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 2020Are you looking to sell your home during the holidays? Here are the top benefits of doing so, how to stage an open house to entice buyers, and how our Calgary realtors can help you get the best price for your home. During the holidays, you might notice the ‘For Sale’ signs being taken down…
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30Nov 2020Are you thinking about buying a foreclosure in Calgary? Here are five surefire signs that a foreclosed home is a good deal and how to ensure you are making the right decision when it comes to purchasing your new home. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, foreclosure rates in Calgary, and across…
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11Nov 2020Are you looking to sell your Calgary home? Studies have shown that staging can help your home sell faster, and may even lead to higher offers. Here are some of the best staging tips for an open house from our Calgary realtors. If you are planning on selling your home, it’s important to…
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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 2020If you’re in the market for a new home, you’ve probably seen the listings and put together a short-list of potential properties. However, while it can be helpful seeing a picture online, visiting an open house to see the home in person is critical before making a decision. Here are some top…
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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 2020Are you looking to downsize? Our Calgary realtors have the experience and expertise to make the downsizing experience as affordable, stress-free, and simple as possible. Here’s how to downsize the right way. Moving homes can be a stressful experience, regardless of your age. But for older…
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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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12Mar 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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