*** Showhome Condition! *** Amazing value in this very clean, well-maintained townhouse which features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a double garage. Beautifully finished with many upgrades including tile floors in the kitchen, front entrance, & the baths; granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances, pantry, maple cabinets and crown mouldings. Great floor plan with large living room/dining room combination, eat-in kitchen with bay window and a south balcony. Upper level has maple railings with metal spindles leading to the upper level. Upstairs there is a convenient laundry, 3 bedrooms, a large master with walk-in closet and a 3-pce ensuite. Lots of storage room in the in the double attached garage that has a walkout to a green space. — This is a well-managed, quiet complex with low condo fees ($179/mo). It also has an on-site fitness facility (small monthly fee), party room, and lots of visitor parking. Close to the city bus, schools, shopping and parks. — *** A must see! ***

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However, as any responsible real estate agent will tell you, buying a fixer-upper can be a big challenge. Excessive or hidden damage in a home can be both dangerous and costly. Before you make the plunge, make sure you follow a few important fixer-upper guidelines.

1. Always get an inspection. Nothing will give you a better idea of what kind of repairs you’ll come across than a thorough home inspection from a trusted source. Don’t take on more damage than you, your contractor, and your budget can handle.

2. Pay attention to the layout and structural foundation of the house. If you’ve always dreamed of a large kitchen, make sure your potential new home can be adapted in terms of wiring, plumbing, and layout. Sometimes, the skeletal structure of a house prevents certain types of cosmetic changes.

3. Location matters. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a single family house in Calgary or a condo in Southwest Calgary; a home’s value is only as high as the neighborhood in which it’s located. A rundown building in a nice neighborhood has the greatest potential to bring an enormous resale price.

4. Know the difference between “big fixes” and “small fixes.” Things like drywall, painting, floor refinishing, landscaping, and hardware are easy to do yourself. Things like plumbing, electrical work, windows, and roofs can be more expensive and difficult. Stick to changes you can make for certain based on your skill level and budget.

When buying a home in Calgary or looking at Southwest Calgary real estate options, a fixer-upper can be one of the best ways to get the home of your dreams for a low overall cost. Just make sure you enter into the transaction with your eyes open, with flexibility in mind, and with Marilyn Sharpe at your side.

*** Great starter home! Original owners! *** This 1130 sq.ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom bilevel home has been freshly painted inside and out. It features new neutral carpets, new lino, baseboards, and light fixtures. The basement is bright with large windows and is partly finished with a large rec room featuring a wood-burning brick fireplace. There is also room to develop two more rooms. — *** Clean and ready for quick possession if needed! ***

View more photos here.

In real estate lingo, this is known as curb appeal.

Most potential homebuyers make a decision about a house within the first 30 seconds. For example, simply driving by a well-kept single family home for sale in the Calgary, Southwest Calgary, Southeast Calgary Alberta areas is often enough to cause people to pull over and make an immediate call to their realtor. That’s because an inviting exterior promises an inviting interior.

To get the kind of curb appeal that really gets noticed, you have to be able to detach yourself from your home. You may have lived there for months or years, and have probably learned to overlook the overgrown shrubbery next to the sidewalk or the mailbox in need of repair. However, these are the first things potential homebuyers will see. You have to view your home as objectively as possible in order to begin making the necessary repairs to get noticed.          

Look out for:

• Visible mold or mildew on the house, roof, or sidewalks
• Outdated exteriors
• Yard clutter
• Dirty gutters, siding, or windows
• Chipped paint
• How your home appears at dusk or even at night
• Overgrowth in the yard or on the sidewalks
• Dead plants or leaf piles
• Overly personalized doormats

Of course, if you’re really motivated to sell your home in the Calgary, Southwest Calgary, Southeast Calgary Alberta areas, you may also want to consider upgrading your landscaping. Like staging your home or making repairs, restorative landscaping can give your house just enough polish to entice a higher level of buyers. In fact, in a recent study, it was determined that good landscaping can actually add 6 to 11 percent to your home’s sale price.

We all know that selling a home can be hard work. Increase your chances of success by making sure your potential buyers are impressed before they even get out of the car.

