Calgary Realtors® must use the Residential Measurement Standard (RMS) when measuring residential properties. This measurement standard helps consumers easily and accurately compare different types of residential properties. This guide will help consumers understand the RMS, and how Alberta real estate professionals use it. Your real estate professional has a responsibility to ensure you understand the RMS and its implications and is required to discuss it with you. This discussion will help you make informed decisions about the size and suitability of properties.

Some Key Definitions

Grade: Grade is the level of the ground around the exterior of a residence. The grade can be horizontal, sloped, or a combination of both. In Alberta, most residential properties contain above-grade and below-grade areas.

Levels: Levels are areas of the residence that are in the same horizontal plane. A level must meet the minimum ceiling height requirement [2.13 metres (7 feet)] to be included in the RMS calculation.

Above Grade Levels: Above grade levels are the levels of a residence that are entirely above grade. The RMS area of a residence is the sum of its above-grade floor levels.

Below Grade Levels: Below grade levels are the floor levels of a residence that are partly or fully below grade. If any portion of the level is below grade, the entire level is below grade. Below-grade spaces include lower levels and basements. Below-grade levels are not included in the RMS area. Examples of residential styles with lower levels include raised bungalows, bi-levels, split levels, and properties with walkout or walk-up basements.

The RMS contains nine principles that real estate professionals must follow when measuring the size of a residential property:

1. Real estate professionals must use the RMS.

When a seller wants to communicate the size of their residence to potential buyers, or a buyer wants to measure a residence they’re considering, their real estate professional must communicate the RMS area. Real estate professionals are allowed to hire someone to calculate the RMS area of a property, such as property measurement companies or real estate appraisers. The real estate professional must ensure the person is able to competently measure the property using the RMS. If it is not possible to measure a residence, for example, the residence is not yet built or access isn’t possible because of a difficult tenant or a difficult foreclosure, your real estate professional may deviate from measuring the property using the RMS as long as:

• The measurements represented do not imply they are in accordance with the RMS

• They include an explanation as to why the property could not be measured using the RMS

• They must apply the RMS to blueprints

• They must disclose the measurement methodology they used (i.e. area size calculated by applying the RMS to the builder’s blueprints)

2. Identify if the measurement system is metric or imperial, and apply it consistently. Measurements must be calculated to within 2% of the RMS size.

Real estate professionals must indicate what measurement system they used to take property measurements (metric or imperial), and they must take all measurements for a particular property using the same system. The real estate professional must talk to about which measurement system is appropriate. In a lot of cases, a key factor in deciding which measurement system to use is which measurement system the real estate professional’s listing service or property database uses.
While the RMS provides a 2% tolerance, real estate professionals must attempt to measure the property accurately.

see the guide below for the complete RMS Guide

Unleashing Smart Home Energy Savings Without Compromising Comfort

We all love our comfortable sanctuaries. But what if there was a way to enjoy that snug ambiance while saving on your energy bill? Tinkering with the thermostat can help, but we're diving deeper. Discover an array of techniques that not only contribute to a greener environment but keep your pockets happy without compromising on comfort.

Discover Hidden Energy Guzzlers

• Battle the Drafts: Drafts sneak in, making your heating and cooling systems work overtime. Use a lit incense stick and watch its smoke. If it wavers near doors and windows, it's drafty there. Once located, use weather stripping or door sweeps to seal them. Not only will this tip reduce your bill, but it’ll elevate your home's cozy factor.
• Inspect the Attic: Think of insulation as your home's protective blanket. A spotty blanket won’t keep you warm, neither will patchy insulation. Regularly inspect for inconsistencies to ensure uniform coverage and an energy-efficient home.
• Embrace Technology: Upgrade to a smart thermostat that learns your schedule and adjusts accordingly. Imagine your home anticipating your arrival and adjusting to your ideal temperature just in time.
• Zone Your Home: Got rooms you rarely use? Close the vents in those spaces to redirect heating or cooling to areas you frequent. This targeted approach can dramatically drop your energy expenses.
• Solar Magic: The sun's a powerful, free energy source. During colder months, open curtains to invite warm sunlight in. In scorching summers, use light-reflecting shades to block heat, making your home naturally comfortable.

