Our Big Decision? Albi – Riverstone!

A Big Decision

Custom Built Home – Our Big Decision? Albi – Riverstone!

We are Ready

We have outgrown our home. With a nice, normal-size-but-kids-growing family we need more space. Our kitchen is very small with just the four of us using it. We like to entertain, dinner parties etc...so...with a crowd we bump elbows. But do we need a custom home? Why not? We both have good jobs with a future. My partner, Nancy is a teacher and I am a Real Estate agent. This is my third home. So why not treat ourselves to a dream home?

We Want the Best We Can Afford

We want the best. We are into comfort, modern appliances, luxury-size rooms and custom details. Albi Home Builders provide us with this dream opportunity. We are excited. We tour the Albi Show Home many times over the Christmas Holiday Season. We bring friends and family members to weigh in. The kids have fun running around the big environment, content with the space and feel perfectly at home.

 The 'Future' Back Yard

Only a Realtor Knows the Right Questions to Ask

As realtor with over ten years experience to draw upon, I know the questions to ask. Many homeowners buy and sell many times over the course of their life-time. Some upgrades are worth the money but some are only an extravagance. What are the best features to add to a custom-built home? One of the main upgrades that I want, knowing the Calgary rental market and its income potential, is a guest place or rental potential.

Promise of a Quick Build- Not!

With their high standards in building (many building and design awards) and promises of a quick build, we lay down the 10% deposit. We decide on a corner lot. Real Estate experience has taught me that this is one of the better future selling-point features. We are assigned an area manager. So far...so good. We expect to have many meetings regarding progress, any questions we may have and ideas about upgrades etc... I ask about the rental unit addition. Hmmm...they don't, as of yet, offer this. I look into the bylaws and persevere with the area agent. This takes time to sort out. Good idea? Maybe. Stayed tuned...

Thinking about investing in a custom built home? Please give me a call, Chris 403-680-4479

Luxury Real Estate

Are Foreigners Buying Calgary?

Yes – the Luxury Real Estate

Mark Evernden a Premium real estate agent at Engel & Volkers and Associates which represents some of the province’s most expensive residential properties says, [that] "around seventy per cent of inquiries through our website and by phone are currently out of country buyers."

While much of the interest is multi-international he says, "The biggest chunk…is from Chinese buyers." His portfolio includes several homes located on Calgary’s prestigious Pump Hill, sometimes referred to as Millionaire’s Row.

Alberta - A Good Place to Raise a Family

The largest Chinese international property website, Juwai.com, also reports inquiries specifically on Alberta properties are up 70 per cent on last year, placing the province fourth after Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.

Juwai.com's chief executive Charles Pittar (Hong Kong) says, "Chinese interest in Alberta is growing at a rapid pace." He continues, "Not every buyer from China wants a home in Vancouver or Toronto…In fact, many like the more laid-back environment in Alberta and consider it a good place to raise a family and sink roots."

Welcome with Open Arms? Not so Fast

Some say that Alberta is welcoming off-shore buyers with open arms but if it means a surge in real estate prices they complain that it makes it difficult for buyers like newly-weds to purchase their first-time home. Unlike the tidal wave of soaring real estate prices in Vancouver and Toronto, the ripple may be short-lived.

New Rules Announced this Morning

As part of a new measure to tackle speculation in Canada's housing market by foreign investors, Finance Minister Bill Morneau has just announced that foreign buyers who are not residents at the time of purchase will no longer be able to claim a principal residence exemption on their homes.

This new measure will now make the exemptions available only to home buyers who are residents at the time of purchase.

For more information and/or to book an appointment regarding your home give,

Chris a call 403-680-4479

E-mail: chris@yourhomeinalberta.com Website: http://www.YourHomeInAlberta.com

Huge Appetite for Calgary’s Best Homes



Appetite for Luxury Homes

Huge Appetite for Calgary’s Best Homes

It’s No Secret

A lot has been written in recent news about the ‘hot market’ in Real Estate for the Calgary area. What is still surprising is that luxury homes remains the strongest on the market again. The record monthly transaction level has been the third highest ever for April.

Total Sales Up Again

According to CREB statistics total MLS sales for April 2013 is 2,377 and April of 2014 is 2,545. That’s a 7.70 percent increase. Also interesting is increase in new listings up from April 2013, 3,475 to April 2014 3,754. That’s a whopping 8.3 percent increase in more homes on the market.

Setting a New Peak

What is a stunning new fact is that a new peak for luxury homes is set. During the month of April, according to associate broker with First Place Realty, Mike Fotiou, there have been 79 MLS sales in Calgary of $1 million or more!

Wow! Shorter Time on the Market

According to the recent CREB report, Days on the Market, is down. The average home listing that appeared on the market lasted 33 days in April of 2013 and for the month of April 2014, only 26 days! That is getting close to a 25 percent decrease in days on the market for the average home.

Even Condos Selling in the Luxury Price Category

There were a few condos that sold at the luxury price of $319,615 compared to last years April average of $299,536. In April, 75 single-family homes sold in the luxury price category. This represents a 23.4 per cent hike in sales from a year ago.

Luxury Homes are in Demand

Luxury homes sales are up by 12.8 percent from the same time last year which was also a record breaker. The River condo project in Mission had the most expensive property sold in April, for $3.19 million. Other areas of luxury home sales include Pump Hill, Altadore/River Park, Elbow Park/Glencoe, Springbank Hill, West Hillhurst, West Springs, Discovery Ridge and McKenzie Lake.

Call Chris 403-680-4479

e-mail Chris at: chris@yourhomeinalberta.com

Visit: http://www.liveinokotoks.com/

Visit: www.yourhomeinalberta.com/