You're ready to get in on Calgary's crazy home market. Whether you're buying or selling, you see opportunity and excitement ahead. What are some common mistakes to avoid?

It’s time to make a move. You have all the paperwork into the mortgage broker, you may even been pre-approved. You’re set up with a great Realtor who has narrowed down your search to a few very promising listings. You’re already shopping for new furniture online and browsing paint swatches. You’ve worked hard to get yourself into this position, but did you know there are a few bad moves you could make now that could make everything go sideways?

Don’t apply for credit cards or change any accounts.

In fact, don’t change any of your credit accounts PERIOD. Salesmen at every big box store now seem like they are on a mission to get you set up with a credit card or payment scheme of some description in a clever ploy to get you to spend more. As you may already be aware, applying for these does impact your credit score and may not look good to lenders, it’s better to hold off on these at this crucial time. It also goes without saying that this is not the time to accidentally miss any payments.

Don’t buy a new Car

Once again, doing so can be a big red flag to lenders and impact your credit score. If you desperately need a new set of wheels, now’s the time to go hunting for a cheaper used car that you can pay for with cash.

Stop buying furniture.

Buy your furniture AFTER the sale is final. Reasons of credit score and financing aside, we think it’s best if you spend some time in your new house before making any big design choices.

Don’t travel

Now is not the time to be out of town. It’s especially not the time to be spending money on travel. It would be unfortunate to miss a crucial phone call or not be driving distance from your broker’s office if something were to come up in the conditions of your sale. Celebrate with a trip, but do it a month or two after things are settled.

Career change

Yet another action that can have serious consequences for your lending agreement. Now is not the time to change jobs or careers. Even if your spouse is the primary earner, switching from one part-time or casual job to another is a move best avoided until a later time.

Looking for other advice for the final stretch of your home buying journey? Not feeling at else with the process or your Realtor? We'd love to spend some time getting to know you and your journey.

On Saturday, the Inglewood Pump Track in Calgary formally opened. The Parks Foundation, the Calgary Flames Foundation, the Alberta government, and the City of Calgary collaborated to build the track.

The track, which is situated at 7 Avenue and 20 Street S.E. has two custom-designed asphalt circuits for varying skill levels.

Visitors are encouraged to access the pump track through the scenic regional trail system or to park at the nearby Inglewood Wildlands parking area. according to the city.

According to the Calgary Flames Foundation, the circuit employs "hand-designed hills to generate an up and down pumping action rather than pedalling;" The track provides a dynamic experience for cyclists to learn how to navigate varying types of slopes and terrain. A pump track is a looping series of rollers and berms (swoopy, banked corners) for mountain bikers. It's intended to optimise your momentum, allowing you to ride with less exertion.

The city is looking to promote people cycling to this park using the pathway network and reached out to citizens for feedback through their website.

Inglewood & surrounding area have seen other various interesting amenities such as Harvey Passage: A recreational watersports area featuring spaces for canoeing, kayaking, beach space as well as a future surfing wave spot.

Calgary Racing enthusiasts likely recall the fate of the city’s previous race destination, especially when the fate of the Calgary racecourse, located at 114th Avenue and 68th Street S.E., was set to close half a decade ago. The owners were forced to give up the lease on the land and relocate as part of the City's long-term plan to expand landfill facilities.

Fast forward to today, Dominic Young’s The Rocky Mountain Motorsports Race Circuit in the community of Carstairs is slated to provide Calgary drivers with 3.5 kilometres of track.

Shadi El Hage, the track's operations manager, speaks of safety regulations that will step this track up to the standards of the modern racing community; skill vetting, car requirements and other practises will keep this community both accessible and safe, at a price that is.

So far, we know that there will be three membership levels, ranging from $36,000 to $250,000. This member base is essential to the funding of the project and the owners have reassured the community that members are establishing a facility and community that can eventually be more accessible.

The raceway has been in development for more than half a decade. For anyone who has been left in the dust on the new wing of Calgary’s Stoney Trail by someone going twice the speed limit, it may come as a relief that drivers with exotic cars now have a location to blow off some steam.

The project will also create many jobs through construction and a business development district that is being established in the area. It’s no surprise that a more vibrant set of projects and communities are driving people to communities in places like Calgary’s far Northwest. Rockland Park by Brookfield offers an intriguing new take on NW Suburban living. Qualico’s Ambleton offers fantastic value just north of recently completed Evanston.

