January 2019

Marketing is an important part of making a home sale. The way a home is marketed can affect how much money the home sells for and how quickly the home sells. In recent years, some new tools have been introduced to the real estate market. Homeowners who want to get creative with their home marketing strategy can use virtual reality to attract a wider audience and more home buyers. Here's what you need to know about virtual reality in home selling.

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

What Is Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality is a computer simulation that enables the user to experience a 3D computer generated environment. Virtual reality

When buying a home formerly owned by a smoker, a non-smoking new homeowner often faces the process of cleansing the home of preexisting odors. Airing out the house can be a multi-step process involving a lot of cleaning and some remodeling. With some extra effort, buyers can make a home formerly owned by a smoker smell fresh and clean.

Common Problem Areas for Smoking Odors When Cleaning a Smoker's Home

Anything permeable will retain odors. Walls can be washed or painted; baseboards can be scrubbed; tile can be sanitized. However, anything soft and porous will hold onto odors--especially if they cannot be deep cleaned. For example, some window treatments such as cloth-covered vertical blinds or lacy curtains can be extremely tricky to clean and

The older we get the less likely we want to go through the hassle of selling our home and moving.  It’s a lot of work and very disruptive and honestly, the majority of people over the age of 65 don’t want to do it. Senior citizens are reluctant to leave their friends, to get rid of possessions and say goodbye to a home they have lived and loved in for decades.

So why do seniors decide to leave it all behind and change their surroundings?

The City of Calgary conducted a survey and questioned a random sample of senior citizens to get the reasons behind their move. The goal was to help the city’s social services departments do some planning around senior housing and economic assistance programs.  The results were very interesting.

Of the 500

For those who live in Canada and are looking into financing a home, they may be surprised to find that they are limited to just a few options. For example, unlike some other locations throughout the world, Canada does not offer the 30-year mortgage. That may seem perfectly normal to people who have lived here all their lives, but for those who have moved there from another country it may be surprising to find that they have to look at finances differently when they decide to buy a house. So, what options are available? Fortunately, there are still choices when it comes to loans for first time home buyers in North Calgary and buyers across Canada.

Most Homes Are Bought On Five-Year Loans

Just five years to pay off a house? That may seem

Little chores pop up around the house from time to time, such as hanging pictures, stabilizing loose screws, and hammering loose boards back into place. All of these tasks and more are easily accomplished with a few handy devices that should be in every homeowner's toolbox. These 10 essential basic homeowner tools are must-haves for anyone who wants to handle home improvement in their home.

Versatile Set of Screwdrivers

Flat head and Phillips head screwdrivers in a variety of sizes will likely be employed the most amid the essential toolbox. These tools often come in sets that are highly affordable, as there's no need to make a costly investment in screwdrivers unless one is a serious enthusiast. Those who know how to use a screwdriver with

Working at home, whether for convenience or out of necessity, should be a pleasant experience. Not only does a home office allow you to shorten your commute, but it allows you to make your own hours and cater to your own working style. However, rather than making do with a laptop in the midst of family activity, try to carve out a space that will provide both privacy and basic business necessities. Whether you work at home only on rare occasions, or you go to work every day, dedicated, clutter-free space that meets your specific needs is important.

Function

Having a separate room with a door is a luxury that might not be possible or affordable. But a folding screen, an alcove in a larger space, a little-used closet, or a corner of the attic

Having the the right professionals on board to handle a home sale is important, but home buyers and sellers are usually the ones who need to handle the actual move from one home to another. And one way to make a move less stressful is the use of a preplanned moving timeline. Moving timelines help buyers and sellers stay on top of the many necessary details for a successful transition. Plus, it gives everyone a chance to feel accomplished when they meet their milestones. For a better idea of where to begin, here are a few underlying rules to keep in mind when constructing your own timeline.

Common Supplies Needed When Moving House

Homeowners need many supplies during a relocation. Boxes, bubble wrap and tape are some of the most obvious

When you own your own South Calgary home, it helps to be handy. But even someone who is all thumbs may be able to navigate some plumbing issues without too much trouble with the help of a wrench and YouTube.

Plumbing is the most common cause of do-it-yourself disasters in the home so it pays to be careful at the first drip of errant water.

Do it Yourself or Dial a Pro?

There are minor problems that every Calgary homeowner should know how to fix. Just as you wouldn’t call an electrician to change a light bulb, there are some jobs that don’t require a lot of skill.

Examples of these kinds of situations include:

The Toilet is Running

If you constantly hear that noise of water running through pipes in your home, first make sure the

For the home seller who loves to DIY and save money, selling a home without a real estate professional can be tempting. Still, a home owner who is thinking about putting their home on the market soon should give careful thought to whether or not a for sale by owner (FSBO) transaction is right for them. FSBO sales may bring complications that cost home sellers dearly, whether you live in North Calgary or elsewhere.

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

Fewer Advertising Opportunities

The MLS website is the website where the majority of real estate listings can be found. A real estate professional can list a home on the MLS website, whereas a

An outdoor living space can serve as an extension of a home. Friends and family can gather and relax on a well-planned space. It can also act as an oasis from every day cares and stress. Options exist for optimizing the function of a space and making it an ideal location to kick back or entertain.

An attractive outdoor living space is also known to boost home value and does not require a large budget to accomplish. Learn how to take the first steps in creating an outdoor living space to love for years to come, whether you build it yourself or hire a professional.

Ask Yourself This

Homeowners looking for some ideas to create or change up a neglected outdoor living space need to look no further. However, all designs begin with answering some