Real Estate Blog - Buying

Relocating Tips

Relocating is very exciting!

It means you get to start a new adventure in a new place. Did you know that on average people relocate once every five years? No matter what the circumstances are behind your relocation, we are here to help make the process go as smoothly as possible:

1). Make sure all of your closing and move-in documents are taken care of. This is why having a real estate professional on your side is such a big asset. We can walk you through exactly what you need and what to do as you say goodbye to your old home and welcome your new one. 

2). Have your affairs in order. This means making sure all your mail will get forwarded to your new property, that things like electricity, heat and internet are all set up, that any licences…

1315 Views, 0 Comments

Mortgage 101

Owning a home is no small feat. Why? Because they are a major financial investment. One of the main things to understand about owning a property is that you will likely start paying a mortgage.

So, what is a mortgage? A mortgage is the money you pay a creditor over time in exchange for them lending you all of that money upfront to pay for your property of choice. Essentially, it is a loan you take out to finance the purchase of a property. Depending on your unique situation, the creditor (typically a bank) will determine how much money they are comfortable lending you based on things like your job, credit score, assets, etc.. Finding out how much money the bank is willing to give you usually directly determines how much money you can spend on a…

942 Views, 0 Comments

Walk Score

"Walk Score" is a real estate term that gets thrown around a lot, but is rarely ever  defined. So what is this all-important walk score? A walk score is a score an address is given between 0 and 100 regarding how friendly the area is based on walkability. Variables that go into calculating this score are:

• Area safety & Crime Rates
• Nearby Transit & Bike Routes
• Proximity to essential services such as Grocery stores, pharmacies, schools and businesses
• Composition of  land (Hills, Forests, Plains, etc.)

A walk score is a fast way for potential buyers to see how, essentially, accessible their new home is based on location.

Having a high walk score is often exalted as a wonderful thing, but having a low walk score is not necessarily…

1086 Views, 0 Comments

How To Find Your Forever Home

Some homes are temporary landing pads. They may be a rental place while you save for your first deposit, a smaller property you use to build equity towards something larger one day, or something else. Whatever it is, it served you well, but now it's time to find that forever home people write stories about.

By forever home, we don't necessarily mean forever. We just mean a property that is going to be a long term home, where you will likely spend the majority of your years. This home will hold a significant place in your heart and memories, so make sure to choose carefully! The following are some tips on what to look for and keep in mind as you search for your forever home:

First, recognize that this isn't a situation you need to rush into. Take…

892 Views, 0 Comments

Finding The Right Retirement Home

Making the decision to find a retirement home can be difficult financially and emotionally. The reason? For most this means moving away from a home they have had for many years.

One local Calgarian described how difficult it was to make the decision to sell the home she had lived in with her late husband for over thirty years. They had made so many memories in that house, and poured their whole hearts into it. She noted that while leaving was hard, the transition gave her freedom to move into the next stage of life, onto the next adventure. Now she lives in a condo near her grandkids that has given her the financial and physical freedom to travel and spend more quality time with her family. She said the decision to find a retirement home was…

1108 Views, 0 Comments

Calgary In the Midst of a Hot Real Estate Market - Act Now!

Right now is a great time to enter the real estate market.

While many people did not believe we would be saying that anytime soon due to the ongoing shutdowns and restrictions that came from coronavirus, we are pleased to report that Calgary’s current real estate market is hot! Whether you are looking to buy or sell, now is a great time to spring into action.

We are currently in a Seller’s market. If you’ve been considering putting your home on the market, now is a great time to do so. The Calgary Board of Real Estate reports, “Conditions are [strongest] in the detached sector of the market, especially for product priced below $600,000, where strong sellers’ market conditions are present with less than two months of supply.” List your property…

572 Views, 0 Comments

The Importance of a Home Inspection

Buying a home is an incredibly exciting process, especially once you have found a home you like! Many buyers are overwhelmed with excitement as they walk through a home that feels like the perfect fit: the neighbourhood is great, it's close to work and schools, the home itself has everything on their 'needs' list and even a handful of things on their 'wants' list. It's sparkling with that staged home look and they're already imagining where their belongings will find a new sweet spot. An offer is made and accepted, and the home officially is set to (hopefully) go to the new owners after the specified time. They find a home inspector just to make sure everything looks okay under the hood, and...

Mold. Cracks in the foundation. Pipes that need…

437 Views, 0 Comments

Explore Ken Richter's Website

Welcome to the big, beautiful world of real estate! We are so excited to have you here. What a way to kick off 2021!

If you are looking to buy a home, you have come to the right spot. With thirty plus years of experience helping people buy and sell homes all across the city, Ken Richter is the perfect person to make your home-sweet-home dreams come true. We would love to sit down (virtually, of course) with you and begin the conversation on what you are looking for and how Team Ken Richter can help you get there. Contact Ken directly at 403-630-6363 to set that up.

In the meantime, take a moment to explore our website. It's not just here to look pretty: it's here to be an invaluable resource. Here is a brief breakdown of all the exciting content…

637 Views, 0 Comments

To Rent or To Buy

People are faced with two options when it comes to home sweet home: buying or renting. For some the choice is easy: they can either afford to purchase a property or they can’t so they choose to rent instead. However, in some cases people are on the cusp of either signing a new long-term lease or making a down payment on a home and beginning to pay a mortgage. What are the pros and cons to each decision? Read on so you can make an informed decision about something that will have a massive impact on your future (no pressure)!

Pros to Buying Your Own Property:

• You get to start building up good credit by making monthly mortgage payments.

• You are investing in something long-term that one day you can sell to get your money back (plus…

842 Views, 0 Comments

Buy Yourself The Gift of a Home

During the holiday season many people choose to express their gratitude and love for others with gifts. It’s a tangible way to show thoughtfulness and care, and is a long-standing tradition of many religious and nonreligious homes during this season.

Well it may be pious to say you get more pleasure from giving than receiving, it is fun to receive a gift picked out especially for you. Some people even buy themselves a Christmas gift, a little treat in celebration of the end of the year. At Christmas, items such as perfume, books, toys, tech and more are popular gifts for under the tree.

Another popular Christmas gift? A house! Arguably the most extravagant and expensive Christmas gift one can receive, a house is a great option. This long term…

645 Views, 0 Comments