Check out this recent post on the tracks progress here!

With the area ranging from Airdrie to Balzac maturing into a distinctive commercial hub, we suspect we will continue to see exciting projects such as Rocky Mountain Motorsports come to the area, as well as home builders taking advantage of the opportunity.

Real estate investment in Canada is hitting records in the second quarter. What are our favorite opportunities in Calgary this month?

As we roll into the fall season, we have seen residential complexes and industrial/warehouses with transactions expected to total almost $50 billion this year.

$14 billion in commercial real estate transactions took place in the last three months.

Similarly, Apartments, long seen to be reliable investments, have received a boost in recent months as rising house prices have made many potential homebuyers consider alternatives.

Meanwhile, detached houses sold for an average of $580,000 last month, a little drop from August but a 6% increase over previous year. Some may take this reprieve in record price growth as an opportunity to make a move.

Detached homes accounted for 59% of all home sales, semi-detached, condos and other units comprised the rest of the market.

Here are some neighborhoods we have our sights on as we watch and see what property investors will do over the next quarter:

Renfrew

Last week we sold a great investment property in Renfrew and are continuing to keep an eye out for similarly priced activity in the area: Renfrew is a prime location for growth, development, investment, and redevelopment in Calgary’s Northwest for a few key reasons. Not only is it quite close in proximity to most of the city’s headlining attractions (Downtown, SAIT, university, Airport), but it’s neighboring communities such as Rosedale command premium pricing and with a steady appetite for infills and new opportunities, investors are beginning to watch this community with a keen eye.

Pineridge & Neighboring Communities

Calgary’s Northeast features a lot of homes that are now hitting the age at which many sellers consider refreshing or revamping their properties prior to listing to stay competitive. Homebuilders and contractors will be looking for opportunities to flip houses, and investors will be looking for great family homes in established communities.

Evanston & Area

Calgary’s north central area continues to be a hot buy for those looking to live on the northern end of the city in high quality master planned communities without making the jump all the way to neighboring satellite community, Airdrie. You only need to take a look at the sheer amount of new development and brand new communities taking shape just North of this district to see how much demand there is for existing properties nearby!

If you’re looking for information of consultation of investment property opportunities, you can always drop us a line!

When we first walk inside this sunny south-facing apartment in Lakeview Green's Phase I, we notice a few things that we particularly enjoy. These Lakeview Green apartments are really a hidden treasure for not just the neighbourhood, but for the whole city.

The first is the choice to open up the staircase, which significantly improves the total lighting on the main floor. The one-of-a-kind stained-glass window completely floods the stairs and landing with light and adds some intriguing character to the area.

Make sure you watch our video for this listing! Many of the South Calgary townhouses presently on the market do not have the layout of this apartment. Take a look at it below!

The kitchen has contemporary cabinets, stainless-steel equipment, and a breakfast nook. A smart addition to this kitchen is an expansion of the counter area that fills up the corner near the breakfast nook, providing just a little extra room.

The open concept living and dining area connects to the private top terrace, which overlooks the school yard of Jennie Elliott Elementary School. It's ideal for keeping an eye on the kids as they enter and exit school.

A two-piece bath completes the main floor living space. The second floor has a huge Master Bedroom with wide windows and a walk-in closet, a large second bedroom, and a 4-piece bath.

The basement is perfect for partying, relaxing, or storage, with built-in cabinets and TV mounts, as well as a large window. This space, which is essentially a big den or bonus room, is light and well completed, with a barn door concealing the entry to the washer dryer area.

Right off the huge heated 14x25 foot attached garage is a laundry room with a Samsung front loading washer and dryer, as well as additional storage space.

Take a look at the listing here!

If you have been out and about Downtown, especially near Macleod Trail, you'll notice some construction delays, but also the noticeable absence of the once dominant, monolith of the Plus-15 bridge and elevated section of the Victoria Park/Stampede LRT station that use to stand in the area adjacent to the C-Train station.

Investors, Residents, Visitors and Renters alike will be relieved at this new infrastructure change in Downtown Calgary.

The pedestrian bridge was demolished Friday night, and work on the elliptical red stairs going into Stampede Park from Macleod Trail will continue into the week. The Rivers District master plan, a 20-year vision for east Victoria Park that includes additional facilities like as the new event centre, BMO expansion, and a new Stampede retail destination encompasses several infrastructure upgrades such as this one, a change we are welcoming.

