‘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!

452 Midridge Dr SE

Yes, this is a fully finished detached home with a double garage in Lake Midnapore for under $400k! And it’s nice too. Updated kitchen with newer appliances includes a breakfast nook. The large living room boasts a wood-burning fireplace and a brand-new picture window which is shared with the formal dining area. The developed lower level has large windows to let the light flood in and a generous storage area. Fresh paint throughout. 3 bedrooms up with a renovated main bath and a 2-piece en suite. Close proximity to lots of shopping, schools, Fish Creek park, public transit, and of course Lake Midnapore.

To view photos, floor plan, virtual tour and full listing details visit my web page: http://www.time2move.ca/listing/calgary/midnapore/c4033629-452-midridge-dr-se

Contact us today to book a showing!

I’d say the performance of Calgary’s real estate market in recent weeks is yet more proof that, contrary to the belief of some, we are not in the midst of a bubble on the verge of popping.

We went from a habanero hot sales year last year, when oil was high and so were spirits, to recession-level unemployment and plenty of economic uncertainty with only a minor adjustment in the market. Sure, sales and listings are both down, but it has been a far from precipitous drop; indeed, mid-priced homes in good neighbourhoods have actually seen a small increase in selling price, as buyers look for properties that meet their needs and their budget.

This cushioned fall is not at all what you’d expect from a bubble scenario: if prices were artificially inflated while the economy was booming, they’d bust just as fast, but they didn’t. So, now is not the time to hurriedly sell before you’re ready, nor to rush into buying without your ducks in a row. Price fluctuations will happen, but probably not significantly enough to drive your purchasing behaviour. Call a Realtor you can trust (I’m available), talk about your goals and your fears, your need to haves and your nice to haves, and let’s make a plan.

On a separate note, I’ve got a new discount code for the Calgary Home + Design Show running September 17-20. Buy tickets online with the promo code SHOWWEEK and get them 2-for-1! The offer expires September 16, so get clicking!

Thinking about installing a secondary suite in your home to generate some extra income? There’s no better time than now, as the City of Calgary is waiving Development Permit requirements until March, 2017.

To qualify, your home must be properly zoned for a secondary suite and must meet Land Use Bylaw requirements.

The City is interested in making it easier for homeowners to develop secondary suites, increasing the inventory of lower-cost rental suites on the market. For more information, click here. And as always, you can reach me through my contact page.

The sustained low oil prices and a marginally increasing unemployment rate (although it’s not nearly as catastrophic as some might have you believe) are finally starting the affect the prices of mid range homes in calgary, with the August average selling price moving from $475,000 to $466,000. Now, that’s less than a two percent drop, from a record setting year to a recession, so it’s certainly not a major correction, but the graph is moving downwards and that’s something of which to be aware.

The question is, are we on the verge of a buyers’ market – and if you’re looking to buy, should you wait? The answer to the first part is, it depends on who you ask. Google “buyers’ market calgary” and the first two results are, “Housing Affordability Index shows Calgary is a buyers’ market,” and, “For some in Calgary, it’s still a seller’s market.” Both articles are from June, 2015. The upshot is, if you’ve got a house for sale for under $450,000, you’ve got a hot commodity on your hands and will likely sell post haste. Overall prices are going down, though, with fewer buyers thanks to economic uncertainty, meaning sellers in some neighbourhoods will need to cater more to their potential customers to make the sale.

So, what to do? In my fifteen years of experience, I can say waiting or not waiting is not going to have much of an impact on most buyers or sellers. Usually people need to sell their current house before buying a new one; banking on prices going down means banking on the value of your own property dropping as well. If you intend to stay within the same category of home, it’ll probably be a wash. Jumping to a much more expensive house from something in the mid range, however, could offer an argument for waiting a bit: as the economy slows, prices tend to fall the most in the high end of the market, while the middle stays relatively stable, so there may be deals to be had if oil remains low. That’s a significant ‘if’, though.

For the most part, the best time to buy your house is when you need to, whether it’s relocating to be closer to the kids’ school, to shorten commute times, or to get a property with more bedrooms to accommodate a growing family. There are just as many stories of people’s new residences shooting up in value after purchase as there are of them going down; as long as you buy a home that suits your needs, for a price you can afford, there’s no reason for regrets.

Why don’t we discuss this more – contact me and let’s start the ball rolling.

Spring is traditionally the time to clean out your house, and for good reason: after a long, cold Calgary winter, you’ve built up a fair amount of clutter from simply being forced indoors for months on end. But what if you were to take some time to organize and clean out your home before the snow flies, making the winter seclusion a little more enjoyable?

