Every year, I talk to people who meant to get up to Gleniffer Lake at least once during the summer – and maybe even buy some summer or vacation property – but couldn’t find the time in their schedules. If you are one of them, then here are seven things you might have missed this summer:

Some of Canada’s best boating. There is a reason that families love to come up here with their boats – our clean, deep, fresh lake is perfect for a day spent on the water.

Cooler weather. Hot weather can seem even worse when you’re stuck in the city. If you haven’t gotten out to feel the fresh air and cool breeze coming off our lake on a summer night, then you don’t know what you’re missing.

Golf and tennis for all skill levels. Whether you dabble or compete, we have some of the very best golf and tennis anywhere in Canada. What summer would be complete without enjoying a bit of the outdoor life?

Leagues for softball and other sports. Want to get out to meet other people, try your luck at a pool table, or just play in a softball league? At Gleniffer Lake, we set up leagues every summer.

A summer of family fun. If you’ve ever wondered what “quality time” really looks like, then come spend a week with your loved ones in our community – you might not ever want to leave.

Neighborhood cookouts and parties. Good friends, great food, cold drinks, and clean air… isn’t that what summers were made for?

Sense of peace and relaxation. If you can’t remember the last time you actually stopped to smell the roses and enjoy your life a little bit, then you probably need to get away bit more. Why not join us next summer at Gleniffer Lake?

I often have long discussions with my real estate clients about the long-term value of investing in Gleniffer Lake properties. For me, being a realtor in this area is a labor of love. Still, I know that many families weigh their decision to buy an Alberta summer property here versus the opportunity to take a long vacation… maybe even the “trip of a lifetime.”

So, a question I sometimes fear is this: Is it better to take a really great vacation, or make an investment in Gleniffer Lake real estate?

Only you can make that decision, of course, but as investments go, I think you could do a lot worse than a Gleniffer Lake property. Here are just a few of the reasons why:

It’s never been a better time to buy. With selling prices in the area down nearly 25%, bargains like this may not come around again in our lifetimes.

The location alone could mean higher resale prices. Being an hour and a half from both Calgary and Edmonton is an enormous advantage that Gleniffer Lake has over other resort areas.

Building is restricted in Gleniffer Lake. We are conscious of the threat of over-development, and so we restrict the number of properties that can be built around the lake.

Gleniffer Lake is a family-friendly environment. This is a place where you can relax by yourself, with your whole family, or even with cousins, grandchildren, and friends.

The natural beauty of Gleniffer Lake is its true value. There aren’t many places in the world, much less Canada, that are so beautiful and relaxing.

In short, I personally feel that buying a property in Gleniffer Lake offers much more than a single vacation ever could. And, by making a great investment, you increase the odds that you can take more dream vacations in the future.

If you’ve never purchased a second home before, then the entire process can feel a bit daunting. More than that, you might not even really know what sort of property you should be looking for in the first place.
After many years helping families to find the right summer real estate in Gleniffer Lake, I’d like to offer a few tips. Here are five things you should definitely look for in a weekend home in Alberta:

A reasonable distance from your main residence. You don’t want to spend your weekends driving endlessly. At Gleniffer Lake, we are lucky enough to be an hour and a half from both Calgary and Edmonton; that means our residents can enjoy their time off, not spend it on the highway.

An area that’s affordable. Obviously, “affordable” can mean different things to different people. Still, it’s a lot easier to enjoy your summer fun if you know you won’t have to stress about paying the bills for later.

Lots of activities for the family. Our community offers golf, tennis, boating, and dozens of other family activities all summer long. Shouldn’t you spend your time having fun and enjoying the great weather?

Investment potential. Although most of our residents keep their Gleniffer Lake weekend homes for a long, long time, it makes sense to think about your financial future just in case. Try to find an area that has good value and potential for future appreciation – if you ever need to sell, you’ll be glad you did.

An environment where you and your loved ones can unwind. Even though I consider this to be the most important, I put it last because it’s something that people looking for a weekend or vacation property sometimes forget. The whole point is to “recharge the batteries,” so to speak, so make sure you find a place that makes you feel calm and happy.

Have other questions about second homes or summer properties in Alberta? Feel free to give me a call or send me an e-mail.

Many people I meet with who consider buying real estate in Gleniffer Lake assume that it is only comfortable to be here for a few months, or half the year at most. What they are often surprised to find however, is that there are actually a handful of people who spend the winter here… and that the winter is not necessarily the way you think it would be.

So what is winter like at Gleniffer Lake?

