Potential buyers may be visiting numerous properties on a Saturday afternoon. As a seller, your first priority is to get them in the door. If your house’s curb appeal is not eye catching, they may simply decide not to stop at all. Your home’s curb appeal will always set the tone for what potential buyers expect when they first walk inside.
Most people’s buying decisions are based on emotional responses and the curb appeal starts the love affair or will end it before they even walk in. This doesn’t mean you have to completely overhaul the outside of your home for it to sell. Just pick a few exterior home improvements that will have the most impact and go from there.
Here are a few tips to add some curb appeal for your home to achieve a higher market value.
1. Add planters
Adding planters can go a long way toward creating the perception of a well-kept home. Planters can add colour to a porch or patio and are quit eye-catching.
2. Spruce up your driveway
The driveway is one of the first things a buyer will see, so it’s a good idea to freshen it up. Adding a sealer can refresh a tired driveway and is an inexpensive makeover that can be accomplished in a short time by almost anyone.
3. Create a welcoming porch
An empty porch can look stark and cold. If you have a porch large enough to accommodate furniture, set up a nice table or a bistro set for dining and lounging. It’s also a good idea to add some colour with plants in containers.
4. Repaint
Giving the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for curb appeal. Try painting your house in the colour of homes in a more expensive neighbourhood. It’s a great way to create the perception of quality while doing something you probably already should have done.
5. Spring for new accent pieces
Adding a new mailbox, house light or house number is a cheap and cheerful way of updating your home’s exterior. Shops like Walmart and Canadian Tire usually stock simple yet stylish, well-priced options for these items.
Other simple things you can do are putting a fresh coat of paint on the front door, mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, cleaning the windows, sidings and gutters, and add a wreath to the door to enhance that welcoming feeling.
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.
One of the secrets of successful investing is the ability to identify market trends well in advance of the curve to maintain a competitive position. Here is one historical trend that perceptive real estate investors have been following for some time now. Those who have been paying attention realize that the cult of homeownership no longer rules the real estate landscape. Gone are the days when renters can be ignored. There are far too many of them to ignore.
All across North America, the millennial generation is changing the face of the game when it comes to homeownership. For the most part, it simply does not interest them. Many cannot afford to buy in Calgary, and others who can afford to purchase a home are instead choosing to rent to maintain mobility and free up disposable income for travel and recreational pursuits. They do not wish to be tied down to the responsibilities associated with mortgages and homeownership.
These young millennial workers, along with their baby boomer parents, continue to question the suburban lifestyle and flock toward urban centers like Calgary. The trend is led by millennials but reaches across all demographic lines. In response to this repositioning, developers and investors need to shift some focus away from condos and single-family homes and move toward purpose-built, multi-family rental housing.
Given today’s low mortgage interest rates and Calgary’s real estate market’s high-rental rates, the time is perfect for investors to capitalize on properties that offer positive cash flow and return on investment. Calgary’s residential rental properties are the ideal investment vehicle for anyone seeking immediate returns in an uncertain economic environment. Even those who already own home might wish to consider investing in a two-family home with sufficient rental income to help pay down the mortgage on their own home.
Former single-family homes converted into two legal dwellings make for attractive investments in Calgary where the average rental on a two-bedroom apartment rose nearly 6% last year. Remember also that a developer or owner profits on the sale of a condo or detached home only once while they hold the potential to profit on the rental of the same property for perpetuity.
The trends sparked by the millennial generation will influence the real estate industry for many years to come and continue to reposition rental properties in the real estate hierarchy. Work with your Realtor to see if investment in purpose-built rental housing makes sense for you.
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.
Before you list a property for sale in Alberta, it is important to understand that you are going to need an RPR. What exactly is an RPR? An RPR or Real Property Report is a plan or survey of the property that shows the location of all improvements on the property as they are situated in relation to the property’s boundary lines. The Alberta Land Surveyors Association states that the RPR should include a “written statement detailing the surveyor’s opinions and concerns” and “can be relied upon by the buyer, the seller, the lender and the municipality as an accurate representation of the improvements on your property.”
An RPR is required upon the sale of real property to ensure that the land and improvements comply with all municipal by-laws. In Calgary, upon receipt of an updated RPR, the city will review its records and, if everything is in order, issue a Certificate of Compliance stating that all improvements, including the house, sheds, decks and fences, are in compliance with all municipal regulations, including local setback requirements.
