karen salmon calgary: Moving Up to Your Forever Home
- 11/29/15 12:48 AM
Moving to a new home is a huge, monumental life change. Its felt even more when you're moving from a home you've live in and loved for years; a home where you have special memories and perhaps raised a family. All this can add to the stress of moving from the home that you loved, to what could be your “forever” home. Like every other move, you have to a lot to consider, such as financial costs, legal fees, home layout and desired neighbourhoods. These are all a part of the huge list of things to consider when making a long term move. … (2 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Bathroom Staging without Breaking the Bank
- 11/18/15 03:58 AM
As an experienced Realtor, I can tell you with certainty that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. Before my clients put their home on the market, I always advise them to put extra effort into ensuring the kitchen and bathrooms are at their best. Unlike what many believe, sprucing up your bathroom doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. There’s no need to start ripping up tiles or buying new fixtures. Here are a few quick and easy tips to stage your bathroom at little cost, but with big results. The first tip is to get your bathroom ready for staging. … (1 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Proven Strategies to Get Your Home Sold…Fast!
- 11/15/15 12:03 AM
Have you purchased a new home and are ready to take the next step…selling your home? If this is the position you are currently in, there are some tried and true tricks of the trade that will get your home to sell quickly. The selling process can be a bit arduous and will definitely throw off your regular routine for a few weeks, but the end result of an offer in hand is always worth it. The market in Calgary has had some hiccups over the past year, but here are some great tips that can get you through the process … (0 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Celebrate Remembrance Day in Calgary
- 11/08/15 12:00 AM
Growing up in Canada, sometimes we forget how fortunate we are. The freedom we take for granted and the happiness that comes along with it. However, every year on November 11, the entire country is reminded of that good fortune when we take time from our day to day hustle and honour our fallen heroes – the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country. The Canadian Bureau of Veteran’s Affairs states that more than 2.3 million men and women served our nation since World War I and more than 118,000 have died in service. In Calgary, … (1 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Should You Invest In Real Estate?
- 11/01/15 01:18 AM
Before I ventured into the world of real estate by becoming a realtor, I was a real estate investor first. My first dabble in real estate began as an investor, and over the years I never lost my passion for it. Right now, quite a bit of my business is in leasing and property management for investment real estate. My experiences as a seller, buyer, agent, landlord and property owner have allowed me to cultivate the type of experience that I enjoy passing on to my clients. While working with many of my clients, one question that I always seem to … (1 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Why You Should Get a Home Inspection
- 10/18/15 07:55 AM
The best piece of advice I can give home buyers is to get an inspection when purchasing a new home. As a potential buyer, you have the right to know and learn as much about the property as you can, finding out that a new roof or plumbing is needed after you’ve signed the dotted line is not the best way to start out in your new home. So the next question is, how much should a buyer spend on home inspections? And what types of inspections are there? Read on to find out….
Types of home inspections There are a many different … (1 comments)
Tip #1: Invite Early The key to a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner (or anything really) is to plan ahead. Once you commit yourself to hosting, the first thing you need to do is invite the family and friends you would like to attend. Knowing early on how many people will be attending and their food restrictions will help when preparing the menu and ensuring your home is ready to accommodate a certain amount of guests.
Tip #2: Plan Your Thanksgiving Recipes If … (0 comments)
September is a month of new beginnings, marking the start of a new season and the new school year. However, in Calgary it also marked the continued chill of the real estate market. Throughout 2015, the real estate market in Calgary has seen a significant slowdown from the unprecedented growth of previous years. With lawns signs staying up bit longer than usual and sales of single family homes slowing down, this month’s market update will not show the signs of a renewal that many potential buyers and sellers are looking for.
According to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), August saw sales … (2 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance
- 09/06/15 04:54 AM
Working as a Real Estate Agent is not your typical profession, where you start your day at 9 and end by 5. The hours fluctuate and some days can be very long. As a Real Estate Agent, I have to be available for my clients on their schedule, which means showing houses during the evenings and on weekends. While most people are enjoying their weekends off to spend time with family and friends, I am typically working with my clients.
I am passionate about my career and the success I have achieved, however I recognize that there are certain … (3 comments)
Most sellers are a little nervous with anticipation when their home is sitting on the market. What are buyers thinking? Is someone interested? Will an offer be coming in? Then out of the blue, a buyer’s agent comes calling with a low ball offer. Less than flattering valuations of your property are hard to take, but that doesn’t mean you should feel insulted. Slamming the door is the wrong reaction. As an experienced Real Estate Agent, here are three important things that I keep in mind when I am at the negotiating table:
Perhaps you are thinking of renting out your first home while you upgrade to something a little more roomy. Maybe you are considering investing in a condo to build some additional real estate equity. Nearly anyone can become a landlord with a little patience and preparation, and in the long run, it can be a very rewarding decision. If you are new to the game, and are feeling a little hesitant about taking the plunge, here are four helpful tips to get you started in the right direction. Most tenants are good, responsible people. We have all heard horror stories of tenants … (0 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Is Condo Living Right For You?
