Blog Archives

I believe that every client regardless of the value of their home deserves the very best in marketing for their home.  While I work for Sotheby’s International Realty Canada and we specialize in the luxury marketplace, I continue to represent all buyers and sellers regardless of home values.  If one wants my expertise, I am happy to provide said services.  I have always believed in professional pictures and videos for my listings.  I also believe in placing these videos where buyers will be looking and that’s on the internet.  You can view the above on the MLS, my website, through social media, and on reciprocal real estate related sites in which there are over 5000!  I also believe in professional measurements if the current ones are not accurate.  Sotheby’s International Realty Canada also provides some other tools that other companies do not have.  My listings can be posted on the Sotheby’s .com and .ca sites to bring national and international exposure.  This also brings your listing to every Sotheby’s office in the world.  They give me the ability to advertise in International Architecture and Design, a nationally published magazine among others, and in newspapers throughout the world.  My reach for […]

People often ask about the cost per square foot when they purchase a home or want to build a home.  I dislike the term “cost per square foot“.  It is such a loaded term and I believe it is a catch phrase for people to use when discussing real estate, but it really isn`t that relevant.  Let me explain. It`s like buying a car by the pound.  You have a Mercedes and a Nissan.  The two vehicles may weigh the same, but one costs way more than the other.  Obviously this is because of what`s inside the Mercedes.  If you`ve ever driven a Mercedes and a Nissan, you will notice a difference in the quality of the vehicles.  Don`t get me wrong, they are both terrific vehicles, but the cost does set them apart. This is the same when purchasing or building a home.  A 2500 square foot home can cost you $150 per square foot to build or purchase or $350 per square foot.  It depends upon what kind of workmanship and materials are inside the home and where they are situated.  I hope this brings clarity to this term.  Thanks for reading! By Patrick Murray Join me on Google+

Homes By Us is a builder in which my partner and I represent at the Watermark Development in Calgary.  The Watermark Development, as discussed in an earlier blog, is a stunning new community in the sought after and exclusive community of Bearspaw.  You can enjoy huge lots and mountain views in an executive community complete with a tiered stream system winding it`s way through the development.  Homes By Us is one of five builders of distinction that can build at Watermark.  The similarities stop there.  Homes By Us works hard to take the stress off of you as a client and to make the building process more convenient.  Instead of having to buy the land outright from the developer, Homes By Us will purchase the land for you.  You pay five per cent when you sign a contract to build and another five per cent once the foundation is in place and not a penny more until you take possession!  Sounds almost too good to be true, but this builder is very liquid and wants to make it easier for you to use their services. Homes By Us will build your home in 6 months as long as the build […]

For many of us it seems that the more space we have the more clutter we accumulate.  Using available storage space more efficiently will help you to reduce your clutter, organize your home and improve your living space. Go through each room in your home one room at a time.  Consider starting in the kitchen for example.  This room often accumulates items that rarely, if ever, get used.  Go through each drawer and cupboard one at a time moving seldom used items away from these high traffic storage spaces.  Get rid of these items by selling them or by giving them to good will.  After sorting all areas, think of ways to better design each storage area.  Put organizer trays in drawers, racks and bins in pantries, and pegboards in large storage closets in order to hang awkward items like large pans and lids.  Consider installing pull-out racks in your lower cabinets and vertical racks for flat items like cookie sheets. Acquire storage systems for entrance ways, attics and closets.  If clutter is really getting in the way, consider putting shelving or cabinets on bare walls.  Not handy, don’t worry.  Many home centers can refer you to professionals to install such items.  […]

Interest rates are terrific right now.  Current news reports say that they will remain low for at least the next couple of years.  This is great for Canadians who need to finance in order to purchase new homes or for those that need to borrow to renovate.  The question is, should you borrow in order to renovate your home?  Critics claim that the low interest rates entice Canadians to borrow too much and incur unreasonable consumer debt.  Consider the following: Do not rely on renovations to immediately improve the resale value of your home.  Try not to have to use your home as collateral for your renovation loan.  Ensure that your contractor gets paid incrementally for work being completed to ensure you get what you are paying for in the long run.  So renovate away, but be responsible with your dollars!  Thanks for reading! By Patrick Murray Join me on Google+

This is a terrific opportunity to tell you about one of the projects my partner and I are working on in a new and exciting development in Calgary.  The Watermark development in Bearspaw off of Twelve Mile Coulee Road is a new community and features green spaces, waterfalls, an NBA sized basketball court among other features and features unobstructed mountain views.  There are five builders of distinction for the project.  We represent Homes By Us.  Homes By Us is a builder that prides themselves on customer service.  They don’t merely build your home and disappear.  They are there to assist you long after the project is complete.  Builds start around the $1 million – $1.1 million dollar range, lot and GST included.  The sky is the limit.  The showhome has an estimated completion time of August 2012 and will be valued at over $3 million. A unique feature of Homes By Us is the fact that they guarantee to have you in your home within six months or they pay you a daily fee as per their contract.  While there are a couple of models available, Homes By Us is more than willing to work with clients to build their dream.  The Watermark development […]

When shopping for a new home it is important to consider your lifestyle.  You need to ask yourself some important questions to make sure you are getting a home and a neighborhood that will meet your needs.  Consider such things as how much entertaining do you do?  Do you require a rec room?  How big of a back yard do you require?  Do you enjoy yard work and gardening?  How far is your home from your place of employment?  Is it important to be near schools and are the schools appropriate for your children?  Do you need to be near a park in order to walk the dog, entertain the kids or for exercise?  Do you like to be close to the action and want to live near downtown?  Can you get to all of your extracurricular activities easily?  Finding a terrific home is only half the battle.  If that home is not appropriate for your lifestyle, it’s appeal may quickly fade.  Ask yourself all the right questions and get yourself a terrific home in all respects for you and your family.  Thanks for reading! By Patrick Murray Join me on Google+

Snow and slush is something we deal with in the winter and we try our best not to track too much of this into our homes.  When you have viewings of your home during the winter months, potential buyers will be entering while wearing their winter clothing.   You want to create a good first impression of your home and that means making your entry way attractive and functional. Realtors try their best to ensure that clients remove their mucky footwear so give them an area in which to place that footwear.  Consider a large mat at your entry way to accommodate several people coming into your home at once with room to leave their footwear on the mat.  Many people will be wearing large winter jackets.  Give them an obvious coat rack in which to place those coats.  You want buyers to make themselves at home in your home so they can envision themselves already living there.  Always keep a towel close to your entry way so you can wipe up any overflowing slush that has hit the floor between showings.  You don’t want anyone having a slip and fall at your home!  Finally, make sure the walk way to […]

The winter months are not a popular time to do renovations.  Many people like to hold off until the weather improves and spring rolls around.  There are many good reasons why you should consider renovations in the winter. Consider that contractors and other professionals may have more availability during these months.  This is a great opportunity to consult with them and to start a job in your home.  Many sales centers have discounts during these low activity months.  You may be able to get your construction materials for much less than other times of the year.  If you have left over vacation days, taking this time in the winter months to start and complete projects frees you up for the summer months.  Finally, if you start a project now you can likely complete it in a timely fashion and enjoy being outdoors during the warmer time of the year. Why start a renovation project in the winter months?  Why not?!  Thanks for reading! By Patrick Murray Join me on Google+