Buying or just bought a new home?  Here are some helpful hints for new and prospective homeowners.  This is in no way an inclusive list.
For information on building decks, fences, and garages or sheds, go to I Want to Build or phone our Planning Services Support Centre at 403-268-5311.

If you're planning to build a deck, fence, garage, etc., Call Before You Dig.  Alberta One Call  will locate and mark all underground utilities on your property free of charge.  Phone 1-800-242-3447 or visit their website.

Before you apply for a building permit to build or alter the exterior of your home, check your Land Title for any easements, restrictive covenants, architectural guidelines, etc.  Also check your survey or Real Property Report to determine the location of your property lines to ensure you're building within your property boundaries and not encroaching into a Utility Right-of-Way.

Ask the builder/developer to see building permit paperwork for any unresolved issues (ie, final inspection, deficiencies).

If your new home is in a new community, you may come across issues that the developer will deal with and some may be handled by The City.  Things like the initial construction and repair of sidewalks, parks, curbs, lanes, etc., are generally the developer's responsibility for a two year period.  During this two year period, The City will provide snow and ice control on major roads.  When in doubt, contact your developer or The City of Calgary Urban Development at 403-268-5777.

In addition, the Calgary Online Store offers a complete set of reports specifically designed for the individual home buyer.
 

One of the best things you can do to ensure you get the home you want is to arrange for financing before you go shopping. This is often referred to as getting “pre-approved”.
Getting pre-approved simply means that your lender has calculated how much of a mortgage they’re willing to offer you, depending on your down payment and current financial situation.

Complete Article: Part of the home buying process.pdf (605.82 kb)

Rate hikes urged for summer
 
From Herald News Services February 24, 2010
 
Central Bank - The Bank of Canada should uphold its conditional pledge to keep its key policy rate at 0.25 per cent until July, but should then embark on sharp rate hikes of 50 basis points at every announcement date until mid-2011, says an analysis prepared for the C.D. Howe Institute.

The call for sharp rate increases after June emerged Tuesday, one week before the Bank of Canada releases its latest interest rate statement.

Recent data indicate the Canadian economy likely expanded in the final quarter of 2009 at a faster pace than the central bank expected (four per cent versus 3.3 per cent), and inflation is now closer to the central bank's two per cent preferred target than it previously envisaged.

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