April 20, 2017 | Andrea Cox

In the Loop

Homebuyer finds the perfect mix of location and amenities in Calgary's Marda Loop neighbourhood.

Buying a home is a very personal endeavor as Carolyn Kemp can attest. For the past few years, she was considering making the move from Edmonton to Calgary to be closer to family and friends. She'd grown up in Calgary, so she was familiar with the city and what it offered. After searching for almost year, she knew within a minute of walking through the door of a bright and sunny three-level townhome in Marda Loop it was the place she wanted to call home.

CREB®Now: What were some of the qualities that you were looking for in a home?

Kemp: Location was really important. I knew that I didn't want to be in the suburbs. I wanted a home that was centrally located, but not right downtown. I wanted a place where I could walk to the shops and where I could run along the trails.

Location was really important. I knew that I didn't want to be in the suburbs. I wanted a home that was centrally located, but not right downtown. I wanted a place where I could walk to the shops and where I could run along the trails.

I knew of River Park because when I would come to visit my mom in Bayview, I would run along the reservoir trail, which leads right to the back side of River Park.

I was also quite specific in what style of home I wanted. It had to be a townhome or condo, not a single-family home. I really didn't want to be shoveling snow and I didn't want a basement. It had to feel spacious with two bedrooms and a couple of bathrooms. It was also really important to have outdoor space, but not a patio right on the street, like so many of the homes in Marda Loop. And it had to be close to workout facilities.

CREB®Now: What steps did you take to assist you in finding the right home?

Kemp: I hired a REALTOR®, a family friend to help me. I looked for over a year. Probably all in, I toured close to 50 homes, but nothing felt right. And then I was having coffee with a girlfriend at the Starbucks on 14th Street and I mentioned to her about an open house in Marda Loop and she said, "Oh, can I come with you?" So we went and I walked through the door and thought: this looks pretty good. It had all of the must-haves. It's close enough to the action, but it's not on the main street. It's really light and bright (and) there is an attached garage. I'm usually terrible at making decisions, but I just knew that I wanted this place. I had the feeling.

CREB®Now: Would you hire a realtor again? How was the process?

Kemp: Yes, I absolutely would hire a Realtor again. The buying procedure was really great. And I am in the process of selling my condo in Edmonton, too. The Realtor there is so good - he was recommended by my Realtor in Calgary. He checks my place every 48 hours. He will check if the water needs turning on or off; he turns down the heat if needs be and tells me if there is mail. It's fantastic.

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