I stumbled upon a very cool article recently on the Calgary Sun's website. CREB [Calgary Real Estate Board] collected sales details from 2000 to last year and came up with a top 10, and a not so top 5, list of communities with the most appreciation over this time span. Check out the list below! Goes to show long term Real Estate investment is always a solid option, especially if you were lucky to get into one of these areas pre price boom...

Communities cashing in: Top 10 Calgary neighbourhoods for increasing housing sales price between 2000 and 2012.

1 // Briar Hill

• Average selling price in 2000: $252,744

• Average selling price in 2012: $910,780

An increase of 260.36%

2 // Elbow Park/Glencoe

• Average selling price in 2000:…

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Foreclosure, typically a word that makes real estate investors salivate. But wait a second, are they always a smokin’ hot deal like most assume? Yes and no, so let’s look into a couple scenarios. I have represented buyers in both bank owned sales and also Court of Queen’s Bench sales, is there a difference? Definitely.

In regards to bank owned sales you can sometimes have conditions, allowing you the buyer, time to check out things you would naturally do in regular transaction [approval of financing, home inspection, document review, etc]. You’re also allowed to propose an ideal possession/move-in date, which undoubtedly helps with timing, plans to move, current leases, etc. There usually is a schedule or two which needs to be initialed and…

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Pssst, so with spring cleaning season right around the corner, do want to know the big secret on how to get your home not only noticed, but sold quickly?

Are you sitting down? This could blow your mind for how…simple it is. Yet I witness so many sellers bypass, avoid or evade it for some reason...I'm here to say make it a priority. My top three ways to effectively and most importantly, inexpensively prepare your home for the active market are:

a ] clean

b ] organize

c ] de-clutter

Yup, it’s essentially that effortless. Well albeit these are a few tasks that some people despise or “can never seem to find the time for”, they are definitely the most important in showcasing Real Estate. Have you ever heard of the power of a first…

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A question I frequently get from buyers, friends, investors is “should I buy a one or two bedroom condo?”

My answer generally is, if you can afford a two bedroom, go for it! But try not to sacrifice location on doing so. Your location plays a big factor into value, salability and future rental income potential. There will be times where a one bedroom unit will rent or sell better than a two bedroom unit in a different location. All long term factors should be considered. [how long you plan to stay there, whether you plan on using the unit as a rental, etc]

A two bedroom condo will definitely give you more options. If you want a spare room for guests/family, like to have a home office, require extra storage, or want to rent out the room as a…

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A lot of people ask about color schemes, how we come up with them and the reason behind the choices. Coming from a resale real estate background, I think the word most synonymous with color success is neutral. Soft toned, neutral palettes typically tend to sell better and are usually more appealing to the eye. We’ve all been told not to go off the deep end when painting, choosing flooring, tile, countertops, etc., which is completely accurate when worrying about the cosmetics for resale down the road. But what if we’re thinking long term, like a “I want this house to feel like me, with my style and my touch” scenario? Is it ok to go a little bold and courageous? Yes and no. I know a lot of individuals that are over dramatic or bright with their…

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Now we all should know the standard items to look into from viewing my “Condo Purchase Checklist”, but here are 5 things you may overlook or easily forget when viewing...

STORAGE // Does the suite come with a locker? Is the locker titled or assigned? If so, make sure you measure the locker as you want it to be essential for seasonal items – ie. bike, skis, snow board, hockey gear, baseball equipment, Christmas tree – the list can go on and on especially in a city like Calgary because of the accessibility of amenities. Is there a storage space in the unit for linens and such? Storage becomes a big issue once you move in so make sure there is enough for you to feel comfortable, or else you will have to set aside a weekend of purging!

CONSTRUCTION // Is…

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MY TOP TEN TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR CALGARY CONDO  

In no particular order, as some might be more or equally important to you situation:

DE-CLUTTER // First and foremost. Creating the illusion of more space is a magical thing. An impression of a cluttered, messy space is certainly not. An open, inviting space is will be more accepted than a messy, bogged down one. Put "stuff" away. This includes everything from remote controls, to laundry, to dishes, to movies/video games. Also, some people think they can just toss everything into their closets as a quick fix. Nope! If it seems like your closets are jam packed and ready to explode, the potential buyer will come up with an image of their belongings not fitting either. The main word would be purge. If you…

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The Big Kahuna, The Bible of Condo Buying, The list you should get to know before purchasing a condo in Calgary, or anywhere else for that matter.

The process of purchasing a condominium is quite different than purchasing a single family home. There are many things to consider with your Calgary condo purchase and I will try and outline most of the more important ones below in no particular order:

CONDO DOCUMENTS  // You should have your condo document binder/package reviewed by a condominium document review specialist. Their thorough review will give you a full outline of what is going on currently and possibly what to look for in the future.

CURB APPEAL  // Are you comfortable with the appearance of the building, both inside and out? You will not…

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Other than paint, flooring may be the easiest way to make the most dramatic improvement to your home! With our redesign projects, we prefer to use real hardwood floors/bamboo or engineered wood floors, but you can use whatever material you prefer and/or fits your budget. Many people are overwhelmed by the thought of and process of tearing out an existing flooring material and installing a new one, however if you use a professional installer and learn what to expect, it can be quite painless. First things first, examine what existing flooring you have , what thickness it is and what you will be able to install. If you’re going to use hardwood, you will want to decide on whether you’re going to go with a nail-down, glue-down, or floating floor system.…

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Well, after years of success and sales in the Calgary market, I've decided to amp things up a bit! I've partnered with the leading Real Estate website company in North America to hammer out a new, improved and fully functional website based around condo listings, sales, featured buildings, and buying + selling tips. As the condo specialist and boasting years of knowledge and experience, I will strive to be the resource to help you the client/consumer with anything that arises during your venture in Real Estate. I will promise to keep this blog fresh, interesting, meaty, opinionated, knowledgeable and hey, maybe even a little controversial. The truth is what clients expect and respect, even though sometimes it is not the best thing they want to hear.…

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