The New Brighton Club

Find your perfect fit in New Brighton with some of the best conveniences in Calgary! New Brighton has so much to offer to its residents. From pathways and parks, the New Brighton Club and shopping on High Street only a short stroll away, this is one community that has it all. If that isn’t enough, The District by Cedarglen offers modern, efficient and fresh downtown living right in the heart of the suburbs. Plan your build with The District or choose from one of our pre-built specs, which are move-in ready today!

The District is offering AMAZING features to home buyers, including:

• landscaping;
• engineered hardwood and tiled flooring;
• stainless steel appliance package;
• triple-glazed, argon-filled windows;
• undermount kitchen sink;
• upgraded lighting package;
• granite countertops; and
• upgraded cabinetry

Did we mention energy efficiency, too? Comfortable and modern living has never been closer in reach and with the amazing extras offered by The District, your already perfect entertaining space is sure to be the toast of your social circle.

New Brighton sunset

If that doesn’t sell you on The District, the pricing will. Contact Ward Haggins at 403-452-4035 to find out how The District can get you into your new home in New Brighton starting at only $302,000! Stop into a showhome today and discover for yourself how The District in New Brighton is the place you belong!

The last Calgary housing boom, which started in late 2005, saw the city become the most rapidly rising real estate market in North America. The overheated market reached its peak during the summer of 2007 and values began to drop from there. This sudden rise and fall yielded unpredictability in inventory levels, and in turn, the housing market in general.

For several years prior, there was a fairly consistent inventory of around 4,500 residential units reported by the Calgary Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service. Approximately one-third of these were condominiums and two-thirds were single-family detached and semi-detached homes (duplexes). Determining home values and turnaround time was easier back then thanks to the historically constant sales data.

From 2005 until present, it has been hard to determine the new mean for inventory levels. We have seen upwards of 10,000 units (approximately 1/3 being condos) and as low as 3,150 units. In my opinion, the inventory will settle somewhere between 5,500 and 6,000 when it finally does settle. Regardless of what number the new baseline arrives at, it will be nice to see some stability return to the market.

It is important to watch the behaviour of first-time home buyers when determining the market logistics. This is due to the tremendous influence first-time buyers have on the market. At any given time, first-time buyer activity accounts for at least 46% of market sales. For the most part, this activity will dictate whether or not existing home owners can move up and along.

Over the past few months, we have experienced a steady decline in residential inventory. The current supply is 4,400, which seems low going into the spring market. Despite this, some indicators of a sustainable market are in place: low interest rates, affordable pricing, healthy oil and gas environment, and for Alberta, a strong voice in Canada’s  federal government.

If you are considering the purchase of a new home – now is a good time.

Many resolutions are made on the onset of the New Year, most of them involving our health, personal improvement and career goals. Are we forgetting another important resolution though? Our morning runs are most enjoyable when the air is crisp and clean, our evening walk is more pleasant when the path isn’t littered with garbage and our shower is most appreciated when the water is hot. It is therefore, in all of our best interest, to think about our impact on the environment when looking forward to the new year.

Here at Cedarglen, in 2011, we continued our efforts from the previous year to develop our “green” program. This included expanding our energy efficient project, The District, into the community of New Brighton. We also introduced the EnerGuide 80 package promotion in a few of our exclusive areas for our most popular models. This guaranteed the homes an EnerGuide rating of at least 80… and in turn made our customers eligable for a provincial rebate. This year at Cedarglen, we are committed to continuing to provide you with the most up-to-date energy-efficient options and continue to work on new ways to make your home as beautiful, comfortable and efficient as possible.

Let’s make 2012 the year we really put in the effort to help reduce the amount of waste we send to our landfills by using those blue bins, reduce pollution by carpooling or using public transit and simply be more conscious of our impact on the environment throughout our daily routines.

May this New Year be filled with laughter, success and environmental awareness!

Moving into your new home can be a very exciting milestone in your life, but if you’re unprepared, it can be a bit of a headache. With a little foreshadowing and some extra preparation though, you’ll have all the tools you need and you’ll be able to tackle any handyman work in your new home, head-on!

