Historic Albertan town a stone’s throw from Calgary, chock full of community spirit

Strathmore’s roots dig deep into Alberta’s history.

In 1883, during the eastward construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the tracks ended at a small hamlet. That hamlet would come to be known as Strathmore, reportedly named by Scotsman James Ross, who was in charge of the rail project.… Read More

Staying in Strathmore is a post from: CREBNow

This year’s Homes by Avi Stampede Rotary Dream Home takes on urban eateries and foodie fanatics

While kicking up their heels and tasting the latest deep fried treats, visitors to the Calgary Stampede also have a chance to win the home of their dreams while supporting a good cause.

In its 19th year, the Homes by Avi Stampede Rotary Dream Home is the major funding initiative for the Rotary Club of Calgary South.… Read More

A dream home of your own is a post from: CREBNow

West Village redevelopment taking back seat to twin to the east

With its eastern counterpart the darling of Calgary’s development scene, the West Village couldn’t be blamed for feeling a bit like a forgotten sibling.

Bounded to the north by the Bow River, to the east by 11th Street SW, to the south by the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks and to the west by Crowchild Trail, the area was once envisioned to be a “transit-oriented, sustainable urban community,” yet sits idle as “an auto-oriented brownfield site.”

While City officials maintain redeveloping West Village is still the plan, it remains a distant goal, at least for now.… Read More

Sibling rivalry is a post from: CREBNow

West Village plans cast future of downtown core into spotlight

Construction cranes that dot the east downtown skyline are providing Calgarians a not-too distant
vision of what the city’s core might soon look like.

Yet industry experts suggest future plans in the underdeveloped West Village will provide a better understanding of what’s really in store in the heart of Calgary.… Read More

The new west is a post from: CREBNow

The City released the 2014 Civic Census results yesterday. Mayor Naheed Nenshi announced Calgary had its biggest year of growth ever increasing by 38,508 residents to 1,195,194 total.

Here’s a few of the things the mayor had to say about the census:

“Calgary experienced this year, its greatest single year of growth in population, as a matter of fact in my time in this job we have experienced three of our four largest years of population growth.”

“As you all know, the long term goal under the MDP (Municipal Development Plan) is to have half of development in existing parts of the city and half in new areas of the city.

… Read More

In Quotes: 2014 Civic Census is a post from: CREBNow

Brokerage supports program helping Calgarians graduate high school 

There can be many stumbling blocks to choosing the right home: finding the right location, amenities and availability, to name a few.

Yet for many Calgarians, the first step to buying a home comes not with securing a mortgage, but with securing an education. 

The Never Too Late program has long supported adults in their quest to complete their Grade 12 Equivalency Diploma (GED).…Read More

It’s never too late is a post from: CREBNow

Shopping communities within communities popping up all over Calgary

All over Calgary, a trend has begun.

Communities that once would’ve used a simple strip mall to provide residents with amenities are increasingly turning retail offerings into miniature town centres, plazas and High Streets, creating communities within communities.

Brookfield Residential recently announced its southeast community of Seton would be throwing their hat in the power strip pile, with plans for more than 800,000 square feet of retail space.… Read More

Retail emerging is a post from: CREBNow

Part three of a three-part series looking at the sinister and spooky side of Calgary’s haunted housing history.

Serving as a place of work for more than 140,000 Calgarians, it may go unnoticed that the majority of this city’s historic buildings also reside downtown.

Lurking among the plethora of glass-and-steel towers representing the core’s newer additions are buildings that have managed to withstand the test of time.… Read More

Supernatural city is a post from: CREBNow

Family transforms its home for scares and charity

Not satisfied with simply adorning their lawn with a few pumpkins, one Calgary family continues to take its Halloween decorating to the next level.

For the past 27 years, the Campbell family has annually transformed its otherwise-unassuming Rocky Ridge home into a haven for all things horrifying.… Read More

Their very own scream home is a post from: CREBNow

Do you believe in ghosts? If you’re a non-believer, Calgary Ghost Tours just might change your mind.

