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	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:29:46 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Spring fever!</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=164</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=164#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:29:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Calgary Statistics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[average price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[days on market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[investment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[march]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[statistics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=164</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[First quarter of 2012 shows strong growth in Calgary market! All of the major real estate statistics categories are on the rise, except for a key number home sellers love to see declining &#8211; average days on market to sell. That number has already dropped from 59 in January to 40 in March for single-family [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>First quarter of 2012 shows strong growth in Calgary market!</p>
<p>All of the major real estate statistics categories are on the rise, except for a key number home sellers love to see declining &#8211; average days on market to sell. That number has already dropped from 59 in January to 40 in March for single-family homes! And with inventory levels still quite low while demand is increasing, that number could drop further. Here is a quick look at the inventory and sales numbers for March in all categories:</p>
<p>Calgary Single Family: 3,367 Listings, 1,576 Sales</p>
<p>Calgary Apartment Condos: 1,119 Listings, 356 Sales</p>
<p>Calgary Townhome Condos: 606 Listings, 235 Sales</p>
<p>Surrounding Towns (all categories): 2,596 Listings, 457 Sales</p>
<p>Rural Properties: 962 Listings, 76 Sales</p>
<p>The average single-family home cost $472,000 in March. That is $7,000 less than it was five years ago in March 2007 and just $33,000 or 6.5% lower than the peak numbers reached in July 2007.</p>
<p>If you want reinforcement that real estate is a great long-term investment, consider that our average price last month of $472,000 is 24% higher than it was six years ago, 65% higher than it was seven years ago, and 89% higher than it was eight years ago. I could go on.</p>
<p>But that average price for March is also slightly higher than it was one, two, three and four years ago. So we are now in the interesting position where, if you bought pretty much anytime in the last 10 years, other than spring/summer 2007, you are making money on your investment. Good news for homeowners!</p>
<p>The silver lining for those who haven&#8217;t yet jumped into the market is that mortgage rates are still at extremely low rates, though there is much rumbling in the mortgage industry about rates on the rise as bond markets go up.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s an exciting time in the real estate market with so much sales activity. Homes priced appropriately are selling quickly, and sometimes at or over list price. If you are thinking about a lifestyle change, an investment or your first home, please contact me to help achieve your goals for 2012.</p>
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		<title>Introducing&#8230; HPI, the happy price index!</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=158</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=158#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:15:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Calgary Statistics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News & Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Benchmark Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[happy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Price Index]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HPI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[price trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[property attributes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[statistics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=158</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Okay, it&#8217;s actually an acronym for Home Price Index, but it does make me happy! The Calgary Real Estate Board has partnered with the Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Toronto and Montreal boards to develop a new statistical analysis tool that reflects changes in market prices more accurately than the average or median price ever could. This [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Okay, it&#8217;s actually an acronym for Home Price Index, but it does make me happy!</p>
<p>The Calgary Real Estate Board has partnered with the Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Toronto and Montreal boards to develop a new statistical analysis tool that reflects changes in market prices more accurately than the average or median price ever could. This method has been praised by Stats Canada, the Bank of Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp as the best method yet developed to watch market trends.</p>
<p>This tool is an extra benefit of working with a realtor as we can now monitor both specific neighbourhood trends and city-wide trends more closely than ever. This can be beneficial for buyers when deciding which areas or types of homes to purchase as well as for sellers when pricing their home.</p>
<p>An analysis firm &#8220;scrubs&#8221; the market data that comes in from us realtors every month to clean up any inconsistencies (e.g. data input errors) and to classify properties into much more specific categories, taking into account such attributes as parking, finished basements, proximity to amenities, style of home and more. These attributes are given different weighting and then a well-designed formula is used to determine what the real pricing trend is for that month. This eliminates the skewing of numbers that can happen to average and median prices when certain price ranges have more sales activity than others.</p>
<p>The Home Price Index (HPI) uses January 2005 as the base month, giving it a value of 100. This is true across all the real estate boards involved in Canada. All subsequent months are compared to January &#8217;05 and given a value based on the calculations mentioned above. So if the HPI for a month is 165, that means prices have increased by 65% over January &#8217;05.</p>