The Alberta Real Estate Association’s standard form of purchase contract states that a RPR is the obligation of the seller and should reflect the “current state of improvements on the property.” Municipalities and attorneys throughout Alberta tend to differ in their interpretation of this obligation. Everyone, however, seems to agree that the failure to provide an up-to-date RPR in a timely manner is a leading cause of closing delays.
To avoid this scenario, it is good practice to order an updated RPR as soon as the property is listed for sale. If there have been no changes to the property since the date of the original RPR, then the old one may suffice. If updates and modifications to the property need to be reflected, it makes sense to save time and money by contacting the land surveyor who prepared the original RPR to handle the update. The important thing is to make sure all sides are in agreement and advance the process as soon as possible to avoid costly, stress-inducing delays.
RPRs have been in use in Alberta since 1987. Any homeowner who purchased property after that date should have one in their files. If you are having trouble locating an old RPR, you can try to obtain a copy through the current lender on the property or through the lawyer’s offices that represented the buyer and seller in the original transaction.
An RPR is a visual snapshot in time of a particular property and it provides everyone involved in the conveyance with valuable knowledge regarding encroachments, setback violations, chain of title issues, mislocated fencing and a myriad of other possible concerns. If you are a seller, make sure your RPR is up-to-date and reflects the current state of affairs on your property. If you are a buyer, rely upon your Realtor and lawyer to interpret the RPR and advise you of potential issues that might impact your closing and use and enjoyment of the property.
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.
Recently, I did an interview for a publication on how I as a Realtor assist first time home buyers in choosing a neighbourhood for their home purchase. The answer to that is not as straightforward or cut and dry as you would imagine. Simply put, if you’re buying a new home, the neighbourhood you choose can be just as important as the choice of home. What makes a great neighbourhood for one couple or family does not necessarily make it great for another. There are so many types of neighbourhoods in Calgary where you can purchase a home, but the key to finding the right home for you is to consider your lifestyle and needs.
I always advise my clients to start with a list that clearly defines what is important for them. High on that list are some of the more common requests such as proximity to work and family and friends, as well as being close to good shops and restaurants. Others may consider access to trails and outdoor life a higher priority, or being in close proximity to their place of worship. As a first time home buyer, the ultimate goal is to choose a community that makes them feel good about being a part of that “tribe” and truly immersing themselves in the community.
Also remember to consider the pros and cons of the neighborhood and its surroundings. What other factors may be significant? Look at things such as a range in property value, type of property, schools and proximity to employment, comforts and other avenues of life. Purchase in a place that allows you to experience the advantage of ownership financial appreciation and building equity. Others may look for revenue potential in an area with a separate suite to rent or renting out a room to gain more value.
So the next question is, how do you navigate budget and neighbourhood? For some, this may mean looking elsewhere, particularly in neighbourhoods that are in transition or on the verge of being gentrified. This is where I use my knowledge as an experienced realtor to help them make smart decisions that will give them the type of community they crave alongside the potential future equity they want.
Choosing a neighbourhood isn’t an exact formula and there have been times where I second guessed my recommendation to clients. Years ago, I had a client who emigrated from New Zealand. He wanted a home with an income suite that was also in his price range and offered good appreciation. I recommended a new, in-transition neighbourhood and as it turned out – he hated it. The home was perfect but the community was just not what he wanted. It worked in the end as he was able to rent both the main house and the income suite and moved to a neighbourhood that was more his speed, but it goes to show that there is no exact science when choosing a neighbourhood that aligns to your wants and budget.
When asked if there are any bad neighbourhoods in Calgary, my answer was a resounding NO. You may disagree but my explanation is simple, what you define as a “bad” area may be someone else’s dream neighbourhood We are all different and when choosing a place to purchase your home take the time to find out what you think makes a great neighbourhood and then start living.
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.
When you’re ready to buy a home, there is definitely something very appealing about choosing a brand new home. With a new home you get to pick out the countertops, finishes and so much more – basically have it designed just the way you like it. New houses often come with more space and better appliances, require less immediate renovation work, and are more energy-efficient than older ones — and all at a competitive price.
New developments are continuing to pop up all over the city, so buying a new construction home in Calgary is fast becoming a great option for prospective home buyers. Before undergoing the process you should be aware of the how buying a new construction home is different from buying a resale home. First of all, you typically won’t have the opportunity to walk through the home before you sign on the dotted line. Most brand new homes are purchased using specs and a floor plan, the house won’t be built for a few months or more.
