Avoiding Under-Appraisals

When it comes to a car, there’s virtually nowhere for its value in the market to go but down. By the sixth year of ownership, a brand new $30,000 sedan would have dropped in value by nearly a third. Houses, on the other hand, are different; depending on factors like the state of the real estate market, its value can either swing up or down.

Residents find it difficult to price their home as high as possible due to the sheer investment in home improvements for it to look appealing to an appraiser. Nevertheless, even with a thorough appraisal, it won’t guarantee a good price, especially before closing. This results in an “under-appraisal,” a real estate phenomenon common in both the U.S. and Canada.

With tools such as the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS), under-appraisals should’ve been relegated to history. The MLS® is as accurate as a buyer or seller will get as far as local real estate prices are concerned, being a hodgepodge of homes for sale. While it’s not good for an appraiser to give a low value, so is the homeowner asking for a higher, unreasonable one.

Every group in the real estate market has tons of data to rely on to reduce the frequency of an under-appraisal. The appraiser has the right to give a low price for your house, given that he can justify reasons for this outcome. However, you also have the right to ask for a review of the appraisal, given the same conditions. 

On Properly Finding Real Estate in Calgary

Priding itself on its diversity and relatively high standard of living, Canada is extremely popular to those looking to live in another country. It certainly helps that the nation’s real estate is fairly stable, and that foreigners can easily purchase and own property (provided they either observe restrictions or eventually become naturalized Canadians). While it all sounds fair and good, the main problem some buyers might experience is where to find the right homes.

One of the most promising regions in Canada to live in is Calgary, Alberta. Hailed as a financial powerhouse, Calgary’s strengths lie in its oil, gas, and energy industries. Naturally, numerous businesses have flocked to the city to share in the city’s strong economic vibe. Homebuyers, particularly those set on purchasing their first home, should consider living in Calgary due to the wealth of opportunities to be had.

Identifying a city to live in is one thing, yet actually choosing a property to purchase within the area is another. It can be difficult to find a home for the right price when everyone else also wants a piece of Calgary. Fortunately, local REALTORS® can help buyers secure a property that best suits their preferences and price range.

Why Pick Calgary Over Other Canadian Cities?

It can be challenging to search for a city that will become the perfect backdrop for a brand new chapter of your life. Each city has something unique and different to offer, and it is up to you to decide which city caters to your needs most effectively.

One of the cities that vie for the attention of families and individuals looking to relocate is the city of Calgary. The city, located in Alberta’s southern region, has a lot of perks to offer any family looking for a new place to call home.

Calgary is the most populous city in Alberta, with more than 1.2 million people living in the metropolitan area. The high population can be attributed to the jobs generated by Calgary’s oil industry since its boom in 1947.

Another perk people get from living in Calgary is the sheer beauty of the city itself. The city has received various recognitions from several organizations and has been dubbed as the best city to live in Canada. Moreover, it has also been named as one of Canada’s smartest and most cultured cities.

Finally, its location is of strategic advantage. It is three hours away from the U.S. border, and is an hour away from the Canadian Rockies. Families looking to enjoy nature at its finest will also find that Calgary is a wonderful city to live in.

These are some of the factors that make Calgary an ideal paradise to start your life anew.

House-Flipping in Calgary Commercial Real Estate

Sources define “house-flipping” as simply purchasing a house not for keeps but for profit. House-flipping may also be associated with development investing. Home improvement projects are done to make run-down houses look more appealing. After improving the properties, they can be sold at higher market prices.

What makes house-flipping ideal in Calgary commercial real estate is the consistent state of the market. For the past years, Calgary has been a prime investment center. Especially for luxury properties, real estate demands are greater than the supply. With the cost of living and neighbourhood qualities being esteemed in the area, Calgary is a place where investors and homeowners can thrive.

There are a lot of factors to consider once you decide on the market to invest on. Neighbourhoods should be studied so as to find where quick turnaround is most likely. Next, the type of property to flip should be determined. Is an upscale, single detached home an in-demand commodity? Would a condo be easier to finance and sell? After that, finances should be settled, and last would come the hands-on canvass and plans for properties.

REALTORs® can be hired to aid those who are just starting and those who need extra guidance in a house-flipping investment. These professionals, who belong in national real estate boards are up-to-date with trends and standards in the Calgary real estate market. They can provide valuable advice such as leads on investment properties and due timing for investments.

Useful Tips in Looking for Houses for Sale in Calgary

Thanks to a variety of factors like population growth and continuous foreign investments, Calgary, Alberta is now one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, similar to Vancouver in British Columbia. In 2013, Calgary ranked 1^st in MoneySense’s Best Places to Raise Kids in Canada. Those who wish to move here would probably have a hard time choosing for the perfect home for their family, but only because there are just so many viable options. The city, after all, is able to cater to various lifestyles, income brackets and needs.

