Calgary Ablerta Real Estate - Bryon's Blog

My Social Media Marketing Strategy - Dec 2009

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:14:30 -0800

I've VERY recently been bombarded by offerings of Social Media Marketing Seminars, Webinars and Courses.

Normally I take a bit more time this part of the year to 'play' on the computer and try to get current on trends in technology.

Yesterday I signed up for Ross Hair's Social Media Marketing Webinar and spent 3 hours listening to how awesome life would be if I was one of his students.

After listening to this webinar I considered paying the $500 fee to join the 6 training sessions.

However ... after a nights sleep ... I think I'll just continue prodding along ... updating my "STATUSES" whenever I think of it ... or have time ... or think that someone might care that:

-I'm hanging the Christmas lights;

-Have interest in local MLS data.

-At my childrens music recital.

-I have a great new listing

-Just swam, ran, skiied, or biked. (Below picture is gaughter and I on Tandem on our 3rd annual May Golden Triangle Tour ... 330 km in 3 days in the Rocky Mountains. We LOVE it.)

My Social Marketing Media Strategy:

1. Add friends when I have time ... or feel like it.

2. Don't try to sell or build REAL relationships on Social networks.

3. Build my close relationships outside of the social networks.

In the year or so that I've been experimenting with Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and Active Rain I've enjoyed:

connecting with old friends and long lost relatives;
staying better connected to new friends;
getting my news from Twitter. (I actually get only 2 updates on my cell phone from two people. I realized recently that this is where I get MOST of my news! ... this is embarrassing ... but true.)
getting two deals that I can contribute to my 'status updates' as I was 'top of mind' when my 'friends' needed to make a real estate decision.

What's your Social Media Marketing Strategy?

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Listening to Social Media Webinar

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:56:08 -0800

I've been playing on facebook, twitter, Activerain, and Linked In for about a year.

I really have little clue about what the impact of all this.

I'm generally open and honest ... sharing what's happening in my life.

I haven't really tried to find buyers or sellers using Social Media ... I basically have just opened accounts and shared what I'm upto.

I enjoy connecting with old friends ... and learning what they are upto.

I can contribute a couple of deals this year to Social Media.

Currently I'm listening to a webinar by Ross Hair.

I continue to be underwhelmed by the opportunities of Social Media.

I'll continue to keep informed on Social Media ... and while I don't need to be a leader in this ... I don't want to be left behind.

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Love is a verb ... spread it around. Love our community.

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:53:32 -0700

My master mind group is reading and discussing Steven Covey`s book, The Habits of Highly Effective People. While running in River Park recently, I was listening to the audio book on my ipod, and really enjoyed Covey`s piece on Love. (My mother always said, ``Love is a decision``. She was saying the same thing as Convey, with fewer words.)

Covey tells the story of a friend who claims to have fallen out of love with his wife.

``My friend, love is a verb. Love-the feeling-is a fruit of love, the verb. So love her. Serve her. Sacrifice. Listen to her. Empathize. Appreciate. Affirm her.

- - -

Proactive people make love a verb. Love is something you do: the sacrifices you make, the giving of self, like a mother bringing a newborn into the world. If you want to study love, study those who sacrifice for others. even for people who offend or do not love in return. If you are a parent, look at the love you have for the children you sacrificed for. Love is a value that is actualized through loving actions. Proactive people subordinate feelings to values. Love, the feeling, can be recaptured.``

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Altadore Tree Planting - Sunday, Sept 27, 2009 - Volunteers Needed

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:53:18 -0700

Here is a great opportunity to help increase the urban forest in our community: the City of Calgary’s Neighbourwoods program. The City digs the holes; volunteers are needed to distribute the trees and the tree-gator watering bag. Here’s the lowdown:

Sunday September 27 is Neighbourwoods Tree Planting Day in South Calgary / Altadore / Garrison Woods

Even if you did not request a tree, consider signing up to volunteer. This is a great volunteer opportunity for families and teens. Volunteers are needed for the following:

· Signing in people at the Community Hall

· Distributing the tree-gator bags at the Community Hall

· Tree delivery for participants without vehicles (they are small trees – small truck or mini van or car with big trunk)

· Planting trees in holes dug by the City and attaching the tree-gator bag – help out your neighbours who are unable to undertake planting

If you ordered a tree, here is the schedule for Planting Day:

· 9:30-10:00 AM - Arrive at South Calgary/ Altadore Community Centre – 3130 16^th Street SW, please have your $30 tree-gator fee ready to present to your community association lead with checks being made out to the community association, not the city.

