Spring is in full swing in Central Alberta and the current forecast is all beautiful sunrises and sunsets. With the season in the air homeowners around and outside of Alberta are thinking about investing in a vacation home. You couldn’t pick a better province for your second property and there is nary a better place than right here in Gull Lake. When screenwriters and authors write about a quintessential resort town, this is the place of inspiration. Can you envision your home here? Let’s find out.

Why Gull Lake Alberta is the Perfect Place for Your Spring/Summer Vacation Home

1. The Cost of Vacation Home Investment is at an All Time Low (for now)

As we speak you can lock in an historically low mortgage rate for a vacation property in Central Alberta. The economic challenges have opened up an unprecedented opportunity for those of you seeking that lucrative second home. Especially attractive local developments include Meridian Beach, Raymond Shores, Sandy Point, and Westlake Estates (inquire about each here). Every annum you can spend weeks or months residing in paradise at a fraction of the investment it may take elsewhere. With the Alberta economy certain to return to strong form (have you noticed the price of oil climbing again?) and the value of these properties certain to rise in the years ahead, the time to strike is now.

2. All of the Spring/Summer Resort Recreation You Can Handle

Time to get to the goods! Gull Lake became the famous resort community that it is today because mother nature allowed it. The lake itself is a hotbed of recreational opportunity. With sandy shores, convenient docks, warm spring/summer water and a perfect combination of calm and windy days, your penchant for water sports will be fully fulfilled. Gull Lake offers canoeing, fishing, kayaking, kite-surfing, rowing, sailing, stand-up paddling, swimming, wake-boarding, and waterskiing. If your significant other prefers to lounge about while you brave the elements they’ll be happy to know that sunbathing is also a popular pastime. The lake is the big draw but complementary recreation is close by too, with world class golf minutes away. There is also biking, hiking, bird-watching and a slew of other outdoor activities to enjoy in Gull Lake.       

3. Neighbors You Want to Get to Know (and who want to know you)

Gull Lake is the most welcoming resort community in the country. You can hold us to that. Even as a part-time resident in the spring and/or summer months you’ll be treated as a full-time local. Shop owners and year-round residents alike will know your name and precede it with a daily “good morning”, “good day” and “good evening” and even offer a “come by for the BBQ tonight” every now and then. When you invest in a Gull Lake vacation home you invest in a whole new social agenda, the kind you want to keep.

4. It Will Keep Earning (for You) When the Season Has Passed

As your spring/summer vacation home you know you’ll get every penny’s worth out of your Gull Lake property. That being said, you may not want it to sit idle, awaiting your return as the autumn and winter months settle in. Fret not, because Gull Lake is an all-season resort town that draws visitors 365 days a year. Whether for cross-country skiing and ice fishing or the simple act of enjoying the crackle of a fireplace while winter wonderland displays in the background, your Gull Lake property remains a hot commodity for vacation renters.

5. The “Pine Lake” Sibling Resort Community Opportunity

Looking for a vacation home in a more scaled back lakefront resort community? Just as quaint yet not quite as bustling (a relative term, of course) as Gull Lake in the spring and summer, Pine Lake may be perfect for you. Known by many as a sibling or close cousin to nearby Gull Lake (a pleasant 45-minute drive) Pine Lake has highly attractive vacation property listings on offer. Smaller in size (the lake is just over 6 km long and 1 km wide with a maximum depth of over 12 meters), Pine Lake is a gathering place that spans numerous generations. Like its sibling, this destination offers camping, boating, water-sports, fishing, golfing and many other forms of activity and recreation.

Ready to jump in, or simply want to learn more about the above lakefront vacation home opportunities? Contact the Dusty Smith Real Estate Team at 403.347.0744 anytime.

image: courtesy of touristiko.com

Buying a home is exciting but also a little bit scary, especially if you’re a first-time buyer or upgrading from a condo to a single detached family home. The nerves are born from uncertainty. Do you have enough information to make a wise decision? Factor in the unique real estate landscape of Central Alberta and the adrenaline really kicks in, having you scramble to gather as much intel as possible before hitting the market. Thankfully, our Red Deer real estate team has seen it all and guided clients, such as yourself, through the process for nearly two decades. Today we put together a quick and easy guide to buying a home in the area.

