Allison James

Add ethnic diversity to the long list of reasons why Calgary is a great place to live in. The economic surge of the past decade has become an open invitation for young people from other provinces and countries to migrate to Calgary and be on a hunt for good jobs. The result is Calgary can now boast of a strong multicultural base with more diversity than any other time in the city’s history. To put it in perspective, in 1959, only 1 in 350 Calgarians was a member of a visible minority. Today, that ratio is 1 in 5, and growing. By 2020, the city’s immigrant population is expected to grow to half a million people speaking 120 different languages.

The young settlers populating Calgary are well-educated, bilingual or trilingual, entrepreneurial and keenly interested in maintaining the quality of life here that we all love. There’s an abundant ethnic mix in all quadrants of the city. Large numbers of Filipino, Chinese, Indian and African immigrants have established themselves in neighbourhoods that reflect the rich societal and culinary influences of their respective groups. The ability to explore and share the delicacies and traditions of different cultures promotes tolerance and appreciation in any community. It helps to cut through the stereotypes and preconceived notions which are the basis for racism, and instead, create a milieu in which racial and cultural diversity is celebrated.

During the annual Calgary Stampede celebration, the faces lining the parade route evolve to have a more mixed look than a few years ago. On weekends, city neighbourhoods play host to dozens of ancestral festivals that pay homage to cultures born in other parts of the globe. The sights, sounds and aromas are so intoxicating that it draws locals and visitors by the thousands. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy fine weather, good music and delicious food. For those in search of a more sedate experience, fine dining establishments such as Anju and Deli Darbar serve traditional Korean and Indian/Pakistani cuisine, respectively, in ultramodern settings.

Fueled by the energy hike and the need for a learned, skilled labour force, the city known as Cowtown has broadened its horizons and welcomed young workers from other parts of Canada and the rest of the world. The energy boom may have already subsided, but the migration trend is expected to continue, and Calgary will sustainably lead the way as one of Canada’s most diverse and exhilarating cities.

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 Calgary real estate market has witnessed a major boom in condominium development and sales in the past few years. It is fueled by the influx of people wanting to move to condos – a part of an overall urbanization trend.  More and more home buyers, many of which are young, single professionals, dual-career couples or empty nesters looking to downsize, are becoming attracted to the condo lifestyle.

Although condo living represents the perfect blend of affordability and simplicity for numerous home buyers, it doesn’t always follow that it’s what everybody wants. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when deciding if a condo would be suitable for you:

Pros

In many instances, a condo purchase is simply the more affordable option than a single-family home. Reduced square footage and property means reduced expenses, which is particularly beneficial when it comes to saving for a down payment. Condos require less maintenance – a LOT less maintenance. The fact that they require little work means that many on the market are truly in move-in condition. A good number of today’s consumers are no longer attracted to the classic suburban tract home with large yards. Young and older buyers alike are looking for a more carefree lifestyle that provides plenty of time for leisure activity.

Some condo buildings and associations provide round-the-clock security for residents. This greatly contributes to a heightened sense of security for the occupants. If downtown living is what you seek, then the condo life is probably the right choice for you.

Cons

Generally, condos are more susceptible to downward fluctuations in value. In weak real estate cycles, they tend to depreciate faster and appreciate at a much slower pace than single-family homes. This is a distinct disadvantage if you are not intending to stay for more than 5 years.

Definitely, the lawn mowing, snow removal and exterior upkeep will be taken care of. However, someone still has to pay for such services. Membership in a condominium association comes with a price, and it is in the form of monthly homeowner association fees. This is actually your share in the maintenance and repairs of the building. You would need to add this to the principal and interest dues under their mortgage loan when calculating the affordability of a condo unit.

If you have children or just like to relax in a backyard, realize that in a condo, your activity will be limited to the community’s common areas. Although it is free for use, it is important to know that condo association membership comes complete with a long list of rules and regulations governing everything from pets to outdoor grills to window treatments. Some people find this reassuring and necessary, while others take offense at the very notion of being told what to do. If you are a non-conformist at heart with little patience for rules and regulations, condo living may not be for you.

Condo living is a lifestyle choice. Take a minute to carefully deliberate on all the pros and cons before deciding if it’s the perfect fit for you.

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 dictionary defines transition as “a passage from one form, state, style or place to another.” If you think about it, you will realize that every day of our lives involves some sort of transition – whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual. Even though we are in that continuous state, most of us still fear change because it tends to jolt us out of our comfort zones. The best way to handle it is to merely stop resisting and just embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with it.

Many baby boomers today deal with housing progressions on several different levels. Simultaneously, as they wave goodbye to their children leaving the nest, many also attend to the housing essentials of elderly parents requiring nursing care or assisted living. Many active boomers and retirees are equally interested in splitting their time and spending the winter months in a warmer climate. If not properly managed, it can be very stressful. Not surprisingly, many of my clients are eager to shift to a more simple, carefree way of life.

