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        <title>CalgaryHomeBoys Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Find out more about the best homes for sale in Calgary, along with news on mortgage rates, home buying trends, and other news relevant to you in buying or selling your Calgary home or Condo.</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/man-posing-as-real-estate-agent-fined-15k.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/man-posing-as-real-estate-agent-fined-15k.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Man Posing as Real Estate Agent fined $15K</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Posing as a real estate agent has to be considered a serious offense given the level of trust that homebuyers and home sellers have in our profession. Apparently, the courts have decided it's just a $15,000 offense. People really want to know that the person they're meeting and about to make a huge transaction with is not a con-artist.


The man, a businessman in Calgary who works out of his home in Southeast Calgary, tried to sell homes on websites. This guy actually rented a property in Woodbine without the bank even knowing about it.  He listed properties and advertised them at a price lower than what they were being sold for. The matter hasn't been taken up by the police as yet.


Real estate and mortgage crimes are a real problem and can be quite a headache and embarrassment for everyone involved. If you're in doubt about the person who is renting you a property or listing it for sale, it's best to check them out at the Real Estate Council of Alberta where all licensed realtors are listed. You can do your search right here.


Are you frustrated with how your home sale is going and you're not getting the results you need? Time to work with a seasoned real estate agent who knows the Calgary market well. It can make a big difference.


Looking for a home in Calgary? Try a search on our MLS listings page. They're listed by neighbourhood, price, number of bedrooms, and other features important to you. Create a list of the best and our account management tools will keep a record of all properties you've viewed and which ones you like.


How is the Calgary condo market? It's strong right now due to the fact home prices have risen, and that foreign investors are seeing real value in Calgary rental properties. Everyone is looking for a return on investment.


The million dollar home market is particularly strong this year. Sales of luxury condos and homes is up as wealthy buyers and investors see these homes as excellent investments.


Looking to renovate your home this summer? Take a look at our top home renovation tips that generate the best ROI.


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 10:01:45 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/north-west-calgary-real-estate-stats-last-12-months.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/north-west-calgary-real-estate-stats-last-12-months.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>North West Calgary Real Estate Stats - last 12 Months</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Let's take a look at the stats from the last 13 months to see what's happened across Northwest Calgary.


If you look at April to April comparisons, you can see price is up about $34,000 and average days to sell is one full week less. That's significant enough right there. Inventory is way less during December yet prices don't seem to fall much during the winter. They were higher than during last April. Given this data, we might expect prices to jump considerably during May tend to be the peak time people want to buy and sell a home in Calgary.






Month


Inventory


Sales


Added


Avg Sales 


Median $ 


Avg DOM 




April, 2012 


1277


582


833


$475,719


$435,000


36




May, 2012 


1431


627


1024


$502,892


$460,000


38




June, 2012 


1400


602


920


$501,865


$450,000


34




July, 2012 


1017


597


902


$509,415


$72,500


29




August, 2012 


1310


432


656


$473,151


$436,000


42




September, 2012 


1272


414


678


$484,986


$430,000


43




October, 2012 


1090


451


573


$491,992


$442,500


42




November, 2012 


896


351


392


$496,809


$450,000


49




December, 2012 


644


259


226


$491,067


$437,500


53




January, 2013 


745


314


629


$493,215


$450,000


46




February, 2013 


783


471


636


$500,892


$449,500


35




March, 2012 


909


541


802


$507,545


$464,000


33




April, 2012


1017


597


902


$509,415


$472,500


29






 Are you ready to list your Calgary home for sale? It's wise to use an experienced Calgary realtor. John Mayberry is an agent with Calgary's top real estate brokerage --- CIR. We're your best bet to get your property prepared and sold this summer.


The Calgary condo market 2013 is hot. If you can't qualify for a new home or resale single family home, the next best option is a condo apartment. You might be surprised at the amenities and the quality of these homes. If you're a busy professional, a condo apartment will work well for you. Let me know which neighbourhood you're hoping to live in. The market is tight but you have a better chance at getting that special home with me. Leverage CIR's private listings and the Calgary MLS listings.


Find out more about what Calgary builders are doing to ease the housing crisis. The community of Hillhurst / Sunnyside is a popular and quaint locale just northwest of the downtown core. Learn more about life in a convenient location for your next home.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 15:19:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/calgary-condo-apartments-hot-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/calgary-condo-apartments-hot-market.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Calgary Condo Apartments - Hot Market</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Calgary condo apartment sales rose an astonishing 22% from April this year compared to last April. Average prices rose 7.35% to $261,300.


