StonePoint Real Estate Team

09/01/2026

Newsletter Read - Kinda cool!!

Lost or Forgotten Inventions That Radically Shifted Infrastructure, Science, and even Military Might (Some Will Surprise You!)

Many of us may not realize it, but history is full of technological dead ends and lost secrets. The inventions mentioned below were sometimes completely forgotten due to falling empires, strictly guarded secrets, or deliberate suppression. These are all items history tells us existed, but we cannot prove today...

Ancient Infrastructure and Materials

Roman Concrete: The ancient Romans built massive harbours, aqueducts, and other structures (some famous) using a volcanic ash mixture, amazingly, there are examples that are stilling in existence today. When the empire fell, the precise recipe vanished. For over a millennium, humanity reverted to weaker building materials until modern Portland concrete was patented in the 19th century. Revered for its durability, examples of Roman Concrete that are still, almost miraculously, standing are the Colosseum built in the 1st Century A.D. and the Pantheon built in 128 A.D, both in Rome, Italy. There are more structures in other parts of Europe using Roman Concrete, which is apparently still superior to today's concrete.

Damascus Steel: Renowned throughout Western Asia, this metal made swords incredibly sharp and flexible, forged with carbon nanotubes. The exact manufacturing process was lost by the 18th century as raw material trade routes shifted, baffling modern metallurgists for centuries. To clarify, this is Ancient Damascus Steel, a specific strong and sharp steel versus a Damascus pattern today, which while strengthening is primarily a decorative pattern of metal within blades.

Flexible Glass (Vitrum Flexile): According to Roman writers like Pliny the Elder, an artisan invented a glass bowl so durable it would dent instead of shatter. Fearing it would devalue gold and silver, Emperor Tiberius allegedly ordered the inventor executed and the workshop destroyed, erasing a material that could have accelerated industrialization.

Lost Science and Early Computing

The Antikythera Mechanism: Discovered in an ancient Greek shipwreck, this 2,000 year old device is considered the world’s first analogue computer. It precisely calculated astronomical positions and eclipses using a complex system of bronze gears. The knowledge to build geared mechanisms of this complexity disappeared until the European Renaissance. To view its surviving fragments and learn about its ongoing restoration, you can view it at the National Archeological Museum in Athens, Greece.

The Baghdad Battery: Discovered in Mesopotamia (primarily modern day Iraq), these clay jars contained copper cylinders and iron rods. When filled with an acidic fluid like vinegar or lemon juice, they generated a mild electrical current. While used for electroplating or pain relief, the technology was forgotten, delaying the electrical age by nearly two millennia.

Hero’s Steam Engine (Aeolipile): In the 1st century A.D. (roughly between 10 and 70 A.D.), Hero of Alexandria invented a rocket like spinning sphere powered entirely by steam, effectively the earliest recorded steam engine. Because the ancient world relied heavily on slave labour, it was treated as a novel toy rather than a labour saving tool, delaying the Industrial Revolution by 1,700 years.

Warfare and Chemistry

Greek Fire: The Byzantine Empire held a terrifying monopoly on this incendiary weapon, which could burn on water and destroyed enemy fleets. Greek fire was first operationally used by the Byzantine Navy in 673 A.D. It was deployed against the invading Arab fleet during the Siege of Constantinople. The devastating incendiary weapon was reportedly invented a year prior, in 672 A.D., by Callinicus of Heliopolis. The chemical formula was a state secret so heavily guarded that it was ultimately lost entirely.

Mithridatium (The Universal Antidote): Created by King Mithridates VI (135-63 B.C.), he was the brilliant and ruthless ruler of Pontus (modern day Turkey). During his reign, it was part of the Roman Republic. Obsessed with assassination plots and biological warfare, he spent his life ingesting tiny, non-lethal doses of poisons to build up his immunity. The complex compound of low dose poisons and herbs (o***m, chopped vipers, and toxic plants) supposedly rendered users immune to all lethal toxins. It was prized for centuries before its intricate, multi-ingredient recipe faded from medical practice.

Call now to connect with business.

08/08/2026

New fantastic property- now on the Market!

07/02/2026

New fantastic property- now on the Market!

07/01/2026

New fantastic property- now on the Market!

07/01/2026

Here's an interesting one for the feature read for the month! While we're all tired of the back and forth in the Iran conflict, what are the consequences? We've gathered the opinions from what analysts are saying:

After 4 months of on-and-off again hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, plus Israel's direct involvement in this and their own campaigns, there have been some pretty obvious global impacts. Analysts generally agree on numerous results - some that potentially improve regional and global situations, and others that are clearly detrimental:

Potential Positives:
1) Iran's Somewhat Degraded Military Capabilities: Joint military operations by the US and Israel have either damaged or weakened the Iranian navy and air force. According to US military sources over 90% of the Iranian navy has been eliminated. A large number of missile launchers, drone production sites, and air defences have either been damaged or destroyed although estimates are that Iran still holds a vast number of these items capable of short and medium range impacts.

