In the realm of home safety, certain dangers lurk beneath our notice. One such hidden hazard is radon gas – a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that can seep into homes and pose serious health risks. 

As uranium breaks down, it releases radon gas, which can then enter homes through cracks and openings in the foundation, walls, and floors. Once indoors, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels, exposing inhabitants to increased health risks.

Prolonged exposure to elevated radon levels is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The danger lies in the fact that radon is undetectable by human senses, making it crucial for homeowners to actively test for its presence.

Homeowners can easily test for radon using radon test kits, available at most home improvement stores, Amazon or through professional radon testing services (google or see below for links). Short-term tests typically last between 2 to 7 days, providing a snapshot of radon levels, while long-term tests offer a more comprehensive view over a period of several months (long term is ideal). Testing should be conducted in the lowest livable area of the home, such as the basement or ground floor, where radon concentrations are likely to be highest.

If test results reveal elevated radon levels, it's essential to take prompt action to mitigate the risk. Radon mitigation involves installing systems that prevent radon from entering the home or that redirect the gas away from living spaces. 

Find out more:

www.canada.ca/radon

www.radoncare.ca

www.greatwestradon.com

https://www.radonwest.com/

https://www.arpis.com/indoor-air/radon/

https://www.calgary.ca/environment/programs/radon.html

https://www.airthings.com/resources

https://www.ucalgary.ca/risk/environment-health-safety/environment/radon

*Data sourced from CREB (Calgary Real Estate Board)

Strong migration and low supply drive Calgary housing prices in 2023 - Sales in 2023 did ease relative to last year's peak, but with 27,416 sales, levels were still far higher than long-term trends and activity reported before the pandemic. While sales stayed relatively strong, there was a notable shift in activity toward more affordable apartment condominiums style homes. “Higher lending rates dampened housing demand this year, but thanks to strong migration levels, housing demand remained relatively strong, especially for affordable options in our market,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “At the same time, supply levels were low compared to the demand throughout the year, resulting in stronger than expected price growth.” Inventory levels were persistently below long-term trends for the city throughout most of the year, averaging a 44 per cent decline over the 10-year average. We also saw the months of supply remain well below two months throughout most of the year across homes priced below $1,000,000. The persistently tight conditions contributed to our city's new record high price. While the average annual benchmark price growth did slow from 12 per cent in 2022 to nearly 6 per cent growth in 2023, the price growth was still relatively strong especially compared to some markets in the country.

December 2023 CREB Calgary Real Estate Full Report

December 2023 CREB Calgary REGION Real Estate Full Report