All Blog Entries by Justin Havre

Providing professional real estate services for people looking to buy and sell real estate in Calgary and surrounding areas. Proven marketing plan that sells properties. Call for your free home evaluation today and have your home listed tomorrow.

Found 247 blog entries published by Justin Havre.

4 Tips for Marketing Your Home (the Right Way)Most people know that marketing is folded into practically everything they see. From toothpaste ads to funny Facebook posts, companies all over the country are trying to make their mark whenever and wherever they can. But not everyone knows that they can use marketing tricks to sell their home the same way they might sell their used clothes on eBay. Sellers can boost their offers by making their home just a little more appealing to the right people.

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

The First Public Appearance

The first public appearance of a home starts when a seller officially lists it on the market. This is the time for sellers to

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Ice Rink - Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/katsrcool/15183492913

Ice skating is an age old tradition, and the chilly weather’s arrival means it’s time to dust of those skates and get ready to have some winter fun. While there are numerous indoor and outdoor rinks around the community, check out these top ice skating rinks in Calgary, AB.

Bowness Park Lagoon

Located at 8900 48 Ave. N.W. is Bowness Park Lagoon, which is by far one of the best ice skating rinks in Calgary for a number of reasons. Recently renovated and redeveloped, one can brink their own skates to the park and use the outdoor rink for free. However, skates, helmets and stabilizers can be rented from the onsite Skate Shop operated by University of Calgary Outdoor Centre.

Beyond skating, visitors can enjoy picnic areas with fire pits and

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What You Need to Know About Installing SidingDifferent kinds of siding perform in different ways. When the time comes to choose a siding, knowing the pros and cons of each siding type can help homeowners decide which type of siding is right for them. This siding guide will discuss some of the most popular options and talk about how to proceed after making a choice.

Know the Options

Siding comes in a range of styles. Some types of siding are longer lasting and more durable than others. Here's what you need to know.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular types of siding available today. It is popular because it's easy to install, easy to maintain, attractive, comes in a range of colors and is relatively pest-resistant. Unlike wood and some other types of siding, it

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Purchasing a Calgary CondoPurchasing a condominium in Calgary is much different than purchasing a single-family home. The questions you need to ask and the things you need to take into consideration are quite different. Here are some of the things to ask before making your final decision and a few things to consider.

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

Condos and City Life Are a Great Combination

Today you can enjoy the luxury of city living and property ownership by purchasing a condo. When you really can't afford a single-family home and don't want to move out to the suburbs, a condo is the perfect choice. Affordable housing is available downtown in the form

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An Insurance Primer: Canadian Homeowners Have Varied Insurance NeedsThere's more involved in buying a home than finding the right property and qualifying for the mortgage. It's smart to protect against different types of loss, although it's not mandated by law. It's not always easy.

Required Coverage

Prospective buyers all realize that there are more costs attached to a home purchase than the mortgage and the price of new furniture. Insurance is one of those costs, and it's important to be aware of requirements that protect the lender, as well as assessing the need for additional coverage to protect personal interests and capital investment.

Mortgage Default Insurance

A mortgage default policy, commonly known as CMHC insurance in Canada, is required for all loans with down payments between 5 and 19.99%.

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Selling Your Vacation HomeA vacation home can be a wonderful thing. You'll have the opportunity to get away and explore somewhere new, and you'll also be able to avoid the high costs of a motel. Especially if you vacation in a very popular area, getting a motel room for a few nights could really add up. With a home in that location you won't have those costs, but you will have other expenses that are important to consider. One of those is the mortgage payment, and when you finance a vacation home it's not quite the same as getting a mortgage on the primary residence where you spend the majority of your time.

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

Recreational Real

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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 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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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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