When searching for a Calgary mortgage you need to be aware of the aspects of credit that lenders are looking for.  They are: 1) length of time account has been active The longer your account has been active the better your chances of getting a Calgary Mortgage.  A credit card that has only been in use for 1 month is not nearly as good as one that has been open for 10 years. 2) repayment history Make sure you pay on time.  Credit is used as an indicator of your repayment habits - if you miss payments on your credit cards, you are assumed to miss payments on your Calgary mortgage. 3) high credit limit A $200 credit limit is too low to really indicate your repayment habits.  If you were to go on a spending spree you could likely pay down the $200 over a few months.  A credit limit of $1500... 05/26/2010

Bright and Spacious 2 Storey in Tuscany with Fabulous FeaturesLocation: TuscanySTOP- THIS IS IT!!! Bright and spacious describes this beautiful two storey in desirable Tuscany with Mountain Views. Main floor is open concept for entertaining, large living room/ dining room, powder room. Gourmet Maple kitchen has new black appliances and granite counters tops. All flooring throughout is "MAPLE HARDWOOD and SLATE" Slate Stairs and Hardwood into the BEDROOMS! Upper level consists of 3 bedrooms, and 2 full baths. (ENSUITE) Basement is fully finished (needs carpet) with family room and additional 3 piece bath. Lovely landscaping with deck and pergola, traditional front veranda. Enjoy the central air this summer as this home is in move-in condition and could accommodate a quick close if necess... 05/20/2010

Perfect 4 Bedroom McKenize Lake Starter HomeLocation: McKenzie LakeGreat starter home in McKenzie Lake. Living room dining room plan with large family room and island kitchen. Sunny west backyard. Upper level offers 3 beds, main bath, large master with 4 piece ensuite. Basement is ready for future development and currently has 4th bedroom or den.InformationContact Information Crystal Tost4032647653Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingPrice: CAD 349,900Possession: 30 Days/NegProperty Location123 Mt Lorette Close SECalgary, AB T2Z 2L8View MapLinksWebsiteBlogFeaturesBedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 2.5Parking Spaces: Off StreetYear Built: 1994Subdivision: McKenzie LakeSquare Footage: 1,613.52Agent Name: Crystal TostBroker: RE/MAX House of Real EstateMLS #: C3427031AttributesAp... 05/14/2010

You certainly can tell when spring arrives in Calgary especially Valley ridge Estates. The golf course is in full operation and the trees and grass are turning green. Another indication is the amount of listings that appear in the area. Valley ridge currently has 52 listings and this is prime season for listing and buying in this 50% green space area. Valley Ridge really shines when the weather is nice since the gold course and pathways are vibrant again. If you have never seen Valley ridge Estates in Calgary, stop on in and enjoy what the area has to offer. Check out our new listings in Valley ridge www.thecalgaryteam.com 05/10/2010

Its that time of year again, when we rake the leaves up, and dig up the flower beds and vegetable plots, to prepare them for the fast-approaching summer. Wouldn't it be great to have a free source of nutrient rich compost, which is ideal for plants and gardens? Having been raised in Nova Scotia, where compost is picked up by the city along with recyclables & garbage, I was surprised when I moved to Calgary 3 years ago, that very few people composted. Perhaps it is the lack of space? The smell? The effort?  A little bit of research has led me to believe that there is no excuse not to compost! Even if you only have a balcony, you can still compost. (Yes, Really). A quick visit to http://www.balconycompost.com/ taught me that there are essentially 3 ways to compost: Backyard composting, Ba... 05/10/2010

Reading a report today from ATB Daily economic comment on Canadian bankruptcies i found it interesting that In February 2010 there were 637 Albertans who filed for bankruptcy. That number is down from a total of 684 in January and 706 in February 2009. Alberta and P.E.I were the only two provinces to see a decline from January in the number of bankruptcies, as filings in the three largest provinces of Ontario, Quebec and B.C. all rose by more than 10%. After holding steady in the range of 600 to 800 monthly bankruptcy filings from 1998 to 2005, Alberta consumer bankruptcies dropped to record levels during the recent economic boom. Recently though, bankruptcies took off as the recession hit but have since again dropped back and are now back to the cconsistent levels seen from 1998-2005. ... 05/05/2010