<p>We also have the ability to break down the price index for a specific community or type of property. In the past, when trying to do this, it was hard to get accurate numbers since a small sample group is greatly affected by each specific sale.</p>
<p>Another new stat available to us is the Benchmark Price for each neighbourhood and property type (single family, apartment and townhome). There is a list of attributes for the prototypical property in that category and a price is given to that typical property. This can help sellers to evaluate their home&#8217;s features compared with the benchmark property and determine their own current market value.</p>
<p>In future blogs about Calgary real estate statistics, I will be referencing the HPI and look forward to using it to help you achieve your goals, armed with the most accurate figures. If you would like any specific market data or have any questions about the HPI and Benchmark Price, please email me at <a href="mailto:Amie@RiverLifeRealEstate.com">Amie@RiverLifeRealEstate.com</a> &#8211; thanks!</p>
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		<title>Looking back and moving ahead</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=151</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=151#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:53:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Calgary Statistics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[average price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CREB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[days on market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[forecast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gdp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[net migration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peak prices]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=151</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The dust has settled on 2011 and all eyes are now looking forward to what may be the end of the world on December 21&#8230; if the Mayans are right. Okay, most likely not, so let&#8217;s just look at what is to come in real estate in the year ahead. I will start with a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The dust has settled on 2011 and all eyes are now looking forward to what may be the end of the world on December 21&#8230; if the Mayans are right. Okay, most likely not, so let&#8217;s just look at what is to come in real estate in the year ahead.</p>
<p>I will start with a few interesting points from the statistics for 2011.</p>
<p><img id="rg_hi" class="alignleft" style="margin: 7px; border: 2px solid black;" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcReBL4X1rcSeIRV44rBzsy9DH7HiEFKSt1F3sNiGj0og1aIY8H5" alt="" width="189" height="146" data-height="224" data-width="225" />- The average single-family home price in January 2011 was $453,845. In December, it was $453,629, a difference of only $216! So although there were fluctuations throughout the year (a high point of $488,735 in May), not much was gained overall.</p>
<p>-That peak average price in May is only 3.5% off the highest average price Calgary has ever seen, back in July 2007, though by the end of December we were back down to 10% off the 2007 peak price.</p>
<p>- The single-family average price for the entire year was $466,402, which is just 1% above the average for 2010. The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) forecast was for a 4% increase so we underachieved. See below for 2012&#8242;s forecast.</p>
<p>- Condo prices also rose by 1% overall compared with 2010, but the forecast for those prices was only 2% growth, so they were pretty close.</p>
<p>- The average days on market to sell a condo started creeping up through the fall months and ended the year at 65. The highest the number for single-family homes reached was 58 in December. Keep in mind this does not include listings that expired or were terminated and then relisted, so the real figure would be slightly higher.</p>
<p>- The condo average price got to within 4.5% of the highest price in 2007, but also finished the year 10% below the peak.</p>
<p>Last week I attended the Calgary Real Estate Board&#8217;s annual forecast and will share some highlights from their predictions. One positive piece of news is that we now have a full-time economist working for CREB. She will be updating the forecast throughout the year as she sees fit and is available as a resource. I had an opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with her to gain futher insight and will keep you abreast of any changes.</p>
<p>- Calgary&#8217;s gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to grow by 3.61%, the highest number in three years.</p>
<p>- Net migration to Calgary is forecast at 20,333, down slightly from 2011 but up significantly from 2010&#8242;s 11,055.</p>
<p>- Employment growth in Calgary is forecast at 2.8%, also down slightly from 2011 but way up from -1.25% in 2010.</p>
<p>- The number of single-family and condo sales in Calgary are forecast to rise, by 12% and 6%, respectively.</p>
<p>- Prices are also forecast to rise for 2012 overall, by 2% for single-family and 1.7% for condos. I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised, however, if we saw larger rises this spring followed by some slow months in the summer and late in the year. Activity has already started to pick up &#8211; I&#8217;ve been in competing offers twice already this year!</p>
<p>If you are interested in the full 30-page forecast booklet, please send me an email at <a href="mailto:Amie@RiverLifeRealEstate.com">Amie@RiverLifeRealEstate.com.</a> I&#8217;d be happy to forward it to you.</p>
<p>With continued low interest rates and stable prices, this spring might be the right time for you to make a move. Please contact me anytime to discuss your real estate goals for 2012.</p>
