Making realistic (garden) resolutions for the new year

If you want to build the best garden, grow the best food and raise the best petunias this summer, now is the time to set growing goals in motion.

But whatever you do – don't compare yourself to the neighbours.

"You should see Marinette's garden," my helpful husband points out one day last fall. "It is just beautiful."

Yes, it is – no contest. I've seen pretty pots on her doorstep and I am familiar with her weed-free gardens, but my efforts are not in the same league.

A 'fantastic' year for Calgary businesses despite dropping energy prices

Despite plummeting oil prices, commercial activity in Calgary remained robust throughout 2014, creating what many industry analysts are calling one of the most competitive markets in Canada heading into the new year.

"I think it's been a fantastic year despite the last quarter of the challenging energy prices. We had some great revenue streams that were available for the first three quarters of the year," said Calgary Chamber president and CEO Adam Legge.

"Building projects are strong. You see some of the new towers going up in the downtown. You've got a lot of major infrastructure projects.

Low vacancy rates, high absorption rates in the resale condo sectors and dwindling supply in the single-family market vaulted secondary suites into the spotlight in 2014.

The issue culminated in mid-December with an 8-7 vote by city council against approval reforms – which prompted Mayor Naheed Nenshi to declare he'd leave the room during future secondary suites debates until it came time to vote. Ward 7 Coun. Druh Farrell likened the entire process to "giving birth to a chair."

The latest framework would have established a discretionary development permit process for suites where they were currently not allowed, as well as furthered public consultation with Calgarians to fully develop regulations moving forward.

The market conditions in Calgary are perfect for smart, long-term investment in real estate.  The fundamentals are sound. The Calgary real estate market is showing less volatility than  in years' past. Large jumps in prices – either up or down – seem less likely than at any other time since 2006.

Combined with low vacancy rates, rising rents, positive net migration and affordability – which, according to the RBC report on housing trends and affordability, remain at historically favorable levels – now is the right time to start teaching Calgarians how to properly invest in real estate with long term wealth accumulation in mind.

Calgary's tight rental market, combined with low mortgage rates and relative affordability, supported record growth in the city's resale condominium sector in 2014.

Combined condo (apartment and townhome) sales up to the end of November increased 19 per cent to 8,105 units, compared with 6,782 units during the same period the year prior, according to CREB®.

The all-time sales record for condo sales was set in 2006, when 8,390 homes changed hands.

"In addition to lifestyle preferences, condominiums appeal to those looking for more affordable ownership options," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie, who originally forecasted 7,641 combined condo sales in 2014.

Calgary's luxury resale residential housing market continued to fire on all cylinders in 2014, according to new numbers from CREB®.

Year-to-date home sales priced over $1 million increased 18 per cent to 812 from 688 as of the end of November compared to the same period in 2013. Of those, six were sales in excess of $4 million.

With one month to go, the total already surpasses the record for the most million-dollar-plus sales in a year, consecutively set over the previous two years with 732 and 544 homes sold in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Despite declining oil prices, city sees record in-migration, condo sales

You could almost say 2014 was a banner year for Calgary.

Almost.

The city welcomed a record number of newcomers, with the addition of 38,508 residents elevating the total population to almost 1.2 million.

Sales activity in the condo sector came close to, and might have even broken, records.

And the long-awaited Bill 9 Condominium Act passed, providing more protection for condo owners.

"It was a good year," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "Now, toward the very end of the year, we're certainly starting to see some economic headwinds."

Christmas Tree Recycling Program makes for a greener holiday season

Calgary's annual Tree Recycling program sees your Christmas conifer re-purposed into mulch instead of a landfill landmark.

"Last year we kept approximately 35,000 trees out of the landfill," said Darcy Cairns, superintendent of programs for Waste and Recycling Services with the City. "It's easy to participate - we collect trees from homes and there are also eight drop off locations to bring your trees to. The great thin is that the trees are turned into mulch that residents can use for gardening and landscaping afterwards."