Calgary Realtor - Pammi Brar | Thoughts on Real Estate

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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Monday, March 30, 2009 - Spring maintenance tips help to boost house safety - Calgary Herald

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. has the following list of tips for spring: Have your furnace, filter, air exchanger, and air conditioner checked by a service technician. Check the temperature of your hot water tank and adjust if necessary. Also have the pressure relief valve tested to ensure it isn’t stuck. Check and clean your range hood filters on a monthly basis. Ensure there’s water in the basement floor drain trap. If not, pour a cupful of water into the drain. Make sure ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:16:18 -0600

Monday, March 30, 2009 - Alberta sales set to rise next year

Alberta will show the second strongest resurgence in sales activity among the provinces next year, says a national survey. Calgary Herald ArchiveMore sales and fewer listings will stabilize the resale market in 2010. Facing a predicted decline of 19.1 per cent this year — tied with the forecast for Ontario and right behind B.C’s expected 19.2-per-cent decline — Alberta will see a rise of 15.2 per cent in sales in 2010, says the Canadian Real Estate Association. B.C. will lea ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:14:51 -0600

Friday, March 27, 2009 - Mortgage defaults ?alarming? - Calgary Herald

More people in Alberta are falling behind in paying their mortgages — a trend that is expected to continue throughout this year. A mortgage symposium in Calgary on Thursday heard that 55 per cent of mortgage defaults in the country are due to people being “overextended” with nearly 80 per cent of those defaults taking place in the first three years of a mortgage. “It’s an alarming statistic,” said Brian Bell, vice-president of products and marketing for AIG ... Full Article...

posted in News at Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:00:20 -0600

Friday, March 27, 2009 - Calgary home prices retreat 8.2 per cent - Calgary Herald

Canadian home prices in January were down 2.4 per cent from a year earlier while Calgary showed an 8.2 per cent decline, according to a survey released Wednesday. The Teranet-National Bank composite house price Index reveals the deepening home-price deflation that began last February. “It confirms that in early 2009, after more than five years of seller’s market conditions, Canadian housing as a whole was a buyer’s market,” said the report by Marc Pinsonneault, senior e ... Full Article...

posted in News at Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:57:46 -0600

Friday, March 27, 2009 - Canadians, Albertans falling behind on mortgage payments - Calgary Herald

More people in Canada and in Alberta are falling behind in paying their mortgages — a trend that is expected to continue throughout this year. And a mortgage symposium in Calgary on Thursday also heard that 55 per cent of mortgage defaults in the country are due to people being “over-extended” with nearly 80 per cent of those defaults by borrowers taking place in the first three years of a mortgage. “It’s an alarming statistic,” said Brian Bell, vice-presid ... Full Article...

posted in News at Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:55:40 -0600

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - U.S. economist attacks Calgary's growth blueprint - Calgary Herald

Calgary's long-range civic blueprint, Plan It, reads like something concocted in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Denver or Portland 20 years ago--and that's a bad thing, a U. S. economist said Tuesday. In their campaign against Plan It's prescriptions for a denser, more transit-centric Calgary, homebuilder and developer groups have brought Randal O'Toole of the Cato Institute to discuss the plan's pratfalls with their members today. O'Toole sharply criticizes the "smart growth"principles those ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:40:01 -0600

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - Energy efficiency a key factor for Canadian homebuyers: Poll - Calgary Herald

A new poll shows that almost all Canadians said that low energy consumption is an important consideration when buying a home. The 16th Annual RBC Homeownership Study indicated 95 per cent of respondents felt that energy efficiency is just as important as the look and appearance of the home , which was cited by 94 per cent of respondents. "Our study indicates that low mortgage rates and favourable housing prices are definitely influencing buying intentions this year," said Karen Leggett, hea ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:34:41 -0600

Monday, March 23, 2009 - Industry frustrated over ?cash cow? status - Calgary Herald

Gary Friend likely hasn’t heard about Plan It Calgary. Nor has the new national president of the Canadian Home Builders Association likely heard of Calgary’s Go Plan, or Centre City, or the other schemes coming out of city council aimed at setting the city’s growth — and deciding who will pay for it. But at a recent conference, the Surrey, B.C. builder talked about his frustration with various levels of government using the housing industry as a cash cow to foot the bil ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:55:52 -0600

Monday, March 23, 2009 - New Listing - C3371048

Just added this listing: "Nice and clean very well kept home! This 1280 sq foot + home features main floor living room, dining room, country style kitchen and 1/2 bath. 3 good size bedrooms upstairs. Master bedroom has a huge walk in closet. Good size back yard with 2 car parking (enough room to built double garage). Close to bus stop and shopping. Possession could be immediate!!!"

