Tiny-House Village, Complete With Solar Panels and Gardens, Approved for Okotoks
STEPHANIE BABYCH Updated: May 29, 2019 The mayor of Okotoks says a tiny-house village approved for the town will go a long way towards providing affordable housing while reducing the community’s environmental footprint. Okotoks town council approved the development of the first phase of the “eco-village” Monday by a vote of 5-2. Phase 1 includes 42 affordable-rental units, market-rate rentals, short-term vacation rental units and...
Costs of Living Near CTrain Station Vary Widely Across Calgary
Cheaper housing exists in northeast, while west and inner city are the most expensive CBC News · Posted: May 09, 2019 1:13 PM MT | Last Updated: May 9 (Robson Fletcher/CBC) If you want to live along one of Calgary’s CTrain lines, you could spend $1.1 million, or you could spend $199,000. That’s the spread between the most expensive houses and the cheapest condos within a 10-minute walk to a station, according to average...
Sales Activity Improves for Second Consecutive Month – June 2019
City of Calgary, June 3, 2019 Sales growth in May was met with a decline in new listings. This combination eased the pressure on inventory levels, which finished the month at 7,467 units, a decline of 12 per cent compared to last year. Improving sales relative to inventory levels caused the months of supply to ease to just under four months. While still oversupplied, this is an improvement from the five months of supply recorded last...
These Are The Best Canadian Cities For Single Homebuyers, According to Zoocasa
If you can, avoid British Columbia and Ontario altogether. By Jessica Chin Buying a home is no easy feat, and buying a home on one income is even more difficult. Real estate site Zoocasa has rounded up the most and least affordable housing markets for single homebuyers in Canada, based on median incomes for Canadians aged 25-64 and average home prices. It found the most affordable housing markets for single...
Multiple Offers Situation
I made an offer on a property that was not accepted. I later learned there were multiple offers on the property; if I had known I would have raised my offer. Doesn’t the seller have to tell buyers there are multiple offers? No, sellers in Alberta do not have to tell buyers if there are multiple offers. Sellers are in the driver’s seat when it comes to multiple offers. If the seller instructs their agent not to disclose that...
Buying a Foreclosure Property
I recently found a house listed at a price that seems too good to be true. I discovered the house is a court-ordered sale as the result of foreclosure proceedings. Are there any risks when buying a foreclosure? Yes, there can be risks associated with buying a foreclosure property. Foreclosure properties may be offered at a lower than expected price, but you need to know what you’re getting into. A foreclosure sale, which...
Installing / Testing a GFIC Outlet
How to Install a GFCI Outlet (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) There can be several reasons you may want to install a GFCI outlet – maybe it’s worn out, it could have been physically damaged or maybe you just want a new outlet installed in general. Like any other outlet, GFCI outlets will wear out eventually. Kitchen outlets often have small appliances repeated plugged into them and then removed after use – has...
Property Tax Assessment Review Process
City of Calgary Property Tax Assessment Review Process IMPORTANT: City of Calgary 2016 Annual Assessment Notices are mailed to all registered property and business owners on January 05, 2016. A Customer Review Period is then held for 60 days following this mailing date, where you can arrange to speak with an assessor regarding any disagreements you may have with your assessed value. To learn more about the Customer Review Period,...
Consumer Relationships
AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS Buying or selling a property can be one of the most significant financial decisions you make in your lifetime and your REALTOR® will play a key role in assisting you. That’s why it’s important to consider how you will work with your REALTOR® to ensure you get the most value from your relationship. Please read this guide thoroughly. Ask your REALTOR® questions until you are satisfied you fully understand your...
Real Estate Glossary
Real Estate Glossary A good real estate glossary help Calgarians find their way about Calgary Real estate. AMORTIZATION – The number of years it takes to repay the entire amount of a mortgage. APPRAISAL – An estimate of a property’s market value, used by lenders in determining the amount of the mortgage. APPRECIATION – The increase of a property’s value over time. ASSESSMENT – The value of a property, set by the local municipality,...
Understanding the Real Property Report
THE REAL PROPERTY REPORT (RPR) What is a Real Property Report? A Real Property Report (RPR) is a legal document that clearly illustrates the location of significant visible improvements relative to property boundaries. (Improvements to be shown are outlined in Part D, Section 7.6 of the Manual of Standard Practice, which can be found at www.alsa.ab.ca). Get your free copy of the Guide to Understanding the Real Property Report Request...
