I just sold this Condo at 1311 1108 6 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta Downtown West End.

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I just sold this Condo at 201J 500 EAU CLAIRE Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta Eau Claire.

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I just sold this Condo at 207 7239 SIERRA MORENA Boulevard, Calgary, Alberta Signal Hill.

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I just sold this Condo at 1602 733 14 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta Beltline.

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I just sold this Condo at 1601 1078 6 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta Downtown West End.

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I just sold this Condo at 809 1108 6 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta Downtown West End.

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I just sold this Attached at 345 405 64 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta Thorncliffe.

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I just finished uploading this Townhouse for sale, 93 1815 VARSITY ESTATES Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta

Backing SW on the RIDGE - overlooking the golf course & Bowmont Park Natural Area, showcasing an amazing VIEW, this immaculate townhouse w/double attached garage in desirable Chateaux on the Green offers over 2000 SF of developed space! From the moment you step in the front door you are greeted with sweeping views overlooking the Bow River Valley. Spacious living room, w/cozy wood burning fireplace, & dining room offer a wall of windows (living room window is oversized). You'll appreciate the counter space & storage in the large, bright white kitchen. Main floor is completed w/2 pc bath & guest bedroom. Upstairs is the loft area w/second wood burning fireplace, spacious master retreat & ensuite bath & additional bedroom (currently used as a home office). Lower level offers another flex room, additional four piece bath, huge storage rm plus laundry. Enjoy the amenities in the complex: indoor swimming pool, exercise room, owners lounge & tennis court. Your new carefree lifestyle awaits - call to view today!

I just sold this Condo at 404 1309 14 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta Beltline.

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I just sold this Condo at 702D 500 EAU CLAIRE Avenue, Calgary, Alberta Eau Claire.

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Selling your condo is one of the most important steps in your life.

Here are 29 essential tips you must know.

For most people, selling their property means cashing in their biggest asset.

In other words, it must be handled with great care if you hope to protect—and capitalize on—your investment. This guide was written with one goal in mind: to give you the tools you need to maximize your profits, maintain control, and reduce the stress that comes with the home-selling process.

Tip #1

Know why you’re selling.

The reason you look closely at why you want to sell is that your motivations play an important role in the process. They affect everything from setting a price to deciding how much time and money you’ll invest to getting your condo ready for selling. For example, what’s more important to you: the money you walk away with, or the length of time your property is on the market? If your goal is a quick sale, that can dictate one kind of approach. If you want to maximize your profit, the sales process will almost certainly take longer.

Tip #2

Once you know, keep it to yourself.

Your reasons will affect how you negotiate the sale of your condo, but they shouldn’t be given as ammunition to the person who wants to buy it. For example, a prospective buyer who knows you must move quickly has you at their mercy in the negotiation process. When asked, simply say that your housing needs have changed. Your reasons are nobody’s business but your own.

Tip #3

Do your homework before setting a price.

Settling on an offering price shouldn’t be done lightly. Once you’ve set your price, you’ve told buyers the absolute maximum they have to pay for your home. The trick for the seller is to get a selling price as close to the offering price as possible. If you start out by pricing too high, you might not be taken seriously by prospective buyers and their agents. A price too low can result in selling for much less than you had hoped for.

Setting your home’s sale price can be a fairly easy process. If you live in a subdivision comprised of homes with similar or identical floor plans, built in the same time period, then all you have to do is look at recent sales in the neighborhood to give you a good ballpark figure. But many people live in older neighborhoods that have changed quite a bit over the years. Every home in your neighborhood may be different in minor or substantial ways—the house next door may have added another bedroom, for example, or the one across the street might have been built recently to fill a vacant lot. As a neighborhood evolves over the years, you may find that there aren’t any homes that are truly comparable to your own.

If you decide to sell your home on your own, the most common way to set a value is to look at homes that have sold in your neighborhood within the past six to 12 months, as well as those now on the market. That’s certainly how prospective buyers will assess the worth of your home. You can usually learn what homes have sold for in your neighborhood by making a quick trip to City Hall; home sale information is in the public records in most communities (but not all).

