Calgary Real Estate Blog

Five Things to Know About Calgary Real Estate

For Immediate Release
September 7, 2022

I'm a Calgary real estate advisor: Here are the 5 things I'm telling home sellers right now.

Calgary, AB -- Alberta is a pretty great place to live right now. And a great place to be a home seller. High employment growth, lower taxes, a strong energy sector, back-in-the-market buyers inside and out-of-province, affordable housing and housing starts are some of the reasons why the Alberta government’s #albertaiscalling campaign is wooing skilled workers from Toronto and Vancouver.

The national real estate headlines don’t tell the whole story. Calgary is stable and undramatic.

I’m often asked if we’re just catching up to other major Canadian cities in slow motion, or if Calgary real estate really is in

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What to Know About Going SolarCanadian homeowners are increasingly looking into clean energy to power their homes—and solar energy ticks that box as a good solution to save money, increase energy efficiency, and reduce your carbon footprint. Professionals can install panels on a rooftop or on a property to provide an additional source of power to a residence or replace more traditional forms of energy. Here are some things homeowners should know about solar energy in Canada.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

The process of converting sunlight into electricity is called photovoltaics, or PV for short. PV cells make up the main structure of the solar panel. Some light is absorbed when the sun shines on PV cells, creating electrons. These electrons flow through wires and create

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How Does Lenders Mortgage Insurance Work?You know that you need a down payment for a home when you're applying for a mortgage. But did you know that a small down payment may mean you need to purchase lenders mortgage insurance (LMI)? Learn what LMI is, how it works, and who needs it.

What is LMI?

Mortgage insurance protects your lender if you default on your mortgage. Home buyers who are putting down less than 20 percent will be required to purchase this insurance. If you own a home and you decide to refinance, you may need to purchase LMI if your established home equity is under 20 percent.

You'll pay a one-time premium for LMI, which is expressed as a percentage ranging from 0.6 to 4.5 percent of your mortgage. This premium can be paid upfront to keep your interest down, or added

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Ways to Make a Room Feel Warm and CozyThere's nothing like coming home to a warm and cozy room after a long day. It's the perfect place to relax and recharge for the next day. If you want to embrace cozy living in your room, here are some tips that can help. When you're designing a room, every element counts. From the number of blankets to the colours on the walls, every aspect of your bedroom has the potential to increase coziness. Keep reading to learn the best ways to make your bedroom feel warm and cozy.

Table of Contents

  • Holistic Design: Natural Materials, Natural Light, Natural Plants
    • Natural Wood: Indoor Living With Outdoor Relaxation
    • Natural Light: Achieve Warm Lighting With Windows & Smart Lighting
    • Live Plants & Fresh Flowers: Scientifically Proven for Cozy
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Best Canada Day Events in Calgary 2022Ready to celebrate Canada Day 2022? In the city of Calgary, there are over a dozen major festivals and several neighbourhood-sponsored festivities. Tasty treats, live music, and community fun await at all of them. No matter how you choose to spend the day, it's a great time to explore your city and spend time with your neighbours. Keep reading to learn about Calgary's top three Canada Day 2022 events.

BownessFest Canada Day

The BownessFest Canada Day Festival invites people down to the fields at Our Lady of Assumption School dressed in their finest red and white attire to ring in the festivities. This is the debut of what will be an annual event, as it promises to be one of the largest Canada Day festivals in Calgary!

The festival will

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By Justin Havre

alternate textRevelstoke ski patrol administers first aid to Justin Havre

The day started like any other – up early, a big cup of coffee and some light stretching before a breakfast of champions and a shower. It was January 5, 2019, and the day held great promise that a weekend of snowboarding at Revelstoke Mountain with good friend and leadership mentor Jon Cheplak would be invigorating, challenging and, most of all, a good laugh.

How that day at “powder paradise” ended changed my life forever.

Under gray skies and on top of a record 70 cm of fresh powder that had fallen during the previous two days on North America’s most vertical elevation, I was feeling invincible and game for anything. That was my first mistake.

We exited the

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Justin Havre on Rising Mortgage Rates in CalgaryIn April 2022, The Bank of Canada boosted its policy interest rate by 50 basis points to compensate for economic inflation experienced across the world. Many global factors drive inflation, and all of us can see the effects right here in Calgary.

The recent rate hike was Canada's most drastic increase in decades, and despite forecasts from expert economists, no one knows for sure how much higher the Bank of Canada will increase rates.

Amidst this uncertainty, Calgary homeowners wonder what this means for their mortgages. To shed some light on the situation, Justin Havre weighed in on rate hikes, estimated monthly payment increases, and whether or not the changes will cool Canada's highest-ever real estate demand.

For informational purposes

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For Immediate Release
March 21, 2022

“Be Patient. Your Dream Home Could Still Come on the Market,” Real Estate Team Tells Calgary Buyers that May be Priced out of Single-Family Homes

Buyers who could afford the competitive marketplace have already purchased their homes to beat higher interest rates, giving patient house hunters a better crack at their dream properties

Calgary, AB – With more single-family homes expected to come onto the Calgary market this spring and summer, patient buyers who were priced out over the last several months could see their dream homes come into play, says Calgary real estate leader Justin Havre of Justin Havre & Associates, Canada’s #1 RE/MAX Large Team in Closed Transactions for four straight years.

“Buyers who

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Reduce Your Utility Bill With Energy-Efficient UpgradesWith Alberta utility prices on the rise, most homeowners are looking for ways to keep their energy bills as low as possible. Implementing energy-efficient solutions around your home can reduce your property's energy consumption and lower your monthly fees. But exactly how much less can you expect to pay when you choose from the most popular energy-efficient solutions? Keep reading to find out.

Table of Contents

  • Air Sealing & Upgraded Insulation: Take 15% Off Your Bill
  • Optimize Your HVAC: Take 20% Off Your Bill
  • Energy-Efficient Kitchen Appliances: Take 22% Off Your Bill
  • Energy-Efficient Small Appliances: Take 40% Off Your Bill
  • So How Much Can You Save on Utilities?
  • Canada Greener Homes Grant: Energy Efficiency Is Within Reach
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For Immediate Release
March 1, 2022

Team Leader Justin Havre Accepts Six Honours for Outstanding Large Team Real Estate Performance in Canada and Worldwide at RE/MAX R4 Global Conference in Las Vegas

Justin Havre Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

CALGARY, AB – Calgary’s Justin Havre & Associates (JH&A) has received six Awards at the 2022 RE/MAX R4 Conference in Las Vegas this week. The RE/MAX First company was named Canada’s #1 Large Team for Closed Transactions in 2021. This is the fourth straight year — and fifth time in seven years — JH&A has led RE/MAX in Canadian real estate sales.

Team Leader Justin Havre was also recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in the Calgary real estate market and the team as the #1 Donator in Canada to Children’s Miracle Network

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