Despite sounding like an ornithological journal, the National Migration Trend Report is actually an annual publication by that esteemed purveyor of inexpensive moving trucks, U-Haul. The report looks at one-way trips to any city in Canada as an indicator of relocating families and individuals, and found that in 2012, more people moved to Calgary than any other city. Not a huge surprise given Calgary’s upbeat economy, lack of snow (ha, ha), and excellent Realtors (that’s not a joke). Our province’s population is growing at more than double the national average, and Alberta is predicted to become the country’s third-largest province (leapfrogging BC) is just eight years. So next time you’re grouchy because traffic is snarled by yet another infrastructure project, bear in mind how many more people there are going to be on our roads in a few years.

141 Wentworth Pt SW

80 Everglade Dr Se, Airdrie

What a deal! Over 1500 square feet of fully developed space, and there’s even a garage! And this place is nice, too; tastefully appointed, including fresh paint and hardwood floors. Lots of large windows let the natural light flood in. The floor plan is one that works well with a large kitchen that has a ton of counter space. French doors lead to a huge deck. The location is superb, the home backs south onto a green-space with a pathway, and it’s just a short walk to Nose Creek Park. AE Bowers Elementary School and Muriel Clayton Middle school are an easy walk away. Grab this one while you can.

To view more photos, floorplan and full listing details visit our webpage.

150, 2211 – 19th Street NE

This is a great starter home! Good 3 bedroom town home away from streets and traffic. Easy access to the downtown core, schools, shopping and the airport. Possession is flexible. Act quickly!!

To view more photos and full listing details visit our webpage.

The roughly four square kilometre community of West Springs was once part of the MD of Rockyview, before the land was annexed by the City in the mid-90s. In 2001, West Springs proper was established, and since then it has grown to a population of more than 8000 residents, including the smaller sub-communities of Wentworth, Springside, and West Springs Farm. Skirting the westernmost limits of Calgary’s southern limits, West Springs is an upper-middle class community with average incomes around $90,000 per year; the median price of West Springs homes sold last month was about $550,000.

Wentworth is a small community of about 1000 people located within the larger area of West Springs, in southwest Calgary. Household incomes in West Springs are significantly higher than much of the city, averaging about $110,000 annually. Not surprisingly, then, homes tend to be large and pricey; 97% of homes are owned, as opposed to rented. Springside is a roughly 500 home community on 100 acres of land in West Springs off the west end of Bow Trail.

The Calgary Board of Education recently opened a new elementary school in West Springs, serving students up to grade 6, and there are also local junior high and high schools along with a Catholic elementary school and a private, hockey-focused school in the community.

Residents of West Springs tend to appreciate the relatively short commute times to downtown, with Bow Trail going right into their neighbourhood and the convenience of the new west LRT line that opened last fall. Some parts of West Springs are also walking distance to Canada Olympic Park, home to parks and pathways shared with Springbank, and not all that far from the mountain playground we have nearby.

To see our West Springs listings, view our Featured Listings.  To see homes available in West Springs, do a Quick Search.

To get a complete market report on West Springs, or any other neighbourhood you are interested in, use our quick and easy market report request.

In the second of my ongoing Focus On series, lets look at Tuscany, Calgary’s largest community with more than 19,000 residents in a little under seven square kilometres. Tuscany is known for its vast ravine system that offers ample walking and cycling opportunities, as well as its impressive mountain views. In good weather and bad, the sidewalks are nearly always busy with stroller-pushing moms and dads, dog walkers, and lycra-clad runners. The Tuscany Club, housed in the centre of the community, acts as a hub for all kinds of activities including yoga and dance classes, a highly-regarded preschool, and popular events to mark every major occasion of the calendar year including a massive Stampede breakfast in July.

Having only been around since 1994, Tuscany is one of the city’s newer communities, however it is firmly established and well planned. A C-train extension is planned for a 2014 opening, which should help commuters cut down on travel times, but many residents are as likely to go to Cochrane for services as downtown Calgary as Tuscany sits on the city’s westernmost boundary.

Tuscany median household income is a little over $92,000, with homes averaging $456,000 and condos $302,000 in 2012.

To see our Tuscany listings, view our Featured Listings.  To see homes available in Tuscany, do a Quick Search.

To get a complete market report on Tuscany, or any other neighbourhood you are interested in, use our quick and easy market report request.

From time to time, I’m going to focus on communities in and around Calgary as – like all Realtors worth their salt – I’m fascinated by the intricacies and individuality that define them. Today, let’s look at Varsity, which was named Avenue Magazine’s Best Neighbourhood in their 2011 & 2012 features. Encompassing both the University of Calgary and Market Mall, Varsity was established in 1963, and grew throughout the 60s and early 70s to nearly seven square kilometres. Varsity’s population grew a little over 1% from 2011 to 2012, to about 12,200 people, with a median household income of nearly $59,000.

About a third of the residences in Varsity are rentals, which makes sense given its close proximity to the University; the average home was assessed at $527,000 in 2012, while condos averaged $238,000. Varsity supports three public elementary schools, a public junior high, and a Catholic elementary and high school.

Gord Smith, the general manager of the Varsity Community Association, has sat on the Better Business Bureau’s board of directors for many years. The Association hosts a wide variety of activities, including Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, and a Good Samaritans program where volunteers help local seniors with daily tasks and chores.

To see homes available in Varsity, do a Quick Search.

To get a complete market report on Varsity, or any other neighbourhood you are interested in, use our quick and easy market report request.

55 Wentworth Circle SW

What a great deal for a great home! Just one block from Joan of Arc Catholic elementary and also within the walk-zone for West Springs public elementary. Downtown is an easy commute via a short drive or you can use the newly-opened West LRT station. This home boasts a unique and functional open floor plan with a fully developed basement which includes a full bath, an extra bedroom and a large family/rec room. Even with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and 2500 developed square feet, this is still the best deal in Springside. Upgraded hardwood is found on the main floor, AND up the stairs and throughout all upper bedrooms. Other recent upgrades include all the trim, a fully fenced yard, and programmable irrigation. The home has central air-conditioning too, so you’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep every night. Ahhh!

For more photos, virtual tour & full listing details visit our webpage.

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Whether you are looking to buy, sell, or just want to keep up-to-date on market trends, this free report is an excellent tool.  Simply fill in your information and you’ll automatically receive a detailed sales-history report with information about home values in your neighbourhood, complete with pricing information, addresses, and pictures.  Be the expert on your block!

I mentioned this in a previous post, but it bears repeating: the Alberta government is seeking public input on ways the Condominium Property Act can be improved through a survey available until May 2. As was discussed in the Calgary Herald on Tuesday, plenty of people have had less than stellar experiences with condo boards, builders, contractors, and the like (although many, many more have never had a problem with their condo or condo board), and there may be ways the Condominium Property Act can be updated to better reflect current realities. It’s been 13 years since the Act was last revised; in that time, tens of thousands of units have been built and their average price has tripled. Our market’s not the same as it was in Y2K – help the government figure out what’s changed, and make things better for buyers, sellers, and builders alike.