Family Day is Monday, February 18

Taking time out from the hustle & bustle of everyday life to spend with our family is important. This holiday serves as a reminder of that, and was inaugurated in 1990 and has been a staple of Alberta life ever since, thanks to Premier Don Getty. 

Each member of our Okotoks Real Estate Team will be enjoying time spent with our families on this important holiday. We have compiled a list of some of our favourite family-friendly activities and places to visit in Okotoks with our families:

- Town of Okotoks `Disconnect to Connect` celebration offering FREE public swimming and FREE public skating at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, open drop-in gym, and more

- Skating party hosted by our friends at Good Time Party Rentals at the Kinsmen Outdoor Rink (just east of the rec. centre)

- The Okotoks Cultural and Historical Society is hosting “It’s in the Bag” from 1 to 3 p.m. when youths and adults can try their hand at making crafts

- Visit Olde Towne Okotoks for shopping, cafe`s & dining

- Enjoy a family walk around town on the impressive pathway system or take your dog for a walk in the off-leash park

If you feel like making he short drive into Calgary, check out our blog post on family friendly activities & events in Calgary. 

Happy Family Day Okotoks! 

Deciding whether to purchase a house or purchase a condo has been a dilemma among first time homebuyers.

Here is a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of both choices:

Condominiums

Pros:

1. Opportunity to live in a high-profile neighborhood; areas where houses are usually unaffordable, such as the downtown core or entertainment district.
2. Great selection of amenities offered with condominiums; pools, gyms and party spaces being a few examples.
3. No hassles of many property maintenance tasks; no need to cut the lawn, take care of curb appeal or do any building maintenance. These should all covered by the maintenance fee
4. Support from building management for repairs and fixes.
5. Security and peace of mind, especially when travelling.
6. Depending on the building, sometimes utilities are covered with the condo maintenance fee.

Cons:

1. Condo maintenance fees, on top of taxes and such, can become expensive.
2. Depending on location, living space can limit growth, especially if a homebuyer wants to raise a family.
3. You need management/builder approval for major property changes, which can be a tedious process.
4. No real opportunity for an income property. 

Houses

Pros:

1. More bang for your buck, with greater living space.
2. Potential for growing and renovating the property, especially when the homebuyer has a growing family
3. Depending on location, properties come with great backyards which can serve for entertainment purposes and a space for kids to play.
4. Potential for an income property.

Cons:

1. Homebuyer is responsible for maintaining the property, including taking care of the lawn, property maintenance and much more – this can become tedious and very expensive.
2. Utilities are the homebuyers responsibility.
3. Purchasing a house in a high-profile neighborhood is very expensive – thus, homebuyers need to move further away, creating the need for everyday transportation.
4. Unless a part of a gate community or in an area where local services like neighborhood watch are in effect, security can be a big question.

If you are juggling the ideas of buying a home versus buying a condo and you feel you could benefit from some more advice please feel free to contact our Okotoks real estate team or contact our Calgary real estate team - we can offer insights into the two different markets and have Calgary experts who can help you select the perfect neighbourhood / community for your needs. 

The Calgary real estate market, including it's surrounding towns & cities - Okotoks, Airdrie, Cochrane - is holding strong and boasting record numbers coming off of 2012. The coming year is likely to bring nothing but bounty to our city and outlying areas with many economic factors showing positive and promising increases.  

The Calgary Herald is reporting that many real estate companies like RE/MAX, Royal LePage and others are expecting Calgary house prices will increase 2.5% this year, which would mean an increased of $10,000 on a $400K home.

Todd Hirsch, senior economist with ATB Financial, said Calgary continues to buck the national downward trend in real estate. “Given the high level of incomes, the low borrowing costs, and strong in-migration, the market is likely to remain in balance in 2013,” he said. “There has been no evidence of price bubbles building - and with some moderation in Alberta’s economy in 2013, real estate prices should continue to make steady, healthy gains.”

Average Calgary house price of $428,655 in 2012 - a new record! Not only had there been more people buying homes coupled with the supply of homes coming down slightly there was also a record number of luxury / high priced homes purcahsed, which tows the average up! 

What does this mean for the average home buyer? If you have been considering buying or making a move, now is the time to do so in the interest of saving what could be $10,000 if you wait another year!

There are so many factors that contribute to buying or selling real estate, including borrowing costs, lifestyle, your current employment situation and more - if all the dots connect - contact our RE/MAX real estate team for the BEST service!!! We specialize in Calgary & Okotoks real estate deasl!  

