Yesterday, Calgary's Best Neighbourhoods 2017 was released by Avenue Magazine. This is an annual survey that the local publication releases, giving Calgarians a chance to rank their community on a number of factors from community engagement, to walkability, to amenities and more. The much anticipated list gave a lot of love to the northwest quadrant. 

Here's which northwest communities made the top 25: 

  • Varsity, 1: Homes in Varsity are highly sought after due to local schools, beautiful parks, and the Silver Springs Golf Course. Learn about Varsity here. 
  • Edgemont, 3: The elevation of Edgemont offers homes stunning city and mountain views. The area features pathways through beautiful ravines, tennis courts, skating rinks, and playgrounds.…

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Earlier this spring, a park in Panorama Hills/Hidden Valley (Country Hills Boulevard and Hidden Creek Boulevard NW) was closed due to the presence of an active coyote den there. Because coyote pups were in the area, there was protective behaviour by the coyotes and the area was deemed unsafe for residents. 

As the pups got older, the hope was that they would leave the area. The City of Calgary has been monitoring this situation closely, and it appears the animals have returned to their usual shy behaviour around humans. Because of that, a portion of the park has been reopened this week.

What you need to know right now, is that the green space remains closed, and residents are to remain on the pathways only. For the safety of the dogs and owners, no…

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Earlier this week, Royal LePage released their 2017 Canadian Recreational Housing Report, which outlines current statistics and trends in regards to the investment and recreational property market for this year. Among the most notable, was that Alberta recreation properties are recovering in sales, thanks the the continuously improving economy.

“Market conditions are favourable to buyers in the province’s recreational property segment, with prices having declined or remained flat for the last couple years during the economic slowdown,” said John Hripko, sales representative, Royal LePage Benchmark. “Buyers are currently recognizing that they’re in the midst of a very opportune time, cashing in on depressed property values while they…

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Every year (since 2013), our city marks the anniversary of the flood with community gatherings, block parties and family events to celebrate the neighbourly spirit in Calgary. 

If you're looking to take part in Calgary Neighbour Day, happening this Saturday, June 17th, here's what's happening in northwest Calgary:

  • Beddington: open to Beddington residents, take part in a barbecue at the park on Berwick Road and Berwick Drive NW from 12 to 2pm. More information online. 
  • Highland Park: the Highland Park Community Association is putting this free pancake breakfast on, which will include games and entertainment as well. Join at 3716 - 2 Street NW from 9am to 12pm. 
  • Highwood: this unique event is actually a plant exchange, where you can bring…

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Thinking of making the move to homeownership? Great! First there are some questions you should ask yourself to properly prepare for the exciting process ahead of you.

  • Are you ready to buy? Owning your own home is about more than just being able to decorate any way you like; it's about being prepared to maintain your home over the years, realizing that part of your income and time will go towards repairs and maintenance. It's about being willing to take the risks of home ownership with a realistic expectation of the rewards.
  • How much can you afford? It can be discouraging to find that your salary won't stretch as far as the home you want to own. However, sacrificing a huge part of your income just to pay the mortgage can very quickly make home…

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When it comes to purchasing power, the three most important factors are your income, debts and down payment. Any one of these can greatly impact the amount of mortgage you qualify for. Lenders are primarily concerned that housing expenses not exceed a certain percentage (28% - 32%) of the homeowner's gross monthly income. Housing expenses include monthly mortgage principal, interest payments, property taxes, condo fees, utilities and homeowner’s insurance.

Here's some solutions to some common debt and down payment problems:

DEBT

  • Consolidate your debts by taking out one loan and paying off your bills with the money.
  • Pay off long-term debts by using some of your cash and making a lower down payment.
  • Pay off long-term debt by selling…

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It's patio season—that time of year when your backyard becomes another living space. A lot of people will be building decks this over the next few months, so here are some helpful tips we came across to help you pick the right materials for the job.

Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a pro, the key to success is factoring in all the critical design issues, picking the right material for your budget, climate, and lifestyle, and building a structure that will stand the test of time. [This Old House]

CREATE THE BASE

  • The footings for your deck must meet local codes and be installed properly. The depth of your footings, which will be set in concrete.

CHOOSING THE WOOD

  • Cedar resists moisture, rot and insect infestations.
    • …

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Mount Pleasant is a beautifully treed community in Northwest Calgary that is very popular with home buyers. Confederation Park, a crescent shape park consisting of over 160 hectares, runs along the neighbourhood's north side. There is a wide variety of homes available in the area, including condos, townhomes, new infill homes, and war-time bungalows. The neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant offers an active community association which publishes a monthly newsletter and maintains a variety of community amenities and programs including the Sportsplex, sports and childrens' programs. The Sportsplex has an indoor ice rink popular for hockey and skating. There is an outdoor pool which offers swimming lessons and can be rented for private parties as well. Other…

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Starting for the 2016 tax year, which is generally due late this month, there are changes in place in regards to principal residences. Now, Canadian homeowners are required to report the sale of principal residences on their income tax returns, in order to claim the full principal residence exemption. 

In the past, many Canadians assumed that every sale of a residence was tax-free because of the Principal-Residence Exemption (PRE), and up until now the CRA has not required Canadians to report their sales. The result has been that many have sold residences, have not reported the sale, have paid no tax, even in situations where tax should have been owing. So finally the CRA decided to crack down.

When you sell your principal residence or when you…

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Citadel is a well established family oriented community in Northwest Calgary. It is beautifully maintained throughout the year and offers a variety of pathways, parks, playgrounds and recreational spaces. Due to the local geography, many of the homes in Citadel offer stunning mountain and ravine views.

Citadel was one of the first communities in Northwest Calgary to adopt a Home Owner Association (HOA) fee. As a result, it is one of the most attractive areas in NW Calgary with rustic brick walls, beautiful flowers, trees and immaculate parks. The Citadel community association is run by a group of volunteers who organize such great events as an annual Stampede Breakfast and a free Winter Gala. The community of Morningside is located on the east side of…

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