The term “bare land condo” may be unfamiliar to you, so first let’s break the two definitions down, as defined by the Condominium Property Act.

Conventional Condos are what come to mind when most people think of a condominium. It’s an apartment-style structure where each unit is the private domain of its owner. The boundaries of the unit are the walls, floors and ceiling, and the owner claims the area within these boundaries. Outside of that individual unit, the entire building is considered “common property,” owned by the owners of all the units. Real Property Reports are usually not drawn up for conventional condos. Instead, a Condominium Plan serves as a survey of the entire complex of condominiums. While the owner of a unit is responsible for the interior boundaries of his/her unit, he/she also share the common responsibility for the entire complex, along with other unit owners. Bare Land Condominiums are actually defined by the size of the lot the building is situated on.

A bare land condo, like freehold land, is identified by a Real Property Report from a surveyor, which will include the structure, landscaping, yard and garage. Like a conventional condo, areas outside of the free-standing structure are common property owned by all unit owners. In other words, a bare land condo isn’t much different from a house or duplex, since the real property includes the entire lot and not just the structure itself. In fact, a single-family house can be considered a bare land condominium.

As part of an entire condominium community, restrictions will apply to a bare land condominium; an owner doesn’t have carte blanche to do whatever he/she might want with the property. Bare land condominiums do have the advantage of enhanced privacy, however, and usually have lower condo association fees. In addition, builders can build units on an on-demand basis rather than having to wait until the entire complex is near completion before any units can be sold.

Condominiums offer a real attraction for many property owners, especially busy professionals who may not have the time to commit to yard work, maintenance, repair work and everything else that goes along with owning a conventional home.

If you’re living in Calgary and considering putting down roots with a real estate purchase, why not consider a condominium? Check out our website for comprehensive listings, news and ideas on condominium life in the greater Calgary area.

Home Inspections Are the Key to saving you money!

Homebuyers in want to save their money as much as they can when buying their next home. Skipping out on Home Inspections and other “optional” costs may seem like a good idea, but sometimes they end up saving you money after the fact. Home inspections are not typically required for and can cost a few hundred dollars on average. However, it can potentially save a homebuyer thousands after the sale is made. Here are some benefits of home inspections:

Electrical & Wiring

Electrical features in both new and older homes can pose problems and are not easily detected during a walk-through. Outlets, light-fixtures, amperage and other factors may also be inspected to determine if electrical work needs to be done in the home.

Water Leaks

This can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage if not caught and dealt with properly. For example, it can result in wood rot, mould growth and other issues.. An inspector will review the home thoroughly to look for signs of a current or previous leak even those unknown to the previous owner.

HVAC Systems

Replacing your HVAC system can cost thousands, and be quite a headache if you don’t know as much as possible about the old one. The inspector can be able to provide the condition, its age, its need for maintenance and other factors. Best not to just assume it’s hunky-dory-fine if the temperature is decent during your walk through – especially since the weather has such a range. You want to be sure!

Structural Damage

Don’t just look for noticeable cracks in the foundation, get an inspector to look for signs of damage

that may require assistance from a structural engineer. Structural damage can from factors such as a settlement of soil and erosion. It can also potentially add thousands of dollars to your maintenance costs if left unfixed/ or if the damage is already severe.

The Roof Over Your Head

These can get quite costly when it comes to repairs/replacement. If it’s not in good condition, your roof can lead to energy inefficiency, allow pests to get in, result in water leaks and other issues. Your Home Inspection will let you know the condition, age, and other characteristics of your roof to better understand what you’d be looking at repair wise (if needed).

Getting a property inspector to look at your potential home is basically invaluable in helping you understand the underlying issues that aren’t easily visible during your walkthrough. If you are interested in buying a home soon or would like more information on property inspections and if it’s right for you, contact us today!

So, it is time to move onwards and upwards in life and move house! Moving is a dynamic process that involves much more than a simple transaction. From marketing to proper evaluations and inspections, it is advisable to use the services of an experienced professional Realtor® to make sure everything goes smoothly.

The following challenges are what a professional can help you avoid when selling your home:

Time Spent on Potential Buyers

Selling a home by yourself will be a significant time commitment that should not be underestimated. Perhaps the greatest commitment to your time will be in scheduling and hosting viewings of your property. Are you ready and able to pick up the phone every time you have an inquiry? Are you able to sift out the simply curious from real potential buyers to avoid unnecessary viewings? Realtors® are experienced in asking the kind of qualifying questions that sort out the wheat from the chaff. And how many evenings, weekends, and weekday hours are you able to give up to show interested parties your home? You’ll then have to pro-actively follow up on interest after viewings.

Marketing and Valuation

As well as the time involved in doing your own marketing, there are also practical considerations around how successfully you will get the information out there. Yes, you can list your property on various websites and specialist portals that Realtors® use. However, Realtors® also have extended networks of active potential buyers that they will reach out to with information on your property, a channel you will almost certainly not have access to.

You would have to be confident that realistically you could value your property correctly if you chose to put your home on the market yourself. Things you may be oblivious to can be widely considered as flaws by potential buyers. A professional Realtor® has the experience to point those out and suggest small changes which will make your property more attractive.

Negotiating

Realtors® are both objective and experienced, having negotiated hundreds or thousands of real estate transactions. They know how to spot the signs a potential buyer has formed an emotional attachment towards your property and how to leverage that to your benefit. They also know how to spot signs of nervousness that might pose a threat to the eventual sale and how best to allay such fears. They won’t make compromises because they have been charmed by a prospective buyer, or behave irrationally because they don’t like them on a personal level.

Avoiding Getting Sued

This is a genuine concern that owners operating without a Realtor® must be acutely aware of. There is a lot of paperwork involved in the sale of a property. Getting it wrong can at best delay the sale and at worst lead to putting yourself in danger of legal proceedings. Seller’s disclosure is a particular concern. What can be considered a defect, hazard, or nuisance varies depending on where you live. Realtors® know exactly what is required of the seller. If a mistake is made, then they have insurance, ensuring that a seller does not personally suffer.

Named Serenity, this colour is a soft, soothing shade of light blue. Often relegated to baby boys’ nurseries, this calming colour is just as at home in other areas of your house. While that is still an excellent use of this hue, there are a variety of ways you can incorporate it into your home for a more modern look.

In the Bedroom

Because of the soothing nature of the Serenity colour, it is an ideal choice for the walls of your bedroom. The calming tone will help you get into a relaxed frame of mind at night, which can help you fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep through the night. For your bedding, a crisp white or dark grey complements the colour nicely and will give your room a put-together feel. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, and Serenity can help you achieve that motif.

In the Living Room

A sectional couch in Serenity or a similar shade of blue instantly becomes the focal point of your living room. The relaxing effect of this colour makes the room feel inviting for you and guests to your home. If the idea of a blue sofa is too much for you, try some throw pillows and a plush blanket to serve as accent pieces to tie the room together. Place several items throughout the room for a more cohesive look.

In the Dining Room

Many traditional dining rooms feature rich, dark woods that can have somewhat of a heavy feel. A rug in Serenity underneath your dining table can break up the darkness and give the room a lighter, more airy look. If your dining table is lighter in colour and more on the rustic side, Serenity is a perfect complement, keeping the look light and fresh.

There is no better time to think about redecorating than when you first move into a new home. Throughout the moving process, you can sort through your current decorative items and weed out the ones that do not have a place in your new home or no longer mesh with your personal taste and preferences. Then, you can start with a blank slate and rebuild your decor as you see fit. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, we have the expertise to help you. Get in touch for more information!