Blog

by Andy Dean Photography

If you have been paying attention to Calgary’s real estate trends, you are probably well aware that this year has been considered a strong seller’s market.  So what exactly does this mean?  Low inventory has reduced the number of properties available for purchase. 

This is causing buyers to become more competitive.

If houses are well priced, they are selling very quickly- usually with multiple offers.  As we head into the summer, we are expecting the number of listings to increase which will gradually shift us back to a balanced market.

If you are thinking of selling this year, you may have an advantage if you list sooner than later.  Listing your property at fair market value while the market is hot will almost guarantee you a quick and profitable sale. 

Some sellers are taking the approach of listing slightly higher than the current market value. 

If the demand in the area is high enough and the property shows well, they are walking away with top dollar for their homes.  In a city with such a rapidly growing population, real estate investment is a hot commodity and buyers recognize the value in owning their own home.

The challenge may arise when you start looking for your next property.  Buyers are having a tough time finding the right home with fewer properties to choose from.  Some are getting discouraged after losing a few bidding wars and have decided to shelf their property search until the market balances out. 

As we head into the summer, it’s safe to say that listing inventory will increase.

As always, it’s important to educate yourself throughout the process.  Ask plenty of questions, and align yourself with knowledgeable Calgary professionals who will represent your best interest along the way.  If it’s time for your next home, do your research and have a good idea of what you are looking for so when the right property comes up, you are ready to buy.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

As an Altadore real estate professional, it is important that I am connected to my community.  I have had the opportunity to sit on the board for the Marda Loop Communities Association.  This association manages the facilities, community events and other recreational activities in South Calgary, Altadore-River Park, Garrison Woods and the commercial district of Marda Loop.

This association assists in the issues surrounding neighbourhood planning, parks and transportation in the community.  They are also responsible for an extensive calendar of activities for kids, adults and seniors.  If you are new to the Calgary area, this is a great way to fill up your social calendar with some great fitness classes and educational events.  Be sure to stop by the outdoor pool or the ice rink depending on the season.

This non-profit association has been operating for over 40 years by a group of dedicated and hard-working volunteers.  They commit their time and talents to improving the neighbourhood life in Calgary.  If you are looking for a great way to meet new friends and get involved with your community in South Calgary, consider volunteering for the Marda Loop Communities Association.  They are always looking for extra helping hands to assist with planning, volunteer during the events, or help out with many of the children’s programs.

Although I no longer sit on the board for this association, I still enjoy participating in their community events.  The Indulge Event, held every spring, is a fantastic food and wine expo that brings many residents together.  The event gives restaurants in the Marda Loop area a chance showcase a sample from their menus.  There is a silent auction followed by a live auction later in the evening.  This event is not to be missed, and I look forward to seeing you at Indulge 2014.  Please feel free to say hello and let me know if you have questions about the Altadore real estate market.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He and his team sell an average of two homes a week–mostly single-family homes, luxury homes, condos and commercial properties. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. Bryon is above the pack because he aims not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell their dream home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is well-equipped to do this with his sterling education, capped by an MBA degree from Athabasca University and degrees from Acadia University, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Universite de Bourgoyne in France.

Purchasing a new home is a sentimental and emotional experience for many buyers. This makes it especially important to stage your home in a way that people can imagine themselves living there. Although an empty home may appear larger, buyers have to really tap into their imagination to envision the empty space functioning as their home. Typically a showing may last from 10 to 40 minutes, so it is important that your home makes a great first impression during this short time.

Highlight your home’s strengths. Think about what you first noticed when you purchased your home. A beautiful fireplace, large windows, or an updated kitchen are all things that could set your home apart from the other listings on the market. Ask your friends what they like best about your home and then make sure those features are showcased.

Clearing up clutter is the most important task. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with clutter, especially if you have a busy family. We have a rule in my house that whenever we bring something new into the house, we get rid of something else. This is a great way to manage toys, clothing and other stuff that starts to accumulate over time. When the time comes to list your house, get rid of extra unwanted items by donating them to charity or have a yard sale.

Make a great first impression. The front door, mailbox and house numbers should look clean and new. Add some potted plants to your entrance way, and make sure that the yard is well-kept and free of debris.

