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Although the average buyer may be feeling a little extra cautious in today’s market, investors are still seeing the unique possibilities that this type of economy presents. Investment opportunities are everywhere. So, despite the difficulty in anticipating when things will change, Calgary has always proven itself to be amazingly resilient.

Developers are used to market fluctuations and are optimistically pushing forward. While the average consumer may be holding back, large development firms see the big picture. They look past the headlines and short-term projections. So, since condo projects and subdivisions take years to complete, new developers continue to buy up land in and around Calgary. Positive net migration has maintained a steady trend this year, and buyers are seeing the value in the Calgary real estate market.

There will always be home owners who NEED to sell. For investors looking to scoop up a few rental properties, this market is immensely favorable. Inventory is much higher than it was last year, and sellers having a sense of urgency are more than happy to negotiate. Though this type of market can be very costly for the impatient, it’s precisely what the savvy investor is looking for.

An uncertain buyer’s market fuels rental demand. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. A shaky job market and the low cost of oil has undoubtedly kept buyers at bay since the beginning of 2015. As a result, rental vacancy remains quite low in Calgary and market rent is holding strong. Those who invested in condos or multi-unit rental properties are benefiting from the current climate and can expect a steady demand to carry on in the future.

The low cost of borrowing makes investing a no-brainer. Although today’s new home buyers are extremely rate-sensitive, seasoned investors still recognize our current mortgage rates as incredibly beneficial. Never before has it been so affordable to borrow money. Even though it’s unclear how long the low rates will last, locking into a 5- or 10-year term gives borrowers the stability they need to keep their overhead in check.

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.

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.

Real estate buying and selling might appear to be something anyone can do, but in reality, it is rarely a simple process. Sellers who decide to go at it without the guidance of a professional Realtor will face a gauntlet of challenges on the road to closing. The allure of an “FSBO” transaction (For Sale by Owner) is the temptation to eliminate the real estate commission from the list of a seller’s costs. Ironically, many sellers end up struggling to close the deal on their own and failing to save much money in the end.

Enlisting the guidance of a trained professional when buying and selling real estate affords novice and seasoned investors alike several key advantages.

1. Realtors are Trained Professionals

Realtors are licensed professionals, required to complete in-depth educational programs and pass rigorous exams. Moreover, they are required to complete hours of continuing education on a regular basis. A large focus of the formal education has to do with professional ethics and laws of the agency. Much of the work involved in pushing a transaction to closing involves interaction with the other agents and professionals (lawyers, surveyors, bankers, escrow agents, etc.) involved. Successful real estate agents rely heavily on their network of industry relationships and connections built over the years. Hiring a Realtor to represent your interest as a buyer or seller gives you access to that same network.

2. Realtors have Access to the MLS System

Sellers and buyers who represent themselves do not have access to all information in the local Multiple Listing System (MLS). The data contained in the local MLS is invaluable to finding the right property and pinpointing current value based on market trends and comparable sales. The MLS is a seller’s best friend and you need to work with a Realtor to access its best features.

3. Realtors Have Invaluable Industry Knowledge

There are many laws, rules and regulations governing the transfer of real estate property. There are often complex title concerns and environmental issues that arise in the course of a sale. Knowledge on these things is needed to sort through the concerns and come up with solutions. Experienced Realtors have seen the same or similar problems before. Why not avail yourself of the knowledge that comes with the experience?

4. Other Buyers and Sellers in the Market Will Be Working With a Realtor

Think it through. As a seller, do you really want to field offers and negotiate contracts on your own when the vast majority of potential buyers will have professional representation? You will be at a distinct disadvantage in negotiations. Remember that the best way to obtain full asking price for your property is to have a quick sale. The longer a property sits on the market, the less likely it becomes that you will get your full price. When you list a property with a Realtor, all members of the local MLS will know about it in an instant. You will never be able to achieve that kind of impact through home marketing efforts. In addition, once a buyer sees an FSBO seller, the first thing they try to do is knock down the price to reflect the fact that the FSBO seller is not paying a commission. So how much is really saved, if anything?

Attorneys are always advised to never represent themselves in a dispute, as they will inevitably do a bad job. It is nearly impossible to be effective when you have an emotional stake. The same holds true for real estate transactions. Home buying and selling is an emotional process. Resist the urge to represent yourself. Instead, communicate your goals and concerns to an experienced professional Realtor and leave it to them to get the job done.

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  403-287-3880 or at  www.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.