Bill Jones - Realtor® Airdrie & Calgary Area Homes and Condos

The union representing Airdrie's Emergency Services insists their decision to join the International Association of Fire Fighters was not driven by a desire to become adversarial or confrontational with their employer, the City of Airdrie. Airdrie's Emergency Services is not looking for big wage increases or grievances, that's not been part their efforts to organize Airdrie firefighters. Firefighters have become have become a partner with the city. The International Association of Fire Fighters promotes the concept that labour relations are a partnership.

Airdrie's Emergency Services voted Nov. 4 to join the International Association of Fire Fighters and the motion passed with 79 per cent approval, with 56 of 57 eligible voters responding. Membership in the union will provide Airdrie's Emergency Services access to professional development and training as well as provide worldwide networking opportunities.

International Association of Fire Fighters is the largest professional organization representing firefighters, firefighter safety and the public safety with respect to fire protection and emergency based EMS. They provide the support and resources to help them succeed at the local level. To the Airdrie frontline firefighter, International Association of Fire Fighters provide Airdrie's Emergency Services a window into that network that's a fraternity of firefighters worldwide and a tight-knit family."

Having Airdrie's Emergency Services associated with the International Association of Fire Fighters can only mean better safety and service for Airdrie's Residence.

Speaking of safety and service, As a Realtor I can appreciate how joining a larger group such as the International Association of Fire Fighters can be of great assistance. Canadian Realtors have the their local Boards, Provincial Associations ,such as ; Alberta Real Estate Association and the Canadian Real Estate Council, to assist us with Training, government representation, operational guidelines and consumer protection. Making our industry one of the most regulated, to assure that we provide fairness, safety and educated members . I know I appreciate having such dedicated associations behind me giving my clients the assurance they are working with a true professional.

ALL LOGOS BELOW ARE LINKS:

Bill

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Moving is always a challenging time and there are a number of companies that need to be contacted whether your moving in or out.

In order to make it a bit easier for anyone moving into or out of the Airdrie Alberta area, I have listed below the phone numbers of the companies that you will need to contact to arrange for the connection of utilities in you new home.

Direct Energy (Gas) 1-866-420-3174

Direct Energy (ATCO Electric) not Airdrie 1-888-240-3181

To get name of any retailer for area 1-877-427-4088

Epcor (power) 1-800-667-2345 or 310-4300

Telus (phone) 403-310-2255

Shaw Cable 403-716-6000

City of Airdrie (water, sewer, garbage collection) 403-948-8859

Canada Post – Airdrie 403-948-5443

Web Site for energy companies information is www.customerchoice.gov.ab.ca

Local Banks include the following:

Royal Bank 403-948-1130

Bank of Nova Scotia 403-948-5995

ATB Financial 403-948-5989

TD Bank 403-948-5974

Bank of Montreal 403-945-8670

Local Schools:

Calgary Catholic Board of Education 403-298-1411 www.cssd.ab.ca

Our Lady Queen of Peace (K-7) 403-948-4661

Good Shepard (K-7) 403-500-2117

Saint Martin de Porres (8-12) 403-948-6920

Rockyview School Division 403-948-4001 www.rockyview.ab.ca

Ecole Airdrie Middle School (5-8) 403-948-5969

R.J. Hawkey Elementary (K-4) 403-948-3939

Ecole Edwards Elementary (K-4) 403-948-5922

Muriel Clayton Middle School (5-8) 403-948-2445

Bert Church High School (9-12) 403-948-3800

Meadowbrook Middle School (5-8) 403-948-5656

A.E. Bowers Elementary (K-4) 403-948-4511

George McDougall High School (9-12) 403-948-5935

Nose Creek Elementary (K-4) 403-948-1001

If you have questions regarding which school your child will attend, please contact either the Calgary Catholic School District or Rockyview School Division and they will connect you to the superintendent of schools and make the necessary arrangements for you.

I sincerely hope that this will help to make your move to our area less stressful. If I can be of more assistance to you, I can be reached at 403-701-1739 9 am to 9 pm Daily

Bill

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Calgary Housing Market Rebound Continues

Home prices edge upwards as demand holds steady

Calgary, November 2, 2009 – The Calgary housing market continued to rebound in October, according to figures released by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB^®).

“Calgary’s housing market has clearly turned a corner,” says Bonnie Wegerich, president of CREB^®. “We expect there to be a few bumps on this road to recovery but we believe the worst is over. Home prices have held firm and edged upwards in some markets over the past months. This has helped buoy up the confidence of both buyers and sellers.”

