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.

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.

As oil prices drop due to increased production and reduced global demand (I filled up for 98.9 at Costco this week), I’ve heard rumblings from people fearful of property values plummeting along with the price of crude. It’s not a foolish worry: Calgary’s market fluctuations have often risen and fallen along with our province’s energy economy, as one would logically expect. Not this time, however, at least, not yet.

The Globe and Mail ran an excellent breakdown in early October describing Calgary’s continually strong market growth, as the median house price rose to nearly $490,000 in September, up $10,000 from the month previous. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Urban Land Institute, Calgary and Edmonton are the top markets in Canada for real estate investors. The survey quoted by the Herald notes the increasing numbers of young adults moving to Alberta for employment are helping drive condo sales as they enter the market looking for urban dwellings; as they age, their housing needs will progress, too, meaning we will likely see a very healthy market for a decade or more.

While increased prices aren’t necessarily music to the ears of those looking to buy their first property, they speak to the stability and robustness of the city’s market, making investment in Calgary real estate a sound decision in many cases (although your personal mileage may vary – I’m not offering personal financial advice here). Thinking of jumping in? Check out my Buyers Guide, then contact me to set the wheels in motion.

99 Bridlewood Common SW

What a great family home. Over 1800 developed square feet including the fully finished walk-out basement. Hardwood and tile on the main floor. Open kitchen with a breakfast bar, eating area and sliding patio doors to a 20’x10′ deck. South back yard. Jetted tub in one of three full baths. Large master bedroom with a full en suite. Its all here. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about the Garagemahal! It is rare to find such an impressive one; big, extra-sized double garage with a 10′ ceiling and a taller 8′ door; also insulated & drywalled, side-lit & top-lit, heated (radiant ceiling) and has a 40A pony panel.

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

# 13 722 4a St NE

2 storey apartment with in-suite laundry! Excellent location within walking distance to Downtown, restaurants, and shopping. This home features new carpet, tile, quality laminate flooring, updated kitchen and bathroom. Large living room/dining room combination with sliding doors to a balcony. Upper level feature two good sized bedrooms, laundry room, bath and an additional entrance to the home via the 3rd floor. Pride of ownership shows! Secure underground parking plus a security doors make for secure living. Great home, great value!

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

123 Silvercreek Gr Nw

**OPEN HOUSE Sun Oct 05 1-4pm** Brand new listing. What a fantastic family home! This one has been in the family since new, and this is the first time it’s been offered for sale. Prime location on a quiet circle facing a central green space and steps away from walking paths in Silvercreek Park with trails to the Bowmount Natural Area. Houses seldom come up for sale here. South back yard with lots of mature trees. Pristine condition, well maintained throughout the years with upgrades along the way, including a sun room and upper balcony off the master bedroom, a cantilever in the dining room, basement development including another bathroom and a wet bar, newer windows and roof, and on, and on. This home has “good bones” with a wonderful floor plan. Recently painted inside and out; it is completely livable as-is, or a candidate for renovations.

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

4203 Vauxhall Cr NW

Same owner last 30 years! Lovingly cared for and maintained. Renovated kitchen with maple cabinets and cork flooring. Refinished original oak hardwood. Upgraded electrical panel. Replaced windows and doors. Updated furnace. Basement was developed some time ago, and would function just fine until you’re ready to add your own personal touch. Bitumen torched roof. Extra large double detached garage with tall ceilings, overhead radiant heat and 220V circuits. Great location across the street from Varsity Acres School and close to public transportation and shopping.

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

35 Royal Birch Pt NW

Welcome home! Enjoy sweeping valley and mountain views from this sought after and rarely available ridge location. Situated in a quiet location on a no-through-road, backing south onto the ravine, and just half a block from a pond and two blocks from the elementary school. Open-concept great room plan boasts a cook’s kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, a gas range, and a walk-in pantry. The basement is fully developed with lots of windows and a high ceiling. Knock-down stipple throughout. Large master bedroom and deluxe ensuite with a full sized shower with a rain head and body jets. The bonus room is massive, and the 10′ raised ceilings add to it’s grandeur. Out back, enjoy the views and landscaping from the the lush lawn, the deck, or one of two brick patios. There’s plenty of storage space available in the garage on the custom shelving. The new LRT station is a 15 minute walk or a 3 minute drive. Newer water heater & fridge. Brand new Samsung front-loading washer and dryer.

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

A short article in the latest edition of CREBNow points out that, with house prices continuing to increase each month (Calgary’s growing faster than anyone), it’s becoming more difficult for young families to follow the traditional middle-class progression of graduation-marriage-first home-family-bigger home. Starter homes are selling for far beyond what a dream home might have cost in our parents’ day and, especially when interest rates inevitably increase, it can be difficult to ‘move up’ without a big boost in salary.

So what to do about this? How about picking the right starter home so that it can grow with your family over several years rather than seeming poorly suited for your family situation after just a year or two. With the right planning and a little vision, you can find that ideal property and plan to develop it as your family grows.

When shopping for that first home, look for a solid, well built and well-kept property with potential. Can an unfinished basement be finished to add a third bedroom and play area? Is there space to build a garage with a loft for storage? How about knocking out a wall to increase the size of the kitchen, or adding a sunroom-style mudroom to the back entrance to hold winter coats and boots. These types of upgrades, while far from free, can be a lot more cost-effective than shopping for a new home with comparable amenities. And by smartly investing in your current property, you’re boosting the resale value and socking away equity for when you really are in a position to move.

Beyond the property itself, carefully consider your neighbourhood – and consult with a professional familiar with the demographics of the area. If you are starting a family, is the home you’re considering located in a family-friendly area, with respected day homes and preschools nearby, plenty of park space, and kids riding their bikes in the evenings? How about grocery stores and restaurants? Is the commute to work reasonable, with transit options? Is this a place you could see yourself calling home ten years from now?

The days of buying a home with the intention of moving up in a couple of years are, for many people, coming to a close. But with the right advice and some careful thought, stretching that first home’s usefulness can really put you ahead in the long run.

This coming weekend is the Calgary Home + Design show; if you plan on attending and would like 50 percent off your ticket price (who wouldn’t?), use this link and enter promo code SHOWWEEK on checkout. Enjoy the show!