February 2010

Joe Samson & Associates

 $499,500 - SOLD

Welcome home to this executive, well cared for, 3 bedroom Jayman (Kennedy) home with over 2,050sq.ft. of wonderful family living space. This home is a great example of exceptional value, functional design and built in one of Calgary's finest communities of Evergreen! This gorgeous home is located on a quiet crescent with just steps away from a children's playground and right next to a green space. Main floor features a very open concept design, grand foyer soaring 2 storeys, formal dinning room or den with double French doors, beautifully laid out hardwood floor & main floor laundry. Expanded bright nook area with lots of windows.  Dark stained maple cabinetry in the kitchen with granite counter tops, walk-in pantry & centre…

Read Full Post »

Joe Samson & Associates

Mortgage Lending Changes!

The federal government had announced today that they are going to be implementing some changes to how mortgages are being approved after April 19, 2010. What does this mean to you?

The Finance Minister Jim Flaherty had announced today that there is no sign of a “housing bubble” in Canada, however he thinks that the following 3 changes will play a major role in “preventing a negative trend from developing”. 

Today’s announcement will affect 3 parts of the qualification process.

1) 5-year Fixed Qualification Rates
All borrowers will need to meet a standard 5 year qualification term, regardless of the type of mortgage product they choose. What this means is that if you are looking at borrowing at today’s prime rate…

Read Full Post »

Joe Samson & Associates

Statistics released by the Calgary Real Estate Board indicates that the Calgary housing market continues to be driven by more affordable housing prices.

Sales of single family homes in Calgary have increased by a 39 per cent over the same time a year ago in January. Condominium transactions have also been keeping up with an increase of 67 er cent compared to twelve months ago in the Calgary real estate market.

Diane Scott, president of the Calgary Real Estate Board has said that - “Low mortgage rates and earlier price reductions have improved the affordability of home ownership for Calgarians. For the time being average home prices are more in line with average incomes.  A narrowing gap between the costs of renting versus owning a home will attract…

Read Full Post »

Joe Samson & Associates

When it comes to choosing the perfect first-time home, down-size property or even long-term investment, the Calgary condo market may have just what you're looking for. There are many reasons why people might choose to buy a condo. Single professionals, new to the housing market, often find them convenient and perfectly sited. Many retiring 'baby-boomers' are increasingly leaving their large family homes, and find the idea of living in a community with low-maintenance considerations, highly appealing.

But what are the advantages, and disadvantages, to owning a condominium over a more traditional house? To answer that, we must first determine just what a condo is, and how it differs fundamentally from a single family home.

A condo is essentially an…

Read Full Post »