Property Purchase Resources
 

Mortgage Brokers and Banks:

There are so many different lenders to choose from and it can be hard to know where to start.  Mortgage Brokers can look at 40+ lenders at a glance and narrow down who may be the best fit for any given client situation.  However, some lenders do not work with mortgage brokers and for that reason I have great contacts at Bank of Montreal as well as Royal Bank of Canada.
 

NOTE: In Canada a person's credit worthiness is determined by their Beacon Score, or more commonly referred to as ones Credit Rating.  Each time a person applies for a credit card, or a car loan, or gets a mortgage preapproval that person's credit is "pulled" and each hit on a credit report slightly lowers the score.  If you are thinking of purchasing a home, hold off on new credit applications or other large purchases like a new vehicle.  Keep your credit score as high as possible and lenders will favour you when you need a large loan like a mortgage.
 

Preferred Mortgage Brokers:

Pete Kolackovsky
Mortgage Associate
Mortgage Architects
Cell: 403-870-1815
Email: 
Petesky1@shaw.ca
Website: www.mortgagePETE.ca

Tanya Wttewaall
Senior Mortgage Associate
Mortgage Alliance
Cell: 403-397-1664
Office: 587-439-4663
Fax: 1-866-246-1124
Email: info@yourchoicehomes.ca
Website: yourchoicehomes.ca

Bob Alexander
Accredited Mortgage Professional
Axiom Mortgage Solutions
Cell: 403-875-5270
Office: 403-241-3949
Fax: 1-866-240-7951
Email: 
bob@mortgagedoctors.ca
Website: www.mortgagedoctors.ca

Matt Leggett
Mortgage Broker
CanWise Financial
Cell: 403-538-4760
Toll Free: 1-844-538-4760
Toll Free Fax: 1-855-242-5902
Email:
matt@canwise.com
Website: www.canwise.com/matt-leggett

Matthew Kee
Lead Planner
Mortgage Architects
Cell: 403-875-3323
Fax: 403-475-1770
Email: matthew.kee@mtgarc.ca
Website: www.mortgagealert.ca

 

Preferred Mobile Mortgage Specialists:

Balwant (Bill) Pattar
Mortgage Specialist
BMO Bank of Montreal
Cell: 403-629-7761
Email: 
Balwant.pattar@bmo.com

Megan McManus
Mobile Mortgage Specialist
RBC Royal Bank of Canada
Cell: 403-519-8410
Email: 
megan.mcmanus@rbc.com

 

Property Inspectors:

There are numerous options to choose from when it comes to Property Inspectors. Experience, track record, use of technology such as thermal imaging are just a few of the things that you want to look into when searching for an inspector.

Alex Cruz
Certified Home Inspector
Canadian Residential Inspection Services
Cell: 403-399-9611
Email: 
cdnres@gmail.com
Website: www.canadianresidential.com

Joel Rollefstad 
Certified Home Inspector
Canadian Residential Inspection Services
Cell: 403-771-4449
Email:
inspectorjoel@gmail.com
Website: www.canadianresidential.com

Egbert Jager
Home Inspector
Diamond Home Inspection
Cell: 403-404-0804
Email: 
ejager@diamondhomeinspection.ca
Website: www.diamondhomeinspection.ca  

Steve Mowvley
Rural Property Inspections
Global Property Inspections
Home Inspector and Commercial Building Inspector
Phone: 587-777-8326
Email:
gpinspector@telus.net
Website: www.gpiweb.ca/mowvley/Home/tabid/20669/Default.aspx

 

Condo Document Reviewers:

Condo reviews are essential when purchasing this type of property.  Condo reviewers come in all shapes and sizes and offer a variety of different services at a price point between 350 - 500 dollars. Some reviewers will pick up and drop off all documents available, leave you with a physical binder as well as electronic copies, talk with you on the phone to go over their findings, or meet with you in person at their office, or any place that is convenient for you.

