Let's Talk Real Estate

June 8, 2016 Shootin’ the Breeze Page 9Distributed weekly to Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and surrounding communities

Established in 1977Let our 39 years of

experience benefit you!

* New houses for sale* General contracting* Build with confidence

Mountain View Heights Subdivision – Lots for SaleBuilders Welcome

Geroconstruction.comalbertaportablebuildings.com

403-339-5356 – Sheldon Boese 403-627-9256 – Darren Boese403-627-5356 – Office – 1375 Hunter Street, Pincher Creek

403-562-8822 1-800-361-8658

12731 20th Avenue Blairmore

[email protected]

Protect YourBiggest

Investment –

YOUR HOME

Talk to our brokers about the besthome insurance coverage for your family

www.crowsnestinsurance.com

Let’s TalkREAL ESTATE

Buying or selling a home is one of life’s largest transactions.

Learn how local businesses can help you with all steps along the way in this special supplement

that runs from page 9 to page 17.

Page 10 Shootin’ the Breeze June 8, 2016 Distributed weekly to Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and surrounding communities

IF YOU COULD PAY LESS FOR BETTER QUALITY, WOULD YOU?

At Rivers End Construction Inc. we strive to offer just that, quality workmanship for a fair price

We can help to make your plans a reality or

help you design from scratchShed/Garage Packages

Farm BuildingsComplete Interior/Exterior Renovations

New ConstructionWindows/Doors

Call Chad403-892-9586

Seniors Discount Available!

Before and After Bathroom Reno

Before

After After


See HOME BUYERS' PLAN, continued on page 12

How much can you afford to spend?

1. Get a pre-approved mortgage.

2. Determine which type of dwelling suits your lifestyle, taste and budget (condo, detached or semi-detached).

3. Inquire about any affordable-home-owner-ship programs in your community.

4. Select a real estate agent with good refer-ences and who you know you can trust.

5. Begin your search for the home of your dreams and start visiting. Your real estate agent will help set that up for you.

6. Make an offer to purchase when you find the home you want to buy and establish any purchase conditions.

7. Have the home inspected by a professional home inspector.

8. Buy home insurance.

9. Finalize the transaction.

10. Move in and make this house your home.

You’d like to set a budget in order to pur-chase a condominium, house or any other type of home, but you don’t know where to start? The maximum purchase price you can pay depends on several factors. Here are some guidelines to help you.

First, calculate all your monthly house-hold expenses, including housing, communi cations, entertainment, savings, insurance, health care and transportation. The more real istically you record your expenses, the better your idea of what you can pay towards a house.

Next, you need to det er mine the exact amount of all your debts. Mort gage len ders will ask you for this informa-tion, so be prepared. Now note all the costs of buying and owning a property, such as a home

in spection, transfer tax and a notary or lawyer’s fees. Cal cul ate how much of a down payment you can come up with.

Keep in mind the federal guideline that says you shouldn’t let your monthly housing costs (mortgage, interest, taxes and heating) exceed 28 per cent of your average gross monthly income. Gener-ally, your debt-to-income ratio (the total amount you spend each month to repay all your debts, including housing) shouldn’t exceed 36 per cent of your average gross monthly income.

If you would like to have more information

about your mortgage eligibility or about your ability to pay, visit the website of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Cor p.

A step-by-stepguide to

home buyingStart saving early for your first down payment.

What is the Home Buyers' Plan?Are you thinking about becoming a home-

owner for the very first time but concerned about financing this major investment? The Home Buyers’ Plan could be the perfect solu-tion.

HBP 101The federal government’s HBP allows you to

withdraw up to $25,000 from your registered retirement savings plan to finance the purchase or construction of a home. You can withdraw a single amount or make a series of withdrawals during the same calendar year, pro vided that the total of your withdrawals does not exceed $25,000. In either case, you won’t pay tax on the amount withdrawn from your RRSP. However,

take note that contributions must have been held in your RRSP at least 90 days before they can be withdrawn under the HBP.

Typically, you have up to 15 years to repay to your RRSPs the amounts you withdrew from them under the HBP. You must begin re paying them in the second year following the year of the withdrawal, according to a determined amount that you will pay an nually. You don’t want to stretch your payments over 15 years? You can repay the full amount of your with-drawal at any time.


