84 Silver Springs Dr NW

Updated throughout and ready to be moved into. Cook away in your new gorgeous kitchen with new cabinets, granite counters and stainless steel appliances, including a gas stove. Large, open living room features a retro brick fireplace and a large picture window to the front yard. Both upper bathrooms are renovated too; enjoy a heated floor every morning! fully developed downstairs including a large rec room as well as a giant 4th bedroom or craft room/den, plus ample storage. The back yard is huge, with a new fence and a new massive deck. The RV pad is well situated for easy parking by utilizing the “T” shape of the alley out back. This home also boats a newer roof and newer windows and doors throughout. This is the best deal in the area. Close to schools, the birthplace forest, golf, shopping, and dining. Quick access to the C-Train.

To view more photos, floor plan and full listing details visit my web page.

195 Reunion Cl NW

McKee built home located on a corner lot. Over 2600 sqft of space with tasteful upgrades and 4 bedrooms up. The open layout offers 9’ ceilings, upgraded hardwood and tile on the main floor, a large kitchen; upgraded cabinets, under mount lighting, granite counters; glass tile backsplash and upgraded appliances including a convection oven. The living room is large with vaulted ceilings and a cozy fireplace with thermostat and remote control. French back doors to a large South facing deck with steps down to a great yard including a patio and gardens. Upstairs you will find a master bedroom with a walk-in closet and ensuite bath with heated tile floor and Jacuzzi tub. Also upstairs is a loft/office and 2nd bathroom. There’s also a newly-finished basement with lots of space to enjoy and play, yet still there’s plenty of storage, and the upstairs also has brand-new carpet to match. Solid oak doors throughout. Other upgrades include A/C to keep you cool on hot days, and a heated and insulated oversized garage.

To view more photos, full listing details, floor plan and virtual tour, visit my web page.

Family Day in Alberta is just around the corner, February 15, and so it might not be a bad idea to start thinking of things to do with the brood over that three day rest. There’s always tonnes of local activities around Calgary that are inexpensive and loaded up on fun. Here are a few suggestions:

Heritage Park’s Family Quest

All weekend, Heritage Park is hosting what they call ‘family friendly motorcycle inspired fun and entertainment’ in their Gasoline Alley.

Eau Claire Market Family Fun Day

Eau Claire Market is hosting all manner of free activities including face painting and temporary tattoos, live music, ice carving, and crafts! Even the hot chocolate is free!

U of C Oval Family Day Skate

On Monday the 15th, from noon till 5:00 families can skate for free at the U of C Olympic Oval. Bring a helmet for each family member and a few bucks for the Tim Horton’s truck that’ll be parked outside.

Other Free Skating

Around the city, a number of rinks are offering free skating on Monday afternoon.

Public Swimming

The city-operated pools are offering free swimming on Monday afternoon – great exercise for the whole family!

Catch a movie

Kung Fu Panda 3 came out recently, and it’s getting stellar ratings from critics, so kids and adults alike should enjoy a couple of hours with Jack Black’s cuddly martial artist. And Saturday morning you can catch Hotel Transylvania 2 for just $2.99 as part of their Family Favourites series.

Those are just a few suggestions of activities to take in on Family Day. If you just feel like staying in, how about some board games, followed by ‘make your own pizza’ for dinner in front of the TV? Whatever you decide, enjoy the company of those you love. I know I will.

And if that time inside starts to make you think about moving to a new house, contact me – I’d love to help.

If you were to call me up and tell me you were thinking of selling this year, among the first things I would tell you to do would be consider if you have room in your budget to renovate. I’m not talking about tearing out walls for a complete redesign; rather, think about simple upgrades that can be done on a short schedule that can increase your property’s stature in this suddenly competitive market. We have, for the first time in a long time, an abundance of well-priced homes in desirable neighbourhoods, and that means, as a seller, you should be looking for cost-effective ways to give yourself an edge.

Calgary’s slower economy means there are plenty of tradespeople who either are less busy than usual, or are just plain out of work, and that means the savvy homeowner looking to spruce up her property can get quality work done within a reasonable timeframe and for a good price. A new website has even been set up in the city, called JobJar, that connects those looking for work with those looking to have work done. Really, this is a great time to start planning out small projects to have completed before your home hits the market.