Southwest Calgary has Bankview, Mount Royal, and Killarney as its prime neighborhoods which boast trendy restaurants and bars, as well as a decent public transportation system. The Southwest is also regarded to have some of the best houses for sale in Calgary, although this also means that residential and rental properties are quite expensive. Northeast Calgary generally doesn’t have this problem, but that is because neighborhoods like Bridgeland primarily cater to working class families.

The neighborhoods of Northwest Calgary, like Kensington and West Hillhurst, are well-known for their arts and crafts shops, cafes, and bistros. These things make Northwest Calgary highly recommendable for artsy and fun-loving individuals. In contrast, Southeast Calgary is mainly commercial and industry-based, although newer suburbs like McKenzie Lake are still cropping out in this region, expectedly due to Alberta’s consistent economic growth.

Tips on Purchasing a House—Why Consider MLS

After many years of working while renting an apartment, you’ve finally saved enough to buy your own house. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss or take lightly so you will surely use any possible means to make a worthwhile purchase. Here are some of the things you can do to make sure that the house you will buy is what your family longs for.

Expect the selection phase to last for months. Unlike buying an item in a department store, buying a home is a critical process that involves thorough research and inspection. Factors like transportation, proximity to basic establishments and weather have to be carefully considered. You also need to spend ample time visiting and inspecting several houses per day and to learn how to turn down offers that you think don’t fit your needs.

To make an even more informed decision, hire a reputable real estate agent. Not only can an agent guide you effectively, he can also minimize the tasks you need to perform throughout the purchase. He can do the searching, marketing and documentation required, and he can do them better.

Modern-day agents even use multiple listing services to make their search for a home that matches your standards even more accurate. MLS is an online software where sellers provide detailed information about the homes they sell. This makes purchasing easier since the agents can quickly identify the home the meets their client’s needs.

Looking for Better Living Space? Find an Alberta Real Estate Agent

Buyers, on the other hand, need to sort out an Agreement of Purchase through their REALTOR® of choice in such a way that the purchase complies with provincial laws. For example, a person who wishes to buy Calgary, Alberta real estate must first contact a reputable lawyer who can facilitate the transfer of title and file the transaction with the Alberta Land Titles office. Certified REALTORS® should be quick to remind their clients of these things, in case they forget.

Anybody who wishes to cash in on the current growth in Alberta’s real estate market should keep the above factors in mind. Given the right conditions, Alberta will continue to be a real estate hot spot.

http://www.crebnow.com/looking-for-better-living-space-find-an-alberta-real-estate-agent/

How a Top Calgary Housing Company Can Help You Choose the Right Home

Buyers might want to first understand why it would make sense to purchase luxury homes with low interest rates. In the long run, a homeowner who buys a high-priced home on lower interest rates gets much more out of the sale than someone who acquires a lower-priced home with a high interest rate attached. If anything, Calgary’s market conditions make luxury homes an enticing option for those who can afford such a purchase.

That said, it can still be challenging to find the right house in Calgary for the right price if you don’t know where to look. Likewise, Calgary’s housing market conditions are not bound to last forever, so you’ll need to find the best window of opportunity for a property purchase. In other words, expert advice can make all the difference between a smart purchase decision and a bad deal.

http://www.crebnow.com/how-a-top-calgary-housing-company-can-help-you-choose-the-right-home/

Pointers to Keep in Mind when Buying Luxury Real Estate in Calgary

    With most Canadian cities sporting clearly defined high-income neighbourhoods, it becomes evident that one percenters like hanging out with other one percenters. As the real estate agents say: “Location, location, location.”

It’s only fitting for high-income earners to want to buy luxury real estate in Calgary that indicates their status and serves as the fulfillment of their aspirations. Luxury homes, though, take on different meanings for different people. Some equate luxury homes with opulence—think movie star and rock star homes—while others look beyond aesthetics and consider which properties can give them the best value for their hard-earned money.

http://www.crebnow.com/pointers-to-keep-in-mind-when-buying-luxury-real-estate-in-calgary/

Quality Commercial Real Estate in Calgary: All Ripe for the Picking

    The Calgary economy continues to post solid gains, despite the disruption caused by summer flooding,” said the report. “The energy industry, primarily oil, remains strong and will continue to benefit from economic growth around the world.”

