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We define success differently


We don't think of success as the most money earned or the most deals closed but rather - we define success as how well we service our clients and how happy they are in the results we deliver. For us, true success isn’t achieved without our clients first feeling like they've won.


We like to help people


We get a great deal of satisfaction knowing we helped our clients find their first home or their dream home. We love being able to deliver honest, ethical, fair service and have our clients rest easy that we will never cut corners. We love negotiating for our clients and getting them top dollar for their home.


We also have a passion for helping people in our community! Our team volunteers every month at the Okotoks Foodbank, we volunteer with the Okotoks Jr. A Oilers on many occasions, we are proud supporters of the Foothills AIM Society, Dewdney Players, and more! You will see Jay ringing bells at the Salvation Army kettles during the Christmas season. We have several annual events that benefit local charities. Savannah is the President and Founder of a national non-profit organization that supports police families - Beyond The Blue. Giving back is very important to us - click here to read more!  


We are service driven 


You don't work for us, we work for you! We go out of our way to take excellent care of our clients and make them feel valued. We help stage and prepare your home for sale. We keep in regular contact with you during the home buying or selling process. We follow up after your showings for feedback. We give our clients some pretty awesome thank you gifts ;-) and much more! You will love being a Magnussen Real Estate team client!  


Experience 


Jay Magnussen has been thriving in the real estate market since 2003, winning numerous awards for sales like the Remax Hall of Fame Award, customer service awards, benevolence & community impact awards and more. Since 2008 Jay has managed a team of Realtors, mentoring them with great success. Savannah Magnussen has been working with the team since 2008, attaining her real estate license in 2018 with ample experience in customer care, home staging, marketing and more. Neil Donnelly brings over 15 years of experience in new home sales prior to joining our Okotoks Real Estate Team and is passionate about helping his clients. 


We are here, even after we’re done

Just because we have helped our client’s find the perfect new home or sell their home with excellent results, it doesn’t mean that I’m not available to them once it’s all said and done. We develope relationships with our clients and like to keep in touch. If you ever have real estate questions we are just a short phone call away. 



Contact us today to find out how we can help you with your real estate needs! 

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8 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home | Okotoks Real Estate Tips

 

You’ve been saving a down payment for a while, weighing your options, looking around at real estate casually. Now you’ve finally decided to do it — you are ready to buy a house!  The process of buying a home in Okotoks or Calgary can be incredibly exciting, yet stressful, all at once.  Where do you start?


It is essential you do your homework before you begin.  Learn from the experiences of others, do some research.  Of course, with so many details involved, slip-ups are inevitable.  But be careful:  learning from your mistakes may prove costly.  Use the following list of pitfalls prepared by our professional Remax Real Estate Team as a guide to help you avoid the most common mistakes.


Mistake 1 - Searching for houses without getting pre-approved by a lender:


Do not mistake pre-approval by a lender with pre-qualification.  Pre-qualification, the first step toward being pre-approved, will point you in the right direction, giving you an idea of the price range of houses you can comfortably afford.  Pre-approval, however, means you become a cash buyer, making negotiations with the seller much easier. As an Okotoks Realtor we have built relationships with many Okotoks Mortgage Brokers and are happy to refer you to one of these brokers.  


Mistake 2 - Allowing “first impressions” to overly influence your decision:

The first impression of a home has been cited as the single most influential factor guiding many purchasers’ choice to buy.  Make a conscious decision beforehand to examine a home as objectively as you can.  Don’t let the current owners’ style or lifestyle sway your judgment.  Beneath the bad décor or messy rooms, these homes may actually suit your needs and offer you a structurally sound base with which to work.  Likewise, don’t jump at home simply because the walls are painted your favorite color!  Make sure you thoroughly investigate the structure beneath the paint before you come to any serious decisions. Magnussen Real Estate will help gude you throug this tricky world. 


Mistake 3 - Failing to have the home inspected before you buy:

Buying a home in Okotoks or Calgary is a major financial decision that is often made after having spent very little time on the property itself.  A home inspection performed by a competent company will help you enter the negotiation process with eyes wide open, offering you added reassurance that the choice you’re making is a sound one, or alerting you to underlying problems that could cost you significant money in both the short and long-run. Our team of real estate agents can suggest reputable home inspection companies for you to consider and will ensure the appropriate clause is entered into your contract.


Mistake 4 - Not knowing and understanding your rights and obligations as listed in the Offer to Purchase:

Make it a priority to know your rights and obligations inside and out.  A lack of understanding about your obligations may, at the very least, cause friction between yourself and the people with whom you are about to enter the contract.  Wrong assumptions, poorly written/ incomprehensible/ missing clauses, or a lack of awareness of how the clauses apply to the purchase, could also contribute to increased costs.  These problems may even lead to a void contract.  So, take the time to go through the contract with a fine-tooth comb, making use of the resources and knowledge offered by your real estate agent and Lawyer.  With their assistance, ensure you thoroughly understand every component of the contract and are able to fulfill your contractual obligations. 


Mistake 5 - Making an offer based on the asking price, not the market value:

Ask your real estate agent for a current CMA (Comparative Market Analysis).  This will provide you with the information necessary to gauge the market value of a home, and will help you avoid over-paying.  What have other similar homes sold for in the area and how long were they on the market?  What is the difference between their asking and selling prices?  Is the home you’re looking at under-priced, over-priced, or fair value?  The seller receives a Comparative Market Analysis before deciding upon an asking price, so make sure you have all the same information at your fingertips.


Mistake 6 - Failing to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood before buying:

Check out the neighborhoods you’re considering ahead of time and ask around.  What amenities does the area have to offer?  Are there schools, churches, parks, or grocery stores within reach?  Consider visiting schools in the area if you have children.  How will you be affected by a new commute to work?  Are there infrastructure projects in development?  All of these factors will influence the way you experience your new home, so ensure you’re well-acquainted with the surrounding area before purchasing.


Mistake 7 - Not looking for home insurance until you are about to move:

If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be rushed to find an insurance policy that’s the ideal fit for you.  Make sure you give yourself enough time to shop around in order to get the best deal.


Mistake 8 - Not recognizing different styles and strategies of negotiation:

Many buyers think that the way to negotiate their way to a fair price is by offering low.  However, in reality, this strategy may actually result in the seller becoming more inflexible, polarizing negotiations.  Employ the knowledge and skills of an experienced Real Estate Agent. Your agent will know what strategies of negotiation will prove most effective for your particular situation. 



Contact our Okotoks & Calgary Real Estate Team for more helpful advice on buying a home!

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RRSP Home Buyer’s Plan

TAX-FREE... who doesn't love hearing those 2 words?! 

If you haven’t purchased a home within the last four years (or lived in a spouse’s home in the same timeframe), you may qualify for the government’s RRSP Home Buyer’s Plan. With this plan, you may borrow up to $25,000 tax-free from your RRSP to fund your down payment. Just keep in mind that the money must be in your RRSP at least 90 days before the purchase of your house - so plan ahead! 


The First Time Home Buyer’s Plan is advantageous for Canadians because generally speaking, early withdrawals from RRSPs are considered taxable income. In this case, they’re exempt but you must start repaying the amount borrowed from the RRSP two years after you buy over a 15-year period.


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO


After all, it is currently a buyer market in Calgary and Okotoks! If you're thinking about buying a home in Calgary, Okotoks or the surrounding areas reach out and find out how we can help you through the process of finding your first home! 


The best time to buy a home was 10 years ago.

The second best time is now!

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