Allison James

One of my favourite neighbourhoods in the Inner City section of Calgary is Parkdale. Located in the City’s northwest quadrant, Parkdale offers coveted proximity for biking to work plus all the amenities typically found in a downtown area. In addition to providing easy access to Downtown Calgary, shopping, restaurants and major roads, Parkdale is adjacent to the Bow River Pathway System and the Shaganappi and Crowchild Trails. As a bonus, Parkdale did not flood during the June, 2013 floods.

Even though it is an Inner City neighbourhood, Parkdale is primarily residential. Calgary’s 2012 Civic Census figures reflect a population in Parkdale of 2,296 people in 1,020 dwellings. Single family homes and condos here are in high demand and come with healthy price tags. I find these properties to be excellent investments that tend to hold their value even during downturns in the market.

Today, construction in the area is in high gear as Parkdale undergoes a renaissance. Many older single family homes are being renovated or torn down and replaced with newly-constructed attached homes. A Heritage Committee works to preserve older homes with historical significance.

For more than 60 years, the Parkdale Community Association has functioned as a community hub and sponsored social events, sports teams and services for the residents, including a very popular Wednesday afternoon farmers’ market and community gardening activities. The farmers’ market is a year-round enterprise and hosts vendors such as Brenda’s Meat Pies and the Apple Lady.

In 2013, based, in part, on input gathered at a number of public workshops, the City of Calgary approved the Parkdale Village Centre Area Redevelopment Plan. The Plan envisions an enhanced public gathering space with wider sidewalks, improved parking, rain gardens, trees and outdoor seating areas. These improvements are sure to further enhance property values in this popular neighbourhood.

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.

Everybody knows what not to do when selling your home. It’s common sense – right?  Well, not always. Here are a few of my tips to sellers whose home is being shown. Some of my tips are just general rules for showing homes and others are pulled from my own amusing and very real experiences.

Forget to Take Out the Garbage

Garbage is unsightly and offensive odors leave a strong and lasting impression. Overflowing cans, even in the backyard or garage, are a turn-off.

Go on a Cooking Spree the Morning of an Open House

Limit heavy kitchen use and the accompanying mess and odors while your home is being shown. Stacks of dirty dishes will only serve to hide your beautiful countertop. While you may adore the smell of garlic and onions, not everyone does. Pungent cooking odors should be avoided whenever possible except for boiling cinnamon or homemade bread or cookies which seem to have a universal appeal.

Leave Out All Your Family Photos

Remember that the goal is to depersonalize the space to better enable a buyer to picture themselves living there. You may be justly proud of your kids’ report cards but put them away in a safe place together with the photo albums, diplomas and awards.

Leave Your Pet Home Alone

No matter how well-behaved your beloved little dog is, it’s best to arrange for doggie day care during showings. Many people are allergic, are afraid of animals or simply don’t like them. There are liability issues to consider as pets don’t always welcome strangers invading their turf and can turn nasty. Finally, accidents do happen. Just remember that piles of dog excrement or smelly litter boxes are not likely to ignite a bidding war.

Fail to Cover Your Aquarium Full of Snakes

Believe it or not, some people get jittery when it comes to large snakes. In fact, most people will, so do yourself a favor and send the snakes to a friend’s house. Your potential buyers and your realtor will all appreciate the effort.

Leave Your Sex Toys Out in Full View

I know. It’s nothing to be ashamed of and everyone does it, but please do us all a favor and put your personal pleasure items away. It’s much better to allow the buyers to conjure their own fantasy of living in your home – without the aid of your assistive devices.

Selling a home can be stressful. Remember that you hired an expert for a reason and my goal as a realtor is to sell your home as quickly as possible at the highest price. Pay attention to my tips and before your know it, you’ll be comfortably situated in a new space. Then you can cook any time of day or night, hang every piece of artwork your child ever brought home and even leave your “toys” out if you don’t feel like putting them away.

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.

Home staging can and does make all the difference. The simple truth is that many home buyers lack the imagination necessary to picture themselves happily ensconced in a new home without a little help. That’s where the staging comes in. I always advise my clients to decorate to their own taste while living in the home. Once they decide to sell, it’s time to decorate to the public taste and make changes that will appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers.

As part of my listing contract, I offer basic home staging services to my clients. Depending on the circumstances, I may call in a staging expert or opt to just do it own my own. Either way, my client’s budget considerations are always kept in mind.

Often, we start by re-arranging existing furniture, re-hanging pictures and clearing clutter in the house and basement. The objective is to de-clutter and de-personalize the space so that buyers can envision their dream home upon a blank slate.

