Lowest February inventory since 2006! We’ve been saying it for a few months now but the trend is continuing. Very low inventory is causing a lot of competition amongst buyers and ultimately putting upward pressure on prices. If you’re thinking about making a move this year, please reach out. We have many buyers brokerage wide looking for their next home!
From CREB: Consistent with typical seasonal behavior sales, new listings and inventory levels all trended up compared to last month. However, with 1,740 sales and 2,389 new listings, inventory levels improved only slightly over the last month and remained amongst the lowest February levels seen since 2006 “While higher lending rates are impacting sales activity as expected, we are seeing a stronger pullback in new listings, keeping supply levels low and supporting some stronger-than-expected monthly price gains,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Prices are still below the May 2022 peak and it is still early in the year. However, if we do not see a shift in supply, we could see further upward pressure on prices over the near term.”
Always here to chat about your options and any other questions you have on our Real Estate market. Don’t hesitate to reach out! Wishing everyone an amazing rest of the month!
Calgary has some fabulous new restaurants this year. Here are some you must add to your list!
Milpa is a Mexican small plates restaurant and cocktail bar by Chef Elia Herrera. A Native of Cordoba, Veracruz Mexico, Chef Elia Herrera is a third generation Mexican Chef bringing the flavours of her home country to Calgary. She has dedicated herself to finding creative ways of translating these bright flavours into unique and exciting small plates. Chef Elia Herrera’s style is deep with family roots and traditions where the ingredients are at the heart of her cooking.
Fortuna’s Row Just off the RiverWalk between Chinatown and East Village, Fortuna’s Row is a stunner — a jaw-dropping 10,000-square-foot space designed by Fort Architecture. Chef Mikko Tamarra (of Con Mi Taco fame) draws on his cooking experiences in Mexico and Peru to take diners on a culinary journey across Latin America, with offerings like the pato (a classic rice dish with duck breast confit) and the pincho (charcoal-grilled sirloin with shoestring fries and morita salsa), while talented pastry chef Teisha Huff has created an impressive lineup of Latin American-inspired desserts and pastries. If it’s cocktails you’re craving, the bold list includes flavours such as white chocolate, yuzu, wasabi and corn.
Kama With its cutting-edge location within The District at Beltline complex, inventive cocktails and a fresh, contemporary interior by designer Amanda Hamilton, the word is out on Kama. But it’s chef Kenny Kaechele’s inventive Mediterranean-influenced menu, drawing from the cuisines of Spain, North Africa and the Middle East, that has really gotten people talking. “I like to push the envelope using ingredients that historically go together, like shrimp and grits, but mixing it up by using Turkish street prawns and cumin polenta instead,” Kaechele says. “They may seem to be unlikely choices, but they all have one thing in common, a familiarity.”
Luca The fine-dining component within the cluster of new Italian food and beverage offerings at the base of The Oliver building, Luca serves upscale fare in a stylish setting with impeccable service. Menu highlights include the calamari with tender semolina-dusted Humboldt squid accompanied by an artichoke-lemon tartar sauce, the succulent veal chop saltimbocca with prosciutto and sage, and an indulgent lobster risotto big enough for two. Sommelier Dean Norris’ wine list is a mix of Old and New World options, expertly curated. If you happen to have room for dessert, the fluffy, warm bombolini served with lemon curd and vanilla cream are molto delizioso..
Maven Styled with vintage lamps, repurposed furniture and lots of plants, Maven feels like a warm hug from your green-thumb grandmother. Overseeing what has already become one of Calgary’s top brunch spots, chef Mish Hobbs draws from her own story of an expat life abroad: she was born in Singapore and lived in Japan, Australia, Trinidad, Iran, Norway, the Netherlands, Scotland and Indonesia, while still having strong roots in Alberta (her father is from Edmonton). The range of dishes means everyone can find a favourite with advice from kind and attentive staff, whether that’s the decadent candied-bacon eggs Benedict, sublime Singapore-style pork-ball congee, or comforting German pork schnitzel in a swoon-worthy mustard-dill sauce. Local and seasonal Alberta produce; house-made stocks, condiments and jams; 72-hour house-cured salmon gravlax; and 12-hour braised meats and maple syrup from Quebec all contribute to brunch offerings that are thoughtful and delicious with every bite.
