By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, CIR Realty, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

Week 2 of 10

When the Bow runs high with spring break-up, the Ghost lies glassy on a July evening, or the Red Deer braids bronze under fall colours, buyers feel it the moment they turn off the highway. Approach matters out here—shelterbelts, a well-kept lane, windbreaks, and a glimpse of water all set the tone before they ever see the house.

A pond, creek, or river are gold to buyers. In Alberta farms with these features...

By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, CIR Realty, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

Week 1 of 10

The gate swings, the fence line runs straight, and the gravel lane curls past a barn roof still dark from last night’s rain. Out here, buyers decide with their boots on the ground: approach, shelterbelts, and how the yard “works” tell the story long before they step inside the house. And it’s not just horse or cattle folks—recreational purchasers are a growing slice. They’re paying for privacy, tree-covered...

By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, CIR Realty, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

If you live in Calgary or any major city, step outside at night and look up. What do you see? A haze of orange from streetlights, the glow of traffic, neon signs, office towers that never sleep. The stars are out there, but they’re drowned in a sky that never truly gets dark.

Most people don’t even realize how much of the night sky they’re missing. Light pollution hides the Milky Way, dulls the northern lights, and steals...

By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

Hello, wonderful folks, and welcome to another edition of Wildlife Wednesday! As a realtor specializing in the breathtaking foothills of Alberta, I often get asked what truly makes living out here so special. Is it the wide-open spaces? The stunning mountain views? The peace and quiet? Yes, all of that, and so much more. But today, I want to introduce you to one of our most magnificent neighbours, a creature that embodies the spirit...

By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

Have you ever wondered what title insurance is? Do you need it? What are the benefits? 

You might ask about an RPR (Real Property Report) and whether it covers everything. In this article, we will provide you with all the details you need, and perhaps even more information than you anticipated.

The simple answer to your questions is that you need at least one of these for your protection moving forward. If possible, I recommend...

What Every Rural Buyer Should Know — By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

If you live on an acreage in Alberta, chances are you've either got a chainsaw or three, or maybe you borrow one from your neighbour who really wishes you would go buy one. Whether you're clearing a trail, cutting up storm-downed trees, or bucking firewood for the winter, having a solid saw makes life easier—and safer.

Let’s dig into two of the big dogs in the chainsaw world: STIHL vs. Husqvarna....

By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

There’s something magical about the first crackle of a wood stove on a frosty morning. Out here in the Alberta foothills, where the stars shine brighter and winter hangs on a bit longer, heating with wood isn’t just about comfort—it’s a way of life.

At our home, we heat with wood most of the time. We're lucky enough to have access to standing dead trees, which we responsibly harvest and season. Not only does this save us a lot in...

By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

You’re driving down a dusty Alberta backroad, your truck bouncing along as golden fields stretch out on either side. Maybe there’s a distant mountain range on the horizon or a cluster of aspen trees swaying gently in the breeze. You spot a “For Sale” sign and think, “Could this be it? My own slice of country paradise?”

But here’s the thing: No two rural properties are the same. They’re as unique as the people who built them – from...