Upgrading to a Larger Home – Are you ready?

Many homebuyers face the question of size when looking for their next home. Do they downsize, stay the same, or upgrade to a larger home? To help answer this question, here are some factors to take into consideration when determining if you should upgrade to a larger home.

Affordability

With larger homes come more financial responsibility. Typically larger homes will come with a larger mortgage, repair/maintenance, utilities, and insurance payments as well as increased property taxes. Are you ready financially for these larger expenses? Take into account these estimated expenses when going over your household budget. Remember, ideally you’ll want to be able to maintain a comfortable quality of life and still be able to save for the future when these larger expenses are taken into account with your budget.

Down Payments

There is a need in most cases during the property buying process to make a down payment and to pay for closing costs. You should include these expenses in your estimations while keeping in mind that selling the existing property and accessing equity will yield most or all of the funds that are needed to make a new purchase. Working with a real estate professional and a mortgage broker will help you to get more information about these two factors before making a sound financial decision.

When the time is right for you to upgrade to a larger home, you should consider working with an experienced real estate agent to sell your existing property and help you in the process of buying a new home!

Spring is just around the corner and what better way to introduce it to your home than with Rose Quartz. This lovely colour blends shades of pink to produce a rich, multifaceted colour that provides warmth and a sense of home. It brings a pop of colour that can brighten up even the dullest of rooms. Go all out or try just a few accents. This colour is sure to bring an aura of happiness and comfort to your home. Rose Quartz is a versatile shade that can update the look of your home in a variety of ways.

As an Accent

Small accents of colour throughout a room can have a major visual impact, instantly drawing your eye to key focus points around the room. Try an antique lampshade in your bedroom or a decorative pitcher in your kitchen. Accent pieces are a great way to experiment with a new colour palette without having to make a full commitment to it until you are ready.

To Fill a Room

If you have a room in your home that is looking especially bare, a dash of Rose Quartz can be just what you need to take that room from drab to dynamic. This vibrant colour fills the empty space with warmth, making a somewhat empty room feel inviting. Try a quilt in this welcoming hue in your guest bedroom or a bold wall tapestry in your entryway. The richness of the colour will make your guests feel immediately at home.

For Dramatic Impact

To make a bold statement with Rose Quartz, use it to tile your bathroom. The energy of the shade creates an atmosphere of comfortable luxury that is perfect for lounging in the tub and pampering yourself. For an even more dramatic effect, paint a single wall behind your bed and use bedding in a dark colour. This warm tone will create a romantic atmosphere that is ideally suited to the bedroom.

Moving into a new home can be the ideal time to start thinking about redecorating. Throughout the moving process, you can take inventory of your decor and get rid of anything that no longer fits with the style you have in mind. When you get settled into the new home, it’s like having a blank canvas on which to develop your new decorative theme. If you’re ready to make a move contact us today!

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!

Calgary is looking at 4 options for the North LRT route. What makes sense to you? http://bit.ly/1CFmWVr

January 26 saw the start of construction on enhancements to the 1 Street S.W. underpass to provide greater safety and comfort for users of the underpass pedestrian walkways.

This project will result in some underpass pedestrian and road restrictions and closures.

Starting Sunday, January 25, 2015, the west side pedestrian walkway of the underpass will be closed between 9 Avenue and 10 Avenue until the enhancements on the west side are completed. During this time, pedestrians will need to use the east side pedestrian walkway.

One lane of southbound vehicle traffic will also be closed during construction on the west side.

When the enhancements on the west side are completed and it is opened to the public, the east side pedestrian walkway of the underpass will be closed between 9 Avenue and 10 Avenue until those enhancements are completed. One lane of northbound vehicle traffic will also be closed during construction on the east side.

In support of Calgary Meals on Wheels, the fourth annual YYC Hot Chocolate Fest will run February 1-28, 2015. YYC Hot Chocolate Fest celebrates the creativity of local eateries competing to create Calgary’s best hot chocolate.

Throughout the month-long festival, participating coffee shops, restaurants, chocolatiers, and hotels will feature signature hot chocolate drinks created especially for this friendly competition. Partial proceeds from each drink will benefit Calgary Meals on Wheels. Customers are encouraged to vote online to help determine which vendor will win the coveted title of “Calgary’s Best Hot Chocolate” and “Calgary’s Best Spirited Hot Chocolate.” Bragging rights will also be awarded to the establishment that raises the most funds for Calgary Meals on Wheels.

Calgary Meals on Wheels is one of Calgary’s most established charity organizations and is celebrating 50 years of serving their community. They are dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of all Calgarians who require their services, regardless of age or income.

Downtown Calgary participants for 2015:
The Bean Stop – Eau Claire Market, 145-200 Barclay Parade SW
Trib Steakhouse – 118 8 Ave SW
Swine & Sow Wine & Ale House – 131 6 ave SW
Murrieta’s Bar & Grill – 202, 808 First Street SW

Lougheed House is pleased to present the work of renowned Calgary based photographer George Webber. This exhibition of recent work underscores the photographer’s fascination with the formal beauty of this abandoned and feral industrial site. George Webber has been photographing the people, landscape and urban environment of the Canadian west for over thirty-five years and has received numerous awards for his photography. His work can be found in museums and archives in Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Australia. This exhibit is part of the Exposure 2015 Photography Festival.

Lougheed House (707 13th Ave. SW)

Starts:Wednesday, January 21, 2015 – 00:00

Ends:Sunday, March 22, 2015 – 00:00

Price:$8.50, adults; $6.50, seniors & students; $5, children ages 6 to 12; $25, family; free, under 6

Heritage Park Historical Village works diligently to preserve and share the history of Western Canada with the world – and now they need your help to save a piece of theirs – The Big H as the entrance of the park.  Make a little history of your own and help save this iconic piece of Calgary history by donating today! All funds received will aid in the refurbishment of this monumental structure. The H will be refreshed, aligning it with the Park’s current brand. The current crumbling river stone base will be replaced with brick, the axe removed, the log H rebuilt and painted, and the structure will be illuminated with lights, so it’s visible at all times.

Help us spread the word – share your “Big H” photos and memories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #SaveTheBigH.

Please donate today by calling Heritage Park Guest Services team at 403.268.8500.

Despite a dip in December, total housing starts in the Calgary region finished 2014 up 36.1 per cent from the previous year and hitting a record level.

-Calgary Herald – January 11, 2014

Countdown to midnight outside at Olympic Plaza. The event features music, ice sculptures and fire performances.

WHERE: Olympic Plaza – 228 8 Avenue SE
WHEN: 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
COST: Free