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My team and I are proud to announce that The Howard Team/ReMax House of Real Estate and I have both been selected as possible finalists for 2016 Metro Calgary Community Choice Awards. In order to be nominated and included in the final voting, we need our clients, colleagues, fellow real estate professionals, old friends and new friends to click on the link below to nominate us both in the categories of “Realtors” and “Real Estate Companies.” Voters are free to nominate their favourite business and business people once every 24 hours now through May 25^th.

The Metro Calgary Community Choice Awards provides an opportunity for the citizens of Calgary to vote for their favourite Calgary businesses in many categories – everything from hair stylists to auto mechanics to Realtors! My team of top producers and I have worked hard for years to earn the respect of our clients and peers through exceptional service and it is always satisfying to be recognized for a job well done.

We love the fact that the Community Choice Awards allow the residents of Calgary to shine a spotlight on their favourite Calgary businesses and then vote those businesses to the top. The list of the top ten nominees in each category serves as an excellent source for anyone looking for business and service provider referrals.

Perhaps we represented you in the purchase or sale of your home or both. Maybe you are a mortgage loan officer, home inspector or appraiser who has worked with us on many occasions. Anyone who has worked closely with my team and I understands that our clients come first and we receive highly positive feedback from everyone in our network of clients and contacts on a daily basis. The Metro Calgary Community Choice Awards and its easy to use portal will permit us to share with Calgary readers what we already know – that our clients respect and appreciate our representation and continue to hold us in high regard.

It only takes a few seconds to vote! Thank you for taking the time.

 Click here to nominate The Howard Team

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.

With tremendous pride and gratitude, The Howard Team would like to thank Houzz for honoring us with their “Best of Houzz” award for 2016 in the category of customer service. Like all users of Houzz, we enjoy getting home decorating and remodeling ideas from the website and are thrilled to be chosen “Best of Houzz.”  The Houzz award means so much to us because this particular honor reflects the sentiments of the members of the Houzz online community – 35 million strong and growing at last count!  It is a great feeling to be recognized for our team’s customer service achievements since we strive to keep our clients and their needs as our central focus every day

The “Best of Houzz” prizes are awarded annually in the categories of Design, Customer Service and Photography.  Houzz is the “go to” site for homeowners looking for home improvement ideas, inspiration and up-to-date reviews on remodeling professionals and Realtors in their area.  According to Liza Hausman, Vice President of Industry Marketing for Houzz, “Anyone building, remodeling or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented, competent and service-oriented professionals.  We’re delighted to join our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts in recognizing our “Best of Houzz” professionals around the world.”

In a real estate market as active as Calgary’s with thousands of Realtors competing for clients, it is not enough to simply offer a good product and assemble a talented team of agents.  In order to succeed in this market, you have to employ the customer service skills that our clients rightfully demand.  In addition to having a genuine fondness and respect for people, you need to have patience and attentiveness and exhibit the attention to detail that real estate transactions require.  You need to be an expert listener while also knowing how to “read” clients who may have trouble articulating their goals.  Every client brings their own unique personality, wants, needs and circumstances to the table and it is a Realtor’s job to sort through these sometimes competing interests to help a client achieve their real estate goals.

The real estate industry is ultimately more about people than bricks and mortar.  Our clients are the lifeblood of our business and our greatest resource.  We thank the Houzz community for recognizing the Howard Team’s commitment to top-notch customer service and to the clients that we serve.

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.

100km into a ride in Dominican Republic

I’m currently on a West Jet Flight – Toronto to Calgary. It’s 4:57am Calgary time. Yesterday we flew from El Catey International Airport in Semana, Dominican Republic to Toronto. We arrived at 6:30pm, and had to spend the night in Toronto. Yes, I had to take my bike to the hotel with me, and check it in again this morning at 5:15am. (Yes – it was one of the worst ever experiences I’ve had travelling with my bike … yet, still so worth it.)

The first time I travelled with a bike was in 2001, for Ironman Florida. At that time, I went to my local bike store and requested a card board box that the new bikes come in. I travelled for years using a cardboard box and even just a plastic bag.

