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        <title>Just Listed Calgary Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/</link>
        <description>Justin Havre's Just Listed Calgary Real Estate Blog brings you the latest market news and property listings, as well as tips for buying or selling a home &amp; living in Calgary.  </description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/the-biggest-renovation-mistakes-that-homeowners-make.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/the-biggest-renovation-mistakes-that-homeowners-make.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>The Biggest Renovation Mistakes That Homeowners Make</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
 Home renovations can seem like a confusion when you're first getting started. There are plans to make, a budget to be drawn up and professionals to consult. When you're ready to go with your new renos, here are some of the biggest mistakes that you'll want to avoid.


1. Not hiring professionals for certain projects


There may be certain things that need to be done in your home that require the expertise of a professional. For example, you won't want to use a handyman to work on your electrical or plumbing systems. Most handymen don't carry insurance and if anything should go wrong you'll be liable for it. While plumbers and electricians are expensive and charge a high hourly rate, the reason why they can ask for these types of prices is they are highly trained and experienced. They also carry the necessary insurance and bonding that keeps you safe and protected.


2. Failing to plan for unforeseen changes


When you're making out your budget be prepared to have at least 20% extra put aside to handle any unforeseen changes or costs. This is especially important for larger projects, such as kitchen remodeling, where you may be tempted to upgrade to better materials. There can also be a lot of different snags that turn up during the renovation process that slow down the labour. Even though you were given an estimate for 50 hours of labour, for example, it may turn into much more if the contractor finds a problem such as water damaged drywall when he takes out your kitchen cupboards. When you have an extra 20% at your disposal, you'll be able to make sure that the project is completed since you'll have the funds to pay for any necessary changes that may occur.


3. Not looking at the resale value


When you're planning your renovations find out what projects will add the most value to your home. Kitchen and bathroom renos are always a good investment as is painting the home. What you'll want to avoid is changing your home design drastically so that it no longer matches the appropriate neighborhood style. You can also do too many renovations and price your home too high when it is compared to the average price of homes in your community. This can make the property more challenging to sell since it will stick out from the others that are on the market at the same time in the area.


Your renovation project will start with a quote and you should be willing to get a full estimate from at least three contractors before making a final decision as to the one chosen. Make sure that you understand everything about the quote including whether or not materials are included in the price, whether you’ll have to pay for delivery of the materials and how you will be informed when the quoted price is revised.
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            <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/interior-home-renovations-that-add-value-to-your-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/interior-home-renovations-that-add-value-to-your-home.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Interior Home Renovations That Add Value to Your Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Before you start any renovations on your home keep in mind the potential value that they can add to it. All renos are not created equally when it comes to adding value to a property. In order to make sure that you’re adding to your home's resale value, you should find out first what renovations will provide the best return on investment.


Focus on the kitchen


You've heard the saying that a kitchen can sell the home and it is so true. Approximately 10% to 15% of your home's overall value should be spent in the kitchen area. Depending on the renovation quality, spending more on it now will give you a higher recapture rate when it's time to sell. Buyers are looking for low maintenance, spacious kitchens with a timeless appeal and higher-end features.


Move on to the bathroom


A bathroom that has been well designed can bring back 75% to 95% of the money that you put into it when it's time to sell. Especially appealing these days are bathrooms that have luxury fixtures that create a type of pampering spa effect. Soaker tubs, sinks and water jets are the types of luxurious features that potential buyers love to see in an ensuite bathroom.


ROI for interior renovations


Here is a breakdown of the ROI you could reasonably expect to see for several interior renos:




Kitchen remodeling 75% - 95%


Bathroom remodeling 75% - 95%


New flooring 60% - 80%


Redeveloping the basement 50% - 75%


Home theater room 20% - 60%


Wet bar addition 10% - 25%


Walk-in tub for seniors 50% - 65%


Gas fireplace 25% - 70%


Painting - 80% - 110%




When you're looking at renovations remember that the money you put in now should be spent on quality upgrades. Use high quality materials, labour and don't be afraid to call in design consultants when necessary. The look, function and overall appeal that these renos provide to your home will help to determine the ROI that you can expect to receive from them when it's time to place your home on the market.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/are-you-taking-advantage-of-a-tax-free-savings-account-youll-need-to-understand-the-rules-first.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/are-you-taking-advantage-of-a-tax-free-savings-account-youll-need-to-understand-the-rules-first.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Are You Taking Advantage of a Tax-Free Savings Account? You'll Need to Understand the Rules First!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you're like most people in Canada, you're either not aware of these types of accounts or don't understand the exact rules that go along with them. A tax-free savings account allows you to earn money on your investments and deposits without having to pay tax on them and they were introduced early in 2009. There are terms and conditions, however, associated with these savings accounts that you'll need to adhere to. If you don't, you can expect to receive a warning from Revenue Canada outlining any overcontributions that were made to the account during the previous year.


