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Stories Tagged - How To
News
Oct. 05, 2018 | Barb Livingstone
The most common real estate scams and how to spot them
Real estate fraud and scams are rare, but often receive an outsized amount of media attention.
Former Real Estate Council of Alberta investigator, and current supervisor of training and compliance with CREB®, Ryan DeLuca says it's far more likely day-to-day real estate transactional details – without the benefit of advice, research and direction from licensed professionals – will trip people up.
However, here are some of the potential, albeit rare, issues to avoid and how to spot them:
News
Oct. 04, 2018 | Geoff Geddes
With home staging, small details pay big dividends for sellers
When you're selling your home in a buyers' market, the subtleties of staging can make a world of difference.
"Getting an edge on the competition is all about presentation and pricing," said Nancy Ball, a REALTOR® with CIR Realty in Calgary. Ball has come to be known as the "Home Staging Realtor," and these are her tips for home-staging success.
"Getting an edge on the competition is all about presentation and pricing," said Nancy Ball, a REALTOR® with CIR Realty in Calgary. Ball has come to be known as the "Home Staging Realtor," and these are her tips for home-staging success.
News
July 18, 2018 | Stefan Strangman
Free parking
How building a garage can dramatically increase your home value
Driving has always been a way of life for Calgarians, and given the ubiquity of cars in in the city, garages are a must for almost every home.
Whether looking to build a home for the first time or renovating an old one, detached or attached garages are the options most builders choose. However, special builds also exist and can even include underground parking or tunnels, at costs upwards of $35,000 for a triple-detached unit.
Driving has always been a way of life for Calgarians, and given the ubiquity of cars in in the city, garages are a must for almost every home.
Whether looking to build a home for the first time or renovating an old one, detached or attached garages are the options most builders choose. However, special builds also exist and can even include underground parking or tunnels, at costs upwards of $35,000 for a triple-detached unit.
News
July 18, 2018 | Donna Balzer
Packing up plants
How to take pieces of your garden with you when you moveIf you want to move your entire garden when you sell your home, think again. First, it's illegal, and second, plants ripped out randomly in summer wilt and die unless pampered.
But what if you have a sentimental piece of grandma's peony, a special perennial plant or a friend's perfect poppy? Taking bits and pieces of your garden with you without changing the look of the yard is possible with these tips:
News
July 18, 2018 | Natalie Noble
Polite pathways
An etiquette refresher for Calgarians on the move
Calgarians enjoy the largest urban pathway network in the country. Over 800 kilometres of pathways and 95 kilometres of trails throughout the city connect communities for a variety of users. As we approach the middle of another beautiful summer, it's a great time to review pathway etiquette for walkers, joggers, in-line skaters, pet owners and cyclists.
Calgarians enjoy the largest urban pathway network in the country. Over 800 kilometres of pathways and 95 kilometres of trails throughout the city connect communities for a variety of users. As we approach the middle of another beautiful summer, it's a great time to review pathway etiquette for walkers, joggers, in-line skaters, pet owners and cyclists.
News
July 18, 2018 | Gerald Vander Pyl
Thinking inside the box
Six tips for a stress-free moving day
As exciting as it is to buy a home, it also brings with it the reality of moving day, and the hassles that come along with that process.
To take the guess work out of the big move, we talked to the experts to get their tips for planning a stress-free move: Barry Byman, sales manager and partner with AMJ Campbell International in Calgary, and Vince Kirton, regional manager with Sentinel Storage.
As exciting as it is to buy a home, it also brings with it the reality of moving day, and the hassles that come along with that process.
To take the guess work out of the big move, we talked to the experts to get their tips for planning a stress-free move: Barry Byman, sales manager and partner with AMJ Campbell International in Calgary, and Vince Kirton, regional manager with Sentinel Storage.
News
July 16, 2018 | Gerald Vander Pyl
Beat the heat
Five tips for summer home sellers
For many Calgarians, summer means the Calgary Stampede, camping season and perhaps a family vacation before the kids go back to school. But for others, it's also when they plan to sell their home.
While the conventional wisdom is that spring and fall are prime real estate seasons, there's no wrong time of year to sell, says Margaret Neff, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX First in Calgary.
For many Calgarians, summer means the Calgary Stampede, camping season and perhaps a family vacation before the kids go back to school. But for others, it's also when they plan to sell their home.
While the conventional wisdom is that spring and fall are prime real estate seasons, there's no wrong time of year to sell, says Margaret Neff, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX First in Calgary.
News
July 04, 2018 | Donna Balzer
July in the garden
Heat waves are on the wayDo plants really wilt faster during Stampede heat? Or is it just that we are away from home for longer periods, indulging in pancake breakfasts and evening rodeos? If your petunias are panting, follow these tips to keep them alive while you are out enjoying the festivities.
News
June 27, 2018 | Geoff Geddes
Fun in the sun
How to buy a vacation home without getting burned
While sunburn can ruin a holiday, getting burned on a vacation home purchase can sting for much longer. Fortunately, doing your homework will help you find your place in the sun without feeling the heat.
"The market has seen price drops lately, so a lot of people are finding vacation properties at $300,000 or below," said Bill MacDougall, a real estate professional with Optimum Realty Group in Calgary.
While sunburn can ruin a holiday, getting burned on a vacation home purchase can sting for much longer. Fortunately, doing your homework will help you find your place in the sun without feeling the heat.
"The market has seen price drops lately, so a lot of people are finding vacation properties at $300,000 or below," said Bill MacDougall, a real estate professional with Optimum Realty Group in Calgary.
News
June 18, 2018 | Tyler Difley
Mortgages demystified
Valuable information for prospective homebuyers
Canada's new mortgage qualification rules and how they could affect you
On Jan. 1, 2018, new mortgage rules came into effect. Under the new rules, Canadian mortgages are subject to stricter qualifying criteria. Ultimately, this means some buyers will have to settle for less expensive homes than they could have qualified for prior to the rule change – up to 20 per cent cheaper in some cases.
All homebuyers must now go through the mortgage stress test:
Canada's new mortgage qualification rules and how they could affect you
On Jan. 1, 2018, new mortgage rules came into effect. Under the new rules, Canadian mortgages are subject to stricter qualifying criteria. Ultimately, this means some buyers will have to settle for less expensive homes than they could have qualified for prior to the rule change – up to 20 per cent cheaper in some cases.
All homebuyers must now go through the mortgage stress test:
