I was reading an great article by LOGOWORKS - talking about mistakes made on business cards.  I think as REALTORS we've seen our share of bad cards.  Like the one above.  Too many words, the photo isn't great and what the heck is the wording all about. The LOGO is important and the placement.  I was talking to a Advertising Desinger who works with big corporations to establish their branding.  He gave some great ideas for my business card.  Proof the heck out of your card before you order it.   Mistakes can be missed. If you can afford it, have a designer create a card for you. Pay for a printer to do up your cards.  They have the access to professional cards, not a ink jet printer at home. Make sure your card isn't trying too hard.  Like all the wording on the card above.  It's just t... 10/10/2010

 Condominium Insurance - What Does it cover?   Condominium insurance is designed to replace the building and its components in case of damage or loss.  This insurance does not provide coverage for your personal property, appliances and contents of your unit, nor does it provide any personal liability coverage for you as an individual.  It is suggested that you review your own insurance coverage with your insurance agent or broker to determine that you have adequately protected your personal interests.  Also, as deductibles have a tendency to increase with some insurance carriers possibly ask your Insurance agent/broker about a buy down of deductible insurance.   With fall comes the reminder that we should do a periodic fire safety check in your Condo unit; your local fire department ma... 10/09/2010

Did you know Alberta home owners change their place of residence, on average, every four to six years.    Now this may be hard for you to believe if you have lived in the same home for the past 15 years but you are actually in the minority. However, even those folks that have lived at the same address for over a decade will eventually sell their home and move.    There are numerous reasons that people sell their homes. According to Elizabeth Weintraub of About.com these are the top 10 reasons why people sell and move: 1) Home is too small. First-time home buyers often outgrow their "starter" homes so increased family size is the main reason home owners say they need a larger home. 2) The grass is greener on the other side. People often want what they don't have and long for a bigger, m... 10/08/2010

Well the political race is heating up in Airdrie, Alberta.  The Battle of the ELECTION SIGNS are all over our city. Local FORUMS and ARTICLES in our local paper, have some hot under the collar.  IT'S an interesting time to say the least. I've had several phone calls personally from people I know asking who they should VOTE for.  This is the FIRST time - I've ever been called or asked such a question. With such a MEDIA frenzie out there- its hard NOT to get confused.     I haven't personally made a decision, so I cannot give any advice. Take in the public forums, read the local media, and go on FACEBOOK.  Since this seems to be a platform for most candidates.  GOOD LUCK and GET OUT AND VOTE     10/07/2010

When you think of that phone call from your realtor letting you that there is to be a showing, what gut reaction does that conjure up? Are you filled with arm, fuzzy feelings and excitement by the imminent arrival of the buyers, nonchalantly plumping up nearby pillows and putting fresh water in the flower vases? Or will you be the first to turn out the lights, lie down on your living room floor (and ordering everyone else in the house to do so: including the unsuspecting asman), and pretend no one is in? You want your home picture perfect and ready for a showing at the drop of a hat (just remember to pick it up), so the first thing you usually ask prior to isting, is what can I buy? For most of us, the problem isn't having enough; it's having too much of the wrong stuff. When you look a... 10/05/2010

 Airdrie, Alberta a small City of 39,000 just north of Calgary is the first of Calgary's bedroom communities to operate an inter-city bus service that will plug into the Calgary Transit System. This week Airdrie, Alberta is offering the service Free.  Airdronians will get the opportunity to take the new three articulating buses to Calgary and back to Airdrie during their scheduled routes It’s expected that the Inter-City Express Bus service  will curb rush hour traffic at peak hours by reducing traffic considerably. One route, 901 East will hook into Calgary’s Centre St. transit corridor while the other, 902 West, will carry commuters downtown along the QE II Hwy. and Deerfoot Tr. This is going to be a boon for Airdrie commuters, Are you going to us the new service?      I like to here ... 10/04/2010

  This Home and More at www.HomesbyJones.ca 53 Marquis Place, Airdrie, Alberta $339,200.00       1234 Sq. Ft. ,4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Oversized Heated Garage Large upgraded Bi-level located on a quiet street.Oversized heated garage.Open main floor plan with a large eat-in kitchen.Dining room with Bay window,large Living room with gas fireplace and Bay window.Fully developed lower level that features a fourth bedroom,work out room,bathroom, and Family room with fireplace. Upgrades include flooring, some Windows, paint, lighting,Gas Fireplace insert and appliances.   CALL : Bill Jones for a Private Viewing  403-701-1739  This Property and More at www.HomesbyJones.ca   10/03/2010