However, the airlines are getting increasingly fussy about how they will let you transport a bike. The last time I travelled with my bike in a cardboard box, I think I had to sign a waiver that they would not be responsible if something went wrong.

Then I found a friend who owned two bike boxes … and I borrowed those for years.

In 2014 my son began travelling as a cyclist with Team Alberta. I broke down and purchased 2 Evoc Bike Boxes at Speed Theory. I think they were about $450 each … not inexpensive.

While I do not LOVE to lend my bike boxes, I do like to lend them.

Why:
– Karma. I borrowed for years, and want to ‘give back’;
– I feel people SHOULD travel with their bikes. I think people should feel safe biking most any place in the world;
– When you own a good quality bike, a rental bike does not normally cut it;
– The first few times you are traveling with a bike box … you will be a bit freaked out. You will not really understand how to take your bike apart and fit it into the box. You will be a bit stressed about putting down more cash to rent a box, or buy one. I want to help you get over this initial pain.
– Often renting a bike is cumbersome and not much fun. You have to find the bike store, work within their opening hours, then deal with more line ups, waiting, and probably a crappy bike and most probably crappy customer service.
– In my experience, travelling with a bike is cheap. It’s much cheaper then renting a bike … and really worth the expense to be able to have your bike with you. Even for just one ride on your travel. (The most I’ve ever paid to transport my bike was $200 … but more often then not, it was free.)
– I personally do most of my riding early in the morning – often finishing my ride prior to a bike store opening at 9 or 10am.
– If you are traveling with your bike, we would probably get along.
– If you are travelling for a race … you have trained, put in the work, and are excitedly looking for a personal best. I LOVE hearing about your experience.

West Jet are particularly friendly

Okay … I also do have a selffish motive.
I’m in sales. I’m realtor. Actually, I’m a very good realtor. Not to brag, but I consistently rank in the top 1% of realtors in Calgary. Most years I rank in Top 100 RE/MAX Agents in Canada. Like in training for endurance sports, I’m quite disciplined in my job. Discipline = Results for my clients.

If you borrow my bike box, and if you are looking to sell or buy a house or condo, or know someone who needs to move … please interview & hire me for the job! If you have a trusted realtor in your life (or are a realtor) … you can still borrow my bike box!

The final caveat: be nice. be polite. say thank you. Hopefully I’ll be around when you are retuning the box to my home or office in Central SW … and we will each have a few moments – so you can share your bike adventure story. I Love that.

//

You might also like, “Is Cycling in the Dominican Republic Safe?”
Youtube: Cycling in Dominican Republic
Youtube: Cycling in Laos
Traveling with bike – being Stoic.
Unpacking your bike – in 10min.

There is no better way to clear your mind than going for a nice long run.  Running is one of my favorite pastimes, and the warmer weather makes it so much easier to lace up and hit the pavement.  When you need that extra push to test your endurance and motivate you to get out on a regular basis, it’s a great idea to sign up for an organized run.

The Police Half Marathon is one of my favorite events, and it’s conveniently close to home.  This marathon, 5KM run and walk takes place every April.  The timing works great if you prefer to train while the weather is still cool.  I like to start training towards the end of January to make sure I am ready when the marathon finally arrives.

This year’s event was the 34th anniversary of the Police Half Marathon.  The starting line was at Mount Royal University and the route made its way through many different communities.  About 1500 runners participated in the half marathon and another 600 came out for the 5K run.  This year’s theme was “Cops and Joggers” and many people embraced the concept by dressing up in costume.  This year’s winner, my friend Frank Woolstecroft, took first place for the second time with a finish time of 1:15:12.  The event raises money for scholarships at Mount Royal University.

Looking to sign up for a run or walk to get you motivated this summer?  There are several great events to choose from.  The Night Race takes place on August 9th .  This is the ultimate party for runners as 2500+ people take the streets in neon colours and headlights.  Even if you don’t plan on participating, watching the glowing athletes light up our parks and paths is worth coming out to see.  The St. John’s Ambulance Run & Walk for life takes place on August 16th , and the Calgary Peace Run and Walk is scheduled for September 20th .

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.