2) Reduced Nuclear Capability: A key target has been Iran's nuclear material and nuclear refining capacity. This has been largely degraded or destroyed, however not eliminated as previously claimed by the US administration.

3) Iranian Proxies Weakened: The conflict has heavily struck Iranian backed militant networks such as Hezbollah and Hamas, weakening their operational capacities and potentially diminishing their regional threat.

3) New Regional Alliances: By expanding the conflict to include Gulf Arab states alongside Israel, the war has accelerated regional security cooperation between these states and the US. Further, even the Israelis provided direct military defensive assistance to the UAE with the deployment and operational assistance of Iron Dome anti-missile batteries directly on Emirati soil. That said, the reliance on the US for regional security partnerships is reportedly under internal scrutiny by some regional countries.

4) Unexpected Assistance: The Israelis provided direct military defensive assistance to the UAE with the deployment and operational assistance of Iron Dome anti-missile batteries directly on Emirati soil. Further, Ukraine signed 10 year defence and security co-operation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. As well, UAE and Ukraine have agreed to co-operate on defence. While this act has been recognized and appreciated, Israel is also seen as a major provocateur by many in the region due to a number of their aggressive military actions in Lebanon over the last number of months.

5) Oil and Gas Revenue Benefits: Places like the US, Canada, and unfortunately even Russia (although, Russia has seen significantly reduced exports due to numerous Ukrainian attacks on its oil infrastructure); have opportunities generate significant revenues higher commodity prices. For example, every $1 price increase in WTI, means approximately $2 million dollars a day toward Alberta’s economy.

Negatives:
1) Increased Inflation: Prices at the gas pump are up (and down and back up) by as high as 75% in Calgary from the lows seen before the war. Costs of many day to day items continue to go up, even items that may not be directly related to oil and gas. This is largely due to transportation costs. For example, it costs more to fuel farm equipment and transport goods to grocery stores, thus, resulting in higher food costs.

2) Higher Fertilizer Costs: Natural gas is the fundamental building block and primary energy source for nitrogen based fertilizers, it accounts for 70% - 90% of a production facility’s input costs. Therefore, higher natural gas prices lead to higher fertilizer production costs directly effecting farmer’s margins, and, hence, food costs will likely rise.

3) Clothing Cost Increases: Believe it or not, a well known clothing material is linked to oil and gas. Polyester is fundamentally a plastic, meaning it is a direct derivative of fossil fuels. The fibre is synthesized from petroleum crude oil and natural gas through a series of chemical processes.

4) Civilian Casualties: Attacks on urban and other centres have resulted in numerous civilian casualties in Lebanon, Israel, and Iran. Innocent people hurt or killed is a tragedy that can't be understated. Lebanon has suffered over 3,200 deaths and over 9,700 injured. While Iran has experienced about 3,500 deaths and 27,000 wounded. Israel has 26 civilians killed and over 7,700 injured.

5) Widening Conflict: The conflict has widened to include cyber warfare and drone strikes by Iran on neighbouring nations, plus of course attacks on regional US bases and their host nations in the Gulf - such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait.

6) Degraded, Not Defeated Iranian Military: Intelligence assessments indicate Iran retains approximately 70% of its pre-war missile stockpile and access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retains roughly 1,500 missiles and 200 operational launchers, and while subjected to severe blows to its production sites, Iran’s drone manufacturing has restarted at an accelerated pace as they retained the supply networks, technical expertise, and decentralized production facilities.

7) Growing Humanitarian Crisis: Poor countries with vulnerable populations are experiencing worsening conditions due to the cost or lack of fertilizers for crops, scarcity of cooking fuel and unaffordable fuel for vehicles. Some examples include Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Cambodia.

8) Massive Cost of War: Figures reveal that the war has cost the US (at the very low end) at least $29 to $40 billion. That doesn't include equipment losses and increased maintenance. Factoring in soaring consumer energy costs, base repairs, long term veteran care, and equipment losses, the total economic and financial burden is estimated to be $630 billion to $1 trillion.

9) Iran's New Assertion of Control of the Strait: Iran has - and is trying to entrench governance of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which could have huge global impact. If successful, they would launch themselves financially beyond reach of any diplomatic or military control measures. This is a direct result of the conflict, as they realized the potential power they could have - and is a problem without a solution at this stage.

It causes you to wonder if things are further ahead or further behind, doesn't it?

07/01/2026

Latest market snapshot...

Ahh, the sweet fragrance of the lilacs and the rich greenery of early summer!! See the latest statistics on the Calgary real estate market below!

