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        <title>Calgary Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/general-real-estate/</link>
        <description>Get the latest scoop on Calgary real estate happenings and market info. This is a great place to ask questions or offer your comments to other home buyers and sellers.</description>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/congratulations-you-are-moving.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/congratulations-you-are-moving.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Congratulations, you are moving!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ While this is an exciting time, it is also a busy time that can become overwhelming if you aren't prepared for your moving day.Calgary Real Estate agents have many homes for sale and therefore have experience with the pitfalls of moving, so do not hesitate to ask for their advice. The following tips can provide you with information to ensure things go as smoothly as possible. Don't leave things until the last minute.In most cases Calgary home buyers have at least a month to move out of their current residence and into a new home. Sometimes home buyers will put things off until they suddenly find themselves running out of time. This can cause panic to set in and the potential for things to go awry. Have a moving planDecide whether your household belongings can be handled by a few friends with trucks, or whether it is better to use a professional moving company. Either way, you need to provide as much notice as possible. Choose a reputable company to avoid large amounts of breakages, failing to turn up on the allotted day and the like. The distance to be travelled and / or your budget may dictate your choice.Don't surprise your moversAntiques and other valuable items require particular attention to packaging to ensure absolutely no harm come to them during the move. Pianos need special care and not just any mover can transfer one from you old home to your new without incident. Choose a mover with proven experience with large, expensive items. Get rid of the junkNow is the perfect time to have a garage sale, recycle, donate to charity and shred all those old papers that are no longer of value. Remember: the more you get rid of, the less you have to move. Tackle this task very early on.Make sure your packers are on the same pageWhether packing alone, or with help of friends, ensure you have a plan. Tackle one room at a time, take an inventory of each box, mark the box with the room it came from and a number that matches the inventory sheet. If using a moving company to do the packing ensure they have a system that will ensure your belongings are packed to your requirements.Think 'green'Where possible use reusable containers. Pack your breakables with towels and bedding. Suitcases make good moving containers too. Some Calgary moving companies offer plastic bins and will drop them off early and then pick them up again after your move. If not, check out your local hardware store to purchase them. You can easily sell them afterwards to someone else preparing to move.Know your condo rulesIf you are moving to a condo you may find that there are rules about moving, such as no move-ins on a Sunday. If you need a service elevator you may be required to book in advance with a security deposit (anywhere from $100 to $500), which is quite common in Calgary. Be ready for the moversMoving day can be long and tiring. Unnecessary delays only make things worse, so make sure all your belongings are ready when movers arrive. If able, move all the boxes into one room and only leave large furniture items for the moving team to lift. Last minute items such as personal grooming gear can be thrown into an overnight bag and put in your carProtect valuablesPrecious valuables such as jewelry should not be left to the movers to take if you have any concerns about safety. Take them with you. Computers should be backed up thoroughly onto a separate source such as a thumb drive or disc.Avoid using trash bagsToo often belongings packed in trash bags end up in the garbage. To avoid this happening don't use anything that could be mistaken for a trash bag.Make arrangements for your new homeIf you have ordered new furniture, delay delivery to ensure you are prepared to receive them at your new home. Don't have them arrive the same day as you move in.Where possible, arrange to have services hooked up before you arrive. Gas, water, electricity, phone, cable and internet will all require transfer into your name. Prepare ahead of time.Get to know your new neighbors. They can be an invaluable source of information relevant to your new area. Letting your immediate neighbors know what day you are moving in will prepare them for any inconvenience your moving vehicles may cause them.Avoid pet traumaFind someone to 'mind' your pets on moving day. Have the sitter take your pets the night before so they don't get traumatized by moving activity. Appreciate your moving teamHaving food and drinks available for your movers will be very much appreciated. At the very least, ensure there is a constant supply of water, as moving can be hot and thirsty work. Make sure you hand out the cold beer at the end to avoid damages. :)Keep cleaning supplies asideAfter everything is moved out you will then have the unenviable task of cleaning. Make sure you have a good supply of cleaning products, a wet mop and a vacuum cleaner. A supply of toilet paper and light bulbs will be needed also. Replace bulbs where necessary. Leave a brand new roll of toilet paper in each bathroom. Clean as you goWhere possible, clean each room as it is emptied. Clean as much as you can prior to moving day so a quick run over carpets with the vacuum cleaner, mop floors and dust / wipe surfaces will take you a short time. Make sure all trash is taken out. Guidelines to truck sizes:A standard one bedroom apartment will require a 16' cube truckA standard two or three bedroom house will require a 24' to 26' cube truckNB: Most household belongings can be moved in one or two trips of a 24' cube truck. If you have more, advise your moving company so they can prepare accordingly. Hopefully you have found these tips helpful, and your moving day will go as planned. Enjoy your new home! ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 13:31:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/vibrant-developments-in-calgarys-real-estate-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/vibrant-developments-in-calgarys-real-estate-market.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Vibrant Developments in Calgary’s Real Estate Market</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ April turned out to be a dynamic month for the housing market in Calgary. Compared to the previous years' figures, resale housing in Calgary experienced remarkable price growth, more than any other city in Canada. In relation to all other major markets in the country, it garnered the largest upsurge in sales.According to the monthly MLS report provided by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), there was a 10.4% increase in sales in the city for the previous month, totaling 3,003 transactions all in all. The MLS Home Price Index, which tracks home price patterns through several major residential markets, reveals that Calgary witnessed a 6.9% increase in comparison to recent years.For the month of April, real estate sales have generally declined by 3.1% throughout the country, with 47,997 transactions and an average price hike of 2.2%. Though remaining quite stable, national sales have in fact decreased by 9-10% since mortgage regulations were amended the previous year. CREA's chief economist, Gregory Klump, points out that the figures for April are comparable to those of August 2012, and that consecutive months have only a difference of 2% between them.The average sale price in all of Canada is at $380,588, which shows a 1.3% upsurge. In addition, there were 95,065 new listings, indicating a 5.6% increase. Calgary’s housing market is on the RiseMeanwhile, the MLS sale price average for Calgary real estate went up to $429,717, with a 3.6% boost. New listings in also escalated by 6.7% to 4,664.It must also be noted that homes for sale in Alberta experienced a 3.6% hike, averaging at $378,892. There were 6,501 sales that indicate a growth of 5.0%, as well as 11,253 new listings that show a 5.0% increase.Economists are positive that the country's real estate market is steadily heading into better days. Based on current trends, a productive home-buying season can be expected this spring. Compared to recent years, the previous month saw a 15.0% decrease in residential property sales, while this month has experienced only a 3.0% decline. TD Economics' Sonya Gulati also concludes that the negative effects of last year's mortgage rule modifications were merely temporary. It's apparent that this year's prices are gradually climbing upward.With all the developments in the Canadian housing market, it's necessary to spell out the facts to rule out any unrealistic expectations. Despite the activity among Calgary home buyers, this doesn't mean that there will be a drastic upsurge that could revitalize the real estate market in the next few months. It must be noted that there are currently no significant economic factors that can restore the market to its former state. While we can certainly look forward to a fruitful home-buying season this spring, it won't be anything out of the ordinary.While it's easy to notice that that real estate prices have been increasing more sluggishly than ever since the 2009 economic recession, recent patterns have nonetheless been encouraging. BMO Capital Markets' chief economist, Douglas Porter emphasizes that prices are still on the rise, however slowly; in fact, they're rising even more rapidly than inflation rates. In addition, the average prices of homes for sale are at the highest they've ever been, so we have no reason to worry. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 13:37:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/avoid-stress-at-closing-a-real-estate-deal.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/avoid-stress-at-closing-a-real-estate-deal.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Avoid Stress at Closing a Real Estate Deal!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Whether you are buying a home in Tokyo, or looking at homes for sale in Calgary, you know that buying a home is a very emotional, stressful, and sometimes burdensome affair. It's normal for people to feel as if they are in over their head during the actual process, but what many people don't realize is that it's equally common for buyers to feel blue after buying their new home. Arguments at the closing table, as well as arguments over home decorating, can make a happy occasion into a sour one, but it really doesn't need to be this way.One aspect of moving that people often disregard is that change can be traumatic, and that buying a home can be a big change for people who don't know the area. It can be traumatic for many, and most people do not actually prepare themselves for the emotional shock that they can have when they move locations. Going into a new home can seriously fray tempers and shorten nerves, so it's important to be understanding with family members if you notice arguments arise. Discussing the possible issues that may arise with family members, as well as pre-planning