If this sounds like a lot of work, you may decide to hire a Realtor.® Your Realtor® will do all the market research and provide you with comps showing where your home should be priced to best meet your goals—a fast sell, maximum profit, etc.

Tip #4

Go home shopping yourself.

The best way to get to know your competition, identify features that are popular and learn what turns buyers off is to check out other open houses. Plan on spending a few weekends touring other homes on the market to learn what other sellers are asking. Be sure to make note of the floor plan, condition, appearance, size of lot, location and other features.

If you visit enough homes and pay close attention to the details (and what other “buyers” are saying), you’ll develop a good understanding of how different features affect pricing. And then you can apply what you’ve learned to the task of setting your price. But don’t forget to include in the equation what homes are actually selling for, not just simply what people are asking. And remember, if you’re serious about getting your home sold quickly, don’t be more expensive than your neighbor.

Tip #5

Know when to get an appraisal.

Sometimes you can use a good appraisal to your benefit in marketing your home. You can use it to let prospective buyers know that your home can be financed. However, an appraisal costs money. It also has a limited life. And you may not like the figure you hear.

Tip #6

Your tax assessment means almost nothing.

Some people look to tax assessments to assign a value. The problem here is that assessments are based on a number of criteria unrelated to property values, so they often don’t necessarily reflect the true value of your home. Have you ever heard of two identical homes in the same neighborhood with dramatically different assessed values because one was purchased more recently than the other? Well, it happens quite often.

Tip #7

Find a good Realtor®

Nearly two-thirds of the people who sell their own home say they wouldn’t do it themselves again,

according to research by the National Association of Realtors®. Sellers surveyed point to difficulties in setting a price, marketing handicaps and liability concerns among the primary reasons they would turn to a Realtor® next time. And selling a home yourself usually eats up more time and effort than you might initially expect.

Once you understand how much work it will be to sell it yourself, talk to a Realtor® you trust even if you

decide to strike out on your own. Many top professionals are more than willing to help do-it yourself

sellers with the paperwork, contracts, etc. Plus you’ll have a relationship with an agent if problems do

arise that require professional help. If you decide to work with a Realtor,® contact four or five—you probably met a few that you liked during your open house tour. Explain to each that you’re thinking about putting your home on the market and you’d like to meet to talk about pricing and marketing.

By having this group “evaluation” done, you should end up with a fairly tight price range to help guide your decision. Any Realtor® who is substantially higher or lower than the group should be able to justify their estimate. Just as you should be concerned with too low of a price, beware of an agent who gives you the highest price—they may be trying to buy your listing.

 A good Realtor® knows the market and your neighborhood in particular. They will supply you with information on past sales, current listings, a marketing plan, something on their own background, and references from past clients. Take the time to carefully evaluate candidates on the basis of their experience, qualifications, enthusiasm, and personality. Most importantly, make sure you choose someone who is going to put in a lot of hard work on your behalf.

Tip #8

Give yourself room to negotiate.

Make sure you leave yourself enough room in which to bargain. If what you ask for is unacceptable to the buyer, and their first offer is unacceptable to you, then you better make sure you have someplace to go that is acceptable to you.

Start with the absolute minimum price you would accept, then pick the price you’d get if the world were perfect. This gives you your range to keep in mind when working with your Realtor® to negotiate the sale. In setting your asking price, review your priorities. Do you want to maximize your profit or sell quickly? You’ll price high for the former and closer to market value if the latter is the case.

Tip #9

Maximize your condo's sales potential.

Each year, corporate North America spends billions of dollars on product and packaging design. The lesson here is that appearance is critical—and it would be foolish to ignore this when selling your home. You may not be able to change your home’s location or its floor plan, but you can do a lot to improve its appearance. And you should. The look and “feel” of your home generates a greater emotional response than any other factor. You may price your home to sell, but a prospective buyer reacts to what they see, hear, feel and smell.

Tip #10

Rely on other people’s judgment as well as your own.