HOME BUYERS' PLAN, continued from page 11

Real Estate Centre is growing

403-562-284413013 - 20 Ave Blairmore

crowsnestrealestatecentre.comREALESTATECEN

2121 - 130 STREET,BLAIRMORE

• Attractively renovated 3 bed, 2 bath• Beautifully landscaped 75x115 lot• Prime location, 1.5 blocks from river• Room for RV parking• Double car garage

$ 245,500

MLS®

LYNNETTE MELOM

403-563-0222

CLIFFMELOM

403-583-5565

2809 - 80 STREET, COLEMAN• 4 bed, 3 bath in Pineview Subdivision• Large wrap around deck• Scenic mountain views• Includes wood-burning fireplace• Numerous upgrades

LYNNETTE MELOM 403-563-0222

$ 305,000

MLS®

26 W - 1 AVE N, LOT 9, HILL SPRING• 110’x120’ residential lots• Serviced for sewer and water• 20 min. to Waterton Park and U.S. border• Three other lots available

MARTHA PARIDAEN 403-628-2355

NEW

$ 49,000

MLS®

6970 - 17 AVENUE, COLEMAN• 1.5 storey 1035 sq. ft. home, 4 bed, 2 bath• Fully-developed basement with large family room• Large 24’x12’ screen sun room• Oversized 28’x30’ garage, finished & heated• Fully fenced yard LYNNETTE MELOM 403-563-0222

$ 219,000

MLS®

13209 - 18 AVENUE,BLAIRMORE

• Charming 3 bed, 1 bath home• Upgraded kitchen with oak cabinets• Oak closet in porch for storage• Close to all amenities

$ 149,000

MLS®

LYNNETTE MELOM

403-563-0222

CLIFFMELOM

403-583-5565

20609 - 25 AVENUE, BELLEVUE• Three bed, 2 bath character home• On desired Dairy Road• Completely renovated and re-insulated• 32’ x 28’ insulated/heated garage


NEW

$ 345,000

MLS®

NEW

5265 - 20 AVENUE, COLEMAN• Log home with panoramic view on 1.59 acres• Wrap around deck and walkout basement• New furnace & filtration system• 24’ x 12’ garage with water supply


NEW

$ 299,000

MLS®

PENDING

20525 - 25 AVENUE, BELLEVUE• 3 bed, 2 bath character home• Recent upgrades• Newly finished walkout basement• Single car garage and extra parking


$ 242,500

MLS®

The HBPTo participate in the HBP, you

must meet the following condi-tions:

• Be a resident of Canada at the time of the withdrawal.

• Be considered a first-time home buyer; that is to say, you must not have owned a home over the previous four years. You should also not have lived in a property owned by your spouse or your common-law partner.

• Have a written agreement to buy or build a qualifying home. A pre-approved mortgage is not enough.

• Have the intention of using the qualifying home as your main residence during the year following

the purchase or construction. You need to build or buy your home before Oc t. 1 of the year following the year of the withdrawal. If you build a home, the government con-siders the date it becomes habitable as the date of construction.

For more information, visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca.

Is your property eligible for the HBP?

Naturally, your home has to be in Ca nada in order to be eligible. Qua li fying ho mes include single

family, semi-detached, row or mobile; apartments in duplexes, triplexes, qua drap lexes or apart-

ment buildings; condos and, in some cases, shares in a

hou sing co-operative.

Submitted by Real Estate CentreWe are your locally owned real estate company and, since open-

ing last year, we have expanded our team to provide you with extra resources to buy or sell your home.

We are your source for real estate in Crowsnest Pass and the sur-rounding area.

If you are looking to buy or sell your home and want to avoid feel-ing overwhelmed, we have the tools to help you.

Our team of experienced Realtors are happy to lead you through the process of buying the home that’s right for you and your family.

Thinking of selling? Then let our team use their experience and marketing tools to turn For Sale into Sold.

Call us today, at 403-562-2844, to speak to one of our team. We’re here to help!