In what areas should you concentrate? There’s plenty of opinions on that across the Internet, usually based around the solid advice that kitchen and bathroom upgrades offer the greatest upside. Venerable handyman Mike Homes reminds us to focus on ensuring the fundamentals – plumbing, electrical, HVAC – are sound before going crazy on finishes and decor.

Bottom line, renovating to up a home’s value requires careful consideration and planning. As anyone who’s added a bedroom or finished a basement can attest, once contractors are in your house you can easily start seeing a multitude of additional projects, and the final bill can rapidly inflate. You don’t want to burn the equity in a property you plan to sell within the year. That said, well managed renovations, in conjunction with effective pricing and marketing thanks to your trusty Realtor, can help ensure yours isn’t the house sitting on the market for months while your neighbours across the street with the identical floorplan sell in a couple of weeks. Spend wisely.

40 Evansview Rd NW

Welcome home! 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a den! Stylish upgrades are found throughout, including hardwood and tile on the main floor. The kitchen is spacious, and features a large breakfast bar open to the separate dining area . You will discover upgraded stainless steel appliances, lots of counter and cabinet space, as well as a tile back splash along with a sunny south-facing balcony that boasts a gas BBQ line and views of the park. Fresh new paint throughout. Full ensuite with a full-sized shower. Ideally situated on the edge of the complex with lots of available street parking for your guests. Park in your warm garage: a massive double-tandem with lots of additional storage room. Outside is a full-length driveway if you need even more parking space. This one has it all.

To view more photos & full listing details visit my web page!

You can’t really blame people – including many in the media – for getting all Chicken Little about Calgary’s real estate market. Layoffs and downsizing at corporations have led to a significant, but not catastrophic, slowdown in homes changing hands, and some prices have been reduced accordingly. The benchmark price actually went up a little over a percent in 2015, but total sales were down about a quarter. We’re solidly in a buyers’ market, and that’s something Calgarians haven’t seen in a long time.

But things aren’t necessarily so dire, really; our fundamentals are strong, prices aren’t artificially inflated, and desirable communities remain desirable. While there are fewer buyers competing for properties, well kept homes in good neighbourhoods are as motivating as ever.

That said, it’s more important than it’s been in years for you to put your home’s best foot forward, and for you to work with an experienced Realtor to help navigate the rapidly changing waters of today’s real estate market.

A Realtor such as myself participates in frequent professional development, ensuring my skills are ideally tuned to the current market. Realtors know the city inside and out, have been around the block enough times to bring historical context to what’s on offer today, and use well-honed negotiation skills to get the best price for your home. Realtors have access to the most accurate and timely data about market conditions and trusted predictions, giving their clients an edge when it comes time to set or adjust a price. Realtors know what will attract buyers and get them to write an offer rather than move on to the next property on the list. And Realtors can save hours decoding the piles of paperwork that goes along with a real estate transaction. Those who go it alone, without the help of a Realtor, are taking a big risk and are probably leaving money on the table.

As part of the services that my Dad and I offer, we’ve just added a comprehensive ‘Local Info’ section to our website that breaks down vital information about Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, and Cochrane for those who may be coming from out of the area. We detail civic governments, neighbourhoods, cultural events, schools, shopping, sports teams and more. Even if you’re not in the market to buy or sell right now, I’d encourage you to check it out – you may learn a few things!

For many years now, Calgary Realtors and their customers have relied on the MLS System for the most accurate and timely information on homes for sale in our city. Now the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) has chosen to align its MLS naming conventions with the City of Calgary’s official terms for communities.

In some cases, the changes are as simple as corrected spelling: Bel Aire becomes Bel-Aire, Saddleridge becomes Saddle Ridge. In others, neighbourhoods are consolidated: Varsity Acres, Varsity Village, and Varsity Estates become, simply, Varsity.

Zone names are also being changed from four quadrant letters, A, B, C & D, to eight more meaningful names titles: North, Northwest, Northeast, Centre, West, East, South and Southwest.

What will this mean to you as you use the MLS System? It means the community names referred to by the City of Calgary will now correlate directly with those in the System, making for an easier, more straightforward experience. A database is only as reliable as its data, and so CREB should be applauded for taking this step to start 2016 off right.

