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CBC NEWS Calgary
Calgary's housing market to stay the same in 2018, real estate board predicts
CREB forecast says higher interest rates and new mortgage criteria offsetting economic rebound
The housing market in Calgary this year will likely look much like it did in 2017, according to a forecast released Wednesday by the Calgary Real Estate Board.
CREB's 2018 forecast says stricter lending criteria introduced this year by Ottawa, coupled with slightly higher interest rates, should put downward pressure on prices.
That will offset any upward momentum that results from Alberta's continuing recovery from the recent economic recession.
"The path to recovery is expected to be bumpy, as the market adjusts to a new normal," says the report, which predicts minimal changes in sales activity in 2018 in the Calgary area.
"More balanced market conditions will be led by the attached and detached sectors of the market, while the apartment sector will continue to struggle with excess inventory in 2018."
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The Huffington Post
By Sonia Bell and Wayne Karl
Here's How Much House You Can Afford Under Canada's New Mortgage Rules
The mortgage stress test is a tool used to ensure that buyers do not spend more on a home than they can actually afford.
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The Calgary Herald
By Bill Kaufmann
 This parkade is being built for easy condo conversion as cars become redundant
The 250,000-square-foot, 500-plus vehicle stall structure to occupy what's now a parking lot on the south side of 9th Avenue at 3rd Street S.E. envisions a changing world in which self-driving vehicles and other forms of transportation emerge, said Veres.
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A collection from Pinterest and various websites
Great ideas...
Clever and cute idea for getting your kids to do chores. Thanks to
Turn your front coat closet into a nook. Thanks to
What a great idea for the laundry room. Ideas thanks to
Pinterest.
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The Huffington Post
By Taylor Pittman
So THAT'S Where Teddy Bears Got Their Name
In 1902, Roosevelt went bear hunting
in Mississippi at the invitation of Gov. Andrew H. Longino. Roosevelt's guide was Holt Collier, who was born in slavery and served as a Confederate cavalryman during the Civil War. He was also a skilled hunter and killed more than 3,000 bears, according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
On this hunt, Collier was ready to help the president shoot a bear.
During the hunt, he found a black bear
and planned to have Roosevelt kill it, as detailed in Minor Ferris Buchanan's biography of Collier.
Before the president could get there, though, the animal grabbed one of Collier's hunting dogs. To protect his dogs and himself but also to ensure the president could take the fatal shot, Collier rounded up the bear (in part by hitting it on the skull with his gun) and tied it to a tree.
When Roosevelt finally arrived, the president refused to kill the captured animal, and according to the Washington Post reporters who were also there, he told his hunting crew to "put it out of its misery." Some sources suggest that Roosevelt knew he would receive more backlash for his love for hunting if he killed the bear in such circumstances. Others note that he was simply being sportsmanlike.
In the days after, the Post ran a cartoon by Clifford Berryman about Roosevelt's hunt, titled "Drawing The Line In Mississippi." It depicts the president firmly refusing to kill the tied-up bear. The cartoon creature looks barely larger than either of the hunters.
Roosevelt's hunting expedition also caught the eye of Morris and Rose Michtom, Russian Jewish immigrants who ran a penny goods store in Brooklyn, New York. Rose sewed a bear out of plush velvet and displayed it in their shop as "Teddy's bear," according to Smithsonian Magazine. The couple soon realized there was immense customer interest in the soft toy. (There is evidence that similar stuffed bears were created in Europe around the same time).
Seeing the popularity of the little bear and erring on the side of caution, the Michtoms sent one of their stuffed animals to Roosevelt and asked for permission to associate his name with it. The president gave the OK. The couple had such success with the teddy bear that they founded the ideal Novelty and Toy Company.
In the '60s, the family gave one of the original bears to the Smithsonian Institution.
Teddy bears are still massively popular. Last year, a survey from Build-A-Bear Workshop, which specializes in helping customers create their own stuffed toys, found that 56 percent of respondents have treasured their favorite stuffed animal for more than two decades.
