In This Edition
MarketTemperature: Listing Inventory Remains Low
HomeAdvisor: House Hunting Made Easy
HomeMaintenance: Spring Maintenance for your Spouse?
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Time to Sell?: I take pride in offering exceptional service.
1.An in-depth market analysis of your property
2.Property enhancement prior to marketing
3.A comprehensive promotional and marketing plan
4.Regular and clear communication so you know what is happening
5.Expert and experienced negotiation and structuring of the sale
6.Comprehensive transaction management
7.My “NEW” client appreciation program
Call Jim at 403 660 6239 or email Jim
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If you own a home or you are thinking of owning a home, you are on the property ladder. As you move up or down the ladder you will need advice and that’s where I come in. As your REALTOR® you have my real estate experience, loyalty, honesty and my commitment to helping you make the right real estate decisions. Call me for advice before you decide to buy or sell a home.
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MarketTemperature
Listings Inventory Remains Low
We are currently seeing the lowest March inventory levels in more than five years. New listings in March are five per cent lower than levels recorded in 2012, and five per cent lower after the first quarter. The overall active listings stand at just 4,006 units, up from February’s levels but well below the number available one year ago. Single-family,year-over-year sales growth declined by six per cent in March, a reflection of declining supply. Active inventory totaled 2,713 units, 22 per cent lower than levels recorded in 2012, and the lowest March inventory level recorded since 2007.
The effects this has on buyers in the current market are twofold. There is continued upward pressure on price so buyers may have to pay a little more for their purchase and possibly compete for a home that ticks all the boxes for several buyers.Also, the time buyers have to make a buying decision has been reduced significantly.
For sellers, you can expect a faster sale of your property with the possibility of achieving a better sale price than was possible at the end of 2012.

This does not mean every home will sell quickly, but those homes that are in demand, especially homes in sought after neighbourhoods will see less time on the market than they have in the past few years.

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Home Advisor
House Hunting Made Easy
After working with many home buyers, I have a few gems of wisdom to share. Over the past few years I have learned to guide buyers through a “House Hunting” process. When we do this together, house hunting becomes enjoyable and fun. Here are the steps I suggest for my buying clients.
First, imagine what your new home looks like, what community it is in and what the features inside and outside are. Create this scenario in your mind that helps you develop a picture of your house. Imagine we are at your house warming party. As your guests walk through your new home, what are the features you will be pointing out to them… the master bedroom, the closet space, the kitchen, the family room, the basement. Picture the home as you walk through it.
Then picture outside the house. What street is it on? What schools are near buy or what amenities are close. Everyone has different
ideals. For me, I would want an off leash dog park within a few minutes’ walk. You may want to be near a recreation centre. When you can visualize “your open house” will know what you are trying to achieve in your hunt for the house that suits you best.
The next step is to find that home the right way. There is a wrong way to look at homes and there is a right way. Most people waste a tremendous amount of time and energy going to open houses or looking at homes they see advertised on line, in magazines or the weekly real estate ads. These people say they are looking for the home that “feels right”. Often, when they find the one that does feel right they are left thinking “If only it were in a diffferent neighbourhood or on a different street. If I could just take this home from here and move it over there.”
What I want to share with you is that buying a home is not a process of selection; it’s a process of elimination. We begin the process by eliminating neighbourhoods and styles of homes you are not interested in and continue to refine. This does not mean we will eliminate all but one choice. We may have several possibilities.

I will have succeeded in my job when I’ve helped educate you to the point that when we walk across the threshold of a home you’ll know exactly what you are looking for and you’ll know if it is priced right. When we have accomplished this you will be ready to buy. You will know when we cross the threshold of your next home.
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HomeMaintenance
Spring Maintenance
0r…10 things for your spouse to do next Saturday:

1. Check air conditioning system (have it serviced every two or three years).
2. Check humidifier and clean if necessary.
3. Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries.
4. Clean windows, screens and hardware.
5. Check screens first and repair or replace if needed.
6. Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required.
7. Repair and paint fences as necessary.
8. Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in.
9. Check eaves troughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and
ensure water flows away from your foundation.
10. Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.

