Need Cash? Basement Apartment in 5 Easy Steps

Need Cash? Basement Apartment in 5 Easy Steps

Wish that Your Unfinished Basement was ready for Apartment Rental?

View these steps in Slide Share from:

http://www.slideshare.net/Liveinokotoks/calgary-basement-apartments-in-5-easy-steps

 

1.  Research and plan and understand what you want to achieve. Don't forget safety and comfort. Add storage wherever you can. The laundry room can be a bathroom since the plumbing is already there. Stackable washer/dryer combinations are meant for small spaces. A second entrance? Expensive but worth it. Have your tenant come and go independently.

 2.   Do it Right. Make sure the by-laws in your area allow for a rental space.

Also a building permit is required for a basement suite. Plan on required inspections throughout the process.  City of Calgary's building inspectors are there to help if you have questions. Don't expect same-day approval and depending on the complexity of the renovations it could take weeks. Changes you make to your home must follow code. This is especially important for the re-sale value of your home.

3.      Hire professionals.

You may do some easy tasks like framing a wall or even dry-walling but leave the plumbing and electrical work to the experts. Don't forget to get quotes in writing and a signed contract. Ask about clean up. Who pays for taking debris to the landfill?

4.      Expect problems and delays.

Not every home is perfect and each professional works according to their style. Prepare to adapt. Your tired old house may have cracks, crooked walls, tiles that won't line up and doors that won't close. Buy durable and reliable. Do it right so that your tenant won't be calling every week with a problem.

5.     Start Early - Biggest Return on Your Real Estate Investment!

A renovation on your home, if done right, is never a waste of money. Having a rental suite works in any economy and every market. A renovation that costs $24,000 sounds pricey but if you get $1,000 per month it's paid off in two years.

Need more advice from a Real Estate professional? Call Chris 403-680-4479

Visit: chris@Liveinokotoks.com Follow all the Blogs at: http://www.yourhomeinalberta.blogspot.ca/

Need professional renovation experts? EdraPro is the new way to go. Visit: http://edrapro.ca/ Check out the Platinum Package for the best deal on renovations.

 

 

Calgary Apartments for Rent - Secondary Suites – The Debate

An Issue that Won't Go Away

In the news today is an issue that will be debated at Calgary's City Council meeting tomorrow, namely 'Secondary Suites'. In the past and in better economic times demand for housing has allowed for some secondary suites. Calgary has even made things a little easier by waiving fees but so far, a city-wide permit has failed to come into fruition.

Tomorrow 26 Applications Up for Debate

Each time a homeowner wants to put a legal suite in their basement, it must come before city council. The talk tomorrow will focus around the 26 applications requesting the legal permission for secondary suites that they can then offer for rent.

Mayor Frustrated

According to reports this issue causes much frustration for Calgary's mayor, Naheed Nenshi, and the concern won't go away. When asked about why it takes up countless hours of precious council time to discuss the matter Nenshi says, "They can't agree on what to do about it and so we're stuck."

When asked further the mayor comments that, "People get to take a day or two days off work to come down and ask to be able to do something with their own property."

Home Owners Must Wait

Home owners must wait and stay tuned. City council will hear about each and every one of these 26 applications at Monday's meeting and vote on them. There is division amongst council members about what to do and that contributes to the tension. The current process won't change, Nenshi knows, until at least after the next election in October 2017.

Looking for a place to rent? Give Chris Ashby a call 403-680-4479
Website: Chris@Liveinokotoks.com

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Students weigh in: Legal secondary suites needed for housing. They must be safe and affordable. Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/legal-secondary-suites-needed-for-safe-affordable-calgary-housing-students-say-1.3204207

Real Estate weighs in: Should secondary suites be advertised as income opportunities as listings on official Realtor Sites? Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-illegal-suite-real-estate-listings-1.3302815

Note: Real Estate Professionals does not endorse nor is responsible for content of external links.

 

Calgary - Flat Line! House Prices Predicted

Calgary Home Prices Remained Static 2015

House prices in Calgary were unchanged for the last quarter of 2015 according to the Statistics Canada New Housing Price Index report. BUT what does the first quarter of 2016 look like? Well there's not a big change.