See the Transformation

Take the challenge: Implement these strategies and monitor your bills for the next couple of months. You'll be amazed at how these simple shifts can revolutionize your energy savings without trading off comfort. Because, after all, there's no place like a smart, efficient home!

Enhance Your Home's First Impression: Quick Curb Appeal Boosters

The first impression your property casts to potential buyers, known as curb appeal, holds immense power. A captivating exterior can magnetize buyers, making them eager to see what's inside, while a lackluster facade might have them speeding past. So, what can you do to ensure your home invites and captivates?

Clean and Refresh the Entrance

The gateway to your home, the main entryway, speaks volumes. Start by giving your front door a thorough wash. If it's aged or faded, consider a fresh coat of paint in a contemporary hue. Don't forget to sweep or power wash the front steps and walkway. This simple act can transform the overall ambiance of your home, making it more welcoming.

Shine Those Windows

Gleaming windows can instantly elevate the facade of your home. Clean your front windows to let in more light and brighten the home's exterior. Today, there are user-friendly washing products that connect directly to your garden hose, eliminating the need for ladders or strenuous scrubbing. Your local home improvement store can suggest effective options.

Tidy Up the Greenery

Lush, well-maintained greenery can be a home's crown jewel. Trim your hedges, shrubs, and bushes to give them a neat appearance. A pro tip for even trimming: Use a wide board or a cardboard piece as a guide. And of course, don’t forget to mow the lawn, removing any unwanted weeds or debris.

Assess and Adjust

Stand across the street and assess your home objectively. Are there any eyesores or potential distractions, like exposed garbage bins? If so, find them a new spot. Small changes can have a monumental impact on the overall appeal of your property.

Optimize Parking During Viewings

A seemingly minor but effective tip: Whenever there's a scheduled viewing, clear your driveway of vehicles. An empty driveway not only allows potential buyers to envision themselves residing there but also provides them with an easily accessible parking spot.

Remember, curb appeal is akin to a book cover. Make sure yours entices viewers to discover the story within.

Boosting Your Home's First Impression: Elevate Your Curb Appeal

It's often said that first impressions last, and this is especially true when it comes to real estate. As prospective buyers approach your home, their initial view—the curb appeal—sets the tone for the entire visit. A captivating exterior can captivate them, but a lacklustre one might overshadow even the most impressive interiors.

Here are six cost-effective ways to enhance your home's curb appeal and create an inviting first impression:

1. Refresh Your Driveway: Sealcoating your driveway not only protects it from the elements but also gives it a rejuvenated, almost-new appearance. It's an affordable alternative to repaving, instantly boosting the overall look of your home.
2. Crystal Clear Windows: Clean, gleaming windows can dramatically elevate your home's appearance. Modern window-cleaning solutions, available at many home improvement stores, can attach to your hose and make the task more manageable.
3. Landscape Touch-Up: Think of it as grooming for your yard. Regularly trimming hedges, and shrubs, and maintaining flower beds can drastically change how your home is perceived. Add some blooming plants for a dash of colour and vitality.
4. Revitalize Your Front Door: Your front door is more than just an entrance—it's a focal point. A vibrant coat of paint can breathe new life into it, ensuring it captures attention for all the right reasons.
5. Upgrade Your Garage Door: Given its size and visibility, your garage door plays a pivotal role in your home's curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint or even some minor upgrades can significantly improve its look, positively influencing the entire home's facade.
6. Declutter the Exterior: View your home from a passerby's perspective. Remove any items that detract from its charm, such as visible garbage bins or unused garden tools. A tidy exterior suggests a well-maintained home.

In the competitive world of home sales, it's vital to put your best foot forward, starting right from the curb. With these tips in hand, you can ensure that potential buyers are drawn into the beauty of your home, rather than deterred by its exterior. Let your home tell a compelling story, starting from the very first glance.

