Robb Leece

I have sold a property at 345 Walden PARADE SE in Calgary. See details here

- OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24 1:00PM - 4:00PM - Whether you are taking advantage of your first time home buyer incentive or buying a home in the Walden area because of all the great things that this community offers for young families and individuals. The home has been well loved and cared for since it was built and is waiting for the next family to take on the memories. Upon entering the main level you're welcomed with 10 feet ceilings, large bright windows facing the east direction, and an open floor that splits between living, dining, and cooking. Some of us prefer our morning coffee outside and the front porch is the perfect place to enjoy the early quiet morning. Spacious home with over 1000+ square feet above grade. When summer comes along again you can don't have to worry about fighting the heat waves as A/C is connected to this home. For the winter you can have a hot bath to warm you up as the hot water system is instant. As we head upstairs were joined by two spacious master bedrooms. Each room has it's own washroom. You no longer have to worry about cleaning up others mess when you only have to worry about yours. Let's talk about the location. You're just a couple of minutes away from the Bow river, Stoney trail, Macleod trail, Shawnessey shopping center, golf courses, Sikome Lake, and five schools. Age is never a factor in this community! The home is located on a quiet street just around the corner. Tons of street parking. Book your showing today!

I have sold a property at 3238 Township Road 342 in Rural Red Deer County. See details here

Beautiful place to call home! Enjoy 120 acres of land in a private location with plenty of trees. There are two homes on this property, the main home is built in 1990 and the second home is currently rented out and was built in 1955. This parcel is set up for horses with a 40 x 30 barn with wood floors and box stalls, heated waterer, and fenced areas for pasture with shelters. The main pasture area is currently rented (approx. 68 acres of pasture). The main home has fencing around the house, perfect for kids and pets. The 1990 bi-level features spacious entry with tons of natural light and automatic window covering. The kitchen and dining area has views of the country and access to the attached sunroom/deck with exterior entry. There is also a large living room with east exposure, master bedroom with 2 piece ensuite, guest bedroom, and 4 piece bathroom. The fully finished basement with in floor heat features a 2 piece bathroom (could easily convert back to a 3 piece), family room, bedroom, office, laundry, and storage room. The 1955 bungalow features an open kitchen and dining area, living room, 4 piece bathroom, master bedroom, and guest bedroom. The basement has plenty of storage, laundry, pressure system, and water well system which supplies water to both homes. The older home has new windows upstairs and the roof was done 8 years ago. In the main home, the roof was done 6 years ago. This property has so much to offer! Plenty of room for all your vehicles and toys in the 24 x 32 quonset, 14 x 16 little barn which has wood stove (great for a man cave) and for the days where you need relaxation, there is a quiet cabin just off the garden area. This property is one of a kind!

I have sold a property at 1203 Danloe STREET NE in Calgary. See details here

Welcome to 1203 Danloe Street. a 1200 SqFt bungalow with basement suite, situated across from a quiet park in Renfrew. As soon as you walk into this character home, you will be greeted by the natural hardwood floors, original wood trim work and glass french doors. A large living room has a big window that overlooks the park and is adjacent to the dining room. The kitchen is mostly original including the dining room pass through. The three main level bedrooms all feature hard wood floors and big bright windows. The lower level is an illegal suite that has it's own separate entrance, a large family room with wood burning fireplace, 4 Pcs Bathroom and 2 large bedrooms. The backyard has been setup for entertaining friends with a big patio and place to have a campfire.

I have listed a new property at 1203 Danloe STREET NE in Calgary. See details here

Welcome to 1203 Danloe Street. a 1200 SqFt bungalow with basement suite, situated across from a quiet park in Renfrew. As soon as you walk into this character home, you will be greeted by the natural hardwood floors, original wood trim work and glass french doors. A large living room has a big window that overlooks the park and is adjacent to the dining room. The kitchen is mostly original including the dining room pass through. The three main level bedrooms all feature hard wood floors and big bright windows. The lower level is an illegal suite that has it's own separate entrance, a large family room with wood burning fireplace, 4 Pcs Bathroom and 2 large bedrooms. The backyard has been setup for entertaining friends with a big patio and place to have a campfire.