10 Tips to Buying a Home (and Choosing a Realtor) in the Red Deer and Central Alberta

1. Get Pre-Approval on Your Mortgage

Don’t spend valuable time looking at homes that don’t suit your budget. Get pre-approved on your home loan as soon as you’re ready to put your interest out there on the local market. Having an exact cap in mind, and on paper, allows you to focus on homes that are right for you. Of course, the loan is not always as clear cut as it could be, so be mindful of the entire process. It’s important to learn about the hidden costs (processing fees, etc.). Not an expert in mortgages? We are. Contact us at 403.347.0744 to check step-one off of your list, before considering listings.

2. The Perfect Time is Your Time (Ignore Media Hype)

If you’ve found this guide it means that you’re ready to start the home buying process. Your career (or business, etc.) and family (no matter what that looks like) is ready for the transition. That means the time is right for you, and that’s what’s most important. Many prospective home buyers get caught up in the media hype (or the advice from friends and coworkers) and try to strike on the home purchase at some magical (and often arbitrary) time. The newspaper tells you one thing about interest rates, the local TV anchor delivers news on market forecasts, the voice on the radio proclaims that you should wait another six months, and your friend’s neighbor’s cousin’s uncle (who sold swampland in Florida) has a hot tip on a development that will be ready in 2-5 years tops. Forget them all. Instead, trust your instincts and move forward when you are ready.

3. Buy for Today and Tomorrow

Take a look at yourself, in five to ten years. That’s what you’re buying for today. Will your family occupancy grow (for young couples, etc.)? Will your family occupancy decrease (for soon-to-be empty nesters, etc.)? Will you be traveling or entertaining more? Do you plan on getting a dog or a cat? The scenarios that weigh-in on the needs of your home are endless and only you can take accounting of them. While you can’t predict it all, you can make an educated guess. Proceed accordingly.

4. See Beyond the Price Tag

The price of a home is not the only the mortgage you pay. You want to factor in all “sleeper” costs too. This can include utilities, homeowner association dues (where applicable), property tax today and property tax increases that can come with any additions and/or renovations that you anticipate making in the future. Plan for these expenses today and you’re monthly/annual budget will be in the clear.

5. Comprehensive Home Inspection

This may seem like common sense but often excitement and emotions get in the way. On the surface you may have come across the perfect property but the bells and whistles may cloud your judgement. But just like with a car you need to have someone look under-the-hood and make sure it’s all there and in working order. Have a professional real estate team conduct and/or dictate this inspection for you, leaving no square-foot unturned.

6. Don’t Attempt a Negotiation on Your Own

One of the most common analogies made here is found in the courtroom. You wouldn’t represent yourself in the court of law during a trial, right? Certainly not. Attempting to negotiate the price of a home with a seller (and/or their own agent) is as risky a scenario as the one presented in the analogy. Bring in a professional real estate team that is reputed in home-buyer negotiation.

7. You’re Buying into a Community, not Just a Home

One of the most exciting parts about buying a home is all that comes along with it, including the surrounding community. Spend some time immersed in it before making a purchase decision. This includes meeting the neighbors, touring the local school (where applicable), walking about the area, enjoying the recreation, and spending a few hours at the local coffee shop to gauge population traffic, and gossip!

8. Consider Acreage and Developments Too

While you’re excited about your home purchase you want to make sure that the property you do choose is 110% right for you. Sometimes that home is not yet ready. Thankfully, the Central Alberta area is ripe with both acreage and current developments. Is building a home an option for you? Then you may want to have a look at the multitude of Red Deer county acres available on the market. There are also numerous and highly attractive developments coming up all over the Red Deer region, developments that our team is close to and connect you to. The key consideration in all of this is time. While you may be ready to move in now, perhaps it’s worth buying for the near future (acreage or development in process) and taking up temporary residence in a rental accommodation until your home (your perfect home) has been completed.

9. Choose a REALTOR^® Over an Agent

There are options available to you when soliciting real estate services. But when it comes to buying a home in Central Alberta you want to work with a Realtor^® above all else. A Realtor^® has unlimited access to properties that meet your criteria, is an expert negotiator, is more knowledgable about the entire purchase process (paperwork and red tape included), and adheres to a strict code of ethics. Learn more about why you want to use a Realtor^® here.

