Calgary Realtor - Pammi Brar | Thoughts on Real Estate | Real Estate Blog - February

Pammi Brar
RE/MAX Real Estate (Mountain View)
401,9650 HARVEST HILLS BLVD.NE, Calgary, Alberta
P: 403-247-5178 F: 403-247-5301
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Thursday, February 26, 2009 - Calgary real estate expected to cool - Calgary Herald

Residential real estate activity should moderate further in 2009 alongside a general weakening in domestic economic conditions, says a research report released Wednesday by Scotia Economics. Real Estate Trends, authored by senior economist Adrienne Warren, said Canada can expect a 15 to 20 per cent decline in the volume of resales this year with a further 10 per cent drop in average prices. “Centres with the largest supplydemand imbalance, including Vancouver, Sudbury (Ont.) and Calgary ... Full Article...

posted in News at Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:15:12 -0700

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - Lady Home Builder eyes slice of Calgary market - Calgary Herald

Axiom Homes brings unique cost structure She is known as the Lady Home Builder and 24-year-old Danielle Addington has made a name for herself in the Edmonton-area housing market with 18 new homes built, 31 under construction and a unique billing system for clients. Now, as a slowing economy hits new home construction, Addington, founder and president of Axiom Homes Ltd., is expanding to Calgary. The company has set up a temporary office in the city while it explores a permanent office locatio ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:42:04 -0700

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - Council scraps real estate tax - Calgary Herald

Council has scrapped a controversial proposal to increase the land transfer fee home buyers pay during real estate deals in order to help finance affordable housing in the city. Recommendations to explore stable sources of funding, such as a development levy on new and redeveloped property, were approved once the contentious land transfer fee was removed. Ald. Bob Hawkesworth said getting rid of that one item allowed other good measures to go forward. “I think it detracted from the ove ... Full Article...

posted in News at Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:50:07 -0700

Monday, February 23, 2009 - Look in own backyard - Calgary Herald

As dreams of greener pastures (read: spring) invade thoughts these days, wise homeowners are looking to get the most out of their investments. One of the best places to look is in the backyard. Investing five per cent of the value of your home on landscaping can return 150 per cent or more of the money invested, says a recent Gallup survey of homebuyers. It showed that purchasers believe that well-tuned and professional landscaping around the home can add nearly 15 per cent to a home’s se ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:20:23 -0700

Monday, February 23, 2009 - How to get the best mortgage rate out there - Calgary Herald

Sure, credit markets have gone wonky lately, but the good news for people renewing or shopping for a first mortgage is that the wheeling and dealing days for consumers haven’t disappeared. Mortgage borrowers “still have lots of negotiating power, but you need to know what you can negotiate down to,” says Nelly Van Berlo, an accredited mortgage professional and president of the Mortgage Source Inc., a franchise of the Mortgage Centre. It takes some research, selfevaluation an ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:18:45 -0700

Monday, February 23, 2009 - Slowing demand affects developers - Calgary Herald

For Calgary’s multi-family housing industry, 2009 will likely be a year in which developers clean up what’s on their plates before asking for a second helping, says a federal agency. Canwest News ArchiveNew construction may not get off the ground until old projects finish up. Coming off 2008, when construction started on 7,051 townhouses, apartments and duplexes — the highest total in more than 30 years — the forecast for this year is for about 1,700 units, says Canada ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:14:35 -0700

Monday, February 23, 2009 - Flexibility seen as vital when buying first home - Calgary Herald

Canada’s population is becoming increasingly diverse in nearly every region of the country. According to the 2006 Census, an average of about 240,000 newcomers arrive in Canada each year. As a result, roughly two-thirds of Canada’s annual population growth now comes from net international migration. Moreover, Canada’s immigrant population is itself becoming increasingly diverse. Over the past several years, newcomers have come to Canada from across the globe, including many ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:12:52 -0700

Friday, February 20, 2009 - Rebound in housing market eyed for 2010 - Calgary Herald

Calgary’s housing market is expected to rebound in 2010 after housing starts, MLS sales and average sale prices continue to fall this year, says a report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. The Housing Market Outlook, released Thursday, forecast housing starts in the Calgary census metropolitan area to drop by 51.9 per cent in 2009 from the previous year to 5,500 units but to increase by 12.7 per cent in 2010 to 6,200 units. In the Calgary region, MLS sales are expected to fall by 13.6 ... Full Article...

posted in News at Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:07:45 -0700

Thursday, February 19, 2009 - Martindale community centre gets federal cash - Calgary Herald

It’s been 15 years in the works, but construction will soon start on a $120-million community centre in Martindale. More funding for the facility arrived Wednesday when the minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada announced the federal government is contributing $15 million. The federal money comes from the Enabling Accessibility Fund, which gives money to projects that improve accessibility. “All programs — recreational, fitness, educational and cultural & ... Full Article...

posted in News at Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:52:57 -0700

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - Resale Market Gathers Strength - Calgary Herald Feb 14