Pretty nice garage eh?  It's not mine.  I'm not brave enough to actually post a picture of mine.  My garage does have a 1974 AMC Matador Coupe that is in year 13 of it's 5 year restoration.

I am a self-admitted Car Guy. There are many support groups, but most don't help quash the habit.  I do identify myself as a maker.  In my free time I love making things either in my own garage, or down at Calgary's Makerspace.  Some of them are useful, some are only useful as conversation pieces. 

Some of my projects include clever names like:

"Winnecargo", our cargo trailer that matches our 1973 Winnebago Brave,

"Minnibago" which is a scratch build of an electric go-kart that is also styled in retro rv. 

"The Mini" is our 73 Austin Mini MKII, that has been put on a Suzuki 4x4 chassis with 35" tires.

If you ever want to hear me talk for an hour about a true love/hate relationship, ask about "Rumbot"  The rum and coke camping robot.

Last night I had to pickup a $2.00 washer from home depot, and left with a new Miluakee impact wrench.  I know how you feel.  I'm there with you.  I have given up, I have finally outgrown my garage.  I started looking through the MLS for a new home with a three car garage and decided that it also needed to be a dedicated search function on my real estate website. 

So here you go my fellow gear heads, collectors, pack-rats and horders:

Calgary Homes with Three Car Garages or bigger

Calgary Homes with Electric Vehicle Chargers or 220VAC power

If you are looking at also making the move to a bigger garage with a house beside it, feel free to give me a call.  I also have a private client search available that is specific to homes with a large lot size that is perfect for building your own custom "Garage-mahal".  Give me a call if you would like to be added to this private search notification.

Open houses are the best way to showcase your home to potential buyers, so you want to make sure you leave a good impression. Here are ten tips to help you better prepare your home for an Open House:

Closet space is important, so potential buyers are sure to peak. By removing half your clothing, and ensuring everything is neat and tidy, you make your closets look bigger and more spacious. 

2) Let in lots of natural light

Natural light makes even the smallest apartment feel larger and more welcoming, so be sure you draw back the curtains and open the blinds in every room. Being able to see out the windows also makes rooms feel larger.

3) Hide evidence of Fido and Fluffy

Not all people are pet lovers. Pet hair, food and water dishes, and toys can make a home feel unkempt and cluttered. Be especially cognizant of pet related odors, since a dirty litter box or a wet dog smell can quickly put off potential buyers.

4) Make your home as neutral as possible

Potential buyers that attend your Open House are going to try to picture themselves living there. Remove personal items, like family photos, so that your potential buyers are better able to imagine their own life there. Also, while you don’t need to completely redecorate try and hide items that aren’t very neutral. You may think that singing bass your uncle bought you for your birthday is hilarious, but your potential buyers may disagree.

5) Make sure your home is clean

Things like dust, grime and fingerprints are off putting, and do not present your home in a positive light. Make sure you thoroughly clean the entire house before each Open House, and be sure to pay close attention to often overlooked places like the downstairs storage cupboard and the cupboards under sinks. Potential buyers who are seriously considering purchasing your home are going to thoroughly inspect your home, so you want to make sure everything is in order. 

6) Don’t forget curb appeal

The exterior of your house offers potential buyers a first impression. Make sure any children’s toys are neatly stashed away, and that your grass is cut or your sidewalk shoveled based on the time of year. Consider adding some welcoming decorations, like placing potted flowers on the front step or hanging a festive wreath from the door in order to make your home feel warm and welcoming.

7) Go the extra mile

Ironing your duvet cover and tea towels may seem excessive, but little touches like that can really add polish to your home. Make sure jars and cans are neatly organized in your pantry, and do your best to tame the tupperware and junk drawers. If you own a lot of stuff you might even consider storing some of it at a friend or relative’s home temporarily in order to reduce the amount of clutter you need to deal with before each Open House.