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		<title>Home Insurance Q &amp; A with Lacey</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=141</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=141#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:08:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News & Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acreage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aluminum wiring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[premium]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Q & A]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vacant house]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water damage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=141</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[2011 has been a big year for hail damage insurance claims in Calgary. This got me thinking about what I am really covered for under my home insurance policy &#8211; and if there is anything missing in my coverage. To shed some light on the issue, I have enlisted the help of Lacey Melanson, account [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>2011 has been a big year for hail damage insurance claims in Calgary. This got me thinking about what I am really covered for under my home insurance policy &#8211; and if there is anything missing in my coverage. To shed some light on the issue, I have enlisted the help of Lacey Melanson, account executive at Anthony<br />
Clark Insurance Brokers. If you have any further questions or are looking for an insurance change, please contact her at <a href="mailto:lacey.melanson@acib.ca">lacey.melanson@acib.ca</a> or 403-697-0795.  Thanks Lacey!</p>
<p><strong>Q: What factors influence the amount your home insurance premium costs?<br />
</strong>A: There are a lot of factors that go into calculating the premium for a homeowners policy. &#8211; the size of the home, location, year built, type of structure, etc. It also depends on your claims history, whether the basement is finished, whether there is a garage, are there any updates/renovations, and so on.</p>
<p>There isn’t an “average” premium for home policies as it varies from one person to another. For example, someone with the exact same house across the street may be paying less then you or vice versa. This could be due to different discounts bring offered. The four most common discounts are for your age, being claims-free, being mortgage-free and for having an activated alarm system.</p>
<p>Many companies are now rating homes based on postal codes. One postal code could have a higher rating then another postal code so two people that are the same age, have the exact same coverage/limits and same discounts could have two completely different premiums because they have different postal codes. These ratings are<strong> </strong>based on crime/loss rates. One postal code could have a higher loss ratio than the other.</p>
<p>It is also good to note that your policy could be surcharged if your home is over 20-25 years and if the roof, electrical, plumbing and/or heating have never been updated/replaced.</p>
<p><strong>Q: What is something most people do NOT know about their home insurance policy?<br />
</strong>A: The most common misconception about home insurance is thinking that just because you have a water damage endorsement, you assume that all types of water damage are covered. The word that is important to remember is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">seepage</span>: Seepage from the outside of the home is NOT covered, and unfortunately, there is no existing insurance policy that covers this. If the seepage is from the inside of the home (ie, overflowing tub, plumbing issue, etc), then it is covered as longn as you have a water damage endorsement on your policy (which most people do but good to check!). For example, if there was a flood and water seeped in through the basement windows causing water damage to the home, insurance would not respond.</p>
<p><strong>Q: I’m buying a condo or townhome. What kind of insurance do I need? What does it cover? What’s the price range?<br />
</strong>A: Condo/Townhome policies are quite different from a detached dwelling policy. You aren’t insuring as much as you would a detached home as you aren’t insuring the dwelling itself), therefore the premium is significantly cheaper. The price can vary from one company to another depending on the amount in contents, if you are getting any discounts, the location etc., but the price averages around $200-$300/year.</p>
<p>The easiest way to explain how condo coverage works is to think of the inside walls of your condo – everything from the walls inward is your responsibility. The Condo Association has its own policy that covers the building itself. In addition to liability coverage which typically has a $1,000,000 limit, you would also be insuring the contents inside your unit (depending on the insurance company, the minimum limit is usually around $30,000 &#8211; $35,000).</p>
<p>Your policy would also cover Loss Assessment. For example, if there was a loss to the building, and the damage ends up being more to repair than what the Condo Associations&#8217; policy limit is, their policy would cover up to the limit, but anything over that would be billed between the unit owners, which is where your Loss Assessment coverage would kick in.</p>
<p>You would also have Betterments and Improvements coverage which replaces any upgrades that might have been done to your specific unit in the event of a loss (whether you did the upgrade or prior owners did). It is always a good idea to find out if there were any upgrades done and take pictures of what has been upgraded as a precaution. Otherwise, if the insurance company has no proof of any upgrades, they will replace everything to what is shown on the blueprints when the condo was originally built.</p>
<p>There are a variety of additional coverages that are also included in the policy which all depends on the company you are insured with.</p>
<p><strong>Q: Is my home protected against any kind of water damage, no matter the source?<br />
</strong>A: As mentioned above, if you have a water damage endorsement on your policy, it excludes seepage from the outside. So even if you inadvertently leave the tap on and walk away from the sink and it overflows, you would still be covered. This also applies to accidentally leaving the oven or a curling iron on and causing a fire. However, if you intentionally cause damage, you will not be covered.</p>
<p><strong>Q: What kind of extra riders can you add to your policy?<br />
</strong>A: There are several different riders you can add to your policy for an additional price. Most insurance policies will coverage certain items up to a limit and while this limit might be adequate for many, it might not be enough for others. Common examples are jewelry, collector items (stamps, coins), computer items, photography items, art, furs, etc.</p>
<p><strong>Q: What kind of things are NOT included in home insurance?<br />
</strong>A: It all depends on the type of policy you get. There are three different policies you can choose from:</p>
