Commercial Feature
TIPPING POINT
A10 – A12
Calgary’s downtown housing market GROWING UP A8
ERNIE GARDY 403-651-3093
WWW.ERNIEGARDY.COM
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FREE oct 3 to oct 9 2014 issue 04-39 editorial 403-781-1324 advertising 403-263-4940 crebnow@creb.ca
real estate news from industry experts
DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS WHAT ARE HOME INSPECTORS LOOKING AT?
ROOF/ATTIC
INTERIOR/ EXTERIOR WALLS
PLUMBING
FOUNDATION
HEATING & A/C
Expert says Calgary home inspections should be mandatory KELSEY HIPKIN
reporter/photographer
W
hen first-time homeowner Mario DeMarco made the “largest purchase” of his
life, he wanted to ensure there were no surprises – that there would not be any major issues with the property before he signed on the dotted line. DeMarco quickly turned to a home inspector – a move he credits as key in contributing to what turned out to be a smooth buying process. “[It was] one of the few times in the process that I had the ability to control the situation,” he said of purchasing his condo in Lower Mount Royal. “It is no different than getting an inspection on a used car before purchasing it. I wanted to know if there was water damage,
SINGLE FAMILY
electrical issues, plumbing issues…” DeMarco is not alone. After zeroing in on a property, all homebuyers should take that extra step and hire a home inspector to mitigate unforeseen and future risks, said Kevin Sixsmith, president of Amerispec Inspection Experts out of Calgary. “It’s important to conduct a home inspection to avoid a costly mistake by purchasing a property in need of major repairs or just being aware of any issues in the home,” he said. “This way, the purchaser will be able to negotiate price or repair before ownership.”
MLS® MONTH END INVENTORY* AUG ‘12 – AUG ‘14
In Alberta, home inspectors require a licence to operate and require a degree, diploma or certificate, or, an approved home inspection designation. To the west, B.C.’s provincial government recently announced a professional standard for home inspection licencing. “Consumers deserve a rigorous, reliable home inspection industry,” said B.C. Housing Minister Rich Coleman. “We want to ensure homebuyers have every possible confidence that their home inspector is qualified to help them with what is often the largest
investment they will make.” Sixsmith broke down the importance of a good home inspection. “[It] will assist a buyer in understanding exactly what they are about to acquire. A home may look move in ready, but an inspector will cover features of the house such as electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, insulation as well as structural features of the home, and may unveil issues that are not noticeable to the buyer’s eye.”
INSPECTIONS A3
ALBERTA SECOND CONTENTS IN CANADA FOR NEWS BRIEFS PROVINCIAL POPULATION GROWTH WEEKLY FEED
................................
A3
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A6
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A6
AUG12 3535 SEP12 3486 OCT12 3114 NOV12 2586 DEC12 1859 JAN13 2075 FEB13 2048 MAR13 2727 APR13 2977 MAY13 3311 3199 JUN13 2917 JUL13 2791 AUG13 SEP13 2789 2705 OCT13 NOV13 2171 DEC13 1515 JAN14 1671 FEB14 1894 MAR14 2052 2445 APR14 2919 MAY14 3128 JUN14 3056 JUL14 3021 AUG14
Flood mitigation
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity.
CREB® STAFF
A
lberta’s population increased by 2.8 per cent in 2014, more than doubling the national average of 1.1 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Nunavut led the country at 3.2 per cent, followed by Saskatchewan (1.7 per cent) and Manitoba (1.3 per cent). Much of Alberta’s continued growth can be attributed to in-migration from other parts of the country, said ATB chief economist Todd Hirsch.
EMPLOYMENT A3
EVENT LISTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 MUNICIPAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A13 Soul of the City
MLS® STATISTICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A13 September 2014
MORTGAGE RATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A15 MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B23 @crebnow
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