The decision to sell the family home is a big one. Any move will merit careful consideration and planning. There are so many choices available to empty nesters – everything from apartments, smaller homes, condominiums, to age-restricted communities or assisted living for those in need of help in managing daily living. The key to making a smooth transition at each stage of your housing life cycle is to explore all options and make an informed decision as to what lifestyle works best for you. Then, instead of allowing thoughts of adjustment to overwhelm you, choose to celebrate change with a home that fits!

If your children are out on their own and you find yourself dreading weekend chores and taking care of a big house, then maybe you should already consider downsizing. Imagine yourself with reduced expenses and more spare time to experience all those things on your bucket list. Let someone else take care of the snow removal and yard maintenance. You’ve got places to go! In Calgary, there are endless downsizing alternatives available to empty nesters and others looking to simplify their lives. If you decide to downsize, pay careful attention to the neighbourhood and its amenities since you will likely be able to enjoy both.

You can spend years trying to time the real estate market and maximize profits, but that is really the job of real estate investors. When you are talking about your own home, you resolve to move when your current home no longer meets your needs and you are ready to go forward toward the next phase of your life. Whether you are upsizing, downsizing or making a lateral move, work closely with a professional Realtor who can guide you through the process and help make the transition as smooth as possible.

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.

There is no surefire way to burglarproof your home, but there are a number of actions you can take to make your home less attractive to thieves. Unfortunately, many people refuse to even think about protecting their homes from burglary until an incident occurs. At that point, they feel frightened, confused and violated and do not always make rational decisions. Why not allot a few minutes of  your time and have a closer look at your home? If you have not yet done so, do these simple steps to discourage any uninvited guests.

Find a better hiding spot for your spare key – Hiding a spare key under the doormat or flower pot, or in the mailbox is not the way to go. Sure it’s comforting to know that if you lose your keys or lock yourself out, there’s always an extra set you can rely on. This, however, also makes it very convenient for burglars. Those are the first places they will look into, if they even have to, because they have already seen you or a family member keep it there. It is better to not have a hidden key at all, but if you must, find a not-so-obvious hiding spot and move it to another location every so often.

Proper lighting is essential – The importance of a well-placed lighting cannot be stressed enough. There are inexpensive timers for indoor lights which can be set to come on at dusk, whether you are home or not. Similarly, consider investing in outdoor solar lighting or motion lights that are triggered by sensors when somebody approaches your home. Other than discouraging burglars, such lights are great for conserving energy, and help to prevent slips and falls, too.

Never let strangers know that no one is home – Take the time to stage your home to make it look like someone is always there. This involves everything – from making sure the newspaper and mail are collected daily, to arranging for yard maintenance and snow shovelling should you be gone for more than just a few days. Nothing says “come rob me” like an unshovelled walkway leading to a dark house with no cars in the driveway. Also, offer to take care of your neighbor’s home when they are away and they will most likely return the favor.

Lock all doors and gates – This may seem obvious, but it needs to be said since we all tend to forget at times. Make it a habit to lock all doors whenever you come or go, and you will eventually remember to do it every time. Since many burglars enter a home through the backyard, outfit any gates leading to the rear of your home with a good quality lock.

Invest in a Home Security System – Home security systems come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges these days. Alarm companies will install a basic system throughout your house for a very small cost. Just start simple since you can always enhance it later on. As an added bonus, most include fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. On top of that, you will also be rewarded with a significant discount on your homeowner’s insurance premium. If money is no object, think about investing in a state-of-the-art “smart” system which you can control through your mobile phone or tablet from anywhere in the world.

Upscale communities are the usual targets of professional thieves. Fact is, no neighbourhood is exempt. Home burglaries can and do happen everywhere. So, do what you can to keep your home from becoming a statistic.

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.

Last year was an exciting time for the Calgary real estate market.  Prices rose, demand was high and sellers enjoyed plenty of competition once their homes hit the market.  Calgary’s growth made headlines across the country and many outside investors staked their claim in our city’s steady growth.  Sales increased nearly 10% compared to 2013 and the average price rose by 5.8%.

Increasing values inspired those who were considering a move to start looking sooner than later.  The same will hold true for 2015.  Relative to the other large urban cities in Canada, Calgary’s cost of living and real estate prices are still quite low.  It’s safe to say that values have a long way to go before they reach their plateau.  Fortunately, available inventory is in a much healthier supply than it was this time last year.  Buyers have a little more to choose from, and may be less likely to find themselves in competition over and over again.

Whether you are employed in Calgary’s oil industry or not, the recent headlines of the decreasing price of fuel has captured everyone’s attention.  If prices continue to decline, economists are predicting a slowdown in the Calgary real estate market.  What will this mean for consumers?  It’s too soon to tell at this point, but it’s important to remember that Calgary’s economy is leveraged in several other major industries which continue to demonstrate positive growth.

If you are thinking of making a move this year, you are in a great position to capitalize on what might be the last of the Bank of Canada’s ultra low interest rates.  The finance minister hasn’t said anything yet, but analysts are predicting that 2015 will be the year that we see a slight uptick in mortgage lending rates.  If you plan on buying a home, speak to a mortgage professional about getting a pre-approval in place.  Your lender may be able to provide you with a rate hold for up to 120 days in case the rates go up before you buy.

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.