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
-
1 Millrise Lane SW in Calgary: Millrise Row/Townhouse for sale : MLS®# A2054121
1 Millrise Lane SW Calgary T2Y 2C2 
$349,900Residential- Status:
- Pending
- MLS® Num:
- A2054121
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,380 sq. ft.
This 5 Level Split Townhome located in the community of Millrise has so much to offer. From the moment you walk in, it will feel like home. Bright and spacious, offering 1380sq.ft. of living space, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a single attached garage, and your own private yard. The living room is spacious with vaulted ceilings, maple hardwood floors, a gas fireplace and patio doors leading to your treed/private/fenced yard. The large windows throughout allow for lots of natural light. The next level loft is perfect for a home office or dining area and overlooks the living room. The updated kitchen boasts quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast nook w/ built-in pantry and a south facing deck. There is a 2-piece bath on this level as well. Upstairs you will find the Primary bedrooms w/ double closets, a 3-piece ensuite and a balcony. The second bedroom is a great size. There is a 4-piece bathroom and the convenience of laundry to complete the upper level. The lower level is unfinished w/ your utility room and lots of storage space. A 10-minute walk to the C-Train, dining, groceries and so much more. Easy access to main roads and close to Fish Creek Park. This Gem will not last. More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
-
1531 Maitland Drive NE in Calgary: Marlborough Park Detached for sale : MLS®# A2054792
1531 Maitland Drive NE Calgary T2A 5V2
$350,000Residential- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- A2054792
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 1,008 sq. ft.
Handy Man Special, Sold as is where is, Renovations started but not completed. All offers presented Friday June 9, 2023 at 5:00 PM . New shingles in 2022, Some new windows already installed. Please use the offer to purchase in the supplements More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
-
617 Mckenzie Towne Square SE in Calgary: McKenzie Towne Row/Townhouse for sale : MLS®# A2052886
617 Mckenzie Towne Square SE Calgary T2Z 1E4
$399,000Residential- Status:
- Pending
- MLS® Num:
- A2052886
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,108 sq. ft.
Welcome to McKenzie Towne Square! This welcoming, beautiful and well-maintained 2 bedroom townhouse offers 1,100sqft of living space with 2 master bedrooms that both have their own walk-in closets and bathrooms. This home features hardwood flooring throughout the main floor. The kitchen includes an island and bar seating equipped with granite counter tops and over looking both the dining and living area. The second level features the 2 bedrooms and a nook that can be used as office space or even a reading area. Laundry is located in the lower floors along with access to the attached double garage. This home also includes central air and a gas line on the balcony that can provide year-round BBQ. Located in the heart of McKenzie Towne within walking distance to countless amenities! More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
-
384 Killarney Glen Court SW in Calgary: Killarney/Glengarry Row/Townhouse for sale : MLS®# A2053255
384 Killarney Glen Court SW Calgary T3E 7H4
$419,000Residential- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- A2053255
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 978 sq. ft.
With lots of UPGRADES, this townhouse is a sensational! This END UNIT located on a gorgeous quiet street features a SINGLE ATTACHED GARAGE & 2 bedrooms + DEN! The kitchen is beautifully upgraded with QUARTZ countertops, lovely cupboards, TILE backsplash, stainless steel appliances, lots of storage & pantry. The entire main floor features newer Vinyl plank flooring & an adorable upgraded 2 piece bathroom with QUARTZ countertop & newer vanity. The living room is surprisingly spacious with a NATURAL GAS fireplace with TILE surround & large mantle for TV. The back patio is so charming & large enough for outdoor furniture & BBQ. The front patio is large & covered for that rainy day. The upstairs features 2 large bedrooms, DEN/BONUS ROOM, a large 4 piece main bath with QUARTZ countertops, newer vanity, large SOAKER TUB, standup shower & newer toilet. The master bedroom also features a large walk-in closet. BONUSES include: unusually oversized single garage with a ton of storage space, duradeck at both front and back patios. NOTE: this unit is located in the newer section of the complex (built in 1998 VS. 1953). Close to Westhills, walking distance to Richmond Shopping Centre & Marda Loop. Won't last long! More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
-
801 355 Nolancrest Heights NW in Calgary: Nolan Hill Row/Townhouse for sale : MLS®# A2052621
801 355 Nolancrest Heights NW Calgary T3R 0Z9
$439,000Residential- Status:
- Pending
- MLS® Num:
- A2052621
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,238 sq. ft.
Welcome to Nolan Park in the desirable NW community of Nolan Hill. This end unit home comes with two primary bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, perfect for roommates. The main level of the home offers you a generous sized living room, a stylish kitchen with island and seating, quartz countertops and the convenience of having a pantry for additional storage. Adjacent to the kitchen is a dining area, a 2-piece bathroom and access to your balcony. On the upper level of the home there are two primary bedrooms, one with a 4-piece ensuite and one with 3-piece ensuite that has an oversized shower. Upstairs there is also a generous laundry room, no running the stairs on laundry day. The home has a tandem garage (parking for two cars) and storage and a patio off your lower level. The enjoyment of this end unit is the additional windows for more natural light, fitted with custom blinds, 9-foot ceilings and remember, you will keep cool with central air conditioning. There is also ample parking directly in front of the unit. The community of Nolan Hill has the convenience of many amenities, restaurants, services, transit and easy access to Stoney Trail. Come have a look at this contemporary unit and Welcome Home! More detailsListed by RE/MAX REALTY PROFESSIONALS- Glen Godlonton
- CIR Realty
- 403-829-9500
- glen@godlonton.com
-
414 17 Avenue NW in Calgary: Mount Pleasant Detached for sale : MLS®# A2043277
414 17 Avenue NW Calgary T2M 0N1
$499,900Residential- Status:
- Pending
- MLS® Num:
- A2043277
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,556 sq. ft.
Outstanding opportunity for Renovators/ Investors/Developers or anyone looking to add their designs ideas. A rare offering in the vibrant community of Mount Pleasant, so much potential + RC-2 zoning just waiting for your finishing touches. Over 1555+ SF of developed living space + an additional 704 SF of basement potential waiting for your design ideas. Main floor is highlighted by Acacia hardwood flooring with a spacious living room/dining room and electric fireplace. Terrific, spacious kitchen features Marble tile countertops, 36” gas range, newer dishwasher and under-counter LED lighting. Renovated 2–piece bath(w/ bidet) + an addition with generous Mudroom/laundry room and lovely office/den. Welcoming front foyer with built-in bench and cabinets for storage. Upper level offers vinyl plank flooring throughout & a Primary Bedroom with built-in wardrobe and French doors to a south facing upper deck. Two more well-sized bedrooms (each with wardrobe closets). The 4-piece bath features an original claw foot tub, new vanity and toilet w/bidet. Numerous quality improvements include: Pressure treated wood/cedar on front porch/upper, roof (2021) and is galvanized powder coated steel, High-efficiency furnace (2020) hot water tank (2021) and new electrical panel in 2018. Plenty room to build a dream garage or potential for a Carriage House (with City approval). Love, work and play in one of Calgary’s top rated communities with easy access to loads of amenities, 7 minutes to downtown, parks, schools, transit and so much more. 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.