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Lethbridge, AB Real Estate News

By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
If you are looking for a house to rent in Lethbridge, or are a landlord trying to rent your Lethbridge house, this is some good info.  I originally posted it to my Lethbridg real estate blog several months back, but wanted to bring it back to the front page, as Christmas season seems to be a time of the year that fire safety is a big concern.  So here goes....   I am asked by both clients and real estate professionals on a weekly basis for information and advice regarding basement suites.  This is a very serious issue here in the Lethbridge Alberta real estate market as our basement suite marketplace is prime for investors who are looking for maximum return on their real estate investment, and also for home buyers who wish to supplement their income and help make their mortgage payment ...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Are you shopping for a home on the Lethbridge MLS?  Or wanting your home sold on the Lethbridge MLS?  Or just curious what MLS is? What is the MLS®?   When you want to buy a car, the pressure’s on to make the deal with that salesperson at that car dealership. You won’t hear about what’s being offered at the competing lot down the street.   That’s the exact opposite of the MLS® used by REALTORS® across Canada. In fact, MLS® is all about REALTORS® cooperating with each other, no matter what company they work for. MLS® is a complex system that boils down to big advantages for consumers: cooperation and marketing among REALTORS® mean better chances for you to succeed.   MLS® was created 50 years ago to help Canadians wanting to buy or sell properties. You’re probably familiar with REALTOR.c...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Lethbridge rental property and houses for rent in Lethbridge are 2 of the things I receive a lot of general questions about.  I dug up this blog post I made to my Lethbridge Real Estate Blog about 10 months ago and wanted to repost it becuase it answers several questions that I receive from Lethbridge landlords.   lethbridge mortgage broker lethbridge real estate   For many years, illegal and non-conforming basement suites have been the bane of many real estate transactions and mortgage applications.  The City of Lethbridge has tried to deal with the situation several times in the past few decades, at one time allowing suites that were in existence before 1969 to remain in their non-conforming condition and making exceptions onf suites which were constructed after 1969.   As 2008 drew t...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
I wanted to make a new Lethbridge real estate website that I could use for doing some testing of some fancy geek technology that I have been messing around with lately.  Of course, when you are setting up a website primarily for experimentation and it is in total development, you don't want to spend a ton of money on it.  I have other Lethbridge real estate websites, but wanted one specifically for syndicating listings out.   I chose to use a point2 real estate template site, bought a godaddy domain, did a redirect, and spend an hour putting up the following website: http://www.lethbridgerealestateonline.com   Now I will admit the site isnt pretty and sure wont win any awards the way it looks and functions yet, but it does have a few key components in it that I plan to build upon and se...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Clearly Lethbridge Today I had a meeting with Doug, a salesman for Clearly Lethbridge, a new online directory and marketing website that has launched in Lethbridge.  The intention of the site seems to be to create an online directory of local businesses and to act as a central hub which will help to increase the search engine optimization and placement of each of the advertisers through the cooperative efforts of all.  This is much like many of the online directories which attempt to do the same thing for businesses within specific categories, except that in the case of Clearly Lethbridge, the common thread is that all of the businesses are local to Lethbridge.   The company has some solid backing and is an extension of Clear Sky, who is a media company which operates several local radi...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
I wanted to make a new Lethbridge real estate website that I could use for doing some testing of some fancy geek technology that I have been messing around with lately.  Of course, when you are setting up a website primarily for experimentation and it is in total development, you don't want to spend a ton of money on it.   I chose to use a point2 template site, bought a godaddy domain, did a redirect, and spend an hour putting up the following website: http://www.lethbridgerealestateonline.com   Now I will admit the site isnt pretty and sure wont win any awards the way it looks and functions yet, but it does have a few key components in it that I plan to build upon and see what I can achieve with them.  It is about 2am on the 5th of November, 2009 and I am curious how long it will take ...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Lethbridge Open House  Lethbridge real estate, mortgage, and open house info.  Stop by this property and talk about Lethbridge real estate, mortgage financing options, or about real estate investment options.  I am glad to talk about what is going on in Lethbridge with anyone who finds it as interesting as myself.  Come check this home out and lets meet face to face.     