Those who frequented Flames games at the Saddledome are all to familiar with this notoriously aging and seedy bridge and station. Residents of nearby Calgary Condo buildings such as Keynote, Vetro or Sasso are likely breathing a sigh of relief at the much-needed change.

Image Source: City of Calgary

Also part of the Stampede Park concept plan, this new ground level crosswalk will create a friendlier 17th Avenue SE pedestrian and vehicular corridor that will increase connectivity and create an attractive right of way for new retail and commercial development along 4th Street SE/Stampede Trail.

A New Beginning for 17th avenue: Developments, Entertainment and Planning

The vision is to expand the 17^th Avenue strip right up to the Stampede area and create a friendly and accessible, safe connection between both popular districts in a smart, sustainable, urban planning-forward fashion.

The project began in July 2021 and will rapidly transition to street-level pedestrian access in October 2021. It’s nice to see it get finished, but what about nearby Earlton Station? There is in fact a plan in place this similarly aging neighboring station, but no money is available yet, and there is still flooding and redevelopment planning to be approved by the city.

Very unique home in Calgary's Pineridge - this is an exciting opportunity for a growing family

This house has seen many renovations over the years, and we are inspired by the classic wood millwork that runs from the starewell into the finished basement. The basement has a neat vibe and we’re sure this is going to become somebody’s ultimate mancave or at home sports bar!

The exterior of the home is stucco and stone facing; this home has great curb appeal and is nicely shaded with some pine trees from the street, but walking up to the home you would never guess how huge the yard is!

This yard features a large deck, gazebo, and tons of space. Just imagine relaxing under the gazebo with a nice drink on a warm summer evening! Whether you need a summer retreat to spend time with the kids or a winter play destination for building snowmen and forts, this yard will keep your kids busy.

With slate and hardwood floors, laminate counter tops, stainless steel appliances, updated cabinets and lighting, the interior of this home offers so much potential for creating a comfortable space for your family. With 3 bedrooms upstairs and the bathrooms have been upgraded with stone floors and tub surround. The master ensuite features an interesting open concept full 4 piece bathroom. This is rare for homes in Calgary but many will enjoy the intimate nature of this setup!

If it’s too cold to relax outside under the gazebo then the obvious next choice is to head down to the 3rd level and visit the bar! This family room set up with a bar and awesome wooden millwork features wood burning fireplace and a bonus room that is used as a bedroom, but could also be purposed as a rec room, or office.

At a quick glance you might not expect the 4th level to have a large rec room, laundry and utility room, but this space is huge! This would be a great home gym and work area for DIYers.

We truly think Pineridge is a great choice for growing a family; lots of Calgary’s suburban office parks are nearby which means a short commute for many. Important transit links such as the TransCanada Highway, Barlow Trail, and Memorial Drive make getting around the city easy and provide alternative routes when traffic proves difficult (Did we mention winter is coming…)

The Village Square Leisure Centre and the walkway system, both located in the neighbourhood, provide recreational option. Elliston Park, which is linked to the pathway system, is a wonderful location for a morning jog or walk with the dog. While 36^th Street has just about ever amenity you could possibly think of, we took a quick drive up to Crossiron Mills near Airdrie for some shopping after we visited this listing and noted that it was only a short 20 minute drive.

Lake Chestermere and its excellent beach are only a short drive away for a summer getaway, and the recently renovated Harvie Passage provides a water hideaway in the city for beach lounging, kayaking, and taking in the views from the Bow River, just 10 minutes away from Pineridge!

View the listing here!

For those who need space not just for their family but also for hobbies, at home superbowl (or Grey Cup!) watching sessions, gardening projects and Barbeque nights out on the deck, this is a really great choice!

Have you been browsing through the houses for sale in Calgary inner-city locations like Sunnyside, Altador, or South Calgary and feeling like such areas carry too much competition to land a solid inner city investment opportunity?

We would like to invite you to check out Renfrew, a classic Calgary neighborhood with some interesting history that has been seeing a wealth of new development. Because of the amount of new development, retail, schools, and recreational opportunities available to its residents, the Renfrew neighbourhood is one of the most sought-after residential areas in the whole city of Calgary. The Renfrew neighbourhood, located in Calgary's north-central quadrant, we love it’s convenience, with the downtown core within walking distance.

