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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/2015-03/</link>
        <description></description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/finding-the-best-land-for-sale-in-cochrane.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/finding-the-best-land-for-sale-in-cochrane.html</link>
        <title>Finding the Best Land for Sale in Cochrane</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Land is a great investment. Finding the best land for sale isn’t always easy though. With a little patience and persistence, however, you can find an amazing piece of land to purchase and develop.


When shopping for land you should consider all of the factors that contribute to its value. Unless you are trying to preserve an area, the land should be usable. Avoid pieces of land that contain or are close to potentially hazardous conditions like swamps or flood land. It should be accessible to main roadways. If you plan to put a house on the land, then the various utility companies should be able to run lines to the home so that you can have water, gas, and electricity.


A good way to find land for sale near Cochrane is to hire a real estate agent. An agent has access to a database of listings that can be searched quickly to find available land. This will save you a lot of time. Since a real estate agent can help you negotiate the best price, he can save you a lot of money as well. While there is a commission payment involved, you as a buyer won’t have to pay the fee. Commissions are paid by the seller.


The Internet is another place to look for land for sale in your area. Look through the listings posted online by real estate agents and read through the information. A simple search engine query can uncover the gems hidden in and around Cochrane.


A last option that takes time but can be equally effective is to drive around your city and see what is available. Sometimes you can find land for sale in the most unlikely places.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 20:33:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/restaurant-spotlight-portofino-ristorante.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/restaurant-spotlight-portofino-ristorante.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Restaurant Spotlight: Portofino Ristorante</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Portofino Ristorante has been open in Cochrane for about 10 years. This is an Italian restaurant and one of the top choices in the area for an excellent Italian meal. The comfortable atmosphere is perfect for both family dining and romantic dates.


The Menu


This restaurant has three specific menus: Lunch, Dinner and Dessert. Each is a bit different and provides a great selection of Italian choices.


The lunch menu includes:




Bruschetta


Calamari Arabiata


Cannelloni


Linguini Bescatore


Spaghetti


Salmon


Grilled Beef Fillet


Chicken Parmigiana


Veal Picatta


And More




There are also daily specials for lunch.


The dinner menu includes:




Mussels Calabrese


Escargots della Casa


Minestrone Soup


Seafood Soup


Baked Lasagna


Potato gnocchi


Tortellini


Risotto Rustica


Chicken Lemon Garlic


Grilled Lamb Rack


Sea Bass


And Much More




There are always great specials for dinner, as well.


The dessert menu includes:




Tiramisu


Spumoni


Chocolate Mousse Cake


Zabaglione


Italian Gelato


And More




Some of the desserts have featured flavors, which change with each season.


Along with the great food menu, this restaurant includes an extensive wine selection.


Portofino Italian Ristorante is known in the local area as one of the top choices for Italian cuisine. It's a great place for a romantic date and the ambiance makes it perfect for all types of occasions. You can enjoy holding your event here, celebrating a birthday or just coming out for a good dinner.


Location and Hours


The restaurant is located at 205 1 Street East in Cochrane. It's easy to find and provides a convenient location for residents within the area.


Portofino is open from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to close, Tuesday through Friday. They are also open from 5pm to close on Saturday and Sunday for dinner. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.


If you want to dine at Portofino, reservations are recommended. It's a very popular spot and some nights it can be hard to get in without a reservation.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:14:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/what-will-you-find-at-the-cochrane-movie-house.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/what-will-you-find-at-the-cochrane-movie-house.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>What will you Find at the Cochrane Movie House?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Started in 1998, the Cochran Movie House is a great spot for entertainment. Whether you come for a birthday party, private screening or a regular movie, this is an excellent theater. Here are some of the things you can expect at the movie house.


Doors Open Cochrane


This event is coming up on April 24th and 25th at the Cochrane Movie House. Doors Open Cochrane will allow participants to enjoy a behind the scenes look at movie presentations. Guided tours will be available every 45 minutes on Friday and Saturday.


The events will run from 2pm to 5:30pm on Friday and from 10am to 12pm on Saturday. It's a first come, first serve basis with a maximum of 25 people per tour.


Private Screenings and Birthday Parties


The Movie House provides private screenings for corporate events and private parties. These events can be booked to provide your group to see any movie on the screens with a private experience. The cost varies depending on the movie and the size of your group. You can also include concessions or catering within the package.