The key to effective marketing is knowing your product’s good and bad points. In the case of your home, accentuating the good can mean a faster sale for more money; failing to deal with the bad can mean months on the market and a lower-than-desired sales price. The biggest mistake you can make at this point is to rely solely on your own judgment. Remember this is your home, a place of fond memories. There are bound to be emotional issues that can impair your ability to make an honest assessment of your home’s strengths and weaknesses.

In evaluating what improvements you can make, don’t be shy about asking others for their opinions. But make sure you’re getting an honest answer; some may try to spare your feelings, just what you don’t need. Fortunately, your Realtor® won’t be shy in discussing what should be done to make a home more marketable.

Tip #11

Clean like you’ve never cleaned before.

Pick up, straighten, unclutter, scrub, scour, dust...well, you get the idea. If your living room feels crowded, take out every piece of furniture you can get away with. If your home still isn’t ready to appear in House Beautiful, then clean some more. Remember, you’re not just competing with other people’s homes—you’re going up against brand-new homes as well.

 Tip #12

Fix everything no matter how insignificant it may appear.

The step that squeaks, the light switch that doesn’t work, the hairline crack in the bathroom mirror—they might be minor annoyances to you, but they can also be deal killers. The problem is that you never know what will turn a buyer off. And even something minor that’s gone unattended can suggest that perhaps there are bigger, less visible problems present as well.

Tip #13

Remove all traces of you from your home.

When you toured other people’s homes, you may have felt some discomfort. This probably occurred because you saw, heard or otherwise sensed something that made you feel as if you were intruding into someone’s life. The last thing you want others to feel in visiting your home is that same sense of discomfort. Avoid this by making your home as neutral as possible. Anything that interferes with a prospective buyers’ ability to see themselves living in your home must be eliminated.

A few carefully chosen knickknacks and family portraits may add warmth and character to the home, too many are a distraction. Avoid unique or trendy color schemes—paint and carpet in neutral shades of white or beige.

Tip #14

The little touches can make a difference.

While personal items can detract, other small touches can help make your house a home to buyers. A well placed vase of flowers, accent pieces of sculpture, potpourri in the bathroom—all can enhance the attractiveness of your home in a subtle, soft-spoken way. Try perusing any of the home magazines for tips.

Tip #15

Don’t let a smell be your downfall.

Odd smells kill deals quickly. All traces of food, pet and smoking odors must be eliminated. Even when

you’re sure they’re gone, don’t encourage prospective buyers to imagine things. If they know that you’re a smoker or that you have a dog, they’ll start smelling odors and seeing stains that may not even exist. Be safe—don’t leave any clues.

Tip #16

Disclose everything.

Smart sellers proactively go above and beyond the laws to disclose all known defects to their buyers—in writing. If the buyer knows about a problem, he can’t come back with a lawsuit later on.

Tip #17

The more prospects, the better.

By maximizing your home’s marketability, you’ll increase your chances of attracting more than one prospective buyer. Why is this better? Because several buyers compete with each other; a single buyer ends up competing with you.

Tip #18

Don’t get emotional during negotiations.

The extent of most people’s experience in the art of negotiation begins and ends at their local auto dealership. And few of us have pleasant memories of haggling with car salesmen. But if you can just let go of the emotion you’ve invested in your home and approach negotiations in a detached, businesslike manner, you’ll find the process to be a lot less painful. In fact, you might even enjoy it—and you’ll definitely have an advantage over prospective buyers who get caught up in the emotion of the situation.

Tip #19

Know your buyer.

In the negotiation process, your objective is to control the pace and set the duration. And the better

you know your buyer, the more easily you can maintain control. As a rule, buyers want the best property they can afford for the least amount of money. But knowing specifically what motivates your buyer enables you to negotiate more effectively. Maybe your buyer needs to move quickly. Or the maximum amount he can spend is just a little below your asking price. Knowing this information puts you in a better bargaining position.

Tip #20

Find out what the buyer can pay

As soon as possible, try to find out the mortgage amount the buyer is qualified to carry and the size of his down payment. If he makes a low offer, question his Realtor® about his client’s ability to really pay what your home is worth.

Tip #21

Find out when the buyer would like to close.