“St Mary’s High School” by User:Thivierr – Photo taken with digital camera by User:Thivierr, who uploaded to English Wikipedia first, and then later to Commons.. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Families with young kids are drawn to the Altadore neighbourhood because there are a variety of great schools nearby.  The Altadore School is a public elementary school that accommodates kids from kindergarten to grade 6.  There are approximately 240 students and this school features an award winning naturalization area called “The Owl’s Nest”.  Students will go on to attend Mt Royal Junior High School for grades 7-9.  Central Memorial High School is the designated public high school for the area.  This school boasts an excellent theater program.  They are also affiliated with the National Sport Academy which provides additional training and resources for athletic students.

The St. James Elementary and Junior High School is the designated school in the Catholic stream.  Students will go on to attend St. Mary’s High School or Bishop Carroll High School.  Bishop Carroll differentials itself with a self-directed learning program.  Students who attend Bishop Carroll have the freedom to customize their curriculum to accommodate their personal goals, learning objectives and future plans.

There is an international French school as well as five other private schools in the Altadore area.  Rundle Academy is the leader in individualized learning for students with learning disabilities.  This school offers additional support and creative learning techniques to help students overcome difficulties with reading, writing or mathematical learning challenges.

Post-secondary students living in the Altadore area, who are planning on attending Mt Royal University, will be able to take advantage of the convenient 10 minute drive to school.  Mt Royal University provides applied degrees, career diplomas, as well as certificate programs.  The University of Calgary, which is about 15 minutes away, is another highly sought after institution.  They offer over 200 programs and are considered to be one of Canada’s top research universities.  The engineering and geoscience programs are constantly raising the bar for Calgary’s petroleum and geoscience industries.

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 is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He and his team sell an average of two homes a week–mostly single-family homes, luxury homes, condos and commercial properties. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. Bryon is above the pack because he aims not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell their dream home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is well-equipped to do this with his sterling education, capped by an MBA degree from Athabasca University and degrees from Acadia University, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Universite de Bourgoyne in France.

Planning on heading out to enjoy some of the summer festivals this year around Calgary? There are so many great events to choose from. Although nothing can quite stack up against the Stampede, each festival offers its own unique selection of food, vendors and entertainment.

Kicking off the summertime is the Lilac Festival, held on Sunday, May 25th . This one day celebration takes place on 4th Street between 13th Ave South and Elbow Drive. With spring in the air, it’s a great time to shake off the winter blues and come out for the parade and a full day of family entertainment.

In June, the Father’s Day Festival is taking place on 8th Ave between 4th and 7th . The street will be closed for pedestrian access only during the Father’s Day weekend and there will be street performers, live music and a cool car show.

The Banff Bike Fest, taking place on June 12th to 15th , is the perfect excuse to head out of town. Cycling enthusiasts will have a chance to participate in one of seven competitive and non-competitive races. There is over $20,000 in prize money up for grabs this year.

Craving some authentic souvlaki? The annual Calgary Greek Festival welcomes over 10,000 guests at the Hellenic Community Centre. This festival takes place on June 21st to the 23rd this year.

Ready for patio season? The Kensington Sun and Salsa Festival is the place to be on July 20th . This year marks the 21st anniversary of Kensington Village’s annual festivities. Visitors can sample a wide variety of salsas, shop from the street merchants and enjoy one of the many local restaurants.

This year’s Ironman 70.3, being held on July 27th , was so popular, it actually sold out. If you were lucky enough to get a spot in what is considered to be one of the most challenging and scenic Ironman courses, you are in for an exciting and memorable day.

You don’t need to go all the way to New Orleans for Mardi Gras – you can find it right here in Marda Loop! This family festival takes place on August 10th . The Kids Quarter will have bouncy castles, games and face painting. Check out the Art Tent to see some of our local talent on display.

Looking for your next favorite restaurant? The Taste of Calgary is a one-stop-shop where you can sample the best cuisine from local vendors. The event takes place from August 14th – 17th at Eau Claire Festival Plaza. Guests can purchase $1 food tickets that they can redeem for tasty snacks and beverages from over thirty local establishments. This is a great way to try something new and discover a whole bunch of great restaurants at once.