<p>Comprehensive Homeowners is the broadest form of coverage and is what most people have. It is based on All Risk coverage, so it only excludes what is indicated in the policy wordings.</p>
<p>You can also get Basic Homeowners which has limited coverage compared to Comprehensive. It is based on Named Perils coverage which means that it ONLY insures what is indicated in the wordings.</p>
<p>Fire and EC (Extended Coverage) Policies have the least coverage. It is mostly used for homes that are vacant or rented out to third parties.</p>
<p>As mentioned, it depends on what type of policy you have, however, here are a few examples of what is not covered in all three of these policies:</p>
<ul>
<li>Dwellings that are used in relation to a business unless it is otherwise indicated to the insurance company so that appropriate coverage can be put in<br />
place.</li>
<li>Wear and tear is not covered</li>
<li>Freezing pipes during the normal heating season as a result of being away from the home when precautions were not taken to insure the home is adequately heated</li>
<li>Claims arising from war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Q: Can I make an insurance claim to get a new furnace or new appliances if mine stop working?<br />
</strong>A: Only if it is due to an insured peril (ie, water damage, fire, etc). Insurance doesn’t cover appliances within the home due to mechanical issues or wear and tear.</p>
<p><strong>Q: My home has aluminum wiring. How does this affect my insurance policy?<br />
</strong>A: Depending on the insurance company, there may be a surcharge added. It’s usually a 15% surcharge but differs from one company to another. There are some companies that will decline coverage due to aluminum wiring, however most will simply add a surcharge.</p>
<p><strong>Q: If I make an insurance claim, do my premiums go up the next year like car insurance?<br />
</strong>A: Yes and just like automobile policies, the more claims you have, the higher the premium will be, as surcharges will start being added. Most insurance companies now have a “claims free” discount that they give insured’s who are claims-free for five or more years. This discount alone can save people hundreds of dollars on their home insurance.</p>
<p><strong>Q: I’m buying a rural property or acreage. How does this affect what kind of coverage I need?<br />
</strong>A: Most people think that homes that are in the country are cheaper in insurance which is not the case. A home that is in a rural area is most likely unprotected (no fire hydrants or fire halls nearby) which means that there is a surcharge to the policy. When writing up a new policy, the insurance company can locate the<br />
nearest hydrant or fire hall based on the postal code of the home. Sewer back up coverage is also an endorsement that can be added to a home policy if you have a septic tank.</p>
<p><strong>Q: I’m going out of town for a while. How often do I need to have someone check on my house? What if it’s a condo?<br />
</strong>A: If your home is going to be vacant for more than 30 consecutive days, the homeowner must notify the insurance company, as a vacancy permit must be added to the policy at an additional cost. The amount depends on the insurance company and how long the house will be vacant for. They will also need to have someone inspecting both the inside and the outside of the home at least 2-3 times a week (this also depends on the company but 2-3 times/week is what most require). It is also the obligation of the homeowner to make arrangements to have someone make sure the home looks “occupied” (eg. clearing the driveway/sidewalk when it snows). If the property is a condo, a vacancy permit must also be added if gone for more than 30 consecutive days, but the unit only needs to be inspected 1-2 times/week.</p>
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		<title>Spotlight on Calgary&#8217;s &#8220;Little Italy&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=128</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=128#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:47:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Feature Properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bridgeland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[condo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[feature property]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hospital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inner city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Little Italy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[live/work condo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mixed-use]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=128</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thirteen years ago this month, the General Hospital was demolished by implosion and left a huge hole in one of Calgary&#8217;s oldest inner-city neighbourhoods, Bridgeland. For those of you that didn&#8217;t live here in 1998, it&#8217;s worth watching on YouTube &#8211; quite a sight! Try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y4zCNv00OQ for the footage. In place of the hospital that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thirteen years ago this month, the General Hospital was demolished by implosion and left a huge hole in one of Calgary&#8217;s oldest inner-city neighbourhoods, Bridgeland. For those of you that didn&#8217;t live here in 1998, it&#8217;s worth watching on YouTube &#8211; quite a sight! Try <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y4zCNv00OQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y4zCNv00OQ</a> for the footage.</p>
<p><a title="Image Viewer" href="#001"><img id="ViewObject_2_0" class="alignleft" style="margin: 2px; border: 0px currentColor;" title="Pontefino" src="http://abmls.mlxchange.com/ALBImages/15/C3493519_101_12.jpg" alt="" name="ViewObject_2_0" width="240" height="187" border="0" /></a>In place of the hospital that had served Calgary since 1910, the city approved a mixed-use development. That&#8217;s a fancy term for condos, office and retail in one building. From 2004 to 2006, several buildings were completed on the land with a large green space, playground and community centre on the south edge of the development.</p>
