For Buyers

Market conditions have never been better for buyers, but finding the right property, negotiating the best deal, and managing all the details are as complicated as ever. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a current homeowner, or a real estate investor, you need a trustworthy, knowledgable real estate professional to help you through the home buying process. You need an Executive.

Executives Versus Agents

A real estate Executive is more than an agent. An Executive is a trusted source of local information, familiar with every block of every neighborhood, and able to help you understand how and where you’d fit best. An Executive understands local market conditions, so you can make a conservative but fair offer that will get you in the right home at the right price. Above all, an Executive is a professional, with years of experience negotiating deals and managing legal and regulatory red tape. When you’re dealing with an Executive, you can relax and focus on finding the perfect home, knowing you’re in good hands.

The Perfect Home

A home is more than a number of bathrooms and bedrooms. While amenities set baselines and standards for your search, an ideal home is one that meets your needs for things that can’t be measured in bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. Style, safety, history, neighborhood character, local schools, cultural resources, and how much you can reasonably afford are just a few of the factors your Executive will consider during your home search. A perfect home should stir your emotions, and an Executive will help you find the home that does just that–without letting emotions get in the way of your negotiations.

Negotiations and Financing

An Executive is an expert negotiator who knows where to start an offer, how far to push, and when to walk away. Executives can also help you understand the “hidden” costs and fees associated with the home buying process to ensure that you don’t get in over your head. Once your offer is accepted, an Executive will walk you through inspections and other contingencies, closing, underwriting, and escrow, so you can move into your new home without any worries.

I’ve included some relevant blog posts and links for your review. If you would like more information on how an Executive can help you find you dream home, please contact me.

Looking for More Homebuying Information?

When it comes to buying your home, nothing is more valuable than peace of mind. That’s why for more than 65 years, CMHC has shared a wealth of knowledge and housing expertise to contribute to a positive homeownership experience for Canadians. Browse through CMHC’s wealth of homebuying information. You’ll find everything you need, from homebuying videos, to mortgage calculators, to home hunting worksheets.

CMHC also provides mortgage loan insurance that enables you to buy a home with a minimum down payment of 5%” — with interest rates comparable to those with a 20% down payment. Obtain a 10% premium refund and extend the amortization period without a premium surcharge when using CMHC-insured financing to purchase an eligible energy-efficient home. This can add up to savings of $1,688 for a typical $250,000 mortgage with a 5% down payment amortized over 35 years. Ask your mortgage professional about CMHC.

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Testimonial from Joanne and Tom

Posted on April 25, 2012 by terryalm
Thank you note from Tom and Joanne
Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Lifestyle and Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Saskatoon’s economy ‘red hot’ City to lead nation in GDP growth

Posted on March 29, 2012 by terryalm

Saskatoon’s GDP growth is forecast to be a nation-leading 3.6 per cent in 2012, says the Conference Board of Canada’s spring metropolitan outlook.

The outlook, released Tuesday, puts Saskatoon on top in 2012 with gross domestic product growth of 3.6 per cent, followed by Calgary at 3.5 per cent and Edmonton at 3.2 per cent. Last year, Regina led the country with gross domestic product growth of 6.1 per cent in 2011, followed by Saskatoon and Edmonton at 4.8 and 4.4 per cent, respectively. Regina, which led the nation last year with 6.1 per cent growth, should see GDP expand by of 2.7 per cent.

The top-three lineup changes again in the forecast for the 2013-16 period, with Calgary (4.1 per cent) in the No. 1 spot, followed by Edmonton (3.7 per cent) and Saskatoon (3.4 per cent).

“Saskatoon has been red hot,” said Conference Board senior economist Rob Wiebe.

“It’s no surprise Saskatchewan’s economy has been boosted by resource extraction and fair agriculture picture,” he said. “There’s a lot of demand for food and things that produce food, like potash. Then there is the Bakken (oil) play down south and people are starting to re-examine nuclear, and Saskatchewan has uranium.”

“Saskatchewan’s mining sector continues to forge ahead, with expansion of 5.8 per cent and 7.7 per cent forecast this year and next,” the Conference Board said.

Major projects such as the new art gallery, River Landing, a new police station and water-treatment plant will mean further growth, he said.

The economic boom has also fuelled a population explosion.

Statistics Canada’s latest projection puts Saskatoon’s metropolitan population at 270,000, up 10,000 from the 2011 census.