If you are planning on staying in the city for the August Long Weekend, you will want to check out the Dragon Boat Festival at Glenmore Reservoir.  This even draws hundreds of competitors who have been training hard all summer to be the fastest team on the water.  This exciting cultural event celebrates the ancient sport of dragon boat racing and has plenty of entertainment to make it worth spending the day.

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 is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He and his team sell an average of two homes a week–mostly single-family homes, luxury homes, condos and commercial properties. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. Bryon is above the pack because he aims not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell their dream home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is well-equipped to do this with his sterling education, capped by an MBA degree from Athabasca University and degrees from Acadia University, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Universite de Bourgoyne in France.

It has been almost 10 years since my family of four move to Altadore. We quickly fell in love with the community and became avid Altadorians. My son has loved it since the day we walked to the My Favourite Ice Cream shop and he saw the crazy number of ice cream choices.

Altadore has evolved significantly since we moved in. The old Safeway has moved west to the Garrison Woods site and Marda Loop has evolved into a more upscale restaurant and shopping district. Shirley loves that she can now walk to Phil & Sebastian’s her favourite place to meet up with friends. Yes we have Starbucks and Second Cup. In addition, we have neighbourhood pubs, yoga studios (even a Bikram Studio which Shirley loves), Chinook Music Studio, and two diners – who could ask for anything more?

Sure we miss the Farmers’ Market when it was in Currie Barracks just across Crowchild Trail, but we are looking forward to the new high street with its shops that will open there in a few years. Being on the east side of Crowchild has it benefits as you have lots of options getting downtown for work and play.

Great Schools

The main reason we live in Calgary is the incredible choice we have in education for our kids. Our children, as well as our niece and nephews who also live in Altadore have had great school experiences at Mountain View Academy, Altadore Elementary, Calgary Science School, Bishop Carroll High School, Saint James Elementary and Junior High School and Masters Academy. Calgary Academy is the school where our daughter found great success with her learning.

Shirley has been teaching at Central Memorial High School since 2004, she is currently the director of the String Orchestra program. This CBE high school boasts a great Performing and Visual Arts program, the National Sport Academy and one of the top teams of academic teachers in the city.

Just south of Central Memorial is the campus of the Career and Technology Centre at Lord Shaughnessy High School. This school has state of the art facilities where students can explore specific applied career pathways like being a chef, pharmacy technician, mechanic or a cosmetologist.

Hidden Gem

We are also close to The Military Museums of Calgary, which is a hidden gem. When family and friends visit for the first time we will often take them there where the history and artifacts are definately interesting. Calgary is often criticized for its lack of history, yet with the Glenbow, Fort Calgary, Heritage Park, Stephen Avenue, Inglewood and the Military Museums this city has much to offer. And they are all just minutes from Altadore.

Altadore is for the dogs

Max our dog loves joining Shirley on errands in the neighborhood. He is a local celebrity as everyone says “Hi Max!” He can count on treats at our RBC branch, the Post Office and especially from Kathy at Marda Loop Tailoring. RBC recently offered him a job as a greeter for 5-dog biscuits an hour, he really did want to take the job and was not happy to come home with Shirley.

Altadore boasts perhaps the best off-leash dog park in the city – River Park. It is a linear open space with lots of different tree plantings and rolling hills at the top of the Elbow River’s west escarpment (above Sandy Beach). As a dog owner we appreciate the benefits of being able to walk out the door and in minutes Max is running to play with other dogs and we can stroll on our own or chat with our neighbours and those visiting from other communities. River Park is the meeting place for the community – it is our town square. Even in the middle of winter, thousands of people will use the park for a leisurely stroll, tobogganning, or as part of a run.

Cycling Paradise

As avid cyclists, we can all cycle easily to 17th Ave and Downtown for some urban fun, or we can head to the Glenmore Reservoir for a more recreational and nature 20 km loop around the reservoir. Frequently I will ride ten minutes to North Glenmore Park, then do interval loops in the park for an awesome 60 to 90 min workout. Beginning in May, I leave can leave home on my road bike at 5:30 am and ride to Springbank and get home by 7 am to start my workday invigorated – with 45km’s in my legs.

