Archive for the ‘Condos’ Category

Just Listed: 202, 1309 12 Avenue SW

Thursday, July 21st, 2022

Just listed this awesome condo.

MLS Listing: A1241674

View all details and photos here:  https://www.tswrealestategroup.com/for-sale/202-1309-14-avenue-sw–77137794

 

TSW Real Estate Group Announcement

Tuesday, December 15th, 2020

New Designations 

At TSW Real Estate Group we take our business seriously and understand that the more education we have the better we are able to Serve our Clients.  We are happy to announce that all Agents with TSW Real Estate Group have now received the following 2 new Designations.

SRS:  Sellers Representative Specialist

Seller Representative Specialist

Seller Representative Specialist

ABR: Accredited Buyers Representative

Accredited Buyers Representative

Accredited Buyers Representative

 

This adds to our list of current Designations:

CCS: Certified Condo Specialists

Certified Negotiation Expert

At TSW Real Estate Group – It’s all about you!

 

 

Just listed beautiful Townhouse in Evergreen

Tuesday, August 18th, 2020

Just listed:  104, 19 Everridge Square SW Calgary T2Y 5J6

MLS A1024857

List Price: $195,000

Outstanding  opportunity for Investor or first time home buyer.

See full details

Open Concept Living

Amazing open concept living, enjoy this ground floor unit is located close to schools, playground, transit and shopping.  Features a spacious open layout from Kitchen to Living room.  Excellent Value in this spacious unit with low condo fees. Easy access to backyard through patio doors.  Kitchen features breakfast bar, pantry and newer stainless-steel stove and microwave.  Spacious Master bedroom. Second bedroom could be used as a home office.   Offers Insuite laundry with storage and parking stall directly in front of unit.  In floor heating unit replaced aprox 2 years ago.  Condo fees only $228. Month.  Pet friendly with board approval.

 

What if your Ideal Home Isn’t Available?

Tuesday, April 21st, 2020

Imagine you’re looking for a new home. You have a list of all the features you want, just like you would have a grocery shopping list. However, when you explore the homes currently on the market, none meets all your criteria. What do you do? You have a few good options.

First, you can take a second look at your list. Does your new home need every single feature on it? Are there one or two features you can do without? For example, can you for a smaller kitchen assuming the property has everything else you want? Often, buying a home that’s close to perfect is perfect enough.

Second, consider what features you might be able to add to a home later, by way of a renovation or other improvement. If a property doesn’t have a finished basement, for example, you might be able to get that done down the road. Indeed, there are probably many features you can add later to an otherwise desirable property.  It is critical to prioritize your wish list and realize what can and cannot be changed later.  IE: Do not compromise on LOCATION as that cannot be changed.

Finally, consider the current level of activity in the local real estate market. Is it likely that a lot of new homes will be coming on the market soon? If so, your perfect home may come up on the market within the next few weeks. Maybe even tomorrow! In that situation, make sure you arrange to get immediate alerts for newly listed homes that meet your criteria. You’ll want to jump on each new opportunity before other buyers learn of the listing. The good news is, in most cases you should be able to find and buy a great home, with most — if not all — of the features you want.

My last tip here is that if none of the above is working  it’s smart to sit down with your Real Estate Agent, have them put in all your criteria then review sold’s for the last year.  If you find little or nothing in that search maybe your looking for something that does not exist meaning you may need to adjust your expectations.  Want some help finding your dream home – Contact us now. 

Alberta Condominium Act Changes and how they affect you.

Thursday, January 9th, 2020

The Alberta government changed the Condominium act which became law in Jan 2020.  If you own your condo there are a few key points that you need to know.

Insurance:  Effective Jan. 1, 2020, condominium corporations will be able to seek recovery of the deductible portion of the corporation’s insurance claim — up to a maximum of $50,000 — from a condo owner for any damage that originates in their suite or private area.

“That means that if something happens in the unit and it’s not your fault — the toilet explodes, there’s water loss, water damage goes through to the floors below — and there’s a $50,000 deductible or a $25,000 deductible, the owners are now responsible for the deductible,”

Why this is critical now is that insurance rates for Condo Corporations has skyrocketed and so many boards are increasing their deductible.

Recommended Action

  • Find out from your condo board what their insurance deductible is
  • Call your insurance company and make sure your personal policy covers paying the condo boards deductible if something happens.

Insurance tip: When talking to your insurance company also make sure your policy covers any renovations that have been done to your unit as the standard insurance policy normally covers only original finishing. 

