September is here. The kids are back to school, fall activities are starting up and the mornings have a cool crispness to them. I hope you had an excellent summer and made lots of great memories.
We (hopefully) will have several more weeks of great weather before things get cold and we lost all the leaves on the trees. This is a great time of year to get pictures done of your home if you think there's a chance you will want to list in the next 6-7 months. And right now I have a special offer available - a complimentary photo shoot of your home! Give me a call to learn more. This is such a beautiful time of year to have pictures done with the lush green lawns and gardens, and the hint of yellow in the trees.
Speaking of yellow leaves, larch season is almost here. If you've never been on a "larch season" hike in the Rockies, it is a spectacular display of golden larch trees. "Larch season" typically peaks from mid-September to early October. I've provided a list below of 5 of the best trails to take to get an amazing larch view.
In market news, sales activity for Calgary and area is still above long-term trends, as we are still seeing relatively strong demand. Unlike the last few years however, more supply is becoming available, which is creating a much more balanced market. Selling prices remain steady, and there are more options for buyers to consider. Inventory levels are varying widely across different housing types, depending on location and price point. If you are wondering how this might affect your buying or selling of a home, let me know and we can discuss how the market is impacting your specific situation.
And finally - this time of year is popular for folks who are considering downsizing into a smaller home to make a move. There are lots of perks to deciding to downsize this time of year, including being settled by the holidays, having a lower maintenance lifestyle over the winter, after enjoying one last summer with a large garden/yard (for example). I have shared some tips below on things that everyone should consider when they start to think about downsizing.
If you have any questions about the market, or a particular neighbourhood you are interested in, let me know!
Thank you and have a wonderful September.
We (hopefully) will have several more weeks of great weather before things get cold and we lost all the leaves on the trees. This is a great time of year to get pictures done of your home if you think there's a chance you will want to list in the next 6-7 months. And right now I have a special offer available - a complimentary photo shoot of your home! Give me a call to learn more. This is such a beautiful time of year to have pictures done with the lush green lawns and gardens, and the hint of yellow in the trees.
Speaking of yellow leaves, larch season is almost here. If you've never been on a "larch season" hike in the Rockies, it is a spectacular display of golden larch trees. "Larch season" typically peaks from mid-September to early October. I've provided a list below of 5 of the best trails to take to get an amazing larch view.
In market news, sales activity for Calgary and area is still above long-term trends, as we are still seeing relatively strong demand. Unlike the last few years however, more supply is becoming available, which is creating a much more balanced market. Selling prices remain steady, and there are more options for buyers to consider. Inventory levels are varying widely across different housing types, depending on location and price point. If you are wondering how this might affect your buying or selling of a home, let me know and we can discuss how the market is impacting your specific situation.
And finally - this time of year is popular for folks who are considering downsizing into a smaller home to make a move. There are lots of perks to deciding to downsize this time of year, including being settled by the holidays, having a lower maintenance lifestyle over the winter, after enjoying one last summer with a large garden/yard (for example). I have shared some tips below on things that everyone should consider when they start to think about downsizing.
If you have any questions about the market, or a particular neighbourhood you are interested in, let me know!
Thank you and have a wonderful September.
Special Offer!
📸 Complimentary Photoshoot of your Home!🏡
If you are thinking about listing your home over the winter or early spring, now is a great time to get pictures done, before the snow flies! For a limited time, I am offering a complimentary photoshoot of your home - just give me a call and we can make arrangements. It is a great opportunity to showcase your home with your gardens and grass still lush and green before the winter arrives. Contact me ASAP for details!
Fall Home Checklist 🍁
Fall is just around the corner - here's a list of 10 things you should do around your home every fall to keep it in great condition:
Clean your gutters! Clear out leaves and other debris.
Point downspouts away from your home, walkways and driveways. Prevent water from draining too close to your foundation or creating wet or icy slip and fall hazards as the temperatures drop.
Check your detectors. Fall is a great time to make sure your smoke and CO2 detectors are working. Check batteries and expiration dates - smoke detectors are typically good for 10 years, and CO2 detectors last for about six years.
Water your lawn. Fall watering helps your lawn recover from summer stress and gain strength for the winter ahead.
Clean your chimney. If you have a wood burning fireplace, you should have the chimneys cleaned every 50-70 fires, depending on the type of wood you use. Make sure it's ready for the cooler weather!
Winterize your gas grill. If you're not a winter griller, now's the time to pack away your grill before it's covered with a foot of snow. If you are the type to BBQ rain, snow or shine, you can skip this to-do.
Change your furnace filter. It is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your furnace in good shape.
Turn off the water. Make sure any taps outside have been drained and shut off (there is usually a shut off valve in your home, typically in the basement ceiling)
Tidy your garden, but leave leaves and plant material. By leaving dead or dried plants in or on top of the gardens, you will reduce soil erosion and also create a refuge for pollinators over the winter.
Check for leaks. while this can be done any time of the year, it is great to inspect plumbing fixtures, sinks, pipes, water heaters and toilets for leaks as part of your fall routine.
Fire up the furnace. Don't wait until it's winter to make sure that it works. Turn on the furnace and make sure everything is in working order.
Thinking about downsizing? Things to consider you may not have thought of.
Thinking about downsizing?
Maybe you are an empty nester and your home feels too large for you. Maybe you're aging looking for a home that better suits your current or future mobility needs. Perhaps you are a snowbird and are looking for something low-maintenance that better suits your lifestyle.
There are many reasons why people choose to downsize - lifestyle, health, finances, simplifying day to day life. Like any big life decision, it's important to take some time to consider your priorities and needs as you embark on this next chapter. Here are 5 important things to make sure you factor into your plans:
Friends and connections
Where you choose to live is more than just a neighbourhood or address. Consider where your favourite people live, and the relationships that might be affected by your move. This includes neighbours, friends at church or a local garden group and potentially family you are used to having nearby. While there is nothing wrong with moving to a different part of the city, how you will maintain these relationships and the positive effects they have on your life are important considerations. Being geographically close to people whose company you enjoy is really important for both your mental and physically health.
Finances
Are you on a fixed income or will be in the near future? Be sure to factor in things like taxes, fees and maintenance on your potential new property and how your income can support those long term. Also give some thought as to whether renting or buying is your best option for the kind of downsizing lifestyle you'd like!
Proximity to services (transit, health care, shops)
As we age, our ability and desire to drive longer distances to get to services, shops, healthcare and entertainment may change. While many people continue to drive years after retiring, that's not an option for everyone. When looking at how and where you will downsize to, be sure to check into transit options, how nearby places like grocery stores and health care providers are. Also consider what the walkability of an area is - not just for getting where you need to go, but for exercise purposes too, especially if you have a dog!
Will your new home accommodate aging in place?
You may not even be thinking about this yet, but looking at how your future home can support you as you age is really important. Are there a lot of stairs? Is there designated parking? If you plan on living in your next home for a long time, consider what it would take to make that happen should you or your partner have mobility issues, Can the home be easily modified to support you staying there longer? While no one has a crystal ball and how you will age is uncertain, by putting a little thought into it now, you can purchase a home that should work for you for the foreseeable future.
Space for your favourite things
Downsizing shouldn't be about getting rid of everything you love and starting from scratch - whether that involves possessions, hobbies, entertaining or something else. Think about what your non-negotiables are in terms of space. Maybe it's having aa spot for an antique you've had in the family for generations. Perhaps it's a kitchen and living area that will accommodate your famous dinner parties. It could be ensuring you have a spare room so that sleepovers with the grandkids can still happen. You will likely need to make some compromises - just make sure you are factoring your favourite things into your downsizing plan!
