Here's a great article about how Calgary is "a 'bright spot' for investing" for Canadians and in fact those around the world.

We have a balanced economy, political stability, the three things the world wants - Food, Fuel and Fertilizer, and all of the economic fundamentals show that Calgary will be a shining star for years to come.


Here's the article, with the original here;

There may be economic uncertainty in other parts of Canada and the world, but Calgary continues to be an attractive place for investors.

Statistics compiled by commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis indicate Calgary is well on its way to surpassing last year's real estate investment sales volume.

CBRE's second quarter 2008 report says investment sales volume year-to-date was $1.65 billion, compared to $2.2 billion for all of last year.

The numbers show "continued investment confidence" in the Calgary real estate market, said Bruce Irvine, vice-president of business development and retention for Calgary Economic Development.

There are two main reasons for that, he said.

First, the fundamentals of Calgary's economy remain strong.

Second, with the greater economic uncertainty in the world, Calgary remains a "bright spot" for investing.

The CBRE data show year-to-date sales in Calgary have already surpassed investment sales for all of 2003 ($954.5 million), 2005 ($1.5 billion) and 2006 ($1.6 billion). In 2005, the total was $1.8 billion.

The data also shows a good balance in investment sales throughout different types of real estate product, said Irvine.

There is "clearly great interest in all elements," he said, adding CBRE's numbers indicate this is a story about Calgary as a whole and not any one particular segment.

Year-to-date investment sales by property type were split between retail (20 per cent), downtown office (20 per cent), land (19 per cent), industrial (19 per cent), suburban office (16 per cent) and multi-family (six per cent).

This shows a "healthy and balanced offering across all segments," Irvine said.

Some of the increasing investment volume can be attributed to inflation, said Todd Hirsch, senior economist at ATB Financial. "Alberta is a great place to invest and a great place to do business and that's reflected in the investment numbers," he said.

He said Alberta and Calgary, right now, have the "mojo" and the province is a "strong economic engine of growth. It's got the momentum on its side and investors respond to that."

Greg Kwong, the managing director for CBRE in Calgary, said the total value of investment is bigger this year because the value of properties has risen.

"Very definitely Alberta is the shining star relative to other areas of Canada" said Kwong.