October 2018

Some pets can do serious damage to homes where they live. If you're a home buyer trying to purchase a property that has sustained damage from live-in pets, knowing what kind of home maintenance projects to expect can help you prepare to make repairs.

Give the Flooring Some Care

Pets can damage floors in a variety of ways. Pets with claws may scratch floor boards, while young pets may have accidents or chew up carpeting. Sometimes this damage is visible, other times it is hidden from view. For example, removing the carpeting may reveal hardwood floors that have been stained.

In a home with carpeting, the carpet may need to be replaced to get rid of pet smells and pet dander. Home buyers hoping to avoid the expense of replacing the carpet

Bathroom renovation is an excellent way for a homeowner to boost the sale price of their home. However, not all renovations are created equal. Homeowners who want to get the best ROI must plan their remodel wisely. Buying economical fixtures can help, as can purchasing fixtures that specifically interest home buyers.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

Protecting the environment is of major importance to many homeowners, as is saving money. Low-flow fixtures do both at the same time. The standard low-flow toilets use 4.8 litres per flush. This represents significant water savings compared to the old toilets, which used about 6 litres per flush.

Low flow fixtures are just one of the many eco-friendly materials available to homeowners. Other

The many styles of architecture in Canada may sometimes seem like a hodgepodge to the untrained eye. However, home buyers can learn about their options so they can make a smarter decision. Those who may not be sure what kind of house they want should keep the following facts in mind before they start putting in their bids.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

A Ranch style home in Canada refer to any single story home, usually with an attached patio or deck space. The original idea behind the ranch style was to link the homeowner as closely as possible to the landscape. If there was an emergency with the cattle in the middle of the night, a

A refreshing swim and a dip in the hot tub can often be just what the doctor ordered, especially as our Calgary weather grows colder.

Whether you like to swim for fun or for serious cardio, look for a neighbourhood that's close to a great aquatic facility when house hunting in Calgary. Wouldn't you rather spend time doing laps than in your car getting to the pool?

We've listed a few Calgary indoor pools by area:

Calgary City Centre

• Repsol Sports Centre: Formerly known as the Talisman Centre and Lindsay Park Sports Centre, the Repsol Sports Centre is perhaps the largest in Calgary. Located at 2225 Macleod Trail in Mission it is convenient to Calgary City Centre. Aquatic features include two 8-lane 50m pools and a teaching pool,

Hiring a real estate agent is one of the best things someone can do when it comes to selling a home or buying a new one, but with how many agents are available to hire, it can seem overwhelming when trying to find a place to start. Here are five different types of real estate agents all buyers and sellers should keep an eye out for when searching for someone to work with to buy a home in North Calgary or elsewhere.

1. The Realistic Visionary

When it comes to selling a home, it's vital to have a good idea of what it's worth, and when talking to potential real estate agents to hire, asking for their opinion on the home's value is essential. One agent may say the home can fetch $200,000, and another may say $205,000. But if a third says they can

Employing a drone to sell a home can be a fantastic way to show off the extent and condition of a property. Instead of just photographing the koi pond in the backyard, homeowners can now display aerial footage so home buyers can see how that pond fits into the rest of the land. As the cost of the technology drops, drones have become useful for more than just showcasing million-dollar homes. Learn more about how homeowners can use a drone to their advantage to attract serious buyers.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Assessing Your Property

Single-family homes are usually discouraged from using drones because they may not sell for

Let's face it – Calgary ain't the Okanagan. Orchards aren't our thing because spring doesn't always come early, summer heat waves are too spotty and our evenings are always on the cool side. Any green thumb gardener knows that there are certain things that just don't do well in our climate. Watermelon, for example.

But we love our flowering trees and the resulting fruit. It's just a matter of find the right kind of tree and perhaps changing our expectations of what Alberta fruit really is. There's nothing like fresh fruit that's you've grown in your own back yard. In the first half of the last century, preserving your own fruit was essential to stocking the prairie pantry. What wasn't eaten fresh was made into jam or canned. This ritual has

When kitchen cabinets begin looking dated or Southeast Calgary homeowners simply tire of the style of color, it is a great time to consider cabinet refinishing or cabinet replacement. Here are the differences between these two course of action, so that owners can make an informed choice concerning this costly investment.

The Process of Cabinet Refinishing

Cabinet refinishing can be a challenging process, even if using an all-in-one kit. The process begins by removing the cabinet's facing and drawers and then removing any hardware present. Refinishing involves removing old stain or paint and sanding the surfaces thoroughly. This is followed by a good cleaning before applying primer, a new color or non-toxic wood stain, and then sealing them.

Homeowners in Canada who still owe a balance on their mortgage will be faced with making some decisions as renewal time nears. Mortgage holders have the choice of staying with their current lender or in seeking other, potentially money-saving opportunities elsewhere.

Current lenders will send out renewal slips to mortgage holders encouraging customers to take the simple route to renewal. While there are reasons this may end up being the best option, mortgage holders may be better served by exploring alternatives.

Here is your guide to the Canadian mortgage renewal process.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Be Prepared

Make a note

There are so many things that need to be done when it comes to buying a home. One of them is getting the financing, another is having an inspection. But there's also the need for a survey. Homeowners want to make sure they really own all the property they believe they're buying. If there are discrepancies or problems, they should know about that before they complete their purchase. Then they can decide whether they want to go ahead with that purchase or whether they would prefer to look for a different home. Here's why a home survey matters so much.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What is a Home Survey?

A home survey isn't really