We had predicted this quite some time ago, but it appears the revolution has started.

 

One of our brokerage's clients is in the process of purchasing a former grow-op. And guess what? His insurance company and agent that he has done business with for years, has refused to insure the house that he had planned to purchase.

 

These kind of risky purchases (grow-ops, foreclosures, and bank sales) are just that - RISKY! I'm sure this Buyer client is using a knowledgable and experienced agent that put into the "Offer to Purchase" the condition of being able to find insurance. This is just one of the many conditions that a knowledgable real estate agent will suggest to their clients to have inserted into the Offer to Purchase. Finding out after the sale is FIRM would be a real expensive lesson for someone.

 

If anyone ever questioned the value of an experienced, and fully-trained industry professional to help them purchase or sell a home, this is just one example that shows that...

Your most important decision when selling your home is the selection of the person you choose to represent you in this often difficult and complicated process.

 

The job of your real estate professional is to support you in selling your home with the best possible terms, advise you on your options and the aid you through the entire process.

 

Your real estate professional will explain the process of selling a home, and familiarize you with the various activities, documents and procedures that you will experience throughout the entire process. 

Your Real Estate Professional should be:

• A member of the local real estate board and a REALTOR® - only REALTORS® have complete access to the MLS® System in Canada. Only a member of the local board will get you local exposure to local agents,
• Highly aware of the complicated local and provincial requirements affecting your transaction,
• Knowledgeable about your...

"Closing costs" is a term that you will likely hear often in your real estate transaction, whether you are buying or selling a home. The "closing costs" are the costs paid for at the end of the transaction at your lawyer's office. Many of them are directly related to the legal fees, property tax adjustments, land transfer fees, mortgage fees, etc. and generally add up to between $800 and $2,000 for the Buyer and $600 to $1,500 for the Seller - depending upon the transaction and the legal firm selected.

 

Other jurisdictions may have additional costs or may not involve lawyers in the real estate transaction (they use "Title Companies" and refer to a concept of "Escrow"). As always, you should verify this discussion within the context or your own jurisdiction.

 

A much better discussion involves the total costs included in buying or selling real estate. These costs are many and which is why it is not advisable to be "flipping"...

As of September 1, 2011, home inspection businesses and individual home inspectors must obtain a licence from the provincial government.

• Inspectors must have a degree, diploma or certificate in home inspection from an approved educational institution and successfully complete a test inspection. The government currently recognizes the Carson Dunlop & Associates curriculum offered by SAIT and will evaluate other courses that become available in Alberta. 
• Inspectors are automatically qualified for a licence if they hold a Registered Home Inspector designation from the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors; or a Certified Master Inspector designation from the Master Inspector Certification Board, Inc., affiliated with the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. 
• Inspectors who do not meet these requirements may apply for a conditional licence valid until March 31, 2013 to give them time to acquire the necessary...

 

Edmonton...

 

The Alberta government will license and set standards for home inspectors under new rules to protect Albertans who rely on an inspection when buying a home.

 

“A home is the single largest investment most Albertans make. They deserve to have confidence that the person they hire to inspect a home is qualified to make a reliable assessment,” said Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk, responsible for consumer protection. “Most home inspectors are professionals, but the financial consequences of a faulty or negligent inspection can be staggering for families.”

 

The Home Inspection Business Regulation, which comes into force on September 1, 2011, will require all home inspection businesses and individual inspectors be licensed by the provincial government. To qualify for a licence, inspectors must have successfully completed training from an educational institution approved by the provincial...