New Communities Feature
SIMMONS OPEN
STRAWBERRY FIELD
Historic venue welcomes public
Berries for days in your backyard
MUNICIPAL A9
Calgarians drawn to upstart areas
DONNA BALZER A10
A7 FREE june 26 to july 2 2015 issue 05-24 editorial 403-781-1324 advertising 403-263-4940 crebnow@creb.ca
real estate news from industry experts
MAKING IT EASIER New report shows energy uncertainty creating options for buyers CODY STUART
managing editor
F
or Calgarians looking for a new home, the financial cloud hovering over the province’s oil patch may have a silver lining. According to RBC’s latest Housing Trends and Affordability Report, homes in the city became more affordable during the first quarter of 2015. The bank’s index, which measures the percentage of household income required to service the price of owning a home, showed costs in Calgary fell across all housing types in 2015. Laura MacKinnon is one of those who plans on taking advantage of the current market. Already having walked away from a previous offer, Mackinnon has yet to find the home of her dreams. However she’s convinced conditions will contribute to a solid purchase. “If anything, I think it’s made it easier for me,” she said. “Unlike last year when a spot was listed and sold in a day, this year I can look at several options, ruminate about it, go back to look at it again, then decide. This is the only way I know. If I’d been in the
market last year, I’m sure I’d be singing a different tune.” While MacKinnon is enjoying the less stressful state of affairs, she’s still confident any eventual purchase will be a good decision in the long run. “I know it’s a great long term investment, and Calgary is an amazing city to invest in. I’m still loving my house-hunting adventure. Everything happens for a reason, so I’m OK with not closing on that first place,” she said. “It makes me excited to see what else is out there.” RBC’s measures for Calgary declined across all categories, including a drop of 0.6 per cent to 19.4 per cent for condos, 1.5 to 32.6 per cent for two-storey homes and one to 32.8 per cent for bungalows. The number placed Calgary tops for affordability amongst the six centres included in the report. “Yes [affordability is improving] and it’s not a surprise because we’ve had two things happen: you’ve seen that reduction in lending rates, and as well our prices have also moved down,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “So naturally, that would make it more affordable, especially because wages haven’t changed much at this point.”
AFFORDABILITY A3
Calgarian Laura MacKinnon is convinced current conditions will contribute to her first home purchase.
MLS® MONTH END INVENTORY* MAY ‘13 – MAY ‘15
MAY13 4568 JUN13 4343 JUL13 3931 AUG13 3597 SEP13 3616 OCT13 3388 NOV13 2743 DEC13 1765 JAN14 2181 FEB14 2641 MAR14 3033 3820 APR14 4528 MAY14 4759 JUN14 4678 JUL14 4591 AUG14 4559 SEP14 4162 OCT14 3826 NOV14 3213 DEC14 4655 JAN15 5474 FEB15 5693 MAR15 5579 APR15 5342 MAY15
CITY OF CALGARY
KELSEY HIPKIN, Reporter/Photographer
CYCLE TRACK CONTENTS PILOT OPENS EARLY, UNDER BUDGET
NEWS BRIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3
FIVE THINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Woonerf
WEEKLY FEED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
SUNNYSIDE • NEW PETRIN BROS. MASTERPIECE! LUXURIOUS TWNHM. • NO FEES! • 2143 SF + DEV • DBL GARAGE MANY BUILTINS • FRONTS PARK • CITY VIEWS • $1,185,000
WEST HILLHURST • GORGEOUS NEW UPSCALE INFILL • $999,900 1886 SF + 780 DEV. EXHILARATING MODERN DESIGN & FINISHES QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP • EXTENSIVE CUSTOM MILLWORK & BUILT-INS
A
Construction guide
MORTGAGE RATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B19
MUNICIPAL A3
403-284-6369
TUXEDO – NEW TOWN HOMES - $489,900! 1350 SQ. FT. 3 BDRM UNITS – DESIGNER CHOSEN INTERIORS EXCL LOC MINS TO DT - 2 UNIQUE PLANS - SINGLE GARAGES
MUNICIPAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
s of June 18, Calgarians have access to four downtown routes part of a cycle track project in the city. The routes were opened two weeks ahead of schedule, largely thanks to good weather, said Don Mulligan, director of transportation planning with the City.
