Real Estate Blog

It can be intimidating for home buyers to face a competitive local housing market. They know going into their home search that they will be up against steep competition. The listings that are available are not going to last for more than a day or two, and they will almost always be competing against other buyers in multi-offer situations. There are challenges to buying a home in a competitive market, but it is certainly not impossible.

These tips can help buyers navigate the market conditions and ultimately purchase the property that they have been dreaming about.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Seek Preapproval Prior to Seeing

Unpermitted work can be a problem for homeowners when they try to sell. If you're a homeowner who lives on a property with unpermitted work, knowing what to do about it can help you when the time comes to sell your property. By remediating the problem or by working with a Sunset Ridge real estate agent, you can sell your home for a fair and competitive price.

What You Need to Know About Building Permits

A building permit is a permit that homeowners must get when making certain changes to their property. Usually, building permits are required when changes are being made to the home's structure and when gas, plumbing and electrical work is being done. Building permits enable local government officials to monitor the renovations, so they can be

Buying a condo can provide the ideal housing opportunity for certain families while others simply cannot imagine investing anything other than a single-dwelling home. However, condo ownership can—and does—have its privileges. And as with all things good, there are a few aspects of the condominium lifestyle that won't appeal to all buyers. For potential Canadian home buyers still weighing the pros and cons of condos, here are a few top considerations.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Enjoy a Low Maintenance Lifestyle… But at a Cost

The fact that most of the exterior and common area maintenance is handled by a Homeowner's Association

Home inspectors are looking for a variety of structural flaws of a home, but that doesn't mean they know everything. Learn more about how inspections work.

A home inspector can find potential safety hazards in a home, such as black mold in a bathroom or frayed electrical wiring in the wall. However, inspectors may still miss important elements due to the restrictions of the inspection. For a home buyer to really understand the report the inspector fills out, buyers should keep in mind the following tips when hiring a local professional to look at the home they plan to buy.

The Exterior Elements

Home inspectors typically start by assessing the outside components, such as the roof and the walls. They're trained to spot sagging lines that may not

While the most popular types of roofing in Canada typically have a lifespan between 25 and 100 years, it's not uncommon for them to experience a few compromises. Inclement weather, falling debris and extreme temperatures can cause roof damage that can go unnoticed for quite a while. However, homeowners who perform regular inspections can look for signs of damage to determine whether there is a need to repair or replace roofing. Here's how to recognize roof damage and access the best solution for common problems in their River Heights home.

Signs of Roofing Problems to Look For

A visual inspection of the roof's exterior and certain interior areas can help detect minor problems before they become major ones. During the exterior inspection, the

As the ground shifts and the house settles, it will inevitably put enough stress on the foundation to fracture it. Foundation damage is inevitable in homes of a certain age, but it can nevertheless still feel like a shock to homeowners when it's discovered. That's why it's crucial for homeowners to understand the mechanisms and the nuances of the base of their home—so they can repair it as soon as possible.

Signs of Distress

The home will show signs to a homeowner whether they see it or not, and sometimes those signs can be small. The original warning sign could be as simple as a door or a window sticking just a little or a small puddle that pools near the supports of the home. Because the supports are usually located in the basement, these

Home sale paperwork will depend heavily on the province of the home, but it doesn't hurt to become familiar with the general rules before gathering up the documents in preparation of selling a home. Home sale paperwork used to be fairly minimal. However, the number of disputes and confusion that stemmed from a lack of data triggered a more rigorous process for organizing the information. The perk of taking the time to understand the principles behind paperwork is that it can make the escrow period fly by if sellers take the time to do the legwork.

Documents for the Buyer

A thorough buyer is going to want to know what the seller paid in property taxes last year, the expiration date of the warranty, and how much was spent on electricity.

There are significant differences between buying a vacation home and buying a primary residence. For homeowners who want to buy a vacation home, it's important to understand these differences. Knowing what to expect can help the home buyer prepare for the experience.

What You Need to Know About Taxes

Taxes become expensive for people who own vacation homes when they try to sell the property to someone else. Selling the vacation property to another person results in capital gains tax for the seller. Generally, vacation homeowners who sell their property are taxed on the difference between the amount that is received and the tax cost of the property.

Making improvements and additions to the vacation home can help with this, however.

A room's floor is one of its most striking features, and a major opportunity for homeowners to express their personal style. The 'best' flooring isn't necessarily the most expensive or trendy, but that which complements the homeowner's lifestyle. But with so many different types of flooring available, it can become overwhelming to try to narrow down the choices. To get started, it helps for homeowners to understand the pros and cons of each type of material.

Carpet

Carpeted living rooms and dens have slipped in and out of vogue over the past few decades, but it still remains the number one choice for homeowners in Glenbow and beyond. Not only is carpeting cozy enough to warm up any room, but it's also an investment in the residents' personal

While many buyers choose to purchase pre-existing properties, some turn to home construction when looking for a new home. Building a home is much different from buying a home that's already standing. People who are new to the process can use these tips to get started.

Think of Your Future

Before starting the process of building or designing a home, buyers must think of their future and what it holds. Small growing families need space. Home buyers who want to age in place must think of safety and convenience. Hobbies and favorite activities may also be factors to consider when designing a home. To get started, a home buyer can make a list of priorities, and from this list, the buyer can determine what are the "must haves" and "nice to haves."