Open House Saturday October 17th,  2-4pm    2509 18 ST North LETHBRIDGE     2509 18 ST North LETHBRIDGE   Come check out this Lethbridge open house, this is a great family home in an excellent location.  The home features a large fenced and treed backyard for the kids, 2 car parking off the rear lane for dad, a freshly renovated kitchen, living room, and dining room with sliding doors out to the deck for mom.  Upstairs,...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Are you shopping for a home on the Lethbridge MLS?  Or wanting your home sold on the Lethbridge MLS?  Or just curious what MLS is? What is the MLS®?   When you want to buy a car, the pressure’s on to make the deal with that salesperson at that car dealership. You won’t hear about what’s being offered at the competing lot down the street.   That’s the exact opposite of the MLS® used by REALTORS® across Canada. In fact, MLS® is all about REALTORS® cooperating with each other, no matter what company they work for. MLS® is a complex system that boils down to big advantages for consumers: cooperation and marketing among REALTORS® mean better chances for you to succeed.   MLS® was created 50 years ago to help Canadians wanting to buy or sell properties. You’re probably familiar with REALTOR.c...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Lethbridge Weightloss and Fitness This is probably the worst part of the year for people to be thinking about weightloss.  Thanksgiving is over, we all ate way too much.  Halloween just passed and we all have buckets of candy and treats sitting around the house.  The cold weather is coming and outdoor activity levels is dropping off rapidly.   In Lethbridge, we have several fitness facilities yet still have much of our population who struggles with weightloss.  Perhaps it is due to the large number of fast food outlets, or maybe it is just due to inactivity.  Regardless, having a control on one's health and fitness can not only add years to your life, but also improve the quality of life substantially.   I have to admit that I am one of the worst offenders here.  I have had memberships ...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Lethbridge Plumber   Thank goodness I have not needed the services of a Lethbridge Plumber in over a year.  A Lethbridge plumber can be one of the handiest people to have saved in your phone!  For some reason, it is the one service in your home that always seems to be the first to deal you a mechanical emergency.   I have had leaky pipes, leaky taps, blown hot water tank, and plugged drains.  In every one of these cases there was little I was able to do myself, despite being a fairly handy guy with a gnarly set of tools. (props to Spicoli's dad).   I now have a couple of plumbers who are past clients and friends.  These are guys who are reliable, affordable, and I can depend upon them when I have a Lethbridge plumbing emergency.  I know that it will cost me more to have them come out on...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Lethbridge Lawyers There comes a time in almost every individuals life when the services of a Lawyer are needed.  If you are in Lethbridge or Southern Alberta, a Lethbridge Lawyer may be required for any number of things.   Of course, criminal defence is one of the first things that comes to mind, however it is among the least common areas of law.  Other services provided by Lethbridge Laywers includes litigation, wills, business filings, estate planning, divorce, contractual arrangements, arbitration, and also real estate.   When I meet with my Lethbridge  real estate and mortgage clients, the majority of them do not have a Lawyer.  Most of them have never had any interaction with a Lawyer and rely upon myself to provide them with several recommendations of where to go to seek Lethbrid...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
University of Lethbridge   The University of Lethbridge is not only one of the finest educational instituions in Canada, it is also one of the greatest contributors to the economy and culture of Lethbridge.   I graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 1993.  I have returned and taken more courses even after graduation, and had a completely new appreciation attending as a graduate student.  I also served as a director and treasurer of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association, and even served a term of 3 years on the Board of Governors of the University of Lethbridge as the Alumni Rep to the Board.   This was a tremendous experience and opened a whole new side of the institution to me.  During my time on the Board I particiapted in major hiring, firing, funding, management, a...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
The Lethbridge Herald Newspaper is the only locally published daily newspaper in Lethbridge, Alberta.  I have been a reader, subscriber, and a client of this newspaper off and on over the past 30+ years.  Over that time there have been many changes to the paper itself as well as changes to the way consumers receive their news and other content.   The wiki on the Lethbridge Herald states that the paper had a daily circulation around 18,000 units.  This number is most likely inflated to include those papers that sit unsold in newspaper boxes, get thrown in dumpsters, or sit rotting on the steps of apartment buildings.    The content of the Lethbridge Herald is unrivaled as a source to read 3 day old news.  If you want to know what happened in the world last Tuesday, you definitely need to...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Lethbridge Automobile Insurance and Home Owner Insurance   Well it is that time of year again for me.  