Calgary 7th most Livable City!
The Economic Intelligence Unit's 'Global Livability Index' ranks Calgary as the second most livable city in North America, just behind Vancouver. And we're the 7th most livable city on the entire planet!! The EIU ranked 173 cities across five broad categories: stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Access to health care, amount of green space, cultural and sports activities, crime rates and infrastructure are some of the factors considered in the rankings. Calgary's overall score improved from 2022 but we still dropped from last year's #3 ranking. The city received perfect 100% scores for stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. AND no country can top Canada when it comes to the most liveable cities, with Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto all ranking in the top 10. Every year these rankings come out and every year it's remarkable to learn that Calgary is amongst the very best places on earth to live. That's worth celebrating!
How to Build a Frank Lloyd Wright-Inspired Home
When it comes to high-end homes, Frank Lloyd Wright’s name comes up often as one of the greatest architects that ever lived. His homes have stood the test of time and are protected and visited by design fans every day. If you’re looking to incorporate his unique style into your home, here’s where you should begin. Use stained glass throughout. Wright is known for using stained glass to create unique homes that are still beloved today. His Robie House recently reopened after an $11 million restoration project that brought it back to it’s original 1910 glory. The home is considered the finest example of his Prairie School architectural style, with its wrap-around leaded art glass windows. Feature open floor plans. He made open floor plans what they are today, so a home inspired by his design philosophy would have to feature the same. Spaces should integrate simply from one room to the next, using furniture to separate the space rather than walls. Big windows that show off the natural surroundings are also important. Integrate the design with nature. Many of his most beloved designs prominently feature nature built into the exteriors and interiors. Maybe his most famous, the masterpiece ‘Fallingwater’ is a home in Pennsylvania built on top of a waterfall. Consider how you can incorporate nature directly into the architecture of the home. Use organic architecture. Wright coined the term ‘organic architecture’ to describe his preference for using natural materials such as stone and wood, to create a harmonious home that works with nature instead of against it. Find an architect who specializes. If you’re really looking for a Wright-inspired home, you can’t use just any high-end architect out there. Wright’s design principals are entirely unique, so your best bet is to find an architect who specializes in his style of design and who has made homes you love before.
7 Tips for Selling a Unique Home
When you bought your home, it might have been its uniqueness that beckoned you to sign on the dotted line. If you decide to sell a home with unique features it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Making your one-of-a-kind home shine may help other Canadian homebuyers see what you saw. Here are seven things that may help your REALTOR® to put that sold sign up sooner rather than later. A drone‘s eye view. Taking aerial photos of your home gives buyers a new perspective. If your property sits on an impressive chunk of land, this is the perfect marketing tool. For example, if you’ve got a lot of trees on your property or it overlooks a river or sits on a ravine, these are things an aerial shot would be able to showcase. Use the right marketing to entice the right buyers. Since your home is unlike others, you’re looking for a certain buyer who will appreciate the home’s distinct aspects. With the help of your REALTOR®, you may wish to think about who those buyers might be. Sweeten the incentives. You might want to consider throwing in some extras when you’re selling. Leaving that large, flat screen TV, the appliances, or even offering an exotic vacation to the buyers may help you to get a deal closed. Emphasize the best qualities. Rather than focusing on what some would perceive as negatives, focus on what’s great about your home. If you’ve got some tight spaces, take the focus off them and highlight those areas which are light and airy. What’s terrific about your home? Make that the showpiece of your marketing. Back up the price with an appraisal. Canadians love getting a deal. They love knowing what they’re purchasing is worth it and maybe worth even more than the money they’re laying down. An appraisal may do that. Professional home staging. Having your home staged by a professional may change its look completely. Have someone come in who can look at it with a new perspective and concentrate on the buyer demographic. Statistics show homes that have been staged sell quicker and for, or above, asking price. Pay special attention to landscaping. When your home has a unique floorplan, making the exterior look as attractive as possible is a bonus. You might even want to shell out some well-spent dollars and get a professional landscaper to plant some flowers and shrubs and to keep the lawn green and mowed.
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