an. 31, 2024 | CREB

What to do in Calgary this February

This month, the city will become vibrant with winter and cultural festivals in which you can enjoy mesmerizing art installations, witness outstanding performances, and even become a hot chocolate connoisseur. There will be no shortage of fun, so here's a look at the upcoming events:

CULTURE

Chinook Blast
February 2-19, Downtown
Bundle up and get ready for the fourth annual Chinook Blast. This vibrant winter festival celebrates art, culture and community and will feature several events, free activities, live music, community pop-ups and art installations. Cost: Free
Learn more

Chinese New Year Festival 2024 
February 3-11, Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, 197 1 St S.W.
Embrace the spirit of the dragon at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre's Chinese New Year Festival 2024. For two weekends, the festivities will include multicultural performances, a sensational vendor market, dragon and lion dances, art exhibitions and more. Cost: Free
Read more

Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture 
February 9-10, TELUS Convention Centre, 136 8 Ave S.E.
Celebrate the vibrant cultural traditions of the Afro-Canadian/Caribbean communities at the annual Ethnik Festival of Art & Culture. Discover local and international talents at the emerging artist showcase and please your palate by attending the tasty “food war”, in which professional chefs and cultural ambassadors will compete for the best dish. Cost: $25-40
Tickets

SPORTS 

Calgary Hitmen | Home Games   
Feb. 4,7,9,10,23,25,28, Scotiabank Saddledome, 55 Saddledome Rise S.E.
With seven games in-house this month, don’t miss out on the fun and watch the Hitmen as they take on several rivals.
Tickets

Calgary Flames | Home Games   
Feb. 15, 17, 19, 22, 27, Scotiabank Saddledome, 55 Saddledome Rise S.E.
Join the action and cheer on the Flames as they play against the Sharks, Red Wings, Jets, Bruins, and Kings.
Tickets

Snow Rodeo
February 8-17, Winsport, 88 Canada Olympic Rd S.W.
Discover the world’s best freestyle snowboarders at the FIS Snowboard Slopestyle & Halfpipe World Cups, a weeklong competition where you’ll watch world-renowned riders catch big air and compete for cash prizes and points toward world ranking and Olympic qualification. Cost: Free

MUSIC 

Starman: David Bowie 
February 15, Jack Singer Concert Hall, 225 8 Ave S.E.
Immerse yourself in five decades of classics as Jeans ‘n Classics and the Calgary Philharmonic come together for a symphonic rock tribute to glam rock and pop icon, David Bowie.
Tickets

Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater 
February 15-17, Various locations
Enjoy a musical weekend and be prepared to experience the best in folk music at Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater. With a lineup of 27 artists performing in 12 different events across seven venues, this is an event you don’t want to miss.
Tickets

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire™ in Concert 
February 23-25, Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 Ave N.W.
Submerge in the magic of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire™ in Concert series. Witness Harry Potter™ as he soars the big screen in high-definition and experience a live symphony orchestra performing the iconic score by Patrick Doyle.
Tickets

FOOD 

YYC Hot Chocolate Fest 
February 1-29, Locations across the city.
Get warm and cozy at your favourite establishment and sip novel and exceptional recipes as part of the YYC Hot Chocolate Fest. With over 70 participating locations, there’s a wide variety of drinks to enjoy.
Read more

Feb. 01, 2024 | CREB

The unmatched value of working with a REALTOR® in Calgary

Why use a REALTOR®?

Expertise: When you partner with a REALTOR®, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge honed through years of experience. From strategizing your approach to negotiating the best deal, they navigate the twists and turns of the market with finesse, ensuring you achieve the optimal outcome.

Knowledge: The real estate landscape is ever-evolving, with market dynamics shifting rapidly. REALTORS® are armed with comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge, providing objective insights and accurate information for making informed decisions about buying or selling your home.

Dedication: Your REALTOR® is more than just a professional; they're your ally, dedicated to safeguarding your interests throughout the entire process. From the initial consultation to the final closing, they stand by your side, offering unwavering support and guidance.

Protecting consumer interests

Recent events have highlighted the importance of having a seasoned professional in your corner when navigating real estate transactions. In a world where unrepresented buyers can exploit vulnerabilities, a REALTOR® serves as a shield, ensuring your interests are safeguarded at every turn.

Consider the cautionary tale of a homeowner who, without representation, unwittingly sold their property for less than its true value. Such scenarios underscore the critical role of a REALTOR® in orchestrating a successful and equitable transaction.

Find your REALTOR®

Take the first step towards your real estate goals by finding the perfect match for your needs. Whether buying, selling, or renting, a Calgary and area REALTOR® stands ready to guide you through the intricacies of the market with professionalism and dedication.

