YYC RECYCLES A three-part series looking at Calgary’s efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle
GET GROWING
Special Luxury Homes Pullout Inside
Ginger and yams grow from tubers DONNA BALZER A15
A10
FREE feb 27 to mar 5 2015 issue 05-07 editorial 403-781-1324 advertising 403-263-4940 crebnow@creb.ca
real estate news from industry experts xperts
KEEPING IT
FRESH
HGTV’s Carson Arthur is one of a dozen design personalities featured at this year’s Calgary Home + Garden Show running Feb. 26 – March 1 at the BMO centre.
Calgary Home + Garden Show garden features prepping visitors for spring KELSEY HIPKIN
reporter/photographer
T
hey say you can’t judge a book by its cover. Yet when it comes to purchasing a home, first impressions can be everything. “What’s really exciting for me right now, especially when it comes to home value, is that landscaping has replaced the top five best return-oninvestments according to Remodeling Magazine 2015,” said Carson Arthur, co-star of HGTV’s Critical Listing and founder of Carson Arthur Design, who will be among a dozen celebrity presenters and more than 650 vendors at the 34th annual Calgary Home + Garden Show, running from Feb. 26 to March 1. Arthur, who grew up on a farm two hours outside Toronto, said there are a couple simple tips for home sellers when it comes to grabbing the eye of potential buyers. The first, weather depending, is using mulch in flowerbeds. With or without flowers, the mulch immediately gives the impression of a neater space.
PHOTOS COURTESY CARSON ARTHUR
“Another really simple option: put a bench in the front yard. You might have to stake it down, but buyers, when they come in to a house for the first time and they see a bench, one of their first description words is, ‘Oh it’s welcoming.’ And if you can get them smiling before they even walk through that front door, it helps that perceived impression of your house
MLS® MONTH END INVENTORY* JAN ‘13 – JAN ‘15
2812 JAN13 FEB13 3266 3787 MAR13 APR13 4208 4568 MAY13 4343 JUN13 3931 JUL13 3597 AUG13 3616 SEP13 3388 OCT13 2743 NOV13 DEC13 1765 JAN14 2181 2641 FEB14 3033 MAR14 3820 APR14 4528 MAY14 4759 JUN14 4678 JUL14 4591 AUG14 4559 SEP14 4162 OCT14 3826 NOV14 3213 DEC14 4655 JAN15
CITY OF CALGARY
from the immediate first impression.” Gardening and landscaping figure prominently at this year’s Home + Garden Show, something that came about from public feedback of last year’s edition, said show manager Teri Salazar. “We have so much greenery coming down to the show,” she said. “Even if it’s not a feature, everywhere
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
TOWN
Town
& COUNTRY AFFORDABILITY
#3 Wolf Close - Redwood Meadows
CANYON CREEK
about renovations and design dilemmas, Joanne Dafoe will be addressing garden myths and Heather Draper, principal designer of The Heather Company will be offering tips on how to realistically work with what’s trending in design.
HOME SHOW A3
GRIMM BANNERS CONTENTS NEWS BRIEFS ADORNING FIVE THINGS DOWNTOWN ECONOMY BRIDGES
................................
A3
...................................
A4
.......................................
A5
Home + Garden Show CIBC report
MUNICIPAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
CREB® STAFF
Public art
S
even downtown bridges and Olympic Plaza have been outfitted with banners highlighting moments from six Grimm’s fairy tales. The banners, created by local artist Karen Klassen, were commissioned through the Centre City Banner Program in partnership with Public Art. “In each of these fairy tales there is an epic moment of discovery for the characters that changes the course of their lives,” said Klassen.
PUBLIC ART A3
$519,000
An expansive front deck creates great curbside appeal for this 1620 sq. ft. (total living space - 2620) beautifully decorated bungalow surrounded by tall evergreens on a small, quiet cul-de-sac. A bright living/dining area features a bay window and maple hardwood flooring. The kitchen has a gas range, lots of cabinetry and storage, and an adjacent breakfast nook that leads out to the multi-level rear deck system. The family room, with a rock-faced fireplace and rich wood paneling, is open to the kitchen. Upstairs, 3 bedrooms include the master with twin closets and a 4 piece en suite. The recently developed basement includes another bedroom, full bath, exercise/hobby room, and a huge recreation area. MLS® C3653920
Lee Edwards 403-540-0540
you look you’re going to see flowers or plants or smell them. It’ll feel like spring really is around the corner.” Among the greenery and landscape and garden talk, local talents will also be hitting the stage to share their designs and inspiration. Among others, Cardel Renos Sales design consultants Marie-Claire Williams and Clare Gardner will be talking
Country
308137 96 ST W - Foothills
DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Currie Barracks
MORTGAGE RATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10 POP THE QUESTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A11 Wayne Copeland, CHBA
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B19 @crebnow
/crebnow
crebnow.com
$789,000
Spacious foyer leading to the family room with 12 ft. vaulted ceilings; expansive “dream” kitchen with 9 ft. ceilings, corner pantry, and beautiful hickory cabinets; then the oversized dining area, all overlooking the valley below. Also on the main floor you’ll find a terrific master bedroom with walk-in closet and en suite, a very nice second bedroom, 4 pce. main bath, and a mudroom/laundry with ceramic tiled floor leading to a 26 x 30 ft. fully finished garage. The unique lower level foyer leads to an oversize media/spare bedroom, a recreational/ lounge area, a small second kitchen, a 4 pce. bath, and a huge guest bedroom, all opening to a ground level patio. Add to all this a nice set-up for horses or other livestock, and you have a special property indeed! MLS® C3652368
lee@braggcreekrealestate.com