Real Estate Blog - Real Estate

Now is a Great Time To Buy!

If you are looking at entering the real estate market now is a great time to do it.

Right now the Calgary real estate market is perfectly poised for buyers. Interest rates are incredibly low. This means that paying off your property will be faster and cheaper. Inventory levels have dropped and prices have stabilized, giving you more property options, less competition and better prices. Given how up and down the market has been for the last two years as it has been in recovery mode, now is a great time to get locked in during ideal conditions.

Real estate has always been a great investment. Although at times the market has taken a hit, if you are willing to put in the time and the effort you can turn a great profit. This can be done with your…

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2017 CREB Forecast

2017 is going to be all about working towards market stability, something that has been shaky for the last two years. However, market stability will not reach all sectors of the housing market. CREB notes, “both detached and attached prices remain unchanged over 2016 levels, while apartment is forecasted to contract by another two per cent.” The stabilization of the housing market is going to be slow.

CREB chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie writes, “The transition in the housing market will be a slow process. We are entering the year with high unemployment rates and the possibility that job growth will not occur until the latter portion of 2017. These conditions will continue to weigh on housing demand, but supply is adjusting to weaker sales activity,…

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Calgary Home Renovation Show

The Calgary Renovation Show is hitting the BMO Centre this weekend from January 13th – January 15th. cNot sure what this show is? You make know it was the Calgary Home + Garden Show, because it was recently re-branded. Although the name may be different this year, the quality of the show will remain and–in many cases–exceed previous years.

There are going to be over 200 vendors at the show to share their ideas and innovations with you. Whether you are looking for some inspiration for your next home renovation or are wanting to find a contractor to work with, this show promises to shower you with new ideas, innovations and contacts.

Just like in previous years, there will be keynote speakers on the MainStage. Here is the lineup for this year:

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December 2016 Statistics

At the start of each new month we summarize the key points from the Calgary Real Estate Board’s (CREB) report on what happened in Calgary real estate the previous month.

Many people do not like reading about statistics. The numbers seem confusing and convoluted, sometimes manipulated to produce a specific result. They leave many people feeling frustrated and even more uneducated than they were to begin with. However, when it comes to CREB’s report, we guarantee credible, clear, helpful information.  CREB is a fantastic resource for buyers, sellers, investors, agents, etc.. If you are looking for information on the real estate market, they should be your #1 resource.

There is an important reason why we consistently relay the CREB report to you:…

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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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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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August 2016 Statstics

Every month the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) publishes a monthly housing summary. These summaries go over what happened in the real estate market, how trends shifted, what to expect moving forward, benchmark prices, information behind changes in the market, etc.. This is a fantastic resource that we highly recommend! The most successful kind of buyers and sellers are the kind of buyers and sellers that are informed.

Most recently CREB® divided their report into two parts: the Calgary statistics and the Calgary region statistics. In our monthly summaries of the CREB® report, we focus specifically on the Calgary statistics. However, if you are interested in knowing about Calgary and its neighbouring areas, check out the full Calgary region…

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