There’s more to see onlinewww.shootinthebreeze.ca


Real estate agents are a great solution for home buyers

Each office independently owned and operated

www.crowsnestpassrecproperties.ca

John Redekopp403-651-4142

Terrific mountain townhouse in convenient Blairmore location, walking distance to all services. Extensive use of fir creates a warm, inviting mountain feel throughout this home. Maple hardwood adorns the main floor. The living room has a cozy gas fireplace and walks out to the NW-facing balcony. Huge kitch-en with cherry cabinets and granite counter tops. Upstairs has 3 bedrooms and a laundry room. Wake up to the great mountain view in the large master bedroom with a walk-in closet and 4-piece ensuite. In the lower level can be found the 4th bedroom and access to the heated double garage. $385,000

Great building lot in unique Bellevue Location. Utility services are located at the lot line. This very large pro-tected lot is steps away from Fireman’s Park and the community trail. Fantastic spot for the avid outdoor enthusiast to build that mountain getaway. $60,000

Affordable luxury can be found in this terrific bunga-low townhome. Built with attention to detail, this show home offers 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, vaulted ceilings, granite countertops and beautiful hardwood floors throughout the main floor. Open kitchen with stain-less steel appliances including a gas range and island with breakfast bar. The fully-developed basement has a huge family room roughed-in for a gas fireplace, 2 bedrooms and 4 piece bath. $350,000

Research, visits, negotiations and paperwork: buying a property can be complex, especially for first-time buyers. To avoid making mistakes, you’re much better off using the ser-vices of a real estate agent who will protect your interests. After all, this is a major in vestment you’re about to make.

Doing business with real estate agents has many advantages. They handle all legal as pects of the complex real estate transaction and accompany you through each step of the buying process. In addition to receiving expert advice, you will be able to take ad vantage of their wide network of contacts in order to find the other professio nals whose services you need, such as a building inspector, a no tary or lawyer or a mortgage broker.

It also makes finding the perfect home easier. Realtors have access to

numerous tools for finding the property that best meets your needs. They ensure that you have all the documents necessary to evaluate the property, including the complete list-ing, the property survey or certificate of location and tax bill. Their neutral perspective could also be valuable when you fall in love with a property that isn’t really what you’re looking for. They’ll help you think twice before you make a decision.

Because of their experience and market knowledge, real estate agents can help buyers determine the right price to offer for the property they are inte rested in. Depending on the province you live in, you may also be protected by law if you use the

services of an agent. In short, working with a real estate agent to buy a property is a smart

move. So why de prive yourself?

ONLY 10 MORE PAYMENTS ...Let’s do some

mortgage planningbefore your

house falls down.

[email protected]

12707 - 20 Ave Blairmore

www.loangoddess.ca

Rae Steil, B.ED, AMP

Mortgage Planner


Do you have enough home insurance?

Take the time to draw up an inventory of assets before tak-ing out a home insurance policy.

Longer selling times, fierce competition and low prices: things are tough for sellers in a buyer’s market. The homes for sale outnumber the potential buyers, who have plenty of properties to choose from and all the time in the world to do it. How can you, a seller, stand out in this type of environment? Here are some tips to help you sell your property in a buyer’s market.

1. Set a competitive selling priceFor a real estate transaction to succeed, you have to adapt to the mar-

ket. When buyers are few and far between, you might choose to lower the selling price a bit or keep a smaller negotiating margin. In other words, you have to advertise an asking price that is more likely to attract potential buyers. You may also have to accept the fact that you’ll get less money than you’d hoped for your property. However, that might be better than being stuck with your house, especially if you have already bought another home and you can’t pay for them both simultaneously.

2. Offer an attractive productIt’s no big secret: to attract potential buyers

you need to offer a product that can compete

with other similar pro perties available in your area. It’s in your best interest to compete in terms of price and in how you differentiate yourself from other homes in your neighbourhood. Look for what sets your property apart from the others (lo cation, view, pool or fireplace) and emphasize it.

You can also put the odds in your favour by making your property as attractive and welco ming as possible. Do some fix-up work if ne cessary, and follow home staging guidelines: put extraneous things away, declutter and de perso nalize the rooms. Make sure the photos of your home show it off to advantage. Work with a real estate agent to make sure the marketing strategy is satisfactory and that your home has good visibility.

3. Stay tuned to any changesThe real estate market is constantly chan-

ging, so you need to monitor the activity in your area on an ongoing basis. If you’ve taken into account the selling price of recently sold properties in your neighbourhood, you now have to make sure your asking price remains competitive over time. That means keeping track of new homes on the market, as well as their selling prices, so you can adjust your price accordingly.