Shirley loves to cycle downtown in the summer, ten minutes and you are there, no parking hassles, no tickets and it is all downhill so you are not sweaty when you get there! Exploring the city cycle paths gives a new perspective on the city, different from walking or driving. Shirley loves seeing all the horses in the parks along the bow river during Stampede week.

Great bike ride close to Altadore and Marda Loop.

The Arts

We are also looking forward to the opening of the King Edward School as an art space as we will be able to walk there for concerts and exhibitions, maybe take a class or two. We are also old fashion and love to walk to the Alexander Calhoun Library to just relax and read a few magazines or check out their recommended reading bookshelf. I told you Altadore is like a small town, you can walk to everything.

Great Investment

Altadore has been a great investment for our family, not only in the quality of life that it offers, but also in the capital appreciation of our home. Buying or first home in 2004 – was a bit like winning the lottery. Altadore homes have appreciated over 200% since 2005. The greatest appreciation of any community in Calgary.

While some people question, how can people afford a home in Calgary’s inner city communities today, I say how can you not afford one. The best investment we made was stretching ourselves to move to Altadore 10 years ago. I don’t know of anyone who has regretting moving to an inner city home in Calgary.

One of my neighbours recently said, “I feel like I went to bed in Altadore, and woke up in Elbow Park.” She said this as a result of the numerous million-dollar homes now in our community, with several recent sales exceeding two million.
Last word

While Calgary boasts many wonderful communities, there is something special about Altadore and its small town east coast charm.

In a city that is experiencing tremendous growth, the Altadore-River Park area is establishing itself as a highly desirable neighbourhood for home buyers. The Altadore neighbourhood is an older community in Calgary that is going through an exciting revitalization.  Altadore has been named one of Calgary’s best neighbourhoods for the last few years in a row.  Trendy young professionals and growing families are attracted to this neighbourhood because of new luxury homes and its convenient proximity to parks and the Marda Loop shopping district.

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, the average sale price in the Altadore-River Park community was approximately $826,000 for a single family home in 2012.  The year-end data for 2013 reported that the average sale price had increased to $912,000.  That is an increase of 10% in just one year.  Compared to the Calgary-wide increase of 4%, Altadore is establishing itself as an excellent place for home buyers to invest.

If you are thinking of selling your home in this community, this is a great time to list your property.  The area is in high demand, and many of listings sell with competing offers.  This is the perfect time to capitalize on the equity in your home.  The number of available listings in this area has decreased, and buyers are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to become part of this vibrant community.

If you are looking to buy a beautiful home in an up-and-coming neighbourhood, Altadore has everything that you are looking for.  This neighbourhood needs to be seen to be appreciated.  Many of the developers in this area have built homes with unique, yet classic designs.  Most of the homes feature modern finishes, vaulted ceilings, and open concept living areas.  As prices continue to rise, buyers can purchase a home in this community with confidence knowing that their investment is secure in a home that will continue to increase in value.

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 is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He and his team sell an average of two homes a week–mostly single-family homes, luxury homes, condos and commercial properties. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. Bryon is above the pack because he aims not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell their dream home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is well-equipped to do this with his sterling education, capped by an MBA degree from Athabasca University and degrees from Acadia University, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Universite de Bourgoyne in France.

Over the years I have sold over 100 homes in and around West Hillhurst. The more time I spend in West Hillhurst and the more I hear from buyers why they are looking at this community for their new home, the more I realize this community has so much to offer, especially for families with high school and postsecondary aged children. Where else can you find a high school, two colleges and two universities just minutes away? In my mind, West Hillhurst is a hidden gem.

Teens can sleep in and still easily walk or bike to Queen Elizabeth High School. College students have the choice of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology or Alberta College of Art and Design. University students can walk, cycle or catch a bus that will have them at class in minutes. Even Mount Royal College is only 15 to 20 minutes by bus or bike.

