Wednesday 17 September 2014

Why you need an RPR (not title insurance) when buying a house in Calgary


Here’s the downside of not having a current RPR. Anything that isn’t in compliance will cost you money and time down the road. It could be when your neighbour sells and/or when you sell in the future. I’ve had issues getting compliance on my client’s property costing anywhere froTitleInsurance_thumbm $300 to $10,000 and taking anywhere from 5 weeks to 10 months to complete. When buying a property you shouldn’t be the one to incur the sellers issues or problems with the property. My personal pain… I have a cement pad on the side of my house, sitting on the utility right of way, (there since I bought this house) that reminds me why my buyers need a current RPR. This is an expense I will incur when I sell.
http://www.innercityyyc.com/need-rpr-buying-home-in-calgary.html

Monday 15 September 2014

Buying a home in Calgary? Don’t do this after getting a mortgage pre-approval


I represented the seller of a condo and the buyer had the conditions of condo doc review and financing. A week went by and on the day the financing condition was to be removed I received a call from the buyer’s Realtor saying that they need an extension of 10 days for financing – “oh and by the way, we haven’t even started the condo docs since I want to make sure the financing went through first.” When I asked why 10 days, since that is a very long time to extend, she said that her client co-signed a car loan for a friend and the lender will no longer approve the mortgage because of this. The buyer needs to find someone else to co-sign the car loan so that the buyer can be removed from this obligation. Last I heard the buyer did find someone to replace him as co-signer and they’re waiting on the lender to resubmit the application.
http://www.innercityyyc.com/buying-home-in-calgary-dont-do-this.html

Saturday 13 September 2014

Never neglect this money grabber when owning a condo in Calgary


When you purchase a condo you will receive a set of condo documents passed on from the seller. The condo document review company will organize them and put them in a binder for you to store along with the purchase documents from your lawyer and real estate agent. Years down the road when you want to sell, most likely, your condo documents to be passed onto the next owner, will be out of date. To provide a complete set of condo documents you’ll need to contact the management company for copies that are missing. Now here’s the money grabber – depending on what you need to complete the set, it will cost you anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. Yes, extremely inflated prices to have someone use the copying machine, and even more frustrating when the files are all sent digitally.
http://www.innercityyyc.com/never-neglect-money-grabber-owning-condo-calgary.html

Thursday 11 September 2014

How to make buyers love you before moving into your Calgary home

I was helping a couple find a home when we came across this one property they really loved. There were tenants in the home and I had to give 24 hours notice to view it. My clients were so excited about the home that they were worried that if we had to wait for 24 hours, someone else would buy it before they could see it. After talking with the seller’s Realtor, we moving to calgarymanaged to get in that day by piggy backing on another Realtor’s showing. Well, our efforts paid off because my clients loved the property! Within the private remarks (notes only viewed by the real estate agents), the sellers promised to have the home cleaned prior to moving in. If you’ve ever viewed a property that is lived in, you know that the home is never 100% clean and many times there are food smells and well, uncertain, less desirable smells.
http://www.innercityyyc.com/make-buyers-love-moving-into-calgary-home.html

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Finding Houses for Sale in Calgary that Suit your Budget and Lifestyle


Many luxury houses for sale in Calgary may be the ideal options for buyers with similar profiles. For instance, million-dollar mansions serve as the new homes of migrant business professionals who see fit to invest in the city’s lucrative energy sector. Other high-end home buyers also contribute to the upswing in luxury home sales. Upscale single-family houses typically have more than 3 bedrooms as well as expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces. The best models and resale houses even receive multiple offers from serious buyers and real estate investors. Meanwhile, some working professionals and downsizing boomers also find luxury condo units more to their liking.
http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/finding-houses-for-sale-in-calgary-that-suit-your-budget-and-lifestyle/

Friday 8 August 2014

A Calgary Realtor® Helps Seniors Explore the Best Condo Living Options


Phung further cites laws and individual condominium corporation policies that make condo living an easier and safer option for the elderly. For instance, some condo associations allow seniors to customise their respective units to accommodate certain limitations, particularly those who need access ramps. The leniency when it comes to these requested modifications enable the elderly to avoid experiencing “undue hardship” during their golden years. Ultimately, a positive condo living experience all boils down to choosing the right place for retirees to settle. Some condos are more suitable for younger residents in terms of amenities and policies, so elderly buyers would do well to choose properties that are ideal for their intended lifestyles. At any rate, seniors who wish to downsize to condo living can approach a licensed Calgary realtor® like Christine Ordze for help in finding units that suit their needs and preferences.
http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/a-calgary-realtor-helps-seniors-explore-the-best-condo-living-options/

Thursday 3 July 2014

5 Title Checks before Selling your Home in Calgary

On a property title there are the owners, the legal description, and any instruments that apply to the property and the owner. An instrument is basically an item on your title. This can include your mortgage, restrictive covenants, liens, utility right away, etc.

