Legalities of Working with a REALTOR®

Buying real estate is like having major surgery; this is no time for DIY, you definitely want a professional to do the job!  Most people only buy a handful of homes in their lifetimes, whereas we at Calgary Real Estate™ work with hundreds of home buyers each year.  We have the necessary experience to guide you safely and securely through market complexities to your ultimate home purchase.

Photo by Randy Peters

In exchange for helping you buy a home in the beautiful city of Calgary, we won't ask you for any money; we are compensated for our efforts by the seller.  We will ask you to sign an agreement stating that we represent you exclusively – that you will not be working with multiple agents to find your home but ultimately buying with only one of us.  This ensures that we (not another real estate brokerage) do get compensated for all the work we will have done for you on contingency:  helping you find the right home, helping you obtain financing, and making sure your property purchase closes smoothly.

The Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement contains certain elements that we will determine together, for the benefit and protection of both of us:

• Length of time the Agreement will be in effect
• Type of property we will help you look for
• Market Area(s) (i.e. where you are looking)
• Broker's Mandate (our commitment to you) plus your own duties
• Brokerage's Fee (payable only in the event that you do not fulfil the terms of the contract)
• Information on the process of Ending or Amending the Agreement

Calgary's Finest Neighbourhoods

Our team will go anywhere within Calgary that you need us to go, to make your real estate dreams a reality.  Over the years, we have done the majority of our business in northwest Calgary in the following highly desirable neighbourhoods:

• Panorama Hills is a lively urban community situated amidst acres of greenery and stunning views of the valley.  Real estate in Panorama Hills is very desirable because of convenient access (walking distance) to schools, parks, walking trails, two shopping malls, two golf courses, and playgrounds.  Two historical sites, the Reverend George McDougall Cairn and the John A.  Lewis Rock Quarry, are also located here.  Panorama Hills homes aren't cheap; they range from the low $400,000's up to $1,000,000 each.  Panorama Hills condos are a more affordable option, starting in the high $100,000's.

• Hanson Ranch is a residential community that lies in the northwest quadrant of Calgary on a sandstone escarpment, with pristine views of creeks and fields.  It is bordered by Beddington Trail to the west, Panorama Hills to the east and Country Hills Boulevard to the South.  Click on the main areas/cities below, in order to drill down to more specific neighbourhood lists.  You can view all the properties in a neighbourhood, and also see vital real estate stats about that specific market! As of March 2011, residential real estate prices had an average listing price of just over $400,000 for homes with three bedrooms and at least two baths.

• Hidden Valley is a young community of about four thousand homes, just north of the Sandstone and MacEwan communities.  Perfect for families, the location boasts several parks and a miniature creek in a lovely prairie setting complete with walking paths, green space and amenities including grocery shopping, malls, a public library, cafes, and retail stores within walking distance.  Hidden Valley has single family housing opportunities for first time home buyers as well as move-up buyers.

• Coventry Hills homes are almost uniformly single family dwellings in the high $400's and $500's.  It's hard to find a house for rent here; most homes in this community of approximately 15,000 are owner occupied.  Coventry Hills belongs to the Northern Hills Community Association.  LRT extensions to this area are planned to make this rapidly developing community more accessible.

• Country Hills was established in 1990 and is bounded to the north by the Country Hills Boulevard, to the south by Beddington Trail and to the east by Harvest Hills Boulevard.  To the south-west lie the Country Hills Golf Course and West Nose Creek.  Home to a small population, nearly 10% of the buildings are condos or apartments, making it something of a haven for investors and high-end renters.

• Harvest Hills is another new and beautiful development in the Northern Hills area of Calgary, bounded by Deerfoot Trail to the east and Beddington trail to the west.  Harvest Hills is home to one of Alberta's most challenging 9-hole golf courses, and residents also enjoy a beautiful scenic lake and easy access to the Cardel Place community centre, which offers sports programming, two skating rinks, three gymnasiums, an aquatic complex, a climbing wall and a work out area.  Families enjoy easy access to recreation in the form of a movie theatre, restaurants, shopping, public library, craft stores, medical services, and close proximity to the airport.  Children benefit from the safety of the neighbourhood and the plethora of local boys & girls' clubs and organizations.

• Beddington was established over thirty years ago around a CP Railway station, and today is home to the Beddington Towne Centre, a mall with many popular retail chain stores.  There is a relatively high immigrant population in Beddington and over a fifth of the properties here are rentals, a high percentage for the area.  In spring of 2011, single family homes in Beddington had an average asking price of approximately $330,000.  These affordable homes tend to be smaller in size, perfect for first time home buyers entering the real estate market.

• Huntington real estate is affordable too, with average prices in the mid-$300's for detached single family homes, though homes here can run the gamut from much lower than that to much higher.  The gently rolling topography makes for nice views.  An older neighbourhood established in the 1960's, Huntington has a large proportion of condos, apartments and renters.  Residents are well served by elementary and secondary schools, including Catholic options.

• Evanston was designed as a prairie-values environment; community planners actively focused on bringing neighbours together, rather than isolating them (think wide open spaces, back lanes and porches; playgrounds and a neighbourhood gazebo also bring people together here).  Evanston is conveniently located near CrossIron Mills shopping centre, the airport, and major transportation routes.  A very new community just west of Kincora, Evanston definitely has the feel of country living even though it's not far from downtown.  You'll find mainly starter and move-up homes that start from about $300,000.

• Kincora is only 20 minutes' drive from downtown, but with 120 acres of landscaped parkland, the beautiful area is worlds away from hustle and bustle.  New homes start from the high $300's and offer a delightful mix of modern appeal with Celtic charm.  The Celtic theme continues throughout the community, with a tower, a stone entry wall and old fashioned lantern street lights.  Schools and shopping are easily accessible.  Homes here are great for the move-up buyer, as well as those looking for grander executive and estate homes.