City of Calgary figures reveal on a cumulative basis, from January and May 2026 versus January and May 2025, available detached housing inventory increased 4%, attached (row, semi-attached) increased 15%, and apartment increased by 4%. For the same period, the months of supply increased for the detached market by 8% to 2.4 months, for attached it was up by 37% to 3.3 months, and apartment up by 44% to 4.8 months. In the same timeframe, the number of sales decreased for detached homes by 4%, attached down by 16%, and apartment was down by 28%. In turn, average prices were down 3% for detached, down by 6% for attached, and down by 9% for the apartment segment.

What are Calgary Real Estate Board officials saying about the Calgary real estate market?

“The shift in supply is being felt in the market. More supply choice in the new and rental markets has created a more competitive environment for potential buyers. At the same time, concerns over rising cost of living and slower migration are also weighing on consumers,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®). “While this has caused the overall resale market to shift to a balanced state, the supply pressure is having a more prevalent impact for apartment-style units, where conditions are favouring the buyer. This is also impacting price movements, with apartment prices continuing to trend down and other property types reporting a seasonal lift over the winter months.”

The CREB summary explains, “In line with seasonal trends, inventory has risen from the start of the year, reaching 6,752 units. While these levels are consistent with last May, they remain 11 per cent higher than longer-term trends for the month, thanks to higher supply levels of apartment and row-style homes. Meanwhile, inventory levels for detached homes are down three per cent compared with both last year and long-term trends."

"At the same time, sales activity has been slowing. Calgary sales in May were 2,162 units, 16 per cent lower than last year’s levels and similar to sales reported in April. While new listings also slowed by 13 per cent compared with last year, it was not enough to offset the pullback in sales, causing the sales- to-new-listings ratio to ease to 51 per cent. The lower ratio also contributed to some of the inventory build, causing the months of supply to rise. However, conditions do vary across the market, with a range of two-and-a-half months of supply in the detached market to more than five months of supply in the apartment condominium market."

Note that these results are mixed across different areas of the City and these are not blanket results!! Some areas are performing quite well. So whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate, give us a text, email or call to learn more about how the market is likely impacting your next property decision in your specific area of choice!

06/16/2026

New fantastic property- now on the Market!

06/04/2026

New fantastic property- now on the Market!

05/01/2026

Feeling stressed by the tumultuous world out there? Here's a fun read for this month's update that you'll definitely find interesting - and cause you to ponder "why"...

Top 10: Happiest Countries in the World... Guess where Canada and the US Rank?!?

Based on the World Happiness Report 2025, countries are ranked based on life satisfaction surveys, using the following factors: income (GDP per capita), social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and corruption levels.

The Happiest Countries Top 10 are... (drum roll please):

1. Finland: The citizens of Finland have strong feelings of communal support and mutual trust that not only helped secure the #1 ranking but also helped the country as a whole navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. During that trying time, Finlanders felt strongly that they were free to make their own choices and showed minimal suspicion of government corruption. Both of these factors are strong contributors to overall happiness.

2. Iceland: Edging past Denmark into second place for the first time since 2014, this island nation of just 400,000 people ranks first for social support – the degree to which residents feel they have someone to count on in times of trouble. It also places in the top 10 for GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy and generosity, making it one of the most well-rounded performers in the rankings.

3. Denmark: A perennial top performer, Denmark has never dropped below fourth in the report's history and has frequently taken the top spot. Ranking third overall this year, the country also places third globally for social support and low corruption, and seventh for GDP per capita.

4. Costa Rica: Amazing, this marks the highest ranks ever for a Latin American country and the first for one of these countries to make the top five. This country’s freedom score and social support measures nearly doubling since 2021. Costa Rica doesn't rank as highly for GDP or governmental support as the Nordic nations, but residents still report strong freedom to make their own life choices. Attributed to the peoples “pura vida” lifestyle, Costa Rican prioritize social connection and nature over material wealth.

5. Sweden: High trust in the government and police fosters a sense of security; citizens believe public systems and institutions will effectively deliver what they promise. The Swedish “cradle to grave” welfare state provides universal healthcare, free education (up to college), and generous parental leave (up to 480 days between parents). These safeguards significantly reduce financial anxiety and provide a strong social safety net. Regarding work life balance, the Swedes work fewer hours on average than the global standard and enjoy a minimum of five weeks of paid vacation.

6. Norway: Norwegians feel they are being well cared for by their government thanks to universal healthcare and free college tuition. Norwegians also enjoy a healthy work-life balance, working an average of 27 hours per week versus 36 hours per week in the United States. Additionally, Norway has a low crime rate and citizens tend to have a high average income while benefiting from strong investment in public well being and eco-innovation.

