Kirby Cox's Calgary Real Estate Blog

Royal LePage: Calgary’s Housing Market is Resilient

Amidst the fall of the oil and gas industry that has been plaguing Alberta and the rest of the nation, the housing market in Calgary continues to hold its ground. Phil Soper, President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal LePage, has reported that we are currently seeing numbers that fall only ten per cent below the level of 2014’s peak housing market. Over a five-year period that included economic downfalls largely due to the oil and gas industry, it is incredible to see just how resilient the housing market in Calgary has remained. 

Calgary is currently situated in a buyer’s market with a high supply of properties listed and fewer buyers looking to purchase. While Calgary sits in this market, those looking to purchase a new property have many…

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How to Volunteer at the Calgary Food Bank

With Christmas around the corner, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of decorating, shopping, baking and all those festive tasks. However, Christmas is a stressful time for many people, especially the less fortunate in Calgary who perhaps don’t have the means to provide an extravagant day for their loved ones.

The Calgary Food Bank has been providing for those in need since 1982 and has grown into a million-dollar charitable organization with 9000 volunteers contributing to the cause. Every day, over 160 Calgarians volunteer their time to help those in need. This support has an enormous impact on the Calgary families and agencies to whom they provide emergency food resources.

Today, December 5th is International Volunteer Day so we…

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How to commemorate Remembrance Day in Calgary

Remembrance Day falls on a Sunday this year, allowing families the weekend to spend time together and commemorate the day as they see fit. November 11 holds a different meaning for everyone, whether your grandfather served, or your past three generations played a part in various military brigades. Remembrance Day is a time to stop, remember and appreciate the individuals who made this country, that we freely live in today, possible. Whether you are a ceremony person, or you prefer something a little more active, there are plenty of Remembrance Day events happening right here in Calgary. 

Remembrance Day at Fort Calgary

Join Calgary at a special service facilitated by the RCMP Veterans’ Association this year. The service will include bagpipes,…

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What's up with Calgary's Real Estate Market?

Calgary's Real Estate market continues to be stuck in the doldrums with the sales-to-new-listings ratio hovering around 47.4%. In simpler terms, of the 16,760 homes listed this year, only 7,945 have sold as of September 30th, 2018.  This continues to put us firmly in a continued Buyers market with Sellers needing to be very realistic about their home prices.

Part of the slowdown can be attributed to the new mortgage stress test rules that took effect in January. These new rules, that were put in place to curb price appreciation in Toronto and Vancouver, have left Calgary caught in the crossfire. Our economy also continues to struggle with unemployment, pipeline uncertainties as well as increases to minimum wage and its effect on small business owners.…

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The 4 Best Coffee Shops in Northwest Calgary

To some people, okay most people, coffee truly is their lifeblood. Coffee in the morning, coffee at work, coffee with friends, coffee in ice cream – our society really loves this little bean! Whether it’s the flavour you love or the caffeine you crave, coffee has become a staple in our everyday lives that simply can’t be ignored. 

There are hundreds of coffee shops scattered around Calgary and you have to wonder: which ones are the best? Whether you like a large cup of joe or a sweet, milky latte, every shop makes it uniquely. Different machines, new ingredients, beans from around the world – coffee at one shop can mean something completely different at another. If you frequent the northwest corner of the city, it might help to know which coffee…

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Many Northwest Communities are among Calgary's best!

It’s that time of year again – Calgary’s Best Neighbourhoods of 2018 is out! This annual survey is released each year to give Calgarians a chance to rank their own neighbourhood as well as learn about others. The survey is based on factors such as access to parks and pathways, walkability, the number of restaurants and pubs in the area and other qualities that are seen as desirable. Here at the northwest communities that made the top 25 this year: 

• Arbour Lake #2
  This area is located adjacent to the large Crowfoot shopping area, with all the amenities you can think of: a grocery store, movie theatre, bookstore, clothing shops, gas stations, restaurants, etc.

• Hamptons #3
  The Hamptons area is located just off Stoney Trail, with quick access…

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Tips for using a REALTOR®

Everyone knows that buying or selling a house is a big deal. It is most likely the most expensive purchase you will ever make, so you want to make sure it’s done right. Whether it is a condo, a townhouse or a single-family home, there are always hoops to jump through and tricks of the trade that will help make the process easier. This is where a REALTOR comes in. This professional knows the market well, understands the process of buying/selling and knows how to do it efficiently. Here are some of the top reasons you should use a REALTOR® to assist you in buying or selling a home.

Excess of Resources

A real estate agent is generally associated with a large realty company with countless resources and other professionals able to provide you with…

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Getting to know Edgemont

Urban sprawl is a term used to describe cities that decide to plan outwards instead of upwards, much like Calgary. When you live in the middle of the prairies with what seems to be endless land to build on, our city just continues to grow. Around 50 years ago, the community of Edgemont was near the ‘edge’ of the city, wrapping around the northwest side of Nose Hill Park in Calgary’s northwest quadrant. However, as Calgary continued to expand, Edgemont quickly became surrounded by other neighbourhoods and developed its very own community culture.  

Despite being located away from the highly populated city centre, the area of Edgemont is actually Calgary’s largest neighbourhood. According to the City of Calgary, there were over 16,000 people living…

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How Renovating your Kitchen can Boost your Home Investment

Whether you own a home or you are looking to buy, the kitchen is the lifeblood of the house. Not only do we cook, prepare food and eat in our kitchens, but we also spend quality time in them. Ever notice where the group congregates at a party or where people go first when they enter the house? Where else would you make your kids pancakes shaped like the first letter of their name or carve pumpkins at Halloween? The kitchen is the central place in a home where people meet, interact and enjoy food together. Therefore, when a home is being renovated, a new kitchen holds great potential for future investment.

According to a 2018 Royal LePage survey of 750 real estate experts, a kitchen renovation has the potential to boost a property’s value by more…

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How to Host the Perfect Backyard Soiree.

Calgary, summer is finally heating up in Calgary and we sure hope it’s here to stay! With the temperatures in the high 20s, it’s time to stock up on hot dogs, fruity popsicles and cases of beer for those hot days and late nights around the fire. July is shaping up to be the ideal backyard party month so here’s how to do it right. 

Music = Must

Nothing can bring a party down like a bad playlist. Find some music that keeps people attentive and moving, with a few tracks worth reminiscing and singing along to throughout the night. Not a huge music geek? That’s what the Internet is for. Sites like Spotify, Apple Music and 8tracks all host music online and create playlists with themes just for this occasion. Happy summer beats, chill hits or hot country…

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