When a buyer would “like” to close is often when they need to close. Knowing this gives you his deadline for completing negotiations—again, an advantage in negotiations.

Tip #22

Don’t sign a deal on your next home until you close the deal on this one.

If circumstances conspire to force you into closing on your new home while you’re still making mortgage payments on the old one, you might end up turning yourself into a seller who is eager (or desperate) for the first deal that comes along.

 Tip #23

Don’t move out before you sell.

Studies have shown that it is more difficult to sell a home that is vacant—it looks forelorn, forgotten, simply not appealing. It could even cost you thousands. If you move, you’re also telling buyers that you have a new home and are probably motivated to sell.

 Tip #24

Don’t give yourself a deadline.

Forcing yourself to sell by a certain date adds unnecessary pressure and puts you at a serious disadvantage in negotiations.

Tip #25

Don’t take a low offer personally.

The first offer is invariably well below what you both know the buyer will end up paying for your property. Don’t get angry or feel insulted; evaluate the offer objectively. Make sure it spells out the offering price, adequate earnest money, amount of down payment, mortgage amount, a closing date and any special requests. Now you have a point from which you can negotiate.

Tip #26

A really low offer may mean the buyer is not qualified.

If you feel an offer is inadequate, now would be a good time to make sure the buyer has been qualified to carry a mortgage of the size this deal would require (if you haven’t learned this already). Ask how they arrived at their figure, then suggest their agent use comparables to establish what homes are going for in your neighborhood.

Tip #27

Don’t take a lowball offer seriously.

An unacceptably low offer should not be taken personally or seriously. Rather, it should be countered, even with the slightest of reductions in your asking price. This lets a buyer know that their first offer isn’t seen as a very serious one.

 Tip #28

Make sure the contract is complete.

The best way to avoid problems is to make sure that all terms, costs and responsibilities are spelled out in the contract of sale. A contract should include the date it was made, the names of the parties involved in the transaction, the address of the property being sold, the purchase price, where deposit monies will be held, the date for loan approval, the date and place of closing, type of deed, any contingencies that remain to be settled, and whether there’s any personal property included (or not) in the sale, among other things.

Tip #29

Don’t deviate from the contract.

Resist the temptation to diverge from the contract. For example, if the buyer requests a move-in prior to closing, just say no. Now is not the time to take any chances of the deal falling through.

If this all sounds like a lot of work, it is. But it’s to be expected when you’re selling anything of such great value. And you’ll thank yourself for all the expense and hard work when the outcome works to your satisfaction.

Please feel free to email me at info@richardbergeron.com if you would like a further explanation on any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. I simply see my mission as striving to be as helpful as I possibly can to Calgary condo owners. I hope this special report on selling your condo provided you with the information you need.

www.richardbergeron.com

Selling Your Condo for Top Dollar (And Fast) - Special Report

www.condosforsalecalgary.ca

Selling selling selling selling

Transitioning from renter to condo owner is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make throughout your lifetime. It can also be a stressful experience if you don’t plan ahead by building a budget and saving prior to embarking upon ownership.

Budgeting is a core ingredient that helps alleviate the stress associated with money issues that can sometimes arise if you purchase a home or condo without knowing all of the associated costs – including down payment, closing expenses, ongoing maintenance, taxes, condo fees and utilities.

The trouble is, many first-time condo owners fail to carefully think about their finances, plan a budget or set savings aside. And in this society of instant gratification, money problems can quickly escalate.

The key is to create a realistic budget based on your goals. Track your spending and make your dollars go further by sticking to your budget once it’s in place. Budgeting offers a step-by-step formula for figuring out how to best save your hard-earned money to invest in home ownership.

Start by listing your household income, then your household expenses, and review your spending habits. All of this can be done on a pad of paper or on a computer spreadsheet.

Keeping receipts for everything that you purchase will enable you to accurately keep track of where your money is going each month so that you can review and make necessary changes to your plan on an ongoing basis.

Examine all areas of your life from entertainment to the type of food you buy, where you buy your food and clothes, and how and where you travel. Also look at your spending personality and make necessary adjustments. Are you a saver, a splurger, a spontaneous shopper or a hoarder? Become smarter with your money and avoid impulse buying.