What's behind the change this year? Price.  With average single family homes selling at an $452,900, many homebuyers are only able to afford a condo apartment.  Still others can't qualify for a mortgage of that size. With real estate investment cash flowing in from China and the Middle East, some of it is finding its way into the condo rental apartment market.







Source: sothebysrealty.ca via Sotheby's on Pinterest




 


Having someone else pay the mortgage is a pretty powerful benefit. Some investors buy up these properties in bulk.  Investing in Calgary real estate is a reasonably safe investment so we'll see more investment in condo apartment properties.


The condo and apartment rental market is very tight in the city right now. The vacancy rate is a ridiculously low 1.3%. That means for some would be buyers, purchasing a home is perhaps the only way they'll get a home.  Richard Cho, an analyst with CIBC was quoted in the Herald as saying "With vacancy rates going lower, that’s going to give the incentive to some people to move into homeownership. Also, with rents going up as well, we’ll see some people migrate from rental to homeownership, or from the rental market into the ‘secondary’ rental market — a condo, for example (rather than purpose-built rental buildings).”


The average rental cost for a 2 bedroom apartment rose 5.9% from last October. Bachelor apartments rose 7.4% in that same time period. The average price for a 3 bedroom rose to $1096, a rise of 4.2%.  Prices for luxury condos is another matter altogether. Take a look at prices in the luxury condo market here in Calgary.


In the downtown and beltline areas, rents rose faster with 2 bedrooms averaging $1240 and $1222 for 3 bedroom units. This is expected to continue throughout 2013.


Are you searching the Calgary MLS with no success? Perhaps you need to have an experienced real estate agent help you in your quest.


Read up on what Calgary home builders are doing to help the homeless and ease the housing crisis in Calgary. The Calgary luxury home market is going strong due to the fact the affluent have the resources to buy million dollar homes and that investors are finding them very attractive as well.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 13:02:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/calgary-builders-help-the-homeless.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/calgary-builders-help-the-homeless.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Calgary Builders Help the Homeless</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
It's incredible that homelessness is still a problem in Canada, especially here in Calgary, yet it is.  There are estimates that over 3500 people in Calgary are classified as homeless. A unsettling number of those are young people who could be exploited on the streets and turn to drug use.  There doesn't appear to be any political resolve to deal with the problem. Instead politicians tend to prefer to sweep the issue under the carpet.


The Calgary Homeless Foundation was setup in 1998 to try to deal with the problem. The late Mr. Art Smith, a Calgary entrepreneur, politician and philanthropist, founded the CHF in order to create a unified front to fight homelessness. As of 2008, the Foundation received a new mandate: to end homelessness in Calgary within 10 years. CHF launched The 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. They're doing a great job too; During the first 4 years of the 10 Year Plan, almost 3700 affordable housing units have been funded.


Following up with the CHF effort is a group of 8 Calgary Home Builders. Their RESOLVE Campaign is composed of  9 agencies (Albi Homes, Brookfield Residential Properties, Cedarglen Homes, Homes by Avi, Jayman, Morrison Homes, Qualico and Shane Homes). Their goal is to raise $120 million and build 25 to 30 housing units per year. They expect to help about 3000 people.


“People ask if you could ever eradicate homelessness and my response has been we’ll never get to that answer unless we try,” says Glynn Hendry, vice-president of Qualico Calgary (from a Calgary Herald report).


That is a nice response from the Calgary builders community.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 12 May 2013 08:15:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/luxury-home-sales-continues-strong-in-april.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/luxury-home-sales-continues-strong-in-april.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Luxury Home Sales Continues Strong in April</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Record Number of Luxury Homes in April in Calgary


Consistent with the trend to the growth in higher priced properties,Calgary had one of its best months ever in luxury home sales. This is on the heels of the record year in 2012 where 544 luxury homes were sold. 65 luxury properties were sold in April, which as up 38% from April 2012 but was down from March’s record of 74 properties. Calgary’s luxury home market performed better than any other major city in Canada with an incredible 50% increase during the first quarter of 2013. Million dollar homes are considered a solid investment for foreign investors looking to buy homes here.


Sales Up but Availability Becoming an Issue - In the overall Calgary area home market of all price levels, sales rose to 2380 last month from 2199 in April of 2012. The number of listings was up 7% from last April and the number of active listings is down 17%. Definitely a seller’s market and many homeowners are getting their price. Total days on market dropped from 41 to 33 which is a substantial decrease.