Renfrew is bounded on the west by the Edmonton Trail, on the east by the Nose Creek Valley, on the north by the TransCanada Highway, and on the south by the Bow River. Downtown Calgary is just three kilometres away and is easily accessible through the Edmonton Trail. Renfrew was not developed until the 1940s, when the Calgary Airport was moved from its original location on 6th Street and Regal Crescent. If you travel for work this location might be ideal as you have easy access to both downtown and the airport, more so than many of the Southwest inner-city communities.

During the second world war, the region was home to a Royal Canadian Air Force training station and airfield that simultaneously functioned as the Calgary airport. The neighbourhood was built for residential use when the airport was moved from its original location (on the intersection of present-day 6th Street and Regal Crescent).

Renfrew Athletic Park has a full-sized football pitch. In addition to the school grounds and the region next to Nose Hill Creek, which contains the McInnis & Holloway Memorial Forest, parkland and greenspace are found in abundance closer to the Bow River area. In addition to the schools, there is a Boys & Girls Club, a swimming pool, an indoor skating rink, an outdoor skating rink at the community association building, and soccer grounds along the stream.

The property we are looking at today features a wonderful, raised bungalow on a quiet, desirable street. Whether you choose to hold or redevelop this lot, this is a great choice as it is classified as a RC-2 50x120ft lot.

With a sunny treed & fenced backyard with a deck to enjoy the summer on this huge lot, the potential here is amazing. The current home is bright & cheerful and boasts 1100 sq ft of main floor living space. There are two bedrooms with hardwood floors throughout. Large, upgraded vinyl windows keep this spacious home flooded with sunlight.

High efficiency furnace and hot water heating downstairs as well as central AC are already present in this home. The lower 2 bedroom illegal suite is updated and has Maple kitchen cabinets and attractive laminate flooring throughout. Both suites are host to tenants who are happy to stay.

The surrounding area includes Renfrew Elementary School Colonel Macleod Elementary & Junior High St. Alphonsus Elementary & Junior High Stanley Jones Elementary School. Several business zones are directly next to the neighbourhood, including stores along Edmonton Trail and Centre Street in neighbouring Crescent Heights and Bridgeland, along 16th Avenue to the north and west, and over the bridge in Mayland Heights. The downtown centre is walkind distance from Renfrew and is readily accessible by public transportation, private car, or foot.

With the wealth of new development in and around the 16^th Avenue area to the North, we’re excited to se this part of the city grow much the same as districts like South Calgary have. Now is the time to decide if a property such as this one is the right move to make for you!

The listing for this house for sale at 2743 LIONEL CR SW, Calgary, Alberta has just gone live.

This is one of the most sought-after lots in the Lakeview neighbourhood of Chicago. A tree-lined street on the south side of Lakeview, 2743 Lionel Crescent is close to stores, schools, and the Glenmore Reservoir, and it is a great place to call home (which is a short distance away). The backyard has a southern exposure and is very big. This 1191 sq ft renovated home has been carefully constructed, with large living spaces and bedrooms.

This home's maple hardwood floors shine brilliantly in the large main level living room, which flows into the dining nook and then into the Maple Legacy kitchen, which has a built-in pantry and newer appliances.

This area, which was formerly used as a third bedroom, has been converted into an exquisite formal dining room with sliding doors leading to the large fenced and planted south-facing back yard. The freshly built double tandem garage is fully finished and is located in a quiet area of the property. Every one of the bedrooms has a substantially sized bed and a large closet.

One bathroom is a two-piece ensuite, while the other three bathrooms are each a four-piece main bathroom and a full bathroom below. This home's completely completed basement has a big family room as well as a large bedroom and bathroom.

Here it is, the moment you have been looking forward to all year. This location is just 12 minutes from downtown and is in close proximity to the Earl Grey golf course as well as many Glenmore Park pathways and walking trails.

Check out our walkthrough video for this listing!

Check out this amazing listing in one of our favorite upcoming NW Calgary Districts: Evanston

Evanston, located northwest of Calgary, has all the amenities you need to enjoy the best of what Calgary has to offer. Stoney Trail NW runs beside Evanston, providing easy access to downtown Calgary for business or pleasure. Do you want to make a connection with nature? Nose Hill Park's wide-open areas are close, or you may easily reach the TransCanada Highway for a weekend escape in the Rockies. Your out-of-town friends and relatives won't have to drive far to see you since the Calgary International Airport is close by.