View Listing Details

posted in Listings at Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0600

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - Fingers crossed as housing sales rise - Calgary Herald

There's good news from resale housing. February was the second straight month in which sales increased, but nobody's ready to climb onto the soapbox and declare a market shift. Not yet, anyway. The Calgary Real Estate Board reported that 1,168 detached homes and condominiums changed hands last month--an increase of more than 78 per cent from December and a 50-per-cent rise from January. "In my experience, February has always been a good month, so in that regard it was no blip that sales inc ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:27:53 -0600

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - Alberta to the rescue - Calgary Herald

Alberta and B. C. are expected to lead the rebound in MLS sales activity in 2010, says the Canadian Real Estate Association. But first, the industry has to get through this year, in which sales will decline 16.9 per cent to 360,900 units. These same two provinces will lead the decline this year, along with Ontario. National sales activity is forecast to rebound by 9.9 per cent to 396,600 units in 2010, with the biggest increases seen in Alberta and B. C.

posted in News at Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:26:29 -0600

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - Days to sell increases - Calgary Herald

A key indicator of the health of the housing market is the average number of days it takes to sell a property. In Calgary's resale condominium sector, it took 57 days on average to sell a unit in February compared with 45 days a year ago, says the Calgary real estate Board. as for sales, for the first two months of this year, 568 condos have changed hands, down 44 per cent from last year.

posted in News at Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:25:25 -0600

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - Mortgage money there for lucky ones Buyers with good credit welcome - Calgary Herald

Six months ago, before the credit crunch bit and risk became a cutting four-letter word, obtaining or renegotiating a mortgage was pretty much a formality. It's harder now. Financial institutions haven't necessarily changed their lending criteria for mort-gages, but they do apply them more strictly. "Greyarea" borrowers who would have received the benefit of the doubt a year or two ago might need to apply several places now before finding a taker. The doors are still wide open, though, for cl ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:24:07 -0600

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - Housing activity in Canada, Calgary sees uptick: CREA - Calgary Herald

More signs today that the residential real estate market is starting to pick up. The Canadian Real Estate Association, in releasing its monthly MLS numbers, said housing activity in Canada was up in February from seasonally-adjusted levels the previous month. In Calgary, combined residential sales numbered 1,392 units in February compared with 928 units in January. The average sale price last month was $370,198, up slightly from $362,143 in January. New listings for February were 3,662 units ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:22:18 -0600

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - Housing sales stronger - Calgary Herald

Monthly stats climb; annual results weaker There were more preliminary signs Monday that the residential real estate market may be starting to pick up. The Canadian Real Estate Association in releasing its monthly MLS numbers said housing activity in Canada was up in February from seasonally adjusted levels the previous month. I n Ca l g a r y, c o mbi n e d residential sales (including single-family homes and condominiums) numbered 1,392 units in February compared with 928 units in January. T ... Full Article...

posted in News at Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:02:47 -0600

Monday, March 16, 2009 - Fingers crossed as housing sales rise - Calgary Herald

There’s good news from resale housing. February was the second straight month in which sales increased, but nobody’s ready to climb onto the soapbox and declare a market shift. Not yet, anyway. The Calgary Real Estate Board reported that 1,168 detached homes and condominiums changed hands last month — an increase of more than 78 per cent from December and a 50per-cent rise from January. Calgary Herald ArchiveRealtor Robbie O’Leary stands outside a home she sold. Monthly ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:59:47 -0600

Thursday, March 12, 2009 - Calgary homes easier to afford - Calgary Herald

More evidence emerged Wednesday that it’s becoming more affordable to buy a home in the Calgary area. Contractors’ selling prices for new homes in Canada dropped the most in Edmonton and Calgary in January compared with a year ago, according to Statistics Canada’s new housing price index. And a national report by real estate firm Re/Max said first-time homebuyers are now the driving force in the resale housing market because of the drop in MLS prices. Statistics Canada said ... Full Article...

posted in News at Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:24:52 -0600

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - Calgary home starts slide 76 per cent - Calgary Herald

Condos bear brunt of slowdown Total housing starts in the Calgary census metropolitan area fell by a staggering 76.5 per cent in February compared with a year ago, according to preliminary figures released Monday by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. — the lowest monthly level since January 1991. It was also the lowest February level since 1987. And even lower than numbers posted in January. CMHC said total housing starts last month were only 206 units, while in February 2008 they were 87 ... Full Article...

posted in News at Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:14:30 -0600

Monday, March 9, 2009 - Decline predicted - Calgary Herald

Multi-family housing across the country will be taking a time-out, says a federal agency. After starting construction on nearly 118,000 apartments, townhouses and semi-detached homes in 2008, the forecast for the next two years is decidedly lower, says a forecast from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. This year, for instance, the forecast for construction starts of multifamily housing ranges between 75,200 and 96,200. For 2010, the numbers are in the same neighbourhood, running from 74,400 to 9 ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:27:46 -0600

