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.

I talked to lots of men and women who are excited about the idea of buying a property in Gleniffer Lake, but have trouble making the final decision. After all, it certainly is gorgeous here, but there are also many nice lakes in British Columbia… Not to mention properties down south in the United States that could be warmer in the winter.

I can understand these points, and as the leading realtor in Gleniffer Lake I suppose I am biased, but my real question to them typically comes down to this: do you want a good vacation, or a practical second home?

What I am getting at is that, for all the beauty and wonderful things that come with owning a home in British Columbia, for example, or a nice spot in Arizona, these aren’t usually as practical as people would like to think. They are wonderful places to visit, but do you really want to deal with the travel, expense, and possible tax implications of constantly going back and forth?

When they really examine the issue, many people find that hitting the highway for five hours in each direction from Calgary or Edmonton makes it impossible to visit their “dream” home in British Columbia very often. The same goes for flights – and immigration routines – that accompany property ownership in the United States.

Do you really want to spend seven or eight hours – and pay hundreds of dollars – every time you visit a place you are supposed to be going to relax? Will you really arrive in British Columbia in the right frame of mind to enjoy your weekend, knowing that you still have a 5-hour drive back home waiting for you?

Most of the people I meet with, if they are honest with themselves, do not want to deal with those issues… Especially when great properties in Gleniffer Lake are less than an hour and a half away. It is one thing to enjoy a great vacation somewhere else, but if you are looking for a place you can come every weekend to spend time with your family, then it is hard to beat Gleniffer Lake real estate.