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Does your home have open house appeal?

Published May 25, 2015
Showings and open houses are part of the marketing plan to sell your home. Follow these tips and your home will always be ready for potential buyers.

Remove:

  • Pets – your visitors may not like them and strangers in your house may stress your best friend!
  • Safety hazards – extension cords are a common problem.
  • Valuables, fragile items, and cash.
  • Clutter – organize counters and tabletops.

Clean:

  • Surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen.
  • Walls and windows.
  • Carpeting – and be sure to fix worn spots.

Add:

  • Fresh flowers.
  • Low wattage light bulbs for areas you’d like to feel cozy.

Remember, there are two kinds of open houses – public and REALTOR – and it’s important that your house looks great for both!

If you’re getting ready to sell your home and are looking for current Calgary Real Estate information or tips and tricks to boost your home’s marketability, contact Bill Brandsma Real Estate at 403-253-5678.

Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.

The Calgary International Children’s Festival

Published May 19, 2015

Mark MAY 20 – 23, 2015 on your calendars!

If you’re looking for something creative and inspiring to do with your kids this weekend visit the Calgary International Children’s Festival!

The Calgary International Children’s Festival is a five-day performing arts festival featuring family-friendly shows, activities and performances for kids and young-at-heart audiences! It includes outdoor activities, live music, crafts, entertainment, magicians, jugglers, musicians and acrobats!

And, you definitely won’t want to miss out on the magical performance of Alice in Wonderland at the Max Bell Theatre…a wonderful way for your kids to learn more about theatre.

For a full schedule of all the amazing festival shows, attractions and activities click www.calgarykidsfest.ca/shows

For information about or to book your tickets click www.calgarykidsfest.ca/tickets

Don’t miss out! It’s going to be unforgettable fun ; )

Happy Mother’s Day!

Published May 8, 2015

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”
– Anonymous

Wishing all the Moms out there a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend.

– The Bill Brandsma Team

It’s spring again – yay!

Published May 4, 2015

Time to get those much-needed home improvements done so you can savour all those summer days outdoors that are just on the horizon!

From paint touch-ups to cleaning windows, here’s a list of ideas to get your interior/exterior facelift started!

1) Interior Paint – walk through your home and make note of any spots where the paint is scuffed or chipped, especially walls, doors and trim. If you have leftover matching paints, touch up those areas. Just a little clean-up makes things feel fresh and new again.

2) Kitchen – spruce up the space without blowing the budget! Replace the hardware with something interesting and updated. Change the light fixtures to create a more contemporary look. Invest in new counter stools. Add some fresh flowers to add colour.

3) Bathroom – give it a lift with a new carpet, a fresh shower curtain, fluffy new towels, and even swap out the light fixtures and mirror for something updated and stylish.

4) Smoke Alarms – now is also a good time to test the smoke/fire alarms in your home. If your alarms are not hard-wired, change the batteries at least annually. Only a working smoke alarm can save your life!

5) Exterior Paint – it’s a good time to paint in the spring because the weather is milder. Improve your curb appeal instantly by freshening up doors and trim. If you’re not into a DIY project, hire a pro, but remember to check references beforehand.

6) Windows – the one thing that it is easy to neglect (or purposely avoid!) is cleaning your windows, but there’s nothing like the sun shining through sparkling windows to lift your spirits!

7) Shed/Garage – clean them out! When these two things are organized, you’ll save yourself valuable time. Instead of spending time digging around hunting for items, a tidy shed/garage will give you breathing space and more time to spend doing the things you love.

8) Landscaping – yard maintenance and upkeep can add value to your home. Spring is the time to consider aerating, power raking and fertilizing. Personalize your yard with flowers, trees and shrubs to immediately add beauty and curb appeal.

Don’t be overwhelmed by your long to-do list. Just tackle one thing or small section at a time and before you know it you’ll be ready to kick back on the deck and enjoy the view!

Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.

April 2015 Calgary Real Estate Stats

Published May 3, 2015

New Listings Drop & Downward Price Pressures Ease

“While conditions continue to favour the buyer…both the months of supply and the sales to new listings ratio tightened.”

