This won’t hurt a bit, homebuyers.

Calgary housing became slightly more affordable in 2009, but it’s still just the 23rd most affordable place to own a home from a list of 28 Canadian cities, according to the Winnipeg-based Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

In a study released Monday, the centre found Thunder Bay and Windsor, both in Ontario, were tied for most affordable Canadian cities and Vancouver was the least affordable.

In fact, Vancouver was also the least affordable among the 272 cities in the international study, which covered Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

As Canada’s resale housing market boomed and prices rose in 2009, affordability fell, sending the national average to a reading of 3.7 from 3.5 the year before. (A higher score indicates less affordability).

That would place Canada’s overall housing market in the “moderately unaffordable” category — from 3.1 to 4.0. The numbers are calculated by dividing the median residential house sale price for the third quarter by median annual gross household income.

In Vancouver, for example, a median home price of $540,900 was divided by median household income of $58,200 to create a multiple of 9.3, which the group describes as “severely unaffordable” — any reading of 5.1 and over.

Calgary, with an affordability index of 4.6, is just slightly less affordable than Prairie rivals Saskatoon (4.4) and Edmonton (4.1). On the international list, Calgary is 188th and its nearest neighbours are Eugene-Springfield, Ore.; Palmerston North-Manawatu, New Zealand; and Dundee, U.K. It’s just slightly more affordable than Dublin, Ireland.

Calgary and Edmonton became fractionally more affordable in 2009 after climbing two points over the previous four years. In 2008, Calgary’s index was 4.8 and Edmonton’s was 4.2.

Toronto moved from a reading of 4.8 to 5.2, moving it into the severely unaffordable category, while Montreal moved from a reading of 4.6 to 4.9.

“Montreal is approaching severely unaffordable for the first time. It appears Montreal has caught up to its urban growth limit and this has now become a real constraint on land supply,” the group said.

Victoria was second only to Vancouver, with its reading rising from 7.4 to 7.9, while Ottawa’ hot housing market remained within the realm of the moderately unaffordable, at least as measured as part of the Ottawa-Gatineau metropolitan area, with a reading of 3.8, up from 3.4 the year before.

dhealing@theherald.canwest.com

Calgary Herald

Here is a good video I found on YouTube about Calgary. Even though we have Country Bars & Stampede, we’re definitely not that Country .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9S02NDPs_s

watch?v=U9S02NDPs_s

CALGARY – In two years, Calgary’s resale real estate market has gone from “sizzle to fizzle to simmer,” incoming Calgary Real Estate Board president Diane Scott said Wednesday.

Aff ordability and low interest rates will keep the pot slowly boiling this year, creating modest growth in sales and prices, she predicted as the board hosted its annual forecast conference.

A panel of economists mostly concurred with the board’s projection of a continuation of the gradual recovery experienced in the second half of 2009, faltering later this year as low interest rates rise to more normal levels.

Scott told about 1,000 real estate agents in attendance a recovery in Calgary’s market is highly dependent on prices for oil and gas.

“Calgary and Alberta remain tied to global energy markets and, ultimately, the outlook for oil and gas will play a big role in employment and migration to Calgary,” she said. “The good news is we have the energy to recover.

“The road will be a little bumpy, but there is light on the horizon.”

The board estimates Calgary-region single-family home sales will climb to 17,000 from 14,440 in 2009 and 7,000 condominium units will change hands, versus 6,328 last year.

In 2007, single-family sales added up to 18,438 and there were 8,236 condos sold. In 2008, the numbers were 13,455 and 5,661, respectively, with the single-family number the lowest since 1996.

The board predicts the average price for a single-family home in Calgary in 2010 will jump six per cent to $470,000 from $442,327 last year and the average condo price will rise 4.3 per cent to $296,000 from $283,734 in 2009.

The average single-family home price peaked at $505,920 in July 2007 and condo prices hit a record $332,237 in May 2007.

Surrounding towns are expected to experience 14 per cent higher sales and 3.2 per cent growth in average prices.

The downtown apartment condo market is expected to be particularly slow this year, while smaller, single-family homes and lower-priced segments will lead in sales and price growth.

Scott noted that younger people buying starter homes have fuelled the market’s recovery so far. Better afford-ability will help encourage 15,000 people to relocate to Calgary this year, the board predicts.

The low level of listings in the market at year-end is expected to grow throughout 2010, giving buyers more options.

“We will not likely tip to a seller’s market until the end of 2010 and into 2011,” said Scott, describing the current market as “balanced.”

Panellist Adam Legge, chief economist for Calgary Economic Development, said he doesn’t think the pace of the recovery in the city in the second half of 2009 is sustainable because the recovery in the larger economy is largely based on stimulus spending and inventory replacement.

He said news Tuesday that the ConocoPhillips and Total plan to expand production at the Surmont in situ oilsands discovery near Fort McMurray, while encouraging, won’t necessarily help create jobs and confidence in Calgary.

