All Blog Entries by Justin Havre

This is the time of year when it's fun to try arts and crafts. Holiday markets are starting to pop up around town and it's the season to start buying holiday items you'll need for the season. Stock up on Christmas gifts at these arts and crafts markets around Calgary before December.

Okotoks Christmas Festival

At the Foothills Centennial Centre this November 7th and 8th, you can enjoy Christmas shopping while listening to the Foothills Philharmonic Chorus. You can get old fashioned pictures with Santa, try kids' crafts at Santa's workshop and all donations for the day will go to the Okotoks Food Bank.

Enjoy shopping from over 100 local boutique businesses and artists featuring handmade, upcycled and unique products. The event will go from

There are many benefits that go along with home ownership such as the freedom to renovate, the ability to turn up your stereo a bit higher and the chance to sit out in your own backyard to enjoy a barbecue. There are also a lot of financial benefits associated with owning a home but we are going to take a look at the top 3 that include:

• More financial control
• Higher net worth
• More borrowing power

More Financial Control

Let's assume that a person takes out a 25-year mortgage at a fixed interest rate. For the next 25 years of his life he is going to be able to budget for the mortgage payment and know exactly what is expected of him every month. A renter, however, never knows exactly how much his rent is going to increase when his

Sustainable building has come a long way in a short time, which has made it difficult for the average construction company to keep pace with the new developments. Even as 3D printers spit out entire homes on test sites in mere hours and windows are developed with the help of Wi-Fi, most homes are still using a fairly traditional model of completion. Luckily, many countries are heavily invested in the green movement, and their efforts are starting to pay off. What is sustainable design and what is green technology? See how the newest green technologies break down and how they all add up to fewer emissions and cleaner air.

Geo Exchange

When a new building in Ontario was constructed under the Zero Carbon standard, one of its main features was its

Most first-time home buyers can't afford a home without a mortgage. When they apply for a mortgage, they must go through the pre-qualification and pre-approval processes. Both processes are mandatory for all people seeking a mortgage.

You can think about pre-qualification as being step one of applying for a mortgage. Pre-approval is step two. Understanding the differences between these two steps and what this means for the home seller can help you be prepared to make an offer on a home you wish to buy. If you're thinking about purchasing a home sometime in the next several months, here's what you need to know about pre-qualification and pre-approval.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before

It can be a struggle to love a place like Calgary in January, because it's so cold, but many locals still love their city. The seasons are part of what give the city its charm. Winter doesn't have to be gloomy and here are many great reasons to love Calgary.

Creative Young People

Calgary isn't losing many of the young people to other cities anymore. Many of the most creative from younger generations are sticking around because they want to make a difference within the city. This has helped to provide the city with a more well-rounded entertainment segment along with other benefits including expanded recycling programs and more educated residents.

Water Treatment Facilities

Have you ever lived somewhere with the worst-tasting tap water you'd

Refinancing a mortgage may be a good decision for a lot of reasons. Interest rates fall, and people tend to get better terms once they have owned a home for a few years. Most homeowners need to renew or refinance the loan after the initial term ends, which calls for a few decisions. The right choice depends on several factors, and it may not be obvious from the renewal notice. Here's what homeowners need to know about the refinancing process, including some options they will need to consider.

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

1. Renewal vs. Refinancing

Renewal is not the same as refinancing, and homeowners should keep this in mind. Renewing

If you're buying new windows, or creating a new home wish list, one of the first things you should do is decide which type of windows are right for your home. Different types of windows can function in dramatically different ways. They also look different. The style you choose will have an effect on how you use your windows and also how your home looks. Below are some of the most popular window styles.

Single Hung

Single-hung windows have a bottom sash that moves up and down, and a top sash that is locked in place. These windows function intuitively. Homeowners like single hung windows because they're relatively inexpensive to install and easy to use.

Double Hung

Double-hung windows have two sashes, similar to the single-hung windows, but

Millennial home buyers would seemingly be the most eager of the population to delve into homeownership. However, current trends, statistics and surveys seem to say otherwise—at least according to details from Angus Reid for CIBC. In all, 42 percent of Canada's millennials have delved into homeownership, with 81 percent of those claiming they intend to sell in the future. Nearly two-thirds of such respondents claim they plan to sell due to the high cost of maintenance, taxes and mortgage payments.

So, what are millennials who have not invested in a home just yet thinking? According to recent statistics, 23 percent of surveyed individuals state that they have no plans to buy a home, while 29 percent doubt that a home purchase will ever be within their

While garage organization can be seemingly impossible to obtain and maintain, with some clever design ideas and a willingness to ditch the junk, the garage can become a more inviting and functional space. And when selling a home with a garage, a clean garage always leaves a great impression on a potential home buyer. Here are some easy ways to get things in order fast, which can prevent injuries and allow everyone to find needed tools and stored items with ease.

Make a Plan and Set Aside a Date and Time

Avoid the temptation to just start pulling things out and rearranging on a whim, as this can lead to mixed results without actually getting much organization accomplished. Set a date and time such as a weekend morning, preferably when the

Buying a home and then renting your home to become a landlord can be a great way to really take advantage of a property. Tenants not only pay rent every month, but they also maintain the integrity of the property. (Just the simple act of using the plumbing system regularly can help it stay intact.) And if something goes wrong, such as a leak in the ceiling, the tenant will be there to alert the owner. But just because tenants can be a boon for property owners doesn't mean that all of them are worth the trouble. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before moving forward on a candidate.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney before renting your home or proceeding with any real estate transaction.

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