Calgary Blog

A real estate investment doesn't just mean buying a residential property and then renting it out. Those who want to enter this market should know that they have plenty of options available, and most of them don't include being a full-time landlord. Regardless of how much spare money or time a person has, it's likely they can find a real estate investment that works for them. Learn more about what it takes to jump in the game.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Quick Refresher

Property terms are complex, and it's impossible to share them all in one article. However, there are a few that investors should note from right off the bat:

Getting a home inspection on a previously-owned property is a necessity and should not be viewed as only an option. Approximately 40% of the listings on the market have a defect that could be serious. In some cases these defects can be easily rectified and at other times a substantial investment will be required to fix them up.

The Importance of Inspections to Detect Home-Buying Red Flags

Just think of what you would do if you were going to buy a used car from somebody on Kijiji. You would get a mechanic to check it out thoroughly before handing over any money. If not, any problems that come up will be yours to deal with. The same goes for a house.

A home inspection puts you in the driver's seat so that you have control over your purchase.

If so, you may be considering your options. Should you downsize into a condo or into a smaller home? It's a question that's on a lot of baby boomer's minds these days as they look at the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Downsizing Into a Single-Family Home

While it's often assumed that a person will automatically choose to downsize into a condo, many people that are of retirement age are looking for a smaller home instead. The transition from a bigger house to a smaller one can be a lot easier to take. You can still enjoy a home, a garage and tending to the garden while remaining active.

While it's a nice idea to downsize into a condo, not all retirees want to give up the benefits that come with home ownership. All of the maintenance

The real estate market for luxury homes in Calgary has noticeably grown recently. Unfortunately, the $22-million palace - the city's most expensive home and the crown jewel of the millionaire's row called Pump Hill Close - owned by Alfred Balm is not for sale. But luxury doesn't have to be as ostentatious as Balm's 91-room, 15,450-square-foot mansion.

Photo by Ben Freedman.

Buyers with no budget issues have a variety of homes and condos to choose from in the $1 million-plus range. The city's economic climate makes it possible for local residents to get top jobs and move to more affluent communities. Also, because of its reputation as one of the most livable cities in the world, wealthy investors and business executives from around the world help

Lose your job? Don't lose your home! Losing your job can be devastating, particularly if your mortgage payment takes a significant portion of your pay cheque.

And if your partner is still employed, paying your mortgage can be tough when your total household income is suddenly cut in half. According to a recent study by Manulife, four in 10 homeowners couldn't last three months if they were laid off from work. But, take heart – you do have options!

Take Inventory

First, write out a list of whatever money you do have coming in or whatever funds you have in savings. Then take inventory of your monthly expenses. Prioritize your bills, with your mortgage payment at the top of your list. Consider your mortgage payment as part of your living

It is time to face the facts, summer is fleeting and fall is right around the corner… September 23rd to be exact! And with the passing of summer also comes the time to get back to work and send the kids to school once again. It is this month that is filled with organization, preparing, and planning for the inevitable return. Although our schedules will become filled with task-focused things to do, there is still plenty of fun and excitement to take part in that will keep the post-summer-blues away and celebrate the coming of fall!

September is the perfect time to pack your rain jacket, grab a warm beverage, and explore the city! The leaves on the trees in the city parks turn a beautiful shade of red and orange, and the weather is still warm enough

As the interest rates begin to climb, people that are interested in buying a Calgary home will follow one of 2 routes. They may either decide to get right into the market as fast as possible before the interest rate rises further or they may jump back and put their home purchase on hold temporarily due to the increasing rates. According to a new report issued by TD Economics, this is the general reaction that can be expected once the interest rates start to move up.

How Mortgage Rates Fluctuate

This model by TD projects some interesting figures. For every percentage point that the interest rates go up, the listing sales also go up by 6 percentage points immediately. The rush is on for people that want to lock in their mortgages as fast as

People buying homes in Calgary always get so fixated on buying a home that is perfect for you and your family. What if you do not have a family? What if you are a single individual living by yourself? There is certainly nothing wrong with living alone and there are some people who prefer it.

What Do Single Homebuyers Need to Think About

Here are a few things single homebuyers need to consider to have a successful real estate transaction.

Do Some Research

There is research to be done regardless of if you have a family or if you live on your own. If you live on your own, maybe there is a reason. You could be a person who does not like children. You also could be a person who just hasn't found your special someone. Either way, you are going to

There are homeowners who may think it is worthwhile to sell a home themselves and pocket that agent commission. However, selling a home FSBO may be more of a chore than initially anticipated. First time home sellers and those who have little extra time may want to work with a reputable local agent.

Homeowners will be busy with getting their home ready, and may not be aware of the extra burden that comes with marketing and showing a property. Learn more about why some reconsider selling a home FSBO and end up partnering with an agent.

Ready for a Second Job?

Simply listing a home for sale is only the start of what needs to be done. Agents take into account multiple factors when helping a seller list their home, such as recent comps, the

When should I sell? How can I make sure that I will get the most for my home? I can't afford to own two homes, so how can I be sure I don't get stuck with my house?

Timing is a critical factor in determining the amount of money you can expect to get for your home. It is important to note that we are discussing a free, "no labour required" way to add thousands to the price of your home. Before figuring out when we should sell, we need to understand the two primary factors that will determine how effectively you can maximize your return in regards to timing; Supply & Demand and Motivation.

Supply & Demand

There are certain laws in life that are always right and never wrong. The principle of supply & demand is one of them. When there are more