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Planning for success (Photo courtesy of Tatiana12)

All real estate agents promise to sell a home fast and at top dollar, but how will you know upfront who can really deliver? Well, a promise is just a promise unless one has a plan of action for achieving it; and then you’ll know who really knows what he’s talking about. What’s more, an agent with a clear plan can be held accountable for what he says he’ll do, every step of the way! Those are exactly what my team had in mind when we developed an 18-point plan of action for selling homes, and it has helped us sell an average of two houses a week for the past two years! Eighteen steps make for a pretty long plan, but they should tell you loud and clear that we do everything possible to sell a home fast and at the highest possible price.

You’ll find our full 18-point plan here, but we’ve grouped the 18 steps into just three big ones because they’re really as simple as these!

We’ll get your home as ready as it can be to realize its full market potential.

Chances are someone out there needs a home exactly like yours and will be happy to pay you what it’s worth to him, but you’ll need to be able to find him and let him know as clear as day that your home has the features he wants. So first, we’ll highlight what we know most people want in a home like yours. And if your home can use some improvements to make it more saleable or to jack up its price, we’ll suggest what changes you can make to it. Then we’ll help you price your home strategically to open the market for it or to invite higher bids.

We won’t rest until we sell your home.

When we’re sure we’ve done everything we could to make your home as attractive as it can be to buyers, we’ll lose no time and leave no stone unturned to find your best buyer! We’ll submit your home to our local Multiple Listing Service to make sure everyone knows you’re selling it; promote it at our company sales meeting to get our entire team on board; fax a feature sheet to the top 40 agents in the marketplace for their potential buyers; contact our buyer leads, centers of influence and past clients for their referrals, and prospective buyers directly, over the next seven days, and prospect for at least two hours a day and talk to at least 20 people a day to look for potential buyers (we surely won’t be sitting on the job!); catch even casual passersby through a professional sign and lock-box in front of your home; and when possible, have cooperating agents in the area tour your home.

We’ll relieve you of all the stress – Relax!

We know your life doesn’t stop when you’re selling your home, so we’ll make sure you won’t get stressed. We’ll follow up with the salespeople who have shown your home for their feedback and response; constantly update you on any changes in the marketplace and inform you of the various methods of financing that a buyer might want to use; whenever possible, pre-qualify prospective buyers ourselves; assist you with arranging interim financing if needed; represent you on all offer presentations to negotiate the best possible price and terms; handle all the follow-ups before the contract-signing such as the mortgage, title and other closing procedures; and deliver your cheque at the closing!

The beauty of my 18-point plan of action is that you can go back to the list anytime and make sure it’s been done, so that you won’t have just pretty promises to hold on to but detailed action commitments that will give you the best assurance that you’ll get that cheque with the right price fast!

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 2% 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.

Image resource: www.unprofound.com

I’m finding it a bit difficult to talk about Altadore real estate now with all this commotion going on around here about this year’s Marda Gras Street Festival that’s happening tomorrow, so heck, I’ll just join the fun! For those of you who are wondering what this festival is all about, it’s a free one-day public event every second week of August at Marda Loop, the premier shopping center in Altadore, that’s patterned after the famous Mardi Gras street festival in New Orleans. That means Marda Loop’s streets will be filled with the sights and sounds of New Orleans, from the purple, green and gold colors to the jazz and R&B music! Oh, good – I can wear my purple socks!

There’s actually a long list of activities that will start at 10 a.m. (check them out here: http://www.mardaloop.org/html.php?action=Anchor&anchor=MardaGras), but here’s my pick of those that I think I’ll take my family to:

Street shows

This is a street festival, right? So bring on the street shows! There’ll be a magician, and someone who’ll walk with a nine-foot-tall free-standing ladder and juggle knives up there! (You won’t want to get anywhere near him, of course, but don’t worry – he’s been doing this stunt for eight years!) And there’ll be a group that will put on their unique open-air aerial art, comedy and street theater show with which they’ve been amazing audiences all over the world. Watch out too for strolling music from the Dixie Knights and the Sweet Adelines! And for art lovers, don’t miss the inflatable Art Tent where you’ll see lots of masterpieces.

On the main stage

Expect great street dancing with band music, hot swing and gypsy jazz, blues and swing from the 1920s to the 1950s, plus belly dancing and some new moves! There’ll also be the yearly popular Pet Pageant, with prizes for the Most Unique, the dog with the Best Costume, and the Crowd Favorite!