a strategy to handle issues, can diffuse problems before they become critical. Sometimes, just acknowledging that you need to work with the seller, the realtor, and your family members can seriously improve your chances of avoiding the buyer blues. Give people in your family a heads up if you notice rising tensions, and work with them to figure out a way to ease it before it becomes too difficult to stop. One of the easiest ways to get rid of tension is to battle it with clear information. Don't assume things when talking to others about your home; instead, if you feel confused or uncomfortable, ask for clarification or extra info until you feel comfortable with the purchase. It's also important to avoid rushing any decisions during talks. Even the best Calgary luxury homes have their shortcomings. The key is to approach the subject with a plan, and with time to make a good decision. Take your time to listen to what the seller has to say, take time to ask questions and learn about the house, and take your time to evaluate whether or not the issues that you have with the house is a deal breaker. You don't need to have everything that you want, but as long as you get the big picture of what you wanted in the home you buy, you will have a good transaction. And in time, you will be very glad that you bought the house that you did. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 10:05:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/decline-in-resale-triggers-construction-boom.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/decline-in-resale-triggers-construction-boom.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Decline in resale triggers construction boom</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ A construction boom is on the rise again in Calgary this year, as resale figures and new spec homes continues to sell, according to CMHC. In the January-April period of 2013, the metropolitan area of Calgary saw an increase of 9 percent in construction of new single-family homes, as compared to the similar period of the previous year. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the areas which saw the increase in construction include several satellite communities of Calgary such as Airdrie, Chestermere and Cochrane. In these areas, buyers are often looking for spec homes which are easier to move into as they are already built, rather than having to wait for other homes to be built on site.The numbers are also showing an increasing trend, with this year being built a number of 1,972 single-family homes, an increase of more than nine percent compared to the 1,816 built the previous year.According to Richard Cho, senior market analyst for CMHC, the inventory for homes is at a low point now, giving builders the opportunity for more construction and it seems to be fueling the boom. Also, steep declines in resale inventory have also fueled construction of new single-family homes.The figures show a decrease in resale listings for single-family homes in the Calgary area from 3,606 in 2012 to 3,134 units in 2013. That is a decrease of more than 13.9 percent compared to the previous year and it reflects only the first four months of both years, according to the Calgary Real Estate Board.Richard Cho further explains that the resale listings are also low, with new Calgary home buyers going to the new homes market, triggering construction of new housing units.Also supporting the idea is Canadian Home Builders Association Calgary Region's president, Charron Ungar. He says that the low numbers of already available homes on the market is stimulating new construction, further adding that sales of new homes are going very well so far this year, compared to 2012.Richard Cho points out other factors that caused the recent Calgary real estate boom, such as the new economy revival affecting the whole region. New jobs have been created in other sectors, resulting in more people moving in the area. That automatically translates in higher demand for new dwellings. Although there is a four month construction boom for the single-family homes, over the last month there is a small decline, when compared to the same month for 2012.The figures show that 545 homes were started to be built in April 2013, a decline of about five percent if compared to April 2012, when there were 560 homes started. Alberta's other major cities had also an increase in construction over the previous year for the same month. Edmonton had an increase of 13.5 percent, growing from 493 in April 2012 to 560 starts for April 2013. Also, when taking into account the last four months, in the Edmonton area home builders had also seen an increase of about seven percent from 2012 to 2013. Lethbridge is also not going unnoticed - They are  the new stars of the real estate market in Alberta for communities with a population of 50,000 to 100,000 people. The small city located in the Southern Alberta area had a total of 140 new single-family home starts for the January-April period of 2013, according to CMHC. This is almost the same as in 2012, when Lethbridge had a total of 139 new builds for the same period, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.Coming in second place for is Red Deer, listed at 111 new builds for the first four months of 2013. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 11:37:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/calgary-real-estate-a-sellers-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/calgary-real-estate-a-sellers-market.