Know your condo

May 26, 2017May 25, 2017 Barb Livingstone Leave a comment

Getting professional advice can help first time buyers understand condo documents and avoid potential disasters when purchasing a condo

Kathleen Garcia was lucky.

When the 27-year-old bought her first home, a resale condo in the southwest neighbourhood of Kingsland, she had the advice and financial support of her parents, and a REALTOR® knowledgeable about the condo market.

“I don’t know what I would have done without (my parents),” said Garcia, who purchased her one-bedroom unit three years ago.

They handled most of the process and also found her a lawyer. What was initially intended as a rental investment for the financial sector employee quickly turned into her new home.

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Urban living, Currie style

Mar 10, 2017Mar 9, 2017 crebnow Leave a comment

Major infrastructure and landscaping changes pave the way for Currie development

A new, major interchange is in full operation, with infrastructure built and the next stage of the massive Currie mixed-use development ready for launch.

“Last year we were focused on infrastructure. We started and completed the Flanders Avenue interchange,” said Chris Elkey, senior director, real estate, Canada Lands Company (CLC), which is overseeing the project. “So that opened last fall. We had a big community event and it was a big success. It’s operating. We’re going to do the landscaping on it this year but for all intents and purposes it’s opening and operating as it was designed to do.”

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There’s something about Chestermere

Feb 10, 2017Feb 10, 2017 Andrea Cox Leave a comment

Not your traditional suburban community

The rapidly growing community of Chestermere exudes an intrinsic lightness of being and a twinkling joie de vivre. You can feel it crackling in the air as you stroll down the pathways, watching people run, blade and bike during the summer months or cross-country ski in the winter, whooshing, swishing, all the while laughing.

“It’s the people that really make this an amazing place to live,” said resident Ryan Armstrong.

He moved his young family from northwest Calgary to Kinniburgh Estates in East Chestermere four years ago and hasn’t looked back.

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Pop-up goes the store

Jan 30, 2017Jan 28, 2017 crebnow Leave a comment

Calgary retailers making the most of high vacancy rate

Calgary commercial experts say local retailers are becoming increasingly savvy in their fight for market share, challenging the traditional brick-and-mortar concept of doing business in favour of a pop-up model.

‘‘I do think the trend is becoming more popular because of online shopping,” said Barclay Street Real Estate retail associate Amy McGregor, who is working with Calgary Economic Development to research pop-up shops and facilitate a process for new business owners by connecting with landlords.

“Online retailers kind of want to dip their toe in the retail market and it’s a low investment way to do that. There’s more opportunity and more likelihood that landlords will give them the opportunity for the shorter-term leases.”

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New Normal

Jan 27, 2017Jan 26, 2017 Barb Livingstone Leave a comment

Greenwich community in northwest Calgary to put live/work/play into practice

Calgary’s “new” northwest will have a familiar face touting a popular concept starting
this year.

Industry veteran Melcor Development has announced pre-sales for its new community of Greenwich will start this March. The 16-hectare live/work/play development to be located just off Highway 1 toward Banff will see a mix of residential, retail and commercial offerings.

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