Relocating?

At Property Connect, we have the knowledge and connections to make your move to Calgary as smooth and stress-free as possible.

We know that finding your new home is just one of the many duties that face you when relocating. Our purpose is to coordinate everything efficiently, while you're tending to the final details of preparing to leave your current home.

Calgary is a diverse city with something for everyone.

Though the population has surpassed the 1,000,000 inhabitant milestone, Calgary has a friendly, welcoming ambiance. With an average inhabitant age of 34, our city has a prosperous and youthful feel about it, and is a great place to start or raise a family.

With the mountains just a one hour drive away and meandering parks and pathways within the city, there are countless outdoor activities to enjoy. Whether you like to ski or snowboard in the winter and early spring, or go running and cycling in warmer weather, Calgary has what you need.

Calgary's weather is typically mild with four distinct seasons. We do often get a break from the Canadian winters thanks to a phenomenon called the "Chinook". Chinook is a native word that translates to "snow eater" describing warm air blowing over the Rocky Mountains from the West Coast, melting the snow and giving us a taste of spring in the middle of winter. However, it is also commonplace for Calgary got get light snowfall in May or June, just in time to interrupt your golf game or bar-b-que, though it disappears just about as quickly as it came. Keeping a variety of coats and jackets in the trunk of your car, just in case we get a meteorological surprise may be a good idea.

The city's thriving urban core is vibrant with its modern sky-scraping condominiums, stylish shopping boutiques, world class restaurants, and historic buildings. This is where Calgary's night life sizzles with an array of entertainment options from theater, nightclubs, museums, art shows and festivals of all kinds, and of course, Calgary's Red Mile on 17th Ave S.W.

For those who prefer to live away from the hustle-bustle of Calgary's inner city, there are sprawling, comfortable suburbs with countless new home options to choose from, and luxurious lake communities, some of which give you the sensation of country living, but with all the conveniences of the city at your fingertips.

Last year, with leading oil and energy corporations such as Petro-Canada and Encana relocating their head office's to Calgary, Calgary became the corporate head office capital for western Canada, second nationally to Toronto, Ontario.

Analysts speculate that the hot real estate market of 2006 was perhaps an adjustment period bringing Calgary real estate prices up to where they ought to have been and that we will continue to experience a strong, healthy economy in all areas for many years to come.

If you are relocating from outside of Alberta, you will be happy to know that Alberta's general sales tax was reduced to 6% in 2006, and PST does not apply.  We have a debt-free province, and the Alberta Government passes on the savings to its residents.

Tips to Help Streamline Your Move

  • Get "Change of Address" cards from the post office and send out well before moving day. Especially essential for utility companies final invoices.
  • Have the post office forward your mail to your new address. 
  • Cancel any contracted services and pre-authorized cheques. 
  • Cancel gardening, dry cleaning, newspapers, magazines, diaper and other home services. 
  • Obtain a letter of introduction from your current financial institution to help establish new accounts. Transfer trust or bank accounts and securities. 
  • Cancel or transfer social, athletic, civic, religious or business affiliations and memberships.
  • Arrange for transfer of medical, dental, prescription and optical records.
  • Change the address on your driver's license(s) effective the day of the move. 
  • Collect all items out for cleaning, repair or storage. e.g. fur coats, dry cleaning. 
  • Make special arrangements for the moving of perishables, such as plants. 
  • Make special arrangements for the moving of your pets. 
  • Dispose safely of all flammable liquids as it is illegal for movers to carry them.

Things to do/consider for the move

  • Timeline. How long do you have to find a home? Possession dates are typically 30 days or more, though quicker possessions are possible.
  • We have the knowledge to help make your move smooth and pleasant.
  • What are your needs in a community? Will you be working downtown? Perhaps you may consider buying a home in the inner city to keep commute time to a minimum.
  • Schools? Separate, Public, Charter?  You may want to search school ratings to determine what will be best for your children.
  • What is your wish-list? Imagine what the outcome would be if you were able to wave a magic wand and transport yourself to 3 months after you have settled into your new home. What does it look like? Big yard? View of mountains, a river, a valley or the prairie, or an urban inner city setting? Or perhaps inner city suburbs? Because Calgary has such diverse scenery, any one of these can be yours. By envisioning this and sharing it with us, we can help make these dreams your reality.

Be aware of costs.  GST may apply if you buy a new or extensively renovated home, legal fees/disbursements/title transfer, home insurance, interim financing if your current home has not sold before you have purchased your new home, movers, home entertainment and communication packages (internet, cable, home and mobile phones) - though if your company/employer has asked you to move, they may provide you with an allowance to help offset these costs.

This information is just a primer for you to get thinking about your move. If you need professional help we are just an email or phone call away. Please contact us if you have any questions. Toll free: 1-888-788-4938