How to Determine Whether We're in a Real Estate Bubble



There are many great Calgary area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a list of Featured Properties so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (403) 660-6200 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

This summer a lot of people have asked us if we are in a real estate bubble. To answer that question, it's important to understand two of the main criteria involved in creating such a bubble.
  1. Significant increases in interest rates have a destabilizing effect on the market. Governments are typically cautious about raising them because they can have a substantial impact on manufacturing and job creation. Right now, both internationally and here in Canada,we are still seeing pretty favorable rates.
  2. A significant increase in unemployment is another sign that the market may be on shaky ground. Here in Alberta we are seeing significant job growth - in May we accounted for 90% of all new jobs created in Canada. 
Because interest rates are low throughout Alberta and the nation as a whole, and we are seeing job creation throughout the province, we can say with confidence that we are not experiencing another real estate bubble and that we don't expect to see the above criteria met any time soon. But, of course,real estate is hyper-local - some areas have higher turnovers than others, so you need to look at specific neighborhoods to get a good idea of whats going on. Give us a call or shoot us an email with all of your questions and concerns, we would love to be your real estate resource.

Know What to Look for in a Home Insurance Plan



There are many great Calgary area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a list of Featured Properties so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (403) 660-6200 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Insurance made Easy

 

Today I would like to spell out the differences between insurance for a residential home and for a condominium. I'll also be speaking about the changes that are occurring with insurance here in Calgary.

There are two aspects to condominium insurance. One is the building insurance, where the condominium corporation is responsible for the structure. The other is individual insurance for each unit in the condominium, which the individuals living their have to pay.

With premiums increasing by 15-20% you need to know what is being covered in your building insurance and have someone on your team that is acutely aware of what needs to be covered with your condo insurance.

Now, with residential home insurance you might expect some increases on your premium because of the natural disasters that have occurred here in Calgary recently. What has also happened is that companies have actually eliminated certain kinds of coverage, so when you need to make a claim and aren't covered, it can be a major burden.

If you would like to discuss insurance for condominiums or for your residential home in Calgary, please don't hesitate to contact me.

How to Get the Maximum Sale Price for Your Calgary Home



Looking to buy or sell a home in Calgary, Alberta? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (403) 660-6200 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions. 

How to Get the Maximum Sale Price for Your Calgary Home

 

A lot of my clients here in Calgary are asking me how to sell their homes in our current market. I have three different strategies that you can use to get top dollar on your property.
  1. Prepare your home: You will need to stage and declutter your home. Consider how your property will appear to online buyers as well as how it will look in real-life showings. You may want to hire a professional cleaning service and/or a professional stager. Also, be sure not to forget about the exterior of your property because curb appeal is important.
  2. Working with a Professional: You need a real estate agent that has intimate knowledge of the Calgary market and knows how to recognize competition to your home. A real estate professional will allow your home to be marketed to the largest amount of people and will help you to sell at the highest price possible.
  3. Negotiate: A professional real estate agent knows how to communicate and negotiate with a buyer in order to get you the best terms and also the best sale price. I have years of experience in negotiating real estate deals and am confident that I can land you the best deal possible.
Statistically, inventory is down by 17% in Calgary and unit sales are up by 10% year over year. When you hire me to sell your home, I will sit down with you and go over what is happening in your local neighborhood. This will help to position your home to sell for top dollar.

Please contact me with any questions you may have about this information or about the Calgary real estate market in general.