Speaking of starting the year off right, the Calgary Home + Garden Show is only a little over six weeks away, and you can get 2-for-1 tickets if you purchase before January 14 using the promo code NEWYEAR. Click here to get yours today!

Want to talk about putting your home on the market, the updated MLS naming conventions, or the new Star Wars movie? Contact me!

As we near the close-out of 2015, Calgary is settling into mild buyer’s market and will likely stay that way for a good chunk of 2016. However, if you’re looking to sell your mid-range home – especially sub-$450,000 – you’ll likely have plenty of interest. It’s the higher end that’s really taking the hit of job losses and low oil prices in Alberta.

We haven’t seen a buyer’s market in Calgary in quite a while, and so many looking to sell may be a little concerned and uncomfortable about the prospect. If that’s you, allow me to set your mind at ease.

First, Calgary’s real estate market, even in economic slowdowns, tends to remain pretty strong thanks to solid fundamentals. You won’t need to hold a fire sale on your well maintained home just to move it; priced and marketed appropriately by a real estate professional (like me!), you can still get what your property is worth. So, relax.

Second, to get top dollar, your home needs to look like it’s worth it. Professional staging, decluttering, yard maintenance and home repairs are key in a buyer’s market. When there’re plenty of homes to chose from, many shoppers are going to lean toward those that look ready to move into without a lot of work. Little touches make a huge difference, logical or not.

Third, trust your Realtor to manage expectations and give you honest opinions on pricing and strategy. She or he wants to move your property as badly as you want it to sell, and is motivated to secure the best price. Realtors live and breath real estate, and know the truth behind the headlines, so find someone you can trust and let their experience guide you.

Keep these things in mind and you’re set to have a positive experience selling in a buyer’s market.

Want some inspiration? Put the Calgary Home + Garden Show on your calendar for February! Use this link, with the promo code HOLIDAYS and get 2-for-1 tickets!

47 Evansglen Co NW

What a great place to live! This almost-new NuVista home is fully developed including a 1 bedroom suite in the basement (which was done by the builder). Modern floor plan with a walk-through pantry to an island kitchen with upgraded stainless steel appliances, granite counters and high-height cabinets. There are many, many upgrades here, including hardwood and tile floors in addition to plush carpet with thick, cushy underlay. Upstairs the bonus room has a door, and could easily be used as an additional bedroom if desired. High ceilings prevail throughout the home. The suite boasts a separate side entrance, a wet bar kitchenette, and a second set of laundry hook-ups in the utility room. This home still has a full builder’s warranty in place and a full window blind package.

To view more photos, floor plan, virtual tour and full listing details, visit my web page.

‘Tis the season to spread holiday cheer all over the front of your house! But whether you want to go full Griswold, or be slightly more sedate, there are a few steps you can take that’ll make your display look better, and go up with a minimum of profanity.

Start Small

If you’re not well versed in the art of making a neighbour envy-inducing display of colourful delights, don’t go overboard. Pick a few manageable areas to decorate – say, one tree and your front porch – to keep it classy and strategic. You can ramp it up next year.

Make a Plan

From the minute you crack open your Rubbermaid tub of tangled lights, you’re probably going to be thinking about the craft IPA you’ll crack open when it’s all done, but that’s no reason to rush headlong into stringing the lights. Long run, you’ll save yourself time and aggravation if you make a plan first. Decide which lights you want where, and measure the space, then measure the distance between the lights; with this information, you can determine both how many and what kind of clips you’ll need to properly secure your lights, and can have everything on hand. Plus, you won’t find a string is too short unexpectedly.

Test on the Ground

Before hanging any lights, test each string and replace any burnt out bulbs. It’ll be a whole lot easier to deal with problems here than when they’re attached to your house.

Play it Safe

Use a properly sized ladder to reach high areas like eavestroughs and trees; don’t balance precariously on one that’s too small. Wear boots with good grips, and make sure you clear any ice from your ladder before climbing it. Use extension cords rated for outdoor, cold weather use and never plug in a power cord that’s frayed or has exposed wires. And be careful not to overload your breaker (although with LED lights this is no longer an issue).

There are few things as heartwarming as wandering your neighbourhood with the kids on a December evening to look at Christmas lights. Do your part to spread that holiday cheer!

Looking for a new place to hang your lights? It’s a great time to buy – contact me today!