The Calgary Real Estate Blog » calgary

Beware slackers!

KustomDesign — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:50:45 +0000

Taxpayers who are late with their tax returns and who owe taxes will be charged interest and late filing penalties. Interest is charged on the outstanding balance starting the day after the due date of the return and is compounded daily.

Interest are subject to change quarterly so make sure you check the CRA website regularly for updated rates (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/ntrst/menu-eng.html).

The late filing penalty is 5% of the outstanding balance, plus 1% of the outstanding balance every month that your return is late, to a maximum of 12 months.

Remember, prepare your tax returns well ahead of the due date to avoid paying interests and penalties!

Procastinate later — interests and penalties for late tax returns

KustomDesign — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:56:01 +0000

We are weeks away from the due date of our Personal Income Tax Returns. If you have not started on your returns yet, this might change your mind. Did you know that the CRA charges interests and penalties if you owe taxes and file your taxes after the due date? Yes they do! The CRA charges interests on the outstanding amount starting the day after the April 30th due date and is compounded daily.

Not only that, the CRA charges a late filing penalty of 5% of the outstanding balance plus 1% of the oustanding balance every month that your return is late, to a maximum of 12 months.

Remember: Prepare your tax returns way ahead of time. The earlier you file your tax return the better!

If you have any tax questions, let the tax guru know!

Interview with Joel the Flooring KING !

Jared Chamberlain — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:52:47 +0000

Jared Chamberlain video blogs about the difference between hardwood and laminate flooring in your home. He is interviewing Joel Dixon of Carpets For Less in Calgary AB, who is a member of The Chamberlain Group’s extended network. If you are looking for flooring give Joel a call at 403.252.3535 and tell Him Jared sent you. If you want to voice your opinion or don’t care for Jared’s comments please email your comments to Jared@tcgroup.ca.

111 Douglas Park Blvd. SE – SOLD

Jared Chamberlain — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:25:36 +0000

Download Feature Sheet Here

Welcome to this beautiful home in Douglasdale Estate. There are a number of quality features and upgrades of this home that you are sure to fall in love with. To start off with, this is a gorgeous corner lot with potential RV parking, new fencing, a partially covered-two tiered deck, a new 10×10 shed, abundance of rose bushes all located steps from Fish Creek Park. There is an 8 person hot tub that is only 3 years old. The roof was just redone in March 2009 with a 20 year transferable warranty to the new owners. There is Central Air Conditioning in this 4 bedroom and 3.5 bathroom home. On the mail level, you have a front room that is currently used as an office, but can become a living room or dining room very easily. The kitchen is an open concept that flows nicely into the nook and family room. All 7 appliances (including 2 double door fridges) will stay with the home. The basement is fully developed with a bedroom and ensuite that boasts a large steam shower. Call today to see this home.

1-888-366-3130
sales@tcgroup.ca

Housing Rebounds In The Cards?

Jared Chamberlain — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:51:37 +0000

After a slow start in the housing market in January, more grim forecasts for 2009 have been released – but there are still signs of a market rebound in 2010. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) predicts home sales to jump 9.9% next year and expects Newfoundland will buck the trend in 2009 by seeing average home prices increase by 4.8%.

“The essential selling ingredients in today’s market are realistic pricing, marketing, and preparation,” said Calvin Lindberg, president of the CREA. “There are potential buyers making inquiries, but the barrage of economic news makes them much more cautious than before.”

The numbers for this year are less optimistic than predictions for 2010. The CREA forecasts MLS home sales activity to drop 16.9% in 2009, while the CMHC predicts housing starts to fall 24%, with small increases in starts in 2010 to moderate the market from previously high levels of building.

The housing market rebound will be led by accelerating home sales in Western Canada next year, the CREA said.

Source: mortgagebrokernews.ca

Time Seems Right to Buy…

Jared Chamberlain — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:18:55 +0000

Shaken consumer confidence due to the world economic crisis has clouded the fact that it’s a great time to buy, says a leading real estate investor.