Kids Quarter

Hey, this is for kids of all ages! There’ll be face painting, a bouncy castle, crafts, games, sports and entertainment. And the organizers say all the funds that will be raised here will be used to support the projects of the Marda Loop Communities Association, so you bet we’ll be there!

Kudos to Marda Loop for putting together such a great event each year. This is one of the areas we’re very proud of here in Altadore, as it offers first-class shopping, professional services and dining, and as you can see, fantastic events!

So again, I’ll be taking a break from selling Altadore real estate (and will hop onto my trusty bike, as there’ll be an Open Streets Area for us bikers and parking would be next to impossible). And for those of you who want to catch the fun, you have until 5 p.m. tomorrow….

Know someone who is looking to make a decision in real estate? If you know any friends, family or co-workers who are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate within the next six months, would you forward this email to them or reply with their contact information? I’ll send them important information about the Calgary, AB surrounding area real estate market and politely ask for their business. I greatly appreciate your valued referrals; it’s the only way I build my business.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad and crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.

Image resource: commons.wikimedia.org

Schools are set to open again in a month’s time, which puts the spotlight at this time of the year on our children’s education.

If you’re a parent like me, you’ve probably given a lot of thought to what school to send your kids to in order to give them the best education.

You know, though, sometimes I think we look too much at the school and too little at our children.

Maybe if we looked at our children more and at what they need so that they would learn best, they’d be happier in school and later in life.

I found that out firsthand from my own children.

I have two: a 19-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy.

They’re the reasons why I think the way I do about education.

You see, they’re out-of-the-box learners. That is, they learn differently from most.

I say that because when my daughter was already in Grade 2 in the small community in Prince Edward Island where we first lived, she still couldn’t read or do math despite my wife’s and my efforts. So in 2003, we moved to Calgary, where we thought some of the best schools in Canada were. We chose a private school for her called Calgary Academy that was just a 20-minute ride from our home in Altadore. That school took a good look at her and then taught her based on her strengths and weaknesses. It did wonders for her. Last year, she graduated from high school with high marks, and she’s now doing well in a university.

As for my son, he was in Grade 4 when we moved to Altadore. He had wanted to go to Calgary Academy too because it’s a beautiful school, but it was expensive, so we sent him to a public school instead: Altadore Elementary School. But when he was in Grade 7, he wanted to go to an inquiry-based school, a sort of public science school. Well, things didn’t work out for him there. I guess it was because the school still focused on a particular learning technique, no matter how different it was from the conventional instructional method – a technique that was good only for a specific type of learners: super-inquisitive and aggressive learners, which my son was not. So when my son was in Grade 8, we finally gave in and sent him to Calgary Academy. He did very well there and has learned so much that he has since moved back to a public school.

It surely wasn’t an easy journey for our whole family, but I believe that when you’re a parent, you shouldn’t ask yourself how far you’ll go to give your children a great education. We went cross-country, and we shelled out a lot more money than we had first planned, but we can’t be happier because our children are happy and they’re now well on their way to creating whatever future they want.

If you’re looking for information on Calgary and area schools for your children, check out http://www.calgaryarea.com/schools/private_

schools.htm,

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/ and http://www.cssd.ab.ca/.

Know someone who is looking to make a decision in real estate? If you know any friends, family or co-workers who are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate within the next six months, would you forward this email to them or reply with their contact information? I’ll send them important information about the Calgary, AB surrounding area real estate market and politely ask for their business. I greatly appreciate your valued referrals; it’s the only way I build my business.

About the author:

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad and crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.

Image resource:
www.flickr.com

Has it been almost six weeks since the biggest flood in Calgary’s history made all the headlines? If your house was swamped, you’ve probably done enough mud cleaning you could write a book on it. But before you move on, are you sure you’ve done everything you should? I helped haul off a lot of mud from my friends’ houses myself and have since learned some new things that could perhaps spare you a lot of headache and heartache.

Contact your utility company to make sure your appliances and electrical installations are safe to use.

Just because your appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes, and fuse/breaker panels are dry and working now doesn’t mean they’re fine and dandy. You don’t want a fire next time, or an electrocution, or your other appliances to conk out due to a short circuit. So it’s best to do your due diligence now for your peace of mind.

Beware of mold and mildew.

