15Oct 2021What Is A Realtor Commission Fee? Commission fees are the main source of income for real estate professionals and are usually paid by the seller. This sum is traditionally split 50/50 between the seller’s Realtor® and the buyer’s Realtor®. Commissions are simply the cost of doing…
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8Oct 2021Risks Of Investing In A Foreclosed Home In Calgary The Canadian foreclosure purchasing experience is radically different from what is portrayed in the US. Rarely will a Canadian be able to buy a foreclosed home for 50 cents on the dollar; federal law stipulates that foreclosed properties must…
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16Sep 2021What Is A Foreclosure Real Estate Agent? A foreclosure specialist is a real estate agent who specializes in foreclosure deals. A foreclosure occurs when the bank repossesses a home because the owner has been unable to meet their monthly mortgage payments. Once the bank repossesses the home, it…
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9Sep 2021Chemistry Is Key Before you commit to a real estate agent, interview at least three before choosing the one you want to work with. Ask yourself: “ Is their marketing more about them or their properties? ” “Do they have expertise in the neighbourhood where you are selling your…
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2Sep 20214 Ways To Make Your Calgary Home Stand Out To Potential Buyers There are many houses for sale in Calgary, so it can be easy for your home to get lost in the crowd. But, by following these tips, you will be on the right track to a faster sale. You most likely are not the only one trying to sell a…
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26Aug 2021What Is A Foreclosure Specialist? A real estate agent who specializes in foreclosures helps their clients understand the complicated foreclosure process and negotiate and advocate on behalf of their clients. They know how to effectively communicate with the bank and are aware of the protocols…
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12Aug 20214 Benefits Of Hosting An Open House Open Houses Reduce Marketing Costs By hosting an open house, you will be able to bring in more traffic to your home in a shorter period of time. More eyes on your home in a shorter duration will often mean a faster sale. You will also be saving your own…
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5Aug 2021What Is A Foreclosure? A foreclosure on a property occurs when the homeowner is unable to meet their mortgage payments, therefore forfeiting the rights to their property. Judicial foreclosure is a process banks use to foreclose on mortgages in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba,…
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27Jul 2021Top 3 Reasons To Purchase A Home In Crescent Heights Located between the bustling core of downtown and the Trans-Canada Highway, Crescent Heights is known for its stunning panoramic views of the Bow River Valley. The Mel Star Team has extensive experience buying and selling properties within…
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22Jul 20215 Reasons Why You Should Hire A Realtor® When Buying A New Home While it can be appealing to conduct the home buying process on your own, a real estate agent has the experience and tools to help you find your dream home. Not all listings can be found on online websites and other platforms. A…
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8Jul 20214 Tips For Making An Offer On A Foreclosed Property Buying a new home is difficult enough, but buying a foreclosure comes with its own set of challenges. They can be extremely enticing and are often sold for a lot less than typical homes on the market. While you can save a lot of money, you will…
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24Jun 2021If you are getting ready to buy or sell a house in Calgary, you are probably weighing the option to either hire a real estate agent or to go about the buying and selling process on your own. Buyers and sellers are on different teams but share the same goal—a sale. However, what one is trying to…
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10Jun 2021Are You Prepared To Purchase A Foreclosure? Why are foreclosure properties not as common and exciting as they are on TV? For starters, television tends to disproportionately focus on the exciting and dramatic aspects of the foreclosure process. These TV shows are also likely based in the US,…
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10Jun 2021Be Prepared To Sell If you want to sell your home, think about a selling plan before you list it on the market. Whether you are relocating for work, downsizing, moving cities, or making room for a growing family, you need to take the steps to make sure that your house is ready to sell. Prepare…
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10May 2021Foreclosures In Canada The United States has glamourized the purchase of foreclosures because of their low asking prices and quick auction processes. In Canada, foreclosures are rarer than you might think. The process is different from the US, and eye-catching deals are not as common. Since…
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4May 2021More often than not, banks do not want to go through the foreclosure process. It is expensive, time-consuming, and requires legal proceedings. Putting the home up for auction at a low price point also results in lost profit. However, foreclosures do happen under extreme circumstances. …
