With warm weather around the corner it’s a great time to find out of the box outdoor activities to try out. Horseback riding is a great way to relax, reconnect with yourself and nature, and try something new and exciting. Many people find horseback riding therapeutic, which is a perfect change for most peoples hectic lives. We have put together a list of Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Trail Riding Tours in the Calgary Area. This list will show the company’s rank, location, as well as a blurb the company has written about themselves.

Ensuring that your child has the best education and opportunities possible is always at the forefront of every parent’s mind. Setting up your child for success often starts with finding the right school. This is why Luxury Infills has prepared a list of the highest performing schools in Calgary that you should consider when moving your family into a new home. In accordance with the Fraser Institute's findings, the following schools have been ranked according to their score on a scale from 1 to 10, based upon their provincial achievement testing results. 

The Top 15 Elementary Schools in Calgary:

Choosing your child’s first school can be difficult, afterall elementary schools set the foundation and building blocks of work ethic, morality, and individuality at a very young age. You are entrusting teachers not only to care and encourage your son or daughter, but to teach them the grounds of responsibility, integrity, compassion, and kindness. Get your child started on the right foot with the right learning environment which will help them learn and grow.

1. Master’s

Score: 10

Type: Palliser Division

Ward: 8 

Neighbouring Communities: Garrison Woods, Currie Barracks, Lincoln Park

2. Renert

Score: 10

Type: Private

Ward: 1

Neighbouring Communities: Royal Oak

3. Webber

Score: 9.9

Type: Private

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: Aspen Woods

4. Rundle College

Score: 9.7

Type: Private 

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: St Andrew’s Heights, Parkdale

5. Sunalta

Score: 9.6

Type: Public

Ward: 8

Neighbouring Communities: Walk Zone Map - Sunalta, West Village, Scarboro 

6. Holy Name

Score: 9.4

Type: Separate

Ward: 8

Neighbouring Communities: Glendale, Killarney, Glenbrook, Rutland Park

7. Bearspaw Christian

Score: 9.1

Type: Private 

Ward: 2 

Neighbouring Communities: Glacier Ridge, Nolan Hill

8. St. Joan of Arc

Score: 9.1

Type: Separate

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: Wentworth, West Springs

9. Clear Water

Score: 9.0

Type: Separate 

Ward: 8

Neighbouring Communities: Currie Barracks, Garrison Woods

10. Calgary French & International

Score: 8.9

Type: Private 

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: Cougar Ridge, Medicine Hill, West Springs, Patterson

11. Menno Simons Christian

Score: 8.9

Type: Palliser Division

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: Springbank Hill, Signal Hill

12. Calgary Christian

Score: 8.7

Type: Palliser Division

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: Glendale, Glenbrook, Signal Hill

13. Father Doucet

Score: 8.7

Type: Separate 

Ward: 13

Neighbouring Communities: Shawnessy, Millrise

14. Dr Roberta Bondar School

Score: 8.7

Type: Public

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: Walk Zone Map - Aspen Woods, Strathcona Park

15. Altadore

Score: 8.6

Type: Public

Ward: 8 

Neighbouring Communities: Walk Zone Map-Altadore, South Calgary, North Glenmore Park

The Top 15 Secondary Schools in Calgary:

As your kids get older, it’s imperative that you find them a well-equipped school to help usher them into adulthood and prepare them for university or college. These learning environments should be able to bring out the creativity and individuality of your child and give them opportunities to excel within their studies and self expression. This is also their first introduction to society and where they fit in. Educators are tasked with fostering your children with good work ethic, ambition, and innovation that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. 

1. Renert School

Score: 10.0

Type: Private

Ward: 1

Neighbouring Communities: Royal Oak

2. Rundle College

Score: 10.0

Type: Private

Ward: 8 

Neighbouring Communities: Aspen Woods, Strathcona Park, Springbank Hill

3. Webber

Score: 10.0

Type: Private

Ward: 6

Neighbouring Communities: Aspen Woods

4. West Island College

Score:  9.8

Type: Private

Ward: 11

Neighbouring Communities: Fairview, Fairview Industrial, East Fairview Industrial

5. Foundations of the Future

Score: 9.4

Type: Charter

Ward: 7 

Neighbouring Communities: Montgomery, University District

6. Clear Water

Score: 9.1

Type: Separate

Ward: 8 

Neighbouring Communities: Currie Barracks, Garrison Woods

7. Bearspaw Christian

Score: 9.1

Type: Private

Ward: 2 

Neighbouring Communitie: Glacier Ridge, Nolan Hill

8. Master’s College

Score: 9.0

Type: Palliser Division

Ward: 8 

Neighbouring Communities: Currie Barracks, Garrison Woods

9. Western Canada

Score: 8.8

Type: Public

Ward: 8

Neighbouring Communitie: Walk Zone Map - Sunalta, Beltline, Bankview

10. Calgary Academy Collegiate

Score: 8.8

Type: Private

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: Aspen Woods, Springbank Hill

