You found a home (or two) that appealed to you, and you finally made your way to an open house or showing, so now what? 

Look at all the elements that are important for you and your family:

  • Are there enough bedrooms or bathrooms?
  • Is the house the right size?
  • Is there enough storage space?
  • Is it in the right location?
  • Is it close to schools?
  • Is the house in good repair?
  • Does it fit your needs?

You may walk into a home and fall head over heels in love with it. But is it because it's beautifully decorated and furnished...and it shows like something out of a magazine? Remember, you're not buying the furniture...when the owners move out, the furniture goes with them. The home may have 3 bedrooms...but you need 4. Maybe it has a…

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The task of buying your perfect home with ease can be marred without any help from real estate professionals. If you are able to find a good REALTOR® though, the entire process of home buying can be convenient, hassle-free and even enjoyable for you.

In fact, good real estate agents in Calgary are not really hard to find. But it's also true that you might bump into average ones or worst, bad ones. So how do you actually find REALTORS® that are not just good but are reliable and credible too? Here's some advice: 

  • Get recommendations from people you trust: One of the first things that you should do when you're looking for a REALTOR® is to ask your trusted sphere of influence. Reputation has a lot to speak for in the case of realtors. If someone…

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Living in a golf community has a lot of bonuses aside from your beautiful house. Being the largest city in Alberta with population of more or less 1,500,000, a lot of real estate communities are established in Calgary with different target markets. When talking about peace and recreation, the best residential place to live in is in a golf community. Numbered below are some of the advantages of living in a golf community.

  • Beautifully maintained park-like scenery: Golf courses require well maintained lawn, and being able to wake up facing a refreshing lush green scenery is one of the reasons why a lot of families choose to live in a golf community. There are more trees and grass compared to other subdivisions which make the ambiance of your…

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We often advocate for living in northwest Calgary, with all the great communities and amenities there. However, recent research from the 2016 City of Calgary census and the Avenue Magazine Best Calgary Neighbourhoods List give us even more reason to preach investing there. 

Overall for 2016, Calgary's population increased by 0.36 per cent to 1,235,171, but two northwest neighbourhoods saw an increase of over 1,000 residents in the past year: Nolan Hill and Evanston. 

Here's some notable figures on northwest Calgary real estate from the census and Avenue survey: 

  • The northwest communities of Tuscany and Panorama Hills are the top communities in Calgary with the most single-family homes. Tuscany and Panorama Hills are also among the communities…

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Avenue Magazine's 2016 Best Neighbourhoods in Calgary list is out, and we're pleased to see that so many great northwest Calgary communities made the top 50. The northwest quadrant was well-represented across Calgary, so here's a look at the communities that made the list and what they ranked. 

  • 2, Brentwood: read more on this community (Avenue Magazine).
  • 3, Dalhousie: read more on this community (Avenue Magazine). 
  • 5, Hillhurst: read more on this community (Avenue Magazine); see listings in this community. 
  • 7, Arbour Lake: read more on this community (Avenue Magazine); see listings in this community.
  • 17, Banff Trail: read more on this community (Avenue Magazine); see listings in this community.
  • 18, Hounsfield Heights/Briar Hill: read…

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Summer is a hot time to sell and buy homes! You've made the decision to sell, now what? Here's a simple checklist to ensure you're ready for what's next. Here's an easy checklist to get you ready:

  • Price it Right: Your best chance to sell your property is within the first seven weeks. The longer the property stays on the market, the less the seller will net. Over-pricing can reduce the number of offers that you're likely to get.
  • Clean and Organize: Eliminate clutter Keep your home clean Get rid of any looming odours It's also a good idea to rid your home of any sign of pets.
  • Make the Home Accessible: Be sure to make your home easily accessible for showings Keep all interior doors unlocked, and don't be around during showings. If something is…

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Finding a home you know you can live with can be difficult business. Whether buying a brand new house from a builder or a resale home there are a number of things you should look for. It’s also important to keep in mind that new homes can be just as problematic as older homes. Let's start by saying it almost always makes sense to hire a qualified home inspector and it can potentially protect you from costly surprises down the road. However, if you anticipate serious problems (that you’re not prepared to remedy) in the house, you’re better off saving the cost of a home inspection and moving on to a more suitable prospect.

Here are some things to watch for to determine a house’s overall quality before you commit to the cost of hiring a house inspector:

…

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Today, Royal LePage released their 2016 Canadian Recreational Housing Report, which outlines current statistics and trends in regards to the investment and recreational property market for this year. The biggest (and most notable) driving factors for recreational properties this year are Generation X (36 to 51-years old) buyers and the need to accommodate desired lifestyles. 

“Canada’s extended low interest rate environment has clearly provided buyers with the confidence they need to invest in a cottage or cabin. In contrast to urban home purchase decisions, buying a property on a lakefront or mountainside is much less about interest rates, and more about enhancing lifestyle. Cash savings trump mortgage financing when it comes to how people are…

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Parkdale is a desirable inner city neighbourhood located just below the Foothills Hospital next to the Bow River in Calgary. Homes in the area consist of original war time bungalows and newly built infills and condos. Its close proximity to the Bow River pathway system make it a great choice for those who like to bike, run, walk and enjoy all that the river has to offer.

Recreation

The community of Parkdale offers a variety of fitness classes, cooking classes, and sports. Because of its proximity to the Bow River, it also offers easy access to residents to the running paths where one can enjoy walking, roller blading and cycling. Canada Olympic Park is also a quick drive away and offers world class training for a multitude of sports including…

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Thinking of making the move to homeownership? Great! First there are some questions you should ask yourself to properly prepare for the exciting process ahead of you.

  • Are you ready to buy? Owning your own home is about more than just being able to decorate any way you like; it's about being prepared to maintain your home over the years, realizing that part of your income and time will go towards repairs and maintenance. It's about being willing to take the risks of home ownership with a realistic expectation of the rewards.
  • How much can you afford? It can be discouraging to find that your salary won't stretch as far as the home you want to own. However, sacrificing a huge part of your income just to pay the mortgage can very quickly make home…

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