Condominium Documents

The other large change is that the government has put a cap on the cost for owners to obtain documents.  This only becomes relevant when you go to sell but at that time it will save you some money.

 

Just Listed 1, 7 Blackthorn Bay NE Calgary

Thursday, July 11th, 2019

We are proud to present this fully renovated townhouse in Thorncliffe.

List Price Only $230,000

C4257947

View You Tube video at  https://youtu.be/RLEg9EYeen8

 

Pet friendly, fully Renovated, 3-bedroom, 1081 Sq. Ft.  Townhouse in Thorncliffe.   Upon entry this townhouse will amaze you.  New renovations include the Kitchen with new custom cabinets, quartz countertops and Stainless-Steel appliances. Both Bathrooms have been redone from top to bottom.  In the last several years the following were replaced:  Windows, hardwood flooring in living room and kitchen, furnace, fence and porch with Trex composite decking.  Upstairs features 3 good sized bedrooms and the main bath.  Downstairs is awaiting your finishing touches. Yard is fully fenced allowing room for your pet to roam.  Location is great as it allows easy access to Deerfoot and a quick commute to Downtown and is only a 2 min walk to the Thorncliffe Off Leash dog park. Close to Transit, Schools and plenty of shopping.   Condo fees are only $80.00 month.

Calgary Real Estate Market Snapshot: April 1, 2018

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018

Calgary Real Estate Absorption Rate

What is really happening in the Calgary Real Estate Market?

Stay ahead of everyone else by following our Monthly Market Snapshot of the Calgary Real Estate Market, This shows what’s really happening! The market is driven by supply and demand so here we show the inventory (supply) and sales (demand) and most importantly the relationship between the two and how it affects the price of Calgary Real Estate.  A simple way to keep up to date with how the market is trending and to stay ahead of most! All numbers are taken from the Calgary Real Estate Boards Stats package for Realtors. I have also included some general comments which are simply my opinion.

Absorption Rate (Months of Inventory – the inventory divided by the number of sales in the last month). What does this mean you might ask?

Buyer’s Market >4.0 Drives prices down
Balanced Market Between 2.4 to 4.0 Prices typically remain stable
Seller’s Market <2.4 Drives prices up

 

Current Absorption Rate

The good news part of the stats show that sales rose by 25.6% over Febuary while the inventory rose by only 22.5% keeping the balance similar.  The Absorption rate for all categories decreased slightly except apartment condos which increased by .47

End of Feb 2018       Mar 2018    Change
Detached 3.74 3.61 -0.13
Semi Detached 5.05 4.70 -0.35
Attached – Row 5.86 5.77 -0.08
Apartment 7.24 7.72 0.47
Total City 4.76 4.64 -0.12

 

Calgary Listing Inventory

In March, our inventory increased in all Sectors. This is totally expected at this time of year.  This trend is anticipated for the next few months.

Inventory Feb 2018       Feb Mar 2018    Change
Detached 2456 3063 607
Semi Detached 540 677 137
Attached – Row 779 941 162
Apartment 1427 1690 263
Total City 5202 6371 1169

 

Calgary Sales:  For me this is the category that is concerning.  Sales numbers all increased for March which is a normal trend.  What you cannot see here is that sales for the first three months are below last years sales by 18% which is substantial.  Some things that might be affecting sales include:

  • The Weather
  • Mortgage rule changes that the Federal Government implemented on Jan 1, 2018
  • Consumer confidence in Calgary

As I have predicted in the past I believe it may take 6 months total for the mortgage rules to settle out before we start seeing more normal sales numbers.

Calgary Sales  Feb 2018         Mar 2018    Change % Change
Detached 657 848 191 29.07%
Semi Detached 107 144 37 34.58%
Attached – Row 133 163 30 22.56%
Apartment 197 219 22 11.17%
Total City 1094 1374 280 25.59%

  

Calgary Real Estate Sales Prices:

Prices in March  showed very little change for all categories.

  Sales Prices Feb 2018   Benchmark Price   Mar 2018   Benchmark Price Change
Detached 502,800 503,800 1,000
Semi Detached 418,800 418,800 0
Attached – Row 295,400 297,600 2,200
Apartment 256,400 257,100 700
Total City 434,300 435,600 1,300

  

Sales Prices “Year to Date”  

Sales Prices Jan 1, 2018    Benchmark Price  Mar 2018   Benchmark Price Change

$

% Change
Detached 499,600 503,800 4,200 0.84%
Semi Detached 416,600 418,800 2,200 0.53%
Attached – Row 299,500 297,600 -1,900 -0.63%
Apartment 257,700 257,100 -600 -0.23%
Total City 433,200 435,600 2,400 0.55%

  

**Please note that these numbers include only Calgary homes and do change on a community basis and more so for towns.  This report does not include rural properties.  If you would like to find stats on your community just let me know.  If you have any questions about this summary or about Real Estate in general, please feel free to contact us.

