Welcome to my Calgary Real Estate website

I have been adding some search functions, to make it somewhat easier for you to find your new Calgary Home.

You can now search for SE Calgary Bungalows for Sale, SW Calgary Bungalows for Sale & NW Calgary Bungalows for Sale. I have also created a search that helps you find Calgary Homes with Walk-Out and Fully Finished basement.

SW Calgary Homes for Sale with Walk-Out, SE Calgary Homes for Sale with Walk-Out. As well as those searches you are able to search by price starting at $200,000 and going all the way up to over $2,000,000. You are able to search for Calgary Homes for Sale by Calgary Community.I have added Bearspaw Real Estate Listings if you are looking for a Luxury Home minutes from Calgary possibly an Acreage. There is also a search for Homes for Sale in Okotoks, and also Homes for Sale in Airdrie.

I hope that you find these additions helpful. If you would like to contact me in regards to a specific Calgary Home for Sale or Listing your home for Sale. Please, Contact me @ 403.397.3706 or leave a message with my CHAT at the right side of the page.

Thank you Diane Richardson.,

www.Diane-Richardson.com

www.MyPadCalgary.com

www.SherlockHomesCalgary.com

www.FirsTTimeBuyersCalgary.com

Calgary top real estate investment market in Canada

Calgary's healthy housing market

Will van ‘t Veld
Economist, ATB Financial

September 6, 2012

After a spring of defying the negative national housing market sentiment, the Calgary market cooled a bit in August. But, Alberta’s largest city remains one the nation’s most solid real estate markets. Back in February, the inventory-to-sales ratio in Calgary began to dip, as sales increased faster than new listings, indicating the market had quickly dipped into sellers’ territory. Buyers have since reversed that trend slightly, with the Calgary Real Estate Board reporting that monthly
sales in August dipped 11.6 per cent month-over-month.The swing in housing market activity can be seen in average residential price changes. That average residential price nudged down to $417,000 in August, a 2.2 per cent drop from July, which is nonetheless 3.1 per cent higher than a year ago. The MLS also computes a benchmark price, which is less volatile. The benchmark price adjusts for specific features, such as lot size, bedrooms and location. The jump in the MLS benchmark price index through 2012 has been pretty impressive, up 6.5 per cent on a year-over-year basis. Activity in the single family detached home market has been particularly strong over the past year, with the MLS benchmark index jumping 7.8 per cent yearover-year in August. This is the main reason the overall residential home price index has increased so noticeably, as detached homes make up the vast majority of residential sales.
For their part, condo and town home prices have been plodding along, with the benchmark price increasing 3.3 and 2.6 per cent, respectively, on an annual basis.

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Home/4706/17195/link389955/Daily%20Economic%20Comment%206-SEP-2012.pdf

Cranston Calgary Real Estate 

Nestled next to the stunning Bow River Valley and Fish Creek Park, Cranston is  an inspiring backdrop for outdoor lifestyles. Hike, bike, rollerblade or jog along year-round pathways that unwind among acres of lush park space. Relax near the Bow River with a picnic or a fishing rod. Or spend time with the kids in one of the many parks and playgrounds.

Cranston Access.

Every area of the city is easily accessible from Cranston’s location at Highway 22X (Marquis of Lorne Trail). Deerfoot Trail takes you directly downtown or to the Calgary International Airport and puts Foothills Industrial Park within easy reach. Follow Highway 22X west for direct access to Kananaskis Country and the Rocky Mountains, as well as the retail business corridor on Macleod Trail. http://calgary.livebrookfield.ca/livebrookfield/index.php/communities/cranston/experience-the-community.

Century Hall (Cranston) is your very own private resident's facility complete with a gymnasium, banquet facilities, ice rink, splash park and toboggan run — plus the opening of Cranston Market and two new schools in 2010, Cranston has everything your family needs right in your own backyard.

Century Hall Is At The Heart Of The community
Located on a spacious 7–acre gated park site is Century Hall – a striking 22,000 sq. ft. private facility for the residents of Cranston. Complete with meeting and banquet rooms, a gymnasium, multi-function rooms, a skate change area and more, Century Hall is the central gathering place for the community. Recreational programs, summer camps, workshops and community events all take place here.

Membership in the Cranston Residents Association is automatic and mandatory with the purchase of a home in Cranston. The payment of dues, which is reviewed and established annually, is secured by an Encumbrance (subject to upward adjustment for inflation) registered on the title of each member’s property. The Association, including the operation of Century Hall, is administered by a Board of Directors made up of Brookfield Residential and resident representatives.

