Lethbridge Real Estate:  Subject to the sale of Offers, Buying Before Selling Sometimes when people are looking to buy a house in Lethbridge, they have to sell their home first before they can make a deal.  If they find what they believe to be the perfect home, they often will make an offer that is subject to the sale of their house.   They negotiate a certain amount of time to sell their house, and become committed to buying that home There are advantages and disadvantages to this. There are some Realtors who will always avoid such offers, but I have written and accepted offers subject to the sale of a home with success.  I have also written offers on homes that have 24, 48, or 72 hour clauses on them, and my buyers were eventually able to "bump" the initial offer. ADVANTAGES TO THE BU... 06/06/2012

Realty Executives is the exclusive real estate company supporter for the Canadian Diabetes Association.   We also have a bin where you can drop off clothes, right in our office parking lot!  When you are buying or selling, that's always a great time to go through your closet and see what items you have that might like a new home for a worthy cause.  The Realty Executives Office is 135, 13th Street North in Lethbridge. 05/10/2012

  A FIRE DEVASTED 4 FAMILIES THIS WEEKEND IN A FOURPLEX RIGHT BEHIND THE REALTY EXECUTIVES OFFICE (135 13TH STREET NORTH, LETHBRIDGE ALBERTA). ONE FAMILY - THE SANCHEZ TOTALLY LOST EVERYTHING.   WE ARE ADDING THIS FAMILY TO OUR APRIL MONTH CAMPAIGN-   DONATIONS WILL BE COMING TO OUR OFFICE AND CENTRE VILLAGE MALL- WE HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE BIGGER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO GO TO THE MALL OR THE MOTHERS HOME.   Parents-   Ladies- size M  tops size 9   Shoes---8   Mens – size exlarge 36 X 32   Shoes---8 ½-9   Children   Boy age 5--- size Lg Size 8 Pants   Shoes 1   Girl age 3--- size 4-5   Shoes---10   Boy age 1 ½--- size 2-3-- 24 mths    Shoes---7-8                                Cash donations or gift cards-   Please bring to 135- 13 Street North- Realty Executive office       04/10/2012

Effective today, the Bank of Canada has raised the "qualifying interest rate" from 5.24% to 5.44%   What does this mean for Canadians who are looking to buy real estate or finance a home?   In an attempt to steer people into longer term mortgage commitments, the Bank of Canada has set an arbitrary interest rate that you must qualify to be able to afford.  So, even if you are getting a 3 year mortgage at 2.99%, they want you to ensure that you could still afford that payment should the interest rate be as high as 5.44% just in case something were to happen and the rate was to go up by the end of your 3 year term.    Anyone taking a mortgage term of less than 5 years, will have to qualify as if their rate was 5.44%, even though their actual interest rate will in virtually every case be mu... 04/09/2012

Realty Executives, 135 13th Street North, Lethbridge, is having a book drive, as part of our 12 months of giving campaign.   Please drop off any unwanted books at the Realty Executives Office.  Books will be sold at the Used Book Sale, at Centre Village Mall, March 23rd and 24th, and proceeds will go to the Lethbridge and District Humane Society.   If you are thinking of moving, and need to clear out some old books, this is a great way to do it and help some animals in need too.   http://humanehaven.ab.ca/  for the Lethbridge and District Humane Society Website! (This is Bony, my cat that I adopted from the streets of Tokyo (he was the skinniest cat I ever saw, thus named Bony.  He is now healthy and happy, living in Canada)     03/06/2012

Here is my Best of the Best advertisement, that was recently published in the Lethbridge Sun Times. 03/01/2012

This is a great service being offered here in Lethbridge Alberta. Why tear up your drywall to search for mould when you can get Elvis to sniff it out for you? Sherlock Environmental Services Ltd. is a locally owned and operated company serving Lethbridge and Southern Alberta since 1999. They offer a range of mould detection and indoor air quality assessments for both commercial and residential buildings. They offer canine mould detection as one of the most cost-effective and efficient tools we have available to ensure your environment is safe and toxin-free. Elvis is a professionally trained mould detection dog. Along with his handler and founder of the company, James Abramenko, he’ll sniff out your mould! 1.888.MOULDK9 (1.888.668.5359) http://www.sherlockenvironmental.ca/   02/27/2012