· 10:00 AM - A mandatory planting demonstration will follow

· 10:20 AM onward - Following the planting demo, trees with bags will be picked up (tagged by species and address), distributed, and planted by homeowners and volunteers.

Important Note for Neighbourwoods participants:

You should have been contacted by the City during the month of August to determine the number of trees and the tree species that you prefer. During the first three weeks of September, the City will be digging the holes for the trees. If you have not been contacted by the City, please contact Peter Broda via 3-1-1.

If you are able to volunteer, please contact Shauna at smernest@shaw.ca

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Is the market stablizing?

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:10:06 -0700

Find out here

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Is the Calgary Real Estate Market Stabilzing?

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:12:34 -0700

CALGARY - Is it the light at the end of the tunnel for the home building industry?

After 31 consecutive months of year-over-year declines, Calgary home builders are starting to see some positive signs.

In August, for the second consecutive month, builders began more single-detached units than for the same month in 2008, according to data released Wednesday by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

"To see not just one but two months of year-over-year growth is certainly a welcome sign," said Richard Cho, senior market analyst in Calgary for the CMHC.

"It is becoming clear that single-detached construction is gaining some strength. The economy has been improving with the steady number of full-time jobs being created in the last couple of months, which is an important factor in housing demand.

"In addition, we're seeing inventorylevelscomingdown. So it's no surprise that we're seeing an uptick in single-detached production."

Home builders are cautiously optimistic, said Don Dessario, president of the Canadian Home Builders' Association--Calgary Region.

The inventory of new homes has been reduced and new starts are addressing some of the demand now in the marketplace, he said.

"I think we've seen the bottom of the inventory glut and we see positive signs related to interest rates. Positive signs in the economy tend to bring on more consumer confidence to make a purchase," said Dessario.

In August, builders began construction in the Calgary census metropolitan area on 444 single-detached units, an increase of 33 per cent from the 334 units started in August 2008.However, multifamily starts declined by 60 per cent to 104 units from 260 the year before.

Total starts for the month were down by 7.7 per cent to 548 units from 594 units in August 2008.

For the fourth month this year, there were no apartment units started.

While there have been positive signs of recovery in July and August, year-to-date numbers remain below 2008 levels.

After eight months, new home construction for the city is almost 65 per cent behind last year's pace.

In August in Alberta's seven largest centres, there were a total of 1,512 units started, representing an increase of eight per cent from 2008 levels.

"After the Canadian recession came into fruition in late 2008, Alberta's residential construction sector practically went to sleep," said Dan Sumner, economist with ATB Financial in Calgary. "Although that trend continued into early 2009, the most recent months have seen housing starts claw their way back to life."

He said Alberta's "torrid" resale markets have likely propped up recent starts figures.

mtoneguzzi@theherald. canwest.com

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Calgary Real Estate Market Update

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:44:01 -0700

Calgary Real Estate Update: In the past 7 days there has been 544 NEW Listings, 493 SOLD listings, 550 Pending. http://tinyurl.com/opymj8

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Newly Built 4 Bedroom Duplex w /14' Celings

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:14:42 -0700

Photo Gallery

Description

This Stunning 2-storey newly built Duplex with is located in the desirable community minutes away from all amenities and deerfoot. Beautiful open concept layout featuring neutral decor, 14' ceilings on upper floor, 9'ceilings on main floor and in basement and engineered silent cherry hardwood flooring. Main floor built with sunny office which can be used as a bedroom, a large family room with natural gas fireplace, nook off the kitchen and a bright oak finish kitchen featuring granite counter tops, functional island, walk-in pantry and stainless steel appliances. Walk up the stairs to the upper level built with soraing 14' ceilings consisting of a 4 piece bathroom and 3 good sized bedroom including the incredible master bedroom with walk-in closet and 5 piece bathroom with soaker tub. Walk-out basement is ready for quick development which the Builder will develop at cost. Fully landscaped fenced yard. Great location across from park.

