Calgary's trusted source of real estate news, advice and statistics since 1983.
News
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:
News
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.
News
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.
News
Dec. 23, 2016 | Barb Livingstone
Renters' market
Economic conditions create ideal situation for renters, challenges for landlords
In the most volatile economy in the country, it is no big surprise Calgary landlords endured 2016 with the highest rental housing vacancy rate in a quarter of a century.
"It is a free market economy, with all the ups and downs, and in the middle of (this downturn), you just hope many will survive it," said Gerry Baxter, executive director of the Calgary Residential Rental Association (CRRA) of Calgary's current seven per cent vacancy rate.
In the most volatile economy in the country, it is no big surprise Calgary landlords endured 2016 with the highest rental housing vacancy rate in a quarter of a century.
"It is a free market economy, with all the ups and downs, and in the middle of (this downturn), you just hope many will survive it," said Gerry Baxter, executive director of the Calgary Residential Rental Association (CRRA) of Calgary's current seven per cent vacancy rate.
News
Dec. 21, 2016 | Miles Durie
Year of the smart home
New programs could see homeowners coming out ahead
If 2007 was the year of the smartphone, then 2017 might be the year of the smart home.
Before 2007, there were cellphones that connected to the Internet, sure. But that year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone. It was the company's biggest innovation since 1984's launch of the original Macintosh, and its ripple effect on the entire technology sector continues.
Enthusiasts waited in line all night to get an iPhone and for a tremendous number of people, seeing one was wanting one (although the initial high price tag held a lot of us back until the next year).
If 2007 was the year of the smartphone, then 2017 might be the year of the smart home.Before 2007, there were cellphones that connected to the Internet, sure. But that year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone. It was the company's biggest innovation since 1984's launch of the original Macintosh, and its ripple effect on the entire technology sector continues.
Enthusiasts waited in line all night to get an iPhone and for a tremendous number of people, seeing one was wanting one (although the initial high price tag held a lot of us back until the next year).
News
Dec. 21, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil
2016 CREB® President Cliff Stevenson
CREB® president Cliff Stevenson focuses on the positives during challenging year in real estate
Cliff Stevenson could be forgiven for being downbeat. After all, he's led Calgary's real estate industry through one of its most difficult years in decades.
Instead, during a recent interview, the 2016 CREB® president is confident and animated. While he doesn't downplay the current challenges his industry is facing amid slumping oil prices, he doesn't dwell on them either.
"It's been a challenging year and a continuation of a challenging 2015, as the economy has driven the housing market in further decline," Stevenson said.
Cliff Stevenson could be forgiven for being downbeat. After all, he's led Calgary's real estate industry through one of its most difficult years in decades.
Instead, during a recent interview, the 2016 CREB® president is confident and animated. While he doesn't downplay the current challenges his industry is facing amid slumping oil prices, he doesn't dwell on them either.
"It's been a challenging year and a continuation of a challenging 2015, as the economy has driven the housing market in further decline," Stevenson said.
News
Dec. 21, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil
55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 1985 CREB® President Jim Moore
Current economic challenges harken back to past president's term
The early 1980s in Alberta were a memorable and challenging time for anyone who lived through them.
Characterized by a severe global recession, widespread housing foreclosures, bankruptcies and unemployment, by the time Jim Moore was president of the Calgary Real Estate Board in 1985, market conditions remained difficult but some changes were afoot.
The early 1980s in Alberta were a memorable and challenging time for anyone who lived through them.
Characterized by a severe global recession, widespread housing foreclosures, bankruptcies and unemployment, by the time Jim Moore was president of the Calgary Real Estate Board in 1985, market conditions remained difficult but some changes were afoot.
News
Dec. 23, 2016 | Cody Stuart
Core issues
Downtown office commercial market to see higher vacancy rates in 2017
Despite setting a third-quarter record with a reported $11.2 billion in sales, Calgary's commercial real estate sector will likely see vacancy rates continue to soar this year and next, predicts real estate firm CBRE Ltd.
CBRE Calgary-based managing director Greg Kwong said the downtown market will feel it the hardest, with vacancy rates that are expected to close in on 30 per cent.
Despite setting a third-quarter record with a reported $11.2 billion in sales, Calgary's commercial real estate sector will likely see vacancy rates continue to soar this year and next, predicts real estate firm CBRE Ltd.
CBRE Calgary-based managing director Greg Kwong said the downtown market will feel it the hardest, with vacancy rates that are expected to close in on 30 per cent.
News
Dec. 21, 2016 | Brian Burton
In the pipeline
Energy project approvals spark good news for real estate; just unclear as to when, say experts
In the closing days of 2016, Calgary's oil-driven housing market has received a welcome jolt of excitement from the federal government.
Ottawa approved not one, but two multi-billion-dollar oil pipeline projects, promising to move nearly one million barrels per day (bpd) of additional oil to United States and global markets upon completion. The two new pipeline projects would increase Canadian oil shipping capacity by 24.9 per cent.
In the closing days of 2016, Calgary's oil-driven housing market has received a welcome jolt of excitement from the federal government.
Ottawa approved not one, but two multi-billion-dollar oil pipeline projects, promising to move nearly one million barrels per day (bpd) of additional oil to United States and global markets upon completion. The two new pipeline projects would increase Canadian oil shipping capacity by 24.9 per cent.
News
Dec. 21, 2016 |
2016 year in review
Few surprises, but still highlights for Calgary's housing market this past year, say experts
In a year of sales declines, price adjustments and mortgage rule changes, the one constant for Calgary's housing market in 2016 was the number of challenges it faced as the result of soft economic conditions, say industry observers.
Yet officials also maintain challenges for some created opportunities for others. And, perhaps more importantly, there is renewed optimism heading into 2017 thanks to improving numbers during the second half of this year and a series of large energy infrastructure announcements.
In a year of sales declines, price adjustments and mortgage rule changes, the one constant for Calgary's housing market in 2016 was the number of challenges it faced as the result of soft economic conditions, say industry observers.
Yet officials also maintain challenges for some created opportunities for others. And, perhaps more importantly, there is renewed optimism heading into 2017 thanks to improving numbers during the second half of this year and a series of large energy infrastructure announcements.