Around for eight years, the company started organizing tours around the historic communities of Inglewood and Kensington – as well as downtown and even Banff – in the search for signs of the dearly departed.… Read More

Pop the Question: Johanna Lane is a post from: CREBNow

Shopping communities within communities popping up all over Calgary

All over Calgary, a trend has begun.

Communities that once would’ve used a simple strip mall to provide residents with amenities are increasingly turning retail offerings into miniature town centres, plazas and High Streets, creating communities within communities.

Brookfield Residential recently announced its southeast community of Seton would be throwing their hat in the power strip pile, with plans for more than 800,000 square feet of retail space.… Read More

Retail emerging is a post from: CREBNow

Motion to provide 18-month window under review

Calgary homeowners with existing illegal secondary suites could have an 18-month window to get city approval if a current motion by council is approved.

On Monday, Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot suggested establishing a year-and-a-half “relaxation” for homeowners with current suites to meet with city officials and determine if their suites are legal or apply to make them so.… Read More

Council undecided on relaxation of suites is a post from: CREBNow

Take a walk this weekend and learn a little, or a lot, about the city of Calgary.

The Calgary Foundation is hosting the seventh annual Jane’s Walk May 2-4.

Jane’s Walk is a global movement of free, locally led walking tours inspired by Jane Jacobs. Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urban writer and activist behind community-based approaches to planning.… Read More

This weekend: See Calgary with Jane’s Walks is a post from: CREBNow

Calgarians are invited to learn about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies of all kinds at the fifth annual Disaster Alley May 4.

Hosted by the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), Disaster Alley gives Calgarians the opportunity to learn disaster preparation as well as what takes place when first responders prepare for emergencies and disasters such as floods, tornadoes, train derailments and more.… Read More

CEMA hosts fifth annual Disaster Alley is a post from: CREBNow

New listings improve for all product types in the city

Following a slow start to the year, improved weather and price gains supported new listings growth.

New residential listings in April totaled 3,754 units, an eight per cent increase over the previous year. Meanwhile sales activity totaled 2,545 units for the month, a seven per cent increase over April 2013.… Read More

Price gains encouraging new listings is a post from: CREBNow

Calgary builders team up to bring assisted-living facility to Beltline

Calgarians lacking a proper place to call home are set to be given a helping hand thanks to a collaborative effort from 12 Calgary-area builders.

Stepping Stone Manor, which will be the first of eight apartment buildings to be constructed in the next four years, will be a 30-unit facility in the Beltline community.… Read More

Stepping Up is a post from: CREBNow

CREB’s first female board director discusses her life and her craft

Grace Turley was never one for barriers.

As a small child she would escape her family yard in order to explore the surrounding town of Ochre River, Manitoba. That sense of curiosity would lead her to the world of real estate years later when she settled with a family of her own in Calgary.… Read More

Ninety-nine and counting is a post from: CREBNow

Government report could change rules forcing disclosure of grow-op properties in Alberta

Alberta homebuyers could soon have more protection in place to ensure they don’t buy former grow-ops without their knowledge.

Last week, the government released a report titled Grow-Op Free Alberta Recommendations concerning proposed legislation to combat the ill effects of marijuana grow operations on Albertans, their homes and
neighbourhoods.

Counted among the 37 suggestions contained in the report is a requirement that potential buyers be informed if a house was ever used as a grow-op.… Read More

Growing concerns is a post from: CREBNow

New rules will see spending capped, more people on art jury

The City of Calgary is making changes to its public art policy following a controversial $471,000-project Mayor Naheed Neshi has called “awful.”

Under the old policy, the city’s “per cent for public art” was calculated at one per cent of the total capital project costs for City capital budget projects over $1 million.… Read More

Changes coming to public art policy is a post from: CREBNow

May sales activity highest ever recorded for Calgary

There were 2,948 sales in Calgary in May, a 16 per cent increase compared to the same time last year.

The numbers are the highest recorded in Calgary for that month, ever.

“Strong sales activity is a reflection of improving fundamental conditions such as a growing population, favourable lending rates and rising wages,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB’s chief economist.… Read More

May day is a post from: CREBNow