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            <guid>http://www.calgaryrealestatecollection.com/blog/all-the-little-details.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryrealestatecollection.com/blog/all-the-little-details.html</link>
            <author>echisholm@cirrealty.ca (Elise Chisholm)</author>
            <title>All the little details</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
When getting your home or condo ready to show and sell there are a few important little details to take care of.  After all the decluttering, scrubbing, paint touch ups, and furniture arranging the small details can bring your listing over the top and really make it stick in a buyers mind.  


Sight


Go for a pop of colour and bring nature into your home with fresh flowers.  It depends on the style of your home but simple is better in my books!  A vase of tulips in the kitchen does wonders on making your home look fresh and inviting.  Head to your local grocery store and pick up a few bundles of spring blooms, plunk them in a vase and you are good to go!  Or how about an orchid in the front hall or bathroom?  They pack a punch of colour and are such a beautiful shape, they really convey luxury.  It doesn't hurt that Home Depot is always well stocked and sells them for about $20 including the pot.


Smell


This one needs to be practiced with restraint!  I can't tell you how many times I hve had clients leave homes immediately because the perfume smell was burning their nostrils.  If you have a glade plug in stuck in every room of your home expect to offend people.  Go for light, fresh smells that make buyers subconciously think the home is clean and well maintained.


Sound


In the world of ipods and satellite tv music channels this one is easily accomplished.  Tune in to a light jazz channel and voila!  Suddenly your home is soothing, relaxing and a nice calm space to be in.


Touch


Opt for little details like a beautiful throw draped on your living room chair, a fluffy duvet on the master bed, and fresh white towels in the bathrooms.


Our whole goal is to make the entire home inviting and create a space that people will linger in.  There is something that draws buyers in to a well appointed space that they can never really put their finger on.  It is all of these little meticulous details that deliver exactly that feeling.  If they feel positive, comfortable and peaceful in a space it will transform into dollars in your pocket!
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            <pubDate>Sun, 04 Mar 2012 10:18:49 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.calgaryrealestatecollection.com/blog/calgary-home-owners-want-your-home-broken-into-over-the-holidays-no-read-on.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryrealestatecollection.com/blog/calgary-home-owners-want-your-home-broken-into-over-the-holidays-no-read-on.html</link>
            <author>echisholm@cirrealty.ca (Elise Chisholm)</author>
            <title>Calgary Home Owners: Want your home broken into over the holidays? NO? Read on!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Tis the season!  Homes are full of gifts and owners are away visiting friends and family.  Here are some hot tips to make your home less desirable to burglars over the holiday season provided by Greg Sanden of Anthony Clark Insurance.











Crime Prevention Tips 


Burglary is always a crime of opportunity. Here are some interesting facts you should know about burglary:


Studies show that most burglars attack during the daytime when dense bushes and trees protect them from view, and the building appears unoccupied 


One-third of burglars enter from the basement 


One-third of burglars force entry through a window or door 


One-third of burglars gain access from an unlocked/open door or window


To best protect your home, look at it from a burglar's perspective. What are the vulnerable parts? If you take a few simple and inexpensive steps to make sure your home is not an attractive target, you'll greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. 

The following are some tips to help you prevent a burglar from entering your home: 


Tips for Inside your Home 


The goal of indoor crime proofing is to secure your premises, and to make them appear occupied at all times. Here are a few simple tips:


Secure your premises. 


Close blinds and curtains at night so that a burglar can't scope your belongings. 


Lock all doors and windows before leaving. 


Lock windows so that they can't be opened from the outside. If they can't be locked, you can pin them by drilling a hole through both window frames and inserting a bolt or metal pin. The pin must be easily removable for emergency situations. 


Home burglar alarm systems are a great deterrent. Even if you have an alarm system, don't neglect the other security measures available to you. An alarm provides an extra layer of security, but is no replacement for good common sense. Alarm owners should still do what they can to make sure their home is not an attractive target for thieves.


Make your home look occupied at all times. 


Use timers to maintain normal lighting patterns. 


Leave a radio on when you are away from your home for short periods of time.


Protect your valuables. 


Consider marking your valuables indelibly (engraved) with your drivers licence or social insurance number. 


Take an inventory of your home with a videotape and/or photographs. 


Keep jewellery and negotiables in a safety deposit box or an unlikely place (i.e. Not your bedroom).


Tips for Outside Your Home 


There are many things that you can do to the exterior of your house or in the yard to deter burglars and make it more difficult to force entry.


Keep your shrubbery cut back so that it doesn't block windows and doors. 


Secure window air conditioners from the inside. 


Illuminate as much of your property as possible. 


Exterior doors should be solid, not hollow. Metal doors provide the best protection against forced entry. 


Use a fencing style that would not conceal a burglar's activities. Remember if you can't see out, others can't see in. 


Secure any glass that is less than 40' from a door lock. Either coat exterior glass with an acrylic or polycarbonate to strengthen, or replace with laminated or tempered glass. 


Door hinges that are on the outside should have a non-removable center pin that can't be tampered with. 


Install deadbolt locks. 


Dogs are great deterrents to burglars. Even a strategically placed "Beware of Dog" sticker can make a burglar think twice. Of course, vicious dogs are never a good idea. If your dog bites someone, you might find yourself in court. A dog that barks is better than one that bites. 


