Kirby Cox's Calgary Real Estate Blog

Calgarians were honoured for our response to the floods

On Tuesday, our city and its residents were presented with a huge honour. Governor General, David Johnston, came to our city this week to present Calgarians with a commendation of outstanding service, in the wake of our response to the flooding here in June.

Everyone in our city remembers how well we all pulled together to help out after that disastrous flood hit us, but to be recognized on a bigger scale is something really great for our city.

"People across the city raised their voices and asked, 'What can I do to help?'"

"And after the flood waters had receded, there was a renewed faith in the city, a willingness to roll up wet sleeves and plow forward to rebuild a better and stronger Calgary. You have earned, many times over, our pride and…

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Calgary has best new home price growth in Canada

Calgary has the best growth in new home prices in Canada, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The New Housing Price Index has marked a near 6% increase in our city from July of last year. To put that into perspective, that's the biggest price jump we've seen here since the real estate boom in 2007.

Nationally, our country has seen a 1.9 increase from the same time a year ago (so we're doing very well in comparison as well). On a monthly basis, prices increased here by 0.6% , compared to 0.2% across Canada.

Experts say our city is boasting a strong economy right now, and many factors are contributing to the rising demand in residential housing. Either way, it's great news for the real estate market in our city!

Learn more about…

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A warning to reduce power usage

Albertans are being urged to reduce their power use, due to high demand that is putting a lot of pressure on the system. The Alberta Electric Sytem Operator (AESO) issued a plea yesterday, after they were being forced to dip into emergency power reserves. So here's some tips on reducing your power consumption:

• Reduce the use or air conditioning
• Use major appliances only after 7pm
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances completely
• Closing blinds/shades during the hottest part of the day

There is still a chance of rolling blackouts to help conserve the energy. Stay tuned to social media or local news channels to be updated on the status of this.

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Questions for prospective homebuyers

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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Calgary's Best Neighbourhood: Arbour Lake

This year, Avenue Magazine's Best Neighbourhood title went to Arbour Lake. This community is one we work in, and have nothing but good things to say about!

Arbour Lake is Northwest Calgary's only lake community, featuring a trout stocked, 10 acre lake, mountain views, and plenty of parks and pathways. Located in the community is a state of the art YMCA, a brand new library, shopping centres and a community centre as well. 

The lake brings people together for fishing derbies, stand-up paddleboard races and bouncing on the water trampoline. Groceries are available at Amaranth Whole Foods Market and Co-op in Crowfoot Crossing. There are nearby spas and yoga studios, vet clinics and pet daycares, restaurants and pubs, movie theatres and a YMCA, as well…

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Calgary saw strong real estate growth last month

Earlier today the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), released the residential housing statistics for the month of July, showing strong growth. The flooding is suspected to have contributed to the increase in sales activity that we saw last month.

The total number of residential sales in July was 2,268, which is a 17% increase in activity from last year, and a 6% increase year-to-date. The CREB economist says displaced renters and others seeking accommodation is likely contributing, not to mention the very strained rental market in our city right now. With all these factors at play, the market is currently favouring sellers.

"Current market conditions have encouraged listing growth this month for single-family homeowners," said the CREB press…

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Asbestos Q & A

With the recent flooding in our city taking a toll on several homes, the issue of asbestos is getting more attention. We dug up a really great resource from CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation), that answered some common questions about asbestos.

What is asbestos?

It is a natural mineral that is strong enough to resist high temperatures, chemical attack and wear. It insulates well against heat and electrcity. Asbestos, although formerly used in many products, can cause serious health problems.

What are the health risks of asbestos?

The health risks associated with asbestos are only there when fibres are in the air when people breathe. The fibres lodge into the lungs, and can lead to severely impaired lung function, and even cancers…

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Flood Cleanup: Check for Accredited Tradespeople

When crisis hits, we'll take help from just about anywhere. But in the wake of the recent floods in our city, City of Calgary officials are urging Calgarians to take caution when hiring tradespeople to help rebuild homes. Reports of several unaccredited tradespeople doing work on destroyed homes, has already been reported. Be sure what to look for, or more damage could be done.

• Check references
• Ensure the contractor has liability insurance
• Ensure the contractor has Workers' Compensation
• Check if they have a warranty
• Get everything written in a contract to protect yourself

Some other tips to protect yourself:

• Don't accept door-to-door deals from contractors
• Check if they are RenoMark or BBB certified

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How to Prevent Mold in Your Home

Yes, spring is finally here! But, we should not forget that with the anticipation of warmer weather this season, we will always be met with a lot of precipitation too.

With rain, hail or even snow (as much as we hate to admit it), comes moisture and moisture is never good for your home. When excess moisture goes unnoticed in your home, mold can form. To understand mold a bit more, let’s go back to the basics.

Where does house mold come from?

The reproduction of mold occurs through tiny spores, that are present in outdoor and indoor air. The growth of mold indoors occurs when mold spores land on wet surfaces. 

What does mold look like?

Mold can look like spots. It can be many different colors, and it can smell musty. If you see or smell…

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Building a Deck: Choosing the Right Materials

It's that time of year when your backyard becomes another living space. A lot of people will be building decks this summer, and if you're one of them, here are some helpful tips we came across to help you pick the right materials for the job

CHOOSING THE WOOD

Cedar resists moisture, rot and insect infestations.

Douglas fir is very strong, and handles to power tools well. It is also decay, mold and insect repellant.

Redwood is easy to work with, naturally decay-resistant and should avoid warping and splitting.

Exotic wood choices are the most durable but also more expensive. Most exotic options are environmentally-friendly as well.

CHOOSING THE FINISH

Clear water sealer  is a transparent finish that provides dampness protection for the wood…

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