(Saddleridge is one of the Calgary communities with the highest rates of home ownership at 80 per cent. PHOTO BY FILE /Postmedia)

"Suburban Tuscany in the northwest has a 92 per cent ownership rate;  Silverado in the southwest is at 91 per cent and Saddleridge in the northeast is at 80 per cent. Inner-city Bridgeland/Riverside has a 44 per cent rate; Lower Mount Royal is at 36 per cent; and Bankview is at 32 per cent, the latter of which has more multi-family than single-family homes." Source: Calgary Herald.

The full story is here: 

https://calgaryherald.com/life/homes/new-homes/home-ownership-ranks-high-in-calgary?fbclid=IwAR29z_kLdw_IDOAxjY-P5ZNtn0Lzl5YDbGIJNq5Vn0J0Gi9EgA0RDHykp1U

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Buying your first home is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming when you don't know what to expect. Below are some tips to help first-time homebuyers navigate this process successfully. 

1. Get pre-approved before you start shopping. 

Nothing is more upsetting than finding the home of your dreams, only to learn that you cannot qualify for the loan needed to purchase it. Before you begin shopping for a new home, meet with a lender to request a pre-approval. The lender will review your financial situation and provide you with a pre-approved loan amount. Once you know how much you can afford to borrow, selecting the right properties will be easier. 

2. Select the right real estate agent. 

One of the most important things you can do to ensure that the process of buying your first home goes as smoothly as possible is to hire the right real estate agent. Be sure to choose a local agent who is familiar with your area. It is also a good idea to research your agent's background and experience, as well as to read reviews written by past clients so you will know what to expect as you work with the agent. 

3. Don't overbuy. 

When purchasing your first home, it can be tempting to choose a property at the higher end of your price range. However, adjusting to a monthly mortgage payment can be challenging. Make this process easier on yourself by selecting a property in the middle of your price range if possible. This will make your monthly payments more affordable, leaving you with plenty of extra income to buy furniture, make repairs or even save for the future. 

4. Do your research. 

Before purchasing any new home, be sure to do plenty of research about the neighborhood and the property itself. Ask your real estate agent to provide any insight they may have about the area and the property in question. If you have questions about the property, get the answers you need before you make an offer. 

5. Ask for an inspection. 

When you make an offer on the property you hope to purchase, you have the chance to request an inspection. Regardless of the circumstances, it is always in your best interest to take advantage of this opportunity. Be sure to read the inspection report carefully and consider any items that were found to be dangerous or defective. 

Every first-time homebuyer feels a little anxious, but you can simplify the experience by following the tips above. 

Although not everyone is a fan of carpeting, there are definitely benefits to having it in your home. The big question is, "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"

Well, that answer depends on a lot of variables, but if you happen to like the look and feel of carpeting, then it's probably worth having. Assuming the carpet fibers are made of a soft material, it offers an extra layer of comfort for walking barefoot and sitting on the floor. It also provides some minor benefits, in terms of both sound absorption and heat insulation.

One of the negative aspects of carpeting is that it tends to conceal dirt, allergens, and food crumbs. Depending on whether it's a stain-resistant carpet, keeping it looking clean could be an ongoing challenge. That, of course, would be especially true if you have children, pets, or a spill-prone spouse!

Although stain-resistant carpets are supposed to be easy to clean, you can't help but wonder if that applies to pet accidents and grape juice spills that aren't immediately cleaned up. Another possible pitfall of carpeting involves the risk of using carpet spot-cleaning sprays and solutions. Some cleaning products could cause the color of your carpeting to fade in the treated areas. So while it may remove the stain, it may also leave permanent faded spots in the area you cleaned -- hardly the effect you were aiming for!

If you or a member of your family has allergies or asthma, a carpeted floor could potentially trigger unpleasant symptoms, too. Since carpeting is known to harbor everything from dust mites and mold spores, to pet dander and pollen, it could be the source of discomfort for allergy sufferers and others.

