Are We Back To The Days of Ralph?

So it looks like we are back to the days of Ralph with the Royalties in Alberta… Here is the original article from the Calgary Herald.  Yesterday Premier Ed passed another revision of his Royalty Review and is now sitting at 36%.  The Article also talks about how the Alberta government will collect in 2013 $400 million more than what was under King Ralph’s reign, however it’s $800 million less then what Premier Ed originally passed.

I would like to hear from all the individuals that are in the oil industry and would like to get your take on this… What have you seen this do to the industry and how will it impact the oil and gas industry in Calgary in the future…

Weekly Market Update – February 3, 2009

Can you believe it… January is already over… Anywho!

Over the past week, the listing count in Calgary has decreased.  This is a good thing, especially when it is mixed with the number of sales increasing.  The median prices for both condos and single family homes have stayed roughly the same as last week with condos at $248,000 (up $1,000) and single family at $377,500.  As well the average days on market have decreased and both condos and single family are sitting at 62 days on market.  With the prices staying where they are at, some would say that the market is starting to stabilize.  I do hope that this is the case, but we will need to have more than a couple weeks of data to see this.  If prices remain the same into the end of February time frame, the tides may have calmed.  We will have to wait and see.

Same as last week, many of the places that buyers are seeing are not quality listings, that do not show well.  This is one area that we try to stand out from the crowd in, and when buyers look at our listings we get many comments that the home viewed was in impeccable condition.

If you are considering buying in Calgary, right now is a great time to buy, as there are some highly motivated sellers out there.  But on the flip side, if you are needing to sell, you need to market your home a certain way, and price it properly, or it could cost you more in the long run.

Thanks for checking out our blog, and we hope that you find it informative and helpful in your real estate adventures.

Purchasing a Home: 5 Things To Consider

While buying a home is a stimulating feat in life, it is for sure not something you want to rush into. It is going to be one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your life. This is the reason why you will have to take the time to study all the alternatives available on the market.

Below are 5 important elements to know purchasing a home.

1. Clean your credit record

Paying an amount big enough to finance a home is something a lot of of us cannot afford right on the spot. Because of this, asking for a loan is essential for most people. You will need to make sure your credit record is as clean as possible so that you will be accepted. It is advised that you get copies of your credit report several months before you start shopping for a house so you know what to expect.  Try to get your credit rating above the 600-650 range according to FICO scores.  Anything above these values, you should be able to get approved for a new mortgage.

2. Stay within your price range

Because of the current economical situation, there are so many homes on the marketplace to choose from that it can be difficult to find the ideal one for you. However, it is crucial you stay within your financial limits and do not try to reach too far.  It is not fun for anyone to be ‘house poor’.

3. A home in a school district

If you have children, you will for sure want to purchase a home within a specific school zone. However, it can be a good idea to purchase a home in a school zone even if you do not have kids. The reason for this is because strong school districts are a top priority for a lot of people who are looking for a home to purchase. Buying a home in a school district will allow you to make a substantial profit when you will sell it.

4. Real estate agent

Buying a home is a hard task and you won’t probably have the time it takes to run here and there, visiting and comparing prices. It is therefore advisable to have a professional service that will provide you with a large selection of homes that are within your financial limits and have the qualities you are looking for.

5. Hire a Home Inspector / Condo Doc Inspector

It is best when you purchase a home or condo to have a home / condo doc Inspection. This does cost apx $400 upfront, but is worth it.  They are able to find problems in your home or documents that you may not be able to do so without them, and potentially save you more money

There are different things you will have to consider prior to buying a home. Since this is the potentially the biggest step in your life, this is for sure not something you want to make a rash decision on. Remember the five tips listed in this article the next time you go looking for home.

8 Steps To Purchase a Home – Free eBooklet

Here is a great resource for you when looking for a new home…

1510 McAlpine Street ~ Carstairs, AB – SOLD

1510 McAlpine Street, Carstairs AB

Download Feature Sheet Here

Builder is willing to do a Vendor Take Back on this property, so bring offers.  As you enter this home, you will instantly notice the high-end craftsmanship.  1,313 sq ft of high quality living space in this 2 bedroom, spacious upper loft with 1.5 bathroom.  Gorgeous hardwood and tile flooring on the main floor, with 9 ft ceilings, complimented with designer colors.  Two bedrooms up with the master being a generous size.  ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME from Low-E Argon gas filled windows, TANKLESS HOT WATER boiler system, HIGH EFFICIENT FURNACE and TOTO dual flush toilets.  There is a rear parking pad with foundation walls ready for garage to be built. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with stainless steel appliances, upgraded cabinets with an abundance of storage including the large pantry.  Don’t miss your opportunity to live in Carstairs premium community West Highlands, only 30 min north of Calgary.  There is a DAILY COMMUTER BUS TO DOWNTOWN CALGARY, ask listing agent for more details.

Should You Sell Your Home?

Millions of homes are sold every year. Even though each transaction is different, all sellers want the same result – the best price in the least amount of time with the fewest problems.
Selling Calgary Real Estate is more difficult than it used to be. As a seller you need to be aware of a range of issues and deal with many complex forms. You also need to know that buyer agents represent buyers and each of them are giving their fiduciary responsibility to their clients.

Successfully selling a property requires the Realtor to have experience and training in areas like marketing, financing, negotiation and closing deals – this is the very expertise that Real Estate Agent offer.

It is Important to Know Why You Want to Sell Your Home.

1. You should have a clear idea why you want to sell your home.  Selling a home is an important matter and there should be a good reason to sell, such as moving to a new community, needing more space, retiring to a smaller home or moving closer to family. Your reason for selling can impact the negotiating process so it’s important to discuss your needs and wants in private with the Real Estate Agent who lists your home.

   To get an idea of whether it’s a seller’s market or a buyer’s market, many people start by looking at online or printed real estate guides to research the current market and the price of comparable properties.

2. Is Your Home Ready to Be Sold?
   The home-selling process typically starts several months before a property is made available for sale. For best results when selling your home, you need to look at your home through the eyes of a prospective buyer and determine what needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired and thrown out.

   Ask yourself: “If I were buying this house, what would I want to see?” The goal is to show a home which looks good, maximizes space and attracts as many buyers – and as much demand – as possible.

When setting a list price for your home, you should know the current market conditions. Consider the following pricing factors:

• If you set the price too high, your house won’t be picked for viewing, even though it may be much nicer than other homes on the street. You may have told your Real Estate Agent to just bring an offer, but compared to other houses for sale, your home looks way too expensive to be considered.

• If you price too low, you’ll short-change yourself. Your house will sell promptly, yes, but you may make less on the sale than if you had set a higher price and waited for a buyer who was willing to pay it.

Canadians ‘Scared !

This is the front page of today’s Calgary Herald.

The article says that 90% of Albertans are scared that we in Canada could have a majority government.  Personally I don’t want to see this happen.  If there was an election to be held right now, I do think that the Tories could still be on top.

What are your thoughts on this government… What do you want to see happen?