Rob Johnstone

Most of us know the basics for Google Search Engine Optimization: Create a website that is rich in relevant content, easy for search engines to crawl, with frequently updated, unique content. Don't spam, and don't even think about using black-hat SEO strategies.

We have been told all along: write your page in a language that is easy for search engines to understand: Html, Css, etc. We have also been told to avoid flash, as search engines cannot read it.... Correction: search engines couldn't read flash.

Now they can, according to the official Google blog: "Google has been developing a new algorithm for indexing textual content in Flash files of all kinds, from Flash menus, buttons and banners, to self-contained Flash websites..."

So what does this mean for Realtors focusing on SEO?

More flexibility, more attractive websites. Easy to use drag-and-drop website creators are popping up all over the place (one example that comes to mind is wix.com). One dimensional pages will soon be a thing of the past.

We have to wonder though, who will get higher placement? A flash site updated frequently who receives more traffic? Or a CSS site that, while not as attractive, is more "traditionally" seo-focused.

Rob Johnstone
Re/Max Mountain View
Calgary Homes For Sale

For those of you who haven't yet heard, Google has launched its newest map tool: Street View. The photo below is actually a snapshot of our office, taken off of street view.

For those of you with Street View available in your area, what do your clients think? Will you be using it as a listing tool?

For more Calgary Real Estate visit our Calgary Homes For Sale Website!

Beautiful home for sale located in Coventry Hills, Calgary.

White glove clean home! Immaculate and move-in ready. This home really shines with main floor natural hardwood flooring and beautiful ceramics in the kitchen. There's a good sized corner pantry and a view of the yard from the sink area. The kitchen is open to the family room that has patio doors that open up to a recently built oversized BBQ deck in the super sunny west facing yard. If you have need there is room for extra parking or an RV at the back. There is a 30 amp switched RV plug-in wired underground to the pad. The upper level is well laid out with three good sized bedrooms. The master is quite large with a walk-in closet, cherry finished hardwood floors and a full four piece ensuite with a separate shower. The master can accommodate a king sized suite. The garage has an extra pad installed that will hold your workbench level, over-head storage setup and capped exhaust holes in the door if you like to work on your car. This is truly a superior property and a pleasure to view.

For all of the details, please visit our listing brochure:

http://www.calgaryhomepros.com/Calgary/Alberta/Homes/c3387338/Coventry_Hills/Agent/Listing_3620553.html

Its that time of year again - when you walk through Calgary, you see cartoon cowboys, cowgirls, and horses painted on storefront windows, with captions like "yahoo" and "yeehaw"! This year, Re/Max is sponsoring Chuckwagon driver Logan Gorst.

RE/MAX is hoping to raise $10,000 for the Children's Miracle Network over the 10 days of Stampede! Come out to support our Chuckwagon and better yet this great cause!

RE/MAX has also donated 4 infield Chuckwagon tickets per night for families who are staying at the Alberta Children's Hospital.

From time to time, we receive emails asking why the "Market Price" we give in a home evaluation differs from the City of Calgary assessed price. In the current Calgary Real Estate market, assessments are typically higher than market value. This is because the assessment is based on the approximate value last summer. In Calgary's dynamic market, assessed value is often not accurate.

Even though the assessed value is a tool when preparing property evaluations, the ultimate value is determined by comparison to similar properties that are on the market and those that have recently sold. As with any other commodity, in the end, supply and demand dictate what something is worth. The market governs prices.

While assessments are a tool for determining value, the market is governed ultimately by supply and demand. In the 2006 market properties were selling for higher than their assessment from the city. In that market the buyers were saying just the opposite of what you are now saying. " The assessed value is lower so that is what it is worth." After losing out on a few properties to competing buyers they learned that the market determines price. In today's market, prices have fallen somewhat since the assessments were taken resulting in assessments being high relative to market values.

This does not mean that you are paying too much in property taxes, because the assessment is used to determine a fair distribution of the city's tax burden. As long as your value is relative to other Calgary properties, in general, the taxes work out to be equitable. If everyone's values were lower, the mil rate would be increased to distribute municipal expenses. Currently market values tend to vary 5 to 10% off of the city's assessed value, although I have seen as much as a 25% discrepancy. Curious how much your property would sell for in todays market? visit www.CalgaryHomePros.com and request a free home evaluation.