Bring in the professionals. A professional stager can make your home look like the perfect 10. Last year I listed a home for a client at slightly above market value. The home sat on the market for several weeks with no activity. We made the decision to take the home off the market and bring in a professional stager to overhaul the home. We put the house back on the market, and it sold for 99.5% of the asking price. Even though the market hadn’t changed, professional staging helped to increase the perceived value of this home to potential buyers.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He and his team sell an average of two homes a week–mostly single-family homes, luxury homes, condos and commercial properties. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. Bryon is above the pack because he aims not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell their dream home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is well-equipped to do this with his sterling education, capped by an MBA degree from Athabasca University and degrees from Acadia University, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Universite de Bourgoyne in France.

It has been almost 10 years since my family of four move to Altadore. We quickly fell in love with the community and became avid Altadorians. My son has loved it since the day we walked to the My Favourite Ice Cream shop and he saw the crazy number of ice cream choices.

Altadore has evolved significantly since we moved in. The old Safeway has moved west to the Garrison Woods site and Marda Loop has evolved into a more upscale restaurant and shopping district. Shirley loves that she can now walk to Phil & Sebastian’s her favourite place to meet up with friends. Yes we have Starbucks and Second Cup. In addition, we have neighbourhood pubs, yoga studios (even a Bikram Studio which Shirley loves), Chinook Music Studio, and two diners – who could ask for anything more?

Sure we miss the Farmers’ Market when it was in Currie Barracks just across Crowchild Trail, but we are looking forward to the new high street with its shops that will open there in a few years. Being on the east side of Crowchild has it benefits as you have lots of options getting downtown for work and play.

Great Schools

The main reason we live in Calgary is the incredible choice we have in education for our kids. Our children, as well as our niece and nephews who also live in Altadore have had great school experiences at Mountain View Academy, Altadore Elementary, Calgary Science School, Bishop Carroll High School, Saint James Elementary and Junior High School and Masters Academy. Calgary Academy is the school where our daughter found great success with her learning.

Shirley has been teaching at Central Memorial High School since 2004, she is currently the director of the String Orchestra program. This CBE high school boasts a great Performing and Visual Arts program, the National Sport Academy and one of the top teams of academic teachers in the city.

Just south of Central Memorial is the campus of the Career and Technology Centre at Lord Shaughnessy High School. This school has state of the art facilities where students can explore specific applied career pathways like being a chef, pharmacy technician, mechanic or a cosmetologist.

Hidden Gem

We are also close to The Military Museums of Calgary, which is a hidden gem. When family and friends visit for the first time we will often take them there where the history and artifacts are definately interesting. Calgary is often criticized for its lack of history, yet with the Glenbow, Fort Calgary, Heritage Park, Stephen Avenue, Inglewood and the Military Museums this city has much to offer. And they are all just minutes from Altadore.

Altadore is for the dogs

Max our dog loves joining Shirley on errands in the neighborhood. He is a local celebrity as everyone says “Hi Max!” He can count on treats at our RBC branch, the Post Office and especially from Kathy at Marda Loop Tailoring. RBC recently offered him a job as a greeter for 5-dog biscuits an hour, he really did want to take the job and was not happy to come home with Shirley.

Altadore boasts perhaps the best off-leash dog park in the city – River Park. It is a linear open space with lots of different tree plantings and rolling hills at the top of the Elbow River’s west escarpment (above Sandy Beach). As a dog owner we appreciate the benefits of being able to walk out the door and in minutes Max is running to play with other dogs and we can stroll on our own or chat with our neighbours and those visiting from other communities. River Park is the meeting place for the community – it is our town square. Even in the middle of winter, thousands of people will use the park for a leisurely stroll, tobogganning, or as part of a run.

Cycling Paradise

As avid cyclists, we can all cycle easily to 17th Ave and Downtown for some urban fun, or we can head to the Glenmore Reservoir for a more recreational and nature 20 km loop around the reservoir. Frequently I will ride ten minutes to North Glenmore Park, then do interval loops in the park for an awesome 60 to 90 min workout. Beginning in May, I leave can leave home on my road bike at 5:30 am and ride to Springbank and get home by 7 am to start my workday invigorated – with 45km’s in my legs.

Shirley loves to cycle downtown in the summer, ten minutes and you are there, no parking hassles, no tickets and it is all downhill so you are not sweaty when you get there! Exploring the city cycle paths gives a new perspective on the city, different from walking or driving. Shirley loves seeing all the horses in the parks along the bow river during Stampede week.

Great bike ride close to Altadore and Marda Loop.

