QUOTE (dpeacock @ Dec 15 2010, 11:08 AM) Hello Investors, I`m looking for a little advice as this will be the first Commercial property I`m buying. I`m going to make an offer on a Business Condo in Calgary. for personal use. I like the space, and would like to get it, so I`m willing to pay near...

A fellow Realtor has one - http://www.bobtruman.com/blogs/bob_truman/default.aspx. Garth Turner`s name comes up a lot, so things get a little heated. But there`s good info there.

QUOTE (RedlineBrett @ Nov 17 2010, 11:26 AM) All demographics use realtors to buy. The vast majority of listings sold on MLS are sold in single agency - meaning there is one agent for the buyer and one agent for the seller. The only people that don`t use a realtor to buy are those that don`t...

QUOTE (fumbrunner @ Oct 25 2010, 12:36 PM) Looks like CREA and the Competition Bureau have now come to an agreement. Great news for seller in particular. http://www.vancouversun.com/business/CREA+...9191/story.html New to the board?!? Just kidding, but there`s a, shall we say, lengthy...

QUOTE (tnguyen @ Oct 22 2010, 04:06 PM) If you have all the document to proof the bank that the house is safe to live, i don`t see why not. eg, remediation report results, re-occupancy permit. I agree. The banks don`t. Guess who`s opinion matters more?

QUOTE (jwilbrin @ Oct 6 2010, 05:29 PM) Given the amount of dollars CREA will have to invest to properly set up a new system/program which allows "owners" to list on mls, get all the proper legal work in place to protect the association from liability, the additional insurance costs, all the new...

QUOTE (schoobie @ Oct 5 2010, 04:34 PM) Coincidentally, two units I am considering are below grade. One with 630sqft faces the lawn/street and the other one with 510sqft to a parking lot both facing south. I have never lived in a below grade unit, what is so bad about them? I guess It should...

Thanks for all the great info here. Ultimately my buyer decided to walk away. Not because of health concerns, but it was so painfull to get a mortgage. I`m sure we could have gotten one, but I for one was worried about resale. The major banks won`t even consider them, and I can see this trend...

I, as a Realtor, am actually excited for these changes. I find myself ranting more and more against some of the bigger name Realtors. They simply don`t do that good of a job to justify what they make. More importantly, they don`t do their job well enough. They`ll always be a place for Realtors...

In this case, as always, Calgary is behind everyone else. I did a lot of researching regarding legalizing suites after the grant program was brought in last year. I can`t dig up all the work I did, but Vancouver, Edmonton, and Saskatoon have all gone in this direction already. I wouldn`t...

I read this post with some interest. I have a client looking to buy a remediate grow op, but we`re having trouble finding anyone who will finance it. Ignoring the perils of buying a property like this, anyone know of who does finance these properties?

It is funny, that the city taxes a suite it knows is illegal. Did you buy this through a Realtor? Did anyone tell you it was illegal? Not much can be done now, but in future call the city and ask if there was any complaints against the suite. You can also ask if it is legal. Good due...

QUOTE (Oli @ Sep 24 2010, 02:43 PM) Hi Al, Two quick questions: - once I`ve built a 3-month emergency fund (done!), do I also divert that 10% to home/investment (which at this point is the same to me since I`ll keep using the equity built in the home as a source of downpayment)? - this is...

QUOTE (housedoc @ Sep 24 2010, 05:34 AM) The city of Hamilton had to clean dog**** and cut your grass? And you`re whining about 550 bucks? You neglected your property. Pay up! And don`t rely on old ladies on disability to do your gruntwork. You should be ashamed. Good on the city of Hamilton...

My tenant allowed a room mate to move into a room in a basement suite with him. He didn`t get him to sign a lease, and now wants to get him out. There`s been a lack of rent issues, and more concerningly disruptions to parties in the house. Bad spot I realize, but wonder what everyone else...