When reviewing your title first check the legal description and the address that is on there to make sure there are no mistakes. One of my clients saw that the type of street was incorrect on the title. Fortunately they caught it before transferring title.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/5-title-checks-moving-to-calgary.html

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Buyers need an Agreement when Buying a home in Calgary

In the contract for listing your property you are fully aware of the obligations of each party – the home owner and the Calgary Realtor. So shouldn’t the buyer on the other end also know what their obligations are and the real estate agents obligations are when buying a home?

Back in the day, home owners got all the attention when a deal was made in selling their home, so we saw a fair amount of transactions that both the seller and buyer were represented by the seller’s real estate agent…. or more like the seller was represented and the buyer wasn’t.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/buyers-agreement-moving-to-calgary.html

Friday 13 June 2014

Houses for Sale in Calgary: The Various Perks of Inner City Living

With all these perks taken into account, buyers have more reasons to choose houses for sale in Calgary’s inner city as opposed to properties in the suburbs. However, experts advise buyers to buy an inner city home only if it fits their lifestyle as a way to prevent the risk of another housing bubble.

In any case, the service of a reliable realtor® like Christine Ordze can help buyers make more intelligent decisions when it comes to picking and buying a home.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/houses-for-sale-in-calgary-the-various-perks-of-inner-city-living/

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Let a Top Calgary Realtor Help You Find Your Dream Inner City Home

Upwardly mobile individuals and families sure love the hustle and bustle of a premier Canadian city like Calgary.

Having the second lowest unemployment rate in 2013 and a cost of living lower than Toronto and Vancouver, according to data from CalgaryEconomicDevelopment.com, more people from other cities and countries consequently consider moving to Calgary, particularly the inner city area.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/06/05/let-a-top-calgary-realtor-help-you-find-your-dream-inner-city-home/

Sunday 30 March 2014

Watch out for Red Flags when Looking at Houses for Sale in Calgary

As important as checking the inside of a home is, it’s also important to check the outside. You need to ensure that you are not moving into a bad neighborhood, or one that’s right in the midst of a busy road. Homes that are in an airport’s flight path, for instance, might be affordable, but the noise from planes overhead can be extremely discomforting.

If you do want to take advantage of the increasing supply of single-family homes in inner-city Calgary, make sure that you work with a reputable realtor to help you find your dream home. Trusted realtors like Christine Ordze have the right experience and networks to help homeowners look for attractive inner-city Calgary houses for sale.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/watch-out-for-red-flags-when-looking-at-houses-for-sale-in-calgary/

Friday 28 March 2014

Demand Continues to Increase for Inner-city Calgary Homes for Sale

New home construction and refurbishing of old houses are taking place at a rapid pace in the area. The dynamic nature of the real estate market and the increasing demand for properties show the need for homebuyers to work with realtors, such as Christine Ordze, who specialize in homes for sale in the Calgary inner city area.

These experienced realtors can help buyers go through the number of choices that are currently available to them. They can also help buyers find the property that will best suit their budget and preferences, and guide them through the rapid changes that can be expected in a fast growing real estate market.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/demand-continues-to-increase-for-inner-city-calgary-homes-for-sale/

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Calgary Homes for Sale: Finding the Right Neighborhood in Inner City

The many options in inner city Calgary can be confusing for any homebuyer. For example, some properties in the Southeast, like those in McKenzie Lake, rival the affluent and luxurious homes in downtown Calgary. This is where the services of experienced Calgary Realtors ® are most welcome, since these professionals are highly knowledgeable in the pros and cons of each location.

Additionally, closing a deal on a home for sale in Calgary City entails numerous and often confusing paperwork that first-time buyers may find overwhelming. A realtor can guide homebuyers through the myriad of documents and processes that home buying entails. Working with such an expert can help make the dream of finding a home and settling in inner city Calgary a stress free reality.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/calgary-homes-for-sale-finding-the-right-neighborhood-in-inner-city/

Monday 24 March 2014

A Capable Calgary Realtor® Can Aid Homebuyers in a Competitive Market

Realtors serve as invaluable aids to homebuyers, whether it’s their first time making a purchase or not. With their experience, familiarity, and extensive network, realtors can read the real estate market of a given area, and help buyers identify which locations are the most affordable or desirable. Especially in inner-city and downtown areas where properties can command high prices, realtors will be handy to those who want to find a place that’s close to both work and play.