Ok, so maybe I don't understand foreclosures at all?   I recently showed a 1926 square foot - two storey home in Airdrie, Alberta - Situated on a nice family street with similar homes - other that knowing it was a FORECLOSURE - you didn't see any distress to the home from the outside. BUT BUT BUT - when we walked in the SMELL was awful, and cat barf all over the carpets and JUST DIRT everywhere.   All the appliances are remove, even the hood-fan and some lights.  Thank goodness the exposed wires had been capped off. SO MY QUESTION........THE BANKS HAVE ALL THE MONEY (proven) - you think??? They could send someone in to clean the place?  EVEN just a AIR FRESHNER or two?   What the heck - I don't think the REALTOR should be responsible for this...BUT WHOLLY MACKEREL... ARE my expectations... 10/02/2010

  Iron Horse Park in Airdrie, Alberta just north of Calgary, may be required to re-locate in 2016 when its lease up on the real estate it leases from the city of Airdrie.   While the City of Airdrie is going to need the parks site for other city expansion in 6 years, Airdrie administration is trying to give Iron Horse Park as much notice as possible.   Unfortunately, officials from Iron Horse Park Airdrie believe that due to all the infrastructure that has been built into the site, it would be extremely difficult to move to another location. It is a real possibility if land has to be returned to the City of Airdrie then it may close down permanently. It is estimated it could cost up to Five Million Dollars to recreate the same infrastructure in a new location.   What is Ironhorse Park?... 09/30/2010

HOME INVENTORY PROTECTION Make a detailed list of all your household possessions, and keep the list somewhere safe. Such a list will prove invaluable if you ever need to file an insurance claim. Don’t wait until you have damaged, lost, or stolen property to assemble all the details. The stress and anxiety of the moment will make it difficult for you to remember all of your belongings. Here are tips to help you compose your list: Go through your house, room by room, including the garage, basement, attic and off premises storage unit. Write down the contents of each room including clothes, jewelry, floor and window treatments, sporting equipment, furniture, electronics, cabinetry, appliances, artwork, antiques and other collectables. Where possible, include the manufacturer and brand, th... 09/29/2010

Some people believe that interest rates could only go up from here since we are witnessing historically low fixed rates and that short-term rates are already climbing.  Waht if rates do march up while buyers sit on the fence waiting for prices to decrease?  That gamble could increase their monthly costs! SCENARIO: 5-year mortgaeg rates rise from 3.69% (as at Sept 24, 2010) to 4.49%, a rate prevalent just five months ago, and house prices soften.  This is not a forecast - just an illustration.                                                            2010                                           2011 HOUSE PRICE                                                 $325,000                                   $299,000Down Payment                                              $  16,998          ... 09/28/2010

The city of Airdrie is rolling out it's enhanced bus service October 1, 2010, those enhancements will include new buses and peak morning and afternoon schedules.  Unfortunately the Airdrie InterCity express (ICE) is temporarily on hold after a flaw in the new articulated buses was discovered.   These new buses with diesel engines use a Urea additive to mix with the diesel fuel to reduce exhaust emissions.  It has been determined that  the caps on the Urea tanks are leaking vapors into the buses where they are crystalizing.  While the caps are really a small art of the busses systems the resulting issue is a major safety defect.     The City of Airdrie is now awaiting the results and remedy of the bus manufacturers assessment.  Due to this problem there can be n timeframe set for when t... 09/23/2010

Locals, surrounding  Airdrie and area filed into the Town and Country Centre  last week to hear about the City of Airdrie's annexation plans.  This meeting was designed to keep Airdrie residents and those in the MD of Rocky View that may be affected by expansion plans apprised of the annexation. Taxation changes seemed to be top of mind by those attending, however, it appears that acreage owners need not  fear as there shouldn't be any change in the taxes unless the land usage changes.   This annexation is necessary for the growth of Airdrie, to support ad grow it's now  39,000 residents and plan for future growth.   With thought for those who were unable to attend the first open house, the City of Airdrie is holding a second tonight at the Balzac Community Hall.   09/16/2010

