Hidden hazards of buying a home in Winter

February 24th, 2016
Normally, there is snow during a Calgary winter (not this year, apparently!).  When you are buying a home that is covered in snow, there is a risk that you will not be able to identify potential deficiencies.  Here is a list of issues that could be covered up by snow and what you can do about it. Leaking Water can penetrate your home from multiple points of entry including windows, the ro ...

What to do if you can no longer afford your Calgary home

February 17th, 2016
Times are tough for many families in Calgary and the surrounding areas.  When faced with job loss or job insecurity, many homeowners wonder what will happen if they can no longer afford their mortgage payments.  There is no one size fits all solution for this situation since everyone’s circumstances are unique.  The best advice I can give to anyone facing this reality is to contact a truste ...

Understanding your City of Calgary Property Tax Assessment

February 10th, 2016
If you own a home in Calgary, you should have received your annual property assessment notice by now.  Your annual property assessment notice is not a tax bill; it is simply the assessed value of your property.  Your annual property tax bill is based on this assessed amount.  I often receive questions about this process from new and veteran homeowners.  Here are a few of the most frequently ...

Myths and Facts about a Buyer’s Market

February 3rd, 2016
The residential real estate market is Calgary is currently in a phase commonly known as a Buyer’s Market.  Like all businesses, real estate markets ebb and flow.  The ebbs and flows of the real estate market are heavily influenced by factors such as interest rates, the local economy, and government policies.  The last few years in Calgary have been characterized by a high demand for housing ...

Housing market remains unchanged in January (CREB report)

February 1st, 2016
Slow sales activity and inventory gains place downward pressure on prices Click here to view the full monthly stats package.   Calgary’s housing market is starting 2016 firmly in buyers’ market territory, much the same as last year ended.    “The recent slide in energy prices has raised concerns about near-term recovery prospects for the city,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. ...