I am very grateful to live in 2020.
I bet you just did a double take! But seriously. I am.
We’re at the forefront of technology with our business. The ability to do more meetings remotely through Zoom or Facetime and to offer 3D virtual tours and professional video to help market our clients homes has been extremely important during this time of uncertainty. When we started using video and social media platforms to market our clients homes a few years ago, it was because we wanted to make sure we were doing everything possible to service our clients and market their homes at the highest level. But now considering the times, it’s become a necessity.
We are sure happy we invested into these lines of marketing when we did as it’s become a huge piece of our success through the pandemic and will continue to be.
As the market seems to have opened up and activity has risen, we have continued to invest into these marketing channels and its really been paying off.
Here’s to a great rest of the month. See you in September!
City of Calgary, Aug 2, 2020 –
July brought elevated sales for both detached and semi-detached product. Yet despite these gains, year-to-date sales for all property types remain 15% lower than they were in 2019.
Got questions about the market and wondering where you sit? Reach out!For the full report, click here here. What does this mean for you as a future buyer or seller in Calgary? Drop me a line, I’d love to help.
*Stats obtained from CREB.com
As people adapt to life at home during the pandemic, the functionality, cleanliness and overall layout of each space has never been more important.
Here are 5 Ways COVID-19 has affected Home Owners:
1. New Interest in Adaptable Layouts
Homes need to accommodate a greater amount of services and functions. Designated spaces for a greater number of specific activities, such as reading, napping, physical activity and entertainment, will be desired.
2. A Universal Need for Private Outdoor Space
Since the onset of the pandemic, our appreciation of the outdoors and nature seems to have greatly increased. The act of simply going for a walk or sitting in a park has been a monumental source of reprieve.
However, in the midst of a lockdown scenario, these activities don’t guarantee safety and aren’t universally accessible. As a result, the demand for home designers to provide private outdoor spaces for every type of home looks set to increase. It will be up to architects to work out how to integrate the outdoors into even the most compact of homes, experimenting with roof gardens, micro backyards, porches and balconies. People may also seek a closer connection between their living spaces and the natural world, with folding glass doors merging these two zones together.
3. New Forms of Home Office
With people working from home more so than ever before, many dining room tables have been converted into make-shift home offices. Though getting to work for many no longer requires hastily transferring between busy trains, these new “offices” don’t provide all of the amenities necessary for a productive workspace. If working from home becomes the new norm, there will be a rising need for functional private offices to be an integral part of the home.
4. Integrating Antibacterial Materials
If you’re doing your part and social distancing from inside your home, you may start to notice small details of your house or apartment you hadn’t thought about before – like how to keep your home as clean as possible during the coronavirus outbreak. There are a few materials that we can use that are more sterile than others, and will be used even more in the future of design.
Metals such as copper, brasses, and bronzes are natural antimicrobial materials that have intrinsic properties to destroy a wide range of microorganisms. Not only are these metals hygienic, but they are great accents to warm up your home.
Quartz is one of the hardest non-precious stones on earth, therefore countertops made from quartz are hard, stain and scratch-resistant, and the most sanitary. Quartz is already popular, and that will only increase post Coronavirus.
Woods like bamboo, oak and cork stop bacteria and microorganisms from growing. We love the look of warm lighter oak woods for flooring, and think this will continue to be a big trend in home design.
5. The Home as an Oasis
Our living spaces greatly influences our physical health – as well as our emotional state of mind (especially during his time). So it will continue to be important to create environments that stimulate our senses in a good way, improve relaxation, and have health and wellness benefits to the people using them. Here are a few ways of living we see sticking around.
Bringing in nature will be emphasized in many different ways. From larger windows with views outside and using colours that reflect the natural world. Having lots of greenery in a home is also an obvious and easy stimulant to our overall wellbeing (along with lots of health benefits).
An increase in organization. Being quarantined at home makes us realize what is really necessary. Clutter can cause anxiety and discomfort – feelings that are more unwanted than ever. Thus organization will be emphasized, through de-cluttering, smart storage, and built-in shelving and spaces for keeping items organized.