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19Apr 2021Judicial vs. Power Of Sale Foreclosures In Canada Judicial foreclosures are only available in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia. The lender (bank) will file a lawsuit against the homeowner for their missed mortgage payments and the ownership of the property and…
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12Apr 2021Whether you’re looking for an investment property to flip, or a cheap property-turned dream home finding foreclosures can be a great investment opportunity. So where can you find foreclosure listings in your area? Learn More The Benefits of Investing In A…
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24Mar 2021When looking to buy a home, there are many important factors to balance such as your budget, location, and checking off all those must-haves on your list. If you don’t know what to look for you could end up purchasing a home you’re not happy with once you’ve settled in and learned the quirks…
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10Mar 2021The usual process of showing and selling your home has drastically changed since the pandemic. Gone are the days of open houses as Alberta realtors have been barred from hosting open houses since March of last year. While the pandemic has caused many changes and restrictions to be put in place,…
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14Feb 2021Are you looking to buy a home in Calgary? Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or you’re looking to downsize, selecting the right community for you and your family is key. Here are four things you should look for in a neighbourhood and how our Calgary realtors can help you find the best deal on…
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7Feb 2021If you are ready to invest in some property, you may be considering a foreclosure. However, this can be a complex process and must be navigated carefully. Here is everything you need to know about successfully investing in a foreclosure property and how our Calgary realtors can help you find the…
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21Jan 2021If you are a new homeowner or you are looking to invest in the real estate market, then buying a foreclosed home may offer many benefits, including: Discounted prices: Sellers of foreclosed homes are looking to make a quick sale and are more willing to lower their prices to attract…
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10Jan 2021The house you bought a couple of decades ago may no longer fit your current needs. When that happens, it could be time to downsize. Here are five questions you must ask yourself to decide if you are ready to move into a smaller space and how our Calgary downsizing realtors are in the best position…
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10Dec 2020This includes ensuring that you: Have no debt Can afford a down payment of at least 10-20% for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage Have factored into your budget any additional costs that may be required for repairs or renovations Have an emergency fund of 3-6 months expenses Work…
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7Dec 2020Keeping our Home Sellers Safe The Mel Star Team will request health and recent travel information from all parties involved before any showings to evaluate any potential risk. As the seller, you have no obligation to show the property if you feel uncomfortable. Our team will create a…
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3Dec 2020Selling your home over the holidays can have many benefits as you may: Have less competition Get the attention of more serious and motivated buyers Enjoy a quicker sale Be able to take advantage of the festive time and make your open house more inviting with some simple and…
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30Nov 2020If you are thinking about buying a foreclosed home in Calgary, now may be the right time to do it. However, before you do, there are several things you should prepare ahead of time to ensure you make the best decision. This includes: Teaming up with an experienced realtor who knows how to…
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11Nov 2020Staging your property in preparation for an open house plays a key part in creating a more emotional purchase, which in turn may generate more money for the seller. In addition to this, working with your Calgary realtor to design a spectacular staging can help: Ensure a faster…
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29Oct 2020There are several benefits of buying a foreclosed home, including: Better opportunities for negotiation Faster sales Lower prices Fewer title concerns However, you should keep in mind that buying a foreclosed home is a little different than buying a standard property owned by a…
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13Oct 2020However, regardless of your age, career plans, or financial wherewithal, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the many benefits that come with homeownership. These include: It allows you to build equity Greater stability and emotional security More control over your…
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24Sep 2020When you are buying a foreclosed property, here are some things to consider: Hire a top realtor to help you through the process Know your budget and be prepared to walk away if the asking price goes above it Take note of all the repairs the house needs and make sure this fits into your…
