First Time Home Buyer Featured ReMax Houses call Glen to View.
Click to link down to – 6 Tips For Home Buyers
Re/Max Realty Professionals Listings FTHB house
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2420 42 Street SE in Calgary: Forest Lawn Detached for sale : MLS®# A2079469
2420 42 Street SE Calgary T2B 1G7 
$395,000Residential- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- A2079469
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 641 sq. ft.
HUGE R-C2 LOT: INVESTOR – FIRST-TIME BUYERS - HANDYMEN ALERT!!! This property is an investor’s dream with limitless potential for redevelopment! Build a duplex or your new dream home with room to add a triple car garage, a workshop, and sheds while still enjoying a spacious private backyard! This property nestled on a quiet street, with beautiful mature trees, is conveniently located near amenities, schools, major roads, airport, and more! Unleash your renovating/building skills & creative vision! Build 2 homes, live in one, sell or rent the other! SEIZE THIS RARE REAL ESTATE INCOME OPPORTUNITY!!! More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
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49 Elgin Gardens SE in Calgary: McKenzie Towne Row/Townhouse for sale : MLS®# A2082672
49 Elgin Gardens SE Calgary T2Z 4T4
$398,000Residential- Status:
- Pending
- MLS® Num:
- A2082672
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,165 sq. ft.
Welcome to this immaculate 3 bedroom town home located in the sought after area of Elgin Gardens - this exceptional property offers an ideal combination of spaciousness, functionality, and style - plus it features an oversized single garage so you could park 2 small cars! Curb appeal is excellent with a fully fenced low maintenance courtyard for your outdoor lifestyle - enjoy a BBQ and a glass of wine in the evening or early morning coffee in the sun. Entering this spectacular unit, you are welcomed by grand open-to-above living room with soaring 13’ ceiling, a big window, and lots of natural light. A few small steps up takes you to the kitchen and dining areas - kitchen features white cabinetry, lots of storage - including a corner pantry and breakfast bar island, newer stainless steel appliances including gas stove and microwave hood fan, dishwasher and an open to below space so you can converse with your guests whilst hosting. Kitchen is open plan to a flex/dining/office space. If you work from home, this is a perfect office on this level, plus we also have a large 2-piece bathroom. Upper floor hosts 3 bedrooms including a king-sized primary bedroom with walk-in closet, two extra bedrooms and a full bathroom. From the main level, a staircase leads down to the spacious storage area with laundry and into the very oversized single attached garage. Fabulous location, this home is also within walking distance to Mckenzie Highland School! This home is the perfect way to enter the Calgary market and it is in a community that has so much to offer right by the park and close to schools and local amenities as well as offering easy access to main roads. This can be yours! More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
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7 2027 34 Avenue SW in Calgary: Altadore Row/Townhouse for sale : MLS®# A2084232
7 2027 34 Avenue SW Calgary T2T 2C4
$399,800Residential- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- A2084232
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,101 sq. ft.
TOP LEVEL MARDA LOOP TOWNHOUSE || 2-BED || 2 FULL BATHS || 1101 SQFT || ROOFTOP PATIO || OFF-STREET PARKING || FIREPLACE || LOTS OF STORAGE || QUICK POSSESSION AVAILABLE|| **OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY FROM 2-5 PM** Make a lifestyle move into this 2-bed/2 full bath townhouse into the heartbeat of Marda Loop! Top level, corner unit – nobody living above you. 1100+ sqft above grade plus an unfinished basement for extra storage and future development. Quick possession available – move in before winter hits! Massive primary bedroom on 1st level with ensuite and south facing balcony. Lots of natural light and charm on the top level – an entertainer’s dream with dining area, living room, wood-burning fireplace with gas assist, kitchen, 2nd bedroom (or great office setup), 4-pc bath, and two large patios with different exposures – SW balcony for BBQ and watching the game, and the NW rooftop patio which is a great setup for outdoor movie night!! Assigned stall for off-street parking. Condo fees include heat/sewer/water, very rare for a townhouse. Unbeatable value in an incredible location, walk to explore everything Marda Loop has to offer. 3D Tour available in the links! More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
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58 Copperstone Villas SE in Calgary: Copperfield Row/Townhouse for sale : MLS®# A2084399
58 Copperstone Villas SE Calgary T2Z 5E3
$418,000Residential- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- A2084399
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,576 sq. ft.
