All Blog Entries by Justin Havre

Relocating to Edmonton?  When Canadians move to another Canadian city, they want to know where to shop, where the schools are and where the nearest curling rink is located. 

Curling is one of Canada’s favourite past times.  It’s a game of strategy enjoyed by folks of all ages.  Curling allows you to meet new people when you move to a new community and helps you stay healthy and active especially during the long, dark winter months.

In Edmonton, there are several knock-out rinks to check out and here are just three.

Shamrock Curling Club

This 60-year-old club in Edmonton’s Bonnie Doon district is located at 9330 – 80 Avenue next to the Mill Creek Ravine Park.   It was started back in 1955 when a dozen people met at Hart’s Drug Store to discuss

When it comes to new theories about how to plan great residential communities, it was once thought that people of similar ages and stages of life should all be in the same place.

Think suburban neighbourhoods with 30-something adults with kids.  Active living communities with the 60-plus crowd. 

But a wiser approach according to experts is to bring people together who share common interests and goals, no matter what their age.

David Allison and Eric Termuende have global experience in real estate and the pair undertook a massive research project with the assistance of a team from a university in New Zealand.  The team surveyed 26,000 people in Canada and the U.S., examining a variety of criteria involving living in a particular type of

Just like a helium balloon with an ever-so-tiny leak, investment experts warn that real estate prices in the City of Edmonton may start losing air.

In a CBC radio report last week, Edmonton investment manager Hilliard MacBeth discussed the state of the Alberta economy and said he doesn't believe that the worst is over. He acknowledged that other experts have publicly stated that 2017 could possibly be when the economy in our province hits bottom. He noted that real estate prices could fall further even when economic conditions appear to be improving.

Housing prices in Edmonton have fallen but not as steeply or sharply as unemployment rates. Approximately 120,000 jobs in Alberta have disappeared since oil prices started to sag in 2015. Edmonton has

Yes, there's a horrible cold snap underway in the Edmonton market, but snap out of it! Get out of the house and celebrate the season. Here's a rundown on all the fun things you can do in the city this month:

Cirque du Soleil — Dec 22-26

Toruk, The First Flights, based on the film Avatar, is the latest visual masterpiece from Cirque du Soliel and it's coming to Roger's Place. Puppets, a fantastic musical score and you'll instantly be transported to Pandora, a world full of magic and wonder. No need to head to Las Vegas to see this amazing Canadian ensemble that has taken the circus experience to a whole new level.

Holiday Spirit at the Provincial Capital

From now until Dec 23, check out the festive lights at Legislature Grounds, illuminated

The Liberal government has announced that it intends to address our country's affordability issues in the real estate industry. Canadians are waiting for specific plans, but in the meantime, the Canadian Home Builder's Association has a few suggestions not only about the overheated markets of Vancouver and Toronto but everywhere, including the Edmonton market.

What can the feds do about the high cost of housing in Canada?

The Canadian Real Estate Magazine recently sat down with Bob Finnigan, CHBA President to get his thoughts on what the government could or couldn't do to help get more Canadians into their own homes.

Finnigan admitted that affordability is one of the housing industry's biggest challenges. He said that the CHBA has prepared and

One benefit of purchasing a brand-new home is the fact that it's energy efficient, built to the latest standards with efficient materials. Now, a new home will be even more efficient thanks to new requirements recently adopted by the Alberta government.

Our province has joined most of the other Canadian provinces with the addition of new codes to further reduce greenhouse gas output from new construction.

In 2014, buildings in Alberta released 19 megatonnes of greenhouse emissions, accounting for 7% of the total greenhouse gas produced in the province. Danielle Larivee, the province's municipal affairs chief, announced at a recent press conference that 7% might be a small number but it still has impact. The press conference was held in a new home on

How many thousands of people walk through the doors of the venerable West Edmonton Mall every day?   And how many thousands more during the Christmas shopping season?  But truth be told, you wouldn’t want to shop anywhere else.  Yes, there are lineups.  Yes, there will be a bit of chaos and you might be tempted to avoid the mall even though you know you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for there.  But just like a boy scout, be prepared and you’ll be in and out with your purchases before you can say Bah – Humbug.

Start with Research

Spend some quality time with yourself shopping online to save time and make your dollar stretch farther.  Bring up your favourite West Ed retailers and check for sales.  If there’s ever a time to not pay full price for

Canadians have an almost cult fascination with coffee. There are two or three famous franchise coffee spots on any given block, but a new type of corner café is brewing in Edmonton. The independent coffee shop — the next generation or third-wave in pop-culture java.

Coffee as Art

Coffee Bureau, located at 10505 Jasper Avenue in the Edmonton neighbourhood of Rossdale, is just one shop in an eclectic line-up of indie cafes in the city's downtown coffee district. This independent coffee house is owned and operated by Peter West who says his customers appreciate good coffee in the same way that others appreciate a fine glass of wine. He picked the location because he believed that there was sufficient pedestrian traffic and people working in offices

The area affectionately known as Hardisty in the city’s south east is a familiar one to Edmontonians.  The Hardisty name is rooted in 19th century Hudson’s Bay Company folklore. Richard Hardisty was the city’s first postmaster and Hudson Bay Factor. The Hardisty family home, the first structure built outside the fort, stands on the grounds of the provincial legislature.

You might not find this neighbourhood listed on a map if you go looking as Hardisty is a phantom community and is actually comprised of a few other established neighbourhoods.

Fulton Place, Forest Heights, Gold Bar, Capilano and Terrace Heights are communities within the accepted district known to locals as Hardisty.  It’s bordered by 101 Avenue on the south, 106 Avenue to the north,

Buying a home on your own?  It’s all about lifestyle.  From the size and design of your home to the neighbourhood in which you live.  You want single-friendly, affordable and fun and Edmonton can definitely deliver.

What Singles Want

Single buyers are in a league of their own.  The lifestyle has a faster pace and singles are busy. Single have only themselves to organize and take care of.  Staying active is a priority so proximity to fitness amenities in a condo building or local gym is a priority.  Coffee shops, restaurants and nightlife is important.  And increasingly, so are bike trails, bike lanes and walkable neighbourhoods.  Inner-city communities in Edmonton offer that connected, urban vibe that many singles want.  However, some of Edmonton’s