Zushi is a tiny, four-seat gem serving exceptional-quality sushi by chef Jun Young Park. The omakase experience, a multi-course menu in which the chef decides the lineup of dishes, is exquisitely done here, with each course meticulously prepared using the freshest seasonal fish and premium ingredients like koshihikari rice. With his passion and attention to detail, combined with his careful knife skills and purposeful selection of condiments, chef Park artfully highlights the nuanced flavours and textures of each individual piece. This omakase has become hugely popular, especially due to its surprising affordability, so reservations must be made well in advance. Zushi also offers an à la carte menu that customers can enjoy without a reservation — the delectable Brant Lake wagyu oshi-zushi is not to be missed.
As we near spring, it’s inevitable that inventory levels will rise and buyers have more options. While it’s super important to price competitively based on comparables, it’s not the only thing you must consider before coming on market. Here is a non-exhaustive list of things to do to prepare your home for sale in the midst of the spring rush:
1. Consider home staging. It’s proven that staged properties generate more interest and encourage more offers. In this day and age with so many wonderful stagers in the industry, there is no excuse to forgo this step, especially it your furniture may be a bit outdated, worn or distracts from the space it’s in.
2. Highlight unique features with hi-res photography. Using a hi resolution professional photographer is a no-brainer, but utilizing them to showcase your homes unique features may not always be a given. I always ensure the photographer has a plan before going into the home- making sure no shot is left out.
3. Showcase Location. Highlighting the location of your home is super important. It’s one thing that cannot be changed, after all! Showcasing schools, walk-scores, parks/pathways and other amenities is a big selling feature.
4. Allow seamless showing experiences. Making sure it’s easy for agents to show the home ensures seamless viewings that will determine whether or not they write an offer. Making sure instructions are clear and easy to follow is the first step. The details matter: flick the lights on, put on some calming pleasant music in the background, light a beautifully scented candle. Create an ambiance that is undeniably warm and inviting.
5. Have a negotiating strategy. We are seeing lots of multi offer situations so make sure you have a strategy in place to maximize negotiating power!
Let’s chat more about listing your home for sale: reach out 403-870-1393
#313 527 15 Avenue SW Premier location in the Beltline! 2 BEDS, U/G PARKING, STORAGE & VIEWS. Recently renovated including new wide plank flooring and new paint. The Conservatory is perfect for that inner city life you’re looking for. Located 1 block off 17th Ave and a half block from 5th street allows for walkability almost anywhere in and around the core of the city. 10 minute walk to downtown core, 10 min walk to saddledome, 5 minutes walk to mission and 1 minute walk to 17th ave. Surrounded by some of the cities best restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, nightlife. 3rd floor unit, with circle balcony and windows facing the corner of 15th Ave & 5 St. boasting NW skyline views! Features a gas fireplace, a sleek and contemporary kitchen with fridge, stove, dishwasher and in-suite laundry. Over 800sf, thoughtful layout with nice sized kitchen space and eating bar. Building offers titled underground secure heated parking, additional storage unit, elevator, and security gate. The building is very secure, gated with an elegant garden and fountain central courtyard and glass elevator to the upper levels. Beautiful!
• S O R R Y S O L D • 📍#502 228 26 Ave SW
Exciting week for this client with the purchase of her new home in the coveted Grandview tower in Mission. Rare opportunity to buy a double unit overlooking the Elbow River, Mountains, and skyline. Couldn’t be happier to help through the purchase & sale process and support into the next chapter of this clients life. Can’t wait to see how she customizes this unbelievable space. Congratulations!
#BlueSold #SorrySold
