3 Reasons to Buy a Home in Banff

December 23, 2019 Leave a Comment

3 Reasons to Buy a Home in Banff

 

The town of Banff sits within the boundaries of Canada’s most popular national park with the same name, nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It’s the country’s highest town at more than 4,500-feet in elevation, surrounded by soaring peaks, home to abundant wildlife while offering a thriving gastronomic scene, a wide range of shops, galleries, and museums.

 

If you purchase one of the Banff homes for sale, you’ll have access to some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, thrilling outdoor adventures and much more. 

 

It’s a Year-Round Playground

 

There are so many recreational activities possible here in every season, it’s almost impossible to get bored living here. During the colder months of the year, you’ll have easy access to the slopes, including Lake Louise Mountain Resort, the largest single ski area in the country with four mountain faces and 4,200 skiable acres. Mount Norquay is a local favorite, one of Canada’s oldest ski resorts, while Sunshine Village offers nearly 3,500 skiable acres straddling the Continental Divide. As it gets more snow than neighboring resorts, it offers a long ski season that often begins in November and stays open until late May. Those who don’t ski or board can still enjoy an enchanting wonderland and a wealth of other winter sports like ice skating, ice fishing, canyon ice walks, and sleigh rides.

 

The spectacular mountains, surreal blue lakes, alpine meadows, glaciers, and waterfalls make for some fantastic hiking too. There are over 1,000 miles of defined trails here that will lead you to all of the above and then some.

 

Wildlife Watching

 

For wildlife enthusiasts, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place than Banff. If you go for an early morning stroll right through town, don’t be surprised if you spot an elk grazing near the road or deer wandering right down the middle of Banff Avenue. Embark on the drive of a lifetime along the 142-mile stretch called Icefields Parkway that runs from Banff to Jasper and you’ll not only enjoy dazzling scenery, but lots of animals. There are over 50 species of mammals and 260 species of birds that inhabit the area. Just some include bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bear, lynx, elk, woodland caribou, and marmot.

 

Lake Louise is one of the top destinations for viewing grizzly bears – here, you might witness them feeding along the shoreline or in the meadows from above while riding the ski resort’s gondola. It’s a prime grizzly bear breeding area, with visitors often surprised to see that the campground is enclosed by an electric fence to prevent the animals from getting in. 

 

The Food Scene

 

As mentioned, Banff boasts a thriving culinary scene despite being tucked away in the Canadian Rockies. You won’t have to sacrifice good eats for scenery as there are a ton of restaurants serving a diverse array of delicious cuisine. Many restaurants serve dishes based on the succulent local Alberta beef, including Melissa’s Misstake that features Albertan Angus beef. But you’ll find everything from lobster and Canada’s version of Tex-Mex to everyone’s favorite comfort fare, poutine.

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4 Things to Consider Before Moving to Houston

December 18, 2019 Leave a Comment

4 Things to Consider Before Moving to Houston

  

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Houston, Texas is one of the most up-and-coming cities in the U.S. With an exciting nightlife, a diverse population, and plenty of fun things to do, Houston is the place to be when it comes to Southern cities. These days, it seems like more and more people are making the move to Houston, whether it be for school, work, or to start a family. If you’ve been considering a big move and have found yourself looking at Houston houses for sale, here are four things to consider before you make a decision. 

Affordable Cost of Living

Houston is one of the rare U.S. cities in which you can live pretty comfortably without spending an arm and a leg on rent. Apartments in Houston tend to fall on the more affordable side compared to more expensive cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, meaning you won’t find yourself cooped up in a tiny apartment with several roommates. This is one big reason more and more millennials have been making the move to Houston, and if an affordable cost of living is important to you, you just may find yourself moving here too.

Thriving Job Market 

Another reason many people are making the move to Houston is due to the city’s thriving job market. Thanks to the oil and gas industries, medical research, and technology fields, there are more jobs than ever up for grabs in Houston at the moment. This. combined with the city’s affordable housing market, makes a great pair when it comes to getting people to move to Houston!

Fun Social Scene 

If there’s one thing Houston isn’t, it’s boring! One of Houston’s biggest draws is that the city is only a quick 45-minute drive from the Texas Gulf Coast, meaning more beach days in your future! Houston is also known for its bustling social scene, especially downtown, where tons of bars, restaurants, and shops can be found. Whatever you’re in the mood to do, Houston has something for everyone. During the summer months, there is even more fun to experience in Houston, from live music to free community events. Houston is the perfect city for anyone looking for a fun and vibrant place to call home!

