Soft Job Market and Restrictions on Lending Influenced 2018's Real Estate Market

City of Calgary, Tost Realty Group, January 2, 2019

As oversupply is still a pertinent issue, prices during December slowed by one per cent, and are currently situated at over three percent below this time last year. 

CREB chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie stated last month that “Persistent weakness in the job market and changes in the lending market impacted sales activity in the resale market this year”. This definitely contributed to a heightened supply in the resale market, resulting in a decline in price. 

Sales in December sat at a total of 794 units, a 21 per cent decline over the previous year. Overall year-to-date sales in the city sat at a total of 16, 144 units, a 14 per cent dip from two years ago, and 20 percent below previously standing long-term averages.

The Inventory levels statistic...

Economic Conditions Continue to Challenge Vitality of Resale Market 

City of Calgary, Dec. 3, 2018 

Sales during the month of November sat at a total of 1,171 units, remaining below long-standing averages. 

For the year up to this point, monitored sales activity has rang in at 15,349 units, displaying a 14 per cent decline over last year, and nearly 20 per cent below standing averages. 

During November, New listings eased by seven per cent compared to last year. Due to this substantial shift in new listings, further inventory gains have been prevented. Overall inventory is currently at 6,501 units, remaining slightly above the 5,683 units in inventory seen last year, and 32 percent higher than in a typical November.  

Throughout the month of November, the citywide benchmark price was $422,600, hovering near one percent lower than last month, and at 3 percent lower than levels...

No matter what line of work you are in, or what general direction your life is headed, we can all agree that looking your absolute best is probably at the top of your priorities. When we feel good about ourselves, that is when we perform at our peak, and our friends and loved ones will mention that they notice when we truly have a “glow” about us. For Calgary entrepreneur Brenna Lamont, spray tanning is not just a business, it is her lifelong passion. She opened Blush Spray after having her son five years ago: she not only wanted to provide an income but spend as much time as possible with her family, a common reason for people to become their own boss.

While growing up, Brenna used tanning beds to achieve her desired golden glow, but she...

Clean eating has been an important staple of daily living in Calgary for many years: as much of the bounty that ends up on tables province-wide comes from nearby areas, Alberta residents have long loved gathering at the table together. It is truly a “three-course solution” at hand to educate and inspire communities to gravitate towards healthier eating and living, and accomplishing in under half an hour is simply a dream come true! Shalan Jaye is a Calgary resident who fully understands and embraces the difficulty of preparing meals within a certain time and budget: she began her Epicure business...

Oversupplied Market Ultimately Weighs on Prices 

City of Calgary, November 1, 2018 

Inventory levels are elevated when compared alongside sales, which is causing Calgary housing prices to ease a bit more. 

Benchmark prices in the entire city during October totalled $426,300, which is a downward trend for the fifth month in a row. This resulted ultimately in a year-over-year decline of 2.9 percent. 

Chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie of CREB claimed avidly that job growth in the city remained a dire concern, as unemployment levels remain well above expected. The overall cost of ownership continuing to rise also will ultimately provide a burden of weight on the housing market and demand. 

Overall sales and inventories totaled 7,345 and 1,322 during the month of October. Typical monthly levels usually hover around 5.6, and while there is a bit of slowing in listing growth, this ultimately prevents further inventory risings. Currently the month...

Robert Adams once said, “No place is boring, as long as you have had a good night's sleep, and a pocket full of unexposed film. Even though times have changed and moved forward rapidly into the digital realm, there are still a few talented folks out there who display raw prowess in the arena of capturing jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring images. As the holidays approach rapidly and many of us in Calgary think about wonderful memories from the past and present, we are always looking for the best ways to hold on to these cherished times.

Christel Chow began her journey into photography...

Expanding Calgary’s Livable Space Through CFB Calgary Redevelopment 

Development plans throughout Calgary often have interesting histories, but one of the most interesting and comprehensive development stories can be traced back to 1996 when the federal budget called for closing CFB Calgary and other bases throughout the country. Not only did this decision change how Canadian Forces bases were used, but it also created a significant amount of land that could be put to use for different purposes. It was from this change in the federal budget that many of Calgary’s new residential developments were born. 

Making the Decision to Close CFB Calgary 

While the 1996 federal budget called for closing...

When we look for people to spotlight here at the Tost Realty Group, we are always excited by those who seem to up the ante for local quality, while challenging and stoking creativity among others along the way. We have seen enough of the “run of the mill” products that may go through typical boom and bust cycles, and are always on the hunt for those that are above average in every single way. Nada Choufi has long shared her passion for food via the blog ...

From the busy streets of Fifth Avenue in New York to the quaint shops of Notting Town in London, scores of individuals walking out of a proper facial treatment file into the streets glowing and full of renewed vigour every day. Having skin that constantly looks and feels great is one physical attribute that we can all admit is high on the list for just about anyone. Fifteen years ago in Vancouver, the Skoah namesake launched a concept that was geared towards facials only, and was very much a trendsetter...