The Arts

We are also looking forward to the opening of the King Edward School as an art space as we will be able to walk there for concerts and exhibitions, maybe take a class or two. We are also old fashion and love to walk to the Alexander Calhoun Library to just relax and read a few magazines or check out their recommended reading bookshelf. I told you Altadore is like a small town, you can walk to everything.

Great Investment

Altadore has been a great investment for our family, not only in the quality of life that it offers, but also in the capital appreciation of our home. Buying or first home in 2004 – was a bit like winning the lottery. Altadore homes have appreciated over 200% since 2005. The greatest appreciation of any community in Calgary.

While some people question, how can people afford a home in Calgary’s inner city communities today, I say how can you not afford one. The best investment we made was stretching ourselves to move to Altadore 10 years ago. I don’t know of anyone who has regretting moving to an inner city home in Calgary.

One of my neighbours recently said, “I feel like I went to bed in Altadore, and woke up in Elbow Park.” She said this as a result of the numerous million-dollar homes now in our community, with several recent sales exceeding two million.
Last word

While Calgary boasts many wonderful communities, there is something special about Altadore and its small town east coast charm.

In a city that is experiencing tremendous growth, the Altadore-River Park area is establishing itself as a highly desirable neighbourhood for home buyers. The Altadore neighbourhood is an older community in Calgary that is going through an exciting revitalization.  Altadore has been named one of Calgary’s best neighbourhoods for the last few years in a row.  Trendy young professionals and growing families are attracted to this neighbourhood because of new luxury homes and its convenient proximity to parks and the Marda Loop shopping district.

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, the average sale price in the Altadore-River Park community was approximately $826,000 for a single family home in 2012.  The year-end data for 2013 reported that the average sale price had increased to $912,000.  That is an increase of 10% in just one year.  Compared to the Calgary-wide increase of 4%, Altadore is establishing itself as an excellent place for home buyers to invest.

If you are thinking of selling your home in this community, this is a great time to list your property.  The area is in high demand, and many of listings sell with competing offers.  This is the perfect time to capitalize on the equity in your home.  The number of available listings in this area has decreased, and buyers are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to become part of this vibrant community.

If you are looking to buy a beautiful home in an up-and-coming neighbourhood, Altadore has everything that you are looking for.  This neighbourhood needs to be seen to be appreciated.  Many of the developers in this area have built homes with unique, yet classic designs.  Most of the homes feature modern finishes, vaulted ceilings, and open concept living areas.  As prices continue to rise, buyers can purchase a home in this community with confidence knowing that their investment is secure in a home that will continue to increase in value.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He and his team sell an average of two homes a week–mostly single-family homes, luxury homes, condos and commercial properties. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. Bryon is above the pack because he aims not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell their dream home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is well-equipped to do this with his sterling education, capped by an MBA degree from Athabasca University and degrees from Acadia University, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Universite de Bourgoyne in France.

Over the years I have sold over 100 homes in and around West Hillhurst. The more time I spend in West Hillhurst and the more I hear from buyers why they are looking at this community for their new home, the more I realize this community has so much to offer, especially for families with high school and postsecondary aged children. Where else can you find a high school, two colleges and two universities just minutes away? In my mind, West Hillhurst is a hidden gem.

Teens can sleep in and still easily walk or bike to Queen Elizabeth High School. College students have the choice of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology or Alberta College of Art and Design. University students can walk, cycle or catch a bus that will have them at class in minutes. Even Mount Royal College is only 15 to 20 minutes by bus or bike.

Recreation

From a recreational perspective there is an arena, squash courts, tennis courts and gym right in your backyard and an outdoor pool for that all important summer tan. If you are a runner or cyclist, the Bow River pathway is just minutes away. If you love the mountains there are only four or five traffic lights depending on where you live, until you out of the city.

Chill Places

West Hillhurst also has some good chill places for students and families – Vina Pizza, Amato Gelato and Central Blends Café. Central Blends is like a second office for many of the work-at-home members of the community. And, you are just a $10 cab ride to the downtown for pubs and clubs or summer music festivals. The Jubilee is within walking distance for some and a quick drive for others.

Walk to work

From the parents’ perspective, West Hillhurst is conveniently located to most of Calgary’s inner city employment hubs – Downtown, University of Calgary, SAIT/ACAD, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Foothills Hospital campus and Mount Royal University. You have the option of walking, cycling, busing or driving to work as need be depending on time of year and amount of time you have. It is not surprising that West Hillhurst has one of the highest percentages of bike commuters in the city.