The classic toy also makes frequent appearances around Valentine's Day, especially in "giant" versions of the original.
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CREB Now
AN UPHILL BATTLE
How Calgarians banded together to protect nature and create Nose Hill Park
"WE OWE IT ALL TO THE PEOPLE BACK IN THE '70S THAT FOUGHT TO (PROTECT) THAT LAND. AND NOW IT'S UP TO US TO MAINTAIN IT AS INTENDED." - SHELDON DAVID, CITY OF CALGARY PARKS SUPERINTENDENT
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AVENUE Calgary
BY Alana Willerton
10 New Restaurants and Stores Opening in Calgary in 2018
This year, Calgary is getting Western Canada's first Saks Fifth Avenue location, a new plant-based cafe and fish-shaped waffle cakes filled with soft serve.
Here are 10 restaurants and stores you can expect to open in Calgary in 2018.
Gringo Street
The team behind Cleaver on 17 Avenue SW are opening a new Latin street food restaurant on January 5. Gringo Street is located right next door to Cleaver, and will offer dishes like jalapeno cheeseburgers and sweet n sour fried shrimp tacos.
102 524 17 Avenue SW
Those looking to grab a cup of coffee in Britannia will soon be able to visit Monogram. The local coffee shop is opening its third location in the new Britannia Block building in 2018.
American retailer Nordstrom Rack is coming to Canada this year, and will be opening a 30,600-square-foot store in Deerfoot Meadows. Expect the same kind of apparel, accessories, shoes and jewellery that you would find at
Nordstrom, but at a clearance prices. Nordstrom Rack is set to open in Calgary on April 26.
Sandwiches and beer meet pinball and arcade games at Pinbar Sandwich Co., coming to the corner of 17 Avenue and 4 Street S.W. soon.
Western Canada's first Saks Fifth Avenue location will offer everything from luxury men's and women's apparel to jewellery and shoes in its new 115,000-square-foot space in CF Chinook Centre. The department store has an expected opening date of February 22.
CF Chinook Centre
Vegetarians and vegans will find plenty to love at this new plant-based and vegan cafe. Expect dishes like vegan breakfast sandwiches, Korean japchae, smoked tofu wraps and veggie bibimbap. SaVeg Cafe opens on January 2, which is perfect timing for those looking to start the new year off on a healthy note.
637 11 Ave. S.W
The Bro'kin Yolk has one location in northwest Calgary already, and now, it's expanding with a second, 68-seat location in Mahogany. Soon, you'll be able to step up your brunch game with chicken and waffles or an open face avocado sandwich at this new spot.
1410 7 Mahogany Plaza SE
Local Thai eatery Tuk Tuk Thai is opening not one, not two, but three next locations next year. Look for new locations in Kensington, Signal Hill and Creekside in the coming months.
Multiple locations.
This new eatery in downtown Calgary will focus on taiyaki. Picture a sweet waffle cake in the shape of a fish with fillings inside. The cake acts as a cone, as the mouth of the fish is filled with soft serve ice cream in matcha, ube, coconut, vanilla or black sesame flavours. Uzu Taiyaki is aiming to open in January or February.
1, 110 2 Ave. S.E.
Auburn Bay is going to be a little bit sweeter this spring. XO Ice Cream & Waffles will be offering its take on old school ice cream parlours in a space designed by McKinley Burkart. As its name suggests, you can expect made-in-house ice cream, waffles, sorbets and to-go pints at this eatery.
800, 100 Auburn Meadows Dr. SE
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TheHuffington Post
Canadian Malls Are Converting Space To Condos As Stores Close
Some mall owners are betting they can make more money with residential space than retail.
Canadian mall owners are adding condos and apartments to their shopping centers, seeking to capitalize on a supply-constrained housing market while reducing exposure to a struggling retail sector.
Developers such as RioCan REIT, Canada's largest property trust, and the property units of some Canadian pension funds are turning prime land that has historically not been put to best use - such as parking lots or low-rise retail - into housing in one of the world's most expensive, supply-constrained residential markets.