Calgary’s housing market continues at a healthy and balanced pace, according to figures released  by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®).  The number of single family homes sold in April 2010 in the city of Calgary was up 5 per cent from the same time a year ago, while condominium sales saw an increase of 10 per cent from the same time a year ago.  April 2010 saw 1,352 single family homes sold in the city of Calgary. This is a decrease of 3 per cent from 1,396 sales in March 2010. In April 2009, single family home sales totaled 1,290. The number of condominium sales for the month of April 2010 was 639. This was an increase of 5 per cent from the 609 condominium transactions recorded in March 2010. In April 2009, condominium sales were 579. Diane Scott president of CREB® (Calgary Real ... 05/05/2010

Come rain, shine, or snow, yes snow, I am doing an Open House this weekend on my new listing! Come and check it out. 82 Covewood Place, Calgary, Alberta. This Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 2pm - 4pm. http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?PropertyID=9401777   04/28/2010

  This meticulously cared for home awaits your white glove inspection.  Tremendous condition and nicely upgraded: Welcoming you at the entry is a spacious vaulted foyer that is open with direct access to the front flex room and affords inviting views of the dinning room and open double vaulted greatroom. Beautifully shimmering hardwood floors adorn much of the main living level and lead you to the greatroom and open island kitchen. There is a generously sized corner pantry as well as a sun-drenched south facing nook. The nook offers direct access to the oversized summer BBQ deck as well as the fun sized rear yard. The powder room is discreetly located away from the entertaining areas. The upper level is open and airy feeling too with an open railed view point where you can appreciate t... 04/27/2010

Spring has finally arrived in Sundance, a well established lake community in Calgary Alberta.  And with each new flower that emerges from the well cultivated flower beds, so does another house for sale sign. Back at the turn of the decade, just over 3 1/2 months ago, I posted a real estate market report for Sundance in Calgary showing the number of sales for the year and active listings.  At the beginning of 2010, there were 14 active MLS listings in the community of Sundance.  Which is not surprising.  In this kind of neighbourhood, the turn over is fairly slow compared to other neighbourhoods in Calgary.  When people move here, they tend to stay. Since the Sunshine illuminated the Spring real estate market though... new property listings have more than doubled.  As I write there are 3... 04/22/2010

During my years as a Strathmore Realtor focused in Calgary, Chestermere, Strathmore and surrounding areas I have seen my ups and downs in the market.  The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) released its 2010 housing forecast report on January 20, 2010 during the organization's annual conference and tradeshow.  The forecast looks good especially after coming out of a downturn in the market. From  the CREB report "According to the report, the Calgary market will continue to build momentum in 2010 as the year progresses, while affordability and low interest rates will support a balanced housing market. Single family homes will show modest price increases, while the condominium price growth will lag. The condo market will be slower to respond, particularly in the downtown apartment segment. ... 04/16/2010

Fabulous 2 Storey Family Home in CrestmontLocation: CrestmontThis spectacular family home in Crestmont offers traditional comforts of home with luxurious details that combine sophistication and elegance. Spacious and open, this flexible floor plan features 3 large bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with a vaulted Bonus Room. The spa-like Master bedroom includes a fabulous ensuite with corner tub and shower. Well appointed features in the gourmet kitchen include granite counters and upgraded flooring. The “cherry on top” of this home is the walk-out basement with one room developed as a bedroom or den. Also included is a $16 K tanning bed. Hurry, this home will not last long at this price! Act Now!InformationContact Information Crystal Tost4032647653Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other F... 04/13/2010

I am an avid reader of the Economist. The Economist focuses on international business and politics. I have noticed that generally there will be one article that focuses on Canada and it is not usually City specific. I was very pleased to see an article in the economist specifically about Calgary! The article titled; "The Charms of Calgary and the gloom in Toronto".  Basically, the article is about how Calgary is booming with business, and how one day Alberta (could potentially Rise above Toronto and be the business capital in Canada. According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development) head-office employment in Toronto grew by %14.1 and Calgary rose by %64.6 between1999 and 2007! Let's not forget to mention how Alberta seemed to slip by the recession in compari... 04/09/2010

