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Buying a home in Calgary?

Find the right realtor to help you move into your desired neighbourhood.

Buying a home in Calgary
Buying a home in Calgary

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Calgary, we suggest you find a realtor that’s familiar with the neighbourhood you’re looking at moving into. The local real estate market in is veering towards a seller’s market right now with limited inventory and prices continuing to rise. If you’re looking at moving to a particular neighbourhood, finding a realtor that knows the community and resident’s may just be the inside edge you need to find your next dream home.

Getting in to your desired community can lead to multiple offer scenarios, especially when looking at mature, inner city communities as these are the places that tend to have limited inventory. Having a realtor that can present your offer in a way that speaks to the seller may just be what it takes to help you win your home. It’s not always the highest price that wins the bid! It can be as simple as showing the seller that the buyers value the character of the neighbourhood that kept them in their home for so many years.

They’ll have intimate information of the cool community gems you need to try, the shops that are a must visit, the parks and community organizations worth checking out and anything else that you can only glean from spending time in the area. For example, Bowness is an in demand, inner city neighbourhood in Calgary with SO MANY amazing aspects. Bowness Park is home to one of the few skating loops in the city, ice skating and cross country skiing in the winter and canoeing, kayaking, paddle boating and biking in the summer. It’s also home to a number of unique shops and restaurants like Yoga in Bowness, Angels (with the best burgers and milkshakes!) and Cadence Coffee and they are host to one of the cities most engaging summer festivals, Tour de Bowness (sponsored by Bow Cycle). And if you have a growing family, Bowness is also home to a number of clubs and activities for everyone, including Soccer, Yoga, Hockey, Music lessons and Pickle Ball!

If you’re interested in buying a home in Calgary’s River Valley and living in the beautiful communities of Bowness, Montgomery, Silver Springs, or Parkdale let us help you! Call us today.

The Three Types of Real Estate Investing Everyone Needs to Know

Fix-and-Flip Investing

If you’re like most people, then you’ve probably been thinking about investing in fix-and-flip properties. This is where you buy a house, renovate it, and resell it.

Many homeowners who have experienced financial difficulties are reluctant to sell their homes due to their condition. Although I’m not a fan of taking advantage of people in tough situations, identifying and acquiring properties in as-is condition is a service that can help distressed homeowners get rid of their debts. The homes become great projects to then renovate and fix up in order to sell for a higher price then the cost of buying and renovating combined.

There are courses that will teach you how to identify and analyze potential fix-and-flip investments however our team has the experience and can provide advice on the matter.

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Saving For Property Purchase, While Renting in Calgary

The Calgary housing market has remained hot, with the average selling price of a home increasing year-over-year. Multiple properties saw increases in price, with the condo market seeing the biggest jump.

Depending on the factors that affect the market, it may change in 2022 and beyond. If you’re thinking of buying a home or renting, it might be time to start planning now.

Before you start looking for a home, take some time to consider what kind of property you want to live in. This will help you decide on the type of neighbourhood and yard you want to have.

Most of the time, these are the questions that will affect the decisions you make when buying a home. There are many types of properties in Calgary, ranging from detached houses to condo units. Before you decide to put in an offer, review the market and what areas and types of properties are most popular.

Take note of all of your financial commitments and expenses, as well as any other important factors that will affect your down payment. A mortgage calculator can help you determine how much of a down payment you can afford. You can use this one from the Realtor.ca mortgage calculator.

If you’re thinking of saving for a down payment, you may want to consider shifting some of your retirement savings. For a first-time home-buyer, this can help boost their down payment by up to $15,000. This can be done for a limited time, and it can help you reach your goal of owning a home.

One way to cut costs is by reducing your car use. If you live in a nearby area, consider taking the bus, walking, or riding the train to save a few dollars each year.

Your credit score is a big factor when it comes to deciding how much of a loan you can afford. It can also make long-term decisions about how much of a monthly payment you can afford.

If you have student loan debts or other debts, pay them off as quickly as possible. Doing so can help you reach a goal of having less debt and being responsible with your spending.

It might seem like a big financial move to shift your savings around and pay off debts, but doing so can actually make a big difference.

You may not want to deny yourself the luxuries that make life exciting, but living within a tight budget can help you get closer to buying a home.