42 of the 65 luxury properties sold were between 1 million and 1.75 million dollars. 10 more homes in the 1 million to 1.25 million category were sold this April compared to last.  The properties sold were 150 detached houses and 22 condominiums.


Calgary Flames former player Jerome Iginla home’s recently for 3.995 million dollars.

Find out more about Calgary’s best neighbourhoods, and about foreign investment in Calgary’s residential home market.  Selling your home? Read our post on improving curb appeal and which renovations will give the best return on investment. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 05:30:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/canadians-using-tax-refund-to-pay-down-debt.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/canadians-using-tax-refund-to-pay-down-debt.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Canadians Using Tax Refund to Pay Down Debt</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Could be prospective homebuyers are getting serious about paying down debt in order to qualify for a home loan. A new report by BMO Nesbitt Burns suggests more than half Canadians who will receive a refund will either pay down household debt or invest that money. Hopefully, this will give the Calgary real estate market a little boost this year.







Source: canadianmortgagesinc.ca via CanadianMortgagesinc on Pinterest




 


Amazingly, the report says 8 out of 10 Canadians will get a tax refund this year. Almost 8.8 million returns out of the 13.1 million filed were eligible for a refund. CRA has issued almost $14 Billion in tax refunds. The average return was for $1,585.


Those who anticipate a refund plan to spend it on:




Home bills, credit card balances, mortgages (37%)


Save the money or invest in rrsp (20%)


Spend it on travel, leisure, or luxury goods (10%)


Conduct home renovations (7%)




John Waters, Vice President, Head of Tax &amp; Estate Planning, Wealth Planning Group, BMO Nesbitt Burns said "It's encouraging to see so many Canadians invest their tax refund money or use it to lower their debt load. While it may be tempting to spend the money on a trip or a flat screen TV, paying off debt or investing for the future will be more beneficial in the long term."


If you’re hoping to invest in a Calgary home in the next few years, it is wise to pay down credit card balances, car loans, student loans, and other large debts in order to meet the lending criteria for mortgages.


If you’re unsure of what you should be paying down, discuss it with one of our mortgage specialists.  It’s important to be paying down the right debts and the right amounts so that your dream of owning your home can come true.


View Calgary homes on the MLS listings here on Calgaryhomeboys.com. Choose from thousands of available properties in some of Calgary’s best neighbourhoods.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 15:59:26 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/hillhurst-sunnyside-convenient-and-quaint-close-to-downtown-calgary.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/hillhurst-sunnyside-convenient-and-quaint-close-to-downtown-calgary.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Hillhurst Sunnyside - Convenient and Quaint - Close to Downtown Calgary</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Anyone new to Calgary who has traveled around the city to scope out neighbourhoods has to be captivated by the area just northwest of the downtown Calgary. Across the 10th Street bridge is a warm, inviting neighbourhood with its own shops and a small town feel.


Being near downtown though can have its drawbacks. Traffic noise, transients, and over development can definitely wear away the charm of the village. But In 2009, The Hillhurst/Sunnyside Area Redevelopment Plan was enacted to help the village keep its personal charm and to ensure affordable housing was available in the area.


There's not much housing available in this area and it tends to be pricey. The population of hillhurst is about 6200, up about 300 from the last census. Most of the housing is condos/apartments for rent and the average household income in the area is estimated at about $60,000 per annum.  That makes it one Calgary poorer neighbourhoods. 







Source: houzz.com via Grumpy Cat on Pinterest




However, the average home price in Hillhurst this year is 800,000 dollars. And over in West Hillhurst, the average price is $867,000. There are no sales data for Sunnyside. Housing is rare here and thus very valuable. The surrounding communities also have some of Calgary's highest real estate prices.


Over in West Hillhurst, the scene changes to affluence. This is where many of Calgary older million dollar homes are. And they enjoy great views of the Bow valley river and the pathway that runs along with it.  There are good views of the downtown buildings for some as well. Take a look at some homes in West Hillhurst Calgary right now.


And the commute to downtown here is minimal. It's a short walk which many residents enjoy for 3 season. And for winter, you can't be the Calgary transit system. Learn more about Hillhurst Sunnyside at their community association site.


If living near downtown Calgary is what you're hoping for, talk to me about helping you find the right property. Definitely, this area is challenging and an experienced agent is what you need. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 05:35:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/single-family-homes-reach-new-highs-in-april-for-calgary.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/single-family-homes-reach-new-highs-in-april-for-calgary.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Single Family Homes Reach New Highs in April for Calgary</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Average Price Soars Above $450,000.