Welcome to this immaculate end unit townhome in Copperstone Villas! The wonderful main floor features a modern floor plan with 9’ ceilings, an abundance of natural light, half bathroom, and main floor office! The L-shaped kitchen has a generous walk-in pantry, tons of storage, and large kitchen island with seating for two. Upstairs you will find 2 spacious master bedrooms with full baths and large walk-in closets, as well as upstairs laundry! Upgrades include luxury vinyl plank flooring installed in 2022, 42” kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, and upgraded carpet underlay. Enjoy your outdoor space with both a ground floor patio and a balcony off the main living area which has a natural gas hook up for your BBQ. Parking for 2 is available with plenty of room in the driveway in front of the single garage. This stunning home is located close to schools, walking paths, a large greenspace with playground, shopping, and more! Come see for yourself what this beautiful end unit has to offer! More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
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3706 Dover Ridge Drive SE in Calgary: Dover Detached for sale : MLS®# A2081755
3706 Dover Ridge Drive SE Calgary T2B 2C8
$470,000Residential- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- A2081755
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 998 sq. ft.
Live up & Rent Down, or rent both, and cash flow this up/down duplex with LEGAL 2-BEDROOM SUITE. The upper level is a very comfortable 3-BEDROOM space with eat-in kitchen, custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, wide plank engineered floors, 4-piece bath, big living room, & views of the park. The LEGAL 2-bedroom basement suite is 986 Square feet and has a nice kitchen, good sized rooms, big/bright egress windows, and the perfect living room. Both units have THEIR OWN WASHER/DRYER. There is plenty of parking for 4 cars on the front side drive & back parking pad. Current tenants are great. More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
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1511 42 Street SE in Calgary: Forest Lawn Detached for sale : MLS®# A2080864
1511 42 Street SE Calgary T2A 1L9
$479,000Residential- Status:
- Pending
- MLS® Num:
- A2080864
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,130 sq. ft.
Back on the market - Buyer's financing fell through FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS & INVESTORS! NO CONDO FEES! RARE REVENUE PROPERTY - LIVE UP & RENT DOWN! HUGE LOT: 50X122 - Zoned R-CG - Great Investment! This well-maintained 5 Bedroom DETACHED home, nestled on a quiet street, boasting over 2000 SQFT of living space, with a spacious WEST FACING private BACKYARD is a HIDDEN GEM you don’t want to miss! The large main floor features a bright living room with hardwood floors, a kitchen with dining area, ample storage, newer appliances, 3 spacious bedrooms and 4-piece bathroom. The fully developed lower level is accessible through a separate entrance, and offers a spacious living room, a kitchen, a dining area, 2 bedrooms, 3-piece bath and a common laundry area. Upgrades include newer windows, furnace, electrical and paint. The vast sunny west facing backyard features gardening areas, a DOUBLE DETACHED GARAGE and additional parking space. Enjoy a quiet cup of coffee, a BBQ with family & friends, or bask in the sun during long summer days in your private oasis! This beautiful family home is located minutes from downtown, and at proximity to all amenities, shopping, restaurants, schools, parks, transit, airport, and all major roads! All these incredible features make this property an excellent investment opportunity and the perfect starter home! Don’t miss the chance to grow towards your real estate goals! Schedule your viewing today and envision your future in this remarkable home! More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
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46 Martinbrook Link NE in Calgary: Martindale Detached for sale : MLS®# A2075521
46 Martinbrook Link NE Calgary T3J 3N9
$499,900Residential- Status:
- Pending
- MLS® Num:
- A2075521
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 905 sq. ft.
DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS CASH FLOW OPPORTUNITY! The property has all the big things done. New siding and shingles in 2013. Newer appliances upstairs. All located on a pie shape lot with an oversized double detached garage. Upstairs, you have a 2 bedroom 1 bath suite that could possibly rent for $1700/month. The 2 bedroom 1 bath basement (illegal) suite could possibly rent for $1500/month. Easily accessible common laundry for both suites. With 20% down that is an easy monthly cash flow. If you are looking to have someone help out pay your mortgage, you could easily cover most of it off one suite. With a market that will do nothing but most likely continue to grow, this is not an opportunity you want to miss. Great community. Amazing street. Easy access to shopping and transit. Start putting money into your own pocket and grow your wealth. More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
Thanks for Viewing First Time Home Buyer Featured ReMax Houses
Real Estate Tips
6 Tips For Home Buyers
The typical Canadian spends more time thinking about buying a car than buying a house. Even though the house they buy might wind up costing several times as much as the car.
Why is that? While buying a home has long been part of the Canadian Dream, it’s a daunting task – especially for first-time homebuyers. Many would-be buyers, overwhelmed by the process and the current state of the market, give up and decide to rent instead of Looking at ReMax Houses.
It doesn’t have to be that way. The fact is, today’s housing market is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for first-time buyers. Interest rates are at near-record lows, homes are more affordable than they have been in years and there are plenty of homes for sale (with more on the way, thanks to the foreclosure crisis). Buyers are more likely to truly find the home of their dreams than they were in years past.