Skilled Calgary Realtors®, such as Christine Ordze who specialize in inner-city properties, can help buyers in making informed decisions, and can steer them away from trouble. While homebuyers might have a good idea of what they want in a home, realtors can help in selecting alternatives that could even be better. A specialized inner-city realtor should be able to recommend the best suburban neighbourhoods to buyers.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/a-capable-calgary-realtor-can-aid-homebuyers-in-a-competitive-market/

Monday 10 March 2014

Calgary Homes for Sale – Update February 26th

Last year we experience low inventory of Calgary homes for sale compared to 2012, unfortunately this year it’s even lower. Inventory over Feb 2013 has decreased by 18.22% and sales have increase by 6.66%. This tells me that properties are coming onto the market at decent prices and getting swooped up right away. On top of that the portion of inventory that got batted around in the last few months has finally found a buyer.

Now as for property values the increase is holding true to the beginning of the year forecast. Condos have increased by 3.4% over January 2014 and single family homes have increased by 5.4%.\

http://www.innercityyyc.com/calgary-homes-for-sale-update-february-26th.html

Saturday 8 March 2014

Inclusionary Zoning – How will it affect homes for sale in Calgary?

If you look at current homes for sale in Calgary, if you look at condo buildings specifically don’t you think they already… voluntarily have “inclusionary zoning”? The lower floors are more affordable, albeit with smaller units, and with less view. Some buildings even have included the smaller units on the higher floors that are still affordable. So this tells me that builders are already considering entry level to moderately priced properties to cater to this income bracket.

I do support the need for affordable housing since our rental vacancy rate is hovering around 1% and the cost of renting is only going up and being less affordable! I also support the need for builders to have a huge influence on how inclusionary zoning is decided, since this isn’t a simple solution to a very serious problem.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/homes-for-sale-in-calgary-inclusionary-zoning.html

Thursday 6 March 2014

How to Find a Great Calgary Realtor

1. Ask a realtor in your local area if they can refer one they know in Calgary, preferably one they’ve done business with.

2. If you’re transferring for employment reasons ask your future colleagues to recommend someone, especially those who have bought recently. Find out why they would recommend this person and what really stood out about them.

3. Go online and search Calgary Realtor, and for those who came up, look at their website and go to client feedback for hints on what to expect from this Realtor. Look at other parts of their website for information on community involvement and knowledge of the industry.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/how-to-find-calgary-realtor.html

Tuesday 4 March 2014

2 Expenses to Avoid When Moving to Calgary

If the purchase of your new home is dependent on the sale of your current home for sale in Calgary, then lining up your possession date is important. Did you know that even though you do line up the dates you could still be facing extra expenses? Let me explain.

The first one is bridge financing.  This occurs when the possession date on your new home is before the possession date of your current home. Bridge financing is essentially a loan to pay for the new home until you receive the money from the sale of your old home. The expense is the interest on that loan.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/2-expenses-to-avoid-moving-to-calgary.html

Tuesday 18 February 2014

What You Need to Know Before Selecting a House for Sale in Calgary

Before you take that big plunge into real estate investing, however, it is important that you first understand the basics of home buying. You need to learn about mortgages, and the process that goes into getting one. This includes getting a pre-approval, which will determine the amount that you can loan from a lender for your home purchase. A reliable mortgage broker can help connect you to various lending institutions who can present you with several financing options.

Once you have put your finances in focus, and have determined a budget that will be in line with your immediate and future financial situation, you can proceed to finding the right house for sale in Calgary. While this sounds like a very exciting exercise, it can actually be more difficult than it seems as you will have to compete with other buyers, and, could miss out on opportunities for a great buy. For these reasons, it is important that you work with reputable real estate brokers like Calgary’s Inner City real estate specialist Christine Ordze, who can help you find the right property that will match your preferences and budget.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/what-you-need-to-know-before-selecting-a-house-for-sale-in-calgary/

Sunday 16 February 2014

Pointers to Consider When Aiming to Buy Homes for Sale in Calgary

Taking some time to educate yourself before buying homes for sale in Calgary can save you from a great deal of trouble. Seek professional financial advice to confirm credit ratings and mortgage qualification. Work with a certified and reputable realtor focusing on Inner City Calgary listings, like Christine Ordze, to find the right property in your desired neighborhood. An experienced Calgary realtor can help you sort out the details, keep you informed, and provide you with applicable options; particularly when dealing with budget constraints.