Now’s the time to do it, as relatively warm temperatures and (hopefully) dry weather means you can use your lawn as a staging ground. In my experience, the ‘clean sweep’ method is the most effective in getting rid of all that stuff collecting, untouched, in the corners of rooms and basements. Go one room at a time, pulling absolutely everything out and sorting into three piles outside: keep, trash, and sell (or give away). Then, look at your empty room and decide what activities you’d like to see go on there. Write these down, then look at your keep pile and decide what items would be used for those activities; return just the appropriate items to the room. Carry on with the same method throughout the rest of the house, giving due consideration to the purpose of each room. At the end of the process, whatever’s left in the keep pile is stuff you don’t really need or use, so give it away too. At the end of all this admittedly hard work, you’ll have a home made for living, and you’ll be no longer using square footage for which you pay a mortgage to store things you don’t use.

Easier said than done, I know, especially in a big house. The satisfaction when it’s done, though, is unbelievable. Even if it’s just for a couple rooms, consider clean sweeping before the winter and you may just find -30 a little more bearable.

Thinking a move might be the solution?  Contact me today!

As we enter into the second half of 2015, things are looking up for Calgary’s real estate market. June sales figures show a year-over-year decline of well under 20 percent, not bad at all when going from a record year to an economic slowdown. Sweet-spot homes, priced under $500,000, continue to be a hot commodity, and certain Calgary neighbourhoods are as sought after as they ever were. Ours is an increasingly balanced market.

I expect things to continue to improve throughout the next several months. The fall is traditionally busier than the summer, and the new government’s rolling back of the real estate fee increases announced in April will keep about a thousand dollars in the average homebuyer’s jeans after a close. Consumer confidence is slowly coming back, and that can only help the real estate sector.

From a buyer’s perspective, the market conditions are great. Lots of supply, in many cases sellers are motivated, and interest rates remain highly favourable. While it’s not a definitive buyers market, due to the strong performance of mid-priced properties, it’s undoubtedly a good time to be looking for a home to fit your lifestyle and budget. I can help get you started.

If you’re listing right now, proper pricing is key. Any Realtor will tell you, now is not the time to shoot high with the hopes of getting a windfall. There are simply too many properties on the market for a potential buyer to give the time of day to an overpriced home. So do a few cosmetic touch-ups to maximize curb appeal, consider getting as much out of your home and into storage to make it feel as open and airy as possible (a professional stager can help with this, which is included in my listing package), and consult with a reliable Realtor on pricing and strategy.

While we’ve definitely transitioned to a balanced market, as lower oil prices have cooled Calgary’s economy somewhat, it remains a great time to sell your home, especially if it’s valued at less than $500,000. The luxury market is taking a hit right now – if you’re looking for something in the $1 million-plus range, I can get you a great deal – but low interest rates are driving strong demand for detached, single family residences priced between $400,000 and $500,000, with many selling within a couple of weeks of listing for very close to asking price. The number of properties on the market in May 2015 was down by more than a quarter from previous years, and that means the best priced properties available will be snapped up quickly – average resale prices are down only 1.5 percent year-over-year.

Things are certainly looking more positive than they were a couple of months ago, and make me rather optimistic for how things will play out in the next six months. Yet more proof that our properly managed real estate market, backed by a reliable banking system, has warded off any hint of a housing bubble; the growth we’ve seen, while impressive, is both reasonable and sustainable.

To talk about your options in listing your own property, please contact me today!

454 Sagewood Dr SW, Airdrie

Wow! What a great deal, sellers say “sell it”. Over 1800 square feet of developed space. From the large front porch on in, you’ll know this is the one. This home has been well maintained and kept fresh over the years. Hardwood was just refinished, and the paint is new. The roof and siding were replaced last year. The basement is fully developed and waiting for your pool table or wrap-around couch and big-screen. Out back, you’ll find a massive deck covered in zero-maintenance composite decking, plus ample concrete work including retaining walls and pathways. The double garage has a paved storage pad beside it for a small boat, sleds, quads, bikes, etc. This home has lots to offer; bright open plan, full ensuite bath, lots of space, and lots of extras. Vacant for a fast possession.

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

373 Rainbow Falls Way, Chestermere

This is a great place to call home! Located in SW Chestermere just a block from the lake, this home backs onto a wetland pond surrounded by pathways. You could set your kids loose and watch from home as they travel all the way around. Large 5-bedroom home with many luxurious appointments, including a gourmet kitchen and a separate, formal dining room. This home is great for entertaining. The walkout basement is fully developed with a large, fully loaded wet-bar (essentially a second kitchen), and also boasts heated floors. The triple car garage has a heated floor too; never get into a frozen car again! The large balcony overlooks the back yard and pond, and has stairs down to access the brick patio. There’s 3900 square feet of developed space here, room enough for the whole family. Do not delay, this wonderful home is priced to sell!

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