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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Arbour Lake is Northwest Calgary's only lake community, featuring a trout stocked, 10 acre lake, mountain views, and a plethora of parks and walkways. Located in the community is the brand new state of the art public high school, Robert Thirsk. Recreation opportuities abound in Arbour Lake, with swimming, boating, fishing, and skating areas and facilities to choose from. Within the community is also the newly built Crowfoot Library offering stunning mountain views and access to resources for learning, enrichment, and enjoyment. Walking paths, ravines, and greenbelts make this beautiful area a very walk-friendly community.

Arbour Lake is truly a community that has it all. Located next to Crowfoot Crossing, one of the largest outdoor malls in Calgary,…

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Royal Oak is located in Calgary's far Northwest. The community consists of wetlands, treed areas and a ridge that overlooks the picturesque Rocky Mountains. There is also plenty of green space, an environmental reserve, playgrounds, a wading pool and a pathway system that winds through the community and connects with the city's pathway network.

Established in 1998, this beautiful community is blessed with a gently rolling topography which gives many of the homes spectacular mountain views. There is a mixture of homes for everyone - from apartment condos and townhouses, starter to estate homes, and villas for the empty nesters. Royal Oak is comprised of the "subdivisions" of Royal Oak Estates at the South end of the community, the Royal Highlands and…

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The Northwest Calgary community of Hawkwood features stunning views of both the city and the Rocky Mountains. It was established in 1981 and named after its original landowners, John and Joseph Hawkwood. Homes in Hawkwood include retirement condos, mid-range homes, and estate homes.

The shopping plazas in Hawkwood offer convenience stores, drycleaners, restaurants & childcare facilities. Additional shopping is minutes away at the Crowfoot Shopping complex - with Safeway, Co-op and Rona among its many retailers. The Crowfoot library, LRT & YMCA are also found here. The newly developed Beacon Hill shopping district is just North of Hawkwood - with anchors such as Costco, Home Depot and Canadian Tire. There are also two churches - St. Thomas United and…

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