Home Buying Blogs – Calgary

Having insurance on a home is a good way to protect the investment in it. Because a home is generally the biggest purchase a person will ever make, it is vital that they protect it and keep it safe. While it is not always possible to control what physically happens to the home, it is possible to control how much financial damage a problem with the home causes. Insurance is designed to reduce the financial liability and risk to the homeowner, and by doing that there is a higher chance that homeowner will have security and peace of mind in their home for years to come.

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

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

Home insurance

Most property owners are attracted to condos primarily because they're less expensive than a single-family home. However, there are far more reasons to choose (or not choose) a condo beside price. Whether or not a condo is right for a homeowner depends entirely on the circumstances and the priorities of the future owner, so learn more about what to consider before making the final decision to buy a condo.

Budgets and Locations

Purchasing a condo has the potential to be a very cost-effective solution for those keeping a sharp eye on their budget. Larger condos may offer the same square footage as a single-family home for less, and they give people downsizing from a larger home a chance to remain property owners without an exorbitant mortgage.

The construction industry has moved along at its own pace when it comes to adapting different kinds of technology, even as breakthrough after breakthrough debuted on the market. However, residential builders are starting to recognize how new advancements can save them time and money in the home construction process. Whether an individual is planning to build or remodel their home in the future or they're just curious about the shifting methods of home construction, it's useful to know the trends to better predict the future of the residential building industry.

The Scouting Process

Scouting for the best locations to build has long been a time-consuming process for many builders. Not only are photos typically insufficient to get the full scope

Insulation in a home serves to keep warm air in during the cooler weather months and cooler air in during warm weather months. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save up to 20% on their heating and cooling bills with proper insulation. Not only can insulation make a home more comfortable and save on energy, it can keep HVAC systems from working so hard, often resulting in a longer life for heating and air conditioning equipment.

Insulation is one of those home improvements that can pay for itself. How is the effectiveness of insulation determined and what type of insulation is best for a particular home?

The Role of R-Value

R-Value is the thermal resistance rating of a particular type of insulating material. The

There are many advantages to buying a home. Canadian residents can avoid having to pay increasing rents and often have more flexibility in making improvements to a home that they own rather than rent. Enjoying a fenced in property can be useful for homeowners with active young children, pets or who enjoy entertaining often.

This may be a good time to grab up an affordable residential property in some parts of Canada. Before getting a heart set on a dream home, understand more about what it takes to get approved for a home mortgage. As many potential homeowners cannot afford to pay cash in full to purchase a home, it is important to know about what areas may require more attention before taking out a home mortgage loan. A high credit score can

Buyers spend so much time saving for the down payment, they may not realize how much in closing costs they will also have to pay. This guide identifies common closing costs buyers should expect to have ready before they complete the sale.

Home Inspection and Appraisal

One of the most important aspects of the home buying process is the home inspection. This is a thorough check of the structure of the home and its systems to confirm that everything is in working order and generally good condition. Home buyers typically have to pay for the home inspection. The appraisal is equally vital to the sale, as it confirms for the lender that the sale price does not exceed the home's fair market value. The lender may pay for the appraisal, but home

For a seller, a seller’s market is the ideal time to put their home up for sale. It means that there are far more buyers looking to purchase a new home than there are homes available, which in turn means that prices are likely to be driven up by the demand. However, for buyers, a seller’s market can be tricky not only because there’s more competition, but because many of the normal guidelines for buying a home no longer apply. Here are five essential tip every home buyer needs to know when trying to purchase a home in a seller’s market.

1. View Homes As Soon As Possible

When it comes to home showings, most people like to do them on weekends when there aren’t as many obligations to juggle. However, in a seller’s market, waiting until the

There's quite a bit of heavy consideration that should be put into determining whether buying a house in Canada versus renting is the right step to take next on life's journey. Many potential buyers approach the subject with the mentality that “it needs to be a solid buyers market” before taking that step. Others just want a change of scenery as they attempt to find a find a dream home amid a surreal environment. Whatever the reason is for considering buying versus renting or renting versus buying, there are pros and cons to each that need to be taken into account before taking the plunge either way.

The Pros and Cons of Renting

Let's face it, not everyone is cut out for the buying lifestyle and there are reasons to rent that abound—depending