Ready to embark on your real estate journey? Explore the CREB® Consumer Hub’s wealth of resources tailored to buyers, sellers, and renters alike. Armed with knowledge and expertise, you're poised to navigate the world of real estate confidently, with a trusted REALTOR® by your side every step of the way.

To get connected with a REALTOR®, visit realtor.ca.

To read more about the advantages of having a REALTOR® by your side, read this CREB®Now article.

May 16, 2022 | CREB

Calgary ranked in top 10 of the world's most affordable cities

According to the Urban Reform Institute’s Demographia International Housing Affordability Study, Calgary ranked 10th out of the 92 cities included in the survey.

Calgary’s affordability, which was based on numbers taken during the fourth quarter of 2021, was up slightly, posting a median multiple of 4.0 compared to 4.1 in the previous study analyzing 2020. Calgary’s 2020 rating placed them 29th on the list.

Cities with a median multiple of 3.0 and under have “affordable” housing markets, while the range from 3.1 to 4.0 is “moderately affordable,” 4.1 to 5.0 is “seriously unaffordable,” and 5.1 and over is “severely unaffordable.”

The median multiple is the price-to-income ratio, which is the median house price divided by the gross median household income, pre-tax. This means that the median house in Calgary costs four times the average annual income in the city.

Edmonton ranked as the most affordable Canadian city in the report, sitting fourth with a rating of 3.6 while Pittsburgh was the most affordable city in the report with a rating of 2.7.

On the other end of the scale, Vancouver, Sydney and Hong Kong were rated as the three most unaffordable cities, with median multiples of 13.3, 15.3 and 23.2 respectively.

“Severely unaffordable housing has spread from Vancouver to smaller markets, as metro Vancouver has shed domestic migration to smaller markets in British Columbia, such as Chilliwack, the Fraser Valley, and Kelowna and markets on Vancouver Island,” read the report.

Toronto finished 83rd, with a median multiple of 10.5, with the report stating the “severely unaffordable housing” trend in Ontario has spread to smaller markets in Ontario, such as Kitchener-Waterloo, Brantford, London and Guelph, as residents of metro Toronto seek lower costs of living.

According to CREB®’s latest housing statistics, Calgary’s benchmark price reached $526,700 in April, nearly two per cent higher than last month and 17 per cent higher than last year. Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s put the average price of a home in that city at $1.2 million in April, while Vancouver’s benchmark house price sat at $1,360,500. 

April 28, 2022 | CREB

Five tips for first-time homebuyers

For most of us, buying a home will be the biggest purchasing decision we make in our lifetime. Adding to the weight of that decision is going through it the first time.

First-time homebuyers can benefit tremendously from receiving extra advice throughout the purchase process. It's difficult to know exactly what to expect, but most issues can be resolved by doing a little homework at the outset.

The good news is first-time homebuyers are not on their own. Here are five tips to help you navigate the journey:

1. Do your research

Ask questions and do your homework. Speak with other homeowners to get a real-life perspective on what it's like to own property. Also take some time to think about where you want to be today and five years from now, and plan accordingly!

2. Get pre-approved

It is best for first-time buyers to get pre-approved for a mortgage so they know how much they can spend.

Talk to a mortgage specialist about mortgage products, terms, payment options and rates. Then, share the pre-approval with your REALTOR® so they only show you homes that fit your budget.

3. Use a REALTOR®

Many homebuyers research potential homes using realtor.ca, but what's really important is the interpretation of that data, and that's where a REALTOR® comes in.

A REALTOR® is a trusted source for all your real estate needs. Not only do they provide invaluable expertise, but they are also committed to a high standard of professional conduct focused on the consumer.

A REALTOR® also provides a homebuyer with all the information to make an informed decision in terms of comparable prices in the neighbourhood, market conditions and the proper steps to go through in a home purchase.

4. Seeing is believing

While most people begin their home search online, shopping that way may not tell the whole story of a property. Photos can be deceiving, so it's important to get inside a house and explore it for yourself.

Things like the size of a home, the condition of the interior and exterior and the neighborhood can vary when looking at a home online versus in person.

Schedule a showing with your REALTOR® or visit an open house to help you make a much smarter buying decision.

5. Get a home inspection

A home inspection could identify a simple cosmetic problem or safety issue that could be potentially life threatening.

Many first-time buyers walk into a home, love the kitchen or the bathrooms or the general layout, and can look right past everything else. That's why you need an unbiased, independent review of the home.

Your home inspector should not care whether you buy the home or not. They have no vested interest in the transaction and present you with the facts.