Real Estate Blog

Chances are that heat is escaping from your home. Do you have any idea from where?

Log into the Town of Okotoks website and check out MyHEAT .  Find your home and see what parts of your home are leaking hot air.

Last fall, University of Calgary researchers flew over Okotoks with equipment that captures heat loss from buildings in town.  The results of are now posted and Okotoks biggest energy wasters have been revealed.

The thermal imaging software developed by researchers captured the bird’s eye images last October. The program assigns a Heat Score for each home with a rating between 0 and 100.  The score is reflective of home much heat loss is depicted in the images.

As homeowners will see, many of the structures in Okotoks with the lowest

Do you know what natural gas smells like?  If you think you smell it, do you know how to shut it off?

This week, the Okotoks Fire Department is currently conducting a campaign to educate home owners on the maintenance of gas appliances and prevention of leaks.

Ken Thevenot, the chief of the department for the Town of Okotoks, says that appliances in the home that use natural gas are the primary culprits when it comes to residential gas leaks.

The largest appliances are usually the furnace or boiler and the hot water tank.  Both require regular servicing to work efficiently and for the prevention of gas leaks.

Natural gas actually has no smell.  Gas producers add a minute amount of mercaptan, a naturally-occurring chemical which gives off that

Okotoks businessman and current vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce Andrew Gustafson is set to take the reins on Jan. 20.

Gustafson, owner of Natural High Fitness in Okotoks, says he has several goals when he takes over the two-year position in the town.  He plans on being a voice for business and he’d like to increase membership by at least 5%.

In looking at membership stats, Gustafson says that just one quarter of businesses in Okotoks belong to the Chamber of Commerce.  By increasing that to 30%, he’ll have to convince 100 more businesses to become members.

Gustafson will take over from Amber Chapman during the Chamber’s annual general meeting on Jan. 20. Sara Noyes will be appointed president elect and Joelle Guzzo will become

There were a few challenges in 2015 in Okotoks.  Name one place in Alberta that didn’t have any last year.

But there were many highlights in the Town last year on which to build a prosperous 2016.

Those high points include the development of a much needed regional water pipeline, the proposed construction of a recreation/education campus on the north end of town and continued annexation and growth.

Water for Life

As the town continues to update its water supply with the regional pipeline from Calgary, the biggest challenge has been in working with the provincial government and the continued administration turnover as the party in charge keeps changing.

Since 2013, there have been seven municipal affairs ministers, a revolving door of

Southern Alberta is such a great place to be outdoors in winter.  Regular chinooks blow in and keep air temperatures moderate so you can walk, skate, slide, snow shoe or do some cross country skiing for hours.

Okotoks has fantastic outdoor facilities, starting with pleasure skating downtown.  There’s a cool new rink in Olde Towne Okotoks and another at Seaman Stadium.  Altogether, there are nine pleasure rinks throughout Okotoks and many more boarded hockey rinks in Okotoks communities with flood lights for use after dark (which we all know comes entirely too early).

The recreation department at the Town of Okotoks hopes all residents will use the public rinks and local toboggan hills for fresh air, exercise and winter fun.  Best of all, it’s all

It looks like Christ the Redeemer Catholic School District is going to get a new elementary school in Okotoks very soon.

Negotiations are in the works for available land for a new school.  The district has already established new school boundaries – now all they need is the land upon which to build.

Developers have recently purchased land from the municipality in the D’Arcy and Wedderburn areas and have published concept plans which have made provision for school sites.  The Wedderburn land on the north side of Okotoks is one of the last parcels of undeveloped land within town limits.

If the Town of Okotoks is in agreement and both Christ the Redeemer and the public sector Foothills School Division crunch the numbers in terms of student

The Town of Okotoks and Wind Walk developers have signed a memorandum of understanding which could see the community annexed into the municipality.

Developed by Holmes Group, a company founded by TV contractor Mike Holmes, Wind Walk has been in discussion with the town throughout its short eight-year history.  The major hold up in being absorbed into the town has been a secure water source.

A spokesman for The Holmes Group has indicated that water licenses have been obtained. Alberta Environment has only to sign off on a transfer application.

The primary benefit of annexation is being able to access the town’s water and wastewater systems at some point in the future.

The current understanding is a stop-gap measure before formal annexation

Home owners in Okotoks need to get ready for higher utility bills from the Town next year.

Recycling fees will apply to the new mandatory pick up of organic waste and other recycling beginning Fall 2016.

With fees for waste collection at the town’s landfill operation, the cost will go up by $1 per household beginning this January.

Not everyone will see such a small increase in their waste collection bill.  Those residents of Okotoks who are not registered for the Town’s recycling pick up program may actually see fees double.

Beginning in January, homes already on the roster for curbside recycling pick up will be $20.50 each month for recycling as well as garbage collection.  Those households who not subscribed to this program will have to

Lawn games are a great way to enjoy the warmth of the summer. They give a family a reason to get outside and enjoy time together, as well. Here are some of the top lawn games you can enjoy as a family this summer.

Bean Bag Toss

This game is place with bags on both sides and a board on both sides. The boards can be decorated however you choose and come with a hole in them. Each team tosses the bags trying to land them on the board and through the hole until one team gets to 21 points. This is a fun game for all ages.

Outdoor Bowling

An outdoor bowling set can be quite a bit of fun. Since you don't want to go inside to a bowling lane, you can get an outdoor set and enjoy some fun on your lawn.

Lawn Scrabble

A very fun game that is

Mold and mildew is unsightly, stinky, and most importantly, dangerous. It's crucial to remove mold and mildew as soon as you find it. Here are the best ways to find and remove mold and mildew from your home to get it looking fresh and clean again.

Where to Find Mold and Mildew

To know where to find mold and mildew, you need to know how and why it grows. The best catalyst for mold growth is moisture. So the most likely place it will grow is in your bathroom and basement. Look for any discolorations, such as black spots on tiles. Once you see mold and mildew it is essential to remove it quickly.

So How Do You Remove Mold and Mildew?

The amount of mold determines the best method to remove it. If you see a large amount of mold it is best to call a