A long-term effect of flooding is the growth of mold and mildew. Your wallpaper, carpet, wood walls and floorboards, ceiling tiles, and mattresses, your kids’ stuffed toys, and your books and valuable papers may seem to have dried up, but mold and mildew starts growing as fast as 24 to 48 hours after a flood and may already be growing where you can’t see it. Experts say breathing in mold spores may cause anything from mere allergic reactions to asthma attacks and deadly brain, lung, nervous and immune system conditions. So check everything very closely and think hard if those stuffed toys and books are worth keeping. Ask a lawyer if you still need to keep your original damaged documents or if you can just jot down the information written on them. And consider hiring a professional mold inspection and home restoration company just to make sure your home has no lurking health and even structural dangers. Check out www.chbacalgary.com and www.renomark.ca for reputable contractors.

Get ready!

We were all caught with our pants down during that flood, and we’d certainly want to be more prepared just in case there’ll be a next time. So clean all your drainages regularly, put all your electricals on higher ground, secure your valuables, prepare emergency supplies, and know your community’s flood warning and evacuation plans.

You can’t be too careful after a flood. After all that upheaval, it’s tempting to think too early that the worst is over and get on with your life. But taking the three additional steps above will help you go all the way in protecting your family and your property from the hidden dangers of water damage.

Know someone who is looking to make a decision in real estate? If you know any friends, family or co-workers who are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate within the next six months, would you forward this email to them or reply with their contact information? I’ll send them important information about the Calgary, AB surrounding area real estate market and politely ask for their business. I greatly appreciate your valued referrals; it’s the only way I build my business.

About the author:

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad and crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.

Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

Calgary has certainly risen since the devastating flood a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, there are still 8,000 to 10,000 people who won’t be able live in their damaged homes for quite some time, according to CEMA director Bruce Burrell (http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/06/28/calgary-flood-damage-will-force-as-many-as-10000-people-from-their-homes-for-a-long-time). While the rebuilding gets underway, I have also had homeowners who were fortunately not affected by the flood ask if now is the right time to stay or should they sell.

If this is the position you find yourself in, here are some questions that could help you decide:

• What were my plans before the flood? If you were planning on selling before the flood, re-examine the reasons. Where were you planning to move? Has that area been affected by the flooding or was it relatively unscathed? The provincial government made some announcements this weekend with regard to homes in high-risk areas, so staying on top of the latest developments may help you make an informed decision.

• What if I stay? Calgarians don’t just sit back and wait for things to happen. This is Stampede country, and cowboys don’t give up without a good fight! So if you decide to stay, stay safe. Have your home inspected for lurking danger due to the water damage, and keep your ear to the ground on measures that are being introduced in your neighborhood to make it more resilient to flooding and other disasters.

• What if I want to move? With the expected influx of people moving into the city to help rebuild it, upward pressure on values is expected. Subdivisions like Altadore, which is on higher ground, will likely be considered favorable to buyers. Have your home evaluated and then make a decision.

Whether you’re staying or selling, or still undecided, the Calgary flood has been an emotional time for all of us. There are no right or wrong answers if you are deciding whether to sell or not. Take your time, make informed decisions and you will make the decision that is right for you and your family.

If you know any friends, family or co-workers who are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate within the next six months, would you forward this email to them or reply with their contact information? I’ll send them important information about the Calgary, AB surrounding area real estate market and politely ask for their business. I greatly appreciate your valued referrals; it’s the only way I build my business. 

About Bryon

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad and crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.

image resource: motorcyclees.com

A lot of people are surely wondering what’s the prospect for Altadore real estate after the biggest-ever Calgary flood last month. My simple and direct answer to that is Altadore is in a good place, literally and figuratively. Literally, because it’s high (its name means “hill of gold”) and thus, it got away scot-free from the flood. And figuratively, because Calgarians in lower-lying areas whose houses were devastated by the flood are either looking for houses to rent or are all together looking to move to higher ground [Calgary Sun headline on June 28: Calgary flood damage will force as many as 10,000 people from their homes for a long time (http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/06/28/calgary-flood-damage-will-force-as-many-as-10000-people-from-their-homes-for-a-long-time)]. And according to Timothy Haney, assistant sociology professor at Mount Royal University here in Calgary, a lot of the affluent areas were hit the hardest, so people in those areas will have the resources to rent or move (http://www.calgary-realestate.com/blog/calgary-flooding-hit-some-of-the-citys-wealthiest-neighborhoods.html).

But I’m getting ahead of myself here. First, let’s look at the Altadore real estate market before the flood. Most of the homes that were sold in June were new single-family houses (built after 2000), followed by condos, and an equal number of infills (single-family houses rebuilt on 1940-1970 fifty-square-meter lots) and townhouses. Here are the benchmark prices per type of housing in June:

Infill: $776,500

New single-family house: $871,914

Townhouse: $321,250

Condo: $334,380

The average prices of infills and condos rose from June last year, and those of new single-family houses and townhouses dropped.

