Buying a Home

Ask your realtor to explain the market both overall and then in the communities you are interested in. Things like the number of homes on the market, employment, and community development all affect an area and the value. A qualified Realtor will know this information and help you understand how this affects your Offer to Purchase.

Now more personal questions need to be focused on….

 

  • Does the community meet my family needs and location requirements?
  • How does the house values fit with my budget and future expectations?
  • Is this home "move in ready" or will I have to plan improvements in the future?
  • Are the kids going to have what we need for their growing experiences?
  • What style and size of home do I need or want.
  • What am I willing or not willing to compromise.

Once you have sorted out the communities you would like to live in and the type of home you are searching for now you need to be clear about what you can afford. Speaking with your financial institution or a Mortgage Broker can sort this out for you. Certainly being Pre-Approved helps you know what your budget is but it also helps when negotiating for the house. A Seller might accept your bids over another Buyer given you have already been approved. I have a list of Mortgage Brokers I recommend also listed on this web site and will personally introduce you if you wish. Some might tell you to have this done before you even do your Research but I believe in the old adage “Location, Location, Location” Within every neighbourhood there are house values in different Price Points. Don’t rule anything out until it is clearly unrealistic. And remember the reason you have a Realtor is to help you come as close to your Goal as possible.

The following articles provide useful information and are a great place to start if you're considering buying a home.

How to choose a Neighborhood for Your Home Search Why use a Realtor When Buying a Home?
How to Choose a Home Home Inspections Avert Future Headaches
Take Charge When Buying a Home The Basics of Making an Offer

 

These Links will help you discover more about the community, some of the population statistics, the Alderman overseeeing its residents as well as the police involvement.

Calgary Community Associations 

 Use the link to find out about the Community Associations and the Newsletter as well as the Alderman elected for the area. 

 Community Profiles

  Using this link show a variety of information population,ethnic diversity. The population statistics are from 2006 but still show various catergories that help make a informed selection( you need to scroll down for the available community PDF)

 Calgary Police

 The links shows some of the activity in the 12 categories they monitor on the stie with approximate location