Calgary Real Estate Blog

As part of the efforts to commemorate 2013’s epic flood, and the epic outpouring of community spirit and fellowship that followed, Mayor Nenshi has dubbed June 21 as Neighbour Day, named, according to the city’s official website,”in honour of the overwhelming community spirit that rose against the waters,” which is a pretty good line.

Some in my community, and many others I’d imagine, are planning a block party, and the city is waiving the $25 permit fees for such events on this special day. There are tools and templates, and other information available at the city’s site. If you plan on hosting a party, you’d better get cracking.

To keep up-to-date on Neighbour Day events, follow the official Facebook event page and the hashtag #yycNeighbourDay on Instagram and Twitter.

Close to SAIT, a quick trip across the Peace Bridge from downtown, and walking distance to some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and coffee shops, Hillhurst is a young couple’s dream community, evidenced by the fact that nearly 80 percent of its residents are single or couples. Hillhurst is celebrating its centennial this year, making it one of the city’s oldest communities. Nearly 6,300 people live in the community, which measures a little under one square kilometre.

Aside from great eating and drinking, Hillhurst residents take full advantage of the 20-acre Riley Park, as well as an active community association that organizes youth soccer, an annual comic book sale, flea markets and seniors groups. The community hall is one of Calgary’s bigger ones, with two licensed kitchens, a gym, board rooms, three halls, craft areas, and more; they even have their own bouncy castle to rent out for birthday parties.

Hillhurst was among the communities affected by 2013’s flood, and the community association offers extensive resources regarding flood recovery on its website. Much of the area is back to pre-flood condition however.

With both public and separate school options for elementary through high school, Avenue Magazine’s annual survey declared Hillhurst the fifth-best neighbourhood in Calgary for 2013.

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

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

One of the many great things about Calgary is its extensive pathway system, and it is well used. Offering riverside views and protection from the wind, thanks to densely planted trees, the paths present a place to walk, run, bike, and toboggan in almost every community. Sadly the Great Flood damaged nearly one hundred kilometres of pathway, to the extent that these sections had to be closed. Thanks to well coordinated efforts by city staff, a whopping 57 kilometres have been reopened. The remaining portion, however, will take some time to fix up. There are a number of factors slowing things down, including eroded riverbanks, fish habitats, and ownership considerations, but as the province continues to inject money and staff continues to work exceptionally hard, things will be back to how they were as quickly as possible.

When you’re taking your next fall stroll after supper, have a look around at our great pathway system and consider how fortunate we are to have had city planners take greenspace so seriously.

The impact to the city from last month’s flooding continues to make itself felt, aggravating an already serious shortage of rental spaces. As rental vacancy rates approach zero percent, properties that had secondary suites grandfathered in are now having to be rebuilt according to current zoning, meaning those suites are gone for good.

Alderman John Mar proposed a mass approval of secondary suites to ease the rental crunch, but that proposal was defeated (although, not by much); it is sure to be raised again in the lead up to this fall’s municipal election. The City, since 2009, has been offering homeowners in appropriately zoned areas grant money to create secondary suites, handing out $9 million in three years. Including illegal dwellings, there are well over 60,000 secondary suites in Calgary.

Some people love secondary suites: they’re a great way to generate income from a property, and provide quality accommodations for quiet students and working singles. Others cite traffic concerns and a loss of ‘community feeling’ when more renters enter a neighbourhood. How do you feel? Has the flood, and its fallout, made you more agreeable to having secondary suites permitted where you live?

The Calgary Herald, whose paywall experiment seems to have gone away, reports today that there’re more houses being sold and bought than you can shake a stick at, despite July traditionally being a slower month, what with the Stampede taking everyone’s time (and speaking of Stampede: bacon-wrapped corn dog. That is all). The Herald uses the word ‘deluge’ to describe the rush of buyers looking to enter the market or move somewhere not described as a flood plain.

I’ve never been one to complain about having too much work, despite it elbowing its way into my personal life more and more (I continued negotiations on two offers during an intermission at Stage West not long ago) and leading to a highly irregular meal schedule, so this is great news for me. I’m still camping with the family (mobile Internet is a beautiful thing for telecommuting from the mountains), still enjoyed some Stampede shenanigans, and still managed to help some great families find great homes. This pace won’t continue forever, so right now I say, “bring it on!”.

For anyone struggling or needing support during this major flood crisis, here are some key resource links:

City of Calgary News

Calgary Newsroom Evacuation Plan

Alberta Government Transportation – Alberta Emergency Alert

Stay safe and dry!