Buying | Page #7

Buying

Welcome to the world of investment properties!

An investment property can be a property you use yourself (such as a vacation home), a property you lease to others (such as renters or a business), or a property that you fix up and flip for an immediate return. Whatever you plan on using your investment property for, consider the following:

  • Purchasing an investment property is a major decision, so don't rush it! Take the time to think critically about if an investment property is right for you, what kind of investment property is right for you, and, when you find a property, if it is the best investment property for you. There is absolutely no need to rush! Take your time so that you can be 100% (or at least 99%) confident in your end decision.…

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For most people, their first home is a rental property.

A rental property is a great way to learn how to live on your own without the responsibility of property taxes or major repairs. It is ideal for people unsure of where they want to settle by allowing you to test out a community, and for people whose lives may require they move frequently. Rental properties are also a way for people to get into housing if they don't have the financial means to qualify for a mortgage and buy a home. 

Rental properties also come with some downsides. It can be hard to fully feel 'at home' when you are living under someone else's roof, potentially with other individuals. You also do not have the creative freedom to paint, complete renovations, or put nails in…

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Trying to decide if the suburbs or an inner-city community is right for you? There's lots to consider. 

Here are some of the Pros of living in the Suburbs:

  • New homes
  • Communities planned out to serve the modern world
  • Quiet / Removed from the stress of the city
  • Typically populated by younger families

Here are some of the Cons of living in the Suburbs:

  • Cookie Cutter homes can lack uniqueness
  • Communities in development lack established amenities
  • Far from City services such as workplaces and schools
  • More isolated community feeling

Here are some of the Pros of living in the Inner-City:

  • Historic and unique homes
  • Larger property lots with bigger resale value
  • Close to all city amenities / well…

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Attending an Open House is such a fun part of the buying experience. We've all seen homes and wondered what they look like on the inside. This is your chance to do just that! Open House's are the absolute best way to find out if a home is for you. Virtual tours and pictures can give you an introduction to the home, but there's nothing quite like walking the halls and experiencing it firsthand. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to get a feel for the neighbourhood. 

At an Open House you are in the power seat. After all, the seller wants to woo you so that you submit a good offer! However, you still need to be respectful of the space and the fact that you are entering a stranger's home. There is a certain set of etiquette one should follow during an…

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We're coming to the close of the busy summer Calgary real estate season, but this year is a little different than normal. With COVID-19, many people have waited longer than they normally would to enter the market, whether as a buyer, seller or investor. This means that there are still homes coming on the market, particularly as quarantine rules continue to lift, allowing life to slowly move towards a new normal. So, if you're only just ready to take the first step, this is a great time to do so!

When it comes to preparing to buy a home, there are many things to consider. Here are three of the most important, in no particular order, in our opinion:

  1.  Make sure you know what you need. What kind of home? How big of a home? Where does the property…

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Coronavirus has completed changed the way our lives look. Words we used to only hear in disaster movies--ones such as herd immunity, social distancing, pandemic, isolation, etc.--have become a regular addition to our vernacular. Suddenly simple things like going to the grocery store or planning for school in the fall takes extra steps to thoughtfully plan through. COVID-19 has touched every aspect of our lives, including real estate.

When the world seemed to shut down back in March, real estate in Calgary, Alberta took a major hit. It was as if everyone held their collective breath, stopped in their tracks. Homes weren't selling and buyer's weren't buying. Plans to enter the real estate sector as a buyer, seller or investor were stopped short with…

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The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines downsizing as "undergoing a reduction in size." Downsizing is sometimes used as a negative--a company may let go employees when forced to downsize due to a bad bottom line--but sometimes used as a positive--like when we clear out the clutter in our life. There are also positives and negatives when it comes to downsizing our home.

Buying a smaller home can be as liberating as it is hard work. However, if it is what is best for you and your family, it is worth it. If you are contemplating downsizing to a smaller home, make sure you think through the following carefully.

Positives to Downsizing:

  • Home maintenance ease (both indoors and outdoors).
  • Fewer Home Expenses
  • Investment Diversification &…

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Congratulations! You have made the best decision you will make in this lifetime: deciding to move to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We may be a little biased as lifelong residents, but data is not biased, and data consistently ranks Calgary as one of the most livable cities in the World. In 2019 it was awarded the 5th most livable city in the world! We are so proud of our home-sweet-home. 

Calgary has so much to offer that we could never fit it all into one list--but we tried. You can view it here. Here is a short summary:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada is perfectly nestled into the foothills, with prairies to the east and the Rocky Mountains to the west... Calgary is made up of 15 municipalities and has a metro population of 1.2 million people...…

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The Tiny House movement has swept across Canada with more and more people, of all ages, turning to tiny living as a more affordable, sustainable housing option. There are many pros and cons to owning a tiny home, so Apartment Therapy spoke with a number of experts on the functionality, longevity and psychology behind them. Here are some of the highlights from their research:

  • "Tiny houses represent affordable luxury. One of today’s status symbols is the ability to have something special and unique, and not cookie-cutter like everyone else. Tiny houses fit snugly into this trend. They have a wow factor that even a McMansion can’t provide.” - Daniel Levine, Director of the Avant-Guide Institute and trends expert.
  • "The idea of living with only…

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The end of the year is quickly approaching with December just around the corner. While the real estate market is most active during the summer, now is the time you should really be buying.

There are a lot of advantages to purchasing a home before the new year, specifically if that home is new. Whether it is a new home in a developing community or an infill home, closing the deal by December 31st is a great way to leverage your home buying experience to work in your favour.

Buying a new home is a very attractive option for many individuals. There are so many bonuses to buying new, such as the following:

  • When you buy brand new you are able to work with the property’s building designer to pick wall colours, specific design ideas and all other…

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