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.

Aside from our wonderful vacation cottages, Gleniffer Lake features a number of bare lots designed for couples, families, and retirees who want to visit us in campers and RVs. In recent years, these spaces – which are available by the night, the week, the month, or even the summer – have become a lot more popular…

And I suspect that we’re going to see more RVs than ever this summer.

The high price of fuel is convincing a lot of folks who would otherwise head farther away to set up camp to spend time closer to home. And if history is any guide, most of them are going to love it and decide to stay. After all, why spend weeks – and thousands of dollars – driving throughout Canada and beyond when one of the most beautiful places on earth is only 80 miles from Calgary city limits? Even British Columbia, which is close by RV standards, doesn’t hold a lot of draw when you consider that we have boating, golf, nightlife, and so much more.

Another reason that a lot of RV owners are deciding to stay closer to Calgary and Edmonton is to spend more time with their families who might not have the time or flexibility to travel long distances. It’s not unusual for us to see three, or even four, generations of the same family enjoying the boating or outdoor sports we have at Gleniffer, and the fact that people are taking shorter, more economical vacations probably means those trends will keep up for quite a while to come.

If you haven’t already brought your RV up to Gleniffer Lake for a stay, we invite you to come and try us out – even if it’s just for a few days. We’re betting that once you get a taste of our wonderful setting, and meet the people who make our lake resort community so great, there’s a good chance you’ll decide to stay for the summer. And in that case, you won’t just be saving money… you might also have a better time than you would have thought imaginable!

A common question that comes to me, as the leading realtor for Gleniffer Lake, is whether our properties are actually owned, or if they’re only leased from a third party. So, to clear things up once and for all, let me assure anyone who is interested that all of the real estate you buy here is 100% deeded ownership, which includes both the land you purchase and the buildings on it.

If this isn’t a question or issue that someone has raised with you before, know that it could be more important than you would think. Here’s why: Some resort areas work more like condominiums than actual homes. That is, you might own a house or RV that sits on a property, but when it comes to the actual land itself, that remains the property of the development, company, or municipality.

What does that mean to you, as the vacation homeowner? That for as long as you intend to keep coming back and own property in that location, you are obligated to make regular payments (usually yearly) to the real property owner. Worst of all, most leasing agreements contain a clause that states that you could be removed at the lease holder’s discretion, particularly if they decide to build a different structure on your land.

There are probably times and situations when that kind of arrangement makes sense, but I know I sure feel a whole lot more comfortable knowing that no one is going to pull the land out from under my vacation cottage. So let me reiterate that Gleniffer Lake properties are 100% deeded ownership, and add that development in our area is restricted, meaning that we’ve taken steps to prevent overcrowding and keep our lake resort community at the perfect size.

There are a lot of reasons to choose to purchase real estate in Gleniffer Lake, but one of the biggest is that you can actually make a true purchase here in the first place.

It would be hard not to notice, as the leading realtor in Gleniffer Lake, that rentals of cottages and RV spaces have gotten a lot more popular in recent years. For some, it’s a matter of convenience; we are, after all, only about 75 miles away from both Calgary and Edmonton. For others, however, coming up to the most beautiful part of Alberta for short-term stay is just a way to experience a place they have heard so much about from friends or colleagues.

In most cases, these folks don’t have any intention of actually buying a vacation property around our beautiful lake resort… which makes it ironic that so many of them do.

What happens in between? Is the secret that we slip them some kind of mood-altering tablet, or maybe give them the hard sell on a timeshare presentation? Actually, few things could be further from the truth. I like to hand out literature about the area to men and women who ask for it, but that’s about it. And yet, I get the strange feeling that I’ll be seeing so many of them again soon.

Here’s why: After years of living here myself, I know just how enticing buying a little slice of heaven can be. In fact, that’s how I ended up being the main realtor for Gleniffer Lake – I came up once, and just found it so hard to leave. And why wouldn’t someone love it? Besides the gorgeous Lake, wide open spaces, great summer weather, and huge variety of outdoor activities – including golf and boating, we have some of the best people on earth. From young couples to retirees, the friends you’ll make here will have you coming back time and time again.

So many people who come up to Gleniffer Lake every summer to try one of our rentals tell me they’re “just looking around.” I always let them, even when I know all the reasons they’ll probably change their minds later.

