Allison James

You have probably heard talk that the holiday season is not a good time to launch a house hunt. That is not necessarily true. Any time of year is a good time to start searching for the home of your dreams. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind during this time of year to make sure your holiday enthusiasm and year-end considerations do not push you into making a rash decision.

Be prepared for low inventory levels.

For many reasons, homeowners are often not enthusiastic about listing their home for sale during the holidays. As a result, inventory is traditionally low this time of year. That does not mean, however, that your dream home is not out there waiting for you, so don’t be shy about looking and remember that there are bargains to be had with sellers who need to close by the end of the year. You won’t know until you sit down with your Realtor and take a look at what’s available. The house that someone else needs to get rid of in a hurry may end up being your best Christmas present ever.

Beware of what lies beneath.

A foot of snow and some well-placed holiday wreaths can hide serious problems if you fail to take a close look. There is no need to waive your right to a home inspection simply because it is disruptive. By all means, politely ask the seller to remove any trimmings that may be hiding drafty windows or holes in the wall. It is your right as a buyer to know exactly what you are paying for. You might also request some recent photos of the home taken during the spring or summer, as well as a seller’s home warranty that protects you against any defects that show up once the decorations are boxed and the snow has melted away.

Don’t allow tidings of comfort and joy to cloud your judgment.

This is sound advice any time of the year, but it is particularly important to keep in mind during the Christmas holiday. Let your Realtor take the lead so you don’t end up overspending while on a Christmas buying frenzy. Remember, that is one of the many good reasons you hired her in the first place. While it is a great time of year to gauge traffic levels and community spirit in a neighbourhood, bear in mind that contagious Christmas spirit and cheerful decorations can make everything look a little better and shine a little brighter. Take a step back and try to envision the property and neighbourhood without all the trimmings and holiday bustle.

Do not hesitate to ask Santa for a new house this year if that is what you need and desire. Remember that the best gifts often arrive in unlikely packages. Maintain an open mind and keep my holiday home shopping tips in mind in searching for the next home for you and your family.

Merry Christmas!

Do you need to move to celebrate the changes that are happening in your life? Let me serve you in helping you make the move to the place or home that reflects where you are in life’s journey! I will listen to your needs and use my knowledge and expertise to make this a smooth transition to the right place for you to call home in Calgary. Contact me at 403-708-5873, ajames16@gmail.com, or www.allisonjames.com and let’s get on with your journey!

About Allison James

Allison James has been a realtor® since 1999 with Century 21 Bamber Realty Ltd. in the changing Calgary real estate market. A Century 21 Centurion Award 2007 recipient and a member of CREA and AREA, she specializes in residential real estate and has her designations as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist and a Certified Condominium Specialist. These designations testify that she has the expertise and resources to help her clients make a smooth transition to the next step in their life journey. She enjoys helping her clients as they move through many of the same stages of life that she, too, has experienced. The fact that the majority of her business comes from past clients and/or referrals from satisfied clients speaks volumes about her dedication to the high quality of service that she offers her clients to meet their Calgary and surrounding area real estate needs. She is a mother of four who are all on their own now, and a grandmother of eight. Besides helping people buy or sell real estate, she loves spending time with her family, being active outdoors, traveling and meeting new people, photography, playing the drums, reading, scuba diving, listening to music, learning new things, and nurturing her spiritual growth.

The most successful sellers in the real estate business have the innate ability to think like a buyer. In order to maximize the chances for a quick sale of property at market value or above, a motivated seller needs to take a close look at current style trends from the point of view of a buyer and see how their home measures up. It is always good practice to involve your Realtor in this assessment because owners tend to be far too emotional when it comes to their own home.

If you are contemplating the possibility of selling your home in the near or not too distant future, here are a few hot trends in home improvement. Having one or more of these features in your home will help attract a larger number of potential buyers. Here is what is HOT in the home improvement and design business today:

Granite still rules, but buyers are open to more options than in years past – Anyone who has ever watched HGTV has seen the familiar scene of home buyers walking into a well-appointed kitchen and exclaiming, “What? No Granite?” Granite remains a popular choice for countertop material, but in recent years, other material shave emerged from behind the shadow of massive granite slabs to exert their influence. Quartz is a very popular choice for its durability and appearance and concrete, wood, glass and quality laminates that closely resemble natural stone.

Open Concept – What exactly does that mean? – Very few of today’s home buyers are interested in separate, formal dining areas. Today’s more casual lifestyle calls for one large family living space that includes the kitchen, a dining area and family room – unencumbered by separating walls. “Open Concept” design calls for open,multi-use space with clear sightlines from one area to another and plenty of natural light. Anyone preparing a meal can still chat with family members and guests. Most new construction features open concept design and, in older homes, the look and feel is easily achieved by removing non-weight bearing walls.

Outdoor Living – Backyards that serve as an additional Room – This may be today’s hottest trend in home design. Remember when backyard living equated to a charcoals grill, a lawn chair and a beer? Today’s homeowners are coming up with all sorts of ingenious ways to make their outdoor space feel like a natural extension to the rest of the home – and buyers will definitely notice and appreciate the effort. High-end versions of this trend feature television and entertainment centers, outdoor kitchen and grill areas and cozy furniture that looks like it could easily belong in your bedroom. Even in Calgary, homeowners enjoy four seasons of fun in their outdoor living areas through the clever use of propane heaters, fire pits, awnings and sunrooms.

Even if you do not consider yourself to be a trendy style watcher, understand that when it comes to selling your home, appearance does count and trends are important because they affect the potential return on your investment.

Do you need to move to celebrate the changes that are happening in your life? Let me serve you in helping you make the move to the place or home that reflects where you are in life’s journey! I will listen to your needs and use my knowledge and expertise to make this a smooth transition to the right place for you to call home in Calgary. Contact me at 403-708-5873, ajames16@gmail.com, or www.allisonjames.com and let’s get on with your journey!

About Allison James

Allison James has been a realtor® since 1999 with Century 21 Bamber Realty Ltd. in the changing Calgary real estate market. A Century 21 Centurion Award 2007 recipient and a member of CREA and AREA, she specializes in residential real estate and has her designations as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist and a Certified Condominium Specialist. These designations testify that she has the expertise and resources to help her clients make a smooth transition to the next step in their life journey. She enjoys helping her clients as they move through many of the same stages of life that she, too, has experienced. The fact that the majority of her business comes from past clients and/or referrals from satisfied clients speaks volumes about her dedication to the high quality of service that she offers her clients to meet their Calgary and surrounding area real estate needs. She is a mother of four who are all on their own now, and a grandmother of eight. Besides helping people buy or sell real estate, she loves spending time with her family, being active outdoors, traveling and meeting new people, photography, playing the drums, reading, scuba diving, listening to music, learning new things, and nurturing her spiritual growth.