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Calgary Real Estate is a Sellers' Market</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ The Calgary Real Estate Board released a statement this week commenting on the city's turn into a sellers' market for the first time in over six years.The entire resale market has been pushed into sellers' territory through a combination of increased demand and reduced listings.According to the board this not only include single-family homes, but also resale townhouses and condominium apartments.This demand for Calgary's real estate is bucking trends in the rest of the nation is being fueled by a more favorable working environment. Both employment and wages have been rising with interest rates staying low observed by Ann-Marie Lurie head economist at CREB.Lurie reminds us that conditions, while favorable, are much different than they used to be six years ago in 2007 during the last real sellers' market.2007's economy was much stronger and more stable compared to today where there is uncertainly and much more risk on the market. She points towards today's weaker gas and oil industry as a key difference in the two economic situations.Lurie also pointed out there were more people migrating to Calgary than leaving in 2007 and there was also a greater degree of employment growth.The city's resale market is also being greatly affected by a much different situation today with more homes currently for sale in the surrounding suburbs and greater options for Calgary home buyers to choose from within Calgary city limits.In 2007, buying a home in Calgary's surrounding areas was nearly impossible with challenges of low inventories and few options in the new home category. This of course inspired a great deal of demand of building to try to meet the demand.There's many more opportunities today both inside and just outside Calgary.Similar to 2007, prices are predicted to continue to rise, but at perhaps at a slower rate due to more alternatives and options available to Calgary home buyers in Lurie's opinion.In April, $291,350 was the average price for a condominium apartment in Calgary which is up nearly nine percent from the average price of $267,900 in April 2012.New listings for condos had also risen by three percent in April when compared to April of 2012. In April 2012 there were 595 new listings for new condos compared to 614 in April 2013.Condominium apartments seem to be selling much more quicker this year than last year at the same time. Last year it took an average of 50 days to sell an apartment, this year that number has been reduced to about 41 days, to create a 13.74 percent difference.Apartment sales were also faster from January to April again by 13 percent.Townhome sales rose by 27.25 percent from the same time period as last year rising to 341 sales from 268.Resale townhome prices rose over five percent to an average price of $337,120. This is compared to April 2012's average resale townhome price of $320,600.The benchmark price of detached single family homes hit a new peak at $452,900 in April up from their former high of $451,300 back in 2007.More Interesting InfoDid you realize most condo townhomes Calgary homes for sale sold in the range of $200,000 to $299,999 between January and April? This counted for around forty percent of sales. About 27 percent were in the next $300,000 to $399,999 sales category. The rest of sales fell outside these ranges. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 13:44:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/canadas-top-luxury-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/canadas-top-luxury-market.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Canada's Top Luxury Market</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ A recently released report shows that the luxury real estate market in Calgary is Canada's top performer.The RE/MAX Upper End Report examined 16 different markets for residential housing, and concluded that Calgary was far away the best performer. Compared to the same period in 2012, the number of sold luxury homes went up nearly 50%. 172 homes sold for more than $1 million in the first three months of 2013, compared with 115 during the same period last year.According to CREB economists, increasing sales in the $1 million and up category have drawn a lot of attention to the luxury home market. The number of luxury home listings have also increased, giving consumers choice in the luxury home market. This has not happened in the lower end of the housing market.Sotheby's International Realty Canada released a similar report which also showed Calgary's luxury home market continues to outperform the rest of the country. Most of the demand is driven by younger buyers in the 35-40 age range.Sales of homes $2 million and up doubled in the first three months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. 18 were sold during the first quarter of 2013 compared with 9 in the first quarter of 2012. The $2 million and up segment is the same price range the Sotheby's report singled out.Most of the high-value homes in Calgary were purchased by Canadians, and Calgary turned out to have the lowest degree of foreign investment of any urban market. Whereas Vancouver has a high percentage of foreign investors buying luxury properties, the Sotheby's report showed 85 percent of $2 million and up homes in Calgary were bought by Canadians. In Vancouver, 40 percent of homes in this category were purchased by buyers from outside Canada.Regardless of the buyer's home country, Calgary's luxury home market actually represents a relative bargain for buyers willing to spend the money needed to enter it.According to CREB, going by property size reveals that relative to the previous record luxury home year of 2007, home buyers are getting more property for the money than they did in 2007.Calgary's market has already seen a number of high profile sales, including but certainly not limited to former captain of the Calgary