Well, the first thing you have to know is that it is cold. There is no way around that; like many parts of Canada, we get our share of -30° weather in January and February. Otherwise, however, it simply tends to be quiet and still. That might not be exciting if what you really want to do is spend time boating, or being outdoors with your children, but if you are looking for a chance to come up for a week – or maybe longer – and have things like the pool, hot tubs, and other facilities to yourself, visiting Gleniffer Lake in the winter could be your perfect chance.

Another advantage of this time is that it is perfect for getting away to do some thinking, catching up on work, or doing anything else that requires a little bit of isolation. While there are certainly going to be shops open and a few people around, you probably will not have to go very far to spend some time by yourself, if that is what you are trying to do.

Gleniffer Lake will probably never be very popular in the winter, especially when you think about what kinds of crowds we draw in the summer. Still, if you are thinking that nothing goes on here between October and April, you would be wrong – it could be the perfect place to get away and enjoy some peace and quiet.

As far as Gleniffer Lake real estate goes, the market is hottest when the temperatures are, which is to say that there is more interest during the summer than any other time of the year. That makes sense, as those months are the best for boating, golf, cookouts with your family, and generally spending time with your kids in and around Gleniffer Lake.

Even with that being said however, I have to admit that I am a little excited for fall to come. Why? Because although it might not be as warm and exciting as summer is in Gleniffer Lake, it is still a fantastic time to be up here.

Here are just a few of the reasons why:

The weather is wonderful. Not too hot, not too cold, and with a certain crispness in the air that makes it a joy to be outside, the fall season in Gleniffer Lake is something everyone should get to enjoy at least once.

It is beautiful. Likewise, once the leaves start changing color, there are few places in Canada that look as much like a postcard come to life as our small piece of paradise.

There is a lot of quiet. As wonderful as it is to have all the children and energy around during the summer, fall in Gleniffer Lake is great for just enjoying the quiet and “recharging your mental battery.” If peace and quiet is your thing, make sure to come up for at least a couple of weekends.

The pools, game rooms, and other activities are all still open. Just because it is quieter does not mean there are not things to do. The weather remains warm enough well into October to enjoy the outdoor activities, and the pools, game rooms, and tennis courts are still open.

If you have not tried Gleniffer Lake in the fall, you might not know what you are missing. I encourage you to come up for a weekend in late September or early October and see what I mean for yourself.

With hundreds of happy families enjoying some of Alberta’s best boating, golf, tennis, and outdoor life, it’s not really fair to call Gleniffer Lake real estate a “hidden treasure” anymore. Still, more and more Canadians searching for a summer home or vacation spot have been coming up and pointing out some interesting things to me. They are all impressed with the beauty, family-fun atmosphere, and nightlife, of course, but also the convenience that having a vacation home on Gleniffer Lake brings.

The reason is pretty simple: An investment in Gleniffer Lake real estate is so much more convenient – in terms of time and money – than they are able to find elsewhere. Sure, there are other lakes in Alberta, but how many that are deep enough for boating, allow you to go into the water without getting swimmer’s itch, and lie less than two hours from Edmonton and Calgary? A family can literally finish work and school on a Friday afternoon, and then be settled in by early Friday evening to enjoy a long weekend in the sun and water.

In the past, it wasn’t unusual to hear about people looking for a weekend or vacation properties in places like British Columbia, or even south in the United States. But given that long drives quickly become tiresome, fuel prices are higher than ever, and a trip to the airport is no longer as quick and convenient as it used to be, a lot of these options just don’t make sense anymore. The silver lining, however, is that many of them are discovering that one of Canada’s most pristine and beautiful locations is less than two hours away.

Maybe it isn’t that Gleniffer Lake real estate is actually improving, but that more people are starting to appreciate what’s sitting so close to home.

If you’re interested in Gleniffer Lake real estate, talk to the most knowledgeable and respected agent in the area. Give Diane Bender a call today and find out about lakeside cottages, mobile homes, and RV spaces today!

As August rolls in, the temperatures are rising up here at Gleniffer Lake… and so is the real estate market. Of course, this is a normal phenomenon for this kind of the year – the lake looks so beautiful, the boating is fantastic, and families are having a wonderful time – but buyers seem to have a little extra zip in 2011. There are a lot of reasons we could point to (and I’ll be sure to spell some of them out in an upcoming post), but at the end of the day, this is a fantastic place to be in the summer. Who needs a better reason than that?

For the regular, full-time residents, the spike in interest in Gleniffer Lake properties has meant some new faces and making new friends. For new real estate buyers, and especially those from Calgary and Edmonton investing in a vacation home, it means decades of family fun and enjoyment to come. But what about everyone else, those who are still looking for the right Gleniffer Lake property, or dreaming about having a cottage or RV lot in one of Alberta’s most picturesque locales?

