Buyers Tips

The following is a listing of the most common types of home mortgages available in Calgary today.

Variable Rate Mortgage -
A mortgage with an interest rate that fluctuates with the market. The rate varies each month, meaning that the interest rate may increase or decrease each month. The total monthly payment will likely remain the same. The rate on a variable rate mortgage is generally slightly higher than a closed rate mortgage, however if you feel the interest rates are going to fall you may be better off with this type of mortgage.

High-Ratio Mortgage -
This type of mortgage must be insured (usually through CMHC or GEMI).This is a mortgage obtained when the down payment is less than 25% of the total purchase price.

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Top Ten List Of Defects Found During A Home Inspection

Retaining the services of Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) home inspector can translate into big savings at the closing table. First, you need to be sure that you retain the services of a qualified Licensed Professional Engineer who can identify subtle defects that are not readily visible to the typical home buyer. Buyers who inspect their prospective homes by themselves are rarely qualified to conduct a thorough home inspection and even if they have a good knowledge base to work from, they are too emotionally involved in the purchase and are usually blinded by the glitter of the cosmetic issues.Buying the home of your dreams usually consumes all of your available resources as well as everything

Foundations

As with the exterior walls, long cracks in a foundation aren't good. A zigzagging crack, called a "stairstep" or "Z-crack," usually means uneven settling. Often houses settle early on and stay put thereafter. That's usually OK, but even stable cracks can let water in. A big problem is if the foundation keeps moving and those cracks grow. Inside, check for water damage-peeling paint, efflorescence (white powdery mineral residue on walls) or stains.

Roof and Flashing

Wind, rain, sun and snow-one or another attacks your roof daily. Be safe-a lot can be seen from the ground, and if you do climb onto the roof, be careful. Look at the roof ridge. If it isn't straight, or there are dips in the roof surface, then

Preparing your house for sale

Appearance and overall condition play a major role in selling your house quickly and for asking price. The market is only a factor. This is where home staging comes into the marketing. First off this is not your home right now and will not be in the near future either. This is a house, a commodity that is for sale and which you would like to get the maximum revenue for. Look objectively at this commodity and keep your emotions out of the presentation and negotiations.

De-Personalize.

Show homes do not contain highly personal items and neither should yours. Remove family pictures, items that are collectibles such as porcelain dolls, or spoon collections. The idea is to get the prospective buyers imagining their things in