Once you’re settled, you may find that you need a few tools… and that’s where I come in to help! There are many small things that you don’t even think about when you purchase and move into your new home, so prepare to be enlightened if you feel unprepared:

• Measuring tape – you’ll want a measuring tape for hanging artwork, measuring for window coverings and possibly for measuring furniture
• Power drill and multi-bit screwdriver – you’ll need these tools for putting together any new furniture that you may have purchased
• Light bulbs – don’t be left in the dark! and be prepared for when your light bulbs run their life-cycle. We recommend energy-efficient bulbs in a warm white colour, as they look most natural
• 5-foot step-ladder – for the vertically challenged. You never know when you’ll need to reach something that you’re not quite tall enough for
• Level – for hanging artwork
• Felt pads – stick these under table and chair legs to prevent scratching on hardwood surfaces. These are also great to put on the back corners of artwork to keep it from damaging walls
• Drywall anchors, nails and screws – Use drywall anchors for hanging anything over two pounds, nails for lightweight items and screws for heavier items
• Furniture pen – touch up any damage you might have done to furniture during your big move. It happens to the best of us, no matter how careful we are
• Magic eraser – for cleaning up any marks you may have done to furniture during your big move. It happens to the best of us, no matter how careful we are
• Microfibre cloth – use these cloths on mirrors instead of glass cleaner as they won’t leave residue on your mirrors and will keep them looking their cleanest! These are also great for washing walls to remove unsightly fingerprints!

There you have it – with these tools, you’ll be prepared for anything that your new home might throw your way. Did we miss anything? What tools do YOU think are most important when moving into your first home?

Just like that… summer is over and Fall is now officially upon us. It’s not all bad news though, with Autumn comes the Fall television season, warm sweaters, pumpkin-flavoured everything and Halloween! October is a busy month for just about everybody, but you’ve got to take a bit of time to have some fun… and that’s where I come in. Here’s a round-up of what to check-out in Calgary this month:

“Oktoberfest at the Tudor Rose”
A traditional Bavarian Festival with entertainment for the whole family. Authentic German food, live Oktoberfest music, authentic Austrian folk dance, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts fair, car shows, “EisenChef” culinary competition AND both imported and domestic Oktoberfest beers and wines. Make sure to check it out from Saturday, October 1, 2011 to Tuesday, October 4, 2011 from 11:00a.m. until 10:00p.m. at The Tudor Rose at the Gates of Panorama Shopping Centre.

Fort Calgary has been a community meeting place for generations. Join them on October 1st for Alberta Art Days.

“Alberta Art Days at Fort Calgary”
Join Fort Calgary as they celebrate Alberta Art Days with exhibits, guided tours, historic photo booth, improv theatre and documentary films. The event runs on Saturday, October 1, 2011 to  Tuesday, October 3, 2011 from 10:00a.m. until 4:00p.m. at Fort Calgary (750 – 9 Avenue S.E.). Visit fortcalgary.com for further details.

“CBC Calgary Open House”
On October 1st, 2011 from 10:00a.m. until 2:00p.m., CBC Calgary will be celebrating their 75th Anniversary as Canada’s national public broadcaster by opening up their studio (1724 Westmount Boulevard N.W.) to the public. Featuring interactive tours, a Kids’ CBC activity zone, musical performances, photo opportunities and special guests, there’s really something for every member of the family. Visit cbc.ca/calgary for more information

“Young Women of Influence: Reaching the Top”
Zahra Al-Harazi’s life is the picture of resilience and ambition. By the time she was 25, she had given birth to her third child, after being married at 17 in her native country of Yemen. In 1996 they immigrated to Canada to provide a better life for their children, where she was forced to start from scratch. After earning a degree in Visual Communications from the Alberta College of Art and Design, Zahra’s life became an exciting series of achievements. Now two-thirds owner and creative director of internationally award-winning design studio Foundry Communications, Zahra demonstrates her passion by getting involved in The Entrepreneurs Organization, Immigrant Services Calgary, Design-a-thon, L’Arche, and Alberta Women Entrepreneurs. It’s not surprising that she was selected as a Top 40 under 40 or that Business in Calgary has dubbed her “Leader of Tomorrow”. She has also been named a finalist for 2011’s Canadian Woman of the Year by Chatelaine Magazine. Join Zahra as she discusses her inspiring story and her rise to professional and personal success in the face of many challenges.