If you can’t afford to purchase a home on your own, consider hiring a trusted partner or family member to help you. While saving for a down payment, find a roommate to help you manage rent costs.

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Calgary, now is the time to start planning. If you have questions about your mortgage, we have had great support from the Canadian Mortgage Professionals here in Calgary. Their website is https://canadianmortgagepro.com/

Infills Calgary

Infill homes are luxury homes that are built in established communities. Through the process, these homes can transform inner-city neighborhoods.

One of the main reasons why more people are choosing to live in infills is because they are close to work and entertainment in Calgary. However, choosing to build a new home in an established community can be challenging.

Infill homes are often built for single-family homes. There are also multi-family infills that allow people to have multiple properties. Infill homes are usually built on a lot that was previously used as a single-family home. This usually involves the construction of multiple homes. Two-family infills are known as semi-attached and duplexes. In these units, the living areas are separated by a fire-resistant/soundproof dividing wall.

The best communities in Calgary for infill homes depend on the City’s zoning R-CG or M-CG the most common types of single-detached houses. After finding a suitable site, the next step is to determine what kind of home you want to build. The builder will help you make the right decisions, guiding you through the process of choosing the type of home that will best fit your lifestyle.

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Ideas Of Things To Do With Kids In Calgary And Surrounding Area

There are many fun activities to do with your kids, and I encourage you to use the list I’ve compiled to help stir some ideas for you and your family.

This list features some of the best activities for kids in Calgary year-round. Whether it’s a fun day out with the family or a full-on family vacation, these suggestions will keep the kids occupied. Some activities are seasonal, while others are season-specific. In Calgary, there are so many great things to do for the whole family.

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Legalizing An Existing Secondary Suite

By Chris Richter, REALTOR®

Legalizing a basement suite in Calgary these days is becoming more common, due to recent up-zoning through the City and also a change in the way bylaws work for existing (or new) suites. You will have to get safety / developing inspectors from the City to confirm your suite as legal and you just have to make sure your secondary suite has a few main safety components in place for smoke / fire, but for the most part it’s not too difficult to get your Calgary secondary suite approved as legal.

Also, when you have an existing suite, say like a basement suite that been rented out in the past, it makes life a lot easier as the City is only asking for a few minor tweaks to make it legal. These will be highlighted in this article.

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How to Navigate the Spring Real Estate Market

By Chris Richter, REALTOR®

Let's get ready for spring! (Flowers in full bloom.)

Calgary’s real estate market continues to be strong in all segments — condominiums, townhouses, single family homes, etc. — and we are now entering into the typically fast-paced spring real estate market. This is a time when my associate, Brett, and I make sure our cell phones are charged up in order to stay connected with our clients (buyers and sellers) 24/7.

Right now, let’s take a look at what you can expect during the spring real estate market because having an understanding can help alleviate a lot of stress. Here are some reasons why the real estate market sees increased activity in the springtime:

  • Canadians come out of hibernation and are ready for a change. (At least I feel this way!)
  • Our northern hemisphere experiences extended daylight, which offers more opportunities to view homes in natural light.
  • Outdoor spaces become as impactful as indoor spaces due to landscaping and greenery being in “full bloom” compared to fall or winter months.

Quick tip: plant grass seed before the end of June because grass growth occurs in the spring / early parts of summer. This is why us Calgarians barely have to cut our lawn after the Stampede versus in June. Taking good care of your landscaping early will pay off for the rest of summer!

Are you ready for the spring real estate market? As a seller, there are a number of things you can do to prepare both before you list and once your house is on the market. Start with these 5 easy and low- to no-cost preparation tips that are often not top of mind, but do impact how well your home catches the eye of a potential buyer. The bonus here is that these can be tackled in one day:

  1. Clean the inside and outside of your windows
  2. Dust and replace light bulbs
  3. Polish hardwood floors and thoroughly vacuum carpets (shampoo high-traffic areas)
  4. Deep clean appliances (oven, dishwasher, microwave, etc.)
  5. Repaint walls to neutralize the tone or to freshen up the space

One side (and important) note is to declutter. You might even want to look into renting a storage locker for a month and take advantage of packing up and moving some of your treasures ahead of time.

