Calgary's trusted source of real estate news, advice and statistics since 1983.
Jan. 20, 2017 | CREBNow
New year, new garden mindset
So you think gardening takes a ton of time and money? Think again. If you have a day, you can grow a sprout. In a week, you can grow a micro-green. In a month, you can grow a radish.And at this time of year, in this climate, the growing all happens indoors – no special lab or greenhouse required.
The good news is gardening is not as intense as waitressing or nursing. There is no mid-day rush or late-night call button. The right mindset to be a gardener is to keep it simple. Put the seed and soil together, add a bit of water and the magic begins all on its own.
I seeded a flat of basil last week because I was craving fresh flavour in my salads. A "flat" is a plastic tray that can be used again and again as long as it is washed between uses. It is a standard non-metric size of 11 inches by 21 inches with drainage holes.
Jan. 28, 2017 | CREBNow
Pop-up goes the store
Calgary retailers making the most of high vacancy rate
Calgary commercial experts say local retailers are becoming increasingly savvy in their fight for market share, challenging the traditional brick-and-mortar concept of doing business in favour of a pop-up model.
''I do think the trend is becoming more popular because of online shopping," said Barclay Street Real Estate retail associate Amy McGregor, who is working with Calgary Economic Development to research pop-up shops and facilitate a process for new business owners by connecting with landlords.
"Online retailers kind of want to dip their toe in the retail market and it's a low investment way to do that. There's more opportunity and more likelihood that landlords will give them the opportunity for the shorter-term leases."
Jan. 10, 2017 | CREBNow
Redefining the real estate experience
Home Investment Advisors Ltd. is redefining the relationship between homeowners and real estate industry professionals by connecting the two in a way that benefits both parties.
Founded by Guy Mitchell, the HIA® designation and online platform, for both homeowners and agents, allows real estate agents to differentiate themselves by offering homeowners value-added services and advice through the entire home ownership lifecycle.
For homeowners, Mitchell said the supplementary services of an HIA® are free, and the benefits long overdue.
Jan. 10, 2017 | Barb Livingstone
Signs of recovery
"Turbulent." That's how the head of Calgary's homebuilders and developers group describes the new housing market in 2016.
And 2017?
"Recovery," said Allan Klassen, chair of the recently merged Canadian Home Builders' Association—Urban Development Institute Calgary (CHBA-UDI Calgary).
Jan. 19, 2017 | Joel Schlesinger
Tearing down trade walls
Recent recommendations by a federal trade tribunal have the homebuilding industry hopeful that high duties on U.S. drywall imports will soon come to an end.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal issued its Statement of Reasons Jan. 19 outlining why it found drywall duties on U.S. imports are negatively impacting Western Canada's housing industry. Yet it also found U.S. manufacturers were indeed dumping drywall into the Canadian market, an unfair advantage over domestic manufacturers.
Jan. 20, 2017 | CREBNow
The 'In' crowd
From the historic streets of Inglewood to the shopping district along 17th Avenue, Calgary's inner city represents an eclectic and ever-changing mix of stories, style and substance. After all, these are areas where 100-year-old brick buildings seamlessly interchange with high-rise construction cranes.
Yet for those who live in Calgary`s inner city, it isn't just their surroundings and amenities that make it special. It's the people.
"Sure we have our night markets, Christmas celebrations and kitschy shops, but what makes Ramsay and Inglewood an exceptional place to live are the people," said local resident Natalia Jezierska.
Jan. 09, 2017 | Jamie Zachary
Transition talk
The worst might be over for Calgary's housing market, according to CREB®, which is forecasting transitional conditions throughout this year on the back of renewed optimism in the oil patch.
The forecast, captured in the real estate organization's 2017 Economic Outlook and Regional Housing Market Forecast report, comes after more than two years of recessionary conditions that have been manifested by sales and price declines in virtually every corner of the local market.
Jan. 09, 2017 |
Ace your winter showings
Winter showings can be daunting. The cold, snow, slush and sleet dampen our spirits and make the easy feel impossible. But, don’t be discouraged—these quick steps can get your home in perfect selling condition in no time:
Jan. 09, 2017 |
See the green
Green aka eco-friendly homes are popping up everywhere and their market appeal continues to rise. However, when you hear green it sometimes makes you think of the other green: money, but this isn’t always the case.
Jan. 03, 2017 |
Create a show-worthy home
Tidy, open spaces help potential buyers visualize your house as their home. But let’s face it, the task of keeping it in tip-top showing shape while you’re still living there can be super stressful.