<p>If you haven&#8217;t been to Bridgeland lately (or ever), take Edmonton Trail to 1 Ave NE and turn east. This community has turned into a functional, walkable and fun district with amenities to suit the inner-city lifestyle. From Starbucks (of course) to Heartland Cafe (my fave), you can get your java fix. Main Dish provides gourmet to-go meals. Yoga studios, chiropractic offices, banks, corner stores, great Italian restaurants and more complete the main drag of 1 Ave, but a short walk up Edmonton Trail will also get you to neighbourhood favourites Diner Deluxe or Over Easy for brunch.<a href="http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Capture.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-131" title="Bridgeland Map" src="http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Capture-300x148.jpg" alt="" width="346" height="171" /></a></p>
<p>Today&#8217;s feature is on a series of properties. The condos that house main floor retail space are beautiful, new, environmentally friendly buildings with a wide range of sizes and prices. In a nod to the neighbourhood&#8217;s Italian heritage, these attractive buildings have names such as Pontefino and Bella Cita.</p>
<p>One-bedroom units are available from 500-850 square feet and range from about $250,000-$300,000. All units contain in-suite laundry and underground parking. Two-bedroom units start in the low $300,000&#8242;s and range up to about $400K for the single-level condo style. Some buildings are concrete, some have in-floor heat and all provide great access to the nearby amenities and are a 10-minute walk (or 2-minute C-Train ride from nearby Zoo Station) to downtown Calgary.</p>
<p><a href="javascript:openFullImageView()"><img id="imgDetailPic" class="alignleft" style="margin: 2px; border: 0px currentColor;" title="The Olive" src="http://abmls.mlxchange.com/ALBImages/190/C3491134_101_12.jpg" alt="" name="imgDetailPic" width="251" height="144" border="0" /></a>Another fun option is the incredible live/work townhomes in a building called The Olive. These 3-storey units are zoned for office space so you can (legally) run a business out of the main floor. Signage is allowed on front doors. The top two levels feature gorgeous living space with two bedrooms and nicely appointed kitchens and bathrooms. Also included are roof-top patios and two parking stalls. The price range for these townhomes is about $700-750K and there is currently one on the market. They don&#8217;t come up often!</p>
<p>Great value, great lifestyle and so many options from which to choose. Call or email me if you&#8217;d like to find out more or book an appointment to view.</p>
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		<title>Go Green</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=120</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=120#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:13:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Feature Properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[19 Tom Hoppe Mews SW]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Garrison Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Listing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=120</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone loves Altadore and its neighbour Garrison Woods… award-winning community design, beautiful houses, great amenities, proximity to River Park, etc. Altadore’s lesser-known but equally fabulous sister is Garrison Green. This community was master planned by Canada Lands, just like Currie Barracks which is now under construction near the site of the former Calgary Farmers Market.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-121 alignleft" style="margin: 4px;" title="Map View" src="http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Map-View-286x300.jpg" alt="" width="182" height="196" />Everyone loves Altadore and its neighbour Garrison Woods… award-winning community design, beautiful houses, great amenities, proximity to River Park, etc. Altadore’s lesser-known but equally fabulous sister is Garrison Green. This community was master planned by Canada Lands, just like Currie Barracks which is now under construction near the site of the former Calgary Farmers Market. <a href="http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tomhopperesize.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-123" style="margin: 4px;" title="Living Room" src="http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tomhopperesize-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="229" height="167" /></a></p>
<p>Garrison Green is conveniently located on the NW corner of the intersection of Crowchild Trail and Glenmore Trail and is kiddie-corner to Mount Royal University. The entire community is newer construction (last 10 years) so you don’t have the inconsistency of some nearby neighbourhoods. There is a tasteful mix of condos, townhomes and single-family houses. Not only is Garrison Green a 10 minute drive to downtown Calgary, you can walk or cycle to Glenmore Park and enjoy the pathways around the reservoir.<a href="http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P1060196.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-122 alignleft" style="margin: 4px;" title="Exterior" src="http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P1060196-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="177" height="222" /></a></p>
<p>NOW FEATURING my listing at 19 Tom Hoppe Mews SW in Garrison Green (MLS C3490802). This house is gorgeous, immaculate and provides incredible value per square foot. Compared with Altadore, where the average price/square foot of current listings built in the last 10 years is $454, 19 Tom Hoppe Mews is priced at $759,900 for 2,435 square feet, or $312/square foot.</p>
<p>This home really has it all… five bedrooms, five bathrooms, fully finished basement, double attached garage, beautifully landscaped (no-maintenance) yard, high-end window coverings, cozy gas fireplace, large, open-concept kitchen and luxurious finishings throughout the home. Located on a no-through street with a south backyard, this is truly one of the nicest homes in the neighbourhood.</p>
<p>For more photos, details or to book an appointment to see this home, please call (403-852-0262) or email me. Tell your friends… this is great value!</p>
