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Celebrate Canada Day 2015

Published June 29, 2015

It’s hard to believe that Canada Day is this coming Wednesday July 1, virtually right around the corner!

Since it falls on a Wednesday this year, it means you’ll have to take two days off (Mon & Tues or Thurs & Fri) to make Canada Day a long weekend. But hey, a 5 day weekend sounds pretty good right about now, right?! Especially given the beautiful weather forecast for the week ; )

What are we celebrating anyway?

Canada Day celebrates the birthday of Canada. On July 1, 1867 Canada became a new federation with its own constitution by signing the Constitution Act – formerly known as the British North America Act.

Come out & celebrate Canada’s birthday with thousands of other Calgarians!

There will be free activities for the entire family on Prince’s Island including a First Nations Powwow and a Living Flag activity. And Canada Day wouldn’t be Canada Day in Calgary without music and festivities along the Riverfront. Join the fun at the Festival Market with a fantastic line-up of Canadian Bands on the Riverfront Stage, a Food Truck Roundup, and to wind up the evening, an amazing fireworks display.

For more information visit: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Events/Canada-Day-events-listing.aspx

Happy Birthday Canada!

Ready to start home hunting this summer?

Published June 22, 2015

For most Canadians, owning their own home is a life-long dream. It brings with it pride of ownership, security and the feeling of control over which improvements are made and how much they cost. There’s also the chance your home will increase in value, making it a sound financial, as well as a lifestyle investment.

When buying a home, you have to juggle three important factors — your prospective home’s location, style and cost.
  • Location – your choice of location depends primarily on where you work and whether you want to commute, and also on your family lifestyle. Some real estate representatives suggest that, if you’re considering the future resale value of your home, it’s wiser to buy a modest home in the best neighborhood you can afford than the most expensive home in a modest neighborhood.
  • Style – when trying to decide what style of home to buy, it’s a good idea to draw up a master list of all the features you want your new home to have. Try to be honest about what you’re looking for. Your vision will likely change based on what’s available in your price range.
  • Cost – your goal may be to buy a single family detached home in an urban neighborhood for $400,000, but you may have to settle for two out of three. An urban semi-detached home may be available for your price, or you may need to look in the suburbs for the price and style you want.

If you are thinking of making a move, or just curious about the real estate trends in a specific area, please feel free to contact us any time at 403-253-5678 or email bill@billbrandsma.com. It is our pleasure to help you.

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

Don’t forget Dad’s Day!

Published June 20, 2015

Happy Father’s day to all you Dads, Step-Dads, Big Brothers & positive role models…
enjoy your special day!

Maximize Your Exposure

Published June 15, 2015

The key to selling quickly and getting top dollar is exposure. The more people who see your home, the sooner you will find a willing buyer.

How do you get the most exposure?

If you sell the home yourself, you will get some exposure by putting up a sign, running some ads, and telling your friends. On the other hand, if you work with a REALTOR you will get instant and mass exposure to a large number of prospective home buyers.

A REALTOR has access to the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®). This service, a computerized system operated by the local real estate board, compiles information about listed properties in the area and makes it accessible to member companies. As a result, when a REALTOR lists your home, REALTORS from other companies learn about your home and try to match it with buyers with whom they are working. These buyers may include people from out-of-town who are trying to relocate to your area.

It’s exciting to put your home on the market, but getting it sold can be a challenge. As stated above, you want to make sure as many potential buyers as possible are aware of your property. Once you’ve made the commitment to sell your home contact Bill Brandsma Real Estate at 403-253-5678.

“You will get unmatched commitment to turning your dreams into reality.”
– Bill Brandsma

Does your home have curb appeal?

Published June 8, 2015
It’s not necessary to shell out a lot of money to boost your home’s marketability. On the outside (curb appeal), it may be as simple as mowing the lawn or moving a car out of the driveway.

Since your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers will see, take a hard look at the house from all angles.

  • What’s good about it? How can you make the most of these features?
  • What’s not so good about it? What can you do to correct the problems?

Some suggestions:

  • Overall landscaping – don’t let untrimmed hedges, overgrown grass, or clutter in the front yard detract from your home.
  • Siding – unless there is damage, usually a good washing will spruce up the look of siding.
  • Shutters, screens, windows, and doors have the effect of drawing you into the house. They should be clean, well fitted, and in good repair.

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.

May 2015 Calgary Real Estate Stats

Published June 2, 2015

Market being pushed to more balanced conditions

“…more stability for both buyers and sellers…”

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

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

For more information about the current market or for details about the May 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.

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.

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