Real Estate Tips & Advice 
Dave Greenwood offers tips and advise on the ever-changing Calgary Real Estate market.
There are currently 25 blog entries related to this category.
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…
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…
“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…
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…
Locking in never looked better
Monday, January 16th, 2012 at 5:55pm. 93 Views, 0 Comments.
Long-term mortgage rates have dropped to the lowest point in Canadian history — and the stampede to lock in is expected to pick up.
Bank of Montreal became the first major Canadian financial institution to bust through 3%, with its 2.99% closed fixed rate mortgage for five years. Others are sure to follow.
If five years isn’t long enough for you, ING Direct has weighed into the current mortgage discussion with a 10-year fixed rate product at 3.89%. The added bonus of going longer than five years is that under Canadian law after half a decade you can break your mortgage for as little as three months’ interest.
TD Canada Trust, which had already lowered rates on six and seven-year fixed rate terms, now has lowered the four-year fixed rate to…
Open House 2609 25a Street SW - Saturday December 17 from 1:00 to 4:00pm
Thursday, December 15th, 2011 at 10:50am. 124 Views, 0 Comments.
Stop by to visit this Great New Listing in Killarney! If you cannot make it to the open house, please feel free to view the Virtual Tour on my Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/cgreenda?feature=mhee#p/f/0/F-WdBxnRneg
Calgary apartment vacancy rate on the decline
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 at 3:42pm. 168 Views, 0 Comments.
Canada Mortgage and Housing reports Calgary's vacancy rate slipped below the 2 per cent mark in October, down almost two full percentage points from the same period a year ago.
A strong economy attracting job seekers is getting most of the credit.
The Executive Director of the Calgary Residential Rental Association tells 660News, landlords have been closely following the drop.
Gerry Baxter says despite the decline in rental units, rents are not expected to rise any time soon.
Baxter says landlords will let market forces dictate rents moving forward, predicting only minor increases to cover higher operating costs.
He says over the course of the year there is a 40 per cent turnover in renters in the city.
OPEN HOUSE Saturday, December 10, 12-3 PM @ 2609 - 25A ST SW
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 at 12:15pm. 104 Views, 0 Comments.
Stop by to visit this Great New Listing in Killarney! If you cannot make it to the open house, please feel free to view the Virtual Tour on my Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/cgreenda?feature=mhee#p/f/0/F-WdBxnRneg