Some of Calgary's most desirable homes for sale can be found in the Discovery Ridge neighborhood. This vibrant community is located far enough from the city's downtown core to maintain its luxury and exclusivity, but close enough to make the daily commute quick and easy.

Griffith Woods Environmental Park, which offers over 93 acres of trails for walking, cycling, rollerblading, running, and horseback riding, will appeal to Discovery Ridge home buyers. Sierra Morena Park, which has basketball and volleyball courts, is also nearby. The Westside Recreation Centre, three separate golf courses, as well as the West Hills and Signal Hill Shopping Centers, are all nearby. These shopping malls provide both shopping and dining options, as well as other entertainment options such as a 10-screen theatre complex. Furthermore, downtown Calgary is only a short drive or bus ride away and provides a seemingly limitless array of amenities.

The WOW factor starts the moment you walk into this 2440 sq ft recently upgraded gem, which includes a fully developed basement, 3 bedrooms up, and a loft/4th bedroom. As you walk in, you are greeted by antique maple hardwood on the main floor and neutral carpeting on the upper and lower floors. The en-suite bathroom features a large soaking tub, his and her sinks, and a spacious walk-in closet. This house shines because all of the light fixtures have been updated. With granite countertops, a central island, ceiling height cabinetry, built-in stainless-steel appliances, and a corner pantry, the upgraded kitchen is truly fit for a chef. It can't be as stylish and elevated as the most formal living room, formal dining room, and main floor den with plenty of space for your grand piano. You're in for a treat with this fully landscaped property, which includes sprinklers, a new cedar deck, and pretty lattice. Lower-level bedrooms and ensuite would be ideal for guests, nannies, or teenagers. This home represents excellent value and has been meticulously maintained! A large green space, plenty of walking paths within Griffith Woods, an outdoor skating rink, and the cute shops of Discovery Ridge are all nearby!

Housing market conditions continue to follow similar trends to last year, with gains in sales. 

At the same time, there have been further reductions in new listings, inventory and more declines in prices. 

January sales activity was 863 units, nearly 8% higher than last year's levels. While sales remained well below January activity recorded before 2014, they remain consistent with activity recorded over the past five years.

''A persistent slowdown in the energy sector has resulted in a reset in many aspects of our economy. This includes the housing market, '' said CREB chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

''We continue to see the slow adjustment to a more balanced conditions, but it will take time before that starts to translate into price stability''.

Citywide unadjusted benchmark prices were $417,100 in January. This is slightly lower than the previous month and nearly 1% lower than last year's levels. 

Benchmark prices eased, but there were some modest improvements in both the average and median prices. This is likely a reflection of some changes in the distribution of sales. 

Housing market facts: 

Detached

• Detached sales in January improved by 6%, thanks to growth in all districts except the North East.
• New listings declined by nearly 11% due to pullbacks in all areas except the City Centre and the North districts. Combined with adjustments in sales, this caused inventories to ease by 15% citywide. 
• Reductions in supply and a gain in sales supported reductions in the months of supply from nearly six months last year to just under five months this January.
• Detached benchmark prices eased by nearly 1% compared to last year. However, the only two areas to record notable year-over-year declines were the City Centre and West, with price declines exceeding 3%.

Apartment

• Improving sales were met with gains in new listings, causing inventories to increase by 12% compared to last year. 
• The gain in inventories prevented any significant adjustments in the months of supply, which remained elevated at 9 months. 
• The persistent oversupply continued to weigh on benchmark prices, which eased compared to last month and declined by 2% compared to last year. 

Attached

• Despite slower sales in the South and South east district, city-wide attached sales improved by 4%.                                            At the same time new listings eased by nearly 18%, causing inventories to decline by 10%.
• Improving sales and drop in inventory helped the months of supply to dip below seven months, a significant improvement compared to last year's level of nearly eight months.
• While this segment is trending toward more balanced conditions, persistent oversupply continues to weigh on prices, which trended down over previous month and eased by over 1% compared to last year's levels. 