They say most of us don’t really appreciate what we have until it’s gone, and that can certainly be the case when it comes to the vacation days you saved up and a little money that’s been put aside to get away from Alberta for a while.

What will you do for yourself or your family this summer? If you’re like a lot of Canadians we talk to, you might be considering one or more of the following:

• A ten-day trip to Europe, where you’ll try to see as many sites as possible without getting too stressed or going too far over budget
• A short stay down in the States, where getting from one city to another means driving for hours or getting onto an airplane
• Visiting Mexico, where your dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to, and where your airline ticket buys you the privilege of dealing with airport security, customs agents, weather delays, etc.

We could go on and on, but you’re probably starting to sense a theme here. It isn’t that each of these can’t be a wonderful thing to do – they can all be great trips – but that it takes a serious amount of time and money, not to mention a little luck, for them to work out the way you would like. Or, for that same price (and possibly a lot less), you could spend your summer enjoying a relaxed atmosphere with fantastic boating, some of Canada’s best golf, lots of nature and wildlife, and a thriving lake resort community of restaurants, bars, and amenities.

We’ll admit we are biased, but we’ve seen just how visiting Gleniffer Lake – less than an hour and a half from both Calgary and Edmonton – can be a fun, economical, and most importantly, relaxing way for you and your family to spend the summer months. If that sounds good to you, why not visit our website and read a little more?

While Alberta has been collectively groaning under a bit of a late winter this year, the first signs of spring and summer are finally showing up in earnest around Gleniffer Lake. Here are just a few of things I’ve noticed in the past couple of weekends at our lake resort:

-Green grass starting to poke through the ground, as temperatures rise and the sun peeks out from behind the clouds

-Water running from the mountains, bringing the lake levels up and giving the area a warmer feel

-A pair of boats zooming around Gleniffer Lake from a nearby dock, with happy couples and families enjoying the first warm weekends out

-And more calls, showings, and reservations from folks who just can’t wait to come up and enjoy the natural beauty and all-out summer enjoyment of our cottages and RV lots

In other words, it won’t be long now before we’re seeing young teachers out for the summer, families looking to enjoy weekends away from the city, fun-loving retirees who want to spend time with their grandkids, and everyone in between. It looks like it’s going to be another great year up at Gleniffer Lake, so are you ready?

Our gorgeous community, which features some of Canada’s best boating, lots of golf and outdoor activities, and a combination of peace and quiet when you want it and all kinds of nightlife when you don’t, is no longer the “little secret” it used to be. We are less than an hour and a half away from both Calgary and Edmonton, and space in our cottages and vacant lots is limited, so reserve your spot today before someone else does!

There’s nothing quite like a summer weekend – or if you’re lucky, a whole summer – spent in one of the best places on earth, so make this the year you finally find out why.

It’s been a lot of years since I became Glennifer Lake’s unofficial realty specialist, first moving here myself with my husband and then helping others to find their properties in the community, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Besides getting to meet some really fantastic people of all ages, I’ve gotten a chance to play a little part in making vacation and retirement home dreams come true, and even see how the market and business have changed a bit over the years.In fact, one of the recent trends that has surprised me a little has been the growth of rental properties around Glennifer Lake – both for cottages and camping sites.

After working with renters for a few years, however, I can see that it makes perfect sense. For some, it’s a great (and economical) way to get away from city life in Edmonton or Calgary. After all, with a 75 min. drive you can be in the midst of one of summer’s greatest destinations, complete with boating, golf, tennis courts, swimming pools, hot tubs, and all kinds of bars and restaurants.

For others, it’s a chance to “try before they buy.” They may have heard about Glennifer Lake from friends, relatives, or colleagues, but want to spend a few days and nights in the community before they can tell whether or not they’re interested. And that’s to say nothing of the campers, who arrive in their RVs, take in the serene setting, and enjoy however long they can stay with us.

And so, if you’ve been thinking about taking a trip up to see us and staying for a few days, I definitely encourage you to check out the rental properties here on our website. They are available from May through Thanksgiving, and booking any of them is just as easy as making a hotel reservation.

I do offer one word of warning to would-be renters, however. Although we’re happy to have you for a few days, a week, or even a summer, know that there’s a risk involved: More than one renter has fallen in love with our lake resort so quickly that they’ve decided to stay permanently. So watch out, or you could be the next person to change your life and find a little slice of perfection!