Annual fees for 2012-13 are:
Standard - $146.15 (including GST)

*Annual fees are subject to annual compounded inflation increases and GST.
Interest will only be applied to all outstanding accounts beginning on May 1st of each year.

http://www.cranston-connect.com/index.php/residents-association/membership-information/

 Cranston Home Builders

• Albi Homes
• Baywest Homes
• Brookfield Homes
• Cardel Homes
• Cardel Lifestyles
• Cedarglen Homes
• Discovery Homes
• Landmark
• Shane Homes
• Trico Homes

Calgary Home for Sale in Cranston SE Calgary

Cranston SE Homes for Sale Calgary Click Here! 3 or More Bedrooms

Calgary Homes for Sale in Cranston Bungalows Click Here!

Calgary Board of Education interactive map of Schools for the Community of Cranston

Cranston Real Estate Statistics more statistics here

There were 33 Cranston Single Family Homes Sold in July of 2012, with an average sale price of $468,257 and a median sale price of $415,000. The average days on market (DOM) for these 33 sales was 60 days.

Cranston Community profile pdf Download

    Diane Richardson 403.397.3706

Calgary housing market among Canada’s most affordable: RBC  
Stronger home resales and new construction

BY MARIO TONEGUZZI, CALGARY HERALD AUGUST 27, 2012
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Calgary+housing+market+among+Canada+most+affordable/7149520/story.html 
http://www.rbc.com/economics/market/pdf/house.pdf 

CALGARY — The Calgary-area housing market remains one of the most affordable in Canada, according to a report released today by RBC Economics Research.

The latest Housing Trends and Affordability Report said the local market has enjoyed the best of all worlds recently: stronger home resales and home building, moderately rising prices, and attractive and improving affordability.

“Such a combination is a rare feat, but it follows years of sluggish performance in the aftermath of the area’s mid-2000s boom,” said the report. “In the second quarter of 2012, a sharp drop in the costs of utilities provided unusual help to affordability in the area. Utilities and property taxes—two small components of home ownership costs—typically do not sway affordability, but the sudden reversal of earlier electricity rate increases led to a substantial 17 per cent quarterly decline in utilities, which was more than enough to move the affordability needle.”

In the second quarter, the RBC measures edged lower for condominium apartments and two-storey homes by 0.6 percentage points and 0.4 percentage points, respectively, while the measure for detached bungalows was unchanged in Calgary.

“Such general amelioration kept housing affordability in check at some of the better levels among Canada’s largest cities,” said the report.

The RBC Housing Affordability Measure, which has been compiled since 1985, shows the proportion of median pre-tax household income that would be required to service the cost of mortgage payments (principal and interest), property taxes, and utilities.

In the second quarter, RBC measures for Calgary edged lower for condominium apartments by 0.6 percentage points to 21.6 per cent and for two-storey homes by 0.4 percentage points to 37.2 per cent. The measure for detached bungalows remained unchanged at 36.7 per cent.

RBC said significant drops in the prices for electricity and natural gas in the second quarter of 2012 in Alberta “further solidified this province’s position as the market with the lowest home ownership costs as a share of household income in Canada.”

The RBC measures eased by 0.6 percentage points for both two-storey homes and condominium apartments, while the measure for detached bungalows edged lower by 0.3 percentage points, it said.

“Alberta experienced a 17 per cent decline in utility costs, which was the largest contributor to across-the-board improvements in housing affordability in the most recent quarter,” said Robert Hogue, senior economist, RBC. “Attractive affordability and a vibrant provincial economy are providing powerful incentives for Alberta homebuyers – second quarter home resales were at the best level in five years, surging 18 per cent over the same period last year.”

The affordablity measures in Alberta were: 32.0 per cent for detached bungalows; 34.8 per cent for two-storey homes; and 19.7 per cent for condominiums.

In Canada, they were: 43.4 per cent for bungalows, up 0.2 per cent; 49.4 per cent for two-storeys, up 0.6 per cent; and 28.8 per cent for condominiums, unchanged.

How the RBC Housing Affordability Measures work 

The RBC Housing Affordability Measures show the proportion of median pre-tax household income that would be required to service the cost of mortgage payments (principal and interest), property taxes, and utilities on a detached bungalow, a standard twostorey home and a standard condo (excluding maintenance fees) at the going market prices.
http://www.rbc.com/economics/market/pdf/house.pdf 

It’s taking less time these days to sell a home in Calgary compared with last year.

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, so far this month from August 1 to August 20, the average days on market to sell an MLS residential property in the city is 43. That’s a drop of 12.24 per cent from the same period a year ago when it took an average of 49 days to sell.

Each housing category has seen a decline in average days on market.