February 10- Friday- Have a heart! Cake and Bake sale! Great Success   Thanks to all who donated their time, and beautiful cakes and goodies.     Sponsored by Realty Executives, Verico Canada First Mortgage, and Centre Village Mall.  All proceeds going to Rocky Mountain Book Awards.             Some of the great goodies that we enjoyed! We will also have a BINGO February 25th, Saturday- Young at Heart Bingo--   Come out and enjoy a game of Bingo--- Centre Village Mall from 10 am - 2- pm Proceeds going to Rocky Mountain Book Awards. http://rmba.lethsd.ab.ca/ 02/14/2012

As a way to contribute more to our community that gives us our livelihoods, Realty Executives Devonshire, together with Centre Village Mall in Lethbridge, and Ellie Peters of Canada First Mortgage, have started a campaign, the 12 Months of Giving.  Last Month, we gathered more than 500 pairs of shoes that were donated to local charities.  This month, we are raising money for the Rocky Mountain Book Award, to promote literacy in young children.    We will be collecting used clothing the month of February, and we are also having a bake sale this Friday.   The 12 months of Giving Campaign   Month 2 ---------Filled with Heart!       February 4- 29th From the Heart--- Gently used - Clothes Drive Starts   Donations of clothing can be brought to Centre Village Mall- Bins at entrance   or Real... 02/07/2012

I have seen some great before and after shots of carpets before cleaning and after cleaning.  I should know.  I recently spilled a chocolate protein shake all over my light gray rug.  I managed to rub it in some more, agitate it, and then add a few of my tears to the mess.  My 8 year old daughter immediately started apologizing, but I had to explain to her that it was really my fault, and not hers, and that it was me who was banned from eating and drinking in the living room. I called Crystal Clean, crystalclean.com  and they were able to get the stain out.  It took 2 visits, but they were happy to come back, and my carpet was saved. In real estate, I have seen quite a few houses listed for sale with pretty rough looking carpets.  Some people have the idea that they will clean them once... 02/04/2012

Realty Executives Devonshire Realty in Lethbridge, Alberta is holding a used shoe drive, from January 16th-27th.  Come by during office hours, between 9am and 4:30 pm, at our office at 135, 13th street North, to drop off any used shoes that you would like to donate.  The shoes are going to be distributed to local charities.  The University of Lethbridge is also having a Shoe Drive at the same time, (http://www.ulsu.ca/?p=0&action=list_event&eid=6485) So if you are getting ready to move, now is a great time to declutter and get rid of those shoes that you haven't worn for years, and give them to someone who can make use of them.   01/16/2012

The culture of Lethbridge Alberta is changing.  We are getting more and more restaurants featuring food from all over the world.  A few years ago there were no Indian or Korean restaurants to be had.  Now we have both.  For the longest time there was only 1 Japanese restaurant, and now there are 4.  I have friends that work at 3 of the four, and the fourth I haven't been to yet, but that should change soon. On a side note, I did live in Japan for 10 years, and I loved the food.  Not only the great Japanese food, but in Tokyo all you had to do was walk a few blocks and you would find wonderful French, Italian, Korean, Indian, Japanese and more.  And it was cheap for a great lunch. But again, we are talking about Lethbridge Japanese restaurants. I never had a $10 cup of coffee, but people... 01/16/2012

Student Housing in Lethbridge Alberta Every year, thousands of students come to Lethbridge to study at either Lethbridge College, or the University of Lethbridge. I studied marketing at the University of Lethbridge, and my husband is an Alumnus of Lethbridge College.   On campus housing is available at both places, but can be limited. There are also many options available for renting a room, suite, apartment, townhouse, or home. I have compiled a list of rental information here. (http://www.viewlethbridge.com/lethbridgerentalinformation.html).  Some landlords will take 8month leases to cover the school year, but most will not. In May there is a lot of housing to choose from, but in July and August, places to rent are much harder to find. Those going to the University prefer the West sid... 01/04/2012