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9Sep 2020However, for some people, downsizing is necessary in order to: Cut costs Address changing medical needs Be closer to children and grandchildren Lead a more simplified lifestyle While downsizing may feel like a step down, the truth is that it has many upsides: saving money and…
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28Aug 2020What is a foreclosed home? When a homeowner fails to make three consecutive mortgage payments, the bank or financial institution takes control of the property. While this is bad news for the property owner, it can be a great opportunity for profit for property buyers. Some of the benefits of…
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14Aug 2020Are you thinking about buying a foreclosed home in Calgary? Here are five factors you must consider before you do. Whether you are looking for a home to live in, to flip and sell, or to rent out for extra income, you might be considering purchasing a foreclosed home. For many Calgarians, this…
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24Jul 2020Some key benefits of doing so include: Quicker buying process Higher return on investment Better opportunities for moving into higher priced neighbourhoods Lower down payments Want to Invest in a Foreclosed Home But Don't Know Where to Start? Our Top Calgary Realtors…
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15Jul 2020As a potential homebuyer, you can expect the following changes: Less competition Digital house tours and digital closings Fewer options Need for a higher credit score and down payment Your employment might be verified several times Our Top Calgary Realtors Can Help…
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22May 2020This includes making sure you: Are out of debt Have a downpayment of at least 10%-20% for a 15 year fixed-rate mortgage Have an emergency fund of 3-6 months expenses Have enough additional cash saved to cover the cost of any repairs If you are looking for a move-in ready home…
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14May 2020There are several reasons why this may happen, including the fact that the homeowner may: Have excessive debts Be unemployed Have fallen ill and is unable to work Have recently become divorced and is unable to make the payments on a single income Have drained their financial…
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27Apr 2020Quick Facts About Home Foreclosures They happen when a homeowner stops paying his/her mortgage. Banks and government agencies sell foreclosed homes to recoup their financial losses on them. You can purchase a foreclosed home at an auction, or directly from the court (as a judicial sale),…
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11Apr 2020Some signs that you might be ready to become a homeowner include, you: Have a good credit score Have enough for the down payment Are committed to the city in which you live Have your debt under control Are prepared for the maintenance that comes with home ownership Our Calgary…
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31Mar 2020Have a Foreclosure Listing in Mind But Don’t Know Where to Start? Our Calgary Realtors Can Help You Get the Best Deal On Your New Home! At Mel Star, our team of leading Calgary realtors can provide you with the expert advice you need when buying or selling a home. We have access to many…
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14Mar 2020We have a lot to offer our customers, including: Access to many foreclosure listings Expert advocacy and negotiation assistance Decades of experience in the Calgary real estate market A comprehensive service that covers everything from handling moving offers to transferring your…
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2Mar 2020If you have started looking at foreclosure listings in Calgary, it’s important to understand the inherent benefits involved in buying a foreclosed home: The lender is eager to recuperate their loss and will want to sell the property quickly. They may sell it at a lower price than it was…
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27Feb 2020Looking at Foreclosure Listings in Calgary? We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home! Don’t know the difference between a judicial sale or bank owned foreclosure? Are you having difficulty negotiating a price for your new home? At Mel Star, our team takes care of all the big and small details, so…
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12Feb 2020Some of the steps that you have to go through in order to make such a purchase, include: Browse available foreclosure listings Find a lender and discuss REO financing Work with a real estate agent who understands bank-owned foreclosures Get an appraisal on your ideal property Make an…
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25Jan 2020This can have many benefits, including: Better opportunities for negotiating Seller is motivated to achieve a fast sale You can typically use regular mortgage financing The seller might be more amenable to provide certain concessions We Can Help You Find Your Dream Home at a…
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9Jan 2020Considering Buying a Foreclosure But Don’t Know Where to Start? We Can Help! At Mel Star, our team of Calgary real estate experts hedge the risk associated with buying a foreclosed home, providing you with expertise and advice every step of the way. We have access to many foreclosure listings…