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
JOHN MELE & JOHN MALICK
EVENT LISTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
CREB® STAFF
@crebnow
www.johnmele.ca
GORGEOUS NEW HIGHLAND PARK INFILL • $799,900 2020 SQFT + 725 DEV. • OVERLOOKING TREED PARK EXCL PLAN & LOC • TOP QUALITY CONSTRUCTION • WEST YARD
/crebnow
crebnow.com
REAL ESTATE CENTRAL
BEAUTIFUL NEW HIGHLAND PARK INFILL • $759,900 1,914 SQ. FT. + 724 DEV. • OVERLOOKING GREEN SPACE EXCL PLAN & LOC • TOP QUALITY CONSTRUCTION • WEST YARD
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:30 - 4:30PM 620 3 AVENUE NW
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:30 – 4:30PM 2401 BOWNESS ROAD NW
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:30 - 4:30PM #2 110 23 AVE NW
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:30 - 4:30PM 203 36 AVENUE NW
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:30 - 4:30PM 3825 CENTRE B ST NW
NO FEES! Prime Sunnyside loc. - Overlooks treed park w/city skyline views. Renowned Petrin Bros construction w/custom detailing, woodwork & built-ins throughout. Gorgeous smoked oak hrdwd flrs. Exquisite site built, kitchen w/ivory cabinets extending into dining area. 9.5’ dark stained oak island, rich Titanium granite & deluxe SS appliances incl gas range. 3 generous bdrms up. Stunning master w/ priv balcony & park views. Lavish master ensuite w/soaker tub, dual sinks, heated floor, 10 mil glass & tile shower. Quality tile work in all baths complete w/vintage granite & furniture style vanities. Spectaular 3 flr loft offering treehouse views, full wet bar, & gas FP. Huge south facing rooftop patio w/views. Fully dev down w/rec-room & games rm, wet bar & full bath. In floor heat. Attractive low maint acrylic stucco ext. Fenced & landscaped. Rare Dbl attch garg. Unsurpassed craftsmanship. Inner city jewel!
New, stunning, refreshing inner city home by premiere builder. Gorgeous, upscale finishes. Excl bright open plan. Modern, clean edge craftsman ext w/ anodized alum trim. 10’ flat ceilings. Rich hand scraped birch hrdwd flrs thruout main + upper lvls. Open dining rm at front of home. Exquisite gourmet kitch boasts prof grade SS Jenn-Air applic pkg, loads of quartz countertops, 9’ custom island, ample site built cabinetry, and wall pantry. Lrg living rm ft ribbon flame gas FP w/ gorgeous tile surround. Excl rear mudrm. Jewel box powder bath. Lrg master w/chic wallpapered wall & showcase custom walk-in closet. Luxurious spa style ensuite incl soaker tub, smashing steam shower, dual sinks, & gorgeous tile work. 2 more generous bdrms up. Fully dev down w/spacious media centre, rec rm w/wet bar, 4th bdrm, and full bath. Excl loc mins to Kensington, DT, Schools, & restaurants + bistros. Fantastic!
New, super affordable, quality inner city living by Cambridge Homes. Bright corner twnhms w/modern open plan. Maple hrdwd flrs. Beautiful kitch features rich stained maple cabinets, quartz counters w/eating bar, tiled backsplash w/glass mosaic tile accents & lrg window. Adjacent eating nook separated from lrg family rm by a 3 sided gas FP. Priv loc powder bath. 3 bdrms incl huge master boasting a walk-in closet & ensuite bath tub. All baths feature tile flrs, maple vanities, quartz counters w/under mount sinks & tiled backsplashes. Bsmnt well designed for future dev. Low maint acrylic stucco/stone ext. fully lndscpd w/sod, shrubs & trees, new wood fence, u/g irrigation & exposed aggr walkways & front patio. Complete w/single detach garg. Steps to public transit, eclectic shops/bistros & mins to downtown. Unbeatable value!
9’ ceilings on all lvls. Distressed wide plank oak hrdwd flrs. Stunning gourmet kitch features crisp white cabinetry w/wall pantry, lrg espresso maple island w/granite countertops & mosaic glass tile backsplash. Prof grade Jenn-Air SS applics pkg incl gas cooktop and French door fridge. Open great rm offers linear gas FP flanked by custom built-in shelving. Rear mud rm w/tile flr & built-in storage lockers. Beautiful main flr den/office. Excl master w/ lrg walk-in w/wood organizers. Spa inspired ensuite w/soaker tub, dual sinks, heated tile flrs & sep tiled 10mil glass shower. Lower level w/in-flr heat. Huge media rm w/full wet bar. Large 4th bdrm & full bath w/ sep tiled 10mil glass shower. Fully landscaped. Many extras & upgrades. Excl loc across from park. Mins to shopping, schools, restaurants, public transit & downtown.
Top quality new infill by premiere builder, PHD Developments. Superb construction. Designer chosen finishes. Excl plan. 9’ ceilings on all lvls. Mocha maple hdwd flrs. Stunning gourmet kitch features crisp white cabinetry w/wall pantry, mosaic glass tile backsplash & lrg rustic grey oak island w/granite top. Deluxe KitchenAid SS Appl incl gas range. Open great rm offers gas FP flanked by custom built-in shelving & 2 upper windows. Rear mud rm w/tile flr & built-in storage lockers. Spacious main flr den/ office. Excl master w/lrg walk-in w/wood organizers. Spa inspired ensuite w/soaker tub, dual sinks, heated tile flrs & sep tile & 10mil glass shower. Lower lvl boast a huge media rm w/dual media set up options. Large 4th bdrm & full bath w/sep tile & 10mil glass shower. Fully landscaped. Solid core int doors, upgraded plumbing/lighting/carpet/ LUX windows & much more. Mins to shopping, schools, restaurants, public transit & DT.