“We’re going to see probably a number of years of very, very tepid growth in Calgary,” he said. “There’s not going to be any zooming to the nearly eight per cent GDP growth we saw in 2006.”

Warren Jestin, chief economist for Scotiabank, said he’s not a “double-dipper” — a proponent of a quick return to recession — but he does predict better-than-expected growth in the national economy in early 2010 to slow down in the second half of the year as the Bank of Canada raises its trendsetting interest rate by as much as 200 basis points.

He said the economy, after bumping along the bottom in the first half of 2009, is in a “good news” phase now, but that’s only because there’s less frequent bad news (such as Wednesday’s stock market sell-off).

Two real estate agents questioned panellist Richard Cho, Calgary market analyst for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., about whether the federal government will increase the minimum allowable down payment for first-time homebuyers above the existing five per cent.

Cho said the government is looking at it as an option, to prevent homebuyers from taking on too much debt, but added that the change wouldn’t have a great impact on the housing market because not many people use it.

dhealing@theherald. canwest.com

The Home Sweet Hom Team will be teaming up with Donna Lodberg ( www.donnalodberg.com )& Jaime Coulter ( http://jamiecoulter.ca )  from The Mortgage Center at this years Wedding Fair. Please stop by our booth and say HI & enter to WIN A 42″ Television!

Show Information

Calgary’s largest and longest running Bridal Fair® !

The Wedding Fair is the most popular bridal show in Alberta.

Sunday, January 24, 2010
Roundup Centre ~ Stampede Park
Exhibition Hall open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Fashion Shows at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

Attending a bridal show is very helpful in planning your wedding because you can meet with many Calgary and area wedding specialists all in one location. Bring your girlfriends, mom, and even your fiancé and enjoy the day. Many vendors will be giving away items as a promotion of the show, and you can only benefit from these if you attend. Each bride will receive a complimentary copy of the Calgary Bride and have the opportunity of getting the latest copy of Weddingbells Magazine for the discounted rate of $2.00.

Tips for Attending a Bridal Show

1. Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. You’ll be glad you did.
2. Be prepared to register at the door. Be patient! This is well worth it.
3. Bring preprinted self-adhesive address labels if you have them with your name, address, phone, email, and wedding date. This will save you time and allow you to sign up for anything you want very quickly.
4. Bring a pen and print very clearly when registering for anything.
5. Bring your cheque book in case you decide to book services or hold dates with a deposit. Be sure to check on refund policies before giving any money, and read the contract carefully before signing.
6. Collect any information you are interested in – take it home to look over again when you have some quiet time.
7. If you cannot attend, send someone in your place to register you for prizes and collect information on services you need.
8. It is nice if your fiancé attends with you and he will enjoy the “Groom’s Room” Many guys attend, so he won’t be the only one there!
9. Allow yourself three hours to visit the exhibits and watch the exciting fashion show

Relax and have fun—this is your wedding.

Info provided by : http://www.theweddingfair.ca/

Spiral Cellars Ltd is a company that provides watertight, pre-cast concrete wine cellars that can be installed almost anywhere in your home.

Each cylindrical wine cellar relies on the surrounding earth for its insulation and combined with an ingenious air-flow system, it requires no power to maintain its constant temperature.

Priced at $30,000+ these wine cellars are not for everyone; however, if you can afford one, it will definitely spice up your home and impress your friends.

For more information, visit spiralcellars.co.uk [via]

Article by : http://www.toxel.com

A few to consider:

1. Kensington Wine Market will hold its annual sale Friday Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 24. Show up for 10 to 15 per cent savings on all in-stock wines (and oh, it’s a wonderful store for wine-lovers), plus check out other in-store specials. Can’t make it into the store? You can also order online. No special orders or layaways, though, and no other promotional discounts (eg wine club discounts) can be used.

2. Divino Wine & Cheese Bistro is ofering Dom Perignon Champagne by the glass now through Feb. 14 (yes, Valentine’s Day) for $39 a glass. Think that sounds like a rip-off? Well, it’s a way to taste a legendary wine, a wine that goes for, oh, well over $200 a bottle.

3. Try a glass of $5 wine at Il Sogno during Casual Fridays; you can also get an appetizer for $5 — making a $10 Happy Hour not just a distant memory of the 1980s.

4.  CSN Wine & Spirits is also holding a major inventory sale Friday Jan. 22 to Sunday Jan. 24. Select wine, beer and spirits will all be on sale. A few to consider? All 2006 Bordeaux is 25 per cent off, all 2007 Bordeaux futures are on sale, all Sauternes are 20 per cent off, and all CSN-exclusive wines from Quintarelli and Domaine Clape have been reduce to clear. And there’s more: all vintage port is on sale, and all 375-mL, 1.5 L and 3 L bottles of wine are 20 per cent off. Email wineroom@csnwine.com for more information.