Be familiar with applicable buyer policies and regulations, along with the necessary paperwork and legwork, especially with regard to getting mortgage pre-approval. Your real estate agent may even refer you to a lawyer and home inspector, whose services may be needed to ensure a safe and successful transaction.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/pointers-to-consider-when-aiming-to-buy-homes-for-sale-in-calgary/

Friday 14 February 2014

Buying a New Home: How a Calgary Realtor Can Help You Close a Good Deal

A mortgage broker can be a huge help in terms of understanding the financial component to your purchase, a real estate agent can successfully identify potential properties and work to negotiate a contract that considers your best interests, a contractor can assist you in mapping out costs for renovations, a property inspector can ensure you are getting a sound home, and a lawyer or notary can take the guess work out of the closing process.

Getting the services of a reliable Calgary realtor is another important step you need to take in the home buying process. If you’re a first-time buyer who wants to avoid any legal issues and purchase risks, you can trust the expertise of a realtor who knows the industry and the market well. A realtor can steer you to the right property that matches your preference and budget, and help in facilitating the deal between you and the seller.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/buying-a-new-home-how-a-calgary-realtor-can-help-you-close-a-good-deal/

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Home Buying 101: Call Trusted Calgary Realtors for the Needed Leg Up

Even the smoothest transactions that close without complications can come back to haunt. For example, taxing authorities that collect property tax assessments, doc stamps or transfer tax can fall months behind and mix up invoices, but one call to your agent can straighten out the confusion.

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your life, so it is important that you devote a lot of your time to understanding the process. The assistance and support of reliable Calgary realtors will also be invaluable in guiding you through the entire process, as well as in helping you find the home of your dreams. Compared to the risks and losses you can avoid, the cost of such a service is very small.

http://christineordze.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/home-buying-101-call-on-trusted-calgary-realtors-for-the-needed-leg-up/

Monday 10 February 2014

13th Floor Condos not bad luck if Moving to Calgary

I read this article A 13th floor Condo? No Such Luck where there is a difference of superstition across the States. In Chicago 13th floor condos are common, whereas, in Manhattan and Brooklyn it’s a no-brainer to omit the 13th floor with risk of losing sales because of risking bad luck.

In Calgary’s inner city there are 26 high rise condo buildings that don’t shy away from the unlucky 13. Twenty of these buildings were built in 2000 to 2013, and to my surprise six of them were prior to 2000. Surprised, since in the back of my mind I thought that only the more recent builders wouldn’t be held to this old superstition, yet condo buildings such as 1101 EURO built in 1964, The Estate built in 1980, and Eau Claire Estates built in 1981 have also chosen to keep 13 in the mix.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/13th-floor-condos-bad-luck-moving-calgary.html

Saturday 8 February 2014

2014 Predictions for Homes for Sale in Calgary

To break this down a bit, the number of single family homes sold will increase by 2.4% and prices will increase by 3.8%. Apartment condos sales will increase by 5% and prices 5.8%. Although the most popular properties in 2014 are the townhouse condos with an 8% increase in sales and a 4.75% increase in prices.

Why so much more growth in the Calgary condo sales? This is because we have a healthy inventory of condos on the market. Usually I’ve seen about 28% of properties on the market that are condos, right now it’s 33%.  Secondly, they’re a more affordable option for first time home buyers. The predicted 2014 Benchmark price for an apartment condo is $281,800  and $308,690 for a townhouse, meanwhile the single family home price is $461,100.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/2014-predictions-homes-sale-calgary.html

Thursday 6 February 2014

Buying a Home for Sale in Calgary – Don’t Exclude the Finance Condition!

Before thinking about excluding the finance condition on a purchase contract for a home for sale in Calgary (or anywhere for that matter) you must understand the ramifications of it. Let me explain.

If 2014 is going to be anything like it was 2013, and by that I mean several buyers vying for the same property, you’ll find yourself making decisions you wouldn’t normally do in a calmer market. When up against another buyer or several buyers your real estate agent will recommend that you put in your best offer. This would mean the maximum you’d pay for the property and sometimes, to beat out the rest, it might also be suggested to exclude any conditions.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/never-exclude-finance-condition-heres.html

Tuesday 4 February 2014

How is Poutine Like Calgary Homes for Sale?

In order to get to this point, as the search for the best Poutine in Calgary, we need to look at all the ingredients and make sure each one is satisfied. In Poutine, there are three main ingredients – fries, cheese curds and gravy. With a home you have the community, the home style and the layout.

Concentrating on the big three gives you a good foundation for your search for a great home. After filtering through the online Calgary Homes for Sale Poutinechoices you can then see what extras would make you want to visit the home, such as upgrades, material choices, or condition of the home.

http://www.innercityyyc.com/poutine-calgary-homes-for-sale.html