Features

Bedrooms:	4
Bathrooms:	2.5
Parking Spaces:	2
Year Built:	2008
Subdivision:	Thorncliff
Garage Size:	Double detached
School District:	www.cbe.ab.ca
Square Footage:	2135
Agent Name:	Bryon Howard
Broker:	Remax House
MLS #:	C3385671

Location

5011 Centre A Street NE Calgary AB

vFlyer Id: 2637742

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Stunning 4 Bedroom Newly Built Duplex - Priced to sell!

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:48:00 -0700

Photo Gallery

Description

Features

Bedrooms:	4
Bathrooms:	2.5
Parking Spaces:	2
Year Built:	2008
Subdivision:	Thorncliff
Garage Size:	Double detached
School District:	www.cbe.ab.ca
Square Footage:	2135
Agent Name:	Bryon Howard
Broker:	Remax House
MLS #:	C3385671

Location

5011 Centre A Street NE Calgary AB

vFlyer Id: 2637742

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Our Outdoor Pool in South Calgary, Altadore, Garrison Woods - SW, Calgary

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:47:00 -0700

Have you been to our most awesome outdoor pool yet this year? If not … why not? (It is at 3130 16 Street SW).

At a recent South Calgary Board Meeting someone had the audacity to raise the question:

“Should we close the pool? We lost $20,000 last year.”

Like many of you, I very much value our pool … but almost never use it! So I committed to using it and brought some of my triathlon training buddies to the facility. I loved our early morning swim. However, I noted some of my buddies were laughing and ‘complaining’ about the pool deck and scratching their fingers on the bottom of the pool. I took no notice – as they are just girly and wimpy.

Later in the day I suggested to my 12 year old we go swimming. He immediately said … ‘maybe’. I incredulously asked why he would not want to go to the pool. He spoke without hesitation about the facility … and all the things he did not like about it. My wife then spoke up about the things she did not like about it.

I was simply amazed … until I thought about it. Why is this wonderful facility so neglected? Why does the building have such poor curb appeal? Why did we have a wonderful facility built in the 1970’s (I presume), and why is it not currently a ‘world class’ facility? How come most of the city’s outdoor pools … seem shabby?

Like many of you … I probably will not take the time to find out the answers to these questions … and get involved in trying to make the facility world class. I know I probably should. Perhaps you are interested in stepping up and helping me find out the answers. Could we … make a difference?

The Pool Schedule: http://www.southcalgarycommunity.ca/pool/schedule.html

Pool Address: 3130 16 Street SW

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Marda Gras Street Festival in Marda Loop, SW, Calgary

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:06:18 -0700

Sunday, August 9, 2009 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Marda Loop BRZ and to celebrate this year’s Marda Gras Street Festival will bring about 30,000 people to the area to enjoy the culture and cuisine of New Orleans throughout our ten city blocks. This year's event promises another fun-filled and family-friendly day from 10 am – 5 pm with:

Entertainment featuring Zydeco Jazz, Rhythm and Blues

Kids Quarter

Outdoor street cafes and patios

About 200 vendors

Marda Gras Dog Contest

Beer Gardens & Volleyball at Original Joe’s

NEW - *Eco Centre

*This 2009 Festival launches our Going Green for Sustainability "Eco Centre", including information, education and activities for business and households on how to create a more sustainable community. Join Us!

Whether you can sponsor, volunteer or participate join the Masquerade! www.mardaloopbrz.ca

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Stunning 2 Bedroom Condo minutes from the Core!

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:51:01 -0700

Stunning 2 Bedroom minutes from the Core!

Location: Connaught

Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Condo located in the Downtown Community of Connaught. This suite is a must see! Open concept with gleaming hardwood floors and huge deck perfect for entertaining. Trendy kitchen with stainless steel appliances and oak cabinets. Spacious Dining room off kitchen. Bright family room featuring arched door way, gas fireplace and sliding doors to deck. Large master bedroom features warm colors and walk-through closet to 3 piece bathroom. Additional good sized bedroom and 4 piece bathroom off the family room. Very secure Underground parking stall# 30 with storage locker. This Condo is one a kind and a must see!