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10Dec 2019We Can Help Take Care of All The Details Don’t know the difference between a judicial or bank owned foreclosure? Are you having difficulty negotiating a price for your new home? At Mel Star, our team takes care of all the big and small details, so you can focus on what matters most: investing…
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14Nov 2019At Mel Star, our Calgary realty agents work closely with you to help sell your home at the best price, and as quickly as possible. Our team will: Help present your home in the best possible light Skillfully negotiate the best price possible Manage all showings and documentation Guide…
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30Oct 2019You may want to consider downsizing if you’re: Having financial struggles Finding it difficult to move around your current space An empty nester with too much empty and unused living space Considering changing your lifestyle 4 SIGNS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER DOWNSIZING Our…
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17Oct 2019Our Top Calgary Realtors Can Help You Find Your Dream Home Exceeding our clients’ expectations is the norm with the Mel Star Team. We are the top realtor team with Calgary’s RE/MAX Central Office - the world’s top producing single RE/MAX office for 20 years in a row (based on closed…
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19Sep 2019If you are on the fence about downsizing, you’re not alone! A significant number of Canadians, whether empty nesters or not, are considering downsizing. And for a good reason. Many individuals who are considering moving into a smaller home are people who: Recently found that their home has…
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12Sep 2019Having the home to yourself can allow you to: Rediscover your old passions Take up a new hobby Rekindle your relationship with your spouse Travel and take more vacations Our Knowledgeable Calgary Realtors Can Help You Downsize and Find Your New Dream Home Downsizing and finding…
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15Aug 2019Some of the financial benefits you may experience from downsizing include lower: Mortgage payments Energy bills Property insurance Maintenance and repair costs Our Experienced Calgary Realtors Make Downsizing Easy At Mel Star, our team of Calgary realtors has over 40 years…
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1Aug 2019This can be due to a number of reasons, including to: Simplify their lifestyle Cut costs Be closer to their children and grandchildren Address changing medical needs Looking to Downsize? Our Calgary Realtors Can Help You Find the Perfect Space Whatever the reason, downsizing can…
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3Jul 2019June Trends The month of June did not bring a lot of significant changes in the market and has behaved as expected. Here are some favorable trends: Inventory levels continue to decline, meaning there were fewer new listings for June. Since there has been an over-supply of…
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30Jun 2019The Future is Yours As an empty nester, your time, your future, and your life is yours to create. If there is something you’ve always wanted to do, be it travel, go back to school, or even write a book, now is the perfect time to reinvent yourself and achieve some of those dreams you’ve…
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15Jun 2019Moving homes, especially when you are downsizing, can be a difficult and challenging transition. However, relocating from a larger house to a smaller and more simplified living space as you age can have many benefits including: Lower cost of living A better quality of…
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6May 2019Our Calgary Real Estate Agents Help You Find Your Dream Home Buying or selling a home in today’s market can be a huge challenge. Our team of Calgary realtors have over 40 years of experience and we are the # 1 real estate team in Calgary’s RE/MAX Central office, the world’s top-producing…
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12Mar 2019Challenges As of January 8, 2019, MLS sales in Calgary were down 24 %, while pending sales were off by 50 %. New listings were down four 4%, meaning people either unlisted their homes or were not confident enough to list at all. Challenges in the real estate market will continue in 2019 and…
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12Mar 2019Market Update We started off the New Year in a tough position, where the vacancy rate was at an all-time high and sales were off 20% in December. While it may not look like a good way to start the year, there were still 800 sales made in December, which is positive news if you’re looking…
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12Mar 20195 Tips First Time Home Buyers In Calgary Need To Know 1. Use an Agent Researching housing markets and prices on your own is a good way to get started, but it is always wise to get an agent to help you with the buying process. The Mel Star Team knows there's much at stake for a…
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10Mar 20191. Location The location of your home is a key factor and must suit all your needs. This includes surrounding areas like schools, parks, grocery stores, etc. It’s also a great selling point, and while you may not be thinking that far ahead, being aware of this is critical when purchasing…
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