If you need further advice on how to prepare your home for the market or insight into what to expect throughout the process, we are here for you. Whether this is your first time selling your home or you feel like a seasoned seller, having competent and experienced realtors can make the process more enjoyable and successful.

The New Year Has Brought Us a Hot Housing Market

Where is the market taking us?

What a year it’s been already for Calgary real estate. To sum it up in two words, I’d say “heated and swift”. My last few nights with buyers have been spent viewing a house, making an offer and then hoping for a situation that’s free of aggressive competition. The latter part of this statement has been fizzling, with multiple offers turning into a normal occurrence these days.

As of January 2021, if you see a decently priced property in a good location it’s likely gone within 24 hours. To further exemplify the “heated” nature of the market I want to share with you what happened with a listing I made today compared to last year. Keep in mind that this is the same house listed in the same month but one year apart:


House for Sale Today (2021)

Desirable location within the community of Scenic Acres (NW Calgary)
Within 12 hours of the listing going live:

  • 9 showings booked first day on the market (4-7pm)
  • 8 showings booked for the following day
  • SOLD within 24 hours for 98.3% of listed price

vs. Same House for Sale in 2020

Desirable location within the community of Scenic Acres (NW Calgary)
On the market for 6 months (180 days):

  • 50 viewings total
  • No offers

It’s definitely a different market.

This makes for a stressful environment which is why I’m writing this — to make clients aware and help ease any stress. Know that right now most offers are coming in higher or close to the asking price for real estate with limited to no conditions. Additionally this is often happening on the same day a property is listed, hence the “swiftness” of the market.

If there is ever a time to seek the help of an experienced agent, this is it. My job is to reduce the stress brought on by a heated market. A realtor’s extensive knowledge of real estate (homeownership and legalities) and our negotiation skills can get both buyers and sellers an end result that they desire.

My business partner, Brett Sutherland, and I are here for you 24/7 to help show and find a home for you during this bullish housing market. Please don’t hesitate to contact us (chris@chrisrichter.ca). You can reach out at any time and ask for a complementary market analysis to know what your home is worth.

A Growing Team: Welcome Brett Sutherland

I am excited to announce that my long-term friend, Brett Sutherland, and I have become business partners. His enthusiasm, quick wit, and sharp eye has already proven advantageous to the team and it is refreshing to see things through the curious eyes of a new realtor.

Brett knows Calgary. He is Calgary born-and-raised within a family of five, all of whom work in either health care or the oil and gas industry. Brett himself began his career life as a geologist and understands the challenges of setting up roots within a volatile market, as is the nature of Calgary’s beloved oil and gas industry. The valuable role healthcare workers play is also front and centre for Brett and he recognizes the demands placed on their expertise, especially during these trying times.

Interesting fact: Brett has travelled to 60 countries in his lifetime.

No matter what, for Brett Calgary is home and he appreciates the fantastic lifestyle this vibrant city, its people and its surrounding beauty has to offer. Perhaps it’s for this reason you rarely ever catch Brett without a smile. He is a people person who’s quick to recognize and offer advice and he speaks fluent Spanish. Brett’s global experiences also help him see through the eyes of clients. If you want to find a house that looks and feels like home there’s a good chance that Brett can see your vision and find the right property.

Having grown up in Silver Springs and now residing in Scenic Acres, Brett is the perfect piece of the puzzle to support my growing team. Welcome aboard Brett Sutherland!

Brett Sutherland & Chris Richter playing pond hockey just outside of Calgary, AB.

Grateful Within Unique Times

By Chris Richter

To all of my clients I want to say thank you! My reward for serving you best this fall is being recognized as one RE/MAX Real Estate Central’s top individuals for the month of November. That’s me right there, #4 realtor among so many hard-working colleagues.

There is no doubt that this past year has been a unique experience for us all. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives—our families, our friends, our neighbours, our cities and countries all around the world. This has been a true global crisis that we’re in together and I know we will get through together.

Within my industry I get to see the resiliency of people as they keep putting one foot forward and, despite the ups and downs, are making their dreams come true when it comes to home ownership. Whether it’s a sale or a home purchase, I am fortunate to support clients through these pivotal moments. This is what makes my day.