Flames Jarome Iginla's 5000 sq ft Elboya home. That one sold for just shy of $4 million after having been on the market for a single day, but it was not the highest-price sale so far. An Aspen Woods home sale in March became the new MLSA sale price record, coming in at $10.35 million and topping the $10.3 million that former goaltender for the Flames, Mike Vernon, got for his Elbow Park / Glencoe home.Spurring luxury sales in Calgary have been many of the same factors boosting growth in other parts of the market as well. Overall real estate sales in the city have increased almost 15 percent even in the face of a 6.5 percent reduction in listings, a fact that CREB attributed to a number of buyer-friendly factors: employment growth, favorable mortgage rates, and migration growth. After the first quarter of 2013, sales went up in all sufficiently supplied areas of the real estate market within Calgary city limits. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 13:49:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/mortgage-types-in-alberta.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/mortgage-types-in-alberta.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Mortgage Types in Alberta </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ When you are considering purchasing a home in Calgary, one interesting thing about mortgages is the fact that the notion "a one size fits all" does not apply. The good news is: that there are a variety of choices all of which are meant to help you find/build or come up with a mortgage option that suits your needs perfectly. All this is according to Michelle Dolenc (branch manager of first Calgary Financial South Trail, interviewed by the Calgary Herald) who also went ahead to admitted that they offer customization services of mortgages to suit different personal needs / lifestyles.Conventional vs. high-ratioLet’s say you are ready to put down less than 20% of the total purchase price of the house  you are interested in purchasing, in such a case you are most likely to end up with a high ratio mortgage which will need to be insured either by CMHC or GE.A conventional mortgage on the other hand calls for a minimum downpayment of 20% while the minimum down payment that is usually required is 5%. According to Dolenc, since the interest rates are at an all - time low, it is pointless renting while at the same time trying to save the required 20%.Open mortgage vs. closed mortgageThere are two types of mortgages.i. The open mortgageii. The closed mortgageThe open mortgage provides for the flexibility of paying as much as you wish/can at any time. It is therefore the best choice in case you are expecting large sum of money. It is however important to understand that the interest rates in this case could be a little higher.Closed mortgages on the other hand is a favorite for most first time home buyers. This is because it allows for consistent payments. Most financial institutions actually allow individuals who have opted for closed mortgages to make additional payments of as much as 20% of the total original amounts on an annual basis penalty free. The fine printFor a closed mortgage you can either choose between one, two, three, four, five or even 10-year term. For an open mortgage you can also choose from a six month and one year terms as well. Generally, regardless of the term that you choose, it is important to understand that the longer the term the higher the interest rates will be.One of the most important things to ask yourself when choosing a term is for how long you intend on staying in the home. Dolenc also recommends that regardless of the term you choose, emphasize more on settling for a term that will help take care of all changes in your life later on.A general idea of the Payment scheduleAnother very important thing to focus on is your cash flow. For instance, in case you are paid on a semi monthly basis then you should seriously consider making mortgage payments on a semi monthly basis so that you can pay off your mortgage many years faster. Besides this, there is also weekly, semi - monthly mortgage payment options available. Apart from all the above, also remember to factor in your expenses as well. Fixed vs. Variable mortgageA fixed interest rate remains unchanged, (it stays the same) for the time of the mortgage term. A variable interest rate on the other hand is bound to fluctuate depending on the market conditions. Although it is common to feel willing to gamble with variable especially when the interest rates shoot up, Dolenc strongly advices against doing so instead suggesting for a lock with fixed interest rates taking into consideration the fact that variable are at a 50-year low.Consider the futureTake time to find out how exactly buying a home fits into your future goals. Doing so is very important according to Dolenc. In fact, she suggests that when planning to purchase your first home, make sure that you do everything under the guidance of a professional e.g. personal banker. Most of things stated above are not only to suit your immediate needs but future needs as well. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 13:42:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/the-secret-to-calgarys-real-estate-profits.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/the-secret-to-calgarys-real-estate-profits.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>The Secret to Calgary’s Real Estate Profits  </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The real estate market in the last five years has cooled. This creates a buyer’s market as prices are so low to buy. There are not as many home buyers as there once was. Follow the builder is a strategy used for in real estate of homes for sale in Calgary.