A sense of security and calm will definitely be present in interiors. When the world is full of uncertainty, having a space that feels like an escape from the outside world, with soft and cozy materials, light colours and relaxing vibes, will be a prerequisite of design.
Text and content: here and here.
Rent an e-bike from Bow Cycle’s new location along the Bow RiverLocal bike shop Bow Cycle has opened a second location in East Village along the Bow River. This new location specializes in e-bikes, which are available for sale, and offers both urban bikes and e-bikes for rent so you can take advantage of the RiverWalk pathways and nearby cycle tracks. You can rent a bike for two hours at a time online for $39.
Attend a drive-in event at Telus Spark
When: TedxYYC event on August 20. Other dates TBA. There’s a new drive-in experience coming to Calgary this month. The Big Art Drive-In will be hosting drive-in events (including movies) at Telus Spark soon. More details will be revealed on August 5, but so far it’s been announced that one of the events will be a TedxYYC talk on August 20. Telus Spark, bigartdrivein.com
Pick some fresh Saskatoon berries or sour cherries at Saskatoon Farm
This month, you can pick your own fresh berries at Saskatoon Farm’s 50 acres of u-pick fields. Guests can pick Saskatoon berries starting July 30, while sour cherries will be ready in August. Each bucket of berries you pick costs $16, plus there’s a $2 admission fee. Saskatoon Farm, 403-938-6245, saskatoonfarm.com
Check out UNA Pizza’s new location in West Springs
For all of you south-west residents, UNA has a new location in West Springs just off Old Banff Coach Road and 85th Street! I love this restaurant, and it is loved by many Calgarians for very good reasons. Their Tikki pizza, Kale Caesar Salad and awesome cocktails are my go to whenever I’m in a funk. Check them out August 11 (opening day)!
Search for clues and complete challenges during a Locked Zoo experience
When: July 31 and August 1, 12 and 13
Imagine a locked room experience, only outdoors, untimed and at the zoo. That’s pretty much what you can expect at Calgary Zoo’s “Locked Zoo” events where guests search for clues to complete challenges while exploring the zoo grounds. The Locked Zoo experience on July 31 is family-friendly for ages 14+, while the rest are adults-only. 210 St. George’s Dr. N.E., calgaryzoo.com
Have a socially distant picnic or barbecue
There are at least 20 great places to host a picnic or barbecue this summer, whether you make a trip out to the mountains or simply venture out to your favourite Calgary park.
Celebrate the province’s food scene during Alberta on the Plate
When: August 7 to 16 Farmers, producers, restaurants — they all play an important part in Alberta’s food industry. This month, you can celebrate and support them during Alberta on the Plate, a food festival that highlights the products of local farms and producers with prix-fixe dinners available for dine-in and takeaway at local restaurants. Nearly two dozen Calgary restaurants are participating and will reveal their festival menus starting at the beginning of August. albertaontheplate.com
Check out a giant street mural, picnic tables, benches and wall murals painted by local artists at Deerfoot City
Check out a giant street mural, picnic tables, benches and wall murals painted by local artists at Deerfoot City When: July 15 to September 26 Head to Deerfoot City before September 26 to see one of PARK’s latest projects, #YYCBlockParty, in all its colourful glory. The project features a 200-foot street mural by Rhys Farrell, wall murals by Leetia Lyons, painted picnic tables by Sydonne Warren and painted benches by Rachel Ziriada and Mikhail Miller of NASARIMBA. There are also outdoor lawn games for you to enjoy. Deerfoot City, 901 64 Ave. N.E., ourparkonline.com
Go hiking in Kananaskis Country
Escape the city with a visit to Kananaskis Country to try one of the several great hikes with lakes that the area offers. From Galatea Creek Trail to Grassi Lakes, there are plenty of picturesque options.
Buy a non-medical face mask from a local business
Starting on August 1, a new bylaw will make it mandatory to wear a face mask inside public spaces in Calgary. If you still need a reusable, non-medical face mask, there are several Calgary businesses that have pivoted to make and sell them.
Mask: Modern Masks (click here to shop) List courtesy of Avenue Magazine.