Today, Royal LePage released their 2016 Canadian Recreational Housing Report, which outlines current statistics and trends in regards to the investment and recreational property market for this year. The biggest (and most notable) driving factors for recreational properties this year are Generation X (36 to 51-years old) buyers and the need to accommodate desired lifestyles. 

“Canada’s extended low interest rate environment has clearly provided buyers with the confidence they need to invest in a cottage or cabin. In contrast to urban home purchase decisions, buying a property on a lakefront or mountainside is much less about interest rates, and more about enhancing lifestyle. Cash savings trump mortgage financing when it comes to how people are…

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Parkdale is a desirable inner city neighbourhood located just below the Foothills Hospital next to the Bow River in Calgary. Homes in the area consist of original war time bungalows and newly built infills and condos. Its close proximity to the Bow River pathway system make it a great choice for those who like to bike, run, walk and enjoy all that the river has to offer.

Recreation

The community of Parkdale offers a variety of fitness classes, cooking classes, and sports. Because of its proximity to the Bow River, it also offers easy access to residents to the running paths where one can enjoy walking, roller blading and cycling. Canada Olympic Park is also a quick drive away and offers world class training for a multitude of sports including…

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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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An area home buyers often forget to budget for is closing costs. Whether you're selling or buying real estate in Calgary, there will be certain costs associated with the finalization of the transaction that you should be prepared for. This is a brief rundown, and just a guideline, your REALTOR® or broker can provide you with more exact numbers.

For Buyers:

  • Costs can range from 1.5 to 5% of total purchase price, excluding sown payment. For example, a purchase price of $250,000 would yield:
  • Inspections: $400-$500

  • Mortgage application (could be waived) $200-$400

  • Mortgage insurance $2000

  • Legal fees $900+

  • GST (for new homes only) - varies

  • Home and content insurance $450 

  • Moving and/or storage $500

For Sellers:

  • …

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Should you buy a brand new home that you can customize, or choose a resale one that's move-in ready? Both options present advantages, and there is no right answer, it's totally up to the buyer.

Not sure if you should buy a new build or a resale home? The decision isn’t always simple or obvious. That’s because it’s more than a dollars-and-cents debate, it’s a choice between lifestyles. Some people love the clean lines of a modern space while others fall in love with architectural embellishments of older homes. To help you decides answer these six simple questions. [Money Sense]


We've outlined a couple benefits of each:

Buying New

  • Personalized home: with new homes you can choose the colours, fixtures and upgrades such as lighting and…

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Edenwold Heights, Edgemont
Arriva Calgary Condos

Perched atop of Edgemont and Nose Hill Park is the 252 suite condo complex known as Edgecliff Estates. Built in the early 1990s of wood-frame construction, the complex was always designed for young buyers who wanted to leave their parents’ home and still be close to the University of Calgary and SAIT.

The 9 building, 3 storey complex is completely a walk-up (no elevator), so unless you’re on the main floor, you’ll be carrying your groceries and asking your friends to help you move. The size of the condos vary from 1 bedroom units at 700 square feet to 2 bedrooms nearing 1000 square feet.  The South facing units of Buildings 1 and 2 boast some spectacular views of downtown Calgary and the Mountains. They rarely come up for…

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May is BBQ Month, and with promise, the weather will return to sunny, favourable conditions soon. Now is the perfect time to get your patio or deck ready for sun and grilling with family and friends!

Here's some quick tips for cleaning your patio:

For Wood Patios:

  • Clean off debris from your deck
  • Inspect for damages: loose boards, nails or rough spots
  • Replace boards if necessary
  • Replace or fix protruding nails
  • Smooth/sand out any rough spots (may need to repaint or restain these spots)
  • Use a deck cleaner (available at hardware stores, ask about the best type for your material)
  • Wear protection when using the cleaner, and hose off patio with water after 20 minutes

For Concrete Patios:

  • Check for weeds that tend to…

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The suburbs are still the number one choice for Calgarians choosing to buy (according to the 2014 City of Calgary census), and if you've never considered living in the suburbs, they have a lot to offer. There are some common misconceptions about living the suburbs that may be holding you back, and we're going to dispell them right now.

  • The suburbs are too far from everything: this couldn't be farther from the truth in Calgary. Calgary's suburb communities are self-sustaining neighbourhoods which all have easy access to major roadways and transportation options. Almost every suburb community in Calgary is within a 20-minute drive to downtown.
  • There's no amenities: again, each suburb community in Calgary is self-sustaining. There are plenty of…

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650 - 10 Street SW
Arriva Calgary Condos

The Axxis is a 25 storey building in the Downtown West End part of the core.  Built in 2000, the Axxis offered high quality views bundled with ordinary finishes and affordable prices. These days the Axxis sits in the middle of many high-rises but hasn’t lost its charm or affordability.  View units for sale in Axxis here.  Some of the units have updated the original maple cabinets and the white appliances but the prices are still about $400-450 per square foot. All of the 156 units in the building offer 2 bedrooms and 2 baths with most of the floor plans having the living space separating the bedrooms. There is an owner’s lounge on the main floor as well as an updated gym right next to it.

These days there is renewed interest in…

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The small Northwest community of MacEwan Glen is located at the North end of Nose Hill Park. This mature established neighbourhood consists mainly of single detached homes with a scattering of townhome & half-duplexes. It is located in the Sandstone Valley and is neighbors to it's sister community of Sandstone. Residents have plenty of recreation opportunies at Nosehill Park, one of Canada's largest municipal reserves.

RECREATION

MacEwan Glen a charming area closely linked to the outdoors, with a number of parks and walking paths winding their way throughout the community, linking to Nose Hill Park at its South border. Stoney and Deerfoot Trails are closeby too, so everything from golf courses, the airport and recreational facilities are in easy…

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