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I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Property Ladder News. As always, your comments and feedback are welcome. If you have any questions about real estate or there is a topic you would like me to cover here in The Property Ladder News, let me know.
Jim Perks
The Property Ladder Guy
403 660 6239

In This Edition
MarketTemperature: Total Listings Low
HomeAdvisor: Used Trampolines are Hard to Sell!
HomeMaintenance: Learn How To Do These 5 Things
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Market Snapshot: Are you getting a FREE monthly Market SnapShot of your neighbourhood? They contain valuable information about real estate in your area. I provide them for your neighbourhood at my website, www.calgarypropertyprice.ca Empower yourself with knowledge and tell your friends about this free service.
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If you own a home or you are thinking of owning a home, you are on the property ladder. As you move up or down the ladder you will need advice and that’s where I come in. As your REALTOR® you have my real estate experience, loyalty, honesty and my commitment to helping you make the right real estate decisions. Call me for advice before you decide to buy or sell a home.
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MarketTemperature
Sales continue to be high in spite of the low number of listings on the market
Total sales for January were 1,230 units, a significant increase over the 1,068 units last year. But sales remain well below January levels recorded through the peak years of 2003 – 2008. “While activity is typically slower in the winter months, recent improvements in single family new listings helped support improved sales in that market,” said CREB® President Becky Walters. “Overall indicators put the market in balanced conditions.” Single family sales totaled 879 units in January, a 15 per cent increase over January 2012 levels. New listings remained just above levels recorded at the same time in 2012, for a total of 1,737. The slight improvement in listings helped support sales growth, although inventory levels remain down by double digits. This lower inventory is affecting the overall attitude of buyers in the market. As spring approaches and selection improves I believe we will see a significant jump in the number of sales as a result of increased listings.
There is currently some slight upward pressure on home prices given the current market situation and that upward pressure is expected to level off as we approach the more active selling months.

