If you’ve seen anything in the news about residential real estate lately, it’s probably been doom-and-gloom talk about how sales in January were down nearly 40 percent from January 2014 – you know, the year of record sales when I barely had time to grab a coffee between appointments many days. That kind of talk sells newspapers (at least, as much as newspapers sell these days) and plays nicely into the narrative that Alberta’s on the cusp of an economic apocalypse, but the truth is, the market’s doing just fine, and should continue to do so throughout the year.

We’ll likely continue to see lower year-over-year sales and price increases in residential homes over the next few months, which is to be expected: not only is the lower oil price slowing our economy, but Calgary went from a red hot sellers’ market early last year to a more balanced and sustainable one in the latter half. That balance – having the right number of properties for sale in relation to the number looking to buy – is ideal, and healthy. Without needing to rush buying decisions, but still having plenty of selection from which to choose, Realtors like myself can better help home buyers find homes that meet their needs and satisfy their wants. (For more on buyers’ vs sellers’ markets, and some consideration on when is the right time to sell your home, visit here.)

Despite the actual number of sales going down in January, there was both an increase in the number of properties listed and a healthy 7.7 percent increase in the year-over-year benchmark selling price. Nothing to worry about on that front.

Could the market slow down significantly? Sure, it’s possible, especially with the talk of major cuts across the board in the next provincial budget. People who were on the fence about selling and are now afraid prices are going to crater will go ahead and list their homes to beat the rush, while others may decide to downsize as their personal financial situation changes. And without a doubt, this year’s market won’t be nearly as hot as 2014’s. Still, as you’re reading or watching news stories about the dire future of Calgary real estate, take a moment to remember the solid fundamentals on which our housing market is based; there’s no bubble to be found here, which means there may be a slowdown, but there won’t be a crash.

Questions about the right time to buy and sell in our current economy? Contact me!

Also: the Calgary Home + Garden Show is quickly approaching, and organizers have sent out a Valentine’s Day promotion. To buy tickets for the event (taking place February 26-March 1 at the BMO Centre) and save $5 in the process, click here and use the promo code LOVE. Offer is valid until February 18.

260 Walden Me SE

Massive pie lot. Fresh contemporary decor. Open Jayman plan with a large breakfast bar and a separate eating area. Tones of windows let the natural light from the west facing back yard flood in, and what a yard. It’s HUGE! Seriously, its nearly a 1/4 acre! Large bonus room with tall ceilings. Big master bedroom with a large ensuite that includes a deep soaker tub and a separate shower. Upper floor laundry. Extra long double garage. Unspoiled basement awaits your storage items or future development plans. Furnace includes an HRV system (an eco-friendly fresh air supply). This is a great home at a great price.

To  view virtual tour, floor plan, more photos and full listing details visit my web page.

51 Coral Springs Cl NE

Original owner home, first time offered for sale! This one is a good one; clean, fresh, and well-maintained. There’s lots of space for the family. Living room / dining room plan with a large breakfast nook. Enclosed family room with a fireplace and a door to close out the TV noise. Upstairs you’ll find a large bonus room and three good-sized bedrooms. The master’s ensuite has a stand-up shower and a separate deep soaker tub. Main-floor laundry and a large double garage. the unspoiled basement is awaiting your storage items or finishing ideas. Plenty of parking available.

To view the virtual tour, more photos, floor plan and full listing details visit my web page.

24096 434 Ave W

Great piece of land with gorgeous sweeping mountain and valley views; tons of potential here. 39.51 acres on a paved road just south of Okotoks. Two approved single family homes, one a 1988 bungalow at approx 1000 sq.ft with 3 bedrooms, 1 bedroom and an over sized single garage, the other an older 2109 sq. ft 3-level split, with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Both homes are owner occupied, and require updating as they are in original condition. The property has a dug-out pond, a grainery, and a barn with power, water, 2 box stalls, 4 tie stalls and a tack room. First time on the market as it has been in the same family for many years.

To view more photos and full listing details visit my web page.

Holey moley, were those record-breaking weekend temperatures pretty great, or what? I hope you managed to get some outdoor time with your family to soak up this rather stellar chinook.

Don’t let the disappearing snow fool you, though: we’re still in the dead of winter, and have more -30 days ahead of us. With that in mind, it’s not a bad idea to ensure all this runoff isn’t going to damage your home when the party’s over: check for pools of standing water near your foundation, and take this opportunity to repair and clean out your downspouts. If for some reason you decide to turn the water back on for your outdoor hoses, don’t forget to shut it back off and drain the hoses again before anything bursts. If your flower beds have perennials, like strawberry plants and the like in them, ensure they don’t get too dry after the snow cover disappears – otherwise they might not come back.

And for those of you not subscribing to Edmonton’s push to keep Christmas lights up through February to make winter more bearable, now’s a good time to box up those LEDs too.

Otherwise, get out there while the sun is shining and get some colour on your pasty self!

Chinooks are also a great time to house shop – to chat about your options, give us a call!

458 Elgin Gd SE

Awesome end-unit with extra windows. Upgrades galore and neat as a pin. Double-master plan with dual ensuites, plus a half-bath on the main. Vaulted main level with 13-foot ceilings and extra big windows to let the light shine in. Rich hardwood and porcelain tile through-out the main level. Entertain in the massive kitchen with a breakfast bar island and a separate dining area open to the main level through iron railings. Each bedroom boasts walk-in closets. Don’t forget the insulted double attached garage. Located in the heart of Elgin in McKenzie Towne; close to restaurants, transit and many other amenities. Situated just off the centre courtyard, and right beside visitor parking for the convenience of your guests.

To view more photos, floor plan, virtual tour and full listing details visit my web page.