If you like to stay up to date on what’s going on in the Calgary real estate market, click the link below for an excellent overview of CREB’s April summary of Calgary’s residential monthly statistics:

http://www.creb.com/~/media/Public/Statistics%20Package/2015/April%202015.pdf

For more information about the current market or for details about the April Calgary Real Estate Monthly Statistics, get in touch with Bill Brandsma at 403-253-5678.

Bill Brandsma Real Estate – specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.

Do I Really Need a Home Inspection?

Published April 28, 2015

Home inspections are becoming an essential part of the buying process. One of the best ways to understand about a home’s condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector. Inspections are intended to provide the client with a better understanding of property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection.

Home inspectors should make every effort to conduct the most thorough inspection possible.

A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. They will determine the components that are not performing properly as well as items that are beyond their useful life or are unsafe. They will also identify areas where repairs may be needed or where there may have been problems in the past.

Ensure you are hiring a qualified, experienced home inspector.

There is presently no requirement for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests. Anyone can say that they are a home inspector. That is why it is important to choose an inspector wisely.

Reputable home and property inspectors generally belong to a provincial or industry association. In Canada, there is generally one recognized association for home inspectors in each province. To become a member of these associations, an inspector must meet professional and educational requirements followed by a review. Members of these associations are also required to have errors and omission insurance, just as other professionals are required to.

Don’t know where to start your home inspector search?

Bill Brandsma can recommend several home inspection companies. Give him a call at 403-253-5678 today.

Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.

HAPPY EARTH DAY 2015!

Published April 22, 2015

Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment.

It is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.

Visit Earth Day Canada:
http://earthday2015.ca/earthday2015/

Check out this video. It’s a beautiful reminder of what an amazing planet we live on!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zpV2uRn0V0

Hire a Realtor!

Published April 16, 2015

Many buyers and homeowners are not aware of the true benefits and value a Realtor provides during the course of a real estate transaction. If you’re selling your home, here are a few key reasons to pick up the phone and call a Realtor today!

  • Realtors have access to pertinent information such as current market conditions, comparable prices and neighbourhood trends, to name a few.
  • Realtors will assist you in your home search, help you determine your buying power and understand your financing options
  • Realtors will help you negotiate and guide you through the closing process and much, much more.
  • Realtors will manage all the details of your real estate transaction providing you with priceless advice to save you money, and ultimately…peace of mind.

If you’re getting ready to sell your home and are looking for current Calgary Real Estate information or tips and tricks to boost your home’s marketability, contact Bill Brandsma Real Estate at 403-253-5678.

Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.

2015 Garden Show

Published April 9, 2015

Spring in Calgary’s fast approaching and our thoughts are turning to all things green like plants and gardening.

The Calgary Horticultural Society’s 2015 Garden Show is on this weekend, April 11 & 12, at Spruce Meadows from 9am – 5pm.

The garden show is an annual event that brings together over 10,000+ gardening and outdoor living enthusiasts. Expert speakers, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, free kids activities and hundreds of exhibitors offer everything for the Calgary gardener from soil and mulch to garden decor.

Kids 12 and under are free; Members: $10; Non-members early bird: $12; Non-members door: $15

For further information about the Calgary Horticultural Society Garden Show, visit http://www.calhort.org/garden-show.aspx

March 2015 Calgary Real Estate Stats

Published April 6, 2015

Housing Prices Influenced by Increase in Inventory

March Stats“Based on first quarter statistics, conditions are consistent with buyers’ market conditions.”

If you like to stay up to date on what’s going on in the Calgary real estate market, click the link below for an excellent overview of CREB’s March summary of Calgary’s residential monthly statistics:

http://www.creb.com/~/media/Public/Statistics%20Package/2015/March%202015.pdf

For more information about the current market or for details about the March Calgary Real Estate Monthly Statistics, get in touch with Bill Brandsma at 403-253-5678.

Bill Brandsma Real Estate – specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.

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