Dog Park in Lethbridge, AB In Lethbridge, AB, there are three dog parks which are excellent for taking Fido off his leash and letting him run free! North Side Off-Leash Dog Park is north of the access road at the base of the coulees, in Peenaquim Park. The West Side Off-Leash Dog Park is between the boat launch and the picnic shelter in Popson Park.  The South Side Off-Leash Dog Park is west of Scenic Drive and 11 Avenue South, and is most likely my favorite out of the three! This dog park is also known as the Scenic Drive Dog Run, and for good reason. There are several ravines in the coulees, flat trails for those who prefer staying on top of the ridges, and a large area which goes down to the golf course.   The only issues that people in the area have are that the dog park is not very... 10/20/2011

Lethbridge Real Estate - Student Housing Photo: University of Lethbridge at sunset by Robert May   University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge College attract thousands of students to the city each fall.  I believe the total number of students enrolled now is around 15,000 and I would estimate that at least half of those come from outside of the Lethbridge and move here just to attend school.   With this new influx in population the Lethbridge real estate rental market is strongly affected.  Rent prices shoot up and vacancy rates drop to absolute zero.  Literally every basement suite, duplex, apartment, house, or rooming house is full by the end of August.   For those who are arriving in Lethbridge at this time of the month they are probably already finding that the choices of accomodat... 08/19/2011

Lethbridge Real Estate   Lethbridge House For Sale -over 1100 square foot bungalow -3 mainfloor bedrooms -hardwood floors throughout -well treed and fenced yard -basement has nice 1 bedroom suite Asking price: $248,900 which makes it one of the best deals around!   For details on this or any other Lethbridge homes for sale, feel free to contact me through this website or directly at my contact info which appears on this page.   Lethbridge Real Estate 08/13/2011

Lethbridge Real Estate - 5 Year Fixed Interest Rates 3.09%   As a result of the declining and suffering economies of the world, the Canadian economic recovery will be slower than anticipated by the Bank of Canada.  With the US announcing this week that they will hold interest rates low for the next couple years (copying the statements made by Bank of Canada 2 years ago) has sent a strong sign that things will remain as is for the time being.  With that news, the market in Canada is also held back and our interest rates will also be held down for the same period of time.  The direct result is that the Banks and Mortgage Companies in Canada are looking at decreasing the spread between the variable rates and the fixed rates.       This week we have seen the fixed rates adjust lower, with a... 08/11/2011

Lethbridge Real Estate - EcoENERGY GRANTS Back Again!   The federal government has renewed the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program, an initiative that helps Canadians save on home improvements and energy costs while protecting the environment. “With this program, Canadians can make their homes more energy-efficient and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada,” said Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Joe Oliver."   Until March 31, 2012, homeowners may be eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make their homes more energy-efficient.   The program could help up to 250,000 Canadian homeowners improve their homes’ energy efficiency and generate as much as $4 billion in economic activity across Canada.   Prior to Budget 2011, the Government of Canada provided ... 08/04/2011

Cashback Program 0 Down Mortgage(Cashback Program) (95%LTV+5.5%cashback) 60 Day- 5 Year Fixed- 5.5% cashback at 5.54%(can be used for downpayment and closing costs. no pre-approvals) 90% Refinance (Cashback Program) (85%LTV+5.5%cashback) 60 Day- 5 Year Fixed- 5.5% cashback at 5.54%   That info above is the basic details of the most popular zero down mortgage or cashback mortgage program that I have available.  These are not the best mortgage product for everyone, and I find that I do my best to discourage people from using this type of mortgage financing product if at all possible.  There are however certain cases in which this product is the only option for a real estate purchaser and it is great that it is available in those cases.   If you want more details on this particular financi... 07/11/2011

Lethbridge Real Estate - 113 Jerry Potts Blvd West Just listed MLS this nice bi-level home.  Check out some of the details.   -over 1100 square feet -3 mainfloor bedrooms -big bright windows -basement fully developed, 2 berooms, bath, livingroom -basement features kitchenette -basement previously rented for $900/month -large fenced yard -backs onto large treed green strip   Priced Aggressively at $254,700.00   There are several lethbridge homes listed down around the $249,000 price range that just do not compare.  When we have our rush of summer home buying, it is common to start at the low end of the prices and work your way up.  Buyers tend to do this every time.  They start with the crap that is for sale at $240k and then they discover that it is all major junkers, tiny lots, or pidd... 07/08/2011