Mayor Don Atchison said the city continues to expand at a rapid pace driven by a growing demand for “food, fuel and fertilizer.”

“We’ll be at 450,000 or 500,000 in the blink of an eye,” he told council Monday night.

Wiebe said positive migration patterns are an important forecast for the future.

“The most important indicator for a city is migration,” he said. “People vote with their feet.”

He said from 1988 to 2005 there were only four years where Saskatoon had a positive net migration. Since 2006 net migration has been positive every year.

“We estimate that last year net in-migration was over 6,000 people to the city,” he said.

In Regina the report forecast 2.7 per cent GDP growth. Last year Regina led the nation with 6.1 per cent growth.

“The story is pretty similar in Regina with a couple of local wrinkles,” Wiebe said. “They are talking about the redevelopment of the rail yards and Mosaic (Stadium). That could be a big, expensive project that could really boost the economy and Rider Nation.”

Last year Regina had a positive migration of about 4,000 people. From 1988 to 2006 the Queen city only had two positive years of net migration, Wiebe said.

Growth in Canada as a whole is expected to come in at about 2.1 per cent in 2012, down from an estimated 2.3 per cent last year, and lower than the 2.9 per cent forecast for 2013-16.

All 13 of the cities included in the outlook are expected see their economies grow over the forecast period by anywhere from 1.6 per cent to 3.6 per cent this year, and from 2.1 per cent to 4.1 per cent in the 2013-16.

The report also notes record levels of household debt will force Canadians to align their spending “more closely with relatively modest income gains,” and also points to government spending cuts as acting as a drag on the country’s progress.

“Overall, the situations for households, government and business suggests a weaker performance by Canada’s domestic economy this year,” the report says.

Scott Larson, The Star Phoenix

Posted in Area Info, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Finance, Lifestyle and Community, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Testimonial from James Anthony

Posted on December 26, 2011 by terryalm
James Anthony Testimonial Letter
James Anthony Testimonial Letter
Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Saskatoon: Planning For Growth

Posted on October 19, 2011 by terryalm

Saskatoon

Saskatoon’s unemployment rate remains the second lowest in the province and it leads in population growth. Forecasts for 2012 indicate that the city will remain the destination for many interprovincial and international migrants, which will help Saskatoon maintain its percentage of overall provincial population growth. The strength of Saskatchewan’s economy and it’s position as a leader for resource industry investment means that targeted population growth to 1.5 million people in 2030 remains a reality.

With a population estimated at approximately 230,000 people, Saskatoon constitutes 22 percent of the province’s overall population and had a population growth rate in 2010 of approximately 2.77 percent, the highest in Canada. If Saskatoon sustains the current growth rate and continues to constitute the same share of provincial population, the city may see population numbers approaching 350,000 people by 2030. This influx of new residents will require approximately 3000 new homes per year of both single family and multi-family homes. Demand for new residential lots remains high and all inventories currently available or nearing servicing completion will be purchased. As a refernce point, the 3rd quarter housing starts report for Saskatoon & region indicates there have been 2231 single family and multi-unit construction starts to September 30, 2011.

Economic and growth forecasts for Saskatoon indicate that planning to service for 10,000 units over the next 3 years in order to anticipate growth to 350,000 people by 2030 is realistic and are in line with the City of Saskatoon’s own projections for growth. Saskatoon’s reputaion as a national leader in population growth and economic strength has already lent it credibility on the national stage, and ensuring that there is room to expand will increase the City’s visibility and authority in the future.

Residential development that provides new and high quality homes to new and current residents, professionals and workers is essential to the long term health and vibrancy of the community. With a diverse economy, a strong technological and academic research reputation and friendly and well-planned neighborhoods, Saskatoon provides a community that many will want to call home. In order to ensure that the city succeeds, long term planning that incorporates realistic growth projections must also include realistic expectations for land and serviced lot availability. Saskatoon’s residential development industry is a major contributor to the city’s economy and it’s growth; reputable and professional builders and developers will continue to contribute as an essential strategic partner with the city.

The development of a Housing Action Plan will help guide the city and will assist in developing future growth plans to more accurately respond to economic and population changes.

The Saskatoon & Region Home Builders Association provided background information for this post.

Posted in Area Info, For Buyers, For Sellers, Lifestyle and Community, News, Saskatoon & Region Home Builders Accociation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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