Contact Information

Bryon Howard or Duane Morse

403-695-6936

Contact Reply Form

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Property Location

881 15 Ave SW
Calgary, AB unknown
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Features

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Parking Spaces: 1

Year Built: 2001

Subdivision: Connaught

Located on Floor #: 4

Floors in Bldg: 4

School District: www.cbe.ab.ca

Square Footage: 818

Agent Name: Bryon Howard

Broker: ReMax House of Real Estate

MLS #: C3375037

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Full Refrigerator

Washer/Dryer

Dishwasher

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Hardwood Floors

Building Amenities

Patio

Photo Gallery

View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (10 Photos)

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 2456526

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Beautiful 2 Bedroom Condo in McKenzie Towne - Priced to Sell!

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:31:40 -0700

Beautiful Condo located in Mackenzie Towne - Priced to Sell!

Location: McKenzie Towne

This Stunning 2 Bedroom condo is located in thriving community of Mackenzie Towne. This condo features well designed open concept with warm colours and stunning hardwood flooring. Large great room with sliding doors to large deck great for summer days. Spacious nook off the fabulous trendy kitchen featuring black appliances and breakfast bar with tile splash. Dreamy Master bedroom with walk-through closet to the 4 piece bathroom featuring extended counter tops. 2nd bedroom is a great size. Additional 4 piece bathroom just off the Great room. Heated, title underground parking stall. This South Pointe complex is located in the heart of Mackenzie Town just steps away from Mackenzie Towne shopping centre including Restaurants, Grocery stores, Walmart and all other amenities. Minutes from Deerfoot. Call now for your private showing!

Information

Contact Information

Bryon Howard or Duane Morse

403-695-6936

Contact Reply Form

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Pricing

Price: $219,900

Flexibility: Negotiable

Homeowner Dues: Condo Fees $277/Mo

Property Location

#1220, 4975 130 Ave SE
Calgary, AB unknown
View Map

Features

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Parking Spaces: 1

Year Built: 2003

Subdivision: McKenzie Towne

Located on Floor #: 2

Floors in Bldg: 4

School District: www.cbe.ab.ca

Square Footage: 847

Agent Name: Bryon Howard

Broker: ReMax House of Real Estate

MLS #: C3375025

Attributes

Appliances

Full Refrigerator

Washer/Dryer

Dishwasher

Interior Amenities

Hardwood Floors

Building Amenities

Patio

Guest Parking

Photo Gallery

View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (9 Photos)

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 2456515

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Calgary Home Owner.com is offering Homes for Sale in Calgary as Rent to Own

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:27:05 -0700

Bryon Howard of ReMax House of Real Estate has launched a new website called CalgaryHomeOwner.com. Bryon believes that it is the goal of all Calgarians to own their own home. However, many people are faced with financial setbacks and circumstances that prevent them from obtaining conventional financing. CalgaryHomeOwner.com specializes in helping people with less than perfect credit realize the dream of homeownership.

The goal of www.CalgaryHomeOwner.com is to Create Win-Win Real Estate Solutions. Essentially Investors will Rent to Own their homes to tenant/buyers. Investors have a long term tenant/buyer and the tenant/buyer is in a stable home and experiences all the pride of home ownership.

Essentially, renting to own is as easy as it sounds. The renter/buyer enters into an agreement with the seller to rent their home for a certain amount of time (3 years is a common length), and at the end of the agreed upon term, the renter/buyer will purchase the house.

How is this any different from a standard purchase agreement? Each month, a portion of the rent (called a credit) is put towards the eventual down payment on the house. Thus, when the buyer/tenant is ready to purchase the home, they already have a sizeable down payment saved up.

A Rent To Own your home program is basically a lease with an option to buy contract. Effectively, the option to buy contract is in favour of the buyer/tenant. The buyer/tenant gets to decide whether or not to buy the home during the option period.

When one signs a lease with an option to buy contract, they must pay the landlord/seller an option payment. This money is your vested interest in your home and will be fully credited (100%) to the down payment of the home when the buyer/tenant exercises the option (buy the home).