This beautiful two-story house is situated on the quiet street of Evanspark Garden and has a south-facing backyard. This home has a living room with a fireplace, a bright large kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a long peninsula, a nook, and a 2pc bath on the first level of the home. The top floor has three generously sized bedrooms, the largest of which includes a walk-in closet and a complete en-suite. Additionally, laundry is located on the top level.

With a partly completed basement that has been roughed in for plumbing and is just ready for your own finishing touches, the possibilities are limitless. This home is decorated in neutral tones throughout and is situated on a quiet street close to parks and recreational facilities. The sunny south yard is completely enclosed.

With expansive open green spaces, verandahs, paths and parks, there are so many places to socialize and have fun with your family. Evanston's many green areas, which include playgrounds and a neighbourhood gazebo, have also been intended to serve as meeting spots.

There are three schools in the neighbourhood. 2 are currently available. A thriving business centre in the neighbourhood lets you run all your errands conveniently. Throughout the parklands, there are seven playgrounds, 16 green areas, and connected paths and walkways.

One of the city's fastest-growing neighbourhoods, Evanston’s developers have conceived the neighborhood based on a commitment to reduce their environmental footprint, offer sufficient opportunities for outdoor recreation, and build creative and varied communities that appeal to people of all ages.

View the listing here!

Here's a video we made for this upcoming listing, check out the awesome forested area, very rare for a Calgary property!

Discovery Ridge is a Calgary neighbourhood that has been master-planned with sprawling beautiful boulevards that spill into an amazing forest oasis. When the community was established, the communities' hottest properties ran from $1 million to $1.5 million, and when these lots come up for sale they are in high demand.

The first floor of this home has a family room that's fitted with slate and a gas fireplace, as well as a beautiful formal dining and living room. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to give you a tour of this magnificent property, you really have to see it in person!

Perhaps it’s time to sell your home and you are looking for some great ways to have your property stand out among others in Calgary's ever surging market.

We have seen this trend pop up in show homes but many older homes have bare walls ready for a touch of style. Looking for a reasonably affordable weekend project to add some serious style a room in your house? This is a great way to either add that extra little bit of value to sellers or just give your family a stylish refresh as we prep for another year of working from home.

Accent walls can transform the home with their texture, color and design. You may try out colour, texture, and pattern without radically altering the basis of the space. Having an accent wall in your house may totally transform the mood of the whole space, and the results will always be positive. Although it may seem like it would mess with your symmetry, it really simply adds a little of flair, mystery, and depth. After seeing them, you'll be desperate to have one in every area of your home.

We checked out 3 feature walls from a few of our favorite design blogs, check out their sites for more detail and follow us on Facebook to keep up withmore design and home reno tips!

Kate Ellen - Modern and Trendy

https://kateellen.ca/diy-modern-feature-wall/

Kate and her husband and pulled apart their dining room for a weekend. It sounds like their project crept into the rest of their week a bit (As these projects tend to do, there’s a little bit of a perfectionist in all of us) Check out their before and after pics for this amazing transition!

She stressing the use of choosing the right shade of white (Now might be the time to check up on your paint trends) but say priming the area first helped get a really great result. Pay attention to how they rearranged the furniture, installed a new light fixture, and added a few plants, the styling on this one is really great!

Katie Kurtz - Mature and balanced

http://www.adornedhomes.com/creating-a-productive-home-office-formal-dining-room/

Katie stressed the importance of keeping the functionality of a room, and here is a really good example of a great design choice:  Rather than filling in one of what seemed like a second unnecessary doorway they chose to retain the formal dining room since as future purchasers often look for this type of entrance in a dining layout.

Pay attention to her contrasting materials and great use of proportion. The functionality of the millwork cabinets ads a functional dimension while retaining a great balance of style. We are very inspired to see more people try something like this one!

Earlier this year we sold a home in Strathcona Park that had a similar setup but the homeowner used stone and maple paneling; don’t be afraid to experiment with contrasting materials!

Ana White - Classic Design

https://ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/wainscoting-feature-wall

Ana White found this traditional wainscoting approach to building a feature wall to be a great alternative to wallpaper for her project. One great consideration here was the simple, classic design affords flexibility for styling: chic furniture and creeping vines could transform this into a cool hipster inspired space just as appropriately as classic timeless furniture, rugs, colors and textures in the room could get a nice boost from this tasteful panelling.

Note how they didn't install a raised panel between the boards, and just painted the wall instead. Find shortcuts to make your project easier and don’t underestimate the importance of different paint textures.