Finding the right condo management company for you is an essential step to take for your condominium property. Join us today to learn more about what to look for when selecting an excellent condominium management company. Selecting a condo management company can seem like a daunting task. With all the options out there, and the […]
They say that those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it – and while “they” probably didn’t have condo communities in mind when coining that phrase, we have no qualms about running with it to introduce today’s blog topic! We’ve kicked off 2023 in earnest at this point, which has us looking ahead […]
If you’re keen enough on condos to be sitting here reading this blog, you’ve at least heard of the Alberta Condominium Property Act – but do you know what sorts of details and information are actually in the act? Like, know what’s in there? Without looking it up? If you’re on the up-and-up when […]
Is your condo’s heating bill running a little, well, hot? If you’ve been feeling the burn lately when covering your condo heating bill, you’re not alone. It’s no secret that energy bills have been skyrocketing across the country for a while now – so what better time, we thought, to take a moment to […]
We all like knowing that things are being handled fairly. It goes all the way back to fighting with our siblings over whose turn it was to use that one red plastic cup at lunchtime, counting the days of the week to make sure your diabolical little brother wasn’t trying to pull a fast one […]
The new year is a time to look back and take stock of things. To reflect, reminisce, and even reconsider. To set yourself up for success and prosperity over the next twelve months, whatever they might bring. We’re all about raising standards here at Catalyst, so we can definitely get behind this sort of inward-focused […]
Even the best and brightest condo board members can feel the exhaustion from time to time. No matter your position, the demands placed on condo boards can be taxing. The result is burnt-out board members with individuals phoning it in and governing bodies that become stagnant, tired, and ineffective. Because board burnout can sometimes […]
Everyone always talks about what to look for in your future condo unit – but what about your condo realtor? If you ask us, our dreamy condo realtor would be tall, dark, and handsome, with a knowledgeable air about him and an in-depth understanding of the Alberta real estate market… Wait a minute. We’re talking […]
As an Alberta condo owner, your unit is your property – so, it stands to reason that you should be able to do whatever you want with it (within reason [and taking local legal considerations into account!]), right? And you mostly can! “Mostly” being the operative word there, of course. Here’s the thing. […]
Location, location, location! Sure, that might read like a bit of a condo real estate cliché at this point, but there’s a reason that mantra has guided the industry for decades now – and that’s because it’s true! Just as with buying any type of property, location will always play a role in […]
There are many reasons to consider condo renovations. Maybe you are preparing to sell your unit. Maybe a certain aspect of your condominium doesn’t function the way you need it to. Or maybe you simply want to add your own personal touch to the space you spend the majority of your time in. Whatever the […]
When COVID-19 was first documented in Canada on January 23, 2020, no one knew what to expect. In the weeks and months that followed Canadians did their best to gather information and adapt accordingly— but the impacts of the virus were far-reaching. The real estate market was no exception. By March, many cities (including those […]
A recent study by TD Bank found that 64 percent of millennials are now willing to consider moving to the suburbs in search of a home, with affordability being the biggest driving factor. When you combine this stat with the fact that 83 percent of young, urban home buyers would prefer to own and live […]
As of September 2020, there were 2,417 condo listings in the Edmonton area. While this is still a decrease in comparison to previous years, it does show movement in the local real estate market and that there is hope for increased traction over time. If you’ll be looking at condos in Edmonton over the coming […]
The Calgary real estate market showed a slight upturn from August-September 2020, with 1-bedroom and 3-bedroom condos, specifically, seeing an increase in sales. This modest growth (~3 per cent overall) is expected to continue into the end of the year. So, with the Calgary condo market benefiting from low-interest rates and substantial inventory levels, where […]
Purchasing a condo is an exciting life event. Before you even move in, your head begins to fill with ideas about how you’ll utilize your new space and make it your own. You might be ecstatic to enjoy your spacious balcony, or impatiently waiting for the moment you can host family and friends in your […]
It would be an understatement to say that 2020 has been an unusual year, and the current real estate forecast is a reflection of the unprecedented circumstances we’ve all been experiencing. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an economic domino effect, increasing unemployment rates while decreasing household incomes, residential construction activity, and property […]