3225 Cedarille Dr. SW, Calgary, AB

3225 Cedarille Dr. SW, Calgary, AB – $424,800

This very clean 2-storey split home in Cedarbrae has 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, central air conditioning & over 1700 sq. ft. of living space on 2 levels. Note also the hardwood floors, neutral carpets & decor, a main floor laundry, an eat-in kitchen, totally finished basement, and even a double attached garage. The kitchen has white cabinets, lots of counterspace, and includes all appliances. The family room has a brick fireplace, new patio doors, & is open to the kitchen. The large private yard features a newer 2-level deck, gas firepit and a barbeque gas-line. This beautiful home boasts mature trees, a lovely flower garden and backs south onto a large city park, playground, and nearby schools. — Close to shopping, public transportation, Southland Leisure Centre, Glenmore Park & an off-leash dog park. *** A super family home in very good condition; Ready to move into! ***

Virtual Tour
Map
Brochure

Marilyn Sharpe
Re/Max Realty Professionals
#10, 6020 – 1A St. SW
Calgary, AB T2H 0G3
Office: 403-281-5615
Cell:  403-870-7600
Toll-Free: 1-800-582-8166

220 Cantrell Place SW, Calgary

220 Cantrell Place SW, Calgary, AB – $409,900
*** Outstanding Bungalow in Established Community *** Just a beautiful 1160 sq.ft. home in Canyon Meadows that has 4 bedrooms (3 on the main floor); 3 full baths; gorgeous maple hardwood floors; fully developed basement; — and it has recently been totally updated. The fully renovated modern kitchen features custom-built light oak cabinets, breakfast bar, black & stainless steel appliances and an open design to the living and dining rooms making this a great home to entertain in. An extremely well-maintained home with upgraded attic insulation to R40, repainted exterior stucco & trim, new roof shingles, plus all new windows and doors. — The backyard is private with mature trees, interlocking patio/walkway, perennial flower beds, newer fence, parking stall off the back lane and large storage shed. — Superbly located … Close to C-Train for a quick commute downtown; on a quiet cul-desac; and there are good schools nearby. — *** No work needed here; just move in and enjoy.***

Map
Brochure
Virtual Tour

Marilyn Sharpe
Re/Max Realty Professionals
#10, 6020 – 1A St. SW
Calgary, AB T2H 0G3
Office: 403-281-5615
Cell:  403-870-7600
Toll-Free: 1-800-582-8166

Within the first minute, people decide if they could live in your home. The problem is that there are so many homes on the market right now, that if yours doesn’t catch their eye immediately, then they have other choices. The struggling housing market is forcing people to take more drastic measures to sell their homes. Many homeowners say they need all the help they can get. With the market not being so good, there are ways you can make your house stand out. Staging your home is the way to make your house stand out in the Calgary, Southwest Calgary, Southeast Calgary Alberta areas.

The idea of home staging is to highlight your home’s best attributes and positively affect potential buyers. Staging your home isn’t about your own tastes. It is about making the home appealing to the general population. Whether you go at it alone or use a stager, you need to have the attitude that your home is no longer your home.

Following are some tips to consider:

• Take down family pictures. Potential buyers need to picture themselves in your home, not you!
• Staging your rooms to show off their true potential. Clear out clutter or other personal items that will distract buyers.
• Painting the walls yourself is the cheapest upgrading option you have. This will really attract buyers. Try a neutral tone.

Staging your home is a great option to make your home stand out in the Calgary, Southwest Calgary, Southeast Calgary Alberta areas. Let myself, Marilyn Sharpe, your agent offer you advice about how to make your house more attractive to buyers.
]]> http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/staging-your-home/feed/ 0 http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/staging-your-home/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/calgaryrealestatenow/jGPI/~3/GFL88OwmpQI/ http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/what-buyers-are-seeking/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 01:37:54 +0000 Marilyn Sharpe http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/?p=18 What should buyers look for, or look out for when purchasing a home in the Calgary, Southwest Calgary, Southeast Calgary Alberta areas? This article will help sellers look into some important aspects of selling their home and what potential buyers look out for as well.

The way you live in your house is not the way to sell your house. So, what makes a house a home for sale on the market, and one that soon has a “SOLD” sign out on the front lawn? And what aspects are important to look at because potential buyers will ask the question, “How much work are we going to need to do prior to moving in and beyond?” The appearance and cleanliness of the home are significant. Always have your home ready to be shown at a moment’s notice with me, your agent, Marilyn Sharpe because this is what buyers are looking for. And a tip- burned out lights need to be replaced; classy lighting and upgraded fixtures can ameliorate the value of a home. Also, buyers said they would be willing to pay more for a home with a renovated kitchen.