For single-family homes, it’s dropped by 12.77 per cent from 47 days to 41 this month.

The condo apartment category has seen a drop of 11.32 per cent to 47 days from 53 last year.

And the condo townhouse sector has seen a slight decline of 3.77 per cent from 53 days last year to 51 so far this month.

http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2012/08/21/calgary-homes-taking-less-time-to-sell/#print

http://diane-richardson.com/buying.html  Calgary Real Estate Resources & Statistics

Welcome to my Website.

Whether you are a first time home buyer looking for the most up-to-date Calgary real estate listings or you are an empty nester looking to downsize, you have come to the right Calgary Real Estate Website.

Access properties that are listed on the Calgary Real Estate Board's MLS System. Listings are updated daily. 24 hours a day.

Find all MLS Listings active on the Calgary Real Estate Board MLS by using our Calgary Home Search. You can search Calgary Homes for Sale by Price, or search Calgary Homes for Sale by Community.

You can locate any Calgary area house or condo currently listed for sale on the Calgary Real Estate Board's MLS with street addresses and even driving directions.

Also, search Okotoks Homes for Sale Communities such as Cimarron homes for sale or Air Ranch, just to name two. And, search Airdrie Homes for Sale by price or community.

If you are looking for a house or condo in Calgary or a surrounding community register for free and I will send you a comprehensive search according to your criteria. Or, if you don't want to register go to our Home Finder and enter your wants and wishes for your new home there.

The City of Calgary is divided into 4 quadrants, to make your home search easier I've used these quadrants to divide the Calgary Market:  SW Calgary Homes for Sale, SE Calgary Homes for Sale, NW Calgary Homes for Sale. To view any of these quadrants click on the area of choice.

On my website you will find Calgary Housing Statistics and detailed listing photos, Google maps, community profiles and several tools that can help with your next home purchase.

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about any property or Calgary Home for Sale. And, if you're thinking of selling I can provide a no-obligation evaluation and information you'll need to make an informed decision. 

Diane Richardson 403.397.3706

Average house prices in Calgary region to jump by $20,000 in next two years

AUGUST 14, 2012 9:01 AM
CALGARY — The average MLS residential sale price in the Calgary region will climb by more than $20,000 over the next two years, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.(http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64339/64339_2012_B01.pdf?fr=1344960776770)

In its third quarter 2012 Housing Market Outlook, released Tuesday, the CMHC said the average MLS sale price in the Calgary census metropolitan area will jump from $402,851 in 2011 to $413,000 this year and then to $424,000 in 2013.

The report also said MLS sales in the Calgary CMA will increase from 22,466 in 2011 to 25,200 this year and 25,800 next year.

And housing starts in the region will rise from 9,292 in 2011 to 12,000 this year but fall back to 11,700 in 2013.

“The economy in Calgary has improved compared to the previous year and the trends that we have seen thus far are expected to continue in the months ahead,” said Richard Cho, senior market analyst in Calgary for the CMHC. “Job growth, relatively low mortgage rates and higher average earnings will all contribute to housing demand. Net migration will also be a key contributor and we have already seen some encouraging numbers at the provincial and city levels.

“Whenever we have an influx of people move to a region, naturally they are going to look for a place to live. Some will look to the rental market while others may choose to buy an existing home or build a new one. Housing demand this year will be supported by a number of different fronts.”

Cho said the resale market has moved into more balanced levels this year and that is supporting price growth.

“Supply in the existing home market has declined from the previous year while sales have increased,” he added.

In Alberta, economic growth and job creation are supporting housing demand, said the CMHC. By year-end, single-detached starts are projected to reach 17,600 units, up over 15 per cent from 2011. In 2013, single-detached starts will rise five per cent to 18,400 units.

“Existing homeowners will see the value of their property rise and this will help with move-up buying,” said the agency.

Multi-family starts will increase by 35 per cent in 2012 to 14,200 units. To reduce the risk of rising inventory in the next few years, developers will moderate multi-family starts in 2013 to 13,800 units, it said.

“In Alberta’s resale market, MLS sales will increase by 11 per cent to 59,800 units in 2012. In 2013, resale transactions in Alberta are forecast to increase to 61,000 units. MLS sales in Alberta will rise this year and next year, as employment and income growth provide the means to purchase,” said the report.

“With a transition to balanced market conditions unfolding, expect price growth to increase over the forecast period. The average resale price in Alberta is projected to rise by 2.5 per cent in 2012 to $362,200, and nearly three per cent to $372,300 in 2013. Both of Alberta’s largest markets, Calgary and Edmonton, have experienced improved market balance this year.”

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com