11. Westmount

Score: 8.8

Type: Charter

Ward: 8

Neighbouring Communities: University Heights, St. Andrews Heights

12. Ernest Manning

Score: 8.7

Type: Public

Ward: 6 

Neighbouring Communities: Walk Zone Map - Springbank Hill, Signal Hill

13. Sir Winston Churchill

Score: 8.4

Type: Public

Ward: 4

Neighbouring Communities: Walk Zone Map - Brentwood, Dalhousie, Edgemont

14. Rundle’s College Academy

Score: 8.4

Type: Private

Ward: 8

Neighbouring Communities: Altadore, Garrison Woods

15. Dr. E. P. Scarlett

Score: 8.0

Type: Public

Ward: 13 

Neighbouring Communities: Walk Zone Map - Canyon Meadows, Southwood, Woodlands

Finding the Right Neighbourhood for your Family

Finding the right school for your child may be difficult but finding the right family home can be even harder! There are so many considerations that go into buying a home; square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, neighbourhoods, school catchment areas, garage space, materials, age, and price. This is a lot of information to digest all at once. The housing process can be long, arduous, and stressful but it doesn’t have to be. Local real estate expert and industry leader, Kamil Lalji, is a compassionate professional who will get you the best deal on your new home. He’s an excellent negotiator who always brings his clients’ best interests to the table on every transaction. Through his real estate brand, Luxury Infills, he specialises in high-end, single-family homes located in the best neighbourhoods in Calgary. Him and his team provide home buyers and sellers concierge-like service while guaranteeing peak satisfaction and results. 

If you’re considering moving, contact Kamil Lalji today to get started on the home buying and selling process.

The commercial real estate and housing markets move in a four-phase wave pattern known as the real estate cycle. Recovery, expansion, hyper-supply, and recession are the 4 phases of the real estate cycle. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, real estate investor, landlord, or real estate agent, knowing the real estate cycle will help you forecast future trends and make wise financial decisions.

The Origin

The term initially appeared when experts started researching housing market movements about a century ago. The federal government's regulation of national policy over the past few decades has led to a gradual evolution of the real estate cycle into the four stages we now know. Different real estate experts can utilize this cycle to forecast the ideal moment to buy, hold, or sell. Investors frequently use the real estate cycle, but it may also be helpful to agents, buyers, tenants, and others in the industry.

Phase 1: Recovery

The real estate cycle is circular; hence the recovery phase comes after the recession, even though the recovery phase is frequently referred to as the first phase. Since the vast majority of the public will still suffer from the impacts of a recession and have a gloomy outlook, identifying the cycle's recovery phase can be complex. To determine when the recovery cycle has started, experts look at trends like steady occupancy rises or increased demand. Investors in real estate must pay close attention to this stage and take immediate action when signs of recovery appear.

During this phase, many property owners will suffer from economic distress and may decide to sell their assets at a bargain. In order to take advantage of this recovery phase, investors tend to acquire these bargain-priced assets and hold them for future capital gains after the recovery phase is over. This is a great time to seize properties listed below market value. 

Additionally, many investors implement the value-add approach to boost capital gain. The value-add strategy is when investors decide to renovate and upgrade their properties to add more value. Although risky, both methods can be advantageous, especially as market rent increases, which accelerates after the economy enters the expansion phase.

Phase 2: Expansion

The general public's confidence in the economy will start to recover during the expansion phase. As a result, there will be greater demand for homes and other spaces, rising occupancy rates and rental prices. Furthermore, there will be a steady increase in job growth and new real estate developments.

As prices and rents peak in this period, investors who purchased properties at a bargain during the recovery phase can collect their capital gains by selling those assets now. Interest rates will presumably be low, and funding will be easily accessible because of the positive economic sentiment. Strong leasing momentum can help investors achieve their targeted returns; therefore, many will take advantage of the low-cost financing and spend their time and energy constructing or renovating properties. Considering that there is a less perceived risk during the expansion phase, this is also a suitable period to obtain value-added investment properties.

Phase 3: Hyper Supply

The hyper-supply phase commences when demand and supply no longer are in equilibrium, and the supply exceeds demand. The enthusiasm to develop or redevelop properties has caused an oversupply in the market, and the prices gradually start to decrease due to insufficient demand. Strong economic factors may cause rental rates to remain high, but vacancy rates will increase. As long as market inventory is high, the growth in new developments will gradually decline. 

During this phase, some investors with short-term holding objectives may be eager to sell because they are worried about the approaching recessionary phase. To survive the following stage, one must adopt an opportunistic approach. Many investors implement the buy and hold approach. Locating properties that could withstand the impending storm, then selling them when the storm has passed, and the timing is appropriate, is a common and effective strategy. 

Before the economy eventually enters the recession phase, the hyper-supply period often lasts for a very long time.

Phase 4: Recession

The early 2000s severe financial crisis, followed by a protracted recession, left the entire country in chaos for several years. During a recession, the supply of available properties outweighs the demand, which causes a sharp decline in real estate prices. The majority of landlords will experience difficulties due to increased vacancy rates, decreased rents, and a decline in rental income. The economic downturn will also result in higher unemployment rates, and tenants may seek rent breaks or reductions to stay. Consequently, some landlords are obliged to offer lower rent in an attempt to attract or keep tenants who are also experiencing the effects of the recession. 

Investors can benefit from the low real estate prices during a recession and purchase homes at a bargain. Due to a lack of market liquidity and demand, investors should be aware that this phase is considered high-risk and will likely have to wait for a considerable and indefinite length of time until property values reach a peak. 

Once the downturn has passed, the real estate cycle circles back, and the market starts to recover and eventually expand.