This year, 65,978 warnings were mailed out to Canadian taxpayers that had deposited too much into their accounts during 2012. Last year, 76,000 received these mail outs. The most warnings were sent out in 2010, with 103,000 taxpayers receiving a letter in the mail.


The main problem that taxpayers don't seem to understand is the limits on how much money can be put back into the account after a withdraw has been made. Just because you withdraw a certain amount during a calendar year does not mean that you can replace it during the same year. You'll need to wait until the next year starts or else it will be considered as an overcontribution.


In total, the number of people that had contributed more than the allowed amount came up to less than 1% of the total tax-free savings account holders. Right now, the annual contribution is capped at $5,500 but this amount may double in the future.


Overcontributions have a tax rate of 1% for every month that the overcontribution exists. If you have a tax-free savings account, make sure that you understand the rules governing it so that you don't end up having to pay extra for an overcontribution. If you're planning on opening an account, just find out what the exact rules are first. The last thing that you'll want to have arriving in your mailbox is a warning letter from the Revenue Canada Agency saying that you owe money for not obeying rules that you simply weren't aware of!
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            <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/mosquitoes-are-returning-to-calgary-in-droves.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/mosquitoes-are-returning-to-calgary-in-droves.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Mosquitoes Are Returning to Calgary in Droves</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Get ready for the mosquito season in Calgary - the mosquitoes have arrived with the recent rain. Up until yesterday, you could walk out of the house without having to worry about the mosquitoes paying a visit but things have changed overnight.


The mosquito season here in Calgary was expected to be moderate according to experts in the area due to May's dry weather. Then the rain began and the mosquitoes apparently had a different plan to follow.


Larvae are being treated in all areas of Calgary and officials are asking residents to look for any standing water that may be on their property and to do their best to get rid of it. It's also a good idea to cover up - especially when you are heading out during the dusk or dawn hours, to avoid the attack of these mosquitoes.





If you're trying to avoid deet...


There's a new bug repellent that you can take orally that has been created by a Calgary entrepreneur. Erin Bosch has created a new product called Mozi-Q, which is an all-natural mosquito repellent that Health Canada has recently approved.


It's a homeopathic preparation based on research done by Bosch into remedies that would keep blood hungry bugs away like ticks and mosquitoes. Staphysagria is the main ingredient, which is derived from plants. Erin Bosch began giving it to her patients and they continued to return to ask for more of the product. Most people that take the remedy find that the mosquitoes are definitely repelled and that if they do get bitten they don't experience as much swelling.


This is a non-toxic mosquito repellent that can also work on other bugs, gets to work in about 30 minutes and doesn't have any side effects. Health food stores are currently stocking up on this product that is expected to fly off the shelves as people continue to look for safer alternatives to bug problems that don't contain toxic deet.
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            <pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/calgarys-richest-neighborhoods.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/calgarys-richest-neighborhoods.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Calgary's Richest Neighborhoods</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Canadian Business Magazine has released the results of a survey taken across Canada that ranks communities based on their net worth, home value, lifestyle, income and voting preferences. This survey also takes into account how much champagne the homeowners consume!The results aren't surprising and all of the Calgary communities that are the richest are located in the southwest as follows:



Springbank


Bel Aire


Britannia


Mount Royal


Pinnacle Ridge



In general, according to the Canadian Business Magazine, the results from the survey showed that most of the people living in these neighborhoods are married, earn more than $500,000 annually, vote conservative and drink double the amount of champagne when compared to the national average.In Pinnacle Ridge, there are 141 households with a household income average of $507,542 and a net worth average of $5.4 million.In Britannia there are 166 households with a household income average of $1.5 million and a net worth average of $4.8 million.In Mount Royal there are 308 households with a net worth average of $4.7 million and a household income average of $573,726.In Springbank there are 198 households with a net worth average of $4.6 million and a household income average of $340,608.In Bel Aire you'll find 209 households with a household income average of $538,230 and a net worth average of $4.3 million.The richest neighborhood in Canada can be found in the Bridle Path area in Toronto. In this area  the home value average is 16,301,254. This part of the city is close to downtown with impressive mansions locked behind closed gates with hedges obscuring the view. The study showed that many living in this area are more likely to vote conservative, are married, and their families are slightly larger than average.All of the Calgary neighborhoods listed above are not only the richest neighborhoods can be found in Calgary but are also the richest in Alberta. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/calgary-leads-the-nation-in-resale-market-price-increases.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/calgary-leads-the-nation-in-resale-market-price-increases.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Calgary Leads the Nation in Resale Market Price Increases</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ The Teranet-National Bank National Composite House Price Index showed Canadian home prices jumping across the country with the best momentum happening in Calgary. The numbers were up in May when compared to April's figures with prices rising 1.1% across the country.This is encouraging news for many of the Canadian markets that started the spring with a slow start in the resale housing market. It was also a welcome relief after the slower winter months following the government's decision to tighten the rules for mortgages last summer.The data in this report showed that prices were on the rise in May when compared to April of this year in 9 out of 11 of the surveyed metropolitan markets. Here's a breakdown of the percentage gains that were seen last month:Calgary - up 2.3%Edmonton - up 1.9%Hamilton - up 1.4%Winnipeg and Montréal - up 1.2%Ottawa - up 1.1%Toronto - up 1.0%Québec City - up 0.8%Vancouver - up 0.7%Prices were down .8% in Victoria while they remained the same in Halifax. When compared on a year-over-year basis, the prices were down in only two cities: Victoria and Vancouver. In Vancouver, prices were down 3.2% over the figures seen last May while they were down 4.1% in Victoria.On a year-over-year basis, prices were up 6.5% in Québec City, 5.8% in Hamilton and Calgary, 4.6% in Winnipeg, 4.0% in Edmonton, 3.9% in Toronto, 2.3% in Halifax, 2.0% in Ottawa and 1.9% in Montréal. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/property-taxes-in-calgary-continue-to-rise.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/property-taxes-in-calgary-continue-to-rise.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Property Taxes in Calgary Continue to Rise</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Don't be surprised when you see your property tax bill and see quite a significant change to it this month. Taxes are on the rise for properties here in Calgary, and although it's not anything new, it still doesn't take the sting away.



While the province has been reducing its amount of taxes for the last couple of years, the city has been raising its own amount. This tax hike is higher than the rate of inflation with the city putting up its taxes by 13.1% this year. Property owners won't feel the full brunt of the 13%, however, since the province of Alberta has decreased its taxes by 4%.


Unfortunately, also rising above the rate of inflation are water, wastewater and drainage fees. This year property owners will have to pay 7.5% more for water fees, 13.5% more for wastewater fees and an 4.9% extra for drainage fees here in Calgary.


Why is the city of Calgary asking more in terms of taxes and water utility fees than what would be expected according to the rate of inflation? According to the city, their own costs for goods and services go up typically at a faster rate than household or consumer inflation. It's interesting to note as well that the city has produced its own estimate for its higher inflation level that backs up its justification for raising these fees and taxes at such a high rate.


The statistics were provided by Fraser Institute's director of Alberta policy, Mark Milke. He went through the statistics for taxes and water rates that have occurred during the last seven years and consequently noted the high increases occurring in Calgary's taxes and water utility bills. The full article can be viewed at www.troymedia.com.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/its-time-to-tune-up-your-lawnmower-for-the-upcoming-summer-season.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/its-time-to-tune-up-your-lawnmower-for-the-upcoming-summer-season.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>It's Time to Tune up Your Lawnmower for the Upcoming Summer Season</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Before you find yourself out in the middle of the yard with a lawnmower that has stalled and refuses to start again, give your lawnmower the tune-up that it probably desperately needs. In general, your lawnmower's small engine should receive a tune-up once per season or after every 50 hours, whichever one comes first.


If you're at all handy, you can service a lawn mower on your own. Most people, however, don't have the time or the inclination to do it on their own and take it into a service center to get it done.


