The Calgary Real Estate Blog » Contributors

Boardwalk REIT Reports Increased Rental Revenue

Jared Chamberlain — Wed, 23 May 2012 06:00:50 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

CALGARY — Calgary-based Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust reported Tuesday increases in total revenue, funds from operations, occupancy and average rents for its fiscal first quarter.

Boardwalk said total rental revenue of $108 million, for the three-month period ending March 31, was up 3.5 per cent compared with the first quarter of last year.

Funds from operations of $34.3 million was up 21.8 per cent while funds from operations per unit of 66 cents increased by 22.2 per cent.

Boardwalk said its occupancy rose to 98.04 per cent in the quarter from 96.87 per cent while the average monthly rent rose from $991 last year to $1,023.

“The overall market is into a more balanced state and has absorbed a great deal of excess inventory. So there’s balance between the amount of supply and the amount of demand,” said Sam Kolias, chairman and chief executive of Boardwalk. Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

Boardwalk REIT Reports Increased Rental Revenue – Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca

About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

Canada Ready to Tighten Mortgage Insurance Market

Jared Chamberlain — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:00:23 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

OTTAWA — The Canadian government will act if needed to further tighten the mortgage insurance market, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said on Tuesday.

Some analysts fear low interest rates are helping to fuel a possible bubble in the Canadian housing market. Speaking to the House of Commons Finance Committee, Flaherty noted that the Conservative government had clamped down on the market three times since July 2008.

“We will take further steps if necessary,” he said. Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

Canada Ready to Tighten Mortgage Insurance Market - Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

Women More Likely to be First-Time Homebuyers, Canadian Poll Finds

Jared Chamberlain — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:00:53 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

CALGARY — Women are more likely than men to be first-time homebuyers among Canadians who plan to buy a home within the next two years, according to the 19th Annual RBC Homeownership Poll released Monday.

The poll said 49 per cent of women and 35 per cent of men plan to be first-time homebuyers.

“We are seeing more single women entering into the housing market, as income levels, changing demographics and lifestyle patterns shift purchasing habits,” said Marcia Moffat, head of home equity financing, RBC. “But women are being more cautious than men, weighing cost, affordability and job security before buying a home.”

Of the Canadians who have recently become first-time homebuyers, men and women were tied (47 per cent) in saying affordability was the biggest concern that prevented them from purchasing a home earlier. Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

Women More Likely to be First-Time Homebuyers, Canadian Poll Finds – Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

City of Calgary Building Permits Soar in April

Jared Chamberlain — Mon, 21 May 2012 00:36:00 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

CALGARY — City of Calgary building permit applications soared in April compared with last year.

On Tuesday, the city reported that the estimated construction value of permits was $608 million, up 75 per cent from the $347 million in April 2011.

Year-to-date, the total is $1.609 billion, which is down two per cent from $1.638 billion for the same period last year.

Construction value so far this year is up 23 per cent compared with the five-year average of $1.303 billion and up 33 per cent compared with the 10-year average of $1.210 billion.

“We are currently seeing healthy levels of activity in both the residential and non-residential sectors,” said Kevin Griffiths, chief building official for the city, in a statement. Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

City of Calgary Building Permits Soar in April – Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

Show Homes to Open in Mahogany

Jared Chamberlain — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:00:36 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

The builders that helped Mahogany earn a Calgary region SAM (Sales and Marketing) Award are releasing a followup show home parade Saturday, May 12.

Mahogany is opening eight front garage show homes in its Lakeland Collection.

“We’re really excited,” says Erin McGregor, sales and marketing co-ordinator for Hopewell Residential Communities, which is developing of Mahogany.

The builders in this parade include Jayman MasterBuilt, Sabal Homes, Stepper Custom Homes and Trico Homes, which helped Hopewell earn a SAM Award for show home parade of the year.

Prices in the latest show home parade start in the $420,000s, with houses that range from 1,800 to 2,500 square feet on lots between 34- and 36-feet wide.

Show Homes to Open in Mahogany – Calgary Real Estate News

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

Hilton Hotel Planned as First Major Commercial Project for Calgary’s East Village

Jared Chamberlain — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:00:40 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

Calgary’s East Village development has announced its first major commercial project for the area just east of the downtown — a 315-room Hilton hotel.

