ECO-SCAPING
RETAIL EXPANSION
LUXURY HOMES
Reducing lawn key to ‘greener’ yard
Reports suggest plenty of ‘untapped potential’ in Canadian market
High-end sales up 51 per cent in Calgary
GARDEN A5
COMMERCIAL A11
Essington
Together, your dreams realized
(403) 239-8250
MARKET B20
Sharon@SharonEssington.com vErico canada mortgagE dirEct Sign up for monthly mortgage tips at www.SharonESSington.com
SEE mortgagE on pagE a10
FREE may 27 to jun 3 2011 issue 01-19 www.creb.com
Reports suggests in-migration could rise as high as 35,000 people CODY STUART
managing editor
T
hanks to increased employment, a relatively affordable housing market and strong wage growth, interprovincial migration in Alberta could more than triple from 2010 levels in the next few years, according to a new report from ATB Financial. With a wide-ranging impact on various aspects of the Alberta economy — specifically the housing market — the report predicts Alberta’s population to make a major rebound after net migration to Alberta plunged to only 1,000 people in 2009. According to ATB Financial, inmigration to Alberta should return to around 20,000 migrants per year by 2013, rising as high as 35,000 people in the event of a prolonged boom in Alberta’s resource industry. “We’re seeing some very positive signals,” said Calgary Chamber of Commerce chief economist Ben Brunnen. “They started to come around a year ago, and we’re starting to see the in-migration number steadily increase, which is a very positive sign. The in-migration numbers generally do link to opportunity. People come where the jobs are and where the investments are. So the fact that we’re starting to see people moving back into Alberta is a very positive sign for our economy.” Alberta has been a strong benefactor of interprovincial migration over the past thirty years, and particularly so during the mid-2000s. During the height of the economic boom in 2006, over 100,000 Canadians moved to Alberta from other provinces, far more than the 55,000 who left.
GROWTH A3 A new report from ATB Financial suggests that a surge in population brought about by an improved labour market could mean increased sales for Alberta’s real estate market.
SINGLE FAMILY
1217
1355 734
791
891
888
867
915 762
APR09 MAY09 JUN09 JUL09 AUG09 SEP09 OCT09 NOV09 DEC09 JAN10 FEB10 MAR10 APR10 MAY10 JUN10 JUL10 AUG10 SEP10 OCT10 NOV10 DEC10 JAN11 FEB11 MAR11 APR11
799
958
1061
1169
1262
1352
1396 1035
1095
1285
1257
1277
1290
RBC: CALGARY’S AFFORDABILITY BEST IN COUNTRY CREB® STAFF
1585
1584
1837
MLS® NUMBER OF UNITS SOLD* APR ‘09 – APR ‘11
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity.
www.calgaryrealestateauctions.ca real estate auction
auction sat., may 28 @ 2 PM
16 Acre Horse Ranch
startin
g bid
$ 450,00
0
•Custom built cedar home •4-Car Heated Garage •Hip-Roof Barn •8 Stalls •40 x 60 Quonset •MLS® C3471953 *Pre auction offers, advance
C
algary’s housing affordability is one of the most attractive in Canada, according to a recently released RBC Housing Affordability report. However, the report said there are indications the city’s housing market may soon be quickening its pace, with home resales advancing the most since the middle of 2009. Although the report states that the prices of homes seem to be lacking momentum, “they did rise at their fastest rate in more than a year, with detached bungalows leading the way.”
MARKET A3
CONTENTS NEWS BRIEFS
A3
EVENT LISTING
A6
POP THE QUESTION
A8
Ward 2 Alderman Gord Lowe
A10
MORTGAGE RATES
BUSINESS DIRECTORY A10 MAP
B1
OPEN HOUSES
B19
INVESTMENT
B20
Vacation property
Contemporary Inner-City Living
real estate auction
auction sat., june 4 @ 2 PM
Briar Hill Classic id Bungalow Estate s$ta5r5t0in,0g 0b0 •1610 11 ave NW •1715 sq. ft. on Main floor •Stately Stone Exterior •Beautiful Patio, Pool •Hot Tub •Exclusive bids welcome 403-835-9575
For viewing times & information visit our website or call Bill Lafferty or Steve Sklenka
Prime inner-city location home has so much to offer: Breathtaking mountain views from every room in the home. Beautiful curb appeal and lush landscaped terraced gardens. Open layout of the main living area provides a comfortable flow for entertaining with a feature fireplace, breakfast bar and a dining room which opens to the rear garden terrace. Architecturally renovated for functional living, the main floor includes a cozy den/family room and large guest bdrm with access to the modern three pc bath and walk-in shower. The top floor boasts a full bath, third bdrm and grand master retreat w/wood burning fireplace and private rooftop terrace w/mtn views. Lower level grants access to the single garage and contains an award winning artist studio and fourth bdrm, plus utility/storage room. An opportunity to own an excellent architecturally designed home in a fabulous location. MLS®C3474619 86 Cumberland DR SW $689,500
RE/MAX REAL EstAtE (MountAin ViEw)
www.sanostante.com
RE / MA X RE AL ESTATE ( CENTR AL )
403.289.3435