The above facts barely touch on just how vibrant Cowtown’s economy is; a low crime rate cements the city’s peace and order situation while a vast network of footbridges interlinks many buildings, allowing easy mobility for professionals on the go. The absence of a provincial sales tax sweetens an already high income level. When your business is in need of some commercial real estate in Calgary to set up shop in, you can count on a regional body such as the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) to help you find a trusted REALTOR®.

http://www.crebnow.com/quality-commercial-real-estate-in-calgary-all-ripe-for-the-picking/

First Time Homebuyer Readiness Checklist

Are you ready to buy your first house? You should know the process involved in buying residential real estate can be quite complex and tasking. Seemingly easy decisions could, in fact, make or break your purchase. Before taking the plunge, you should first evaluate your readiness for the long road of home purchase.

Quarry Park: A Prime Location for Many Houses for Sale in Calgary

An article by Mario Toneguzzi for the Calgary Herald dated November 25, 2013 details the rise of a thriving community that offers lucrative condos and beautiful houses for sale in Calgary, Alberta:

    “Momentum has been so good in the Quarry Park project that Remington Development Corporation has launched another initiative – a 32-unit condo called The Gates.

http://www.crebnow.com/quarry-park-a-prime-location-for-many-houses-for-sale-in-calgary/

How to Choose the Right Residential Neighbourhood

One of the most essential parts of buying real estate is choosing the right neighbourhood for you. There isn’t a single method of knowing the right surroundings; it all depends on what you and your family needs. There are, however, some easy steps that can help get you started on your search for the perfect neighbourhood.

Calgary: A Rising Star in Urban Real Estate

One of the many things that can make a city prosperous is its rate of urban development; it could rake in major commercial real estate investors and residential buyers alike. If you are one of these people, you might find it great news to know that Calgary has been ranked as having one of the most number of high-rise and skyscraper projects in North America today.

Tips on Buying Commercial Property

The decision to purchase commercial property in Calgary must be carefully considered. Here are some tips that can help you land a commercial real estate perfect for your needs.

On Making Your Home Shine Amongst Diamonds

There has been a lot of luxury houses for sale recently, so it might become hard for your house to stand out. However, you can do some adjustments that can help you land the perfect buyer. Here are some tips how to sway buyers into purchasing your home.

Find Your Calgary Dream Home with MLS®

The Canadian housing market is experiencing a boom, evident by the unforeseen increase in prices of Calgary real estate in 2013. Future Calgary homeowners should not fret about these prices, as they can use the MLS® to help them find their dream home at a good price.

Top Locations to Invest in Alberta Real Estate

Investing in real estate is one of the best ways to diversify a portfolio. When time comes to finally cash in on your investment, factors such as security and location play a large factor in determining the resale value of a real estate property. For a clearer idea of what makes a piece of property desirable, here are a few real estate projects that have caught the attention of many Albertans that may give you some ideas:

Mosaic Mirage in McKenzie Towne

This row of condominium townhouses boasts “single and double attached garages surrounding a central courtyard”, as well as two-to-three bedroom floor plans reaching over 1,300 square feet. The site is also in close proximity to High Street, which is home to many business establishments ranging from restaurants to dental practices.

The Park Condos in Calgary

This 19-storey mix of condominium and apartment already shows promise for its naturally appealing location: right between Central Memorial Park and Haultain School Park. It currently features 156 units for sale, which are almost sure to be claimed fast, given The Park Condos' easy access to the 17^th Avenue SW commercial district.

The Guardian by Hon Towers

Located between 11 Avenue Southeast and 3 Street Southeast, the condo-apartment hybrid sports 44 storeys of 321 single and double bedroom suites, with most of the former and all of the latter having their own parking spaces. It has Italian kitchens and bathrooms designed by Laura Vroom Design, as well as amenities like a yoga-Pilates studio.

Hasten Your Home Sale with These Tips

Relocating is never easy and neither is selling your old home to finance the new one. When months pass by without any buyers, consider doing home improvements to make your property more attractive and increase its market value. Where do you begin though?

2014 will be Great for Real Estate in Calgary

Retrospectively, 2013 was a good year for real estate in Calgary. Sales data disclosed by realtors indicate significant sales upsurges from 2012 alone, for single-family units, condominium apartments, and condominium townhouses. Real estate experts are even convinced that this feat can be replicated for the next two years.

In other words, there seems to be no better time to buy real estate in Calgary than now. Many realtors support this, saying that employment growth and migration in the city have augmented, backing the demand for housing, increased sales, and pricing. Others also mention how the city’s economy in 2013 has outperformed almost every other region in Canada in the previous year. With luck, the city may be able to reach the same heights for 2014, thanks to the new influx of jobs and employment opportunities.

Indeed, the job market shows no signs of slowing down and this helps the real estate market to thrive. Realtors also add that companies worldwide have been hiring professionals throughout Canada, and as a result has put Calgary on the map. Despite the calamities that struck the metropolis, residents show a deep sense of community and togetherness. This proves that Calgary is a great place to live in, not only because of its growing economy, but also because of kinship and belongingness.