Every town has its own fair share of urban myths and legends, and Edmonton is no different. Is there some sort of structure that exists under West Edmonton Mall? Is the Legislature Building actually haunted? And what’s up with that weird fenced-in green space near Gateway Blvd that inexplicably has a bunch of deer living […]
The longer homeowners live in property the more they notice projects they’d like to take on and updates they’d like to make. It may be something simple (like adding a new backsplash in the kitchen) or it might be a larger undertaking (like replacing floors or installing a new, modern bathtub). Whatever the project, revamping […]
COVID-19 has resulted in significant lifestyle changes for families. These changes can be especially difficult for children to adjust to, as they are used to playing outside, visiting parks and playgrounds, and socializing with their friends. With Spring bringing more sunshine and pleasant weather, kids can start to feel confined and develop a severe case […]
We’ve all heard the phrase “adjusting to a new normal”. It has quickly become one of the most prominent catchphrases associated with the coronavirus pandemic— and for good reason. The way we work, socialize, and live our daily lives has drastically changed. We are all redefining our routines and doing our best to grin and […]
Protect Yourself (And Your Neighbours) With These Hygiene Tips Condo owners live within close proximity of their neighbours. They share elevators and other common areas like on-site fitness centres, party rooms, and swimming pools with their fellow residents. This reality has caused some concern in recent weeks as the coronavirus outbreak became more widespread and […]
The sudden and unexpected emergence of COVID-19 in Canada has left thousands of condo owners across the country wondering if their financial stability, and therefore their homes, will be lost. Social media groups, online discussion forums, and comment sections have been abuzz with questions like: Do I still have to pay condo fees during the […]
If there’s one truth to the Edmonton condo market, it’s that it really can be subject to the whims of the Alberta economy at large. However, there’s a big difference between the games that our province’s boom-or-bust economy might play with Edmonton real estate, and the value of your condo (or prospective condo) from an
There’s no feeling quite like the one you get from knowing that you belong somewhere. There’s nothing like that feeling of pride, that passion of ownership – and the accompanying respect for where you live – that comes from the notion of truly identifying with where you live and where you lay your head
Well, everybody, the jig is up. We’ve all had a good run, but the next time you think to yourself, “Hey, maybe I could make a few extra bucks renting out my condo while I’m away on vacay,” you’d better be prepared to peel off a few of those dollar bills for The Man.
Ahhh, to live the life of a snowbird. Jet-setting from north to south, enjoying the warmer months here in Canada before heading down to enjoy some more warm months Stateside – that’s the way to do it. About one of the only drawbacks we can see when it comes to snowbirding is the concern about
Generally speaking, townhome-style condo communities are bustling hubs of activity full of people coming and going, residents enjoying the amenities, and folks getting together just for the heck of it. Once a year, though, something downright spooky seems to take place. At the end of every October, on the evening of the 31st, everyone simply
Maybe it’s the garbage that somehow makes its way out to the dumpster but simply cannot seem to find its way inside of the dumpster. Maybe it’s one too many hair-metal power ballads heard drifting up through the floorboards late at night. Or maybe it’s the fact that Mr. Tiny, the chihuahua that lives
You’ve made the decision to settle down and buy a condo in the City of Champions – congratulations! Buying a home is a monumental step in anyone’s life, whether it’s your first or your fifteenth time signing those papers. That said, every home purchase is different, and buying a condo in Edmonton is no different.
Here in Alberta, we generally don’t get much of a summer – at least in the traditional sense of the word. What warm weather we do see each year tends to be short-lived, plagued by thunderstorms and spent smacking mosquitos out of the air. Despite all of this
From Calgary to Red Deer to Edmonton and everywhere in between, Albertans are starting to catch on to what we’ve already known for ages: condo living is where it’s at. Generally speaking, spring is that special time of year for the real estate market when sales typically begin to pick up as people start to
It seems that we’re making a bit of a theme here on this blog lately around answering questions that everybody seems to have, but that nobody wants to admit they don’t know about. For example, our last blog focused on sussing out the different responsibilities and expectations between condo boards and condo management companies.
