95 companies announced as 2015 SAM Awards finalists

Nearly 100 companies and professionals in the Calgary and area's residential construction industry were recognized Thursday as the newly amalgamated CHBA – UDI Calgary Region Association announced finalists for the 2015 Sales and Marketing (SAM) Awards.

The 29th annual awards, which celebrates and acknowledges innovation and excellence in the industry, will hand out 60 piece of hardware, including the top Grand SAMs – three builder categories (Builder of the Year, Builder of Merit for a small-volume builder and Multi-Family Builder of the Year).

Local researchers applaud study that links urban design to obesity rates

Are you overweight and out of shape? It could be because of where you live.

Local researchers are pointing to a new international study that has found a connection between obesity and urban geography – in particular as it relates to living in high-rise apartments.

"The literature out there is pretty clear — there's a strong relationship between the walkability of your environment and your health," said Calgary architect John Brown, a professor in the Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary.

Airdrie looks to improve acceptance of secondary suites with bylaw review

Calgary is not the only Alberta city tackling the controversial issue of secondary suites.

Airdrie is putting its current land-use bylaw under the microscope, meaning residents in that city could soon see changes to the way the suites are regulated.

Suites are currently allowed in just three neighbourhoods: Bayview, The Canals and Silver Creek. Under the proposed bylaws, the City would allow at least one secondary housing option (a basement suite, a garden suite separate lot unit, or a garage suite) in most residential districts, with the development authority having final say on appropriate usage of a secondary suite.

Homeowners don't have to sacrifice with new townhome development in southeast Calgary

The elusive trifecta of location, luxury and livability has long eluded downsizers in Calgary – until now.

Brookfield Residential has developed the Holy Grail of compact living with Mosaic Riverstone in Cranston's Riverstone, a 64-unit stacked luxury townhome development in southeast Calgary with two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 1,400 to 1,600 square feet and priced from the mid-$400,000s.

"Cranston's Riverstone is an absolutely amazing and beautiful community," said Kelly Halliday, Brookfield Residential's business development manager for Calgary Homes.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, say housing experts

The term "luxury" defies a single definition – especially when it comes to housing in Calgary, say experts.

"Luxury is specific to each individual, driven by their particular needs," said Kevin Mullen, president of the Empire Group of Companies, which has constructed dwellings in most of Calgary's upscale communities.

"If someone values the weekend lifestyle, then you might live in Springbank. If being proximate to the Glencoe Club is important, then you might choose Elbow Park. Those lifestyle decisions reflect into defining a luxury community."

Analysts say indicators point to prolonged downturn

The health of Calgary's residential housing market is only as good as the foundation it's built upon, say analysts, who reference several key indicators that point to a prolonged downturn in the city.

Richard Cho, principal market analysis in Calgary for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), noted everything from employment levels to household income and migration to spending levels signal to tough times ahead for the local housing market.

Live-work concept grabs holds in Cochrane

In a town of less than 20,000 residents, the traditionally large urban centred live-work concept is proving to be a big hit.
Cochrane town council has just given approval of amendments to its land-use bylaw to ensure specific guidelines are in place for both developers and owners of units in mixed-use residential/commercial projects.

This comes after LaVita Properties, the developer behind Cochrane's first live/work project aptly titled Satellite Townhomes in Sunset Ridge's Trading Post development announced it is already planning a second similar venture.

Apartment to be most affected, says forecast

Calgary construction is expected to slow down this year and next, according to a new forecast from real estate consultant Altus Group.

Detailed in the group's winter forecast, starts in Calgary are predicted to drop from 13,000 in 2015 to 9,200 in 2016 and 9,000 the following year as a result of the province's struggling energy sector.

Calgary's real estate market, by the numbers

Calgary's resale residential housing market in February was virtually unchanged from previous months, highlighted by sales declines, inventory gains and, ultimately, price softness.

CREB®Now breaks down some of the key statistics to come out of CREB®'s monthly housing summary.

$445,000
The benchmark price for a home in Calgary last month was $445,000, a 0.6 per cent decline over January and 3.5 per cent lower than levels recorded last year.

Some areas of Calgary are reacting much differently to market conditions

Calgary residential resale housing prices continued to slide in February, yet new data shows not all areas of the city are being impacted in the same way.

According to CREB®, some districts east of Deerfoot Trail are exhibiting price resilience – and even some gains – despite the citywide bench-mark price slipping by 3.45 per cent from the same time last year to $445,000.

In northeast Calgary, for example, the benchmark price in February increased year-over-year by 1.7 per cent last month to $366,800, while east Calgary remained flat at $324,800, reported CREB®.