Real Estate Blog 
Would you sell your home to lock in profits before real estate prices drop?
Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 4:45pm. 32 Views, 0 Comments.
OTTAWA — For most Canadians their home is the biggest investment they’ll ever make — but they might be surprised to learn you can use if for more than just sleeping.
People generally don’t think of their homes as a potential pile of cash in the bank, but experts say it’s something worth pondering now that home prices in Canada may have hit their peak.
In fact, analysts say if finance is the only consideration, conditions now and into next year or so form a seldom seen sweet spot for using home equity as a type of asset for investment.
Why might it be a good time to sell?
At about $370,000 average nationally — and just under $800,000 in Vancouver — home prices are already at record levels. Many observers believe prices are long…
The Cab Ride I’ll Never Forget
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at 11:12am. 93 Views, 0 Comments.
I wanted to share this beautiful story by Kent Nerburn with you:
“Great moments often catch us unawares….”
There was a time in my life twenty years ago when I was driving a cab for a living.
It was a cowboy’s life, a gambler’s life, a life for someone who wanted no boss, constant movement and the thrill of a dice roll every time a new passenger got into the cab.
What I didn’t count on when I took the job was that it was also a ministry.
Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a rolling confessional. Passengers would climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity and tell me of their lives.
We were like strangers on a train, the passengers and I, hurtling through the night, revealing intimacies we would never have dreamed…
Calgary's northern limits target of retail growth
Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 2:31pm. 69 Views, 0 Comments.
The amount of real estate development within Calgary and just north of the city limits is quite amazing - particularly in the area east of CrossIron Mills shopping centre.
The shopping centre has done well since it opened in 2009, now boasting 200 stores made much more accessible since the opening of Stoney Trail.
Since then, more shopping opportunities are available at Costco and Lowe's to the north of the original centre up to the intersection of the north/ south major corridor and Highway 566 at Balzac.
I hear that the adjacent lands planned as a thoroughbred racetrack and entertainment centre may still be developed with a less-grand vision, but still to include a hotel and casino.
Immediately to the east along 566 is the new Coptic Church…
AMA Shredding Events
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 10:17pm. 71 Views, 0 Comments.
Pile up all those bills, personal documents and paperwork for this event. Best of all, it's FREE!!!
All dates, venues and locations for Spring 2012 have been finalized.
Events may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, which includes: extreme cold, wind gusts, rain, snow, and extreme heat. Please check the AMA website 24 hours before an event to confirm it will occur.
| Saturday, April 28 | Southcentre Mall 100 Anderson Rd. SE (NE Safeway parking lot, by Recycling Depot) |
10am- 3pm |
Calgary Police Service RCMP Shred-It Southcentre Mall |
http://www.ama.ab.ca/community-and-ama/ama-shredding-events
Realty Report Online April 2012 Issue
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 at 12:11pm. 61 Views, 0 Comments.
Articles:
Calgary Sales Looking Up!
An analysis of residential activity in Calgary showed a 12.6 percent increase in sales when comparing March 2011 to March 2012, and an overall increase of 7.3 percent in sales over the first quarter of 2012.
Keep an Eye on your Equity
As a homeowner, you expect, as you continue to pay your mortgage every month, that you are building value in your home. Is it possible to lose equity in a property?
“Grandma, is that you?”: CBA provides advice on how to avoid the grandparent scam
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 at 12:07pm. 29 Views, 0 Comments.
Grandparents love to receive calls from their grandchildren, but if you hear the words “Grandma, is that you?” at the other end of the line, beware; it may be a scam.
March is Fraud Prevention Month and the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) is helping Canadians educate and protect themselves against fraud and scams as a member of the Fraud Prevention Forum by working with banks and law enforcement across the country.
Criminals have set their sights on seniors with grandchildren, using a particularly malicious trick known as the “grandparent scam”. A senior will receive a phone call from someone who starts the conversation with, “Grandma? Do you know who this is?” The victim, thinking it’s one of their grandchildren, will respond…
ATB Weekly Economic Bulletin: 13-APRIL-2012
Friday, April 13th, 2012 at 1:03pm. 66 Views, 0 Comments.
Assessing the Renovation Project
Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 at 11:22am. 106 Views, 0 Comments.
Over the years, we’ve developed a good understanding of how buildings perform. Construction techniques for new homes have changed rapidly. Most of these improved techniques also apply to renovations.
If you plan carefully, you can renovate your home to make it look better, work better, last longer and be more comfortable. Before renovating, it’s important to assess the condition of your home to determine if there are any significant underlying problems that must be addressed before or during your planned renovation project.
Figure 1: Problems that should be addressed
Common Situations
In Canada, we need affordable houses to provide shelter from the elements. We also want our homes to be pleasant, comfortable and…
Stress Busters
Monday, March 12th, 2012 at 11:48am. 107 Views, 0 Comments.
Stress is like dark chocolate. A little of it won’t kill you. In fact, small blocks here and there can be good for you. But chronic and severe stress can damage your body and mind, blocking the fluid communication to and from most organs–especially in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and in the limbic system, the brain’s emotional center. You want these two systems running as smoothly as possible, with low levels of the delinquent stress hormones in your bloodstream.
This is why I always keep some stress busters handy. Here are nine of my favorites.
1. Simplify.
Cut your to-do list in half. Ask yourself this question after every item: Will I die tomorrow if this doesn’t get accomplished? Every morning I immediately jot down my…
Wisest new-home upgrade investments
Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 11:07am. 145 Views, 0 Comments.
New-home shoppers, take note: When navigating the wide world of upgrades, it's best to put your money where you can walk all over it.
Carpet, tile, wood, whatever - slather your upgrade budget all over the floor.
If you've purchased a new home, that big trip to the design center is exciting but can leave you wondering where to start. Cabinets and appliances? Landscaping and a swimming pool? One of those gorgeous vessel sinks?
New-home sales are down in this real-estate market, but they are happening. We polled builders and real-estate agents to find out which upgrades are most wanted and wisest for starter homes and luxury new builds alike.
First up: floors, and here's why:
"Flooring is something you never want to do again," says Chad…