A condo review would be like a version of a Home Inspection for houses and its for that reason that we highly recommend reviewing the documents with a professional.  I like to have my clients think of condo purchases like this; Imagine you are buying into a corporation and they are going to give you a space to live.  When condo purchases are looked at in this way, the importance of understanding who runs the corporation, how are they running it, do they have a management company for support or are they self managed, what are the debts, liabilities, and assets of the corporation, is the budgeting on track to meet all goals for maintenance and repair now and in future years, what are the by-laws like for this condo corporation, and so on...

Below are some options for reviewer, but please choose anyone you like and make sure they offer services that are a good fit for you personally.

Roy Rasmusen
Condo Document Inspector
Expert Condo Review Ltd.
Cell: 403-383-2920
Office: 403-949-3018
Email: 
rrasmusen@shaw.ca

Condo Review Ltd (over the phone condo review)
Condo Document Inspector
Office: 403-258-3627
Email:
condoreview.ltd@gmail.com
Website: www.condoreview.net

Condo Check (reviews over email)
Condo Document Inspector
Phone: 403-509-2250
Email: 
intake@condo-check.com
Website: www.condo-check.com

 

Real Estate Lawyers:

Below is the list of Lawyers we like and recommend.  These days Real Estate Lawyers typically charge in one of two ways; for each copy and phone call (a bit more old school) or a general fee for service that is a flat rate plus disbursements.  Some Lawyers are willing to book after hours appointments to accommodate the 9-5:00 work day and some keep more limited hours.  Ask questions and pick someone who is a good fit for you overall.

Sean V. Green
Barrister & Solicitor
Summit Legal Group
#120 - 110 Quarry Park Blvd. SE, Calgary, AB
Office: 587-393-8720
Fax: 587-356-0355
Email: 
sean@summitlegalgroup.ca
Website: www.summitlegalgroup.ca

Jeff Kahane
Real Estate Lawyer
Kahane Law Office
7309 Flint Road SE, Calgary, AB
Office: 403-255-8810
Fax: 403-255-8289
Email: 
jkahane@kahanelaw.com
Website: www.kahanelaw.com

Farouk Shivji
Real Estate Lawyer
Shivji Law
#601 - 5940 Macleod Tr. SW, Calgary, AB
Office: 403 253-5588
Fax: 403-253-5883
Email: 
fshivji@shivjilaw.com
Website: shivjilaw.com

Kathleen S. Davis
Real Estate Lawyer
KSD Law
#710 - 744 4th Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Office: 403-543-8580
Direct: 403- 543-8577
Fax: 403-543-8581
Email: 
kathleen@ksdlaw.ca
Website: ksdlaw.ca

Christine H. Pasemko
Real Estate Lawyer
McLeod and Company LLP
South Office - #300 - 14505 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB
Office: 403-278-4911
Direct: 403-254-3830
Fax: 403-271-1769
Email: 
cpasemko@mcleod-law.com
Website: www.mcleod-law.com

Clint Clark
Real Estate Lawyer
Clark & Clark Lawyers
Suite 8 - 6020 1A Street SW, Calgary, AB
Office: 403-777-1444
Direct: 403-777-1419
Fax: 403-777-1447
Email: 
clint@clarklegal.com
Website: clarklegal.com

 

Insurance Brokers:

Insurance has changed so much over the last several years and this trend is going to continue.  Once upon a time when a person needed home insurance they would get a basic or an upgraded package and that was about it.

Now insurance rates differ so much from carrier to carrier and person to person.  For example, if there are 2 identical houses next to one another, the insurance premiums can be very different for each property based on who is applying for coverage, what company is insuring them, and what coverage they are getting.

In Alberta, insurance premiums have increased dramatically over the last couple years due to the high volume of claims.  Decades ago insurance companies would plan for a major disaster every 5 years, now they are needing to calculate costs assuming there could be a natural disaster each year.

Below are some of the insurance providers that we like and trust and who have served us well over the years.