Down But Not Big Change

According to Calgary Real Estate Board CREB statistics, single-family homes in general were more affordable in Calgary over the first two months of 2016 compared to the same time a year earlier. The benchmark price for a house dipped to $506,200 from $521,950. While overall Calgary new home prices were down around 3 percent from year ago levels, land prices were still growing on an annual basis.

Numbers Not Surprising

According to the latest sales and prices figures from CREB, less than 1,600 units sold last month, a drop of 11 per cent compared to March 2015. "The numbers aren’t surprising," says Ann-Marie Lurie, chief economist with CREB. "This is influencing our market. Another factor pushing real estate prices is a continuing rise in listings."

People Wait and See

“Homebuyers continue to wait and see if there are going to be further declines in home prices before making an offer,” said CREB president Cliff Stevenson. “Timing the bottom of the market is proving to be quite a challenge in the housing market we are faced with now. As we move into spring, we are starting to see more foot traffic at open houses and showings from potential buyers.”

Prices Lower or Higher?

Some builders predict higher prices due to the higher costs in construction to cover the new building code regulations that came into effect from 2015. However the increase may be off-set by lower negotiated selling prices due to the economic downturn.

Flat-Line for Now

At this point, nobody can accurately predict when the market might bottom out, and sales activity and prices will begin to rebound. In a news release, Diane Scott, broker and owner of Royal LePage Solutions said, “Calgary’s housing market has been more resilient than most expected amid declining oil prices.”

Need some help deciding when to buy or sell? Give Chris a call #403-680-4479

Stage Your Home - Sell Your Home.

These 8 Tips are a Must!

Roll up Your Sleeves

It’s time to put in a little elbow grease and get your house ready for the market. A coat of paint and a good cleaning is first up on the list. Make repairs to walls, steps, decking and patio concrete. Does your family have a pet, or does anyone smoke, or do you store gym bags in the front closet? Don't forget to deodorize. Tidy up, repair, clean and revitalized.

De-clutter

The buyers want to see your house, not your mess. Go through every room, scrutinizing every item. That means your basement, crawlspace and garage. Remember the disposal of hazardous materials such as paint, engine oil and batteries will require special attention.

Buyers Buy Space in Real Estate

If you are able to show more space, whether it be living or storage space, more buyers will be interested in your house. It is easier said than done especially if you and your family are still living in it. Try a little harder to pack up items and organize shelves and clear floor areas. Rearrange and neutralize rooms. Your personal taste is just well 'yours'. The buyer wants to dream about how to make it theirs.

The Most Important Room - The Kitchen

To the buyer, it’s all about the kitchen and that ‘we can move in anytime’ feeling. Try to make your kitchen sleek-yet-functional. Move less-oft used items out of the way for example some countertop appliances. The kitchen is not just for a woman. The space in the kitchen is important to all family members, now, more so than ever.

Flow and Invitation

Make it an entertainer's dream. Set the table with a romantic atmosphere or why not dinner for ten. Are there enough chairs around the large dining room table? Update light fixtures and lamps.

Cushions and Warmth

Your home should be warm, not sterile or cold. Add some cushions here, a rug there even a painting on the bare wall. Everybody loves a flower arrangement. That fresh home-baked smell is especially inviting.

Pay attention to Curb Appeal

Go outside and look at the front of your home. Access both the front and back yards. Observe with critical eyes as though you are the buyer and how they might see it. Remember the front door. Replace the house numbers if they look old and tired. Position them where they are easily visible from the road.

 Tips to Save Money

Shedding excess baggage before a move makes sense. Experts agree that families in most homes could get rid of about 30% of the contents and never miss it. Imagine if you got rid of thousands of pounds of clutter. Then you don’t have to pay to move it. A garage sale may be a good idea. Then trash. Return, donate or put into storage any items just lying around.

It may be worth the one-hour rate of pay to hire a professional Home Stager to get specific custom suggestions and don't forget For more tips on how to get your house ready for sale, give Chris Ashby a call #403-680-4479

For the Slide Show Presentation of this blog visit: 'SlideShare' in LinkedIn or facebook

http://www.slideshare.net/ChrisAshby6/stage-your-home-sell-your-home

 

 

No-Nonsense Pricing Sells Calgary Home Fast

According to the Globe and Mail, this week, it was a no-nonsense price of $438,000 that helped sell a two-storey house in the community of Copperfield SE Calgary. Based on statistics, it took an average of 40 days to sell a home in last years housing market and many sales stalled altogether due to the market downturn.