The average price of a single family Calgary metro home in October 2009 was $462,465, showing an increase of 1 per cent from September 2009, when the average price was $459,085, and showing an increase of 3 per cent from October 2008, when the average price was $449,100. The average price of a Calgary metro condominium was $289,155, showing no significant change from September 2009, when the average price was $290,253, and no significant change over last year, when the average price was $289,148. Average price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in centres comprised of widely divergent neighbourhoods, or account for price differentials between geographical areas.

“Move-up buyers have clearly entered the market,” says Wegerich. “This is reflected in the average price for a single family home cresting just above $462,000—historically the highest it has ever been in the month of October. Nonetheless, our median price is $410,000, indicating affordability still remains in the market. We expect upwards pressure on prices will ease as more listings come on to the market.”

The number of single family homes and condos sold in October 2009 in Calgary metro are also both up from the same time a year ago.

October saw 1,285 single family homes sold in Calgary metro. This is an increase of 57 per cent from October 2008, when single family home sales were 820. This is an increase of 2 per cent from 1,257 sales in September of this year. The number of condominium sales for the month of October 2009 was 601, an increase of 51 per cent from October 2008 when 399 condominiums changed hands. This was an increase of 4 per cent from the 580 condominium transactions recorded last month.

“Improved consumer confidence has helped fuel this rebound. It seems for many potential homebuyers it was global-wide uncertainty rather than personal financial circumstances that was holding them back from making a home purchase,” says Wegerich. “Many of these buyers are now facing improved affordability, and lower mortgage rates than prior to the recession—together these created a tipping point for market recovery.”

“The recent lift in sales over the past several months does represent a release in pent-up demand that built up in the last quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009,” acknowledged Wegerich. “We do expect this recovery to be a gradual one and for sales to taper off in the winter months as this pent-up demand eases.”

Single family Calgary metro new listings added for the month of October totaled 1,819, a decrease of 2 per cent from September 2009 when 1,857 new listings were added, and showing a decrease of 22 per cent from October 2008, when 2,322 new listings came to the market. Calgary metro condominium new listings added in October 2009 were 859, down 9 per cent from September 2009, when the MLS^® saw 940 condo listings coming to the market. This is a decrease of 20 per cent from October 2008, when condominium listings were 1,071.

The median price of a single family Calgary metro home in October 2009 was $410,000, showing a 3 per cent increase from September 2009, when the median price was $399,900, and up 5 per cent from October 2008, when the median price was $390,000. The median price of a condominium in October 2009 was $263,500, down 1 per cent from September 2009, when the median was $265,000, and down 2 per cent from October 2008, when the median price was $268,000.

All Calgary metro MLS^® statistics include properties listed and sold only within Calgary’s city limits. The median price is the price that is midway between the least expensive and most expensive home sold in an area during a given period of time. During that time, half the buyers bought homes that cost more than the median price and half bought homes for less than the median price.

“Canada’s housing market has been a bit of an unexpected bright spot in this current recession,” notes Wegerich. “Unlike recessions in the past, borrowing costs have so far remained very low. This, along with improved affordability, has been fundamental to the recovery in the Calgary housing market.”

CREB^® is a professional body of 5,337 licensed brokers and registered associates, representing 250 member offices. The board does not generate statistics or analysis of any individual member or company’s market share. All MLS^® active listings for Calgary and area may be found on the board’s website at www.creb.com.

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Change Your Batteries When You Change Your Clocks

Remember to service your smoke alarms on November 1, when changing your clocks back.
"It's a great habit to service your smoke alarms in conjunction with changing back your clocks," says Chuck D'Amico, Assistant Chief of Community Safety, Airdrie Emergency Services. "When smoke alarms are properly installed and maintained, the risks of fire deaths are reduced significantly. When a fire starts, smoke spreads fast and the smoke alarms give you time to get out. "

To service a smoke alarm, change the batteries on all battery operated units as well as test those that are hard wired. Other tips for maintenance and installation from the National Fire Protection Association, includes:

· Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

· An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or a combination alarm (photoelectric and ionization) should be installed in homes.

· Test alarms monthly by pushing the test button.

· Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer's instructions for testing and maintenance.

· Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm "chirps", warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

· Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly.

· Be sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

· Alarms that are hard-wired (and include battery backup) must be installed by a qualified electrician.

· If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a "hush" button. A "hush" button will reduce the alarm's sensitivity for a short period of time.

· An ionization alarm with a hush button or a photoelectric alarm should be used if the alarm is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance.

· Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.

· Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices use strobe lights. Vibration devices can be added to these alarms

• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

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