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HomeAdvisor
Used Trampolines are Hard to Sell!
Spring is near and thoughts of listing your home for the coming selling season may be dominating your day. If you are considering putting your house on the market within the next few months, now is the time to begin preparing. In order to get the best price in the shortest amount of time you must take care of the details to prepare your house for sale. If you want some advice I would certainly be willing to do a walkthrough of your home and discuss some ideas to improve the price.
As I have said many times over in this monthly newsletter, stats show that 87% of all buyers want a move-in ready home. In order to get top dollar in a reasonable time on market, make your home move in ready. If you are thinking “I’m just going to leave it this way and the new owner can fix it up the way they want”. I caution you against this. If you are of this mind, there are two things you must do to sell your house:
1. Expect a lower price because buyers will see work and cost. That translates to a lower offer
2. Expect to be on the market a longer time. Homes on the market longer get stigmatized.
Remember that 87% of buyers want move-in ready homes. If you’re not selling a move-in ready home, you are only selling to 13% of the market. That means for every 10 people who come through your home, less than 2 will be interested in taking on a reno project and the chances that your home fits with what that one person is looking for is slim.
What does move in ready mean? Depending on the standards for the community you are in, it can mean any or all following:
1. Your house is clean and free of clutter to allow the buyers to picture themselves and their things in your house.
2. If flooring is worn, consider replacing it with new flooring, If you have scratched or dulled hardwood, consider getting it professionally refinished. The cost of replacing flooring is one of the main concerns with my buyers and most would rather not do it.
3. Paint your house. This is perhaps the best return, dollar for dollar, you can get for work on your house. Modern neutral colours can make a great difference in how a home shows. Again, as I have said many times in this newsletter, If you can’t do a professional grade job yourself, get it done professionally.
4. Lighting, doors and trim are also some changes you can make to modernize your home
5. Kitchens and baths are the big ticket upgrades in a home. The problem with renovating them just before you sell is that it is rare that you would get the full cost of the renovation back in the sale. It will help your house sell faster and for a higher price. This is a great case for keeping your home up to date while you are living in it. If you are going to renovate kitchens and baths, do it while you can enjoy it so you get some value out before you sell. That being said, a fresh coat of paint and or modern hardware can change the look of a kitchen and a new countertop can freshen the look.
One of the worst things you can do is renovate without the skill or knowledge of what you are doing. If you want to do renovations yourself, take the time to consult with an expert to make sure your work is professional grade. I have seen more than one case where bad DIY projects have cost the seller money. When a buyer looks at bad DIY, the see work and additional cost.
One of the Real Estate Gurus I follow says “The market is cruel, but the market is never wrong”! In order to sell your home fast for the best price you have to give people what they are looking for. If you try to fight the market, your house will become a trampoline. That’s the house buyers bounce off of on their way to the one they buy. Used trampolines are hard to sell.
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HomeMaintenance
Last month we talked about 10 things you can do to save energy in your home. If you missed it, check past blogs on my website at www.jimperks.ca This month my maintenance list includes 5 home repairs you should learn to do yourself. Learning these can save you time, frustration and, in the long run, money on repairs.
1. Painting: Sprucing up your rooms with paint is one of the best ways to show your home at its best. When it’s done well, painting can increase the value of your home and add some style. When the job is not done well, it’s almost as bad as leaving cracked and peeling paint on the walls.
2. Door maintenance: Wear and tear plus seasonal changes can cause doors to stick or not close properly. Learning to maintain them can save you a lot of frustration.
3. Applying Calk: Caulk is the rubbery stuff between your tub, shower or sink and the wall, or between your toilet’s outer rim and the floor. It creates a seal that protects floors and walls from moisture. It also glues itself in place, which makes applying it easy. Over time it will discolor or deteriorate, leaving your home vulnerable to water damage and mold growth.
4. Fix a leaky faucet: never mind the cost of water lost through a dripping tap, with acrylic and cultured marble basins and tubs, fixing that leaky tap will save you hundreds of dollars in replacing bathroom fixtures.
5. Unplugging a clogged toilet: With the cost of a plumber just to cross the threshold of your door, it makes sense to have a plunger on hand to take care of the clogs. Be brave and get the job done yourself.
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I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Property Ladder News. As always, your comments and feedback are welcome. If you have any questions about real estate or there is a topic you would like me to cover here in The Property Ladder News, let me know.
Jim Perks
The Property Ladder Guy
403 660 6239

January, 2012 (Advice for Home Owners)

If you own a home or you are thinking of owning a home, you are on the property ladder. As you move up or down the ladder you will need advice and that’s where I come in. As your REALTOR® you have my real estate experience, loyalty, honesty and my commitment to helping you make the right real estate decisions.
The Property Ladder News delivers information through three columns. I keep you up to date with the industry through “Market Temperature”, offer knowledge to buyers and sellers through the “Home Advisor” column and provide advice about keeping up with your house as an investment through “Home Maintenance”.
I write my own articles and the information contained within is my own opinion. If you have questions or wish to comment on anything I have written, feel free to use the comment section on my website blog at www.jimperks.ca cal or email me.
In This Edition
Market Temperatue: Your 2012 Property Tax Assessment
Home Advisor: The Jewel Box Phenomenon
Home Maintenance: 13 todos with 10 minutes or less

Market Temperature
*Please Note, The City Assessed value is not the current market value of your property.