10. Choose a Team Over an Individual Agent

Not only is choosing a Realtor^® the key to a successful home purchase, but choosing one that has an entire team at their side will provide you with unparalleled peace of mind. A real estate team means that you have someone, at all times, on the market and hunting down the property that meets the criteria dictated by you. It also means that you have a specialized expert working on each step of the process so that you don’t have to. Would you rather have one person, or many, managing the purchase of your home?

Ready to start talking about your new home in Central Alberta? Contact the Dusty Smith Real Estate Team anytime at 403.347.0744 or learn more here.

Reasons to Buy a Home in Gull Lake Alberta – Gull Lake Alberta Properties for Sale

To be honest, when most people picture Central Alberta they don’t exactly envision expansive sandy beaches bookended by lush scenery and a tropical-tinted sunset to conclude each day. But you’d better believe it, one of the most scenic towns in all of Canada is found here, tucked between Edmonton and Calgary and just 30 minutes from Central Alberta’s epicenter of Red Deer. If you’re considering buying a house (vacation property?) in one of the province’s recreational hot spots while still seeking a quaint place to call home you may very well have found it here.  

Five Things that Make Gull Lake One of the Best Places to Live in Alberta

1. Outdoor Recreation

The lake itself is one of the most pristine in the province, making it one of the most popular recreation destinations around. Outdoor enthusiasts including families, young professionals, executives, seniors, and travelers alike all flock to Gull Lake to take advantage of the activities available. Water sports include boating, kayaking, sailing, waterskiing, wake boarding, stand-up-paddling, swimming, and of course fishing (Northern pike, walleye, and lake whitefish). Even if water sports don’t float in your cup of tea, the village area has so much more to offer. Gull Lake Golf Course in nearby Rimbey is a major destination for those attentive to tee time. Casual outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous (and breathtaking) walking, hiking, and biking trails surrounding Gull Lake while those that prefer to let four legs do the trotting can take advantage of horseback riding stables in the area. Of course Gull Lake is not just for the warm spring and summer months. The winter is ripe with access to skiing and snowboarding with Canyon Ski Resort located a hearty snowball’s throw away. The outdoor possibilities are endless in this resort town.

2. The Demeanor of its Beach Town Residents

The residents of Gull Lake, both permanent and part-time vacation property holders, are exactly what you’d expect from a beach town. Laid back, friendly, welcoming, and always looking out for one another, you won’t find a better community to call home. The quaint demeanor of Gull Lake is only matched by that of its like-minded residents. Gull Lake will embrace you, your family, and all who come to visit your new resort village home.

3. Convenient Access to all Alberta has to Offer

Gull Lake couldn’t be located in a more convenient place. Want to take-in big city life in Calgary for the day? You’re only an hour and 45 minutes from doing so. Big Edmonton Oilers fan (we won’t judge)? Catch the game live with an hour and 30 minute drive. Do you work in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, or the surrounding area? Your commute will feel like a walk to the park. Whether you are considering shopping, leisure, work, or education you won’t find a resort town in the province with more open access. The world of Alberta is your oyster when living in Gull Lake.  

4. Beautiful Homes and Properties

The new home developments in Gull Lake are unlike any other in Central Alberta and the options are seemingly endless. Looking for an extraordinary all-year family community with a classic cottage country feel? The Meridian Beach development may be perfect for you. Is an RV resort community with a boat slip at your front door more your style? Then the Raymond Shores or Sandy Point RV resorts are calling. Perhaps you place a premium on stunning lakefront views with a prairie backdrop and a golf course a five-minute walk away. If so, then Westlake Estates with its offering of 144 exquisitely planned country estate properties is the community best suited to you and yours.

5. Investment Value

Everything that you’ve read above details why Gull Lake is an amazing place to live and vacation in. But what it also tells you, is that owning a home in Gull Lake is a wise investment. Being a major draw for area residents as well as visitors from around the country and northern U.S. states (Idaho and Montana) means that there are always interested buyers/renters should you decide to sell or rent your property in the future. Buying a home in Gull Lake today is an investment in your future.

Are you considering buying a home (or vacation property) in Gull Lake? It all begins with a casual conversation to address any questions you may have before making this Central Alberta oasis your permanent (or part time) address. Call the Dusty Smith Team at 403.347.0744 or contact us here anytime.

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