Do you live in Cranston? Or maybe you just love garage sales? Come and take part in the Cranston Parade of Garage Sales, June 2nd from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. We will have more than 60 homes taking part this year (maybe more), and we’ll have signage everywhere to direct you. Last year’s event was a huge success, and we’re looking to improve on that.If you live in Cranston and want to take part, here’s how: (more…)

If price always follows activity in a real estate market, (which it does) sellers are about to experience something in the Calgary real estate market that we haven’t seen since before the stock market meltdown of 2008; a seller’s market. Realtors have been seeing an increase in activity and not surprisingly, sales through the first quarter of 2012. We have not seen a corresponding increase in new listings to cover this increase from buyers, so inventory has shrunk month after month. How much?    (more…)

I’m excited to announce our new Home Page is live on CalgaryHomeListings.ca. After months of re-design, our ’2.0′ version of our website makes searching for homes, condos, and acreages a snap. We’ve improved the Quick Search area to make it cleaner and with more choices for your search parameters, moved our featured listings up to the top for easy reference, and made it simple to click on whatever you’re looking for, like community prices, a mortgage calculator, and an easy home evaluation button. The Acreage Search is now just above our Featured Community area. It’s the simplest way to find any Calgary MLS listing. (more…)

Calgary MLS sales activity improved over last year in February, which accurately reflects my own experience in the market. In booking showings for clients this past month, I have personally found numerous homes sold before we could get in to see them, homes sold on multiple offers, and homes sold above list price. The CREB statistics show bookings for showing through our online ‘Touchbase’ software at spring levels, and much higher than a year ago.

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Selling a home in the winter (a Canadian winter, not the snowbird winter we dream of) is a very good strategy, and better statistically than most consumers know. A study done in 2009/2010 showed that the the price, days on the market, and selling percentage to list price was all better than the median average for the entire year, when comparing winter sales to the rest of the year. One of those factors is the number of new listings, which tends to peak in the Calgary market in April and May. January and February is somehow seen as a less attractive time to list, but the truth is, you have less competition, and the buyers that are looking are actually serious buyers. After all, who would go out in the snow and below zero temperatures if they weren’t serious about moving? Here are 7 tips to selling your home in the winter successfully: (more…)

I have seen many contracts (unfortunately) that have the appearance of having been written on a cocktail napkin. The process of writing a purchase contract should be thorough and clear. It also should follow the ‘kiss’ philosophy. An unclear term or condition can put both the client and the Realtor in a bad position. A good example of this is in an article regarding an ‘Approval by Seller’s lawyer’ clause. (more…)

Stats Canada has released some data regarding Canadians usage of the internet, showing that the majority of time spent is for personal use. It essentially confirms what we all know, particularly in Alberta, that people are using the internet to do most things in their lives. How does this affect the way we buy and sell real estate? (more…)

The commercial and retail development talked about for the Deep South is one step closer. This recent article outlines more specific plans for the area immediately surrounding the new South Hospital, which will open in stages beginning in the spring of 2012. Seton will be a massive mixed use area of retail, office space, recreation, and multi-family residential. Have a look at the article I have linked to this blog post above. It has a really cool 3D video of Seton as developers invision it over the next 6-10 years. (more…)

It seems as though we experience some kind of allegedly life-altering financial shake-up on a monthly basis these days. The latest roller coaster was brought on by the debt crisis in the U.S., followed by nervous world markets experiencing sell offs, buy-ins, and so on and so forth. While this does play havoc with your stock portfolios, it really has limited impact on local real estate, speaking from a Calgary perspective. In a recent Calgary Herald article, Marty Hope points out that  condo sales are up over last year. Inventory in both single family and condos are lower, creating stability for sellers, while still allowing buyers a good selection of homes and condos to choose from. Real estate is a ‘get rich slow’ proposition, so buying at a time when interest rates are still very low, and selection is good just makes economic sense. Add in the recent and it would seem, chronic, volatility of equity markets, and putting your money where you live, (or where someone else needs to live), is an attractive investing option.

It would appear that interest rates may stay low longer than originally predicted, with governments not wanting to cripple any industry that might be affected by a rise in interest rates. The recovery has been bumpier than most would have expected, but people always need a place to live. Combine that with the tax-free component of a primary residence, and buying a home or condo becomes a safer bet than you might have been hearing for the past two or three years. Look to an active fall market in the Calgary area, with both buyers and sellers able to accomplish what they want, as long as everyone plays nice, and doesn’t get too greedy.

I just listed this wonderful home in Woodbine, in Calgary’s Southwest. Built  originally for a plumbing contractor, this home has six baths, including four full baths, two with steam showers in them. The home also has three fireplaces, and sits on a huge pie lot with dramatic mountain views to the west. Have a look at the tour of this super executive home.