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1 SEPT 2015 REAL ESTATE NEWS Canmore Real Estate Market Remains Stable Heading into the Fall The leaves are starting to turn, children are back in school, and with that we know that Fall has arrived here in Canmore! Despite our recent run of less than ideal weather, Canmore / Banff Fall activities including biking, hiking and more are in full swing, and while it is still a little while away, cooler temperatures in the air mean that the winter season is just around the corner. Stay tuned for more information coming on the Canmore and Banff ski swaps which Brad is again helping to coordinate, and if you are looking for a place for your children to learn how to be great skiers and do some racing when they get bigger, registration is open for the Bow Valley Quikies and Banff Alpine Racers upcoming year. The Canmore Real Estate Market has remained quite stable as many buyers continue to be drawn to Canmore to live full or part time. There has been much in the media lately about the Alberta economy, and while we have been hearing of significant changes in other markets, our local market seems to be more sheltered from these effects. The local economy has been strong with tourism in the Bow Valley experiencing a very good year. With the change in the Canadian dollar, Canadians are staying home for their vacationing and Americans are starting to come back, as the varied licence plates we saw around town this summer would attest. We would expect that we may see the return of some American buyers should the Canadian dollar stay at the current rate. Our median price of single family homes has increased year over year for the month of August, but we saw some pull back over the same period in the condo market. Our total market listing inventory is up 8% over last year but still quite balanced at 265 listings which is approximately half of what our highest inventory was, and double that of our lowest volume for the past 13 years in which we have been keeping statistics. The total number of sales for the first 8 months of the year are down a little, with 23% less sales over the same time period from Having said this, we are still seeing a lack of inventory in some market segments, and many buyers are just waiting for the right property to hit the market to buy. Lastly, we are here to help you or anyone you know for all your real estate. We are never too busy for your referrals

2 Royal LePage #IMHOME Contest Share your moments at home! For over 100 years, Royal LePage has been passionately helping Canadians find their perfect home. We know a home is more than a shelter, it's where great memories are made What does home mean to you? Is it family, comfort, style or relaxation? Is it gardening, a favourite room, or making dinner? Share your moments at home with Royal LePage and Canadians across the country. From June 16th, 2015 to October 5th, 2015, upload up to 5 photos each week and share your submission with friends for an extra entry. You could win: One $2,500 Grand Prize home shopping spree with a Hudson's Bay, Home Depot or Best Buy Canada gift card, awarded at contest end One $250 gift card awarded every month for a total of 4 prizes valued at $1,000* One $25 gift card awarded every week for a total of 16 prizes valued at $400*

3 Monthly Market Statistics Includes all listings in Canmore, Harvie Heights, Lac Des Arcs and Exshaw Average price and median price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in areas with widely divergent properties or differentials between geographical areas. Please call Brad or Drew with any specific information about your property or properties you are interested in

4 Monthly Market Statistics Includes all listings in Canmore, Harvie Heights, Lac Des Arcs and Exshaw Average price and median price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in areas with widely divergent properties or differentials between geographical areas. Please call Brad or Drew with any specific information about your property or properties you are interested in

5 Quarterly Market Statistics Includes all listings in Canmore, Harvie Heights, Lac Des Arcs and Exshaw Average price and median price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in areas with widely divergent properties or differentials between geographical areas. Please call Brad or Drew with any specific information about your property or properties you are interested in

6 Quarterly Market Statistics Includes all listings in Canmore, Harvie Heights, Lac Des Arcs and Exshaw Average price and median price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in areas with widely divergent properties or differentials between geographical areas. Please call Brad or Drew with any specific information about your property or properties you are interested in

7 5 Easy Steps to Declutter Your Home! When preparing one's home for sale, Sellers are faced with a number of different questions as to how best to get top dollar for their home when it sells. Should this countertop get upgraded? Do I need to replace those appliances? How much will a fresh coat of paint help? While all of these could certainly make a difference, there is one action that all people can take that will always help, and it usually doesn't cost a penny - decluttering. It can be a daunting challenges, but clearing out unused, unwanted, and broken items from a home (and often garage) can make rooms and spaces bigger than they have in years, and lets potential Buyers see those spaces as they were meant be - big and bright. So how does one best tackle the unpleasant job of decluttering? Follow these 5 simple steps below, and you will be clutter-free in no time! 1. Set aside a time to tackle the job and be safe to enlist some help. Many hands make light work, as the adage goes. If everyone is on board at a designated time, you have a starting spot for your much-needed cleanup. 2. Designate space on the driveway or within the garage for four categories: Items You Will donate; Those You Will Sell; Treasures to Keep; and You Will Toss items. 3. Methodically decide what to keep. Consider when you last used the item and the likelihood that you will need it later. For any broken items, ask what the chances are of getting around to fixing it. Lastly, consider the cost of an item replacing would be greater than the value of the space if kept it will occupy. 4. Dispose of items and hazardous materials. Ask neighbors or friends if they use of materials you INTEND to toss. Donate items are in good repair to charity. Lastly, check with your municipality for solid-and-hazardous waste disposal programs. For example, the Town of Canmore hold regular hazardous waste disposal days for items such as paint, offers pick up service for large items being thrown away (don't just leave it outside the bins!), and has a fantastic electronic recycling depot for broken and outdated items. 5. Temporary storage. Renting a storage container for the driveway or a professionally managed storage space are other options that can buy you the time you need to create your dream garage. More than simply a place to park the car, a clear and empty garage can be a space that can be many things to many people - such as mountain toy storage, not an unfamiliar sight in Canmore! Declutter and let your imagination take it from there.

8 The Canmore Festival of Art and Creativity - September 25th - 27th artsplace officially opens its doors this September with the Canmore Festival of Art and Creativity, a three-day, community-wide event celebrating Canmore's creative spirit! Formerly known as artspeak, this year's festival coincides with Alberta Culture Days, with workshops, performances, friendly competitions - art and creativity will abound throughout the weekend, promising fun for people of all ages to enjoy! Rocky Mountain Mutt Strut Walk, Run & Cani-X - September 27, 2015 Support the Bow Valley SPCA in their annual fundraiser by signing up for either their 5k run, 10k run, 2.5k Fun Walk, or Alberta's first Cani-X - Cross Country running with your dog! Pronounced "Cano-Cross," cross country running with a dog is a growing international sport and this will be the first event of this type in Alberta. Click the link below for more info on how to register! The Hawker-Betts Real Estate Team Phone: (403) Fax: (403) Toll Free: Brad Hawker Broker Drew Betts Associate Broker