In the greater Toronto area, there were 12,500 new homes available to purchase in October, less than half the average between October 2000 and 2015, according to Altus Group.
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CREB Now
By Tyler Difley
BRIDGING THE GAP
Most Calgarians probably don't stop to think about the city's bridges every time they cross over them by car, by bike or on foot. However, many of these important structures have interesting backstories or architectural designs that make them special.
Peace Bridge
This popular pedestrian bridge opened in 2012 and has quickly become one of Calgary's iconic structures. It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and connects the communities of Sunnyside and Eau Claire.
Reconciliation Bridge
Built as the Langevin Bridge in 1910, this bridge carries traffic along Fourth Street S.E. over the Bow River between East Village and Bridgeland. It was originally named after Sir Hector-Louis Langevin, one of Canada's Fathers of Confederation. However, Langevin was also known as one of the architects of Canada's notorious residential school system, and city council voted to change the name to the Reconciliation Bridge in January 2017 in an effort to heal the wounds of area First Nations. The bridge is known for its 5,600 LED lights that glow in a variety of colours to celebrate holidays and other events.
Centre Street Bridge
Calgary's iconic Centre Street Bridge opened in 1916 and is well known for its stone lion sculptures, which were fashioned to resemble the lions in London's Trafalgar Square. The bridge spans the Bow River to connect Calgary's downtown core with the community of Crescent Heights.
AND MANY MORE...Learn about all the Calgary Bridges.
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We are here for you
There are many reasons for buying or selling a home - sometimes the reason is exciting like moving up into a bigger, better or newer home or community. Often it is because circumstances have changed and it is necessary to downsize, perhaps due to a reduced income, becoming empty nesters, a relationship break-up or sadly the loss of a loved one.
We are here for you, whatever the reason - ready to listen and understand your unique situation and work closely with you as you make decisions to best prepare for your circumstances.
You can trust us to work hard for you and to make your real estate experience as seamless as possible, while offering solid information to help you make informed decisions.
We cannot control the market, or predict with 100% accuracy what a home will sell for - I sure wish we could, that would make our jobs much easier!
We will, however, make sure you have lots of information to determine the best list price for your home, or the best price to offer when buying - based on actual sale comparisons and what is available as competition in the market.
We will negotiate strategically during the offer process, drawing on our experience, always focused on what is the best outcome for you.
We will make sure you receive a steady flow of information so you know what to expect throughout the buying or selling process, and what is happening in the market while you are working with us.
Communication is one of our greatest strengths as a team, often mentioned by past clients in our reviews. Take a look at look at the 85 reviews posted on our website for specific examples of what our clients say about working with us.
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We are here for you and because of you! Each day we are grateful for each client that has placed their trust in us, knowing our success in this business is built on providing our clients with exemplary service.
If it is time to make a move and you are searching for a realtor you can trust, who is ready to serve your needs with compassion and commitment, look no further - you have found the best!
Don't just take my word for it!
Lucy Bastianon recently sold her mother's condo with us and this is what she had to say:
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"I had the McKelvie Group sell my mother's condo as she recently passed away. Everybody there was just wonderful and pleasant to work with, they helped me from beginning to end. If I had a question there was always someone there to help me. I had no worries and my mother's condo sold quickly. I would recommend them to anyone and plan on having them sell my town home in the next few years."
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This review made my day, knowing Lucy was another happy client. I look forward to working with Lucy again when she is ready to sell, and look forward to working with you too, when you are ready to make a move.
Call our team anytime - we are here for you!