From the standpoint of improved air quality and reducing allergens, carpets made of nylon, short fiber strands, and/or tightly woven strands are said to be less of an issue. Another partial solution is to ask family members and visitors to remove their shoes before entering a carpeted area. Pro tip: this is much easier to accomplish if you get everyone in the habit of removing their shoes at the front door.

For homeowners planning to put their property on the market in the near future, the presence of carpeting could have a negative effect on its marketability. That's not to say that carpeting is going to prevent you from being able to sell your home, but it may reduce the number of prospective buyers who are actively interested in it. If you happen to have hardwood floors underneath that carpeting, it may pay to remove the carpeting -- a sometimes difficult task, which is often best left to the professionals.

If you are getting ready to sell your home, remember, it's essential to clean your carpeting as thoroughly as possible before real estate agents show your home to the public. Hire a professional carpet cleaner, or check out some DIY articles on how to get those carpets clean.

Image by vistawei from Pixabay

Did you know people are generally happier when they have something to nurture and tend to in life? That’s right. Taking care of plants can make you a happier person and improves your sense of well-being, which in and of itself might be motivation enough to start an indoor garden. If you need more proof that now is the time to try indoor gardening, consider the following benefits of the practice:

Benefits of Indoor Gardening: Why Start Today

Improves Your Air Quality

You likely already know the biological breakdown of the way plants produce oxygen. We won’t get too deep into the weeds with that. However, it’s worth noting that plants effectively absorb trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene, while producing fresh, life-sustaining oxygen. This means your air quality will improve simply by having plants growing indoors.

Provides You Food

Another important benefit of an indoor garden is the food it can produce. You can grow herbs and vegetables, which will be right on hand at any point. Let’s face it, veggies and herbs can get pricey when buying them at the store or farmer’s market. If you have your own supply, you will not only have fresh, succulent foods at your fingertips, but you will save money as well. It’s also pretty neat to pull a leaf off a nearby herb plant to add to your pasta sauce or to spice up another dish you are working on. There is no better taste than fresh herbs in a homemade dish.

It’s Educational

Having a richly producing indoor garden can be a bit of a learning experience. After all, different plants thrive with varying combinations of water and indirect or direct sunlight. This means to successfully get your plants to grow, you have to learn a bit about what they require to thrive, which is an educational process and a fun challenge.

Plants Absorb Background Noises

Your home should be a sanctuary of sorts, blocking out all outside noises and stresses. What if your house itself is loud, though? How do you create the zen environment you want if your house is full of noise? An indoor garden is one solution. Why, you ask? Well, it’s because studies have proven that plant's leaves effectively absorb, reflect and diffract noise. This means a noisy space becomes less clamorous and more peaceful, simply from having plants inside.

They Are Attractive

Finally, having an indoor garden is pleasant to look at. Depending on the type of garden you have, you might enjoy plants that flower or bloom in attractive manners. Even if you plants are all green, they can be pretty to look at and provide interest to a space. For example, an indoor garden is a great way to furnish a sunroom or patio or to add some life to a dreary indoor room.

Indoor gardens have many benefits as you have seen outlined above. If you have ever considered trying your hand at indoor gardening, use this information as motivation to give it a whirl!

A smart home device may prove to be a great pick-up, regardless of the size or location of your house. Yet finding an affordable smart house gadget sometimes can be difficult. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to acquire economical smart home devices, such as:

1. Conduct an In-Depth Search for Budget-Friendly Smart Home Devices

A diligent shopper will have no trouble finding smart home devices that fall in line with their finances. In fact, they may be better equipped than other shoppers to quickly acquire high-quality, and cost-effective, smart house gadgets.

Of course, it often helps to check out smart home devices multiple manufacturers. This will allow you to weigh the pros and cons of different smart home gadgets. Plus, you can boost the likelihood of finding a smart home device that delivers a great combination of affordability and dependability.

