Do I Really Need a Home Inspection?
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.
Hire a Realtor!
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.
March 2015 Calgary Real Estate Stats
Housing Prices Influenced by Increase in Inventory
“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.
A Fresh Coat of Paint Can Do Wonders
Choosing to make the right upgrades to your home can improve its resale value.
Most realtors recommend a fresh coat of paint before putting up the for sale sign. Since paint colour can have such a dramatic effect on a room, using a neutral-coloured palette will help to de-personalize the space. This allows potential buyers to envision how their personal taste will work in their new environment. Overall, choosing the right shade of paint can not only improve your return on investment, but can increase the appeal of your home and help you sell it!
If you’re getting ready to sell your home and are looking for some more tips and tricks to boost your home’s marketability, contact Bill Brandsma Real Estate at 403-253-5678.
Bathroom Maintenance Tips
Bathrooms are constantly in need of maintenance because they collect dirt and are exposed to high humidity on a regular basis. Using simple techniques for keeping your bathroom sparkling will go a long, long way.
- Showers used on a regular basis promote the accumulation of bacteria and mold. Be sure to clean your shower, tub, glass doors and shower curtain often. After showering, take a minute to wipe down the tub, faucets and curtain to help remove soap scum and prevent mineral deposits.
- To discourage mildew growth in the bathroom, increase the amount of air circulation to decrease moisture. Open the windows, or if your bathroom doesn’t have windows, ensure you have a bathroom exhaust fan that it is in working order. This will help to remove humid air quickly from the room.
For more household maintenance tips or tips for getting your house ready to sell, get in touch at 403-253-5678.
Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.
Want to buy a house in Calgary? Have a house for sale?
According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, month-to-date March 1-15, there were 762 MLS sales in the city, which was down 33.62 per cent from the same period last year but the average sale price has risen by 0.14 per cent to $480,901 and new listings are off by 10.68 per cent to 1,463.
Buying and selling a home is a complex process any time, requiring real estate expertise to ensure the transaction is completed competently and professionally. In this more unsettled time when consumer confidence is low, it’s even more critical to use a Realtor to help wade through all the questions, uncertainties and possibilities.
When you choose Bill Brandsma Real Estate you will have over 24 years sales experience working for you. The skills and knowledge we’ve acquired over the years allows us to handle all your needs in the professional manner today’s market demands. We will guide you smoothly through any and all real estate processes with honesty, efficiency, knowledge and genuine care.
At Bill Brandsma Real Estate, we welcome any questions or concerns about Calgary’s housing market, interest rates, the housing forecast and more. Get in touch at 403-253-5678.
Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.
Simplify Your Life
Moving is a time for re-evaluating, re-assessing and purging … starting fresh.
You’ve decided to transition to a simpler lifestyle and are planning a move into a smaller house. That said, coping with a move from a larger home to a smaller one can cause a lot of stress and strain. A move in itself is a big enough challenge, but when you’re pressed for time and energy, it can be hard to get motivated to tackle all the details.
Simplify your life – hire a Realtor!
Buying and selling a home is a complex process requiring real estate expertise to ensure the transaction is completed competently and professionally. Realtors provide an invaluable service and will manage all the details of your real estate transaction.
Bill Brandsma Real Estate – the perfect solution!
We’re here to answer all your questions, address your concerns, and to give you some peace of mind. Call 403-253-5678 today to get the process started.
Bill Brandsma Real Estate – specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.
February 2015 Calgary Real Estate Stats
What a difference a month makes!
Overall Calgary inventory is up, but interest rates are down, so it really is good news for the Calgary housing market! Right?!
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 February summary of Calgary’s residential monthly statistics:
http://www.creb.com/~/media/Public/Statistics%20Package/2015/February%202015.pdf
For more information about the current market or for details about the February 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.
Calgary Home & Garden Show Time!
Mark your calendars for the 2015 Calgary Home + Garden Show.
Canada’s most talented designers, gardeners and home improvement specialists offer their latest advice. Hundreds of exhibitors, retailers and industry experts, will showcase products and provide valuable tips on anything and everything pertaining to home improvement, design, eco-friendly recreation, organization and renovation. It’s definitely an event for people who love to renovate and refresh their homes and garden areas.
Celebrity guest speaker Carson Arthur, Landscape Designer/Founder – Carson Arthur Design & HGTV Canada’s Critical Listing, will be featured and is ready to share a wealth of knowledge, experience and inspirational ideas.
Real Advice. Real Inspiration. Real Experts.
Don’t miss out! The Calgary Home & Garden Show is your most trusted resource for every home enhancement project, inside & out.
Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.
Realtors Provide an Invaluable Service
A recent RBC Economics report projects that home resales will definitely decline in Alberta in 2015, but it’s not all bleak! The report also expects home prices to stay relatively flat, meaning that the market was in a strong position before the drop in energy prices helping it to withstand much of the blow. That said, many nervous homeowner’s are listing their homes and the supply increase is shifting the market from a seller’s market to a more balanced market.
Buying and selling a home is a complex process any time, requiring real estate expertise to ensure the transaction is completed competently and professionally. In this more unsettled time when consumer confidence is low, it’s even more critical to use a Realtor to help wade through all the questions, uncertainties and possibilities.
CREB® president Corinne Lyall – Calgary Regional Housing Market Stats for January 2015 – says “it’s important for sellers to set appropriate expectations in this market. They need to consider their property type, the competition they may be facing in their community, their reasons for selling and, of course, when they ultimately need their property to be sold.”
The bottom line is…Realtors provide an invaluable service and will manage all the details of your real estate transaction providing you with priceless advice to save you money, tips for selling in this type of market, and ultimately…peace of mind.
If you’re thinking of listing your home, give Bill Brandsma a call at 403-253-5678. He looks forward to assisting new clients when you’re ready to take the next step!