Calgary Real Estate Blog - AMANDA KU

Guaranteed Sold Program - Why it is rarely in your best interest as a Seller

Especially at this time in the real estate cycle in Calgary, we are in a Slump, and may have certain reasons why you want to sell your house fast. An attractive program is to working with an agent to list your house with that provides a Guaranteed Sold Program. The isn't anything illegal or wrong about using this strategy, and it is attractive for individuals that are in a time crunch to sell their home. But it is rare that the program is in your best interest as a home seller.

CIR Realty does not offer this program because we share the same feeling as RECA does, and that is (according to RECA) "it is rarely the best option for consumers." RECA is the independent, non-government agency responsible for the regulation of Alberta’s real…

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How to Sell Your Own Home (FSBO)

If you are trying to sell your house yourself, this is what it might sound like:

1. Find a For Sale Buy Owner (FSBO) Handbook from your local Library or You Tube or Online Blog.
   
2. Get your sledge hammer out, and get a for sale sign on your lawn. Go to the Dollar Store and get a few For Sale Signs and hang on every window and mailbox (don't forget to put your phone number or email in the tiny box below the sign). 
   
3. Go through your filing cabinet (or the place where you put all your random documents) and hope you have your city assessments from past years. Go onto the City website and find what your house is assessed at. Forget your password and have to jump through hoops to find out what your assessed house is online. Go on your bank…

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Featured Partner: Proactive Seniors

Proactive Seniors is Calgary's premier seniors housing consulting service.  We help seniors and their families find their ideal location whether that be low-income subsidized  seniors housing, funded supportive living or private pay retirement residences.   We are the only company presenting all levels of housing and care within both the public and private markets, including dementia care facilities. We take a challenging and time consuming process and with our expertise and access, make it a quick, accurate and simple for seniors and their loved ones. With professional, in-person assessments and detailed knowledge of every available option in the city we make sure seniors are in the perfect location for them, the first time.   

Kathy Mendham…

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Best My Nest - CIR Referral Partnership Discounts from Vendors

Best My Nest by CIR REALTY is a program that focuses on connecting you to the people, services and ideas in your community that make living your best life in your home possible.

By creating valuable local partnerships with local businesses who offer home products, or home related services, we have put together a vast network of vendors who all offer special discounts and service add-ons specifically for CIR and best-my-nest clients!

In addition to special cost savings, CIR REALTY, in conjunction with our Best My Nest vendors, are also committed to practical, fun and educational “house hacks” through our blog and monthly newsletter. We will also be hosting members only, hands on workshops, seminars and events to increase your DIY (do it yourself)…

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End of Year 2018 Calgary Real Estate Market Update

MARKET UPDATE 
1. Mortgage rates are still attractive with a variety of lending options available. Interest rates are projected to rise, the longer one waits the greater the rate. Call or message me for a list of preferred brokers we perfectly pair you too.
2. Pricing fluctuations have been pocketed creating buying opportunities in some areas and price protection in others. 
3. Inventory levels will begin to relax over the winter months as will sales volumes. This can present a great time to SELL or BUY.
4. Its proven, accurately priced, desirable properties will continue to SELL   

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Feature Community: Bowness

Bowness is a community in the West side of the city of Calgary. The neighbourhood is bordered by the Bow River to the north and east, Highway 1 (16th Avenue) and Stoney Trail. Did you know that Bowness was once a town separate from the city of Calgary? It became part of the city back in 1964. One of the most popular parks in the city of Calgary is Bowness Park for both summer and winter activities. It is a popular place for sports, picnics, mini-train, canoeing, playground for the kids, and spray park for the summer. During the winter, Bowness park is great for skating and walking along the river.

Bowness is becoming a popular place for investors seeking large lots to convert to duplexes and multi-plexes. The community of Bowness is only about…

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in 22 Days of November: 376 Properties Sold this month by CIR Agents

Despite what you may read in the news, properties are absolutely selling and many homeowners are happily moving into their new homes each and every day. With the right strategy, goals are achieved and people are moving forward. CIR sells more homes than any other brokerage in the entire province. If you need to make a move, talk to us and let us help. Don’t stay stuck!

CIR REALTY is Alberta’s largest independent real estate brokerage with over 650 REALTORS® and Staff with corporate offices in both Calgary and Red Deer and 10 satellite offices, including the largest real estate offices in areas such as Okotoks, Cochrane, Airdrie and Sundre. As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™, CIR is proud to also be one of over 500…

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Ready to buy a home? Tips to help purchase your future home!

Are you ready to purchase a home in Calgary? There are a few things that can help make your home buying experience successful!

1. Get a pre-approval and get a few quotes from a bank and a mortgage advisor.

• Most common way to get a mortgage is to schedule an appointment with your bank. They will often give you a good rate with what the current going rate is. Did you know that bank interest rates can vary from bank-to-bank and some mortgage advisors at banks can give better rates than others. Shop around and see if you can getting the best rate you can get. Mortgage brokers can often provide a better rate, but also do your shopping around as they can give you more options than the banks.
• A good reason to get a pre-approval for a…

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Calgary Schools - Catholic Schools

There are 3 classifications of Schools. Public Schools, Catholic Schools, and Private Schools.

In this blog, we will be talking about Calgary Catholic Schools.

Schools are located in many of the neighbourhoods in the City of Calgary. CCSD is the largest Catholic school district in Alberta, serving more than 56,000 students serving the city of Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, and Chestermere. 

Number of schools: Total number: 115

Elementary: 54
Elementary/Junior High: 41
Junior High/High School: 3
Junior High: 5
High School: 10
Special Education: 2

Here is a list of designated Catholic schools broken down per community:
https://www.cssd.ab.ca/School/Documents/SchoolsByCommunity.pdf

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Calgary Infills Guide

We launched Calgary Infills website in 2018, as we found a lack of information for how to buy, sell, or build an Infill in Calgary. Although Infills may look the same, they are not all treated equally. Builders all have different approach as well as different building time-frames and we are blogging here to explain that we will be digging deeper in the next few months.

What is an infill? An infill is classified as a home is built on older land, where the original building was demolished and a new home is built in it's place. Infill that we classify on our sister website can be in the form of an Attached, Detached home. Attached homes can be duplex, three-plex, fourplex, multifamily, or row-house (townhouse). Detached homes can have attached or…

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