Here are some things a buyer will look out for when dealing with the purchase of a home. The buyer will consider the following:

• Exactly what property is included in the sale? Lighting fixtures, drapes or blinds, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dryers are often problem areas.
• Is the neighborhood quiet, friendly? Are the homes well kept?
• Are there any development plans that will affect the property?
• The inspection report – are there any substantial problems with the house?
• Real estate taxes – what are the current property taxes, and what impact will your purchase have on the taxes?

Another issue that raises concern regarding buyer appeal is that sellers often mistakenly think that viewing empty properties will give the buyers an accurate sense of the space available. On the contrary, it is more difficult to really judge the size of a room without furniture and other objects as reference points. An empty room even allows buyers to focus on negative details instead of getting a sense of the overall space and the flow of each room to the next. Buyers need to ask themselves the question, “Can I see myself in this home?” Therefore, staging really helps buyers envision themselves in the space.

The idea of “staging” a home to make it look alluring to buyers has become popular during the last decade, as manifested by the proliferation of numerous home staging companies offering advice about how to make the house more attractive to buyers. Check out next’s months article about “Staging a Home.”

When selling your home with myself, Marilyn Sharpe, your agent keep in mind what buyers look for, or look out for before coming to look at your home in the Calgary, Southwest Calgary, Southeast Calgary Alberta areas.
]]> http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/what-buyers-are-seeking/feed/ 0 http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/what-buyers-are-seeking/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/calgaryrealestatenow/jGPI/~3/rby11PAbgEk/ http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/ideas-for-moving-relocation-in-calgary-southwest-calgary-southeast-calgary-alberta-areas/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:38:17 +0000 Marilyn Sharpe http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/?p=16 Want the secret to an easy move? Whether you’re relocating just around the corner, renting a moving truck or are packing up the family for cross-country relocation, you’ll get the tips you need to survive. Here are some great moving tips to save you time and money.

The key is to stay organized, so check out moving checklists online to help you with your move to the Calgary, Southwest Calgary, Southeast Calgary Alberta areas. Make a list of questions to ask for either your local moving truck rental business or decide if you need to go with actually hiring a moving company.

Experts in the moving and storage industry say that, you should plan six to eight weeks in advance to book a reputable moving company. Finding that reputable company can be a challenge, however, and a little research should be done before you entrust all of your worldly possessions to professional care. Check out listings online of moving companies that allow you to compare movers and interview moving companies to find just the right one. On interstate moves, charges are based on the weight of the items to be moved, the distance to be moved, packing, and other services. Get two or three estimates well in advance of your move. Be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau about any moving company you are considering.

Renting a moving vehicle or a portable on demand moving crate can be your best and easiest option to make sure your stuff gets moved to the new place the way you want them to. If you choose to rent a moving vehicle, you can rent it the day of the move or the day before. If you really want a lot of time to make sure you can arrange your furniture and household goods in your moving vehicle, then you might consider an on demand storage unit. These units get delivered to your driveway and you have as long as you need to fill it up. Then, when it is full, you call the company and they will come and pick the container up and deliver it to storage or to your new home.

No matter which moving option you choose, you will make things a lot easier on yourself if you weed out all the “stuff” that you haven’t used in a long time and donate it or throw it out. Start packing the items you want to keep but don’t use everyday away well before the moving day. Think about this tip: get wardrobe boxes to pack clothes. By simply hanging clothes inside these boxes, you’ll save time both packing and unpacking.

Facing relocation can be scary. Let your Real Estate agent, Marilyn Sharpe, ease the pain with packing tips, relocation advice and moving companies that specialize in relocation near and far.
]]> http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/ideas-for-moving-relocation-in-calgary-southwest-calgary-southeast-calgary-alberta-areas/feed/ 0 http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/ideas-for-moving-relocation-in-calgary-southwest-calgary-southeast-calgary-alberta-areas/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/calgaryrealestatenow/jGPI/~3/EI78184hMMY/ http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/unclutter-your-home-in-order-to-sell/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:13:18 +0000 Marilyn Sharpe http://www.calgaryrealestatenow.com/?p=14 It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.

Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.

Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”

Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:
• If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

If you are getting your house ready to sell in the Calgary, Southwest Calgary, Southeast Calgary Alberta areas, then take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas where you can unclutter your home and let myself, Marilyn Sharpe, your agent help you to get your house ready to sell.
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