- 07/19/15 01:18 AM
If you are thinking of making a move, or planning on buying your very first home, you have probably considered the possibility of condo ownership. Over the last 10 years, condos have become an incredibly popular option in Calgary, and there is more to choose from than ever before. In many cases, Calgary’s condos offer some exciting perks - low maintenance living, great locations, and best of all, an affordable price tag. That being said, condo living isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer the privacy of a single family home, need the extra space and aren’t crazy about sharing a common area … (0 comments)
It’s no secret that we had a slow start this year in the real estate market, but with change comes opportunity. Inventory rose, prices stabilized, and most importantly, first-time home buyers took note.
According to the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP), nearly half of the homes purchased over the last 24 months were bought by first time buyers. Those that were hesitant to take the leap during 2014’s aggressive market have welcomed the slowdown. This spring, they had more to choose from and less pressure from competing offers. Coupled with rock bottom interest rates, it is shaping up to be … (0 comments)
Whether you are shopping for a home or looking to sell your current home, you will need to consider all of your options. You can work with a real estate agent, or you can attempt to navigate the process on your own. Some people believe that a real estate agent is simply an overpaid person who tours you around neighborhoods, unlocks doors, and comments on paint colours. The reality is that my job is much more extensive than that.
Here are just a few value-added benefits of hiring a professional REALTOR:
Marketing and Matchmaking
When you put a house on the market, you need people to see … (71 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Real Estate Relationships That Last a Lifetime
- 05/31/15 01:39 AM
Hiring a real estate agent isn’t just a one-time thing. At least, it doesn’t have to be. I have had the pleasure of helping many of my clients move from one home to another several times. I thoroughly enjoy being part of these important and exciting life changes.I pride myself in being a trusted source of real estate knowledge, and I always make an effort to stay in touch with the people I have worked with in the past. During an uncertain economic period, it’s not uncommon to have plenty of questions. Is this a good time to list your home? If … (1 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Wrapping Your Head Around the Legalities of a Real Estate Transaction
- 05/10/15 02:38 AM
Executing a real estate transaction is so much more than just putting up a For Sale sign on the lawn. Those who attempt to go at it alone realize one thing very quickly – it comes with a lot of paperwork. Over the years, the standard forms have evolved. Today, the purchase and sale agreement is loaded with clauses that protect both the buyer and seller. Essentially, in the end, you will need the help of a lawyer to finalize the deal and an experienced Realtor who has the knowledge to ensure your bases are covered. Signing a real estate agreement is … (1 comments)
Having recently helped a handful of clients moved to smaller homes, I know how difficult it can be. Downsizing usually offers a wide range of exciting benefits, and provides significant financial and lifestyle opportunities. Although it is a popular choice later in life, not everyone looks forward to it with optimism. Sometimes, it’s hard to imagine yourself living somewhere else. For many, it’s the actual move that make them reluctant. Here are the top three concerns that cause homeowners to think twice:
“I don’t want to move because I am sentimentally attached to my home.” Truly, home is where the … (3 comments)
Buying new has its advantages, particularly in Alberta. Last year, the provincial government implemented the New Home Buyer Protection Act. This act is intended to improve the standard of residential construction and offers consumers a higher level of security. Single-family homes, condos and multi-family dwellings are all covered. This program provides the most comprehensive protection plan in Canada.
So which components of your new home are covered under the statute? The first year offers coverage for the cosmetic finishes in the home including defects in the paint, flooring, and trim. The second year safeguards against defects caused by … (3 comments)
karen salmon calgary: Preparing to Buy a Home
- 03/15/15 05:40 AM
Thinking of buying a home? It is an extremely exciting and rewarding experience, but there are a lot of things to remember and many important decisions to be made. This checklist will help you organize the process and carefully consider your options as you go. Refer to this list as a guide to keep your home search on the right track: Choose a Realtor to help you get started. Review and sign the Buyer’s Representation Agreement. Choose a mortgage professional to help you get your financing in order. Determine a purchase price that you are comfortable with, and calculate an … (0 comments)
According to a recent report by the Globe and Mail, over 75% of Canada’s newly self-employed workers are women. They are more educated than ever, and are rapidly rising to the top in many of the country’s largest corporations. They are proving that anything men can do, women can do better! Real estate is no exception. More and more women are acquiring financial stability and finding opportunities to build wealth as landlords, investors, and renovators.
Women have top-notch intuition. There are no guarantees in real estate. There are trends and sales histories, predictions and strong opinions, … (0 comments)
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