All Blog Entries by Call Centre

Found 68 blog entries published by Call Centre.

Tax Credits for Canadian Home BuyersIf you're a homeowner here in Calgary you may not know what types of tax deductions are available. On a federal level, there are quite a few deductions that you can take advantage of when it comes to tax time. Here are some of the tax benefits that you may qualify for as a new or existing homeowner:

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a certified tax expert before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

As A First Time Buyer

If you're buying a home for the first time there is a tax credit available up to a $750 maximum. It is based on a $5000 percentage so make sure that you claim it the next time you do your taxes.

Work From Home Benefits

More and more people are putting in a home office and working in the

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What to Do When Your Home Won't SellYou have put your home on the market a few months ago and it just hasn't captivated a buyer yet. You have done everything you can do to make it marketable but there's something keeping it from selling.

What to Do When Your Home Won’t Sell

Not necessarily either of them. Dropping the price may not be the right thing to do. It may not be the price that is keeping the buyers away. It may be something completely different.

A lot of home sellers automatically assume that a high price is the reason that their home isn't selling. This is data that is only based on an assumption and before you go ahead and make any changes regarding the selling of your property you should first find out what it is that needs to be changed.

Identify the Problem

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Buying a Home With a Fireplace'Tis this season to hang up your stockings by the fireplace with care. If you don't have a fireplace, you can hang your stockings somewhere else in the home. While a fireplace is a definite necessity for some people, others wouldn't give it a second thought. When it comes to having this luxury in a home, it all comes down to personal preference.

Do You Want a Fireplace in Your Home?

There are a number of reasons someone may choose to buy a home with a fireplace or not. After all, fireplaces can bring warmth and comfort to a home, but they can also require consistent maintenance and involve some element of safety risk. If you're considering getting a home with a fireplace, consider these facts.

The Warmth And Glow

For some people there's

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Purchasing a New Home CostIf you're like most people in Alberta, you're prepared to spend more than the Canadian average in order to buy a home. According to a new report issued by BMO, called The First-Time Home Buyer's Report, the average that the first time Canadian buyer is planning to spend on their purchase is $300,000. People here in Alberta have loftier goals and expect that they'll be spending $406,000 for their first property.

In British Columbia the average was $384,000 while it was even lower in Ontario at an average of $326,000. 

The report also goes on to say that 63% of the first-time homebuyers have had to cut back on their budget in order to save for the down payment while 27% expect either their parents or another member of the family to help out

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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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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 Stage Your Home to SellThere are many things a home seller can do to make their home more appealing to Canadian buyers. And when it comes to home selling, some sellers empty out the property entirely while others use part or all of their current furnishings to entice a buyer to make an offer. However, most real estate professionals believe that staging is the best way to make the emotional connection a buyer needs to truly desire the property. And whether a seller is selling in a competitive housing market or just wants to make as much money on the sale as possible, good home staging can help. The good news is that staging doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive to set a property apart from its competition.

The Benefits of Staging Your Home 

When you stage your

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How to Renovate Your KitchenKitchen remodeling projects can boost the value of a home and can also make the home more attractive to buyers. Because of this, kitchen remodeling projects are very popular among homeowners who want to sell their property in the next few years.

Remodeling can be a long and grueling process, depending on how much work is being done and how many people are doing the work. Knowing what to expect and how to get started with the process can help.

Make Kitchen Remodel Goals

Making goals can help ensure that the remodeling project stays on track. Common remodeling goals include:

  • Upgrade the appliances to low-flow models.
  • Install induction cooktops.
  • Make space for an eat-in table.
  • Install more counter space for making food.

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Saving For a Home Down PaymentAre you planning on purchasing a new home in the Calgary area soon? If so, you're probably saving up for your down payment. There are a few things that you should understand, however, about how to save for a down payment and the size of the down payment needed in order to buy a Calgary home.

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

How Much Money Down Do You Need for a Home?

The most important thing that you need to know about your mortgage is that an insurance premium will need to be paid to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation if you can't make a minimum 20% down payment for your home. This premium is based on the total amount of the

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