8) Fix what is broken

Even small things like squeaky doors, leaky taps and loose knobs can leave a bad impression. Small, easily fixed problems that have not been dealt with may make potential buyers wonder what other, larger, problems may be lurking. Take a weekend and repair these small things before your first Open House. You may also consider adding a fresh coat of paint to both the interior and exterior of your home. Fresh paint makes any space look brighter, cleaner and more well maintained.

9) Consider rearranging

The key to making any space feel larger is reducing the amount of stuff in it. Consider removing large sectional chesterfields or other large, dominating pieces of furniture. Items like these make rooms feel smaller than they actually are, and can leave potential buyers feeling cramped. If you can afford it, consider hiring a professional stager and potentially renting furniture that will best show off your home’s assets.

10) Add the finishing touches

The day of the Open House purchase one or several bouquets of freshly cut flowers. A bouquet in the kitchen, and one in the living room make any home feel fresh and welcoming. Also, consider setting out food and drinks for potential buyers. A cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day, or some warm coffee or hot chocolate on a cold winter afternoon not only make potential buyers feel welcome and at home but also makes them more likely to stick around longer. You should also be sure to secure any valuables and prescription medications in a safe place before potential buyers arrive. And last, but not least, be sure to leave. It is much easier for your Realtor work their magic if you aren’t hovering around potential buyers pointing out all the positive qualities of your home. Realtors know when to intervene and chat with potential buyers and when to let them explore on their own.

At the end of the day you want to make sure your home feels neutral, clean, uncluttered and welcoming. Creating a pleasant space that potential buyers can easily seem themselves living happily in is what will seal the deal. Also, ask your Realtor for any advice he or she may have on staging your home for an Open House, and take advantage of their expertise.

Renting your first apartment, or purchasing your first condo, can be a daunting task. With so many things to worry about and keep track of the experience can seem overwhelming.  Click here to visit our listing of available Apartments and Apartment Condos.  To help you select a good apartment here are 4 things to remember:

Especially if you are inexperienced at apartment hunting it helps to bring a friend or relative along who has purchased their own place before. Hire a REALTOR® that has experience in buying and selling condos and the intricacies that go with it.

2) Talk to your potential neighbours if you can

If you are seriously considering an apartment or condo try and talk to some of your potential neighbours when viewing the property. Introduce yourself and explain why you are there, then ask them general questions about the building. Is the place in good repair? Do they have any complaints about their neighbours?  What is the social scene like?

3) Go over the paperwork carefully

Your REALTOR will go over all of the details of your offer with you before you sign it.  You will often have a condition of a condominium document review, which will allow the seller some time to obtain all of the documents related to the unit.  You will then be able to examine the documents, and send them for a professional review if you choose.  Some of the bylaws of the Condominium corporation will effect you directly. Can you have pets? What if you have, or decide you want to have, children. Will they be welcome in the building? 

4) Research the neighbourhood

Make sure the neighbourhood is safe, and that you can easily access the services you need. How far away is the grocery store? If you have children, how far away is the nearest school? You should also check the crime rate in your neighbourhood. The Calgary Police Service offers an up to date Crime Map of the city, which shows how many of each crime occurred in each neighbourhood in the last year.

Purchasing your first condo, will be less stressful if you follow these tips. If something ever doesn’t feel right you shouldn’t risk it. The last thing you want to is get stuck with an unit that is not right for you. 

It's that time of year again!  The annual Calgary Real Estate Board Housing Forecast.

As 2021 continues, I would expect to see inventory levels start to rise again.  As Canada continues with COVID-19 vaccinations and spread of the virus starts to ease, markets should begin to return to balance.

Growth in supply is expected to offset some of the gains in sales, pushing our market to the upper bounds of balanced conditions and slowing price recovery. However, the price gains that occurred at the end of 2020 are not expected to be eroded and 2021 annual prices are forecasted to improve by over one per cent.

“This year has been filled with twists and turns all over the world. The Calgary housing market was no exception,” said Alan Tennant, CREB^® President and CEO.