You’ve finally done it. They say that there’s no investment quite as sound as real estate, and you’ve taken that to heart. Just like a show on the local home and garden TV network, you’ve gone condo hunting, weighed the pros and cons, and signed on the dotted line to purchase a second condo unit
Over the course of the past several years, our economy has undergone an interesting shift, moving away from one based on sole ownership towards one centered around the maxim of sharing. From cars to clothes to cats (yes, even cats!), the sharing economy is shaking things up all over – and nowhere is this more
Happy 2019, everybody! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic time ringing in the New Year. Of course, with any flip of the calendar comes a bevy of New Year’s Resolutions to back it up,
Whether you’re a first-time condo owner or are simply starting out by renting a unit, congratulations! The world of condo living is wondrous and wide (and sometimes even a little bit weird!) – there’s nothing quite like it, and for us, there’s no other way we’d rather do it. That said, if you’ve only ever
If you’ve ever taken possession of a new home, you know that there’s lots to consider – from building inspections to mortgage approvals, the list is a mile long – and that’s just for handing off one solitary dwelling. Now, imagine all the work that goes into turning over not just a single unit,
Can you feel that in the air? No, not smell of pumpkin spice lattes. No, not the chill of snowfall in the early days of autumn. No, not the sound of sleigh bells in the middle of October – Christmas is still two-and-a-half months away, for crying out loud! We’re talking about Halloween!
If you’ve ever kicked around the idea of investing in a condo, you’ll most likely have noticed a curious thing: everybody around you is secretly a master-level real estate expert. Don’t believe us? Next time you’re hanging out with a group of friends, just casually mention that you’re considering investing in a second property, and
For a first-time condo buyer, just simply throwing your hat into the intimidating ring of real estate, mortgage applications and bank meetings can be a stressful proposition.
If you’ve got some cash burning a hole in your pocket and are on the lookout for sound investment opportunities, then condo real estate could be the right opportunity for you! Putting money down on an investment property is a great way to build some equity,
If you’ve ever rented out your condo before, you know that finding a decent tenant can feel something like winning the lottery. Leasing out your property is a nerve-wracking experience, and nothing is more anxiety-inducing than feeling like the folks you’ve got living in your condo might not be taking the greatest care of your […]
Inherited some property? Perhaps you received big promotion at work and have a bit of extra cash? Or maybe you just feel like you’ve got too much free time on your hands?
A new year always ushers in new changes, and even though we’re only a month into 2018, we’re already seeing some key trends emerging within the Calgary condo market. Like all trends,
In January 2017, seniors’ advocate Ruth Adria argued in the Alberta courts for more fair and equal treatment of people in our province, regardless of their age. Adria’s intentions were to set the groundwork for the more equitable treatment of seniors as they age,
This is it! The year that you’re going to purchase a condo unit as a rental property and grow your real estate portfolio. And investing in a condominium is a great asset to invest in. Unfortunately, investing in a second property isn’t as simple as purchase and see rewards.
Here at Catalyst Condo Management Ltd, we’re big proponents of condo living. What a surprise, right? But, seriously, the blend of communal living, convenience, and general lifestyle that condo living offers is perfect for us,
It’s pretty clear that the Calgary Real Estate market is going through a change and discovering what it’s “new normal” will be as we come out of the downturn. After years of rapid construction, particularly with condominium buildings,
Your condo building isn’t just a place to rest your head. It’s a place that multiple people call home, coming together as part of a community. Just as with every community, it’s important that you know what’s happening to stay on top of key events,
You’re moving into a condo – an experience unlike any other. While some may be of the belief that a condo is a condo is a condo, this is simply not the case. After all, buying a condo is different than renting an apartmentor living in a house with a yard of your own.
Renovating a condo is unlike renovating most other properties. Renovating a new condo is also different from revamping an old condo. If you are considering condo renovation, you should be aware of the rules governing renovations in the building.
Without wanting to kill your neighbours You’ve made the leap and sold your home in favour of downsizing to a smaller space. But, what do you do when you no longer have neighbours just beside you, but above and below as well. Living in a high-density
The millennials are expected to make one of the biggest impacts on Canadian real estate market in the near future. The impact could in fact be bigger than what their baby boomer parents made. They make up about 25% of the country’s population and