Before you decide to take on the task of selling your own home - this very important and legally complicated process - remember not even most Real Estate Lawyer's recommend selling your own home yourself in today's market. 

Here are a few of the reasons why: 

1. You are limiting your exposure to potential buyers (less than 10% of what a good real estate broker will generate) which theoretically means your home will take ten to fifteen times longer to sell on the market.

2. The longer a home is on the market the lower the selling price is. Why? Because most buyers think that if the home has not sold after this long there must be something wrong with the home.

3. Because of the limited exposure you will very likely end up with a lower selling price. Remember, in order to generate the highest price possible for your home selling means exposure. You need the maximum exposure possible, to generate the highest price possible.

4. Most buyers find it extremely awkward to negotiate or even to talk directly with sellers and therefore avoid FSBO properties.

5. Lack of negotiating experience and lack of pertinent information often will result in a lower selling price, or worse yet, a bungled contract and possible lawsuits.

6. The majority of qualified buyers are working with experienced real estate professionals and realtors tend to avoid FSBO’s.

7. Many serious buyers will pass by a FSBO home merely because they recognize that it is not in the real estate mainstream, this can make people wary.

8. As most local buyers now retain an experienced real estate sales person to represent them as their buyer-agency, you will probably be negotiating against an experienced professional.

9. Expected savings in broker's fees will also be greatly reduced if you offer a selling commission to entice real estate agents to bring potential buyers.

10. If you are planning to use a Lawyer to help you negotiate the offer, then your lawyer's fees will be considerably higher than your realtor’s would have been.

11. Only real estate agents have access to the up-to-date market information. News reports cannot approach the timeliness or specificity available to agents. Further, real estate agents are involved in home sales much more

frequently than the average homeowner is. This familiarity leads to a degree of expertise that provides an edge on negotiating and successful selling.

12. You only pay the commission to the real estate broker if they successfully sell your home at the price you are happy with. 

Get to know our Calgary & Okotoks Real Estate Team by reading some of these interesting facts about our Realtors in a short series bio`s called BIO BLOG. You can also learn more about our tenacious realtors in the Meet Our Real Estate Team section of our website. 

Whether you are planning on selling your home or not - improvements to your home or yard can have a significant impact on the value and appeal of your home. The Calgary Home & Garden Show is an excellent source of ideas and trades people to help with improvements, upgrades and landscaping.

Our Calgary & Okotoks Real Estate Team is offering 25 FREE tickets to the exhibit. To get your tickets, you can reach us through our Facebook page or email Savannah@SoldByJ.com. First come, first serve - free tickets are limited.  

 Happy home improvements!! 

The Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team is pleased to offer Calgary & Okotoks families a chance to hit the ice for some holiday fun with a FREE family & public skating event in Okotoks. 

Join us on Sunday, December 23rd from 12:15 - 2:15 pm to skate with Santa and players from the Okotoks Jr. A Oilers hockey team, door prizes will be drawn at 1:30 pm and more!

Tell your friends and neighbours!  Merry Christmas! 

Get to know our Calgary & Okotoks Real Estate Team by reading some of these interesting facts about our Realtors in a short series bio`s called BIO BLOG. You can also learn more about our tenacious realtors in the Meet Our Real Estate Team section of our website. 

For today’s BIO BLOG series we will get to know Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team Realtor DEREK STUART: 

Derek, known to those close to him as ‘Stuey’, has been an integral part of our REMAX Real Estate Team since 2011. In addition to working hard for our clients, Derek spends much of his time as assistant coach for the Okotoks Jr. ‘A’ Oilers of the AJHL – click here to see Derek’s Oilers coaching BIO.

Why do you like being a Realtor?  I like being a realtor because it allows me to interact with a variety of people and I take a great deal of pride in knowing someone has trusted and relied on me to help find the place they want to call home, or has trusted me with their investment to help find property. I enjoy dealing with people in a professional manner and getting the most value when selling their house. 

What are your best skills as a Realtor?  My best skills as a realtor are my flexibility and my willingness to make myself available for my clients. I also have strong negotiation skills which is very important and I always have my client interests at the forefront of anything dealings.  

5 interesting facts about Derek:

I am addicted to hockey, NFL football and golf 

• I have been to 4 different continents of the world
• I love spending time in the gym
• I am proud to live my life in the moment one day at a time
• I feel happiest when helping others

Feel free to reach out to Derek via our website: www.SoldByJ.com or send Derek a message on our ‘Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team’ Facebook page!  

For several years, members of our Okotoks Real Estate Team have volunteered for the Salvation Army's Annual Kettle Campaign.

