Moving can be a very overwhelming transition for you and your family. Regardless of if you buy before you sell, or sell before you buy, there can be high-stress situations right up until the very last moment the keys are transferred. Buying and selling a home is most often the biggest financial transaction anyone will make, and it is not something to take lightly.   

     People typically do not move often, so a lot of this process may be new to you. A home purchase or sale is a monumental task. Without the guidance of an experienced REALTOR^® , the onus is on YOU to trust that YOU know enough an unbelievable amount of information for you to make the best possible decisions you can. Things like:

• Building construction
• Construction materials
• Mechanical systems 
• Life expectancy of everything in a home
• Estimated replacement values
• Exterior landscaping and hardscaping knowledge
• Defects, and, 
• Clues to potential hidden defects

But, it's not JUST the house, there are the location considerations: 

• The best town/city for your family's needs
• Further broken down to which community is best
• History of the area, 
• Environmental hazards 
• Topographical considerations
• Geographic considerations, and, 
• Insurance considerations

And, going directly to the Seller or the Seller's Agent to buy that house is counterintuitive. You'd be responsible to, at the very least, know:

• Red flags to watch for
• Knowing the FULL MLS® history
• Knowing the right questions to ask 
• If you can trust the honesty and integrity of the Seller, and,
• Some of the tactics Agents might use to sell a home

And when it comes to the deal, 

• the legal documents to understand
• knowing what your signing
• the financial implications
• risks and methods to mitigate risk
• negotiating
• possible conditions to know about and understand, and,
• deadlines to meet

     Oh, and let's not forget the constant “what ifs?” running through your mind. Naturally, it’s going to be stressful. You need someone in your corner who can alleviate as much of that stress as possible.

      You need someone who’s been down that same, stress-filled, road countless times. Experience is crucial, but you also need someone with the compassion, patience and empathy to understand how you’re feeling.  An Agent who knows what to do and say to help ease your worries. This process involves YOU making DOZENS of big decisions. Agents are used for guidance, but ultimately, YOU will make every decision. It is vital to work with someone who you are comfortable enough with to call, text and have late night chats with to ground you when things seem chaotic. Then, be confident enough to make the right moves going forward. 

     You need an Agent with enough time to dedicate to each client. And that's where we excel. When you work with us at Rocky View Real Estate, the best possible customer service experience is what we aim to offer. Our approach is a little different than the conventional Real Estate Agent, Team or Group. We do things just a little differently.  

Why We're Different

     When you choose to work with us, you will always work with two agents for the price of one. 

     You will always work with James Hughes with nearly a decade of experience as a REALTOR^® . 

     You will always work with Nicole Graham, in her second year as a REALTOR^®, with over a dozen very happy clients.

     Together, you will get the best of both worlds. You will be getting the knowledge, experience, confidence, compassion, patience and time that every Buyer or Seller deserves. We pride ourselves on our ability to respond to all your questions and concerns immediately.  We do not use unlicensed assistants here, so whenever you need us, you'll get us. This process is daunting enough. Let us take away as much of that stress as possible.

     We never stop learning. We are constantly taking courses to bolster our education to make sure we're on the top of our game for you. Together we have specialized certifications in both corporate and private Relocations, Condominiums, working with both Buyers and Sellers, expert Negotiation skills and representing the vulnerable Senior Citizen population.  

For Sellers

James and Nicole will both be with you every step of the way. 

• Whenever you're ready, we will help you prepare your home. We will both be there for the pre-listing appointment to highlight your home's best features, and identify any cost-effective solutions to make your home the most saleable. This means the things you can do to make your home appeal to the most amount of Buyers without spending more than you need to.
• We pride ourselves on the marketing we do, and the third-party resources we use. The stagers, photographers, tradespeople we work with are second to none. 
• We are methodical. We have systems in place to ensure smooth transactions, and to make sure that you are always informed about what is happening now, and what will happen next.
• Our comprehensive Seller Guide is an excellent resource that you can refer back on anytime you have questions. But never be afraid to pick up the phone and call us directly. 
• You will be added to a group text with both James and Nicole so your questions are responded to promptly.
• When an offer comes in, take comfort in the fact James is a certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert® and will be going to bat for you to get you top dollar for your home

For Buyers

     Buying a home can be even more stressful than selling. 

     A phrase that I love to quote is "You don't know what you don't know." , and that couldn't be more accurate. This means that someone who is lacking the experience in a particular area, like an unrepresented Buyer, can't possibly know what they're not already thinking about. You don't know what you don't know...because quite simply, you can't know without someone teaching you.  

• James has an extensive background of home construction, renovations and his years of experience as a REALTOR^® has given him an unbelievable amount of knowledge about every aspect of a home. He truly knows his product. Having fully renovated 2 homes top-to-bottom in the last few years, he has the first-hand experience and confidence to provide estimated replacement costs for anything you may need to budget for. Having been through countless home inspections, he knows exactly what to look for that most people would never even think to look for. 
• We are experts when it comes to knowing our area. There are pros and cons to EVERY neighbourhood. You can trust us to point you towards the communities that meet your families needs, and not just the nicest house for the lowest price. We think of the things you would never think of. That's our job.
• We have the resources to offer you whatever support you need. We work closely with a number of professional services that you can depend on, and some of which who offer exclusive pricing to our clients. We selected them because we have used them ourselves, and we trust that you will be as satisfied as we were.
• Our comprehensive Buyer Guide is an excellent resource that you can refer back on anytime you have questions. But again, never be afraid to pick up the phone and call us directly. 
• When you've found the one,  James, a certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert®, will take the reins and will do everything he can to get you the best possible price. There are certain ways to do business successfully in this industry, and a million ways to mess it up. The initial contact and offer sets the tone for the entire process until closing, so you'll need someone with tact and experience to ensure you can get a great price without blowing it. Remember, emotions are high for both you AND the Seller

     Moving often takes months, so  you should be very comfortable with your REALTOR^®. You will likely spend many hours working alongside them, so select someone who you enjoy working with. You want someone that you can be on the phone with late at night helping you through issues. 

     As stressful as buying and selling can be, Nicole and James help take the edge off by not being the image that comes to mind when you hear "Real Estate Agent."  We are truly down-to-earth and relatable.  We'd prefer to be called Advisors, giving you the confidence to make the right moves. We dress comfortably, we'll make you laugh and we drive pick up trucks, not fancy cars. You won't see James in a suit and tie, but you better believe that when the time comes, he will be the most professional, confident and effective REALTOR^® you'll find. With a background as a Correctional Officer, he has no issue tactfully letting an Agents on the other side of the table know if they're stepping out of line. You can rest assured knowing that you are in very capable hands when you work with Rocky View Real Estate to help you buy or sell your home! 

     We are experts in Cochrane, but happily assist clients in Calgary, Airdrie and anywhere in Rockyview County.  

     For access to the most up-to-date real estate listings in Alberta (excluding Edmonton), click this LINK.