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        <title>Calgary Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Justin Havre's Calgary Real Estate Blog brings you the latest market news and property listings, as well as tips for buying or selling a home. </description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/a-huge-mall-for-shopaholics.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/a-huge-mall-for-shopaholics.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>A Huge Mall for Shopaholics</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The Chinook Centre is one of the largest malls found in Calgary and provides plenty of great shopping options. It underwent a huge expansion just a few years ago with over 180,000 square feet added to the mall. With over 250 stores, this is a shoppers dream come true. You'll find all the normal shops, along with plenty of unique choices you can't find anywhere else in the city.


The Chinook Centre is the premier shopping, entertainment and dining destination for residents of Calgary. If you think shopping should be fun, this is the place for you. You can enjoy all the shops, stop for a meal and even enjoy a movie in the theatre. Plenty of cafes are available for a coffee break or meeting up with friends. The food court seats over 800 guests and provides many dining choices in a park-like setting. The children will love the carousel, the Albertosaurus and the flying machines.


When the mall was designed, they focused on making shopping not only fun, but also comfortable. There's tons of room to move at your own pace and the skylights provide excellent natural light for your shopping experience. If you need to relax, you can find a comfortable sofa or chair and take a little break.


Stores found in the Chinook Centre




1850


7 For All Mankind


Addition-Elle


Abercrombie &amp; Fitch


AERIE


Aeropostale


Ann-Louise Jewellers


Apple


Aritzia


Bell


bebe


Bentley


Birks


Black's


Bootlegger


Browns


Burberry


Champs Sports


Chapel Hats


Dynamite


Express


Fido


Fossil


Jersey City


Kiehl's


Le Chateau


Mexx


Naturalizer


Old Navy


Pink


Quilts Etc.


Skechers


Sony Store


Spring


Steve Madden


Telus


Tip Top Tailors


Urban Outfitters


And Many More!




There's something here for everybody and the mall includes a number of restaurants, as well. The mall is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 9pm and on Sundays and Holidays from 11am to 7pm.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 08:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/alberta-has-the-highest-growth-in-canadian-retail-sales.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/alberta-has-the-highest-growth-in-canadian-retail-sales.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Alberta Has the Highest Growth in Canadian Retail Sales</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ This past March, consumers have been out in force making purchases here in Alberta making this province the  leader for sales growth across Canada. In March, the year over year sales growth in Alberta was the highest in the country says Statistics Canada. With the economy growing in Alberta, consumers are confident about taking their wallets out to make purchases.During the month there were $5.9 billion worth of sales happening in the province, which was up 4.7% from the sales figures that were seen last March. The Canadian growth percentages for national sales were much lower with a rise of only 1.1% based on year-over-year numbers. Retail sales in the country were sitting at $39.5 billion for March 2013.ATB Financial's chief economist, Todd Hirsch, says that one of the best ways to find out how the economy is doing is to look at the retail spending in an area. When the sales are viewed on a month by month basis, the spending actually went down by 1.8% in Alberta for the month of March while they remained level on a national basis. This decline, however, followed monthly gains that were consecutive for two months in a row. The trend overall is still healthy and shows that consumer optimism is still at a high level in this province. Even though shorter-term figures are down, when you look at the trend for the long term, you can see that it's remaining very strong. In fact, the retail sales this March were the second-highest in Alberta's history. The record was set this February 2013 with monthly sales ringing in at $5.98 billion.Albertans are spending approximately 2% more than they were in 2012. Consumer confidence is high, there is low unemployment in the province and the weekly average earnings continue to grow at a rate of almost 5% on a yearly basis. Spending the most in Alberta are families and young people, which makes Alberta the perfect place for retailers to settle since this province has Canada's youngest population. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 08:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/why-is-the-phrase-location-location-location-so-important.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/why-is-the-phrase-location-location-location-so-important.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Why Is the Phrase Location, Location, Location so Important</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
You'd think that one location would be sufficient in the phrase but it really isn't. Location, location, location is an old adage that is used over and over again in the real estate industry and it seems that the more it is said the truer it becomes. The reason why it is said 3 times is to emphasize that it is the most important thing that you should be looking for in real estate and is considered as the number one rule overall. It is just repeated the three times to give it the emphasis it deserves.


If you buy a beautiful home in the wrong location, you'll be able to change your home and remodel it to your heart’s content but moving it is another matter. You'll be stuck in that location until you decide to sell. On the other hand, if you buy a home that isn't exactly perfect in the right location, you can fix it up as you want and enjoy all of the benefits of living in the right part of town.