If you find you’re spending a lot of money in one area, such as entertainment for instance, set aside a reasonable amount each month and prepare to stop spending money in this area once your budget has been exhausted.

Budgeting provides you with the opportunity to re-evaluate your needs and wants. Do you really need the magazine subscriptions, the gym membership and all the other things you may spend money on each month? Although everyone needs some “me time” to wind down, could you not get that by taking a walk or reading a good book you borrowed from the library?

If you can set your budget solidly in place before you head out home, condo or mortgage shopping, you will be far more prepared to purchase your first property.

Following are three top tips to help you prepare for the purchase of your first condo or home:

1. Set up a savings account. You can deposit a predetermined amount into this account each pay period that you will not touch unless it’s absolutely necessary. This will enable you to put money aside for a down payment and cover closing costs, as well as address ongoing homeownership expenses such as maintenance, taxes and utilities.
2. Save up for big-ticket items. As you accumulate money in your savings account, you will be able to also save for specific purchases to help furnish your home – avoiding the buy now, pay later mentality, which can have a negative impact on your credit when you’re seeking mortgage financing.
3. Surround yourself with a team of professionals. When you’re getting ready to make your first condo or home purchase, enlist the services of a licensed mortgage professional like Liz Bergeron and a real estate agent like Richard Bergeron www.richardbergeron.com These experts are invaluable to you as you set out on the road to homeownership because they help first-time buyers through the home purchase and financing processes every day. They will be able to answer all of your questions and set your mind at ease. A mortgage professional has access to multiple lenders, and can help you get pre-approved for a mortgage so you know exactly what you can afford to spend on a home before you head out house hunting, while a real estate agent will be able to match your needs with a house you can afford. Both parties will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you get the best bang for your buck. And, best of all, these services are typically free. They will also be able to refer you to other reputable professionals you may need for your home purchase, including a real estate lawyer and home appraiser.

I just finished uploading this House for sale, 327 LEIGHTON View, Rural Rocky View County, Alberta

Welcome to your Zen inspired, architecturally designed oasis in Elbow Valley West. Situated on over a 1/2 acre, prepare to be captivated by the panoramic WEST MOUNTAIN VIEWS through floor to ceiling windows. Behold a magnificent, yet different landscape view each day under ever changing Prairie skies. Open concept design home, perfect for entertaining - Main floor boasts 2100 SF of gracious living space: spacious great rm w/soaring ceilings & oversized sliding doors leading to west facing deck, entertainment style kitchen w/huge island & prime west facing windows, dining rm perfect for family dinners, media/family rm & the master retreat completes the main flr. Uniquely & thoughtfully designed with lofts at either end of the home: 2 bdrms, full bath & a loft on one, & a private guest suite w/loft & full bath on the other - this is the dream family home. Fully dev't lower level: massive rec rm, 2 add. bdrms (each with a full bath), wine rm & storage. So many additional features, this home must be viewed.
www.condosforsalecalgary.ca

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 1601 1078 6 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta

Very spacious two bedroom plus den suite with terrific city views (16th floor!) and TWO side by side parking stalls! Over 50 feet of floor to ceiling windows makes for a wonderful light and bright setting! Living room features a gas fireplace with natural slate front, open entertaining style kitchen with granite counters and tiled backsplash, two full baths with heated tile floors, lots of closet space and gorgeous cherry laminate floors throughout are some of the great features of this beautiful condo! Building amenities include concierge service, large main floor exercise facility, amenity room, pool & hot tub and plenty of indoor secured visitor parking for guests! Riverwest towers are located a half block from the Bow River & river pathway system and a block from the free zone DT LRT! A wonderful easy walk to everywhere location!
www.condosforsalecalgary.ca

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 1102 837 2 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta

River-side at the luxurious Point On The Bow! Unobstructed river, valley and city views are yours through floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful open kitchen with island and granite counters, two good size bedrooms plus a den/office, large walk-in closets, two full baths and lots of upgrades throughout. There are TWO titled parking stalls and a very large titled storage room included. Building amenities include full time concierge service, gorgeous all season atrium lobby, indoor pool, hot tub and exercise facility, indoor guest parking and wash bay. Point On The Bow has an exclusive private cul-de-sac location facing the river parkway! The best of the best. An easy walk to all Eau Claire has to offer, including the downtown office towers, Peace bridge and the shops of Kensington just across the river.