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		<title>The post-boom real estate market</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=105</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=105#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:14:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Calgary Statistics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2011]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[average price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[days on market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supply/demand]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=105</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Once upon a time there was a real estate boom in Calgary. Yes, it&#8217;s hard to believe it was over five years ago that the market started taking off like a rocket ship. January 2006 had a charming median single-family home price of $305,000. By September of the same year, that number would rise by [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Once upon a time there was a real estate boom in Calgary. Yes, it&#8217;s hard to believe it was over five years ago that the market started taking off like a rocket ship.</p>
<p>January 2006 had a charming median single-family home price of $305,000. By September of the same year, that number would rise by $80,000 or 26%. After a little lull at the end of 2006, the charge began again in 2007, rocketing the <em>median </em>price from $368,000 before the year began to its peak of $439,000 in June 2007.</p>
<p>The <em>average </em>price peak was in July 2007 at $505,000 &#8211; some of you will remember hearing in the news that we broke the half-million-dollar mark for average home prices. That was the one and only month that we have been above $500K.</p>
<p>Fast forward to 2008. This was a year that saw an incredible amount of supply &#8211; over 31,000 listings that year &#8211; with a very limited amount of demand &#8211; just 13,500 sales. That number was a huge drop off the 19,000+ sales in 2006 and 18,000+ in 2007. Obviously, this supply/demand combination added up to declining prices and increasing days on the market to sell.</p>
<p>2008 would begin the trend that has been in place for the past 3+ years where we see a strong spring market ranging anywhere from February to June, a lull in July/August, a slight pickup for September/October and then a cold snap from November to January. There are many factors that affect this trend &#8211; many of them quite logical. Most families want to move in the summer so their kids can start a new school in September. With a 30-90 day possession period, this would mean making an offer in the spring. July and August see many individuals and families out of town for holidays with less focus on real estate &#8211; we almost always see the market slow down as soon as Stampede starts.</p>
<p>September brings everyone back into town  but as the year starts to wind down, and the weather cools, Calgarians seem less inclined to look at houses and don&#8217;t want to be moving during the holiday season.</p>
<p>If you compare, for example, the numbers for the month of August in &#8217;08, &#8217;09, &#8217;10 and &#8217;11, the median single-family price was $398,000, $399,000, $395,000 and $402,000 respectively. Although Calgary is a dynamic city with many reasons for economic optimism, that hasn&#8217;t translated into real estate growth of late.  After homeowners revelling in their home values increasing 40+% in 2006-07, the last <em>four full years </em>of real estate stats have had only a 12.5% variance in the median price.</p>
<p>So when I&#8217;m asked the question, is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell? The answer comes down to your lifestyle. While some pessimistic speculators are predicting further drops in home prices, many others are predicting slow growth. Some industry insiders are even forecasting a substantial spike next spring.</p>
<p>We don&#8217;t &#8211; and can&#8217;t &#8211; know for sure when prices will go up or down, but we can look at the predictable trend of the last four years and take comfort in the fact that the Calgary market is, at worst, stable.</p>
<p>If you are moving to town, moving away, having a baby, kids moving out, getting married, getting divorced, getting a raise, getting a dog, tired of your current house, want to live in another neighbourhood, finally in position to buy your dream home or facing any other lifestyle issues, then yes, it can be a great time to move.</p>
<p>Interest rates are incredibly low, home prices are stable. Make your decision based on the life you want to create for yourself.</p>
<p>For more real estate stats or to chat further about how to achieve your lifestyle goals, call, email or text me!</p>
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		<title>How to Choose Your Next Home Inspector</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=101</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=101#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:05:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News & Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[building]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CAHPI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deficiencies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inspection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[licensing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mold]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[property inspector]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RHI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[structure]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=101</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks to Reinhard Thomas of Inspection Professionals for his guest column with great reference material on choosing an inspector and what to expect from an inspection. You can reach him at 403-650-5159 or inspectionprofessionals@shaw.ca with any questions. Enjoy! &#8211; Hiring a home inspector is a lot like buying organic food. You need to look behind the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks to Reinhard Thomas of Inspection Professionals for his guest column with great reference material on choosing an inspector and what to expect from an inspection. You can reach him at 403-650-5159 or <a href="mailto:inspectionprofessionals@shaw.ca">inspectionprofessionals@shaw.ca</a> with any questions. Enjoy!</p>
<p>&#8211;</p>
<p>Hiring a home inspector is a lot like buying organic food. You need to look behind the label to see exactly what you’re getting. Not every “organic” fruit comes from the Garden of Eden and not all “certified” home inspectors are the kind of people you should trust when spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home.</p>
<p>Home Inspection is a unique discipline requiring special training, knowledge and communication skills that differ substantially from those of other building trades.</p>
<ul>
