Do you have a renovation project in mind – and wonder how much value it will add to your home? Remodeling Magazine recently did a study of renovation projects, comparing costs to added value. Here are some of the results:

Replacing a main entry door has a return on investment of over 95%. After all, the entrance to a home is one of the first things a prospective buyer notices.

Adding a new deck also adds a lot of value. Depending on the materials used, you can expect to get back three-quarters of the money invested.

Another high-payback project is the garage door. This once again demonstrates the importance of a home’s “curb appeal.”

If you’re tackling a big project, such as a basement renovation, you’ll be glad to know that, according to the…

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Quite a few have been asking when Bill Zarn from Zarn Tree Farms, located just outside of Airdrie, is having another tree auction. Well, it's just around the corner! April 25th starting at 10am. This is a great way to get large spruce trees for a fraction of the cost elsewhere. You can bid on groups of 10, 5 or even singles. Great way to tree your acreage or just add a few to your city property.

Check out the details at: http://www.zarntreefarm.ca/Auction.html or call Billy Peshke at 403-466-8353 for more details. We will be there at the auction!

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If you’re relaxing on a Caribbean beach, or enjoying a bus tour through historic Paris, the last thing you want to worry about is your home. Most people know the basics of keeping a home secure while away. Here are some additional tips that are easy to miss:

• Tell your kids not to boast about your fabulous vacation plans, especially on social media. The fewer who know that the house will be empty, the better.

• Ask a neighbour to pick up any mail and flyers dropped at your doorstep. But don’t rely on that alone. Also call the newspaper and post office to temporarily halt delivery.

• You can buy timers to automatically turn lights on and off. However, most will stop working if the power goes out and restart with the incorrect time when the power…

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April.1st 2015
Active: 5849
Sold: 1764
Average List Price: $487,943...
Average Sale Price: $474,078
Average Days on Market: 34 Days
Sellers are getting 97% of asking price, 30% of homes on the market today are expected to sell within the next 30 days. The absorption rate is at 3.31% meaning we are in a balanced market.

If you would like more information about the current Calgary Real Estate Market, please call Billy Peshke at 403-466-8353 or Yasin Peshke at 403-681-0319.

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April.1st 2015
Active: 371
Sold: 139
Average List Price: $389,512...
Average Sale Price: $381,276
Average Days on Market: 34 Days
Sellers are getting 97% of asking price, 37% of homes on the market today are expected to sell within the next 30 days. The absorption rate it at 2.66% meaning we are currently in a balanced market.

If you would like more information about the current Airdrie Real Estate Market, please call Billy Peshke at 403-466-8353 or Yasin Peshke at 403-681-0319.

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Usually when you list your home, you would prefer to sell it quickly. It’s like being the first one served at a crowded ice cream parlour. It’s satisfying. However, sometimes there’s more to it than that. There may be a truly urgent reason why you need to find a buyer for your property as soon as possible, such as a sudden job relocation. If that’s the case, it’s important to explain your situation to your REALTOR®, who will be able to put together an action plan for selling your home quickly and for the best price possible. During that conversation, ask what you can do to help the process along. For example, you may be able to:

• Spread the word to your friends and other connections on Facebook.

• Canvass your neighbours and tell them about your…

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If you’re thinking of shopping for a new home, one of the first considerations is price range. You want to know what you can reasonably afford.

How do you figure that out?

First of all, you need to determine the initial out-of-pocket costs you will need to cover. There are often more costs associated with purchasing a home than its actual price. You need to take into account such additional expenses as moving costs, legal fees, and a home inspection, not to mention the costs of prepping your current property for sale.

Experts say you should budget 5-10% above the purchase price for these items. So if you can afford to spend $470K on a new home, you should be shopping in the $425 - $445K range.

Another factor to consider is the potential…

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Sometimes we don't have much choice about selling our home and buying another. Circumstances, such as a job relocation, may have made that choice for us. However, most often the decision to move is discretionary. Sometimes people move simply because they think it's a good idea. They feel that "now" is the right time to find their next dream home. So how do you make that kind of decision? There are, of course, many reasons to make a discretionary move. Usually, those reasons fall into one of two categories: need and want. You may need to find a new home, for example, because you've outgrown your current property. Perhaps you have a growing family and require more space. Maybe you're doing more entertaining and need a larger backyard with a more spacious…

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Have you ever driven up to a restaurant and your first impression was disappointing?

Perhaps the windows looked dark and gloomy, the façade was worn and unattractive or for some other reason it just didn't look like a tempting place to eat.  It could still be a fantastic restaurant – a real gem. But, your first impression has soured your anticipation. If you still walk through the front door, it will likely be with the expectation of being disappointed.  This scenario often plays out in the real estate market as well.   A buyer drives up to a home for sale and quickly forms an impression based on what he sees "from the curb". That's why you'll hear real estate experts talk about the importance of "curb appeal". It's one of the most important selling…

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 "Staging” your home is all about making the space in your home as appealing as possible to buyers. You may already know the basics, such as eliminating clutter. Here are some other tips that are less well known yet very effective:

  • Chandeliers. Surprisingly, these are one of the simplest ways to make a foyer, dining room or living room dramatically more eye-catching. You can buy a good-looking chandelier for a few hundred dollars.
  • New linen. This is something many home sellers don't consider, but should. Replace any worn linen – sheets, coverings, towels, and even oven mitts with new ones. Believe it or not, new linen makes a big impression on buyers.
  • Pedestal sinks. It may not be practical for you to replace a bathroom sink. However, if you…

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