Ready to buy a home? Choosing the perfect place to live in requires a little bit of work up front, but laying the groundwork for a smart buying decision will help you make a purchase with confidence. Here are four tips to get your property search started in the right direction:

Meet with a mortgage professional. Discussing your financing options is the best way to start. Banks and mortgage lenders have very specific guidelines in place. Knowing exactly where you stand will help you avoid disappointment down the road and help you establish realistic expectations before you even start to look at homes. If you aren’t approved right away, don’t worry. Your mortgage professional will give you all the information you need to improve your application and let you know exactly how long it will take before you are in good standing.

Determine your budget. Knowing how much you are allowed to spend is the first step, and deciding how much you are comfortable spending each month on housing costs is the most important . Based on today’s mortgage rates, determine a price range that works for you. Keep in mind the additional costs for property tax, condo fees, maintenance, and all other expenses.

Assess your needs. Are you looking for a place to occupy for the next 3-5 years, or are you shopping for a home that you can grow into? Do you love to entertain or need some extra space for a home office? Each buyer has his own unique list of must-haves. Decide on the things that really matter to you, yet leave some room for compromise. Sometimes, it takes a little while for the right home to come on the market, but once it does, it’s always worth the wait.

Choose the right neighbourhood. The location of your new home is one of the most important considerations. Your neighbourhood and the surrounding community should complement your lifestyle. Try to choose an area within a convenient proximity to work, even if you need to spend a little more. You can change almost anything in a home, but the neighbourhood is something that you must accept as is.

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.

It’s been a slow start for 2015 in Calgary’s real estate market. As a REALTOR, I am asked about my opinions and predictions on a regular basis. The truth is, this year is much different than the last. Planning your real estate strategy will help you navigate through this market and make the right choices to accomplish your goals.

If you plan on selling, have a good strategy in place. Between the headlines and the falling price of oil, consumer confidence has taken a hit in the Calgary market. It’s not that consumers don’t want to make a move, it’s just that they are feeling a little extra cautious. If you plan on selling your home, this isn’t the time to test the market with a high asking price. Buyers are doing their research and are far more likely to act quickly on a home if it is priced fairly and shows well.

Recognize that with change, comes opportunity. Sales are down compared to last year.  Consequently, for buyers, there is far more to choose from.  One way or another, the real estate market is always fluctuating, but it doesn’t necessarily mean bad news for everyone. Working with an experienced real estate professional will help you plan a strategy, so the market works in your favour – not against you.

Capitalize on an early spring market as a seller. Traditionally, the Calgary spring market heats up annually during the period between February and May. Through the years, these are our best and busiest months. This year, however, local real estate experts are advising that selling as soon as possible is the best way to earn top dollar for your home.  We may be in for a minor price correction a couple of months from now, though.

Position yourself for great deals as we head into the summer. Selling your home early will put you in an excellent position during the late spring market. Prices may be slightly lower, there will be plenty to choose from, and the market will more than likely favour buyers. If you need to sell your place first, request a 75-120 day closing date. This will give you a lot of time to search for the perfect home at a great price.

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.

Regardless of your profession, personal growth and a desire to continuously improve are the foundations of long-term success. “Good enough” just won’t cut it when you are fuelled by goals and aspirations. The real estate industry is a fiercely competitive business, so our clients and competitors always keep us on our toes. After all, no job is worth doing unless you are doing your best.

We draw plenty of inspiration from our peers in the business. We recognize the success of others and take note of the things they have done that made a difference. Real estate is very much a business built on relationships. Our relationships with our clients, peers, and other professionals help us build our experience and continue to deliver the kind of exceptional service that our network has come to expect.

Success also goes beyond your professional development. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating well, and making sure your health is a priority is essential to keep you going at your full potential. In our busy lives, it is important to make time for family and friends. Especially as the holiday season approaches, we become more aware of the significance of our role in others’ lives and their importance in our own.

Having a creative outlet can also serve as a wonderful stress reliever and break from the motions of your typical work day. In my case, I immerse myself in music. I play the cello and I always look forward to rehearsing and performing with my ensembles on a regular basis. Music is so uplifting, and speaks to the spirit.

Many highly successful professionals credit their motivation to reading. Unwinding with a great book after a busy day or taking some time to read an inspiring message while you enjoy your morning coffee might be all you need to keep your mind focused. Success might mean something different to everyone, but nothing beats the satisfying feeling of accomplishment. What drives you to do better? What keeps you focused on your goals and pushes you to be your best self?

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 Shirley Wright

Like everyone, I have been involved in real estate my entire life! Like you, I grew up in a home! My husband and I purchased our first home in 1998, and since 2001 I have been assisting my husband, Bryon Howard, in our real estate investments and his work as a Top Producing Sales Professional. I assist sellers and buyers meet their goals, efficiently and have fun doing it.

To serve you better, I network daily with top producing REALTORS in various markets across North America, keeping abreast of the many and varied trends and cycles of real estate.

I look forward to serving you to help you find what you want in our exciting city. Please take some time searching my website http://www.GreetingsCalgary.com. Many of my clients have advised that the search engine incorporated here is very user friendly.

The real estate market in Calgary is constantly changing. Supply and demand fluctuate, and specific trends can affect certain areas of the city while having little impact in others. Understanding the current market in your neighbourhood can help you determine how much equity you have in your home, and decide if the timing is right to make a move.

Many people rely on the active listings displayed on MLS to see what’s happening in their surrounding area. The truth is, this doesn’t always show you the full picture. Sometimes, listings are priced too high and sit on the market for weeks before the sellers are obligated to reduce the price. Other times, the list prices is driven up by multiple offers.

So how do you stay informed with accurate and up-to-date information, specifically customized for your neighbourhood? Sign up for our Market Snapshot Report. You will receive a report containing all the homes that have been recently listed and sold in your neighbourhood. You can even customize how often you would like the report to be sent to you. Wondering what the home up the street sold for? Curious about how the interior finishes compared to yours? The Market Snapshot Report will provide you with all the information you need. Take advantage of this free, no-obligation resource to keep yourself informed on your biggest investment – your home.

Staying on top of the value of your home is no different than keeping an eye on your investments in the bank. Each month, market trends in Calgary continue to impress. Home values are on the rise, new developments are breaking ground all over the city, and investors are securing their money in Calgary real estate. Your Market Snapshot Report will help you stay up to date.

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 GreetingsCalgary.com.

 
About Shirley Wright

Like everyone, I have been involved in real estate my entire life! Like you, I grew up in a home! My husband and I purchased our first home in 1998, and since 2001 I have been assisting my husband, Bryon Howard, in our real estate investments and his work as a Top Producing Sales Professional.
I assist sellers and buyers meet their goals, efficiently and have fun doing it.
To serve you better, I network daily with top producing REALTORS in various markets across North America, keeping abreast of the many and varied trends and cycles of real estate.
I look forward to serving you to help you find what you want in our exciting city. Please take some time searching my website www.GreetingsCalgary.com. Many of my clients have advised that the search engine incorporated here is very user friendly.