Monday, March 9, 2009 - Builders ride out bumpy recession - Calgary Herald

Buyer incentives offered by industry Calgary builders have pulled their cowboy hats down around their ears, wrapped the reins tighter in their hands and laid back in the saddle, ready for a months-long ride on this wild-eyed bucking horse named recession. Calgary Herald ArchiveThe housing industry must fine-tune its operations for the downturn. It was right around Stampede time in 2007 that things started to go sideways for the region’s single-detached building sector. Show home traffi ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:26:33 -0600

Monday, March 9, 2009 - Time seen as right to invest in real estate - Calgary Herald

Shaken consumer confidence due to the world economic crisis has clouded the fact that it’s a great time to buy, says a leading real estate investor. Calgary Herald ArchiveDon Campbell, president of the Real Estate Investment Network. “People need to be telescopic in their thinking, not microscopic,” says Don Campbell, president of the Real Estate Investment Network, which has more than 3,400 members across Canada. “Look five to seven years from now. Eventually, oil is ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:24:48 -0600

Monday, March 9, 2009 - Pace to decline - Calgary Herald

There will be more than 18,000 fewer single-detached homes built in Canada this year than in 2008, predicts a federal agency. Work is forecast to start on 74,825 homes, down from 93,202 last year, says Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. But 2010 will be slightly better, with starts expected to check in at 76,600, it says. Starts of all kinds will likely slide to 160,250 this year, down from 211,056 last year, before improving to 163,350 in 2010. In Alberta, construction is expected to start on 1 ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:23:21 -0600

Monday, March 9, 2009 - Affordability returning - Calgary Herald

Housing affordability is returning to Calgary’s resale market. The average selling price of single-family homes reached $415,568 in February, down from $471,696 a year ago — a decline of nearly 12 per cent. The average condo price is down to $268,971 from $311,812 a year ago. “Affordability is the silver lining in this market,” says Bonnie Wegerich of the Calgary Real Estate Board. “With low interest rates, broad selection and improved affordability, buying opportu ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:22:04 -0600

Friday, March 6, 2009 - Home-buying mood recovers - Calgary Herald

Home-buying intentions in Alberta have rebounded and are back to 2007 levels, according to an RBC home ownership survey released Wednesday. The survey found that 35 per cent of Albertans are likely to purchase a home within the next two years, well above the national average of 27 per cent and up from 29 per cent in 2008. “Home-purchase intentions in Alberta have not only shown big gains over last year, they also remain higher than any other region in the country,” said Don Peard, ... Full Article...

posted in News at Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:10:30 -0700

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 - Calgary house sales picking up - Calgary Herald March 3

Activity in Calgary’s resale housing market picked up last month from a dismal January and average house prices stabilized. Dean Bicknell, Calgary HeraldFebruary was a busy month for home sales, says Robbie O’Leary, a realtor with Maxwell Westview Realty. TRANSPORT • MLS statistics on the city’s real estate market, released Monday by the Calgary Real Estate Board, indicate there were 825 single-family home sales in February with an average MLS sale price of $415,568. Fo ... Full Article...

posted in News at Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:56:21 -0700

Monday, March 2, 2009 - Market has helped solve the housing shortage - Calgary Herald

As Albertans watch the value of their houses continue to decline, what should homeowners expect from their provincial government? Premier Ed Stelmach announced in January $7 million in funding for low-income housing in Calgary. “This funding supports strong and healthy communities and is part of government’s overall strategy to create more affordable housing across the province,” he said. House prices in Alberta are falling faster than any province except British Columbia. ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:24:27 -0700

Monday, March 2, 2009 - Real estate market prime for first-time buyers - Calgary Herald Feb 28

Many incentives for new homeowners They’re back — but if they’re not, they should be. A few years ago, before diminishing affordability sent them scurrying to the sidelines to continue to share accommodation or hang out at their parents’ homes, first-time buyers were a force to be reckoned with. Photos, Calgary Herald ArchiveFirst-time buyers are flocking back to the housing market now that prices are becoming lower. If they had full-time jobs and could muster together ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:17:41 -0700

Monday, March 2, 2009 - Homebuyers winners in council tax fight - Calgary Herald Feb 28

City council has narrowly defeated a proposal that would have seen a land transfer tax imposed on everyone selling their home. Calgary Herald ArchiveCalgary’s city council is looking at a development tax on new or redeveloped lands. In a letter to the mayor and aldermen prior to the recent vote by council, the Calgary Real Estate Board and the Alberta Real Estate Association called the tax unfair. “It is essentially a home buyers’ tax and singles out a select group of indiv ... Full Article...

posted in News at Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:16:10 -0700

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