Three tips for selling in a buyer's market

Perhaps your aunt has recently left you some jewelry in her will, or maybe your CD collection has grown to an impressive size. Or, it might be that you’ve finally decided to purchase the ultimate in road bikes. The question is, are the contents of your house worth more than they used to be? If so, you should check your home in surance cove rage. It’s possible that the value of your assets is more than the amount your insurance company would give you in case of a fire, theft or other disaster.

There are set limits in all home insurance pol-icies. A limit is the maximum amount of money you would receive if you were the victim of theft, fire or other type of da mage. While certain assets are only subject to limits if stolen (jewelry, furs, collectibles, bicycles, CDs, DVDs), ot her pos-

sessions have limited coverage no matter what type of claim you file, such as animals, software and banknotes. If you don’t know what limits are stipula ted in your home in surance policy, be sure to contact your insurer. You can in crease your coverage to an ap propriate level if you believe that an asset is worth more than the va lue indica-ted in your policy.

Whether you rent or own your home, you should always take the time to make an inventory of your as sets be fore taking out a home in surance po licy. At the same time, you could also take photographs or make a vi deo of the objects you va lue. Not only will this inventory simplify the process if you have to file a claim, but you’ll also be able to identify all the

assets that need to have their value in creased in your insurance policy. Think about it!


Five advantages to organizing an open house

We Buy Houses

• Foreclosure• Can’t sell your house• Listing expired• Going through a divorce• Behind on payments

• Job relocation/transfer• Estate sale• Tired of being a landlord• House needs major repairs

if you’re facing any of these problems:

• Buy your house ‘as is’• Pay cash for your house• Help you avoid foreclosure• Help you avoid bankruptcy

• We can close quickly• Handle the paperwork• We charge no commissions• You choose when to move

here’s what we can do for you!

$500 cash rewardDo you know someone who needs to sell their

house quickly and could use our service?We can help by providing creative solutions unique to solving their problem. Best of all,

when you refer a seller to us, and we buy their property, we will pay you $500 CASH!

It’s a win-win situation when we do business

Hot Property Investments.ca

David & Danielle Tetachuk 403-627-8353

Want to invest in real estate without the

hassle?CALL US!

Are you undecided about organizing an open house to stir up interest in the sale of your home? Here are five good reasons to convince you.

1. You’ll save valuable time by meet-ing lots of visitors on the same day.

2. You’ll attract potential buyers who would not necessarily have visited your property under different circumstances.

3. You’ll show potential buyers that your home generates interest.

4. You’ll increase the visibility of your home in the neighbourhood.

5. You can get a feel for the market by asking for the views of the various visitors. This will allow you to make adjustments as needed.

So, when is your open house?

Have you decided to sell your home and want to organize an open house to launch its appearance on the market? These tips may come in useful.

• Advertise the event as much as possible with newspaper ads, posters, bulletin boards and online social networks.

• Prepare relevant documents ahead of time, including fact sheets, photos, evaluation and municipal taxes, inspection reports and certifi-cate of location.

• Be prepared to answer any questions. What year was the roof redone? How much are the prop-erty taxes? Have you done any renovations lately? How many pre-vious owners have there been?

• Put away any valuables.

• Make sure your property looks its best inside and outside. Put any pets outdoors and air out the house.

• Greet visitors upon arrival and be available to answer their ques-tions, but avoid putting pressure on them in any way.

• Take note of visitors’ contact information in order to follow up after the visit.

Don’t hesitate to ask visitors for their impressions. One advantage of an open house is the possibility of knowing the visitors’ opinions. That way you’ll be able to make any necessary adjustments.

Tips for a successful open house


Inspired Mountain Living

Proud Builders of Ironstone LookoutIn Crowsnest Pass and Area We Offer: • Custom Mountain Homes • Renovations (Residential & Commercial) • All your building and project needs

403-564-0007 [email protected] Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 59 Ironstone Dr. Coleman

GET A HOME INSURANCE

QUOTE NOW!