In Calgary, new homes are covered by the Alberta’s New Home Warranty Act. The warranty will protect new home owners if upon completion, your new home has any deficiencies with the workmanship or materials. It also applies to both houses and condominiums, and typically the standard coverage lasts for up to five years after you take possession. The foundation of the home needs a year or two to settle so structural issues may not be discovered early on. As the foundation of your new home settles, you will be able to tell if there are any issues that need to be addressed, and have them dealt with at no additional cost as it is covered under warranty.
With a new home comes the ability to purchase upgrades such as top of the line appliances or better finishes. This is a great opportunity for buyers to get what they want while working within their budget. Upgrades can become costly, so it’s a great idea to work with an experienced Realtor to negotiate your behalf.
It’s my role to help buyers make sure they are getting the best value for every dollar they spend. If buying pre-construction is something you’ve been thinking about make sure you and your realtor do your research on potential builders and developers. Basically, don’t buy a house — buy its builder. As an expert in the Calgary real estate market, I have the knowledge and the negotiating skills to help you find the home of your dreams.
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.
Despite the undeniable impact of energy industry woes on Canada’s real estate market, overall property values in Calgary have not suffered any significant impact. Even more importantly, consumer confidence remains high.
In the Calgary Real Estate Board’s (CREB) August 4, 2015 report entitled Calgary Regional Housing Market Statistics, Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie reports, “Despite weaker absorption rates, market conditions remain relatively balanced and helped maintain month-over-month stability in benchmark prices, which remained unchanged from the previous month at $455,400….And despite the recent retraction, we have not seen all those previous gains eroded.”
In a city as diverse as Calgary, market conditions will, of course, vary in different market sectors and neighbourhoods. CREB President Corinne Lyall notes, “…it’s important to stay current and become educated with the market dynamics in the communities where they may be making real estate decisions.” For instance, despite the overall steady numbers in residential sales, the apartment sector has experienced a slight but noticeable dip in value (1.61%) from the beginning of the year, due to decreased demand and expanding inventory.
Another important economic indicator to focus on is new home starts. Applications to pull permits for single and multi-family dwellings plummeted in July and are down by 31% and 24%, respectively, since the start of the year. While the pullback will help to maintain market balance by limiting the pool of available housing inventory, it also reflects the overall uncertainty with the economy and unemployment.
In CREB’s Mid-Year Update to its 2015 Economic Outlook and Regional Housing Forecast, the editors stress the fact that despite the cloud of economic uncertainty hanging over Calgary, consumer confidence in the prospects for real estate investment remain high. “Positive long-term prospects and reduced concerns about the bottom falling out in the near term could minimize the pullback in demand, keeping market conditions in relatively balanced territory and preventing further aggregate price declines.”
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.
Canada’s low mortgage rates have been in the news for so long that they have essentially become the norm. The 18 percent plus rates of the 1980’s are ancient history. It seems that we have become so accustomed to cheap money, that we have forgotten that it might be temporary and just maybe, it may also become a thing of the past. Although the Bank of Canada hasn’t given us any indication of a rate increase in the immediate future, it’s still important to use our (borrowed) money wisely and plan for the future. After all, most of us are locked into 25-year mortgages, and we know just how much change can occur over two and half decades.
Be aware of how much a change in interest rates will affect your housing costs. To put things in perspective, a $350,000 mortgage would cost the average buyer $1570 per money at a borrowing rate of 2.5%. If rates went up just 1%, the same mortgage would cost $1750 per month. That’s a $180 difference. What’s even more significant is that same 1% increase would add an additional $54,600 to your cost of borrowing over the lifespan of your mortgage.
Take advantage without over extending yourself. It’s hard to predict what will happen to interest rates over the next few years. Even some of Canada’s most educated economists were surprised when the overnight rate went down instead of up. That being said, it’s a wise idea to be prepared for a rate increase. If your mortgage renews at a higher rate at the end of your current term, what will it mean for your household budget? Do you expect your income to be the same, or are you planning on starting a family? Talk to your mortgage professional about your long term plans so they can choose a financing option that meets your needs.
Take advantage of your pre-payment options. The best way to protect yourself against a future rate increase is to decrease the size of your mortgage. Some mortgages allow you to increase your payments each month, or make a lump sum payment up to a certain percentage of the balance. In most cases, it makes more sense to tackle your higher interest debt first, but if your credit cards are clear, you will never regret knocking a few thousand dollars off your mortgage. Remember, the quicker you pay it off, the more you will save in interest over the long haul, and that could amount to tens of thousands of dollars in savings.
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.
