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For many Calgary home buyers and sellers, the prospect of packing up to move is the least enjoyable part of the process. While it certainly does involve a good deal of hard work, moving does not have to be so painful. Follow these simple tips to ensure a smooth, stress-free moving experience.

Get an early start. – It is never too early to start planning for the big move. Whether you are a seller preparing to list your property or a buyer looking to upsize, downsize or relocate, the time to start packing is when you first decide to make a move. Seize the opportunity and begin by decluttering and disposing of items you have not used in years. Consider yard sales and charitable donations as ways to lighten your load as you move forward to the next exciting chapter in your life. Next, focus on packing non-essential items that you do not need every day such as books, photo albums, seasonal decorations, fine china and collectibles. Aim to have the bulk of your belongings wrapped, boxed and ready to go well in advance of moving day.

Keep moving supplies handy. – There are websites that can help you estimate the number of boxes you will need along with rolls of masking tape, bubble wrap and markers for labeling contents. Order your supplies in bulk and remember to label boxes by room and contents. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you will remember what is in each box. You will not!

Stay away from oversized boxes. – Unless you a professional weight lifter, steer away from oversized boxes that are cumbersome to lift and often end up breaking under the weight of their contents. Stick to small and medium-sized boxes and reserve a few large ones for lightweight pillows and comforters. Your back will thank you for this wise decision.

Invite friends and family to help. – Who says moving can’t be fun? Chances are you have helped someone move over the years. Give your friends and family an opportunity to return the favour. Crank up some music, supply food and drinks, and enjoy the company of your favourite people as you pack your belongings.

Buying and selling property and uprooting your life to a new home can be a complicated affair. Regardless of you are in the Calgary area moving to another city, there will be countless dates and tasks to monitor and coordinate. On the business front, let a trusted Calgary Realtor guide you through the process and keep the stress meter as low as possible. On the home front, stay organized and follow these tips to stay on track for a smooth move.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Forget what you think you may have learned from watching HGTV.  There is nothing simple or routine about most real estate transactions.  Almost every home sale or purchase is accompanied by some complication that requires the knowledge, guidance and oversight of a trained, experienced professional.  So, before you consider going the FSBO route, consider these five top reasons for hiring a Realtor.

Realtors have access to all sectors of the local MLS data. – The general public can only access a small portion of the MLS information that is available to licensed Realtors who subscribe to the local MLS service.  Realtors, on the other hand, can view current and historical sales information and comparable sales data to measure market trends. This information is critical when it comes to pricing your home to sell for top dollar and finding the best home for you in the right neighbourhood.

It takes time to sell a house – lots of time. – Be honest.  Do you really have the time it takes to conduct open houses and arrange for showings on short notice?  Interested buyers will be put off if they cannot visit a home when it is convenient for them.  Today’s homes are marketed across multiple media platforms.  In order to compete with other buyers and sellers, you will need to utilize all available forums.  A professional Realtor is familiar with the process and prepared to market your home in the most efficient and effective manner.

Selling real property requires the services of a trained real estate professional. – Calgary is a volatile, fast-moving market.   Sometimes it seems that the rules and regulations governing our industry change as quickly as the market sometimes swings.  The paperwork alone is enough to drown a layman without proper training.  Think twice before treating the sale and purchase of your home – your most valuable asset – as a DIY project.  You would not try to take apart the engine on your new sports car without any mechanical training, would you?  Treat your home as the valuable asset it is and hire a professional to run the show.

It is very difficult to represent yourself. – The best negotiators are able to maintain complete objectivity at the bargaining table.  It is almost impossible to remain objective when emotion is involved and buying and selling homes triggers all kinds of emotions in buyers and sellers.  That is why you need a Realtor to represent you and defend your interests.

Successful Realtors work with a dependable network of professionals. – When you buy or sell a home, you will also be working with a small army of other real estate professionals – lawyers, mortgage loan representatives, home inspectors, appraisers and contractors – to name a few.  An experienced Realtor will have relationships with a network of proven professionals you can rely upon.  Even more importantly, your Realtor will serve as the team leader – pushing, prodding and cajoling when necessary to make sure your transaction receives the full attention it deserves from everyone involved.

In the final analysis, you are unlikely to save any money by foregoing the services of a Realtor.  Savvy buyers who do stumble upon your listing often feel entitled to deduct the cost of a commission from their offer.  Even worse, properties that languish on the market for too long become stale and subject to speculation about hidden defects.  In the end, sellers are forced to drop their price and accept less than the home is really worth.  Save yourself time, stress, and money and work with an experienced Realtor to achieve your real estate goals.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

As an increasingly influential centre in world social and economic markets, Calgary can boast of a strong and growing multicultural base.  Thousands of immigrants continue to relocate to Calgary each year and by 2020, the immigrant population is expected to exceed half a million people, or roughly 30% of the city’s population.

Calgary looks and sounds different than it did years ago.  In 1959, the ratio of Caucasians to visible minorities in the city was 350:1.  Today that ratio is 5:1.  Strolling through the city centre, you can hear conversations in English, Punjabi, Chinese and Spanish – just a few of the dozens of languages and hundreds of dialects found here.  According to census figures, a full 30% of the city’s residents report that English is not the primary language spoken in their homes.  The language, culture and rich ethnic foods that the immigrant population brings to Calgary all contribute to the city’s emergence as a vital and vibrant global city in every sense of the word.

While the oil and energy industries were booming in the early part of this century, highly-educated and highly-skilled young people poured into Calgary in search of economic opportunity.  They came, they worked hard and they stayed in a city that understands how to welcome immigrants and weave a multicultural thread through the city’s own unique fabric.

Life in a city as diverse and vibrant as Calgary infuses its resident with a sophisticated worldview, cultural appreciation and sense of tolerance that is second to none.   Calgary is a youthful city that embraces and celebrates its diversity.  In addition to the annual Stampede and arts & music festivals, anyone looking to sample a bit of ethnic food and culture on the weekend can do so at the city’s Serbian, Greek and Turkish Festivals, Fiestaval Latino, Carifest, Brazilfest, or any of the dozens of other events celebrating rich cultural heritages throughout the year.  For this and other reasons, many residents believe that Calgary is a perfect city for raising a family.

Canadians have a long history of appreciating multiculturalism and promoting inclusion – both in government policy and legislation and, in the legendary hospitality extended to newcomers in our day to day lives.  Appreciation for multiculturalism is just one of the many components that work together to make Calgary a great place to live and work.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.