All Blog Entries by Christopher Audette

Do you take the blue pill or the red one (How does he word it?)

In the last article, we discussed critical mistakes sellers make that cost them money on their home sale.

In this issue, we're going to discuss the pricing matrix.

The pricing matrix is the relationship and the cause and effect that the 4 different pricing points have on each other.

First, we’ll define these points then look at how each interacts with the other.

• FAIR MARKET VALUE (FMV) (range) — a price that appeals to many buyers and causes a sale within a reasonable time.
• ASK/LIST — the initial and ongoing pricing that the seller sets to attract potential buyers
• OFFER/VALUE — what it is worth to a specific buyer, and where the negotiation starts
• SALE PRICE — the

The Truth Behind Sellers Pricing Their Home (Truth or Reality)

Did you know that the majority of sellers, waste time, effort and stress just to get less for their home?

That's right. They spend time, effort and stress sabotaging their sale to get LESS money in their pocket.

They invest their efforts and their agent’s efforts at the wrong time, in the wrong spots, trying to control the process, and they waste their most critical marketing time.

This 11-part series will walk you through the high points on the most critical aspect of your marketing (The PRICE). And we’re going to share with you why the right price, combined with the right marketing is crucial. And along the way we will reveal a secret that will have you rethinking everything you

Daily Reads:

Real Estate

Bob Trumans Blog

Investing (REIN)

Transportation & Ring Road - 3 Year Major Transportation Plan -  Economic Analyst

 Development Information:

• Calgary Planning Commission Application Listings
• Calgary Planning Commission Public Notices

Large-Scale Plans and Bylaws:

• Alberta Municipal Government Act
• Calgary Transportation Plan 2005
• Centre City Plan
• Land Use Bylaw 1P2007
• Municipal Development Plan
• Plan It Workbook
• Transit Oriented Development Policy Guidelines

Organizations and Agencies:

• Alberta Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation
• Alberta Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Calgary Economic Development
• Calgary Heritage Initiative
• Calgary

Your Property Wish List

What does your future home look like? Where is it located? As you hunt down your dream home, consult this list to evaluate properties and keep your priorities top of mind.

Neighborhoods

What neighborhoods do you prefer?

Schools

What school systems do you want to be near?

Transportation

How close must the home be to these amenities:

• Public transportation
• Airport
• Expressway
• Neighborhood shopping
• Schools
• Other

Home Style

• What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer?
• Do you want to buy a home, condominium, or townhome?
• Would you like a one-story or two-story home?
• How many bedrooms must your new home have?
• How many bathrooms must your new home have?

Home

Why You Should Work With a agent®

Not all real estate practitioners are agentS®. The term agent® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the CANADIAN REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are nine reasons why it pays to work with a agent®.

1. You’ll have an expert to guide you through the process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.

2. Get objective information and opinions. agentS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning,

What You Can Do to Improve Your Credit

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are big factors in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your credit score high by doing the following:

1. Check for and correct any errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management. LINK

2. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. Transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.

3. Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.

4. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re penalized less for problems after a year.

5. Don’t

What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk-through

It’s guaranteed to be hectic right before closing, but you should always make time for a final walk-through. Your goal is to make sure that your home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Ideally, the sellers already have moved out. This is your last chance to check that appliances are in working condition and that agreed-upon repairs have been made. Here’s a detailed list of what not to overlook for on your final walk-through.

Make sure that:

• Repairs you’ve requested have been made. Obtain copies of paid bills and warranties.
• There are no major changes to the property since you last viewed it.
• All items that were included in the sale price — draperies, lighting fixtures, etc. — are

What a Home Inspection Should Cover

Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspector will check. You can also use this list to help you evaluate properties you might purchase.

For more information, try the virtual home inspection at www.ASHI.org, the Web site of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

Structure: A home’s skeleton impacts how the property stands up to weather, gravity, and the earth. Structural components, including the foundation and the framing, should be inspected.

Exterior: The inspector should look at sidewalks, driveways, steps,

Tips for Lowering Homeowner’s Insurance Costs

1. Be sure you insure your house for the correct amount. Remember, you’re covering replacement cost, not market value.

2. Seek insurance coverage as soon as your offer is approved. You must obtain insurance to buy. And you don’t want to be told at closing that the insurer has denied your coverage.

3. Maintain good credit. Insurers often use credit-based insurance scores to determine premiums.

4. Buy your home owners and auto policies from the same company and you’ll usually qualify for savings. But make sure the discount really yields the lowest price.

5. Raise your deductible. If you can afford to pay more toward a loss that occurs, your premiums will be lower. Avoid making claims under

The Agency Group

Calgary Realtors Private Facebook Page

ComingSoon.ca (Justin Havre & Associates)

One House RE Group 

Greater Property Group

 Ross Pavl

Kirby Cox

Big John Peterson

Evolve Realty

Julie Dempsey

Dasilva Associates