Regional Market Facts

Airdrie

• Improving sales and easing inventories helped push the months of supply down to 4.7 months. This represents levels that are consistent with longer-term trends and reflects relatively balanced conditions.
• The improvements in the supply relative to demand have started to generate much more stability in prices, which have remained comparable to last month and slightly higher than last year's levels. 

Cochrane

• January recorded a significant gain in sales and a significant drop in new listings. This resulted in a drop in the months of supply to four months, a significant improvement from the 14 months recorded last January. 
• If the improvements continue, this should start to support price stability. However, the recent change has not yet impacted prices, which remains nearly 3% lower than last year's levels.

Okotoks

• Sales activity in town improved to levels consistent with longer-term trends. The improvement in sales helped offset the slight rise in new listings, helping reduce inventories and bringing the months of supply down to levels more consistent with balanced conditions. 
• The steady reduction in oversupply in this market is helping to generate more stability in prices. In January, benchmark prices remained comparable to levels recorded last year. 

For the entire CREB update, please visit creb.ca

December sales improved to levels more consistent with activity recorded over the past five years.
This follow weak sales activity last year.

A stronger second half in 2019 was enough to push annual sales up by 1%.

"Price declines, lower mortgage rates and some modest improvements in full-time employment helped support some demand growth in the city. Reductions in supply are also contributing to the slow adjustment to more stable conditions in the housing market," said CREB chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. 
"As oversupply in the market continues to ease, we should start to see more stabilization in prices. However, conditions continue to favor the buyer and this is weighing on prices".

December unadjusted benchmarks prices were $418,500. This is just slightly lower than last month and 1% per cent below last year's levels. Overall prices in 2019 declined by 3% over last year's levels. The total adjustment in prices in a 10% decline since the 2014 slowdown in the energy sector. 

While they are signs of stabilization, conditions vary significantly by location, price range and product type. Improvements in the resale market have been mostly driven by lower priced product or areas where price declines were enough to bring more purchasers back into the market. 


Detached homes: 

• Improved sales in the second-half of the year helped offset earlier declines. This results in detached sales that are relatively unchanged form 2018.
• While city wide levels remained stable, homes priced under $500,000 recorded sales growth of nearly 9%. However, sales declined by 11% for homes priced over $500,000.
• When considering sales activity by district, sales activity eased or remained relatively stable across most districts. However, exceptions include the North West and South Districts which recorded annual sales growth. 
• Detached benchmark prices were $480,100 in December contributing to the 2019 average of $484,808, 3% below last year's levels. 
• 2019 prices declines ranged from a 1% in the North East district to a 5% decline in the City Centre district.

Apartment: 

• Stronger apartment styles sales in December were enough to push annual levels to 2,672 units. This is just above last year's levels.
• The improvements were mostly driven by gains in the North, West and South East districts. This is offsetting the significant declines in the North East, North West and East districts.
• New listings continues to ease across all districts except the South East. This district has seen a rise in new home construction and is likely contributing to some of the rise in new listings and inventory. Despite these trends in the one district, easing inventories relative to to the sales have helped reduce some of the oversupply in this segment.
• Reductions in oversupply helped ease the rate of decline in resale apartment condominium prices. However, prices in December remained 1% below last year's levels with a price decline range of 5% in the West district to a 1% increase in the South East district. 

Attached: 

• The attached segment of the market has seen the largest improvements in sales when compared to the other product types. Annual sales improved by nearly 7% for a total of 3,780 sales.
• Both row and semi-detached product recorded improving sales with easing new listings and inventories. However, there was some variation depending on the district. 
• December semi-detached prices were $388,200 and row prices were $283,000. Both segments saw annual price declines in excess of 3% and remain well below previous highs.
• Depending on the district, the range of price activity varied significantly across the semi-detached and row segments. In 2019, price activity ranged from a 7% decline in row prices in the East district to a 1% increase for semi-detached product in the North district. 

For the entire CREB® forecast, visit creb.com.

Here are some properties we currently have listed: 

- 4 bedroom family home, finished walk-out basement in McKenzie Lake.
- A luxurious condo located in Spruce Cliff with over 2800 sqft and overlooking the Golf course. 
- 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms condo in Royal Oak, close to all amenties. 