Grocery Stores / Farmers’ Markets

You also have five-minute access to three Safeway’s (soon to be Sobeys) at North Hill, Kensington and Brentwood and two Calgary Co-op stores at Brentwood and Midtown. This can be very handy if you are feeding a growing teenage boy. There are also weekly farmer’s markets at Parkdale and Hillhurst community centres.

Kids down / Parents Up

It’s no wonder West Hillhurst is one of Calgary’s most active and affordable infill communities in the city. Modern and traditional style new homes are under construction on almost every block. Most are designed with four or five adult family members in mind, with over 2,750+ square feet of living space on three levels (often with well equipped basements that function nicely as separate living spaces for the young adults in the family). Kids live down, parent live up is the new urban living trend.

Your inner city specialist!

Bryon Howard

2139 6 Ave NW – Great Bungalow … Luxurious Master on Main … with the kids down below.  C3599791

West Hillhurst is also home to more traditional design family homes.

West Hillhurst boasts new contemporary infills on almost every block.

West Hillhust has numerous parks, playgrounds and an old fashion outdoor pool

West Hillhurst has a wonderful old town feel along 19th Street aka Main Street West Hillhurst.

In West Hillhurst and neighbouring communities it is not unusual to find an entire street under construction.

It’s understandable that home owners contemplate selling their home themselves. Doing so would seem to save money and may look pretty simple; clean the house, put up a sign and do some open houses. For those home owners thinking about this approach, I’d like to provide some details you may not have thought about.

Know the market

First, pricing a house needs objectivity and excellent knowledge of the current market. What is the current inventory in your estimated price range? What are the prices of comparable properties? How long do properties stay on the market before they sell? Why are some houses on the market for a long time and others sell right away? Are there lots of buyers in the market right now? It takes all this information to price a house to sell in a reasonable amount of time and get market value for your it.

Stage your home properly.

Proper staging prepares a house to show from the buyer’s viewpoint, not the seller’s. Buyers are very influenced by their first impressions of a house, inside and out. It only takes seconds for buyers to get a first impression, a few seconds to look at the yard and the entry way, and another few seconds to get the feel of the house as they walk in and glance around. Staging is critical to capturing a buyer’s interest and making sure there are no major distractions. You may not notice where repairs are needed, but they will.

Hold open houses.

Once a house is ready to show, you need to have open houses that get traffic from interested buyers. You need to balance being available to describe your property’s attributes with leaving buyers to look on their own. Buyers can find it very awkward when home owners are in the house as they walk through.

Make your house is available to show for the convenience of buyers and their realtors, not for your convenience. That means making the house available during the day and during the week. Just nights and weekends won’t sell the house. When showing the house, be organized and relaxed. Plan ahead how you are going to handle showings and practice.

Evaluate offers.

As the home owner, you will be working directly with agents to negotiate offers. Receiving an offer is just the start of negotiations that determine the sale price and other important terms. You need to know how to evaluate buyers as well as their offers.

There is much more to selling a house than you might think. An agent knows all these details and represents the seller’s best interests — from setting the right price to negotiating the best sale. Before you decide to sell your house yourself, think realistically about all it takes to be successful. You might want a professional agent in your corner.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Real estate investors who are considering condos as investments are entering a solid condo market. Condo sales have been doing very well in Calgary because of the migration into the area for jobs. No investment is a sure thing, though, and even in a good market, investors still need to do their homework. No matter what the market is like, I can offer a few tips based on my experience in this market.

Always do the math.

Every investor has a different set of financial circumstances and expectations. What you pay for a property is obviously a big factor. However, investment calculations need to consider mortgage carrying costs versus cash in the deal. Look at any tax implications in the short and long term. Plan how to handle utility costs and property taxes in establishing the right rental fee.

Have a good idea of how long you are going to hold the property and why.

This is important to factor into expectations for return on your investment. In the short term there is the cash from rental income but it takes time to build value from market appreciation.

As with any real estate, it’s all about location.

Know the neighborhood, current rental rates and who makes up the rental population. Some neighborhoods are in transition either up or down. Get details on the local rental market from your Realtor®.

Check too the economic trends outside the local neighborhood.

Those trends have a significant impact on neighborhood real estate, e.g., mortgage rates, employment figures and market stability.

Consider the pros and cons of new construction versus established properties.