There is a minimum of cash out of pocket. With a lease and purchase option you pay only first month's rent and the option payment. The option payment amount is negotiable based on the price of the home and is usually between $3,000 and $20,000. However, please be aware that this money can only be used towards your purchase of your home and is not refundable.

Bryon Howard states, “With Rent to Own properties, Credit problems are okay as qualification restrictions are not as strict as conventional financing. Tenant/buyers will be approved at the discretion of the landlord/seller.”

Rent to Own tenant/buyers get peace of mind. They have full control of the home and can maintain it or improve because it will be the tenant/buyers when they exercise the option to buy.

For more information on Rent To Own housing, please visit www.calgaryhomeowner.com

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

What is Rent to Own Housing?

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:27:05 -0700

Blaine and Sandra Cameron have three children between 11 years and 4 years and have moved from six different rental properties in the past eleven years. Blaine opened a new business in summer 2008 and Sandra’s work has been sporadic as she has spent much time at home with her children. Eight months ago, they began investigating Rent to Own Housing. Their credit was poor; they could afford $2100 per month, and had saved a down payment of $3,000. They are currently enjoying their rent to own home in Taradale, NE, Calgary.

Essentially, renting to own is as easy as it sounds. You, the renter, enter into an agreement with the seller to rent their home for a certain amount of time (3 years is a common length), and at the end of the agreed upon term, you will purchase the house. How is this any different from a standard purchase agreement you ask? Simple. Each month, a portion of your rent (called a credit) is put towards the eventual down payment on the house. Thus, when you are ready to purchase the home, you already have a sizeable down payment saved up.

If you are unfamiliar with the term “rent to own housing”, perhaps you’ve heard of lease option or lease to buy. These are all terms for the same thing.

It is unfortunate that with the availability of rent to own housing, many people still live day to day not realizing the dream of home ownership. The sad fact of the matter is that many people haven’t heard of rent to own housing, and many others shy away from the thought based on the misguided belief that rent to own housing is a scam.

A Rent To Own your home program is basically a lease with an option to buy contract.
There are two main parts to this. First you have a lease and then an option to buy contract for your home (generally the option to buy is 3 years). The option to buy contract is a contract in your favour, you get to decide whether or not to buy the home during the option period.

When you sign a lease with an option to buy contract, you must pay the landlord/seller an option payment. This money is your vested interest in your home and will be fully credited (100%) to your down payment of the home when you exercise your option (buy the home).

There is a minimum of cash out of pocket. With a lease and purchase option you pay only first month's rent and the option payment. The option payment amount is negotiable based on the price of the home and is usually between $3,000 and $20,000. However, please be aware that this money can only be used towards your purchase of your home and is not refundable.

Your credit problems are okay as qualification restrictions are not as strict as conventional financing. You will be approved at the discretion of the landlord/seller. Time is now on your side. Before you actually buy the home, you will have time to repair your credit and find the very best financing available.

You get peace of mind. You will have full control of the home and can maintain it or improve because it will be yours when you exercise your option to buy.

When it is time to buy your home you just finance it for the price as determined by the purchase option agreement signed originally.

For more information on Rent To Own housing, please visit www.calgaryhomeowner.com

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Plan it Calgary, by Robin McLeod

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:33:01 -0800

On Feb 24, in the Calgary Herald there was an article on potential river crossings at 50 Ave SW over the Elbow River and Edworthy/Shaganappi over the Bow River. The URL is: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/Calgary+plans+bridges+cars/1319474/story.html.

The suggested river crossings are part of the City of Calgary’s new municipal plan combining land use and transportation planning, called Plan it Calgary. Three scenarios have been considered with regard to the future growth of the City:

Compact Scenario: The City grows within current boundaries including recently annexed lands through densification within current City boundaries.
Hybrid Scenario: The City expands outside current boundaries but a reduced rate of growth than previously experienced through densification within and outside current boundaries.
Dispersed Scenario: The City continues to expand outward with no or very little densification within current boundaries.

It is important to note that Calgary’s growth is already planned for the next 10-12 years. Plan it Calgary kicks in for the planning beyond the next 10-12 years. I think there are 32+ communities in the works right now (but the # needs to be confirmed).

River crossings are part of the Compact and Hybrid Scenario to link, in a circular pattern, the LRT lines that act like spokes from a hub radiating out of downtown.

