Home buying season is typically between April and June, but it's no guarantee that buyers won't look to the off-season. As the market grows more unpredictable, the so-called season grows more remote.

Today, home buying season is basically every single day of the year, with buyers taking advantage of the on and off-season perks. The season in question still remains around spring, but Christmastime has also grown into a home-buying frenzy as of late. Summer and fall are now considered off-season. Then again, does it matter?

Buying a home off-season puts the buyer in a better position. During this time, Realtors struggle to do everything to sell in a less active buyer base like lowering their prices, making attractive offers, and so on. However, take note that there are fewer houses for sale during the off-season; some homeowners are not keen on letting go of their house while winter is in full swing.

On the other hand, buying during the season means more homes to choose from but at the expense of higher prices. It's not necessarily another housing bubble; just the law of supply and demand at work. Prices go up when goods are in demand and supply runs low due to the increase in demand. You'll also face stiff competition from other buyers who may work on friendlier terms.

 
According to a number of surveys, Calgary is one of the most liveable places in Canada. The city, nestled within the province of Alberta, was even considered the cleanest city in the country by Forbes. It also helps that the region is a very bustling community, with much of the action centered on its downtown district.

Calgary’s rise to fame can be attributed to Alberta’s sudden oil boom around 1999. Wisely, many businesses flocked to the city, hoping to capitalize on the economic wave Calgary was riding on. Today, the city is replete with skyscrapers, offices, and numerous shopping and dining options, yet unlike other congested cities in Canada, a good number of the new houses in Calgary are built in areas of expansion. This means homebuyers can look forward to enjoying city life while having entire houses to themselves.

Buying a home in Calgary can be tricky. Properties around and in the city can fetch a premium price, and such things discourage first-time buyers. Fortunately, local real estate professionals can help buyers find a house that perfectly fits their budgets. Calgary’s a wonderful place to live in, and it certainly pays to know exactly which houses are the best in the region.

 
Moving to Calgary may be one of the best decisions you'll ever make in your life, with the city being given an impressive liveability rating by the Economic Intelligence Unit. Calgary also has a total of 222 neighbourhoods, and you will likely find an area wherein you can completely feel at home. The real estate properties available in the city also abound, and looking through the information in online resources can give you a clear idea of your options— whether you intend to buy a single-family home, condominium, or a town home.

While each real estate option has its own advantages, one thing you do have to prepare for if you choose either town home or condominium living is the Homeowners Association Fee. HOA fees are used to cover the costs of the cleaning and maintenance of common areas like lobbies, main entryways, and parking spaces. HOA fees are also used to ensure amenities like tennis courts, gyms, entertainment areas, pools, and others are kept in good condition and repair work is done as needed.

Property owners mandate its occupants or residents to pay HOA fees, and ideally, the amount and required date of payment is specified on the Land Title Certificate, which your realtor will inform you of before you sign on any paperwork detailing your purchase of the property. Do carefully read the terms involved in HOA fees since in Canada, failure to pay the due HOA fees may lead to costly lawsuits.

 
If you’re working in the logistics industry, you do understand that there are lot of variables to deal with. Stocking up on required goods, finding space for them, and making sure they get shipped to their intended destination on time are among the chief problems you’ll deal with every day. However, there will be times when the supply train is bringing in more product than your current facilities can deal with at the moment. One solution is to lease a warehouse.

Finding a suitable warehouse for your company requires a thorough assessment of existing operations. The evaluation will include the availability and condition of electrical fixtures and water outlets, determining the total floor area you’ll need, and your overall budget. The last one is essential because the rental will be factored into your operational expenses per month. Security issues can play a role if the prospect facility is a bit far from your business place; the research will include accommodations for employees and security personnel.

Consult a Realtor about your specifications for the warehouse. The agent can help identify commercial properties that fit those needs and set up a meeting with the property management company running it. Even if the negotiations and the rates work in your favor, make sure to hammer out all important details in the lease contract before you ever sign it.

 
There are a lot of houses out there in real estate listings, each having different strengths and weaknesses, so it is not that odd if the search eventually becomes excruciatingly confusing and time-consuming.

Of course, hiring a reliable Realtor will help you in your search, but it is inadvisable to leave everything to him alone. You must have a proactive participation in the buying process, as you are the one who will be living in that house, after all.

Here are some things to consider when buying a house in cheery Calgary:

Proximity to quality schools

The house’s proximity to good schools such as Mountain View Academy, Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary is something worth pondering. Not only will the proximity help your children in their studies, but it can also help increase the value of the home when you decide to resell it.

Location

Checking out the location of the home is important as well. A good home is not worth it if it is located in an area that is contrary to your ideal living conditions. Double check your needs and do not be tempted by good homes in odd areas.

House structure

You definitely do not want the house to fall down on you, as it will cost you much more in the long run. Avoid homes that look like they’re going to break apart at a moment’s notice.

 
Selling your house is an intricate process that needs a lot of foresight and the proper use of marketing strategies. This can, of course, be eased if you hire a reliable Realtor who can help you put up your home in an MLS with the local real estate board of Realtors. Here are some tips on how to choose a Realtor:

References

Ask your prospective Realtor for a list of references whom you could contact yourself to ask about the Realtor’s services. A reliable agent should be proud of work he's done for past clients. Talk to a few people on the reference list and interview them about their experiences working with the Realtor.

Get the Local CMA

Get a CMA or comparative market analysis from your Realtor– this will help you identify how you should price your home sale, as well as tell you how well it would do when compared with other homes in your area. CMA basically tells you how homes with similar qualities as yours have been selling in the current market.


This is one of the most important questions that you can ask; your Realtor should be able to efficiently raise your home’s visibility in the market. One way this can be done is by using MLS or multiple listing services, which can help real estate professionals and prospective buyers alike get a good glimpse into what you are selling.