If you could start over and be a kid again, which sports would you choose to participate in? Being active is a big part of my family’s lifestyle. It seems that our favorite sports are the ones that we are familiar with because we know our own abilities. Especially as an adult, it might be intimidating to go out on a limb and try something brand new.
For the kids in Calgary, there is a unique opportunity to try their hands (and feet!) at a whole range of activities. Leaving the Talisman Centre after a swim yesterday, I noticed a poster promoting “ALL SPORT ONE DAY“. The event takes place on June 20 and features a full day of sport discovery for kids aged 6 to 12. That’s 50 exciting sports to try in 14 facilities around Calgary.
Bike racing in Edmonton recently as a ‘master blaster’ at Velocity Stage Race, I had an ‘epic for me’ 3rd place finish with a ‘long ago’ Olympic Rower Joe S. We finished 3rd and 4th by taking a chance and breaking from the peloton with 5km left in the race. After the race, I asked him if he would encourage his kids into rowing. From my perspective, it looks like a peaceful and beautiful sport. His response surprised me. “Oh no,” he said, “I hate that sport. It’s the same lake – over and over again. So boring. I love cycling and the variety of terrain you get to see.”
I guess that got me thinking – what is the right sport?
Growing up I played all kinds school sports. I spent a great deal of time alpine skiing and then got pretty good at Rugby and played during University. I suppose Rugby set me up to be a pretty tough endurance athlete.
I’m not sure I would have wanted my parents to do anything different in terms of promoting a particular sport to me. I was fortunate to be exposed to plenty of challenging activities and have maintained a love for athletics all my life.
Times are different now. Just the other day, I saw a couple of kids outside on the street playing street hockey. That was awesome. It not something you see as often anymore, but it reminds you of a time when sports weren’t limited to organized leagues. Kids just played to have fun.
I recently heard an interview where an adult vocalized that kids from Junior High to High School should have a compulsory sport; meaning they MUST participate. It’s an interesting idea, and probably one that would be met with a range of strong opinions. Athletics aren’t necessarily for everyone, but there are so many life skills that can be derived from achieving an athletic skill or playing on a team.
I tend to agree with this concept, and it wouldn’t hurt to get kids committed to learning a musical instrument as well! In my job, I visit plenty of homes and see a lot of kids staring into devices. While I don’t like it, I understand it. My home is the same, and as adult, we are also guilty as charged. Technology has taken the place of real life activities in many ways.
Living in Calgary, we really do have the opportunity to shape our kids lives and assist them with their high performance sporting goals. Many young Canadians travel to Calgary to live with host families and train with our great coaches and facilities.
If you know kids between 6 and 12 years, try to encourage them and their parents to participate in theAll Sport One Day on June 20. Who knows, your kids may discover some amazing abilities that they didn’t even know they had!
So – knowing what you know now, which sport would have been right for you as a teenager? Do you wish you had committed to a team sport so you could feel confident about joining a league as as adult? Are there any athletic activities that you recently discovered that are now an important part of your life? Which sport would you direct your ‘loved’ neighbours, nieces, nephews, and kids into?
There is no doubt that this year is much different than the last. As we head into the spring market, many home owners are wondering how the recent changes in Calgary’s economy will affect their real estate decisions. Here are a few things worth noting:
Homes may take a little longer to sell. According to CREB, homes are taking an average of 38 days to sell. This is longer compared to the 33 days last year during the same period. Consequently, the number of sales transactions has dropped significantly. This means that buyers would rather wait on the sidelines for a better deal to come along if they are skeptical of the value.
Values have dipped slightly, but there hasn’t been a dramatic drop. Does a challenging economy impact our real estate values? To a certain degree, yes, but it would seem that the headlines have a more significant effect on consumer behaviour. In fact, a recent article in the Calgary Herald explained that our city has actually been through a similar slump five different times in the last thirty years. Home values were only slightly affected in each case and always managed to bounce back eventually.
Buyers are out there; they are simply exercising caution. Have consumers lost interest in Calgary’s real estate? Are buyers unwilling to trade up to their next home? The truth is, buyers are still active in the market. Some are just holding off on making a purchase in case prices drop, while others are simply hoping for a little more clarity on what the future holds.
Buyers have far more to choose from this year. If you were house hunting last year, one thing was for certain – there was very little to choose from. Today’s market is quite the opposite. Inventory is plentiful, and there is less competition. If you are selling your home, but aren’t desperate, price it well and don’t feel pressured to sign the first offer that comes your way. Remember, this isn’t the first time Calgary has weathered a tough economy. Despite everything, this city remains a highly desirable place to live and own a home in.
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.
