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

Calgary Alberta, Canada. As Calgary's housing numbers starts fell 66% to its lowest January levels in 18 years, Airdrie continued to remain fairly stable. There were 22 new single-family home construction permits issued in Airdrie in January, down from 30 one year ago. Housing starts across Alberta were down approximately 61 per cent in January 2009, compared to 2008. Other housing numbers in Airdrie dipped but the numbers aren’t anything to be worried about. You never want to overreact to a single month, we’ve had great months and sometimes you have a soft month. There were 42 MLS sales l last month in Airdrie which has a population of around 34,000, down from 89 in January 2008. However, that number rose from the 34 sales in December. The average sale price also slipped, dropping to approximately $326,000 from $340,000 one year ago, according to statistics released by the Calgary Real Estate Board and the City of Airdrie. Calgary’s average price dropped 12.3% from a year ago to $373,978. There are currently 315 MLS listings on the market in Airdrie, down from 345 at this point in 2008. It takes an average of 62 days for a home to sell in Airdrie, compared to 66 days on average in Calgary. It ooks like a productive February on the horizon. The good news is how busy it’s been since the federal budget stabilized. It is a buyer’s market in the region, without question. It has been for some time,It’s unlikely to change in the short term.”

Condos are still in abundance and are selling at a slower pace. There’s still a lot of condo listings but they have been moving and sellers who have been aggressive with their pricing are still getting sales.

People have to realize what they can get now and not get hung up on what they could have gotten a year or two ago. Prices may have leveled off for a now.

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A cutting edge technology is helping City of Airdrie employees gain an edge. The city recently installed a mobile mesh wireless network at various points throughout the city to allow city employees with a laptop and a wireless repeater to connect to the City of Airdrie network from 5 KM away. The technology is the first of its kind in Canada and will allow mobile city employees, such as Municipal Enforcement, to access information on the fly. “This system will allow us to provide better customer service, such as accessing current dog licensing information right on the spot,” said Officer Russ McKeage, a municipal enforcement officer. “It creates a workstation right in our vehicle, giving us instant access to all the tools we need to do our jobs. It is another example of the City of Airdrie always looking for new technology to make things more efficient for our customers and employees.” Secure Group, a company based in the United States, brought the technology north. “Secure Group is delighted to provide the City of Airdrie with the Secure Wireless Mobile Mesh Network,” said Sean Walinga of Secure Group. “Airdrie continues to lead the way by adopting new technologies and remains a flagship for other communities.”

The project has been in the city’s plan for some time.“Mobile wireless is something that the city has been looking at for probably four years,” said Jay Stoudt, information technology team leader with the City of Airdrie. “The intention is to get workers access to the internal LAN system when they’re out in the field. It allows them to get access to information immediately. It allows them to be more sustainable and make less trips back and forth.”

It will add to the safety of Municipal Enforcement, Stoudt added. “They would be warned of any warrant information before they get out of the car,” he said.

Stoudt added that the total cost of the project was under $100,000. The environmental aspects are a bonus. A self-contained solar powered radio repeater was used in the project. That technology is also a first in Canada, according to the City of Airdrie.

The Mobile Mesh Wireless Network currently covers approximately 60 per cent of Airdrie. Plans are in place to cover the entire city within three months.

The technology will also allow building inspectors to check permits on site. The entire city is proud to take the lead with this technology. “We pride our technology department on being leading edge to provide the best kind of technology to allow them to do their jobs more effectively,” Stoudt said.

“It’s kind of a feather in our cap.”

Are you among the thousands of people who pay rent each month, knowing full well that you will never see that money again? With mortgage rates that are more attractive than they have been for years, and with the excellent opportunities available for first-time buyers. It;s a perfect time to build that rent money into an investment that can last a life time.

What kind of home do you need and want?

Buying a home is a balance of many requirements such as family size, location, income and lifestyle. REALTORS® are excellent sources of advice and help in these matters. Not only do they have the experience and knowledge to make sure the choice you make will be the right one, but with access to the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), they can seek out suitable properties for you and provide you with a customized list of homes that meet your needs, wants and budget.

Ask yourself exactly what you need in a home. How many bedrooms? How close to schools or shopping centres? Do you plan to have more children? Do you need a garage or a finished basement? New homes offer extensive warranties and pristine conditions but may not have mature trees or landscaping. Older homes often include improvements such as finished basements or rec rooms, decks and patios. Be sure to have any resale home inspected for needed repairs or upgrading.

Next decide on a preferred location. Living in the city means you will be close to amenities such as theatres and shopping. If you prefer a more rural lifestyle, make sure the extra time spent driving each day won't detract from your enjoyment of the property.

Townhomes and condominiums are obviously suited to particular lifestyles or budgets. Townhome or condominium living offers convenience and often means sharing common areas such as parking, hallways and landscaping.

What can you afford?

Once you have determined what it is you want and need, you'll have to find out what you can afford. The first tip is to set a maximum price range instead of just an upper price. It's not always wise to buy the most expensive home you can afford but better to aim lower in anticipation of extra costs or fluctuations in your income.

A REALTOR® or your financial institution can help you determine the amount of the mortgage you can carry by calculating your debt-service ratio. The rule of thumb is that the sum of all your current loan payments (car, personal, credit card, etc.) plus your mortgage should not exceed 40 per cent of your gross income. In addition, mortgage payments and property taxes should not be more than 30 per cent of gross income.

Buying your first home may seem intimidating in the beginning, but with careful planning, a clear idea of what you want and the help of a REALTOR®, home ownership can be become a joyful reality for you and your family.

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Bill Jones REALTOR® - Servicing Airdrie and Greater Calgary, Canada

Relocations and Referrals

Commercial and industrial construction maintain strength in Airdrie, Alberta

The value of construction in the City of Airdrie, Alberta dropped significantly in 2008, but the city still experienced the best year in its history in the commercial and industrial sectors.

The value of construction in Airdrie was $184 million in 2008, which is a sharp drop from $454 million in 2007 and $270.6 million in 2006. However, the value of construction last year was comparable to the $185 million in 2005.

“We had another very strong year in commercial and industrial construction,” said Airdrie building inspections team leader Darryl Poburan.