We all recognize the signature red kettles and the jingling of Christmas bells by volunteers posted at locations throughout the region. Your donations to these kettles all stay local to support the Foothills community by helping with emergencies, sending kids to camp, and more. It is the one public fundraiser that the Salvation Army does each year. 

Our friends at the Salvation Army Foothills approached us saying that this year there is a HUGE need for volunteers in Okotoks & High River to help with this year's kettle campaign, which has already begun. 

If you are interested in volunteering please call Lynn Spencer, the Kettle Coordinator, at 403-975-7280. 

Merry Christmas! 

Get to know our Calgary & Okotoks Real Estate Team by reading some of these interesting facts about our Realtors in a short series bio`s called BIO BLOG. You can also learn more about our tenacious realtors in the Meet Our Real Estate Team section of our website. 

Our subject today is Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team realtor Kim Daniel: 

Why dO You like beinG a Realtor?  I like being a realtor in Okotoks & Calgary because I look forward to hunting for the right house for my clients. Sometimes I feel that I have more fun than my clients do looking at properties. For me, it never gets old – every house, even the most similar are different. Choosing your home is one of the most import things in a persons life and I like to know that I found the right one for my clients needs. 

What Are Your besT skills aS it relates to This BusiNess?  One of my most valuable skills as a Realtor is being able remove myself and my opinions from the equation - it’s all about my clients. I really learn what is important to them and that’s what I find for them.  If it means looking at dozens and dozens of houses then that’s what it takes. I’m also a great real estate negotiator. I enjoy the hustle and the back & forth of negotiations until I get the best terms for my clients. You will find this out if you choose to work with me! 

5 inTeresting / little Known Facts aBout Kim:

• I love zombie movies! 
• My two favorite types of books to read are romance and any post apocalyptical read – polar opposites, I know.
• I don’t like heights.
• I love long distance road trips by myself, some of my favorite trips was me driving from Toronto to Calgary and Calgary to San Francisco. I can’t wait to plan my next one.
• My favorite house chore is vacuuming.

The Christmas season is a time of giving, and our Calgary & Okotoks Real Estate Team loves to give... that is no secret!

We are going to giveaway a $100 Home Depot gift card to one of our lucky Facebook friends! All you have to do to be entered to win, is LIKE our Facebook fan page. And if you SHARE our giveaway photo on Facebook, your name will be entered 2x to win! Let the sharing and giving begin! 

The draw will be made on December 15, 2012. The winner will be contacted and announced the same day. Good luck! 

Our Okotoks Real Estate Team has developed a reputation of giving back to the community, so naturally we are happy to offer you another opportunity to help out those in need in and around Okotoks. 

On November 7 the Western Wheel Cares charity fundraising campaign was launched. This is the first of what the local newspaper hopes will be many initiatives to give back to the community. 

As part of their contribution back to the Okotoks & Foothills community, the Western Wheel will handle the administration and promotion of this event which will see the funds raised shared amongst the following charities:  

- The Okotoks & District Food Bank

- The Foothills Country Hospice

- The Sheep River Health Trust

- Rowan House Emergency Shelter

Friend of The Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team, Robyn Duplisea who is in Ad Sales at the Western Wheel, said "We are seeking your support as individuals and businesses to donate and also to help spread the word.

We are hoping various groups, businesses and individuals will get involved as well, to challenge each other to match their donations and help make this a successful annual fundraising event for our community."

All donors names and the amount donated will be published in the Western Wheel, updated weekly (unless anonymity is requested). They also welcome donations on behalf of other individuals as a Christmas gift.

Donations will be accepted from until December 31, 2012.

To participate you can call the Western Wheel office Monday to Friday from 9-5pm and make a donation using your credit card. They will also accept donations in person at their office via debit, cash and cheques. Or visit www.westernwheel.com to donate using PayPal.

#9 McRae Street or mailed to Box 150, Okotoks, AB T1S 2A2

403-938-6397

All donations of $10 or more will receive a 2012 official tax receipt at the end of the campaign. For more information please contact gwolf@okotoks.greatwest.ca.

It's all about Neighbours helping Neighbours and your support is greatly appreciated by all. We thank you on behalf of our Remax Real Estate Team and this years charities for your generous donations.

RE/MAX and other real estate experts are predicting that the housing market will remain strong through 2013. The Calgary Herald reports the average MLS sale price increased by 2.5% in 2012 and RE/MAX predicts it will rise another 2% in 2013. 

This is coupled with the fact that mortgage rates have recently dropped to an astonishing low, with a five year fixed rate as good as 2.99 percent - with variable rates offering an even lower current percentage.