FREE ADVICE, TO FREE HOME EVALUATIONS. I've noticed several Revised and new REAL ESTATE sites popping up.  Most of them are a version of the MLS wanna bees.  (my own words) These sites allow consumers to post their homes and get FREE advice and well vent about the entire REAL ESTATE world online to whoever wishes to read it. I find in my opinion its just another BUSINESS VENTURE to get some of the almighty dollars out of the consumers hands.  EVERYONE wants a QUICK FIX to their REAL ESTATE problems. REALTORS are here for a REASON - yes we get PAID well, WHEN WE SELL a house.  NO WE DON'T get PAID if the LISTING does not. ITS THE ONLY INDUSTRY that I know of where you WORK FIRST, PAY OUT heaps of your OWN MONEY to sell a product.    It costs on average $1500 to $2000 to have a 60 day lis... 09/13/2010

Did you know that out of every $100 you spend at a AIRDRIE local business, $45 stays in the community, as compared to only $15 spent with a national business? Just how important is it to support the LOCAL business in your own city.  Well the above statement made by our local Economic Business Development Department sure makes the point clear. As a local RESIDENT in AIRDRIE for over 13 years, I've always done my best to SHOP LOCALLY.  Not only keep my dollars within our CITY, but to also show support. I BELIEVE what goes around comes around.  I work as a LOCAL REALTOR in our city and have been a taxpayer, volunteer and in the trenches.  I would like to BELIEVE that when a local resident considers a MOVE, I might pop to mind.  As our city Looks towards its next annexation - and new busine... 09/13/2010

This has been an interesting year so far with plenty of opportunities for Seller and Buyer alike.    We have been fortunate in Alberta to have weathered the Housing Statrts storm and come out not only above most of the rest of Canada for Housiong Starts but even beat last years starts.   Resale homes have felt the cruch a bit from 2006 when homes were selling for well above list price in very short time frames. However, with approximately 5.5 months worth of inventory on the Airdrie market we are still in relatively good shape.  The careful buyer can find some real deals and the sellers are still getting a reasonable price for there listings with the aide of a Agent/Broker that has good negotiating skills. If a person is considering relocating to the Calgayr area of Alberta, then Airdri... 09/11/2010

  Airdrie Fest 2010 The City of Airdrie is proud to present the first annual Airdrie Fest, a community festival showcasing Airdrie community organizations and businesses. Due to the overwhelming success of the "Airdrie Community Showcase" (designed for Not-for-Profit groups to do fall registrations), Airdrie Fest was created to build on these successes and incorporate even more of the Airdrie community. As the community grows there is a need for community to meet and celebrate everything Airdrie offers. This year we will be including the business sector to come celebrate in a festival atmosphere on this one day event. There will also be sport demonstrations, FREE live music, kids activities, an Italian BBQ and so much more! Date: Location:   Time: September 11, 2010 400 Main Street Aird... 09/10/2010

Vegas Bob pushing the envelope in every state across the country with his new book!   Please help Vegas Bob plug his (New Book) and he may do a book signing in your City!   Here is a copy of my latest business card for my new book coming out later this year and I need to order more because I have been handing them out. How would you like Vegas Bob to come to your City to do a book signing, we could talk Real Estate, Activerain, photography, traveling, investments and about my book. This book "Dark Side of David" is going to really be talked about by many different people, and is really meant to wake people up from their comfort zone when it comes to sexual abuse to children in our world. And the main reason for writing this book is because there is this part of my conscious that keeps ... 09/01/2010

2 days and counting - and my kid goes back to SCHOOL!  Now some parents are stressed up to the last minute getting school supplies and clothes.  The Shopping malls are busy. Kids grow like weeds over the summer - NO I didn't put any fertilizer on the kid while he was sleeping. Excitement is in the air, what the first days of the school year will be like.  Who will be in class, will any of the friends I had last year be there.    Who is my TEACHER?  The questions go on. As a parent, I take it in stride - only having one child now 13, isn't as much of anxiety for me anymore. I do appreicate having more children and all different ages can take it's toll. (bless each and everyone who had many children to shop for)  Our school had us pre-pay for school supplies so that's taken care of.  The ... 08/30/2010

I've taken the advice of a many "Sales Gurus" and met with a local business person.  Someone I consider a person of influence. I met and had coffee with our Airdrie Chamber of Commerce President, Mike DeBokx.  He's one heck of a guy and plus he's a Mortgage Specialist. I learned that promoting local business in our city is a key for the Chamber and City Affairs.  On the Mortgage topic - I learned the Mike has built relationships over the years with several lenders and bank personnel.  He mentioned some of the extra services he offers to his clients, that might not even get him a mortgage deal.  Friendly advice goes a long way in my books.  Mike mentioned he's gone into a local bank on behalf of a client and managed to get them a better term and rate - he knows the lingo and can usually ... 08/20/2010