Tickets are $47.25 and the event runs on Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 5:30p.m. until 7:30p.m.. Visit www.youngwomenofinfluence.ca for more details.

“Vivah Bollywood Bridal Expo”
Coming to Calgary on Sunday, October 30th, 2011, the Vivah Bollywood Bridal Expo is Calgary’s only South Asian bridal show happening this year – bringing vendors from all over Alberta. This is a great opportunity for brides and grooms looking for wedding ideas and services. Admission is free and includes a fashion show, entertainment, great prizes and food. Visit www.vivahbollywoodbridalexpo.com for more information.

“S.E. Communities Halloween Extravaganza”

The New Brighton club offers events year-round for residents of the community.

Three Cedarglen communities will be getting in the Halloween spirit in the days leading up to Halloween. Starting in at the New Brighton Club in New Brighton on the 29th,  All ghosts and goblins are invited to a fun, free, and safe children’s party with games, prizes, crafts and treats. Registration is requested, but not required (in person or by calling 403-781-6613, ext 1 or 2).

On the 30th, Cranston will be opening a “School of Wizardry” at Century Hall. Children are invited to join the world-famous wizard, Inga Bazzinga of Kapoof University and “Mad Scientist,” Scientist Steve for an afternoon of experiments, potion-making, creature examinations, special treats and much more!

And lastly, on the 31st, Auburn Bay will be hosting a “Spooktacular Halloween Carnival”. This is a new treat (or trick!) at Auburn House for all the little ghosts and goblins out on Halloween night. A Halloween Carnival enhanced with animatronic props and special effects. Be sure to come and check out their haunted graveyard and tonnes of Halloween carnival games!  For further information of any of Brookfield’s Halloween events, visit their Facebook event page HERE.

Setting the perfect atmosphere doesn't end with your table display. Your background music can make or break your evening.

There’s a lost art to entertaining these days, it seems that we’ve gotten too comfortable with being casual and most people have forgotten about entertaining with panache and class. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been invited to a dinner party where the host thought that Bon Jovi or Madonna made for good dinner party music. Yes, “music makes the people come together – it makes the bourgeoisie and the rebel,” but focus on being a bit more bougie than rebel, unless you’re hosting a trailer park block party: then by all means, throw on a tank, put on the Kid Rock records and set out the lawn chairs.

Decide on a mood you want to create for the evening. What kind of meal are you preparing? Is it tied to a specific nationality? If you’re cooking an Italian dish, how about adjusting your playlist to reflect your cooking? Pick music that’s relaxing, inviting and probably hasn’t been heard in a while: the standards. Try finding cover versions that haven’t been heard before, as well. Create a new experience for your guests, something they’ll remember.

Think of your home as a restaurant – if you went to an expensive restaurant to enjoy delicious food and heard Bobby Brown playing in the background you wouldn’t savour your meal the same way, your conversation would be altered and you probably wouldn’t feel the same level of comfort as you would with sounds that complimented the food, decor and overall atmosphere – and that’s not my prerogative.