If you are interested in learning more, or checking out our current listings, give us a call at 403-830-1009 or, visit our website www.sellhomes.ca.

Happy New Year! May 2020 bring an abundance of health, joy and prosperity! 

We would like to say a big Thank you to our valued clients as well as friends and family that recommended us and everyone who supports our business. 

Alberta experienced a slower economic condition and it has contributed to a decrease in average residential prices.
It was a challenging year but it doesn't mean it was a bad year in the Real Estate World. 

- Challenging markets with some fantastic and exciting opportunities for buyers.
- Regarding sellers, the number of sales has been strong in December 2019 and we see the same trend for January 2020.

We are proud to be part of the RE/MAX Team and be in the Number One recognized Real Estate organization in the world.

We are looking forward to 2020 and working with all of our past clients as well as all new clients and future referrals. 

Please visit our website or like us on Facebook and Instagram to see our new listings and the latest Real Estate News! 

Ron Garneau & Team 

A Slight Inventory Decline:


There have been no significant changes occuring in sales activity, but the number of new listings coming onto the market continues to ease relative to 2018 levels.

The slight adjustment in supply levels has helped support further reductions in the months of supply, which was 4.6 months in April. While this level still represents oversupply in our market, it does reflect improvement from the nearly seven months of supply that we saw at the start of the year.

As of April, the total residential benchmark price in Calgary was $415,900.  This is slightly higher than last month, but nearly 5% lower than last year.

Demand remains relatively weak in the resale market. However, if supply levels continue to adjust, this could help reduce the amount of oversupply and eventually support some price stability.

Citywide sales were 1,547 units in April which is 2% higher than last year.  Year to date sales remain nearly 6% lower than last year and are 26% below long term averages.

Sales have been improving mostly in the lower price ranges, causing tighter supply conditions in that segment. This will likely have a different impact on price trends in the lower price ranges, depending on location.

Detached Homes:

* Detached home sales improved by 3% in April compared to last year due to gains in homes priced under $500,000. However, with 930 sales, activity still remained 24% below long term averages. 

* In April, there was growth in the NE, NW, S and SE districts of the city.

* April detached inventories citywide continue to remain just above levels recorded last year.

* Prices remain lower than last year's levels across all districts.

Apartment:

* Apartment condominium prices in April totalled $250,400. 

* The easing inventories have also caused the months supply to decline, just above 6 months. While this is still a buyer's market, this trend could help ease the downward pressure on prices if it continues. 

Attached:

* Attached sales activity improved compared to last year for a second straight month, almost offsetting the declines occuring in the first 2 months of the year.  Year-to-date sales were 1,113 units, nearly 1% below last year's levels and 14% below long term averages. 

* Year to date sales have improved in most districts.

* Improved sales and easing listings have helped prevent further inventory gains in this sector and overall months of supply have trended down to 5 months. 

To view the entire CREB forcast, visit www.creb.com

As per tradition, many people make New Years resolutions that often fade away before the end of January. Let's do things differently this year and stick with it! 

As the new year is upon us, it's important to take a moment and reflect on the previous year.  What did you do differently that you would like to carry forward into 2019? What habits or events would you like to leave behind? 

A good way to jump into a new year, is to take care of some clutter that maybe has been lingering on your "To Do" List.  Nothing feels better than the acomplishment of simplifying our lives.  

For those of you who are overwhelmed by the clutter, here are some great ways to get started, 5 minutes at a time. 

1. Designate a spot for incoming papers: Those pesky piles of paper often account for a lot of our clutter. This is because we always seem to put them in different spots- on the counter, on the table, on our desk, in a drawer, in our car... No wonder we can't find anything! Designate an in-box tray or spot in your home (or office) and don't put papers anywhere but in that spot.  This one little change can reallty transform the clutter. Recycle the junk mail as soon as it comes in! 

