Calgary Real Estate Blog

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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How to Choose Whether to DIY a Project or Hire a ProfessionalWondering how to improve home value and thinking about DIY projects? Do-it-yourself home improvement manuals and stores would have you believe that it's easy to complete all sorts of home repairs.

It can be tempting to take on do-it-yourself projects when you see the amount of money that you can save. Some renovations, however, need to be left to the experts. Things like plumbing, electrical and structural changes should be managed by a professional only. By skimping on these types of things, you may end up with a bigger problem as a result.

Should You DIY or Hire a Professional?

Although there is little doubt that many homes for sale could benefit from a bit of DIY remodels and stylish decor changes, there are some tasks that are best

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Tips for Winning a Bidding WarA bidding war is a dream come true for a home seller, but it can be a nightmare to the buyer. It's not unusual for home buyers in a sellers market to lose control of themselves during a bidding war for that "perfect house". while letting their emotions or competitive drive push the price of the home higher and higher. And while the initial joy of 'winning' the home can be elating, the consequences of a higher mortgage can be dire. To help cooler heads prevail, keep these tips in mind before your budget ends up spiraling out of control.

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

Mortgage Preapproval Letters

A pre-qualified mortgage statement

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The Best Winter Sports to Play in CalgaryWhen the cold of the winter sets in, there’s nothing better to warm yourself up than bundling up, going out in the snow, and working up a sweat in the snow. From skiing to bobsleigh, there’s sure to be some winter sport in Calgary to pique your interest this winter.

Dog Sledding in Calgary! Have You Tried It?

Experience a true Canadian adventure with a dog sledding team this winter! There’s a company in Canmore named Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours Inc. that offers sledding for both young and old. You'll have your choice of overnight, moonlight, short and long tours.

The tour begins with an introduction to the sport of dog sledding and some instructions to follow. The instructors are friendly and ready to answer any and all of the questions you

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Selling Your Home SuccessfullySelling a home is a process with many steps. From staging to marketing, there are many opportunities for sellers to misstep and compromise the sale of their home. Consider the following tips, steps, and advice to ensure a successful home sale.

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

View Your Home Sale as a Business Proposition

When you first decide to sell your home you'll be calling in a real estate agent. Not only will he recommend a selling price but he may also suggest getting rid of a lot of the clutter in your home. This may also include furniture. The reasoning behind this is quite simple. The less clutter and distractions that you

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Buying a Home With KidsA National Homebuying Survey was released recently and stated that those moving to and living in Alberta put a high priority on family. Choosing a new home is a very important decision. The right neighbourhood can lead to the right schools and the right activities. Here are a few of the highlights from the survey.

  • Albertans ranked as the most "family-oriented" when choosing a new home and community
  • 25% of all Canadians want a home that's move-in ready
  • 19% of Albertans believe a family-friendly community is the top priority
  • Over 50% of Canadians are planning to move within the next five years

These are just a few of the stats, but they clearly show how important family is to many of the people living in Alberta. With such a high

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