All Blog Entries by Justin Havre

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Found 161 blog entries published by Justin Havre.

What You Should Know About Floor Plans When House HuntingThe floor plan of a Bayview home has a lot to do with how it's used on a daily basis. While open floor plans are popular in homes currently, there are pros and cons both closed- and open-concept house layouts. No matter the intended use of a home, buyers should be aware of the different floor plan types and the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

Open-Concept Homes

Likely the most popular and modern of the list, the idea of an open-home concept is to create a breathable space where light can splash in from every corner. Builders take full advantage of this plan by experimenting with skylights and different types of windows. Buyers can identify an open-concept home because there will be multiple exit paths from single rooms. For example, the

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Tips for Creating a Solid Home Buying BudgetIt's no secret investing in an Altadore-Garrison home is a decision that will impact a family for years to come, and being able to pay for what is needed must be considered first and foremost when developing a home buying budget. Use these tips to create a workable financial plan before buying a home in Canada.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Calculate a Realistic Price Range

Nothing can drain away the joy and security of homeownership like falling behind on payments and other obligations that accompany it. Setting a realistic range of mortgage payments one can afford while balancing lifestyle needs and other bills can be the difference

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What to Know Buying a Home in an Age-Restricted CommunityBuying a home in an age-restricted community is different from buying a home in a typical West Hillhurst neighborhood. Age-restricted communities bring together seniors in a place where they can enjoy the company of their peers. Often, age-restricted communities also have amenities like pools, recreation rooms and community rooms.

These benefits are not free, and many people who are buying in an age-restricted community should be aware of the application process, HOA fees, and other rules that often accompany these communities. If you're a senior who is thinking about purchasing property in an age-restricted community, here's what you need to know.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before

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4 Real Estate Property Types to Know When Buying a HomeWhen buying a home, it can seem like there are a million options for prospective Apsen Woods homeowners to pursue. Before homeowners can decide what home they want, first they have to decide what type of home they want. Here are a few different types of homes to consider for your next residence.

Single-Family Homes

Single-family homes are the classic home option for homeowners. These homes are defined as a structure housing a single family without connecting to any other homes or living spaces. This is the most common real estate property type, which allows owners to have full control of their property.

Because homeowners with single-family homes have full control of the house and the surrounding land, they have full control over what happens

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How to Give an Earnest Money DepositAn earnest money deposit is also called an initial deposit, and it's typically made to show the seller just how serious a buyer is. There are several things to note before handing over several thousands of dollars though. Not only can earnest money deposits tie up money, which could otherwise be used for a more suitable property, but there is a possibility the earnest money deposit can be lost to the seller. Learn more about what it takes to navigate this process so it's mutually beneficial to City Centre home buyers and sellers.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

The Basics

Earnest money is not required for home sales, and it's entirely negotiable. It's

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Mortgage Mistakes All Buyers Need to KnowAll Varsity buyers need a mortgage if they don’t plan on buying with cash. For this reason, mortgages are extremely important to the home buying process, so it’s extremely important to do everything correctly. However, there are a lot of mistakes that are easy to make while applying for a mortgage or trying to purchase a home with a mortgage. Here are some of the common mistakes home buyers make regarding mortgages and how they can be avoided.

Getting Pre-Qualified, Not Pre-Approved

The first step to buying a new home is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. However, the first step to getting pre-approved for a mortgage is to get pre-qualified. Unfortunately, the names of these steps are quite similar, and that similarity often leads to buyers

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4 Great Lighting Ideas For Your HomeWhen decorating an Upper Mount Royal home , most people think almost exclusively about furniture. Sofas and tables and chairs are all extremely important for completing a home’s unique look, but homeowners often don’t think very much about lighting beyond an accent lamp or two. Lighting is extremely important in homes, as it can drastically change the mood in a room and give it a new feeling with very little work. Here are some popular ways to use lighting in different rooms around the home that homeowners should try playing around with and using in their own homes.

Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Lighting in a kitchen is extremely important because no one wants any accidents to occur while making dinner due to not having enough light. For kitchens, a

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4 Things You Need to Know When Hiring an AgentWhether buying your first home or selling a home, everyone should hire a real estate agent in order to get the best experience possible. However, it can be difficult for buyers and sellers to know which real estate agent is right for them. There are so many different agents all marketing themselves as the best, but not every agent is the best for every buyer or seller. When Varsity Calgary homeowners are looking for a real estate agent to work with, here are some things to keep in mind.

Read Reviews from Past Clients

Just about all real estate agents and agencies will have a page on their website dedicated to client testimonials to tell everyone how great they are. If a testimonial page can’t be found on their website or Facebook page (some

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If You're Organizing Your Garage, Here's What You Should KnowIt's good to organize your West Hillhurst garage every so often because garages can so easily become messy and cluttered. Particularly if you want to put your car in the garage, or if you want to sell your home soon, it's smart to get your garage organized and tidy. These tips can help.

Make a Plan

For any home improvement project, having a plan in place before beginning the work makes it easier to get through the job. To make a plan, answer the following questions:

  • What is the goal?
  • What is in the garage that can go?
  • What should be kept?
  • What needs to be organized?
  • How many people need to help?
  • How long should this take?
  • Which tools will be needed to do the job?

It's not always necessary to have a written plan in

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4 Things You Should Know About Tiny HomesThe exact opposite of the McMansion, the newest trend in housing is the tiny home. A tiny home is a home that is 500 square feet or smaller. They are often mobile, so homeowners can hitch them to a truck and move them, and they are usually a fraction of the cost of a traditional home. Because of this, many people are tempted to buy their own tiny home. However, tiny homes may have some issues that buyers need to know before investing in one. Here is what every buyer interested in tiny homes should know before they purchase one.

Tiny Homes Often Don’t Have Traditional Plumbing

When a Varsity Calgary home is 500 square feet or smaller, there isn’t a lot of space for the traditional things homeowners like having, such as plumbing. Normal flushing

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