The next thing I do is to take a look at paint and wall coverings. While my client may adore her orange bedroom, that’s not a color that will appeal to the largest number of buyers. I once visited a home that was painted throughout in shades of red and green – a Christmas house! A freshly-painted room in neutral tones presents a clean palate and virtually beckons to buyers to come decorate. If painting is needed, that cost falls to the seller, but painting is a relatively inexpensive solution to a problem and one that almost always pays for itself at closing.

In instances such as the Christmas house, I sometimes bring in a professional home stager to deliver the tough love advice to the homeowner. It’s much easier to accept criticism from a professional decorator and I avoid being the bad guy. For some homes, I’ve assisted my client in procuring an entire home staging package, including rented furniture. Even in those cases, we were able to keep the budget at a reasonable number.

The best thing about home staging is that it works – both in promoting speedy sales and earning sellers top dollar. It is worth the investment of time and money because it makes a difference.

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.

I am often asked which home renovations bring the highest investment return for homeowners.  The answer is, of course, “it depends.”  A number of factors come into play in predicting return on investment, including neighborhood, price point and the home style.

The advice I always extend to my clients is to review your renovation plans with a realtor before launching the project.  If you are planning on staying in your home for a while, you should renovate it to suit your family’s taste and lifestyle.  If, however, you are planning to sell in the not-too-distant future, a realtor can help you retain equity by avoiding heavy construction projects that will not produce a healthy return on your dollar at closing time.

Kitchens and bathrooms almost always prove to be worthwhile investments.  If you plan to list the home shortly after completion of the remodel work, be sure to go with neutral and contemporary colors and materials.  Choose quality materials and fixtures but don’t go crazy as the extra money you invest is not likely to be recouped.   This approach leaves room for your potential buyers to imagine their own style juxtaposed on your tasteful remodel.

Landscaping in our area is an investment that carries a good return.  Curb appeal is a key factor in many home sales.   Well-maintained landscaping makes a house stand out from the crowd and welcomes you home every day.  Whether you employ a professional or do the hard work yourself, landscaping is a sound investment.  Unless gardening is your passion, aim for plants and designs that require as little upkeep as possible. Today’s busy homebuyers are, for the most part, not interested in spending entire weekends working on the lawn.

Finished basements can be very tricky.  In a neighborhood that permits multi-family homes, a basement apartment can pay for itself through rental income in just a few years.  In some areas, where such arrangements are either not permitted or simply not common, the added square footage may make your home more attractive, but will not add much in terms of value.  There are a number of factors to be weighed before undertaking a basement remodel, including the presence of separate entrances and walk-outs as well as waterproofing and liability issues.

Swimming pools in the Calgary area are a “no go” if you are looking to recoup your investment.  We have a short swimming season up here and the high cost of pool heating and maintenance along with liability issues combine to make pools a bad investment for homeowners in our area.  By all means, put a pool in because you love to swim, but don’t assume a healthy return on your investment.

Renovations can be very stressful.  Again, my best advice is to contact a realtor before undertaking any substantial investment in your home.  You may end up saving a ton of money and avoiding unnecessary aggravation, sweat and tears.

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.

One of the main reasons I love living in Calgary is the fresh mountain air. It invigorates me! I feel that we have the best of all worlds in our urban settling nestled at the foot of the Rockies. My favorite pastime is to go for a long hike in the mountain air that ends with a great cup of coffee and conversation with friends. Give me these few things and I’m in heaven!

Although I love to travel and get away, I find that there is so much to do and so many great events right here in our own backyard. There is always something going on and you don’t need to leave the city in order to escape. All you need to do is get outside and join in the fun. Here are a few of my favorite springtime getaways in Calgary.

Lilac Festival

This annual festival is held at the end of May in the Beltline and Mission neighborhoods of Calgary along 4th Street. There is delicious food, music and local arts & crafts. Get there early as the festival grows every year and is now attracting over 100,000 people. If you’re lucky, the fragrant lilacs will be in full bloom.

Angel’s Cappuccino & Ice Cream Bar

This charming little gem may be my favorite getaway spot. It’s located in Edworthy Park, a wonderful urban oasis along the banks of the Bow River. The park itself is gorgeous with well-tended hiking trails and gardens. Enjoy a healthy meal at Angel’s or simply linger over a steaming cup of cappuccino while enjoying the river views. When the weather warms up, Angel’s hosts open microphone nights with comfortable and covered outdoor seating. If you’re talented, or brave enough, sign up for a slot and sing. Otherwise just sing along under the fir trees and let your troubles melt away, but not the ice cream. It’s too delicious!

