All Blog Entries by Kirby Cox

If you're wondering when the right time is to say goodbye to your family home and downsize to a home more suitable for your lifestyle and needs, consider these scenarios:

• You plan on travelling: if you're nearing a time in your life when you plan on seeing more of the world, then leaving a big home just sitting doesn't seem sensible. You can downsize to a home that's more appropriate, and then rent it out for the months you are away. 
• The kids have moved out: with your kids moving out and you becoming an empty-nester, you likely don't need the same amount of space anymore. This also leads into the next point...
• You have empty rooms: if you have rooms in your house (especially bedrooms) that are sitting empty and you can't come up with a

Finding a home, you know you can live with can be difficult business. Whether buying a brand-new house from a builder or a resale home there are a number of things you should look for. It’s also important to keep in mind that new homes can be just as problematic as older homes. First of all, let me start by saying it almost always makes sense to hire a qualified home inspector and it can potentially protect you from costly surprises down the road. 

However, if you anticipate serious problems (that you’re not prepared to remedy) in the house, you’re better off saving the cost of a home inspection and moving on to a more suitable prospect. Here are some things to watch for to determine a house’s overall quality before you commit to the cost of hiring

• Canmore leads the way with 10.2% price increase
• Prairies see softening in both prices and sales
• Prices in British Columbia to remain stable while sales continue to decline

The Royal LePage 2019 Recreational Housing Report indicates vacation homes in Canada saw healthy price gains going into the 2019 spring market, rising 5.0% to $411,471 compared to last year. As high demand in Ontario and Quebec continue to put upward pressure on prices, Royal LePage is predicting another year of increases (4.7%) offsetting softer market conditions in BC.

Weak demand in British Columbia (mirroring the residential market) and low inventory in Ontario were behind a decline in total Canadian recreational property sales (-8.3%).

Both Ontario and

Finally some good news in the Calgary Real Estate market, where we're seeing an improvement in sales relative to the number of homes on the market. The uptick in sales for May 2019 was met with a decrease in new listings, easing the pressure on inventory levels throughout the City of Calgary. Homes priced under $500,000 are the driving force behind this sales growth, which we hope to see continue into the move-up market.

"While sales activity remains low based on historical activity for May, the easing prices have brought some people back to market, while also preventing some others from listing their homes,” according to CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie, “This has started to push the market towards more balanced conditions. If this trend

Summertime in Calgary means something different to everyone. For some, it means floating down the Bow River with their friends; for others, it means hiking through the mountains or taking walks on our world-class pathways. Of course, there’s also the world-famous Calgary Stampede that takes over the city for two weeks in July. It is deemed to be the ‘greatest show on Earth,’ but we also boast a wide variety of other festivals. There is always something for everyone here in Calgary. Here’s a list of the best festivals around this summer:

• Sled Island Music Festival takes place each year in mid-June, bringing together over 200 performers that range from comedians and artists to films and, of course, live music. Spread over five days and 35

Spring is finally here and with it comes everyone’s favourite activity: spring cleaning! It might seem like a difficult task at first, but once you get started, you might even enjoy the clean outcome. Here, we’ve got eight tips to help make your house sparkle this spring:

1.  Use doormats to help mitigate dust. Put one outside your front door and one inside. To keep the outdoor mat clean, give it a spray with your hose now and then; stay on top of dust inside by vacuuming both sides of the indoor mat. 
2. Wait for an overcast day so you’re not bombarded with direct sunlight (which causes streaks) to wash your windows. Use glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to clean the windows themselves, then pull the blinds down and wipe them with a duster. If

The snow is melting and the paths are finally starting to dry off, so that means it’s time to hop on your bike, feel the wind in your helmet and the bugs in your teeth. Each year, more and more people are choosing to ride to work so that they can avoid traffic and get in better shape simultaneously. It may take longer to get to your destination, but you’ll feel better with the extra sunlight and exercise that riding outside brings.

Riding a Bike

Now, as fun as biking can be, it can also be dangerous. There are many hazards to look out for: 

•      Drivers may fail to notice you when you’re riding, so keep your eye on them when going through intersections. Even if you’re in the bike lane with the right of way, they might not see you.

World Yoga Day falls on Friday, June 21 this year. In preparation, we’re highlighting some of the top yoga studios in northwest Calgary so that you can become a pro before the big day. The growing collection of studios in Calgary has made it easier than ever to get your sweat on and stretch out those tight muscles. Tap into the countless health benefits that have been associated with practicing yoga as you learn to perfect one of 2019’s top fitness trends.

Healing with Yoga & More

Location: Montgomery Park NW

Participate in a wide variety of meditation, yoga asana, pranayama and subtle body practices at Healing with Yoga & More. With over 13 years of teaching experience, you can attend philosophy lectures, yoga nidra healing classes,

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

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