Place hinged security bars over basement windows. Remember to keep the key nearby for emergency exits. 


Pin sliding patio doors together when closed. Another easy security step is to drill a hole in the upper track and insert a screw that extends out into the runner to prevent the door from being lifted up and out of its track. 


Ensure that a burglar cannot access the roof from high trees or a ladder left outside.


What NOT to Do 


Don't put up a nameplate outside of your house with your full name. A burglar can use this information to look up your number in the phone book and call to see if you are home. 


Don't leave a note on the door or in the mailbox telling a friend/family member that you aren't home. 


Don't leave spare keys in an obvious place such as the mailbox or under the front door mat. This makes it very easy for a burglar to rob your house quickly without forcing entry. 


Don't leave cash and handbags in view in your home. 


Don't leave any doors unlocked when you are at the other end of the house or in the yard.


Going on Vacation 


If you are going on vacation it is especially important to make your home appear inhabited. To fully protect your home you will need to enlist the help of trusted neighbours, family and friends. Here are some things that you can do:


Stop all mail delivery. 


Arrange for a neighbour to cut the grass or shovel snow. 


Cancel all deliveries during the time you will be away. 


Maintain normal lighting patterns by using electronic timers. 


Ask a neighbour to put one of their garbage bags in front of your house on collection day. 


Leave a radio on, with a timer if necessary to simulate normal use. 


Ask a neighbour to park in your driveway. 


Arrange for neighbours to pick up flyers. 


Don't talk about your vacation plans with strangers or service people. 


Use your work address on your luggage tags so a potential burglar won't know where your empty house is. 


If practical, remove valuables from your home. Small valuables should be stored in a safety deposit box. 


Lock garage door. 


Note: Before you leave, you should tell someone you trust: 


That you will be away 


How long you will be absent 


Whether or not you will have a house sitter 


The number where you can be reached


What to Do if Your House is Broken Into 


Despite your best efforts, a burglar may still penetrate your home. If you return to find that your house has been robbed:


Don't stay - Always think of your safety first 


Never confront a burglar or block the exit route 


Go immediately to a neighbour's home or nearby location and phone the police








 


Information provided by Greg Sanden of Anthony Clark Insurance.  Want to get a quote or compare your policy?  Call Greg today.


Greg Sanden
Account Executive
Anthony Clark Insurance Ltd.
Phone: 403-225-5116
Fax: 403-259-4429
Email: greg.sanden@acib.ca
Visit our website at www.acinsurance.ca
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            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:46:28 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.calgaryrealestatecollection.com/blog/funny-story-proving-the-importance-of-a-home-inspection.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryrealestatecollection.com/blog/funny-story-proving-the-importance-of-a-home-inspection.html</link>
            <author>echisholm@cirrealty.ca (Elise Chisholm)</author>
            <title>Funny Story Proving the Importance of a Home Inspection</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I was writing up an offer with my clients the other night and got to the Property Inspection Schedule.  I was explaining how the home inspection works and they had to stop me and share the most hilarious home inspection story I've ever heard.  


Their friends had conditionally purchased a home and had the inspector in to asses the property.  While he was inspecting the home he pulled back a sofa in the living room; to his shock the sellers had painted AROUND all the furniture in the home!  Old paint colours lurked behind each piece of furniture in the home.  Why on earth the sellers would go to all the extra work to carefully paint around their furniture is beyond me, but what a surprising and funny moment in the home inspection!  I am so relieved that they found out prior to the closing date and were able to resolve the issue.


There are endless reasons to get a home inspection, but this is certainly not one that I would have thought of!  For more information on how important they are please read Why Every Buyer Should Get a Home Inspection.


Home inspectors and realtors - I'd love to hear your entertaining stories of inspections and what they have revealed!  Feel free to comment.


                                
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:20:01 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.calgaryrealestatecollection.com/blog/welcome-to-my-blog.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryrealestatecollection.com/blog/welcome-to-my-blog.html</link>
            <author>echisholm@cirrealty.ca (Elise Chisholm)</author>
            <title>Welcome to my blog!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
After many hours spent on the Macbook and way too much coffee consumed the website is ready to rock!  


I am very excited to present a product to Calgarians or future Calgarians that will focuses on systems that bridge ease of use online and providing the highest level of complete customer care services.  Every client receives the same level of
care regardless of the type of property they are purchasing or the agent they
are working with. Our competitive advantage is that we are a one-stop shop, offering specialists in a number of categories
who will all give the same level of service.  Clients can be confident that their luxury home sale will be
executed with the same level of class as their daughter's first time home
purchase.  Calgary Real Estate Collection operates at
the core from a customer service perspective, and we are rewarded with a strong
level of repeat and referral business from this.  We are on the leading edge of innovation, training and development to
make our team second to none.


I will use the blog to update you on Real Estate trends, market conditions, and new happenings at Calgary Real Estate Collection.  I will also include funny moments that have happened to me and my fellow realtors; we have a very unique job and it is filled with interesting moments!  I would love this to be as interactive as possible so please feel free to comment, share, or re-post.


Here's to an exciting adventure!


Elise
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:00:02 -0600</pubDate>
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