Southern Alberta Music Festival

Here’s another great music festival to look forward to in late August. This one is held at Aspen Crossing in Mossleigh, less than an hour outside the city. Aspen Crossing is a unique train-themed campground featuring caboose cabins, shopping and dining. The music festival, now in its second year, features local musicians from Southern Alberta. It’s a wonderful full day of music in the sun.

After a hard day or week at work, we all need time to ourselves and a place to relax and let go of stress. In Calgary, there are hundreds of places to just breathe and enjoy, and many of them are just around the corner. You will never run out of things to do in our beautiful city by the river.

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.

According to 2011 census figures, Calgary is Canada’s third largest city with a population of roughly 1.1 million. The median age of a Calgarian is 36 years, compared to 38 in Toronto and 40 for the nation overall. The past decade saw a mass infusion of youth attracted to the booming economy and robust employment opportunities.

Calgary appears to be a young city in every sense. After all, it is only 130 years old, and half of our current residents did not live here during the Calgary Olympics of 1988. It would seem that the mythical fountain of youth is alive and well and living in Calgary, but on closer inspection, there’s a catch.

The youngest city in Canada is aging and aging rapidly! In 2011, the first baby boomers turned 65 and their fellow boomers will follow in rapid succession. The coming decades will see dramatic growth in the senior population. The City of Calgary states on its website that “it took a full 70 years for Calgary’s population to climb from 5% seniors to 10% seniors…..it will only take 30 years to climb another full 10% to nearly 20% of the population.”

It remains to be seen if the new generation of senior homeowners will follow the downsizing trend established by their own parents. Over the years, I’ve worked with a number of clients eager to rid themselves of the large house and settle into a single story condo or apartment. Others choose to stay in the large family home as long as possible or buy a new single family home in a resort community once they’ve retired.

One thing is for certain – changes will be in store as we strive to meet the needs of an aging population. The shifting demands faced by the housing industry will also confront the health care, transportation and support service industries.

Among my own clients in the 55+ population, I see a renewed preference for downtown living. The active older generation is attracted to the same low-maintenance lifestyle as the younger folks. They want easy access to transportation, urban services and amenities. Several large-scale development projects are currently underway in the southeast quadrant of Calgary comprised of mixed-use communities with rental apartments, condos, office and retail space, schools, libraries, and assisted living facilities. In many respects, this represents a return to our past before the decades of suburban sprawl. Everything old is new again!

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.

Buying your first home is a huge, life-changing event.  First-time buyers face a gauntlet of difficult choices – from budget considerations to neighborhood choices to financing options.  For many, the first and sometimes most difficult decision is whether to buy a condo or a single-family home.

As an experienced real estate professional and Certified Condominium Specialist with a large family of my own, I am well qualified to coach my young buyers in their first dive into the real estate pool.  I urge those who are not quite sure what they want to carefully consider the following questions.

How much money do you have to spend?

While there are certainly many high-end expensive projects, condominiums are, in general, more affordable than single-family homes, even after factoring in the cost of monthly maintenance fees.  For many first-time buyers, owning a condo is the perfect avenue to becoming a homeowner.

Do you plan on having children in the near future?

As any parent will tell you, having kids changes everything.  If you plan on having a large family quickly, you may well want the added square footage and yard space that comes with a single-family home.  If you’re not planning to have children for five or more years, consider starting out with a condo and then moving on to a single-family home when the time is right.

How do you spend your spare time?

Owning a house is a major responsibility and a lot of work.  If you work full-time during the week, that leaves weekends for housecleaning, gardening, lawn mowing, etc.  Snow removal can’t even wait for the weekend.  Imagine yourself with a beautiful day with nothing to do.  How do you want to spend the free time – gardening or snowboarding?  Houses need constant maintenance and repair.  How handy are you when it comes to fixing things?  If you can’t tell a hammer from a screwdriver, start with a condo.  It’s a great way to begin your education as a property owner and begin to understand how things work.

In the end, the most important consideration is often a lifestyle choice.  In general, I believe that many first-time buyers will do well by starting with a condo.  There are countless complexes located in the hub sections of town in walking distance to transportation, shops and restaurants.  It can be a very attractive lifestyle for young professionals.  If you do decide to buy a condo, make sure you are informed and educated as to what you are buying.  Condominiums come with associations, fees, rules and regulations.  Read and understand the rules with the help of a professional and make sure you can live with them.

Life is a series of continual transitions and home ownership is no different.  Many of my clients have found themselves going from a rental apartment to owning a condo to a single-family home and then back to a condo.  It is my pleasure and privilege to help at every stage in the remarkable journey.

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.