Even a luxury home or a condo in Calgary can get sold easily. Watch the younger generation. They are the ones that are making the money in everything you see around you! Here is how to play the game called Follow the Builder.


When you see a brand new subdivision going in, you know there are phases of building to make this happen. You may not even know what the phases are going to be called. All you see is dirt. That dirt is gold! The builders have to build the houses and sell the lots. This is called the first phase of building.


What these builders do is build one and build another say twenty-five to fifty miles away. They are usually set around work places. There is easy access to entertainment, work, and shopping. Builders can join together on a project as it is profitable. This presents a money making opportunity to you. This is why it is called follow the builder.


The first phase of a brand new subdivision for homes for sale in Calgary will be the cheapest phase. No one sees it built yet. The new homeowners are getting a ground floor opportunity. They can choose the style of house and get choice lots before anyone else.


This gives instant cash to the builders to start building all these homes sold. The builders know they cannot ask for the prices they wish for. The homes are not built yet. It is just dirt lying around. Here is an example. We will use Calgary condos for sale.


You follow the builder and see a first phase of brand new townhouses. You purchase a townhouse at a steep discount. Now, it gets built and you move in. This is equity as you are a real home owner. Then, the rest of the condos are built. They are sold in the next phases. When you know the last phase is starting, put your condo up for sale.


You will make a profit even if you live there a year or so. People see the amenities of the condo community and how they look on the outside. They can see the different style choices to choose from in the inside.


The same concept goes with any type of Calgary real estate being built. You are watching the builder where they are building next. Sometimes they will have a sign out front advertising other places being built.


If you have the cash, purchase two homes in two locations. You have a place to live. Then, make a nice profit. Use that profit to go buy your Calgary luxury home of your dreams!


Just remember to talk to your accountant about taxes. You do have to pay them. But you could receive tax incentives on your property depending what it is. Homes for sale in Calgary are available everywhere for a profit if you know where to look!