The 50 Ave and Edworthy/Shaganappi bridges are meant to carry only transit. In theory this may be a good idea as it is difficult to travel east and west efficiently by transit in the City without going downtown.

There are several questions to ask, however, with respect to the potential 50 Ave SW bridge.

How does one make sure the theory is actually implemented as intended?
Do the economics make sense to build a 1 or 2 lane bridge spanning 1km over the Elbow River?
Will a transit bridge be the thin edge of the wedge resulting in a 4 lane or wider bridge over the Elbow in the future that will eventually accommodate transit + cars + trucks? The trucking industry has always been in favour of a 50 Ave bridge enabling a route to Deerfoot because it gets the trucks off Glenmore Trail and the causeway. Toxic spills are less of a problem if they occur after the Glenmore Dam i.e. after Calgary has taken out its drinking water. Some residents in Elbow Park and Mount Royal feel that a 50 Ave bridge will solve their community’s traffic problems and shortcutting. I mention this to illustrate that there is pressure for the 50 Ave bridge to be more than a transit bridge.
Has the triple bottom line been calculated in all scenarios being considered by the City? The triple bottom line is evaluating the social, environmental and economic aspects of a certain choice of action.
It is my understanding that in-depth modelling has only been done on 1 of the 3 scenarios, so what kind of benchmarking is being used to consider the other options?

Please be clear that I personally and certainly support reduced urban sprawl and more effective land use/transportation planning within the current boundaries of the City. However questions need to be asked and answered to ensure that the best decisions are being made for the benefit of the common good. What is very clear is that the City is not magically making any more green space within the inner city. There is the potential for increased pressure on existing green spaces because they are easier and cheaper economically to develop than expropriating houses. Please see the attached article from Landscape Architecture, Feb, 2009.

Therefore I encourage you to find out more about Plan it Calgary at any of the following open houses that are occurring in March. See more dates within these pages.

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Plan It - Calgary March 2009 Open House

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:53:37 -0800

MARCH 9 TO 14 - Plan It Calgary March Open House Series

Plan it Calgary will be hosting five open houses in March to provide the
public an opportunity to learn more about the Draft Municipal Development
Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan. Please make sure your community
association sends representatives to the open houses and is paying
attention to this important city-wide plan in March. Consultation closes in
mid-April and the plan will go to Calgary Planning Commission and Council
later in the spring.

Central South
March 9, 2009
Carriage House Inn
9030 Macleod Trail SE
4:00 - 8:00 pm, with presentations at 4:30 and 7:00

North West
March 10, 2009
Best Western - Village Park Inn
1804 Crowchild Trail NW
4:00 - 8:00 pm, with presentations at 4:30 and 7:00

South East
March 11, 2009
Glenmore Inn
2720 Glenmore Trail SE
4:00 - 8:00 pm, with presentations at 4:30 and 7:00

North East
March 12, 2009
Coast Plaza Hotel
1316-33 Street NE
4:00 - 8:00 pm, with presentations at 4:30 and 7:00

Inner City
March 14, 2009
Telus Convention Centre
11:00 am - 3:00 pm, with presentations at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm

For those unable to attend, information including presentation material and
other Open House material will be available at www.calgary.ca/planit on
March 9, 2009.

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

South Calgary Community Association - offer Peanuts Soccer (Garrison Woods, Altadore, South Calgary)

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:32:36 -0800

Peanuts Soccer is back!!

Peanuts Soccer Registration will open to SCCA members in late March. Notification of time and location will be sent out via e-mail to all current SCCA members in early March.

Don't miss out on this fabulous soccer program for 3-5 year olds. Sign up for your SCCA membership today by visiting our website at www.southcalgarycommunity.ca

To check the status of your membership account, e-mail our Membership Director at membership@southcalgarycommunity.ca

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Climate Change - Albertans Taking Action

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:17:16 -0800

Soak up the Savings

With laundry being a daily activity in many homes, upgrading a standard clothes washer to a high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR^®-rated model can really help out in the savings department. The average family of four can save up to $150 on utility costs, 33,000 litres of water and one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions a year.