Maybe it was the weather, maybe it was wanting to start the new year on an optimistic note, or maybe people were just being spontaneous. Calgary Herald ArchiveIt’s a tough market for sellers, but residential sales picked up last month. In January, 550 homes sold, up from 449 a month earlier. Whatever the reason, as January moved along there seemed to be more open house signs popping up around the city — and “for sale” signs with “sold” stickers slapped on t ... Full Article...

posted in News at Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:56:39 -0700

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - City Realtor All Ears To Buyer Concerns - Calgary Herald Feb 14

Officially, he’s the manager of business practices. Unofficially and more to the point, Don Dickson is the complaint department for the Calgary Real Estate Board. Calgary Herald ArchiveRead all documents in a real estate transaction to protect yourself. And with the dramatic changes that have affected the region’s resale housing market — and with more changes expected as 2009 progresses — Dickson is geared up to listen to concerns, issues and gripes from consumers and ... Full Article...

posted in News at Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:54:59 -0700

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - City Council Weighs Housing Tax Grab - Calgary Herald Feb 14 -

They’re persistent, you gotta give them that. Certain members of council, along with Mayor Dave Bronconnier, have again regurgitated the idea of slapping a one-per-cent tax on the sale of new homes — and to go along with that, a second part of the idea is slapping the land development industry with another levy on new and redeveloped property. Calgary Herald ArchiveCity council is considering a one per cent tax on the sale of new homes. A city committee, though, has asked for more ... Full Article...

posted in News at Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:52:15 -0700

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - Home Affordability On Rise as Sales Dip - Calgary Herald Feb 14

MLS residential sales across the country fell by a l most 4 1 per cent in January compared with a year ago, but affordability improved with average sale prices dropping as well, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association. Calgary Herald ArchiveJanuary MLS house sales fell 49 per cent in Calgary. In releasing its national monthly data Friday, CREA said house sales fell by 58.5 per cent in Greater Vancouver and by 49 per cent in Calgary. “Weak sales activity in January follows the ... Full Article...

posted in News at Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:48:08 -0700

Thursday, February 12, 2009 - New homes in Calgary become more affordable - Calgary Herald

Building costs ‘starting to come down’ It’s getting cheaper to buy a new home in the Calgary region. Data released Wednesday by Statistics Canada suggests the prices of new homes here are continuing to fall. Dean Bicknell, Calgary HeraldLower building costs and a competitive market have combined to make it easier for buyers to afford a home in Calgary. The federal agency’s New Housing Price Index indicated contractors’ selling prices in the Calgary census metropo ... Full Article...

posted in News at Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:06:14 -0700

Thursday, February 12, 2009 - Tumbling home values boost mortgage defaults - Calgary Herald

‘We have never seen this many foreclosures’ More Calgarians are defaulting on mortgages and losing their homes in a toxic stew of rising job losses, falling house prices, the credit crunch and ill-timed investments. Dean Bicknell, Calgary HeraldMortgage broker Adnerys Armstrong, who specializes in high-risk borrowers, says she’s taking extra time to warn customers of the dangers of foreclosure, as the global financial crisis has made banks more wary of lending risks. CRANSTON ... Full Article...

posted in News at Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:03:50 -0700

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - Landlord Safety Law "Has No Teeth" MLA - Calgary Herald

An Alberta MLA is backing a provincial court judge’s call to review the fines for public health violations, saying the maximum penalty is not enough to compel landlords to make residences safer. Calgary Currie MLA and Liberal housing critic Dave Taylor said the $2,000 fine for Public Health Act transgressions equals about two months’ rent for the average landlord. “That’s not much of a penalty for an offence that clearly endangers the health and safety of tenants,&rdqu ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:56:20 -0700

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - Throne Speech Looks Beyond Boom - Calgary Herald

Tories ready to spend in bad times The Alberta government will open its pocketbook, splashing billions of dollars on infrastructure and carbon capture projects, contending spending now will lessen the wallop of a worsening global economic storm. Exactly how much won’t be known until the provincial budget, but Tuesday’s throne speech signalled the Stelmach government will use its emergency savings to stem job losses, attract private-sector investme n t and encourage consumer spendin ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:53:50 -0700

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - Just Sold - C3358274

Just sold this listing: "WOW! Fully developed 4 level split with lots of upgrades in the last 12 months! Newer carpet, lino, paint, kitchen counters, 4 inch baseboards and doo..."

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posted in Listings at Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - Housing sales plunge in January by 50 per cent over last year - Calgary Herald

SLOW RESALE MARKET PROMPTS COUPLE TO BECOME LANDLORDS Average price drops 9.3% No matter how you look at it, Calgary’s resale housing market took a beating in January compared with last year. Scot and Jacquelynn Benson bought a home in Chestermere in September, and decided to keep their condo in McKenzie Towne and rent it out rather than try to sell it. MLS sales plunged by a staggering 50 per cent, sending the average sale price down by 9.3 per cent for single-family homes and 13 per c ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:20:51 -0700

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