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.

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!

# 602 2505 17 Av SW

Here it is! You can have everything you want right here. Chic design with contemporary lines, mountain and city views, heated titled parking, insuite laundry, high-end appliances, the list goes on… 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms perched atop the hill on 17th Ave near Crowchild Tr. A stone’s throw from downtown, and all the shops and restaurants just down the hill. Don’t feel like leaving? No problem, there’s an organic market and wine store on the main floor! Because of its convenient location, Chinook Centre and Westhills are both about five minutes away. Like to get out of the city for the weekend? No problem, that’s just ten minute drive. Want more? How about hardwood and porcelain tiled floors, quarts counter tops with a gas cook-top, built-in appliances, floor to ceiling windows and a balcony with 3-sided views from the mountains to downtown? There’s even an advanced HVAC system that includes air-conditioning. Ahhhh! Available for immediate possession.

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

27 Westbluff Court

Welcome to 27 Westbluff Court. Outstanding, unrestricted mountain and valley views from this 2.12 acre property. The home is a fully developed walkout bungalow with 5,674 Sq. Ft. of custom quality. Specially equipped with a state of the art air filtration system. The gas fired boiler for the hot water in-floor heating system is located in a separate building so there are no fumes what so ever in the house. The garage, although attached to the house, has a separate breeze way system to enter the home. The yard is fully landscaped including a private, tree lined curved road from the front gates to the circular drive; there is ample paved parking for your guests. The rear yard of the home is a like a sanctuary. Multiple retreats include a large patio, a hot tub deck from the walkout, and two-more decks off the main floor. Oh, and there’s a full tennis court on the property too.

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

# 1207 1818 Simcoe Bv Sw

Dana Village at 1818 Simcoe Blvd SW. This is a 50 plus age restricted building built with seniors in mind. Great location with LRT and bus transportation at your door. Activities galore should you want to be involved or not. Large deck 4.2×3.6 meters (11’9″ X 13’8″)for you to enjoy your morning tea or coffee. One bedroom home with all appliances included. In suite laundry room and storage plus secure underground parking with additional storage space. The common areas feature meeting rooms, party rooms, games area, exercise area plus so much more. The smaller one bedroom units seldom become available so take advantage now.

To view more photos, floorplan and full listing details visit my webpage.

2109 & 2111 50 Ave SW

2109 & 2111 50th Ave. SW. This is a full side by side on a 50’x138′ lot with a south back yard. Sq. footage and room sizes are for one side only. Both sides are identical with the exception of a 3 piece bath on the lower level on one side. Currently leased. This is an excellent building site as the tile covers two separate lots. Title is not split at this time. Located close to transportation and Mount Royal University. The building does have many upgrades such as new furnaces, hot water tank, fencing and a newer roof with a 25 year transferable. The kitchens are original.

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

What an amazing family home, and offered at an awesome price too! Super-clean with many upgrades and updates throughout the years. Maple kitchen cabinets with stainless steel appliances. Upgraded flooring and bathrooms. Fully developed basement including a full bathroom and deluxe laundry area. Large south back yard that gets plenty of sunlight has lots of room for playing and entertaining, and with space for a future parking pad or garage. Front veranda with access to the back yard, plus a 16.5’x10′ deck. Located in a family-friendly and quiet cul-de-sac.  Parks and playgrounds nearby. Plenty of street parking out front.

To view more photos, floorplan and virtual tour visit my webpage.

Great double-master plan. The bedrooms are at either end of the home, separated by a central cat-walk with views down to the dining room. Each bedroom has a large walk-in closet and their own full ensuite with jetted tubs. The large U-shaped kitchen with loads of storage and counter-space is open to the dining room, which features a 2-storey vault and a three-sided fireplace. Main floor laundry. Updated lighting fixtures and fresh paint throughout. The basement has three large windows and roughed-in plumbing, and awaits your storage items and/or development plans. There’s also a west back yard that is fully fenced, and which boasts a 13.7’x10′ deck and a 2-car parking pad.

To view more photos, floorplan and a virtual tour visit my webpage.

It’s a (bidding) war zone out there right now. There are nearly twenty percent fewer homes on the market than there were a year ago, yet sales are up just over three percent; well-priced, attractively located homes are being snatched up as quickly as hours after hitting MLS, according to the Herald. While this doesn’t mean people should be overpricing their homes, it does mean that sales for above-asking price are possible for savvy sellers.

Before you list, make sure you discuss with your Realtor (hey, I’m available!) which features of your home are the most appealing, and maybe put a little money into enhancing those areas as applicable. Then, when your home hits the market, your Realtor can ensure the right people are coming to take a look.

For buyers, there’s never been a more important time than now to ensure you have all your proverbial ducks in a row before diving into the market. For the love of Pete, get pre-qualified on your mortgage before doing anything else. Discuss with your spouse and any other stakeholders what the absolute must-haves of your next home are, and decide what you might be willing to sacrifice to obtain those features. Research the neighbourhoods at the top of your list to find out what kind of home you can expect to find there in your price range. Then, when the time comes to go shopping, bear in mind that you may need to move quickly to get an offer in before another buyer.

While it’s not a market for the timid, the right Realtor can reassure and guide you throughout the process so that you can find the right home, at the right price, for you and your family without too many sleepless nights.