There are many things you can do, both when purchasing and using a clothes washer, to maximize its efficiency and savings:

Look for an ENERGY STAR^® machine. These use less energy, and according to the Office of Energy Efficiency, can save you up to $955 over their lifetime compared to a conventional washer.
Opt for a front-loading model. The agitators in these have been removed, which provides for greater load capacity while using less water. Compared to traditional washers, they can save enough water to fill up three backyard swimming pools over the course of their life span.
Choose the right size machine for your needs and look for a model with a high Modified Energy Factor (MEF) and low Water Factor (WF). This will help reduce the amount of energy and water used by the machine.
Wash clothes in cold water. According to ENERGY STAR^®about ninety per cent of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water.
Wait until you have a full load. It takes almost the same amount of energy to wash half a load as it does a full one.
Select a high spin speed. By wringing out as much water as possible, you reduce the amount of time and energy needed for drying.
Use high-efficiency detergent. High-efficiency machines are designed to need less suds and regular detergent can cause them to perform inefficiently.

For more ideas and information on energy-efficiency, subscribe to our free online newsletter enerclick, visit http://www.climatechangecentral.com, call us toll free at 1-866-609-2700, or email contact@climatechangecentral.com.

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Heritage Roundtable - Feb 19, 2009

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:56:14 -0800

Are you looking for ways to increase appreciation for community character, tell the unique story of a heritage place or foster neighbourhood pride.

The next installment of the popular Community Heritage Roundtable is on February 19 2009.

Professionals from Interpretation Canada will be talking about how you can effectively tell the story of your community through tours and other kinds of interpretive programs. This workshop will introduce you to the world of heritage interpretation, offering practical tips and techniques for connecting people to your place. It will inspire, challenge and engage you with plenty of ideas and materials to take back to your group.

Always a great opportunity to network with fellow heritage and community advocates!

Location is the Haysboro Community Association, 1204 – 89th Avenue SW. Doors and refreshments at 6:30, main event from 7 - 9 pm, Feb 19.

Register online at www.calgarycommunities.com > Workshops and Events (select “Roundtables - Heritage Roundtable”) or call 244-4111.

Pass the word!

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Cruising Through Life … Getting to Unconscious Competence

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:17:14 -0800

Last year, along with my roles as a realtor, husband, and father … I set a goal to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. I also set goals around my business, finances, fun time, contribution and relationships. (Things worked out pretty well.)

In the process of determining what I want 2009 to look like, I came across some notes I took from some lecture on Maslow’s Four Levels of Learning. From my pen scrawled notes, I reflected on these levels of learning: Unconscious Incompetence; Conscious Incompetence, Conscious Competence, and Unconscious Competence.

Unconscious Incompetence is not knowing what you don’t know.

Conscious Incompetence is knowing that you don’t know everything.

Conscious Competence is the most dangerous. You think you know everything.

Unconscious Competence is when you do what you do so well, that you don’t have to think about it. This is the ideal situation. This is cruising.

I’ve been active all my life. I’m unconsciously competent at biking, running, and swimming. I especially excel when these sports are done together – as in triathlon.

This year, my goal is to achieve unconscious competence in my business. I’ve only been listing and selling real estate for 8 years, and working with a coach for 3 years … so I’m doubtful if I’ll achieve “cruising through life” status … but I bet I can improve tremendously. It won’t be easy … so I have a plan to make it happen. (Email me at Bryon@thehowardteam.net if you wish to see my plan, and thus become part of it - holding me accountable in that plan!)

Bryon is conscious of his incompetence as a writer, but he enjoys it – once he gets started. He is enjoying his new volunteer role on the board of The South Calgary Community Association as editor of the community newspaper. He lives in Altadore, and is a husband, father, and realtor with REMAX House.

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

COMMUNITY FORUMS ON PUBLIC ART

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:35:17 -0800

The City of Calgary Public Art Program wants to hear from you! Five community forums, one in each quadrant as well as in the Centre City, are being held in mid-February to encourage and solicit your thoughts and perspective on future public art initiatives in your community and throughout the city.

A short presentation of selected public art projects in neighborhoods and urban areas will be followed by a discussion on:

What values, commonalities, aspirations and unique features of your community deserve acknowledgement and/or celebration?

