How does one set an offer price when buying a home? Go in lower than asking price? How much lower? Or maybe the market dictates one to offer over list price. There is no set calculation or method to determine how to set an offer price. The process of offering involves some research, comparisons, experience… [Read More]
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Inspections
When buying a home, a condition to purchase is often a home inspection. Home inspectors examine a long list of items in and around the house, from the roof to the basement. The article What does the home inspector inspect? shows a fairly extensive list of what a buyer can expect from a home inspection…. [Read More]
What does a home inspector check
How important is a home inspection when buying a home? And what is inspected during a home inspection? First off, doing a home inspection is not mandatory. But considering the magnitude of the purchase – a home – doing a home inspection is highly recommended. What does the home inspector inspect? A home inspector will… [Read More]
Condo Living – Know Your Terminology
When buying a condo, it is important to learn everything about the condo corporation one buys into. The condominium documents are vital in providing needed information. These documents include the bylaws, the minutes of any board meetings and the AGM, as well as the financials. It is strongly advised that a buyer hires a professional… [Read More]
Getting pre-approval for a mortgage. What is in it for the buyer and the seller?
Let’s talk mortgages! Getting pre-approved for a mortgage should be the first step in your home buying process. It is important for several reasons. Following is a short overview about mortgage pre-approvals for both buyers and sellers. A mortgage pre-approval; what is in it for the buyer? A mortgage payment is usually the biggest expense… [Read More]
Warranty on new-built homes in Alberta
Every new home in Alberta is covered by a mandatory warranty under the New Home Buyer Protection Act. This new home warranty applies to any type of home in Alberta: single family home, duplex and condominium. Here follows a short overview of the Act, including a few tips for buying new-built homes or newer homes… [Read More]
Secondary suite in Calgary
Interested in buying or selling a property with a basement suite in Calgary? It is important to know if the suite is considered legal or illegal. To confirm if the suite is legal, it must be registered at the City of Calgary’s website, the Secondary Suite Registry. If the basement suite is not registered… [Read More]
Buying a Home, 8 Mistakes to Avoid
The process of buying a home can be incredibly exciting, yet stressful, all at once. Where do you start and what do you need to know? It is essential you do your homework before you begin. Learn from the experiences of others, do lots of research. Of course, with so many details involved in the home buying process,… [Read More]
What are HOA fees or Home Owners Association fees?
What are Home Owners’ Association fees and Residents’ Association fees? And what exactly does a community association do? What is a Home Owners’ Association? The Home Owners’ Association (HOA) is a non-for-profit organization, within a community, that establishes control over beautifying the community, the maintenance of greenspaces and the entrance of the community. As well,… [Read More]
Buying a home without hiring a realtor
In Alberta, it is not required to hire a realtor to buy a home. Even when the home is listed on the MLS, and listed by a licensed realtor, a buyer can work without his or her own representation. However, buying a home is a complex process. It involves many parties like sellers, buyers, lawyers,… [Read More]
Required list of condo documents to buy or sell
Selling or buying a condo? Condominium owners are part owners in a corporation. A seller must provide the buyer with a long list of condominium documents. What are the documents that a seller must provide to the buyer? And what do these ‘condo docs’ tell? Following is the entire list of condominium documents, which is… [Read More]
Why sign a service agreement or buyer brokerage agreement
Since July 2014, the RECA, the Real Estate Council of Alberta, made it mandatory that realtors sign an agreement with buyers. These service agreements have always existed, but before this agreement became mandatory, most realtors didn’t use them. Even today, sometimes realtors take buyers home hunting without any agreement in place. It is mandatory, but… [Read More]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 6
- Next Page »