Once the meal is cooking, the wine is nearly chilled and the table is set for company, I have a few favourites that always create the perfect dinner party atmosphere, and will be sure to set the mood for yours, as well (click the links for previews in iTunes):

• Lainie Kazan – “Body and Soul”: Jazzy, down tempo and opulent. Lainie has been a Hollywood icon for decades and is also a brilliant vocalist. Even though she got her start on Broadway, her looks have always been a bigger topic of conversation than her musical and acting abilities.
• Liza Minnelli – “Confessions”: Try not to picture David Gest for a moment and hear me out: this one is perfect background music for entertaining! I’ve gotten many compliments from guests over this album, who don’t believe me when I tell them who they’re listening to. Remember, it’s with a “Z.”
• Shirley Bassey – “Get the Party Started”: A little more upbeat and sophisticated, the “Tigress from Tiger Bay” always impresses! She’s most well-known for being the ultimate Bond Theme songstress, with classics like “Diamonds are Forever” and “Goldfinger” attached to her name. This is a great album to put on if you’re having a cocktail party. You just can’t beat that voice – it’s quite possibly the most spectacular voice ever caught on record!
  

  Try playing records that your guests haven't heard before - Shirley Bassey has always been one of my most complimented music choices when hosting dinner parties.

• Jack Jones – “Love Makes the Changes”: Marilyn and Alan Bergman are two of the best songwriters of our time. Here they’re performed by Vegas Jazz legend, Jack Jones.
• Diahann Carroll – “Essential Vocal Greats”: A fixture on “Dynasty” in the eighties as Dominique Devareax, Diahann Carroll has one of the best voices in jazz. As the ex-wife of Vic Damone, Carroll’s music is highly underrated and unknown. She’s a true gem hidden within my music collection.
• Barbra Streisand – “Love is the Answer” : Classic standards as re-imagined by Barbra Streisand. Babs is a staple when planning your dinner party playlist, and just as popular as ever.
• Frank Sinatra – “The Ultimate Collection”: No description needed. It goes without saying that Sinatra is an expectation at any dinner party. His music is simply elegant and timeless.

The summertime hiatus is upon is...

During the summer, we all know that your favourite television programs take a hiatus to re-group, renew and plan for the upcoming season. It’s the perfect time to catch up on your favourite shows and be productive in the yard while the weather cooperates. But with Fall coming so quickly (and the weather starting to feel more and more like it), we’ve decided that if the fine journalism of Maury Povich can take a break from reuniting families, revealing paternity results and changing how we view the world  by asking the real hard-hitting questions (cue sarcasm), so can we! We work harder than Cher’s plastic surgeon year-round to stay fresh and build beautiful, thoughtfully designed homes for Calgarians… so we deserve it.

Here are SEVEN previous blog postings that you may have missed over the past blogging “season” that are worth your time in checking out:

“A Place to Tan, Lounge and Bathe in Serenity” – Are you one of those people who hates landscaping? Let us do it for you. This post by Cedarglen Homes will tell you how we are working magic on Calgary yards.

“What’s Your District?” – An informational post on The District by Cedarglen Homes, complete with photography and information on our most popular designs.

“Cabinetry Trends” – Not sure how you want your dream kitchen to look? Here are some current trends, as posted by Cedarglen cabinetry guru, Ryan Christensen.

“What Happens In Vegas…” / “…Doesn’t Stay In Vegas” – This year, Cedarglen went to Vegas! As we visited the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, Ryan Christensen, Cabinet Sales and Design,  eloquently put his observations and new-found knowledge into two insightful postings.

“Energy Saving Tips for the Summer” – Cedarglen Estimator, Dominique Renaud, gives some pointers and tips on how we help you to save those coins during the summer months. It’s worth reading if you don’t know about some of the great energy-saving features of a new Cedarglen home or District home.

“What’s Old Again is New… or is it?” – Architectural Technologist Ian Walker shares a little historical information about home trends while placing a foot solidly in the future. It’s an interesting read and worth your time to browse.

So there you go, enough postings to keep you busy until Fall arrives, which should be any moment now. We’ll be back with brand-new postings next week. We know you’re excited, so just bear with us a few more days until the regular posts are back! We’ve got some great information coming your way over the next few months, including an in-depth look at our 30th Anniversary Package… which offers such substantial savings, that it’s the kind of promotion that only comes around every 30 years! Keep your eyes and ears peeled, because you’re in for a real treat if you’re  in the market for a new home right now or will be soon!