Food 

Food is a big deal in Houston, and everything from traditional American fare to more exotic cuisine can be found in this great city. Tex-Mex, a unique combination of Mexican and American fare, is one of the most popular types of food in Houston and can be found in many different restaurants both in the city and beyond. Throughout the year, the city also hosts several food festivals, giving locals a chance to try all different kinds of cuisine in one place!

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Top 4 Tips For First Time Buyers

December 11, 2019 Leave a Comment

Photo by PhotoMIX Ltd. from Pexels

 

When you’re a first-time buyer, you might want to dive straight into the deep end and buy the first property you find. And although this might be tempting, there are certain things that you need to get in order before making the big move. 

 

Yes, it’s an exciting milestone – no matter what your age. But it’s vital that you are fully prepared for the decision in advance of moving day. To help ease this transition, here are the top four tips that you should follow:

Location, Location, Location 

 

This might seem like an obvious point to make, but it’s nonetheless important to mention. At the start of the journey, you need to consider where you want to live – do you want to live in your hometown? Or perhaps a new location that you’ve loved to visit? This will be dependent on your budget, where you work and your bespoke preferences. Key factors that many people take into consideration, is how far the property will be from family and friends, as well as how close it will be to amenities. 

 

If you’re moving in with a friend or a partner, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re on the same page and are both happy with the location in question.

Consider the Market 

 

Unfortunately, the market is ever-changing. And because of this, it’s perhaps harder now more than ever to find a home that is suitable for your budget and personal preferences. 

 

So when you’re starting to gather the funds for your first property, it’s important that you keep an eye on the real estate market, including the trends within the area you are wanting to purchase etc. It’s also invaluable to gage the advice of a realtor, who will help to indicate what you can realistically get and the areas/types of properties that you should avoid.

Decide on A Realistic Budget

 

You don’t want to have to contact a bankruptcy lawyer as you have overstretched yourself on purchasing or renting a home (or even because you’ve gone over the top with buying furniture which was way more than you could afford). So before you make the investment, you need to sit down and consider how much you can realistically spend. Houses are expensive – no matter where you’re located or the type of property you are looking for. 

 

It’s essential that you work out how you will acquire your deposit and how you will pay your mortgage each month. If you’re thinking about buying rather than renting, you’ll need a good amount of money that you can put towards the property at the start of the process. Whether this is acquired through an FHA loan or through the bank of mom and dad, it’s a key factor into purchasing your first home. 

When setting a budget, you might also want to consider the following:

 

  • Potential costs of any renovations you want to make. 
  • How much home insurance will cost.
  • Other costs associated with moving – e.g hiring a moving van. 

What Mortgage You Can Get

Mortgages might seem terrifying, but they don’t have to be. Although they signify that you’re now an adult that can no longer rely on living for free at your family home, they indicate the start of a new phase in your life. When you’ve found your dream home, the reality that comes with getting a mortgage is something that you’ll have to face. 

 

But how do you know which type of mortgage is suitable? It’s a good idea to compare and contrast various mortgages, paying attention to the following:

 

  • What type of rate do they offer you? Do they offer a variable or fixed rate?
  • How much they cost each month.
  • The repayment terms – e.g 25 or 35 years.

If it has other fees – e.g valuation fees, advisory fees and arrangement fees.

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Planning On Moving Home? Take Care of These Issues First

February 28, 2019 Leave a Comment

If you have been thinking about making a move and relocating with a family, you will have a lot of things to consider before you can settle down and enjoy your new home. While most people spend months to find the right property and location, they often forget about the important steps they have to take to make the change as smooth as possible. Read about them more below.

Image via Flickr

Your Finances

Before you apply for a mortgage or explore the opportunity of getting a new deal on the home, it is important that you have your finances in order. If you have credit cards and loans all over the place, you are not likely to get the deal you want. You might want to consolidate your finances well before you apply for a mortgage. You can learn more about the different options that are designed to help you improve your credit rating.

School and Work Commute

In case you have kids, you will need to make sure that they are on board with the move, or you will have to face daily tantrums. Check how long it will take you to get to work and give the kids a ride. If you happen to move them to a new school, ensure that you have a meeting set up with the principal, so they are less anxious about a new start.

Your Decoration and Moving Budget

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No matter how much you fell in love with the property, there will be things to do. You will either need to improve the comfort of the house or decorate it to your taste. If you don’t create a budget for moving and refurbishment, you are likely to end up with a home that is less than perfect until you can save up enough to tackle the issues.

Internet and Utilities

Once you have your mortgage deal approved and are planning on getting a moving date, you will have to get ready for the big move. You have to ensure that the previous owners have paid all the bills, and their name is off the bills. Next, you can start comparing different electricity, gas, and internet, cable TV deals, so by the time you are moving in, everything is in place. There are some companies that will help you with this transition and make your relocation smoother.

