Best March Sales in Over a Decade.

City of Calgary, April 1, 2021 - The initial impact of COVID-19 on the housing market began last March. One year later, it is not a surprise that March sales in 2021 were higher than in 2020. However, at 2,903 sales, this was the highest March total since 2007. “Low lending rates and improved savings have supported sales activity,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “However, sales have been somewhat restricted by the lack of listings. This month there was a jump in new listings, contributing to the strong monthly sales.” Inventory levels pushed above 5,400 units, but citywide months of supply fell below two months. This reflects the lowest months of supply for March since 2014 and these tight conditions have contributed to price gains. In March, the benchmark price trended up over last month to $441,900, over six per cent higher than last year’s levels. The price gains have moved the market closer to recovery,...

City of Calgary, March 1, 2021 - With gains in every price range, residential sales activity in February totalled 1,836. This reflects the best February since 2014. “Despite continued COVID-19 restrictions, housing activity continues to improve. Much of the strong sales activity is expected to be driven by exceptionally low mortgage rates,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Confidence is also likely improving as vaccine rollouts are underway. Additionally, some of the worst fears concerning the energy sector are easing with recent gains in energy prices.” New listings also improved in February, but the gap between new listings and sales narrowed. This is causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to rise to 65 per cent, keeping the months of supply well below three months. Conditions are far tighter in the detached sector of the market, especially for product priced below $600,000, where strong sellers’ market conditions are present with less than...

A new garage door can be a complete refresh. 

Check out the difference online before taking the plunge.

Amarr Door Design is a fantastic and super easy process.

Before:

Using Door Designer to pick  

City of Calgary - January 2021 sales were the highest they have been for the month since 2014, as housing market momentum from the end of 2020 carried over into the start of 2021. Sales activity improved across all product types and across all price ranges. “Discount lending rates are exceptionally low, which is likely attracting all types of buyers back into the market,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “New listings in the market were also slightly higher than what was available over the past two months, which is providing more options to purchasers.” January’s new listings were 2,249 relative to the 1,208 sales in the market, causing inventories to edge up over December levels. These types of movements are typical for January, but 2021 is starting the year with 4,044 units in inventory. This is far lower than the past six years. Benchmark prices remained at levels relatively consistent with prices recorded at the end of 2020, but they reflect...

There are many Xcountry Skiing trails in and around Calgary. South Glenmore Park and Bowness park are maintained by the City of Calgary parks department.

There is also cross country skiing at some City of Calgary golf courses (stay off the fairways/greens and on the designated trails - if people abuse the golf courses they will no longer stay open to winter activities):

Maple Ridge Golf Course - tracks set by skiers, sometimes by the City.

Shaganappi Golf Course - trails at Shaganappi are maintained by volunteers from the Shaganappi Nordic Operations Club. Grooming for skate skiing will be done a minimum once a week, more frequently depending on volunteer availability.

Confederation Golf Course - maintained by Foothills Nordic Ski Club volunteers

Calgary has many sites that are ungroomed and open to the public but do not recieve tracksetting. Parks and schoolyards offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Some ungroomed areas include:

• Weaselhead Natural...

The city of Calgary has several skating locations that are nicely maintained for leisure skating. 2020 brought two skating trails as a trial (at Bowness and North Glenmore Park).  In addition to these parks, most communities in Calgary maintain an outdoor skating rink. Many have both a rink with boards as well as a small leisure skate area.

Outdoor rinks may open or close on short notice, it is best to check current ice status before you head out.

Big Marlborough Park

Skating rink.  Address:6033 Madigan Dr. N.E.

Skating hours: 5 a.m - 11 p.m. daily

Bowness Park

Lagoon and new ice trail.  Address:8900 48 Ave. N.W.

Skating hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily

Rentals: available;  skates, ice bikes, helmets (rental availability may differ from skating hours)

Carburn Park

Skating rink.  Address:67 Riverview Dr. S.E.

Skating hours: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily

North Glenmore Park 

New ice trail and skating rink (small square in the middle of the skating loop). &nb...

With December sales of 1,199, this is the highest December total since 2007. “Housing demand over the second-half of 2020 was far stronger than anticipated and nearly offset the initial impact caused by the shutdowns in spring. Even with the further restrictions imposed in December, it did not have the same negative impact on housing activity like we saw in the earlier part of the year,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. Attractive interest rates along with prices that remain lower than several years ago have likely supported some of the recovery in the second half of the year. However, it is important to note that annual sales activity declined by one per cent compared to last year and remain well below long-term averages. New listings in December increased by 11 per cent. However, the number of sales exceeded the number of new listings in December contributing to further declines in inventory. Reductions in supply and improving demand in the second half of the...

The average household spends thousands a year on lighting, heating, cooling and other electrical requirements. When you reduce your energy consumption, you also lower the production of greenhouse gases.

   Purchase appliances that have an Energy Star label.

Energy Star products have been manufactured to work efficiently by using minimal amounts of electricity. Excessive carbon pollution, created by burning fossil fuels, causes drastic changes in climate. When you purchase Energy Star products, you can be assured that you have selected appliances that will reduce your carbon emission footprint.

 Insulate your home and Re-Seal leaks

Add loose fill insulation or blanket insulation to the floor of your attic. Since heat rises, it is important that warm air does not escape through your roof! Before you add insulation, make sure that the old material is disposed appropriately. Consult a home renovation specialist to determine the best type of insulation for your home.

 ...

With lengthening days and milder temperatures in many parts of the country, April is a wonderful time to freshen up the home inside and out. To get sparkling windows, a clutter-free garage and more, here are 14 tasks to make the most of the first full month of spring.

Getting your Calgary home ready for sale. 

A cluttered home feels smaller and more crowded than it really is.  Clutter makes a home feel like there is a lack of storage space.  One of the most cluttered space I typically see is the kitchen.  It is after all deemed by most as the most important place in the home, the heart of the home. 

Start with the surface areas that you can see.

Step 1.  Give the kitchen a general cleaning.  You will be giving it a super sparkling clean once it’s de-cluttered.

Step 2.  Clear personal clutter out, calendars with appointments, day timers.  Kids’ toys, homework . . . all of it.

Step 3.  Clear everything off the fridge.  All those photos, sticky note reminders.  Everything.  Tuck it into a folder and pack it away.

Step 4.  Clear the counters.  All the small appliances must go.  Yes, that means the...