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2013 09:51:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/pocket-listings.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/pocket-listings.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Pocket Listings</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Have you at any one time asked yourself whether the realtor of your choice is working for you or if they are working for their personal interests? It helps a lot to know which side they are on and it would help you determine if you would like to work with them or not. Such a question really is a valid question which every investor needs to ask themselves. More so if you feel like you are being led into pocket listing of a triplex or other forms of small properties. This instead of taking it up with caution experts or the MLS. Property as big as that should definitely go onto the multiple listing service - the words of Banny Bar a realtor and investment professional. He continues to say that potential buyers for property that has less than 15 doors already know what they are looking for both on the MLS system and on their own. When it comes to such properties, pocket listing has a better option of extending the duration on the listing and therefore attracts fewer interested buyers and thereby lowering the price which the seller will get after all. This is a lesson that many number of Calgary home buyers are coming to terms with. More so when they have to cede toe the requests of the realtor when they ask them to take their properties off the multiple listing services and instead allow them to find buyers by themselves through their own websites or established contacts. There are a lot of incentives available to the client some of which include a discounted amount of commission made available to the agent. This incentive is one that is closely guarded by the real estate experts, especially when it comes to Calgary real estate agents. They want to avoid as much as possible the process of having to split the commission feel with another real estate expert. Pocket listings are a viable option for a client who is looking to sell a larger property. This is also dependent on whether the real estate professional has years of real estate experience and is well connected to all his or her potential buyers. The truth of the matter is that real investors want to be completely sure that they are dealing with a professional and experienced broker. They want to know if they can trust the broker to deliver the best deal. That's not all. They also want to know just how this broker will market their property if they do not have any intention of putting it up on MLS. Will their strategy be successful or end up as a total failure?Often though, it is the client who does not want the MLS and multitude of buyers to know that their home is a home for sale. That choice has its own unique disadvantages. Such downsides, according to Bar are the ones small investors should think about before they choose to tightly guard their privacy on the pocket listing. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 13:59:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/reasons-to-invest-in-calgarys-reals-estate-market-in-2013.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.joesamson.com/blog/reasons-to-invest-in-calgarys-reals-estate-market-in-2013.html</link>
            <author>joe@joesamson.com (Joe Samson)</author>
            <title>Reasons to invest in Calgary’s Reals Estate Market in 2013! </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ - There has been a 24% population growth over the last ten years. Back in 2002, the population used to be 905,500. It has seen a gradual growth over the last decade.- According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp, by the end of this year, there will be up to 12,400 units in the Calgary metropolitan area. This marks a remarkable increase of up to 33% dating back to 2011. This rates as the biggest increase in units since the year 2007. - By April 2012, the population of the city had increased by 30,000 coming up to 1,120,225 residents. - Companies in Alberta are currently open to recruiting people who are situated outside the Alberta province. With this population increase means the accommodation resources in Alberta will be strained. More people are soon bound to be heading to Alberta with the prosperity gap being in favor of Alberta.- The growth of the population is greatly attributed to immigration. The immigration trend is responsible for up to two thirds of the population.- Interesting statistics were discovered when looking at the households in Canada that had a net worth of more than $500,000. Households from Calgary were able to net up to 3.3 million while the metro Vancouver households netted an average of $2.1 million. The Toronto households were known to net up to $2.2 million.- Real estate trends were analyzed in 2013 and the report was quite interesting. According to the results, Vancouver and Toronto have been replaced by Edmonton and Calgary as the leading cities when it came to real estate prospects.- CMHC did an analysis of net migration trends in terms of people moving to Calgary. There was a 79% increase from 11,200 in 2011 to 20,000 in 2012.- International migration has grown by almost double the amount that was recorded five years ago. There has been up to six thousand new immigrants in the first quarter.- According to RealNet Canada, the $3.394 in sales that has been made in the first nine months of the year ranks as the second best ever in terms of real estate transactions.- The limited properties means that there are many people competing to acquire them. This has resulted in the increase in the rent prices.- Calgary Real Estate Board established that there was an increase of up to 15.56% in MLS sales that were made a year to date. They currently stand at 18,905 compared to what the figure was at the same time a year ago.- The unemployment rate has gone down from 6% in 2011 to around 4.8% in the present.- High quality real estate is harder to acquire especially thanks to the expansion and growth that has been facilitated by the gas and oil industry.- Calgary is the top ranked city when it comes to residential real estate in Canada. The rest of the list of top ranked cities includes Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver then Ottawa.- It is estimated that there will be an increase in employment rates by up to 2.8% by 2013 then 2.9% by 2014.Alberta has experienced an increase in the wages with the weekly average wage now up to $156 more than what it is in Ontario.It’s time to take action and avoid making the mistake of sitting on the sidelines while everyone else profiting from increasing real estate prices in Calgary. Call today to talk to us and find out what investment opportunities we are able to offer you. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 10:50:00 -0600</pubDate>
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