Sacha Gonzales
Sales Specialist
Johnson Insurance
Office: 780-577-4252
Toll Free: 1877-577-4252
Fax: 1866-371-6364
Email: sgonzales@johnson.ca
Website: www.johnson.ca

Arfan Devji
Financial Advisor/Owner
Shaganappi Insurance Services Ltd.
The Co-operators
Office: 403-221-7231
Fax: 403-221-7273
Email:
arfan_devji@cooperators.ca 
Website: 
www.cooperators.ca/en/shaganappi-insurance/Home.aspx

Mary Lynne Martens
Associate Financial Advisor
Shaganappi Insurance Services Ltd. 
The Co-operators
Office:403-221-7232
Fax: 403-221-7273
Email:
Mary_lynne_Martens@cooperators.ca
Website: www.cooperators.ca/en/shaganappi-insurance/Home.aspx

Robin Lee
Associate Insurance Advisor - Commercial
Shaganappi Insurance Services Ltd. 
The Co-operators 
Office: 403-221-7232
Fax: 403-221-7273
Email: 
robin_lee@cooperators.ca
Website: www.cooperators.ca/en/shaganappi-insurance/Home.aspx

Roger Stevenson
Insurance/Financial Advisor
The Co-operators
Cell: 403-585-9406
Email:
roger_stevenson@cooperators.ca
Website: www.ProPlanGroup.ca

 

Movers:

Finding a great moving company can be a real challenge.  We have all heard horror stories and seen photos of movers destroying treasured belongings.  Below are some movers that I myself have used and had a great experience with or that more than one client has bragged heavily about.  Should you choose to employ any of the movers listed below I hope your experience is just as nice.

We Care Movers
Local Calgary and Area Moves
Office: 403-478-9991

Miracle Movers
Personal/Commercial/Local/ Long Distance Moves
Office: 403-775-2244
Email: 
sales@mmovers.ca
Website: www.mmovers.ca/content/calgary-movers

Tulios Moving Ltd.
Local Calgary Moves
Office: 403-248-6389

Jay's Moving
Long distance and Cross Country Moves
Office: 403-775-6066
Email: 
calgarysales@jaystransportationgroup.ca
Website: www.jays-calgary-movers.ca

Ife
Im Moving Services 
Phone:403-615-5964

 

Locksmith:

New home - time to change the locks!  Locksmiths are pretty darn easy to find, the ones below have been super helpful for me and for a really decent price.

Fumi Hirai
Locksmith - 24 Hour Emergency Service
FMI Professional Locksmiths
Phone: 403-909-0089
Email: 
fumi@fmilocksmiths.com
Website: www.fmilocksmiths.com

Aboe Lockworks Ltd.
Commerical and Residential
Office: 403-230-5625
Email: 
shop@aboelockworks.ca
Website: www.aboelockworks.com

Super Greg Installation
Greg: 403-667-5285
Rob: 403-870-4095
Email: 
greg5452009@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.supergreginstallation.ca/

 

Cleaners:

Moving can be stressful - get some help cleaning the new place so you have one less thing to worry about when you move.  These ladies are fantastic!

Darlene
Sparkle
Phone: 403-454-8501

Wanda
Phone: 403-991-6859
Email:
wandaful50@yahoo.ca

Franja
Phone: 403-991-8284

 

DISCLAIMER:

The information provided by Raena Gartner, and Your Real Estate Connection, on this webpage does not hold us liable in any way, shape, or form for services and products you may receive from the people mentioned on this page.  While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, provide names of people and institutions we like and have had positive experiences with, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the competence, accuracy, reliability, suitability or the availability with respect to any of the information, products, services, or related advice or assistance provided by any of the resources listed for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

The service providers and institutions mentioned on this webpage may or may not be suitable for you. If you have any doubts, you should listen to your own intuition and perform your own due diligence activities. Caveat emptor.

We aim to provide names of people and institutions that we ourselves have had great experiences with or that our clients have highly recommended.  Should you choose to contact any of these providers its done so at your own risk.

This webpage contains links to other websites which are not under the control of or influence by us in any way. Raena Gartner is not responsible for the content of those sites. We provide links for your convenience only but do not necessarily endorse the material on those sites.

We make no warranty, express or implied, about competency of the persons and organizations mentioned on this webpage. 

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from contacting anyone listed on this webpage.