New developments in surrounding areas limited price growth in 2017

When it comes to Calgary's housing market, there's a lot of activity on the outskirts and in surrounding areas.

"We have a number of new communities and areas with many new developments offering competing products for the resale market," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

Renovations on a $5,000 budget

At first glance, doing meaningful home renovations for $5,000 is akin to those travel guides for "Europe on $10 a day": easier said than done. Yet, like the backpacker who squeezes every penny from their budget to travel the globe, affordable renovations are not out of reach if you spend your nickels and dimes wisely.

According to Bob Weir, vice-president of operations with Calgary's Reborn Renovations, making improvements with $5,000 certainly narrows your options, but it can be done.

Security solutions for the modern home

Home is where you expect to feel safe, and for some people, that means adding a home security system.
Years ago, homeowners had two choices: have a system professionally installed, or make do with simple devices, such as timers to turn lights on and off, and clunky, wired security cameras.

But thanks to today's technology, there are numerous devices that a do-it-yourselfer can install, while the option of leaving things up to the pros is also still available.

How does your home rate?

Most energy-conscious Canadians wouldn't buy a new appliance without checking its EnerGuide label to see how it rates. EnerGuide labels for homes are starting to catch on with energy-efficient new-home builders. But did you know you can get an EnerGuide assessment for your existing home?

December sales activity rises again, but so does supply

Sales activity for all product types improved in December and pushed monthly sales to long-term averages for the second month in a row.

However, new listings also rose, keeping inventory elevated compared to typical levels for December. With more supply remaining compared to sales, benchmark prices edged down for the fifth consecutive month.

Inner-city lovers build new in an old community 

Gerald Proctor and Katrina Tashlikowich are inner-city people. Gerald was born and raised in Calgary and Katrina grew up in Vancouver, but work has taken them across the country. When they moved to Calgary from Regina five years ago, they drew a circle around the core and began their home search.

CREB®Now connected with some of Calgary's housing industry experts and leaders for their opinions on 2018. Here's what they had to say. . .

Redeveloped Prairie Winds Park is a vital community hub in northeast Calgary

Wander into Prairie Winds Park in northeast Calgary any summer day and you'll see children enjoying the wading pool, families playing cricket or having a picnic, and people on the tennis courts. In the winter, people are out tobogganing, skating and enjoying the great outdoors in the popular regional park.

Prairie Winds Park opened in 1990, but recently underwent a complete redevelopment, says Michelle Wong, who worked on the project as capital lead for Calgary Parks.

Calgary's new northeast offers exciting opportunities and value for homebuyers

"A full, master-planned community destination." That's how Mattamy Homes vice-president of sales and marketing Warren Saunders describes Calgary's expanding – and evolving – northeast quadrant.

"That means choice for homebuyers," he said, noting that wasn't always the case in decades past.

In the "new northeast," Saunders says the expanding range of housing options allows different generations of homebuyers to remain in that sector of the city throughout their lives.

Calgary's Genesis Centre earns its name

The word genesis means a beginning or origin. When it comes to this definition, the Genesis Centre in northeast Calgary was aptly named. Opened in January of 2012, the centre filled a longstanding void in sport, recreation, wellness and cultural services for residents.