<li>Presently there are no requirements for home inspectors to take any courses or to have passed any tests (Note from Amie: as per my previous blog, this is changing later this year). Anyone can say that they are a home inspector and there are many “home inspection cowboys” in the business with no proper training or certification. That is why it is important to choose an inspector wisely.</li>
<li>Do not hire an inspector because he/she is using specific tools such as an infra-red camera during the inspection process. These tools do have their applications but they are not useful for the purpose of a home inspection because of their limitations.</li>
<li>“Certified” home inspector does not mean that the inspector is knowledgeable. Franchises do train their own inspectors – often only for one week – and then “certify” them. Anyone can receive “certification” through self-administered tests taken on the Internet.</li>
<li>The only home inspector designation you can trust is <strong>RHI</strong>. It stands for <strong>R</strong>egistered <strong>H</strong>ome <strong>I</strong>nspector and it is a designation that not just anyone can claim. Only inspectors who’ve fulfilled specific professional and educational requirements can legally call themselves <strong>RHI</strong>. The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) grants this designation. CAHPI is the only home inspector association in Canada that is recognized by all authorities including the CMHC (Canadian Mortgage &amp; Housing Corporation).</li>
<li>Some of the requirements<strong> </strong>to become a<strong> RHI</strong> include the successful completion of several courses (approximately 400 hours of education) and the passing of 3 exams. After that a minimum of 250 inspections and inspection reports must be completed. These inspections and the reports are examined and verified by an independent committee of experts.</li>
<li><strong>RHI’s</strong> follow the CAHPI Standard of Practice and the Code of Ethics. They must carry errors and emission insurance.</li>
<li>Choose an <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">experienced</span></strong> <strong>RHI</strong> for your inspection. The more experienced a home inspectors is, the more he/she has seen during the inspections, the more likely it is that he/she will be able to detect any less-obvious problem. Experienced inspectors know where to look for problems and are in a better position to reduce the homebuyer&#8217;s risk.</li>
<li>Select inspectors which offer you the most comprehensive service and who include an inspection for visible mold, moisture and possible indoor air quality problems in their standard inspection.</li>
<li>Do not hire a home inspector based on the inspection price only. There are good reasons that some inspectors charge less for the service they provide. It does not pay to save $100 up front on a $500,000 purchase and then discover major problems with the home you just bought. When choosing your inspector, base your decision on professional qualification and experience only.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What to Expect from Your Next Home Inspection</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>You do have to sign an inspection agreement before or at the time of the inspection. This is an insurance requirement. The contract and the CAHPI Standard of Practice outline the limitations of the inspection. You have to be aware that limitations do exist.</li>
<li>A home inspection is a comprehensive, objective visual inspection of all readily accessible major systems and components of the home. It should make you aware of existing problems and potentially expensive repairs. It identifies major deficiencies and safety concerns.</li>
<li>The inspection complies with the Standards of Practice of the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors. It is to the benefit of the buyer to make him/herself familiar with these standards before the inspection. The standards are readily available at <a href="http://www.cahpi-alberta.com/">www.cahpi-alberta.com</a>. These standards are a minimum requirement for all inspections and all good home inspectors will exceed these standards.</li>
<li>The inspection is a snapshot of the home at the time of the inspection only, based on past performance of the home and structure.</li>
<li>Within 24 hours of the inspection you should receive a written inspection report with a clear description of all major deficiencies. The report should give the reason why a system or component is considered deficient and a recommendation to correct or monitor the recorded deficiency. It will also point out the components, which are at or near the end of their expected service lives.</li>
<li>The inspector should provide you with free, unlimited follow up and answer any questions you might have.</li>
<li>The home inspector will not make the buying decision for you. He will provide you with the information that you need to help make that decision wisely.</li>
<li>You will benefit most from your inspection if you attend and participate in the inspection. A home inspection should be educational and provide information and maintenance requirements specific to the house. It is also a good time to become familiar with the home.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What NOT to Expect from Your Next Home Inspection</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Not a building code inspection.</li>
<li>Not a tool for the buyer to renegotiate the price without a good reason.</li>
<li>Not intended to point out every small defect.</li>
<li>Not a guarantee warranty or insurance policy of any kind.</li>
<li>Not the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">OPINION</span></strong> of the inspector but only comments on the visible <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FACTS.</span></strong></li>
</ul>
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		<title>Press Release &#8211; Good News for Home Inspections in Alberta!</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=95</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=95#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2011 16:24:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News & Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2011]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inspection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[licensing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[property inspector]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[standards]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=95</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Home inspectors, who play a vital role in every home purchase, have received some bad press over the years. This generally happens when an inspector gives a home the thumbs-up, but when the buyers move in, they uncover a multitude of (often expensive) problems. To avoid this kind of situation, the Alberta government finally took a step [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Home inspectors, who play a vital role in every home purchase, have received some bad press over the years.</p>
