What you hear on the news may not reflect what’s happening in your local real estate market. Here’s why

Understanding How your Local Market Works

When you read or watch the news about the real estate market, it may seem reasonable to make the assumption that the information applies equally to your street or community.

But that isn’t always true.

In fact, the characteristics of your local real estate market can differ in many respects from the regional or national market.

Say the regional real estate market is most active during certain months of the year. That might be true of your neighbourhood, too. But there may also be some caveats. If, for example, buyers are eagerly awaiting listings to come up in your community, then that micro market might heat up faster than other areas in the region.

Knowing how your local market works and…

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Why you should answer when Alberta is calling

 
The beautiful ice bubbles on Abraham Lake

Alberta offers the opportunity for investing in yourself, your family, your career and home ownership is still attainable and affordable!

A quick overview of this incredible Province

Alberta is famous for being home to the Canadian Rockies, sunshine, mountains, open spaces, forests, and fresh air. But we also are home to prairies, forests and desert badlands. We have two major cities, Edmonton and Calgary, that offer metropolitan entertainment, sporting events and dining, while the vast landscape and 500 natural preserves—including 75 provincial parks—offer plenty of activity for outdoorsy adventurers and nature lovers alike.  Whether you want to camp, glamp, hike, fish, boat, ski, jet-ski, ice…

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How not to overdo it when upsizing or downsizing to a new home

Upsizing or Downsizing? Don’t Overdo It!

Imagine you have a growing family, and you want to trade in the small sedan for something larger. So, you visit the dealership and come back with a bus.

Well, that would be upsizing a bit too much – unless you have a really huge family!

That’s the challenge of upsizing or downsizing. You need to be careful not to take it too far and end up with something that isn’t suitable.

This often occurs in the real estate world. For example, homeowners might decide to sell their homes and find a smaller one. But, if they go too far, they end up with a property so small they feel claustrophobic.

How do you avoid a similar scenario happening to you?

If you’re thinking of upsizing…

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The Future of Real Estate: How Technology is Changing the Industry

The Real estate industry is always evolving. From the Cave Men building temporary shelters to the first recorded use of the term “Real Estate” in the 1660s to the first mortgage being issued in 1781 to the first informal association of local real estate agents in 1880 and now we find technology is playing a big role in shaping the future. From virtual tours to online transactions, technology is making it easier for buyers and sellers to connect and conduct business. In this post, we’ll take a look at how technology is revolutionizing the real estate industry, and what that means for agents, buyers, and sellers. From AI-based chatbots to virtual reality, we’ll explore the latest trends and innovations that are changing the way we buy and sell homes.…

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ForSaleByOwner: Everything You Need To Know

For Sale By Owner: Everything You Need To Know

The last ten years have seen a sharp rise in the number of homeowners choosing to sell their property as part of the FSBO (For Sale By Owner) movement rather than listing with a traditional REALTOR® and/or real estate company to sell your home. Enticed by the premise of pocketing more money from the sale of their home rather than paying out commission to a REALTOR®, many homeowners find they’ve bitten off more than they can chew when it comes to selling their property.

Why is that?

Simply put, selling a home takes a lot of time and effort. Although FSBO is not an impossible path by any means, there are a number of key points to keep in mind before choosing to oversee the sale of your home.

Not…

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6 Tricks for Making Lawn Care Easier

Keeping your lawn, flowerbeds, and shrubs looking great enhances the “curb appeal” of your property. However, it can also be a lot of work! Here are some do-it-yourself tips for making these tasks easier and less time-consuming:

• Add mulch around trees and shrubs. That way, you won’t have to cut grass in those areas, plus you’ll avoid the need to use shears or a trimmer to do the job properly.

• Adjust lawnmower blades to the optimal height for short, well-groomed grass. That way, you won’t have to mow as often.

• Use tools that don’t require you to bend over or work on your knees. That will greatly reduce fatigue. (Example: Stand-up grass shears.)

• Consider applying mulch in flower beds. That will reduce weeds. It will also help retain…

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When to Consider Buying a “Diamond in the Rough”

Let’s face it. When you visit a home during a scheduled viewing or open house, you usually see it at its best. The rooms are tidy. The sinks are clean. The closets are organized and uncluttered. Even the lighting is set to its brightest.

That’s just good old-fashioned marketing.

However, not every house you see will look this way. For many reasons, a house on the market may be less than tidy, poorly decorated, and even need minor repairs. You may open the front door in anticipation, only to be immediately turned off by stains on the carpets, faded paint on the walls, cluttered hallways, and more.

First impressions form quickly. It’s easy to make quick judgments and move on. But, you may be passing on what could be a dream home. Don’t make…

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Things to Consider When Choosing a Neighbourhood

When you are looking for a new neighbourhood to move into, there are a lot of factors to consider. You can renovate and make changes to a home, but one thing you'll never be able to change is the location!

Here are some things to think about before choosing a neighbourhood:

1. Neighborhood safety: Check criminal reports, look at crime rates, converse with the neighbours, visit the neighbourhood at night, and ensure the streets are well-lit. Would you feel safe walking around the neighbourhood alone?

2. School district: If you have kids or plan on having kids in the future, living in a reputable school district is critical to giving your children a good education. Even homebuyers who don't have kids can benefit from living in a good school…

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Bank of Canada Maintains Overnight Rate

The Bank of Canada once again decided to maintain its target for the overnight lending rate at 4.5% while continuing its policy of quantitative tightening.

The Bank indicated that global economic growth has been stronger than expected but will weaken due to tightening monetary policy in many countries. The Bank made special note of an expected slowdown in US sectors that will have an impact on Canadian exports.

According to the Bank, first quarter economic growth in Canada exceeded expectations, adding that labour shortages are starting to ease due to strong population growth. The Bank noted that housing activity remains subdued and consumer spending is expected to moderate as more households renew their mortgage at higher rates. The Bank…

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Home Buying Timeline

Buying a home is no easy feat, but knowing what to expect and preparing for the journey ahead is key to a successful home-buying experience! On average, it takes 3-4 months to shop for a home and 30-60 days to close on your property once you're under contract.

There are a lot of variables that go into buying a house that could make things move faster or slower. The timeline differs for each individual and depends on the housing marketing, inventory, time of year, your financing needs, and the kind of home you're looking for.

Here's a generic outline of the buying process from beginning to end (with the average amount of time each step takes) so you can get an idea of what to expect when buying a home!

1. Find a…

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