Real Estate Blog - Calgary Realtor

Home Safety During The Christmas Holidays

Have you begun watching Christmas movies? Classics such as Griswold Family Christmas, The Santa Clause, and Elf are staples in many homes and the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit. Another classic? Home Alone.

If you're not familiar with the plot of Home Alone, it goes as follows: a young boy is accidentally left at home when his family flies to Paris for Christmas vacation. He swiftly learns that one part of being a home owner is protecting your property. It brings up the age old question: how can you keep your home safe during the holidays?

First and foremost, recognize that the holidays always bring with them a rise in home crime. Homes are filled with more valuables than ever thanks to wrapped gifts, and people are typically more…

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December 2023 Calgary Events Things To Do

December is arguably the busiest month of the year for many. There are so many events and holidays happening. While your calendar is likely already starting to fill up, check out some of these fun events happening around the city of Calgary:

December 1-30 Storybook Theatre Presents Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
December 1-17 Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
December 1- January 7 Zoolights
December 1 - January 20 Broadway Across Canada Presents: Mean Girls the Musical
December 2 Montgomery Festive Artisan Market
December 3 First Day of Advent
December 5-7 Calgary Philharmonic Presents: Traditional  Christmas
December 6 BCA Planning & Development Committee Meeting
December 8 First Day of Hanukkah
December 9 Bowness Holiday Dinner
December 9 Troupe Vertigo:…

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Winter Property Care

Its been a very warm fall-to-winter transition here in Calgary, Alberta, but we all know that won't last forever...

The colder months bring unique challenges that require homeowners to take proactive steps to protect their homes from the harsh weather conditions. Here are essential tips for maintaining a safe and well-cared-for property during the winter season.

1. Inspect and Maintain Heating Systems: Before winter sets in with full force, have your heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, and chimneys, professionally inspected and serviced. Also make sure to clean or replace air filters regularly to ensure optimal performance.
2. Protect Pipes from Freezing: Prevent pipes from freezing by insulating them. Shut off exterior faucets and…

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Prioritizing Mental Health During The Holidays

The holiday season, typically associated with joy and celebration, can also bring about heightened stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges for many individuals. Balancing various commitments, family dynamics, and societal expectations can take a toll on mental health during this time. Prioritizing mental well-being amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays is essential for a healthier, more fulfilling season. You don't want to spend the upcoming holiday season sick or stressed.

Here are some ways to keep your mental health in good shape during the holidays:

1. Be Gracious on Yourself: Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that it's okay to feel overwhelmed or stressed during the holidays. Set realistic expectations and don't pressure yourself to…

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The Impact of Remote Work on Housing Trends

The surge in remote work has revolutionized not just our professional lives but also our housing preferences and choices. As more companies adopt flexible work arrangements, the concept of the traditional office job tied to a specific location for you to live at is fading. This shift in work culture impacts the housing market significantly. Here are some of the ripple effects:

1. A Need for Home Office Spaces: With remote work becoming the norm for many, the demand for dedicated home office spaces has skyrocketed. Buyers and renters seek properties with designated areas suitable for work—a quiet space conducive to productivity, whether it's a separate room, nook, or converted space.
2. A move back to the suburbs and rural properties: The allure of…

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Creating Quality Compost

Gardening season is upon us, and the secret to a great garden is great soil. What makes soil great? Compost!

Thanks to the City of Calgary, every home has a Green Compost Bin. You can regularly put compost waste in it for collection, or you can keep it inside your yard and do your own thing. If you choose to make your own compost, here is what you need to do:

Add Base: Food scraps are the base for your compost. You can basically compost any kind of food, except for meat & dairy products. This is because meat and dairy will attract rodents and maggots, but also compromises the nutrient balance of the compost. Have a mini compost container in your kitchen for easy access, then regularly dump it into your compost bin outside and clean it to reduce…

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New Year's Eve Fun Facts

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! We hope you enjoy a fun, safe evening ringing in 2022! Just like last year, I think everyone is more than ready to begin a new year. Hopefully this one brings us a step closer to some normality after a tumultuous two years. 

Here are some fun facts about New Year's Eve to get you pumped up for tonight:

• The very first New Year's Eve was celebrated 4,000 years by the ancient Babylonians.
• Celebrating with friends and family is a tradition because legend has it the first people you see will either give you good or bad luck; make sure you look at someone who likes you!
• The first ball drop in Times Square New York was in 1907. They used the ball, covered in 25 watt bulbs, because of a fireworks ban. Now the…

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How to Rent Right

Are you looking to rent? We have some tips for you!

1). Make a list of non-negotiables and stick to it. Decide before hand what you are willing to spend each month on rent and utilities in order to narrow down your search, only look at places that are pet friendly if that is something you need, if you do not like basement suites, add that to your list, etc! Be flexible, but stick to what you absolutely will not negotiate on and don’t waste your time searching for places that do not fit that criteria.

2). Location is the most important part of whatever space it is you decide to rent. For most people, location is the make-or-break feature of any potential space. Narrow your search into looking only for places by a bus stop, near your place of work…

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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…

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How to Sell Your Pet Friendly Home

There are many exciting things you can do when you own a home, such as diversifying your investment portfolio and doing whatever home renovations you want. Another huge bonus? Getting to bring home a pet.

Often when renting, pets are not allowed at all, the kind of pets allowed are limited, or renters are charged extra fees per pet on the property. All of these options aren't ideal for anyone who loves having a furry friend around. This is why owning a property, where you get to make the rules, is so exciting! When you own your home, you can have as many pets as your heart desires. 

Scientific studies have proven time and time again that people with pets live longer and are generally happier. Whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, fish, or…

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