5. Every Wednesday at Vero Bistro Moderne, buy a bottle of wine and get a dozen free oysters.

6. And last but not least, the Vintage Group of restaurants (Vintage Chophouse, Rise Bakery and Cafe, Rush, Redwater Rustic Grille, Bookers BBQ Grill and Crab Shack) is offering special deals on Ehlers Estate wines throughout February, in honour of it being Heart Month. Ehlers is a not-for-profit organic winery in California’s Napa Valley; Ehlers gives 100 per cent of its proceeds to international heart research.

By Shelley Boettcher Wed, Jan 13 2010 COMMENTS(0) Uncorked in Calgary

Captain John Palliser School is dual track school with a regular and Montessori Alternative program. It is located in the northwest community of Brentwood, and serves the communities of Brentwood and The Hamptons for the regular program and Area I and II for the Montessori program. Students from Captain John Palliser generally move on to Simon Fraser School and Tom Baines for Grades 7 to 9. Sir Winston Churchill High School is the main high school in the neighbourhood.

About the School

The school opened in 1963 and is situated on 8.0 acres. It is one of the largest elementary schools in the city. The school has 23 classrooms, including a music room, art room, library, and gymnasium. We are a single-storey school, fully wheelchair accessible.

About School Name

Captain John Palliser School honours the name of an Irishman who was commissioned by the Royal Geographical Society to lead an expedition to the land that we know as western Canada. In the years 1857 -1860, his task was to explore, map and report on the general state of these western territories for possible settlement. As a scientific expedition, Palliser and his colleagues – Hector, Bourgeau, Sullivan and Blakiston accumulated a huge wealth of knowledge and information about this new land.

Palliser determined that the south western prairies were an extension of the central- American desert and thus, were unsuitable for agriculture. This piece of land, stretching as far east as the Manitoba border, west through southern Saskatchewan and into southern Alberta is known as the Palliser Triangle.

As explorers traveling unknown lands by canoe, horse, Red River cart, dog-sled and on snow-shoes, Captain John Palliser and his colleagues serve as strong role models for us. We are proud to bear his name as we explore, discover and imagine at Captain John Palliser School.

School Mission

In embracing the Calgary Board of Education mission statement, we strive to make positive and significant differences in the lives of all learners through our attention to wonder, hope, imagination, and excellence.

School Motto

Explore, Discover, Imagine

Unique Points

Close to:

• Sir Winston Churchill Swimming Pool
•  
• Nosehill Library
•  
• Brentwood Arena
•  
• Bussing available
•  
• Lunchroom is in the gymnasium
•  
• Before/After school care
•  
• Wheel chair accessible
•  
• Learning and Literacy Program
•  
• Vision Progam
•  
• Montessori Alternative Program – K-Gr. 3- will expand with a grade each year until Gr. 6
•  
• Pre-Kindergarten program – tuition based

Student Enrolment (September 2009 )
Total Enrolment: 388
Info Provided by : http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b210/

Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier donned a top hat and bow tie to kick off a campaign to land the city as Monopoly’s hottest property.

Hasbro is releasing a new Canadian edition of Monopoly and allowing the public to vote on which 22 cities or towns will be featured in the board game.

Online voting at monopolyvote.ca began on Monday on a shortlist of 65 municipalities. People can also nominate wildcard communities that haven’t been mentioned.

The city that receives the most votes will be placed in the Boardwalk spot, the most valuable property in the board game.

Bronconnier, dressed as Mr. Monopoly who serves as the mascot of Monopoly, said he believes Calgary deserves Boardwalk.

“In international and national surveys, Calgary has been named the city with the highest quality of life and economic potential, safest city and cleanest city. Now’s our chance to snap up the prime real estate on one of the most popular games in the world,” said Bronconnier.

He encouraged Calgarians to vote early and often to support their city.

“The No. 1 real estate is up for grabs, and it won’t cost you anything other than a few keystrokes,” he said.

Mayors of other cities in the running have also started campaigns to push their communities to the top. The contest ends Feb. 7.

In a 2008 international competition, three Canadian cities earned places on Monopoly’s World Edition board, with Montreal landing Boardwalk.

Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier dons a top hat to encourage people to vote for the city to be included in the new Canadian edition of Monopoly. (CBC)
Article by : http://www.cbc.ca

If you would like to vote for Calgary Please visit : http://www.monopolyvote.ca/en_CA/world

A new report by the Conference Board of Canada suggests Calgary is an ‘A’ class city with a winning combination of factors to attract new migrants.At least that was the case in 2006.

The study ranked the attractiveness of 50 different cities and put Calgary in the top six, along with Waterloo, Ottawa, Vancouver, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Richmond Hill.

Because the rankings are based on data from 2006, Calgary performed exceptionally well on the economic benchmarks but also ranked first in innovation and second for housing.

The Alberta capital, Edmonton, was ranked as a ‘B’ class city.The ‘D’ class includes four Ontario and four Quebec communities, as well as Saint John, New Brunswick.

The study looked at things like health, economy, environment, innovation and housing as benchmarks for attracting migrants.

CHQR Newsroom
1/13/2010