With Christmas season in full swing, you’re probably dividing your free time between madly shopping and decking your halls. But if you have your home on the market, how can you bring a little festive cheer without turning off potential buyers?

The key is moderation. Christmas decorations can make your home look its best, with their coordinated colours, shiny accents, and cheerful mood. They can also send out a siren call to go overboard, filling up every single flat surface with whatever cute little doodad you can find, either at the store or in your child’s backpack coming home from school. Resist! A little coordination and restraint goes a long way. Next year, when you’re in your new property, you can go full Griswald.

That goes for the outside too. By all means, string some lights, but try to go with a consistent theme: if you’re using a string of multi-coloured lights, go with that over the whole house instead of alternating with solid white or blue strings just because you found them in the garage. In fact, hiring a professional might be well worth the money to give your home the absolute best holiday curb appeal.

Using an artificial tree will also save you a tonne of clean-up time before each viewing. While the natural pine scent is an appealing signifier of Christmas, it comes along with a whole lot of stubborn needles.

Beyond decorations, do whatever you can to make viewing your property convenient for potential buyers. Time is in short supply for everyone in December, so try to be flexible. Maybe consider hiding presents, wrapping, and so on at a relative’s place to free up closet and storage space. Bumping up the heat a little, and having some homemade gingerbread cookies on offer, can also go a long way toward cozying things up.

Finally, if you really want to sell your property in December, make sure your Realtor is dedicated to the same outcome: that means being available to you when needed, not just when it’s convenient. Have a candid conversation with your agent to be sure you’re on the same page.

Want more tips on selling? Check out our Sellers Guide! Looking for a dedicated Realtor? Contact us!

The white stuff has fallen again, this time in a much more seasonally appropriate manner than September’s snowpocalypse (I can’t believe spell check doesn’t have a problem with that word), and it’s time to double check your home is winterized if that hasn’t been done already. One key appliance for Calgarians over the next several months will be the furnace, and you want to make sure that puppy is running smoothly and reliably; a 10:00 pm emergency repair call in -30 degree weather could cost you a small fortune.

It’s a wise idea to contact your favourite trusted furnace specialist sometime in the fall for a tune up, just to ensure everything’s running as it should. There are a couple things you can take care of yourself as well, though.

Your furnace filter should be changed every one to three months, and some recommend that cheap fibreglass filters are actually better for your furnace than expensive high efficiency ones; check with a professional to be sure of what’s right for your system. Check your air return ducts for drafts, and seal with metallic tape any that you find. There are several more steps that more industrious homeowners can do, but unless you’re a confident do-it-yourselfer, call a pro.

Also consider creating setbacks on your digital thermostat, lowering the temperature when you’re away or asleep, and raising it back up again when you’re around. This can lead to some significant cost savings on your gas bill – up to 15 percent according to the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology – as long as you are prepared to find the right balance. Lowering the temperature by too much can lead to an uncomfortable house, high humidity, and reduced airflow, which may not be worth the money saved; a two degree change is the safest bet, offering some savings with little downside.

Have any other tips for keeping your house warm? Share them in the comments!

Looking for a new house to enjoy this winter? Contact me!

99 Bridlewood Common SW

What a great family home. Over 1800 developed square feet including the fully finished walk-out basement. Hardwood and tile on the main floor. Open kitchen with a breakfast bar, eating area and sliding patio doors to a 20’x10′ deck. South back yard. Jetted tub in one of three full baths. Large master bedroom with a full en suite. Its all here. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about the Garagemahal! It is rare to find such an impressive one; big, extra-sized double garage with a 10′ ceiling and a taller 8′ door; also insulated & drywalled, side-lit & top-lit, heated (radiant ceiling) and has a 40A pony panel.

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

One question I get asked from time to time is, “How do you get paid?”, and its a pretty good query. Some misinformed folks think a brokerage house provides a monthly salary, while others believe Realtors are paid from both the buyer and the seller of a property. Here’s how it all really goes down, in simplified terms:

Realtors work strictly on commission, payable at the close of a deal. That means the real estate agent who works to sell a home for three months, spending time and incurring costs, gets no money in return if the property doesn’t end up selling. That’s just a cost of doing business. The commission amount is negotiable, both in the total percentage and in the split between the listing and the selling agent. Traditionally in Calgary, for an average house, the commission works out to about 4 percent (7% of the first $100,000 + 3% of the balance) with half going to the seller’s agent and half to the buyer’s agent.

Some agents must also share their commission with their broker, meaning that an individual Realtor could end up with as little as a quarter of the commission on the sale as gross pay, depending on their broker agreement.

As Realtors, we are running a small business and as such have a laundry list of expenses that must be paid from the commissions: office space, technology updates, photography, home staging, advertising, MLS fees, and so on.  To be successful, then, an agent must maintain a good number of listings and clients at all times, offer the absolute best possible customer service, give back to the community, and maintain a rainy day fund.

Hopefully this is illuminating to those thinking of buying or selling with a Realtor: know that the agent won’t get paid until they deliver a result, and a lot of that money is spoken for well in advance of the cheque being cashed. Not that one can’t make a very good living as an excellent Realtor, but you certainly earn your pay.

123 Silvercreek Gr Nw

**OPEN HOUSE Sun Oct 05 1-4pm** Brand new listing. What a fantastic family home! This one has been in the family since new, and this is the first time it’s been offered for sale. Prime location on a quiet circle facing a central green space and steps away from walking paths in Silvercreek Park with trails to the Bowmount Natural Area. Houses seldom come up for sale here. South back yard with lots of mature trees. Pristine condition, well maintained throughout the years with upgrades along the way, including a sun room and upper balcony off the master bedroom, a cantilever in the dining room, basement development including another bathroom and a wet bar, newer windows and roof, and on, and on. This home has “good bones” with a wonderful floor plan. Recently painted inside and out; it is completely livable as-is, or a candidate for renovations.

