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The Calgary real estate market is abuzz. Not with a sensational listing, or a new way to stage, but with one agent's promotional materials. Many critics call her billboard unnecessarily suggestive. Some go as far as to say it's dangerous. Her supporters, however, don't see the issue; the message is eye-catching and makes her stand out against other agents. The billboard's slogan is unmistakable: "Let me take you home... It's gorgeous inside." This hits very close to Jeff Buziak, the father of... Read Full Post

Have you ever taken a stroll through online MLS listings and noticed a discrepancy in the information that is offered? Depending on the area, you can often see some pretty interesting trends. While a good many listings have comprehensive descriptions and a multitude of pictures to properly show what they offer, a disturbing number of them have little or no description and only a few poorly composed pictures to entice buyers with. You would think that in this “Information Age” people would... Read Full Post

Reusing items that would otherwise be thrown away to help build homes has been an element of home construction for as long as people have been building homes. While we have certainly gone through periods where recycled elements are less common, it’s easy to look back in our history to find many examples of this practice. In many historical periods, it was common to build roads over existing roads and buildings atop of ancient foundations. In the UK, many modern roads sit on top of ancient R... Read Full Post

Probably almost anyone who’s ever lived in a house within the areas of the world where silverfish are found has seen these speedy little critters at one time or another. These annoying—but otherwise harmless—little creepy crawlies can be found in almost every location in the world. What are Silverfish? Silverfish are flat silvery gray or silvery brownish insects that can be found in sizes up to an inch long. Silverfish have an elongated teardrop shaped body that is wider at the front; t... Read Full Post

When choosing a house to buy, there a lot of things to consider. Most people find an agent, determine what they can afford, and make a list a features they are looking for, but to ensure that you have the best chance of being happy with your purchase, it is good to be thorough with your home search. 7 Things You Should Do Before You Buy: Get a good feel for the area: Spend time walking around the neighborhood and talking to people. Are there certain stores, facilities, or activities that you ... Read Full Post

If you like owning real estate and are looking for investment opportunities, you may want to consider Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These trusts are worthwhile investments if you want to invest in properties but do not want additional responsibilities that go along with being a property owner. REITs are considered by investors as a smart addition to any investment portfolio. REITs allow a corporate entity to invest in real estate and avoid, or reduce, the amount of corporate tax the ... Read Full Post

The average home price in Canada has doubled in the last decade. This is likely partly due to new construction and renovations pushing up the average price. As well, Canada's population growth, increasing by 11 percent in the last decade has also fueled the growth of the housing market. The average home price will likely remain fairly flat until the end of 2012. Because mortgage rates will continue to be low until mid 2012, buyers will continue to buy homes at roughly the same rate until mid ... Read Full Post

Across North America, recent research suggests that single women are more likely than single men to buy a home. This research is spurring on advertisers, real estate agents, and builders to target the “single woman buyer”. Builders, hoping to attract women buyers, are building homes with low-maintenance yards, designer kitchens, and master bedrooms with lots of closet space and a nice ensuite. Others offer spa deals or weekend retreats with the purchase of a home. Some real estate agents ... Read Full Post

The winter holidays can be a hectic time to sell your home; presents are being bought and wrapped, the kids want the house decorated and you’re trying to handle holiday events and home showings at the same time! There are some great strategies you can use to help organize things this holiday so that your holidays and your family’s traditions can coexist side-by-side. Decorating Outside By all means, decorate your home, but this year you should take special care with your plan. If you have... Read Full Post

One of the most rewarding investments in North America currently is multi-family Canadian real estate. While many stocks and bonds have been yielding low returns the past year or two, multi-family homes, particularly in cities, have been steady earners for investors. Calgary is one of the top 4 markets in Canadian multi-family real estate, along with Vancouver, Toronto, and Edmonton. While many home buyers have concerns about the value of real estate in Vancouver, one of the world’s highest... Read Full Post