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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If you're unfamiliar with the Edgemont Beautification Project, it's a community initiative focused on improving appearance via landscaping, plantings and maintenance throughout Edgemont. 

These upgraded maintenance programs make a significant difference in communities.  Hamptons, Citadel and most recently Hawkwood, all have them in place and they have really made a big difference in those communities.  Possible improvements listed on the petition website are as follows:

  • Raised planting beds
  • Cement pots
  • Mowing
  • Watering
  • Flowers
  • Fertilizer
  • Shrubs/grasses
  • Trees
  • Litter control
  • Weed management

There are now more than 100 volunteer committee members and canvassers actively working together on the project, and the support…

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The suburbs are still the number one choice for Calgarians choosing to buy (according to the 2014 City of Calgary census), and if you've never considered living in the suburbs, they have a lot to offer. There are some common misconceptions about living the suburbs that may be holding you back, and we're going to dispell them right now.

The suburbs are too far from everything: this couldn't be farther from the truth in Calgary. Calgary's suburb communities are self-sustaining neighbourhoods which all have easy access to major roadways and transportation options. Almost every suburb community in Calgary is within a 20-minute drive to downtown.

There's no amenities: again, each suburb community in Calgary is self-sustaining. There are plenty of…

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A financial area that homebuyers often forget to budget for is closing costs. Whether you're selling or buying Northwest Calgary homes, there will be certain costs associated with the finalization of the transaction that you should be prepared for. This is a brief rundown, and just a guideline, your REALTOR® or mortgage broker can provide you with more exact numbers. 

For Buyers: 

Costs can range from 1.5 to 5% of total purchase price, excluding down payment. For example, a purchase price of $250,000 would yield:

• Inspections: $400-$500

• Mortgage application (could be waived) $200-$400

• Mortgage insurance $2000

• Legal fees $900+

• GST (for new homes only) - varies

• Home and content insurance $450

• Moving and/or storage $500 

For…

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Airdire is a small city in Alberta located at the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor. It is also a part of Calgary region and is just a few miles north of Calgary International Airport. Its local economy rely on local and regional retail, professional services, and construction and manufacturing industries. It is one of the most sought-after cities in Alberta because of its location. Airdrie was known for being a “bedroom community” because of its proximity to Calgary.

What is a Bedroom Community?

“Bedroom community” is a term used to describe a residential area where majority of the residents work or perform somewhere else. This means that the occupations, schools, or businesses of most residents of Airdrie are located outside their locale.

3 Factors…

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Should you buy a brand new home that you can customize, or choose a resale one that's move-in ready? Both options present advantages, and there is no right answer, it's totally up to the buyer. We've outlined a couple benefits of each:

Buying New

• Personalized home: with new homes you can choose the colours, fixtures and upgrades such as lighting and flooring
• New homes are built up to current building codes and standards
• Lower maintenance costs: newer homes tend to have lower maintenance costs as all of the materials are brand new
• Builder warranties: the majority of home builders offer warranties for new homes

Buying Resale

• Easy access: homes in established neighbourhoods are in close proximity to services, parks, schools, etc
• Home…

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It's almost that time of year again, when your backyard becomes another living space. A lot of people will be building decks this over the next few months, so here are some helpful tips we came across to help you pick the right materials for the job.

CHOOSING THE WOOD

Cedar resists moisture, rot and insect infestations. 

Douglas fir is very strong, and handles to power tools well. It is also decay, mold and insect repellant.

Redwood is easy to work with, naturally decay-resistant and should avoid warping and splitting.

Exotic wood choices are the most durable but also more expensive. Most exotic options are environmentally-friendly as well.

CHOOSING THE FINISH

Clear water sealer  is a transparent finish that provides dampness protection…

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Calgary is one of the most livable cities in the world (source: The Independent. It is also known for having numerous suburban residential neighborhoods that are perfect for families, especially in the Northwest Calgary Real Estate. We are going to discuss 5 of these hilly residential neighborhoods in the northern part of Calgary:

  • Panorama Hills
  • Harvest Hills
  • Country Hills
  • Coventry Hills
  • Huntington Hills

All of these neighborhoods have certain distinctions – from the number of residents and households, to the job opportunities near the neighborhoods, and to their total land area.

Living in the Hills

 Real estate properties located at hilly neighborhoods are more expensive than typical properties because they offer more…

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The Hamptons Golf Club is now offering a new membership opportunity, that allows members to receive not only the benefit sof the Hamptons Golf Course, but premier access to their other affiliate golf courses. 

Now is the time for members, families and guests to access an exceptional line-up of amenities including golf, practice facilities, and a state of the art 37,000 square foot clubhouse. Every aspect of this club is geared toward service. Every member is a well-respected guest that we hope will take advantage of all privileges offered.

Affiliate golf courses are: Windmill Golf Group, Silverwing Links, Harvest Hills, Wildnerness Club (Montana), Springbank Links, Boulder Creek, Northern Bear and Mickelson National. 

Some of the membership…

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You may have noticed some changes to the MLS® website (REALTOR®.ca) you're used to, because several new features and upgrades have been added to the website to make the user experience better.

New Features: 

  • Mobile: there is now an easy-to-use mobile app available for most platforms, and the new listing service is also mobile-friendly. 
  • Saved searches: users are now able to create and save their own searches, making information readily available to you. 
  • Button bar: this control panel allows you access all the functions of the website in one convenient bar. 
  • Improved mapping: community maps are now updated in real time and are much quicker for users to scroll, zoom or pan a search area. 
  • Search history: the new system will actually…

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