What anchors your community? Where do people tend to gather? What are the landmarks or locations you would take a visitor to see?

What public art have you seen or experienced that you especially liked? What about it made it successful?

Light refreshments will be served – all are welcome. For the forum date, time and location nearest to you, as well as other ways to provide input, please visit www.calgary.ca/publicart.

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY IS REWARDED - Join South Calgary Community Association

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:20:47 -0800

Creating a stong community ... this is the mandate of The South Calgary Community Association (serving South Calgary, Altadore, River Park, and Garrison Woods).

We need to increase our Membership to at least 1000 homes. Buy a membership today!

This month, some of our exciting new programs we are supporting include:

We will be supporting a community wide food drive for the Calgary Interfaith Foodbank

We are working with a group of local residents to help save a community outdoor rink

Our traffic committee is growing in numbers are we are working hard to encourage the city to review our traffic concerns

Our blockwatch committee continues to eradicate graffiti in the neighbourhood and they are planning a community wide clean-up event this spring

Our INDULGE committee is gearing up for yet another exciting evening of food, wine and dancing...tickets on sale to members first!

Our Auditor complimented our Association, in particular our Treasurer for maintaining not only an excellent set of books, but also for ensuring that financial controls are in place to manage our budget and finances properly

We e-mail our members on a monthly basis ( members who have not rec’d e-mail updates should contact Victoria directly ) providing them with important updates on all of our initiatives and events

Victoria Morgan, Membership Director membership@southcalgarycommunity.ca

From blockwatch programs to traffic safety, we offer programs to support a safe community. We need your support to create the strong community.

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Get Cash for Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:06:31 -0800

As they watched their utility bills creep ever higher, Chandra and Kalpana Jangam realized they had to make their 31-year-old Calgary house more energy efficient. The question was who could they trust for reliable advice?

Their answer was the ecoENERGY Retrofit program. It offered them the best of all worlds: a professional energy assessment, rebates on energy-efficiency improvements, significant long-term savings on utility bills and substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Operating since April 2007, Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) ecoEnergy Retrofit program offers grants to residential property owners who improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. To qualify for the grants, homeowners must take these three steps:

have a licensed, independent energy advisor do a detailed energy evaluation of your home;
undertake one or more approved energy-efficiency upgrades;
have the energy advisor do a follow-up evaluation to verify the upgrades and help you apply for any grants.

Grant amounts are tied to the energy efficiency of specific upgrades. Examples include $30 for a window replacement, $50 for a low-flow toilet replacement, up to $500 for a high-efficiency furnace and up to $600 for significantly improved attic insulation. For a detailed list of available grants visit the NRCan website.

The ecoENERGY Retrofit homeowners’ program is available for existing, low-rise residential properties, including single detached and attached homes (e.g. row housing, duplexes and triplexes) and small multi-unit residential buildings. Newly-built homes occupied for less than six months are not eligible, nor are any energy-efficiency upgrades started prior to an initial energy evaluation.

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN

Altadore Home for Rent

Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:02:21 -0800

Links

Rent or Rent to Own

Photo Gallery

Description

Wonderful main floor home in Altadore, SW, Calgary, AB with fantastic back yard. Features private entrance, 2BR, 5 appl. Shared yard with barbeque area and hot tub. Just blocks from River Park, pools, tennis courts, bike path and shopping in Marda Loop. You'll love this place. Shared laundry with basement tenant. 60% utilities. Contact Duane 403-695-6936. Sorry no smokers, small pet considered. Landlord will consider rent to own on this property. Please visit http://tinyurl.com/7rqz7r or www.calgaryhomeowner.com for details. For more photos visit: Slideshow http://tinyurl.com/887lqa

Features

Bedrooms:	2
Bathrooms:	1
Parking Spaces:	1
Year Built:	1950
Subdivision:	Altadore
Lot Size:	50x130
Garage Size:	Double oversized
School District:	www.cbe.ca.ca
Square Footage:	990
Agent Name:	Bryon Howard
Broker:	ReMax House of Real Estate

vFlyer Id: 2078736

Bryon Howard

ReMax House of Real Estate

Calgary, AB

For a free maket evaluation visit http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?ACJ2B351Q3YN