With new construction, you can get a better price and staggered payments in the pre-selling phase of a condo development. Initially, you will have significantly low maintenance and upkeep costs. However, there is uncertainty in the final value of the property once it is finished. It’s good to know the track record of the builder regarding on-time completion and building quality. You will need to find tenants who are looking for new construction. Existing condos have a track record of income, and the sale price reflects this value. The characteristics of current tenants give you a good foundation for finding the right tenants for your purchase.

I have a lot of experience working with condo investors. Some have made good investments and others, not so good. I’m glad to put my experience to work in making the right information available to my clients to help them make the best business decisions.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Bryon and wife Shirley at the first Alberta Cup Race of this season in Canmore. Shirley won a Silver Medal for her age group in the Skate Category!

I love skiing; it’s great exercise but even more than that, it gets me out in our spectacular winter environment. These events bring out a big crowd ready for a little competition and a lot of fun. Many of the events are family-oriented. In February, there are two events worth noting. Try one out yourself.

Canadian Birkenbeiner Ski Festival

The premier ski event in this area is the Canadian Birkenbeiner Ski Festival. It’s held the second Saturday in February every winter (7th and 8th this year). The event is east of Edmonton at Cooking Lake. It usually attracts about 2,000 skiers and has something for everybody, so bring the family! The five events offer an opportunity to participate no matter what the age or ability. I’ve done this race before. If you’re not up to the skiing, volunteer. There are over 600 volunteers who take part as well. People come from all over Canada to this event. Enjoy the very festive atmosphere, the great skiing and the scenery.

Cookie Race

This year, I’m also considering the 37th annual Kananaskis Ski Marathon, better known as the “Cookie Race.” Yes, there are cookies along the way and yes, it’s a marathon, so lots of cookies. This year, it will be held at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park on Saturday, February 22. I can’t imagine how many cookies it takes to satisfy over 600 skiers.

Here are some tips for participating in ski events:

• Show up on time. This means get there in plenty of time to park, suit up, prep your gear and not rush to the start line. It can be nerve-racking to cut it too close and have to rush. Put energy into skiing, not in worrying about the time.

• Dress right; this can be challenging. It’s cold, sure, but you warm up quickly and need to shed layers. Not too cold and not too hot.

• Get the right wax for your skis. If you’re not sure, ask someone or go to a ski shop. The right wax makes a big difference in the amount of effort and energy you have to put out.

I’m looking forward to getting out and enjoying the scenery we are so fortunate to have here in Alberta. Skiing is great exercise and good for the entire family. Let me know if you will try one of the events I’ve mentioned!

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 8% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Image Courtesy of Photo Dean

Recently, I had a number of clients who were looking for a Craftsman bungalow in Altadore. It’s a pretty interesting architectural style, so I figured I’d dig up some info on it and share it with you. Who knows, it might catch your fancy too.

Historical treasures

The Altadore area of Calgary was established in 1945, when the classic Craftsman bungalow was at the height of its popularity. Many of these original bungalows have been restored to their classic style, and others have been torn down to make way for more spacious contemporary living. Some of these original homes were actually sold from the Sears catalog and came as a kit to assemble on-site. The design was typically one or one-and-a-half stories, with a long and low profile characterized by a large front porch beneath an extension of the main roof, also referred to as a “veranda.” These houses are usually small, with some having less than 1,000 square feet of living space.  

The Charm of Bungalows

Bungalows in Calgary are becoming increasingly popular options for empty nesters and downsizing seniors who prefer not to constantly navigate up and down stairs. Most of the living space is on one floor that offers convenience with a very comfortable style and layout. Features often include a single bathroom, two or three bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, and a living room. Some have a detached garage, which is a real plus in an in-town setting. These homes are also a good option for first-time home buyers who want to get into a neighborhood that might otherwise be out of their price range. In some houses, there is the opportunity to expand the second floor living area by taking in the large eave spaces. Every once in a while, an original bungalow will come out on the market as a “fixer upper” for people who want to build equity over time. These can be real gems in the rough.

Because the style has a lot of contemporary appeal, in-town builders often use the  bungalow style but break with the traditional layout to offer a separate dining room, up to six bedrooms with a large garage, and the luxury of higher-end homes. You will also see the style out in suburb communities, in houses that have a hint of bungalow but with much more contemporary space.

I enjoy showing this style to my real estate clients because it is so unique to Altadore. If ever you’ll find yourself here, give me a call and I’ll take you to see one!

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 8% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.