Homes that are almost identical in nature can decrease or increase in value according to the location they are situated in. There are definitely neighborhoods in Calgary that are considered to be prime real estate locations where property values go up more than the values do in other areas. In order to find out the trend in the various communities throughout the city and in the suburbs, you'll want to talk to your real estate agent.


Here are some of the most important factors to look for when you're deciding on the right location for your new home:




In highly-rated school districts


The community offers homes that have views


Near shopping and entertainment


Close to nature


Recreation facilities nearby


Neighborhoods that are economically stable


Close to public education




Here are some of the factors that can make a neighborhood undesirable:




Close to an industrial or commercial part of town


In a high crime area


Close to environmental hazards such as a landfill


In an area that is economically depressed


Under flight paths


Close to railroad tracks


 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 08:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/calgarys-growth-in-the-coming-years-will-be-focused-on-the-suburbs.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/calgarys-growth-in-the-coming-years-will-be-focused-on-the-suburbs.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Calgary's Growth in the Coming Years Will Be Focused on the Suburbs</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The city of Calgary has released a new report called Suburban Residential Growth that has studied the predicted growth trends for the next five years. As it appears now, the Calgary suburbs are going to experience 94% of the growth here in the city during these years. It is expected that there will be 118,600 new residents that will be calling Calgary their home.


It's expected that 50,600 new units for housing will be built to accommodate the migration into the city. The suburban areas will receive 77% of these housing units. This is part of the city's Municipal Development Plan, which has the goal of balancing out suburban development with redevelopment in the inner-city. This can be quite a challenge with so many people making their way into Calgary.


This city has land inventory that will be good for 10 to 12 years for residential use in the future. This land will be able to accommodate 310,834 residents and will be a mix of housing units. Within the next 3- 5 years there will be enough land to accommodate 130,047 residents.


There's a lot of growth occurring on the outskirts of Calgary as well as in the smaller towns like Cochrane, Okotoks and Airdrie. In April of this year in Airdrie, the average sales prices on homes increased as did the number of housing sales. The average price for an Airdrie home went up to $356,000 this April and there were 128 listings sold during the month.


Homes on the market in Airdrie are selling fast if they have a listing price of approximately $375,000 or lower. Housing that is listed over $400,000 is generally sitting on the market a bit longer.


The inventory in this town remains healthy with about 260 listings available during mid-May. For people that are interested in taking a further step away from the inner-city and the suburbs to examine the housing available on the outskirts of Calgary, there is plenty of inventory available.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 08:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/whats-the-buzz-about-bamboo-flooring.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/whats-the-buzz-about-bamboo-flooring.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>What's the Buzz about Bamboo Flooring?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Have you had the chance to see bamboo flooring and take a good look at it? It's an environmentally friendly type of flooring that is becoming more popular as each day passes. If you haven't yet had the chance to see it either in person or in pictures, it's probably not what you're imagining. The flooring is not at all like the course bamboo that you see being used to manufacture furniture or wall hangings. This kind of flooring is made from ground bamboo and it's available in a variety of different finishes and designs.


The advantages of bamboo floors


If you have remodelling on your mind, here are some of the biggest advantages of choosing a bamboo floor.


Environmentally friendly


1. Bamboo is grass and grows quickly. When you use this type of material for your flooring you are saving trees in the process. Choosing a bamboo floor is an environmentally responsible choice that many green homeowners are choosing.


2. Bamboo looks absolutely stunning


Bamboo floors can look a lot like their hardwood counterparts and you may have a difficult time telling them apart. They are available in long strips or as a parquet style and they can shine brilliantly in the light.


3. Easy to maintain


Bamboo flooring only requires regular sleeping or vacuuming and the occasional damp mopping with a gentle floor cleanser. Like hardwood floors, they may also require occasional refinishing to keep up their luster and to smooth out any dents and scratches. There are types of bamboo, however, that are harder and stronger than others and some can be as durable as red oak.


The drawbacks


The biggest drawback to be found in bamboo flooring is the amount of VOCs they can emit. The floor planks are made by shredding the bamboo and then putting it back together again using pressure, heat and an adhesive that is resin-based. It's the ingredients in the adhesive and the amount used that will determine how much VOCs will be emitted.