I received in the mail my renewal for my Lethbridge car insurance and my Lethbridge home owners insurance.  Not always a pleasant envelope to open, but a necessity in our society.    In Lethbridge (and all of Alberta), most consumers buy their car insurance/automobile insurance as well as their home owners insurance or tenant insurance from a licensed insurance broker.  Lethbridge insurance brokers or insurance agents can help find you a policy that first of all meets your insurance needs and secondly meets your budget.   Often when selling Lethbridge real estate to first time home buyers I am asked to recommend a Lethbridge insurance agent to the client.  I used to have a good friend ...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Lethbridge Financial Planning Many Lethbridge real estate and Lethbridge mortgage clients that I meet with often have no organized financial plan or debt management plan at all.  A Lethbridge financial planner is a professional who can advise of several options available for structuring debt and investing for the future.  There are several great money and wealth management companies that have offices in Lethbridge and I do work closely with them when requested.   When I meet with a client, I am often shocked to discover that I am the first person who has ever asked deep financial questions.  The conversations which follow often are the first real indepth conversations about money that many individuals or couples have ever had.  I am glad to open this door for clients, although it is not...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Lethbridge SEO  Search Engine Optimization   As a business owner in Lethbridge, having a basic understanding of Lethbridge SEO search engine optimization is something which can help help you develope an effective and affordable marketing plan.    Lethbridge is an interesting community in the fact that our population of individuals who are under 25 and over 65 are both quite large.  This is due to large numbers of students and senior citizens who call Lethbridge home.  Lethbridge is also a fairly affluent city.  Virtually all of our residents are online or have access to the internet, yet the majority of our local businesses have no online presence at all.   I do a substantial amount of shopping online.  I also do a substantial amount of my own Lethbridge business online.  Most of my com...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Are you shopping for a home on the Lethbridge MLS?  Or wanting your home sold on the Lethbridge MLS?  Or just curious what MLS is? What is the MLS®?   When you want to buy a car, the pressure’s on to make the deal with that salesperson at that car dealership. You won’t hear about what’s being offered at the competing lot down the street.   That’s the exact opposite of the MLS® used by REALTORS® across Canada. In fact, MLS® is all about REALTORS® cooperating with each other, no matter what company they work for. MLS® is a complex system that boils down to big advantages for consumers: cooperation and marketing among REALTORS® mean better chances for you to succeed.   MLS® was created 50 years ago to help Canadians wanting to buy or sell properties. You’re probably familiar with REALTOR.c...
Comments 1
By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
   Looking for a Lethbridge Realtor to take care of your Lethbridge real estate needs? Working With a REALTOR® As of January 31, 2008, there were 10,931 REALTORS® in Alberta, out of a total 12,267 licencees. REALTOR® is a trademark identifying professionals who are members of their local real estate board, the provincial association (AREA) and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). These three organizations provide support to REALTORS® to increase their skills and keep them up to date.     How Are REALTORS® Different? REALTORS® in Alberta were the first in Canada to achieve mandatory professional development for the members of their industry. REALTORS® in Alberta use plain language contracts carefully designed to provide maximum protection to you, the consumer. REALTORS® __ and on...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Commissions Are Negotiable When discussing fees, industry members must be honest in advising their clients as to the “typical” or “usual” rates charged in their area. The amount of commission or fee that might be charged is not officially set out by any industry body, therefore they may not indicate these fees are set and/or not negotiable. Commissions are negotiable. However, wise consumers will know that the cheapest deal is not always the best deal. The old adage of, you get what you pay for, can apply to real estate services too. Therefore, shopping for an agreeable mix of services offered at a fair commission is recommended. Every brokerage will have its own policy on its services and fees and consumers are free to negotiate their own agreement with the brokerage of their choice. B...
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By Robert Havana, Alberta Real Estate License Parking
(Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking)
Want to do a quick search of Lethbridge MLS real estate listings on your own time? Try this out: Here you can access Lethbridge and area MLS listings. If something catches your eye, contact me and I will arrange a showing. You can also contact me to get the latest Lethbridge Real Estate listings that match YOUR criteria delivered directly into your in-box.you can do it! See my listings / See Lethbridge's listings
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