I’m not even going to start telling you what were the average days on the market of these properties, as everyone expects all these figures to be wiped out now after the flood.

Altadore’s real estate market will have to get ready to offer homes quick not only to people hit by the flood, but even to migrants helping with the short-term relief and restoration work, all the way to those expected to flock to the city with all the long-term rebuilding that’s sure to happen. It’s going to be a seller’s market here for a long time. So my best advice to people looking to sell their home in Altadore: now is the best time; and to those who aren’t selling, you may want to consider renting out your house to the droves of people who’ll need a roof over their heads in the next few months. But if you need to do repairs first, do them quick! Hope you’ll stay tuned in to my update on the Altadore real estate market in September.

Know someone who is looking to make a decision in real estate? If you know any friends, family or co-workers who are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate within the next six months, would you forward this email to them or reply with their contact information? I’ll send them important information about the Calgary, AB surrounding area real estate market and politely ask for their business. I greatly appreciate your valued referrals; it’s the only way I build my business.

About Bryon

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad and crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.

image resource: news.calgarystampede.com

One thing I take pride in as an Altadore real estate agent is the Calgary Stampede, dubbed as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” It’s an annual 10-day showcase of western Canadian culture held at Stampede Park, just a 26-minute drive from Altadore Elementary School, that draws more than 1 million visitors worldwide to its rodeo competition, derby, parade with beautiful floats and celebrities (some all the way from Hollywood!), agricultural and cultural exhibits, amusement rides, games, fastfood booths, entertainment, and even good ole’ chuckwagon breakfasts, rig rides and square dancing! It’s one of Canada’s largest festivals, and it’s so well-known that Calgary is oft-called “Stampede City” and “Cowtown,” and its Canadian Football League team is called the “Stampeders.” Calgary becomes a cowboy world at Stampede time, with buildings baring cowboy themes and locals donning cowboy wear! And there are pancake breakfasts and barbecues everywhere! Each year, Calgarians count the days to the Stampede launch, and it was no different this year – until the just-past flood that was the largest in Alberta’s history submerged the Stampede grounds all the way up to the eighth row, I heard, so many people were wondering if this much-awaited yearly event would be cancelled. That would have been a first in its 101-year history that includes two wars and the Great Depression! Well, the flood was big all right, but apparently not bigger than the hearts and the spirits of the people behind this great festival! Folks, saddle up because this event is happening, “come hell or high water,” the organizers are saying!

Fund-raising for flood victims: buy your “Hell or High Water” t-shirts!

Kudos to the thousands of volunteers who organize this not-for-profit event yearly for working doubly hard to get this through as scheduled on July 5-14. They’re a driven lot: they’re raising funds for the flood victims through the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund (from their sales of “Hell or High Water” t-shirts – order yours at http://store.calgarystampede.com/), and making sure the event will push through now more than ever, what with Calgary needing all the funds it could get its hands on to get back on its feet. Stampede president and board chairman Bob Thompson said crews have been working hard to pump out “millions of gallons” of water from the Stampede grounds and to clear off mud and debris, and the staff have been working wherever they could set up makeshift desks and offices. There are bound to be some changes, though, like with the route of the opening parade as some streets are still closed, but the organizers are hell-bent on giving fans a spectacular experience, as always!

A testament to Calgary’s Stampede spirit

Says Stampede CEO Vern Kimball, “Stampede 101 will be a testament to the desire of the community to rally and to come together in the face of adversity.” Oh, in that case, you’re in for quite a show, as we’re talking about Stampede City here! That’s exactly the spirit of Calgary! (Check out in my previous blog (http://blog.thehowardteam.net/2013/06/30/floods-canada-day-altadore-real-estate-agent-calgarians/) how impressed I am with all the help going around here.) The last I heard about the flood relief work was that the city asked for 1,000 volunteers and got 2,500! What a great community! And you know what? That’s what I love most about selling Altadore real estate!

Know someone who is looking to make a decision in real estate? If you know any friends, family or co-workers who are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate within the next six months, would you forward this email to them or reply with their contact information? I’ll send them important information about the Calgary, AB surrounding area real estate market and politely ask for their business. I greatly appreciate your valued referrals; it’s the only way I build my business.

Author bio

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad and crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.