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation announced Tuesday that the estimated value of the project is $75 million and it will see Widewaters Group, a USA-based commercial real estate development firm, build a dual branded Hilton along the 4th Street S.E. commercial node of East Village.

It will be situated at the corner of 7th Avenue and 4th Street S.E. Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

Hilton Hotel Planned as First Major Commercial Project for Calgary’s East Village – Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

Iconic Calgary Downtown Retailer Finds New Location

Jared Chamberlain — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:00:16 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

CALGARY — Iconic downtown retailer Billy’s News has found a new location to set up business after having to move to make room for a proposed 53-storey office tower in the heart of Calgary.

Hanif Virani and Parviz Zaver, of the family-run business, confirmed Tuesday that Billy’s News will open June 4 in the Art Central building after being in operation at the old Calgary Herald block for many years.

“We’re the largest and oldest newsmagazine store in Calgary. It’s a great source of pride for the family,” said Virani, of the business the family has owned for 20 years. Zaver added the business has been operating in the city for about 100 years.

“We’re positive the new location in Art Central (at the corner of 7th Avenue S.W. and Centre Street) will be more successful. The new location will be more pedestrian-friendly and accessible through the Plus-15.” Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

Iconic Calgary Downtown Retailer Finds New Location – Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

Calgary Region Building Permits Soar

Jared Chamberlain — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:00:40 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

CALGARY — The value of building permits in March in the Calgary region soared year-over-year, according to the latest data by Statistics Canada.

The federal agency reported Monday that permits during the month were $457.7 million in the Calgary census metropolitan area, an increase of 33.3 per cent from March 2011 and up 2.9 per cent from February.

In Alberta, permits totalled $1.2 billion, representing a monthly hike of 5.6 per cent and an annual gain of 37.5 per cent.

The residential sector in the province rose to $698.3 million, up 6.8 per cent from February and an increase of 22.7 per cent from a year ago. The non-residential sector saw a whopping 64.6 per cent year-over-year spike to $509.9 million which was also an increase of 3.9 per cent from February. Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

Calgary Region Building Permits Soar – Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

Airdrie Housing Market Booming

Jared Chamberlain — Sun, 13 May 2012 22:53:30 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

CALGARY — The City of Airdrie, just north of Calgary, is experiencing a housing market boom these days.

From new home construction to resales, activity has taken an upward swing this year.

“The housing market in Airdrie is hot,” said Curt Woodhall, vice-president of sales and marketing for Vesta Properties, the developer and builder of the new Williamstown project in northwest Airdrie. “Vesta builds in a number of communities in Alberta and British Columbia and the Airdrie market in particular is very robust.”

Year-to-date, there have been 107 housing starts in Williamstown. Sales so far this year have included 60 for about $17 million with the average selling price of about $310,000.

The development on 66 hectares will have a total of 1,013 homes — 600 multi-family and 413 single-family — and over 60 per cent have already been sold.

“Vesta Properties is experiencing tremendous success in Williamstown in Airdrie,” said Woodhall, adding there will be 12 show home openings at the project’s grand opening celebration Saturday. “With low interest rates and good value for your dollar, we are seeing demand on every housing type from starter condominiums to luxury homes.” Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

Airdrie Housing Market Booming – Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________

Alberta Regaining Economic Strength

Jared Chamberlain — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:36:00 +0000

Calgary Real Estate News

CALGARY — The boom returned with a bang to Alberta, which was home to the country’s fastest growing economy last year, new Statistics Canada figures show.

The federal agency says real gross domestic product advanced 5.2 per cent in 2011 — the province’s highest economic growth rate since 6.2 per cent in 2006.

Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist with BMO Capital Markets, said Alberta’s growth rate last year exceeded BMO estimates.

“The province is leading the rest of the country by a country-mile in terms of job growth recently, and we’re seeing an echo of that in retail sales as well,” he said. “What’s driving it, simply put, is the strength in oil prices and the rapid rise in production in the province — and alongside of that we’re seeing large population inflows into the province.” Want to read more in depth on this article? Just click the link below.

Alberta Regaining Economic Strength – Calgary Real Estate

Jared & Rebecca
About The Chamberlain Group:
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing online marketing and advanced tools to sell your house in Calgary faster and for far more money. They would be honored to have the chance to work with you and earn your business. ____________________________________________________