I just finished uploading this House for sale, 1101A 500 EAU CLAIRE Avenue, Calgary, Alberta

Superb location in Eau Claire Estates, steps to the downtown office towers, this 1 bedroom PLUS den suite has TONS of space - over 1640 SF and GREAT views of the Bow River and Prince's Island Park. The living room and dining area are huge, with windows and balcony to take in the view. The kitchen is large, with an eating area, lots of counter space and centre island. The spacious master bedroom offers a walk-in closet and ensuite bath, sliding pocket doors to the large den (could be used as a guest bedroom), and there is a second full bath. The suite comes with underground parking. The building offers residents THE BEST amenities - 24 hour concierge service, on-site health club with swimming pool, hot tub, exercise room and change rooms, sun deck with BBQ's, gorgeous central courtyard and of course a premier location in Eau Claire.

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 2403 1100 8 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta

The amazing VIEWS from this 24th floor suite will take your breath away! With windows on 3 sides, tons of space (over 2400 SF) and 2 parking stalls the POTENTIAL of this suite at this price is fantastic! Just image the showstopper renovation you and your designer can create with this much square-footage, overlooking the Bow River Valley with the Rocky Mountains beyond. Your dream suite awaits!

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 5 821 3 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta

Located on the quiet south side of Livingstone House this large two bedroom garden patio unit offers great potential. Ideal to renovate as it offers good size, a ground level patio overlooking the private fenced courtyard, kitchen with nook, corner fireplace in the living room, 4 piece bath and 2 bedrooms. Your inner city condo includes one underground parking stall. Livingstone House offers adult living (16+ age restriction) and is steps to the Eau Claire walkways, Prince's Island Park and a few blocks to the DT +15 indoor network. You'll love the beautiful Eau Claire community. It doesn't get much more convenient than this! Call to book your viewing today!

I just finished uploading this Townhouse for sale, 93 1815 VARSITY ESTATES Drive, Calgary, Alberta

Backing SW on the RIDGE - overlooking the golf course & Bowmont Park Natural Area, showcasing an amazing VIEW, this immaculate townhouse w/double attached garage in desirable Chateaux on the Green offers over 2000 SF of developed space to call your own! From the moment you step in the front door you are greeted with sweeping views overlooking the Bow River Valley. Spacious living room, w/cozy wood burning fireplace, & dining room offer a wall of windows. You'll appreciate all the counter space & storage in the large, bright white kitchen. Main floor is completed with 2 pc bath & guest bedroom. Upstairs is the loft area w/second wood burning fireplace, spacious master retreat & ensuite bath & additional bedroom (currently used as a home office). Lower level offers another bedroom, additional four piece bath, huge storage room plus laundry room. Enjoy the amenities in the complex: indoor swimming pool, exercise room, owners lounge and tennis court. Your new carefree lifestyle awaits - call to view today!

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 1803 210 15 Avenue, Calgary, Alberta

Great height + Great Price + Great building = your perfect inner city lifestyle! Downtown city views north are yours from this open floor plan with split bedroom layout in the beautiful Vetro building! Features include mocha cabinets & stainless steel appliances, granite countertops & breakfast ledge in the kitchen, tall 9 ft ceilings, central air for summer comfort, two good sized bedrooms, 2 full baths both with granite counters. This is a great suite for a room mate scenario or enough space for your home office. One titled underground parking stall and one assigned secured storage locker are included. Building amenities include concierge service, a fitness facility, media room, games room and rooftop patio on the 2nd level! Vetro has the perfect walk to work location, is in the heart of the Beltline with shops and restaurants just outside your door and is steps to the LRT. Capitalize on this opportunity today - call to book your private viewing.