Michael's Corner: Calgary Real Estate Advice & Analysis

Cochrane vs Airdrie vs Chestermere: Which Calgary-Area Commuter Town Is Right for You?

Photo: Bythelake10, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Michael Smith, Michael Smith TeamLast updated: September 2026 Cochrane, Airdrie and Chestermere each sit outside Calgary and set their own tax rate. As of September 2026, the Town of Cochrane says about 35 minutes to downtown and the City of Ai

Can You Get Insurance and Financing for a Calgary Home With Poly-B Pipes or Knob-and-Tube Wiring?

Photo: Blahedo, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons Michael Smith, Michael Smith TeamLast updated: September 2026 Michael Smith Team is a real estate brokerage. We are not an insurer, a lender or a licensed electrician or plumber. Nothing on this page is insurance, financing or legal advice. Always

How Do You Negotiate a Condo Price in Calgary's Buyer's Market?

Photo: Silver Dovelet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Michael Smith, Michael Smith TeamLast updated: September 2026 In case you're wondering if the rumors are true? Yes, right now Calgary's condo market favours buyers. The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) reports buyer-market conditions for apa

How Do Calgary Closing Costs Compare to BC and Ontario?

Photo: David Vincent Villavicencio, via Pexels Michael Smith, Michael Smith TeamLast updated: September 2026 Moving from BC or Ontario? Here's the closing-cost number that changes the most: Alberta charges no land transfer tax at all. Instead, Calgary buyers pay smaller Alberta Land Titles registrat