Now is the time to buy your dream home. Inventories are high, meaning buyers are able to reap the benefits of selection and can negotiate the best price and terms for their purchase. Although the number of new listings dropped slightly in recent weeks, sales are steady and the economy in Calgary remains strong. Buying real estate remains the best long term investment available to consumers. As professional Realtors, we understand what is going on in the market and can help you, the buyer, make an informed purchase.
When it comes time to sell your house, the key to doing so quickly and getting top dollar is EXPOSURE. Working with a Realtor, you get instant and mass exposure to thousands of Realtors who are actively looking on their buyers’ behalf, as well as to a large number of prospective home buyers via www.mls.ca . Because we specialize in real estate, Realtors know MARKET VALUES. Realtors have their finger on the pulse of the market. This is helpful for establishing a COMPETITIVE PRICE for your home. Working with a Realtor frees you from the hassles associated with making APPOINTMENTS for viewings. Realtors are experienced in reading the fine print of contracts and NEGOTIATING objectively. The NEGOTIATING process involves many details, including price, conditions, date of possession, inclusions and exclusions, to name just a few. A Realtor will help you though this sometimes confusing process with patience and understanding, ensuring you are comfortable with every aspect of the process. Your Realtor sees you through the final stage of signing papers and putting keys in your hand.
Selling a home is a complex undertaking that is best handled by a professional.
Buying a home can be an overwhelming process when attempted without a professional working on your behalf. Buying or selling, we would like to be that professional for you. If you require assistance with the sale or the purchase of a home, let us work on your behalf. Additionally, if you know of anyone requiring our services, we would be grateful for your referral.
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The Bank of Canada dropped their key interest rate by another 50 basis points on April 21th. Currently, the prime interst rate is 4.75% This is great news for buyers as it affords increased buying power through lower monthly mortgage payments. The number of single family homes in Calgary on the market at this time is up 11.6 % for March 2008 compared to March of a year ago; and is up 24% when comparing the first quarter of this year to 2007. Again, great news for buyers. The Burke Group wants to represent you in that purchase. We bring our knowledge, experience and quality customer service to the process. As always, if you require help in real estate matters, or know someone who does, don’t hesitate to give the Burke Group a call.Your garden paradise may include loads of colourful blooms or be low-maintenance. When looking to buy a new home, remember to consider the outdoor spaces.
- Would you prefer patio terraces to manicured lawns? Although kid and pet friendly, yards, whether all lawn or interspersed with flowerbeds, take time and energy to maintain.
- Would you like the garden to be bare, like a blank canvas, allowing you to have complete creative input?
Keep in mind, shade trees take awhile to grow to the point of providing that lovely cool canopy for you to enjoy. Or would you prefer a mature, landscaped property where all the decisions, and cost, have been made.
Beautiful borders – A low maintenance option could be shrubs and trees. Well-placed, they can be the ‘bones’ of your design, providing a basic framework to build your garden around.
Colourful Blooms – Annuals and perennials are the best way to add intense colour to your flower beds. Annuals provide loads of blooms and colour throughout the whole growing season and you can have a different look each year. Perennials return year after year. Some are grown just for their foliage while others have blooms for a short amount of time. If your perennial garden is well-planned, you can continually have something in bloom all season long. Many gardeners enjoy the transition in their gardens with the ever-changing perennial show.
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Every day we hear more and more discussion regarding the environment and the topic of going green. Now, it seems it has even made its way into real estate.
Those homeowners who choose to undergo environmentally friendly home improvements when renovating their homes will likely see a solid return on their investments when the time comes to sell. Such improvements have recently climbed to the top of the shopping list for many buyers. In a recent survey, 72 % of those Canadians that responded said they will look for a green-improved home in their next purchase.
At the same time, 63% of those who responded said they would pay more for a home that was indeed environmentally friendly. Of those, 62 % are willing to pay between $5,000 and $20,000 more for green features, with 7% willing to pay $20,000 or more.
Indeed, our homes have a huge impact on the environment. The use of high-efficiency windows and appliances, high-efficiency furnaces and water-conserving fixtures are a few of the items that are receiving a lot more consideration on the part of consumers now, than as recent as just a few years ago.
Environmental concerns and choices are impacting us in all aspects of our lives. From the way we carry out our jobs, to the vehicles we choose to drive (or not to drive), to the type of produce we buy and where that produce was grown. Eco-friendly home buying decisions are the natural progression of this movement towards a greener world for tomorrow.
Check out these sites to learn more:
If you have real estate questions or are just seeking advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call. And of course, if you have friends, family or co-workers considering purchasing or selling a home, you can be rest assured they will be in good hands by referring them to The Burke Group.
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- Enjoy a walk in one of our many parks. Why not visit on you haven’t been to before.
- Be a snow angel! Remember to warm up and stretch, be careful of that back! Help your elderly neighbors clear the snow off their walkways.
- Winter Photography - Frost covered fence posts or snow-covered trees make beautiful pictures.
- Mall walking allows you to continue your walking routine even when temperatures drop outside.
- Public Skating rinks are available throughout the city, including,Olympic Plaza and Bowness Park.
- Tobogganing is not just for kids and walking all the way back up the hill for another exhilarating run is yet another great source of exercise and fresh air.
- Cross Country skiing can be done on the trails throughout the city and is great exercise.
- Downhill skiing is another option with several world-class resorts located just several hours drive from Calgary.
- Combine snowshoeing and birdwatching on a trip to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
- Take dancing lessons, exercise classes, yoga or join a gym.
- Call The Burke Group to discuss your real estate needs.
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With your help, we can open doors to affordable housing.
Calgary does not have enough affordable housing to meet demand. Calgary’s growing population, high land values, a decline in the construction of new, affordable rental units and an increase in low-income jobs has affected the supply and demand for new affordable housing.
Providing stability, safety and affordability to low-income families will go a long way in bringing back hope for the future. Children will have a secure base, stable schooling, steady friendships and a place to call “home”.
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Its 100% True!
We at the Burke Group strive for service excellence everyday. Whether you turn to us to list your home or entrust us with the task of finding your next home, we are completely committed to doing our very best and doing so with integrity, honesty and dedication. We offer our clients the distinctive strength of dicernment….of understanding you’re nesting needs and taking you under our wings as we explore for the place that you’ll call home.
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As Each New Year begins, we often make resolutions to change an aspect of our lives. You may find you are more successful in keeping your resolution if it is something that will guarantee to make your life easier.
Focusing on your home is a refreshing option when making a resolution. Our homes are a reflection of who we are so why not make it the best we can? Improving your home will not only add to your enjoyment of it, but will certainly make a difference when you decide to sell it.
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Can’t tell you how many times anxious people have asked us this question over the last while. And contrary to wishful thinking, we can’t provide the crystal ball answer, however, here are some relevant facts worth considering:
- The average combined residential sale price for September 2006 is showing a 45.6% increase over September 2005
- The number of residential listings for September is up 11.9% over August 2006
- Although the average condominium sale price for September is up 57.9% over September 2005, and up 4.3% over the August average, there was a 8.7% decrease in the number of sales for that same period last year and a 17.8 % decrease compared to August
What does that mean for the current market?
With inventories now exceeding three months supply, we are no longer in a booming market. Buyers should not become too confident about this situation, however, as they may once again pay more next year. Sellers needing to sell in 2006 must prices themselves competitively for a success.
Careful consultation with a Realtor is more important than ever.
That’s where we come in! We’re happy to help.