Boosting Winter Curb Appeal: Tips for Calgary Home Sellers

While Calgary's snowy winter might seem like a challenge when selling your home, with a little effort and creativity, you can make your property stand out in a winter wonderland. Presenting a home that's both inviting and well-maintained during the colder months can leave a lasting impression on potential buyers. Here are some steps to elevate your home's winter curb appeal in Calgary.

1. Keep Walkways Clear

Safety first! Ensuring all paths, driveways, and sidewalks are clear of snow and ice is essential. Regular shoveling, paired with the application of eco-friendly de-icing agents, can prevent slippery surfaces and demonstrate attention to home maintenance.

2. Illuminate Your Home

With shorter days during the winter months, lighting becomes even more crucial. Illuminate walkways with pathway lights, and ensure exterior lights are bright and functional. Consider adding tasteful seasonal string lights to give your home a warm, festive glow.

3. Seasonal Decor

While you might want to avoid overly religious decorations, embracing the winter spirit with wreaths, winter planters, or even elegant snowflake decorations can add charm to your home's exterior.

4. Maintain the Landscape

Even when your garden is buried in snow, maintaining a neat yard is essential. Trim any overhanging branches, ensure fences are in good repair, and remove any leftover fall debris. Remember, buyers might be imagining your yard in all seasons.

5. Showcase Winter Features

If your home boasts features beneficial during the winter months, like a heated garage or energy-efficient windows, make sure to highlight these to prospective buyers. It showcases the home's year-round appeal.

6. Add a Splash of Color

The winter palette can sometimes feel monochromatic. Brighten up your entrance with colorful winter-hardy flowers like pansies in pots or planters. A vibrant front door can also be a captivating focal point against a snowy backdrop.

7. Regular Home Maintenance

Winter can be hard on a home's exterior. Regularly check for signs of wear and tear, ensuring gutters are clear and the roof is free from potential ice dams. A well-maintained home exterior indicates a cared-for property, increasing its appeal to buyers.

8. Create a Cozy Atmosphere

While not strictly curb appeal, ensuring your home feels warm and inviting as potential buyers enter can leave a positive, lasting impression. Keep the thermostat at a comfortable temperature, and consider the inviting aroma of fresh-baked cookies or a pot of apple cider on the stove.

In conclusion, while winter might seem like a challenging time to sell in Calgary, with a little effort, you can make your home stand out and appeal to potential buyers. Embrace the season, highlight your home's winter-ready features, and create an inviting atmosphere both outside and in.

Stuff Addiction - You Have It

Stuff Addiction... most of us have it. We have become a society totally addicted to the accumulation of stuff. Some stuff we use, most stuff we don't use that often.

The government wants us addicted to buying and storing more stuff - it's good for the economy they tell us. But really it's good for the skim (taxes & fees) the government takes from everything that moves.

If we all just started circulating the stuff we already have Walmart and the government would get extremely pissed off at us. All the stuff Walmart sells today and the government taxes today already exist and sit unused in someone's home or storage unit.

I know people who have so much stuff that they fill a double-car garage with household stuff and freeze their cars outside in minus 40.

Other people have so much stuff that a whole storage industry has been created to store all that extra stuff. E Bay, Kijiji, and Craigslist all exist solely because we have too much freakin stuff.

Stop stockpiling your stuff and get it back in motion.

Here are a few of my rules and philosophies for dealing with all your extra household stuff.

1. If you have to rent, build, buy or convert space to store your household stuff - YOU HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF

2. Stored Stuff is of no use to anyone and must be set free to re-circulate in the universe. SET YOUR STUFF FREE

Here are my 4 steps to dealing with stuff I haven't touched in over a year.

1. Sell It
2. Donate It
3. Give it away
4. Throw It Out

As a full-time Realtor in Calgary, I see the effects of Stuff Addiction every day and it's not pretty. Another industry called Home Staging has been created because of stuff addiction. There isn't a professional home stager or Realtor who doesn't tell home sellers that the first step to getting a home ready to sell is to De-Clutter. This is actually a polite way of saying you have a Stuff Addiction problem you need to admit you have and deal with it.

Stop the hoarding you call collecting and de-clutter today, Don't wait until you're moving, don't wait for spring, don't wait another minute get started today.

The universe is waiting...... Set Your Stuff Free