter?They found that homes listed in winter have a 9 percent better chance of selling and spend a week less on the market than homes sold in other seasons ― including what most in the business tout as the "spring selling season."

94% of buyers do start their search online for their next home, we want to ensure that even in the winter months, your home still grabs the attention of home buyers. There is no surprise that homes have much better curb appeal during the summer months. Let's be real, snow covered yards and drive ways are not of much interest. So, if you are thinking of selling this winter...

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

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How to Prepare to Buy a HomeThere are many benefits of homeownership. It creates a level of stability in a person’s life and provides a safe environment for children to grow and learn. A home can also have several financial benefits, creating borrowing power for the homeowner and the opportunity to build wealth that can benefit people for years to come.

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

The Most Important Financial Reasons Why You Should Purchase a Home

You've heard it said time and time again that real estate is a solid investment that helps to build up a retirement nest egg. So, what makes real estate a good investment for Canadians?

You're Paying For It

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