It?s not a spot where you would normally expect to find a recreational space. Yet, Flyover Park, located under the overpass that links westbound Memorial Drive to 4th Ave S.E. and the East Village, is the newest addition to Calgary?s parks system.
The park, which opened in December, is the result of a partnership between local Grade 6 and University of Calgary Landscape Architecture students, who teamed up on the design to create a distinctive hub for the community.
?The park?s setting next ...
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It might sound like magic, but banishing snow from your driveway without lifting a finger is a trick that?s within reach for Calgarians.
?Our system uses electricity rather than water or gas,? said Sob F., a sales representative with Ontario-based Heavenly Heat Inc.
?We peel off the existing driveway, lay down cables and cover them with asphalt or concrete. The cables are connected to a control box, which can be placed inside or outside the garage, and the system is completely automatic, ...
posted in home tips
at Fri, 29 Jan 2021 17:47:11 +0000
I have just finished attending the #creb2121 virtual forecast and am happy to bring you the "hot off the press" 2021 forecast by our wonderful economist Anne-Marie Lurie.
? In 2020, housing markets across the country surprised many with a stronger-than-expected rebound in the second half of the year despite record-high unemployment rates and significant job losses.
Calgary did not hit record-high sales or prices in the third or fourth quarters, but still posted some of the strongest sales ...
If your home?s interior is feeling a bit drab and lifeless, adding a handful of houseplants to the mix can make a world of difference. This is especially true during the winter, when a little bit of greenery inside can help you forget about the weather outside.
The benefits don?t stop there either, as plants also purify the air and taking care of them can create a comforting sense of routine.
So, what are you waiting for? Here are 10 great indoor plants you should consider adding to your home: ...
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posted in home tips
at Sun, 24 Jan 2021 22:36:33 +0000
A tiny home in retirement could be a more-affordable way to downsize and still be close to family. This article is from the US - but stay tuned as tiny homes are catching on in Canada too!
When Cary Childre, 65, of Athens, Ga., considered moving closer to her daughter, Eva Maudlin, of Decatur, an Atlanta suburb, she realized she couldn?t afford to buy ?much of anything.? So, Eva, 31, researched building a cottage in her own backyard. The 429-square-foot home will have one bedroom and ...
Oh, baby, it?s cold outside? and inside, too, if you?re standing close to a drafty window, door, or mysterious source of outside air. Persistent drafts are funny things. They can be massive pains when the wind blows just right, and almost unnoticeable when it?s still, making it both difficult to locate the problem, and hard to keep front of mind as you go about the rest of your week. But if you?ve got a persistent draft, transient or not, this can be the year you solve it. You?ll also save ...
posted in home tips
at Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:02:17 +0000
Year of Construction: 1905
Address: 35 Point Drive N.W.
Community: Point McKay
Architectural Style: Vernacular
This pioneer vernacular home was built in 1905 by Alfred McKay (1860-1940). His work as a member of Canadian Pacific Railway survey crews took him from his home in Woodbridge, Ont., to the Prairies in 1880 and he eventually settled in the Calgary area in 1886.
Originally, McKay lived as a squatter in a log cabin on Cochrane Ranch Co. land, before securing his own piece of land in ...
Whether you are a real estate mogul or just getting started with your first rental unit, if you?re receiving money for rent, your silent investor needs his cut paid. Never heard of this silent investor? We are talking about Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and they always get their share through taxes.
The good news is that there?s many different tax rebates and deductions that can help you reduce how much tax you have to pay. In this article, we will cover tax rebates most landlords don?t claim ...
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posted in Investing
at Sun, 17 Jan 2021 20:27:16 +0000
?Where did you get that?? An enthusiastic and genuine question those who thrift furniture get asked all too often. Whether you?ve upcycled a dining room table or refinished an antique armoire, you know those unique pieces have a way of attracting the eye of house guests.
Filled with charm and character, thrifted furniture is an excellent option for those on a budget, looking for a distinct piece to complete a design vision, or those simply hoping to make a positive impact on the environment and ...
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posted in home tips
at Fri, 15 Jan 2021 22:33:26 +0000
While you might not love building IKEA furniture, the Swedish retailer?s smart designs and affordable finds make the effort (and the tears) worth it. But if you think your basic IKEA pieces are in need of a style upgrade, you?re not alone. There?s a community of thousands of IKEA hackers dreaming up creative ways to transform their pieces on a budget. Whether you?re a first-time or devoted furniture hacker, we scoured the internet to find some of our favourite IKEA hacks for your home.
Play ...
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posted in home tips
at Thu, 14 Jan 2021 20:56:19 +0000
On the northern shoreline of the spellbinding Lake of the Woods district, Kenora, Ontario is a coveted tourist destination. The small city of 15,096 (2016 census) is located 50 km east of Manitoba, nearly 200 km east of Winnipeg. The area was traditionally named Rat Portage or ?Waszush Onigum? in Ojibwe, in reference to the traditional ?portage of the muskrat.?
Lake of the Woods includes parts of Ontario, Manitoba, and the midwestern U.S. state of Minnesota. The lake is more than 110 km long ...
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When buying your first home, there are more costs involved than you may expect. Between moving expenses, legal fees, inspections and taxes, purchasing a property involves a lot more than just saving for your down payment. It?s not uncommon for first-time buyers to skip on budgeting for these expenses and then get sticker shock when all of the additional costs pile up.
Thankfully, first-time home buyers in Canada have exclusive access to programs to help offset some of the costs. From rebates ...
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posted in Investing
at Mon, 11 Jan 2021 23:46:32 +0000
Calgary?s winters are bad enough without having to worry about the expensive heating bills that often accompany plummeting temperatures. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to limit the damage and save a bit of cash in the process.
1) Make sure your home is properly insulated
Here?s how to find out if your home needs an insulation upgrade.
2) Layer up and lower the temperature
One of the most common pieces of advice for cutting your heating bill is also the most straightforward: dress warm ...
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posted in home tips
at Thu, 07 Jan 2021 22:45:23 +0000
City of Calgary, January 4, 2021 ?
With December sales of 1,199, this is the highest December total since 2007.
"Housing demand over the second-half of 2020 was far stronger than anticipated and nearly offset the initial impact caused by the shutdowns in spring. Even with the further restrictions imposed in December, it did not have the same negative impact on housing activity like we saw in the earlier part of the year," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.
Attractive interest rates ...
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In recent years, Canadians have been some of the biggest buyers of property south of the border, purchasing nearly $9.5 billion worth of U.S. real estate in the last year alone, according to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors. As we head into the start of a particularly unusual snowbird season under COVID-19 however, a significant number of Canadians are now in a ?wait and see? situation as to whether they will want to or be able to travel south to enjoy their U.S. property ...
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posted in Investing
at Sat, 02 Jan 2021 23:00:52 +0000