Another drawback to Bamboo floors is they are very sensitive to humidity levels. In high humidity areas the floor planks can begin to plump up, while environments that are too dry can cause the planks to shrink. You'll want to have average moisture level in the home in order to use this type of flooring without worry.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 08:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/joining-the-ymca-in-calgary.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/joining-the-ymca-in-calgary.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Joining the YMCA in Calgary</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Finding the right place to workout, enjoy time with the family and get the kids involved in activities isn't always easy. Of course, the YMCA provides a great way to get your students involved in summer activities, along with many other benefits for adults. Calgary is home to four YMCA locations and they all provide plenty of great activities for the entire family.


Each of the locations has at least one gym and swimming pool. There are plenty of summer programs for the kids, workout rooms for adults, exercise classes, swimming lessons, camps and more. Whether you're looking for sports leagues, a place to swim with the family or you want to take advantage of the workout facility, the YMCA is a good choice.


All locations offer the following services:




Babysitting and Daycare


Personal Training


Room Rentals


Private swim lessons


Massage


Cafe




You can stop by for one day and pay the drop-in rate or get a membership to use the entire facility. Memberships can be customized to fit your specific needs and goals from fitness to swimming. The website has a membership calculator to make it easy to figure out how much your membership will cost. You can access the calculator here: http://www.ymcacalgary.org/index.php?page=membership


Choose from these four locations:




Shawnessy - Open Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 10:30pm and Weekends from 7am to 8:30pm


Saddletowne - Open Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 10:30pm and Weekends from 7am to 8:30pm


Eau Claire - Open Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 10:30pm and Weekends from 7am to 7pm


Crowfoot - Open Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 10:30pm and Weekends from 7am to 8:30pm




The gym and pool schedule for each of the locations is accessible online, along with the upcoming summer program guide. If you're looking for one of the best facilities in the city for fitness and fun, the closest YMCA is a great choice for all your health and fitness needs.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 08:32:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/recreational-real-estate-market-in-calgary-is-on-the-upswing.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/recreational-real-estate-market-in-calgary-is-on-the-upswing.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Recreational Real Estate Market in Calgary Is on the Upswing</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
A recent survey polled Canadians from one end of the country to the other to find out their thoughts on recreational property. People that either own or have the intention to purchase a property for recreational use were included in the survey. Nationally, this real estate sector is doing well and according to those polled, one of the reasons is due to low interest rates.


Of the people questioned, 82% said that interest rates would have an influence on their buying decision for recreational property. Another 58% said that they felt that it was urgent to purchase this type of property before the interest rates go up.


Even though many Canadians are facing economic and financial uncertainty, Canadians still recognize the value of property that is deemed for recreational purposes according to Royal LePage chief executive and president, Phil Soper. He added that the market for recreational properties has remained resilient and stable unlike the highs and lows that have been seen in many Canadian urban centers.


In Alberta, the average price for a 1000 ft.² three bedroom cottage, with land access on the waterfront, can range anywhere from $110,000 up to $650,000 while the average nationally can range from $177,500 up to $625,500.


The overwhelming demand is for lakefront property. According to the survey, 41% of those polled that had the intention to purchase said that this would be their first choice when it came to recreational property. Second in line was property in the woods or mountains at 17% while a recreational community condominium came in third place at 13%.


Of the people surveyed, 50% believed that prices for recreational properties would increase while 32% thought that they would remain the same.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 08:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/smaller-markets-are-starting-to-take-the-spotlight-as-the-shift-begins-in-canadian-real-estate-inves.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/smaller-markets-are-starting-to-take-the-spotlight-as-the-shift-begins-in-canadian-real-estate-inves.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Smaller Markets Are Starting to Take the Spotlight As the Shift Begins in Canadian Real Estate Investments</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The market here in Canada is starting to see a slow shift happening in investment real estate. The traditional larger cities like Vancouver and Toronto are having to give up part of the spotlight to smaller markets like Edmonton and Calgary. In fact, both Calgary and Edmonton have been ranked as the first and second top locations for investments in 2013.


In Vancouver, the latest sales figures show that only 2,347 sales occurred in March, which was a decline of 18.3% when compared to the figures that were seen last March. This was the lowest sales amount recorded since 2011. As the sales declined, the average price for property remained high at $593,100. Vancouver home buyers continue to wait for the prices to go down before making an investment but it has turned out to be a long wait indeed.


In Toronto, the house prices continued to climb with the average price for a home sitting at $519,879 for the first quarter of this year. This was a rise of 3.2% when compared to the 2012 numbers. In January, the sales were down 17% when compared on a year-over-year basis. With high prices and a slowdown occurring in the amount of sales, a problem with supply and demand continues to worsen, which is definitely not something that investors want to see in a market.