The average price of a single detached home in Calgary rose to a new high of $452,900. Market conditions finally pushed the sales price above the record levels of 2007. There was a total sales volume of $1,062,898,643 in the Calgary area.


Single family sales totaled 1611 units, almost 2% higher than last year at this time. New listings helped prop up sales and prices. Sales had been lagging earlier due to a shortage of inventory in Calgary.  With some detached housing becoming too pricey, the condo market has been revived. Condo sales grew 11% over the same time last year. Strong sales has reduced the Calgary market to 871 units currently available for sale.  This means the condo market is also a seller’s market. Check the Calgary MLS listings now for available condos.


Condo prices have risen 7.35% over last year’s benchmark prices.


Some realtors believe the higher prices will lead to more homeowners putting their properties up for sale. However, there are plenty of economic conditions that might temper Calgary home sales this year such as property availability outside of Calgary. Whether the Canadian economy will move ahead is in doubt. The level of consumer held debt is scaring a lot of people. It may well be that this is the time to get your home listed, even in Calgary.


Are you ready to sell your house?  It’s time to get some help from Calgary’s top real estate company: CIR.  Read this latest post about improving curb appeal and on those  renovations will give the best return on renovation investment.


What are Calgary’s best neighbourhoods, and are Chinese and Middle Eastern Buyers fueling Calgary’s strong market? Take a look at foreign investment in Calgary real estate.  It's good news though that Mortgage rates are continuing low for the benefit of many hopeful buyers. And when rates are low, it means home sellers will have more buyers for their properties. If you're still thinking about whether this is the right time to sell, contact me with your questions market conditions in the Calgary area. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2013 20:48:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/canada-a-safe-haven-for-foreign-investors.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/canada-a-safe-haven-for-foreign-investors.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Canada a Safe Haven for Foreign Investors</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Another report has come out from Sotheby's regarding the amount of real estate investment funds flowing into Canada. Foreign buyers consider our country a safe haven for their money. And real estate is as solid an investment as they can find. It's one they understand too.


They're buying in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and most other big Canadian cities.


 


It's not only Chinese investors who are buying up properties including commercial real estate. It's the middle east too. The report suggests Syrians, Egyptians and Europeans are wanting a safe/stable place to put their fortunes — Canada’s softening real estate market. 


These buyers are very interested in the high end market above $10 million. The problem is, there isn't enough inventory. Currently, there are a good number of million dollar + homes for sale on the Calgary MLS, and there's many more being privately sold. Whatever is available will see some good offers. Perhaps this is why the Vancouver market has a little uptick of late. Foreign buyers may be offsetting the plans of Flaherty for the housing market. 


Buyers apparently like our currency right now too. That factors into the value of their investment. “What we are seeing is very wealthy high-net worth individuals who see the Canadian real estate market as undervalued in their world, in terms of what else they are looking at and what else they own,” said Sotheyby's Ross McCredie.


Interested in selling your home in Calgary? It's an ideal time as it's a sellers market. The lack of housing stock is putting a pinch on buyers and seriously slowing the market down. Contact me and lets discuss how you can sell your home, move to another home, or move to another location in Calgary.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 05:33:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/albertans-say-theyre-most-likely-to-renovate-their-homes.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.calgaryhomeboys.com/blog/albertans-say-theyre-most-likely-to-renovate-their-homes.html</link>
            <author>johnmayberry@calgaryhomeboys.com (John Mayberry)</author>
            <title>Albertans Say They're Most Likely to Renovate Their Homes</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
A new poll by Harris/Decima, said Albertans plan to spend on average $22,900 on home renovations this year. That's quite a bit more than the national average of $15,300.  The report also said 39% of Canadians plan to renovate their homes this year. 52% of Albertans responded that they plan to renovate this year.


In BC, the atmosphere was a little more conservative with only 25% of respondents saying they plan to renovate. The Calgary Herald believes that renovation spending is linked to resale transactions and income. Income is rising in Alberta and the renovations might be for the purpose of improving the livability of the home or to improve its value for future sale. After taking possession of resale homes many new buyers will be looking to upgrade and renovate. 


The poll found that Canadians aged  from 45 to 54 will spend the most on their home renovations in 2013 (more than $18,000 on average). And that's almost 3 grand more than the Canadian average.


Take a good look at our featured CIR real estate listings. Set up a Calgaryhomeboys account right now online so you can view the available MLS listings in your prefered neighbourhood. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 20:36:00 -0600</pubDate>
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