2. Search for Smart Home Devices at Online and Brick-and-Mortar Retailers

Online retailers like Amazon sell a broad array of smart home gadgets – everything from smart light bulbs to smart robot vacuums. If you search for smart house devices online, you may find terrific gadgets at low prices.

Furthermore, brick-and-mortar retailers are available in cities and towns nationwide. These retailers hire friendly, knowledgeable sales representatives who can teach you everything you need to know about different smart home gadgets. Such as getting the assistance you need to find the right smart home device based on your budgetary and personal needs.

3. Keep an Eye Out for Deals

As new smart home device models become available, previous models may be offered at discounted rates. Thus, if you watch out for new smart home device releases, you may find the prices of past models will be lowered accordingly.

In addition, smart home device prices may be reduced in conjunction with various holiday promotions. If a retailer wants to boost its Christmas sales, for example, it may offer discounts on a wide range of smart house gadgets.

4. Purchase a Pre-Owned Smart Home Device

A pre-owned smart home device may work just as well as a brand-new model. At the same time, a pre-owned smart house gadget may be available at a fraction of the cost of a new model.

If you shop for pre-owned smart home devices, proceed with caution. Whenever possible, you should test a pre-owned smart home device before you buy it. Conversely, if you purchase a pre-owned smart house gadget from an online retailer, ensure that you can return the device if it does not work properly upon arrival.

Clearly, there are many things that you can do to purchase smart house devices without exceeding your budget. As you check out the smart home devices at your disposal, use the aforementioned tips. By doing so, you can find and buy affordable smart home devices that may serve you well for an extended period of time.

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Once you decide you’re in the market for a new home, one of the first decisions you’ll make is whether you should hire a real estate agent to shop for a house or go out your own. While buying a new home without a professional representative is possible, there is no disadvantage to working with one, here’s why.

It Doesn’t Cost You Anything

Generally, the seller pays the commission fees to any agents representing both sides of the sale. From a buyer’s perspective, they really have nothing to lose by working with an agent since they won’t have to pay any out-of-pocket costs.

Additionally, REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which means they are bound to adhere to a specific code of ethics. This means you’ll have a representative who has pledged to abide by this code and approach every transaction honestly.

Bring Expertise to the House-Hunting Process

As a buyer, unless you’re fully versed in the finer points associated with real estate purchases, along with a certain level of legal expertise in contractual law, you’re better protected if you work with a professional agent. Agents are well-versed in the most up-to-date information associated with the housing market. Skills trained agents bring to the house-hunting process include:

• Understanding of all the variables associated with real estate purchases.
• Strong familiarity with regions, towns, and specific neighborhoods.
• Ability to instinctively know if and when homes are over or under-priced.
• Access to “pocket listings” not available to the open market or even to a large number of agents.
• Keen ability to pinpoint a home’s potential problems or flaws not visible to the average buyer.

Essentially, working with an experienced and licensed professional means you’ll have someone on your side who can do the bulk of the leg work while helping you find the house of your dreams.

Strong Knowledge in the Bidding Process

Investing in a major purchase, such as a home, usually comes with some stresses, along with a few bumps along the road. Once you reach the negotiation and bidding stage, your agent can ensure these go as smoothly as possible. They bring many valuable attributes to the table when it comes to sealing a deal.

• Ability to share strong negotiation techniques once a house is found (purchase price, closing costs, repairs, etc.).
• Thorough knowledge in appraisals, title searches and inspections.
• Skilled in navigating the burdensome paperwork associated with real estate purchases.
• Able to quickly identify any potential problems that might affect or delay the closing process.

Buying or selling a home can be an emotional process. An agent can make sure negotiations are conducted with a levelheaded approach to make certain a fair deal is made.

In addition to the above reasons, it’s important to remember, your real estate agent is always on your side. They can provide you with both guidance and objectivity as you seek to find your new home.