Here in Calgary and Edmonton, there's quite a different picture. Calgary lead the country with an 8% annual price growth in February and a 7% market growth in the retail sector. As well, rents have been rising consistently during the last six months, which has attracted the attention of many investors.


The surging gas and oil economy here in the city helps to keep things stable while encouraging growth. With so much going for these two cities, both Edmonton and Calgary have the basic fundamentals in place for high ROI, which is the bottom line that all investors are looking for.
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            <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 08:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/golf-the-foothills-at-wintergreen-golf-and-country-club.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/golf-the-foothills-at-wintergreen-golf-and-country-club.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>Golf the Foothills at Wintergreen Golf and Country Club</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The season is upon us once again and Wintergreen Golf and Country Club is now open. This facility features a beautiful course in the foothills of Bragg Creek about 30 minutes from Calgary. If you enjoy golfing through the forests with rolling hills and plenty of great scenery, this is the perfect course for you.


The course measures just over 6,700 yards from the back tees with four different tee stations. It winds its way around a large lake with plenty of pine and spruce trees along the way. There's over 100-feet of vertical relieve and you'll enjoy the rolling terrain, as well. Many ponds and streams add to the beauty and challenge of the course.


Wintergreen also features a practice facility with everything you need. There's an expansive short game area including sand traps, a putting green, chipping area and pitching area. Whether you need to work out the issues in your swing or you need to work on the shots around the green, you'll find everything necessary here.


The pro shop at Wintergreen is complete with Callaway equipment and accessories. You'll find a wide variety of apparel, equipment and other necessities for your round of golf. You can book your golf lessons with a CPGA certified golf professional in the pro shop, as well.


Green fees for 18-holes are $69.50 on Monday and Tuesday, $74 on Wednesday and Thursday and $97.50 for Friday through Sunday. Twilight starts at 4pm and the rages are $50 for Monday through Thursday and Sunday and $57 for Friday and Saturday. The club also offers an 8-pack of green fees for a 35% discount and many different membership options.


If you need to rent clubs, you can for $40 for Callaway or $20 for Top Flite clubs. Those in need of a power cart will need to pay $19 before 4pm and $17.50 after for use of a cart during the round.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 08:13:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-you-see-a-bear-in-sight.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.justinhavre.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-you-see-a-bear-in-sight.html</link>
            <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre)</author>
            <title>What Should You Do If You See a Bear in Sight?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
With the May long weekend approaching and thousands of people heading to the campsites, it’s important to remember that this is the time of the year that mama bears may be protecting their young ones that are still back at the den and are out looking for food for them. Here are some simple guidelines you can use if you do see a bear in sight to help protect yourself and prevent any type of bear attack.


If you see a bear in the distance


If you're following a trail and see a bear far off in the distance, slowly turn around and make your way back down the trail from where you first came. If there's another way to get to your destination use it or if you absolutely have to follow this trail, wait at least 20 minutes before going back and make a lot of noise along the way.


If the bear is nearby


You're going to have to gather up all your strength and avoid screaming running or panicking in any way. When you are showing signs of panic it can cause a bear to charge. Remain quiet and stand still while reaching for your pepper spray for bears (don't leave home without it!). If the bear stays still chances are it isn't aggressive and you can start backing away from it slowly and talk to it in a monotone quiet voice without making eye contact. As you are backing up slowly raise your hands up and then down again repetitively.


If the bear is charging


Have your bear pepper spray at the ready but again, remember that panic is going to only make the problem worse. In most cases the charging bear is only bluffing and trying to give you a good scare. You'll only want to use the spray on the bear if it is within range.


If the bear is charging and then stops, start slowly backing away from it as mentioned above. If the bear continues to charge you'll have to use the pepper spray on it and hopefully that will be the end of the attack. If you are attacked you'll have the option of either playing dead or fighting back aggressively.


To best avoid any problems with bears make sure that you keep your campsite clean during the long weekend and any time you are headed for the wilderness this year. If you live in the country it's a good time to remember that obvious food sources for bears such as pet food left outside, barbecue grill residue and bird feeders can all attract bears into your yard. Make sure that your trash is secure before placing it outside and that your garbage bin has a lid with a good seal on it to stop any odors from sending out a call to the bears to come investigate.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 08:01:00 -0600</pubDate>
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