See how affordable great coverage can be

403-627-4211 1300 Hewetson Avenue

Ranchland Mall Pincher Creek

Submitted by Burrows Building Corp.The decision to call Crowsnest Pass home for Brenda and Greg Lach was

a simple one. “Our grandkids are here!” laughs Brenda, a retired registered nurse.

Indeed, a framed collage of the Lach’s three young grandchildren is on prominent display in the entryway of their recently completed Ironstone home in Coleman.

Like many prospective homeowners, Brenda and Greg weighed their options before setting down roots in Crowsnest Pass. The retired couple moved from Ontario to be closer to family but still wanted to make sure they had a space to call their own.

“At our age,” says Greg, retired from IBM, “we felt it could be too costly and difficult to build on our own.”

By purchasing a home at Ironstone Lookout in Coleman, the Lachs were able to customize their two-storey townhouse to suit their tastes.

With two bedrooms upstairs and two bed-rooms downstairs, they’ve got plenty of space when their grandkids come over to visit.

Ironstone Lookout is just one of the many projects spearheaded by local construction com-

pany Burrows Building Corp. Other projects include custom home-builds and residential and commercial renovations.

Andrew Fairhurst, managing director with Burrows, says, “One of our favourite things about building homes is building the relationship with the client that enables you to deliver goals and vision for their home.”

“We’re happy with our decision to go this route,” says Greg. “We had a good experience with the process and we’re very happy with the loca-tion.”

In fact, the Lachs are enjoying Ironstone’s “maintenance-free mountain living” so much that Greg no longer has a use for his snowblower or lawnmower.

“I’ve got them both for sale!” he says with a laugh. “It’s nice not having to worry about snow removal.”

Brenda and Greg say they are enjoying Crows-nest Pass and looking forward to volunteering within the community, hiking, and enjoying sleepovers and camping trips with their grand-kids.

“The grandkids were the biggest reason we came, but it’s not hard to look at the mountains, either,” says Greg.

Homeowners find happiness in Crowsnest Pass

Brenda and Greg Lach are proud homeowners at Iron-stone Lookout in Coleman. Here, they are shown with Koral Lazzarotto of Burrows Building, whose office is conveniently located on-site. According to the Lachs, having the builder so accessible was “a nice perk.”


Why you should inspect before you buy

SPRING PROMOTION$45 off your home inspection packageOnly $405 for one of the most extensive home inspections in the industry

Certified professional home inspector (CPI)Extensive experience in home renovation

Licensed by the Province of AlbertaFormal education in civil engineering technologies

www.greatplainshomeinspections.com 403-894-2883Book your inspection through our website and see which package is right for you!

Available 7 days a

week

Naked Windows?Let us dress them!

Cheri Bobyk 403-627-4782www.nakedwindows.ca

Paul Cummings – Alberta Home Inspector Crowsnest Pass – Pincher Creek

403-459-9494info@cnphomeinspections.comwww.cnphomeinspections.com

LET ME DO YOUR HOME WORK

Whether you’re buying or selling, WE CAN HELP!Put our weekly distribution

of 2,400+ print copies to work for you!

Pincher CreekJESSICA JENSEN

403-904-2227

Crowsnest PassERIN FAIRHURST

403-563-8673

You’ve found a house you’d like to buy? What is the condition of its roof, foundation, heating and air conditioning systems, electrics, plumb-ing, insulation, ventilation, in terior and exterior walls and ceilings? That is what a home inspec-tion is for. It tells you what kind of shape the physical structure is in as well as the condition of the systems installed in it. The most import-ant thing is to detect major flaws that could reduce the building’s value or pose a risk of danger in the future.

Consequently, when the inspector gives you this report, you’ll know the exact state of the home you’ve set your heart on and you can predict the cost of any necessary maintenance work that needs to be

done in the foreseeable future. If the house will require some urgent and expensive work, such as re-roofing, you can use the report as leverage in demanding that the necessary repairs be done or in negotiating a lower selling price.

If you made an offer conditional to a satisfac-tory inspection which then reveals a de fect, you can withdraw from the transaction without a problem. In the case of a hidden defect, the inspection report will show that you took all the necessary precau-tions at the time of purchase.

In short, having the property of your dreams inspected before you buy it is the best way to avoid unpleasant sur-prises and unexpec ted expenses.

Have the home of your dreams inspected before buying it so your dream doesn't turn into a night-mare.

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