“People need to be telescopic in their thinking, not microscopic,” says Don Campbell, president of the Real Estate Investment Network, which has more than 3,400 members across Canada.

“Look five to seven years from now. Eventually, oil is going to come back, albeit not super hot, but between $70 and $80 a barrel, which will do super well here and create jobs.”

Calgary is in a relatively good position, he says.

“Calgary has a fairly diverse economy, average incomes are strong, and unemployment is down,” says Campbell.

“There’s strong in-migration (of people to the city) and the government is starting to spend money on infrastructure, so it will create jobs. People are coming here for jobs, but staying for the lifestyle.”

However, in the meantime “we’re on an 18-month rollercoaster ride,” says Campbell.

The Calgary-based real estate expert recently updated his bestselling book, Real Estate Investing in Canada, Creating Wealth with the ACRE System.

Campbell says his system works no matter if it’s a buyers’ or sellers’ market.

“What it will do is stop you from buying dogs,” he says.

Campbell tracks trends in the various cities, including each area’s economic outlook, migration, politics and municipal plans.

His system helps potential buyers spot markets that are over-or under-priced; before it happens, shows buyers how to spot towns that will boom or bust; and helps people accurately analyze each property.

As an example, if you’re buying, “follow the transit tracks,” says Campbell. “That’s where real estate values are going to increase.”

Interest rates are currently at record lows — and he’s predicting they will drop further.

“I see a 25-to-50 basis point drop in rates in the next couple of months,” he says. A basis point is a hundredth of one per cent.

“Right now, you can lock in for five years at 4.37 per cent — take it,” he says.

If you’re selling, “the important part is to not hope for the market of 18 months ago when you’re setting your sale price,” says Campbell.

“Be realistic. Think about it: today, there is a lot of competition — but there are buyers out there. Price it right and work on curb appeal.”

article from Calgary Herald

January 2009 Market Update

Jared Chamberlain — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:47:35 +0000

Single-family property new listings offered to buyers in January 2009 were fewer than listings coming to market during the first month of 2008 by 31.6% while new listings of condo apartments and townhouses fell by 33.1% and 24.4% respectively.

Sales of Calgary single-family properties numbered 550 this January, 22% higher than sales activity in December. The median price of a single-family property in January 2009 recorded at $374,700, 8.6% below the median selling price last January of $410,000. The listings-to-sales ratio was 7.35:1 and the average days on market for properties selling in January 2009 was 62.

In the condominium market, 225 units found new owners during the first month of the New Year, up from the 205 condominium transactions that took place during the month of December. The median selling price of a condo unit in Calgary this January registered at $243,000, 16% below the median selling price recorded during the same month last year. The listings-to-sales ratio in this market segment was 8.55:1 and the average days on market for properties selling in January 2009 was 64.

148 townhouses changed hands this January with the median price of $320,000 a 7.17% decline from last year. The listings-to-sales ratio was 14.72:1 and the average number of days to sell was 81.

As month-over-month reveals what 2009 has in store for us, know that we’ll be here for you to keep you up-to-date on market activity. We’re committed to our long-term relationship and want all of our clients informed and confident with any decisions you make.

It takes many shaped pieces to complete a puzzle, so our information will vary. For the most part, we’ll compare month-over-month to help you see trends as they unfold.

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling, call us early in the process. You’ll have needs specific only to you. The smallest pieces complete any puzzle and are the most satisfying to identify and solve.

Cheers!

Weekly Market Update – February 3, 2009

Jared Chamberlain — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:18:41 +0000

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.

8 Steps To Purchase a Home – Free eBooklet

Jared Chamberlain — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:17:30 +0000

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

Get your own – Open publication

1510 McAlpine Street ~ Carstairs, AB – SOLD

Jared Chamberlain — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:40:38 +0000

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.