Carlos Montes' Blog 
How Inflation Impacts Calgary Real Estate
Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 8:12am. 14 Views, 0 Comments.
Calgary is undergoing greater consumer inflation than other areas of Canada, presenting a perhaps troubling development for those interesting in Calgary real estate. Prices on consumer goods rose 2.8% of last years prices, representing what is truly an above average boost. This growing inflation is perhaps most troubling because it comes even in the face of greater consumer insecurity and uncertainty.
Figuring out the precise impact that a social and economic trend like inflation might have on Calgary real estate is difficult. It is largely an individual concern, where inflation will impact some households much more than others. Keep the following issues in mind when determining the impact of an economic trend like inflation and the fallout it might…
New Junk Food Ban Could Impact Vendor, School Profits in Calgary
Thursday, January 19th, 2012 at 4:44pm. 20 Views, 0 Comments.
Vendors fear that a ban on junk food at Calgary schools will take a bite out of their profit.Schools in the Calgary Board of Education stopped selling or serving food from the "choose least often" list on Jan. 1, 2012, while the ban took place in the Calgary Catholic School District on Oct. 1, 2011.
The announcement on the changes to the nutrition policy was announced in September 2011. Items no longer sold or served include chocolate bars and candy and most types of chips. In other words, salt and sugar is out. In its place: fruits and vegetables.
Now, only foods from the "choose most often" list are sold or served at elementary schools, including fruit juices, snacks and bars; granola bars and fiber bars; vegetable juices; whole grain pasta; low…
Supply Shortage Puts Alberta’s Electricity Options Into Focus
Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 11:49am. 22 Views, 0 Comments.
Albertans are starting to rethink their electricity options after supply problems have driven prices up to record highs. The retail electricity market was deregulated in 2000, transitioning it from traditional regulation to a market-based system.
Deregulation was intended to reduce regulatory costs and curb prices. Now, scores of buyers and sellers dot the utilities landscape. Suppliers, for example, come from places like wind farms near Crowsnest Pass and large coal plants close to Edmonton.
But less than 30 percent of Albertans have made the switch. Most electricity consumers still use the Regulated Rate Option, which is the Alberta Utilities Commission’s monthly power price. Governing Conservatives stopped hedging…
The Best Country For Business Is? Canada!
Saturday, October 8th, 2011 at 2:02pm. 51 Views, 0 Comments.
Canada Continues To Be a Leader For Business
Canada ranks number one in a recent annual look for the best countries for business. These results make today the the perfect time to move your business, or start a new one, north of the border. Canada's economy has held up far better than that of the US and Europe; as these two countries deal with the fears and uncertainty of debt issues, Canada has seen economic growth of over 3 percent, resulting in it taking position as the ninth largest economy in the world. And, the future only looks better!
While other countries dealt with banking meltdowns, Canada was able to maneuver around them by avoiding bailouts, allowing them to emerge as a leader. Ultimately, Canada’s conservative fiscal practices,…
Calgary Is A Leader in Canadian Economic Growth
Thursday, September 29th, 2011 at 5:13pm. 47 Views, 0 Comments.
Calgary Economic Development recently hosted its annual event looking at the economic outlook for Calgary, and all signs are positive. The future will continue to show population growth and greater job creation to help renovate construction activities, allowing Calgary to remain atop the economic growth leader’s podium. Even with the rest of the world fearing a large amount of financial uncertainty, Calgary continues to make strides in economic growth.
The local housing market is still trying to get a grasp on its footing, but is nowhere near a drastic decline. The economy in Calgary has rebounded with great tenacity and continues to get stronger with every passing day. With energy prices doubling in the last few years, it has helped to…
With Calgary MLS Sales On The Rise, Prepare Yourself To Buy Your New Home
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 at 4:22pm. 41 Views, 2 Comments.
With interest rates so low, now is the time to buy in Calgary
You already know that buying a home can be a stressful and lengthy process. But, as you are going through the process, it is important to take it very seriously, not rushing into closing on what you believe to be your dream home. Calgary MLS sales are on the rise, giving you the perfect opportunity to buy at one of the best times in recent years.
If you are not wise in your decisions during the process of buying a home, you could wind up giving yourself more of a headache than necessary. You may rush to sign at closing, only to find that repairs need to be done to the property. Or, you have signed up for a more expensive mortgage than you technically could have qualified for,…
Current events for Calgary, Canada
Friday, September 16th, 2011 at 7:33pm. 96 Views, 0 Comments.
Calgary offers so many fun and exciting opportunities to get out and enjoy the local culture. While there are more things to do than we can list here, this is a great list of things that are fun for everyone and can be enjoyed by all ages.
Calgary is most known for the renowned Calgary Stampede, a 10 day extravaganza of rodeo supremacy that brings in over one million spectators to help celebrate Canada's long and historic cowboy culture. But, there are other things going on if the rodeo isn't quite your thing. The oil boom city offers a vibrant array of cultural activities for young and old alike.
Here are a few other spectacles you can bring the family out to see and enjoy:
- Cirque du Soleil's OVO insect extravaganza is going on from September 7th…
Are you a Calgary, Alberta Golf Fan?
Friday, September 16th, 2011 at 7:31pm. 41 Views, 0 Comments.
Many people think of Calgary, and Canada in general, as a cold wintery mecca for hockey fans and oil riggers. But, the city also caters to some of the most amazing and beautiful golf courses in the region. Offering fine private and municipal golf courses, Calgary features over 50 courses that offer spectacular play and views for players of all skill sets.
Canada's leading golf publication, Scoregolf.com, listed three Calgary golf course within their top 50 of the countries best courses to play, with the highest ranking going to The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Resort at number 5 overall. Calgary also offers seven municipal golf course with discounted rates to seniors and youngsters, while offering punch card services as well.
There are a number of amenities…
Current Art Developments in the City of Calgary, Fall 2011
Friday, September 9th, 2011 at 11:21am. 53 Views, 0 Comments.
You may not know this about Calgary, but the city offers a rich and diverse art and theater scene to soften its cultural trademark as a "stampeders’" paradise. Here’s just a glimpse of Calgary’s vivid arts community:
The Art Gallery of Calgary (The AGC)
A public, non-collecting art gallery dedicated to presenting contemporary art exhibits and quality art education programs. Experience cutting-edge art and installations in Calgary’s downtown Cultural District where the AGC’s five galleries offer over 6,000 square feet of exhibition space. For more information, visit the AGC website.
The Glenbow Museum
Come view a treasure trove of over a million artifacts and 28,000 art pieces in one of the largest museums in Canada. The Glenbow maintains…
How to Sell your Home Faster – Part III
Monday, July 25th, 2011 at 8:53am. 67 Views, 0 Comments.
How to Sell your Home Faster – Part III
You’re almost there; the renovations are finished and the repairs are done – so what now? Before you call in your Realtor to take pictures and post your home on MLS for the entire world to see you may want to run through this final list of preparations:
Super Clean
Your home should be as clean as humanely possible. A clean home looks better cared for, and feels bigger. A pre-sale clean should include walls, windows, carpets, floors, curtains and blinds, appliances, and counters. Basically every surface in your home should be spic and span, so potential buyers can simply enjoy the home, rather than thinking about what they’ll have to clean when they move in.
You can really never be too clean, so…