Carstairs Homes Report - January 11/2009

Landowners and County Officials at Wit’s End

Myron Thompson, spokesman for the Rural Roots Association, says the association is hopeful that the Municipal Affairs Minister will order a review of Mountain View County.

The county and the land owner group have been battling for months over spending decisions, landowner’s concerns and trying to change bylaws regarding the development of the land.  Landowners say that the county is trying to reduce rural landowners’ property rights.

Over 2,000 citizens signed petitions which were presented to Danyluk last month.  The petitions called for the firing of the senior planning staff.  They say they want a change in direction because no one is happy with the direction the county is trying to lead landowners.

The spokesman also said that the association has some more plans to demand cooperation from county officials, but he said he must keep the plans private for the time being.  Municipal Affairs says that they will look over the petitions and decide if there are enough unique signatures to make the petitions legitimate.

Carstairs Real Estate Report - December 10/2009

Robbery at Carstairs Mac’s Esso

Carstairs Mac’s Esso convenience store was robbed a few days ago, in the middle of the night.  The suspect used a screwdriver as a weapon, and he threatened the cashier and demanded money.  There was also a second suspect, police explain.

The RCMP is pursuing the suspects, and the Police Sargent explains that the clerk confronted the man with the screwdriver, which prompted a second man to enter the store.  After the two suspects forced the clerk to hand over some cash and cigarettes, the men fled the scene of the crime.  They were believed to be in a light-colored, half-ton truck.

Both suspects are described as young, Caucasian males in their early twenties.  On man wore a black, hooded-sweatshirt and green winter-coat, and the other suspect was dressed in black pants, black jacket, with grey sleeves.

Didsbury RCMP hopes that anyone with information regarding the crime will contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Carstairs Property Report - November 26/2009

Water Prices Deter Over-Consumption

The town of Cochrane has found a way to significantly conserve residential water use through a pricing system that charges higher prices per gallon of water in relation to how much water the household uses.

For example, the residents who use large amounts of water in relation to the town’s average consumption are charges more than double the price per gallon.  The pricing structure sends a clear message to residents that water waste is expensive and should be avoided.

The town recently announced that is has seen a 24% reduction in the its average water use since the price structure was introduced four years ago.  The town of Cochrane also passed a law requiring all new homes and buildings be built with dual-flush toilets and low-flow taps.

Calgary is taking even more steps to solve the problem with water consumption by implementing a strong, universal system of tracking the water through high-tech meters.  The plan calls for every home and building in Calgary to have a meter installed by 2014.

The city plans to accommodate 30% more residents between 2003 and 2033 with out using any more water than its residents presently consume.

Carstairs Homes Report - November 4/2009

House Flipping How To’s

Are you in the market to resell your Home then you will need to consider these house flipping how To’s. There are many things that you need to know when you go into the market to flip your house.

Do paint

This is one of the easiest things that you can do to prepare your house. Let’s face it a scuffed wall can ruin the sale of a home. Even if the walls are not in need of painting it is a good idea to slap a fresh coat of paint on the walls.

Don’t do any major renovations

Of course you need to pretty up your property, however you do not want to overdo things. There is no need to spend huge money in hopes of trying to make huge money on the flipping of your house. Many people make the mistake of pouring in thousands of dollars in an effort to make their home more attractive, there is no need for this just do the basic upkeep to make it sell able.

Do clutterbust

Let the beauty of your home shine through Get rid of excess furniture that is just in the way. You want potential buyers to see the house not the household goods, after all it is the house you are selling.

Don’t make a bad first impression

This is your one shot to sell a potential buyer on your home, you don’t want to blow it by not having a goo firs impression. A buyer will within the first few minutes decide if they are interested in the house or not. Make sure everything is in place, make sure the house is clean and very presentable.

These are just a few of the things that you need to keep in mind when trying to sell your flipped house. This will go a long way in trying to help you decide which things will and won’t sell your house. In the end I hope that you get every penny that you want from your house.

Carstairs Real Estate Report - October 22/2009

Farmers Now Eligible for Carbon Credits

Alberta farmers are turning an unprofitable agricultural practice into a huge opportunity. Taking advantage of untilled soil, farmers like Bill MacFarquhar are converting crop residue into carbon. This procedure, officially sanctioned by the province, harnesses the trapping of moisture and carbon in soil. By engaging in minimum-till or no-till farming, MacFarqhar’s fields are becoming a huge carbon container, absorbing carbon dioxide emissions and trapping them in the dirt.

MacFarquhar will earn a $1,000 credit for sequestering carbon, but the money is not his only motivation. Farmers have been conserving fields for decades, but this new venture validates their longtime practice. In addition to farms, various businesses and city governments are permitted to receive carbon credits on a number of activities. Money may be earned by way of more efficient road paving, reducing cattle manure production, as well as updating the management of trash at dumps.

Although carbon dioxide containment and reduction is in everyone’s best interest, questions surround the methodology as well as the payment structure. In a report issued this month, Fred Dunn, Alberta auditor general, asserted that precise standards and better reporting are needed to confirm the existence of offsets.

Carstairs Property Report - September 18/2009

RCMP and Sheriffs Working Together

A new pilot program, which began March 16th, has the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and sheriffs working together to curb aggressive driving practices. The program is presently undergoing evaluations to see if their mandate is working and whether to keep the project going.

Initially, there were sheriffs patrolling in the regions of Airdrie, Olds, Whitecourt, and Wetaskiwin. Expansion of the program, however, has led to sheriffs joining with the RMCP in patrolling in Carstairs, Didsbury and Sundre.

Most local officials say having more law enforcement officers on the highways and even in towns have been greatly beneficial. Carstairs’ Mayor Lane Colby says his town lacks a large police force, so with an increase in patrols, he thinks traffic safety should improve. The official consensus is that now local law officers can focus more on prevention and traffic education projects inside their towns, while the RCMP and sheriffs can watch for driving infractions on the government highways. Most officials think that having a greater police presence will also cut down on highway accidents.

Carstairs Homes Report - August 19/2009

Make Sure You Do Your Research Before Hiring To Fix Hail Damage

Many people in the Carstairs area are anxious to start repairing the hail damage done to their homes during the long weekend.  But it’s important to research and make sure you are hiring a professional contractor.  Ever since the storm, local websites and boards have been overwhelmed with ads from companies willing to provide this service.

The old adage applies, if it seems too good to be true it more than likely is.  A jazzed up business card is not as solid as a current license and referrals from past clients.  Some Carstairs residents have had to deal with horror stories already with being victimized by scam artists looking to make a quick buck.  As always, buyer beware!

It’s of definite concern the sudden influx of contractors into the area.  There are two basic guidelines you should always live by when hiring a contractor for work on your home.  Make sure the company can provide references or some sort of history of their services, and always get everything agreed too in writing.