56 Silverado Range Cl SW

What a great place to call home! Perfect starter home in Silverado with lots of space; over 1600 sq.ft developed. Huge main floor with hardwood floors and soaring vaulted ceilings for that airy feel. Open maple kitchen with a walk-in pantry and a large breakfast bar. The master bedroom is big too, with a generous walk-in closet and views to the back yard. The family room boasts lots of space and big bright windows plus a fireplace. Low-maintenance landscaping with a great composite deck and fence and room for a 2 car garage. Also included are 2 sheds for extra storage. walking paths and a great playground are half a block away. Conveniently located close to public transportation, shopping, coffee shops and dining. There is tremendous value here.

To view more photos, floor plan, virtual tour and full listing details visit my web page.

Here we are starting off a new year and, as is often the case in Alberta where unpredictable resource revenues can drive the economy like a 14 year-old with his learner’s permit, markets and fortunes are highly unpredictable. Unpredictability can lead to fear, and fear can lead to bad choices.

So, I encourage you, as much as is possible, to take a breath and not get too wrapped up in the apocalyptic talk of bargain basement oil prices and an exodus of producers from our province.

Yes, the global oil market is somewhat flooded right now, and that’s not good in the immediate term for companies operating in this province, especially smaller operations with thin margins and little cushion. Businesses will inevitably pull out or cut back, and that means lost jobs, and that’s always tragic.

However, some economists are looking at the worldwide picture and Alberta’s history, and are taking an optimistic view. Three were asked by Maclean’s magazine to give an outlook on 2015 all suggested oil prices would be back up to the $75-$80 per barrel range by year’s end.

This isn’t a blog about oil, though; it’s about real estate. Calgary’s market no doubt had the best year in the country, and while things are inevitably going to slow down a bit, there’s nothing to suggest we won’t lead the pack again in 2015. From April 2013 to April 2014, nearly 40,000 people moved to our fair city, and they gotta live somewhere. Our red hot economy might experience a bit of a cool down, but I expect Calgary will continue to offer bountiful employment in a variety of industries, keeping the real estate market healthy. Interest rates aren’t expected to spike any time soon, and inventories should remain stable; you’re probably not going to see your property value go up 15 percent next year, but it will probably go up at least a bit.

My dad and I can count 2014 as a banner year for us, as we were steadily busy throughout, with periods of extreme activity keeping things interesting. A heartfelt thank you to all of my clients, both buyers and sellers, along with my trusted vendors, and of course my family who put up with an unpredictable schedule and obnoxious hours. I truly love what I do, but it wouldn’t be possible without the support of these people.

All the best to you and your family in 2015 – it’s going to be an exciting ride!

Looking for a dedicated Realtor? Contact us!

With Christmas season in full swing, you’re probably dividing your free time between madly shopping and decking your halls. But if you have your home on the market, how can you bring a little festive cheer without turning off potential buyers?

The key is moderation. Christmas decorations can make your home look its best, with their coordinated colours, shiny accents, and cheerful mood. They can also send out a siren call to go overboard, filling up every single flat surface with whatever cute little doodad you can find, either at the store or in your child’s backpack coming home from school. Resist! A little coordination and restraint goes a long way. Next year, when you’re in your new property, you can go full Griswald.

That goes for the outside too. By all means, string some lights, but try to go with a consistent theme: if you’re using a string of multi-coloured lights, go with that over the whole house instead of alternating with solid white or blue strings just because you found them in the garage. In fact, hiring a professional might be well worth the money to give your home the absolute best holiday curb appeal.

Using an artificial tree will also save you a tonne of clean-up time before each viewing. While the natural pine scent is an appealing signifier of Christmas, it comes along with a whole lot of stubborn needles.

Beyond decorations, do whatever you can to make viewing your property convenient for potential buyers. Time is in short supply for everyone in December, so try to be flexible. Maybe consider hiding presents, wrapping, and so on at a relative’s place to free up closet and storage space. Bumping up the heat a little, and having some homemade gingerbread cookies on offer, can also go a long way toward cozying things up.

Finally, if you really want to sell your property in December, make sure your Realtor is dedicated to the same outcome: that means being available to you when needed, not just when it’s convenient. Have a candid conversation with your agent to be sure you’re on the same page.

Want more tips on selling? Check out our Sellers Guide! Looking for a dedicated Realtor? Contact us!

The white stuff has fallen again, this time in a much more seasonally appropriate manner than September’s snowpocalypse (I can’t believe spell check doesn’t have a problem with that word), and it’s time to double check your home is winterized if that hasn’t been done already. One key appliance for Calgarians over the next several months will be the furnace, and you want to make sure that puppy is running smoothly and reliably; a 10:00 pm emergency repair call in -30 degree weather could cost you a small fortune.

It’s a wise idea to contact your favourite trusted furnace specialist sometime in the fall for a tune up, just to ensure everything’s running as it should. There are a couple things you can take care of yourself as well, though.

Your furnace filter should be changed every one to three months, and some recommend that cheap fibreglass filters are actually better for your furnace than expensive high efficiency ones; check with a professional to be sure of what’s right for your system. Check your air return ducts for drafts, and seal with metallic tape any that you find. There are several more steps that more industrious homeowners can do, but unless you’re a confident do-it-yourselfer, call a pro.

Also consider creating setbacks on your digital thermostat, lowering the temperature when you’re away or asleep, and raising it back up again when you’re around. This can lead to some significant cost savings on your gas bill – up to 15 percent according to the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology – as long as you are prepared to find the right balance. Lowering the temperature by too much can lead to an uncomfortable house, high humidity, and reduced airflow, which may not be worth the money saved; a two degree change is the safest bet, offering some savings with little downside.

Have any other tips for keeping your house warm? Share them in the comments!

Looking for a new house to enjoy this winter? Contact me!