Best regards,
Kelly and Team
Kelly McKelvie
403-247-9988
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CREB
Housing Market Déjà Vu in January
As expected, Calgary sales activity similar to last year
City of Calgary, February 1, 2018 - The new year opened predictably, with monthly figures close to the Januarys of the past three years. With new mortgage rules and rates officially in effect, sales activity in January remained comparable to last year, as rising sales for attached properties were not enough to offset declines in both the apartment and detached sector. Overall January sales totaled 958 units, nearly two per cent above last year and 11 per cent below long-term averages. "2018 was kicked off with higher rates and the official implementation of the new mortgage requirements. While it is too early to see the impact of these changes, so far, January levels are consistent with what we saw last year," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie "The recovery will be bumpy, and we will continue to monitor the impact of the lending changes relative to the overall economic climate." Stable sales were met with rising new listings, causing further gains in inventory levels and impacting prices. Citywide, unadjusted prices totaled $432,300, 0.21 per cent below last month and 0.25 per cent below last year's figures. Prices eased across all product types compared to last month, but price declines were more pronounced in the apartment and attached sectors. In the detached sector, new listings rose with declining sales activity for product priced over $500,000. However, product priced between $300,000 and $399,999 saw an increase in activity. This will be an adjustment to the new reality buyers and sellers face, as pockets of the market will experience a mismatch between supply and demand. "Sellers needs to be aware of the competing supply in the market. This can influence the timing of their decision, along with setting realistic expectations regarding time on the market and selling price," said 2018 CREB® president Tom Westcott. "For buyers, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is essential, along with getting advice from a REALTOR® to get into a home they will be happy with."
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HOUSING MARKET FACTS
* Detached sales totaled 583 units, similar to last year and 13 per cent below long-term averages. Easing sales were met with rising new listings. Months of supply rose to 3.75, slightly higher than last year's levels at 3.18 months. Overall detached benchmark prices totaled $499,400, similar to levels recorded both last month and in January 2017.
* Apartment sales eased to 145 units, well below long-term averages, but consistent with the slower activity seen over the past three years. New listings eased modestly compared to last January, but it was not enough to cause any meaningful change in inventory levels. Elevated supply compared to demand continued to weigh on pricing.
* The attached segment of the market saw a rise in sales, but was met with a stronger gain in inventory levels. This caused the months of supply to push above last January's figures. The elevated inventory relative to sales continued to weigh on prices. Attached prices totaled $328,000 in January 0.64 per cent below last month and 0.33 per cent below last year.
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CREB Now
2018 BY THE NUMBERS
Statistical highlights from CREB®s 2018 Economic Outlook and Regional Housing Market Forecast
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CREB Now
By Andrea Cox
UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
Northwest community of Tuscany offers stunning mountain views and opportunities for active living
An established northwest community that attracts buyers in all stages of life, Tuscany offers a variety of attractions, from beautiful scenery and quick access to nature, to schools, sports facilities and retail developments.
Located on the plateau along Calgary's western edge, Tuscany provides panoramic vistas that embrace the Bow River valley to the south and the foothills and Rocky Mountains to the west.
Tuscany was established in 1994, and is currently the fifth largest community in the city, with almost 19,700 residents. It's a young and vibrant community where the median age hovers around 34 years of age.
It's also a community that attracts those who appreciate an active lifestyle. The Tuscany Club, the private residents' club in the community, features a large gym, bookable rooms, a play area, a splash park in the summer, and in the winter, two outdoor rinks. One rink is perfect for a game of shinny, while the other is suited for recreational skating and grounded by a central fire pit.
An even greater draw is the newly launched Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge, located one community over to the north. Meanwhile, to the south, the ski and mountain bike runs of Canada Olympic Park dominate the view.
Walking trails crisscross the community, as do playgrounds and parks.
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The Calgary Herald
This private N.S. island remains unsold after eight years, despite $2.5M price drop
HALIFAX - An American family's striking 57-acre private Nova Scotia island remains unsold, eight years after it went on the market and despite a $2.5-million price drop.
Now, realtor Mariana Cowan is suggesting alternate uses for Kaulbach Island, which boasts an 11,000-square-foot main house and encircling sandy beaches that overlook the province's picturesque Mahone Bay.
"This place is really quite remarkable," said Cowan. "It would make a great resort, a corporate retreat base or a lovely secondary home."
The main house - built by the current owners roughly 12 years ago and dubbed the "Osprey Nest" - features 11 bedrooms, nine bathrooms and 10 fireplaces, and is a short five-minute boat ride from the mainland.