2. Start Clearning a starting zone: What you want to do is clear one area. This is your no-clutter zone. It can be a counter, or kitchen table. Wheverver you start, make a rule: Nothing can be places there that's not in use. Everything must be put away.  Once you have a clutter free zone, keep it that way! Now, each day, slowly expand your no clutter zone until it envelopes your whole house.

3. Clear off a counter: You want to get your house so that all the flat spaces are clear of clutter. Maybe theres a toaster, or decorative candle, but not a lot of clutter. So start with one counter. Clear off everything possible, except maybe one or two essential things. Have a blender you haven't used since jazzercise was all the rage? Put it in the cupboard! Put the papers in the designated paper spot, keys on a key hook and you're all set! 

4. Pick a shelf: Now that you've done a counter, try a shelf! It doesn't matter which shelf. Could be a shelf in a closet, on a bookshelf. Dont tackle the whole closet or bookshelf- just one shelf. Clear all non-essential ethings and leave it looking neat and clutter free.

5. *Rule of Thumb* Schedule a decluttering weekend:  After you've spent the week tackling a 5 minute task here and there, it doesn't hurt to enlist some friends or family to help take some stuff to a donation center, or the dump. If you take the time to get the garbage and donations you've gathered off site, your next tasks won't seem so overwhelming. 

6. Pick 5 things, and find places for them: These should be things you actually use but don't generally put in a designated spot. Coat, keys, purse, diaper bag, kids backpacks, shoes....where would be a good spot? Eventually you will want to do this for everything in your home, a few things at a time. 

7. Spend a few minutes visualizing the room: Take a moment and look around the room, and think about how you want it to look.  What are the most essential pieces of furniture? What doesn't belong but has gravitated there? Once I've got a picture in my head of how the room should look, I can get rid of the rest. *Rule of Thumb* Envision your home as a showhome...how would you like it to look if you were walking in as a potential buyer? 

8. Create a "maybe" box: Sometimes when you're going through a pile of stuff, you know exactly what to keep and what to let go of.  But then there's stuff you don't use but might need someday. You can't bear to get rid of it, but it doesn't exaclty have a place, either! Here is where the "Maybe" box comes in. Put these things in the box and store it somewhere out of the way.  Set a reminder in your phone or on your calendar for 6 months from now and re-visit your maybe box to see if they are things you really needed. *Rule of Thumb* The "maybe" box should not grow larger to accomodate more items. Also, don't forget about sources such as Facebook Market or kijiji to make a little money back on some items you are ready to part with, but may be useful to someone else! Give yourself a month to sell it and if you still have it in a month, donate it. 

9.Put a load in your car for donation: If you've decluttered a bunch of stuff, you may need to take a mid-week trip to the local donation drop-off centre. Put it in your car, and drop it off tomorrow. 

10. Create a 30-Day List: The problem with decluttering is  that we can put all the work in but it just comes back because we buy more stuff! Take a minute and create a 30 day list: Everytime you want to purchase something, put it on the list with the date it was added.  Make a rule never to buy anything (necessities excluded) unless they've been on the list for 30 days. *Rule of Thumb* One thing in, two things out. 

11. Pull out some clothes you don't wear: As you're getting ready for work, or going through your closet for something to wear, spend a few minutes pulling out things you haven't worn in a few months.  If they're seasonal, put them in a box and get rid of the rest. Do this a little at a time until your closet and drawers only contain things you wear regularly. *Rule of Thumb* If you haven't worn it in the last 12 months, let it go.

12. Clear out your medicine cabinet: If you don't have just one spot for medicine, create one now. Go through everything for the outdated medicines, the empty bandaid box, the eye cream that promised to take away all of your wrinkles but didn't. Let it all go and only keep the essentials. 

Although these are great tips if you're planning to list your home, they really apply to everyone.  By taking just a few minutes at a time to declutter your life, you can start off 2019 feeling organized and ready for anything!

In this more difficult market, it is so important to have an experienced professional working for you. I have many years in this industry and have seen the highs and lows. I would be happy to assist in any way that I can.

For a free current market evaluation, give me a call at 403-830-1009

Ron


source: zenhub.net, CREB 

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