 

Just listed – Tuscany Townhouse

Thursday, April 20th, 2017

Check out our new listing at 260 Tuscany Springs Blvd – Steps away from the Tuscany LRT Station.

C4111224

List Price: $325,000 – Perfect starter home or ideal for an investor.

Ideal for first time buyer or investors, reduce your commute time, just steps to Tuscany LRT.   This bright beautiful home features an open concept, newer appliances, and newer paint, Hunter Douglas Blinds, Vacuum System and Water Filtration System.  On the main floor you will enjoy the cozy living room, dining room and a spacious kitchen that boasts plenty of counter/cabinet space and a breakfast bar.  Main floor also features a 2 piece bath and a door to your patio and fenced back. Upstairs you will find 2 spacious bedrooms both with ensuite baths and one with a walk in closet.  The basement is perfect for laundry and storage and leads into your oversized garage with plenty of room for additional storage.  Location is ideal, just steps to the Tuscany LRT Station. Enjoy the many amenities provided in Tuscany with walking paths, ravine, and excellent transit access, Sobeys, Schools and only a 5 minute drive to crowfoot for your larger shopping trips.

119, 345 Rocky Vista Park NW Calgary Ab T3G 5K6

Tuesday, March 7th, 2017

Check out our new listing in the Pavilions at Rocky Ridge

MLS Listing C4103289

Price: Only $254,500

Stunning, renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Apartment Condo in the Statesman’s Pavilions at Rocky Ridge.  Layout is fantastic with the bedrooms on opposite sides.  Features new laminate flooring, fresh paint and more.  Kitchen offers plenty of cabinets, good counter space and a breakfast bar.  Living room features a corner gas fireplace and a door leading to your patio.  Master bedroom features an ensuite bath and walk in closet.  Unit offers in suite laundry and a separate storage room.  Amenities are plentiful and include including Salon, Spa, Gym, Movie Theatre, Games/Billiards Room, Outdoor Basketball and Beach Volleyball.  Located only minutes to the Tuscany LRT station.  Don’t forget the heated underground titled parking, Bike storage room, Walking trails and plenty of Visitor parking.  This home is move in ready!

Basics of Buying a Condo

Friday, October 14th, 2016

Should I buy a condo or should I buy a house?

We believe that the decision to buy or not to buy a condominium boils down to a lifestyle decision. Many times a someone else handles much of the repair and maintenance, such as shoveling snow and replacing the roof.  Many condominiums have enhanced security features over those found in a single family home and some offer a wide range of social, entertainment and recreational activities.  Following are some condo basics.

What is a Condominium ?

Condo Myth – A Condo is a style of Building 

A condominium refers to a form of legal ownership, as opposed to a style of construction

When buying a single family home you are buying the home and the land the home sits on.

***When buying a condominium you are typically buying what you see between the walls of the unit and you are buying a percentage of the condominium corporation that manages the building and the common property. 

Some Specific things to consider when looking at a Condo. 

  1. Condo Fees – I’ve heard many times that condo fees are just an extra expense that I do not want.   We believe its important to take a closer look as condo fees will cover things that you would have to pay for yourself if you bought a single detached home.  IE: Things like a roof or siding.
  2. Condo fees cannot be compared from building to building as you have to look specifically at what is covered in the fees as many times things like utilities will be covered in fees
  3. Reserve Fund:  A  portion of your monthly condo fees will likely go into a reserve fund. This fund ensures that the condominium has enough money to pay for major repair and replacement of common elements over the life of the building.
  4. Condominium Document Condition.  This should be a condition put on any offer to purchase.  It states that the seller is obligated to give you all the documents from the condo board including financials, meeting minutes, reserve fund studies and more.   There are now companies that provide a service to review your documents and report back to you how strong the corporation is.  In our opinion when buying a condominium this is an excellent investment.

“Certified Condominium Specialist” CCS  

If you are considering buying a condominium we highly recommend that when looking for a Realtor to represent you the CCS designation is a must have.  The Certified Condominium Specialist (CCS) designation means that that Realtor has taken additional education and will know all the ins and outs of buying a condo.  Buying a condo is substantially more complicated than buying a single family home and you should make sure your Realtor is qualified to best help you.