"When you arrive you come up this winding driveway and you're greeted by this magnificent house. It's hard to believe this home is in the South Shore," said Cowan.
The imposing two-storey structure with grey wood siding and white trim stands in stark contrast to the groomed lawns, lush trees and ponds that comprise the property - navigable by golf carts.
Inside, the 12-year-old house evokes a traditional and elegant style. The master bedroom and living room are clad in knotty pine wood panelling. The library features oak walls and oriental rugs, and an adjacent "telephone room" allows guests to make private phone calls.
"The whole design was meant to make it feel like an older home, to give it that historic feel. The woodworking, the moulding - everything is made to look like it's 100 years old," said Cowan.
The seasonal house is equipped with environmentally friendly features, including aquathermal heat.
Young, Bella, and the several other islands in the bay can be spotted from the house's sun room, furnished with french doors, massive windows, slate floors, and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace.
The property includes staff living quarters above a double-car garage, a nearby two-level farm house, and a seaside beach house that was built in 2002 - all minutes away from a golf course and sailing club.
Cowan listed the property last fall for $7 million, down from $9.5 million when it was first listed in 2010. It has been on and off the market since then.
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Various websites and blogs
Here are some before and after photos of some pretty impressive home makeovers to give you some inspiration.
Thanks to the following blogs and websites for the photos and information.
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Did You Know website
DID YOU KNOW?
Here is some fun information and facts for you...
Did you know
11% of people are left handed
Did you know
August has the highest percentage of births
Did you know U
nless food is mixed with saliva you can't taste it
Did you know
The average person falls asleep in 7 minutes
Did you know
A bear has 42 teeth
Did you know
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain
Did you know
Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries
Did you know
8% of people have an extra rib
Did you know
85% of plant life is found in the ocean
Did you know
Rabbits like licorice
Did you know
The Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters
Did you know
Lobsters blood is colorless but when exposed to oxygen it turns blue
Did you know
Armadillos have 4 babies at a time and are all the same sex
Did you know
the longest recorded flight of a chicken was 13 seconds
Did you know
birds need gravity to swallow
Did you know
the most commonly used letter in the alphabet is E
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The Calgary Herald
By Meghan Potkins
East Village to see flurry of 'milestone' development in 2018
As a decade of revitalization efforts begin to take hold in the East Village, the next few months will see the pace of development ratcheted up even further ahead of the opening of the New Central Library next fall.
A list of "milestone" developments - including the announcement Tuesday that two individuals well known in the local food and coffee scene will operate a cafe within the new library when it opens in November - were discussed Tuesday at a news conference held by the Calgary Municipal Land Corp. (CMLC) at the St. Louis Hotel.
"Our goal is to make the experience in that library every bit as good as the architecture," said Bill Ptacek, CEO of Calgary Public Library.
"It's not just about this building. It's a community partnership and we're so excited and we couldn't have scripted it any better. These guys are perfect and we know the entire community is going to love it."
Lukes, a 2,000-square-foot cafe designed by local firm Frank Architecture, will open to the public when the new central library is finally unveiled in early November.
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Various Websites
EVENTS CALGARY 2018
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events in Calgary.
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Various Websites
 CES 2018: Smart home tech trends you need to know
From app-monitored home deliveries to all things sleep tech
Smarter home deliveries
Fully wireless kitchen
Next-level "remote controls"
Using data for better sleep and health
Best Smart Home Gadgets of 2018
Smart Light bulbs
Smart Speakers
Smart Plugs
Smart thermostats and more...
more smart home gadgets...
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5 On Your Side
By
Abby Llorico
 Design trends to look out for in 2018 - and how to add them to your home
On Your Side's Abby Llorico talked to a couple of local designers to find out more about the top decor trends for this year.
1. VIBE
2. COLOUR
3. METALS
4. FABRICS
5. LIGHTING
6. KITCHENS
16 Décor Trends That Are Going to Be Hot in 2018
8 Home Decor Trends That Will Be Out in 2018
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Sincerely,