Your 2012 Calgary Property Tax Assessments
On January 3rd The City of Calgary mailed out the Property and Business 2012 Assessment Notices and the Assessment 2012 Customer Review Period is from January 3rd to March 05, 2012. The 2012 Property Assessment values are based on a July 01, 2011 market valuation and December 31, 2011 physical condition.
Here are some of the key findings in this assessment:
2012 median single family residential assessment is $400,000 compared to $410,000 in 2011.
2012 median residential condominium assessment is $240,000 compared to $250,000 in 2011.
Total number of accounts on the 2012 Property Assessment Roll is 456,000.
Total value of the 2012 Property Assessment Roll is 232 billion A 1 Billion increase over last year. The previous year saw a 13 billion increase
The typical market value residential property assessment change is down3% between 2011 and 2012.
93% of the residential properties’ revenue neutral taxes will be within ± 10% of last year’s taxes.
62% of residential properties will see a revenue neutral tax decrease due to the 2012 assessment.
38% of residential properties will see a revenue neutral tax increase due to the 2012 assessment.

Home Advisor
The Jewel Box Phenomenon
There is an interesting phenomenon taking place in the real estate market place. Although I would not say it is a trend, there is a definite indication that buyers attitudes are starting to change. The jewel box is a smaller home, usually about 1600 sq ft or less that is full of amenities and light on space. The home appeals across a wide demographic from young urban professionals looking for quality of life to empty nesters looking to downsize but not wanting to compromise on their amenities.
Typically, buying a smaller home means buying builder quality finishing in a cookie cutter neighbourhood full of first time buyers. In fact, most of the new home product in these smaller sized homes still fits this description, but there seem to be a growing number of buyers who are happy with less space. They are not looking for builder grade finishes. They want gourmet kitchens with stone countertops and top of the line appliances, high end fixtures throughout the home and quality flooring materials like hardwood and stone. They want theatre sound and built in technology to make their home run more efficiently. They want the uncompromised finishes that come in a large luxury home, but they want it in less space and a more affordable package.
There is a growing movement for the Jewel Box Home. On the internet, websites and blogs are dedicated to this movement:
http://thejewelboxhome.blogspot.com/
http://www.thejewelboxhome.com/
Here you can find home plans dedicated to The Jewl Box Home:
http://www.familyhomeplans.com/small-jewel-box-house-plans
There are many more places where you can find information on living large in a smaller space. Whether this phenomenon becomes a trend remains to be seen, but given the changes that have taken place in our economy over the past few years and the age of baby boomers, it all make sense, doesn’t it?

Home Maintenance
13 Todos with 10 minutes or lass
You’ll love these ideas. They only take 10 minutes, but they are things you need to cross off your list. If you don’t have a list, make one! I kept it to 13, a lucky number.
1. Vacuum the condenser coils at the back of your fridge.
2. Replace your furnace filters.
3. Polish your natural wood front door. If painted, surface wash it.
4. Clean the air conditioner grill and register.
5. Dust and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
6. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
7. Self-clean the oven (Yes, this takes hours, but it only takes a the push of a few buttons to set it up).
8. Check your water heater for signs of leakage or rust.
9. Look for worn extension cords. Replace them.
10. Inspect your furnace. Any signs of rust or scale? Any weird noises? If so, book a professional inspection.
11. Pick a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet (GFCI) and test it. Push the Test button, check that this has popped out the Reset button and that anything hooked up to the outlet will no longer power on. Push Reset and you’re good to go. Test a different GFCI outlet next time.
12. Conduct a garage door safety check. Put it into manual mode and lift it: it should glide smoothly and stay open on its own three feet from the ground. Put a pet- or child-size object under the door and close it. It should pop up as soon as it meets the obstacle. If not, call a pro. Do not use real children for this experiment!
13. Check your emergency flashlight. Do the batteries work? If not, replace them, or consider upgrading to a non-battery powered, manual wind-up model.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Property Ladder News. As always, your comments and feedback are welcome. If you have any questions about real estate or there is a topic you would like me to cover here in The Property Ladder News, let me know.
Jim Perks
The Property Ladder Guy
403 660 6239