I was pleasantly surprised to learn that today’s edition of the Metro in Calgary featured me on a list of the Top 5 Real Estate Agents recommended on Metro’s Gigpark service. You can find all sorts of recommendations there and if you feel so inclined you can even add a comment to the existing recommendation for me and I’d really appreciate it.
Here are some quick links to help in comparing different communities, helpful in the early stages of house-hunting:
Public schools by community
Calgary Catholic Schools
Calgary Private and Charter Schools
Community Profiles
Historical Real Estate values by community
Calgary Transit main page
Google Transit
Calgary Transit trip planner
Current LRT service
Future West LRT line
Calgary Police crime statistics by community
Calgary Police interactive crime map
CREA - The Canadian Real Estate Association publishes a video podcast about once a month, mainly covering the Canadian Real Estate market from a national perspective. The latest episode (which you view here) does a good job of comparing the current market to the past few years and explains how the recent up-trend in activity that we’ve felt in Calgary has also been reflected in many markets across the country.
Where to get it:
in iTunes
CREA Podcast Website
RE/MAX has a new DVD program for homeowners produced with Carla Woolnough from How to Stage Your Own Home. The program is called ‘Fit to Sell’ and it’s a basic but very helpful tool to help homeowners identify key areas of concern before putting their house on the market. It’s also a great thing to consider when your property has been on the market for an extended period without receiving any offers.
We’re making these DVDs available to all of our clients and prospective clients planning to sell their homes in the near future. If you’re thinking of selling your home and you’d like to discuss this or any of the other services we offer please get in touch.
One of my goals this year is to donate $5,000 to the Alberta Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Miracle Network and I’d really appreciate your support in reaching this target.
I just uploaded a video that explains what I’m doing and there’s a new site you can visit that has all the details on how you can help support this. If you’re a Facebook user, please become a fan of this page.
The Bank of Canada announced a rate cut earlier today which is being reflected in a prime rate of 2.25% for variable mortgages. Here’s an update on the current rates plus the monthly cost to borrow $100,000 at each rate (35-year amortization).
| Product | Rate | Monthly Cost / $100,000 |
| Variable Rate | Prime + 0.8% | $386.57 |
| 1 Year Fixed | 3.00% | $383.81 |
| 5 Year Fixed | 3.89% | $434.35 |
These costs are estimated based on a 35-year amortization. If you have mortgage questions or would like to get pre-approved, get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to put you in touch with a mortgage expert who is perfect for your situation.
RE/MAX Realty Professionals together with our strategic partners RE/MAX Insurance Professionals, Clark & Clark Lawyers and The Mortgage Centre have an exclusive buyer bundle program that offers over $1,000 in savings while providing a convenient one-stop-shopping experience for the mortgage, legal services and insurance on your new home!
In addition to the many services I provide all of my clients when purchasing a home, clients participating in this program will also receive the following services:
Preferred mortgage rates through the mortgage centre lenders **
Replacement cost comprehensive home owners insurance policy for one year ***
Legal services, including conveyance, legal fees, and miscellaneous disbursements ****
Flat fee structure (These prices include GST):
$811 Condo owner occupied (content insurance up to $150,000 and liability insurance) purchase price up to $400,000
$981 Condo owner occupied (content insurance up to $300,000 and liability insurance) purchase price up to $800,000
$1,279 Single family owner occupied home or bare land Condo up to $400,000.
$2,049 Single family owner occupied home or bare land Condo up to $800,000.
The program is valid to August 31, 2009. ** on approval of credit. *** subject to meeting standard insurance writing guidelines. **** excludes land titles registration costs, surveys, title insurance and estoppels certificates.
Some more great info to share from Jencor Mortgage Corporation today.
If you’re waiting for the right time to buy, consider that if prices drop but interest rates rise, you could end up paying more for a “less expensive” home.
| House Price | $400,000 | $380,000 |
| Monthly Mortgage @ 3.99% | $1,725 | - |
| Monthly Mortgage @ 4.89% | - | $1,842 |
| Monthly Mortgage @ 5.67% | - | $2,025 |
If these rates sound high consider that 4.89% was the best 5-year fixed rate just 3 months ago and 5.67 was the best rate in November 2008. Interest rates can increase dramatically in a short period.
Get pre-approved and lock in your rate for 120 days while you’re house-hunting.