Movies


The Cochrane Movie House provides the latest releases on six screens. Whether you're looking for a movie for the family or for a great date night, there's always something good on the screens.


You can enjoy a variety of movie times including Saturday and Sunday matiness and daily times at night.


Tickets


Tickets for regular movies are $13 for adults, $9 for seniors, $9 for children age 3 to 13 and free for children 2 and under. Tuesdays are Hot Ticket Tuesdays and all movies are just $8. If you want to see a 3D movie, tickets are $3 more than a regular movie.


The Cochrane Movie House is found at 218 - 5th Avenue West in Cochrane. The box offices are open from 6pm to 10:30pm, Monday through Friday and from 12pm to 10:30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2015 11:46:00 -0600</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/restaurant-spotlight-mackays-ice-cream.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/restaurant-spotlight-mackays-ice-cream.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Restaurant Spotlight: MacKay's Ice Cream</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
MacKay's Ice Cream is one of the most popular choices in the Cochrane area. It was started back in 1946 when James and Christina MacKay took over the general store. Over the years, the ice cream has expanded and many new flavours have been added to the line-up. Today, the business is in the third generation of the family with Meghan and Mark taking over the business.


Ice Cream Flavours


Many flavours can be found at MacKay's Ice Cream. Some of the flavours are traditions, while others are a bit different. Some of the top flavours include:




Maple Walnut


Strawberry


Chocolate Fudge Chunk


Tiger


Cookies &amp; Cream


Bubblegum


Chocolate


Vanilla




These are certainly not the only flavours offered at the ice cream shop, however. They also offer frozen yogurts, sorbets and other dessert items. Some of the other flavours include:




Haskap Berry


Kulfi


Chocolate Peanut Butter


Black Cherry


Butter Brickel


Coconut Delight


Cafe Columbian


Maple Bacon


And Many More




Some of the flavours are seasonal, while many are available year-round.


Why is it Different?


MacKay's ice cream is different because of the attention to detail during the process. They don't pump in as much air as many others, which gives the ice cream a denser, creamier texture. It's more ice cream per bite, which provides more flavour.


Since they use all fresh ingredients and 100 Canadian cream, the ice cream also provides a better flavour. The higher amount of butterfat in the cream makes the ice cream creamier, as well.


Location and Hours


MacKay's Ice Cream is located at 220 1st Street West in Cochrane. The summer hours are from 10am to 10pm daily, which start with the May long weekend and run until the September long weekend.


During the Winter, the store is open from 11am to 5pm on Monday, from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Thursday and from 10am to 6pm Friday through Sunday.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2015 10:09:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/fixing-up-the-exterior-of-your-house.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/fixing-up-the-exterior-of-your-house.html</link>
        <title>Fixing Up the Exterior of Your House</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Painting the exterior of your house is one of the most important home maintenance jobs there is. The paint and caulking is your home’s major defense against weather and water damage. Potential buyers are going to see the exterior of your house first, so it may be time to fix up the paint job outside.


The siding of your house is a surface that is extremely sensitive when it comes to the effects of weather or a poor original paint job. Damage to the siding can often cost thousands of dollars to repair, so you must assess how badly it needs to be repaired before selling.


 Should you tackle the project yourself?


Consider the price difference between a high-end exterior paint job and a low-end one. Paying more money on materials or labour now can result in thousands saved in the long run.


Although doing the job yourself can save money, be aware that exterior painting is likely to be one of the most physically intense and difficult home maintenance jobs you will ever do. It will consist of countless days of stressful work and physically demanding labour. Many people decide to get the job done correctly the first time and spend the extra dollars for their homes- resulting in a paint job that can bring up the price of the home sale.


Exterior house paint must be able to withstand the brutal effects of anything Mother Nature throws its way. It is extremely remarkable how such a thin layer of primer and paint even lasts as long as it does. On top of all weather issues and natural disasters, all buildings created are constantly moving and shifting.


This movement is caused as the temperature increases and the materials expand, and as it decreases and the materials contract. As well, the wood is consistently moving, splitting and warping. Add falling branches, dust, and other debris into the picture and nothing less than a high-quality exterior paint job will do the trick in many cases.


