Allison James

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.

It turns out that everything your parents and teachers taught you when you were very young is true. Among other things, lying is bad and you need to speak up and ask if you want something. It was true in kindergarten and it still holds true today. Whether you are buying or selling a home, open and honest communication with your Realtor and between the parties is a key ingredient to ensuring a smooth transaction.

If you are a buyer, from the first discussion with your Realtor, be sure to communicate exactly what your wants and needs are. Don’t assume that he or she understands what you mean or is thinking the same way as you. Everyone has their own unique set of circumstances and expectations and your Realtor can best serve your needs if properly armed with information. Try to paint a detailed picture of the home and lifestyle you are seeking. Your Realtor’s job is to help turn that vision into reality.   Good communication must, of course, work both ways. A good Realtor must have the ability and willingness to speak frankly and advise you if your dreams are out of touch with your budget.

If you are preparing to list a property for sale, start by assembling all the information you have on the property, including ownership and mortgage documents, as well as maintenance and repair records. If there are repair or maintenance items that you do not intend to deal with before listing the property, have a discussion with your agent on the history of the problem. When it comes to buying and selling property, nobody likes surprises. It is much better to tackle and disclose issues up front and avoid further price negotiating down the road. Today’s homebuyers are very sophisticated and knowledgeable and the vast majority will arrange for a home inspection.

If you are selling a condominium, make sure everyone involved is aware of any pending assessments, monthly fee increases or legal issues impacting the homeowner’s association. Once an offer is accepted and a contract is signed, the buyer’s attorney will dig into these issues and unearth the facts. Again, it is far better to disclose everything up front and negotiate from a non-defensive position.

Honest and open communication among everyone involved in a real estate transaction will help ensure a positive outcome for all. Remember what your parents taught you – if you want something, ask for it, and always tell the truth!

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.

As the summer of 2015 comes to a close, the Calgary real estate market reflects the uncertainty of the area’s economy, but the energy industry’s problems have yet to make a significant impact on property values in and around Calgary.  The latest statistics show that while prices are no longer climbing in many neighbourhoods, they are not dropping either.  Overall, the Calgary market remains fairly well-balanced with neither buyers nor sellers wielding a clear advantage.

At the start of the year, some experts were predicting major real estate value drops in Calgary in response to plunging gas and oil prices and energy industry layoffs, but that has not happened to date.  The latest statistics released by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) on September 1, 2015 indicate that August’s benchmark price for all residential (detached, attached and apartment) properties in Calgary was $456,300 – nearly identical to the benchmark price of $456,700 posted in August of 2014.  These stable overall market numbers do not extend to the apartment benchmark – $294,100. Calgary’s apartment sector has experienced a slight 1.44% decline in benchmark value during the same 12 month time period.

Any examination of the state of the Calgary real estate market should make note of the fact that market conditions vary considerably throughout Calgary’s diverse collection of neighbourhoods. While the overall trend is toward stability in pricing, some areas of the city have seen diminution in value while others are still seeing multiple offers on highly desirable properties in the right location.  The recreational property market centered in the mountain and lake regions immediately surrounding the city remains strong. American buyers, buoyed by a strengthening U.S. economy, are once again looking to purchase second homes in Alberta and Calgarians are looking to vacation closer to home in view of the current U.S. exchange rates.

The Calgary real estate market will undoubtedly continue to respond to the general uncertainty in the current economy.  Continued or increased unemployment is bound to impact supply and demand for housing.  On the upside, however, consumer optimism remains strong.  In its Mid-year Update to its 2015 Economic Outlook & Regional Housing Forecast, CREB remarks that “Positive long-term prospects and reduced concerns about the bottom falling out in the near term could minimize the pullback in demand, keeping market conditions in relatively balanced territory and preventing further aggregate price declines.”

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.