Is been recently brought to our attention that as the City of Calgary is rapidly growing - so are its communities. Here is an up to date map of the Calgary MLS Communities, and their number codes:       04/09/2010

Red Flags for Buying a Condo Condominium ownership is a very new alternative to traditional property ownership. The ability for a group of people to each own their own units, but share common expenses, and still live in harmony has created some huge benefits for buyers. However, if you didn’t know at least some of the benefits, then you likely wouldn’t be considering purchasing a condo in the first place. We will leave the benefits aside for now… The items that most of our clients want to know about are the red flags. What items should I look a little more into before I purchase a condo in a particular building, complex or development? What things may be the signs of existing, past or future problems? PLEASE NOTE: These items are only red flags. They are not necessarily problems in the... 04/05/2010

    Here’s a nice thought for hopeful first-time home-buyers – if you’ve been tucking away money into your RRSP, you may have that elusive down-payment. Your RRSP can help you make your house dreams come true. Under the Home Buyer’s Plan, you can tap your RRSP and borrow from yourself tax-free to help with your home purchase. You then pay yourself back later. Of course, your RRSP savings are always accessible (it’s your money after all), but when funds are withdrawn, they are taxable in the year of withdrawal unless you comply with certain rules – and being a first time home-buyer is one of them. You can withdraw up to $25,000, and if your spouse qualifies as a first time home-buyer, he or she will also be able to withdraw $25,000. Between the two of you — you could put together a heft... 04/05/2010

Improved economic outlook and job prospects to be a bigger factor in the long-term Here are the latest statistics for the Calgary Real Estate Market published today for March 2010 by the Calgary Real Estate Board. If you are interested in finding out how the market is doing in your specific neighbourhood visit the Calgary Real Estate Market Reports site and sign up for a monthly email with the latest sales and properties in your community Calgary, April 1, 2010 – Calgary’s housing market enjoyed a healthy boost in March as home buyers anticipate an earlier than expected rise in interest rates, according to figures released today by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB ®). The number of single family homes sold in March 2010 in the city of Calgary was up 29 per cent from the same time a y... 04/01/2010

Attention to detail & high quality workmanship in this immaculate home close-in. From this classic stucco facade exterior to the trellised front porch with exposed aggregated walk way this novel design is all you could dream of. The interior upgrades of granite countertops, attractive Brazilian Cherry flooring, built in speakers, integrated A/V wiring technology, impressive skylight, two gas fireplaces, & built in cabinetry surround. Wide-open main floor plan, with centre fireplace, front formal dining area, & gourmet kitchen with large flat breakfast bar & custom made cabinetry with under cabinet lighting. Two large bedrooms up with a 5-piece ensuite & then a 6-piece ensuite in the master boasting an amazing double head glass shower & soaker tub. Fully finished basement provides you w... 03/26/2010

Fabulous 2 Bedroom Condo Plus Loft on Secluded Treed RavineLocation: Christie Park EstatesWow forest living in the city. Freshly painted in neutral tones this two bedroom plus loft townhouse could be your new home. Imagine the location with walkout basement onto secluded private TREED RAVINE. Main floor offers living room dining room open floor plan with gas fireplace with large windows to let the south sun in. Main floor laundry and powder room. Large kitchen with “mahogany” stained woodwork and cabinets. Upper level offers generous Master bedroom with walk in closet. There is a large spa- style bathroom with tub and separate shower. 2nd bedroom is also good sized. upper computer/ loft area for office or additional TV room. Basement is partially developed. Perfect for first time buyers... 03/25/2010

Lethbridge Real Estate For some fantastic reason, I handle an unusual number of estate sales.  These are not only properties where the owner has passed away, but also situations when they are moving into a care facility or a seniors complex.  As a result of these estate sales I meet some pretty cool people with some great stories about Lethbridge and about real estate.   Today I helped my neighbor arrange the sale of his Lethbridge home.  He has lived there for 35 years, but it is time for him to move on.  He is a great guy with some amazing stories.  The house is a bit dated, seems to happen when you live there for so long.   In addition to this property, I have a couple other estate sale homes coming up in the next little while.  Stay tuned to my blog and I will post the details on th... 03/23/2010