Each style of surface on the exterior of your home will require an alternate technique of painting. Which type of finish you pick will also determine the technique. There are, however, 4 main types of surfaces including the body, the trim, windows and doors.


By using the most efficient technique and high quality materials the exterior of your house will require less maintenance in the long run. It can definitely be used as a selling feature and raise the value of the home.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:58:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/looking-for-investment-properties-3-tips-to-help-you-find-rental-units.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/looking-for-investment-properties-3-tips-to-help-you-find-rental-units.html</link>
        <title>Looking For Investment Properties? 3 Tips To Help You Find Rental Units</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
A lot of people are turning to rental units as their choice of investment properties and the reasons are obvious. There will always be a market for renters and the timing is perfect right now to get started.


Here are 3 tips to help you decide on the best investment properties for rentals.


Work with an agent


This is the most important thing you can do if you are serious about looking for investment properties. An agent has the lowdown on the Cochrane buildings that are available and the neighbourhoods that are the best. They also often find out about rentals from other agents and can show you some of the great deals that are available.


Set a firm budget


Sit down with your agent and work with an accountant to set up a workable budget. If this step is omitted you will have to pay the price later. Although it seems quite obvious, many business people have lost a building because they over-extended themselves financially.


Be confident and be ready to learn


This whole process is going to be a learning experience. Take some time to read some information about investing in real estate and prepare to take notes whenever you have a conversation with your agent. Even the big guns in the investment field are still learning every day. In fact, this is the most important thing that you can do.


When you put all of these different aspects into place you'll end up finding the perfect investment Cochrane properties for sale. It is a great time to buy rental units since the market for them is growing every day.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:46:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/what-type-of-tour-is-perfect-for-adventure-seekers-in-the-cochrane-area.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/what-type-of-tour-is-perfect-for-adventure-seekers-in-the-cochrane-area.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>What Type of Tour is Perfect for Adventure Seekers in the Cochrane Area?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Finding the right tour for an adventure seeker isn't exactly easy. A historic tour or food tour may not be enough. However, the right trail adventure will fit perfectly with an adventure seeker. Here's the type of tour you may enjoy if you love adventure.


Hidden Trail Adventures


Since 2002, this tour company has been taking people into the Rocky Mountain foothills for fun. Whether a tour for a few hours is necessary or a full day ride, they know the best places to go for adventure.


Riding an ATV through the countryside provides more than just adventure, however. The views are quite amazing and there's plenty of opportunity to see wildlife. Tours can be adapted to fit any type of rider from the beginner to the experienced. You don't need to have any great skill to ride.


Team Building Tours


Whether you want to enjoy an ATV tour as a school trip or as a team building tour for a corporate retreat, you will find it from Hidden Trail Adventures. They provide team building tours with problem solving and stress. Not only are these tours fun, but they also help to teach riders to work together.


Safety


Of course, an important part of the experience is safety. Some of the things that Hidden Trails Adventures does to keep the ride safe include:




Require helmets, which can be provided


Must be 16 years of age to operate the ATVs


Must be 10 years of age to ride as a passenger


Provide certified Wilderness First Aid senior guides


Provide certified Canadian Safety Council ATV RiderCourse guides




All rides must go through a short orientation before the ride.


Cost


Many tours are available with Hidden Trails Adventures. If you decide you want to take the Margaret Lake, Cow Lake or Lesuer Creek Trail Tour it will cost $249. The Margaret Falls or Waiparous Creek Trail tours are $295. Other tours have different prices depending on the length.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2015 13:08:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/staging-a-house-for-sale.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/staging-a-house-for-sale.html</link>
        <title>Staging a House for Sale</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Home staging in Cochrane, either by the owner or a professional stager, is a common practice in real estate today. It involves renting furniture and other accessories to put in a house that would otherwise be empty. This helps prospective buyers visualize how the house would look when it is fully furnished. The furnishing is also done to highlight the good aspects of the house and to give the prospective buyers ideas on how different spaces can be used and furnished.


Staging a house has been shown to increase the selling price and will attract a lot of interest from prospective buyers in comparison to an empty house. A staged house will provide beautiful photographs that can be used online.  No one can question the value of home staging when selling a house.


The cost of staging a house in Calgary can run anywhere from $2,000 - $5,000 dollars for a period of three months for high-end services. Of course, it will all depend on the stager and the quality of furniture used. This high cost of staging a house, coupled with the high price of housing, makes staging a very expensive option. If you are unable to raise this amount of money, then you can consider the alternative of having your house virtually staged.