Here are some of the service points that you'll want to cover to make sure that your lawnmower is ready for the tasks ahead of it this summer:


The blades need sharpening - If you're not cutting the grass with sharp blades you're shredding it with dull ones. Dull blades can lead to brown dull grass instead of the lush, growing, green grass that it’s supposed to be.


The plugs need checking - A spark plug, properly gapped, needs to be installed every new season.


Cleaning the flywheel – The blades on the flywheel can be brushed off with an old paintbrush. It's a good idea to clean it before the season begins and once during midseason.


Replace the air filter - The air filter will need to be replaced whether it is made of foam or paper every year. Never attempt to clean out a paper filter using compressed air since this can send dust into the engine and can destroy the engine.


The deck needs a scraping - The deck should be scraped with a wire brush and a putty knife to remove all the dirt and debris that has accumulated last year. If you plan on doing this on your own you'll need to first remove or siphon the gas out of the fuel tank and disconnect the plug.


Get rid of last year's oil - Drain out the remnants of the oil you were using last season and replace the old oil with a new fresh can.
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            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/dog-fur-and-viewings.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/dog-fur-and-viewings.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Dog Fur and Viewings</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
You get a call from your real estate agent informing you that a very interested potential buyer wants to look at your home and needs to know whether you could you be available in an hour. You have done your best to keep your home looking clean and tidy for these types of impromptu visits but your dog doesn't seem to be cooperating at all. It's spring time and he is shedding his fur like crazy all over the house, the furniture and your clothes! It's an endless task of trying to handle the fur that you can see flying through the air as soon as you start to sweep or dust. Here are a few suggestions to help you keep the fur to a minimum, especially when your home is on the market during shedding season.


Keep a lint roller handy


Stock up on some lint rollers at the dollar store and have them placed in strategic places around the house where you know your dog spends a lot of time. While clothes brushes work as well, lint rollers are sticky and capture the fur like a pro. They can be used for both clothing and upholstered furniture quickly in the event that you get a call from your agent for a viewing.


Brush your dog as often as you can


If you’re used to brushing your dog every day or every second day, you’ll want to step up your brushing routine a notch and give him more frequent brushes. This is the best preventative medicine you can use in this case and will help keep the shedding down to a dull roar. If your dog’s like most, he'll also appreciate the extra time you give to him.


Dust - then vacuum or sweep


Make sure that you do your dusting before your sweeping or vacuuming since the dog fur is going to be swirling down to the floor from your dusting efforts. If you have a window air conditioner make sure that you turn it off while you're dusting so that it doesn't blow the fur around. It should also be turned off when you're working on the floor so that the fur on the floor doesn't get too stirred up and sent flying around the room.


For furniture that can stand getting wet, use a damp cloth to do your dusting instead of a dry one. This picks up a lot more fur and deposits it right onto the cloth.


Make sure that you keep a lint roller right by the front door so that you can give your clothes a final go-over before answering the door. Although you may not be able to hide all of the dog fur, especially at this time of year, you can keep it down to a bare minimum by using the tips listed above.
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            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/calgary-condos-sold-quickly-in-may.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justlistedcalgary.ca/blog/calgary-condos-sold-quickly-in-may.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Calgary Condos Sold Quickly in May</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Condos in Calgary were in demand last month with 413 sales being reported. Calgary is a major Canadian city with an active downtown core and this helps to create the demand for condos; especially close to downtown where a lot of people work and where an active nightlife can be found.





Part of the demand also comes from the new mortgage rules that were put into place last year. Some potential home buyers that were initially intending to purchase a single-family home have taken another look at things and have determined that condo ownership would be the best stepping stone to take them closer to home ownership.


There were 413 condo apartments changing hands during May, which was a rise of 6.99% when compared to last May's figures. The average selling price for a condominium here in Calgary went up to $313,425, which was a jump of 11.93% on a year-over-year basis.


In the condo townhouse sector there was a rise of 26.74% with 365 units being sold. The average price for a townhouse was up 3.17% when compared to last year's numbers to $340,889.


Condos continue to be built across the Calgary area and the demand is expected to remain high for quite a while to come. New condos are needed to help expand the market due to the high population growth of the city and the ever-increasing cost of renting an apartment.


According to the Calgary real estate Board, the resale condo sector has become a seller's market for the first time since 2007. There have been lower listings and a higher demand which has tipped the scales towards the seller. While single-family homes are setting the trend, townhomes and condo apartments are following right along.
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            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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