7. Netherlands: The Dutch have a healthy work-life balance and high levels of personal freedom. The Netherlands has the highest rate of part time work in the world, it’s acceptable to work 3 or 4 day per week to spend time with family or hobbies. The education system emphasizes well being over high stakes testing, and the “cycling culture” gives teenagers independent mobility from an early age. Thus, Dutch children are ranked as some of the happiest in the world. As well, there is a long history of social tolerance, creating a society where people feel free to be themselves, boosting freedom to make life choices scores.

8. Israel: The people of Israel showed emotional resilience in the wake of the October 7th attack. Deep familial bonds and community resilience remained high despite regional conflict. Note, since this survey, we anticipate that Israel’s ranking in 2026 may likely be lower due to Israel’s current war with Iran or at least, the populace’s resilience will be tested more than ever.

9. Luxembourg: Blessed with extremely high GDP per capita and quality public services have made this nation shine on the happiness survey. High incomes relieve financial stress. Luxembourg was the first country in the world to make all public transportation free, leading to reduced commuting stress and increases in perceived freedom of its residents.

10. Switzerland: The Swiss responded favourably to their nation’s political stability, high income levels, and low perceived corruption.

Where do Canada and our neighbours to the South measure up on the World Happiness Report? Why?

Not the best news for Canada. We ranked 25th, our lowest measure ever. Canada dropped quite dramatically in 2026, from 18th in 2025. Furthermore, a very sharp plummet from 5th in 2015. For the US, they came in at 23rd for 2026 with a minimal recovery from 24th in 2025, which happened to be the US's worse showing ever.

Factors for the above mentioned results are as follows:
1. Youth Happiness Gap: In both countries, the youth (under 25) revealed extreme unhappiness scores.
2. Social Media Impact: For instance, Algorithmic Feeds, which researchers identified as culprits as they encourage toxic social comparisons and loneliness.
3. Cost of Living: Home ownership, rent and day to day expenses (groceries, insurance, gas, tuition, etc) have all risen in cost, making it a greater challenge to meet all of the financial obligations especially for the youth. As a result, financial stressors have increased amongst this age group.

General Trends
1. Decline of English-Speaking Nations: For the second year in a row, no English-speaking countries appeared in the top 10.
2. Youth Well Being: The 2026 report focused heavily on the impact of social media on youth, noting a significant decline in well being among young people in North America and Western Europe.
3. Central and Eastern Europe Rise: Several countries in this region, including Serbia, Bulgaria, and Latvia, showed the largest gains in happiness over the last decade.

05/01/2026

The latest and greatest real estate snapshot! It seems that the world keeps on making things feel uncertain - but we have the scoop!

Happy Springtime!! See the latest statistics on the Calgary real estate market below!

City of Calgary figures reveal on a cumulative basis, in January to March 2026 versus January to March 2025, available detached housing inventory increased 9.8%, attached (row, semi-attached) increased 26.6%, and apartment increased by 7.1%. For the same period, the months of supply increased for the detached market by 14.3% to 2.5 months, for attached it was up by 44.6% to 3.1 months, and apartment up by 47.6% to 4.8 months. In the same timeframe, the number of sales decreased for detached homes by 3.9%, attached down by 11.9%, and apartment was down by 27.4%. In turn, average prices were down 1.4% for detached, down by 3.8% for attached, and down by 2.6% for the apartment segment.

What are Calgary Real Estate Board officials saying about the Calgary real estate market?

The CREB summary states, “Supply conditions in March varied significantly depending on property type. Inventory levels saw a typical monthly rise, but compared with long term trends, inventory remained well above the 10 year average for both row and apartment style units and well below trend for detached homes. This is not a surprise given the pullback in detached housing starts last year despite record high apartment style starts.

There were 1,881 sales in March, up from the previous month, but still 13 per cent lower than levels reported last year and slightly below long term trends for March. The decline in sales is mostly due to pullbacks in apartment style properties, where increased supply choice and slower migration is spreading demand across a wider range of supply. Meanwhile, detached sales have also showed some decreases compared to long term trends, likely due to limited supply choice in some city districts.” But what does that mean?

"When considering total residential housing statistics, conditions appear to be relatively balanced as sales, new listings, inventories and prices all trended up over the previous month as we start to move into the spring market," said Ann-Marie Curie, CREB's Chief Economist. "However, when we look deeper, we are seeing a market that ranges from tighter conditions for detached homes to the apartment sector, where conditions tend to favour the buyer. As expected, this is supporting upward momentum in detached prices and downward pressure in the apartment condominium sector."

The CREB summary continues, “The total unadjusted benchmark price in the city was $565,600, up nearly one per cent compared to February but down by more than four per cent compared to last year. After the first quarter, benchmark prices posted modest to stable conditions for lower density homes. However, apartment condominium prices continued to slide, dropping another three per cent in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter of last year."

Regardless of the market, call us for some clarity on how the current environment affects you. Because whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate, we can help ensure you are on the right side of the equation for a great purchase - or alternatively maximize your return on the selling side!

Call now to connect with business.