Based on the questions I’ve received over the years, I’ve compiled a list of 6 tips every first-time home buyer should take. Keep these tips in mind as you begin the search for your perfect home, and I’m sure your experience will be far easier.
Tip #1: What’s the budget? This is the question my husband asked me when we were shopping for our first home. It seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many buyers don’t start by figuring out how much money they have to spend on their house purchase. It’s easy to show up at open houses and fall in love, but why waste time looking at homes that are out of your price range? The last thing you want is to find your dream home and realize it’s way over your budget.
Banks will tell you that you can spend up to 32 percent of your gross monthly income (GMI) on your mortgage, taxes and homeowners’ insurance premium, and up to 42 percent on your total debt.
The problem is 42 percent of your GMI will feel like nearly 60 percent of your take home pay, or more if you are contributing to a RRSP at work. Remember this: Just because someone will lend you more money doesn’t mean you should borrow it.
To calculate a housing budget you can live with, start by figuring out how much you spend each month. Track your daily expenses in a notebook over the course of four weeks to get a real sense of how much is going out and where you’re spending most of your available cash. Watch your savings and calculate how long it will take you to come up with a down payment.
Before you commit to a mortgage amount, be sure to take the true cost of making those monthly principal, interest, taxes and insurance payments each month and apply them to your take-home pay. Don’t worry about mortgage deductions or the after-tax consequences – just look at the numbers and think about what else you spend each month and try to understand if you’ll feel comfortable. Because if you can’t sleep at night worrying about paying the mortgage or fixing your broken water heater, you’re spending too much.
Tip #2: Come up with a realistic wish-list. The key here is ‘realistic.’ Based on the housing budget you figured out, and where you want to live, compile a list of what you’d like to have in your first home.
Research is helpful when putting together your list. Check out some homes in your price range online to get a feel for what your money will buy, and make your wish list based on the home you see. If you’d love a fully renovated kitchen but none of the listings in your price range have one, be prepared to compromise. You can always upgrade later, but you really shouldn’t spend more than you can afford just for nicer finishes.
Tip #3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. In this market, many deals contingent on financing fall apart because buyers can’t find a bank to give them a mortgage. Getting pre-approved for your mortgage will help you avoid this problem. Start by shopping around for a lender. You should speak to at least three or four different types of lenders including big national banks, mortgage brokers, regional banks, local lenders and possibly a credit union. Check out the Yahoo! Homes Mortgage page to see a list of lenders in your area, along with estimated rates and payments.
Once you’ve compared a few loans from different types of lenders side-by-side and decided on the right one for you, it’s time to get pre-approved. Some lenders will charge for pre-approval, so be sure to ask about those costs up front. You’ll need to provide the lender with details of your credit, income and assets to start the process. The bank will verify everything and issue a letter that tells you, and sellers, how much the bank is willing to lend you.
Typically, pre-approvals are good for 60 to 90 days. If you don’t find a home within that period of time, you may need to re-qualify with your lender.
Tip #4: Find a good home inspector. A knowledgeable home inspector is just as important as a great real estate agent. Getting a home inspection can save you thousands of dollars in the long run, but it has to be thorough. Ask friends and co-workers for referrals, or find out if your real estate agent has anyone they would recommend.
Once you’ve gotten a few names, interview potential candidates. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: find out what their process is for inspecting a home, how long it usually takes, what their expertise is and what kind of information and paperwork you will receive after the inspection. If there’s anything special about the property you’re interested in – for example, a septic or propane tank – be sure the home inspector knows what to look for. Finally, be sure to follow up on any red flags in the home inspection report by hiring experts to come in and take a closer look at a possibly radon issue or evidence of a pest infestation.
Tip #5: Understand the true costs of homeownership. Many first-time home buyers get so caught up in the idea of owning a home that they forget about life after closing. The real costs begin after you move into the house. In addition to mortgage payments, you’ll owe taxes, insurance and homeowner’s association (HOA) fees, and be responsible for any maintenance issues that come up while you own the home.
These costs are all the more reason not to spend every last dime on your mortgage payment. If you have nothing left after paying your mortgage, you’ll be unable to pay all the other fees or save for unexpected expenses.
Tip #6: You may love the home, but get to know the neighborhood before you make an offer. Talk to the neighbors to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to live there. Bad neighbors can affect your property’s value, but good neighbors can be an invaluable resource to first-time homebuyers.
If you think you’ve found the neighborhood you want to buy in, take it a step further. Drive from your potential new home to your office during rush hour to see what the commute is like, and to places you’d go on a regular basis like the grocery store, gym and gas station.
There’s a lot to think about when buying your first home, but remembering these tips should help you navigate the process and avoid potential minefields. Take your time, do your research and don’t let anyone pressure you into buying a home you’re not completely sure of. In this market you’ll be there a while, so make sure it’s somewhere you want to live for the long-term.