If you fall into one of those groups, my advice would be simple: Don’t wait too long to come see us, or to decide to invest in your vacation or retirement dream. With more and more people taking notice of our wonderful weather and amenities, properties aren’t lasting as long as they used to, and it seems like it’s only a matter of time before real estate prices in the area go up. And most of all, remember that development in and around Gleniffer Lake is very limited. That’s a great thing if you love the summer fun here, but bad news if you’re hoping to get a great property at a low price in the future!

Interested in having a summer home and vacation spot on one of Canada’s most beautiful lakes? Contact Diane Bender, Gleniffer’s number one realtor, today to find out how easy and affordable it is to own a piece of paradise.

We are never running out of new things to do at Gleniffer Lake, and the summer promises to bring more choices than ever. That’s because, in addition to the boating, golf, and nightlife that have made our community so popular with families from Calgary, Edmonton, and beyond, we are adding even more sports to our summer calendar this year.

That’s right: Gleniffer Lake is adding a couple of new teams this summer. First, we are looking for men and women interested in playing baseball on our brand-new diamond. We’ve already got almost a couple dozen players lined up, but are interested in finding more. Once we have a full complement, we’ll set up some games – perhaps one phase against another! – and may even challenge some folks from that other resort across the lake.

We’re also going through the same process to put together a league of pool players for upcoming competitions and tournaments. So, if you’re an ace on the billiards, then come show off your skills to the rest of the Lake Resort. Or, if baseball and pool aren’t the games for you, then know that we’ll still be featuring golf, tennis, and other outdoor activities – including a number of camps and competitions that will run through the summer.

One of the best things about spending the summer at Gleniffer Lake is that there’s always something to do. Whether you feel like having a little bit of peace and quiet or getting out to compete with your neighbors, you won’t have trouble finding what you’re looking for. So, if you haven’t competed in one of our sports leagues in the past, I hope you’ll give it a shot this year. I’m really looking forward to some fun and friendly competition with all of you!

I spend a fair amount time talking about all of the wonderful things I enjoy about living and working in Gleniffer Lake all summer – particularly the boating, golf, outdoor recreation, and big selection of restaurants and bars. It truly is a one-of-a-kind place that brings friends, families, neighbors together.

One thing that I probably haven’t taken enough time to point out, however, is that Gleniffer Lake is a good place to go fishing, too. In fact, it’s not unusual to see all kinds of people casting their rods and throwing their lines into the lake hoping to catch a few fish… and more than a few do.

What kinds of fish can you catch in Gleniffer Lake? I suppose it depends on what you’re looking for. There is a trout pond attached to the lake itself, and it’s stocked with rainbow trout by the Canadian fisheries department. For those looking for quick catch, that’s a great place to start.

In addition, there are all kinds of edible fish that can be caught at the lake resort itself, including some good-sized walleye. While these might not be big enough to attract hardcore sportsman, they can make for a great morning or afternoon of fishing. And best of all, when you’re done you aren’t in an old fishing shack or way out in the wilderness, but surrounded by all the amenities of an Alberta resort. You could even decide to go golfing, play tennis, or spend the day with your family after a few hours spent reeling in fish!

Gleniffer Lake will probably always be known for its other attractions before its fishing, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to catch an our lake trout pond. If you’re looking for great way to spend a few hours peacefully, then why not come give fishing at Gleniffer Lake a try?

The summer is a busy time for Paradise Realty up here in Gleniffer Lake, but this past weekend we took some time out for one of my favorite occasions: the customer appreciation party we throw every summer. As usual, more than 400 people were on hand – men, women, and children of all ages – to enjoy the sun, take in the beauty of the lake, and generally have a good time.

Why do we go to the expense of providing free food, drinks, music, and all kinds of games to people who have bought or rented property from us in the past, along with their friends and family? On the one hand, I suppose it’s probably good business. As the number one Realtor in Gleniffer Lake, it’s always nice to thank all of the people who make our continued business possible.

More than that, though, it’s a chance to catch up with friends and see how they’re doing. If there’s one thing I wish more people understood about the Gleniffer Lake community, it’s that we are just that – a true community. There aren’t as many places around as there used to be where you can wave to your neighbors, have them wave back, or even get into a real conversation about how they are doing. As special as our beautiful lake is, not to mention the boating and recreational activities, that kind of friendship and friendliness is one of the things that I treasure most about being here.

Of course, there are a lot of other things we love, too, and it was great to see so many of our neighbors out enjoying the occasion. From kids enjoying the face painter and balloon artists to the lighthearted games of bocce ball and horseshoes, I’m pleased to say the day was a big success. If you were one of the many who stopped by, let me say once more that it was great to see you, and thank you all for helping us to build such a successful real estate business in Gleniffer Lake.

And if you weren’t here celebrating with us, then I hope next year we’ll be seeing you at our client appreciation party!