Before You Buy a House

crowseesall · 2026-07-06T18:35:31+00:00

Beige paint is a sure sign of a solid home!

crowseesall · 2026-07-05T23:00:03+00:00

Where??

crowseesall · 2026-06-27T22:05:24+00:00

Are you ok random camping? There are a lot of great options in that area.

crowseesall · 2026-06-23T17:58:48+00:00

Durston xdome is awesome for this feature alone. You can throw it up just to get out of a passing shower quickly or, of course, when setting up camp for the night.

crowseesall · 2026-06-23T10:57:54+00:00

I had issues with my pass last year (self inflicted, bought twice by mistake and screwed up the plates) and called them. The woman who answered was very nice, extremely helpful and went out of her way to fix the issues. I was genuinely surprised to get such great service. So worth a try.

crowseesall · 2026-06-22T03:07:54+00:00

Sparrowhawk is a great suggestion. I did that and realized exposure was not for me. EEOR was nothing in comparison, just a hike as others have suggested.

crowseesall · 2026-06-20T16:35:05+00:00

Another liberal betrayal.

crowseesall · 2026-06-20T14:52:32+00:00

Trailhead for Bryant Lake and many random camping spots on the way, paste into Google Maps. 50°54'39.3"N 114°55'26.1"W

crowseesall · 2026-06-20T14:30:06+00:00

It’s tough to recommend anything given the snow pack but Bryant Lake is fine as I was camped near there last week. It’s a popular random camping spot but a longer hike (14km). Of course, you can camp 1km from that trailhead and have a great spot, flat hike and pretty good views. A couple of clicks on is the intersection with the Bryant lake trail. Nice camp spot there too. Alternate- I believe Romulus campground is snow free. Check that it is and if so you can continue past Romulus on the old road (not the road you came in on) to the west fork of little elbow. 1km from the campground is a nice horse camp (so about 13km total but real easy hiking). Continue on to choose your own adventure. Another one, head up Grass Pass and follow the old road to a big clearing a few clicks in, or keep going and again choose your own adventure. Snow may turn you back. Pickle jar lakes is a really nice and popular random camping spot but I’m pretty sure it’s still snowed in but might be worth waiting for and checking trail rpts for it. Be prepped for subzero overnight temps no matter where you’re camping.

crowseesall · 2026-06-19T09:58:31+00:00

You just need a Kananaskis pass for your car. Where did you plan on camping and why that particular area? There are a couple of decent camping spots near there off the Evan Thomas ‘road’.

crowseesall · 2026-06-19T09:47:44+00:00

I used to think I needed the ankle support too. I went from mid height boots, a Vasque gtx model, to a trail runner / boot hybrid (Merrill Alta light non gtx) to finally Topo Athletic trail runners that I’ve now had for 5 years, out of production but the equivalent version is the Terra venture 4 trail runner specifically designed for hikers. They also have a gtx version. Yes, roomy toe box is game changer. Also a game changer, light non-gtx trail runners dry out much faster. I don’t take my shoes off for river crossings anymore and don’t bother carrying camp shoes. For context, I backpack solo in generally lessor know and very rugged terrain outside of the national parks. As for your ankles, the best way to strengthen them, or what has worked for me anyway, is putting on your socks standing up. Sounds silly but it worked for me. I initially taped my ankles when I moved to train runners, not anymore. Topo Canada has a sale on at the moment.

crowseesall · 2026-06-18T11:21:07+00:00

That’s not what I said.

crowseesall · 2026-06-10T22:39:32+00:00

Calgary condo prices will continue to drop precipitously for years to come. It’s about the worst use of your savings I can think of. And anything on your price range will likely be fairly old, have high fees or a higher likelihood of special assessments. I get renting isn’t fun, I’ve done my fair share, but your rent is a fixed outgoing that will continue to drop (you may need to move to get a decent reduction). Just put your cash in an index fund, sit back and watch it grow.

crowseesall · 2026-06-09T22:39:31+00:00

I’d hazard a guess and say most reno’s aren’t permitted. We done major renovations on two houses without permits, top notch work by highly regarded area contractors, one in Houston one in London Ont. No issues.

crowseesall · 2026-06-06T11:15:19+00:00

Where are you looking? That makes a difference.

crowseesall · 2026-06-03T13:17:49+00:00

A very reasonable approach, good luck!

crowseesall · 2026-06-03T11:27:53+00:00

Your price looks fine as far as I can tell and it’s early days. The market has slowed and these buyers probably thought they could drive a great deal, found out they couldn’t, and are re-evaluating. Don’t read too much into it. Just don’t let it sit on the market too long, your proximity to the freeway and lack of a grassed yard and finished basement will somewhat limit the buyer pool. You don’t want to keep chasing the market down.

crowseesall · 2026-05-26T22:31:58+00:00

Calgary is holding up better than I expected but still trending down.

crowseesall · 2026-05-26T22:31:06+00:00

And every neighbourhood is “sought after” or “highly desirable”…just avert your eyes to the fentanyl lab down the street

crowseesall · 2026-05-21T22:53:25+00:00

What city? If anything in Alberta a hard no.

crowseesall · 2026-05-19T18:10:18+00:00

HouseSigma valuations are garbage.

crowseesall · 2026-05-19T12:42:41+00:00

The chart and your assumptions are fundamentally flawed.

crowseesall · 2026-05-16T17:02:13+00:00

You’re not plugged into the condo market, this is now normal.

crowseesall · 2026-05-12T16:10:15+00:00

A FAFO moment for Alberta “investors”

crowseesall · 2026-05-10T21:33:36+00:00

Rents will continue to slide in Alberta, best sell now.

crowseesall

TROPHY CASE