The Real Estate Council of Alberta just fined a man $15,000 for pretending he's a real estate agent. It's illegal to deal in property without the proper licensing, but that doesn't stop some shady people from trying. This man pretended to be an agent, renting out properties that had been foreclosed by banks.

But this facade goes beyond the attempt to provide an unlicensed service to clients. Individuals falsely pretending to be real estate agents are generally attempting to make money through mortgage fraud, identity theft and other nefarious schemes, which means dealing with an unlicensed agent can be dangerous and costly.

Ways To Ensure Your Agent Is The Real Deal

The good news is there are fast and easy ways to ensure your real estate agent is

Space Maximization Tips for a 500 Sq. Ft. Apartment Space

If you're staying in the big city and you want to stay in an apartment all on your own, there's a good chance you'll end up with a 500-square foot space or something similar. This may sound daunting at first, but if you know how to maximize what little space you have, it might actually be just enough.

The key is to find the focal points in the apartment and making them your main rooms or hangout spaces.  Also take note of the permanent features and fixtures because you may need to decorate or remodel around them. You may be able to have them removed, but that's only if your lease contract allows you to. 

So, assuming that you do have that privilege, you can do the following to maximize