Recreation

From a recreational perspective there is an arena, squash courts, tennis courts and gym right in your backyard and an outdoor pool for that all important summer tan. If you are a runner or cyclist, the Bow River pathway is just minutes away. If you love the mountains there are only four or five traffic lights depending on where you live, until you out of the city.

Chill Places

West Hillhurst also has some good chill places for students and families – Vina Pizza, Amato Gelato and Central Blends Café. Central Blends is like a second office for many of the work-at-home members of the community. And, you are just a $10 cab ride to the downtown for pubs and clubs or summer music festivals. The Jubilee is within walking distance for some and a quick drive for others.

Walk to work

From the parents’ perspective, West Hillhurst is conveniently located to most of Calgary’s inner city employment hubs – Downtown, University of Calgary, SAIT/ACAD, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Foothills Hospital campus and Mount Royal University. You have the option of walking, cycling, busing or driving to work as need be depending on time of year and amount of time you have. It is not surprising that West Hillhurst has one of the highest percentages of bike commuters in the city.

Grocery Stores / Farmers’ Markets

You also have five-minute access to three Safeway’s (soon to be Sobeys) at North Hill, Kensington and Brentwood and two Calgary Co-op stores at Brentwood and Midtown. This can be very handy if you are feeding a growing teenage boy. There are also weekly farmer’s markets at Parkdale and Hillhurst community centres.

Kids down / Parents Up

It’s no wonder West Hillhurst is one of Calgary’s most active and affordable infill communities in the city. Modern and traditional style new homes are under construction on almost every block. Most are designed with four or five adult family members in mind, with over 2,750+ square feet of living space on three levels (often with well equipped basements that function nicely as separate living spaces for the young adults in the family). Kids live down, parent live up is the new urban living trend.

Your inner city specialist!

Bryon Howard

2139 6 Ave NW – Great Bungalow … Luxurious Master on Main … with the kids down below.  C3599791

West Hillhurst is also home to more traditional design family homes.

West Hillhurst boasts new contemporary infills on almost every block.

West Hillhust has numerous parks, playgrounds and an old fashion outdoor pool

West Hillhurst has a wonderful old town feel along 19th Street aka Main Street West Hillhurst.

In West Hillhurst and neighbouring communities it is not unusual to find an entire street under construction.

It’s understandable that home owners contemplate selling their home themselves. Doing so would seem to save money and may look pretty simple; clean the house, put up a sign and do some open houses. For those home owners thinking about this approach, I’d like to provide some details you may not have thought about.

Know the market

First, pricing a house needs objectivity and excellent knowledge of the current market. What is the current inventory in your estimated price range? What are the prices of comparable properties? How long do properties stay on the market before they sell? Why are some houses on the market for a long time and others sell right away? Are there lots of buyers in the market right now? It takes all this information to price a house to sell in a reasonable amount of time and get market value for your it.

Stage your home properly.

Proper staging prepares a house to show from the buyer’s viewpoint, not the seller’s. Buyers are very influenced by their first impressions of a house, inside and out. It only takes seconds for buyers to get a first impression, a few seconds to look at the yard and the entry way, and another few seconds to get the feel of the house as they walk in and glance around. Staging is critical to capturing a buyer’s interest and making sure there are no major distractions. You may not notice where repairs are needed, but they will.

Hold open houses.

Once a house is ready to show, you need to have open houses that get traffic from interested buyers. You need to balance being available to describe your property’s attributes with leaving buyers to look on their own. Buyers can find it very awkward when home owners are in the house as they walk through.

Make your house is available to show for the convenience of buyers and their realtors, not for your convenience. That means making the house available during the day and during the week. Just nights and weekends won’t sell the house. When showing the house, be organized and relaxed. Plan ahead how you are going to handle showings and practice.

Evaluate offers.

As the home owner, you will be working directly with agents to negotiate offers. Receiving an offer is just the start of negotiations that determine the sale price and other important terms. You need to know how to evaluate buyers as well as their offers.

There is much more to selling a house than you might think. An agent knows all these details and represents the seller’s best interests — from setting the right price to negotiating the best sale. Before you decide to sell your house yourself, think realistically about all it takes to be successful. You might want a professional agent in your corner.

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 one home 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.