Virtual Staging


Virtual staging involves taking pictures of the empty rooms and having the stager add furniture and other décor items like wall hangings, curtains, colour on the walls and so on to the photos using specialized programs like Photoshop. This will not involve the renting of any furniture and costs much less. For as little as $250 you can have your entire house virtually staged.


Before opting for this option you must look for a good Calgary virtual stager and take a look at his portfolio. The virtually staged house needs to look real and natural. The stager must have a good understanding of how to use different software to achieve the desired effects.


Whether you opt for virtual staging or real staging, the skill of the professional is very important. The person employed must understand how to use different furnishings to bring out the beauty of the house. Take the time to do your research before making a decision on which way to go when considering staging your Calgary house. Staging will increase your chances of selling your home within a shorter period of time.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 20:08:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/why-is-cochrane-a-good-place-for-your-business.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/why-is-cochrane-a-good-place-for-your-business.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Why is Cochrane a Good Place for Your Business?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Cochrane offers many advantages for small business owners. Whether you're looking to expand or open your first location, Cochrane should be high on your list. Here's why the city is a great choice for your business.


The History of Cochrane Business


Cochrane has a strong history with business. It has been a desirable location for businesses to put down roots for over a century. Even though the city has changed, it still has an entrepreneurial spirit throughout.


The Location is Great


Since Cochrane is found just off Highway 22 and Highway 1A, it's a great location for businesses. The city sits only 20 minutes from the Trans Canada Highway and about 25 minutes from downtown Calgary. This makes it easy to get to the major areas, yet provide a small town ambiance.


Cochrane is also located only 45 minutes form the Calgary International Airport. If you need to travel for business, it's easy to get to and from the airport from Cochrane.


Affluent Community


With over 20,000 local consumers found in Cochrane, businesses have the ability to thrive. The city is filled with affluent, educated consumers. If you expand the area to just 50 square kilometres around Cochrane, there are more than 1 million consumers found close by.


Purchasing Power


Businesses can take advantage of the property prices found in Cochrane, as well. This is one of the most affordable areas in the Calgary region for residential, industrial and commercial property.


Major Business Presence


Cochrane already has a core group of technology firms, national retail franchise and other major businesses found throughout. This makes it easy for the small business to gain confidence in the city as its' headquarters.


The Goals of the City


The city of Cochrane has always worked hard to grow economically. The major long-term goals of the city are to remain proactive and build a relationship with business owners within the city as they work towards creating an environmentally sustainable town for all to enjoy.


If you're considering opening a business near Calgary, Cochrane may be the right place for you. It's a charming town with plenty of benefits for both residents and businesses.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:17:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/attraction-spotlight-dragon-flight-archery.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/attraction-spotlight-dragon-flight-archery.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Attraction Spotlight: Dragon Flight Archery</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Dragon Flight Archery is a great choice for training, equipment sand more. This attraction is about 90 minutes southwest of Red Deer and about 75 minutes northwest of Calgary. It covers about 50 acres of natural terrain for play, practice and plenty of fun.


The Field Course


Training on the archery field course is a great way to get better with a bow. The course features 14 3D targets and it complies with the IFAA Field Archery standards and rules.


With Spyder Web targets and the best archery technology, this is one of the top courses in the area. The technology makes it very easy to shoot and retrieve your arrows.


The course is set up with four distances for each target. When you go through the course, you shoot four arrows and score 5, 4, 3 or miss for each of the arrows. A full round allows you to go around the course twice with a maximum score of 560.


This is a very challenging type of archery and helps those working hard to build their skill increase in skill much faster. It requires proper form and a finely tuned bow to score high on the course.


Shooters of all ages are welcome. Dragon Flight Archer provides adult, junior and cub pegs set for different distances.


Coaching


During the summer, Dragon Flight Archery provides coaching for ages 10 to 16. They provide camps for all skill levels.


Along with coaching, they offer leagues for competition and tournaments. There's plenty archery fun to enjoy at Dragon Flight Archery. Whether you want to come out and hit the field course, pick up a new bow or spend time competing in a league, there's plenty of things to do here.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2015 10:08:00 -0700</pubDate>
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