okotoks realtor: 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)

okotoks realtor: 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)

okotoks realtor: 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)

okotoks realtor: 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)

okotoks realtor: 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)

okotoks realtor: First-Time Buyers are in the Driver’s Seat! - 07/05/15 02:01 AM

 
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)

okotoks realtor: What Does Dad Really Want for Father’s Day? - 06/15/15 06:05 AM

We are halfway through June, so that can only mean one thing – it’s time to celebrate Dad! The stores are stacked with BBQ utensils and beer mugs. But what do you get the guy who already has everything? How to do you say “Thanks for being awesome!” with a gift from the store? This year, that’s just not going to cut it. There are plenty of fun ways that you can make Father’s Day extra special.
 
Get him a “new” car. Ok, you don’t have to actually get him a new car, but you could get his detailed. Borrow his ride … (0 comments)

okotoks realtor: 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)

okotoks realtor: Looking Forward to 2015 - 02/11/15 11:42 PM

Last year was an exciting and record-setting time in the Calgary real estate market. Demand was high, prices increased and many sellers found themselves sorting through multiple offers on their home. Calgary’s growth was big news across the country and many outside developers staked their claim in our city’s active market. According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, the average price for a home rose by nearly 6% last year.
If the last twelve months were any indication of the type of year we are in for, we have a lot to look forward to. Increasing prices and low interest … (0 comments)