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

4203 Vauxhall Cr NW

Same owner last 30 years! Lovingly cared for and maintained. Renovated kitchen with maple cabinets and cork flooring. Refinished original oak hardwood. Upgraded electrical panel. Replaced windows and doors. Updated furnace. Basement was developed some time ago, and would function just fine until you’re ready to add your own personal touch. Bitumen torched roof. Extra large double detached garage with tall ceilings, overhead radiant heat and 220V circuits. Great location across the street from Varsity Acres School and close to public transportation and shopping.

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

35 Royal Birch Pt NW

Welcome home! Enjoy sweeping valley and mountain views from this sought after and rarely available ridge location. Situated in a quiet location on a no-through-road, backing south onto the ravine, and just half a block from a pond and two blocks from the elementary school. Open-concept great room plan boasts a cook’s kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, a gas range, and a walk-in pantry. The basement is fully developed with lots of windows and a high ceiling. Knock-down stipple throughout. Large master bedroom and deluxe ensuite with a full sized shower with a rain head and body jets. The bonus room is massive, and the 10′ raised ceilings add to it’s grandeur. Out back, enjoy the views and landscaping from the the lush lawn, the deck, or one of two brick patios. There’s plenty of storage space available in the garage on the custom shelving. The new LRT station is a 15 minute walk or a 3 minute drive. Newer water heater & fridge. Brand new Samsung front-loading washer and dryer.

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

A short article in the latest edition of CREBNow points out that, with house prices continuing to increase each month (Calgary’s growing faster than anyone), it’s becoming more difficult for young families to follow the traditional middle-class progression of graduation-marriage-first home-family-bigger home. Starter homes are selling for far beyond what a dream home might have cost in our parents’ day and, especially when interest rates inevitably increase, it can be difficult to ‘move up’ without a big boost in salary.

So what to do about this? How about picking the right starter home so that it can grow with your family over several years rather than seeming poorly suited for your family situation after just a year or two. With the right planning and a little vision, you can find that ideal property and plan to develop it as your family grows.

When shopping for that first home, look for a solid, well built and well-kept property with potential. Can an unfinished basement be finished to add a third bedroom and play area? Is there space to build a garage with a loft for storage? How about knocking out a wall to increase the size of the kitchen, or adding a sunroom-style mudroom to the back entrance to hold winter coats and boots. These types of upgrades, while far from free, can be a lot more cost-effective than shopping for a new home with comparable amenities. And by smartly investing in your current property, you’re boosting the resale value and socking away equity for when you really are in a position to move.

Beyond the property itself, carefully consider your neighbourhood – and consult with a professional familiar with the demographics of the area. If you are starting a family, is the home you’re considering located in a family-friendly area, with respected day homes and preschools nearby, plenty of park space, and kids riding their bikes in the evenings? How about grocery stores and restaurants? Is the commute to work reasonable, with transit options? Is this a place you could see yourself calling home ten years from now?

The days of buying a home with the intention of moving up in a couple of years are, for many people, coming to a close. But with the right advice and some careful thought, stretching that first home’s usefulness can really put you ahead in the long run.

This coming weekend is the Calgary Home + Design show; if you plan on attending and would like 50 percent off your ticket price (who wouldn’t?), use this link and enter promo code SHOWWEEK on checkout. Enjoy the show!

We all know Alberta’s economy is leading the country growth-wise, but you might be surprised to find out our growth rate is nearly double the national average, and is a fair sight ahead of what was accomplished last year. No wonder, then, that the period from April 2013-2014 reportedly saw Calgary’s population increase more than ever before in the city’s history. Nearly 39,000 people became Calgarians, either through immigration or by being born, which is about 25 percent more than in 2012-2013. Alberta is the Land of Opportunity, with more than four million residents and counting.

That opportunity is certainly being seized by home builders: there were more new homes started between January and April of this year than in all of 2013.

Despite higher land costs and increased home prices, it’s still a seller’s market because demand is outdoing the supply. That may level off slightly in the coming year or so, but there’s not really any reason to think a major economic cool down is on the horizon; people will continue to flock to the home of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

As bidding wars continue to be common in the red hot Calgary real estate landscape, buyers need to be prepared to make multiple offers on attractive properties. While there is no way to guarantee you’ll win a bidding war, there are a few strategies you can employ to improve your chances:

• Write a personal letter to the homeowner. Talking about how important it is for your child to walk to school, how the floorplan reminds you of your childhood home, or any other personal spin you can put on your offer can pull at a seller’s heartstrings and give you a leg up.
• Have your mortgage pre-approved. You should take this step regardless of market conditions, but especially in a seller’s market.
• Offer as large a down payment as possible.
• This is not an option for most people, but the ability to pay cash is certainly an advantage.
• Pare down your conditions. Insist on an inspection, of course, but maybe make the window in which to get it done a little smaller. Skip the appraisal if you can, and make your possession date as convenient for the seller as possible.

Bidding wars can sometimes stoke the competitive fires within buyers and make them want to win at all costs; it’s important to trust your Realtor’s advice and judgement on what a property is really worth, and when it may be time to let it go. But if you’re embroiled in a bidding war, the tips above can help your chances of being successful.