Also - Old Ways to Sell a Home are Back

There are several tactics home-owners can use to speed up the process of selling a home whether it's a two-story house, large estate home or condo. Staging is still the number one way. Be ready for the real estate agent on opening day when they give people the tour. Staging can pay off in many ways such as multiple showings on the first day.

Home Staging Ideas

First impressions are important in selling your home. Real Estate agents have tips for dos and don’ts. They may even recommend an agency that provides home staging as part of their expertise.

The Showing

There is something very intriguing about a couple waiting their turn to look at a house after seeing another potential buyer exit with their real estate agent and then even another couple waiting to enter as they, the interested-but-not-sure buyer leave. The 'buzz' about that home being 'hot' and the next-in-line buyer not wanting to miss a deal can result in more than one offer before nightfall.

Property Evaluation

Most Real Estate Agents will conduct an in-depth analysis of your property's value using the data from the Agency’s records for recent sales in the area to determine its worth. Property values can go up and down in surprisingly short periods of time. Only an experienced Real Estate Agent has this reliable data at their finger tips.

Give Chris a call #403-680-4479

 

EDRA Pro is the New Way to Go

Get the "To-Do" List Done

EDRA Pro is the professional answer to tackle your 'TO-DO List'. Like many busy people you are getting tired of unfinished jobs around the house because you don't have the time, think the job will be too expensive or simply don't know where to start? EDRA Pro is the answer for you. It's easy too!

How Does EDRA Pro Work?

As a member of EDRA Pro, for a monthly fixed fee, you get a set number of hours that you can use when you need a job done. You can also bank up to 12 months of hours for protection against larger unexpected repairs from plumbing to electrical or plan some renovations. The Calgary-based team at EDRA Pro is there whenever you need them. They work on the difficult jobs that come with owning a house so you don't have to.

EDRA Pro's Commitment

EDRA Pro is perfect for you. Why? Perhaps you are handy but need help with more complicated plumbing, electrical or carpentry tasks. The Silver Package includes the basics of all of our services with labour based at $70 per hour. The standard Gold Package is right for the average home owner. It includes a complimentary inspection. There are savings with the Gold Package as labour is based at only $60 per hour. Also, save 15% of material costs and get free light bulbs.

Save Even More!

Save up to 40% with the 'Platinum Package'. It is designed for owners of multiple rental properties or older homes requiring major renovations. The labour costs are a great deal at $50 per hour.

Mother's Day is Just around the Corner

Do you want those jobs on the "Honey-Do-List" done? What a bonus gift for your Sweetie when the repairs to the bathroom, wall, basement, roof and even backyard are taken care of. Our full service team will be there to handle all your needs.

Need more info or want to sign up now for this great service call Chris at 403-680-4479.

Light at the End of the Tunnel for Oil Prices

As some IEA analysts predict 2016 prices for crude oil will be more stable at levels of about $40 a barrel. The International Energy Agency's outlook is considered to be the light at the end of long tunnel regarding the future outlook for the Alberta economy. Natural attrition on supply and suggestions of a deal to freeze production at early 2016 levels is what experts in the field predict.

Don't Forget What Goes Down Must Come Up

As the IEA, the global watchdog for the industry makes predictions the positive view is welcome by the oil industry. The market and its subsequent spin-off of jobs in the energy sector could be on the upswing.

History Shows Deep Oil-Price Declines Followed by Recoveries

As the past has shown, and according to Martin Pelletier, CFA, portfolio manager at Calgary-based TriVest Wealth Counsel Ltd. the 79% decline during 2008-09 was followed by a 274% recovery; the 59% drop during 1996-98 was followed by a 244% recovery; the 66% decline from 1990-93 was followed by a 90% recovery; and the 62% drop during 1985-86 was followed by a 273% recovery rate.

Help from the Government

There has been and will be more help from the Federal Government. The Feds have confirmed plans to provide $251.4 million to Alberta under a program designed to help provinces hit by sudden revenue downturns. Since the collapsing oil prices, the fiscal stabilization program provides help to provinces when revenues fall by more than 5% from one year to the next. This 'program money ' is allocated on a per capita basis, at $60 a person.

Bright Lights

This is a good time for the real estate market as people are looking to buy in or upgrade their home before the bounce back. Why not give Chris a call? Tel. #403-680-4479