Real Estate Blog - Ken Richter

November 2016 Statistics

October was a strong month for the real estate market here in YYC. However, in November conditions turned back to previous trends. CREB® writes, “year- over-year monthly sales totalled 1,227 units, which is nearly three per cent lower than last year and 17 per cent below long-term averages.”

As we reported on back in November, major changes were made to Canada’s housing rules last month. The changes were aimed at helping Canadians keep from taking on larger mortgages than they could economically handle during a time when interest rates were incredibly low. For more information on this, check out an article on it HERE.

These changes may be helpful in the long run for people, but right now they are stopping many people from entering the market. This…

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Home Staging During Christmas

The Christmas season is upon us! With the end of November festivities, lights are being strung and trees are being put up. Lots of people like to go all out with their Christmas decorations. However, if you are trying to sell your home, there is a dilemma: on one hand decorating will make your home seem warm and cozy, on the other hand no one wants to set up all their decorations only to pack them up right away upon sale. Also, Christmas decorations can make spaces crowded and busy. So, what is the solution?

When you are trying to sell your home over the holidays, it is important to do some decorating. However, it needs to be minimal, simple and effective. Here are some ideas of decor options to get you started:

Front Door: Rather than putting a…

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Giving Back This Christmas

Many people cite Christmas as the best time of the year. They are surrounded by loved ones, get to eat delicious food and exchange gifts. However, Christmas is not like this for everyone. For many families Christmas is just another day of struggling to get by. It can be hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, but please try. Can you imagine what Christmas would be like if you had to go without? This is a reality for people all over the world.

There is something really wonderful about having the privilege we do: we can use our privilege–our wealth, talents and connections–to help others. This Christmas we challenge you to find a way that you can give back. No matter how big or small you believe your contribution to be, giving back makes a…

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October 2016 Statistics

This month the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) had some good news for us: “For the first time in two years, sales activity in October resembled normal levels. City-wide sales totaled 1,644 units, which is an increase of nearly 16 per cent over last year.”

This is fantastic information for all of us who have been carefully watching the market as it has navigated turbulent economic conditions. We have always believed in Calgary’s ability to fight hard times with strength and perseverance. As Calgary’s economic confidence has begun to recover, Calgarians are starting to make confident real estate moves that are positively influencing the market.

The detached sector saw major sales in October. Sales are what have been preventing the market from making…

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Top Questions From First-Time Buyers

Congratulations! You are ready to buy your first home. This is a huge step and we are so excited for you. Real estate is a great investment in your future. Think of it this way: instead of paying someone else every month and having that money disappear forever, you are now putting money towards something that will almost guarantee you money back one day. Not only this, but you can paint the walls, hang up things and make the place fully and truly yours.

Being a first time buyer on the market is incredibly exciting, but it can also be a little daunting. Our goal in today’s blog post is to answer some commonly asked questions first time buyers have in the hopes that you will learn something and gain a little peace of mind. Remember that here at Team Ken…

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September Statistics

Hello, October! The season of pumpkins and plaid is upon us. The weather is swiftly turning crispy here in YYC, but we are very happy to report that it looks as though the snow will hold off a little longer. In the meantime, we have some very important statistics to go over with you.

The word ‘statistics’ carries many negative connotations. People immediately think of the class they failed freshmen year or the report their boss is always hounding them for. However, statistics are important–especially if you are in the real estate market hoping to sell or buy a home. Staying informed is the best way to make a wise decision you will not regret come November.

Without further ado, here are the statistics from what happened in the real estate market in…

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Renegotiating Your Lease

Many leases on suites across the city end this month, prompting listings to rise for rental units. This is a great time for this to be happening because Calgary is currently in a buyer’s market. This means that buyers (or renters, in this case) can be more selective since there is a lot on the market but not a lot of demand.

In this buyer’s market, renters have the upper hand. If you are renting and your lease ends soon, it is time to take a look at your lease and evaluate if you are happy with it remaining unchanged for another length of time. For those of you unhappy with the current agreement, now is your time to negotiate.

The first thing to consider before attempting a negotiation is that even though the market favours renters right now, there…

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Home Staging: Entryway

When people are staging their homes one commonly overlooked area is the entryway. It is just for shoes and coats, right? Wrong! Your entryway sets the tone for the entire interior of your home. Do not let it go neglected. Here are some home staging tips to help you get your entryway ready for your next showing:

First things first, de-clutter. Entryways are a common place for old shoes, winter jackets, gym bags, sports equipment, pet toys and more to build up. Start your staging by going through everything in the entryway and deciding whether it is essential to have there or not. Create three piles of things: keep, pack, donate.

Invest in some organization tools. Purchase new coat hangers, a shoe rack, little crates for scarves and mittens, etc. Also…

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Places To Check Out in Bowness

Here at Team Ken Richter we love working in the City of Calgary. One community that is especially close to our heart is Bowness. Few neighborhoods have as much resilience, passion, history and community spirit as Bowness. We are so excited about what is going on in the community of Bowness, so for today’s blog we are going to share some of these things with you.

The Re-Opening of Marty’s Corner Store: Back in 2013 the Calgary flooding drowned Marty’s Corner store, which had been a Bowness staple for almost 70 years. The corner store “[offered] residents a community gathering place where children spent their allowance on sweets, parents purchased bread, milk and other groceries, and seniors gathered for morning coffee” (The Calgary Herald). Newly…

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The Psychology Of Smells

A quick drive through any neighbourhood reveals that there is lots on the market right now. If you are one of those people with a sign on your lawn hoping to sell your home, we are here to help you. Although it can be difficult to sell a home in this market, there are lots of little things you can do to give your property an advantage.

One of the things that is most neglected when people stage their homes and prepare to show it to potential buyers is how the home smells. People get so used to the smell of their homes that it never occurs to them to amp it up in preparation for the viewing. But, did you know there is a psychology to smells? That’s right: smells can trigger emotions, memories and leave a lasting impression.

Do you want your home to…

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