Title Insurance
TITLE INSURANCE SERVICES FOR HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS Congratulations! You’re purchasing or selling a home. Your lender will provide you with financing, your lawyer is searching title and the biggest investment you’ll ever make both financially and emotionally is protected against any unwanted claims. Right? Well… not exactly. Rights to Real Estate are not guaranteed. Unless you have title insurance, one of those things that only...
Property Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP)
Property Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) Calgary WHAT IS ‘TIPP’? Get a copy Request the PDF Name name Email address email Phone Number phone Submit ‹ › × × Previous Next × Close Property Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) is a Tax Installment Payment Plan that allows City of Calgary property owners to pay their Property Tax in 12 installments, rather than a single annual payment. HOW DOES TIPP WORK? Payments may only...
Home Buyer Closing Costs
POTENTIAL HOME BUYER CLOSING COSTS One of the easily overlooked parts of purchasing a new home is preparing for the home buyer closing costs . The list below shows some of the items you may not have considered prior to purchasing your home that will need to be allocated for. Get your free copy of the Buyer Closing Costs Worksheet Request the PDF Name name Email address email Phone Number phone Submit ‹ › × × Previous Next...
Mortgage Penalty-Broker Lender Penalty vs. Bank Penalty
The difference between a Broker lender Penalty and a Bank Penalty. It’s huge. This article brought to us by Trilogy Mortgage Corporation explains the differences between a broker lender mortgage penalty and a bank mortgage penalty. When choosing between mortgages, knowing how different lenders calculate penalties can be essential. The market and your needs can easily shift during the term of your mortgage and the...
The Perils of Selling Your Own Home-For Sale By Owner
Beware the Perils of Selling a Home Yourself–For Sale By Owner by Douglas A. Gray, LL. B. When the time comes to sell your home, you may be tempted to sell it yourself. There is primarily only one reason for doing so, and that is saving on a real estate commission. The only other motivation could be a personal challenge or learning experience, but basically the desire to save money is the main motivator. You may indeed save...
Is it Time For New Pipes?
Is it Time For New Pipes? Home-Alyze brings us this great information about water line materials. Perhaps it can help you decide if it’s time for new pipes in your home. In recent months, insurance companies have been asking their clients about the type of Pex piping in homes that were built from about 1995 to 2007. We have been helping our clients with this issue as some insurers are reluctant or refusing to insure homes...
7 Tips for Maintaining Good Tenant Relationships
Park Insurance Agency brings us this great article: “Maintaining Good Tenant Relationships” Investing the time and money required to maintain and cultivate a positive working relationship with your tenants can be the difference between amicably discussing and settling differences and a costly lawsuit. Working on the relationship also creates value by maximizing tenant cooperation with timely rent payments, property upkeep...
The Perils of Selling A Home Yourself
” Beware The Perils Of Selling A Home Yourself ” By Douglas A. Gray, LL.B. When the time comes to sell your home, you may be tempted to sell it yourself. There is primarily only one reason for doing so, and that is saving on a real estate commission. The only other motivation could be a personal challenge or learning experience, but basically the desire to save money is the main motivator. You may...
Home Ownership Advantages
Home Ownership Advantages Buy or rent? That is the dilemma facing many potential homeowners today. It seems that buying a home is more costly – and time demanding – that renting a home. However, if you can comfortably afford to do so, and you have plans to stay at your location for a while, buying a home has significant advantages.Financially, owning a home is often promoted as a better choice than renting....
Guidelines for Great Negotiations
Guidelines For Great Negotiations The ability to negotiate successfully is crucial not only for successful real estate transactions, but also for daily life events in general. When negotiating, keep these rules in mind: Challenge the ideas that are presented to you. Negotiating requires you to be assertive and question what you are being told. If you disagree with someone regarding the price, value or condition, speak your...
10 Great Tips to Pack Like a Pro
Getting ready to move soon? Here’s 10 Great Tips to Pack Like a Pro How to Pack Like a Pro You can save a lot of money if you do the bulk of the packing on your own. Limit yourself to non-fragile items such as books, linens, clothing and shoes; and replaceable items such as plates, dishes (not fine china or expensive silverware), and small kitchen appliances. These items will be cheaper to replace in case of damage as...
