All Blog Entries by Justin Havre Real Estate Team

Buying a home is a large, long-term investment that deserves protection. Home insurance has many benefits and limitations, and can be somewhat difficult for people to understand, especially if they get it mixed up with a home warranty. With the answers to these questions, buyers will have a better idea of what to expect when they go shopping for home insurance.

What Is Home Insurance?

• A home insurance policy covers personal property and structural damage caused by covered events.
• A typical home insurance policy excludes events like floods, earthquakes, and criminal acts by the policy holder.
• In the event of damage or loss, homeowners should act quickly by contacting their insurer, documenting everything, meeting the adjuster, and saving

Your credit score is one of the most important deciding factors when it comes to getting a mortgage and buying a home. 

The truth is, your credit score matters A LOT when buying a home. But it’s not everything. It affects whether you get approved for a mortgage in the first place and how much interest you'll pay over time, so you’ll want to take time to prepare before buying a home. Now here's some good news—you don't need perfect credit to buy a house in Calgary. 

In this guide, you'll learn the minimum credit score needed for different loan types, how mortgage lenders evaluate your application, and which mortgage options could work best for your situation. Whether you have a good credit score or a poor one, there's a path forward.

For

If you're planning to tie the knot, but aren't sure if it's better to purchase a home before or after the marriage, you're asking the right questions. Buying early can help couples build up some equity and foster a sense of commitment. However, it's not without risks. Alternatively, waiting to buy a home until after marriage simplifies how assets can be split up and may offer tax benefits. Each path has advantages, so you'll need to explore further.

6 Quick Points of Buying a House Before vs. After Marriage

Talk these over with your partner if you're thinking of buying a house together.

• Building Equity: The earlier you buy, the sooner you build equity. You can also take advantage of rising property values.
• Commitment: Buying a house is a

Thinking about buying a home but worried about your credit card debt? You're not alone.

Credit card debt can make it harder to qualify for a mortgage. Lenders look closely at your debt when deciding whether to approve your application.

While the dream of owning a home might feel urgent, getting your credit cards under control first could save you thousands in the long run. Let's look at whether you should pay off your credit cards before buying a house.

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

Quick Tips for House Hunters With Debt

• High credit card balances hurt your debt ratios, making mortgage approval harder
• Paying down

Are you trying to decide between the big city life of Calgary or moving to a smaller community nearby? Where you live is a choice that affects everything from your daily commute to how you'll spend weekends. 

As anyone who made this choice already can tell you, choosing between the city and a small town isn’t as easy as one may think. The city offers incredible amenities that offer convenience, social, and entertainment opportunities, while surrounding towns promise more space and often lower prices. 

Which choice is right for you? Here's what matters most when choosing between Calgary’s nearby communities and the city proper.

Quick Points on Small Towns vs. Big Cities

• City homes typically cost more but might appreciate faster
• Small

Homeownership may not be as far away as you thought. In fact, you can prepare to buy a house in just one year if you follow the right steps. Calgary real estate even sets you up for success, with housing prices that are substantially lower than those in other major cities in Canada. Are you ready to buy your first home? It's time to get focused. Let's make it happen in just one year!

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

How to Prepare to Buy a House in One Year: 10 Quick Steps

• Check and improve your credit score to at least 720 for better mortgage rates and terms
• Calculate your debt-to-income ratio and work to get it below 36% by

Thinking about buying a home? It's a big step. On one hand, you can paint the walls any colour you want and build equity instead of paying rent. On the other hand, when the toilet breaks at 2 a.m., you're the one who has to fix it. The real question isn't just "Can I afford the purchase price?" but "Am I ready for everything that comes with it?"

Let's look at what you should know before making the major decision to buy a house.

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

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home

• Are your finances ready to buy? Down payment saved, good credit rating, debt-to-income ratio below 36%
• Is your life stable?

Trying to buy a house while paying off student loans? You're not alone. Those monthly student loan payments can make lenders nervous about giving you a mortgage. But here's some good news: even if you have debt, paying your loans on time can actually help your credit score and make getting a mortgage easier.

So what's the best move? Should you focus on wiping out that student debt before house hunting? Or is there a smarter way to handle both? Let's look at what really works.

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

Getting a Mortgage with Student Loan Debt: The Highlights

• Student loans affect your mortgage chances:
• They

Are you thinking about moving to Calgary? Calgary is a city known for many things, from its proximity to the Rocky Mountains to the annual Stampede. Thanks to the booming economy and the thriving Calgary real estate market, there are many things to love about living in Calgary. If you're looking for a new place to call home, come and see what living in Calgary is like. 

Why Move to Calgary? 10 Things You'll Love

• Strong Economy: Calgary offers a thriving job market and opportunities in industries like oil and gas, finance, technology, and engineering.
• Booming Tech Scene: In addition to its robust economy, Calgary's tech industry is growing at unprecedented rates. 
• High Standard of Living: Calgary consistently ranks among the top cities in

Chestermere, Alberta, is one of the best places to live near Calgary for many reasons, but when summer comes around, the town really shines.

Summer activities in Chestermere revolve around the lovely Chestermere Lake. However, there's much more to summertime in Chestermere, and anyone planning a visit, currently living here, or considering a move will have a tough time trying to fit it all in.

Let's dive in and explore Chestermere's warm-weather offerings so you can start drawing up an action-packed itinerary—whether for a day, a weekend, a week, or a long summer.

Keys to Summer Fun in Chestermere

• The town is built around Lake Chestermere, a man-made reservoir
• The lake is one of the top destinations near Calgary
• Chestermere's