It’s Canada Day tomorrow, but there doesn’t seem much cause for celebration, as I sell Altadore real estate in Calgary that just got hit by the largest flood ever in Alberta’s history. Yet you know what? I’m gonna wave my country’s flag much higher than ever before, as I’m so darned proud I’m a Canadian and a Calgarian because I’ve seen how wonderful people here are and how we rise in the face of calamities!

Even before the water subsides in some areas, there’s bound to be another deluge—this time of debates on whether it was man or nature that caused this disaster. And I can’t even frown on those debates because we need answers or even just the best assumptions so that we’d know how best to act! But while we’re figuring out the answer, we’re seeing a lot of action already from people on the ground who are reaching out to those hardest hit. And that, I believe, is what relieves suffering most and also what should help rebuild communities.

For example, the Calgary police got some rave tweets when, in response to a tweet asking what people should “do about vagrants and questionable people roaming the streets in suburb communities because of the flood situation,” it tweeted back with this: “Suspicious people can be reported by calling 403-266-1234. Homeless people may appreciate a sandwich.”

Citizens were leaving plates of cookies and other food with “Thank you” notes on car hoods of policemen who were on their 79th hour of relief duty during the disaster.

Tweeters were also raving about the emergency response of other City of Calgary staff and by the decisive actions of our leaders.

Robert David Nelson reportedly got crushed under his ATV while he was driving to a neighbor’s home to check for flood damage.

A certain Joseph, who has been in Calgary for only two months, helped with the relief operations in Elbow Park for five hours.

Mothers are asking for donations of diapers and baby wipes for other mothers in need.

In Altadore, a mother and her daughter are opening their home to homeless pets in flood-stricken neighborhoods in Calgary and even offering to pick them up.

Groups are calling for volunteers for the post-disaster cleanup as well as for food and clothing donations, shelter for the displaced, and rebuilding of communities.

And random people are just sending their love and prayers to everyone in Calgary.

This Altadore real estate agent has always loved Calgary, but I love it so much more now, and I know that together, we will prevail and rebuild our communities until they are even better than before.

Author Bio

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. To learn more about Bryon, head on over to his website.

Image Resource: www.avenuecalgary.com

I love selling Altadore real estate because they’re among the fastest-selling in Calgary. Consider this: this residential neighborhood in the inner-city area of southwest Calgary, between 14th Street and Crowchild Trail, was established only in 1945, which makes it not quite 70 years old yet, but it’s already been voted one of the best neighborhoods in Calgary for 3 straight years in reader surveys of Calgary’s top lifestyle mag, Avenue.

It seems no one knows for sure why the neighborhood was named Altadore. Some say the Alta comes from the old abbreviation of Alberta. The story I like, though, is that it was so named because it is alta or “high” (it’s on a hill) and because it is “d’or,” French for “of gold,” as it is golden or beautiful.

Indeed, Altadore is beautiful, if you ask people living there today. There’s so much green space at Sandy Beach, River Park and Glenmore Athletic Park, which are just a short walk away. In fact, Altadore was voted the fourth Best Neighborhood in Calgary in 2012 due to its parks and recreational areas. But what’s best is that it’s also delightfully just minutes from downtown and Marda Loop, Calgary’s shopping and culture hub, which combines picturesque views of Calgary and the mountains with great shops and a vibrant party and cultural scene highlighted by the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival in November and the Marda Gras Festival, a summer-themed street party that attracts 35,000 Calgarians each August. There’s even a Yoga & Meditation Community Center in the area! No wonder that in the last 10 years, Altadore has been attracting a lot of trendy young professionals and families, for whom many high-end semi-detached homes and condominiums are being built in the area.

Altadore’s future seems even brighter with the Calgary Municipal Plan that the residents themselves put together, which envisions complete communities that are well-connected with various transportation options that include walking, cycling, transit and automobiles.

I was just going to give you a quick look at the history of Altadore real estate, but as always, I can’t help but rave about this great neighborhood and how you’ll have a grand time living there.

Looking for homes for sale in Altadore? Here’s a link to all the current listings: http://www.thehowardteam.net/community-profiles/calgary/altadore_river%20park. And if you know people who are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate within the next six months, would you email this blog to them and ask them to contact me at 403-589-0004? I’ll send them important information on Calgary and politely ask for their business. I greatly appreciate your referrals; it’s the only way I build my business. Free Market Report on the value of your home at http://www.CalgaryMarketSnapShot.com.

About the author:

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad and crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.