Land Transfer Taxes
Land Transfer Taxes In many provinces, a land transfer tax is assessed on real property when ownership of the property is transferred from one person to another. The tax is a percentage of the value of the property, based on a sliding scale. In Alberta, we don’t have a land transfer tax; instead, we are assessed a fee, based on the value of the home using the formula seen below. Alberta’s provincial fees...
Fighting Mould
Fighting Mould — The Homeowners’ Guide Understanding mould mould can be harmful or helpful — depending on where it grows. mould needs moisture to grow. mould does not grow on dry materials. mould growing inside a home can affect the occupants. Occupants can learn to recognize mould. Moulds are microscopic fungi, a group of organisms which also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Fungi are highly adapted to grow and reproduce rapidly,...
Hiring a Home Inspector
Hiring a Home Inspector It’s often said that one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make will be your home. However, unlike the guarantee a buyer receives with most purchases, there’s no money-back guarantee or return policy if you’re not satisfied with your recently purchased home. Once you buy a home, you’re on your own to maintain it, repair it, anticipate problems and pay the bills. This is why it’s best...
Getting Your House Ready to Sell
Getting Your House Ready to Sell When getting your house ready to sell, you need to look at your house in a new way. Think of your house as a product about to go on the market where it is probably competing with brand new housing. It needs to show well – which means clutter-free and well kept. Today’s homebuyers lead busy lives and may not be interested in taking on major repairs or improvements upon moving in. You need to make your...
Hiring a Contractor
Hiring a Contractor At some time, most homeowners will hire someone for repairs or renovations. Even a homeowner experienced in home repairs may have to hire a contractor or renovator because of the size or level of difficulty of the job. This fact sheet will help you choose a contractor and work effectively and fairly with the contractor to achieve the results you desire. Who Do You Hire? Once you have decided to...
Evaluating Property
Evaluating Property In the real estate industry, the concept of value is vague. The value of a house (or condo, or co-op, or townhouse) fluctuates often, based on many situations, such as an ever-changing market conditions, the condition of the home, and the costs associated with owning it.For that reason, it’s difficult to answer the question, “How much is it worth?” There is one certainty, however. The answer to...
Common Selling Mistakes
Common Selling Mistakes Mistake #1 — Placing the Wrong Price on Your Property Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As...
Avoid Basement Flooding
Avoid Basement Flooding Is Basement Flooding a Common Problem? Basement flooding is unfortunately a common occurrence in many parts of Canada. Basement flooding related insurance claims in Canada are estimated to be in the order of $140 million per year based on a multi-year average. This represents an average of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 incidents per year, with an average cost of damages per flooding incident between $3,000 and...
10 Tips to Sell your Home Without an Agent
10 Tips to Sell Your Home without an Agent If you are determined to sell your home yourself, I wish you good luck. However, I will look forward to your call to discuss some of the advantages of having agency representation that you may not have considered. Here’s some help on How to Sell Your Home without an Agent: Change ads regularly. Ads lose their effectiveness if repeated without change. Three days is plenty for one...
8 Questions Real Estate Agents HATE!!
8 Questions Real Estate Agents HATE!! There’s a rule in the Real Estate world called the 80/20 rule. It says that the top 20% of all Real Estate Agents sell 80% of the homes. So, it goes without saying that since you will likely pay the same amount to work with a top Agent or a mediocre Agent, you might as well make sure you are working with the best Agent possible. One way to accomplish this task is to ask the right questions....
6 Credit Report Secrets
6 Credit Report Secrets You MUST Know About Before Applying for a Mortgage When you apply for a mortgage, the mortgage lender will review your income, liabilities, and most importantly, your credit report to determine if you qualify. Even small credit report inaccuracies can hinder your ability to get the home loan you need and deserve. And credit report inaccuracies are more common than you might imagine. This report will teach you:...
General Education For Buyers
So you are looking for a new Infill home in the Inner-city. Education is the key to a successful real estate transaction. we have compiled a number of articles you may be interested in.
Recent From NW Infill Listings Detailed
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