REAL ESTATE PRICES TO DROP 50%

Here is an interesting article from CNN regarding the affect of the web on living patterns and, ultimately, real estate prices.

"Web usability expert Jakob Nielsen predicts that more people will live in rural settings, with technology enabling them to do almost anything they like, be it work or play, without leaving their homes."

"The effect will be a drop in the price of real estate in densely populated areas as people choose to live in small towns, causing the population of big cities to decline. Given the nature of real estate, he warned that even a drop in demand by 20 percent could cause prices to be cut in half."

I can see how this effect will take time but may possibly turn into a tidal wave as technology becomes more seamless, useful and ubiquitous. Anyone care to wager?

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/05/12/visionary.nielsen/index.html

NO MORE COOKIE CUTTER REALTOR WEBSITES

NOTICE: The following posting has been edited. I have removed the example URLs as one of the parties named was a little "upset". The point was that many realtors use templates or packaged websites. These are always low quality but more importantly it looks bad if you visit 3 different realtors but they all use the same "package website" template. The smart ones don't. They care about their business and their image and that provides a clue as to how they may treat their customers.
Read on for more...

Website 1 (URL deleted - substitute one of hundreds of realtor websites)
Website 2 (URL deleted - substitute one of hundreds of realtor websites)

Take a look at the above two websites. Notice anything, say, a little bit similar? They are cookie cutter websites! They are identical except the names and faces at the top. I'm assuming that they are in fact different people with different skill sets and personalities. I'll bet their newspaper ads aren't identical.

Why in the world would they settle for this as their web presence? Did they just get lazy and order a "web package"? The same as 500 other realtors?

If you hit more than 5 Calgary realtor websites you'll find the same thing in at least 3 of them. The same "helpful" articles, the same layout, the same atrocious design.

Most Realtors still don't get the web. Which means they still don't know how to use it to maximize their real estate dealings. Which affects you.

When deciding on a realtor visit their website and compare to a few others. Ask yourself if you want to work with a cookie cutter Realtor.

85% OF HOMEBUYERS USED INTERNET

OK, OK, I guess this internet thing is really taking off (duh).

A recent survey by Ispos-Reid reported 85% of those who bought a home in the past two years used the Internet to help buy their home, and 78% said it played a significant role in the purchase process. 85%!! 78%!!

People like to shop. People like to compare. Driving from one house to another, driving from one community all the way across town to see another community - that's a lot of work, too much time and too much gas while spewing emissions.

So the internet is useful because you can easily shop and compare. You can also do it on your own time AND halfway across the country. And you don't have some high pressure salesperson in your face. That comes later.

However, if you can't find the website you can't include it in your shopping.

Do you see where Buyahomecalgary.com comes in? We provide a single website listing all the other websites concerning Calgary real estate. Makes it easy to shop and compare and it sure beats driving.

CALGARY HOMEBUYERS - DON'T FORGET CLOSING COSTS

Buying a home means a lot of paperwork. There are also more costs involved than just the purchase price. You need to determine how much your closing costs are going to be and set aside a pool of money to cover them.

Finding out you "just" have enough isn't good enough if you can't pay these fees.

Here are some of the "closing" costs you need to be prepared for (from the ING Direct website):

Closing Costs Checklist

CALGARY HOMEBUYING INFO - STEP BY STEP

Excellent information presented in a clear and straight forward manner. It's actually useful.

Buying a home doesn't have to be daunting and you don't have to go through the homebuying process feeling helpless and unsure. CMHC's Homebuying Step by Step guide provides you with clear, straightforward information on who to consult, what to ask and what to do. You'll know what to expect and be in control every step of the way, and you can sign on the dotted line with peace of mind.

Visit the site.

OUT OF DATE REAL ESTATE INFO

Here's another site I was going to recommend because there is some good home buying information. However when I went to check the Average Canadian Housing Prices link the numbers they had were from 2001! Anyway, just FYI - Calgary Real Estate average price for a home back then was $176,300.

Websites are all about trust and building credibility. Would this affect your decision to work with RBC?

Check it out for yourself at www.rbcroyalbank.com/buyingahome.

GREEN HOMES - HOW TO SAVE MONEY AND THE EARTH

I was very excited when I heard about the EcoTrust demo home. If you want to find out more how about how to save energy and water and ultimately save yourself some money, then it is worth taking a look. It is located at 566 Chapparral Drive S.E.

I'm including the link to their website for more information but the site itself is poorly designed.

albertaecotrust.com

FINANCING TIPS - FIXED VS. VARIABLE

Are you a gambler? Can you see the future? Look at these 2 different types of mortgages and you may save a lot of money.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

If you think interest rates are on the rise, you may want to consider a fixed rate term. A fixed interest rate protects you against rising interest rates for the term. Plus, you have the security of knowing exactly how much your regular payment of principal and interest will be. In other words, if your mortgage payment is $1200/month it will always be $1200/month with the same fixed amount (say $500 depending on the interest rate) going towards interest and the same fixed amount ($700 in this example) always going toward the principal.

Variable Rate Mortgage

While a variable rate carries a certain level of risk, the rewards can be worth it. Basically, the amount of interest you pay changes as the Prime Rate changes. A Variable Rate mortgage can save you money while also keeping your options open during times of fluctuating interest rates. In other words, if you mortgage payment is $1200/month it will always be $1200/month but some months ( when interest rates drop) more of that money will go to paying the principal and less to paying interest. Conversely when interest rates rise you may still be paying $1200/ month BUT less money goes to the principal and more ends up paying off interest.

If interest rates drop or stay low you will be able to pay off your house sooner and build equity faster. With a Variable Rate mortgage you may also still have the option of switching to a Fixed Rate Mortgage if you think interest rates are going to go up.

CALGARY REAL ESTATE TIPS - SELL YOUR HOME FASTER

You may have read that one of the most important things you can do when selling your home is keep it clean and uncluttered. Well, many people have different views on what is tidy and many people cannot abide not having their stuff around close by.

Today's Tip: Get over it! If you are going to SELL your house clear out everything. Start packing up your personal possessions and plan on putting them in storage. If you haven't used something in the last 2 months, store it.

Look at a showhome to see how the property is displayed - there isn't alot of stuff lying around. Just a few small items to give it the right warm and welcoming feel.

By REALLY cleaning up the clutter you will sell your home faster!