<p>This generally happens when an inspector gives a home the thumbs-up, but when the buyers move in, they uncover a multitude of (often expensive) problems.</p>
<p>To avoid this kind of situation, the Alberta government finally took a step in the right direction by announcing licensing and standards for home inspectors in the province. The announcement was made this month, but the rules come into effect September 1. Thorough education requirements translate to more professional inspections.</p>
<p>Read the full press release <a href="http://http://www.alberta.ca/acn/201105/30398E54ACD32-D2FE-E300-6C6E9C6A37708D50.html#backgrounder">here</a>.</p>
<p>I was happy to see that errors and omissions insurance will now be mandatory for home inspectors. All inspectors are human and can make mistakes, but a small percentage can be downright negligent, lazy or rushed. Either way, you are covered. Making an insurance claim is a lot simpler than trying to take an inspector to small claims court.</p>
<p>(Note: Realtors also carry errors and omissions insurance. This is one the valuable benefits you receive when buying or selling real estate with a licensed agent.)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the added cost of education, licensing and insurance for inspectors may be passed down to the consumer. Don&#8217;t be surprised if you see the price tag of an inspection rise over the next couple of years. However, a $500 inspection can save you thousands of dollars and possibly hundreds of hours of your time that would be spent if you purchased a seriously flawed house. Whether it&#8217;s a century-old character home or brand-new construction, I always recommend obtaining a home inspection. It&#8217;s a great way to learn about the systems and structure of your home, if nothing else.</p>
<p>Thanks to Reinhard Thomas of Inspection Professionals for keeping me up-to-date on happenings in the inspection world. More from Reinhard in my next blog with &#8220;How to Choose Your Home Inspector&#8221;. In the meantime, you can direct any questions to <a href="mailto:inspectionprofessionals@shaw.ca">inspectionprofessionals@shaw.ca</a> or 403-650-5159.</p>
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		<title>The good, the bad and the numbers!</title>
		<link>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=84</link>
		<comments>http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=84#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:22:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amie Hautz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Calgary Statistics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 stats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[average price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[forecast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage rules]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://riverliferealestate.com/blog/?p=84</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As Calgary continues to inch its way out of the recessionary lows, here&#8217;s a quick look back at how the real estate market did in 2010. Bad: We had the lowest number of single-family sales in Calgary since 1995 (12,095)! Good: The average single-family price throughout the year ($461,144) was higher than both 2008 ($460,327) [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As Calgary continues to inch its way out of the recessionary lows, here&#8217;s a quick look back at how the real estate market did in <strong>2010</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Bad</strong>: We had the lowest number of single-family sales in Calgary since 1995 (12,095)!</p>
<p><strong>Good</strong>: The average single-family price throughout the year ($461,144) was higher than both 2008 ($460,327) and 2009 ($442,327).</p>
<p><strong>Bad</strong>: The average days on market for a single-family home to sell in December 2010 was 59 (62 for condos), the highest number in 23 months!</p>
<p><strong>Good</strong>: The number of new listings really tapered off toward the end of the year, helping to balance out the market.</p>
<p><strong>Bad</strong>: The Bank of Canada tightened mortgage rules last spring, making it more difficult to qualify for a new mortgage or to refinance.</p>
<p><strong>Good</strong>: Interest rates remained low throughout the year, easing mortgage payments for all of us and helping first-time buyers get into the market.</p>
<p>Overall, the average price for both single family houses and condos increased during the spring months of 2010, then decreased from about May through the end of the year. The average prices for January and December are within $200 dollars of each other.</p>
<p>And now, onto <strong>2011</strong>&#8230;</p>
<p><strong>Bad</strong>: We saw a huge influx of new listings in January (and so far in February), which, without a comparable increase in sales, can lead to an oversupply in the market.</p>
<p><strong>Good</strong>: Prices are on the rise. The average price for single family sales so far in February ($457,388) is up almost 4% over the average price to close out 2010 ($441,341).</p>
<p><strong>Bad</strong>: More mortgage rule changes this spring are making it even more difficult for buyers to qualify.</p>
<p><strong>Good</strong>: Average days on market to sell is down significantly &#8211; now 45 days for single family and 53 for condos.</p>
<p>Overall, muted optimism is in the air for 2011. At the Calgary Real Estate Board forecast held last month, they predicted a 4% increase in single-family prices and a 2% increase in condo prices. The number of sales is forecast to increase as well, up 20% for single-family homes and 16% for condos.</p>
<p>Homes that are priced well in today&#8217;s market are selling, so if you are thinking about making a move, call me to discuss the best strategy and pricing for your home.</p>
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