Your Will and Legal Matters

Moving house can trigger a legal review, too. If you have a will, you will need to get it changed, as well as your mortgage protection and life insurance. You don’t want your loved ones to end up in a legal battle should anything happen to you. Ensure that the mortgage gets paid off and they are left with a comfortable income. You will also have to change the address on all your financial accounts to avoid fraud.

 

Moving house takes more than packing boxes and taking all your things to a new home. There are several things you can do to make your new life easier.

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Ensure a Successful Long-Distance Move in 3 Simple Steps

July 3, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Moving house can be stressful at the best of times. But add a long-distance move into the mix and you can really feel the strain. A successful long-distance move all starts with good planning and efficient preparation, so read on for our top tips on how to organize a seamless long-distance house move.

 

Planning

 

The best way to ensure your big moves goes according to plan is to have a solid and detailed plan in the first place. Start researching removals company well in advance and start making lists of how you intend to stay on top of all the details of your move. Your list should involve the order in which you intend to pack your belongings starting with the non-essential items as soon as possible and your most essential items were packed up the day before, or even on the day itself.

 

You will also need to be super organized with all your packing equipment and labeling goods to ensure that unpacking on the other side is as simple and seamless as possible. Therefore you will want to be buying boxes, bubble wrap, large heavy duty plastic bags, tape, and labels. Keeping all your goods protected, labeled and noted down on your list means that you can be relaxed that everything is packed correctly, is in its rightful place and that should you need anything, you will know exactly which box or bag to find it in.

 

Removals Company

 

You will want to put some research into the right removal company for your move. Some removal companies specialize in short-distance moves and some specialize in long-distance moves. Therefore you will want to look at moving rental trucks that can cater for the long distance haul that you require. Spending time looking at long distance removal specialists in your area, that have a trusted and reliable reputation, will ensure that you can be confident that your move and your belongings are in the best possible hands.

 

Be Ruthless

 

Moving house is a great excuse to really go through your belongings and figure out what you don’t need or don’t want anymore. As the cost of your move will be calculated on the weight of the items that you transport you don’t want to be paying to transport items that will just be forgotten about, unused, abandoned and will just take up unnecessary space in your new home.

 

Therefore take your new move as an opportunity to really have a thorough spring clean and get rid of all the items you no longer use or need. If you do this well enough in advance of the move you will also be able to see if you can sell any of your old things on a second-hand website or even organize a garage sale. The extra cash you make from your unwanted items will come in very handy when it comes to the expense of your big move and setting you up in your gorgeous new home.

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Tips to Take the Stress Out of Moving Home

June 19, 2017 1 Comment

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Along with death, divorce and serious illness, moving house is one of the most stressful experience most of us will ever have to face. If you’ve ever moved, I’m sure that you’ll agree the act of moving house really does take a toll on the whole family. However, it doesn’t have to be quite as stressful as it is for most of us. Here are some of the tips to take the stress out of moving that seasoned movers recommend:

Organize Yourself

The number one reason why people get stressed out when moving home is that they simply aren’t organized enough. As a minimum, you need to set your move date, get your affairs in order, pack your whole house up and stick to your moving schedule. This is a lot more taxing than it sounds, so make spreadsheets, use charts and get the whole family involved if you want to make it easier on yourself.

Create a To-Do List

Having a to-do list where you’ve listed every task in order of priority and urgency might seem like a small thing, but it can help you to keep things on track and feel more under control, which will help you to avoid those last minute stresses and panics that come on when you realize you haven’t booked a kennel for the dog on moving day.

Hire a Professional Moving Companies

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Hiring a professional moving company with years of experience and numerous options including  long distance moves and international moves, of which you can get more details from Corrigan Moving Systems, will not only put your mind at rest that your stuff will get to its destination in a timely manner, but it will also cut the chances that your precious things will turn up broken significantly.

Double Check Everything

Another major moving day stressor is that realization that you’ve booked the moving van for the week before you’re set to move in. You might think this rarely happens, but it’s actually very common, and it can be disastrous when you’re left stranded with your belongings in a new place with nowhere to go. That’s why you should always double check every little detail.

Pack in Order

If you want to avoid the stress that comes with unpacking when you get to the other end, pack one room at a time and pack in order of least to most likely to need when you get there. That way, you’ll be able to access the essentials like dishes, plates, and bedding immediately without having to upturn all of your packing boxes and make a huge mess in your lovely new home.

Take Some Time Out

 

Of course, the best thing to help you avoid the stress of moving home is to ensure that you and your family take some time out from planning and packing relax and have some fun together. Go to the park, see a movie, hike the local trail one last time and you’ll feel a whole lot better.

Have you moved house recently? Do you have any tips to make moving a smoother, stress-free process?

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