Found 198 blog entries tagged as real estate.

 

 

When you think about selling your property, do you dwell on the possible work and stress involved? You're not alone. Many homeowners share the same concerns.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

In fact, there are plenty of ways to add some fun, anticipation, and even a sense of adventure to the selling process. Here are just a few ideas:

  1.     Plan fun things to do when your home is being shown. That can include walks, sports activities, or trying something you and your family have never done before.
  2.     Declutter for your own benefit. Instead of thinking about decluttering as a chore required for the sale, focus instead on how much more comfortable your home will be after decluttering. Studies consistently show that less clutter…

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It’s interesting to note how so many things have their “season.” Hockey in the winter. Vacations in the summer. Gardening in the spring. Even retirement reportedly occurs more often in the fall than any other time of year.

To some extent, even real estate seems to have a season. The spring is traditionally an active time for home sales. But, does that mean you should wait until spring to list your home?

Here’s the reality...

Properties sell all year round. There are buyers actively looking for homes at all times of the year. In fact, there are bound to be buyers that would be interested in your home if you were to list it this month. While it’s true that the market may fluctuate throughout the year, with some months featuring higher or lower…

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 Pulling Together the Records you Need when Selling

Imagine you’re viewing a home for sale. You venture to the basement, check out the furnace room, and notice the water heater. Is it owned or rented? As a potential buyer, you’d want to know.

Now imagine a property you’re viewing has a brand-new gas fireplace. Nice! Is it under warranty? Is that warranty transferrable to you if you buy the home? Again, you’d want to know.

So, when you’re selling, it’s important to pull together all the necessary records you will need in order to answer these types of buyer questions. After all, if a particular warranty transfers to the new owner, that’s a selling point.

Take the time to find receipts, warranty certificates, and other documents related to:

1) Renovations (e.g., a bathroom…

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Preparing for a Day of Multiple Viewings

When you’re selling your home, several viewings of your property may be scheduled on the same day. That can be a good thing because it can create increased excitement about your listing.

To prepare for a multiple viewings day, follow these tips:

  •          Clean and prepare your home the day before. That way, you’re not scrambling to get things ready in the morning.
  •          Confirm the time of the first appointment. Schedules can change quickly.
  •          Plan to leave your home a half-hour before the viewings begin. Some buyers might feel awkward if they run into you as you’re coming out.
  •          Make a last-minute checklist.
  •          Assume the viewings will go overtime. Plan to be away at least a half-hour after the…

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 The Role of Personal Goals when Deciding to Sell

Many people decide to move for practical reasons. For example, some might be required to move due to work relocation and others may realize that their household has changed and they are ready to downsize or upsize.

But personal goals play an important role too.

In fact, when deciding whether or not to sell your property and find your next dream home, it’s essential to consider personal goals—your own and those of other family members too.

After all, where you live, and the type of home you live in, can greatly impact your goals and dreams.

For example, if you’re active in a particular sport or another hobby (such as hiking), being able to enjoy that activity locally might be an objective. If your goal is to live in a certain…

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Predicting Your Future Housing Needs

What will your housing needs be in three to five years? If you can figure that out, you can watch the market, target areas and neighbourhoods you might like to live in, and reap the benefits of planning ahead.

To begin the process, start by asking yourself the following questions:

  1. What will my family look like in three to five years? Will there be a new addition (or two) to your family? Will you have kids that are grown up and about to move out? What is the possibility that an elderly relative (Mom, Dad or grandparent) will be living with you?
  2. What will change regarding work and school? Will a teenager be off to college? Will you or your spouse be retired? Will someone in your household be starting a home business?
  3. How will your…

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Lists to make when selling your home

When you put your property up for sale, you want to make sure that potential buyers get all the information they need on the features of your home and its surrounding area. If, for example, a buyer doesn’t realize there is a great school just a couple of blocks away, he might cross your property off his shortlist.

An effective way to make sure something like that doesn’t happen is to create three lists.

#1: The “I’ll Miss It” list.

Chances are, there are things about your home that you’re really going to miss when you move. It may be the spacious living room, ideal for entertaining. Or maybe it’s the nearby park with scenic trails, perfect for walking and biking, or the large deck that has just the right combination of shade and sun to make…

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Happiness is banking with ATB.

Rob Roach, ATB Economics | November 25, 2021

   

Moving ahead: Alberta’s economy in 2022

Released this morning, ATB’s latest provincial economic forecast shows that we have come a long way from the early days of the pandemic when GDP activity was in free fall, unemployment was spiking and rumours of a decade-long economic collapse were circulating. From masks to vaccines, we are now able to keep most parts of the economy open most of the time.

With that said, the pandemic is not over and it remains a drag on growth (especially in poorer countries and in…

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There is a lot of controversy out there about having a realtor represent you when buying a brand new home. I am here to state the facts. 

1. Having representation brings my price point up. MYTH - Not only can I negotiate on your behalf to make sure you are getting the best deal, commissions that builders pay to agents comes from a completely separate budget and has nothing to do with the purchase price. 

2. Having representation is more beneficial when the realtor has knowledge and experience in new homes. TRUTH - As someone who has worked in new home sales, I can sort through the competition, make sure you are getting the best quality, and save you time and money in the process. 

3. Having representation does not offer any additional protection.…

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