There are a million different ways people can dream of spending their golden years, from fishing on lazy afternoons to traveling to beach destinations in the winter. So why is it that Gleniffer Lake attracts so many retirees during the warm Alberta summer months?

Well, it would be tough to speak for all of them, but having gotten to know so many people who live here personally, here are what I consider to be the top five reasons Gleniffer Lake is the perfect spot for retirees:
It’s close to their grandkids. We are situated right between Calgary and Edmonton, and less than an hour and a half away from each, meaning that we are close to a lot of kids and grandkids.

The summer weather is perfect. As the saying goes, it’s not too hot and not too cold. With sunny days that warm you without being overwhelming, it’s one of the best places to enjoy a long summer day.

You can enjoy a quiet day, an active one, or both! While this lake resort is a fantastic place to get away from noisy city life, there’s something for everyone to do. Grown-ups enjoy the golf and tennis courts, while kids love our swimming pools, hot tubs, and even boating on the lake. There’s even plenty of family-friendly nightlife.

We have lots of different types of properties available. Everybody’s idea of paradise is different, and so are their budgets and individual needs. From large homes to cottages and even camping spots, we’ve got properties for any retiree looking for the perfect summer spot.

Development is restricted, so you’ll never be too crowded. At Gleniffer Lake, we’ve come to realize that small and personal beats big and crowded every time. For that reason, we restrict new building and development throughout our community, so that our guests can always enjoy their little slice of paradise without having to worry about too many people and crowds.

There are a lot of reasons people of all ages come up to Gleniffer Lake – some of the biggest I detailed in a previous post about what makes Gleniffer Lake so special – but boating remains one of the most popular. For me, it’s easy to understand why: Not only is spending a day out on the lake a fantastic time, but we have what I would consider to be the best boating area in all of Alberta.

How can I make that claim? Here are a few of the reasons:

We have an accessible location. Given that you can drive here in under 90 min. from either Calgary or Edmonton, it’s tough to think of too many other lake resorts that are as convenient to get to.

Our water is deeper. At more than seven miles wide and 90 feet deep, we don’t just have one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Canada, but one that offers fewer weeds and obstacles than virtually any other.

Glennifer has less boating traffic. Because building has been restricted in our area to preserve the natural beauty, families who boat enjoy more open space on the water, rather than a crowded and dangerous lake.

We have a lot more than just boating. Whether you’re camping, renting a cottage, or staying for the summer, you’ll want something to do after you tie your boat up on the dock. That’s where our golf courses, swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, and variety of restaurants and bars come in.

There are a lot of great and beautiful places all across Alberta, and some great spots for boating throughout Canada. But if you’re looking for a convenient spot in a natural setting, and one that offers so much more to do with the rest of your time, then you can’t do any better than Gleniffer Lake.

Being that I’m the most prominent realtor around Gleniffer Lake, and this beautiful spot is one of my favorite conversation topics anyway, I thought a great way to start out this blog would be with a few thoughts about why so many of us love it up here.

In other words, I want to answer the one question that might be on a lot of your minds right up front: What’s so wonderful about Gleniffer Lake?

Well, this is a topic I could go on about for hours, but here are a few things anyone thinking about buying a property here – or even just coming up for a visit – should know:

It’s hard to beat the location. Under an hour and a half from both Calgary and Edmonton, we’re just far enough away for you to escape it all, but close enough that it’s easy to drive up for a weekend or a few days.

We have some of Alberta’s best boating. Because our water is deeper, you don’t have to worry about weeds being a problem. Plus, Gleniffer Lake has much less boating traffic than a lot of other recreational properties, meaning you can spend your day having fun, not avoiding other boats.

You can have nature and quiet, or fun and excitement… all in the same day. Where else can you enjoy a serene, peaceful lake setting, and then head out to a variety of restaurants and bars in the evening? Whether you prefer peace and quiet or a little fun on the town, we have something for everyone.

Glennifer Lake has all the resort amenities you could dream of. Golf courses, heated swimming pools, tennis courts, and even hot tubs can be enjoyed by our guests. Whatever you need to relax and kick back, you can probably find it here.

The people make this place special. As great as all of these other things are, what really makes our community special is the people who come to live and visit. From seniors to kids, Gleniffer Lake is the perfect place to make new lifelong friends!